Performing with a Fiery Charm
Serena's POV
The group had arrived in Dendemille Town the previous day and Serena stood by one of the windmills, watching as the sun rose with her Pokémon. [We're ready Serena,] Braixen said.
[Let's do this,] Pancham added.
[We're with you,] Skiddo agreed.
Serena turned to face them. "This time we're going to win for sure," she told them confidently. Her Pokémon shouted in agreement.
Serena went back to the Pokémon Center and called her mom. "Today's the day. Good luck out there, honey," she said.
"Thanks. Braixen, Pancham, and Skiddo are all fired up. Make sure you watch us okay?" Serena told her mom.
"Right," her mom agreed.
"Look at this," Serena said, pulling out the dress she was going to wear. The same one that she wore at Valerie's fashion show. "Ta-da! This is the pretty dress I'm going to wear."
"Isn't that a little too flashy?" mom asked.
"If that's what my mom thinks, it's perfect," Serena told her Pokémon, who agreed.
"Oh Serena…" mom protested.
"That's not all. This dress was designed by none other than Valerie," Serena added to her mom.
"Well, that's a tremendous help," mom said. Serena then heard something side up to the booth and she saw Alec on the floor.
"What happened?" Serena asked.
"Ethan happened," Alec said standing up.
[What? Your mom was on the phone and I figured you should talk to her,] Ethan said.
"Well thanks for getting him Ethan," Serena thanked.
[You're welcome,] Ethan said proudly.
"You sent him to get me up, didn't you?" Alec asked.
"Maybe," Serena said, failing to sound innocent.
[She did,] Braixen said.
"Why do you always have to tell him to do that?" Alec asked.
"What? It works," Serena answered.
The two then heard laughter from the phone. "You're one to talk Serena. The conversations I'm going to hear now," she said, laughing. The twins gave their mom matching glares. "Now Serena, be sure to give it all you've got. And take care of each other," mom told them.
"You bet," Serena said.
"We will," Alec agreed. They hung up and after breakfast, the group headed towards the Showcase.
"Look at all these people," Bonnie commented, looking at the crowd.
"Let's see, where do I register?" Serena asked herself, looking around.
"Serena! Is that you?" a voice asked. Serena turned to see Miette.
"Miette!" Serena said in surprise.
"Long time no see," Miette greeted, her male Meowstic and Slurpuff next to her.
"Yeah, long time," Ash agreed.
"So, how have you been Miette?" Clemont asked.
"Great," Miette answered. She then looked confused. "Who's that Serena?" she asked, pointing at Alec.
"Names Alec. I'm Serena's twin sister," Alec answered, holding his hand out to shake.
"Nice to meet you," Miette greeted, shaking his hand.
"Hi Slurpuff, good to see you," Bonnie greeted the Pokémon.
[Good to see you all too,] Slurpuff said.
"So are you entering the Showcase too?" Ash asked.
"Of course. How could I not enter?" Miette answered.
"I'm not surprised," Serena admitted.
Miette then leaned in close to Serena. "Hmm. You cut your hair," she noted.
"Yeah. So what?" Serena asked.
"So why'd you do that? Something big happen in your life?" Miette asked.
"What are you talking about?" Serena asked, blushing while backing up. She took a quick look at Ash. "Forget that!" she shouted. "I'm all ready to compete in this performance. And I'm not going to lose like I did with the Poké Puffs," she declared, referring to the time when she met Miette.
"Well the same goes for me," Miette said. "Now hear this. We're going to settle things once and for all. And then…" she started before whispering in Serena's ear, "Remember, I told you I might have a chat with Ash." Serena's blush worsened. "Later. Bye," Miette said as she left.
"Miette sure seems ready to go," Ash commented.
[This is getting interesting,] Pikachu said.
"I'm ready to go too!" Serena shouted, a little stronger than she meant to.
"Right. That's the spirt Serena," Ash said. Behind him, Serena saw Alec facepalm.
[This dude sometimes,] Ethan said.
"Alright. After this, we're having a little talk Ketchum," Alec told Ash, dragging him away towards the stands.
"What are you talking about? What did I do?" Ash wondered.
Serena got herself registered and waited with the other performers. A screen turned on so they could all see the stage. "Bonjour, all you Kalos region lovers of Pokémon! Welcome to the Dendemille Pokémon Showcase Rookie Class. We're all set to go, so get ready. I'm honored to be your guide, because I just adore the roar of the crowd and the smiles on all your faces. My name's Monsieur Pierre. Competing today for the ultimate title of Kalos Queen will be a bevy of beautiful young ladies performing right before your eyes. And then… the winner will be awarded the coveted Princess Key," Pierre said, the screen shifting to show the key. "For our Theme Performance, these talented Pokémon performers will make delicious and beautiful Poké Puff treats right before your very eyes," Pierre added.
