The beginning of a new road {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book II}

IV Serena's P.O.V

"How do you feel?" Gary asked me, uncharacteristically gently. "First pokeshow tomorrow."

We were outside the Pokemon Center, enjoying the full moon and twinkling stars. I was up, nervous for tomorrow, and decided to go for a walk, when I noticed Gary and Blackie out. They were clearly missing Ash and Pikachu, who have been gone since the festival. I don' know the specifics, but from what I do know is that it had Ash furious and on a manhunt. He even had called reinforcements from his Unova Ghost Team. The poor Ace Rangers had barely made it to the Orange Archipelago and tried to get used to their new work place, before being called out of the islands for work.

"I am," I finally admitted out loud.

"That's ok," Gary assured me softly, laughing when I turned to him startled. "Surprised? I don't blame you, Ashy is the one who deals with emotions in our partnership. He is a freaking empath!If Ashy had nothing to do with aura and someone came to tell me that he was an empath, I would still believe them. It is Ashy after all!" I laughed at that, tension leaving my body as it shook from my laughing. "What I mean is that it's ok to be nervous. Everyone is, I know Ash is before every mission."

"He deals with the most dangerous and powerful trainers and pokemon out there," I protested."It is not the same!"

"He had to start somewhere to get to that point," Gary replied. "Back then Ashy was an immature idiot. A well-meaning one, but still an immature idiot. It took years of hard work and tears to get to where he is. Do you know how he did it?" I shook my head, not being to utter a word. I've never seen Gary this serious before. "Perseverance. He never allowed defeat to keep him down. And he lost a lot, so much." He turned to me with a piercing look. "So, will you. No matter how much you practice or how much you train, you will lose. You need to know that it is ok."

I did not know how to respond to that, so I did not. I simply nodded my head and stayed silent for the rest of our stargazing. When I returned to my room, I locked myself in the bathroom. I stood still in front of the mirror with a frown in my face. This little girl was the sheltered girl that did not know who she was or what she wanted to do with her life. I was no longer that girl, so why did I keep seeing her in my reflection?

I slowly picked up the scissors and cut of a lock of my hair. As my hair fell on the floor I gasped, my hands shaking. But with each cut I was firmlier and steadier. By the time I was done, my hair was shoulder-length and I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Now this, this is a young woman I recognized. How long has it been since I recognized my own reflection?

That night I went to sleep with a smile on my face. When I woke up I chuckled as everyone stopped to stare at my new look. But I did not stop to answer any question and kept marching foward. After all, I had a key to win!

As I marched through the bustling streets of Coumarine City, the excitement bubbled within me like a wild pokemon ready for battle. This was it—the moment I had been eagerly awaiting. The Pokemon Showcase, a stage where dreams could come true, where Performers could shine and leave their mark on the hearts of the audience. And today, it was my turn. After my talk with Gary and my new look I was ready for it!

I went and hugged Shauna as soon as I saw her. My friend and rival was as excited and nervous as I felt. Shauna and I made our way through the crowd, our hearts pounding with anticipation. We had spent countless hours preparing our pokemon for this moment, ensuring they were at their best. The atmosphere was electric, a mix of nervous energy and unwavering determination. And then, in a grand entrance that could only befit her status, Palermo arrived. The limousine pulled up, and she gracefully stepped out, surrounded by an aura of elegance. It was clear that she would rather be anywhere else but here, her expression subtly conveying her disdain for the crowd of reporters clamoring for her attention. Though she declined to comment, her words lingered in the air, reminding us that she was obligated to be present, even if her heart wasn't truly in it.

It left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I did not let it keep me down. Shauna and I joined the other performers backstage, I couldn't help but notice Gary, Riley, Max, Clemont, and Bonnie sitting in the audience. Their presence filled me with a sense of comfort and support, knowing they were there, excitedly awaiting our performances. Their cheers and encouragement would be the fuel that ignited our spirits.

The moment finally arrived. Monsieur Pierre, the master of ceremonies, took the stage, captivating the audience with his charm. With the assistance of his loyal Klefki, he revealed the coveted Princess Key, a symbol of our aspirations. My heart pounded in my chest as Palermo's voice whispered in the back of my mind, acknowledging the greatness of the past Kalos Queen, Aria. It was a reminder that the road ahead would be challenging, that we would have to give it our all.

And so, the competition began with the Pokemon Styling round. Alouette, Shauna, and another talented Trainer took to the stage, each showcasing their unique style. Alouette gave her Furfrou a majestic Pharaoh trim, while Shauna delicately arranged a bouquet of flowers on her Bulbasaur's bulb. The audience, armed with their Glow Casters, cast their votes, recognizing the beauty in each performance. Both Alouette and Shauna received well-deserved praise and admiration. As the scores were tallied, the tension in the air grew palpable. And then, the announcement came. Shauna, my dear friend and rival, was chosen as the performer to move on to the next round. I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for her accomplishment. Her hard work and creativity had paid off, and she had secured her place in the next stage of the competition.

Round after round, performers took their turns, captivating the audience with their pokemon's beauty and grace. And then, finally, it was my time to shine. Nerves coursed through my veins, threatening to undermine my confidence. But as I locked eyes with my partner, Fennekin, a sense of calm washed over me. I realized that we were in this together, bound by a deep bond and shared experiences. I thought back to the words Ash had once told me, that nothing we did on our journey was ever a waste of time. I thought about gary's words, that losing was ok, that it was simply an experience I could learn from or allow it to define me. Every step we had taken, every obstacle we had overcome, had shaped us into who we were today. With that realization, I approached the task of styling Fennekin with utmost care, infusing our performance with the essence of our journey.

The moment arrived. Fennekin and I took our first steps down the runway, our hearts beating in sync. The audience's reaction was immediate—a wave of positive energy washed over us, their cheers and applause echoing in my ears. Fennekin's outfit was a success, a reflection of our efforts and the love we shared. In that moment, surrounded by the support of friends and the validation of the audience, I felt a surge of gratitude and determination. When my scored were tallied, I joined Shauna, our smiles mirroring our triumph, as we moved on to the next stage together.

My smile did not leave my face, even when Shauna beat me for the first place and won the Princess Key. I did my best and, more importantly, had fun with Fennekin. I will not let this loss define me, because I know something for sure. The road ahead would be challenging, filled with fierce competition and moments of doubt. But as long as I had my pokemon by my side, as long as I could draw strength from the experiences we shared, I knew that I could face anything that came my way. This was our time to shine, and together, we would seize the opportunity and leave our mark on the Pokemon Showcase.