Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter One-hundred and eighty-seven: Master Rank Mania (part one)
After some degree of traveling, the heroes had made their way to Gloire City, where the Master Class Showcase is going to be held. "Huh, so this is the seat of Kalos's Pokémon Showcase scene," Kenny remarked as he looked around, "I gotta say, they're really trying to sell the vibe here that it's Royalty Center one-oh-one."
Serena looked around, spotted the giant castle where the Kalos Queen will either be crowned or, if Aria wins in the end, retain her title. Serena was thinking about all of her experiences thus far in her journey as a Pokémon Performer; the losses suffered early on, the victories that came after. Serena thought especially so of her latest win, the one that netted her the final credit that she needed to break her way into the Master Class. Serena, having the approval of not just the vast majority of the audience, but also the vast majority of the special committee invited and assembled to watch her and the others show what they're made of, had made what's got to be her best showing yet in the Showcase scene.
Although she used Pokémon she had borrowed from Ash to do it.
After winning the last Princess Key she needed to qualify for the Master Class, Serena returned the two Pokémon she had borrowed from Ash. Although said Pokémon, if Serena were to use them again, would undoubtedly help her rise to the top, Serena wanted to try the Master Class by her own skill, her own power. Serena bet that she would at least get some attention with what all she can do with Braixen, Pancham, and Sylveon. Serena isn't quite sure how she'll end up doing, but she'll be damned if she doesn't make at least some kind of mark.
It was as Serena was looking at the castle that she and the other heroes heard a familiar female voice call out, "Hey Ash and friends!" Serena and the others turned to see May, Ash's traveling companion from his journey in Hoenn, come running up to them. May was followed by her younger brother Max, whose somewhat thin looking face showed he still needed to gain some weight. "It figures that you guys made it to Gloire City for the Master Class Showcase," May said, "I saw a posted video of the performance Serena gave at the Champion's Favor Pokémon Showcase, and I have to say, I'm impressed."
"Same here," Max said, "I was NOT expecting anyone to enter with legendary Pokémon. Where in blazes did Serena get Zapdos and Moltres from?"
"Actually, they're mine and I loaned them to Serena to give her the confidence boost she needed to score the win I knew full well she was capable of netting," Ash explained,getting May and Max to both turn to look at him.
Pointing at Ash, May said, "You're the one who caught Zapdos and Moltres? And you loaned them to Serena?"
"Keep in mind sis," Max spoke up, "You got me to help make my Mightyena and Furfrou more obedient towards you to help you with the Master Class Showcase. If you can borrow Pokémon from me, I fail to see why Serena can't borrow from Ash."
As the siblings from Hoenn caught up with the heroes, they heard a familiar male voice call out, "Oh, you guys are here!" Everyone then turned to see Ideku Badorigo, the roaming trainer from Johto, come walking up to them, followed by Ochaco the fossil Pokémon researcher. The reason why Ochaco had been able to blaze through the Rookie Class Showcases she was in was due to borrowing shiny Pokémon belonging to Ideku, who she's romantically involved with surprisingly. "I take it you guys are here for the Master Class Shoewcase like Ochaco?" Ideku asked.
Turning to face Ideku and Ochaco, May said, "You know it! And I'm in it to win it!"
"Hey now, don't go selling me short here," Serena said, "I'm not going to go down easy either."
"Well now," Ochaco said, "It looks likeI got some fierce competition to deal with." Ochaco and Ideku withed the others luck before taking off. Similarly, May and Max wished Serena luck before they headed off, although Bonnie called after Max and waved him good-bye.
Alone, the heroes looked to one another. "Well now," Trip said, "I say that we ought to get heading on over to the local Pokémon Center."
Dawn nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we ought to at least get our Pokémon checked out before we do anything else." With the game plan set in mind, the heroes took off for the Gloire City Pokémon Center. However, both Dawn and Serena would be in for a bit of a surprise when they and the rest of the heroes all make it on over to the Pokémon Center.
...
"Mom?!"
"Mom?!"
Dawn and Serena both exclaimed in surprise when tney saw both Johanna and Grace, the respective moms of Dawn and Serena, waiting at the Gloire City Pokémon Center. "I came here because I got it that Serena qualified for the Master Class Showcase," Grace said, "I wanted to be here in person to cheer her on."
