Always Forever

The Ballroom

Author's Note: Sorry for the sudden stop of updates on my main story, Kalos University. I've decided to finish writing that story for the purpose of focusing on a proper story with a more thought out storyline. I apologize in case anyone wanted to see where things would head. This is a shorter introduction but things will pick up from Chapter Two on.-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And the winner of the grand finale of the 99th Masterclass for the title of Kalos Queen is, Aria!" Monsieur Pierre's voice rang out. "Please give a round of applause for the two young beautiful women that entertained us all tonight, for the underdog Serena, and the reigning queen, Aria!" 

Serena couldn't believe it... All this hard work ever since the day she found out about PokeVisions and performing, her first loss and her dramatic change after... The nights she spent sleepless, trying to see if all of this was for nothing. It really did amount to nothing, or so she thought at that moment. Monsieur Pierre's voice was muffled out, her ears ringing as her vision started to become blurry. After the lights dimmed on her side and it seemed like Aria was giving the closing ceremony, she sloppily made her way over to backstage. Ash saw the way her eyes looked, having had seats in the front row. "I need to go talk to her." He said quickly, getting up from his seat and making his way out of the stadium, before he walked around the building and made his way over to the backstage's door. Serena just got out of the building at that moment, still in her performing dress. Ash ran up to her. "Serena, are you alright?!" Ash asked her quickly.

No response. Her eyes were blank, her skin pale and her body language emotionless. "Serena, hey..." Ash said again, trying to get through to her. It seemed like she was still in shock, when he heard her sniff. "Ash..." She started off, her voice shaky, clearly at a loss for what she experienced. "It was... It was all for nothing... My efforts..." She tried to say, not being able to form a full sentence, before she broke down in tears and fell down to her knees. "Shh, it's alright. It's alright." He said, trying to comfort her. He decided reassuring her would be the best option, instead of trying to make her stop crying. "We're here now, I'm here." 

He slowly knelt down, wrapping his arms around her before leaning her on him. "It'll be okay, want to tell me how you feel right now?" Serena sniffed again, trying to put together a full sentence. "I feel like nothing, Ash... I've failed..." Ash sighed. "This might not make sense to you right now but... Want me to tell you something?" Serena nodded, before leaning back to look at him in the eyes. "Remember how I failed up until now each league?"

Serena had an idea what he was going to get at but still listened nonetheless. "I've always gotten back stronger, and will again this year. I'm too experienced now to lose, this was your first try and you challenged the title!" He hugged her again. "I'm proud of you, okay?" 

Serena softened as she heard Ash say those words. "Are you?" Ash smiled. "I am. Now, go and change up so we can attend the closing ceremony. There's a dance even, remember?"

So, as Serena nodded and went back to change into her dance dress, Ash saw Clermont and Bonnie approach. "Did you talk with her?" Clemont asked. Ash nodded. "Yeah, I did. She's a little bit better now, but I'm sure it'll haunt her for a while. She's going through imposter syndrome in a way. She feels like she doesn't belong, that her efforts were in vain." 

Bonnie flailed her arms around. "That's a stupid statement! Serena's the best, even the judges knew!" Ash smiled before kneeling down. "Unfortunately, they didn't rule in her favor, Bonnie. I've gone through the same thing and she achieved the finals in her first try, so it'll be alright. She'll get another chance at it." Bonnie just crossed her arms and pouted, although understanding what Ash was trying to get at.