A Dancing Debut
Serena's POV
Serena ran into Couriway town with her Pokémon where Serena would have her next showcase. She found out about this one recently and decided to take the chance to win her third and final Princess Key. "Look at the waterfalls Clemont!" Bonnie called out.
"Well, this place is known as the town of waterfalls," Clemont noted.
"And where you're going to make your debut," Serena added, picking up Eevee.
[We'll win this,] Eevee said confidently. She seemed very excited to do a showcase after seeing Serena perform in Anistar, and Serena was happy that Eevee had found her confidence.
They went to where the showcase was taking place and found it was an outdoor stadium with water around it. "So cool!" Bonnie commented.
Serena then noticed that Eevee was a little nervous. "Don't worry too much Eevee. I was nervous my first time too, and I still get nervous. But I'm also really excited, aren't you?" she asked her.
[Well, yeah,] Eevee answered.
"This stage is where you'll get to make your mark. I know you'll give it your all," Serena added.
[Then we'll win,] Eevee said with her confidence back.
They then went to a nearby field where Serena wanted to get some final practice before the showcase tomorrow. "So, is Arco going to be joining you for the showcase?" Clemont asked, looking to where he was training with Ash and Greninja.
"No. I tried to figure out some way to work him in but nothing I thought of seems to work, and he's a much better battler than a dancer. Turns out he's got two left feet," Serena replied, getting a little chuckle as she remembered when Arco tried to dance.
After a lot of hard training, they went to the Pokémon center and rented a room. Serena was awoken when she felt Eevee leave and the rest of her team go check on her. [Can't sleep?] Braixen asked Eevee.
[Not really. I thought I was ready but just thinking about the Showcase is making me nervous,] Eevee answered.
"Don't worry Eevee," Serena said, coming up with a blanket. "We'll be with you the whole way," she promised.
The next morning, the group went to the showcase and they were waiting for the starting time for registration. "Wow! Look at all the people!" Bonnie called out.
"Bonnie, don't run off. You could get lost!" Clemont called back.
"Okay big brother!" Bonnie replied.
"Serena!" a familiar voice called out. Serena turned to see Nini running up with her Smoochum, Farfetch'd, and a Gothita that was likely recently caught.
"Nini! It's been a while," Serena greeted.
Smoochum immediately ran up to Pancham and attempted to kiss him but Pancham resisted. [Stop it! Someone help!] Pancham shouted. Skiddo then pushed himself between the two. [Thanks.]
"So you caught a Gothita?" Serena asked, looking at it.
"It's my new friend," Nini answered. "And I'm sorry about Alec. I don't see him here but I hope he's okay. The press has said they can't find him," she added.
"Alec's fine. He just had something else to take care of," Serena told her. "So, you're entering the showcase?" she asked.
"Of course. One more key then I'll get into the Master Class," she answered.
"Well isn't that convenient, because I'm the same," Serena replied.
"Well, I'm not going to lose."
"Neither am I."
Nini then looked and saw Arco and Eevee. "So are those two yours?" she asked. Eevee hid behind Serena when she realized she was noticed.
"Eevee is, but Alec sent Arco to help keep us safe while he was away," Serena answered.
"Well, isn't he a caring brother?" Nini commented.
The time came and the two got registered and they went backstage to get sorted out and Serena got changed into her kitchen outfit, as they were told the theme performance beforehand.
The screen in the waiting room then turned on and the announcer Pierre started talking while raising from a platform. "Bonjour Pokémon lovers, and welcome! Get ready for a competition magnifique. The Couriway Pokémon Showcase will delight as we present our Rookie Class Division. Prepare to witness a competition excellence. The winner will become closer to becoming Kalos Queen with this Princess Key!" The key then appeared on screen before going back to Pierre. "Ladies and Gentlemen, today's theme performance is… a Poké Puff Performance!" he announced.
The kitchen they'd be using then rose behind the announcer. Serena knew she had a good shot at this, but she wasn't going to underestimate her opponents. "In the Poké Puff Performance, it is not just about baking. But elegantly, and imaginatively performing while baking. The judging is simple. If you think the performer is exceptional, then cast your vote with the glow castor at your seat. If the performer receives enough votes, she moves on to the Freestyle Performance," he told them. "Now, without further delay, please welcome our first performer, Nini!" he announced as she rose to the stage on another platform.
Nini appeared with her three Pokémon in what appeared to be a maids outfit and did a curtsy to the audience. She then did her performance baking and from what Serena could tell, she was doing quite well. When she finished, the sounds of the audience was a good sign that she was making it to the next round.
[What are the chances Chespin's trying to get that Puff right now?] Braixen asked jokingly.
"Knowing Chespin, 100%," Serena replied with a joking smile.
The votes were then cast and the keyhole filled up past the mark. "Performer Nini has passed the Theme Performance!" Pierre declared.
The next Performer, Jessillie, was up next and managed to pass as well and had the idea to use her Meowth's charm to add a little something extra to her Puff. Not a bad idea when Serena thought about it and the audience loved it based on the way they cheered. She also couldn't shake the feeling that she was going to have to make more Poké Puffs after the Showcase just so Chespin wouldn't do something too crazy.
