Pathways to Performance Partnering

Alec's POV

The group was still on route for Coumarine City, but they were currently stopping for lunch. All their Pokémon were out and Alec had decided to do a swap. Flame was still around, with Swellow, Sceptile, Walrain, and Mienfoo, named Missile, Root, Blubber, and Nora respectively, were now with him. "I'm full," Ash commented when he had finished.

When the Pokémon were finished as well, Serena grabbed her basket. "How about a nice Poké Puff for dessert? I made plenty for everyone," she said. She opened the basket and found that it was empty.

"There's nothing left," Bonnie commented.

"Could it be…" Clemont started. Everyone turned to look at Chespin, whose mouth was filled with the Poké Puffs.

"Not again," Serena said, slightly annoyed as Chespin swallowed all the Poké Puffs.

[What's the big idea? Eating all the Poké Puffs?] Pancham asked.

[Yeah! Couldn't have saved some for anyone else?] Missile said aggressively.

"Missile, knock it off," Alec told him, knowing Missile had a short fuse. He backed down, but grudgingly.

[What? They were good,] Chespin said happily. Pancham didn't like that answer and smacked Chespin. Chespin smacked back, resulting in the two fighting.

"Hey! Stop fighting!" Serena shouted.

"Stop Chespin. What are you doing?" Clemont asked as Serena picked up Pancham. Pancham shouted something at Chespin, but he wasn't forming a clear sentence.

Once they calmed down a bit, Serena and Clemont talked to their Pokémon. "Listen, both of you. Don't you remember that you're supposed to be friends? Now make up," Serena told them. Pancham kicked Chespin and Chespin hit Pancham on the head.

"Hey, all you're doing is just being plain mean to each other, come on," Clemont encouraged. Pancham and Chespin didn't listen and continued to hit each other.

[Alright, that's enough of that,] Blubber said as he got between the arguing Pokémon.

[Stay out of this!] Chespin and Pancham shouted at him.

[Come now. You two need to learn how to get along. Like it or not, your trainers are traveling together, so that means you two do as well,] Blubber told them calmly despite Chespin and Pancham's threatening glares.

[What's it to you? You don't belong to either of our trainers,] Pancham stated.

[Come now. No need to get aggressive on me, I'm only trying to help,] Blubber said.

"Are you going to stop him?" Bonnie asked Alec.

"No. Blubber's good at stopping arguments," Alec answered, confident Blubber could handle this.

[Why don't you help yourself to this!] Pancham shouted as he and Chespin used Stone Edge and Vine Whip on Blubber. Both moves hit, sending Blubber back a bit. Missile then came out of nowhere and hit the arguing Pokémon with Aerial Ace, sending them both flying.

[If you want to mess with him, you mess with me!] Missile shouted.

[I'm out, see you, idiot,] Chespin said as he ran off.

[Get back here!] Pancham shouted as he ran after him.

[Thanks for the help Missile, but you should have done that while they were still fighting,] Blubber said.

[They attacked a teammate. You know I won't stand for that,] Missile countered.

[And the bird brain has done it again. Ruined another one of Blubber's attempts to make things easier,] Nora comments.

[You got a problem?] Missile asked accusingly.

[Yeah, it's in my face,] Nora answered.

[Come on now, we're a team, remember,] Blubber reminded them.

"You all can have this talk later guys, something's happening," Alec said as he noticed Serena and Clemont head into the brush. He, Ethan, Ash, and Bonnie ran up to see what was happening.

"What's going on?" Ash asked.

"Looks like these two got into more trouble," Serena answered. Alec looked and saw a girl with greenish-blue hair about their age with a Farfetch'd and Smoochum.

"Sorry about that," Alec apologized.

"Whatever, it's fine," she said before turning to her Pokémon. "Now, let's keep training for the Pokémon Showcase."

"Pokémon Showcase? I was thinking about entering as well," Serena told her.

"Really?" she asked excitedly, getting in Serena's face with stars in her eyes. The group introduced themselves and she introduced herself as Nini. "See, this will be my very first time. But, I get no feedback practicing by myself. Could you watch my performance and tell me what you think?" she asked Serena.

