Chapter Twenty-Six: High Energy
Over the next few days, Serena spent most of her time practicing for the Exposition, while Ash focused on his upcoming Gym battle when he wasn't helping Serena. Since Dawn and May were also staying at the Pokémon Center, they often had breakfast and dinner together before going their own way for the day to practice without giving anything away to the others.
One morning Serena and May were still finishing up their breakfast while Ash and Dawn had already left for training, and May said, "So, um, are you and Ash…together?"
Serena nearly choked on her tea. She hadn't expected that question out of nowhere.
When she'd stopped coughing, she looked up and awkwardly replied, "Not…yet?" She felt her face burning from just the suggestion that she and Ash might some day really be together. "Why?"
May grinned uncomfortably. "Just a feeling. But at least he's got good taste, then. Just…he's always going to be important to me, too," she said, blushing slightly.
"You are to him as well," Serena said quietly. "He showed me the ribbon you won together at the Terracotta Contest."
"He still has that with him?" May asked fondly. "That makes me feel really happy, somehow."
"Why– why didn't you ever tell Ash you liked him?" Serena asked, figuring that since May had started the conversation anyway she might as well make use of it.
May shrugged. "We were both young and I didn't want to risk our friendship. Not that I thought he'd reject me as a friend, just…I don't know. I was never really sure if the feeling was mutual, anyway," she said. "Besides, as we traveled together for longer, I…felt I was relying on him too much. Ash taught me a lot, especially when I was just starting out, and a lot of my Contest strategies were inspired by him. Almost all of them, actually. And because of that…it felt like I didn't really have my own style, and it was holding me back when everyone around me did have a style of their own. I went to Johto alone so I could really develop myself…my way."
Serena smiled. "Ash told me he's happiest when the people who are important to him follow their own dreams, because that's what he always does," she said.
"That sounds just like him," May said with a grin. "But wait, you actually managed to get Ash to talk about his feelings? Wow, I didn't think that could be done."
"Did you try?"
"Not really, I guess, but part of that was because I thought I'd have a better chance of getting a reply out of a brick wall," May said. "Ash was always focused on his next challenge, and nothing else. That's part of why I wasn't sure he ever saw me as more than a friend in the first place."
Serena nodded slowly. It wasn't far off the mark, she had to admit.
"But I suppose you finally cracked that brick wall," May said with a rueful smile.
Serena wasn't really sure how to respond. It wasn't like she'd really done that much, after all, and Pikachu had been the one to convince her to talk to Ash. Sure, in another world, if their paths had separated in Kalos, she might have kissed Ash as a goodbye to make her feelings clear, but now…
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not angry about it, or anything," May said, seeing Serena's conflicted expression. "A bit jealous, maybe, but not…not in a 'how dare you take my Ash from me' way. It was never really like that between him and me to begin with, and honestly we're probably better as friends. Or maybe I'm just rationalizing it and the emotions are going to hit me like a rubber band snapping back later, I don't know. I definitely don't hold it against you, though. I mean, I'm the one who asked."
She smiled a bit awkwardly, and Serena returned it. Something May had said stuck out in her mind, however.
"You said that you were…relying on Ash too much," Serena said hesitantly. "So did traveling on your own…change things?"
"It kind of did, but my basic style is still just what I learned from Ash," May said. "Trying unorthodox things to see if they work, and sometimes it pays off, while other times it just gets me defeated early."
She thoughtfully looked at the last bit of tea in her cup. "But I think that what traveling on my own really brought me was freedom. The freedom to go where I want, when I want to. Traveling with Ash was great, don't get me wrong, but it was pretty clear whose adventure we were on, and it wasn't mine. I don't think I could really do that anymore, now. Ash goes from Gym to Gym, but now I just go all over to whichever Contest seems like the most fun. Sometimes I go to a few in Hoenn, sometimes Sinnoh, or Johto, or Kanto. Or sometimes I do what Dawn's doing now, and just take some time off to travel with only occasional Contests. I just feel so…alive."
"I…see," Serena said. It sounded so similar to what Ash had said in their conversation: following your own dreams, no matter what. But May had felt like she'd just been along for the ride with Ash, and truthfully, back in Kalos the same had been true for Serena.
But what about now? Ash had decided to go back to Kanto before Serena had decided to come, but he hadn't decided on retaking his Indigo League quest until after she had made her decision, and before they set out he'd even told her it didn't matter to him when he had his Gym battles and that he was fine scheduling them around her Expositions.
If anything, then, wasn't Ash the one along for the ride this time? At the time, Serena had just been happy to be traveling together for a while longer, but with everything she'd learned since, and what May was saying now, it somehow felt even more significant to her that Ash had decided to align his path with hers, rather than the other way around, as it had been previously. Was it just her imagination, or was the sun suddenly shining a bit brighter?
"You look…really happy all of a sudden," May said.
Serena nodded. "I am! What you just said made me realize something, and, well…"
Even being as happy as she was at that moment, it still felt a bit awkward to mention that she was more certain than ever that Ash liked her, to a girl who'd admitted just minutes before that she still liked Ash.