"And I'm actually here for Dawn and Trip, as I figured they were with Serena," Johanna explained.
"Oh yeah, you took Trip in as a foster child after his birth mom was killed in a Team Scorn siege in the Unova region," Clemont remarked while pointing at Johanna.
Nodding once in confirmation, Johanna said, "Yes, but things are a bit different now." To Dawn and Trip, Johanna said, "I've officially adopted Trip, even got the paperwork all officiated and everything. I figured that you two were owed it to be informed in person that you're now officially siblings."
As the news struck Dawn and Trip, Kenny cheered, "You guys hear that? You're officially siblings now!"
"Trip has an official home again!" Bonnie cheered excitedly, hopping up and down as the others congratulated Dawn and Trip.
Speaking of, Dawn and Trip were the most surprised by this development. "This..." Dawn said, "...This is a lot to take in. It's great and awesome and stuff, but it's a lot to take in." Trip was of a smilar position, only he was stunned into silence.
Johanna nodded in understanding to her children. "I understand that you kids will need to get used to it. Also, when you come home after your time here in Kalos, Trip will understandably need to set his room up the way he wants it." Johanna had an amused smirk on her face. "I will admit, I was actually rather keen on having another child. Adopting Trip not only made that a reality, but it saved a lot of hassle, plus it got me a son as I already have a daughter."
"Speaking of daughters," Grace said. With all eyes on her, Grace said to Serena, "Serena. It's amazing that you were able to not only stick with your dream of becoming a Performer despite the early setbacks you suffered, but went on to score the advancing strides you needed in order to make it to the top competition in the field. You've exceeded even the highest expectaions I've had, and I'm both immensely proud of you and sorry that I had underestimated you. You are far more than what others had given you credit for, even me."
Serena nodded once in understanding as well as thanks. "Thanks, mom."
Clapping her hands together, Johanna said, "Well now, I think we ought to have a little party to celebrate both Serena making it into the Master Class Showcase and me getting a son." The heroes all cheered in agreement, and within short order a picnic party was held outside of the Pokémon Center in the back. During said party, Johanna was thrown for a loop when it was mentioned that Dawn had caught the mythical Pokémon Darkrai. Grace was also surprised to learn that the Zapdos and Moltres Serena used in the Champion's Favor Pokémon Showcase were actually Ash's and Serena was just borrowing them, partly to counter how Ochaco had borrowed slash still is borrowing Pokémon from Ideku, and how May is going to be borrowing Pokémon from Max.
The party went up until night time. When it was time to hit the hay, Grace and Johanna said they rented rooms at a local hotel, although just enough to cover the both of them and their respective kids if they felt like joining them. Trip was actually the first to agree, a sense coming from him that he wanted to be near his mom now that he had a(n official) mom again. Dawn and Serena also agreed, and they plus Trip told the others they'll see them in the morning. Kenny, Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie all said good night to Dawn, Trip, and Serena and said they'll look forward to seeing them in the morning. Ash also told Serena to make sure she and her Pokémon get their rest, as they'll be needing it as the Master Class Showcase is tomorrow.
Ash didn't see it as Serena was turned around and left with Grace, Johanna, and the Berlitz siblings, but Serena was blushing heavily from the warm wishes from Ash for her to do well. Grace, who did see Serena blush, had a hint of knowing amusement in her expression.
...
Later that night, Serena in her sleep outfit was standing outside on abalcony at the hotel she, Grace, Johanna, Dawn, and Trip were at. Serena, looking up at the starry night sky above, had a look of mildly resigned worry in her eyes. It was as Serena looked up at the sky that she heard Dawn's voice call out to her. "I can only assume that you're worried about your odds in the Master Class Showcase tomorrow."
Serena turned to see Dawn and Trip approach; Dawn was wearing her Infernape themed sleep outfit, and Trip was decked out in an Emploeon themed version of what Dawn had on; a gift from Johanna who was aware Dawn got the Infernape one. Letting out a troubled sigh, Serena said, "Can you blame me for being worried? I'm close to competing on the biggest stage yet on the road in my journey as a Pokémon Performer."
