Chapter Text
In a number of hours “Ashley” became extremely popular, not only in Kalos but World Wide. Showcases were extremely popular in Kalos, even smaller Exhibitions were spread around, so it was so surprising that she was popular in Kalos.
Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor: Shuana was a Showcase Otaku, she breathed Showcases and Performances! The moment she laid eyes on the new Performer Ashley, she fell in love(platonically of course) just like she had fallen for Serena. She could just envision, with more practice of course, herself, Serena, and Ashley performing together, making everyone smile and rejoice with their unique styles! Of course she sent the video to Tierno and Trevor.
Tierno watched with bated breath, being a dancer himself he could recognise a rookie in his sleep, but their groove, and how much fun they were obviously had got his blood pumping, and they became his current inspiration! He couldn’t wait to battle Ash next and surprise him with their new Totodile inspired dance moves! Now that he looked closer, Ashley looked kind of like his wild friend, he wondered if they were related briefly before running out to plan new choreography!
Trevor was, predictably, more interested in the Pokemon. He’d never seen such a cheerful Totodile, nor a Pikachu with a black tail tip. He wondered briefly if it was just make-up coloring the Electric Type’s tail, either way he hoped he could one day meet her and take pictures of her Pokemon. He knew that if the girl caught Shauna’s attention, even with the slip ups, it was only a matter of time before the girl was the next big Performer. Shauna had an eye for performers, and hadn't been wrong about the next big one once in their entire lives.
Sawyer: Sawyer was especially interested in Showcases, he thought they were fascinating, but they just weren’t his thing. But even though he had stopped in his tracks while in a Pokemon center, the television on some news channel was talking about the Exhibition Performer who had sent all of Kalos into a frenzy with just one performance. Mindlessly he whipped out his notebook, scribbling notes down as he assessed her style, a blush coloring his face as he took everything in. When she started laughing after being soaked with Water Gun, the video zooming in on her face, Sawyer felt his heart squeeze and his face heat up in a way that had only happened once before. Embarrassed, the greenette scrambled away, distantly wondering if liking people named ‘Ash’ was just his type.
Mairin, and Alian: Mairin had stumbled on Ashley’s success by accident. She needed a distraction from Chespi’s situation and clicked on the first video she could find. Seeing the older girl twirl and laugh with her Pokemon reassured the new trainer, bursting her mood significantly as she ran off to shove the video into Alain’s face.
The sulky male had stared Mairin down, hoping the lovable nuisance would go away, but she was too hyped up, which he was secretly relieved about. Caving, he watched the video, not quite sure what he was watching at first, but in the end he could see the appeal. The girl seemed optimistic, and hard working, if a bit ditzy and clumsy. “She is pretty cute.” He agreed with his travel buddy, smothering a smirk when she went off on a love bombed tangent about the performer.
As I said, Kalos’ obsession was pretty understandable, but while Kalos streamed or supplied video of all Showcase’s no matter how small, other regions only really got the main circuit leading to the Master Class. So how did the rest of the world get exposed to Ashley? It was 100% the fault of Deilia Ketchum, and Serena Yvonne. And no, they were not sorry.
Delia: Ash had sent “Ashley’s” Performance to his mother. She had helped him a lot in preparing, telling him what colors, kind of shoes, and type of dress to get, and she was always so supportive of everything he did, so when she asked if she could see the video he easily caved. Delia watched the video with undeniable pride, tears pooling at the corners of her eyes as she watched her son perform. In that moment Ash had looked remarkably like her, and it made her heart swell. Ash had always looked a great deal like his father, with the features he got from her being very subtle, and while he was a great reminder of her late husband, Delia couldn’t help but occasionally pout that her son didn’t look much like her. But with his hair long, and just a touch of makeup he looked so much like her. So, of course she sent the Video to Professor Oak, the man was basically Ash’s Grandfather, and what Grandfather wouldn’t want to see a video of their Grandchild going above and beyond to stand up for their Pokemon?
Professor Oak, and Tracy: Samuel couldn’t help the fond chuckle that came from him as he watched the video Delia sent him. She didn’t even tell him it was Ash, he could tell the moment he stepped out on stage, nervous smile in palace, and obviously trying to ruin the lipgloss by nibbling on his lips. Grinning, the old professor sent the video to Lance, Scott, and Brock, certain that Misty had already seen the video, finally called Tracy over.
Tracy leaned over the Professor’s shoulder, his head tilting as he watched the video. “Wow thats amazing!” Tracy gushed, pulling his sketchbook out of thin air. “Shes so pretty, and her Pokemon look so happy!” Listening to his assistant prattle on, not realizing the girl was actually Ash, Professor Oak sweatdropped, deciding it would probably be best not to tell him. At least not yet.
Gary: Gary yawned tiredly, having just woken up after a long night of research. Hearing his phone beep, the researcher grabbed it, and sighed, hoping his Grandfather wasn’t sending him more memes. He couldn’t take it anymore. He mindlessly took a sip of coffee, watching the video load, only to spit it out and choke. “Oh my Mew!” He heaved, face a blistering red. When the video ends he tiredly ran a hand down his blushing. Why oh why was his childhood friend turned rival turned friend again a cute idiot?
Brock: Brock sighed tiredly as he watched the video of his oldest friend in a dress. A part of him wanted to be surprised, but he really wasn’t. “Seriously Ash, this happens in every region! At this rate you’re going to end up in a Nurse Joy outfit next year.” He scolded the still image of his friend in drag, feeling as if he had jinxed himself for some reason.
The Champions:
The Champions found out via the Champion’s Group Chat, after Lance facepalmed so hard he knocked himself out.