May, though, seemed to guess what it was about and smiled at her. "I'm glad it was something good, then."
She drank her last tea and grinned widely. "But even though I lost to you in love, I'm definitely not going to lose in the Exposition."
She held out her fist. "Let's make it a good one."
Serena returned the fist bump and smiled back. "Yeah, let's go!"
"I'm so looking forward to this," Dawn said.
It was the morning of the Exposition, and Serena and the others were having breakfast together as usual before setting out. Where the last couple of times, Serena had been a bit tired due to sleeping badly the night before, now she was just as excited as Dawn was. This was going to be the biggest Exposition yet, and with so many strong rivals it would probably end up being one of the most fun ones as well.
"I'm just curious what it'll be like," May said. "I'm pretty sure my appeal will be good enough to advance, and then we'll see from there."
"I'm not even competing, but I'm excited too," Ash said. "I really want to see what all of you have come up with."
After finishing breakfast, they made their way over to the stadium, and from the moment she stepped through the doors, Serena knew something was different this time. It seemed like everyone they passed let their eyes linger on her just a bit longer than usual.
"Are they all…looking at me?" she asked as they made their way to the registration table.
"Of course they are," Dawn said. "I told you before, right? You're the one to beat here, because you've already qualified for the Grand Expo. They'll all have studied your appeals and Showoff Rounds."
"It's kind of unnerving," Serena said uneasily. She was used to having the audience pay attention to her, and obviously her competitors would be watching her appeal and Showoff Rounds too, but being scrutinized this heavily before the Exposition had even begun was a new one for her.
Dawn shrugged. "You've practiced a lot, haven't you? I'm sure you'll be fine," she said.
At that moment, someone called, "Hey, Dawn, May, Ash!"
A girl with short, red hair came running up to them.
"Oh, hey, Zoey!" Dawn said. "Where've you been staying? I didn't see you at the Pokémon Center."
Zoey shook her head and grinned. "I came by boat, and I'm leaving that way too, so I was in my cabin there."
She looked at Serena and said, "Hi! I don't think we've met yet. I'm Zoey. You're Serena, right?"
Serena nodded. "I am. Did you know my name from earlier Expositions?" she asked.
Zoey shook her head. "No, Dawn just told me she had really good match against you in Cerulean City and that you'd be here as well," she said. "I've got my own appeals, so I don't really care what other people do. I still need to get used to Expositions, anyway."
Then she turned to Ash. "Hey, Ash. It's been a while! How are the regional leagues going?"
Ash grinned at her. "Not bad," he said. "I came in second in the Kalos League, and I'm retrying the Indigo League this season. Your Contests?"
Zoey sighed. "Second in the Johto Grand Festival last year," she said. "I was so close to beating Solidad, but she got me, in the end."
Then she grinned and said, "But today I'm beating her for sure. This is the first Exposition for both of us, so we're on even ground."
"Well, it's good to hear you're so confident," someone said, and Serena looked up to see two more people approaching, a tall woman and a green-haired boy. "But I have no intention of losing. Good morning, all of you."
"Hey Solidad, Drew! Good to see you," May said with a smile. "Were you staying on the ship, too?"
"We were," Drew said. "It was the easiest way to get here, and the easiest way to get back to Hoenn once the Exposition here is over. You were doing the Johto Contests, right?"
"I'm kind of doing whatever, really," May said, with a hand behind her head. "I'll see which Grand Festival I go for later. First, I want to win this Exposition."
"Man, I'm really regretting not entering right now," Ash said. "I'm getting fired up listening to all of you."
("Hey, we've got our own match coming up, don't forget,") Pikachu said.
Ash grinned. "That's true."
"Yeah, and then it'll be our turn to support you," Dawn said with a smile. She and May had indeed promised to come and watch the match as well, since neither was in a hurry this time.
"I'm looking forward to seeing your skills too, Serena," Solidad said. "You have a strong bond with your Pokémon."
"And they look well-trained, too," Drew added.
"Thanks," Serena said. "I'm looking forward to it, too!"
She would have liked to be able to say that their Pokémon were strong as well, but other than the stories she'd heard from Dawn and May, she really didn't know who these people were, other than skilled Coordinators. All she knew was that she wasn't about to let their reputation scare her. She and her Pokémon could win this, she was sure of it.
"Well, we'd better go and prepare ourselves," she said.
"Right, then Pikachu and I are going to find good seats," Ash said. "Good luck Serena, all of you!"
Hearing that she was the only one called by name made Serena's heart flutter. Ash really seemed to be getting more and more comfortable with admitting that he liked her, even though it was still relatively subtle.
Serena, Dawn, May, and the other Coordinators made their way backstage, and after wishing each other good luck they went their separate ways to get ready.
Serena called out her Pokémon and began taking out the outfits for the performance. She was going for a very different look than usual today, and her performance would likewise be very unlike her previous ones.
