"𝓘𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓮𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓮 𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓬𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭
𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝓰𝓸 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰"
                                                -𝒥𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝒦𝑜𝓇𝓃𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓁𝒹
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"I guess it was inevitable that we would cross roads again. After all, the roads we follow are very similar in steps. However, I wasn't at all prepared for this, not after the horrible pain I once felt for the fantasy I once tried to live with you. All I can do now is wonder how my heart will endure meeting with your sunny self again after being frozen solid for so long..."

The competition was intense as was the pressure to do well as I performed at my latest showcase. Because of the autumn festival twice as many girls competed in this showcase and many of them were hell bent on winning so they may be the Princess of the Festival. However, that did not matter to me. All I wanted was to win this competition so I would be one step closer to my dream of being Kalos Queen.

So I let those silly girls daydream about being a princess and meeting their handsome prince, after all, I had let go of such silly fantasies a long time ago. Life isn't a fairytale, as cliché as that is, and trying to chase a fairytale will only leave you following footprints that go in circles forever. I don't have time to be chasing false hopes.

I put on my best, using Eevee and Pancham in this competition because their combo of cuteness was perfect for a showcase like this. With their cuteness and my fashion sense we easily made it to the second round, crunch time. The girls performing this time around were so... scary... their expressions were so serious, as if they didn't enjoy this at all and only entered for the prize and the crowd could tell as their performances had a powerful, intense feeling that was very unsettling for the crowd. Softly I sighed to relax myself as I always felt nervous before a performance but as long as me and my pokemon have fun that's all that matters.

"Serena, it's time," Says a particularly well dressed woman as she enters the back room. I nod and stand up to give my pokemon one more pep talk.

"Okay guys, let's go enjoy ourselves! Play and have fun!" Both of the small pokemon squeal in delight and run behind me as we head to the stage.

The lights, the camera, the crowds, it was all so natural and amazing to me. With the cries of the fans urging me on I send out my two eager Pokemon to the stage! Eevee, using her iron tail, runs and hops around the stage, using her tail to leave silver streaks as she runs around the area. Pancham did his dances, awaiting his cue which soon came to him as Eevee jumped high up into the air. Quickly Pancham uses Stone Edge to create platforms for him, Eevee and me where we hop from stone to stone, enveloped in Eevee's silver streaks. Suddenly, Eevee spits out a bunch of Shadow balls, leaving them on the platforms which Pancham smashed when he reached them. Reacting with the silver streaks the streaks turn to several different colours.

To finish my performance Pancham made his stones larger and collected in the centre which crushes the streaks into rainbow powder. The powder surrounds us as we stand in the centermost stone with happy smiles on our faces. Out of sheer delight the crowd cheers louder than I've heard them cheer before. Both Pancham and Eevee hop into the air as high as possible and pose midair before falling into my arms. To be honest, I was expecting clapping and excitement but the reaction from the audience was overwhelming to say the very least.

In the end, I won by a landslide. As I stood on stage with a big smile on my face the old woman from before approached me, clapping happily along with the crowd as she presented me with the Princess Key.

"Congratulations Serena!" The woman turns to the crowd, speaking to them in a very clear but playful voice, "Hello everyone! That was a simply amazing performance wasn't it?!" The crowd cheered even louder which made me blush a bit.

"I'm glad you adored her performance for, as Mayor, I hereby give the honour of being this year's Autumn Princess to Miss Serena!"

Again the crowd roars in admiration for me, showering me with love and attention as the beautiful Princess dress was wheeled out to the stage for all to see. However, I noticed as the dress was being brought out about 20 or so boys followed it. Of course, I'm sure you could understand my confusion as I had no idea what was happening as these boys stood around me in a circle and bowed to me. Thankfully, Miss Mayor was able to help me quickly fill in the blanks.

"These fine, strapping young men you see before you are all the participants for the role of Autumn Prince and as participants they shall be dubbed 'Knights' for the remainder of the festival. While before you 20 young men, each of true heart and valour, only one can climb the ranks and be crowned the Autumn Prince and stand beside our fair Princess Serena in the festival!

Now by what means do our lovely Knights rise to such an honour? By facing the three trials of course! Trial one is the Trial of body where our lovely Knights must ride on the backs of Rapidash and try to defeat their opponents in a jousting match! By the end of trial one half of the Knights within our group will be eliminated, leaving only ten! Trail two is the Trial of bravery.

