Author's Note:

Quick little thing. Remember I wrote this for FanFiction a long time ago, so early work for me and not my best. Flawed mega evolution logic is in this chapter. Anyways, hopefully it doesn't kill it for you. Hope you enjoy.

Serena's ears felt like they were being drilled into. The crowd had never been louder. She took her place across from Aria and then looked at the crowd. Thousands of fans were cheering. She could hear the loud cheers for Aria, but her eyes widened when she heard her own name being chanted.

"You already have fans!" Ash yelled over to her happily. He was standing in his battle position, across from where Pierre would stand next to Aria.

Serena smiled to him then turned back to the crowd and waved. She saw Bonnie, Clemont and Alexa waving to her and she felt a shudder of excitement course through her. She could do this. She could actually do this. She glanced quickly at Ash who was talking to Greninja. She felt a pang of worry, but decided that she couldn't do anything to stop Ash. He's gonna do what he's gonna do, she thought.

"Alright everyone!" Monsieur Pierre called to the crowd and they quieted down. "Here is a quick recap of the rules. A double performance battle. If either Aria or Serena lose their Pokemon, the battle is over. We have a time limit of twenty minutes. If the ladies' Pokemon remain, we judge which one performed best. Ash Ketchum and myself are here to compliment our partners' performances and we shall do everything in our power to help them win."

Serena looked at Ash who was nodding at Monsieur Pierre. She felt a huge wave of gratitude come over her. Ash was going to put everything into this. She looked at Greninja and thought of his special form. Well, hopefully not everything, she thought.

Monsieur Pierre continued. "Alright, I shall hand things over to our stand by referee and announcer, Palermo!"

Serena's eyes widened and she watched as Palermo came out from backstage and took the microphone from Monsieur Pierre. "Hello everyone," she said in what sounded like a bored voice. "I will be serving as referee and finishing up on the announcing." She looked at Serena and Aria. "Are you two ready to begin?"

Aria snapped her fingers and Delphox stepped forward, her branch shooting of a quick jet of flames. "We're set." She said. "Pierre?" She asked.

Monsieur Pierre tossed out a pokeball. A large, white fox-like Pokemon came out. Serena thought it looked a little like a giant Fennekin, but instead of a bushy tail it seemed to have...

"Ninetales!" Ash said excitedly.

Serena pulled out her Pokedex. It explained for her, "Ninetales, the fire and fox type Pokemon and the evolved form of Vulpix. Legends surround its many tails, some claiming that each has its own mysterious power. One of the most intelligent of all Pokemon." Serena gulped. This was going to be tough.

Pierre called out. "We're ready."

Palermo nodded and looked at Serena. "Ready, Serena?" Serena felt as if Palermo was asking her two questions at once. She remembered what Ash said and she stayed calm.

"Braixen, go." Braixen went forward, eyes flashing with furious determination. Serena looked at Ash. "I'm ready. Are you?"

Ash nodded. "You bet. Greninja let's go!" He yelled and Greninja stepped forward slowly, keeping his eyes trained on Ninetales.

Palermo nodded to both trainers on each side. "Let the battle for Kalos Queen begin!" She yelled out and the crowd cheered.

Ash was the quickest to react. "Greninja, water pulse now! On Ninetales." Greninja and Ash had responded so quick that none of the other three trainers, or their Pokemon had time to react and Greninja's blast of water struck Ninetales full on, knocking it back many feet towards its trainer.

Aria moved next. "Delphox, fire blast on Braixen!"

Serena was ready, though, having already planned her next move, confident after Ash's good start. "Deflect with hidden power. Then use flamethrower!" Braixen responded quickly, her blue sphere of energy evaporating Aria's Delphox's attack and launching her own flame attack right back.

It almost hit too, but Monsieur Pierre was quickly ready to defend. "Ninetales, protect!" He yelled and a blue shield blocked Braixen's attack.

