Chapter 193: Illustration: Serena's Capture!

Ash obviously couldn't actually let Ai Er cash in,

but he still accepted the ticket Ai Er handed over,

because the ticket Ai Er handed over was positioned right at the center beneath the stage,

whereas the ticket Ash bought, though also in the front row, was at the edge of the front row.

At the same time, Serena said she had run into a difficulty,

the issue involved performing, especially her first stage debut, which required performing at the same time as the current Queen Ka Luo Si, Ai Er.

The pressure that brought was easy to imagine.

Just thinking that after she appears, if the audience doesn't recognize her, the atmosphere would instantly turn cold.

Serena's Heart then sprouted a desire to back out.

Seeing Serena's dilemma, Ash suggested that Diancie accompany Serena on stage.

That proposal instantly dissolved most of Serena's inner pressure.

As a Legendary Pokemon, Diancie enjoys extremely high popularity,

with Diancie present, the audience naturally wouldn't fail to support.

Serena apparently hasn't realized yet,

that she has already transformed from a purely good‑looking newcomer into a highly popular influencer star.

Whether it's the audience who watched that battlefield reporter livestream, or the gaming community,

Serena's impression on people is especially deep.

However… Ash's move gave Ai Er a big dilemma.

Diancie's beauty,

Ai Er, who watched the livestream, naturally knows it well, and with that Legendary Pokemon status.

Even the current Queen Ka Luo Si,

Ai Er doesn't think she can surpass the popularity of the Serena‑plus‑Diancie combo.

That makes it a bit of a show‑stealer,

but since she invited the person, it's hard to refuse, leaving Ai Er a bit at a loss.

Deeply possessing Waveguide Power,

Ash naturally noticed this detail carefully,

During this process, he discovered a hint of curiosity and excitement in Latias's eyes, prompting him to speak out.

"Latias also wants to join the performance?"

"Can I join?"

Latias quickly gave a response,

its tone, novel yet tinged with excitement, resonated as a telepathic echo in everyone's hearts,

Ai Er, who had just worn a frown, instantly widened her eyes in Surprise,

"Of course, how about Latias appearing as my partner? Is that okay, Ash!"

Ai Er clenched both fists, and at her chest displayed a pitiful, tear‑filled, woeful expression.

Got it!

No wonder she's the queen among performers, she's also a drama queen!

Originally Ash spoke up to ease Ai Er's current predicament, so he naturally wouldn't refuse!

With the partnership established,

Ai Er and Serena instantly began rehearsals before the performance.

During this, as the current Queen Ka Luo Si, Ai Er oversaw the whole situation, planning according to the traits of the two Legendary Pokemon,

and fully organized the general content of the performance.

It let the newcomer Serena learn a lot at once, and I believe once Serena fully integrates it,

she will soon complete the transition from a popular influencer to a powerhouse influencer.

…

While Ai Er and Serena rehearsed, Ash and the others watched from below the stage.

and after the two finished performing, they gave their individual feedback,

to facilitate adjustments.

During this, a Mischievous Panda holding a leaf in its mouth sneaked in, peeking around furtively.

Although it dodged the busy staff on site, it couldn't escape Ash's perception.

(Image shows the Mischievous Panda; readers interested can pause to view.)

Mischievous Panda uses Power Push to compete for affection with Fire Fox

Pokemon: Mischievous Panda (Male)

Type: Fighting

Ability: Unrestricted (can use moves without ability interference on the opponent)

Level: 42

Individual values: HP 31, Attack 31, Defense 31, Sp. Attack 28, Sp. Defense 31, Speed 31,

Base stats: Total 348, HP 67, Attack 82, Defense 62, Sp. Attack 46, Sp. Defense 48, Speed 43,

Level 42, not evolved, 5v individual?

Ash reached out, feeling his chin, fell into thought; generally such high‑potential Pokemon are usually main characters, the destiny‑child's Pokemon.

Could this be the one Serena will capture?

Thinking about it, it really seems...

I remember Serena's Pangoro—it was only caught by Serena after it caused trouble at the Triple Crown Satellite Tournament.

Ash had thought the other would bravely jump on stage and perform together with the two girls,

As a result, the Pangoro merely huddled in the corner observing, and after being spotted by a passing staff member, it quickly hurried away.

At night,

Because Aier was to perform at Lagoon Lake Town, many people came, and the Pokemon Center and inns were all fully booked.

Wearing a hat and black-rimmed glasses again, Aier, who was following everyone to find lodging, suddenly spoke up.

"Why don't you stay at my place? My house has two beds, both pretty big, and I, Serena, Keerni, Tierno, and Yurie can squeeze in and sleep."

"Then please do."

Ash wasn't being pretentious either; being able to stay in a house is definitely better than camping outdoors.

Having secured lodging, everyone was no longer anxious,

They went to the relatively famous restaurant in Lagoon Lake Town, and after eating the local specialties, they followed Aier back to their lodging.

Compared to the crowded scene, the side with the several girls who were pleasant to look at,

On Ash and Clemont's side, with just the two of them, sleeping in the big bed without disturbing each other, it was far more comfortable.

The next day,

Early in the morning, everyone got up early and took the special car sent to pick up Aier to the venue.

During that time, Ash told Serena about his discovery from yesterday.

Have her prepare for the performance to be interrupted and be ready to battle and capture.

Serena indicated she understood; the opponent is a Fighting-type Pangoro, so sending out a Psychic-type Gardevoir would pose no problem.

Aier, who is cheerful, energetic, and always full of happiness, is not stubborn.

Upon hearing that the performance might be interrupted, she also became interested.

She chuckled lightly, wearing white silk-stocking gloves that exposed only her fingers, the back of her right hand wrapped in a bow-tie ribbon as she covered her mouth.

"If the performance on stage gets interrupted, shall we battle and capture right there? It would indeed be quite an interesting experience; I hope it will surprise the audience."

After more than an hour of patient makeup, the performance went smoothly.

During the process,

Sure enough, just as Ash had predicted, this Pangoro jumped onto the stage to cause trouble.

The two girls, who had been prepared, did not panic,

Aier calmed the tens of thousands of spectators with her words, taking on the role of commentator,

Serena released a Mega Evolved Gardevoir, which overwhelmed and suppressed the Pangoro.

Accompanied by the throw of a black-and-white patterned luxury ball with gold-yellow markings, it struck the Pangoro, completing the capture.

This special program also came to an end.

The performance continued, and this time the audience was even more enthusiastic.

After the performance ended, Ash gave the two girls applause backstage.

"Not bad, even better than during the rehearsal!"

"Miss Aier and Miss Serena are truly big-hearted performers, born for the big stage!"

"..."

"Where, you shouldn't praise me like this; it's the atmosphere driven by Miss Aier, Latias, and Diancie, I'm still far behind."

"Serena, don't sell yourself short; your performance was also great. If I didn't know you were a newcomer, I might have thought you were a formidable opponent who came prepared."

"Yeah, yeah, Serena, there are indeed many people down below calling your name."

Keerni said during the performance,

the actual reaction of the audience area that Serena had not noticed,

"It's not as exaggerated as you say, alright, Pangoro!"

Thinking of the defeated Pangoro, Serena quickly took the luxury ball from her waist and opened it.