Pokemon Heart and Mind: The Persici Prequel

Chapter Eleven: Preparing to Perform

Chapter Eleven

Preparing to Perform

Songs:

Shake it Off, by Taylor Swift

Brave, Sara Bareilles

The group woke up early the next morning to begin their journey to Richland City. The morning was pretty cool, but the weather apps on their PokePhones called for a very humid day in the upper 90s. June to September in southern Persici could sometimes be very intolerable.

As they headed away from the Pokemon Center, though, they weren't thinking about the weather. Serena and Bonnie were discussing the contest from the day before, and what the theme for the performance round of the next contest would be. Surprisingly, Lennon ended up winning the Pirate Port Ribbon. Serena just hoped that somehow, she could avoid seeing him again, at least until the Grand Festival. But even she knew that might be too much to hope for. So, she just decided to keep her focus on working hard and having fun with her friends.

"I don't know about you guys, but the Mardi Gras theme for the Richland City Contest sounds amazing! I'm already getting tons of ideas for it!" Serena made a small spin while they walked. Her Pokephone had sent her a notification about the theme for the next contest. "I know I definitely want to include beads. Maybe I can get some that we can throw out to the audience!"

Maria walked up next to her, and cut her eyes mischievously at her. "Don't forget it isn't the real Mardi Gras! Don't flash the audience. Hehehe."

Serena's face turned a super bright pink. "Maria!"

Mary stared at her sister, mouth agape. "I don't know you."

Ash looked between them, confused. "What's wrong with using Flash in a performance?"

At Ash's response, Bonnie began to giggle hysterically. "Oh boy."

"What? Seriously? Someone please explain to me why you couldn't use Flash in a performance? Is it against the rules for some reason?" Ash's face continued looking puzzled.

Maria nudged Serena with her elbow snickering. "Why don't you explain, Serena, why we don't use flash in a performance and why it's against the rules?"

Serena paused her walking and turned to Maria. Her face was practically steaming, and her cheeks were puffed out. "NO!" Then she turned on her heel and began to walk again, her arms stiff at her sides.

"So nobody is going to explain to me why you can't use Flash in a performance?" Ash was starting to look slightly irritated.

"Because, poles aren't involved." Bonnie lifted a finger into the air, grinning.

"BONNIE!" Serena turned around, her mouth nearly hitting the ground.

Mary looked down at Bonnie incredulously. "How on earth do you even know about that?"

Bonnie retorted with a mischievous glance, wagging her eyebrows. "Wouldn't you like to know?" (A/N: She's not serious, FYI)

Ash threw his hands up in frustration. "What in the world do poles have to do with using Flash? So, Serena can't use Flash in a performance unless she's using a pole?"

Confusion was written all over his face as he looked around the group. Bonnie and Maria were nearly doubling over in laughter. Mary was leaning her head up against a nearby light pole, while Nova was tapping her leg in concern. Serena stood staring at Ash mouth agape, her face looking like it might explode.

And Ash, the cheese, stood alone, not understanding any of it. "Girls confuse me."

"Pika." Pikachu nodded in agreement.