Part CLXVII: Towards the Master Class

"Alright, this looks like a good enough place to set up camp for the day." May said as the quartet finally came to a stop in a large, open area of southeast Kalos with gently rolling hills as far as the eye could see and a small patch of trees off to one side. "One of the best things about traveling Kalos is that there are a lot of great places like this to set up camp."

It was a few days after Ash's rematch with Wulfric at the Snowbelle Gym that he had won this time around and thus earned his 8th Kalos Gym Badge and qualification for the Kalos League. That event was still about 2 months away however so until then Ash would be training hard for it with the Pikachu, Lucario, and the Pokémon that he'd caught this year as he intended on winning it. Until then, however, they had other things to focus on that were more important with the first of those things being the Master Class Showcase.

That was why they were now to the southeast of Snowbelle, not quite backtracking as Gloire City wasn't directly between Snowbelle and Couriway but heading in that direction regardless. The Master Class was in 10 days' time, and they should reach the city with a week or so to spare so they were making good progress towards it. They'd been held up briefly by Ash's loss the first time around against Wulfric but were making up for those two days by focusing on reaching Gloire.

The loss hadn't caused that much of a delay thankfully as Ash took a day to bounce back in typical Ash fashion complete with a near death experience before beating Wulfric the day after that. Dawn had been able to stay through the rematch but had to leave to return to Cerulean the morning after Ash beat Wulfric leaving it just the four of them again for the first time since before Pierre's Party that felt like ages ago now thanks to all the excitement in Snowbelle but was less than a month in reality.

It had been a good time over that period what with the surprise return of Brock and Lucy, meeting Aria for those who hadn't met her before, the evolution of Greninja and then achieving the Battle Bond right afterwards, Ash's epic but incomplete battle with Diantha, the Wallace Cup, Wallace Showcase, and Ash's battles with Wulfric had made for an exciting time. Now though they were ready to get back to the usual group for the year and focus on what was to come next, the Master Class. They'd see most of the others again at the end of the year but now it was time to focus on Misty's upcoming competition.

Soon they'd reach Gloire and then Misty's preparations would really begin in earnest but for now they were enjoying the road once more as they set up camp, let out their Pokémon, and made dinner for themselves and the Pokémon. It had been too long since they'd last done this, so the last few days had been all about getting back into this rhythm, along with training when possible, but as with any break from the routine they quickly returned to it with ease.

In no time Ash and Serena had made dinner, though after all of Brock's and Clemont's cooking, along with Pokémon Center food this was a step down, while Misty and May fed the Pokémon and made sure things were sorted while the others cooked. Soon everything was ready, and they sat down to enjoy a good meal and plan for what lay ahead of them now that they were fully back into the swing of things.

"Right, I think now is as good a time as ever to discuss what is coming up for us." May said after dinner, and cleaning the dishes with Misty, before they all sat down at the special table Clemont had lent them and laying out a map of Kalos where May had marked the location of Gloire and pointed to it. "First up is Gloire which we will reach in the coming days. I expect us to get there with about a week, maybe a little less, to spare which is good."

"Right, I will need time to prepare so a week or so is plenty for me." Misty said. "Serena, what do I need to know for the Master Class? I presume that it is different from the other Showcases, right?"

"It is because it is the culmination of performing for the year just as the Conference is for trainers and the Grand Festival for Coordinators." Serena said with a nod. "But unlike those two, the Master Class has some key differences and doesn't follow the normal procedures that the other Showcases follow."

"Well, the Kalos Grand Festival does have the wildcard qualification round and uses double battles unlike all the Contests this year." May pointed out. "And as such doesn't have the same rule on Pokémon usage but that is needed if you are to have double battles."

"And the Conference isn't really the same as gym battles." Ash pointed out. "You just win those to be eligible for the Conference and full battles are used for the final 3 to 5 rounds of it which you don't see in gym battles though I have at least once been allowed to use a full team of 6 in a gym battle back in Unova."

