Leaf's POV

Today was the day. It is time for the ball and Dawn was overcome by excitement. She woke us all up at 3am just to get us to try on the dresses she had finished making. She shoved the dresses at us and forced us to try them on straight away. We gaped at her as she pushed us to our rooms to get dressed before bringing us back into hers and Misty's room.

Although we didn't like how she woke us up so early, we actually liked the dresses she made for us. I have to give the girl credit, these dresses looked amazing.

(The following drawings were made by Al_5505 . All credit goes to her please. They're amazing drawings and the artist is amazing as well! I'm so happy with it!!! Thank you so much for making this for my story, it means so much to me!)

I was currently adjusting the dress so that I could fit in it properly. Mine was a beautiful forest green dress that reached down to my knees and the lower parts flowed smoothly around my body. Dawn had crafted these green roses carefully and had sewn them on my dress. I wore these additional blue coloured gloves on my hands as well.

(Leaf's dress, as shown below)

I glanced at Dawn who was cheering at her achievements. She was wearing a lovely blue dress that had a bow at her waistline. The patterns at the bottom of her dress were carefully created with a sewing needle and had little hearts that were coloured purple with it. She wore black knee high socks to complete the outfit.

(Dawn's dress, as shown below)

May's dress was a pretty combination of red and purple in one short dress. She accompanied it with hoop earrings. On her dress were some blood red roses as well. She wore a tight necklace that stuck to her neck which matched her dress.

(May's dress, as shown below)

Misty had a dress that was different shades of blue and hugged her sides with loose fabrics hanging around her dress. It was a beautiful design and apart from the fact that it was for the ball, Misty seemed to like it. She had a tight necklace similar to May's that matched the blue on her dress.

(Misty's dress, as shown below)

We each topped it off with a matching tiara on our heads which was a requirement of the kingdom which made us look quite fancy. We weren't entirely comfortable without our disguises but according to Dawn, the tiaras wouldn't quite work on wigs and our disguises didn't apparently match our dresses so we had no other option but to go as ourselves.

Apparently the guards were only going to be on the outside of the ballroom as they were to give guests and royals some time without being guarded for once. Plus no one would recognise us unless those four boys showed up at the ball. So we wouldn't be accused of food thieves although I knew the royals were still after Dawn and Misty for that crime.

"Dawn, I'm impressed!" Misty exclaimed after a few silent moments with us just swaying in our dresses trying to get used to wearing them.

"I'll have to agree with Misty. They're not too formal but cute at the same time." I spoke up and admired my forest green dress.

"I love mine." May said and twirled around in hers a few times before stumbling backwards after becoming dizzy from her spinning.

"I'm glad you like them. I worked all night just to perfect them for you guys." Dawn announced proudly as she twirled in her own dress.

"I guess we're ready for the ball." I said while adjusting the tiara on my head so it was in a comfortable position.

"Of course we are!" Dawn exclaimed and then brought us all into a hug. "I'm so happy with these designs."

We all smiled at Dawn who was grinning brightly at all of us and jumped around the room in her newly crafted dress. We got changed again so the dresses wouldn't get ruined before the ball and played some games to pass the time.

"Check mate!" I yelled in victory while May sat with her head in her hands in defeat.

"I can't believe you." She groaned before setting up the chess pieces again for a second round. "I want a rematch." She demanded and I just smirked at her.

"Alright." I accepted, still feeling victorious.

Dawn and Misty sat at the side and watched our game with amused expressions, mainly directed towards May who kept screaming profanities every time I managed to take away a chess piece.

"I'm so done right now." May announced while putting a hand to her forehead dramatically after I won the second round.

"Victory is mine! Any other participants?" I asked as I stared at my other friends in challenge.

They all raised their hands up in surrender and I cheered to myself. A few hours later, the sun went down on the horizon and it was finally nighttime. We got changed into our dresses and set out to the castle where everyone was already gathering.

As we approached the castle, the first thing we noticed was the bright lights that illuminated the gate entrance and the crowds of people waiting to enter. Women wore fancy dresses that didn't look to formal but similar to ours. Men were the ones with the more formal clothing. We overheard some groups of teenaged girls squealing over these princes making us role our eyes at their behaviour. Whoever these princes were had a whole fan club waiting to marry them.

The gates finally opened a few moments later by the guards and everyone swarmed inside the castle. The four of us girls stayed behind a bit, not wanting to get caught up in the crowd and we followed slowly.

"I knew this was a bad idea." Misty whispered anxiously as some people stared at us as we entered the ballroom.

"Hush. We'll be fine." Dawn said making Misty shut up.

The four of us girls opened our mouths in shock as we observed the ballroom. It was so huge that it actually fit the whole town in it. There was a giant glistening chandelier on the ceiling and there was a large food table at the back of the room where some had already gathered to eat. There was the huge crowd from outside that filled up the ballroom although there was still plenty of room to get around. In fact, it was barely even cramped even though there was so many people in one area.

We slipped through the crowds of people who were settling down before the music started and found a place to stand, away from everyone else. People were talking loudly amongst one another while the three of us stood awkwardly watching. Three meaning myself, Misty and May. Dawn was having the time of her life just speaking to random strangers cheerfully while complimenting people's outfits.

"Dawn come back here. They're about to announce something." May motioned to our blue haired friend as someone was getting up on the stage.

