Part CLII: Dates For The Dance

Estate was the right word for it as the group made their way to down the dirt path to the building that towered before them. On their right was a small forest with wildflowers on the grassy part before it and on their left a low wooden fence separated them from the lake they were next to, one of the many they'd seen all over the Kalos region, but all that paled in comparison to the building on the lake.

Before them was a proper Kalos style castle or as they liked to call them chateau like the Battle Chateau to the west of Lumiose City, build of light brown stone with red tiled roofs as the only colors on it. That really worked though as it gave it a sense of uniformity and class that fit with Kalos's general aesthetic without being garish or over the top though it was a little tame by Pierre's personal flamboyant style.

The building itself was on the lake with a proper drawbridge that was currently up leading to it and set into the gate house with an outer wall. No doubt there was a courtyard on the inside before they reached the multi storied keep within that was looming above the walls in different heights looking more like a collection of square buildings than anything else where the party would be held. Only a few points were circular, the corners and the flanking things of the gate house, the rest all rectangles or arches on the water. All in all, it was certainly an impressive building.

"Damn, this is Pierre's place?" Misty asked as they approached. "It's massive, well for one person we have seen bigger in Kalos."

"Yup and it is just as elegant and classy inside." Serena said with a smile as she hurried forward to where a gathered crowd of people was forming. "Come on let's hurry, it's opening soon, and we need the time to sort out our costumes after we register. That will take a few hours at least as there is so much to choose from."

"Do we really need…" Ash began.

"Yes we do." All three girls said in unison to him, Serena herself turning to add to it.

"And you do as well because it's my job to make sure that you match me and look good on my arm for this." Misty said as they moved. "Plus, I want to make sure that Buneary and Pikachu match."

"Bun, Buneary." Buneary said happily already on Pikachu's arm and smiling at being his date for this, she'd been thrilled when Misty had called her in and even more so when she learned what she'd been called in for and that she'd be out of her Poke Ball all day for it. "Buneary, bun, Buneary."

"Pikachu." Pikachu said letting Buneary have this day as it was important to her trainer so important to her.

"Piplup." Piplup said from Misty's head.

"In time Piplup." Serena called back. "Sylveon won't be out until later and then you can escort her. Don't worry, she wouldn't miss this for the world, this place is special to her."

"It is?" Ash asked.

"Yes but you will find out why later as I am sure Pierre will want it to remain a surprise." May said as they neared the group, and she began scanning. "Now lets meet up, Max said that they'd be here to meet us as they are coming from Snowbelle which is where Clemont met up with them and joined them on the last leg."

The others nodded as they helped May look for her brother and his group within the crowd of performers and their dates that they were approaching. They all couldn't wait to meet up with all their friends again and enjoy this little party, a calm before the storm of events that would be Snowbelle.

It was a week after the Couriway Showcase where Misty had spectacularly crashed out of the Theme Round when she blew up the oven. Literally. The thing overheated due to a malfunction caused by some of Helioptile's Thunder Shock accidentally hitting it and causing the heat to not be shut off once it was on thus causing it to overheat to the point of exploding.

It was a freak accident, one that had cost Misty her first shot at a 3rd Princess Key, but she didn't mind, she was strong and could handle a loss like this and use it to get stronger for next time. That and she was eager to win her last Key at the special Wallace Showcase because it felt fitting to her that she'd win it in the special one-off Showcase being held after the Wallace Cup.

Before all that though, that was still a good fortnight or so away, they had this to look forward to. Pierre had announced the party that he annually held at his place between Couriway and Snowbelle, and incidentally pretty near Gloire City where the Master Class was held, after the Couriway Contest ended right before the vote that gave the Princess Key to Jessilee thus securing her spot in the Master Class as it was her third. The official invite had been received the next day by May, Serena, and Misty along with directions, so they were all ready for this.

It had actually taken 3 days just to get here as the road from Couriway to Snowbelle was a deceptively long one what with both Gloire and Fleurrh City between the two, but they'd made it here with a few days to spare. That was perfect as May made final preparations with the others she expected to be here so that everything was in order. What with the Wallace Cup in Snowbelle was almost upon them she knew that many would be around, and Clemont was already enroute, so she just needed to make sure they were all in place for it.

In all honesty Clemont had been the toughest one to get here as he needed to time to take off from the Lumiose Gym that Clembot was now running for him while he was gone and get to this part of Kalos. Thankfully, the fastest way was the southern route which took him through Snowbelle and didn't have to worry about going out of his way via Anistar. It also meant that he could meet up with Max, Bonnie and Owen who were in Snowbelle so he could make sure his sister was ok and make the last part of the trip with them.