This was when Serena was really grateful to have Ash with her as that blocked attack would normally have stunned her awhile. He wasn't stunned at all and called for Greninja to use double team. "Use it to get around protect!" He yelled.

"Delphox, use mystical fire on any Greninja you see." Aria yelled.

Pierre responded quickly as well. "Ninetales, use sunny day, and then attack with overheat."

Serena looked at Ash, worried. Sunny day would help her Braixen's fire attacks too, but it wouldn't do anything for Greninja, and if he was hit with a supercharged overheat, he'd be in trouble. Even being a water type, that would cause a lot of damage.

"Braixen, hidden power on Ninetales!" Braixen attacked, but Ninetales' protect was still in effect and the attack deflected into a beautiful shower of blue sparks. Serena cursed to herself. She'd forgotten it was a performance battle.

Ash's Greninja had multiplied and there appeared to be about twenty of them, but Ninetales' sunny day was now in full effect and Delphox was launching its mystical fire attacks at any Greninja near it. Serena looked at Ash, concerned, but was surprised to see him looking confident.

Pierre yelled. "Now Ninetales, unleash overheat!"

But Ninetales wasn't able to attack. Greninja was behind it and had startled it. "Greninja, water shruiken now!" Ash yelled. And Greninja launched his attack, hitting Ninetales multiple times with highly effective water ninja stars.

Serena saw her chance. Ninetales' protect was now gone. "Braixen, fire blast!" Braixen unleashed her attack, now supercharged with Ninetales own sunny day attack. Ninetales was struck hard and stumbled back, panting heavily.

"Great job, Serena!" Ash yelled to her. He watched as Greninja took his place in front of its him and Braixen did the same. The two teams stared each other down.

"Well, Mr. Ketchum, I must say I'm impressed. You're Greninja pulled off a beautiful double team there." Serena agreed. It was a nice looking combination. Awesome Ash, she thought to herself, you're doing better at performance battling than me. "Your timely attack was also quite good, Serena." Pierre acknowledged. "And using my own sunny day move against me was clever."

"Yeah, impressive," Aria said, "but not enough to take my crown." She looked at Pierre. "Time to show them what we're actually made of Pierre. Our surprise for the fans."

Pierre nodded. "I suppose these two have proven that we need to do it."

Ash looked at Serena confused. She shrugged and looked back at the opposing trainers. Her eyes widened when she saw. Both of them had pulled out glowing white stones. She looked carefully at both Ninetales and Delphox. Yes, she could see they had the matches. "Mega evolution." She said, feeling her heart racing. She watched in awe as Ninetales and Delphox shined brightly and somehow grew bigger, stronger and more beautiful than they already were.

Ash narrowed his eyes. "How's that fair?" He yelled at their opponents.

Serena looked at him shocked. Ash had never been one to complain about an overpowered opponent. Then she realized, he thought it was unfair to her. He was probably confident enough in his own ability, but knew she hadn't trained for this kind of battle.

"All's fair in love and war." Aria said.

"It's fine, Ash." Serena said. She was shocking herself in saying it, but she realized she meant it. "A Kalos Queen needs to overcome anything put in front of her."

Ash looked at her surprised, but then he nodded smiling. "Well," he said, "it's only fair to fight fire with fire."

Serena's eyes widened. "Ash don't!"

He didn't listen. Serena watched as he braced himself and called out to Greninja. "Greninja, you ready?" His Pokemon responded with a growl of determination. "Let's do this!" Ash yelled and for a second, Serena could have sworn his eyes flashed blue, the colour of Greninja.

The crowd had been stunned by the mega evolution of Aria's and Pierre's Pokemon, but what they were watching they truly couldn't believe. A Pokemon was changing form, despite not having a mega evolution stone. How was it possible? Greninja glowed with a blue light and his features changed. His middle fin coloured red, his outer two now black, his skin becoming a lighter blue like Ash's coat and another four bright blue fins extending from his back. Serena didn't know what to call it, but she supposed it had to be a form of mega evolution.

