Ash was standing with Serena, Pidgeot and Braixen backstage. They were behind Miette, who was performing with a short, dark haired guy that seemed a little older than Ash. He didn't seem too impressive, but Ash supposed Miette picked him for a reason. About to go on, was Shauna and Tierno, their Ivysaur and Blastoise both shaking with excitement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome lady Shauna and her partner Tierno, along with their wonderful Pokemon Ivysaur and Blastoise!" Monsieur Pierre yelled out to the crowd. The crowd responded with a loud cheer. Monsieur Pierre looked at the two and nodded. "You may begin."

Ash could see Serena's eyes widen, clearly impressed with Shauna and Tierno. They had Ivysaur lift up, Blastoise with vine whip and then Blastoise had begun to spin in midair. As the turtle Pokemon came down, Ivysaur started spinning him with its vines. Then, Ivysaur quickly, one by one, grabbed Tierno and Shauna and placed them on top of the spinning Blastoise. This was where Tierno's dancing ability and Shauna's experience with performing took over and the danced perfectly on top of the spinning Blastoise, never missing a step. When they finished, the crowd roared in approval.

Ash looked at Serena and noticed she was clenching her jaw. "Relax, Serena." He said. "You can top that." She gave him a grateful look, but continued to look nervous as Miette stepped onto the stage and began her own performance.

Miette had her Slurpuff, while her partner used a Jigglypuff. They had them do a routine of Slurpuff firing energy ball into the air while Jigglypuff responded with double slap and would knock it to the ground, causing a shower of green lights. Then Slurpuff used and combination of psychic and fairy wind, while Jigglypuff used hyper voice. The light show of green and pink went into the audience, but the crowd was not impressed with hyper voice. Ash could see Miette's irritation clearly. As she and her partner left the stage she was cursing at him.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen," Pierre began, "our final performance before we decide who shall be battling Queen Aria and myself...please welcome...Serena and Ash, along with their beautiful Pokemon, Braixen and Pidgeot!"

The crowd roared loudly. Serena had become a fan favourite with the fashion show and the realization that Ash was an accomplished battler had also garnered some interest. The crowd was also entranced by Pidgeot, a Pokemon many of them had never seen and even much different than if they had seen a Pidgeot before.

Pierre eyed Ash and Serena and then looked at the crowd. "Alright, let the show begin!"

Ash and Serena nodded at each other and then Serena called out to Braixen. "Braixen, flamethrower, aim up!"

At the same time Ash called to Pidgeot, "Pidgeot, gust!"

Both Pokemon responded to their trainers' orders immediately. So fast, in fact that the audience had barely registered that their Pokemon had received commands. Braixen's brilliant flamethrower went skyward, rocketing up so that it almost reached the ceiling of the theatre. Pidgeot kicked off the stage and flew above the audience, creating many gasps which were followed by cheers. The powerful bird Pokemon sent a tornado-like blast of wind to the flamethrower and it began to rapidly spin. This created the biggest cheer from the crowd.

"Braixen, hidden power!" Serena yelled. Braixen sent a blue ball of energy at the tornado and it exploded into a shower of blue and red sparks. "Ok, Ash, now!" She called to Ash.

"Pidgeot!" Ash called and Pidgeot flew to him and he leaped onto his Pokemon's back. This was the big part of their performance. Pidgeot turned back, flew into the audience once more and then face Serena and Braixen.

"Braixen, fire blast!" Serena ordered. Braixen sent the blast at Pidgeot, causing the crowd to gasp in surprise.

"Pidgeot, mirror move!" Ash yelled. The crowd gasped again as Pidgeot was remarkably able to send the same move back towards, Braixen. The two fire blasts collided in midair, creating a massive, fiery explosion. "Now use gust!" Ash ordered. Pidgeot responded quickly and blew the fire towards Braixen.

"Braixen, wrap this up with scratch." Serena called to her Pokemon. Braixen leaped into the air and scratched up the flames, creating another shower of sparks, this time on stage.

Pidgeot wrapped things up by spinning in the air and then gracefully landing on stage, between Serena and Braixen. Ash pulled Serena up and Braixen stood in front of Pidgeot as the giant bird spread its wings impressively. Braixen bowed and Pidgeot lowered its head to acknowledge the crowds cheers, while Ash and Serena waved from Pidgeot's back.

Serena stood with her eyes closed on stage. She knew she and Ash had done well, but she couldn't help but be nervous. They were about to find out if they were champions of the showcase.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Monsieur Pierre said excitedly, "if you would please light your sticks in the colour of the performers that you believe were best.

Serena opened her eyes for a brief second and saw a variety of glowing orbs being sent to the stage, but through her squinted eyes she had now idea how many of each colour was approaching the stage. She muttered to herself, "Please..."