"True but they are still straightforward battles, right?" Serena asked and Ash nodded in confirmation of her question. "Ok so pretty much the same then in terms of format. The Master Class is different from a normal Showcase in three ways. The first is that there is no Theme Round."

"Wait seriously?" Misty asked surprised by that. "Why not?"

"Theme Rounds are used like appeals in a way so that there are only a set number of finalists and also to show the public how rounded a performer has to be." Serena explained. "But in a sense, all Showcases are a Theme Round for the Master Class. You have to win 3 to qualify so there really isn't a need for one. Clement also believes that a Theme is designed to show off the bond between Pokémon and performer but a performer who qualifies for the Master Class is seen as having already achieving what the Theme Rounds show so there isn't a need for one."

"I guess I can see that." Misty said. "Grand Festivals have appeals though."

"Those help to reduce numbers though, especially in the older regions where there are over 200 coordinators present as all that is needed is 5 ribbons to qualify for it so once you meet the threshold you're set in that region for life." May said. "There are already only a finite number of performers who compete in the Master Class, and the setup is such that it goes pretty quick."

"Yes and that is the second thing of difference." Serena said. "With the exception of what is officially called the semifinal but in reality is the final for all those seeking the right to challenge the Kalos Queen, a performer can only use one Pokémon in the Freestyle Performances."

"Really?" Misty asked confused.

"Yeah but there is actually a good reason for that and that is tied into the Freestyle Round change." Serena said. "Because for the first two round of the Master Class, the Freestyle performance is actually two performances, a solo performance by the performer and her Pokémon followed by a group one where all three are performing on stage at the same time in a simultaneous appeal."

"Interesting." Misty said thinking on it. "So, it's part individual and part showing off one more time all at once so that no one has an advantage of being freshest in the audience's memory while also knowing how to move around with others on stage who you wouldn't know until the random draw, at least for the first round that is."

"Exactly." Serena said with a nod. "It's a real challenge for sure so limiting it to one Pokémon does make sense in a lot of ways."

"And how many performers are in it?" Misty asked. "With these rules there has to be a cap."

"36 is the cap due to how many compete per round and the number of rounds." Serena said. "It's a three per round through the bracket, which is randomly drawn for the first round, and three rounds so that is how many are eligible. There are around 110 Showcases each year so theoretically 36 first year performers can qualify with two keys left over but as seen by the likes of Amelia last year, performers can take longer than a season to qualify so it's never 36 new performers. Rather, the spots are allotted first to the performers who achieve their third Princess Key in the season that that Master Class is capping off."

"Oh ok." Misty said, she had wondered but just figured that the whole announcement that she'd qualified for the Master Class was enough. "And the rest?"

"Performers who've met the requirement in the past but lost during it, that's how those of us can challenge for the Kalos Queen multiple times." Serena said. "Once the final Showcase is held and the number of new qualifiers is determined, a notice is sent out to all performers from years past. There weren't many last year, it's usually between 6 and 12, but I'm waiting as I have to focus on the Grand Festival while perfecting my own style, plus this is your shot Misty. Miette and Shauna are similar. Often the returns are a few years removed having spent that time to find themselves with a goal at succeeding this time around."

"Last year was actually quite odd with three first timers making the final of the rookies." May said. "Right?"

"It's hit or miss I think, I honestly didn't know much about Showcases until I started participating in them so I can't say how the Master Class has been historically." Serena said with a shrug. "And a lot also hinges on the last change, the voting itself."

"What do you mean?" Misty asked. "The voting system is different?"

"In part yes." Serena said. "There is still the glow caster audience vote but the Master Class is broadcast region wide so that all of Kalos can enjoy it and as it is like the Lumiose Conference many do tune into it. All someone in Kalos has to do is download a special app for the Master Class and register as a voter. Then, when the voting period begins, those watching at home will be given the selection of performers who they can vote from in that round, and they too can cast one vote. There are failsafes in place to prevent cheating on that front."

"I get it." Ash said. "This way the whole of Kalos can vote for the best rookie and then their Queen, right?"

"Correct." Serena said. "It's the only Showcase with such a system and that can play a big role in the vote."