Ash was breathing heavily. "Now it's time for the real battle." He said.

Pierre and Aria exchanged shocked looks. They clearly couldn't believe what they'd just seen and what was standing in front of them. Serena decided to take advantage. "Braixen, fire blast!" Her Pokemon put everything into it and the attack whipped towards Aria's Delphox, but the mega evolved Pokemon easily deflected it. Serena's Pokemon was no match.

"Greninja, water shruiken!" Ash yelled. His Pokemon leaped into the air and launched watery ninja stars at Delphox. Serena was stunned to see them hit, despite Delphox's attempts to dodge and deflect. Delphox backed up, wincing in pain.

Aria looked worried, not believing that her mega evolved Delphox could be hit like that. "Pierre, a double attack on Greninja." He nodded and Aria yelled, "fire blast!" Pierre called for the same attack.

Ash smiled and called out to Greninja. "We can take this." And Greninja did take it. Full on, the fire blasts struck him and created a huge explosion.

Serena gasped. The smoke cleared and Greninja stood there, gasping, but otherwise fine. He had a watery shield around him. She looked at Ash and noticed he didn't look as cocky anymore. He was panting and she saw him wince and hold his chest for a brief second. "Ash?" Serena called to him.

"I'm fine." He said and he looked at her and gave her his confident smile. "Let's finish this."

She nodded. "Braixen, get ready." Braixen crouched low, ready to attack.

"Greninja, double team!" Ash ordered. This time the double team was far more impressive. Hundreds of Greninjas were appearing. In the air, around the stage. Some were even off the stage, frightening some of the fans.

Serena responded quickly. "Braixen, fire blast and then hidden power." Braixen's attacks whipped through the fake Greninjas, but Aria and Pierre were unable to see the incoming attacks. Serena heard them strike and the gasps of shock from the trainers.

"Greninja now use aerial ace! On Ninetales!" The many Greninjas rocketed towards the fox Pokemon, who was still unsure of what to do and was still recovering from Braixen's attack. The real Greninja struck hard and Ninetales slumped to the ground in a large explosion, apparently having tried a counterattack. It lay on the ground, changing to its original form.

Serena looked at Palermo, excited. The latter raised her hand towards Ash and Serena. "Ninetales is unable to battle and Pierre is eliminated. It is now Ash and Serena against Aria."

The crowd cheered, but it was quiet as they wanted to carefully watch what the reigning Kalos Queen would do next. Serena looked at Aria and saw, for the first time, fear in the legendary performer's face. Aria looked back at Serena and smiled. Serena knew the other girl was following her own advice. Then Aria looked surprised and stared in Ash's direction.

Serena looked to Ash, confused. Her eyes widened when she saw him. He was on his knees, gasping for air. She glanced at Greninja who was in the same position. She watched as Greninja tried to get up, but couldn't. Then she saw it. He was burnt. Ninetales must have released one final flamethrower before going down. Pierre confirmed her suspicions when she saw him smile at Aria. Serena watched, eyes wide with fear as Greninja slumped down, changing back to his regular form.

Palermo held her arm up again. "Greninja is unable to battle. It is now Serena against Aria. Winner gets the Kalos Crown."

Serena stared at Greninja's slumped body and then looked at Ash who was struggling to stand. Pikachu was trying to help him. Ash turned towards Serena, eyes sagging with exhaustion. "It's ok, Serena. Win this thing."

Serena slowly shook her head. "I can't."

Ash blinked slowly. "Look." He slightly nodded towards Delphox. Serena looked. Delphox was still panting heavily from the attack from Greninja. She looked at Braixen who was looking at Greninja with the same concern Serena was looking at Ash with.

"Braixen." Serena said.

"Brai?" Braixen looked back at Serena, eyes wide with fear.

