Part CLXX: Earning the Right

"Now, lets us meet ze final zree performers of ze Master Class." Pierre said from the center of the stage 15 minutes after Jessilee's win in the second round to secure the final spot in the third round of the Master Class. "Let's 'ave zem come on out!"

At that that the three platforms set into the half landing rose up to reveal the three finalists for the right to face Aria to the cheering crowd. Ash, May, and Serena joined in as they looked out on the three and blinked at what they saw, clearly this year the finalists had a bit of a flair to them rather than the more stoic natures of Serena, Shauna, and Miette had had the year before. That was because all were posing for their into.

First up on the far left as you looked at the stage was Kayleigh, the first of the three to reach the final. She was standing in the center of her platform, head bowed slightly so that her eyes couldn't be seen and hands over each other on her cane that was right in front of her, a small smile on her face and her Delcatty and Furfrou flanking her. It was a clear play to her showman style and helped sell her to the crowd for the final.

On the far end was Jessilee going with her own usual style of aloof mystique, her right hand on her right hip to that her elbow was cocked, eyes closed and a smile on her face with her upright Meowth on one side and fashioned up Gourgeist on the other. The notable thing about Jessilee was that she was the only one who's key color didn't match her outfit as it was a bright green not purple and was pinned to the lilac shawl thing she wore over her chest so that it rested on her left breast rather than her hip like Misty's and Kayleigh's did.

Of course, to the three watching the star of the show, and in keeping with her habit of just being wildly unpredictable with these things, was Misty standing in the middle of the trio and clearly the shortest of them. In contrast her Pokémon that were just behind and flanking her were the largest Pokémon on the stage and Serena knew how small those platforms were so it must have been a tight fit for them.

Misty herself was standing in a wide stance, shoulders back and arms crossed over her chest, a cocky grin on her face that she didn't feel but was part of the look as she looked out over the crowd. Meanwhile, behind her Machamp and Malamar stood there with serious looks on their faces and in Machamp's case both sets of arms crossed over his broad chest while Malamar had her tentacles crossed over hers.

It was a powerful opening statement from Misty and continued with her style of showing off more Pokémon than anyone else as she was the only finalist to use two new Pokémon in the Master Class, though both had Showcase experience of course, after using Piplup and Espeon in the rounds before while Jessilee and Kayleigh had Pokémon they'd already used in the Master Class. Of course, no one had any idea what to expect from her or the rest of the finalists, but they were all ready and eager as Pierre continued his announcement.

"Beautiful, talented, lovely!" Pierre continued as the crowd continued to cheer and Ash, Serena, and May were all nervous for Misty while Jessilee's boyfriend or manager, possibly both, cheered loudly for her from his spot int the crowd. "Give it up for Kayleigh, Misty, et Jessilee! Which one of zese fantastique performers will win ze right to face Aria for ze title of Kalos Queen? Soon that will be decided by you lot as we get ze final of ze Master Class underway."

With that Pierre stepped to the side and slipped back and the three-finalist walked forward and gracefully made their way down the stairs with their Pokémon as one. It was time and they were all set and ready for the last hurdle before Aria. As they walked Pierre continued his explanation of what was to come.

"During zis round our performers will use two Pokémon instead of one." Pierre said as the girls made their way to the stage. "Et zere will be no group performance, rather zey will go one at a time on an empty stage et zen you will vote for ze winner to face Aria!"

That was to be expected and Misty was set and ready as they reached the bottom of the stairs to stand one more time before the crowd that was cheering for them while Pierre made his was up the stairs to the half landing as he'd be presenting this round from various points on the stairs and landing. This one was different, and it had been explained how it would work at check in should they reach it and as such, after a few moments of cheering, Misty and Jessilee went off to the sides to wait in the wings as the round commenced.

"First up, it's performer Kayleigh!" Pierre said as the lights fell, and Kayleigh moved to the center of the stage to take her spot and took a deep breath ready for her own performance as the crowd quieted in anticipation of the coming Freestyle.

"One, two, and a one, two, three." Kayleigh said as she struck her cane on the stage to start her Freestyle and a spotlight appeared on her with her Pokémon to the sides out of it. "And welcome to our grand show!"

