I can do this. I know I can! This time it won't be the fake confidence I pretended to have, when really on the inside I was shaking uncontrollably. I can be strong, and all I have to do is what Olympia said was my destiny!

To share my performance world! After my friends left, me, Meowstic, and Petilil worked hard to show any travelers we came across wonderful performances. If I'm going to make an attempt at becoming Kalos Queen, then I have to start by making people smile, be it offstage or in a Showcase.

It took me a while to realize it, but being Kalos Queen is much more than its title, and here I was all this time admiring Aria for her title, when it's what she does and who she is that make up Kalos Queen.

That means that I have to do my very best, put my all into everything, and then I'll be able to compete for Kalos Queen! I'll be able to accept the tiara! To be like Aria....

No! To be the Kalos Queen.

To start I continued onward to the town I dreaded. Now that Clyde and Clara were gone, I had to make sure that I could do my best, too. It's almost funny, really.

I wasn't sure that I had this much life. I was almost so timid that the mere sight of a group of people would be enough to make me turn tail like a frightened Lillipup, but here I am talking and showing off to any traveler I meet on the road ahead.

Then, finally, with my two best friends still beside me, I reached Couriway Town. A beautiful community with waterfall as landscapes. In the middle of town sits a large yellow stage with many seats centered around it.

The Showcase. I instantly know what the type of challenges I'll face there. There are tons of Pokemon Performers ready to compete and give it their all to win their last Princess Key.

Some, even their first. Being that far behind, it would be extremely difficult to catch up in time for the upcoming Master Class, which with each day got closer and closer.

"Lil." Even Petilil knows how serious this is, and Meowstic hasn't said so much as a peep. Whether it's the Showcase or the Master Class or even Clyde and Clara, I have no idea, but there is one thing I'm certain of.

"We're going to do our best, Meowstic." This time, right from the mouth I always expected to be sealed shut, were true words of encouragement.

"Mrow!"

As she floats up and lands on my shoulder, I pat the little blue tuft of fur on her head.

"We've already shown so much travelers what we're willing to bring to this competition. Even if it's not our mother's, we still have so much support."

With one last look at the stage before going off to check in at the hotel, a swift decision takes root in my mind. I will win my third Princess Key.

"Welcome, ladies and gentleman!" Chipper as always, Monsieur Pierre pumps up the crowd after taking off his Klefki mask.

As the introductions are still going on, among the countless other girls in the dressing room, I fins a quiet spot for myself to prepare.

"Is that Millie?"

Hm? Peeking over my shoulder I notice two other Performers that seem to be friends standing close by each other whispering.

"She'll win for sure!"

"But Chloe might win." Another girl from a corner nearby adds into the conversation, or rather, the gossiping. "She's got two Princess Keys, too!"

"I can't win...." Just then one of the girls has a breakdown of sorts before anyone has even gotten onstage.

"What's the matter?" Out of all the girls around her, I find myself being the only one to try and cheer her up."Nothing is set in motion yet, that's for sure, and there will still be plenty of opportunities to win a key."

"Nuh-uh." One girl to my left opens her mouth only to contradict me. "This Showcase is the final one scheduled until the Master Class. Performers who have less than two Princess Keys may as well drop out, unless they want to wait a year to try again."

"Meowstic?" Just give up? But if all these girls, all these performers, are so willing to give up, then how.... Just how....

My mind stops myself from arguing, or even speaking again. I have no words to offer, because even if what the one girl said is false, it's quite obvious that none of the others believe in themselves, making anything I have to say worthless.

You're supposed to be Kalos Queen potential! But an overwhelming urge to speak up again takes over, and unlike in my thoughts these words leave an impact.

"You girls shouldn't give up so easily. If you do then that will mean that no one else, especially those in the audience, can continue believing in you."

Aria didn't give up so easily, I'm sure, so if any of these girls want to be Kalos Queen, then they have to abandon that lack of confidence.

"Then I guess I can try...."

"Great!" After a vigorous nod I turn my focus back to getting prepared. The Theme Performance will be a Pokepuff Baking Performance.

Not only do I have to cook, but I'll also have to dance and show off. That shouldn't be too hard, seeing as how I practiced ballet when younger, not to mention the girl that helped me with baking.

Speaking of that girl, I haven't seen her for a while. That is, until I look back up at the screen.

