Music in media: Baby, You're a Star by Deitrick Haddon

11 January, Tuesday, 3:30 p. m. | Winter

Rae didn't understand why she had to be thrust into the acting scene when she should be out there challenging Roxie, getting her second badge and moving on to the next. Brycen had popped in right after she was donned in looser clothing and light makeup.

"Earlier, I said to follow the script, but you may do whatever you wish as long as it has logic to it," said Brycen as he styled her hair into twin braids with the help of his Cryogonal's ice chains. "Your opponents will be using Smeargle."

"Umm... I have to battle them? Do I use a Smeargle too?" Rae patted her hair. Brycen did a marvellous job.

He shook his head and massaged her shoulders, a serious look on his face. "Yes. Battles are a staple in PokéStar Studios films. Usually, the Pokémon will be provided for the first time you film each movie, but Pop Roxie has made it clear he wishes to see Noko-Noko battle alongside you."

Rae got onto the set with Noko-Noko. Chilchil watched on behind the cameras, waving his tail in silent support. The director came up to her and pointed to the female Ace Trainer feeding a Smeargle a pink Poffin.

"That's Alyssa. She plays Penelope. We usually have an opposite gender cast as the Ace Trainer, but for special reasons, Penelope will be acting as your love interest."

Rae nodded at Alyssa before reading through the script, peppered with tips like raising stats, paying attention to hidden effects and delivering decisive blows as well as the importance of chosen lines. Soon, she was out there acting and speaking her lines, battling as best as she could. It didn't help that the time spent acting and battling felt distilled, and maybe that was indeed the case. Due to her sheer anxiety, masked by a louder voice than she would normally use, hence giving the scenes an operatic touch, Rae brought forth moments of improvisation handled calmly by Alyssa and Smeargle. Noko-Noko endured every hit and retaliated with equal tenacity. The product was a strange ending stranger than the one in the records when Whitley confessed her love for Smeargle instead of Penelope. It was peculiar enough for the director to rush it to the theatre to be screened for Rae, her friends and Pop Roxie.

"How did you like it?" Brycen asked her when he caught her at the counter for popcorn.

"It's a fun experience!" Rae beamed at him. "Thanks again, Brycen! I couldn't have done it without your help!"

"Well, you did create the ultimate cult ending, I've heard." Brycen grabbed a box of salted caramel popcorn and a box of wasabi popcorn after Rae grabbed a box of soy sauce and butter popcorn.

They brought the popcorn to their seats. Cheren and Lenora were already seated by the time the duo entered the theatre, chatting away while soaked in perspiration. Brycen slid the box of salted caramel popcorn in between the pair and crossed his arms. Rae made herself comfy on the outermost seat from the right as Cheren told her about his time well spent battling Trainers and giving out badges, his happiness from meeting a fine crop of Trainers and Pokémon, some of them even exotic.

"The movie's about to begin!" exclaimed Pop Roxie before shoving a glazed donut into his mouth.

The countdown from three to one had Rae reaching for her popcorn to soothe her nerves. Just as the title screen came up, a hand grabbed her right shoulder while another stretched out in front of her face, inches shy from her nose, the scent of earthly cologne tickling her nostrils, threatening a sneeze she had to suppress, then Icosa appeared with a box of wasabi popcorn, thanking Brycen. He crossed over her lap and plopped down in the seat beside her.

"Sorry, I was late," Icosa mumbled with a goofy grin and retrieved a silver drill trinket from his pocket, pushing it into her palm. "For you."

She muttered a word of thanks.

"Isn't it great? This place's soundproof," said Icosa before joining in the silence of the audience as "Amor a primera vista / Love and Battles / Penelope's Story" faded along with the white background, giving way to a panorama of a street in autumn. Leaves scurried away from a playful midday zephyr. Rae was certain the smell of yeast and cheese engulfing the cinema must be coming from the bakery at the corner of the street.