Serena felt a hand wrap around hers. She opened her eyes and looked at Ash, who was smiling confidently at her. "No matter what, Serena," he said, "you performed best in my opinion."

She couldn't help it. She felt the tears slide down her face as she looked at Ash. They weren't tears of sadness or worry, but tears of gratitude. She wrapped her arms around Ash and hugged him. "Performing with you was the best." She whispered.

Ash laughed, held the hug for a few seconds and the gently broke the hug. Serena was disappointed until she realized he was pulling something out of his pocket. "I thought this would be a nice good luck charm for us, but I guess we can also use it for what it's meant for."

"The handkerchief..." Serena said slowly.

Ash held it up and wiped the tears from Serena's face. "In a way it brought us together." Ash said. "It's why we're here."

Serena felt more tears coming, but managed to control herself. "Ash-"

They were interrupted by a loud cheer. Serena looked around. Shauna and Tierno were looking at her smiling. Miette was frowning, but then nodded at Serena. She looked into the crowd and saw Bonnie jumping up and down, while Clemont and Alexa highfived. Then she looked at Ash, who was staring at Monsieur Pierre with a shocked but happy look. She looked behind her at the partially filled outlines of crowns with the performers' colours. She saw her crown was fullest.

"Congratulations to Serena, the winner of this year's Masterclass showcase!" Monsieur Pierre yelled. The crowd cheered loudly. Pierre aloud them to continue for a moment and then held up his hand for silence. "Yes, Serena and her partner Ash have done well up to this point, however..." He paused, looking serious, "...Serena has one more challenge to overcome if she is to win the Kalos Queen crown."

Serena looked at Ash, her excitement disappearing and being replaced once again by fear. She knew what was next. Ash gave her an encouraging smile though and she was able to make herself look at Monsieur Pierre.

"Serena and her partner Ash, must now defeat Queen Aria and myself in a double battle." He looked at Ash, then Serena. "The battle will take place after lunch, on this very stage. The rules are as follows." The crowd was silent as Pierre paused. "The performer and her partner on both teams get one Pokemon each. If the performer's Pokemon is unable to battle, she loses the battle, regardless of whether or not her partner's Pokemon is still remaining. Also, this is a timed battle. If the time runs out and both Pokemon are still standing, the Pokemon that has performed the more beautiful attacks shall be named winner and their trainer, Kalos Queen." Pierre looked at Serena. "Are you ready?"

Serena looked at Ash for reassurance and was relieved to see him give her an encouraging nod. She looked back at Pierre. "Of course I am."

Bonnie hugged Serena when she and Ash came to the table she and Clemont had gotten for them for lunch. "You were so awesome Serena. The fire blast from Braixen and then Pidgeot's mirror move. So cool and so pretty!"

Serena smiled, returned the hug and then she and Ash sat down. Bonnie and Clemont had, of course, left seats for the two of them to sit next to each other.

"So what Pokemon are you too using?" Clemont asked.

Serena smiled. "Easy. I've gotta go with Braixen." She lightly pet Braixen, who was standing next to her, on the head. Braixen smiled happily. Serena then looked at Ash. "Pikachu for you, I guess." Pikachu made a confident fist pump from on top of Ash's head.

"What kind of question is that, Serena?" Bonnie said, laughing. "Obviously Pikachu."

Serena smiled, but then looked at Ash who still hadn't answered. "Ash?" She said, looking concerned.

Ash shook his head and picked Pikachu up off of his head and placed the mouse Pokemon in front of him. "Sorry, Pikachu, but I've got a gut feeling about this one. There's someone else I'm gonna use." Pikachu looked disappointed, but nodded.

Clemont leaned forward. "Who are you using? Pidgeot?"

Bonnie giggled excitedly. "Yeah! Use Pidgeot!"

Serena shook her head and then looked at Ash. "Greninja, right?" She asked.

Ash nodded. "I've just got a feeling he needs to do this."

"Do you think he'll do that special form again?" Bonnie asked. "He hasn't done it in a while."

Clemont narrowed his eyes. "Ash, I think you should be careful about using Greninja. Whatever his special form is, it seems to affect you." He looked at Serena. "Remember, Monsieur Pierre is going to be using a really strong Pokemon. He's a former runner up from the Kalos League."

Serena looked at Ash with concern. "Yeah Ash, don't use Greninja just because you think he's the strongest. I don't want you to get hurt."

Bonnie would have laughed at Serena's concern for Ash, but instead she was also becoming worried. "Ash, last time that Charizard could have really hurt you."

Clemont nodded. "Bonnie's right. Remember, Greninja's body allows him to take some of that damage, but for some reason, when he changes form, you take damage as well. You need to be careful about that."

Ash pulled out his pokeball. "Greninja come on out." He clicked open his pokeball and his frog-like ninja Pokemon came out.

"Gren?" Greninja asked.

"How would you like to help out Serena? We're facing a really tough opponent." Ash asked.

