"𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓾𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓼 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓿𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷
𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭."
                                           -𝒱𝒾𝒸𝓉𝑜𝓇 𝓗𝓊𝑔𝑜
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"I sit upon my throne of beautiful autumn hue awaiting the spring to return to me. However, I do not think that waiting will be enough as all I do is sit in the silence of my caverns."

"Perhaps one day a storm will come and break my walls apart so I would have no choice but to face the tornado I shield myself from. After all, my walls can only withstand the strain for so long."

"Presenting your highness, Princess Serena!" The sounds of trumpets play as the pumpkin shaped carriage I rode in passes through the crowd of adoring people, chanting my name in admiration as the four Ponyta wheel me over to the Jousting match. I for once felt very flattered as I wasn't used to getting so much attention from so many people, it felt very exhilarating.

After all, I was sitting here with hundreds of adoring people around me wearing a very gorgeous dress. It felt like a dream come true for me... if only he were here... to see me like this. Then it would be perfect... But I shouldn't dwell on things I left behind. After all, if he shared my feelings he would be here now with me... Right?

Anyways, I was very thankful that I didn't have to walk as my legs were still a bit shaky from my showcase performance. If I had walked much more I feared I would have tripped over something or collapsed while sampling the festival fair. Besides, travelling by carriage was much faster so I didn't have to worry about being late for anything happening. Soon we arrived at the Jousting ring where I could see some festival Organisers placing protective gear on the Rapidash meant to compete today. They were such majestic creatures, seemingly straight out of fairy tale with how graceful they seemed to be.

I admit, I'm not so familiar with the whole Jousting thing but I had a faint idea of how it worked. As the Princess of the fair I had my very own booth provided for me where I had the perfect view of the matches. The Booth itself was very roomy and comfortable;

It was clear that Miss Mayor spared no expense to make this festival wonderful as even the arena had such fine work to it. As my coachman led me up to my booth more trumpets played with an older man, dressed in a very appealing, soldier-like costume walks to the centre of the arena with a microphone. As he did, the people in the Arena seats cheered in glee as he began to speak.

"Hello everyone and welcome to the Autumn Festival Jousting match! I, Gilagine will be your MC for this wonderful clash of Knights!" I clapped along with the crowd, excited to watch the match. It has been quite a long time since I felt this excited yet nervous about anything other than my Showcases. As the crowd claps ten, very well decorated Rapidash plated in gold and silver armour run into the arena, running around the boundaries before settling next to Gilagine with five of the marvellous pokemon on each of his sides.

"Will our brave and strong knights please step forward?!" From two terminals on each side of the Arena the 20 Knights step out, each also wearing very lovely Armour. All of them had their helmets at their side except for one that stood on the far right. I could only assume that was the cloaked boy from yesterday since he was the only one who refused to show his face. The crowd roared for them as two of them each stood next to a Rapidash, seemingly absorbing the admiration of the spectators.

"Yes, 20 Knights stand before you but only 10 will leave this Arena with the chance of becoming the companion of our lovely Princess Serena! Will your highness offer some words of encouragement to our fine young Knights?"

This was a part of my job so I knew what to do. Miss Mayor had given me a script to memorise so it wasn't so surprising when Gilagine called upon me. One of the people in the booth with me handed me a microphone as I stood up and looked down upon the knights.

"Of course Sir Gilagine! Dear Knights, today you step into this ring for the chance to be called my Prince but by the end only ten will have the chance! I encourage you all to do your best! Good luck to you all and may fate be on your side!"

Gilagine raises the microphone to his mouth as he speaks once more.

"With that, it's time to begin the match! Knights, your objective is to cause the most harm to the opposing knight's armour! The victor will be determined by how well of condition your armour is in. Knocking your opponent off their steed is an automatic victory! Now Knights, to your places!"

As I watched the show I noticed how fierce it truly was as Knight after Knight were impacted by large, metal lances, causing damage to their beautiful armour by denting it as they ran towards each other on the backs of their Rapidash. Before I knew it, 8 matches had flown by with the latest one being a very close call. Each match lasted three rounds and each round consisted of two Knights on a Rapidash's back running towards each other. At first it was exciting but after the 5th match or so I began to get somewhat bored from the similarity of the matches. Though it seemed the crowd ate this stuff up like ice cream, enjoying every lick.

"You highness, would you like something to drink? A soda perhaps?"

Plus there was the whole, 'being a princess' thing. Miss Mayor said that during the festival I'll be treated like an actual princess so I would be waiting on hand and foot but I found it to be a bit too much to be honest even if it was nice. Two people stood beside me the entire time which made me feel bad as it didn't look so comfortable.

"Y-yes, I would love one thank you. You may sit down if you wish. It can't be comfortable standing like that." The two look at each other, seemingly surprised I would worry about their wellbeing. However, they happily accepted my offer and after getting a soda for me they sat down. Soon, the 9th match started with Gilagine introducing the next fighters.

