The Final Dream

These Past Few Years

Serena's POV

I watched as the judges made their decision on my performance, anxious to see the result. This performance was not an ordinary one: I'd faced Aria to become Kalos Queen, but now, I could only hope that the judges would favour me.

My mind raced back to the adventures I had in Hoenn. I'd become a Coordinator there and met new friends: Lisia, another Coordinator and niece of the famous Wallace, and May, the current Top Coordinator in the region. I had formed a friendly rivalry with the two, with us Coordinators always trying to one-up each other in their Contests. 

"Alright, the judges have decided.", Monsieur Pierre announced, his voice echoing across the venue and startling me out of my thoughts. My heart pounded faster as he began to declare the winner.

"By a vote of four to one, the winner is..."

I became even more nervous with the suspense. I looked at Aria, who, in contrast, seemed unbothered. This worried me even more, each passing second without a result adding to the tension. Finally, Monsieur Pierre spoke, breaking the silence.

"Serena!", he proclaimed.

"Is...is this real?", I asked myself. I couldn't believe it. I'd won. I'd become Kalos Queen. I felt tears falling down my face as I walked onto the stage. At that moment, I felt like everything was muffled, with their voices fading into the background. 

"Miss Serena, could you please come closer to the the judges?", an attendant requested, breaking the silence in my head. I nodded, inching closer to them as Aria shook my hand.

"Congratulations, Serena. I think you've earned it this time.", she said with a smile.

I nodded politely as Monsieur Pierre announced the winner once more and pointed to me, and the audience started applauding. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Clemont and Bonnie cheering for me. I mouthed a "Thank you", with Clemont nodding slightly, before I was guided off the stage. My face broke into a wide smile as I exited the building.

I entered my hotel room, still smiling. I could still feel the happiness skyrocketing as I was unlocked the door. I squealed in joy as I laid down the bed, laughing. I knew my Pokémon were looking at me awkwardly, but in that moment, I didn't care. For me, it was just me and the world. My phone soon rang, bursting my bubble and shattering my mood. I groaned a little as I picked it up and answered it.

"HI SERENA!!!", May greeted, her voice echoing across the room.

"Oh, uh, hi.", I said, still recovering from the surprise scream.

"Whatcha doing right now?", May asked.

"Oh, nothing, just laying in bed.", I replied.

"OH. MY. ARCEUS.", I heard Lisia shout in the background.

"Give me a minute, Serena.", May said as she left the call hanging.

I could still see them in the background, though. I overheard May asking Lisia what the matter was, Lisia replying and showing her something which caused May to scream before she went back to the screen.

"OH MY. Serena, why didn't you tell me you'd won?", May questioned while pretending to get angry.

"I...I was going to, but I wanted you to know later. Sorry.", I apologized.

"Fine, apology accepted.", May said, frowning slightly.

Something popped up in my notifications. As I scrolled down to find it, I found something that made my eyes widen.

"Oh my gosh, you two are facing off against each other?!", I practically screamed at May.

"Y...Yeah, I'm facing off against Lisia. Pretty sure I'd win though.", May said with a smug look.