At the ferry port, as I'm searching for the jumbotrons displaying departure and arrival times, I am approached by a shady man, and not because he's wearing a pair of shades.

"Are you Catheri?"

"Um, yes." Wait, I should've said no. "Who's asking?"

"I'm a scout who works for the president of Pokéstar Studios, Mr Wood. I was at last night's, well, I was there the previous three nights, at the Virbank gym watching your match. Your skill seems just what Mr Wood is looking for and would be interested in using."

"Oh, yeah, I was about to head over there and have a look around. Just as soon as I see what time the ferry departs for Castelia."

"Then you'll be surprised to know the captain, Pop, is at the studio right now."

I am. "He is?" Pop? I swear I've heard that name before.

"Once you're finished here, would you like me to escort you there?"

"Sure. I'll be outside in a minute."

I arrive at the front of the studio lot entrance by car.

"Yes, Mr Wood. She's just arrived." Mr Wood says something over the phone. "We're at the front gate."

I step out and we wait for a moment for the president to arrive. Far in one of the lots, making his way towards us with brisk pace, I see a well dressed old man with white receding hair.

He finally makes it down and says, "Good day."

"Good day," I say nervous.

"You must be Catheri, the rising young pokémon trainer who vanquished Roxie. I am Mr Wood. I am the founder and president of Pokéstar Studios. Welcome."

Vanquished? That's a bit dramatic. "Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise. Walk with me, Catheri. We have much to discuss."

"Okay."

Mr Wood and I walk down the long entryway into the lots.

"My scout told me great things about you. Your tenacity in battle, your fierceness, is exactly what I'm currently looking for. You see, I'm looking for someone, but not just anyone, who can display raw talent. Natural raw talent. And it seems to me you might just be exactly who I'm looking for."

"What am I doing exactly?"

"I'll cut to the chase. Catheri," he stops dramatically and turns to face me, "I want you to star in a movie!"

My jaw drops. "Wait. Hold on."

"It won't be full length. It'll be a short film but! the most important part is that we get a reaction from a mixed audience."

"What? From critics?" That's even more unnerving. I shudder.

"It won't just be film critics. The other half of the audience will be regular Joe's. Normal folk who don't have a high self-regarding opinion. While you won't be performing in front of them, you will be seen by many eyes and that is exactly what I want to extract from this venture. You just, well, be you, and the rest of us here will take care of the rest. We have the best directors, producers (he points to himself), soundstage engineers, graphic designers, photographers and loads of the best equipment money can buy! Or course, there are rules, sticking to the script and whatnot. It all depends on which director your working under but, I know you can do this. If the words of my scout are worth his salt, you'll be a bright shining star."

"On which director? Sorry, I got hung up on which director I'll be working under part."

"Yes, well, directors can be picky. Prima donnas. If you stick long enough, you'll start to understand, or not, their personalities and quirks. Their likes. Dislikes. But, I hope you will stay with us. You have something about you that feels promising. So, what do you say, Catheri? Would you like to try your luck at stardom?"

I think for a bit. Or more like, not think. My mind draws a blank canvas but, what comes out of my mouth, almost reflexively, is, "Yes. I'll do it."

Mr Wood springs happily about. He says, "Thank you, Catheri! Thank you! This way, I'll take you inside one of the studio buildings to meet with one of the directors and producers. You'll be going places, I just know it!"

Huh? What just happened?

Inside building D, as it was painted outside on the side of the building, Mr Wood leaves me in the care of John Pendergrass, a director, and Steven Wengal, a producer.

Mr Wood says as he approaches the two, "I have brought you your new star, John. Steven."

"Mr Wood." Steven nods.

The director turns around in his chair and directs his gaze at me.

…Piercing.

"This is the trainer you were talking about, huh? A pleasure to meet you." He holds his hands out. "I'm John Pendergrass. Mr Wood tells me you're quite the trainer. You can show tenacity when needed. You can be fierce."

"Well, when you make it sound that exciting it doesn't feel like I really am." I let out a laugh but, Mr Pendergrass doesn't seem amused. He just continues to stare with a decoding face.

"Hello, I'm Steven," the producer says extending his hand.

I shake it and say, "Nice to meet you."

"Well," Mr Wood says, "I must be going now. You two treat her well and one of you give her a tour of the facilities. She's VIP while she's here. Toodaloo."