"But I don't really know enough to judge someone's performance," Serena stated as Blubber continued to try to calm Pancham and Chespin down and Alec returned the rest of his Pokémon to their balls.

"Don't worry about it," Nini stated. "I'd like to hear what you all think too," she told the group. They agreed, but Alec didn't know how he was going to judge something like that. The group sat down as Nini began her performance.

"Smoochum, you're first. Powder Snow," Nini said. Smoochum spun and formed a cloud in the air as snow fell from the sky. After spinning around for a bit, Farfetch'd flew into the air and cut the cloud with his leek, causing sparkles to rain around the performer. After a couple of flips, Nini told Smoochum to use Heart Stamp and Farfetch'd to use Fury Cutter. Smoochum blew a kiss, resulting in a heart to have appeared from her mouth and flew into the air. Farfetch'd then jumped up and cut the Heart Stamp multiple times with Fury Cutter, causing petals to rain down on the group. After striking an end pose, the group applauded.

"Now, tell the truth. Is there something I should fix?" Nini asked.

"Well, I was thinking you could coordinate their dance a little better," Serena said.

"I was thinking the Heart Stamp could be a little more flashier," Ash told her. Nini wrote what they said in a notepad she had.

"Serena, it would be a really big help if you showed me your performance," Nini requested.

"Well, to be honest, I'm not really ready to show anyone just yet," Serena told her.

"I wanna see it, please?" Bonnie asked.

"I'd like to see it too," Clemont stated.

"Same for me," Ash added.

"It's not a bad idea Serena," Alec told her.

Serena turned to her Pokémon. "Ready Fennekin? Pancham?" Serena asked.

[Ready,] they answered. Chespin then slammed into Pancham.

"Why is Chespin doing that?" Ash asked.

[He's still wanting to show Pancham up,] Blubber told Alec and he told the group.

[What's the big idea?] Pancham asked.

[I want in,] Chespin said as he and Pancham started fighting.

"Ethan?" Alec asked. Ethan nodded and used Psychic to pull the two apart.

[Knock it off. Both of you,] Ethan ordered.

"Chespin, would you like to be in the performance too?" Serena asked.

Chespin nodded in response. "I've got it," Clemont said and Chespin perked up in fear. "If that's what you want, leave everything to me," Clemont told Chespin. "The future is now thanks to science, Clemontic Gear on! I've got the perfect machine for a situation like this. So now presenting my Only-Lonely-Robo Partner."

"What is that?" Nini asked.

"My big brother's an inventor," Bonnie answered.

"Power on. Okay, Chespin, now you can dance to your little heart's content," Clemont said as the machine headed toward Chespin. Chespin looked terrified as the device headed towards him and grabbed Chespin in a dance hold before they started to "dance".

[Let me go! Let me go!] Chespin shouted repeatedly.

"Wow, science is so amazing," Ash commented.

"Clemont's invention is super incredible," Nini stated.

"Uh, I don't think Chespin likes what's happening," Alec stated.

"What's he saying?" Bonnie asked.

"That he wants the machine to let him go," Alec answered. As he said that, the machine spun Chespin around in the air before throwing him to the ground. It picked Chespin back up with steam starting to come out of the machine.

"Uh oh," Bonnie said.

"Something's gone wrong," Ash stated.

[Help meeee,] Chespin said as the machine continued to spin Chespin around.

"Clemont, turn it off!" Bonnie shouted.

"As soon as I can find the off button," Clemont said.

"How do you not know where you put that?" Alec asked, surprised at the stupidity. The machine then got close and blew up in their faces.

"Clemont, looks like you did it again," Bonnie said.

"I'm so sorry," Clemont apologized.

[I hate you sometimes,] Chespin commented. Nini and Alec's Pokémon, besides Ethan, looked at what happened in surprise as the others just paid it no mind.

After cleaning themselves off, they sat down to watch Serena's performance. "Good luck Serena," Ash told her.

