Hey guys, Jeff here!

This is the second chapter that I promised that I will write whilst I was away, so here it is! :D

I'm very sorry though if this chapter doesn't satisfy you that much and how it is a bit short, but at least it's here :P

Also, don't worry, the chapters will keep coming in balance with Pokemon High School, so don't you guys worry about it :D

Without further ado, let's get to reading...

The group continued to walk when they took their break back in that open space in the forest. It wasn't a very long walk before they could reach and then see the venue just over the horizon. It was Bonnie who pointed out something in the distance. It was the venue that they were going in. They could see that it was a grand, majestic building. It wasn't really anything out of the ordinary, but it was sort of usual than normal. Serena and the others stared at the venue for a moment, discovering what it was. It was an open-aired location, like an open-aired stadium almost. It seems the stage is at the centre and then the audience is surrounding it. At least everyone gets to see the performances and it seems that they are expecting a lot of people to watch.

Serena sighed and then puts her clutched fist in her heart once again. She was worried. She saw everyone gathering just outside the stadium, definitely the people queuing to watch the performances; and then some entering this door by the side of it, most likely the performers participating. She then saw how the while venue was beautifully decorated, lights all around, banners hanged from posts outside and also inside, and then the stage that was the centre of the show today; it was the one that was the most outstanding, already set up and ready to be used. She felt her heart beating faster, thumping onto her rib-cage. She felt uneasy all of a sudden once again; she was nervous.

Ash gently placed his hand on Serena's shoulders, probably saw Serena feeling uneasy once again. Clemont and Bonnie too can see Serena feeling and looking the same way as before, how she is completely lost in thought, how she stopped all of a sudden and all that; but now, at least Ash is there once again to at least comfort her, to calm her down and then put her at ease. I mean, they did joke about him and teasing him a bit, but then they figured that it was best for Ash to give Serena comfort, seeing how she was been when they were together against that tree when they took their break.

Ash smiled. "Well, here we are, Serena. Are you psyched up to win!?"

Serena smiled back. "Of course! I-I mean, I-I got to this point, because you helped me, right?"

Ash blushed a bit. "Hey, come on... I-I didn't do anything... it was just me helping you that's all~"

"Look, big brother!" Bonnie teased. "Ash is blushing for Serena."

"Come on, Bonnie." Clemont complained, then smiled at Ash and Serena. "We'll leave you two and head to queue to enter. We'll wait for you there, Ash. Good luck, Serena."

Bonnie grinned. "Anyway, good luck, Serena."

"And, Ash, make sure you don't mess it up, okay?" Bonnie whispered to Ash's ear.

Ash blushed madly. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

Before Ash could get an answer back from Bonnie, he already seen Clemont and Bonnie going to line up on the queue, well, it was Clemont dragging Bonnie along to the queue, most likely because its to stop Bonnie from annoying and also embarrassing Ash even more. Ash then noticed that they were both alone though, just like what Bonnie said. He thought that this could be a perfect opportunity to tell Serena his feelings once again. He knows that he might get rejected once again, but he doesn't care if he rejected, at least she knows that he's there for her; but for now, he will just leave her be, since he doesn't want to put more pressure on her before the performance, most likely probably distracting her from the performance, so its best to leave it be for now.

Ash blushed a bit. "So, uh... um, Serena?"

Serena titled her head. "Yeah, what is it?"

Ash scratched the back of his head. "Good luck and I hope you win."

Serena smiled, but was blushing slightly. "Um, thank you, Ash. I'm sure to win my third key!"

Ash smiled. "Then you're gonna be qualified in the Master Class!"

Serena smiled. "Well, I have to get going, so I'll head out."

At that point, Serena walked away from Ash, seeing Ash wave as she increased her distant between him. As she walked away, Serena thought about what just happened. The main question was: why was she blushing when she was talking to Aah? I mean, its not really a question that she would really ask to herself, but she just seemed curious about asking this question to herself. Of course, she doesn't really know what the answer was to that certain question, but she knows that she needs to find the answer to that question. For now though, she knows she needs to focus on what's in hand now.

She continued heading to the venue. She reached the entrance of what it seems to be where the performers were supposedly heading to prepare themselves for their performance. As Serena entered through the doors, she saw everyone else who will be competing. It was all busy and everyone was very occupied. Some performers are getting themselves ready as well as their Pokémon by dressing up to what they are going to perform with today. Some were also practicing, most likely their routines they are going to perform. Some were just having a chat with their Pokémon, having some sort of pep-talk with each other. Everyone was doing something.

