Dreaming a Performer's Dream!
Alec's POV
The group was in Lagoon Town on their route to Coumarine city waiting for Shauna to arrive. Meanwhile, Serena was grooming Fennekin with Bonnie. "Can I have a turn please?" Bonnie asked Serena.
"Of course. Here," Serena said, giving Bonnie the brush. When she was finished brushing, Chepsin popped out of his ball and ran up to the girls.
"I bet you want to get brushed too?" Bonnie asked when she saw him.
[Yes please,] Chespin answered. Bonnie started brushing Chespin's quill, clearly enjoying it as Serena stood up to look for Shauna.
"She should be here any minute…" Serena started.
"Serena! Sorry we're late!" Shauna called out as she and Bulbasaur ran up to join them. "I hope you weren't waiting long," she wondered.
"No, it's fine," Serena answered.
"Shauna, how've you been?" Ash asked.
"Nice to see you again," Bonnie greeted.
"It's great to see you all too," Shauna said.
"So what are you going to show us today?" Serena asked.
"Wait till you hear this. Aria is going to do an exposition performance at the Pokémon Showcase right here in Lagoon Town. So I wanted to invite all of you to come with me," Shauna told them.
"Aria huh. Interesting," Alec said, having heard the name before.
"Her Poké Vision videos are great!" Bonnie commented.
"Yeah. She's the top Pokémon Performer, the Kalos Queen. I can't wait to see her," Serena added.
The six headed to the Showcase and managed to get good seats where they could watch. The stage lights dimmed and a fancy light show started. A platform then rose and a man wearing a coat with blue on one half and gray on the other with a Klefki on his staff started speaking. "Bonjour my Pokémoner's, and welcome. I am your host Monsieur Piere, prepare yourself for a competition magnifique. And now, the Lagoon Town Pokémon Showcase will amaze, starting things off with our rookie class competition." The crowd started cheering as he continued. "But first, our reigning Kalos Queen, mademoiselle Aria, has agreed to put on an exposition performance for one and all," Piere finished. The platform then went under the stage as the stage got completely dark.
"Be fantastic!" a voice shouted as a flame appeared as it started spinning. Eventually, a spotlight turned on to reveal a Braixen, and the flame was its branch.
"Look! Aria's Fennekin evolved into Braixen," Clemont noticed.
Braixen continued to twirl her stick and eventually used Fire Spin creating a tornado of fire. "And here she is, our Kalos Queen, mademoiselle Aria!" Piere said from somewhere unseen as Aria appeared.
Aria and Braixen then started to do a bunch of twirls with Braixen's branch while tossing it between them. Braixen then used Fire Blast from her mouth into the air making red sparkles fall on the crowd as they bowed. The audience applauded heavily at Aria's performance. The curtain dropped down as Piere appeared on the side of the stage. "Now that everyone is all revved up and ready to go, please welcome today's first performer. From Landy Town, Hally and her Furfrou!" he said. The performance started with Furfrou hopping through a hope multiple times using Double Team. As it went on, a Pancham was seen on the stage doing its own performance. After spinning on its back for a bit, Pancham jumped up and tried to swing on a spotlight, but it fell off and Pancham fell to the floor. Two stage employee's tried to get Pancham off the stage, but Pancham pushed a cart of boxes into them and it took off, running past the group.
With all that happening, they called off the performance. "Too bad it ended early," Ash said.
"But at least we got to see Aria," Serena pointed out.
"I thought the teamwork between her and her Braixen was as good as it gets," Shauna commented.
"They were both so great," Serena added.
"Well, they definitely trust in each other. Braixens usually are pretty defensive with their branches, so to see that means a lot," Alec said.
"I'm so glad we saw her. We got some great ideas for our own Pokémon Showcase performance," Shauna said.
"You mean you're really going to be a part of it?" Serena asked her.
Shauna nodded and said, "But we've still got a lot of work to do. We're going to have to head home now, I'll be in touch soon."