"Let's do this you two," Serena told her Pokémon. Fennekin and Pancham then jumped into Serena's hands and she threw them into the air. Fennekin used Flamethrower as she spun in the air. Pancham did flips in the center of the fire and placed his sunglasses over his eyes. Pancham lands on the ground, but Serena had to catch Fennekin quickly and set her on the ground. The three danced for a bit 'till Pancham fired Dark Pulse into the air. Fennekin fired Flamethrower once more. It swirled up to the top of the Dark Pulse, causing a firework and the bits to fall back to the ground.

"Wow Serena, that was awesome," Ash complimented.

"I loved it," Bonnie said.

"It was super good, but I felt like Pancham's acrobatics didn't fit with the rest of the performance," Nini noted.

"Really?" Serena asked.

"Pancham's movements were swift and strong, but—how do I say it?—They don't seem to mesh with what you and Fennekin are doing," Clemont explained.

"You also shouldn't be catching just Fennekin. It's good and all, but unless you're catching Pancham as well, it doesn't work as well," Alec advised.

"I'll have to think about that," Serena said. Smoochum then got up alongside Pancham and started making flirtatious gestures at him. Pancham shifted uncomfortably away from her, but she remained persistent.

"Smoochum, what's going on? Do you have a crush on Pancham?" Nini asked.

"Really, on Pancham?" Serena asked.

"I think they would make a cute couple. The two of them are so sweet," Nini said.

[I think Smoochum could do better. That Pancham has an attitude problem,] Ethan commented.

[Are you jealous?] Blubber asked.

[No, just pointing things out,] Ethan stated matter-of-factly.

"Maybe the two of them should dance together," Nini suggested to Serena.

"Uh, maybe," Serena said, unsure. The two Pokémon did a small dance together and it seemed to work out.

"That was pretty good," Ash commented.

"You two were wonderful," Serena told them.

"Just as I thought you'd be," Nini said. "What do you think about trading Pancham for one of my Pokémon?" she asked Serena.

"Did you say trade?!" asked a surprised Serena.

"Well, how about it?" Nini asked. Chespin got up and started pushing Pancham towards Nini, but the playful Pokémon recovered from his surprise and started fighting back against Chespin.

"Hey, Chespin, will you cut it out?" Clemont asked as he picked him up. Pancham looked up at Serena with uncertainty as she picked him up.

"Sorry Nini. You see, Pancham is the first Pokémon I ever caught. And Pancham is going to be my performance partner," Serena explained.

"Oh well, too bad," Nini said, accepting Serena's decision. Pancham looked at Chespin and made a face at him.

"But, watching them perform, I understand how important dance choreography is," Serena added.

"Yep, that's true," Nini said.

A car suddenly went past the group and stopped not far from them. Two men and a woman then stepped out. "Well, not too bad I guess," one of the men said. "You kids interested in Pokémon Performance?"

"Yes, we are," Serena answered. The man introduced the woman, but Alec didn't hear it as his attention was focused on Nora, who popped out on her own.

"What is it Nora?" Alec asked.

[I don't know why, but I don't trust them,] Nora told him.

"Keep an eye out then," Alec said.

[Sure thing,] Nora said. She ran over near the three people and stood nearby, but didn't make herself look threatening. Meanwhile, the woman had offered to help the two performers Pokémon with their dance choreography.

The Pokémon, plus Chespin, who still wanted to one-up Pancham, stood in a line as the woman inspected them. When she got to Smoochum, she lost all professionalism. "Aw, such a cutie. Being exposed to those precious lips and saucer eyes makes me turn to mush," she said, cuddling Smoochum.

"Don't forget the choreography," the first man reminded her.

"Oh, yes you're right," she said as she stood back up. "Rule one: Whatever moves you use, move them with style." She started with some basic motions, but Alec didn't pay it too much attention, as he was watching Nora looking around their vehicle for anything out of the ordinary.

When Alec looked back, they had brought out an inflatable ball that opened so Pokémon could fit inside. "Next, I'll have you dance inside this balloon. By working in a small space your movement's become more economical," the woman said.

