Timothy stood on stage, unable to move. Miette ran away from him to hide behind Sonia, who looked at the hunchback in shock. Sylveon and Slurpuff looked at Timothy in terror, and Serena looked at him with her eyes wide open and both hands covering her mouth, realizing what she had done. It took several seconds before the crowd realized what happened before they screamed and gasped at the sight of Timothy's deformed face.

"That's no mask! That's his face!" A man shouted.

"He's hideous!" A woman shouted.

"Is it even human?" Another woman asked.

"Could it be some sort of a Pokemon?" A third woman asked.

"No, it's the Lumiose Cathedral bell ringer," a second man said.

"Keep it away from our children!" a fourth woman screamed while hugging her kids.

The more Timothy heard from the citizens, the more it hit him that his worst fears had come true. From up on the top balcony in Lumiose Cathedral, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey watched what happened, not knowing what to do to help their friend from above. Timothy saw Markenel standing up from his seat, astounded that the hunchback disobeyed him. He suddenly remembered the judge's words and became afraid that the Arceans and the citizens would band together to drown him or tear him into pieces. The hunchback got down on his knees and cried.

Suddenly, amid the commotion, Sonia began applauding and cheering at the top of her lungs. The square fell silent, and all eyes turned to her, wondering if she had gone mad or didn't understand what was going on.

"Splendid! Magnificent! Absolutely marvelous!" She cheered before turning to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, don't you see? We asked for the ugliest face in Lumiose City, and here it is!"

The crowd continued to stare at the peach-haired woman, confused, before looking back at Timothy. They thought about it before they realized that she was right and began cheering along with her. Even Miette and Serena took a moment to realize Sonia's point before they joined in. Timothy looked around, having trouble processing what was happening before he felt Sonia put her hand on his hunch, and he turned to her.

"What's your name, my friend?" She asked.

"Uh...Timothy," Timothy answered.

Sonia smiled and turned to the audience shouting, "Everyone, I give you our king: Timothy, the hunchback of Lumiose Cathedral!"

The audience cheered louder while Sonia helped Timothy back on his feet and took off his hood and cloak. Serena, Miette, Sylveon, and Slupuff walked over to them with the honey blonde woman holding a yellow and purple crown with bells hanging at the tip and the blunette holding a purple cape and a scepter. Serena laid the crown on Timothy's head, and Miette wrapped the cape around his neck and gave him the scepter before both women kissed his cheeks, turning his face beet red.

"Bring out the throne!" Sonia called out.

Four Machoke came to the stage, carrying a yellow throne with magnolia cushions using carrying poles. Slurpuff puts Timothy on the throne using Psychic, and the Machoke began carrying him through the square with humans and Pokemon making a path. Sonia walked ahead of Timothy and the Machoke, holding out a wooden pole like a staff as though she was leading another parade.

Timothy turned to Markenel and gave him a smile and a wave, thinking it was okay to disobey his orders since the people accepted him. The justice minister glowered at his adopted son and signaled Giovanni to walk over to him. The captain moved his Rapidash toward his master, and Markenel whispered something to his ear. Ash and Pikachu watched curiously as Giovanni grinned and drove his Rapidash over to his second-in-command.

"Lieutenant, stay with Minister Markenel. I'll be right back," he ordered.

"Yes, sir," Ash said.

While Giovanni rode away from Markenel's tent with Persian following him, the Machoke carried Timothy to an elevated platform. Timothy stood up from the throne and got on the platform before raising his scepter in victory. The crowd roared with applause again, with people tossing confetti and flowers while the music band was playing music. Back in the cathedral's top balcony, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey jumped up and down and cheered at the top of their lungs. Tears ran down Timothy's face as people chanted his name.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a tomato flew toward Timothy and hit him right in the face. The citizens gasped before they heard Cassidy standing in the middle of the crowd, laughing and pointing at Timothy.

"Now, that's what I call ugly!" She shouted.

"I hear that!" Butch shouted from the other side of the crowd. He took out a tomato and threw it at Timothy, shouting, "Hail to the king!"

"Hail to the king!" Several other guards shouted as they threw tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, and berries at Timothy.

