A Showcase Debut
Alec's POV
Alec watched and copied the movements that were played on his holo-transceiver. He was trying to memorize them so he could perform Z-moves whenever he wanted. His team were out of their balls, watching as well as taking the time to learn the movements as best as their bodies would allow them. Ethan, Super, Samurai, and Soar were still with Alec while Nightmare and Voltier were swapped with his Torterra, Tank, and the newest member of the team, Inferno, the Litten he got.
"Alec! Are you ready to get going?" Ash asked. Alec turned to see Serena raring to go for her first showcase.
"Yeah, I'm coming," he said as he returned everyone but Ethan and Inferno, who he was keeping with him for the time being. That, and over the last two days he and Fennekin really got along as their trainers did. Inferno jumped onto Alec's shoulder while Ethan walked beside him as the group made their way to the Showcase.
"Okay, where's registration?" Serena wondered as they entered the building.
"There you are!" a voice called out behind them and the group turned to see Shauna running up to them.
"Hi Shauna," Serena greeted.
"So you're in the Coumarine Showcase too?" Clemont asked.
"I can't stand by and let Serena win. Because from this point on, we're rivals right?" Shauna pointed out.
"Uh, that's right," Serena answered, sounding a bit unnerved.
"But there's no way I'm going to lose," Shauna said, holding her hand out for Serena to shake.
Serena's unnerved look turned into confidence as she grabbed Shauna's hand and pulled it up. "I'm not going to lose either," Serena told her.
They went to take a look at the stage they'd be performing on from the stands and both performers seemed nervous. "Pretty cool place, huh?" Ash asked, not picking up on the tension Serena and Shauna were feeling. Alec responded by elbowing him before putting his finger to his mouth, telling Ash to be quiet.
"Kind of nerve-racking isn't it? I've done this once before, but I'm still nervous," Shauna told Serena.
[I hope I can do this,] Fennekin muttered.
[I believe in you. You've got this,] Inferno told her confidently.
Serena's POV
After Serena and Shauna got themselves registered, they headed to where the other Performers were, most of them already in their outfits and taking care of their Pokémon.
"Right, I've got other rivals," Serena said to herself.
"Of course. Try not to get overwhelmed," Shauna advised.
"Make way. Your queen is coming through," a woman wearing a purple dress said as she pushed past Serena and Shauna.
"She's confident," Shauna commented with a bit of scorn.
The two went to get changed and Serena sat next to Shauna while they waited for the Showcase to start. "So, I have to ask. What's going on with you and Alec?" Shauna asked.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"I mean that you two seem pretty close, but I thought you had eyes for Ash," Shauna explained.
"Oh, right, you wouldn't know yet," Serena realized. "Me and Alec are twins," she explained.
"Ooooh. Now that you mention that, I can see it," Shauna stated.
A screen then turned on in the waiting room. "Bonjour, people of Kalos. The oldest fans of Pokémon. The Coumarine Rookie Class Pokémon Festival Showcase, the celebration of beginnings, is about to begin with grace and elegance," a voice said as the host, Pierre, seemingly jumped out of the stage wall onto the stage itself. "I will be your guide through this splendid dream world."
"And the winner of the Rookie Class will receive the coveted Princess Key," Pierre announced, holding a golden key with a green jewel in the center up so the audience could see.
An employee then opened the door. "Shauna, Jessily, Alouette, you're coming up," she said.
"Off I go. Wish me luck," Shauna said as she headed towards the door followed by the woman with the other two performers, one of them being the one in the purple dress that was acting like she was the Kalos Queen already, the other wearing a white dress and with a Furfrou.
Serena turned back to the TV screen as Pierre continued and explained how to become Kalos Queen, but Serena had already memorized it by heart. Getting three Princess Keys allows one to enter the Showcase to become Kalos Queen. "So sit back as I take you by the hand and lead you to our Pokémon Showcase Performances. And now, I set the theme performance for the first stage. And this exciting theme is Pokémon Styling!" Pierre announced as three rooms full of fashion supplies rose from the floor.
"Now, here are our first three performers," Pierre said as a platform rose from the stage with Shauna and the other two performers. The one who Serena assumed was Jessily made a big deal out of the crowd's cheers, making Serena's dislike of her grow.