With that Kayleigh raised her cane and twirled it in her hands in a way that would make even Pierre envious as the music started and she began to dance thrusting her cane to the side where Delcatty was as the lights came up to illuminate the whole stage. Kayleigh was an expert with one Pokémon, probably the best active performer at that style, but she wouldn't have gotten this far if she didn't know how to use two and her two could work together really well for her greatest Freestyle to date.

"Ice Beam, Delcatty." Kayleigh said to where Delcatty was on one side of the stage. "Form that balancing beam we need."

That's exactly what happened as the ice blasted from Delcatty's mouth and shot across the stage to form a narrow beam just wide enough for a quadrupedal Pokémon to walk on and about waist heigh in front of Kayleigh. As it was being done, Furfrou was already prancing towards it so that the moment it ended Furfrou was at the end of the now ice barrier and leapt up and onto it.

"That's it, Delcatty, Sing for us." Kayleigh said as she held out her cane so that Furfrou could leap over it as it danced on the narrow top of the ice. "Furfrou, add to it with Echoed Voice!"

Furfrou opened it's mouth as Delcatty's song soared into the air and added to the music and unleashed an echoing voice that was timed with the Sing and really added to it and the music playing in the background. Kayleigh grinned as she continued to dance and really get into it as she moved onto her next part, the penultimate move before the grand finale.

"Now Furfrou, leap off the ice with Double Team." Kayleigh said as she tossed her cane up into the air and over the ice in a high arc that caused it to spin. "Delcatty, onto the ice and use Ice Beam again to secure your footing before Sing once more, directly up as we dance!"

With that Kayleigh placed her hands on the ice and showed off her own athleticism by vaulting up and doing a full handstand on it before bending her elbows and launching herself off it in a flip. Kayleigh was glad that she'd had her skirt specially made with straps attached to her thighs, so it didn't fall down and show off the tight shorts she had on underneath just in case of a malfunction.

As Kayleigh was doing this, Furfrou leapt off, clearing Delcatty as it leapt onto the ice to replace Furfrou in the process, and suddenly the shadow clones of Double Team. As the clones and real Furfrou were landing, Kayleigh also hit the stage and rolled forward to preserve her momentum and avoid any mistakes, her left hand on her hat to keep it in place, before she raised her right hand as she rose to catch the cane as it reached her without looking. It was certainly impressive and well-timed move that really impressed the crowd.

As that was happened Delcatty had fired off another Ice Beam to the center of the ice barrier made its way there so that it could turn and stand facing the crowd visible behind Kayleigh and Furfrou. Then, as Kayleigh rose and caught her cane, Delcatty tilted its head back and unleashed another Sing, its song filling the stage with notes.

That was what Kayleigh was waiting for and as the Sing went she and Furfrou, along with its clones, danced in front of Delcatty to the song that it was singing. As she danced, Kayleigh was smiling widely fully enjoying herself as she spun her cane around her hands, arms, and back, never once dropping it or knocking off her hat as Furfrou and the clones danced with and around her. To add to it she would tap a Furfrou clone on the nose with the cane at regular intervals that matched Delcatty's Sing one by one to disperse them until only the real Furfrou was left for the grand finally.

"Now my Pokémon, Ice Beam and Dark Pulse!" Kayleigh said tossing her cane up so that she could grab the bottom of it and thus thrust it high above her head. "Collide them!"

On that the Pokémon opened their mouths and aimed upwards so that the black ring things of Dark Pulse shot out of Furfrou's mouth while a blast of ice came from Delcatty's at the same time. They collided high above the stage and exploded taking the notes of Sing with them in a pretty, slightly musical, explosion that cracked and shattered the ice that Delcatty was on with its shockwave.

Of course, Delcatty had leapt off the ice with a flip before that happened to complete its part in the Freestyle. As the explosion subsided, Kayleigh posed, arms wide and cane high in her right hand while her Pokémon appeared under her arms to roar out as the Freestyle ended.