TwoTiming Champion(Lance) sent a Video
TwoTiming Champion: Do you see what I have to deal with?
Real Steel(Steven): Wallace said he wants us to adopt him, does he have a loving family?
TwoTIming Champion: You know this is Ash, right?
Real Steel: Yes we do.
TwoTiming: Well he has a very loving mother already.
Real Steel: Awe.
Define Goddess(Cynthia): Oh my Arceus, I love Ashley! She's so refreshing!
Lights Camera Coffee(Diantha): I know! I asked my agent to arrange a day for me to take her shopping, but my agent said no TT^TT
TwoTiming Champion: Again, you know that's Ash right? Brash, brave, and hard working Pokemon Trainer with no sense of self preservation and probably desperately needs therapy.
Lights Camera Coffee: Yeah, I know.
Define Goddess: Retail therapy is a thing Lance.
Google Maps(Leon): yeah lance, gosh.
Google Maps: so what are you losers talking about?
Lights Camera Coffee sent a picture
Lights Camera Coffee: them
Google Maps: oh my gosh I love her! how legal is surprise adoption in kalos? i have always wanted a little sister!
Lights Camera Coffee: About as legal as it is anywhere else, meaning not at all.
Google Maps: …awe…
Battle Frontier: Scott snickered as he rewatched the performance of his favorite trainer. He sighed fondly, honestly the young man had grown up so much, but also not at all. It was comforting in a way. With a small smirk the robust man sent the video to the Group Chat he had for the Battle Frontier.
IRunThisCircus(Scott) sent a video
Fighting Spirit(Greta): that just isn’t fair. they’re so pretty and cool at the same time. this is favoritism arceus!
iBirb(Noland): cool vid but uh why did you send us a video of a random 17 year old?
IRunThisCircus: don’t make this weird.
IAmaSuperstar!(Tucker): I knew he had star quality! He is Beauty, he is Grace, and he can battle like a beast! I am so proud!
iBirb: i still don’t understand…
thelastEarthbender(Spencer): That is Ash Noland. I must say that I am very surprised by these turns of events, but if he's happy all's right with the world.
iBirb: no way is that ash!
IRunThisCircus: oh thats Ash alright.
iBirb: huh, well he..she? looks good. I am still very confused.
Slytherin’s Queen(Lucy): …Anibel x Ash is now trap on trap.
Old as Ruins(Brandon): Lucy wtf?
Slytherin’s Queen: I said what I said.
Old as Ruins: Speaking of Anabel, I am surprised she hasn’t said anything.
IRunThisCircus: uh Anabel passed out with a bloody nose. Alakazam teleported me to help her.
Slytherin’s Queen: Ha.
Travel Girlz: Misty and May were the original creators of the Traveling Girlz Group Chat. They had created it to keep in touch, having become good friends and it slowly grew from there as Ash met more friends turned sisters. Serena was the newest to the hoard, given that Bonnie didn't have a phone or PokeDex.
Kalos Fox(Serena) sent a video
Video was saved by four people
Kanto Starfish(Misty): Blackmail.
Hoenn Chick(May): Same
Sinnoh Penguin(Dawn): Me too
Unova Dragon(Iris): Do you even have to ask?
Hoenn Chick: Lol I showed Max, he said “This is the man I respect almost as much as dad.” and started banging his head on a tree.
Sinnoh Penguin: I sent this to everyone I know.
Kanto Starfish: That isn’t how blackmail works Dawn, you hold the video over his head to get what you want out of him and threaten to send it to people if he doesn’t give it to you.
Sinnoh Penguin: But Ash gives us whatever we want within reason anyway.
Kanto Starfish: I-Good point.
Zoey, Kenny, Nando, and Paul: Zoey just happened to be with Nando and Kenny when they got the video, they were participating in another contest and just happened to bump into each other. While Zoey critically dissected the performance, Kenny burst out laughing, face flushing in surprise as he read Dawn’s text about the performer being Ash. “What a beautiful display.” Nando chimed in calmly, joining Zoey in her critique of the performance, which turned into the two discussing the difference between contests and performances, that Kenny eventually joined when he stopped laughing.
While Dawn had sent the video to Paul, he had her blocked because she texted him too much about the dumbest things. However, Dawn also sent the video to Reggie, who sent the video to his brother followed by a winky face, for whatever reason. Paul watched three seconds of the video before clicking out of it. Performances were more useless than Contests, at least in Contests Pokemon actually battled.
Cilan, and Trip: Dawn wasn’t the only one who sent the video to people. Iris was more than gleeful about sending the video to Cilan. Cilan put the video up in the restaurant, spreading its Popularity to the Unova populace, as he had become increasingly inspired, finding the video awe inspiring, a “sweet, and cool taste to tongue like a fresh glass of lemonade on the beach!”
Due to Cilan releasing the video into Unova, it wasn’t long until Trip happened upon it. He paid little attention to the girl, but the Totodile was of great interest. Mournfully, he wished he could snap a picture of it.
Jessie, James, and Meowth: Proud tears poured down Team Rocket’s cheeks as they watched the video of their twerp and his twerpy Pokemon. Ashley, the girl they created so long ago to steal perfume, was rocking the world with her performance. Her Mama and Papa were so proud! “I know!” Meowth purred. “We should send this video to the boss! This performance will for sure put a smile on his face! And then he’ll send us a nice big bonus!”
“Yay!” Jessie and James cheered. “A Bonus! A Bonus!”
“Wabafet!”
Geovanni: Geovanni’s left eye twitched as he watched the video his most disappointing grunts sent him. “Why the Distortion World did those idiots send me a video of a 17 year old girl idol?” Persian yawned, brushing against his hand with a pitying look.