"Using our Pokémon Styling theme, performers will see who can best style their Pokémon at the height of fashion all within ten minutes. However, only one of our three performers will advance to the next stage," Pierre explained.
Shauna and the other two performers stepped into their rooms and waited for the clock to start. "It's time to style away!" Pierre announced. He then snapped his fingers and a holographic hourglass turned over.
Serena watched with anticipation, as time went on. A few minutes before the end, the rooms hid the performers for the finishing touches.
"And now let's view their artistry," Pierre said once the ten minutes were up. "I call on Alouette, and her Pokémon, Furfrou." Pierre's Klefki flew over to the room and unlocked the door. Alouette and Furfrou stepped out. Furfrou's fur had been made blue on its feet, head, tail, chest, and some fur that draped down like ears. Serena had to admit that it looked good.
Once she was done, it was now Shauna and Bulbasaur's turn. Shauna had primarily gone with flowers and had made a bouquet on Bulbasaur's back with two hearts on her head, one red, one yellow. "Wow, way to go Shauna," Serena commented.
Next up was Jessily and her Pumpkaboo. Serena was shocked by what Jessily went with. Pumpkaboo looked like something out of a haunted mansion, which didn't seem to go well with the audience as unlike Shauna and Alouette, there either was no applause or so little that the camera didn't pick it up.
Once all three performers were done, Pierre turned to the audience. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, you will be the judge. Please grab your glow sticks and when I give the signal, please light up your glow stick in the color that corresponds with the performer that you think won," Pierre said, a screen showing the performers and the color.
The colors went out and Serena noticed that the vast majority went to Shauna and Alouette while Jessily was ignored. "The performer that will be advancing to the next stage is, Performer Shauna!" Pierre announced, looking at the scoring. Shauna had won by a decent amount but she and Alouette completely landslide Jessily.
"Nice work Shauna!" Serena celebrated. Alouette seemed to take the loss well and was seen talking to Shauna, but Jessily just stormed off stage.
As time went on and other performances went by, Serena was getting more and more nervous. "You'll be great, don't worry Serena," Shauna told her, seeing her nervousness.
Serena then heard her name called. "Time to get ready, you're up all next." Serena took a deep breath before heading towards the stage where she stood on the platform, waiting to be sent up.
Alec's POV
After Shauna won her first-round competition, the group waited for Serena as other performers went. "Where's Serena?" Bonnie asked.
"I'm sure she'll be out soon," Clemont reassured her.
"And now for our last three performers," Pierre announced and Serena was on the platform this time. Her composition being a Fletchling and a female Meowstic.
"There she is!" Ash called out.
"You can do it, Serena!" Bonnie cheered.
[You've got this Fennekin!] Inferno called out.
"Go Serena!" Alec cheered.
"I'm getting nervous and I'm only in the audience," Clemont commented.
"It's a good thing you're not a performer then," Alec joked.
Serena and the two other girls went into their rooms and got started. As the timer turned orange, the rooms hid the performers and the final touches were made. Alec wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was getting a bit nervous as well.
The timer blew into orange lights as the time ran out. "Of course, that signals that time is up. First up, Blanch and her Pokémon Meowstic," Pierre announced. Meowstic had three earrings in each ear with the center one having a star hang, blush on her face, a red plaid tie, and a purple armband around each arm.
She was followed up by Clarise and Fletchinder, who had a top hat and tie. Not much that could be done with a Pokémon of Fletchinder's size.
"Last but not least, Serena and Fennekin," Pierre announced as Klefki opened up her room.
Serena stepped out with Fennekin by her side, wearing a small hat, a ribbon around her neck, a small pink skirt, a white shoe on each paw, and beads on her tail. Serena waved to the crowd which cheered for her loudly.
"Aww. That's the cutest thing!" Bonnie commented.
"Awesome, great you two," Ash cheered.
[They've got this,] Ethan stated. That's when things went wrong. Fennekin stepped on the ribbon causing the fox to trip and fall to the ground, sending the hat and the beads flying.
Serena immediately ran up to Fennekin as Alec muttered, "Oh no."
[Fennekin…] Inferno started, but didn't say anything else.
Once Serena was back with the other two, Alec noticed them giving his sister looks of sympathy. Serena lost the vote by a landslide and Alec shared a looked with Ash. He nodded and the two headed over to the entrance for the performers to wait for Serena.