"Greninja!" Greninja nodded and looked happily at Serena.

"Wow, so you're using Greninja then?" Tierno said, coming over to sit with the group. Shauna sat down next to Bonnie.

"Yeah." Ash said. "Greninja's abilities might come in handy." He gave the others a look that said there would be no more debating.

"And obviously you're going with Braixen." Shauna said to Serena.

"Yup!" Serena said happily. "We started this together and we're finishing this together."

"And, Serena," Shauna said, when Ash, Tierno and Clemont started talking, "what was all that about on stage? With you and Ash."

Bonnie joined in. "Yeah Serena. It looked like you were crying." She said concerned.

"It was nothing." Serena whispered, blushing. "Ash was just..."

"What was I doing?" Ash turned and looked at them, questioningly.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. Great timing Ash, she thought. "You were interrupting." She said.

Ash looked offended. "But you were talking about me. I heard my name."

"Um..." Serena said, face redder than ever.

"Ash," Shauna said, "don't you understand girl talk?"

Serena's eyes widened, expecting Ash to pick up on something. Bonnie looked at Ash and wasn't surprised to see a confused look on his face. "Uh...what?"

Shauna giggled. "Never mind. Nothing to concern yourself with."

Tierno looked confused and said. "Girls are confusing."

Ash laughed and then looked at the clock. "Whoa, Serena, we'd better go." He looked at Greninja. "Ready to win a battle?" Greninja nodded, looking battle ready. Ash looked at Pikachu. "You might not be battling, buddy, but we'll still need you."

Pikachua stood up straight and said. "Pika!"

Bonnie looked at Serena. "Go and win this thing, Serena."

Clemont nodded at the two of them. "Ash, remember this is a performance battle. You'll need to innovate. And Serena, just follow Ash's lead. Battling is his strength."

Shauna nodded. "Right. Just keep sharp and you've got this."

"And dance your way to victory." Tierno added.

Serena smiled nervously. "Thanks everyone. I'll remember that."

Ash got up. "Long live the new queen!" He said, and he and Serena went with Braixen and Greninja to battle for the Kalos Queen crown.

"Serena, you ok?" Ash asked. They were waiting backstage with Aria, while Monsieur Pierre got the crowd pumped up for the battle.

Serena looked at Ash. Now that she was finally here, she almost felt like she couldn't go through with it. She looked down and sighed.

Ash stood in front of her and lifted her chin up gently with his hand. "Hey, we're going to do this. You're going to be Kalos Queen."

Serena could feel her knees shaking. She glanced over at Aria who was patiently standing with her Delphox. Serena could see the confidence in the other girl. She looked back at Ash and tried to smile, but she just looked back down sadly.

"What's wrong, Serena?" He said. Serena noticed a little fear in his voice. Was that fear for me?

"I don't know...I..." She couldn't finish. She knew what the problem was. She couldn't get what Palermo had said after the last showcase out of her head. That she was lacking something. She didn't feel any different so she must still be lacking whatever Palermo was talking about.

Ash pulled Serena into a hug. "Tell me." She could feel his warm breath on her ear. She blushed, grateful that Aria was distracted by Monsieur Pierre's announcements. "You know you can trust me."

So Serena told him how she had talked to the mysterious woman, Palermo and how the older woman had explained that Serena lacked a certain quality to be Kalos Queen. That she lacked the ability to be like Aria. Ash listened to her. They weren't hugging anymore, but Serena realized that he still held her in his arms. He kept his eyes on Serena as she talked and didn't move or make any sound.

"Serena," he said when she had finished, "I don't care what that Palermo woman told you and you shouldn't either." He pulled out the handkerchief and wiped her face gently. She realized she had been crying again. "You don't lack anything. Not anything good anyways. If she wants you to change, it's only for the worse. And you don't need to be like Aria. You just need to be yourself."

Serena looked into Ash's eyes. "Be myself?" She asked. And then she thought about when she had been her best at these showcases and when she'd been at her worst. She realized that when she did her own thing, she was always on top of her game, and when she tried to emulate Aria, she would fall flat on her face. She looked at Aria. She did remember some important advice the reigning Kalos Queen had told her. She smiled at Ash.

"That's better." He said, smiling back.

"We won't give up." Serena said.

"Never." Ash agreed.

Pikachu, Greninja and Braixen came over from where they had been waiting. Pikachu jumped on Ash's shoulder and Greninja stood next to him. Braixen went over to Serena and hugged her trainer.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Monsieur Pierre called from the stage. "It is finally time. Will Queen Aria retain her crown?" Aria went out on stage with her Delphox to an enormous cheer. "Or," Pierre continued, "will we have a new Kalos Queen?"

Serena grabbed Ash's hand and looked at him. "Here we go." She said.

"Lead on Queen Serena." Ash said with a smirk.

Serena smiled and walked out on stage.