After the incident with Hawlucha, Ash had it battle alongside Froakie again—this time the two Pokémon moved with far more cooperation than before. Their tag-team battle against Clemont's Chespin and Bunnelby ended in a decisive victory.
"As expected of Ash," Clemont admitted with a small laugh. "Hawlucha's already working so smoothly with Froakie."
After the battle, Serena had finished preparing a fresh meal for everyone.
Once lunch was done, Professor Sycamore called. He extended an invitation for them to attend an annual Pokémon summer camp he was organizing.
Ash and his friends happily agreed.
At the camp, they spent several days enjoying themselves and even made a handful of new friends.
It was there that Serena met a girl named Shauna. What Serena heard from her that day was something she had never encountered before—
the profession of a Pokémon Performer.
According to Shauna, Pokémon Performers were not the same as the traditional Pokémon Contests held in other regions.
Instead, this competition focused on the harmony between Trainer and Pokémon, with both required to appear and perform together on stage.
This series of competitions was collectively called the Pokémon Showcase.
Winning three Princess Keys by triumphing in Pokémon Showcases grants a Performer entry into the Master Class Tournament. The winner of this prestigious competition is crowned the Kalos Queen, the highest honor for a Pokémon Performer.
And what was even more surprising—Pokémon Showcase were designed specifically for female Trainers and female Pokémon partners.
Serena couldn't help but feel her heart stir with aspiration.
But there was something else… During this summer camp, Serena herself had become quite well-known.
All because of one thing—her Pokévision video.
These short films were a tradition among Performers: an introduction to oneself and one's Pokémon. Serena's video had skyrocketed in popularity, largely thanks to the personal recommendation of Kalos Champion Diantha.
In fact, her video had become so popular that, for a time, it even surpassed those of the current rising star Performer—Aria.
Aria was considered the brightest newcomer in the world of Performers, already beloved by countless fans.
And yet here was Serena, not even officially a Performer yet, but already enjoying a rapidly growing fanbase.
Even more importantly, the camp rekindled Serena's memories of her childhood days with Ash—reminding her vividly of why she admired him so much.
She came to understand Ash's dream more clearly than ever:
his unshakable goal of becoming a true Pokémon Master.
"If Ash's dream is to become a Pokémon Master… then I, at the very least, have to become the Kalos Queen! Serena, you can do it!"
She clenched her fists and cheered herself on.
-----
Today, the group found themselves in a bustling town.
At the moment, they were seated in a buffet restaurant, enjoying their meal.
Their new lodging had been completed, but it would be at least half a month before they could move in.
Yet Ash, for some reason, seemed distracted.
Every now and then, he would unconsciously activate his Aura, probing the surroundings, as if searching for something.
Of course, Ash knew very well what he was waiting for.
If his calculations were right, this should be the beginning of the storyline involving Princess Diancie of the Diamond Domain.
And along with her… the Cocoon of Destruction.
Yveltal.
The thought of it occupied Ash's mind: Could I possibly… capture it?
After all, Yveltal wasn't like Celebi, Dialga, or Palkia—legendary beings bound by duty to guard space-time or sacred forests.
Yveltal's role was different.
It only awoke when disturbed from its slumber, unleashing apocalyptic destruction upon those foolish enough to rouse its wrath.
Its very existence stood in contrast with another legendary of Kalos—Xerneas, the Life Pokémon.
Xerneas was tied to Kalos, bound by its duty to protect life.
But Yveltal…
Yveltal was free.
Ash's mind was spinning with possibilities when suddenly—
There!
Ash shot up from his seat.
His Aura had detected a unique presence… unlike anything else in the city.
Yes—this had to be Diancie!
"Serena, Clemont, Bonnie—wait for me here. I'll be right back. Pikachu, let's go!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder without hesitation.
Serena quickly stood up, worry on her face as she watched him leave.
"Ash! Please come back soon!"
"I will! Won't take long!"
"Pika pika!"
Ash dashed out of the buffet hall and immediately focused his Aura again.
He followed the signal into a narrow alleyway…
There, cornered by two shady figures, was a stunningly beautiful Pokémon—Diancie.
Princess of the Diamond Domain. Beloved by the Carbink.
A Diancie was a once-in-a-lifetime miracle, born only rarely from among countless Carbink.
Though her power was said to be great, Diancie was no fighter—especially not here, in this unfamiliar city so far from her underground kingdom.
At the moment, she looked lost and helpless.
"Riot! Always the meddler, aren't you?" sneered a tall, sultry woman with sharp features. By her side stood a Delphox. She was called Marilyn.
Across from her was a man in a long coat, his hand resting on his Greninja. He was Riot, the one Marilyn had spoken to. Both of them were nothing but Pokémon thieves.
"Now, now, Marilyn," Riot said smoothly, his tone sly. "Don't say that. Diancie is a Mythical Pokémon—one of a kind! We're both lucky enough to find her, so why not… share? Together we'd have an endless supply of diamonds if we brought her back."
Diancie frowned, her eyes darting for an escape.
"Uh—well, you two can sort this out amongst yourselves. I'll just be going—"
"You wish!" Marilyn snapped. "Delphox, Flamethrower!"
"Greninja, Water Shuriken!"
"Delphox!"
"Greninja!"
Flames and spinning blades of water collided right before Diancie, exploding in a burst of smoke and force. The blast knocked her off her feet, sending her sprawling to the ground.
"Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
Ash's voice rang out as he charged into the alley, eyes blazing with determination.
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