Hello again, TheEnigmatic97 here. First of all, I would like to apologize if you felt that the previous chapter was quite rushed. When I read the chapter myself after uploading, I really felt that I rushed the ending big time. Well, I have nothing else to say this time, so we'll move on.
Now for this chapter: The group arrives at Lumiose City, and is given a warm welcome by the people. The group's activities during their stay there will be outlined.
So without further ado
'Entry to Lumiose City'
The group arrived at the gate to Lumiose City right before sunset. The couple in the group pretty much looked at the beautiful view before letting go of their hands before entry, since they haven't revealed anything to the rest of the world. When the reached the gate leading to Lumiose City, an officer went to fetch them. They wondered why would they be fetched by none other than a soldier. Did they do anything wrong? No, he said to the group "This is to welcome you into the city."
-Lumiose City, Gate, 18:01-
"Thanks for the welcome ceremonies" Ash said to the officer "But, sir, isn't this too extravagant?"
"You'll know the reason later" The officer replied "We also held one for Aria yesterday."
"So she's already here." Serena thought
The group stayed at one corner of the tunnel until there was a command given to stand in attention. When the soldiers complied, a limousine appeared at the other end of the tunnel. This signified that the welcoming ceremony has commenced. A two men stepped out of the limousine, one was probably in his early sixties and kinda large for his stature. He wore a brown coat and a red necktie, along with the matching pants and shirt. The other was more recognizable, he wore a lab coat of some sort and had a somewhat long black hair. The details were not needed as the group recognized him immediately.
"Professor Sycamore!" The group exclaimed, but became silent to keep the ceremonies solemn.
"Who is that man with him?" Ash asked the two lemon-blonde siblings, as they lived in the city.
"That's the mayor!" Bonnie exclaimed "-nene?" the Dedenne in her satchel wondered (A/N: I don't usually add lines from the Pokémon themselves unless if I deem it important. That's the reason why you don't see them much often)
"He is like the person who does the big things in the city." Bonnie whispered to the soon-to-be her Pokémon
The soldiers gave a salute to the distinguished personnel as they passed through them and approached the group. When the mayor reached them, he introduced himself and gave a handshake to each of them.
"Good evening, I am Frederick Sycamore." The man said "Mayor of Lumiose City, and father of the region's head professor." (A/N: I don't recall anyone in the anime being introduced as the mayeor of Lumiose City, and father of Prof. Sycamore, so OC FTW!)
"Good evening, Mayor, Professor" The group greeted back.
"So you must be Ash Ketchum." The mayor said "Augustine has told me a lot of stories about you, including that Garchomp incident."
"It was nothing." Ash replied "I just wanted to help"
"And you are Serena Yvonne of Vaniville Town, Master Performer."
"Hello." She greeted back
"And how's the two kids here?" The mayor asked the lemon-blonde siblings
"We're fine" Clemont replied
"Well, let's proceed with the welcoming ceremonies." The professor said "We'll talk at the lab."
The group then walked behind the two Sycamores while they were passing the tunnel with the soldiers giving the salute. When they reached the limousine, the mayor and the professor went in first before the lemon-blonde siblings, then the couple. When the limousine started to move, Professor Sycamore opened up a topic regarding the group.
"When I first saw you this evening, I kinda noticed something different." He said
"What was it professor?" Clemont wondered what he meant
"I don't know, or maybe it was just my experience at detailed observations." He replied "But there's something with those two over there." He then pointed at Ash and Serena, faces red, and already knew what the Professor meant.
"Well, what do we have here?" The mayor said "The Kalos League Conference Champion dating the fastest rising Master Performer in the region."
The two went into a darker shade of red, and they can't keep things secret anymore to them "How did... you know...?" Serena asked
"Well, during the welcome ceremonies, I kept on observing on your actions, and you two are just THAT close." The professor replied while showing his two fingers showing an extremely small gap... actually not even a single gap.
"Ehehehe... isn't that an exaggeration?" Ash said
"You two should have seen those two lovebirds when we were on our way to Santalune City a few days ago." Bonnie said "They are teasing their minds off each other, it's waaaay too cute!"
"BONNIE, Shush!" Clemont reprimanded his sister, trying to make things less awkward.
"So, Bonnie, how was it try to find a wife for your brother throughout the region?" The mayor asked
The youngest in the group just laughed and said "Clemont's kinda stubborn, and he says that he's not interested."
"How did... you know it, mayor?" Clemont exclaimed in shock
"Well, who wouldn't?" Serena said "It's all over my news feed."