Serena then decides to get ready herself. She went ahead and got herself dressed too. She wore her usual outfit that she normally wears, the one with the black and red colour scheme. She loved that outfit, since it was the same outfit that she wore in her debut and also the same one that her mother gave her as a present. She made a promise that she will do the best of her ability to win some performances, so she will keep that promise. As she finished changing, she then got ready her partners, who are Braixen, Pancham and Sylveon. They are Serena's trustworthy partners and have all worked very hard up to this moment; their time to shine.

Serena smiled. "All right everyone. We're all set and are you guys ready to show the audience what we have been working hard on!"

Everyone then responded with a loud cheer.

Serena raised her hand. "Let's win this!"

Everyone then gave another cry, a cry that indicated that each of Serena's Pokémon had the energy and courage to win this tournament, and then to win Serena's third key.

After that, Serena headed to the waiting area, where everyone else was waiting and therefore Serena decides to also go there with her Pokémon. It seems that everyone there was just passing the time, waiting for the actual event to start. She seemed very confident to win. She was very confident with her Pokémon thanks to the weeks of practice that she has done with them, and she was also confident with herself thanks to Ash's help. She considered it to be such a great help towards her, since she felt really good with herself afterwards, so she is then very thankful for that, but also she also had to thank Clmeont and Bonnie for their support too. She was all thankful for them all, for all their support.

Serena smiled. She knew that she can't be down, not when everyone is going to be watching, not when her own Pokémon are watching, not when-not when; what? She doesn't really know what or, to be more precise, someone. It is most likely someone whom she cares a little bit about, since she was worrying about it a bit much; but then again, she needs to find that answer for herself, since she's got something else that she needs to worry about: her performance.

"It seems like you're gonna have a hard time." A performer spoke as she sat next to Serena, who is with her Pokémon.

Serena looked around to this girl who just sat next to her. "Why do you say that?"

The performer laughed. "Look at you; you don't even look ready or even confident with yourself and your Pokémon."

"Why don't you take that back?!" Serena hissed.

The performer grinned. "Oh, so you're angry now? Why? Is it because you care about someone special? Maybe that's it~"

Serena blushed madly. "No! It's not like that! Anyway, it's also not part of your business."

The performer laughed. "Maybe so... but I'm making it mine from now."

Serena blushed, but was full of rage. "Why are you even doing this?! What do you want from us?"

The performer laughed. "Oh, I'm just your friendly rival passing by…"

'Wow, she is annoying.' Serena thought. 'Why is she even here? She is going to annoy me!'

(With Ash, Clemont and Bonnie)

Bonnie grinned. "Hey Ash, what did you say to Serena back there? You say something special or anything like that?"

Ash blushed. "W-Well, i-its nothing really important~"

Clemont smiled, like how he knows something. "I think I may know... but I could be wrong..."

"Tell me!" Bonnie complained. "That's not fair!"

Well, to be honest with him, Ash did say; no, more like how he will say something to Serena right after the Tripokalon event. I mean, it is his one and only chance before, most likely, Serena will spend most of her time chasing after her dream, her dream that she wished to have finished and then eventually achieve. He knows how badly she wants to achieve it, just like himself chasing after his dream of being a Pokémon master, but still, it will be the one and final time before everything is then awkward between them. It will be his only and final chance.

Ash scratched the back of his head. "Well, I-I am gonna tell something to Serena, if that's what you guys want to hear"

Bonnie pouted. "Oh, why do you have to- can't you just tell us what you're gonna say~"

Clemont raised his hand. "Hold on just a minute, Bonnie. I'm sure we'll see after Serena's Showcase, so for now, we'll just have to wait and see."

"I'm sure its something we've heard before." Bonnie teased.

Clemont grinned. "Maybe so..."

Ash blushed madly. "You guys just stop it already! Let's go in and take our seats."

Bonnie pouted. "But seriously, can't you tell us what you're going to tell her? At least a hint?"

Clemont smirked. "Well, he did say that it's something that he has said before. That's kind of a hint, right?"

Bonnie sighed. "I still don't know. You probably know it, right, big brother?"

Clemont grinned. "Yeah, probably. I guess you'll just have to wait and see."

"That's totally not fair!" Bonnie complained.

Clemont and Bonnie giggled amongst themselves before they then followed Ash into the stadium.

There you have it, guys! Chapter 12 is done! Hopefully you have enjoyed this chapter! :D

Wow, what can I say with this chapter! Things are starting to heat up with Serena. Who is this person that has suddenly turned up? Also, what is Ash going to say to Serena after the Tripokalon? (It's kinda obvious :P) Until next week ;D

Anyways, I'll see you all in the next chapter, but also please put your thoughts of this story in the reviews! Please show some support!

But also Private Message me for any story suggestions!

Also, please check me out on Twitter at jeff_amour if you can for updates of my stories!

So, that's it from me!

See ya! Have a great day!