That was because May's brother and his group had headed to Lumiose City for Max's rematch with Clemont after they went their separate ways following the Fire Festival when they'd last seen them. From there, and Max's victory in his rematch, they'd decided to head to Santalune and Snowbelle for the gyms there and then hit this afterwards before backtracking their steps to Snowbelle for the Wallace Cup, but they'd get a more detailed update on their progress soon enough.

As for the others that May had asked to be here, all four had been in the area dealing with Contests, training, or taking pictures as they got ready for the Wallace Cup too. As such they were nearby well in advance.

May had spoken with the performers and while one didn't have a date she was sure they'd find her one, in fact she had one in mind for her, while the other had decided who to take and the final male was already set up by May because, well, it would be asked regardless. It was all going according to plan, she just needed to make sure they were here.

"Brother dearest, are you here?" May called out as loud as possible to the crowd, after all what big sister couldn't resist the chance to embarrass her little brother when the opportunity presented itself like this.

"One sec dear sister." Max's voice called out from the crowd not sounding embarrassed at all as he had been expecting May to try something. "Slight issue to deal with first."

"I told you Bonnie, I have a date for this." Clemont's voice rang out and they all knew what was going on right away. "So don't just ask random girls to be mine or to marry me!"

"But your date is purely platonic because she loves someone she can't have and just invited you so we could all be here together as one big, fun, group." Bonnie's voice called out innocently causing May to go bright red with a mix of embarrassment and anger even if she knew the young girl didn't mean anything by it, she was just making a valid point to Clemont. "So, I am finding you a wife here with all these lovely and beautiful ladies."

"Bonnie, this is why you are banned from Laverre for at least a year and why I can't go there ever again." Clemont said as the crowd parted showing them the group for the first time. "Now let's meet up with our friends and catch up with them."

"A great idea." The last person with them said as they approached. "Hello guys, sorry about that."

The last one was the Galarian in their midst, Max and Bonnie's friend and traveling companion that they'd accidentally found in Lumiose City the way Ash used to find his companions, Owen. The wine haired aspiring breeder was the same as ever in the same outfit he had on before while carrying the absurdly large trunk thing on his back and a single glove on his right hand, two things that were uniquely Galarian fashion statements apparently.

Next to Owen was Clemont in his usual blue overalls, backpack on with his Aipom arm out holding Bonnie aloft by her back as they moved through the crowd. On Clemont's other side was Max who smirked at his sister's discomfort, it was a fair payback for her attempt to embarrass him earlier.

"I see you made it before us." Ash said smiling as he shook hands with the guys before May embraced her brother and Clemont put Bonnie down so that she could come and join them and hug the other girls starting with Serena and then Misty and finally May because she was still hugging Max to try and salvage some embarrassment for him. "Were you closer?"

"Camped out the night before not far from here." Clemont said jerking his thumb in the direction that they'd come from. "The only Pokémon Center near here is the one you no doubt stayed in to the east and towards Couriway. No point in passing Pierre's home to stay there just to come back, not when we are heading back to Snowbelle after this anyway."

"Plus, we got to have a small cook off between Owen and Clemont." Max said. "Well round 4 as we've been doing that every day since leaving Snowbelle. I think Owen won but Bonnie supported Clemont. That said neither have anything on Brock."

"No one beats Brock." May said. "But I will say, Clemont's cooking was amazing last year, and I've only had that Galarian curry once back by the canyon so I can't really compare the two."

"My brother is a great cook and while I like the curry that Owen makes I do still have my Kalos tastes." Bonnie said backing away from May so that they were now standing in a circle while the other attendees went back to talking amongst themselves now that the odd reunion show was over. "So, it was nice to have that again, just like last year."

"I'll admit the stew that Clemont made was very good." Owen said. "Though Kalos and Galar have always had a bit of a culinary rivalry as we've never fully understood their excessively fancy or sweet tastes. Naturally, I still think the curry I make is better."

"They curry was certainly good but not something I could eat every day." Clemont said. "And you do use Kalos ingredients more, so I haven't had a true Galarian one."

"Very true, I'll show you that if you're every around." Owen said. "And where to find our native electric types."

"If I visit maybe." Clemont said.

"Anyway, what's new with you lot." Max said reminding them that they were catching up with Ash and the girls for the first time in months so to stop the discussion of regional cuisines. "Ash, how many badges do you have?"

"7, going for that last one in Snowbelle after the Wallace Cup." Ash said grinning and pulling out his case to show Max. "You?"

"Same." Max said showing his own badge case and the 7 that were in it and anyone looking could see the difference between the two cases. "Only Anistar left and I'm ready for that one so I can't wait. We're heading there right after the Wallace Cup so that I can get my last before we head back to Lumiose via Dendemille Town as that is the fastest way and neither Owen nor myself have seen it yet."

"It is the one area we haven't been too and while we will miss out on Couriway it is still going to be fun." Owen said. "And the mountain pass is something we have to experience according to Bonnie."