"Because it's more than just your general appeal in the performance itself." Misty said realizing it. "It's how you've appealed throughout the year in other places and how you've marketed yourself because now you have a significantly larger voter base to work with."

"Yup which does inherently give the Kalos Queen an advantage." May said. "She's the known face who spends her time as a public figure for all of Kalos to see so she's got the name recognition and voting base already. However, to balance it out, she doesn't compete until the title challenge where she defends it against the performer who's won all three rounds and by that point built up their own image in the region for all to see. That and the Kalos Queen still has to be in performance shape as the final is a Freestyle so she can't let her talents atrophy."

"Popularity plays a big role in it all, but you need the talent to achieve it in the first place." Serena said. "I don't fully understand it yet but after our final I spoke with Aria about it, and she pointed out that if a Kalos Queen has a scandal or gets lax in her training she can slip and lose that support though from what I gather Aria won it as a rookie based on her talent alone which is really saying something. It's an honor to hold the title, one we all want for at least a year, but to maintain it for a long time is hard. Aria is one of the longer running Queens in recent times I believe."

"Wow there is a lot more nuance to this than I expected, I've never seen a competition that has the winner determined by the whole region in a sense." Misty said. "And it does explain why Jessilee has been so focused on promoting herself this year."

"I think that might also be because she likes the attention." Serena said. "And the money that comes from it but over promotion can affect you as some might see it as arrogant. She backs up her image with talent and alongside you, Amelia, and Kayleigh, you four will be the favorites this year from what I've gathered when I've had the time to look into it."

"Which means at best one of us won't make the last challenge round." Misty said. "That has a change, doesn't it?"

"Correct." Serena said. "You can use two Pokémon in that round and there is no simultaneous performance in that round."

"So, it's just like a normal Freestyle only set at two." Misty said thinking.

"Yup, it's a challenge of course and last year I actually injured my wrist in it but still won the vote and earned the right to challenge Aria." Serena said. "I should have withdrawn, Palermo even said I should, but I wouldn't so she bound it for me for the final with Aria which I lost quite comfortably which showed me just how far I still have to go to best Aria. The final is simultaneous, but you can use up to 6 Pokémon in it though both of us used three."

"Three seems to be the most anyone can handle in a performance unless they are on the smaller side." Misty said. "And I take it that I'm not limited in the Pokémon I use, right? Like I can use Piplup first then move to Machamp before using say going with Dragalge and Malamar at the end and then changing it up to use 3 completely new ones should I win the right to challenge Aria."

"That is allowed." Serena confirmed. "I used Braixen first then Pancham and finished with Sylveon and Pancham in the third round. Miette and Shauna both alternated and then used the two from the first two rounds together, however. Of course, that is where your strength comes in Misty, you're sheer range and ability to win with any of them makes you unpredictable which is exciting to the crowd."

"I have the Pokémon though I take it I won't be able to change outfits during it, right?" Misty asked.

"You probably can but few do." Serena said. "Best to focus on the performances because you will have stiff competition. It's well established that Jessilee has a lot of talent between her Meowth, Gourgeist and Wobbuffet, and we all know what Amelia can do with her Dragonair and Espeon, while when it comes to dominance with a sole Pokémon Kayleigh is probably the best as her Furfrou is damn impressive."

"Of course, there will be others to face as well." May said. "So, don't rule out an unexpected challenger. As Serena proved in the Wallace Cup, the favorites might not always win though that is a little different as they had to face Ash which is a challenge regardless."

"I know." Misty said. "Which is why once we get to Gloire I am going to start getting ready and perfecting various routines with the Pokémon I will have in my rotation for the Master Class. I have an idea who I want to use, I will chose 6 and have various things set aside but this will take time."

"The 6 with you right now?" May asked looking out over Misty's Pokémon who were chatting with the other Pokémon or dozing nearby. "Or are you going to mix it up like usual."

"I'll keep four of the 6." Misty said looking over her current Pokémon. "3 because I kinda have to so I'll work around them, one as it will do well for practice sake at the very least, and then bring in two. I want them in anyway so I'll switch them into the rotation at the next Pokémon Center but one of them will only be used under specific conditions that I will be ready for."