Our knights must venture in the darkest parts of the woods outside town and must return with a Pumpkaboo in hand... braving the dangerous pokemon and countless natural hazards waiting within... Upon returning the Princess herself will choose the Pumpkaboo that are in the best condition, only choosing four fair Knights to continue on! Finally, it's the Trial of heart as the four remaining Knights use their captured Pumkaboo in a battle with the victor sharing hands with our Princess!"

Honestly, I found the whole thing very interesting but I was rather reluctant to participate. After all, my heart had only just been broken a few months ago with the healing being very slow, perhaps it was best I didn't push it too hard so soon. Then again, it was just for a silly festival. Just for show and nothing else. Besides, who knows, it might be fun.

"With the conclusion of this Showcase I now officially announce the beginning of the Festival! In two hours the Knights will gather by the corn maze in preparation of the Jousting match! Thank you everyone and have fun!" The crowd cheered happily as they soon began to leave the stadium to enjoy the festival fair. Me, however, was very tired as that whole performance had stretched me to my physical limit. It was made clear I needed a break when I went to go step down from the slightly elevated pedestal I stood on only to slip from my legs being so weak.

"A-ahh?" I close my eyes as I prepare for a face plant only to realise after a few moments that it wasn't the ground I collided with. Opening my eyes I caught myself in a moment of Déjà vu as I noticed I had been caught in a hug by one of the 'knights'. It reminded me of... no, I shouldn't be thinking of him here.

Looking up I saw my saviour was covered in a brown cloak which concealed his face and body from me but I could tell by how he held me that he was very strong. It was almost... too familiar. Quickly I pull away from him, giggling nervously out of embarrassment.

"I-I'm sorry! I guess I just tripped over the side there hehehehe... T-thank you!"

All he does is bow slightly to me and leaves without a single word. Something about that particular boy perked my interest but I shouldn't play favourites so soon. After all, he wasn't the only boy here.

"Oh my, what a Casanova... Rawr, if only Momma was a few decades younger" Says the Mayor as she approaches me in a very playful tone, "It looks like you're popular Serena.... I mean, it makes sense. No boy in their right mind would ignore such a lovely sixteen year old beautiful girl" Again I blush, my attention still on the odd boy who caught me.

The more I thought about him the harder it was for me to resist asking about him. However, I decided I would at least hold off on asking until he and the rest of the boys were away. "T-thank you Miss Mayor......."

"Alrighty then, come on Serena! We have to get you suited up and ready for the festival" In her excitement the elderly, but spunky woman nearly drags me away to change into the dress; as she does I open my mouth to ask her something only to have her answer it before I could form the words.

"I guess you're wondering 'what does the Princess do?' and that's an excellent question! The answer is, have fun! As the Princess of the Festival you'll be riding in a  pulled coach around the grounds, sampling the food, games and activities all in the house! After all, places you like are sure to be popular with the public.... Just enjoying yourself is basically what you need to do.... that and attend all the major competitions and contests since you are one of the judges. Oh, and of course you'll be the lead in the End of Festival Parade!"

Nervously I chuckle in response. It seemed there was a whole lot I needed to do these next three days then I first realised but it did sound like an enjoyable experience. Who knows, maybe this festival Princess Thing might help to get my mind off... recent events. As some assistants for the Festival helped me to dress up, I couldn't help myself but to ask about that strange boy from before. He just kept buzzing in my mind.

"Umm... Miss Mayor... Can you tell me anything about that boy that helped me earlier?..."

She looks away from her checklist and raises an eyebrow at me, wondering why I would show such interest in that cloaked boy. "Hmm... well I guess so... he does have a bit of a mysterious air to him doesn't he. Honestly dearie I don't know all that much about him. He was a last minute entry to the competition, only entering yesterday evening.

He told me to call him 'satoshi' and not refer to him by the name he put on the roster... Of course, respecting his wishes I won't tell you his real name... But other than that I know as much about him as you do honey.

"Why do you ask?...... Are you interested in him?"

I quickly shake my head to say no in response, a blush on my cheeks. "N-no! I... was just curious... that's all..." Honestly, I hadn't the foggiest idea as to why I was so curious about him... maybe it was because of the memory he brought up...? No, it was likely he just caught my attention with his friendly deed. But then that brings up another question.

There was no way anyone could have reacted fast enough to catch me without knowing I was going to trip beforehand... Maybe he noticed I was tired and weak before I started walking? If so then how would he know...? I hid it well enough that the Mayor didn't even notice and she was the closest to me. I didn't know but right now wasn't a good time to linger on it. The jousting match was to start soon and I had to be ready by then. I had to look my best today as I took on the role of the Autumn Princess.

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