"Yeah it's so much fun to ride those Mamoswine." Bonnie said with a smile at the memory. "And Clemont will be with us for it all."

"No Bonnie I won't be." Clemont said with a sigh. "I have to head back to Lumiose after watching you in the Wallace Cup, the Pokémon League here wants me to be there as they aren't thrilled with my year off last year so getting time away from the gym is a hassle. I've been good all year so they've allowed this but afterwards I have to log a certain amount of hours before the Lumiose Conference, and I can't if I join you lot despite wanting to."

"Fine." Bonnie said with a slight pout before grinning. "Ok, I'll bring back a wife for you."

"Bonnie." Clemont said reproachfully knowing that she'd not listen to him but having to try regardless.

"Anyway." May said ending that argument before it could begin again as it was never ending and wouldn't be resolved until Clemont actually got a girlfriend when he was ready for one. "Bonnie, did you just say that you're going to be in the Wallace Cup as well?"

"Yup, gotta show how much I've grown, and it is a great chance to do so." Bonnie said with a nod. "All of us are going to enter it."

"I wish I'd done it last year but alas I wasn't into it back then even with it being in our hometown May." Max said. "But this time I'll be doing it for the practice that it offers me as Contest style battles are a great challenge. Ash showed me last year how useful it can be, so I intend to do that."

"It is a great way to practice." Ash said. "I've enjoyed the last 2 I was in and intend to enjoy this one as well."

"That it is, and I intend to do it because it's fun and to see how my Pokémon stack up against some full-time coordinators or performers who are making the transition." Owen said. "I've done a Contest with Bonnie earlier this year when she decided to try one out after catching Litwick and it was fun so I figured I may try this out. Plus, my Hattrem just evolved into her final stage, Hatterene, so I'm eager for her to get some more battle experience."

"Oh, that's your psychic type from Galar." Ash said recalling it from their last time together. "I'd like to see it."

"And you will in time, she's really grown into her own since she evolved." Owen said. "She was shy and nervous when I first caught her as a Hatenna but now she's a confident Pokémon who likes to be the mother of the group."

"Well with Gardevoir." Max said. "They work together in that regard."

"True but your Gardevoir is a warrior Max, my Hattrem is more nurturing." Owen said. "I want to see her in battle of course but she's going to be great when I get home at the daycare as a Pokémon with her nature is a must at a daycare, and she'll be useful in my career as a breeder."

"Is she your only evolution?" Ash asked. "I recall last time your Linoone had evolved."

"So far but I think Milcery is almost ready." Owen said. "We are heading somewhere else after this before going to Snowbelle so that I can get the last of the seven special candies that can evolve Milcery. Her evolution is the same just different colors and accessories depending on how the evolution is conducted and as I want her to choose her final form I need them all."

"It's been a fun side adventure for us." Max said. "Finding the candies that is."

"I bet and you Max, anything to report?" May asked. "On the catch and evolution front that is."

"Nothing yet, I like to keep my cards close to my vest." Max said. "As I bet Ash does."

"Yup, you'll see the evolution I've had in the Wallace Cup." Ash said with a nod, he would show Max but as they were all waiting for the Wallace Cup he figured he may as well. "That was during my gym battle with Valerie."

"Wait, Bonnie, does this mean that you have 5 Pokémon?" Serena asked suddenly realizing something. "You need 5 for the Wallace Cup due to Kalos's rules which is one more than normal as there are 4 battles to win the Aqua Ribbon rather than 3 for a standard one."

"I do." Bonnie said with a grin. "I had 4 last time we saw you but now I have 5 and I'll show you the last one later."

"How is Chandelure?" Misty asked.

"Again, later." Bonnie said her grin never faltering. "A girl has gotta have some secrets. I may be young, but I know that rule."

"Why do I feel like this is how we've all rubbed off on Bonnie in some way." May said with a sigh. "Alright we can all be in the dark then."

"That's always fun but there are some things I like to know like who's your date Serena." A very familiar voice interrupted from behind Serena that no one had noticed appear causing Serena to shriek and leap with a twist to face the only person who'd greet her that way. "That's something that we can't keep in the dark now can we."

"Miette!" Serena said as they all looked at the smiling Kalos girl with short blue hair who was Serena's rival in many senses.

"That's me." Miette said with a smile as she walked into the group her Slurpuff out by her side. "I couldn't resist Serena; you really need to work on your spatial awareness."

"I know, good to see you Miette." Serena said recovering as she and Miette embraced proper Kalos style with a kiss on each cheek before breaking apart. "And to answer your question, no I don't know."

"I've sorted it out Miette so don't worry, he's just not here yet." May said. "Otherwise, he'd have found us knowing what the plan is so don't worry."

"So, it's not Clemont this year like it was last year." Miette said looking at the blond boy. "Which begs the question who are you taking?"