Serena then showed her travel guide to the rest of the group while Clemont tried to hide his face in embarrassment. Ash just laughed at the posts since he pretty much read all of it during the discussion. Here's two of them
Bonnie telling me to marry her brother is so cute, but waaay to #awkward
That PokéVision by Clemont, I'm pretty sure Bonnie dubbed the lines. #BestVidEver
"That, and a lot more" Serena said before closing her guide
"Thank you." Clemont replied with his face as red as ever.
The brakes of the limousine sounded signalling their arrival at Professor Sycamore's Laboratory. Outside the laboratory, there was a small crowd of people waiting for the group's arrival. This time, they were gracious in answering questions and giving out autographs since they were not that harsh.
When the group went in the laboratory, one of the assistants gave the keys to the group's assigned room. The room contained two single beds and a double-decked bed. Well, there was something with the single beds though, it had a special mechanism allowing it to be connected to one another making a bigger sized bed. The one who spotted such, it was Clemont. (A/N: Am I really that desperate to have those two sleep together?)
When they placed their things inside the room, Bonnie whispered to his brother, and he nodded in agreement
"Ash, Serena." Clemont called
"What is it?" Serena asked
"Well, me and Bonnie decided that we spend the night at dad's place." Clemont replied "I'm pretty sure he would be happy to see us after a long time."
The two smiled at each other upon hearing what the inventor said
"I guess nothing's wrong with that." Ash said "But you two should have your dinner here."
"I'm kinda hungry and it's been a long trek." Bonnie said
"True." Clemont agreed
The group then went down to the dining area to have their dinner. Along with them were Professor Sycamore and his assistants, and the mayor himself. The Pokémon stayed at the enclosure so that they could roam around for a bit after being kept in their respective pokéballs for a few hours. The food served were roasted chicken, cream of mushroom soup, multiple T-bone steaks, mashed potatoes with gravy, some salad, and for dessert, a large chocolate cake. The group ate the food at their disposal, but would often pause whenever the couple would do something they haven't seen
"What?" Ash asked while holding a spoon with a slice of steak and some mashed potato in front of Serena's face.
The rest remained silent while staring at them. Ash immediately placed the spoon in his mouth while his face was red, and all of them laughed at him.
"Well, while we are here, let me present to you the activities leading to Saturday's Master Class Showcase" the mayor said
"Actually, there's only one event before that day and you'll have three days worth of free time." The professor continued "I hope you're set for a press conference tomorrow."
"We're fine with that I guess" Ash replied "what time is it anyway?"
"That will happen in the evening after a meet and greet session with your fans in the afternoon." The mayor said "We limited the people coming to about fifty so you won't be stressed out. Also, Aria will be coming here."
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Clemont asked Serena
"Months I suppose, when I won the previous showcase." Serena replied "I am kinda sad though that Shauna won't be competing with me"
"Yeah, I don't even know why they have that rule." Ash agreed
"The next three days will be yours, for practice, or for..." Professor Sycamore said
"a date." Bonnie said interrupting the professor
"Bonnie!" Clemont exclaimed
"Good call there, Bonnie." the professor said
"Uhhhhh..." Ash and Serena just stared at the rest of the group.
When dinner was finished, the mayor and the lemon-blonde siblings left the laboratory as planned. The siblings would return after breakfast so that they could prepare for tomorrow's event. The couple went to their room to prepare for bedtime along with Pikachu (A/N: Is this the only time I said the name 'Pikachu' in this chapter?) The two changed into their sleeping attire before going to bed. While Serena was busy changing, Ash was talking to his Pikachu about some matters.
"What should I do then?"
"Pikapika. pikachu." (I don't know. It depends on you)
"What do you mean it depends on me?"
"Pikapika, PIKA" (Use your heart, stupid.)
"Do you think she'll like it?"
"pikapika..." (Density issues...)
When the two lied down to sleep, Serena snuggles up to her boyfriend as usual, and he would hug her around her waist. before they went to sleep, Ash had to ask
"I was thinking if we could go on a date or something"
"I have been waiting for you to ask."
"Okay, let's do it after you showcase okay..."
*YAWN* "Okay..."
Well, that's for this chapter. I hope this one isn't that disappointing. I kinda messed up on some parts, but I hope it did not rin the flow of this chapter. I have nothing to announce, so just keep on reading and reviewing.
About the next chapter: The people who know will increase by two. Plus a build-up to the press conference for the chapter afterwards.
So there we go, TheEnigmatic97 here, peace!