There she is, Chloe, baking a Pokepuff while maintaining the type of fast paced dance steps I see her use quite often in her performances. In one final shake of powder onto her chocolate Pokepuff, she stops dancing and bows, her Pyroar and a Fletchling doing the same on the counter.

"Ann?"

"My turn, next." While still staring at the screen I catch the disheartened girl walk past me. As I regain my focus I yell a hearty good luck! before tying my apron on.

"Millie!" Running past Ann with her two Firetypes by her side, Chloe slams into me with a hug right before I notice all the frosting stains the apron covering her torso front.

"Chloe!" I squeak, unable to breath properly after her hug.

"I heard from other performers once I got here that you've earned your second Princess Key!"

"Yes." I pat my wrinkled apron after she releases me, her hands still on my shoulders and an encouraged grin shredding her face.

"So do I!" She puts an index finger on her cheek and winks at me, and despite the cutesy gesture a fierce sense of rivalry burns in her fiery eyes.

"Well, I won't lose because I've got an ace in the hole!" She holds out a hand to me, and I politely shake it as if we've only just met or she's a complete stranger that's mistaken me for someone she knew.

I'd like to be a bit more excited, but all I can feel is dread tearing at my heart. This is it. The final Showcase until the Master Class. If I don't win....

"You okay, Millie?" Even now my inconsistent emotions are making my brain toss and turn, and the only emotion that sticks is the painful feeling of hopelessness.

I can't be Aria just yet. No, I can't be Kalos Queen yet. Aria would never be a mess like this! It's insane to think I could be anything like her.

"Millie?" I hear my name being called but remain rigid in Chloe's grasp, my mind barely catching on and my thoughts aware but unaware of my surroundings.

"Millie, you're up." Chloe's voice is full of worry, and I hear a mew from Meowstic as well as feel a tug on my socks.

Then, throwing on a smile too wide and too sudden to be real, I respond that I'm fine and grab Meowstic, the two of us leaving the dressing room without another look back.

"Performer Millie!" On the other side of the stage, in his dazzling blue suit is Pierre, who grins at me as simple but fun music starts up.

"Meowstic!" Grabbing a bowl I start humming as I nod to my second partner, who nods back and begins lifting berries in the air.

I toss a knife to her, then attempt to juggle the berries as I send them over. With swift movements her psychic power guides the knife, slicing each berry neatly to land in the metal bowl I hold under them.

"The dough!" Meowstic kneads the dough, and in the meantime I prepare everything else. Once she's done, I pour our mixture onto the pan, and after a quick spin I place it in the oven to cook.

Ding! Not long after the baking is done, and all that's left is the decorating. Deciding to spice things up for this portion of the process I hold the pan and twirl with it as Meowstic takes the frosting bag to decorate it in her color palette.

"We're all done here!" After setting it down I hold a hand to my chest with the other holding my apron and bow as the audience cheers.

Once that's all done, the time for voting has come again. I readjust the emerald Glow Key on the heart of my apron as green orbs flow in, not as nervous as I expected to be. For some reason I have more courage on the stage than I could ever muster off, so this part of life, the performing part of life, isn't nearly as difficult.

I guess it was just my brain. "It looks like the lovely Millie will be advancing!"

Yay! Judging by the looks of the hologram, the keyhole was filled up so much I'm sure that there wasn't a single person in the audience that didn't vote.

"Mrow, mrow!" Meowstic smiles and purrs, and I lift her from the counter to hug her. "That was great, Meowstic! Thank you!"

"Meowstic!"

Just wait until Petilil gets to see, but I'm sure she was watching. Then again, this day will be..... No. I must save that for the stage.

The crescent moon hanging in the next sky on a dark blue blanket helps to provide its shine on the performers that stand in the golden stage. Around them are two mechanical trees with orbs of lights standing on the mere tips of the artificial branches, bright and round, mimicking the lights given off by the Glow Casters that would be used later just before the Showcase was officially over.

Taking the stage now was Chloe, this time using her Fletchling and Pyroar again, Spritzee nowhere to be seen. "Let's go!"

She throws up the red hula hoops, and enveloped in fire her Fletchling rushes through them, its small wings perfectly positioned out by its body as it flies through the night sky.