Timothy held his hands up in defense as food was thrown at him in all directions. He stepped on a broken tomato and slipped on it, causing him to fall on his back, dropping his scepter. Men among the crowd who had too much to drink laughed at Timothy's fall, and women and children started joining in, thinking it was part of the event.

Eventually, citizens grabbed food from the dining tables and joined in throwing food at Timothy. The poor hunchback managed to get up despite all the food on the platform and took three steps, trying to get off before two dark green vines wrapped around his neck. He turned his head to find the vines coming from the bud of an Ivysaur, whose partner was giving Timothy a twisted smile.

"Where do you think you're going, Your Highness? The fun is just beginning," he said.

Timothy pulled on the vines, trying to free himself, but his efforts were met with a Victreebel and a Pansage also using Vine Whip on his hands and pulling them back. The crowd laughed harder while clapping and pointing at Timothy. The hunchback became angry and used his strength from years of ringing the mighty bells of Lumiose Cathedral to pull on the vines, forcing the Pokemon toward him.

"Oh, that's no fun at all," a man with spiky blonde hair standing behind the platform said. He turned to his Jolteon, who was standing next to him, and pointed at Timothy. "Jolteon, use Thunder Wave!"

With a grin, his Jolteon created electricity around its body and fired it at Timothy, hitting him in the back. Timothy yelled in pain and fell on his front, unable to move with yellow sparks around his body. The crowd laughed and cheered for the lightning Pokemon's deed, and a Carnivine and a Tangrowth held down Timothy's feet with Vine Whip, giving civilians the chance to tie him down to the platform. His body paralyzed, Timothy laid on the ground, helpless as people and Pokemon threw masses of food.

On the balcony, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey watched, appalled by what was happening.

"We gotta help Timothy," Odyssey said.

"But there are too many people there. We'll never reach him," Electchu said.

"Better we try than do nothing at all," Shockwave said. "We said we'd protect Timothy, and he needs us right now. He'd do the same for us."

The Pikachu hesitated before its face turned serious, and it nodded in agreement. Without another word, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey rushed to the stairway on the south tower, leading to the church's bottom floor, eager to save their friend. Meanwhile, Giovanni and Persian returned to their spot beside Markenel's tent, with the judge giving his captain a smirk and a nod of approval. Markenel's smirk disappeared, and he turned to Timothy with his arms crossed, faintly heard the sound of Timothy crying out to him amid the laughter.

"Master! Master Markenel, please help me!"

But he turned his head, making it clear that he would not aid his adopted son. Timothy looked at Markenel, devastated, as it became clear that he was all alone.

Ash and Pikachu watched the crowd continue to barrage Timothy in disgust, and the raven-haired turned to Giovanni, saying, "Sir, I request permission to end this cruelty."

"Denied," Giovanni said bluntly.

"Sir, with all due respect -" Ash began to protest.

"I said no, Lieutenant," Giovanni growled.

Ash flinched from his father's response and lowered his head. Markenel chuckled with his mouth closed and said, "Don't worry, Lieutenant, we'll stop it in a moment. A lesson needs to be learned first."

"A lesson?" Ash asked.

"STOP!!!"

The square immediately became silent, with the citizens and their Pokemon stopping themselves from throwing more food in mid-motion. They looked around, wondering where the voice came from, until they saw Serena climbing up to the platform. She glared at the crowd, livid like a mother scorning her children.

"Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?!" She rebuked. "You think this is part of the event?! At one time, has the Feast of Fools ever been meant to persecute people or Pokemon?!"

The citizens and their Pokemon whispered among each other, some hating that Serena ruined their fun, others ashamed. The rest didn't know what to think. Serena turned to Timothy, covered in pieces of broken fruit and vegetables, and yellow sparks still appearing all over his body. The honey blonde woman's face softened, and she kneeled down to offer him a berry. The hunchback moved his head away from her, afraid that the Arcean poisoned the berry or was waiting until his guard was down to smash it into his face. Serena put her hand on Timothy's chin and gently moved his face to look at her again.

"Don't be afraid," she said in a soft voice. "It's a Cheri berry. It'll heal your paralysis."