"And we'll help you prepare." May said. "But I do need to see Sabrina in Gloire, we have a lot to discuss and she's there waiting for me. Serena, I recommend you chatting to her as well after me, she's a great help and she won't be there for long as with the Master Class she'll have to leave before the city gets flooded with eager spectators for it."

"Of course, you've recommended her in the past." Serena said. "If there's time I'll have a chat with her."

"Good then we are set for the upcoming Master Class." May said wrapping up the most important thing ahead of them. "I think at least. Serena, anything else you can think of that we should be expecting?"

"There's going to be a mix and mingle event for the performers and their plus ones the night before that Pierre will host in the castle where the event is held." Serena said. "They got the idea from the Grand Reception the Grand Festival will have and decided that they'd do their own version of it as well as they liked the concept. I'm invited as a past participant so May can come as my guest but the main thing for this will be the current 36. Aria will probably appear, but I don't know if she'll stay."

"Best for her not to really as she's the one the performers will be aiming for." May said. "And Ash can come as Misty's plus one, so we'll all be there."

"Great, I still got my outfit from the Wallace Cup." Ash said with a grin. "I'll wear that again."

"Men, they really do have it easy on that front." Misty said with a sigh. "I'm getting something new both for that mixer thing and the Master Class, I want to look my best after all."

"Same for the mixer so we can go shopping." Serena said with a smile. "It will be fun and help set the mood for it all."

"It really does." Misty agreed, Ash completely lost now and May more or less indifferent. "For my past performances, the outfit has really helped get me in the right mindset for how the Freestyle went."

"Alright then we are all set for Gloire." May said quickly moving it along so that they didn't get bogged down in shopping talk before said shopping was set to take place. "But what about afterwards? The Master Class is basically a single day event so we can leave right after it and still have time to achieve what we want to achieve. The Lumiose Conference starts in 8 weeks' time, we have about 10-12 days set for this, and then about 6 weeks between the Master Class ending and the Grand Festival Wildcard Weekend qualifier that leads into the 3 days of the Grand Festival itself. That is plenty of time to reach Lumiose, but we need to plan accordingly."

"Well, if we have the time and it is on the way then we should hit that Chamber of Emptiness." Misty said. "I do want to get that Mega Stone for Banette after all but where actually is that place?"

"Right well that cave is located here so it is more or less on the way back to Lumiose as it is in the same direction." May said pointing to a spot on the map along route 22 that connected Snowbelle to Santalune though it was closer to the latter than the former. "It shouldn't take long to get there especially because we'll skirt the bottom of Snowbelle to avoid the weather there and then head up to it. We can let Professor Sycamore know after the Master Class that we will do that and see if he has anything else he wants. Might even get to meet Alain if he's around."

"Oh, the guy you know from last year." Ash said. "He helped out with the incident, right?"

"And was partially responsible for it but probably best not to bring that up as he's still working through his remorse for it I think." May said. "He's been helping the Professor out as an assistant once again so he may be around to give instructions as he did try for that stone before deducing that a Banette was required to retrieve it."

"Cool, he's got that other Mega Charizard, right?" Ash asked.

"Not anymore that I know of." May said shaking her head. "His Key Stone and Mega Stone were from Lysander, so he turned them in as evidence and has been trying to find himself in the wake of that. Until then I don't think he's willing to Mega Evolve. He used them for Lysander after all as he kept getting stronger, but he was duped so there are a lot of emotions around Mega Evolution for him."

"Oh, ok well if we see him I'll still battle him if he's strong." Ash said. "I always enjoy a good battle and the stronger someone is the better as I can get stronger as well, I'll need that for the upcoming Lumiose Conference."

"He is, he easily beat Mega Blaziken and me with his Mega Charizard." May said. "He'd be good practice for Greninja I'd say as his Charizard is stronger than yours if I had to guess even with the type advantage you have."