Serena smiled at her partner Pokemon. She had started her journey with Braixen and she had started her quest to become Kalos Queen with Braixen. Braixen looked at her trainer and smiled back. Then she began to glow in a blue light. The crowd gasped. Everyone did. Pierre, Aria, Palermo, Ash and Serena all gasped and stared in shock as Braixen glowed and began to grow and change shape. The blue light went away and Serena stared at her new Pokemon.

"Delphox!" Serena's Delphox shouted.

Serena eyes were wide. She looked into her Delphox's eyes. "Ready Delphox?" She asked.

"Del!" The fox Pokemon answered.

Aria had recovered from the shock. "Not bad, Serena, but your Delphox can't match up against my mega evolved Delphox."

Serena narrowed her eyes and smiled. "Delphox, use flamethrower and aim it at the ground!" She yelled and her Delphox did as commanded, using its flamethrower to spring up into the air. "Now use mystical fire!" She knew that Braixen didn't know mystical fire, but she had a gut feeling Delphox did. She was right as Delphox launched a ring of fire to Aria's Mega Delphox.

"Counter with fire blast!" Aria shouted and her Delphox sent a blast towards Serena's attack, creating a shower of sparks and a cloud of smoke.

Serena wasn't done though. "Use the smoke and then use hidden power!" Serena yelled. Her Delphox rocketed towards the smoke and Aria's Delphox lost track of it. "Now!" Serena called. Delphox launched the blue orb at Mega Delphox and struck it full on, causing it to stumble back in pain.

Serena was feeling pretty confident at this point, but then Aria laughed. "Wide open." She said. "Mystical fire." She ordered calmly. Mega Delphox generated a large, glowing ring of fire and it wrapped around Serena's Delphox who yelped in pain. "Finish with flamethrower." Mega Delphox launched its attack and Serena's Delphox was launched back towards her and landed at her feet, not moving.

The timer rang, but it was all over. Palermo raised her hand. "Serena's Delphox was unable to battle before the timer concluded and thus, Aria is the winner and she retains her Kalos Queen title.

Serena crouched down next to her Delphox and cradled its head. "Del?" It asked quietly, looking up at Serena with sad eyes.

Serena smiled at her Pokemon. "You were great, Delphox." She helped her Pokemon get to its feet. It was in pretty good shape, considering it had just been hit by a mega evolved Pokemon.

Serena heard heavy breathing next to her. She looked to see Ash, who was being propped up by Greninja, who looked tired, but otherwise ok, despite a burn mark on its chest. Pikachu was also attempting to help hold him up."I'm so sorry, Serena." Ash said.

Serena slowly went over to him, still helping Delphox by having it lean on her shoulder. She looked him in the eyes. "Ash, it's ok." She looked at Greninja, who was eyeing Delphox with concern. She looked sideways at her Pokemon to see it giving Greninja a reassuring look. She looked back at Ash, smiling. "I gave it my best shot and that's all that matters."

Ash looked at her for a moment and then he smiled back. He managed to stand up on his own. Greninja and Pikachu looked at him with worried expressions, but he stayed upright. "You were amazing, Serena." He said. He was clearly in a lot of pain, but Serena was glad to see he still had his spirit.

"He's right, Serena." Serena looked to see Aria standing next to her. "I've never been closer to losing my Kalos Queen crown." She said.

"Thank you, Aria." Serena said. She looked back at Ash, still concerned. She then saw Greninja grimace, holding his burn wound. She knew their pain was connected, because of Greninja's...evolution.

"Here, I've got some burn ointment." Aria handed it to Ash.

Ash gratefully accepted it and applied it to Greninja's wound. "Better Greninja?" His Pokemon nodded, looking relieved.

"Ash, you need some too." Serena said.

Aria looked at her confused. "Why?"

Serena explained. "When Greninja evolves into that special form, Ash takes whatever damage it does." She looked at Ash and shook her head. "We warned Ash not to do it."