"May has asked me as a friend." Clemont said adjusting his glasses with a slight blush as this party wasn't his kind of thing. "That way I can come out here and see everyone, learn how they're doing, and have a good time."

"That I can see." Miette said with a glance in May and wicked grin on her lips. "May's like me and Serena, I know that much."

"What about you Miette?" Clemont said completely out of the loop regarding Miette's romantic development, as well as May and Serena's feelings for the same person, and would have been oblivious even if he'd been around when it had happened. "Who's you're date?"

"Alas the man I want to take has a date already, right Misty." Miette said as she approached her rival for the first time since their battle and holding out her hand to the Sinnoh girl. "I see you are going as strong as ever."

"Don't you know it." Misty said smiling and taking her fellow blunette's hand. "Good to see you're the same as ever Miette."

"I'm always confident in what I like even if I can't have it." Miette said as she pulled Misty in to her surprise and embraced her with a kiss on each cheek as she'd done to Serena that Misty did her best to reciprocate though she was not very good with the Kalos greeting as Serena never did it with them. "And don't forget I'm always waiting to pounce."

"I wouldn't have it any other way though you aren't the only one and Dawn isn't someone to be taken lightly in this regard." Misty said holding Miette tightly so they could whisper with no one the wiser though all the girls, including Bonnie who'd almost instantly picked up on what was going on, knew the score while all the guys were completely clueless. "Refreshing knowing that you are all different in your own ways though, shows just how many personalities he can attract with his."

"Good to know." Miette said as she and Misty finally broke apart and smiling at each other as they were at least friendly though friendship was still a few meetings away for them. "And while I can't have what I want, can I at least ask if one his Pokémon is willing to escort my Slurpuff, preferably a male one that likes to battle as that's her preference. She'd take Pikachu I'm sure if what I am assuming is your Buneary wasn't with him already."

"Ash, can one of your Pokémon be Slurpuff's date?" Misty asked looking at her completely confused boyfriend.

"Um is it male or female?" Ash asked recovering from the shock of Miette's arrival and surprisingly close friendship with Misty. "And Pikachu is taken."

"Buneary." Buneary said glaring at the pink and white Pokémon that was clearly eyeing her Pikachu. "Bun, Buneary."

"Female and thank you Ash." Miette said smiling at him and resisting the urge to take his hand in hers as that would be disrespectful to Misty and ignoring the pang of pain in her heart as she was certain her feelings for him had deepened since last she'd seen him. "Preferably one roughly her size."

"Yeah Frogadier can do it." Ash said instantly knowing who would be good and pulling out a Poke Ball and opening it so that Frogadier appeared before him. "Frogadier, can you escort Miette's Slurpuff for this party?"

"Frogadier." Frogadier said with a nod as he turned to look at the Slurpuff who winked at him, but he was doing this for Ash, he had no interest in mate worthy Pokémon, that and he somehow felt that this was the right thing for him to be out today he just didn't know why.

"Excellent now I just need a date." Miette said turning to the others present. "Let's see, Bonnie I assume that you are taking the boy with the glasses."

"Max." Max said holding out his hand so that Miette could shake it. "I'm May's brother and will escort Bonnie yes as she's the invited one having done a Showcase earlier this year to be eligible for it."

"It's not a date, I'm far too young but this way Max can come." Bonnie said as Miette shook Max's hand. "But Owen does need a date."

Miette turned to look at the tanned, wine haired, male with icy violet eyes who was at least a few years her junior. She was 18 and if she had to guess he was at best 15 but that worked as it was clear that nothing would happen, and she could make it clearer as she held out a hand to him.

"If you need to escort a woman to enter this then I'll be that woman for you." Miette said taking his hand and giving him a hard look with her red eyes. "But know this, I have a crush on someone I can't have, a deep crush at that and it's getting deeper despite everything, so nothing will happen. I'm still dealing with all the feelings of not being able to be with the man I like."

"That's fine, I know that feeling as I'm sure the girl I like doesn't even know who I am." Owen said shaking Miette's hand. "And you're not my type anyway though you have the confidence I like in a woman."

"Good to hear." Miette said letting go. "Alright that is all sorted then. Now who is ready for this and the Wallace Cup?"

"I am and we finally have all the Master Class finalists in the same place." A new voice said barging into the group. "Which will make the Cup so much more fun."

They all turned to the newcomer and smiled at the familiar sight of a lithe, tanned girl with brown hair in an odd twin tail style wearing a pink top with black bows on it and short shorts even shorter than the ones Misty was wearing, approaching them. Well, the ones who knew her smiled as Max and Owen didn't, but they all knew the man with her, that strange ginger bob cut with a camera around his neck was hard to miss.

"Shauna!" Serena said as she embraced her friend and rival the proper Kalos way as she arrived. "I didn't know you'd be here; you weren't last year."