"I know not to take anyone lightly." Ash said. "So, if we do battle I'll give it my all as will Greninja or whoever I use."

"Well, you will maintain a type advantage at least unless Alain has decided to use Mega Evolution again." May said. "His Mega Charizard was the one that changed its secondary type to dragon from flying unlike how yours doesn't do that. That change is really useful as it negates the water type weakness of Charizard and the fire type negates ice and fairy weaknesses, not that we knew of the latter back then."

"I don't care, if he's strong it will be a good fight regardless." Ash said. "Plus, it will be good training just for the Conference."

"Well, we don't know if he'll be there, but he might be as we will tell Professor Sycamore where we will be." May said returning to the map. "Now what should we do after visiting the Chamber of Emptiness? We will still have some time before the Grand Festival, so I say we go for Contests for Serena to go for her fourth and fifth ribbons so that she can avoid the wildcard."

"I'd like to go for at least one Contest." Serena said as Misty pulled out the Contest schedule to check if there was one that worked for them in the area they would be in after the Master Class. "Then I will decide what to after that Contest. If I win then I'll go for the 5th and final ribbon, if not then the wildcard will work for me. I'll focus all my energy on qualifying for the Grand Festival via that event."

"Misty, is there one that works?" May asked.

"Yeah I think so." Misty said looking at the last few listed Contests and then at the map again to make sure. "If we cut through Santalune Forest after the Chamber of Emptiness then we should reach Aquacorde Town in time for the Contest that is scheduled to take place there. It's one of the last ones and then if Serena wins we can find one in the area for her final one, all the last Contests are within a few day's walk of Lumiose so that there's time between those Contests and the Grand Festival."

"Aquacorde?" Serena asked. "That's just north of my home in Vaniville, I can get my mother to come see it and meet you and Ash."

"Oh, right it is right next door." May said looking at the map. "Alright then we'll go there after the Chamber of Emptiness to hit the Contest there. After that we can decide what to do based on how Serena does in that Contest."

"Right and throughout all this I'll be training as hard as I can for the Lumiose Conference." Ash said. "I'm going to win it this time around."

"We're all supporting you there and Misty and Serena in their own things." May said. "Well, I am, Misty may be neutral in the Grand Festival."

"I'll back Serena for it, she's helping me in the Master Class so the least I can do is support her there." Misty said. "Though I will not help unless it's against Brianna, the others I know to well or feel like Serena should handle them alone."

"Miette and Shauna I want to face without help, their good friends and rivals so it's only fair that I face them on a level playing field without either yours or May's help." Serena said to Misty. "As for Emily, I understand her connection to you, Misty, and respect that you will be staying away from it if I face her again. That leaves a few others, but we can deal with them in time. First is the Master Class and I will help Misty there because I don't want Amelia to win."

"None of us do." May said. "She was horrible in the Wallace Cup but not bad enough for a warning like Brianna. That will muzzle her in the Grand Festival at least."

"Well then let's get to work." Misty said standing up starting to get really pumped for the upcoming Master Class. "I need to start planning out my freestyles for various Pokémon and combinations. We can begin practice tomorrow but for now we need to prepare for what is to come."

"And Serena we should practice more with your new style for Contest battles." May said putting the map away. "You really showed it off in the Wallace Cup, but it needs a lot of work. Against the likes of Tierno and Amelia who are rookies at Contest battles like you it's a winning style, and the timing aspect works for Rhydon's Horn Drill as that is an ace you will have, but it's not enough to best the Big 3 as it is. They're too good when it comes down to the subtle nuances of Contest Battles that only seasoned coordinators know to be defeated without more practice."

"I understand." Serena said. "So, let's get to it."

"And I've got to keep practicing for the Lumiose Conference." Ash said rising as well. "Pikachu, get the team, we've got work to do."

Pikachu nodded and headed to get the others while they packed away the table and made sure everything was in the tents before heading off to do their own planning and training for the evening. They had their plans going forward, knew what they had to do, and set about it as the first of the three competitions neared them in the Master Class. All would be ready as the final chapters of their Kalos journey together were about to begin.