It was about one week till Ash came back from the Pokémon World Championship tournament in Galar. The yearly gathering of every trainer in the Master Class division at the time a large tournament was being held to determine Leon's next challenger. The competition was fierce, the journey long but unfortunately for the character of this story he stumbled in the round of 32.

Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town had a good showing for his first year in the big leagues but was beaten by someone with much more experience at that level of battling. His opponent was incredibly tough and while Ash got close to beating him the coin dropped the other way. Not deterred by his loss he would try again next year after gaining more experience and by defending his spot on the world ranking.

Being home he wondered what to do next. Goh and Professor Cerise were on an incredibly long expedition that would make it hard for Ash to train and battle other trainers. Saying their goodbye for now he headed back to Pallet Town to think about his next move and how to go about it.

It had been a few months since Ash got off the SS Shimmer. Seeing the Power Bands he received from a certain someone on the luxury cruise liner the items helped in his training and helped him get quite far for a first timer. He wondered how the person who gave them was doing.

A Pokémon Performer by the name of Amelia gave him the items. First she schemed getting close to him due to his association with Serena, they eventually became close friends in a short amount of time. Saying their goodbyes to pursue their own careers Ash promised he'd go visit her in her hometown in Kalos and the company her family owned.

Taking out his phone he went through the image gallery. Scrolling through all the images of the Shiny Pokémon he took he came to a Dragonair that instead of blue is a mix of pink and purple colored. Thinking fondly about his new friend he didn't know too well, with enough time on his hands now he could get to know the real her.

Having called her if she had time for him Amelia said yes. The two kept their conversation over the phone short as they wanted to tell the other about their achievements in person. Ash booked the first plane over to Kalos where the Performer will be waiting for him at the airport.

With her day to day outfit Amelia stood close to the gate where Ash and Pikachu will get off the plane. Checking her appearance in a hand mirror she was not sure about her full look yet. She did not want to look overdressed nor sloppy making it hard to find the right balance.

"Be cool like you always are. Stop being nervous." Putting the hand mirror back in her purse she fidgeted probably over nothing.

"Does he remember the kisses I gave him? Does he still think I'm pretty?"

Her worries returned pulling out the mirror in a hurry again. Unable to deny the crush she developed on the cruise ship Amelia took her chances and kissed him. He picked up on it but she felt not ready yet to ask him out on a date thanks to her acting. Determined to show Ash the real her Amelia was determined that she'd show the boy the new her that he helped build in less then a week.

Testing him over the following days if her affection is just a crush on his kindness or if he really was the one for her. But for now she just wanted to have fun as she already planned activities for his stay and lay her eyes on him again. She heard the intercom hear his flight number being called from Kanto. A few more agonizing minutes occurred when he got of it in still the same outfit as on the cruise liner it was a welcome sight.

"Ash!"

"Amelia!" The two black haired people waved hi as Ash got closer to her. Amelia ran to him too on her small heels. Face to face once more they smiled.

"It's great to see you again."

"You too."

They were silent just taking in the other presence. Amelia wore the same outfit she left him at the SS Shimmer. The giant sunhat on top her head and big bow in front of her chest it really suited her confident smile. Having not seen her image for a bit it reminded him she really took care of her appearance like most Performers. It was just he found her better looking than the rest for some unexplained reason.

"Hi Pikachu." Amelia greeted the mouse who waved back. Still the Electric type was attached to Ash's shoulder. The yellow fur contrasted heavily with the blue and white his trainer wore but it is hard to imagine one without the other.

"What do you say we go straight to my home? We can talk in the car."

The Performer wanted to go to a more private setting. The airport not a good spot to discuss things she led Ash outside where her ride was waiting. A black limo ready to move them away the two got inside the vehicle as the driver sped off.

"So how are you?" Ash asked her. From her pocket she took out a keyring. One of the keys was green on it was green with the handle adorned with flowers and the other blue with streaks of white making it resemble waves in the ocean.

"When I got back home I started collecting new Princess Keys. I want to get my third one soon in Kiloude City. How long are you staying over?"

"I don't have much to do now. I gotta train hard for next years championship but I want to give my Pokémon a break for having worked so hard."

"Would you like to go to Kiloude City then to watch me perform? I can use your support."

Normally more certain of her victory she'd didn't take things for granted anymore plus his vote would help. Her family reputation meant nothing during a Showcase and it was up to herself to impress her audience so they can't get around her. She still had a way to go to beat Aria but she felt herself getting there.

"I watched your Performances on Pokevision. They were even better than I remember. You got this." Ash giving a vote of confidence in her skills really helped. He looked forward to seeing a Showcase again and to see his new friend be in her element while supporting her.

"Thank you. I can't wait to show you my progress." Amelia really working hard on a new act that would impress the crowd and made them awe. Her keyring felt bare without the third key and she was trying her hardest to fix it soon enough.

"I caught a glimpse of your battles too. You sure are strong. Stronger then I remember you being." She watched his battles during the tournament. It still surprises her just not how strong but inventive he can be during them. He really has a special gift of thinking outside the box, making type disadvantages into advantage.

"Those Power Bands you gave me really helped out." Ash told her the set of training tools she gave him came in handy. Usually reserved for only the high elite tier of trainers she thought he deserved one. Her hunch was right seeing as he's in the top 32 of the world.

"No. They're just tools. You know how to use them well."

"First time I read the instructions that came with it." He joked. Amelia did owe him something related to the place the items were made.

"So you want to get the tour of the factory tomorrow?"

"I'd like that."