"We are gathered here today, to celebrate the anniversary of the Kingdom of Stars. Today marks the day four kingdoms united to create what we are now. We are the strongest civilisation out of all the remaining kingdoms and we have continued to make alliances across the globe." A man announced on the stage. "I'd like everyone to enjoy the dancing, and have the time of their lives tonight!"

Everyone cheered loudly in response while we just observed everything and covered our ears at the boisterous cheering.

"We would like to welcome our famous royalty to the ball." Another man shouted and everyone went silent to listen to what was about to be said.

Two large doors swung open and out came a couple of guards holding onto their weapons protectively as they allowed a few people into the ballroom. They stood on the stage where everyone could see and guards stood on either side of them.

"Today we were lucky to have the Kingdom of Sapphire royals here with us. They prepared our annual ball this year and we are thankful to have them." A man, I recognised as King Cilan, announced. "I'm pleased to introduce to you King Ruby, Queen Sapphire, Prince Kenny and Prince Brendan of the Kingdom of Sapphire."

People started cheering at the royals who stood up tall and bowed down to the crowd with wide smiles on their faces. I glanced at my friends to see two of them had frozen in shock.

"P-prince Brendan?" May stuttered and gulped making me raise an eyebrow in confusion, Misty copying my actions.

"That's Prince Kenny as well!" Dawn exclaimed with recognition.

"You both know them?" I asked the two who nodded.

"Prince Kenny used to visit my kingdom before everything went wrong." Dawn whispered to us so no one around us could hear. "He was my childhood friend along with..." she thought for a moment before gasping. "Paul!"

"As in the prunehead?" May asked her who just nodded in shock.

"I actually knew Paul... he's a pr-" Before Dawn could continue, King Cilan interrupted her by speaking up once again.

"Now I'd like to introduce my close friends, King Reggie, King Blue and Queen Delia, and their sons." King Cilan spoke up then gestured towards four adults who straightened up and dipped their heads to the crowd who were roaring with excitement.

"Their sons, Prince Ash-" Misty gasped as she recognised the familiar face that smiled at the crowd. "Prince Paul-" We all glanced at Dawn who just nodded with a knowing look. "And Prince Gary." I widened my eyes as I saw the familiar brunette with spiky hair and I scowled. Alf was Ash and Gerald was Gary.

"Damn those boys." I cursed and Misty agreed with me.

"And here's my own son, Prince Andrew, and his sister, Princess Amethyst!" King Cilan shouted and two people walked up to join their friends, both smirking instead of smiling.

"It's Amethyst!" Dawn exclaimed in surprise at the same time May yelled, "it's the grasshead!"

Then realisation struck May and she gasped. "I hit two princes with a tree branch!?" She exclaimed and we just chuckled.

The crowd roared at the six princes who stood side by side and flashing everyone charming smiles making a few girls faint. Us however, were glaring at four particular faces. I noticed Gary examining the crowd as if looking for someone and then his gaze landed on me and his eyes widened in surprise.

I raised an eyebrow at him then glared and I watched as he smiled at me sheepishly. I guess he recognised me. I diverted my gaze from him to the band that was fully set up and had begun playing music with their instruments and the crowd split up. I swayed to the music with May as Dawn had dragged Misty away somewhere in hopes to get her to enjoy the ball. She had protested but obviously Dawn didn't take no for an answer. I noticed that May's face was flushed and I raised a questioning eyebrow at her and she just shook her head and her blush disappeared.

May stood silently beside me then noticed the food table. Almost immediately, she hurried over there where I saw Ash heading to as he escaped the swarm of girls behind him. I chuckled at my friend's behaviour then held my arm as I watched everything happen around me. After awhile, I felt someone tap on my shoulder. I spun around to see a breathless Prince Gary. I glared at him again then slapped his face which left a huge red handprint.

"That's for lying. And your a Prince?" I exclaimed and he rubbed his face where I had slapped him.

"Hey! And yes I am a prince." Gary said and then glared at me. "I saved your life that one time and you slap me?"

"Well, I don't appreciate being lied to." I explained but he shook his head.

"You should understand why I told you my name was Gerald. What if you found out what my real name was?" He reasoned and I put a finger on my chin thoughtfully.

"I guess I can understand that." I said trailing off.

"So, can I finally know your name?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and I thought for a moment again then looked to Dawn for help who had come back without Misty. She just nodded at me before skipping away.

"Leaf. My name's Leaf." I said to Gary seriously.

Something clicked in his brain as he looked at me with wide eyes. "Leaf? No wonder you are so familiar...you were in my dream!" He exclaimed in realisation.

"Wow, already dreaming of me are we?" I asked with a smirk that matched his own.

"Well, how could I not?" He said with his very own smirk and I rolled my eyes in exasperation. "So, would you like to dance?" He asked me and held out a hand to me.

I thought for a moment before grabbing his hand and letting him drag me to the dance floor. And to think I was actually enjoying myself.

—-

Okay so that was a pretty bad chapter but anyways I finally updated after like... two days??

Anyways, credits to Al_5505 again for those drawings! Im so amazed by her work still! AHHH ITS SO GOOD THOUGH!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!

That's the end of this chapter now, hope you enjoyed it, if you didn't , tell me about it.

Byeeeeeee!

- April

19th Feb, 2018