"I can't blame you," Trip said, "Those who participate in League Conferences feel the same way when they're about to show off the efforts that earned them the eight gym badges they needed to enter. I felt a little nervous when I entered the Vertress Conference, as did both Kenny and Ash. And the two of them plus me will be feeling that sense of nervousness when we break into the Lumiose Conference within short order."
Dawn nodded in agreement. "I myself felt nervous when I was going though the Lily of the Valley Conference, especially when I fought notable opponents such as Ash. Those nerves acted up when I then went through the Sinnoh Elite Four, and once more when I fought Cynthia to see if I could take her title from her." Dawn gave a slight shake of her head. "Being nervous before something big like this is natural."
Serena nodded once, glad that both Dawn and Trip understood her to some degree. "...Do you think I can win it?"
"I'm as sure you'll win the Master Rank Showcase tomorrow as I am that Ash will win the Lumiose Conference," Trip said, "Unless he and I duke it out, of course."
Serena arched an eyebrow at Trip. "You think you can beat Ash in a battle?"
"And what about Kenny?" Dawn asked.
"Here's the pecking order," Trip said, "On the bottom there's Kenny, then there's the dirt-"
Stopping Trip before he went on as she knew what he was going to say slash reference, Dawn said, "Alright, alright, I get it." Serena, seeing the back and forth between Dawn and Trip, adopted siblings now although they seem as if they were siblings by birth, couldn't help but laugh in sincere amusement. Turning to look at Serena when they heard her laughing, Dawn and Trip saw that she was feeling more relaxed and at ease. Feeling better, Serena decided to head back in so she could get as much rest for her big day tomorrow as possible.
Getting as much rest as possible for tomorrow was also something on Dawn and Trip's mind, so they decided to head on in as well.
The next day was the big day at last, the day that Serena would be putting everything on the line as she took part in the pinnacle of what it meant to compete in the arena of Pokémon Showcases. Serena looked up at the castle in which the Master Class Showcase would be taking part in as she and everyone else made their way to see Serena shine like the star they knew she was. "I hope you aren't nervous, Serena," Bonnie said, "You really are good."
Serena nodded once, although she didn't look back at Bonnie when she nodded. "I'm as certain I'll win here as I am that Ash is gonna win the Lumiose Conference."
"Heh, thanks for the vote of confidence," Ash remarked, chuckling a bit in amusement, "I'm hoping to finally get my Greninja's special power down pat before then."
Trip gave an amused hum. "We'll get there, no doubt about that. But this is Serena's day, so we'll keep things on her."
The heroes, with Johanna and Grace, made their way into the castle where the Master Class Showcase was being held. When they entered, they heard a familiar voice call out, "Grace? I wasn't expecting to see you here."
The heroes plus two moms turned to look and saw Grand Duchess Sabine come walking up, with her daughter Maaya and an older teenage girl behind her. The older teenage girl was fair skinned and had a pretty enough face, with brick red hair in a high ponytail save for bangs framing the aforementioned pretty face. She wore a brown sleeveless blouse with white shoulders, brown finger-less gloves, a purple skirt that reached halfway down her thighs, and brown boots that reached almost up to her knees. Although she looked pretty, there was something about her that couldn't be trusted. In addition to Sabine and the two girls, they were flanked by a troop of half a dozen servants.
It had been Sabine herself who had called out to Grace. "I wasn't expecting to see you here," Sabine said as she held a hand out to Grace, who accepted the handshake.
"Well my daughter's entering the Master Class Showcase, so I'm here to support her," Grace said, speaking with Sabine in a casual tone that indicated the degree of friendship they had going.
The older teen girl looked mildly unamused as Sabine was greeting Grace in so friendly and casual a manner. "I'm not too sure of you greeting that commoner in so friendly a manner, mother."
"Duchess Sarah," the first servant with Sabine and the two girls said, identifying the older teen girl as Duchess Sarah in the process, "Your mother the Grand Duchess is on friendly terms with Miss Grace here, due to her status as a top professional Rhyhorn racer. The Grand Duchess is a rather big fan of the sport, after all."