Timothy hesitated until he saw compassion in her ocean-blue eyes. He opened his mouth, and Serena fed the berry to him. Within a couple of seconds, the sparks around his body disappeared, and he felt he could move again if not for the ropes that tied him down. Serena took out a cloth and began wiping Timothy's face.

"I'm so sorry," she said. "This wasn't supposed to happen."

Timothy didn't know how to react to Serena's words or actions. His torment made him once again think the world outside of Lumiose Cathedral was a horrible place, and yet this Arcean woman was helping him as though she were an angel from heaven who came to protect him. On the other hand, Serena was the one who put him on the stage, and Miette screamed in fear, and yet the two women kissed him while the entire square cheered for him. Nothing made complete sense to him. Not even the way Serena smiled when she finished cleaning his face.

Markenel, meanwhile, clenched his teeth while Serena aided Timothy, his heart filled with hate for her interfering with his plan. His hatred grew when he realized his enemy's gracious act contradicted what he taught the deformed man he sought as the key to destroying Serena and her people and Pokemon. He stood up from his chair and pointed at the honey blonde woman, commanding, "You, Arcean woman, get down at once!"

Serena looked away from Timothy and stood up to face Markenel.

"Yes, Your Honor. Just as soon as I free this poor man," she said.

"No! I forbid you to lay another finger on the creature!" Markenel shouted.

Serena looked at him, appalled for calling Timothy a creature. Her shock turned into anger as she took out a knife and cut the ropes off of Timothy in one clean stroke. The citizens and Arceans alike gasped in disbelief, and Markenel shouted, "You dare defy me?!"

"Yes, I dare! And I'll do it again!" Serena shouted back. "You mistreat this man the same way you treat my people and Pokemon! You claim to be a righteous judge, but you are cruel to those who need help!"

"Silence!" Markenel shouted.

"Your own soldiers started throwing food at Timothy first, causing all of this, and you didn't lift a finger to save him!" Serena continued.

"I said silence!" Markenel roared.

"Justice!" Serena screamed.

The people gasped once more, flabbergasted that the honey blonde woman spoke to the powerful man without hesitation. Serena turned back to Timothy and helped him on his feet.

"Mark my words, Arcean, you'll pay for your insolence," Markenel snarled.

But Serena laughed mockingly and asked, "Really? You consider kindness to my fellow man an act of insolence, do you?" She took the crown off Timothy's head and held it up toward the judge. "Then it appears we picked the wrong person to be the King of Fools, because the only fool I see is you!"

She tossed the crown far over to where Markenel's tent was, and it landed a few feet in front of him. Markenel's blood boiled, and he turned to Giovanni.

"Captain Giovanni, arrest her!" He barked.

"Yes, sir," Giovanni said.

"But, Minister Markenel, it's against the king's decree to arrest any of the Arceans during the festival," Ash pointed out.

"That does not excuse behavior outside of their holiday," Markenel said.

Ash tilted his head and asked, "But isn't it hypocritical to -"

"Lieutenant, the minister gave you an order," Giovanni said.

Ash hesitated, wanting to convince his superiors that what they are ordering was wrong, but his sense of duty and desire to please his father overcame his thoughts.

"Come on, Pikachu," he said, defeated.

"Pika," Pikachu said with its ears hanging low.

With a snap of Giovanni's fingers, he, Ash, Butch, Cassidy, and the other troops rode their steeds toward Serena with their Pokemon. The citizens and the Arceans reluctantly moved away to make room with Sonia, Miette, and Slurpuff keeping themselves hidden among the crowd. The blunette woman's heart sank the closer the soldiers got to Serena, and she turned to her leader.

"We've got to stop this," she said.

"We can't," Sonia said, "If we interfere, Markenel might view this as an entire Arcean affair and arrest all of us."

"But, he can't do that. We have our permit that protects us," Miette protested.

"I don't think Markenel cares about the law right now," she said.

"What can we do?" Miette asked.

Sonia looked away with her eyes shut, and her hands turned into fists, wanting to agree with her friend. Then, she sighed in defeat and looked away,

"Right now, we can only hope that Serena has a trick up her sleeve," Sonia said.