She eventually walked out with Fennekin, Pancham, and Skiddo, all looking defeated. "You alright Serena?" Alec asked.
"Yeah… I'm fine," Serena said, but the way she said it told Alec she wasn't.
"No, you're not fine Serena. You don't have to lie to us," Ash told her.
"Ash… I…" Serena started. She then lost it as tears went down her face and she hugged Ash. He was surprised at first, but then embraced Serena as she cried into his jacket. Alec watched and saw Inferno trying to comfort Fennekin.
[It's not your fault,] Inferno said.
[Yes it is. I'm the one who tripped. I should've been paying attention to where my ribbons were,] Fennekin stated.
Alec then put his hand on Serena's shoulder, getting her attention. "I'm sorry Alec. I wasn't good enough. You're probably disappointed in me," Serena said.
"No. I'm not. And don't ever let yourself think that I am. We're siblings, family, we're there for each other," Alec told her.
"Why don't we watch Shauna's performance," Ash suggested. Serena nodded sadly and they headed back to the stands to watch, but they didn't sit down in their seats, instead, they watched from behind the seats.
They got there just in time to see Shauna rise from the platform with Bulbasaur and Flabébé. Flabébé used Fairy Wind to surround Shauna and Bulbasaur, who used Petal Dance to do the same. Shauna then took out a long ribbon on a stick and started twirling it around.
Once Fairy Wind and Petal Dance made it impossible to see what Shauna was doing, Bulbasaur used Solar Beam to reveal she used her vines to get herself in the air while making a large heart. Flabébé landed on Bulbasaur's bulb as Shauna stood under Bulbasaur. The sparkles from the Solar Beam really making Shauna shine. She took a bow as the audience applauded.
Alec and Ash were both impressed, but what Serena thought about it was impossible to tell. Later, the votes came through and the three voted for Shauna, who ended up winning the Showcase.
"Shauna's one step ahead of me now," Serena commented with a small smile.
"You'll catch up in no time," Ash reassured her and Alec gave her a supportive nod.
After the showcase, they meet up with Shauna. "Congratulations Shauna," Serena told her.
"Thanks Serena," Shauna replied. "I'm going to tell Tierno and Trevor. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces," she added.
"I'll catch up to you in no time," Serena told Shauna.
"Right. Let's both do our best to become Kalos Queen. Bye you guys. I'll see you later," Shauna said as she left.
"Bye," Bonnie said as she waved after her.
"Take care Shauna," Clemont added.
"Why don't we get some dinner at the Pokémon Center," Alec offered.
"Yay!" Bonnie celebrated and took Serena by the hand before heading off to the Pokémon Center.
"Is Serena alright?" Clemont asked Alec and Ash.
"To be honest, I don't know. When we went to see if she's alright she tried to play it off, but she seems fine now," Ash said. Alec, however, knew that Serena's positivity was an attempt to hide how much she was hurting inside. He knew because he was like that, and may still be.
As they finished up dinner, Serena went to take the attention off her. "Alright Ash. You're next," Serena stated. Ash looked a bit confused at first. "Going for your fifth badge," she reminded him.
"My fifth badge already," Ash said aloud.
[It's that time already,] Pikachu added.
"So Ash, any ideas on which gym you plan on challenging next?" Alec asked.
It wasn't Ash who answered, but Clemont. "The Lumiose Gym. That time is upon us," he said.
"Wait, I thought you already challenged the Lumiose Gym?" Alec wondered.
"Funny story actually," Clemont said. He then proceeded to tell Alec about how he built a robot to help him handle his gym leader duties, but he lost control over Clembot, which is what he named the robot, and ended up getting kicked out of his own gym.
"So you're telling me that the Lumiose Gym is under the control of an insane robot?" Alec asked.
"Not anymore. I managed to reprogram Clembot and now everything's fine," Clemont explained.
"Well, that's good. I was about to fly to Lumiose City and wreck it for you," Alec admitted.
"Still Clemont. Let's give it all we got," Ash told him.
When Alec woke up the next morning, he found Inferno patting his face. "Hmm, what's up Inferno?" Alec asked, slightly groggy.