Three more performers went after her and two of them ended up passing. Then it was Serena's turn. "Our final theme performance is next, and it's Serena!" Pierre announced.
Serena rose onto the stage with Pancham and Skiddo by her side. The three then got started with Serena tapping her feet to make a rhythm while Pancham jumped around using two spoons to add on to it with Skiddo's vine whip, but both grabbed things to help Serena. She put the finishing touches on her Poké Puff as Pancham landed on one of the inflated donuts that had been used to make the kitchen look more lively with Skiddo next to him.
The crowd then cheered which Serena considered a good thing. "So now it's time to cast your votes!" Pierre called out. Pink lights flew to the key on her chest and the meter filled up past the mark. "Performer Serena has passed the theme performance!" The audience cheered again as Serena celebrated with Pancham.
"Now the theme performance comes to an end. The freestyle performance will take place this evening, so until then, au revoir!" Pierre declared.
After going backstage, Serena left to find her friends and they had a picnic not too far away from the showcase. "Here's your Poké Puff," Serena said, giving the puff to Chespin who did indeed want one.
"Thanks, Serena," Clemont said as Chespin devoured the puff and choked for a bit before Arco punched him in the stomach.
"That's what happens when you eat too fast," Serena told him.
[You alright Eevee?] Braixen asked, causing Serena to look next to her. Eevee was sitting in front of a bowl of food, but she wasn't touching it.
"What's wrong?" Serena asked.
[I'm not hungry,] Eevee replied.
"You have to eat Eevee. You'll need your energy for tonight," Serena told her. She was getting worried. Eevee didn't eat at all this morning or last night so she had to be starving. Was she that nervous?
"Here. I'll mix an Oran and Sitrus Berry in. That might provoke her appetite," Clemont said, pulling out the two berries.
Clemont did that and after a few moments, Eevee's stomach got the better of her and she dug into her food. "Good thing she's eating now," Ash noted relieved.
Serena couldn't help but be relieved too. Eevee was going to need all the energy she could get, but Serena couldn't help but wonder if Alec could have convinced her sooner.
Not far from Anistar City: No one's POV
An explosion went off on a cliffside path which was mixed with blue fire. The dust cleared to reveal a battle between Alec and Annabell, who had found him and Cassidy on their way to Anistar. "Why must we battle like this beloved? Is this lover's quarrel that bad?" Annabell asked.
"Just shut up. Flame, Flamethrower!" Alec shouted. Flame in his Mega Fusion form fired on Annabell's Mega Salamence and had a direct hit.
"Salamence, Dragon Rush!" Annabell called out.
"Counter with Dragon Claw!" Alec commanded. The two dragons clashed, but Flame was slowly overpowering Mega Salamence.
"I've searched for you for weeks! Why won't you tell me what you've been doing? And why are you with that bitch?" Annabell asked, pointing at Cassidy angrily.
"You leave her out of this. I don't have to explain myself to you," Alec replied coldly.
Flame then overpowered Mega Salamence, knocking him into a cliff. "I see. She somehow thinks she's better than me. Well, no matter!" Annabell shouted, grabbing another Poké Ball. "Pyroar, burn that bitch with Flamethrower!" she commanded.
The female Pyroar appeared and shot to fire before anyone could react at Cassidy, who took the attack full force and was knocked off the cliff. "Cassidy!" Alec shouted, running towards the cliff. "Flame! Now!" Alec shouted as he jumped off.
A familiar feeling was sent through Alec and his body transformed into the form he beat Regirock with. Annabell saw this and was shocked. "What has my beloved been doing?" she asked herself in horror.
Alec sped towards Cassidy and grabbed her arm before she hit the ground. He pulled her in before flying back up to where Annabell, Ethan, and Eve were. "You alright?" he asked Cassidy, still in his arms.
"Yeah. Thanks for that," Cassidy answered, looking at Alec with a small blush.
Alec gave her a smile before turning to face Annabell with a glare. "Alright. That is it. The gloves are off. I was holding back because I didn't want to hurt Salamence too badly, but now you've torn it," he told her coldly as he put the Dragonium-Z on his Z-ring. "Let's finish this Flame!" he shouted, activating the crystal and performing the movements for Dragonium-Z. "Devastating Drake!"
Flame was surrounded by yellow energy that formed a large wyvern-like dragon and charged towards Mega Salamence. "Salamence, Dragon Rush!" Annabell ordered in a panic. Salamence didn't hesitate and charged towards Flame.
The two dragons clashed again, but this time Flame overpowered Salamence immediately slamming him into the ground with a massive explosion. When the dust cleared, Salamence was laying in a crater in his normal form. Flame then appeared next to Pyroar with his left eye bright yellow and radiating energy off it and hit her with Focus Punch, knocking her out immediately.
"You are just horrible," Alec said, revealing himself to have his bright blue eye with the same effect as Flame. Annabell looked at him in pure horror.
"What have you done to yourself?" she asked, terrified.
"What I've had to do," he answered. "Now. I want to make one thing clear and I want you to listen," he added, grabbing Annabell by the throat.
