starter for @lxst-explorer
Promotional banners featuring Hikari, Mimikyu, Comfey, and Sprigatito were hung on the walls of buildings and on streetlamps. Exceed staff and volunteers were handing out flyers with the same image of Exceed's latest product: the idol herself.
"Please come and show your support for Exceed!"
Being on stage and performing with her Pokémon was fun. Being an idol was much more fulfilling than being a Coordinator, which made it a pleasant surprise.
Now, everything hurt. Her arms, her legs, her feet, and not just from performing, but from rehearsals—singing and dancing into the wee hours of the evening, the night before, and every night leading up to this event.
She needed to be perfect. For them.
In the back of her mind, she thought of the other half of her team—Espeon, Sylveon, and Dragonair—and worried for their safety. They were hostages and kept her bound to Exceed.
She had Mimikyu, Comfey, and Sprigatito using their Charm to attract and keep the audience enthralled with the performance. Prancing around Hikari, following her step sequences and assisting with her performance.
It was a dirty trick, but it was worth it. And she had been coerced agreed to this when she signed the contract. This is what she had been ordered to do.
This is all for Espeon, Sylveon, and Dragonair, she reminded herself, ...and for him.
Her eyes scanned the crowd for signs of the Rising Volt Trackers and the fellow Spinel had mentioned—Amethio?—even though she had no idea who she was to be on the lookout for.
With the upbeat and energetic pop music fading and Hikari hitting a cutesy pose—hands coming together to form a heart in front of her chest, left leg bent at the knee and in the air, and her left eyelid closing into a wink—her performance came to an end.
"Thank you for coming to see me, everyone!" Standing normally now, she bowed to the cheering audience, waving after she straightened her posture. "I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for Exceed."
"So, make sure to stick around! I'll be having a small meet-and-greet and giving out free samples of Exceed's hottest item: Strong Spheres!"
Tone cheerful and bright, she continued speaking with a smile on her face, concealing the internal turmoil over her morally questionable actions.
"Remember:
We support your future and that of your Pokémon. Leave it to us, Exceed Corporation."