The two had no issue getting their schedule planned for the next week. Amelia would show Ash around her hometown more and the factory as she promised. Ash would like to see more of Fluerrh City as the last time he was there he and his companions were rushed for time to make it to the Master Class and to get his final badge before the start of the League. Ash never was one to stay in one place for too long but having stayed at Professor Kukui and Professor Cerise he came to appreciate the downtime. During it Amelia would make her final preparations for the Showcase in Kiloude City and from there they'll see what happens.

The car driving in Amelia's hometown Ash looked at the window and saw the Kalos architecture. The road right in the middle of the street for cars and travel Pokémon like Gogoat's with buildings and stores next to it, the buildings might be a few centuries old but well preserved. As he looked out the vehicle stopped.

"We're here."

The two trainers got out of the car thanking the driver as Ash looked over it. At high three stories high there were a lot of open windows letting in light. The marble and bricks the house were made of had a faint brown and beige color. From the top of the roof multiple chimney's came out of it but none were smoking yet. They went up the flight of stairs leading to her home. Having been in a bunch of mansions in his journey the interior did not surprise him. Just like other places it was well up kept by the staff not showing any filth. It displayed murals of Pokémon and some older looking men sharing Amelia's last name. After wiping off their shoes Ash was stunned by the interior.

A staircase on both sides led up to the two higher floors. A large open aula that led deeper into the house Ash could see the many doors leading to other rooms. He saw a bunch of people at work. As he followed Amelia the staff greeted her home. She thanked them before introducing Ash to them telling them if he needed anything they could arrange it.

The pair moved upstairs one floor. Ash trying to remember the route to it Amelia opened the door. A large bed in a wide room with a good overview to the streets and all he could need like his own bathroom, closet to put his clothes in and a phone to contact the staff working in the house.

"Do you like the guestroom?" She asked him as he still looked his eyes out.

"This place is massive. It's even bigger than I could've imagined. You need a roadmap to know were you're going." Ash no stranger to large mansions this one took the cake. When he and his companions seek shelter from rain and thunderstorms he could at least remember the layout of the places he stayed at.

"My family spared no expense. This house is actually on Fluerrh City's list of historical monuments. My family has lived in this place for centuries and it's tradition that all the staff that work here get a room of their own."

Amelia's ancestors took note that most people at the time did not have a acceptable living condition back home so they made a deal. They worked in the mansion for the Valuer family and as payment they'd be provided with food and shelter so that after a hard day of work they had a place to sleep. While most people in the present had their own comfortable homes to sleep in the deal was kept up ever since. That's why there were so many rooms.

"Wait till you see the courtyard."

Ash set his bag down on the bed and followed her again. Going down the stairs they turned the corner and followed the long hallway to the back. Big glass doors opened up and Ash saw the courtyard. The building circled around it as the sides were filled with blossoming trees and flowers as the gardeners were at work. In the middle of it was a fountain with a statue of a Machamp spouting water from his four arms and legs. Around every limb of the grey statue there was a colored band.

"This fountain honors the first Pokémon that helped us mine the materials we need to produce the Power Bands. When it's nice weather I usually do my practice out here. But you can use it to train your Pokémon or let them play if you want."

Having her own dance studio at home she could spare the pretty inner garden. Not having a battlefield in the house this is the only place Ash can do his workouts. Amelia showed him a few more places afterwards. After getting the tour they retreated back to the guest room where food was waiting for them. Amelia ordered the staff to bring it there instead of the regular dining room so she could be alone with Ash just a bit more.

"I hope everything is in order." After giving the tour she wanted him to be well supplied.

"More then ok. This place is amazing."

Amelia did not wanted to seen condescending. Having lived here her entire life it was familiar and nothing about this place surprised her anymore. After her meeting with Ash on the SS Shimmer and returning home she realized how lucky she was to be raised here with a silver spoon in her mouth. But that attitude of privilege had to go if she ever wanted to become Kalos Queen.

"And the food is fantastic." Ash said taking another bite not wasting the hard work the staff put in.

Ash had wanted to ask about Amelia's parents but decided not to. He would let Amelia bring them up on her own accord since it was a touchy topic. Last time they talked about them the Performer still felt a bit pressured by them to use her status as a Performer to promote the family business. Besides she was smiling and he did not want to make Amelia feel any different currently. He liked seeing her happy as she had a great smile. And the way they talked about other things like what they did in detail during their time apart he was excited to see what life with the Performer would bring.

Unaware they were being spied on from behind a painting in the guest room. Amelia's personal aid in Alfonzo had given the story to his employees about the request their daughter to temporarily house the trainer from Pallet Town. For now Ash's intentions with the Valuer heir seemed purely platonic but having done this line of work for a bit knows that if people really want something of value they can lie and deceive as true actors like Diantha.

For now he'd watch as the two spoke about things while trying to create a conversation that will make the guest spill his true motives of being here cause it certainly wasn't business related.

"That hit the spot." Ash and Pikachu both rubbed over their stomachs. Amelia satisfied at seeing them full got off the bed.

"Glad to hear you enjoyed it."

"Is there dessert?" Amelia's eyes widened forgetting the grand finale.

"I wanted to make some fresh ones for you but I didn't have enough time."

"The staff is not in charge of dessert?" Ash asked as he thought they supply all the food.

"I kind…off told them I wanted to do it myself." Amelia wanted to use her baking skills for him. Not that good of a chef she found her way easier around an oven then a stove making treats and Pokepuffs

"Why?"

"Reasons." The Performer muttered while having a tiny blush. Still with no more food and it getting late the pair said goodnight as they would leave for the factory pretty early so Amelia would have enough time to show Ash everything he would want.

Amelia set her alarm clock earlier then she would like was still excited to spend time with Ash again. And to show him just how better she became because of him.

Welcome to the sequel I spoke about.

Decided to bite the bullet so here we go.

Hoping to see some reviews on this one that warrants my motivation.

Later