Ash laughed weakly, but applied some of the ointment to his chest, turning so Serena and Aria couldn't see. "I wasn't going to, but then they mega evolved." He said.

Aria looked guilty. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Serena shook her head. "Aria you had to do everything you could to win, just like me." She smiled. "Thank you for helping me get here."

Aria looked shocked. "What do you mean?"

"When you helped me a few months ago. You told me to keep a smile on my face. Back then it helped Fennekin evolve and today it helped Braixen."

"Serena. Aria." The two performers turned to look at Palermo who had just approached them after giving Monsieur Pierre his microphone back. "You both fought well." She said. She looked at Aria. "Pierre will need you at centre stage now." Aria went to Pierre, but Palermo stayed to talk to Serena. She looked at Ash with what Serena thought was a distasteful look. "You still don't have it." Palermo said.

"Hold on!" Ash had all of a sudden managed to stand up straight and he had now forced his way between Palermo and Serena. He looked at Palermo with anger. "Serena doesn't need whatever it is you want her to have. You saw her. She nearly beat Aria."

Palermo gave Ash a dark stare. "This doesn't concern you." She said.

Ash glared back. "Serena's the greatest person I've ever met. If you want her to change who she is, then you've got nothing but bad intentions."

Palermo looked furious with Ash, but Serena blushed with gratitude. "Serena has the ability to become a Kalos Queen, but she lacks the independence to achieve it." She looked at Serena. "I saw you when you lost your first showcase. I saw you get rid of your old, timid self. You changed who you were. Or so it appeared. Yes, you looked different, but you still acted like you needed others. I thought that you had cast that part of you aside."

Serena looked shocked. "Of course I need others. I wouldn't be where I am without them."

Palermo shook her head. "You may think so, but they were just background noise."

Ash looked at Serena. His mouth was open like he wanted to say something, but he looked like he couldn't muster the words. Serena looked back at Palermo. "You know, Ash told me something last night." She waited for Palermo to say something, but the older woman didn't speak, so Serena continued. "He told me that I was capable of doing this on my own. That my hard work was what got me here."

Palermo nodded. "How is that different from what I said?"

Serena reached out and grabbed Ash's hand and gently pulled him closer to her so that they were standing right next to each other. "He told me that friends were also important. That they could guide you."

Palermo shook her head. "Serena, you need to be more independent. Do you realize that this entire Masterclass showcase was designed to test you. It was my idea to use partners, so I could see how much you rely on others."

Serena felt Ash squeeze her hand. She glanced quickly at him. Was he scared? She looked back at Palermo and said, "Last night, I was conflicted. I was worried about my own abilities, but I was also worried about how much I relied on my friends. Then, Ash made me realize something. Friends are what bring out the best in you."

Palermo looked at her for another moment. "Where are you off to next?" She asked.

Serena squinted her eyes, confused. She looked at Ash. "Snowbelle City."

Palermo nodded slowly. "I would like to speak with you there." Then, very quickly, she turned and walked away, ignoring Pierre and Aria who were in the middle of celebrating with the crowd for Aria's victory. "

Ash looked at Serena. "Did what I said mean that much to you?"

Serena nodded and then blushed. "You mean a lot to me." She squeaked.

Ash started to say something, but then they both heard Monsieur Pierre speak up. "Ladies and gentlemen, with another Kalos Queen Masterclass showcase coming to an end, we must unfortunately say goodbye." The crowd murmured their disappointment and then Pierre continued. "However, we have decided to bid you farewell in a special way this year." The crowd started to get excited. "We had a very successful dance party many weeks ago, and we believe that it would be an excellent and fitting way to end our time here for this showcase." The crowd roared its approval. "Well," Pierre said, "if you are all agreeing then," he looked around the theatre, "please join us at the ballroom tomorrow evening. And bring your partners!"

Serena stared blankly at Pierre. A dance party. Another dance party. Was she really getting another chance? She looked back at Ash and was surprised to see him looking at her strangely. "What is it?" She asked him.