As Sarah rolled her eyes at the servant's explanation, the heroes turned to look at her. "...So," Kenny said, "You're the spoiled little quim who decided to ruin an innocent dude's life solely because you didn't like him telling you no."
"And just who are you to talk to me like that, you filth?" Sarah snarled, "I'll have you know that I can-"
"-And will hold your tongue, girl!" Sabine scolded in a snapping tone, making Sarah zip it suddenly. Turning to look at the heroes and two moms, Sabine said, "I'm sorry for the attitude from my first born daughter. Her actions she had taken against Kaito are a sin that Kalos not only has paid for, but will undoubtedly continue to foot the bill for until things are resolved there, one way or the other."
"...I actually battled Kaito," Clemont said, drawing surprised looks from everyone aside from the rest of the heroes, "Even though he had only two Pokémon and I had three, not to mention how my Luxio evolved into Luxray during the battle, at best I only could have ended the battle in a draw. The reason why I wasn't wiped is due to Trip coming in and saving me and Luxray with his Empoleon." To the others, Clemont said, "Kaito is strong. Really strong."
"And that strength is being given freely to Team Scorn," Sabine said in a troubled, guilty tone, "For them to use as they see fit."
Maaya folded her arms over her chest, an unamused look on her face. "If people would have been willing to hear me out, as well as Sarah not trying to keep me from speaking, then Kaito could have been saved from his ultimately falling into villainy."
"We can discuss things of this dreadful nature later," Sabine said, "For now, we ought to get to our seats, and for Grace's daughter to get ready to show what she's got as she and the other Performers compete for the right to challenge Kalos Queen Aria for her title."
The others all nodded in agreement, and while Serena went to get ready to compete in the Master Class Showcase (she had already been entered), everyone else went to go find seats. For Sabine and her daughters, this saw them head to a luxurious VIP booth befitting those of Kalosian nobility. The others, none of them being nobles, went to find seats in the audience. The Master class Showcase was about to kick off, and it wasn't just Serena who was aiming to try to earn the right to challenge Aria for her title of Kalos Queen.
There were a total of twenty-seven Performers competing in the Master Class Showcase, with Serena being one of those twenty-seven. Others included May, Ash's former traveling companion from the Hoenn region, and Ochaco, the girl who studies fossil Pokémon, also Ochaco is dating Ideku. Both May and Ochaco will prove to be very serious competition for Serena to contend with, but how things will go, how Serena will do, is up to fate and how well things go from round to round. All that the heroes could hope for was the best.
They had to have faith in Serena's abilities.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Monsieur Pierre called out, drawing cheers from the audience as the Showcase was gotten under way, "Welcome one and all to the Gloire City Master Class Pokémon Showcase! The lovely ladies all entered had worked hard to rise up to the challenge, earning the Princess Keys that they needed in order to make their way to here, the highest stage a Pokémon Performer can reach!" The audience let out another round of applause, all of them excited for the Master Class Showcase to start up at long last.
Gesturing to the area of the stage behind him, Pierre said as several booths appear behind him, "Now let's see the twenty-seven ladies who made it this far, each of them unlocking the door blocking their way with their respective keys!" Each booth contained a performer, and Serena in hers put the three Princess Keys she had into the key holes she saw. Serena unlocked her door, and soon she emerged onto the stage, where she saw the other Performers out of the corners of her eyes. Within short order, all of the Performers are lined up on stage.
As the audience applauded for the twenty-seven performers there, Pierre announced as Palermo came up on stage, "Now let's give it up for Palermo, who will be serving as a special judge!" Palermo remarked how she's looking forward to the performance of the competing Performers as the cheers from the audience nearly drowned out what she was saying. The cheering reached a near fever pitch as Aria, the current Kalos Queen, was introduced, doing down a long staircase with her Delphox. Aria and her Delphox got to the stage, walked up to the front center, and greeted the audience where she said she's looking forward to seeing what the Performers all aiming to try and challenge her for her title have in store.
After that, Pierre began explaining the rules, mainly how all rounds were going to be Freestyle rounds. The first and second rounds will see each Performer take part with only one of their Pokémon, then the third round will see two Pokémon per Performer. The one who wins the third round will get to challenge Aria for her title and, should the challenger successfully best Aria, take her title as Kalos Queen. The audience was excited to see that the action was going to be kicked off right off the bat, and were unable to wait for much longer.