Miette was in the first group and managed to move on. Serena waited eventually she was called up to the stage. "Let's go," Serena told her Pokémon.
"Ladies and Gentlemen… Get ready for our final group!" Pierre said as the platform started to rise to the stage.
"It's alright. Be confident. You've practiced over and over for this day…" Serena told herself as she and her Pokémon went to their cooking station. The timer started and Serena started making the batter with Skiddo using his vines to grab what Serena needed. Braixen helped Skiddo while waiting for her job as Pancham stirred the batter. "Braixen," Serena told her when everything was ready. Instead of using the oven provided, Serena had Braixen use her fire for the cooking so she could better manage it in a short amount of time.
As Serena was putting the final touches on the last Puff, time was called. [Wow. These look really good,] Pancham commented.
[They're not for you,] Skiddo reminded him.
[I know that,] Pancham protested. Three workers came up to Serena's station, each taking a Poké Puff that would be giving to the judges.
"So which performer will be moving on to the Freestyle Performance? That brings us to the judging," Pierre said.
Serena felt a bit nervous and it must have shown as she felt their reassuring touches. [Don't worry Serena. I'm sure we've got this,] Skiddo said.
[You've got nothing to worry about,] Pancham added.
[Even if we lose, which I doubt, we did our best,] Braixen agreed.
"You're right," Serena told them, smiling. As the judges and their Pokémon examined the Poké Puffs, it was clear that they were having a hard time choosing. The judges then gave Pierre their decision. The lights dimmed leaving only the spotlights on.
"The performer moving on to the next stage is… Performer Serena! Congratulations!" Pierre announced. Serena's excitement was hard to contain and her team celebrated with her. After Serena and the other two performers went back down to the changing room, the Showcase went through an intermission while the Performers moving on changed.
When the Showcase resumed, Serena waited as the first performer, Jessilia, who looked familiar to Serena but she couldn't quite place it. "Alright, performer Serena, you're the next one up," one of the staff said.
"Let's take charge of the stage," Serena told her Pokémon as they approached the lift. As she was doing that, Performer Jessilia was walking back to the waiting room with her Pokémon.
"Watch it," she said, pushing Serena into some wood that was laying around. "I'm terribly sorry. I didn't see you way down there," Jessilia, but Serena could tell she wasn't being sincere about it.
[You stay away from her,] Braixen ordered.
[Or you'll have to deal with us,] Pancham added.
[You won't ruin our chances to win,] Skiddo stated. The three started growling at the other performer.
"It's alright you three," Serena told them, not wanting to cause a fight. "I hope you'll forgive me."
[Are you alright?] Braixen asked.
"I'm fine. I'm not hurt," Serena answered. As she stood up though, she noticed something was wrong with her skirt. It was ripped in multiple places on the one side. Serena heard the audience from where she was and guessed that Miette was almost done. "Not again. Not like last time," Serena said to herself, remembering her last Showcase. Thinking quickly, Serena took a pair of scissors she carried around. Serena made some quick alterations that made it look like it was meant to be that way. Instead of a solid line, the skirt was cut in a way that was like flower petals. She then made her way to the platform just in time.
When the platform rose to the stage, Serena did her performance. "Pancham, come here," she said. As that was happening, Skiddo ran up to Braixne and the two threw the others into the air. Pancham released a weak Dark Pulse that sent sparks while Skiddo did the same with Seed Bomb. As that was happening, Serena and Braixen did a small dance. The next part had Braixen sending up plumes of fire as Skiddo use Razor Leaf to surround Serena and Pancham in a leaf tornado that let the flames shine more. "Pancham, Stone Edge!" Serena ordered. Pancham did so making multiple pillars that Braixen and Skiddo climbed up. The two then sent down a Flamethrower and Seed Bomb while Pancham slide under Serena and fired Dark Pulse. The three attacks combined and causing black-purple colored fireworks to go off and bright fire come down, raining orange-colored sparkles. "And that's it!" Serena declared, she and her Pokémon doing an end pose.
