Chapter 42 Dreaming a Performer's Dream
While they continue on the road, Team Rocket has enraged a Salamence which causes a lot of people's Pokemon to be injured, but everything is solved with the help of Nurse Joy's Wigglytuff.
Now they are at a local park in Lagoon Town, as Ash goes for Scarlet's disguise again as she gets a call from his cousin Aria, she has decided to partake in the Showcase of the Lagoon Town.
While this is happening, Serena is brushing her own Fennekin's fur. Bonnie asks, "Hey, Serena, can I try it as well?"
"Sure, you can. Here." Serena gives Bonnie the comb as she brushes Fennekin's tail. Chespin also wants to be brushed as well, so Bonnie goes to brush him.
"It's about time, isn't it..." Serena looks around and then they hear Shauna calling to them.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting!" Shauna rushes towards them.
"No, it's fine." Serena says.
"It sure has been a while, Shauna." Ash says.
"How are you doing?" Bonnie asks. "It sure has been a while since we saw each other at the Summer Camp."
"That sure is nostalgic." Shauna nods.
Ash says, "Oh, by the way, this is David and Flora, they are our new travel companions. David, Flora, this is Shauna."
"I have heard of you from my sister Alice, it is nice to meet you." Flora says.
"Nice to meet you as well." Shauna says.
"So Shauna, what's going on today?" Serena asks.
"The thing is...in today's Pokemon Showcase in Lagoon Town, the Kalos Queen Aria will do an exhibition performance!" Shauna says. "So I thought you guys and I can watch her together!"
"Really?" Flora asks, "It sure has been a while since we see each other."
"I agree." Ash says.
"Wait, you know the Kalos Queen?" Clemont asks, and David says, "She is our cousin."
"Another one? And not to mention you are related to the Kalos Queen?" Serena and Shauna gasp in shock.
"Looks like we have never told everyone about this." Ash says with a shrug.
Flora says, "We have been asked by her to help out with some PokeVisions as well."
"Somehow I am starting to wonder about your family..." Serena sighs, "But I can't wait to see her performance in person."
"You're right about that." Bonnie cheers at the same time.
In the theater, the group is now sitting at the stands as they are going to watch how the Showcase is doing. Just then, the lights are glowing and a man appears on the stage. He says, "Je t'aime! You, mes amies who all love Pokemon deeply, sorry for the waiting! I am your host, Monsieur Pierre! Well then, let the Lagoon Showcase begins!"
Everyone is cheering as Pierre continues, "All right, let's start off with an exhibition match by Mademoiselle Aria, who holds the title of Kalos Queen!"
Just then, Aria's Braixen appears and shows off its gracefulness. It goes for Fire Spin, and then Aria herself appears on the stage. Braixen throws the branch to Aria, who throws it back to Braixen, landing it on Braixen's head. Using Fire Blast, Aria and Braixen end the show.
"That was a beautiful performance by the Kalos Queen! Aria!" Pierre says.
"That sure is an awesome performance!" The crowd is cheering, and David says, "Looks like she is doing greater than before, don't you think?"
Ash says, "I can tell. But I am not going to lose to her as well."
Flora says, "By the way, Scarlet is also in this performance, right? Maybe we should cheer for her."
"Good idea." David says.
After the performance, Aria is walking in the hallway to the dressing room, only to see a familiar girl standing there.
"And I wondering who it is, if it isn't Scarlet?" Aria smirks, and Scarlet smirks back, "Good to see you again, Aria. I admit that is a nice performance."
"I don't think it is enough after all." Aria says. "But I am looking forward to seeing how you go in this showcase."
"Just so you know, my Pokemon and I have been training a lot, and I won't hesitate to hold back." Scarlet says.
"And now we should get started with our first stage!" Pierre says as everyone is surprised to see 3 giant screens and four arrows on the ground. Shauna says, "You see, Pokemon Showcases consist of two stages, this is the first stage, which is the Theme Performance. Each of them is different, like this one, it is the Step-Dancing Performance."
As they watch the 3 performers trying to keep up with the glowing arrows, and he says, "Looks like the performers need to step on these arrows so that they can get a score for each one...it really shows the balance and the quick reacting."
Clemont says, "That sure is going to be very tiring..."
After three rounds are over, the fourth round begins and then they see someone familiar, and Shauna says, "That's Scarlet Ketchura! She's in the Showcase as well?"
"No way! It really is her!" Clemont says as the others are shocked to see the one who managed to beat Aria in the PokeVisions are also attending.
Serena looks at Ash, who is cheering for Scarlet, and she thinks, "Ash is also attending this without my knowledge? I can't believe he moves so well..."
"And the winner is...Performer Scarlet!" Pierre says, "Who gets the full combo score without any tripping or distracting!"
Everyone in the crowd is cheering for Scarlet, and some of them are muttering that Scarlet might be the one to dethrone Aria from the Kalos Queen, but the others have different opinions.
"Looks like Scarlet is going to win this for sure." Flora says.
David says, "I really hope to see the match between Aria and Scarlet, but that is if Scarlet gets all 3 Princess Keys."
After the first round is over, the second round is the Theme Performance. Scarlet is the last one to shine, so she is getting made up in the dressing room.
"A Perfect Score, I never knew you were this balanced." Aria says to Scarlet, and Scarlet smiles, "What? Are you thinking me as a clumsy person? There is a reason I beat you in the PokeVision."
"You're right about that." Aria sighs.
Just then, they notice a commotion on the screen and a wild Pancham is going on stage.
"What is this about? A Pancham has suddenly broken in?"
Scarlet and Aria look at the screen with confusion, and Scarlet says, "At least nobody was injured...I wouldn't want someone to interfere with my performance."
"Looks like we're thinking the same thing." Aria sighs.