"Well," he started, and she noticed he was blushing. "I..." He scratched his head nervously. Pikachu jumped on his shoulder and gave him a playful hit to the head. "Yeah ok," Ash said to Pikachu.

Serena raised her eyebrows. She looked at Delphox questioningly, but her Pokemon just looked back at her and shrugged. Serena stared back at Ash.

Ash reached out and took hold of Serena's other hand, so that he was holding both of them. He looked into Serena's eyes and he edged closer to her. "Serena...I..."

Serena couldn't believe it. Was he going to do it? She licked her lips nervously. She then immediately wondered, momentarily terrified, if that was sending a weird signal. She realized their faces were inches apart. They were getting closer. Closer.

"Serena! Ash!" Clemont and Bonnie were running up the stage, obviously not having noticed what was going on. Serena and Ash broke apart from each other. Serena silently wished them away, but realized that wasn't going to do her any good.

"Um...hi." She said.

Bonnie hugged her. "You were amazing, Serena!" She yelled. She then turned to Delphox. "And Delphox, you're so pretty!" And of course she hugged Delphox as well.

"You guys really were incredible." Clemont said. "And congratulations on getting Delphox to evolve."

Serena smiled her acknowledgement and then to her surprise, Ash spoke up. "Um, thanks you guys, but...um...we were in the middle of something."

Bonnie's eyes widened and she looked at Serena. Serena gave her a quick wink and Bonnie quickly grabbed Clemont. "Come on big brother. We have to find you a date for the dance." She glanced back at Serena. "You're not going with Serena this time, that's for sure." She pulled her brother away and Serena was surprised as Greninja, Delphox and Pikachu followed the siblings.

Serena looked at Ash and then she scanned the theatre. It was remarkable how it had emptied out so fast. She supposed people were excitedly getting ready for the dance. She looked back at Ash and then noticed him wince in pain. "You're still hurt!" She exclaimed.

Ash shook his head. "I'm ok." He slowly dropped to the floor. "Just need to sit for a moment."

Serena knelt next to him. "No, you're not." She reached out slowly with her hand, but hesitated.

Ash looked at her and then sighed. "Go ahead."

Serena gently touched his chest. She felt his heart racing. "Are you scared of something?" She asked him.

Ash laughed a little nervously. "I guess you could say that."

Serena lightly pulled back Ash's jacket and then placed her hand over his chest, this time feeling through his shirt. She felt an unnatural warmth. "What...?" She muttered to herself. She then pulled down a little of Ash's shirt and looked at his chest. It was bright red. Unnaturally red. "Ash..." She said, voice full of concern.

"It feels better having you here." Ash looked at her and Serena realized he was looking at her in a way he'd never looked at her before. Even differently from when he looked at her in her dress the day she showed it to him. He looked...like he knew what he was feeling.

Serena held the shirt back with one hand and moved her other onto Ash's chest and his burn mark. He breathed in sharply, but nodded for her to continue. She pressed her hand against the burn, feeling the wound. It was hot. It was like she had her hand close to a fire. "This is bad Ash." She said, feeling fear grip her.

Ash looked at her, his eyes looking foggy with exhaustion. "Serena?" He asked.

She looked at him, fear clear in her eyes. "Yes?"

"I want to...go...to...the dance...with you." He took a deep breath. "We got...interrupted...last time." He was clearly becoming more and more exhausted as he spoke.

"I want to go with you, too." Serena said. "I wanted to go with you last time."

"Good." Ash said with a weak smile. "Good..." His head tilted forward.

"Ash?" Serena held up his head and saw his eyes closed. "Ash, wake up!" She gently laid him down and quickly felt his chest. It was still hot. No. Much hotter. She felt his head. "No..." He had a bad fever. "Ash get up!" She screamed. "Somebody help!" She started hitting the floor in frustration and fear. "Ash!"