Formal Surprises (Pokémon AU)

ACT IV

  „Let's begin round two!" Aisaki announced proudly.

  With his hand on her waist and holding out her right one, Ash took a deep breath, not wanting to believe he had to dance to beat Team Rocket.  Box-stepping and foxtrotting with Misty, he kept glancing over at their real competition.

  „Just keep it up, the judges are watching us!"

  Perking up, arching her back for better posture, Misty held her dress out with her free hand as she was twirled around, being dipped slightly.  Claps filled the air as the two kids locked eyes, the female smirking.

  „This'll be easy," she whispered.

  As the harmony picked up in speed, the six groups frolicked around the foyer in time with the beats, the males lifting their ladies high into the air as they pirouetted into the former's arms.  Adding the motion of her dress to flare up their performance, the shimmers catching the lights of the chandeliers, Misty dramatically loosened her pose as Ash dipped her low, her leg stretched out as the other was bent.

  Aisaki clapped loudly as she whistled.  „Yes!  Yes!  Incredible!"

  Giovanni leered at his followers, his glistening white teeth barring.  Swallowing hard, Jessie hesitated, glaring at James.

  „Step it up!" She growled.

  Enthusiastically shouting „Round three," Aisaki watched as group five spiced up their dance, her eyes widening.

  Swinging Jessie out and pulling her back in, James held his breath as he picked her up, twirling her around.

  „Oh bother... why do we have to do this..."

  Shifting the box to one arm and holding her gown out with the other, Aisaki pranced about, singing to herself.  As she spun and glanced back at the competition, some couples were stopped to watch group five and group six, who both seemingly were going head-to-head to win the competition.  As the music drew to a close, both Ash and James spun their partners around, dipping them again as they held one of the females' legs partly in the air.

  Aisaki held her hand in the air, a toothy grin on her cute face.  „The competition has drawn to an end!  It is time to decide the winner!"

  As everyone faced the judges, an older man, whose gray hair was combed over into a side-swept style, was the first to speak.

  „I say Group Five."

  As Team Rockets' eyes lighten up, Ash felt his conscious crumple, his fists clenching.

  The other older gentleman also stood, his voice booming.  „I'll admit... it was hard to choose between groups five and six... but I'd have to say... Group Five."

  Now Misty joined in despair.  „There's no way..."

  Yet, Aisaki piped up, her cheery and childish voice squealing.  „I say Group Six was phenomenal!  What about it, Giovanni?"

  Ash and Misty froze, their breathing seemingly halting.  Giovanni was a judge?  There was no way they were going to win now!

  Taking a long sip from his glass, everyone already anxious, Giovanni stood, his tuxedo seemingly glowing.

  „I'd have to say..."

  „Group... Five."

  Applause thunderously filled the air, Aisaki proudly announcing.  „We have a winner!  Group five—come and claim your prize!"

  Flattered by all the attention, Jessie daintily waved, blowing kisses.  „See?  I told you I was good at dancing!"

  „Of course," James huffed.

  Handing Team Rocket the scroll from the box, Aisaki bowed to them, congratulating them for their win.  As normality returned to the party, Jessie, James, and Giovanni quickly made their leave, disappearing without a trace.

  „We... we couldn't do it," Misty tried to hold back tears.  „They got the scroll."

  Brock placed a hand on her shoulder.  „It's okay.  You don't have to worry.  We'll still stop them!"

  Ash joined, „Yeah!  We can still go after—"

  „Excuse me...?"

  The three faced the voice.  Behind them was Aisaki, her hands caressing a sapphire tiara.  Bowing, she locked her maroon eyes with Misty's blue ones.  „I thought the two of you danced beautifully.  I'm sorry you two didn't win, so I would like for you to have this, miss.  My father made it for me, but I have so many, plus it matches you so much more."

  Dipping her head, Aisaki placing it in her hair, Misty pulled back up, smiling softly.  „Thank you, Aisaki."

  „No, thank you—"

  „Aisaki!!"

  The new voice was all too familiar.  Hastily turning around, Aisaki giggled, embracing the man.  „Father!"

  Tadachi smiled warmly.  „Aisaki-chan... hello sweet girl."

  She pulled away, reaching for Misty and Ash's hands.  „You missed it!  These two danced so elegantly!  It was breathtaking!"

  Tadachi gave a gracious bow to the three friends.  „Well, I apologise for missing your performance.  My name is Tadachi Hasumi—and who might you three be?"

  „I'm Ash, this is Misty—and that's Brock," the boy informed, returning a bow to the jeweler.

  Tadachi nodded in understanding.  „I see; well, I hope the three of you enjoy the oasis!"

  Aisaki paused.  „Oh, they didn't win the competition, sadly."

  „That's because Giovanni was a judge, I knew he would not let us win!" Misty retaliated, crossing her arms.

  Tadachi froze stiff, his icy blue eyes wide.  „G-Giovanni was here...?  H-he was a judge!?"

  Aisaki bowed her head, her hair slumping slightly.  „Y... yes father..."

  „Did... did you...?"

  Ash interjected, seemingly to prove Aisaki innocent, „She didn't give him the prize.  Team Rocket won it, fair.  They beat us in the competition."

  „But they're going to harm the oasis!  We have to stop them!" Misty ranted, stomping her heel on the floor, the click echoing.

  Narrowing his brow, Tadachi asked, „How long ago was it since they left?"

  „About half an hour, maybe," Aisaki estimated.

  He spun around.  „Then there's still time, let's go, Aisaki—!  Go get Kyusai!"

  As her father stormed up the steps, Aisaki frantically allotted, „Please, will you all join us?  I-I'm not experienced in battling and my father is quite senior... I'm not sure if his Jinx will be enough..."

  „Of course—!"

  „Definitely!"

  „We're always up for a good fight!"

  Thanking them wholeheartedly, she ushered them to follow.  Taking them into her bedroom, Aisaki reached for the Pokéball on her nightstand, releasing her Clefairy.  Patting her head softly and adjusting the bow tied in her tuft of hair, she introduced the trio, „This is Kyusai... She was my first Pokémon!"

  „Aw, she's so pretty!" Misty cooed, teasing Kyusai.

  Quickly, the five of them left her room, meeting Tadachi by the grand stairs.

  „Ready, Aisaki?"

  „Ready," She smiled, turning to the others.  „Are you all ready?"

  „You bet," Ash smiled.