"Alright everyone, let's welcome to the stage Conway! This Knight is from the Sinnoh region and is a master in the psychic type! Will his smarts help him win this match and win the Princess's hand? Or will it be our other Knight, a young lad who goes simply by the name satoshi!" Hearing his name instantly re-sparked my interest as, according to Miss Mayor, satoshi was the' name for the cloaked boy who caught me after my showcase. It seemed he kept up that mysterious vibe as Gilagine said very little about him.

"Being a last minute entry to the competition we do not know much about this knight, only that he has already had a chance to charm our gorgeous Princess." The crowd let out a collective 'ohhs' which made me turn a slight cerise colour. "Knights, to your stations!"

From here I could feel myself at the edge of my seat, having an odd feeling of excitement deep inside me for a boy whose face I have yet to even see. Deep in my heart I wanted him to win but why...? Was it because of his kind act...? Could it be that I... had fallen in love again? I wouldn't know as my head didn't focus on it. My attention rested squarely on the match as the two Knights manned their Rapidash and placed their lances in place. Again, I hear Gilagine's voice as he starts the match.

"Ready, set... JOUST!"

The two Knights run towards each other, their lances colliding violently onto each other's armour which made me gasp. Satoshi had taken the most damage with his shoulder piece heavily dented.

"Aim for the joint pieces and the rest of the armour comes tumbling down. Elementary really. You should give up satoshi, that spot by the Princess is mine!"

"..."

I could hear Conway from here and what he said made me slightly mad at him. I didn't know why I got so riled up.

"Round one goes to Conway! Knights, take your places again!" some Organisers switched out 'satoshi's' armour, replacing the dented pieces. Afterwards he quickly made his way back to his spot where he waited for his cue.

"Ready, Set... JOUST!"

The two Knights again clashed but this time something shocking happened as Satoshi smashed his lance against Conway, knocking him clean off his Rapidash. There was a shocked silence for a while before the entire crowd roared in pure excitement for 'satoshi's' out of the blue victory.

As explained by Gilagine before, knocking an opponent off their Pokemon is an automatic victory! I cheered in joy, catching my two assistants off guard. Once I realised what I was doing I quickly sat down and just clapped like the rest of the crowd, my cerise blush turning more into crimson.

"Congratulations Sir Satoshi, what an amazing victory! Will the next Knights please come to the stage!?"

Before I knew it the match was over, leaving me to just ride around in my coach, sampling some very delicious Festival fare and enjoy the fun activities. I even judged a small 'contest' performance which was similar to a Showcase except it was only the pokemon being shown off without clothing. It was all natural and I found it very exquisite.

The next part of the Trials wasn't to begin until the next morning so I had the rest of the day to enjoy the festival fun. To close off the day there was a big, festive dance where people just partied the night away. I sat on my throne, watching the people with a slight tap in my foot.

"Princess, would you not like to dance as well? You may choose one of the organisers to dance with you if you so please." Says one of my assistants. Before I could reply however I heard a voice that was very familiar but somehow different... "She's tired from her showcase... let her rest..." Me and both of my assistants turn to face the voice only to realise it had come from the cloaked boy from before.

He was leaning against one of the booths with a lemonade in hand. He didn't stick around long however. After saying that he walks off somewhere out of sight, leaving me there in my shock.

He had wandered off into the woods, vanishing completely from my sight.

"What a weird and.... at the same time interesting boy....."

"Indeed...."
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Soon, the first day of the festival came to a close and I was led to my room which was rather luxurious. Miss Mayor wasn't lying when she said I would actually be treated like Royalty but this was just outstanding. The bath was a miniature waterfall and the bed was very large and plush. Never in my dreams could I have imagined such a wonderful place.

Of course, I enjoyed it completely as I finally took the chance to relax, removing the rather uncomfortable dress I wore. It was lovely but as they say, beauty is pain. With a soft sigh I gently walk into the bath and mellow out as the warm waters wash away the soreness I felt all day. Yes, this was truly the life of a Princess, just like a fairy tale. If only I had one more thing with me then this would be a dream come true. However, beggars can't be choosers. This luxurious pampering was plenty.

Little did I know that deep in the woods where Satoshi had walked off to was a small camping site with a familiar, yellow electric mouse awaiting his return.

"Hi Pikachu... sorry I was gone for so long buddy..."

He says as he approaches camp. Pikachu squeals with joy, jumping onto his shoulder. "I was looking out for her... since I was afraid she might push herself too far. Her performance was a very active one... hopefully she's okay..."

"Pikachu pika pi!" Satoshi chuckled, petting his always faithful companion.

"Tomorrow....I have to win....Then I will tell Serena everything....”

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Thank you! for reading have a nice day!

See you soon with another one

Until byee guys! 😁