...
Within due time, the Master Class Showcase was kicked off. Serena, putting her faith in Braixen who is the first Pokémon she ever got, decided to start with her. When Serena got out on stage, she saw to her worry that Ochaco was one of the other Performers in her round one bracket. Ochaco, going in with her shiny Lopunny, looked like she felt very confident in her odds of making it past round one. Serena, Ochaco, and the third Performer who had an Espurr in their bracket all competed in epic displays of Freestyle performing, each of them giving their efforts their all.
Once each of their performances was completed, the audience members were prompted to vote. When the votes for Serena's bracket were all tallied up, to everyone's surprise there was actually a tie in the audience votes, seeing Serena and Ochaco with an even number of audience votes; the girl with the Espurr was eliminated either way. Because of this tie, the panel of judges, of which Palermo was a member, had to converse with one another to vote on who between Serena and Ochaco would get to advance to the next round.
As such, it was to Serena's surprise that the judges voted in favor of her, with Palermo giving the final verdict. Ochaco ended up joining the girl with the Espurr in looking disappointed in being eliminated from the Master Class Showcase, but that was brushed aside as Serena had successfully taken another step towards her goal of getting to challenge Aria for the title of Kalos Queen. The other first round brackets flew by, and aside from May also winning her round one bracket by using the shiny Furfrou she was borrowing from Max, there wasn't a whole lot worth writing home about.
At least as far as the heroes were concerned.
...
In a break between the rounds, the heroes plus Grace and Johanna met up with Serena to congratulate her on advancing past round one. "Congratulations, Serena!" Ash said, "You did great!"
Serena blushed a bit under the praise she was receiving from Ash. "Well, umm, I only got past round one. Things will be tougher going forward."
"Especially since you got Max's sister to tango against in round two," Bonnie pointed out, "She's gonna be a tough one to beat. You think you can do it?"
Serena was about to speak up, but she was interrupted when Kenny pointed out something happening a ways away. The heroes saw Ochaco handing a few pokéballs over to Ideku as she looked sad. Ideku looked to be offering her words of reassurance, then after Ochaco said something in response she turned around and walked off, clearly looking like she needed time to herself. After Ochaco was gone, Kenny called out to Ideku, "Oi, Ideku! What was that about?"
Hearing someone call out to him, Ideku turned, spotted the heroes' group and went up to them. "Ochaco's upset she was eliminated from the Master Class Showcase in the first round, even after coming so far," Ideku explained, a concerned yet understanding look on his face, "She's probably gonna want time to herself."
"And the pokéballs she handed you?" Grace asked.
"She was borrowing my Raichu and Talonflame for the Master Class Showcase," Ideku said, "They're both shiny. Ochaco had figured that an entire allotment of shiny Pokémon would up her odds of winning a lot. But that didn't pan out in the end, I guess."
Serena, although she was happy to have made it past round one, couldn't help but feel bad about how her winning meant that Ochaco was eliminated right off the bat in the Master Class Showcase. Serena hoped that Ochaco would feel better soon, wherever it was that the fossil Pokémon research girl ended up going to in order to be alone for a while.
...
Ochaco took off from the castle that the Master Class Showcase was being held in. Although she outwardly looked sad and weepy over being eliminated, in truth she was actually pissed off and annoyed with her elimination. The fossil Pokémon researcher girl, making her way into an abandoned building without anyone having seen her go off at all or go into the abandoned building, made her way into an office in the abandoned building. Ochaco let out a rather annoyed sounding scoff after closing the door to the office behind her.
"Feh, figures that I'd be eliminated due to how things came to a judges' vote that was led by that Palermo quim who's obviously biased against persons using shiny Pokémon," Ochaco remarked aloud to herself, "If only people had seen that Palermo was clearly acting with bias. Then maybe-"
"I take it now's a good time to proceed, ma'am?"