The audience cheered at the performance and Serena felt proud of herself. She was then lowered to backstage and after a bit of rest, she and the rest of the performers and their Pokémon stood on stage. "Alors… It's the moment of truth. Who will win our exciting Dendemille Town Pokémon Showcase this year? And who will decide? Why, it's none other than all of you in the audience. Please use your glow sticks to fire off the color corresponding to the performer who you think was number one," Pierre told them. "One, two, and on three!" he shouted. The audience was suddenly lit up with different colors and little balls of light flew towards the performers with the right color key. Serena was getting the pink lights. While the other performers looked happy to receive their lights, Serena didn't let it show for her, hoping on the inside that she one. She closed her eyes and when they opened, she was surprised to see the number of lights going into the key on her chest.
"But, it can't be," Miette said, who was to Serena's left when she saw the number of lights Serena was receiving.
"The winner of the Dendemille Town Pokémon Showcase has been decided. And she's… Performer Serena!" Pierre declared. As the crowd roar, Serena felt a single tear of joy run down her cheek.
Braixen and Pancham hugged Serena while Skiddo placed one of his horns in Serena's hand. "We won! We won our first performance!" Serena shouted in joy. Serena was then presented with the Princess Key and the audience cheered some more.
When Serena exited backstage, she was met by the group. "You did it, Serena!" Alec shouted, pulling her into a quick hug.
"I knew you could do it!" Bonnie added.
"So, what was up with your outfit? It looked different," Clemont asked.
"It got ripped, but I fixed it pretty easily by cutting the hem," Serena answered.
"That was a great idea," Clemont replied.
"Though, I am a bit sorry that I had to cut the outfit Valerie gave me," Serena admitted.
"I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure Valerie will understand," Alec told her.
"You know, it looked great on you," Ash complemented Serena. She blushed at his words.
"Oh. Thank you. Ash," Serena said.
"He's telling the truth you know," Miette said, walking up behind Serena. She jumped back in surprise. "I may have lost today, but I'll win next time. I'll see you then. You just wait," she added, holding her hand out.
"It's a deal. Take care," Serena said before accepting her hand. Miette then suddenly pulled her closer.
"And I haven't given up on our other competition either," Miette added, causing Serena to blush more.
"See you later Ash," Miette said to him.
"Okay Miette, take care," Ash told her. Serena looked back at him in surprise with her massive blush.
"Isn't that sweet. See you," Miette said as she left.
"Miette!" Serena shouted after her.
"She likes him too?" Alec asked Serena in a low voice.
"It seems so," Serena said with a sigh.
"I'll talk to him about it," Alec promised.
"Still, I won my first Princess Key," Serena said proudly, looking at it.
Alec's POV
After the Showcase, the group returned to the Pokémon Center and Alec pulled Ash aside. "Alright. We need to have a discussion," Alec told him.
"What's this all about?" Ash asked as Alec brought him to their room.
"About what an idiot you are sometimes," Alec answered.
"What do you mean. I know plenty," Ash countered.
"Not in this field," Alec stated as he and Ash sat down. "Alright. You know what love is, right?" he asked his friend.
"Sort of… I've heard it before and seen it a few times but only with Pokémon mostly. Oh, and my old pal Brock who would go crazy for any beautiful girl," Ash answered.
"Well, Brock's approach is a bit extreme so don't use that as a reference. Now, how do you feel about Serena?" Alec asked.
Ash tilted his head in confusion. "Did I do something wrong and Serena's mad at me?" he asked.
[Oh my Arceus,] Pikachu grumbled, throwing his head into a pillow.
"No. My sister can't stay mad at you for long. And don't evade the question. How do you feel about Serena?" Alec asked again.
"She's my friend. How else am I supposed to see her?" Ash said quickly. Too quickly.
"You sure about that? Cause the way you answered that says you're trying to hide something," Alec told him. "Answer the question again, but this time, think about it heavily."
Ash's POV
Ash thought about Alec's question and he waited in silence. "Serena's just a friend. Isn't she?" Ash asked himself. His thoughts kept moving away from that though. No matter how hard Ash tired. He then thought about how all he and Serena have been through, noticing those times felt different from his other female companions. It then clicked in for him.
Alec's POV
"Oh my goodness. I'm in love with Serena," Ash said aloud with a blush on his face.
"He can be taught!" Alec cheered.
[Finally. He admits it,] Ethan commented.
[I know right,] Pikachu agreed.
"You're not surprised?" Ash asked Alec.
"Are you kidding. I guessed that you were but didn't realize it yet. And I was right!" Alec shouted in glee.
"What if she doesn't like me back?!" Ash asked in worry. He then realized something. "You know Serena better than anyone. Does she like me back?" he asked.
"I won't answer that," Alec told him.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not the person to answer that. Besides, this conversation was to help you realize what you felt. Don't worry, things will sort themselves out," Alec reassured him.
[Now. Let's get those ten Poké Dollars from Bonnie,] Ethan said.