"I don't care about you. I never have, and I never will. Do you really not remember how many times I tried to get away from you whenever our fathers were meeting? How I would always head to Liz's place and wait you out? You may have this twisted fantasy that I care about you but I don't. So listen well. You will stay away from me, Cassidy, Liz, my sister, and my friends or Arceus help me, I will make you beg for mercy. I don't want to ever see you again," he told her, giving her a deadly glare.
He then let Annabell fall to the ground looking like she just wet herself as both Alec and Flame turned to normal. Annabell then gained her courage and stood back up, returning her Pokémon. "I don't know what's happened to you. But I won't stop until you see that we're meant to be together. When my daddy makes his new world, you will see," she told him before running off.
They stood in silence before Cassidy broke it. "I'm surprised you didn't tell her about us," she said.
"Well, if I did, she probably would have started a catfight and I'm not in the mood for that today," Alec replied.
"Well, thanks for catching me," she said, giving Alec a quick peck on the lips.
[Could you two not?] Flame asked. [It's bad enough watching those two,] he added, pointing to Ethan and Eve.
[You're just jealous you can't get someone,] Ethan remarked and was met with a Focus Punch to the head.
That Evening: Serena's POV
When the time came, Serena stood in her dress backstage while watching the screen. Eevee seemed calmer now, so that was a good sign. Lamps lit up while the waterfalls started glowing creating a beautiful light show for the background.
"I welcome you back for this lovely evening. We will now begin our lovely freestyle performance!" Pierre announced. "And first up, it's Nini!"
She rose onstage with her Pokémon, wearing an outfit similar to the one she wore in the theme performance, though Serena felt she went a bit overboard with the makeup. Nini's performance started off with Smoochum using Powder Snow into the air, creating a light swirl of light snow. Farfetch'd then jumped off Nini's back and used Fury Cutter to spread the snow around the stage letting it trickle down beautifully. Gothita and Smoochum then spun like tops with Nini doing a few backflips before she was lifted by Psychic. Nini started dancing in the air before Smoochum used Heart Stamp which was cut up by Farfetch'd's Fury Cutter to create pink rose petals that flowed around the performer. Nini was then put back down on the ground as the audience cheered.
"Just what I'd expect," Serena remarked.
"Serena, stand by to go on stage," one of the workers told her.
Eventually, her turn came around as the previous performer left the platform. "Braixen, Eevee, you ready?" she asked.
[You know I am,] Braixen said confidently.
[I'm set,] Eevee replied.
The three got onto the platform before it rose to the stage. "And now it's time for our final freestyle performance. Give a warm welcome to Serena!" Pierre called out.
Serena noticed Eevee's nerves flare up, but she quickly quelled them. "Here we go," Serena said, extending her arm and getting Eevee's attention.
Eevee hopped into Serena's arms before Braixen threw her branch into the air and it came back. Once caught, Braixen let the tip of her branch and started dancing around Serena and Eevee, who did their own little dance as Braixen surrounded them in a ring of fire. Serena then started throwing Eevee into the air repeatedly as the audience started cheering. The two then continued dancing, but this time with Eevee around Serena.
"Use Flamethrower!" Serena called out.
Braixen sent the flames in a spiral and Eevee jumped through them effortlessly. She then jumped into the air with some of the fire still around her and sent it away with the crescent moon behind her. Eevee then landed on Braixen's branch on one paw and stood there with Serena's arms wide open next to Braixen.
As the audience started to cheer, Eevee suddenly slipped off and fell to the ground unceremoniously. Eevee looked nervous suddenly, but thankfully Serena had planned for that. "Eevee, wrap it up," Serena told her with a smile.
Eevee's confidence returned and she jumped into the air with Braixen igniting her branch and threw it to Serena. The two went back and forth for a bit with Eevee jumping as the branch reached the in-between point. Braixen then used Fire Blast and made a fire star in front of the audience before it turned into orange sparkles.
"And that's it!" Serena announced, holding Braixen's paw with Eevee standing on it.
The audience cheered again and the three got out of their pose. Once back down, Eevee looked at Serena apologetically. [I'm sorry. I probably blew it for us,] Eevee said sadly.
Serena picked her up. "It's okay Eevee. This was your first performance, did you have fun?" she asked softly.
[Yeah,] Eevee answered.
"Then that's what matters," she replied.
Later, all the performers stood on stage so the winner could be decided. "Light your glow casters with the color you think gave the best performance," Pierre told the audience. The stands lit up with color as small balls of lights flew into the respective colored keys attached to the performers. "Now, the winner has been decided. And the princess key goes to… Performer Jessille!" he announced. The woman in question looked overjoyed at winning and her Pokémon were as well.
After the awards ceremony, everyone and Nini stood outside the stadium. "Nini, we'll try it again next time," Serena told her.
"Of course. I'll work hard. Give Alec my regards when you see him," she replied before heading off.
Serena then noticed Eevee still looking down in her arms. "Don't feel too bad Eevee. What's important is to never give up. No point in being upset," she told her.
[We may have not won this one, but we'll win the next one for sure,] Pancham added.
"We'll do our best for the next showcase and win," Serena stated.
[Then we will,] Eevee said determinedly.