Chapter 32

The day has arrived as Serena is going for the Pokemon Showcase, and when we arrive at the arena, we find Shauna and Scarlet there as well.

"You two are also here?" I ask.

"I can't stand by and let Serena win." Shauna says. "Because from this point on, we're rivals, right? But there's no way I'm gonna lose."

Scarlet says, "Well, the reason I'm here is because Ms. Palermo is watching the Showcase this time."

I say, "Are you serious? Grandma Palermo is going to be here?"

While the three performers are now backstage, Elline, David, and I decide to find Grandma Palermo. If you're wondering, Palermo is my grandma from my mother's side, so Elline and David were not related to her until the marriage.

When we find her, she is also happy to see us, and she asks, "Ash? I assume you used your Double Team for the Showcase?"

"Of course, though Pikachu is going to help Serena this time." I say. She notices my Eevee on my hands and asks, "An Eevee... are you also planning to use her in the future?"

"Of course, this little one can dance really well." I say with a smile.

"I see..." Palermo sighs before looking from the VIP box, "I was worried when there will never be another Kalos Queen like Aria... but then there's you and Serena... I wonder if you two can actually do it..."

The first stage this time is Pokemon Styling, Shauna is in the first round, and her performance with Bulbasaur gets her the highest score. And then it's my turn, I mean, Scarlet's turn. She of course goes with Meganium and she is also the top in that round.

And finally, it is Serena's turn. Serena is with Pikachu, and she has been decorating Pikachu really well. But when it is time for the showcasing, Pikachu suddenly trips by the ribbon that he's wearing, and scattering the rest of its decorations everywhere.

"No..." We gasp in horror, as she gets the lowest score compared to the other two. I notice that my grandma is also giving me a disappointed look in Serena as well. I quickly mind-linked with Scarlet and I find that Shauna and I are trying to comfort Serena.

"I'm sorry, Pikachu." Serena says. "I guess I overdid it. I should have considered Pikachu walking next to me."

"You did a great job showing off Pikachu, though, really." Shauna says.

"Yeah, things will get better after your first loss." I say.

"Thanks. I'm going to be cheering for both of you in the next round." Serena says as she leaves with Pikachu following.

I end my link and we watch the Freestyle performance. Scarlet uses Meganium and Sceptile to create the Grass Garden performance, and Shauna uses her Bulbasaur and Flabébé to great effect. In the end, the one with the most votes is Scarlet.

"We did it." Scarlet says while hugging both Pokemon.

My grandma then stands up and says, "There. I've watched all of it. I'm impressed with your skills, Ash."

"Well, I haven't done any mind link with Scarlet yet, so all of the moves are her doing. I was planning to absorb her back once the Master Class is over." I say.

After we bid farewell to Grandma, we meet up with Serena, Scarlet, and Shauna again. Shauna says, "Too bad that we all lost our first Showcase, but we'll be able to catchup to you next time. Scarlet."

"I'm looking forward to it. And you've better hurry because I already got two." Scarlet says.

Then after Scarlet and Shauna leave, we all head back to the Pokemon Center to have dinner. Though I'm still worried about Serena, because she's obviously putting up a fake smile.

"So Ash, you're next! Going for your fifth badge of course." Serena says.

"I'm going for my fifth badge already..." I mutter before turning to Clemont.

"Well, looks like the time has finally come." Clemont says.

"Obviously. My next gym battle's against you." I say.

"So, we'll head to Lumiose City. Great." Clemont says.

The next morning, my Pokemon and I are rushing outside to find Serena, and when we find her, she's standing at the harbor crying.

"Serena..." I mutter, and that's when I decide to pull her in a hug, I don't actually care about my clothes being wet from her tears. The four Pokemon by our side also hug us as well, as we try to comfort each other.

"I'm sorry. It was all my fault..." Serena mutters. "But you know what? I've never felt like this before. Know why? I'm a performer now."

"You're right, Serena. You're at the starting line of the race to become the Kalos Queen." I say.

Serena then looks at me and asks, "Ash... can you do me a favor?"

I was confused until she gave me a pair of scissors. After doing what she wants me to do, we decide to go back to the Pokemon Center as Serena is going to change clothes.

When everyone gathers, Bonnie asks, "Hey, where's Serena?"

"Now that's strange. She knows we're leaving soon." Clemont says.

"Don't worry. She's probably changing her outfit." I say and that's when Serena shows up.

"Sorry, I'm late!" Serena says as everyone is shocked to see her haircut and her outfit change. I say, "Hey, Serena."

"Your hair! What in the world did you do?" David asks.

"You chopped most of it off?" Elline asks.

"Come on! I liked your long hair!" Bonnie says.

"Time for a change, and I think it looks kind of cute." Serena says. "Ash did help me."

"Yeah, I think so too." That's when I notice the ribbon at the chest area. "Is that ribbon?"

"Yeah. It's the present you gave me." Serena says.

"You're wearing it. It looks great!" I smile, and I'm glad that Serena's smile is back once more. Now it is time for us to head to Lumiose City, and that's when we get a clip from Lysandre?

"Professor Sycamore told me you can wield Mega Evolution. That is truly wonderful. With that power, you can steer your future in a better direction! We can't just cover up the old filth with new filth! I implore you to consider what we need to do to change the world into a new, beautiful world!"

We're confused, what is Lysandre implying? Well, Alain is helping me investigate this, and I just hope that he's safe along with some of my Pokemon... And that's also when we meet Sina and Dexio.

"How dare you keep us waiting!" Sina says.

"Wait, you're waiting for us?" I ask with surprise.