[Serena's gone, and so are Fennekin, Pancham, and Skiddo,] he told Alec. That immediately jerked Alec awake and he went to get changed quickly, Ethan using Psychic to get his jacket.
He went outside as the sun was starting to rise. "Soar, come on out!" Alec called out. The valiant Pokémon appeared in the sky. "I need you to look for Serena in the air," he told him. Soar flew up but stopped almost immediately.
[I've got her. She's at the docks,] Soar reported.
"Alright," Alec said as he returned him. He, Ethan, and Inferno ran down to the docks and found Serena standing on one of them with Fennekin, Pancham, and Skiddo. The three Pokémon appeared to be trying to comfort Serena.
"It hurts a lot, doesn't it?" Alec asked Serena, who turned in shock to see Alec.
"How did you…" Serena started, but stopped herself knowing Alec wouldn't have too much trouble tracking her down.
"Come on. What's wrong? This is more than you simply losing," Alec asked.
"It's just… After seeing how well you won against Diantha and seeing Ash beat Ramos, I thought that my victory would be easy. But then I overlooked the smallest detail and it cost me everything. I guess I thought since you were invincible I would be as well," Serena explained.
Alec walked up to stand beside her as Serena looked out to the ocean. "I know I seem invincible, but I'm not. Even to this day I always am questioning my every action in battle, even those that I won. 'If I had used this move instead of that one. If I used one Pokémon instead of another.' And those were more apparent when I lost a battle, and I lost more than I'd like to admit in my early days as a trainer. No one is immune to failure. Not even me," Alec told her.
"But… you're the champion now. I can't see you doubting yourself and you don't act like it," Serena pointed out.
"I don't. Because, whether I like it or not, when the chips are down everything rides on me. My choices determine whether or not we experience victory or defeat. It's like that in all trainers, some just face it differently than others," Alec stated. He put a supportive hand on Serena's shoulders. "You won't always come out on top in things. You have to learn from your mistakes and not let them define you," Alec advised.
"When did you become an expert?" Serena asked, a small joking tone in her voice.
"Since I helped you back at summer camp when you were unsure of your dream," Alec said lightheartedly. "Still, if you ever need me, I'm always willing to listen," Alec added.
"Thanks Alec," Serena said as she hugged him. After letting him go, she turned back to the water. "I'm going to be out here for a little bit longer, but I'll be back before we leave," Serena promised.
"I'll see you then," Alec said as she left.
[You think she'll be alright?] Ethan asked.
"I don't know Ethan. Only time will tell," Alec answered.
[I just hope Fennekin can stop blaming herself for what happened,] Inferno stated.
[Well, if you two's relationship is anything like Alec and Serena's, I think it'll work out,] Ethan reassured the newest member of Alec's team.
Later, everyone was waiting in the lobby for Serena. "Where's Serena?" Bonnie asked.
"She said she'd be back before we leave," Alec told them.
"Back from where?" Clemont asked.
"Well, I'll go look," Ash said. He then suddenly stopped and Alec saw Serena, but she had completely changed her look. Her hat, shoes, and socks were still the same, but her hair was cut short, and she was wearing a pink shirt that went down to where her old skirt length was and was wearing a red, no sleeve jacket with large pockets.
"Sorry I'm late. What'd you think?" Serena asked the group.
"Your hair…" Ash started.
"What in the world did you do?!" Clemont asked in shock.
"You chopped most of it off?! Come on! I liked your long hair," Bonnie complained.
"Well, I'm learning from my mistakes," Serena said, looking at Alec.
[Pretty sure that's not what you had in mind,] Ethan commented to Alec, but he didn't say anything. He merely smiled at Serena.
"Besides, I think it looks kind of cute," Serena commented.
"Yeah, I think so too," Ash said, earning a small blush from Serena. Ash then looked to Serena's chest and Alec then noticed the blue ribbon. "Is that?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, it's the present you gave me," Serena answered, still blushing.
"It looks great," Ash complimented her.
Serena then ran out the door. "Okay. Let's go to Lumiose City. I'll race you there," Serena called out as she ran off with everyone right behind her.
"Hey! It's my gym battle you know," Ash pointed out.
"Against me!" Clemont added. They raced till they got out of town and were mostly out of breath, but Alec felt that it was worth it.