"Yeah and I regretted that given all that happened at it." Shauna said as they broke apart. "May reminded me and as I am going to be in the Wallace Cup, which is nearby, well, I couldn't resist this time. May suggested I bring Trevor as my date, and he said yes."

"I was in the area for the same reason, and we are old friends so why not." Trevor said with a smile as Shauna greeted May and Miette the same way and he just nodded at everyone. "Plus, I couldn't resist the pictures and fun of the Wallace Cup."

"Wait." Serena said as it all began to add up and she turned to a now grinning May. "If these two are here and you said that you had found me a date then that means…"

"Serena, you are a beautiful as ever my angel." A new voice said and for the first time it was one that Ash hadn't heard before meaning he was about to meet someone new. "I am so glad you're here, please allow me to be your date?"

Ash turned to the voice and looked at the newcomer. He certainly was someone who made an entrance as he spun in a gracefully dance despite his size and reached the group to stand in front of Serena who he clearly had a crush on, not that Ash would notice this. Of course, Ash being Ash also had no idea that Serena was in love with him or that Miette was crushing on him hard but, well, that was nothing new for Ash.

As for this new guy, he was tall and noticeably rotund. Ash recalled meeting Sophocles back at that Alola fair, but this guy was taller and girthier than the Alolan was not that his size seemed to be an issue as he moved more gracefully than anyone Ash had met so far this year. As for his appearance, he had short black hair shaved at the sides and back with three lines left and a small tuft atop and matching black eyes that had hearts in them as he looked at Serena, a smile on his round face and fell to one knee and held his hand up to her.

Unlike most present, the guy was simply dressed wearing a black shirt with a Vanillite on it, orange shorts and white and yellow sneakers with black stripes on the side. His only accessories were a black and yellow watch on his left wrist and a yellow bag on his back held there by a yellow strap over one shoulder and across his chest.

"Hey Tierno, good to see you again." Serena said smiling at him but in a friendly manner, she'd have to tell him about her crush on Ash at some point and let him down slowly but right now, well, she had to say yes as he was the only one without a date and she needed one which had to be all part of May's plan. "And yes, I'll be your date for tonight, but we are going as friends. I think May set this up so that you could come and so that I had someone with me for it."

"You know it now let me introduce you to everyone Tierno." May said as she stepped forward to hopefully avoid any awkwardness, but it appeared that Tierno suffered from the same condition that Brock did in that he didn't know what the friendzone was, well Brock didn't until he found a woman that inexplicably liked him at first sight as well and was now his fiancée. "Everyone, this is Tierno, Shauna and Trever's friend and the last of their trio that we met many times last year. Tierno, this is Ash, his girlfriend Misty who's a good friend of mine and Serena's, my brother Max, and his friend Owen. You already know Bonnie and Miette."

As May spoke she pointed out each of her friends to Tierno who Shauna had dragged by the ear away so that he'd get to his feet and stop making an ass of himself in front of everyone. He was the last of the trio of Kalos natives who'd gotten Kanto starter Pokémon for Ash and Misty to meet so a little introduction was in order.

"Ah the ear pull, a classic for such a scenario." Max said adjusting his glasses knowing what was up from his experiences with Brock and Bonnie. "May, did you instruct, Shauna was it, on this?"

"I did." May said. "We don't have Croagunk, so this was the next best thing."

"I was told of your old friend last year." Shauna said as she let go of Tierno so that he could get to his feet and approach them normally. "Thankfully this is only needed around Serena and don't bother trying to say anything, he seems to have selective hearing when it comes to this but at least it's not obsessive about his feelings."

"Tell us about it." Misty said as May and Serena just nodded. "But let's not go there, this is a celebration and thank Arceus they're not here as she doesn't care for showcases."

Shauna just nodded knowing what they meant. She'd been told the full story by Serena after they'd last met at the Lagoon Town Contest where Serena had won her first ribbon in a final against Shauna and then met Ash and Misty for the first time afterwards though she already knew plenty about the pair from May.

It had been a simple meeting where they all chatted about their pasts and got to know each other, nothing of note happened during it but as Shauna was a good friend of Serena and May she'd quickly become one with Ash and Misty. That and as she wasn't another rival for Misty there was no issues there hence the quick friendship between them.

"Hey I'm Ash." Ash said in his classic not realizing what the girls were talking about fashion and holding out his hand to Tierno as he rejoined the group. "Good to meet someone who's friends with Serena as well."

"Tierno and I've heard a bit about you Ash." Tierno said shaking his hand. "First from May at the summer camp we were all at as you had all the Kanto starters and May likes talking about you. Since then, Shauna and Trevor have met you and told me about their experiences, so I've been eager to meet you for myself."

"I'm always down to meet a new friend." Ash said with a smile. "May said there were three of you so nice to finally meet the last one. What's you're calling Tierno?"