"Ha! Just kidding! We weren't really waiting for you. We were on our way to the Power Plant at Professor Sycamore's request. But the gate connecting Lumiose City to Route 13 has been shut by a mysterious power outage. We have to investigate."

"Power outrage? That shouldn't be possible..." Clemont mutters.

"Hey! So there's Central Kalos and Coastal Kalos, right? Can you tell me what comes next?" Sina asks, and we are surprised, there is another Pokedex?

"I'm just going to give you the answer. It's Mountain Kalos. So I'm going to take this opportunity and power up your Pokédex again." And we just finished the Coastal Pokedex... but then again, we didn't see Goomy or Yveltal in the Kalos Pokedex after all, so it makes sense.

"The Mountain Kalos Pokédex has been added to your Pokédex menu. Just tap it to check it out, OK?" Dexio says.

Sina looks at Serena and says, "You know...You look different somehow. Your face seems more...mature?"

"Well I... I did have a haircut this morning, but... mature?" Serena asks.

"Ha ha! Just joshing with you! I'll be taking my leave now! Bon voyage!" Then they two bid farewell, and we all head to Route 13, also known as the Lumiose Badlands.

When we are on Route 13, this place is a desert with Gible, Trapinch, and Digletts, we're really not happy to find some Arena Trap Pokemon, and the place looks so barren.

"That bare ground goes on forever." Bonnie says.

"Yeah, the landscape doesn't change at all." Serena says.

"How boring can you get?" Elline asks.

Goomy is trying to learn a new move, so we decide to train him. But as we're training, we find an injured Spoink. "It's a Spoink!" David says.

"What could it happen?" Clemont asks.

After we treat the Spoink, I ask, "How did you get hurt anyway? What happened?"

"Just follow me!" The Spoink wants to drag me to an oasis, and once we get there, we see a Grumpig lying down by the side of the oasis, forcing other Spoink to bring it food. When one of the Spoink trips and causes the food to fall, Grumpig is enraged and throws a Shadow Ball at the group of Spoink.

"That's awful..." Elline says.

"Oh those poor little Spoink..." Bonnie says.

"That's a Grumpig." Clemont says. "It looks to me like it's the boss around here." Clemont says.

"He is no boss, he just came here a few hours ago and then he forces us to do his bidding! He's also the one who hurt me!" Spoink says.

"That's not right." I mutter.

We decide to stop the Grumpig, and I ask, "Hey, Grumpig, you're causing trouble for the Spoink! Why do you have to be so mean to them?"

Just then, Grumpig says, "So we have some annoyances." Then much to our surprise, he uses Hypnosis to control the other Spoinks. "Attack them!"

The Spoink that's with us tries to tell them to stop but to no avail. We can't attack them because they are also controlled. In the end, we are forced to surrender and the Spoinks tie us in the cave.

"If you dare try to leave..." The Grumpig says as he attacks the Spoinks, and we have no choice but to surrender now. But right now Grumpig is asleep, and it's a good thing that Goomy and Dedenne are small enough to go through the cave without being noticed. However, they are found by Grumpig and Dedenne tries to battle Grumpig.

"Quick! Dedenne! Use Nuzzle!" Bonnie yells, and Grumpig is shocked before it slams Dedenne away, using Shadow Ball to knock him to the wall. Then Dedenne tries to go with Thunder Shock, but Dedenne is hit by Psybeam before being knocked out by Shadow Ball.

"Dedenne! No!" Bonnie yell.

"Hey! Over here!" This time Goomy wants to fight, and all Goomy can do now is use Bide to send the attacks back. But when Grumpig is going for a finishing blow of Iron Tail, I rush to Goomy and take the attack instead.

"Look out!" I yell as I get knocked to the ground.

"Goomy, stay back and don't worry. I'll protect you." I say, but Goomy feels touched and it's starting to evolve, much to our surprise.

"Goomy is evolving!" Then it becomes a Sliggoo now.

Sliggoo: The Soft Tissue Pokemon: Dragon Type. Evolve from Goomy at LV:40. It drives away opponents by excreting a sticky liquid that can dissolve anything. Its eyes devolved, so it can't see anything.

He also learns the new move Acid Spray, and that sends Grumpig flying out of the cave and freeing the other Spoinks from control. After Grumpig lands, we decide to confront him with all the Spoinks together. Seeing how it's outmatched, Grumpid decides to show remorse and try to give the Spoink back with the food.

"Looks like Grumpig's sorry." I say.

"Uh, forgive and forget." Elline says.

"Stop stealing, you promise?" Bonnie asks.

The Grumpig nods, and the Spoink that we healed decide to share some food with him and now they're together. Then we bid them farewell as we continue moving.

Here is a new chapter, and this chapter marks the change of Serena and the beginning of Route 13. The next chapter will be the Power Plant

Ash and Serena's Pokemon:

Venusaur, Charizard x2, Blastoise, Pikachu x2, Alakazam, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Pinsir, Gyarados (Shiny), Eevee, Aerodactyl, Ampharos, Scizor, Heracross, Houndoom, Tyranitar, Gardevoir (Shiny), Mawile, Aggron, Medicham, Manectric, Banette, Absol, Garchomp, Lucario, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Quilladin, Braixen, Frogadier, Diggersby, Fletchinder, Vivillon x20, Litleo, Florges (Rainbow), Skiddo, Pancham, Furfrou, Espurr x2, Honedge, Aromatisse, Slurpuff, Inkay, Binacle, Skrelp, Clauncher, Heliolisk, Tyrunt, Amarua (Shiny), Hawlucha, Dedenne, Carbink, Sliggoo, Yveltal, Diancie