Mr Wood leaves.

Too? Toodaloo?

"Catheri, was it?" John says.

"Yes?" I reply.

"I want you to witness the next scene in complete silence. No questions until after. Watch as magic happens."

I nod and say, "Okay."

The ceiling lights dim. The clapper loader guy snaps the clapperboard after which John says, "Action!"

A young girl cries while a woman screams, "Help! Help! Oh, won't somebody help? Stop Brycen-Man from taking my daughter's pokémon!"

From behind a curtain in the back emerges a big tall man wearing purple and blue spandex. Scruffy beard; white, like what's left of his hair, and kempt. He walks into the scene, looks around, and says, "Hold it right there, Brycen-Man!"

From a dark shadowy corner, a spotlight is shone onto another man also wearing spandex in bright purple with a lime green cape and a purple masquerade mask. He wields a scepter of matching colours and holds a Lillipup in one arm.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my arch-nemesis Toxtricity-Man! Here to come to save the day again? Well, not this time! My Mecha-Weavile will take care of you while I escape!" He laughs maniacally.

A large robotic Weavile storms onto the set. It's being controlled by a guy with a remote control off-screen. Toxtricity-Man takes out his pokémon, a low key Toxtricity.

"Toxtricity! Take out that tin can!"

After saying that line, I notice the director open his palm in displeasure.

"Use Mega Punch!"

Toxtricity looks serious and throws a punch at the robot, but at the very last second, stops so as not to destroy the machine. Brycen-Man laughs.

"Normal attacks won't do a thing against Mecha-Weavile! Give it up, Toxtricity-Man!"

"Never! Justice won't heed to the likes of you! Toxtricity! Give 'em a taste of your electric power! Use Overdrive!"

Again, Toxtricity doesn't actually use its move. It moves as if doing so without actual sparks coming out. It does give out its cry as it does so. The robot shakes around as if it had been struck by electricity and paralysed.

"Blast! This leaves me no choice! Prepare to meet your maker, Toxtricity-Fool! Come on out, Bisharp!"

A menacing-looking pokémon emerges from its pokéball and brandishes its blades, striking them together and creating sparks.

"Bisharp! Attack with Night Slash!"

"Protect, Toxtricity!"

Toxtricity catches Bisharp's arm.

"Drain Punch!"

It looks like a real strike up until the last moment. Toxtricity just taps Bisharp. Bisharp reacts as if it had been hit for real and falls onto its back. It pretend faints.

"No! Bisharp!" He returns his pokémon. "Blast it! Toxtricity-Man and Toxtricity! You haven't seen the last of me!"

He lets go of the Lillipup and retreats into the shadowy corner. Lillipup runs to the young girl who rejoices. The woman says, "Oh, thank you, Toxtricity-Man and Toxtricity."

"No thanks needed, ma'am. It's only our purpose to protect the citizens of Toxicity. Brycen-Man may be gone for now, but! he will strike back. In that regard, I must stay vigilant and wary. For I am the purveyor of justice! I am Toxtricity-Man!"

"Aaand cut!" the director says. "That's a wrap! Thank you!"

"Good work," one person says. "That turned out well," another person says. "Wanna go grab some lunch?" one other person says.

As the ceiling lights come back on, I notice the 'shadowy corner' where Brycen-Man disappeared is a black curtain where I presume is the dressing room because I see Toxtricity-Man and Toxtricity walking in back there. But, he's stopped by the director who says, "Pop! Can I have a word with you?"

Pop, Toxtricity-Man's real name I presume, turns around and walks up to us.

My eyes light up. It's the guy from the superhero television shows and blockbusters! So, this is Pop?

"What?" he says rather annoyed.

"Don't what me," says John. "What was that?"

"What was what?"

I think this is a fight.

"You know exactly what. What was that line about the tin can? That wasn't in the script."

"Script schmidt."

Sch? Schmidt?

"I added it because the script needed flare. Some lines just sounded too flat so I had to add my own input to spice things up."

"Yes, I understand that. I understand it perfectly. But, this is my movie and this," John waves a stack of papers around, "is my script. You have to follow with everything I have written. Need I remind you what an actor's job is?"

Oh, yeah. This is definitely a fight.