Romantic violin music was playing when the subtitles emerged, followed by a saccharine voice: "When eyes meet, a battle begins. This is the rule of Trainers."

Rae eased into her seat and leant on the backrest. Her character, Aomine, the name per Pop Roxie's request, walked downtown, passing by various Trainers and their Pokémon. Joy was thick in the air.

Then there was Penelope, her aquamarine hair styled in bouncy curls as she ate a peppered ham sandwich in a café, the Paldean kind. Aomine rubbed her hands and breathed into the warmth, her eyes trained on Penelope through the window of the café.

"When eyes meet, love begins. This is the rule of love."

The violin gained tempo.

"This is the love story of how certain Trainers were brought together by their Pokémon."

Smeargle cracked out of its Poké Ball and rushed outside, prompting Penelope to hurry after it, the sandwich tucked in her mouth the way a typical protagonist late for school would enjoy it, minus Truck-kun's loving embrace. Moments before Truck-kun could hit her, a Dunsparce smacked the vehicle to the side.

"Ooh"s and "Ah"s exploded in the theatre.

Aomine approached Penelope with a packet of tissue paper and the latter received it with a tiny smile.

"Argle! Hmph... What's going on with these oaf-ettes here?" cried Smeargle. "C'mon! Penelope! Let's use our beautiful teamwork to grab her prize money and get out of here!"

Kono-Kono (again, thanks to Pop Roxie) got between Smeargle and Aomine and let out an adorable growl.

Aomine swept her bangs. Her twin braids swayed. "Hello... Our eyes met, didn't they..."

Penelope gave her a cautious nod. "N-Nice to meet you. I guess our eyes did meet..."

The audience was then made privy to Penelope's thoughts via voiceover: My... What a wonderful person... She's just my type!

Smeargle, on the other hand, was raring to go, prepping itself for the battle.

"Your Smeargle's cute!" said Aomine.

"It can be disruptive..." Penelope sighed.

Both Trainers wished they would take it easy on each other, evident in their quietly pleading eyes and pursed lips, their shaky limbs and untamed stares. Penelope's thoughts rattled on and on as both of them appraised each other. The more they looked, the more they found each other worthwhile.

"We should battle," started Aomine, giving Penelope the idea that Aomine was ready to initiate and test the waters of love. "Kono-Kono, Defense Curl!"

"Tail Whip, Smeargle!" Penelope fixed her gaze on Aomine's lips. "I'll tear down your walls!"

Smeargle used Tail Whip against Kono-Kono's Defense Curl, a rosy palette rushing up to its cheeks. "Arg! Why do I have to use that move, Penelope? Let me split 'em in half with my amazing Guillotine move!"

"Your Smeargle's as lively and wonderful as you!" Aomine said before ordering Kono-Kono to use Defense Curl again. "It's so strong. You must've raised it with a lot of care!"

Penelope glanced at her sneakers. "Thanks... That's just what Ace Trainers do... I'm nothing special... Your Dunsparce is also quite lovely!"

"Waaah! Wonderful! I wish you'd say that about me, Penelope!" cried Smeargle. "And you think that Dunsparce is nice!"

The breeze picked up, billowing stronger and Aomine balled up her fists. For the first time, the audience learned of her thoughts: I have to endure this! Even if I don't like the cold... There's warmth here!

"I know you're talking about Kono-Kono, but it may as well be me." Aomine bit her lip.

"You both are lovely!" Penelope said quickly.

Both Trainers enjoyed the sight of embarrassing themselves.

"Ah!" said Penelope as she broke the silence. "We're in the middle of a battle! Smeargle, Tail Whip!"

"Not again... Throwing this match, are we?" Smeargle grunted. "You wanna look all crestfallen and cute and praise her strength?"

"Not now, please."

Smeargle went ahead with Guillotine. Its tail brushed past Kono-Kono. Heaving, the Pokémon swung its tail clockwise and hissed at the Dunsparce.