The crowd roared and cheered for Kayleigh as she finished, panting a fair bit and trying not to wince from the bruise catching the cane with her cold palm from the ice had caused. It had bee a great performance and Kayleigh knew it, but she was in the final with the challenge to Aria on the line so great wouldn't pass, not against the other two but she couldn't wait to see what they'd do.

As such, Kayleigh and her Pokémon hurried off as the lights fell and the change over to the next one, Misty, was up. Kayleigh hurried to the special waiting room set aside for this round to see how Misty and Jessilee did as the last challenger round of the Master Class continued.


Misty had been more than impressed by Kayleigh's performance, it was really good and the way she moved in it, combined with her skills with that cane, was going to be tough to beat. However, that was why Misty had opted for this specific pairing in her own two Pokémon Freestyle. Machamp and Malamar may constantly fight but both loved her in their own way, so Misty was going to use that dynamic in her own Freestyle and both Pokémon had agreed to it understanding what she wanted.

Now, as Kayleigh left, it was time for Misty's turn, and she made her way out onto the stage as the crowd settled down and stood in the center though slightly back as Machamp stood on her left and Malamar on her right. Taking a deep breath, Misty prepared herself for what was to come as the spotlight fell on Pierre on one of the side staircases as he walked up them from where he'd been hidden during Kayleigh's Freestyle.

"Next up, we 'ave ze lovely Misty!" Pierre said introducing her. "Get ready for another fantastique performance."

With that the lights went up and showed Misty there between Machamp and Malamar who were looking at each other across the stage. This was their starting position and now it was time to begin.

"Malamar, Brutal Swing." Misty said as the music began. "Machamp, when I reach you, throw me into the air with Vital Throw."

As soon as Misty gave the order Malamar launched at her with her tentacles and swept them at her with one high and one low going for slaps with the dark type attack. Misty just let out a playful laugh as she ducked under the higher one and leapt over the lower one as she turned and ran at Machamp. Then, a few feet in front of her larger Pokémon she leapt up and at him so that he caught her waist with his two lower hands and then tossed her up into the air with a smooth motion with the fighting type move.

"Psychic Malamar." Misty said as she rose into the air and arched her back to gracefully flip in the air, this practice had taken a fair bit to get right and a good number of Malamar slaps, but it was also to show her trust in Malamar as she put faith in her psychic and dark type to catch her while in the air so that they could perfect it. "Machamp, Focus Blast!"

The other move was Machamp's newest and was to add to the game that was part of the Freestyle, basically a game of keep away with Misty as the ball. Both Pokémon wanted to protect her and as such they played a game for her with moves and dancing thrown in to add to it.

Naturally, Misty's trust paid off as she finished her flip right as Malamar's eyes glowed bright blue with Psychic to catch her in the air, Misty's whole body now glowing blue, so that she floated there. Then, Malamar yanked Misty down, moving her like a puppet in the air to the music just as she'd done in the Dendemille Showcase, as the blast of fighting type power that Machamp had formed sailed above her head and burst high above the stage. That was also the point of the move for the next part.

"Now Machamp, Duel Chop." Misty said. "Come at me. Malamar, keep the Psychic up."

With that Machamp came forward, all his hands glowing with dragon type power as he thrust them at Misty in the air while Malamar kept her aloft and moving in a fun dance as Misty played off the thrusts to duck and weave away laughing and smiling the entire time though of course it was Malamar who was doing all the moving of her body. Machamp too was smiling as they danced around, Malamar moving her tentacles with the music even though she didn't need to so as to add to it. It was all going according to plan and now it was time for Misty's grand finale.

"Now Malamar, send me high and let the Psychic go." Misty ordered. "Machamp, Focus Blast beneath me and Malamar hit it with Psywave!"

This was the trickiest part of the appeal but when it came to the final you had to go all out if you wanted to win it, Kayleigh had just shown that in her own Freestyle moments before, and Misty was doing just that. It had taken a lot of practice to get this right, but she was sure they could do it and trusted Malamar as the Overturning Pokémon tossed her high above the stage before dropping the Psychic she was using on Misty and Misty tucked herself into a ball, knees to her chest and arms over them as she began to flip back as the flew upwards.