"I'm a standard trainer though I've done a few Contests for practice, hence why I'm doing the Wallace Cup, so that I can be ready for a second crack at the Lumiose Conference." Tierno said. "Came in the top 8 last year and as the field is now larger with the full battles starting in the last 16 I'm going for it all again in the most competitive Conference ever in Kalos. I've even secured a Key and Mega Stone for it like Trevor did last year. That was my undoing in the end, not this time."

"Then that makes us rivals because I'm going for it as well." Ash said his smile turning into the grin he got when he was in full competitive mode. "I was the runner up in Kanto last year at my second attempt there and now I will win it all here."

"Not if me or Trevor have a say, we're both in it again." Tierno said and Trevor nodded his agreement at that. "And this time my dance moves will win out."

"Dance moves?" Ash asked.

"Yup I'm a dancer and me and my Pokémon incorporate it into our battles to really make our moves nice and fluid." Tierno said showing off his impressive moves that belied his size. "See?"

"I can and I bet that is tough to face." Ash said appreciating the moves and the style it no doubt caused, he'd have to ask Tierno about it more later if he got the chance. "I hope to battle you in it so as to see it for myself."

"It's tough for sure but we all have our own styles." Trevor said as the guys began to group together. "And I'm not going out in the first round this time around."

"Don't forget about me." Max said. "I'm also going to be there and…"

"Side bar ladies." Shauna said as the guys began the usual guy rhetoric on the Lumiose Conference that none of the girls got as they weren't going to be in it though they all did this themselves with their own competitions so they could understand it at least. "Ash is super dense when it comes to romance, right?"

"Unbelievably so." May confirmed. "He has no clue Tierno has a crush on Serena."

"None whatsoever." Serena said. "Though he's also clueless as to mine on him."

"Still not told him yet." Miette said with a grin as she bumped Serena's shoulder. "Best get on that before I tell him of mine even if we both lost."

"I confessed in Hoenn after the last Wallace Cup well after we all lost him." May said. "Misty alone got to confess before they became a couple and by then Ash liked her back."

"I got lucky." Misty said. "If Dawn had done so before me she may have won, probably the same with May but I had Iris on my side that helped me win."

"Impressive that he managed to get so many to fall for him." Shauna said. "But only one can win unless you want polyamory and that's still not a widely practiced or accepted thing."

"I think sharing Ash is too hard." May said. "And, well, we aren't great with our emotions at times but somehow we've managed to find someone to help us with that and soon Serena will get her chance with Sabrina as well, possibly Miette as well."

"Most of us are." Misty said. "Only Dawn was bad, and she has realized that and gotten help. We patched things up and are now close. Miette's just super confident and forward to me about our little rivalry."

"Keep the praises coming alpha." Miette said with a grin.

"We should probably stop…" Serena began before she was cut off by a loud yell.

"Dane! Is that you?"

"Dane?" Shauna and Miette asked in unison. "Who's…"

"Lyra, you're here?" Misty said turning to look at the path her group had come along before to see the familiar brunette from Johto still dressed how she'd been when Misty had first met her in Sinnoh and holding hands with her boyfriend Khoury as they walked up. "How? And more importantly why?"

"Dane?" Shauna asked while Miette just grinned at the new information.

"That's Lyra, a girl from Johto who met Ash and Misty in Sinnoh during Ash's year there." May explained as Misty broke from the group to go and hug her friend and exchange hellos with her and Khoury. "She was visiting the region as part of a host contingent promoting Johto but her and Khoury, her friend at the time, broke from the group to travel with Ash, Brock and Misty for a bit. She's actually the one who finally got Misty to realize that she had feelings for Ash when she asked if they were dating before pondering Ash for herself, long before they were. At least that's the story I've heard."

"Oh, so she's part of the blame like that Iris chick that we all want to slap." Miette said. "And she doesn't know Misty's name?"

"It's more that for some unknown reason she calls Misty Dane despite everyone calling her Misty in her presence at the same time so no one actually knows why she can't get Misty's name right." Serena said. "I met her once at the Battle Chateau when we had a side trip there and she and Ash faced off as did Misty and Khoury. The former couple won their battles to achieve the first rank there, it was a fun day."

"She faced Ash not Misty?" Shauna asked. "That seems like it should be the other way around."

"Yup you see Lyra is almost unique of the people we know." May said. "She's one of only two female rivals Ash has, well rivals in the sense of battles not love as he has a female rival there or at least had. Thankfully, the other one isn't here, or else Ash would already be in the lake. The female gym challengers Ash knows both have some strange eccentricities it seems."

"Huh?" Shauna asked now even more confused and going with the one that was more at hand, she'd ask about that other female trainer and why Ash would be in the water another time. "Misty's bi?"

"Nope, long story but the short story is that her best friend is gay and had a huge crush on her." May said. "That's a story you need to ask Misty about and probably before the Wallace Cup as it all came out during it last year."

