1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 76: Dance Partners

The next morning in Couriway Town felt brighter than the day before, but Serena still held Eevee a little closer when we left the Pokémon Center. The Couriway Showcase had ended with Scarlett earning her third Princess Key, and even though Serena had smiled for everyone afterward, I knew the loss still hurt. Eevee had kept dancing after falling, and that mattered, but a heart did not stop aching just because someone said the right lesson.

Monsieur Pierre's mansion rose over the horizon beyond the waterfall mist, white walls shining between gardens and curved paths. It looked less like a place for a simple party and more like a stage built for every Performer in Kalos to dream at once. Serena noticed it first, and her steps slowed for a moment.

"That must be the mansion," Serena said.

Bonnie bounced beside Clemont with Dedenne on her shoulder and Squishy tucked safely in her pouch. "It looks like a castle for dancing."

Squishy peeked out, unimpressed. Its meaning reached me clearly. "Humans require large buildings to move in circles."

I almost laughed. "It is called dancing, Squishy."

Pikachu sat on my shoulder and gave Eevee a warm look. His steady confidence reached me clearly. "Today can be better than yesterday."

Eevee looked up at him from Serena's arms, still nervous but curious. The fall from yesterday had not disappeared from her memory, but she did not hide her face anymore. That was already a step forward.

Couriway's waterfalls followed us even on the mansion road. Mist drifted over the flowers and left tiny drops on the iron gate, making the whole place sparkle whenever the sun slipped through the clouds. A few Performers passed us in pairs, laughing nervously as they checked their invitations and whispered about Aria appearing. I could feel Serena listening to them without turning her head.

"You do not have to prove everything today," I said softly.

Serena looked at Eevee, then at me. "I know. But I still want today to help Eevee remember that performing can be fun."

Eevee pressed closer to her chest. Her quiet feeling reached me clearly. "Fun is easier before everyone looks."

"That is why Pikachu and I are here," I said.

At the front gate, attendants welcomed us and led us through a garden path lined with lanterns, trimmed hedges, and flowers arranged in patterns shaped like ribbons. Once inside the mansion, we arrived at a front desk where a receptionist checked each invitation and gave everyone a small card.

Elline turned the card over in her hand. "Excuse me, are these for something?"

"You will need that card for a special event later," the receptionist said with a polite smile. "Outfits are also available to rent. The dressing rooms are through that hall."

That made Bonnie cheer, Serena blush, and Clemont immediately worry about whether formal clothes had enough pockets for inventions. David only adjusted his glasses and said that renting meant fewer luggage problems. We split toward the dressing rooms while the lobby filled with Performers, Trainers, and partners who looked just as excited as we were.

Inside the mansion, every hallway felt designed for movement. Mirrors lined the walls so dancers could check their posture, vases held flowers arranged in pairs, and soft music drifted from hidden speakers even before the party officially began. Servants guided Pokémon toward grooming spaces where ribbons, bow ties, and small accessories waited. Pikachu endured a bow tie because he trusted Serena's taste, but Dedenne tried to claim three ribbons at once until Bonnie gently negotiated him down to one.