Chapter 0758: Pokémon Showcase! Meloetta’s Performance(Two-in-One)

On the second day of the festival, Coumarine City hosted its First-stage Pokémon Showcase.

Rookies could make their debut in the First-stage Exhibition match, with the winner awarded a Princess Key.

Any Performer who collected three Princess Keys was eligible to challenge the Master-class Pokémon Showcase, with the winner crowned “Kalos Queen.”

Both Serena and Jessie were making their debut as rookies.

Natsume was eager to see what kind of performance styles these two newcomers would bring.

The morning after the fireworks.

Ramos invited Natsume and Cynthia to visit his gym.

Coumarine Gym’s exterior was a large, lush old tree, its trunk hollowed out to form a tower, with treehouses branching outside. You could reach them by elevator or by climbing vines.

To demonstrate the strength of the vines, eighty-year-old Ramos slung a giant pair of shears over his back, grabbed the vines, and climbed up to the third floor treehouse.

Both Natsume and Cynthia were impressed, then ascended on the backs of Latias and Garchomp.

From the outside of the treehouse, the view swept across sunlit meadows, with groups of Sunflora smiling at the sky, and Oddish, Vileplume, Jumpluff, and Exeggutor scattered about.

Natsume sat on a wicker chair outside the treehouse, gazing at the fields and sighing in admiration.

Cynthia, in a black trench coat, remarked:

“It must be wonderful to sit here and read.”

“I do love reading,” Ramos replied, “though buying books piles up like mountains, and reading them is like unwinding silk—so slow and fine.”

Ramos brought over a steaming pot of tea, setting it on the table between the three wicker chairs, smiling, “Fresh leaves from this morning—give them a try!”

“Thank you,” Cynthia said politely.

“No trouble at all—I insisted on hosting you, after all,” Ramos replied.

Stroking his goat beard, Ramos chuckled, “Oh, Natsume, can I borrow your Blastoise a moment? I’d like it to help water the fields.”

“Of course.”

Blastoise and Ramos were old friends. Natsume handed over its Dive Ball.

As Ramos walked off, Cynthia mused, “Are you sure you don’t want to warn Ramos?”

“It’s just watering the fields…” Natsume trailed off.

On the field outside, Ramos’s small figure appeared. He pressed the Dive Ball, releasing Blastoise in a flash of red.

With a booming voice, Ramos called, “Alright, big guy, water this field—use Water Gun!”

“Blastoise—” Blastoise raised its cannons, which gleamed coldly in the sun.

Boom! Boom!

Twin jets of water surged, washing over the fields. From above, Ramos and Blastoise formed the center of a circle as the torrent spread in all directions, flooding the meadows for kilometers.

In the Water Gun blended the fresh liquid of Purifying Droplet, carrying the scent of Energy Root tea.

Oddish and Vileplume squinted contentedly, while Gloom grinned foolishly.

Ramos was dumbfounded, “That’s… the job done already?”

“Blastoise.” Blastoise gave a cool thumbs-up.

When it comes to farming, I’m a pro!

Natsume and Cynthia looked at each other in the third-floor treehouse.

“That’s a relief.”

“What do you mean?” Cynthia asked.

“If Ramos had called for Hydro Pump…” Natsume said gravely, “I’d be owing him an entire pasture.”

They enjoyed a slow morning over tea, and Ramos discussed the work of a league Champion.

“Being Champion must be tough,” Ramos remarked, “It’s impressive how Diantha juggles her job and her film career.”

Cynthia: “As long as there isn’t a Legendary Pokémon incident, the business of the Champion can usually be delegated to reliable Elite Four members.”

Natsume: “You’d have to ask the previous Champion…”

Oh, right—I’m the previous Champion… Or wait, is that Ryo… Actually, asking would still be legit…

That afternoon was the Pokémon Showcase. Cynthia, uninterested, headed back to Sandgem Town to study mythology.

Natsume went to serve as a Judge in Coumarine City’s magnificent event hall.

The festive mood was still strong, with visitors streaming into the Arena, faces full of excitement.

The draw was not just the rookie performances.

More importantly, rumors had begun: a Champion was attending the Coumarine City Pokémon Showcase!

Was it Diantha? Or Wallace?

Diantha had appeared as a Guest commentator in the Master-class exhibitions and could be seen on the rookie stage as well. Every time Diantha appeared, the Arena was packed with fans, boosting the exhibition’s popularity.

In history, Wallace had shown up at a special exhibition and promoted cooperation between Performers and Coordinators!