Miette whimpered and put her hands together in prayer. Up on the platform, Serena and Timothy were looking around at the soldiers surrounding them. The hunchback was worried for the woman who defended him, but Serena smirked and rubbed her chin in thought.

"Let's see. One, two, skip a few, ten," she said. "So there's ten of you and one of little old me." She took out a handkerchief and pretended to cry on her knees. "Oh, me, oh my. What do I do? What do I do? What's a poor woman to do?"

As her sobs grew louder, Timothy took a step to put his hand on her shoulder, unaware that she was acting before he stopped himself, knowing that the action would anger Markenel more. The soldiers on their Ponyta/Rapidash drew their weapons as they got closer, with Ash struggling to hide his fear for the Arcean woman. His heart sank at the sight of Serena crying until he felt Pikachu patting his cheek.

"What is it, buddy?" He asked.

"Pika, Pika, Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu replied.

Though Ash couldn't understand his partner in the same way Timothy could with Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey, he understood what Pikachu was feeling. The raven-haired soldier looked at Pikachu, confused for a moment before he looked back at Serena and then scanned the area.

"Hey, you're right. Where is Sylveon?" Ash asked.

Giovanni turned to his son, having overheard him, and then back to Serena. The wheels in his mind turned until he realized what Serena was planning, but before he could say anything, Serena took one long blow on her handkerchief, and the area around her exploded into a cloud with silver dust. Everyone shielded their eyes with civilians screaming in alarm before the clouds disappeared, and they looked back to find only Timothy standing on the platform.

Markenel looked at where Serena was in horror and fell back on his chair, shouting, "Witchcraft!"

"This is no witchcraft, Minister Markenel!" Giovanni called out. "She used her Pokemon to escape!"

Markenel's fear slowly subsided before his face turned red once more, enraged that the Arcean woman duped him. Clouds were covering up the sky until it was as dark as Markenel's heart, followed by faint claps of thunder. The judge stepped out of his tent and cleared his throat before announcing, "As justice minister of Lumiose City, I hereby declare this year's Feast of Fools over due to matters concerning the state."

The citizens and Arceans shouted and booed, while some of the soldiers surrounded Markenel for protection. Timothy, Ash, Pikachu, Sonia, and Miette took the opportunity to secretly smile that Serena escaped while all focus was on the judge. Some people and Pokemon considered throwing food at Markenel despite the wall of soldiers and their Pokemon in front of them until he raised his hand and roared in a commanding voice, "SILENCE!" The square became quiet again, with people and Pokemon suddenly afraid of Markenel.

"The Arcean woman, Serena, has resisted arrest and is henceforth a fugitive!" Markenel declared. "You are all to stay where you are as we conduct a thorough search. Citizens found to not be with the Arcean woman are to return to their homes immediately. Arceans found to not be with her either are given until nightfall to take down their decorations and return to the pits from where they came. Anyone found protecting her will be severely punished."

With authority behind his words, people and Pokemon silently obeyed as soldiers got off their steeds and began searching everyone with their Pokemon. Satisfied, Markenel then turned to where Timothy was and walked over to him. The hunchback climbed down the platform to meet his master, who stared angrily at him as the rain began to come down.

"I'm sorry, Master Markenel," Timothy said with his head down. "I'll never disobey you again."

Markenel remained silent for a moment before he pointed at Lumiose Cathedral, saying, "I will not come to give you supper tonight."

"Yes, sir," Timothy said.

The hunchback took off the cape, turned around, and walked toward the cathedral as the rain came down harder. With parents standing in front of their kids, the crowd moved away as though the King of Fools event never happened. Timothy covered his face with his hands as best he could, but he still heard people whispering to each other in disgust or fear. Just as he made it to the cathedral steps, the doors opened to reveal Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey bursting out. The three of them prepared to fight until they saw their deformed friend walking over to them.

"Timothy, what happened?" Odyssey asked. "We came to rescue you, and now no one is attacking you?"

Timothy gave the Riolu a brief smile before his frown returned and said, "I'll tell you later. Right now, let's just go back inside."

The three Pokemon looked at each other before they followed their friend back inside. With the warmth of the building and his body sheltered from the rain, Timothy gave the outside world one last look with tears running down his face before he closed the cathedral doors.