As this was happening Machamp created and unleashed his Focus Blast up and at Misty where she was flipping though its trajectory such that it would pass beneath her rather than hit her. Timing was key and they'd really rehearsed this to ensure that it would work and on the day her Pokémon didn't let Misty down as Malamar sent out the wave of psychic power up at her to hit the Focus Blast as it was right beneath Misty and blew up in a sparkle of lights below Misty.

At the same time Misty had broken out of her flip, smiling widely at the crowd as she formed a star shape high above the stage, the light of the explosion showing her off, before she pulled her limps in. It was time for the climactic conclusion to what might be Misty's final Freestyle in Kalos.

Misty made sure that her legs were now straight and together, one arm over her waist and the other on the top of her head as she reached the apex of her ascent, thankfully still well below the ceiling of the cavernous theater, and then gracefully flipped back and spun her body at the same time. This was where the danger was but with Malamar's Psychic Misty knew that she was fine just that if this didn't work then, well, she'd lose but you had to take such risks to win the Master Class.

Thankfully, it did work as Machamp and Malamar in perfect unison spun inwards and to the middle of the stage and raised appendages. In Machamp's case it was his upper right hand and in Malamar her left tentacle, timing it to be in position as Misty finished her spinning flip as she fell and landed with her left foot in Machamp's right hand and her right foot in Malamar's left tentacle standing tall and proud where she was, arms above her head to finish the Freestyle. She did feel her Pokémon grip her tightly which helped steady her as she fought a wobble and the crowd cheered to the finish of her appeal.

Misty just kept smiling and panting a bit as her Pokémon lowered her to the ground to steady her before she curtsied to the crowd while her Pokémon bowed at the same time. She'd done it and she knew that Ash, May, and Serena would have loved it. Regardless of what happened after this, whether or not Misty faced Aria for the title of Kalos Queen, she'd had a great time and enjoyed every moment of her brief performer career, minus the blowing herself up in Couriway part of course.

It had been fun and worth it and to top it all off she'd made it to the final point that few performers reached, the Freestyle round of the Master Class with the shot at Aria on the line, so Misty couldn't be happier. Now it was time to head out and regroup with Kayleigh to watch Jessilee's Freestyle and see how she did in it before at last it was time to vote. With that on her mind, Misty and her Pokémon hurried off the moment the lights went down ready to watch the rest of the Master Class final.


"Et now, ze final performer." Pierre said the spotlight now on him as he stood on the half landing again while Jessie stood in the center of the dark stage with Meowth and Gourgeist by her sides. "It's ze stunning Jessilee!"

Jessie had made it to the final with ease, she'd shown the girls of Kalos, or Sinnoh in that twerpette's case, what a real woman could do to get to this point. Now it was her time to beat the last two girls and face Aria for her rightful crown.

Kalos knew how beautiful she was, seen her perform, and for at least one more time they'd see it again as the spotlight fell from Pierre for a brief moment of darkness. Then a new one light up on her but only showed her silhouette as the music began and Meowth flipped up and into her left hand to pose in a one-handed handstand in her palm, legs above his head, in their opening pose as the full lights lit up to a smiling Jessie and her Freestyle.

"Gourgeist, use Leech Seed!" Jessie said as the crowd cheered shifting her body around and raising her right hand with Gourgeist flying into the air to mimic it.

As soon as the grass and ghost type was high enough she unleashed a series of seeds from her mouth in a semicircle behind Jessie that created a series of climbing vines extending high above the stage. With a laugh, Jessie tossed Meowth up, grabbed her dress to lift it up a little and move and began to dance on the stage as the vines grow and intertwined and then began to cover the stage. Gourgeist flew down at this to grab Meowth's paws with her appendages as he was still in the air and dance with him and around her darling trainer as they moved to the music and Jessie already proclaimed her victory.

Then Gourgeist rose higher into the air as the vines extended over the stage, the pillars created shrinking in the process, and Jessie danced to the middle so that they converged on her and rose her up as one massive pillar of vines with Jessie sat on top of it as the crowd gasped in amazement. In only seconds the pillar finished growing so that Jessie was atop it, high above the middle of the stage, arms wide and beaming out over the audience before her.