Glowing fire brushes off of Pyroar's orange red mane as it creates three individual rings of fire around the stage. Only until I notice that Chloe has three hula hoops in total do I then understand what she's planning.

Just as predicted, the hoops land exactly above the rings of fire, the flames turning them into elevated circles of fire in the air.

"Lil?" I'd expect Petilil to be afraid of fire, but the fire spread onstage is meant to be beautiful, just as Aria displays with her star shaped Fire Blasts that end each of her famous performances.

"Millie? You're on next, okay."

"Got it!" I keep both of my Pokemon undressed for this specific performance. It shouldn't be too bad, since earlier in Pokemon Performing history, the Pokemon never really dressed up. That is, until one Performer and her Pokemon-

"Millie?"

"Coming!" I hurry in the direction of the platform, but am stopped by the Ann girl I met earlier.

"I'm glad you helped keep my spirits up, but I don't want to be on that stage any longer."

"But-"

She holds a finger to my mouth to keep me from speaking as she continues. "I don't want to be up there anymore because, because you're the best performer I've seen, and instead of trying to take votes away from you, I'll be the one adding to then from now on."

"Thanks so much, I....." What can I say? As if her words were a hose all the doubt I had deep in my chest ensnaring me have been washed away, and I can't find the words to thank her for that.

"I'll do my best!" I promise, because that's one promise I'm always able to keep. I do my best, no matter what, and no matter how hard I push myself down, no matter how hard I struggle with this inconsistent heart of mine, one promise I can never break is to give it my all!

As I continue onward with joy creating bounce in my step, I hear one last sentence from Ann.

"See you later, Kalos Queen."

But when I stop and look back, she's gone. I will not let you down!

"Up next we have Millie!" As I rise, I smile and wave at all of the people in the audience, all with high hopes that the supporters I have are scattered in there and can see me.

This time a dramatic tune is played, the opening beautiful with hints of melancholy in it.

"Petilil?"

"Lil?" My first Pokemon, the one who's been by my side for a log time just like Meowstic, hops into my arms to begin our final performance together.

This time... I toss her up as she twirls in the warm night air, her green body almost appearing to be wearing the shiny white stars above.

"I'll see you evolved!" Reaching into my pocket I throw up the orange sun stone, and as Petilil's body takes form as she's wrapped in a magnificent white light, I take my hair our of its ribbons and throw them into the crowd.

As I see her body begin to take form, increasing in height and her appearance permenately altering, I rush across the stage in wide steps, tearing away the hem of my skirt to reveal a puffy green one underneath.

Meowstic brings me up into the air alongside what used to be Petilil as I put on an orange and yellow crown with green leaves underneath as well as tear away my top to reveal the white one under it, and place on a leafy collar. Now....

"Lilligant!"

"Let's evolve together!"

The crowd cheers and whistles as I land, Lilligant gently landing in my back. She's taller now. I balance her on my back and move across the stage in whirling movements as her Petal Dance creates spiraling pink petals above us.

Meowstic gathers the petals and spins them around in the air even more before targeting them with a Psyshock that creates a burst of pink and light purple light.

"Lilligant!" I take her leafy arm in my hand as we waltz together, paying the audience no mind as the three of us continue to have fun onstage.

"Solarbeam!" Lilligant twirls our of reach to the middle of the stage and creates a huge yellow beam of light aimed directly at the sky, piercing through it with an amazing power.

I grab Meowstic's paw with Lilligant's leaf in my other hand as the three of us are lifted up and up, circling the marvelous beam.

Then Meowstic hurls us up, and for a moment I'm suspended into the air as I fall towards the light, but both my friends grab onto my hands as I extend them towards the Solarbeam.

"Lil!" Lilligant chirps happily with a maturer voice.

"Meow!" An enlightened Meowstic purrs enthusiastically.

"Let's do it!"

A large orb of green energy appears, pushed forward into the existing beam by Meowstic's Psyshock, and the two almost look as if they're propelled forward by my open hands.

Splitting through the Solarbeam, creating light golden shimmers, our signature combination drops to the bottom of the stage, the huge Energy Ball giving off a purple glow on its outer layer before we land and crush it, sending out a mixture of breathtaking glitter to the entire audience. To the entire world.

The crowd roars, and the three if us finish up with a bow before the platform takes us down, each of us showing our evolution right on the stage.

            Chapter 20... End! :)