"Your job as an actor is to delivery lines with poise, attitude, character, personality. Whatever the character calls for. Not what you think the character calls for."

"Relax, John. You'll see when we break even and then make some at the box office in the first month that my choice was a good choice. You'll be praising me then, I can guarantee you."

"Oh, I won't be praising you, breaking even or not."

"You say you want character and attitude. I bring character and attitude. I know exactly what the character calls for. Now, if you'll excuse us, Toxtricity and I have places to be. Good work today, John."

John sees him walk off with his pokémon without blinking.

"What a pain in the–," he says.

The producer responds by saying, "Maybe it'll turn out good? No, yeah, it'll definitely turn out good. Pop has been in this industry for a while and has much experience and many accolades to his name. His inputs wouldn't hinder the quality of the film much less the sales. I think we should respect that."

"Yeah? Well, I think he should respect me." John looks at me. "Catheri, I'd like you to follow me." He stands from his chair. "This way," he says as he starts walking.

I follow him to the back. Steven also comes along. We walk beyond the black curtain into where I had correctly guessed is the dressing room. There are more curtains further back. There is an older-looking, mature woman placing Brycen-Man's costume on a rack. She takes a glance our way and goes back to her task.

"This is," says John, "where we keep some of our clothing, costumes and dress-up attire. There are other rooms like this in the other fifteen stages."

"Fifteen stages?" I ask.

Steven says, "There are thirty stages in total. Sixteen of them are rooms as large as the one we were just in housing a variety of different sets, predominantly the larger sets; spaceships, cruise ships, entire city blocks."

I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

"We're in Building D Stage 16. The other fourteen stages are much smaller. They're for sets like house interiors, small rooms, things like that."

"Yes," John says, "whenever we can film something in these stage rooms, it benefits us on the cost of having to film on location."

"On location means filming in the actual environment," Steven says, "be it a city street or a forest. But to get equipment and personnel out to such places costs lots of money and resources, not to mention the time constraints as well."

"Correct. And if we want to break even, that is when we make back the money spent on everything in total, we must consider using sets and greens screens."

"Green screens?" I say.

"Green screens," Steven says, "are what we use to digitally add backgrounds to make it seem as if the actor or actors are actually there in that environment."

"Oh, yeah, I saw it but thought nothing of it."

"Yes, well, we'll film in front of that green tarp and in post-production add the background. It's just another way for us to keep costs down and it makes breaking even a whole lot easier."

"Of course," John says, "it also depends on the actors and the quality of the film. Ultimately it is about quality. A man like Pop costs so much to hire but, actors and actresses of his calibre also rake in more ticket sales at the box office. People will flock to see talent such as him more than an unknown actor or an actor with less star power."

Star power? That makes it sound like he has an ability. Like a pokémon.

"The more star power you have, the greater presence you obtain globally. It comes to a point where not just everyone in the whole country knows who you are, but everyone in the whole world recognises you. But of course, to get to that level, to step off the national stage and step onto international stage, you must have great presence and charisma. You have to have something about you that other people don't have. You have to have something they want. And even then, even before getting to that stage in an acting career, you have to find your way onto the stage. You have to leave your mark here to be successful out there. Then you can step onto whatever stage you decide to step out on. Now, I ask you. Catheri, are you ready to step onto the stage?"

Hmm, I don't know. Might as well try now that I'm here. "I'll do it. I'm ready."

"Then lets get you into costume. Mrs Chapelle will take care of you. Mrs Chapelle, see to it Catheri gets into a costume. Lets get Ms Sanchez in here to do up her hair as well."

"Yes, John," she says. "Come along, Catheri. Lets get you all sorted."

From behind one of the curtains, Pop comes out dressed in his captain's uniform.

"Well, I'll be heading off now." He notices me for the first time and says, "Hello there, I don't believe we've met."

"Catheri."

"Catheri. What an exciting name. I hope we can work together on something, Catheri."

I blush. "I'd like that." One of the biggest stars in Pokéwood is talking to me right now.

"Well, I must be going. Have a good rest of your evening."

He leaves the room.

He didn't even introduce himself.

"That's Pop for you," John says. "Here," he says handing me a thin stack of papers, "this is the script. Study it well. Make sure to remember every highlighted line. I'll be waiting for you outside."

I nod.