"Thanks a lot for inviting us," Serena said as Shauna left.
[Chespin, what are you doing?] Ethan suddenly asked. The group turned to look and saw Chespin twirling a twig like Braixen was.
"Are you imitating Braixen?" Bonnie asked. Chespin threw the twig into the air, but it hit him on the head instead of balancing.
The group shared a laugh when Chespin was hit in the back of the head with another stick. [Hey, what's the big idea?!] Chespin shouted. The group then saw the same Pancham doing the move Chespin was trying to do, but Pancham did it perfectly.
[That's how you do it, loser. See ya,] Pancham mocked Chespin as he left.
[Urgh. No one calls me a loser! Get back here you overweight panda!] Chespin shouted as he chased after Pancham.
"Chespin, wait!" Clemont called out.
"Where are you going?!" Bonnie asked as the group started to pursue.
Their pursuit took them into the woods nearby 'till they found the road split. "Okay, I'll look for Chespin this way," Serena said, pointing down one path.
"Alright, I'll head that way," Alec said, pointing down another.
"Right," Ash said as he took another path. Alec looked around trying to find Chespin, but he wasn't having any luck.
"Ethan, you got anything?" Alec asked him.
[No, I can't pick up a thing. Duke might have a better chance though,] Ethan said.
"Good idea. Duke, come on out!" Alec shouted as he threw the Ultra Ball. "Alright Duke, I need you to find a Chespin or a Pancham. Got it?"
[Got it,] Duke said. He started sniffing the ground till his tail perked up, meaning he got something. [This way,] Duke said as he started running with Alec and Ethan right behind them.
Serena's POV
Serena was looking for Chespin when she heard a nearby bush rustle. "Chespin, is that you?" Serena asked, but it turned out to be Fennekin. "Did you find him Fennekin?" Serena asked.
"Fenne," Fennekin said, shaking her head. Fennekin suddenly ran off.
"What's the matter?" Serena asked as she ran after Fennekin. Fennekin eventually stopped and looked around the side of a tree. Looking as well, Serena saw Pancham wearing Ash's hat and Clemont's glasses.
Pancham did a few flips and threw the hat and glasses before catching them and waving at something that wasn't there. "What's Pancham up to?" Serena asked herself. She then remembered Pancham's little performance back at the showcase and it clicked. Pancham continued its performance as Serena and Fennekin stepped out. "Pancham!" Serena called out. Pancham panicked and ran toward an outcropping of rocks. "I just want to talk to you!" Serena shouted. Pancham stopped and stood away from the entrance looking innocently away as Serena saw all the items inside. "Pancham, have you been gathering up all these items for your performances?" Serena asked. Pancham didn't answer as Serena walked up to it. "You shouldn't steal other people's things," Serena said as she put Ash's hat and Clemont's glasses in her bag as she continued, "but if you promise to stop stealing, I'll give you these," she said, pulling out a pair of sunglasses.
Pancham snatched them immediately and put them on his face. Serena stretched out her hand to touch Pancham, but the Pokémon ran away, dropping the sunglasses in the process. "Pancham, come back! I'm not done talking to you!" Serena shouted as she ran after Pancham and picked back up the sunglasses.
Alec's POV
Alec was still following Duke and the wolf Pokémon was getting excited, which told Alec they were getting close. "Hey, Alec!" Ash called out. Alec turned to see Ash without his hat, Clemont without his glasses, and Bonnie.
"What happened to you two?" Alec asked Ash and Clemont.
"Pancham stole my hat and Clemont's glasses," Ash explained. Alec then saw Chespin standing by Clemont.
"Duke, you still got the scent?" Alec asked.
[Yeah. And we're close,] Duke answered.
"Come on, I think we've found Pancham," Alec told the group. They all followed Duke to an open field where they found Pancham sleeping in the center. The group surrounded it as Duke circled around them.
"There it is. Pancham's taking a nap without a care in the world," Ash said.
