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

Chapter 79: Master Class

Gloire City rose ahead of us like a dream carved into stone. The castle towers caught the morning light, and banners for the Pokémon Showcase Master Class streamed from every wall. After Fleurrh City and Route 19, reaching this place felt almost unreal. Serena had three Princess Keys now, Scarlett had three as well, and the stage where the next Kalos Queen would be decided finally stood in front of us.

"Serena, is that it?" I asked, though the answer was obvious.

"What a gigantic castle!" Clemont said.

Serena held her key case close. "We're finally here. The Gloire City Pokémon Showcase Master Class."

"The big event we've been dreaming about," Shauna said as she hurried toward us.

"Where the Kalos Queen will be crowned," Miette added, appearing from the other side with a smile.

"That's why we all worked so hard to collect three Princess Keys," Nini said, joining them.

Scarlett arrived last, elegant and calm, though the link between us let me feel the nervousness hidden under her smile. She was part of me and separate enough to stand there with her own Pokémon, which made the Master Class feel even stranger.

Miette looked around our group. "Well, we all stood on the very same stage in the Rookie Class."

"And we're rivals until the very end," Nini said.

Bonnie bounced on her heels. "That's so cool. You're all in the Master Class."

Elline nodded. "This is going to get a lot more challenging."

Serena looked at Shauna, Miette, Nini, and Scarlett. "But I'm ready."

Miette turned toward me with a teasing smile. "So Ash, naturally you'll be cheering me on, won't you?"

"I'll cheer a lot for all of you," I said.

"Even if Serena and I go head-to-head?" Miette asked.

"In that case, I'll cheer all I can for Serena," I said.

Scarlett leaned close to my ear. "And what if Serena and I go head-to-head?"

I flinched, and she laughed softly. "Relax. I know you want to cheer for Serena, even if I am part of you."

Serena gave both of us a look that said she was trying not to laugh before such an important day. That helped more than any speech. The Master Class was serious, but it did not have to become so heavy that nobody could breathe.

Before any of us entered the venue, we stood together beneath the castle gate. The rivals who had once met as nervous Rookie Class Performers now stood with three Princess Keys each, or with the pride of having fought to reach this place. Miette teased Serena about Ash, Nini promised she would make Smoochum shine, and Shauna kept switching between excitement and panic so quickly that Bonnie started cheering just to stabilize her. Scarlett stayed near me, and through the link I could feel her quiet conflict. She wanted to win because her effort was real, yet she also knew Serena's dream had become part of the heart we shared.

I did not tell Serena that. Serena had enough to carry without worrying about whether Scarlett would hold back. Instead, I watched Serena look up at the castle and saw the same thing I had seen before every League, Grand Festival, or Gym battle that mattered. She was afraid because the dream mattered, and she was walking forward because that mattered more.

The lobby inside Gloire Castle was filled with Performers from across Kalos. Some were stretching with their Pokémon, some were checking makeup and ribbons, and some were staring at their Princess Keys like they still could not believe the doors would open for them. Staff members guided family, friends, and guests toward the audience hall while the Performers were led toward a preparation corridor lined with mirrors. Serena paused in front of one mirror, then placed her key case against her chest and smiled.