"You want to shower her with a deluge of compliments! It won't work! We have to focus on the prize money!" yelped Smeargle to Penelope, ignoring her rage-stricken face. "What do you even see in her?"

"Shut up, Smeargle."

"Penelope, it's fine," said Aomine who knew naught of Smeargle's thoughts. "I think Smeargle's really strong and really nice."

"If you knew, you wouldn't be this optimistic."

"Nothing wrong with a little optimism."

A crowd gradually formed around them. Where there was a battle, there was a desire for attention. In this case, attention must come from all sides. The most vital attention must come from the one you're pitted against.

Smeargle's attempt at another Guillotine move failed once more. "I am nice! And strong! Why won't you admit it, Penelope?"

"Because you don't admit love into my life," she whispered to it, her eyelids drooping morosely. "I don't need a gatekeeper."

"Maybe Kono-Kono isn't enough?" Aomine mumbled.

"You know it ain't true!" retorted Penelope. "Your Kono-Kono is a gift from the heavens! You must appreciate it!"

"I'll do my best!" Aomine declared, eyes on Penelope, then on Smeargle. "Please don't lose on purpose!"

"She saw through the ruse!" cried Smeargle as it unleashed a Tail Whip instead. It'd rather abort the mission than disappoint Penelope further. Maybe the prize money could be earned some other way...

Like love.

Aomine had Kono-Kono raise its defence again and again. She sighed.

"Are you OK?" asked Penelope. "We should end this soon..."

"Yes! How much more time will you waste on this scrub of a Trainer! She ain't no Ace Trainer like you!" reasoned Smeargle as it went with another Tail Whip, wagging its body sheepishly.

Icosa flicked his finger against Rae's head. "Are all Normal-types this annoying?"

"No." She pouted and fed him a soy sauce and butter popcorn. "Just watch. We're reaching the end."

On screen, the characters were enwrapped in a peculiar battle. While Kono-Kono upped its defence, Smeargle did whatever it could to get through those walls.

"Attract."

This was the move that changed everything. Aomine's command grabbed everyone's attention. The battle that went on and on without end continued its course, Smeargle now immobilised by love. Penelope wished to break through to Kono-Kono, despite knowing it was useless. Now she understood everything.

Love can come from behind the high walls, and it may or may not be the result of faith. The walls didn't have to be a barrier. One could simply climb.

And climb she did to the other side.

"Your Smeargle is so cool! I..."

This was it. The moment of confession. The fruit of the battle.

Aomine burst in a fiery panic. "I want it! Can I have it?"

Because not all battles have to end with either Pokémon fainting, either side conceding. Some battles exist as a path to equality, to understanding.

"Huh?" Penelope blinked. Around her, the crowd was murmuring, aflutter with all kinds of feelings. "But I..."

Smeargle leapt into Aomine's arms. "If you can appreciate me, I am certain you are a good Trainer nonetheless! But you are annoying! Stop praising me!"

Penelope crumbled onto the asphalt, her knee crunching a leaf. Kono-Kono wiggled to her side and delivered an open packet of tissue paper.

"Thank you! I will make you very happy, Smeargle!" Aomine raised the Pokémon up high in the air as if in worship. "The battle's over, Kono-Kono! Shall we go?"

Kono-Kono looked at Penelope mournfully and turned the other way, the tissue packet slipping off its body, taking with it a shimmering scale. Penelope picked it up and sniffed it. The smell of cinnamon rolled into the theatre. Penelope pulled a tissue paper out of the packet. Just as she was about to wipe it, she found a hole in the middle. Holding it by the sides with trembling fingers, she prised it open to reveal a heart-shaped hole.

The violin music wafted into the foreground as she lifted her head to see Aomine cradling Smeargle, and Kono-Kono on the Trainer's head. They were staring at her, the sun beating down on their backs, illuminating them.