"Alright will do." Shauna said. "So, what else do you know about this Lyra girl?"

"A fair bit as we've met a few times now." May said. "Lyra may have once been a love rival of ours as well, but she quickly realized that Khoury was the man for her, and they've actually been dating for longer than Ash and Misty. They're just an inverse couple. Lyra is a trainer who challenges gyms and has appeared in the Silver and Indigo Conferences with a semifinal appearance in the latter last year where she lost to Ash while Khoury is a breeder, but he's been doing the coordinator thing lately to really understand Pokémon more. He began in Kanto but he's putting more effort into it this year in Kalos I think."

"That's true and on that, how many ribbons do people have?" Misty asked finally coming back to the group with Lyra and Khoury. "Ash, boys, over here we have more friends coming to this apparently."

"Huh? Oh, hey it's Lyra and Khoury, good to see you two." Ash said coming over and shaking hands with both as the girls who didn't know Lyra saw clearly how Ash's attitude around Lyra was much more like around the guys he was rivals with than them. "What are you guys doing here?"

"That would be mostly my doing." Khoury said. "I wanted to compete in the Wallace Cup and Lyra needs two more badges, Snowbelle and Anistar, so we came to the area for all of those things. I need one more ribbon for the full 5 to avoid the wildcard and figured why not try the Wallace Cup as so many heavy hitters will be there it's basically a mini–Grand Festival."

"And I could use the practice before we move onto Anistar." Shauna said. "I need more time before trying again at Snowbelle, I lost my first time there as ice is one of the toughest types for me to face, so this way I get experience in a different style, really see what my love enjoys doing, honor Dane as this is her competition, and then head onto Anistar for my 7th badge before finishing with my second attempt at Snowbelle right before the final competitions in Lumiose."

"Woah so everyone here is in the Wallace Cup?" Ash asked and they all nodded. "Damn it's going to be a lot of fun then."

"We just need Emily and Adam, and it would be the full lot." May said. "Misty, where is your mentee anyway? I wanted to invite them for this but had to keep it secret and I didn't know if she had done a Showcase."

"They're in Snowbelle, she messaged me the other day to explain that she'd reached the city." Misty said. "She's not into the Showcase scene so hasn't done one so she'd be unable to attend anyway. Instead, she decided to spend some extra time in Snowbelle while Adam went for the gym there. They're going to stay a few days longer afterwards so that they can watch me in the Wallace Showcase and then move on as Adam still has Anistar and Laverre to get, he's saving those for last given their challenge to his type."

"He has a psychic counter though." Ash said recalling the Hoenn fighting specialist well. "His Scrafty and Pangoro are dark types as well, he'll use them against Olympia. That will seriously cut what she can do against him."

"True but that type combination is terrible against Valerie." Owen said. "Both are weak to fairy, and she fights with pure fairy types as far as I know, even her dual types are still at best average to them as the fairy type negates the disadvantages of psychic and steel types."

"True and there are only really 3 fighting types that are good against fairy types." Ash said. "My own Lucario is one which was part of why I used him against her and then Croagunk and Toxicroak given their poison type, but I know Adam is probably going to have moves to counter it even if none of his Pokémon that I know of have the second type to negate a fairy weakness."

"Moves like Bullet Punch and Poison Jab will be useful and are easy for most fighting types to learn." Owen said with a nod. "And I can see why he's leaving Laverre for last then, he'll need the time and given Emily's affinity for fairy types she'd learn a lot being there before the Grand Festival."

"All true hence why she's not here as they have to prepare for the other things they have planned." Misty said. "But back to the main thing, Lyra, if you're here you must have done at least one Showcase."

"Yeah Khoury liked the idea of them but can't compete on account of his gender, so I did one to see what they were like, and it was nice having his support in it though I didn't advance past the Theme Round." Lyra said with a smile. "It was fun but not my seen. We didn't realize that this was a thing until I got the invite while I was in Snowbelle and when I saw you'd done some Dane and as expected had become one of the favorites I had to come to it so to see you here."

"Thanks, which makes this so much more fun now that we are all here." Misty said. "And no more surprises at least."

"True but back to that question Misty asked, I too am curious as to where everyone's at on that front." May said. "Of the coordinators here, or those doing Contests, how many ribbons do you lot have?"

"You know I have 2." Serena said. "Going for at least the wildcard qualifier in Snowbelle."

"Same." Miette said with a grin. "As always we are equal Serena."

"Likewise, I have 2." Shauna said. "Took a bit but once I got the hang of battles I could manage it. Even if none of us get the Aqua Ribbon, and with the Big 3 there it will be tough but not impossible, there are plenty more for that final one before the Grand Festival."