Ochaco was cut off when she turned around and saw who was waiting behind her; Kaito Fu, otherwise known as Admin Hero, head of Team Scorn's Shield Sector. With Hero was his Admin's Assistant Asami. Ochaco turned around so her back was to Hero and Asami. She looked like she was taking something off, like removing her glasses plus some contact lenses. Then she grabbed the top of her hair and yanked upwards, revealing she was actually wearing a colored wig. She then turned around, showing her emerald green eyes and forest green hair, revealing her blue eyes were actually contact lenses, her long brown hair was just a wig.
Boss's Assistant Ayane, as she wiped away the make up she had on that made it look like she had traces of past acne issues, replied, "No, not yet. If you proceed with the plan right after round one, it'll cast suspicion on my Ochaco alias. Wait until the final round, where whatever girl who gets to challenge Aria is about to begin her match against the Kalos Queen." Smirking in amusement, Ayane went on, "That ought to put the audience in for a nasty shock."
"Hey miss Ayane," Asami spoke up, getting the girl who's the right hand woman of Team Scorn's Boss to look at her, "Speaking of nasty surprises, don't you think that Ideku guy you're tricking will be in for a nasty surprise if he ever finds out who you really are?"
Ayane shrugged, looking more or less indifferent. "Given how easily I was able to fool him, I bet he'll give the usual shtick of feeling hurt and betrayed and whatnot."
"I'm also surprised you didn't ever intend to just keep the shiny Pokémon he was letting you borrow," Asami remarked.
"As impressive as it is that Boss's Assistant Ayane had been able to trick Ideku Badorigo like she has," Hero began, "Keep in mind that Ideku is STILL one of the trainers who Team Scorn has dossiers on. Team Scorn typically refrains from trying to mess with those trainers unless we don't have a choice." Turning to look at Ayane, Hero went on, "That being said ma'am, it's rather amazing that you're able to manipulate someone as perceptive, strong, and dangerous to Team Scorn as Ideku Badorigo. I just hope that he never finds out who his girlfriend Ochaco really is."
"And he won't," Ayane replied, "Now then. Hero, get your men into position. We already have someone on the inside who will inform me of when the round between Aria and the Performer who makes it to face Aria will start. At that signal, I'll have Reshiram fire a Fusion Flare at one of the towers of the castle the Master Class Showcase is taking part in. When the attack hits the castle tower, that will be the signal for the others to begin."
Hero nodded in agreement. "Yes. Our person on the inside, the Fourth Captain of my sector. She'll also send a signal to let some men know where to go to collect the target that I'm personally interested in." The disgraced former Kalos regional hero gave a bitter scowl. "With all due respect to you ma'am, you aren't the only one here who's got a bone to pick over at the Showcase castle."
END, CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVEN
Author's notes;
This chapter shows the heroes making it to Gloire City so that Serena can take part in the Master Class Showcase. They also run into Grace and Johanna, who both came to support Serena, also Johanna announces that she has officially adopted Trip (she got all the legal stuff taken care of and everything). Serena is given a pep talk by Dawn and Trip later that night when she expresses worry about being able to do well, giving her confidence that, the following day during the showcase, helps her to get the first round win, even eliminating Ochaco in the process.
...But the fossil Pokémon researcher girl who had been spamming shinies has a dark secret, and reveals herself in private to actually be Boss's Assistant Ayane, the girl who serves as the second in command of the Boss of Team Scorn. With Ayane were Admin Hero and his Admin's Assistant Asami and, after they express amazement at how Ayane was able to trick and manipulate Ideku, discuss some points with an attack that Team Scorn plans to carry out in Gloire City. Things will delve deeper here in the next chapter, so keep your eyes peeled for the chaos to come.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Tobias (Darkrai), Germany (male Garchomp), Freed (male Noivern), Leni (female Lucario), Tsukune (Palkia)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Cell (male Scizor; shiny), Goofy (male Houndoom), Shallot (male Glaceon), Godzilla (male Tyranitar), Black (Giratina; Origin Form)
Trip's Pokémon: (on hand) Fourze (male Electivire), Veda (female Abomasnow), Myde (male Empoleon), Kululu (male Greninja), Deelia (Dialga), Todoroki (male Goodra; alpha; Hisuian)
Ash's Pokémon: (on hand) Pikachu (male), Zapdos (gender unknown), Moltres (gender unknown), Greninja (male), Noivern (male), Charizard (male)