Chespin then walked up and kicked Pancham in the foot and pulled on the leaf in its mouth. [Get up you,] Chespin said.
Pancham woke up and realized what was happening. "You're not getting away now! Give me back my hat!" Ash demanded.
"And give me back my glasses right now!" Clemont added.
Pancham seemed to realize that he wouldn't have an easy way to escape when "Hold on a second!" Serena shouts as she runs up. "Step aside. I wanna catch that Pancham!" Serena told them. The group looked at her surprised but Serena was unfazed. "You heard me! I wanna catch that Pancham," Serena repeated.
"Why do you want to do that?" Bonnie asked.
"When I found Pancham near its cave, I discovered that it likes to perform," Serena explained.
"I guess that makes sense. But what does this have to do with catching it?" Alec asked.
"I'm getting to that, but first, I managed to get your glasses and hat back," Serena said as she handed the items to their owners.
"How did you find them?" Ash asked.
"After he took them, Pancham was using them as props while it performed. I know why it crashed the Pokémon Showcase, Pancham wanted everyone to see what a good performer it is," Serena explained.
"So you want to catch it so you can perform with it," Alec realized.
"Yeah. I want to be a performer like Aria, and I want you to join Pancham," Serena said. "So, what do you say to a battle?" Serena asked Pancham.
[Alright, then. Let's see what you've got,] Pancham said with a smile.
The two stood across from each other as Serena prepared to battle. "You can do it Serena!" Bonnie cheered.
"Now Fennekin, use Scratch!" Serena commanded. Fennekin ran up to Pancham, but before she could use the attack, an electric net caught her. "Fennekin!" Serena shouted as the net flew up to Team Rocket's balloon.
"So, you want to be a Pokémon Performer like Aria?" Jessie asked.
"You got a problem with that?" Serena asked.
"Well, Jessie has a big problem, so I don't care," James said.
"Yeah. Beware," Meowth said.
"In order to be a successful Pokémon Performer one has to be beautiful. Dressed in a beautiful gown, my beautiful self will bask in the spotlight with beautiful Braixen. It's beauty times three, the crowd will love what they see," Jessie said.
"I thought you said beautiful, so doesn't that count you out?" Alec asked Jessie.
[Wow, not even Flame can give a burn like that,] Duke said as Ethan, Chespin, and Pikachu burst out laughing with everyone else trying not to.
"How dare you insult your future queen!" Jessie shouted angrily.
"Give Fennekin back!" Serena demanded once she stopped laughing.
"No way. Fennekin is where she should be," Jessie told her. "But take heart, I'll make sure it evolves into Braixen. Toodaloo!"
"We beat you," Meowth added as the balloon left.
"They won't get far. Duke, use Rock Slide and crush that balloon!" Alec shouted. Duke howled into the air and boulders started to fall on the balloon, popping it in multiple places. The balloon crashed to the ground and the group ran up to the crash site. Pancham immediately used Stone Edge. Team Rocket ran out of its way.
"Why is Pancham on their side?" James asked.
"Mind your own business," Jessie told him.
[You three interrupted my battle with the young lady, so it is my business!] Pancham shouted.
"It says we interrupted it's battle with the twerpette," Meowth told Team Rocket.
"How dare you," Jessie said.
"Well, interrupting is what we do," James stated. Pumpkaboo and Inkay were thrown out to battle. "Inkay, Psybeam!" James shouted. Pancham jumped out of the way of the attack gracefully.
"Pumpkaboo, Shadow Ball!" Jessie commanded. Pumpkaboo sent the ball of shadow energy at Pancham as a familiar purple-black swirl appeared in Pancham's paws and he fired Dark Pulse.
"Duke, get Fennekin out of that net with Crunch!" Alec commanded as Pancham fired another Dark Pulse at Inkay. Duke ran up to the net and was about to chomp down on the device holding the net together when Pumpkaboo fired Shadow Ball into his side. Pikachu, Dedenne, and Pancham then ran up to Fennekin as Pumpkaboo hovered over them.