After a while, it is finally Scarlet's turn to shine, as she goes for her own Glaceon, and they created a perfect ice show. In the end, Scarlet is the one that wins the performance and she earns her first Princess Key.
After the match is over, Ash and the group are now outside. Ash says, "I can't believe something like that happened."
"But still, we managed to see both Aria and Scarlet's performance. That Glaceon of hers is wonderful." Shauna says.
"Both of them are completely in sync with their Pokemon! That's so fantastic!" Serena says, and others are showing their opinion.
"That sure is a nice performance you got there." The group turns around to see Scarlet facing Aria, both of them are in their casual clothes. Ash says, "Aria! Scarlet!"
The two females notice Ash and the group, and they decide to greet them. "Not too loud, Ash. You do know that the crowd will be watching us."
"Sorry. But your performances are so great." David says as Flora nods.
"Indeed. And congrats on your win Scarlet." Flora says.
"Why thank you." Scarlet says, "With this, I just need two more keys so that I can settle the score with the Kalos Queen."
Aria says, "By the way, why don't you introduce your friends to us?"
Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Shauna are now facing the Kalos Queen as they stutter, they don't know what to say as they introduce themselves. Shauna says, "Aria...after seeing your performance, I have decided, I am going to take part in the Showcases as well."
"Why thank you, I'm looking forward to that. And what about you?" Aria looks at Serena, who says, "I...I don't know..."
"It's fine, I am sure that Serena will try to partake in it as well. After all, she is my proud student."
"Student?" Shauna asks Serena, "You are Scarlet's student?"
"I don't even know about that!" Serena says with her face blushing like a tomato.
"Anyway, I have something else to do, so I should go now." Aria says as she bids farewell to the group, and Scarlet says, "Well, I also need to go as well, if you want to face Aria, you will have to beat me as well, after all, only the winner gets to challenge Aria's title. And I'm going at it too."
Shauna says, "You bet, I am not going to lose, just so you know."
"Well then, see you guys." After that, Scarlet leaves the group alone as she goes to the Pokemon Center, only to see Aurora waiting for her there.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" Scarlet asks.
"Mother told me that you have gotten your first Princess Key, so I am here to congratulate you." Aurora says with a smile.
"Thanks, but I don't think my performance is good enough, after all, I want to beat my cousin." Scarlet adds.
"By the way, aren't you going back to your original self?" Aurora asks.
"As much as I want to, it seems that they have some Pancham Problem." Scarlet sighs.
"I see, well, I'm going back to Kanto for some business, so remember to do you know what."
Scarlet almost trips over and she says, "Mom...I haven't tripped during the dance performance...don't let me trip now..."
After Aurora leaves, Scarlet decides to go find Ash and return to him, only to see a boy walking in front of her. "You really had a nice performance on stage."
Scarlet recognizes the boy as Calem, who is also Serena's male disguise. Scarlet says, "Excuse me, who are you?"
Calem says, "My name is Calem, and I'm just trying to get to Coumarine City for my fourth badge. I know you, Scarlet, the famous PokeVision user and the performer who just won the first showcase today."
Calem walks towards her and whispers in her ear, "And you look very cute in person."
Scarlet doesn't know why, she has been easily falling into his charm. Her face is now blushing red and she says, "Um...thank you..."
"By the way, may I ask where you are going?" Calem asks, and Scarlet says, "Well, I'm going to find my student, Serena."
"Serena, as in Ash's Ketchum's companion. What a coincidence, I am going to find Ash as well, since I am going to battle him ever since the time back in the Summer Camp. How about we walk together?"
"I don't mind..." Scarlet says, but Calem suddenly holds her hand, and Scarlet asks, "Calem? What are you doing?"
"What? You don't like the fact that I'm holding your hand?" Calem asks with an innocent smile, which Scarlet turns and says, "No...it feels...nice..."
As they walk on the road, a lot of people are commenting about young love and assumed newlyweds, which causes Scarlet to be embarrassed. She starts to regret not being able to escape Calem. As for Calem, he knows very well that Scarlet is Ash's disguised as a female, but this side of her is something that he has never seen before, and he seems to enjoy the moment as well.
Once they find Ash and the group, Serena is already hugging the Pancham and Fennekin at the same time. Flora notices Scarlet and says, "Scarlet, who is that person?"
As everyone turns around, Ash says, "Well if it isn't Calem? How are you doing?"
"Good to see you guys as well. I just got my third gym badge from Korrina, and now I'm heading to Coumarine City." Calem says.
"What a coincidence, Ash is doing the same as well." Serena says. "But why are you two holding hands?"
Scarlet is now a kettle that is boiling, and she says, "I met Calem on the way...and this is what happened..."
"Does that mean you two are dating, like Ash and Serena?" Flora asks.
Calem says, "We haven't confessed our feelings yet." Scarlet somehow feels sad after hearing that, but Calem continues, "But we decide to get to know more about each other first."
"I see." Serena says. "But I never knew I would get to see this side of my teacher."
"Now you're teasing me? Serena?" Scarlet asks with fake anger, and then she notices the Pancham. "That Pancham...isn't that?"
"The same one that crashed into the showcase, he likes to dance, so I decided to capture him." Serena says.
"Good for you. Serena." Scarlet says.
"By the way, Ash. How about we have the battle to see who is stronger now?" Calem asks.
"You bet." Ash says as they reach out their Pokeballs as they are ready to face off against each other.
And here is a new original chapter. Not fully original. The episode where Serena captures Pancham is the same in the anime, so I decided to write something new with Scarlet and Calem's meeting, and I was inspired by one of the fanfics with Ash dressed as a female while Serena dressed as a male dating. That's why I decided to do this chapter. The next chapter will be Clemont's Luxio.