"I already have 3." Tierno said. "So, I'm good to go for the wildcard but I figured why not aim for the full 5 with the Wallace Cup and the last few chances on the way to Lumiose City for the Grand Festival. My focus is still the Lumiose Conference, but my style works really well for Contest battles and when you add in my battle experience I do well in them once I get past the appeals which is the toughest part for me."

"Wow so many competitors and competitions." Lyra said her eyes wide. "I can't wait for all of this but, um, who is everyone? I know Dane, Ash, May and Serena as I've met the latter two in the last year or so and of course I know Clemont from our gym battle, but I don't think I've met any of you yet."

"Right let me introduce them." Misty said not looking at the smug look on Serena's face at Lyra getting her name right despite only meeting twice and still unable to get Misty's name right as she started with the group she knew best. "This is May's brother Max who you probably have met but it was at Ash's parties, so you likely don't remember him."

"I was also getting jabbed by a Croagunk a few times at both." Max said shaking Lyra and then Khoury's hands. "Sorry."

"No worries good to meet you." Khoury said as they shook. "I remember those parties; they were pretty busy for sure and the last one had that shocking reveal that we are all still processing."

"Tell me about it, I used to be Brock's chaperone." Max said. "In fact, I was the one who stopped him when he first met Lucy."

"Yes it will take a while to recover from the fact that Brock is engaged." Misty said. "Moving on, traveling with Max is Bonnie, Clemont's younger sister."

"You have to teach my brother how to find a woman like you." Bonnie said loudly to Khoury as she shook his hand before turning to Lyra. "Or were you the one who started this."

"Me." Lyra said with a smile. "But I can help if you want."

"Please." Bonnie said eagerly.

"Please no." Clemont said greeting the pair again.

"Ignore their sibling fun." Misty said with a smile at the interaction. "And with them is Owen, an aspiring breeder from Galar who Max and Bonnie ran into in Lumiose City and now travels with them. He's the nonromantic Brock of their group."

"Ah the older, culinary master who looks out for the others." Lyra said shaking Owen's hand. "A good balance to these two I hope."

"I try." Owen said with a grin. "But Max is the expert with Bonnie given his own experiences with Brock, but I do my best to make sure both are well fed and looked after."

"Well then as a fellow breeder maybe we could exchange some stories and tricks." Khoury said shaking hands. "I learned a bit from Brock, but we all have our own styles so I am eager to learn any new tricks other breeders might have."

"Agreed and we can chat later, this is for the girls, and we have to just be there." Owen said.

"You know it, you're on dress carry duty." Miette said approaching the couple. "I'm his date for this so that he can attend, name's Miette and I'm actually a rival of Misty's in that sense. I'm sure you understand at least Lyra as I know you at least saw it in Misty before anyone else did."

"I may have only toyed with idea before realizing that Khoury was better, but I understand." Lyra said surprised by the confidence of the blue haired Kalos girl. "I see Ash is still Ash then even after landing Dane."

"You know it, but Misty and I had our chat and sorted things out." Miette said as they shook. "So, there's no animosity between us."

"Yes we did thank you Miette." Misty said with a sigh before gesturing to the final three. "And lastly Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor, a trio of Kalos trainers who know May and Serena from last year. Shauna is a performer who faced Serena in the Master Class final last year while Tierno and Trevor are standard trainers with their own passions as well though I only just met Tierno."

"We will be rivals in the Lumiose Conference." Tierno said shaking Lyra's hand. "Trevor and I qualified last year and rather than go to a new region we stayed here to support Shauna's time on the Contest circuit, try it in my case, and go for another attempt at the Lumiose Conference now that we have more experience as trainers."

"Yes looking forward to seeing what you can do in it." Trevor said as he too shook hands with them.

"Same, this will be so much fun." Lyra said smiling at them. "I can't…"

"Attention gathered performers and their dates." A voice said over a speaker system as the drawbridge began to lower. "The Performer Party is now open for registration and outfit rental. Please come in, show your performer card and your date to register, and then proceed to sorting out your attire. We look forward to seeing you tonight."

They all turned and eagerly awaited the start of the event. None of them had noticed that Jessie, in full Jessilee regalia for when she was out of competition, was behind them with James who would be her date while his Inkay escorted her Gourgeist and Meowth and Wobbuffet tagged along as always, ready to go in and show off. She was going to be the true belle of this ball. That and she would be lying if she weren't excited to dress up James in full Kalos splendor and show off dancing with him to all the other performers.

That would have to wait though as they all looked to the chateau. The drawbridge lowered to reveal the courtyard beyond and the start of the event and the performers and their dates began to head in.

However, as it fell down, Ash, Misty, and May all went wide eyed at the sight that greeted them on the other side as they were there clearly for this moment. There was only one thing the three could say, something that had been said before today, but this time there was no possible or plausible reason for it hence why all 3 said it in unison.

"What are you doing here?"