After getting into costume, and reading and rereading the script, I walk out from the curtain onto the set. I'm fully clothed in superhero fatigues. I'm wearing a sleeveless yellow wiggle dress made of rayon. 'Pyramids' made by triangular cuts at the bottom of the hem pointing upwards adorn the sides of the dress, with two more at the front and two others at the back, for improved mobility. Underneath, I have on a white compression long sleeve shirt and white tights. A red nylon cape drapes behind me, held together around my neck and under my arms by a faux blue gemstone nearly the same colour as my eyes. Matching red nylon gloves cover my hands. A pair of blue bracelets wrap around both wrists. A pair of red boots hug my feet nicely. A belt with a red strap and a white hourglass buckle on its side hugs my waist. The outfit is finished off with a red masquerade mask. And I've also had my hair done in double buns with the rest of my long hair in two ponytails.

John comes up and asks, "What pokémon do you have with you?"

"Servine and Riolu."

"Lets get Riolu out here!" he says to a stagehand. "You will battle," he says doing air quotes with his fingers, "using the Riolu we will provide. If you want, you can let out yours to have a look of what its like to do a battle act."

"Sure."

Mrs Chapelle hands me my pouch for a second.

"Come on out, Riolu."

I kneel down to eye level. It seems to be interested in my outfit.

"Listen, Riolu, I'll be battling with another Riolu. Could you watch and pay attention to Riolu's movements?"

It seems to understand me as it nods its head and smiles.

"Okay, you go over there with John, the director."

John says, "One more thing, our Riolu knows only Force Palm and Ice Punch. Keep that in mind when facing Brycen-Man's pokémon."

I nod. John nods back and leaves. Riolu follows him to his seat. The lights dim.

"Action!" John says.

A man yells, "Somebody stop him! He has that boy hostage!"

From the top of a skyscraper set, Brycen-Man laughs out loud while holding onto a young boy.

"Meet my demands or the boy meets his maker!"

A woman says, "Oh, won't anybody help that poor boy!"

Getting a nod from a stagehand cueing me in, I walk out onto the rooftop where Brycen-Man and the boy are.

"Hold it right there!" I say with the pointing of a finger towards them. "Cease and desist, Brycen-Man!"

"What's this? A little girl dares to oppose me? The all-mighty Brycen-Man!"

"I'll show you might! Riolu!"

I bring Riolu out of its pokéball. It cries out.

Brycen-Man throws in his pokéball and calls out, "Pawniard!"

A Pawniard appears, making screeching sounds with its arm blades.

"Get rid of her, Pawniard! Use Brick Break!"

Pawniard runs up to attack me.

"Riolu! Push it back with Force Palm!"

Riolu stays still and lets Pawniard get closer. Then it taps it with its open palm. Pawniard falls on its back and pretends to faint.

"Blast! Return! Go! Vullaby! Swat them off this roof with Air Slash!"

A giant fan off-screen behind Vullaby simulates a strong current of air whilst Vullaby uses a weak Gust. My hair and the nylon cap flap in the wind.

"Riolu! Stop it with Ice Punch!"

Riolu puts a foot forward and then runs up to Vullaby in the air. It jumps up, cools its fist, covering it with steel hard ice, and taps Vullaby. Vullaby falls down and pretends to faint.

"Oh, no! Blast it all!"

Brycen-Man lets go of the boy. The boy runs to me and hides behind my cape, away from Brycen-Man.

"Who are you?" Brycen-Man says. "Who dares face Brycen-Man?"

From below, the actors say, "Who is she?" "A new superhero?" "That Riolu…" And then one person yells out, "Riolu Girl! It's The Riolu Girl!"

"Yeah." A murmur in the crowd turns to a cheer. "Riolu Girl!" Whistles and cheers sound from below on the street as Brycen-Man takes a step back.

"You haven't seen the last of me, Riolu Girl. Where there is shadow, I will appear. Where there is malice, I will be there. Farewell, Riolu Girl! Till next time!" he laughs as he runs off set.

"Laugh all you can now, Brycen-Man! Justice will be waiting for you until then!"

After a while after the scene finished, I stood there not thinking what to do until Steven yelled "Cut! Excellent job! Good work, everyone!" He turns to face John who is stuck in his thoughts. "John, the scene is over."