No matter which Champion appeared, just seeing their presence was already worth the ticket price!

Audience intake for the Coumarine City Pokémon Showcase reached historic highs.

The venue was packed with media reporters, visitors, and passersby.

A luxury car stopped at the red carpet; spotlights flashed, and a woman with short silver hair and sunglasses stepped out.

She exuded brisk competence, not a shred of elderly frailty—yet the lines at her lips hinted at rigorousness.

This judge—Ms. Palermo—was famous in the industry for her “tough love.”

Palermo had once nurtured her daughter into a Kalos Queen, and she herself had held that title as a veteran senior.

Her appearance at this rookie First-stage event was due to a Champion also serving as judge. The Tournament Committee was determined to make this rookie event the highest standard.

“Ms. Palermo, could you tell us which rookies you’re focused on?”

“Is it true a Champion will visit, Ms. Palermo?”

Ignoring the media crowding outside, Ms. Palermo strode in, voice low on her headset:

“The press is at the front. Mr. Natsume can enter now.”

The youngest current League Champion, Touran’s Champion, Natsume! (Iris had not yet won her championship.)

Some rumors say he had retired, but this Champion was incredibly popular in every region.

This no doubt had something to do with his handsome looks, on par with a Pokémon Hollywood star.

But more important was his tremendous strength, exquisite strategy, and outstanding achievements across every domain!

Cooking, breeding, business—even coordination…

Palermo took a deep breath, full of respect, as she pushed open the doors.

Beyond, in the viewing lounge, sat the rumored Champion—

Her pupils constricted.

By the wall-to-ceiling windows, a broad figure sat on a sofa, gazing down at the crowds of the venue.

He turned slowly, the couch spinning with him to reveal a sharply contoured face.

In his lap lounged a lazy Sylveon, its fur snowy and soft, eyes like aquamarine gems, bow ribbon dancing.

Palermo involuntarily held her breath.

She’d judged for years, but never seen a Sylveon as beautiful as this one.

“Ms. Palermo,” the man said, smiling, “a pleasure. Please, have a seat.”

“Mr. Natsume.”

Palermo grew even more respectful, abandoning further looks at Sylveon and sitting in the adjacent armchair.

“I’ve heard you have a rookie you’re rooting for in this First-stage event?”

“I do,” Natsume answered with a hint of emotion.

Both Serena and Jessie are debuting, but only one can win a Princess Key.

As a judge, I can only guarantee fairness.

It’ll still have to be decided by audience votes.

Jessie’s nerves are strong; even if she loses, she can recover quickly.

As for Serena… Natsume shook his head, waiting to see what would happen.

Palermo wondered.

A rookie the Champion thinks highly of...

It can't be Jessadia or Serena. Both of them are on their first appearance. If they can avoid an on-stage accident, that'll be a miracle!

……

“Serena is so beautiful!”

Bonnie chirped, eyes shining in awe.

“Thank you, Bonnie~”

Serena smiled gently. Today, she was dressed in a pink princess gown, her chestnut long hair tied with a bow and gathered in a high ponytail. In her arms, a cute Fennekin nestled.

Staff called contestants to gather backstage, and all the well-dressed Performers headed out. Ash and the others made their way into the audience.

Serena felt a rush of nerves, hugging Fennekin closer, whispering, “It’ll be fine, even if I have to knock out the opponent…”

“But don’t let yourself get knocked out!” snapped a sharp voice.

Serena looked up in surprise.

A striking red-haired woman in a stately purple dress, holding an amethyst fan, radiated haughty confidence.

She made Serena think of a beautiful but wicked queen from a fairy tale...

“Step aside, young lady—let the future Kalos Queen through.” Jessie swept her gown as she walked backstage.

Serena felt a wave of relief for some reason, hugging Fennekin tighter and her eyes brightening.

Ash and everyone are looking forward to my performance. I… I need to work even harder…

Inside the main stadium, the crowd murmured expectantly, lights dimmed—there wasn’t an empty seat in the house.

Before the performance started, viewers were each given a light-up voting wand.

When you pressed a contestant’s number, it burst into the stage’s matching color.

James, in casual jacket, sat in the stands, declaring, “Jessie will nail it!”

“Jessie always stands out in exhibition matches, meow!” Meowth’s gaze was fervent.

On the other side, Ash and friends waited with bated breath.

“I can’t wait, Pikachu.”

“Pikachu~!”