"Oh, I see," Serena said.

They then opened the balloon and the Pokémon stepped inside. It suddenly closed right behind them, trapping the Pokémon inside. "What's happening?" Nini asked.

"What's going on? I thought we were having a lesson?" Serena wondered. Nora then jumped toward them getting an attack ready, but they opened the balloon at a point and threw her in.

"Nora!" Alec shouted. The three then pulled off their disguises and revealed themselves as Team Rocket.

"Gotta fly," Meowth said as their balloon appeared and sent down a rope ladder.

"Bye-bye," James added as he and Meowth climbed up.

"See, there's one real queen, and that just happens to be me. So go ahead and practice 'till your faces turn blue. Say, that color might just look fabulous on you," Jessie said as she grabbed the ladder. Once she rejoined James and Meowth, the balloon left with the ball.

"Come back here Team Rocket!" Ash demanded.

"Give us back our Pokémon!" Alec added.

"You can have this," Meowth said as he threw a device overboard. It landed close to the group. They braced for what it was… but nothing happened. That's when it unleashed a ton of smoke in the group's faces. When it finally cleared, Team Rocket's balloon was gone.

"What do we do?" Nini asked.

"Fletchinder, go!" Ash shouted.

"Missile, you too!" Alec added as the two released their flying Pokémon.

"Fletchinder, go up and find Team Rocket's balloon," Ash told him.

"You too Missile. Recon only," Alec emphasized.

[Fine,] Missile said as he followed Fletchinder.

"Let's take a look too," Ash advised and the group agreed.

Nora's POV

Nora really hated being confined. She could handle her Poké Ball easily enough, but it was worse here being crammed with five other Pokémon, especially since two of those five were insistent on continuing their fight. [You're fault,] Chespin said as he hit Pancham.

[You're fault,] Pancham said as he hit Chespin back. This went back and forth for a while, shaking the balloon they were in.

[Would you both stop!] Nora demanded as the two's fight started to hit the other Pokémon. They then heard a snap and they started to fall to the ground. [Brace yourselves!] Nora shouted as she made herself as small as possible. They hit the ground and bounced multiple times. Nora felt herself get dizzy with all the spinning and bouncing. Nora heard a pop as she fell to the ground and felt the grass beneath her.

[Where are we?] Pancham asked as he got up.

[I wish I knew,] Nora said. She touched her wrist and realized that the bracelet she always wore was missing. Looking around, she saw it on the ground right next to her. She felt her body getting weaker. She then grabbed onto the bracelet and put it on. Her body returned to normal as she stared at the Everstone's that made up the bracelet.

[Everyone okay?] Fennekin asked.

[Define 'okay',] Chespin requested.

[We're alright,] Farfetch'd said as he helped Smoochum up.

[Okay, which way do we go?] Smoochum asked.

[I say we got this way,] Pancham and Chespin said in unison despite pointing in opposite directions.

[Here, I'll let my leek fall and whichever way it points is the way we go,] Farfetch'd offered. He followed through on that as they noted where the leek was pointing.

[I'll lead,] Pancham said.

[No, I'll lead,] Chespin said as he stepped ahead of Pancham. The two started fighting again as Nora looked at Fennekin.

[If you two won't stop fighting, then I'll lead and leave you two behind,] Fennekin said as she walked past them.

[Boys,] Nora muttered as she followed Fennekin.

[Hey, wait for us,] Pancham and Chespin shouted as they ran after them. Fennekin stopped when an Inkay showed up and looked at the group.

[Hey,] Nora greeted.

[I found them!] Inkay shouted as he floated away at max speed.

[Get back here this instant!] Pancham shouted as he ran after him. [Bad idea! Bad idea!] he shouted as he ran back with Team Rocket behind them.

"The jig's up, you're staying put," Jessie said.

"The game's over," James added.

"It's quittin' time," Meowth told the Pokémon.

[I got this,] Chespin said.

[No, I got this,] Pancham said.