I receive handshakes and high fives and fist bumps from everybody including the stagehands and the actors. Brycen-Man comes back onto the set and says, "Good work, kid. I really felt my blood pumping during that stand-off."

"Thank you," I smile.

"You were a natural."

John says to Steven without looking away from the set, "There's something about her. I feel as though I've met her before."

"What? Like in a different life or something?"

"No. I've seen her face before. Its familiar. …But where?"

As John tries to figure himself out, I keep receiving small amounts of praise and congratulations.

It was a long day. I did two more scenes. One where I had to track down Brycen-Man to a warehouse at the docks. And the other where I had to fight him in the warehouse. We filmed those two scenes on location at Virbank Harbour. It was non-stop action scene after non-stop action scene. All the while, everyone there was really supportive of me including Brycen, which meant a lot to me. Getting praise from such a huge star was a big deal.

Afterwards, after finishing up the day's work, I said my farewell to everyone there and headed out.

Steven says to John, "I think I see what you meant. I see a similarity in someone. Someone who's been here before."

"…It can't be," John says shaking his head. "Surely, it must be a coincidence."

During the last bit of sunset, I walk into the ferry terminal to board the ferry boat for Castelia City. I raise my brows in surprise to see Hueso standing at the counter, waiting.

I ask, "You haven't boarded yet?"

"I've been waiting for you."

"…Why?"

"You are my second in command. My partner in crime. My Watson."

"…Watson?"

"Never mind. Now that you are here, let us depart!"

Pop walks in through the front doors in the uniform he changed into at the studio.

"Greetings, Catheri. Good to see you again."

"Hey, Pop."

Hueso looks back and forth. "You know Pop?! Well, I mean, of course anyone would know who Pop is but."

"Yeah, I met him at Pokéwood Studios," I say with a smile.

"Y-You went to Pokéwood Studios?!" Hueso takes and shakes me by the shoulders.

"Yeah. What? I got invited for showing excellent battle form or technique or something?"

"Or something, huh? Well, congratulations, Catheri."

"Wait, you aren't jealous, are you? I can hear it in your tone of voice. I'm picking up a hint of sarcasm."

"You're misunderstanding," he says turning around with his arms crossed.

"Well," Pop says, "I'll leave you two for now. We're departing soon so don't stay here too long."

He leaves.

"No, seriously. You aren't jealous? It's just a movie."

"Just a movie, yeah," he says walking away.

Something tells me he tried to get into the studio but wasn't allowed in. I sigh.

We boarded the ship and set off. During the down time I had, I decided to call mom to see how she was.

"I'm feeling just fine, darling," mom says from the video call on the Xtransceiver. "What about you? You're looking awfully spent."

"I am," I say with a smile. "I was just at Pokéwood Studios filming a short movie."

"What? Really?"

"Yeah, can you believe it? I uh…I was actually asked to help them make a film. They said they needed my talent. Battle talent."

"Oh. Right, right."

"I was there all day. We filmed at the docks as well. It was pretty fun. I got to meet loads of people. I even met Pop and Brycen-Man."

"Brycen-Man? Oh, you mean Brycen?"

"Brycen? Is that his real name?"

"Yeah, it…it is."

"What's wrong? You sound unsure about something?"

"No, well, it's not about Brycen's name. It's just, well, I guess I haven't been open with you about my past."

"Your past?"

"Yeah. You see…I used to be an actress."

"…Whaaat?"

"Yeah. I did quite a number of films in my time."

"Your time? You say that as if you're a grandma. You're only in your forties, mom."

"Don't remind me. But, yes, I used to be a major Pokéwood starlet."

"Well? What happened? With your career."

"Well, I had you."

Oh.

"I decided it was best to focus on raising you instead of trying to be the best actress in the world. I would give anything for you, my love."

I blush and say, "I love you, mom."

"My, that's the first time you've said that in a long time." She laughs. "I love you too, sweetheart."

I smile.

"Hey, if you see Pop and Brycen again, could you say hi to them for me? I'm sure they miss me," she says with a smile.

I say, "Sure. I'll greet them for you once I see them again." I'm not sure. Maybe I'll see them again?

"Goodbye, sweetheart." She blows me a kiss and waves.

I wave back and afterwards, I set the Xtransceiver down in my pocket and look out across the sound at the Castelia City skyline. It's pretty at night.