Jessie had watched the other two and been impressed by their Freestyles. As loathe as she was to congratulate a twerpette the girl had serious talent as a coordinator that had transitioned well to performing but Jessie was better and would show it now while also getting some revenge for the Sinnoh Grand Festival semifinal loss to Misty all those years ago.

Kayleigh and the Sinnoh twerpette were girls and had used their youth to show off athleticism but Jessie was a full-grown woman, not that she'd ever divulge her age, so she didn't need to rely on such cheap parlor tricks to win over the crowd. She was going to show them what grace and maturity had on their youth as she reached the top on her seat of vines.

"Now use Seed Bomb." Jessie ordered as Gourgeist soared above her with Meowth now on her back for his own role in the finale of Jessie's Freestyle.

"Gourgeist." Gourgeist said happily as she flew around the vine throne Jessie was on and unleashed her move.

The grass type attack exploded in the air around Jessie creating a series of makeshift fireworks both above and below Jessie's position but always keeping her in the center smiling down on everyone cheering for her. This was how you did a Freestyle in her mind, and it was time to end it just as gracefully as before.

"Meowth, Fury Swipes." Jessie ordered.

"Got it." Meowth said as he leapt off Gourgeist's back, his claws extending and glowing with normal type power, and fell towards the vine.

As Meowth reached it he swiped the vines Jessie was sitting on with the multi hit move that was the only move he knew thanks to using up his other move slots learning to talk, at least that's how he put it, and cut the vines into a fine green confetti effectively. The burst of the move being destroyed created a pretty effect and Jessie showed how unaffected she was by it as she just grabbed her skirt and almost floated down despite the high height to land perfectly on the stage, Gourgeist and Meowth artistically falling with her to land on either side and complete her Freestyle.

"Finish!" Jessie said her arm raised above her head and the other lifting her dress in a stylish, alluring and mysterious pose causing the crowd to erupt.

That was how it was done, and Jessie knew it. She'd shown off her talents and skills with the beauty and grace that came with maturity which the other finalists had lacked. It may not have been as long as the others, give or take, but the tantalizing mystique of it was what would carry Jessie to victory, along with her already well-established popularity in the public. Next stop Aria as Jessie shifted to stand and await the other finalists for the last vote.


Misty and Kayleigh made their way back out to the stage to stand in their spots with Jessilee on the far end, Misty in the middle and Kayleigh at the other end in the same order as they'd appeared at the start of the final round with their Pokémon out and by their sides. It was time for the vote and Misty honestly had no clue who would win. She'd watched Jessilee's Freestyle and noted it's impressive grace and poise in contrast to her more fun loving one, so it was anyone's game at this point. It was down to the votes to decide who won.

"Please cast your votes for ze winner of ze Master Class et decide which of our lovely ladies will get ze chance to challenge Aria for ze title of Kalos Queen." Pierre said a few moments after all three girls were in position, waiting patiently and nervously for the vote to commence. "So, get zose glow casters or for zose of you at 'ome watching zis on television press the button zat corresponds to your favorite performer. Ready? Vote!"

With that a sea of orbs descended upon the trio, orange for Kayleigh, blue for Misty, and green for Jessilee and went to their key reciprocals. As they orbs came the three keyholes appeared above the girls and they began to fill with their colors even before the orbs came in showing the at home voting had already begun. Misty watched nervously, unable to make out how many orbs were coming as it looked very even between them and the bars were all pretty close as well. Finally, though the orbs stopped.

"Sacré bleu! It is even closer zan ever." Pierre said his eyes wide as they all looked up and the final few viewer votes came in. "Ze closest I 'ave ever seen I zink. One moment s'il vous plaît, as ze final vote tallies come it."

They all waited with bated breath as the last votes came in and the bars set with very little difference between them to be seen. To confirm, percentages of the total votes appeared above the girl's keyholes showing 35%, 33% and 32% respectively showing just how close it was but there was a winner in what would become known as the closest Master Class in history. Pierre was equally stunned by it, but he was a professional and with his usual enthusiasm declared the winner of the Master Class who'd earned the right to face Aria for the title of Kalos Queen as the lights fell so that a spotlight would shine one the performer who'd just won the Master Class.

"Et ze winner is…"