[No, I do!] Chespin shouted.

[No, I do!] Pancham shouted back and the two started fighting again. Inkay fired Psybeam at the two but their fight forced them out of the way as it was about to strike Farfetch'd and Smoochum. Nora jumped in front of the two and took the attack and she fell to the ground.

[Nora! Are you alright?] Fennekin asked.

[I'm good,] Nora answered, standing up. She then looked at Smoochum and Farfetch'd. [You two okay?] she asked.

[Yes, thanks to you,] Farfetch'd answered. Nora smiled and sprinted towards Team Rocket and hit Inkay with Close Combat. Pumpkaboo then fired Shadow Ball at her and she took the hit before striking Pumpkaboo with Payback. She then took a Psybeam to the side which was followed up with another Shadow Ball.

While she was down, Inkay hit Farfetch'd and Smoochum with Psybeam and Fennekin fired a Flamethrower at Pumpkaboo before she was hit with Shadow Ball. [Let's put our argument aside for a bit while we deal with these two,] Pancham said to Chespin.

[Agreed,] Chespin said. The two then stood in front of the down Pokémon and faced Team Rocket.

"Please, what are you going to do? Argue us to sleep?" Jessie mocked. "Use Dark Pulse!" Chespin and Pancham jumped over the attack and Pancham used Arm Thrust on Pumpkaboo, but it fazed through it. When Pumpkaboo turned around to mock Pancham, Chespin slammed Pin Missile to her back.

[Nice work,] Pancham said.

[You two,] Chespin responded.

[Looks like you two are getting along,] Nora said as she finally got up. [Now let's beat these idiots.]

"Yippee, aren't we proud of ourselves," Jessie said grudgingly.

"Inkay, Tackle!" James commanded. Chespin used Vine Whip to hit him but the revolving Pokémon dodged them. Chespin's vines kept going and wrapped around a tree and he tackled into Inkay. Inkay fired a Psybeam while Chespin was still in the air but Pancham countered it with Dark Pulse.

"Thanks for the cover,] Chespin said.

[No problem,] Pancham responded.

"Pumpkaboo, Leech Seed!" Jessie commanded. Pumpkaboo sent the seeds their way but Nora jumped and destroyed them with Close Combat.

"You all okay?!" Ash asked as the group appeared. Fennekin, Farfetch'd, and Smoochum ran up to their trainers.

"You alright?" Alec asked Nora as he ran up to her.

[I'm okay,] Nora answered.

Pumpkaboo fired multiple Shadow Balls at Chespin and Pancham and the two dodged them. Pancham then threw Chespin towards Pumpkaboo, who wrapped Pumpkaboo with Vine Whip and threw her toward Pancham, who fired Dark Pulse at her. "Pancham and Chespin are battling like a team!" Bonnie commented.

"When did this happen?" Alec asked Nora.

[Let's just say you missed a few things,] she answered.

"Pancham, that's great!" Serena shouted as she ran up to her Pokémon.

"Way to go Chespin!" Clemont shouted followed Serena.

"Are you ready for this Pancham?" Serena asked.

"Ready Chespin?" Clemont asked.

[Ready,] they said.

"Dark Pulse!" Serena commanded.

"Pin Missile, go!" Clemont shouted. The two moves fused and hit both Pumpkaboo and Inkay sending them to their trainers.

"Kay, Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.

"Ethan, Dark Pulse!" Alec ordered. The moves hit Team Rocket and sent them into a blastoff.

"Oh I'm so glad everyone's okay," Nini said.

"Yeah, you really saved the day," Serena said to Pancham and Chespin.

"Great job. You two really worked well together," Clemont commented.

"See, you really are friends," Ash stated.

[I was the bigger hero,] Pancham boasted.

[No, I was,] Chespin said. This was the start of another fight and Nora just sighed as her trainer and Ethan rolled their eyes with amusement as Serena and Clemont tried to separate their Pokémon.

"Let them fight. Sometimes that's how someone's friendship is," Alec told them.

[If you say so,] Nora muttered.