She'd be wearing dark blue, torn skinny jeans and a faded black T-shirt that exposed her midriff, black studs in her ears, and a wide, black leather bracelet around her right wrist. Pancham would be wearing a black, fake-leather vest with studs, with dark sunglasses instead of his usual red ones, and Sylveon had a black band-shirt that looked at once really odd on her with-and-pink body, but also really cute. Misdreavus, of course, wouldn't be wearing any accessories, but she fit the theme well enough on her own anyway.
Delphox would be on the sidelines this time, and Serena felt a bit odd about that. Delphox had been in all of her Showcases and Expositions up until now, so to not have her present for a competition that was this big was a massive gamble on Serena's part. Still, taking risks was part of being a Performer and an Artisan, and Delphox herself had been the one to volunteer sitting this one out.
"Alright," Serena said, inspecting herself in the mirror, "I think we're ready to go."
("I look so tough like this,") Pancham said with a grin as he too inspected himself in the mirror.
("You always look tough to me,") Misdreavus said, and Pancham puffed himself up importantly.
("And cute,") Misdreavus added, and Pancham blushed.
("But mostly tough, right?") he asked.
Misdreavus just giggled.
("Hey! Mostly tough, right?!")
"Yes, Pancham, very tough," Serena assured him. Then she locked eyes with Misdreavus and both of them laughed, while Pancham looked mortified.
("I think I like this shirt,") Sylveon said. ("It's nice and loose.")
"You look adorable," Serena said. "I'm sure the crowd will love you, too."
("It's very different, but they'll like it,") Delphox said confidently. ("You've worked hard on it, after all.")
Serena smiled. "Thanks, Delphox. I'm glad you're here supporting us, even if you're not competing this time."
Delphox smiled back, and then Serena and her Pokémon went back to the waiting area. Already, she could see that many of the other Artisans were giving her appraising looks, trying to determine what kind of performance she would be giving. Serena tried to ignore the stares and instead focused on going over the routine again in her head, like she usually did. It relied far more on pace and flashiness than subtle choreography, but it was still important to get everything right. Then, the appeal order for the Location Round was posted — and Serena was going to go first.
("Cool! We're the opening act and the main attraction!") Pancham said.
"Well, at least we'll get the crowd pumped up, then," Serena said.
Going first could be both a blessing and a curse, but given the kind of appeal she had planned, Serena was pretty certain that in this case, it would be a blessing. Sure, it was a bit odd to have this kind of performance so early in the morning, but it would definitely wake everyone in the crowd up, which would hopefully entice them to vote in her favor.
Shortly afterward, an official came to get her, and she, Pancham, Sylveon, and Misdreavus followed the official into the entry tunnel.
"Alright, everyone," Serena said quietly when the official had handed her the one thing she still needed for her performance: a microphone. "Let's do this."
Pancham was the first one to head out into the dark arena, and he struck the ground rhythmically several times, using his Stone Edge to form a stage before backflipping off onto the middle of the battlefield.
Sylveon then ran in using her Fairy Wind to create a billowing smoke effect on the glowing stage itself and on the floor of the field.
Then Serena walked out, followed by Misdreavus, who floated behind her. She got onto the glowing stage, grabbed her microphone with both hands and shouted, "Good morning, Vermilion City! Let's go!"
The 'go' was doubled up by the musical track kicking in with a raw scream and a guitar solo. At the same time, Misdreavus fired a Shadow Ball, and Pancham shot a Dark Pulse into it to detonate it. Sylveon used Double Team, filling up the arena floor with illusory copies of herself, all of whom danced wildly to the music.
Serena, still on stage, did the same thing, lip-syncing to the vocals as she did so. She could sing reasonably well, but she wasn't about to risk it during a performance, especially since she had to 'dance' as well, which in this case mainly consisted of running and jumping across the stage in time to the music.
Misdreavus used Hex to summon a huge, red, glowing eye, which she pulsed like a strobe light to the rhythm of the music, and Pancham and Sylveon used Dark Pulse and Swift while they danced for even more effects.
The song picked up pace, and after the second chorus there was a fast guitar solo, which was the cue for Sylveon and Pancham to simulate a mosh pit, which required Sylveon to control her Double Team clones extremely well to make it seem like they were hitting each other and Pancham.
Misdreavus increased the intensity of the special effects by adding Shadow Balls and Psybeams to the still pulsing Hex eye, and when the last chorus kicked off, she dropped the strobe effects, instead creating a shadow copy of Serena behind her which mimicked Serena's movements and lifting Serena into the air at the same time.
Sylveon and Pancham fired their Swift and Dark Pulse in shimmering arcs along the sides of the shadow-Serena while maintaining the mosh pit, culminating in them crossing the attacks into one last glittering explosion as the chorus ended and Misdreavus put Serena back down, dissolving the shadow-Serena into further sparkles.
The music ended just when Serena raised her hand, breathing heavily from the exertion, just like her Pokémon.
I figured I'd go for something else for a change in the Location Round, and I honestly like how it came out. I wonder what you guys thought about it, too. I'm not sure if I'll have time to post tomorrow, but if not, I'll be back on Tuesday. See you in the next one!