“I heard a Champion is showing up—think it might be Champion Wallace?” Clemont guessed. “After all, Coordinators and Performers share common roots…”

Suddenly, the stage lights blazed on.

Host Mr. Pierre shone in the spotlight, cane in hand, tipping his hat:

“Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Pokémon Showcase!”

Thunderous applause crashed through the crowd, and a wave of anticipation swept over the event.

Mr. Pierre spread his arms wide.

“Now, please welcome this Pokémon Showcase’s mystery guest commentator and judge—making a dazzling entrance!”

The platform rose slowly.

“This kind of entrance—” James and Meowth looked up, imagining the Sinnoh scene: Wallace in white with Milotic at his side.

“No way—could it really be him?”

But immediately, they both stared, dumfounded.

It was a Meloetta who stood revealed when the platform reached the stage!

Under the lights, Meloetta’s green hair flowed down, her eyes shimmered like the sea, and the gem on her brow shone green, all with a gentle smile.

Meloetta stood slender and delicate on the stage, one hand to her chest, bowing slightly.

“Meloetta~”

She needed no ornament or embellishment.

With just her graceful figure and ethereal voice, this Melody Pokémon instantly conquered the hearts of everyone present!

Ash blurted, “That Pokémon is—”

Clemont’s eyes widened, “Wait, does this mean—the Champion in question is—?!”

“Natsume-sensei?!”

Soon, the viewers spotted the black-clad man walking out between the curtains.

He was dressed in a black suit, posture sharp, his calm face like a conductor approaching a grand symphony.

His every movement radiated confidence—a dazzling aura only a Coordinator could have.

In one hand, he held a Poké Flute—a gift from Cynthia.

The music that flowed from this instrument could wake even a sleeping Snorlax.

All three sides of the Arena fell silent, every viewer holding their breath as the performers took the stage.

As he reached center and bowed to the audience,

the entire house erupted—cheers and applause unstoppable!

Behind the glass on the second floor, Ms. Palermo remarked,

“Will this put too much pressure on the contestants?”

“On the contrary, I think it will inspire them,” Fantina smiled. “This is the Muse herself—Meloetta’s performance.”

Natsume and Meloetta's show officially began.

With Meloetta’s artistic Pulse, Natsume played the Poké Flute, providing accompaniment for her song.

As she sang, Meloetta released a Psybeam, shaping a massive orb of golden light.

The audience gazed up as the orb rolled toward the stands. They reached out, lifting and passing it from hand to hand.

‘Bang!’

When the melody reached the chorus, the orbs burst en masse, and fireworks exploded in the dim arena!

More golden orbs filled the air—fans went wild, reaching to catch, touch, and burst each glittering sphere.

The whole stage was woven with melodic golden beams.

“These stage effects are amazing!”

“Natsume-sensei must be a rhythm game master!”

“Watch closely, girls—Natsume-sensei is setting the standard!”

The first half of the song was “The Song That Awakens Snorlax,” impossible not to clap along with.

The latter half segued smoothly, chord for chord, into “Relic Song.”

Brilliant Evolution light blazed across the stage.

The audience exploded again; nothing was as beautiful as Evolution!

Meloetta shifted into her Pirouette Form, dancing with the passion of a flamenco dancer—tapping, spinning across the stage.

The crowd’s excitement peaked.

Held aloft by Confusion, Meloetta levitated, arms flung wide in a pose full of grace and strength—

—and with a final flourish, the show ended perfectly!

The stands went wild. Everyone thundered applause; all the following acts seemed suddenly less important.

Backstage, the rookie girls stared at the giant screen as if in a daze.

Meloetta and Natsume-sensei’s performance… was flawless!

That’s why Meloetta is adored by all artists—like a muse, if she accepts a Trainer, their art will never fail!

“Why is there only a Kalos Queen, and no Kalos King?”

“We demand Natsume-sensei compete as a Performer too!”

“As a retired Champion, I suppose my only option now is to make my idol debut! (laughs)”

Behind the glass, Ms. Palermo couldn’t hide her awe.

Only masters like Wallace or Juan had ever staged such a show.

To see this live was a massive help to the rookies waiting backstage.

Meloetta’s lingering artistic Pulse created an invisible “atmosphere” on stage, lifting everyone’s performances to a higher level.

Applause reverberated endlessly, and Ms. Palermo found herself clapping along.

For the first time, Natsume had to bow twice before he could even leave the stage.

He took a second bow and exited slowly amidst laughter from the audience.

Host Pierre took the stage again.

“Now, let me officially announce—this Pokémon Showcase has begun!”