The Pantheon

Lilycove City

Hi! So, there's been a small change in this chapter. For anyone who reread it and noticed that Rowlet is now shiny — that was my mistake!

During my hiatus, I came across a wonderful idea in the comments: making the Ghost–Dark–Psychic trio shiny, to represent Soul, Heart, and Mind. When Diana finally hatched, I completely forgot about that concept until I was reminded — so I went back and made the change.

..........

Ashley twirled before the mirror of her hotel room with delighted giggles. After mostly wearing kimonos on stage, Ashley had decided for a new style this contest season. Her Arabian-style outfit included a pearl-pink veil with a red jewel at the very top. A red crop top with a yellow trim along the sleeves and neckline, the color bright enough to catch the light every time she moved.

A large yellow heart rested on her chest, matching the saffron-colored necklace with its red heart-shaped gem. The skirt—long, pink with a reddish hue—swirled around her sandals as she spun, the hem brushing against the cool tile floor. It felt freer than the layered fabrics she'd worn before, easier to move in.

For once, she didn't have to fight her own outfit to breathe.

After one last twirl, she turned to the Pokémon she had out and grinned. "Alright, verdict time," she said, hands on her hips.

Venus was sitting primly, tail curling around her paws. She looked up from where Diana was fussing with a loose thread from the bedspread. The teal of Diana's feathers glimmered faintly in the sunlight, and she puffed herself up when she noticed Ashley looking. Venus sighed—an elegant, world-weary kind of sigh—and used her finned tail to gently tug Diana closer, like a mother corralling her child.

Pluto was sprawled across the rug, watching the whole thing with a look that could only be described as smug. His orange-tinted fur caught the light beautifully, and he knew it. Every so often, he'd flick an ear just to remind everyone that yes, he was still the prettiest thing in the room.

Ashley laughed and crossed her arms. "Oh, don't give me that look, Pluto. You can't be the only one who shines anymore." The Absol huffed, turning his face away, but his tail gave a slow, betraying swish. "Uh-huh," Ashley teased. "Real convincing."

Venus chirped softly, leaning down to nudge Diana's head with her snout. The baby Rowlet blinked, then let out a proud little "Roo!" that sounded suspiciously like she was agreeing with her trainer.

Ashley adjusted her veil, tilting her head to see if it looked too formal. "Think this'll win me the crowd, Venus? Or am I leaning too much into the whole desert-princess thing?" Venus made a trilling noise that caused Ashley to smile. "Yeah, you're right. I'm overthinking it, it's fine."

She tugged the veil down a bit, just enough so she could breathe easily, then flopped backward onto the bed, arms spread out. The fabric pooled around her like sunset water, and the necklace's gem pressed lightly against her collarbone. For a while, she just lay there, watching the slow spin of the ceiling fan.

Contests always brought that mix of nerves and excitement she never quite knew what to do with. She loved being on stage, but the issue was never being under the spotlight, but the story she'd have to tell up there.

Diana fluttered onto her stomach, tiny claws digging through the fabric of her skirt. Pluto stretched and got up too, his paws making a soft click on the floor. He sat at her side, the silent guardian role he always seemed to claim when things got quiet. Venus joined them last, curling up against her arm. Ashley looked down at the trio and smiled faintly.

"Guess we're really doing this again, huh? New region, new crowd, same chaos." Diana cooed, Pluto blinked in slow agreement, and Venus yawned. Ashley laughed under her breath and reached over to scratch Pluto behind the ear. "Don't worry, I'm not planning any dramatic stunts this time. Probably."