Duke jumped in between Pumpkaboo and the other Pokémon in a defensive stance. "You bore me with your twerpness. Pumpkaboo, Shadow Ball," Jessie said.
"No you don't!" Serena shouted as she tackled Pumpkaboo.
"Serena!" Ash shouted.
"I'm fine, save Fennekin," Serena told the Pokémon.
"How dare you treat my Pumpkaboo like a volleyball! If you want games we'll give you games. Time for Leech Seed!" Jessie shouted.
"Duke, Crunch!" Alec shouted. Duke bit down on Pumpkaboo and shook the pumpkin Pokémon like a chew toy before throwing said Pokémon at Jessie.
"That's two moves too many. Time for a twerp payback," Jessie said.
"Anyone mind if I finish this?" Alec asked.
"No problems here," Ash answered.
"Alright then. Come on out Leo!" Alec shouted. Ethan and Duke ran over to Leo with Ethan between the other two. "Stone Charge Pulse!" Alec shouted.
Duke slammed his paws into the ground and stone pillars burst out of the ground and surrounded Team Rocket. Leo then ran in using Wild Charge with Ethan running right behind him. Leo smashed threw the Stone Edge and forced Team Rocket into the air. [Get 'em Ethan!] Leo shouted as Ethan jumped off of Leo's back and fired Dark Pulse, sending Team Rocket into a blastoff.
Alec returned Leo and Duke as Serena turned to Fennekin. "Fennekin, thank goodness you're alright," she said before turning to Pancham. "Thanks, Pancham, you really helped Fennekin a lot. So now, what do you say to getting back to our battle?" Serena asked. Pancham nodded and the two got ready to battle again.
[Ready when you are,] Pancham said.
"Alright, Fennekin. You ready?" Serena asked.
[Ready,] Fennekin answered.
Pancham jumped into the air and started things off with Dark Pulse. "Dodge it!" Serena shouted. Fennekin jumped into the air as well. "Use Flamethrower!" Pancham managed to dodge Fennekin's attack and ran up to use Arm Thrust. "Flamethrower!" Serena shouted. Fennekin let loose a jet of fire as Pancham dodged again and prepared to use Arm Thrust. "Dodge it!" Serena called out. Fennekin leaped into the air again as Serena shouted, "Use Hidden Power!" Serena attempted to use a Poké Ball but Pancham broke free.
"Don't give up, just keep battling hard!" Ash encouraged.
"You can do it!" Bonnie cheered.
"Use Flamethrower!" Serena commanded. The flames hit its mark this time as Pancham was sent back. "Hidden Power!" Serena shouted quickly. Pancham was hit once again and Alec could see he was starting to weaken.
"Now Serena!" Alec shouted.
"Pancham, I wanna perform together. Please, come join me on my journey right now!" Serena said as she threw another Poké Ball. Pancham went inside, and with three shakes and a click, it was decided. "Tada! I've begun a new phase of my journey, because I've caught a Pancham!" Serena shouted excitedly as Fennekin cheered.
"Yeah, you did it!" Ash congratulated.
"Your first catch, that's pretty big," Alec stated.
"Thanks," Serena said as she turned. "I'm going to do my best to become a Pokémon performer like Aria. And someday, I'll become Kalos Queen," Serena declared as she let out Pancham and gave him a pair of sunglasses. "Pancham, Fennekin, will you help me make my dream come true?" Serena asked her Pokémon.
"Awesome! I can't wait to see you as a Pokémon performer," Bonnie said.
"It's good to have a goal, and I think you've chosen the perfect one," Clemont stated.
"That's for sure," Ash said.
"The path we walk is the one we make," Alec said.
"So Fennekin, Pancham, let's do our very best," Serena told her Pokémon and they nodded.
[It's good she's found her own goal. Now she just has to reach the end,] Ethan said.
"She's determined. She'll make one day," Alec said. The group then continued on their way as Alec thought about his own goal, and wondered if it was worth it.