"Shall we go out?"

Aomine spoke the line in a crisp and quiet fashion it might as well be autumn reaching out to Penelope, seeking her breath.

The crowd, as if missing a beat, only applauded now, compelling someone in the audience to clap and wheeze. A flurry of maple leaves entered the street. The zephyr made both girls huddle for warmth.

"If eyes meet, a Pokémon battle bursts into bloom. If eyes meet, sometimes love will blossom as well..." said the narrator. "But those once-in-a-lifetime feelings don't just occur between humans. This is how love blossoms and fades each day..."

The credits rolled. When Rae and Noko-Noko's names appeared, Pop Roxie cried, "Baby, you're a star!" and left the theatre, claiming that everyone in the world must watch this new version of Love and Battles. Lenora was in tears and Cheren was barely holding it together. Rae was glad they enjoyed her performance. Even Brycen was so proud of her. But she wasn't completely in love with the show. Not when there was a section in the credits that thanked her mother, Aomine Himari. Alyssa wasn't her co-actor by chance, but by design.

How could she not see this coming? So she sought comfort in Mother Nature while leaving Icosa to simmer with his thoughts. Again with that mien of cold reason and rationality, he stood rooted to his seat, still stuffing wasabi popcorn into his mouth till his cheeks were bulging like a greedy Pachirisu's.

"What did you think of it?" Lenora probed him for a response. She could have gone out the other side, but she wished to know his thoughts, insisting that he answered and got up so he wouldn't block her path any further.

Icosa munched on his last popcorn and looked her in the eye. "Too much dialogue. A neat movie, nonetheless."

Had she a stethoscope, had she peered deeper, she would've seen the ticking vein on the nape of his neck, syncopated well with his racing heartbeat. His reaction would've been less dramatic if it was Rae who brought forth the question. He would've been more encouraging.

Rae, on the other hand, knew nothing of their interaction. She was on her way to the Virbank Gym when Brycen called for her and she whirled around. It turned out there was a Pokémon in the nearby Virbank Complex that she might be interested in.

"It mightn't be a Smeargle, but it's a coveted Pokémon. Have you ever heard of rustling grasses?" Brycen's question jolted in her head the words of the youngster from Route 19 and she had to ask if he was talking about Audino. And indeed he was.

Lenora belted out to her and told her she would come along. Brycen bade them farewell and continued speaking to Cheren and Icosa outside PokéStar Studios where a line had formed to watch the new movie. Everything was unravelling like a sweet wrapper, all fragrance and indulgence. Rae and Lenora passed by a distillation tower where crude oil was constantly flowing in from the top, a dozen smokestacks emitting carbon into the environment.

But there was no sweetness when Rae found the Audino near a wooden dam separating the waterway of Virbank City from the rest of the sea. Three masked men with white bob cuts surrounded the Pokémon, as if the constant construction works didn't suffice as a torturous presence. A line of twelve gas holders of ascending heights, symbolising harmony (to Lenora's understanding as they were spherical in shape, also to optimise gas pressure) had eleven of them shattered and each of these men were brandishing glass shards at the Audino.

"Step away from Audino!"

Rae's outcry made the men waver, then focus their attention on her. She now saw their masks were modelled after the elemental monkeys Pansage, Panpour and Pansear in colour and design.

"Oh, a girl... and she-who-must-not-be-named," said Pansage Mask.

"What do you mean?" Lenora scowled.

"You're a taboo to modern society," Panpour Mask explained.

"But that's alright," added Pansear Mask. "People always fear taboos. I say, let them fear you, Lenora." He motioned to the tallest, the sole unbroken gas chamber. "Break it."

"Nah, I won't!" Lenora glanced at Rae. "Stay back. I'll handle them."

"Do you know each other?" Rae looked between Lenora and the men.

Lenora bit down on her wrist. "Heck yeah we do. This is the Shadow Triad Alder was talking about."