Readers, please read until the end. I have another important author's note at the end that I think you might be interested in! It'll actually be after chapter 36, you'll see more info on why I made that chapter at the end of this.

Don't play the song until it says "Play Song"! There are some moments when it seems like you should, but don't! I don't want to spam you guys with hearing the song over and over and over...

I was singing Break Free before the contest started. Serena was sitting with me in the room.

"Hey, Dawn," Serena started.

"Yeah?"

"Well, you said this song relates to you right?"

"Mmhmm."

"Then does that mean you're giving up on love?" Serena asked, and then I stood there, zoned out.

Was I giving up on love? That's what all of these lyrics are, just saying how they'd want to be independent.

I looked up at Serena.

"Yes."

I was giving up on love. I was giving up on the thing that everyone except me had.

"Yes, I'm giving up on love."

I started singing it again.

"This is, the part when, I say I don't want ya, I'm stronger than I've been before..."

Serena looked at me, nodding and smiling. She approved of me giving up on love? I didn't think it would be that easy!

"You're beautiful, Dawn!" Serena smiled.

I nodded in a thank you, when I sang the next stanza.

I was glad to have Serena as a sister. I've grown so much since I got taken by Lysandre. That's actually one of the best moments in my life.

As my aqua blue hair dangled behind me, I sang the second chorus.

I wanted to break free of just being a regular old teenager. I wanted to be known as "the independent girl" or, "the girl with the singing talent", maybe even "the girl with writing abilities" I don't care!

All I care about right now is breaking out of my shell. Breaking free, just like this song is.

"You seem super into it. Maybe we should stop rehearsal now, we don't want your voice all scratchy for the battle," Serena chuckled, and I nodded.

"Serena, I think you'll beat Ash. I know you'll beat Ash. You got this."

"Please, if I loose I still win, and if I win we'll both win. We all know that the prize is $500, so we're splitting it no matter what happens."

"You aren't even going to pay him interest?" I asked.

"No silly, he's my boyfriend. Giving up on love means you'll never understand it, and I accept that you never will. But you'll understand sister love," Serena smiled, giving me a hug. "Anyways, I need to get ready for the battle. I'll see you later."

"See you, sis," I smiled, watching Serena exit the room.

I looked at myself in the mirror. This is who I was going to be for the rest of my life. I'm taking the hard, independent route. I'll take route 22 instead of route 2. (Pokèmon game vibe if you didn't get it.)

I got out of my seat, and walked out of the outdoor dressing rooms to the stage where Ash and Serena would battle. Since we didn't have a school anymore, the students decided to make a stage area for the rest of the tournament, saying that the school didn't deserve the $500 that was meant for the students. I always thought they were greedy because the school literally just burned down, but that's their fault.

The stage was covered with a white sheet, making it more beautiful and romance feel. It kind of reminded me of the stage in High School Musical where Gabriella and Troy sang Everyday.

I walked over to one of the wooden tables with white tablecloths. I was surprised how comfortable the chairs were, they must've spent a fortune for this.

I walked onto the stage, and grabbed the microphone. I was about to test it, when a boy my age walked in.

"Hey!" He called.

"Hi, what's your name?" I asked.

"My name's Ethan."

"I'm Dawn," I smiled.

"So what were you doing?" Ethan asked.

"Oh, I was just testing the microphone. See, I'm the singer before the battle."

"That makes sense. I should've known that earlier."

"So, why are you here?" I asked.

"Just checking out the area. Looks like all of the candles are perfect," Ethan explained. "And it's almost 10! We'll be able to start soon."

"Okay," I smiled. I recognized him as the head organizer after our short conversation. He jogged off to go tell Professor Kukui something.

I sat there, puzzled on why he even talked to me. He did look cute with his ultra ball ha- what am I thinking? I thought I was giving up on love? Wait no I don't love this random guy. What? What? WHATTTTTT???

I'll just keep this to myself and never think of it again.

He did make me a little uneasy thoug- SHUT UP DAWN!

Fine, I have a little crush, but that's it!

I sighed as parents and children were coming over to watch Serena and Ash battle. They weren't coming to watch some weirdo sing on stage.

"Hey, are you Dawn?" One of the adults asked, looking at me.

"Uh, y-yeah, I am."

"Oh my gosh! Okay I know this may be really weird coming from an adult, but I loved your book, Living in Lysandre's Cage. Can you sign it please?"

Whaaatttttttttt?!?!?

"Sure!" I stuttered, and she pulled out her book and sharpie.

"Sign it anywhere you want!"

I used her blue sharpie to make a signature just like I did months ago when Serena and I signed up for the Pokémon Contest. Underneath my signature I wrote, "This signature has a lot of backstories. Now I have a new one for signing my first fan's book. Thank you! 💞"

As she read the message, I stormed off to find Ash and Serena. I was definitely ready to sing.

Ash and I were talking our "pre-battle" talk when Dawn bursted into the room. Ash surprised me before with being here, and I was super glad that he was okay.

"Guys!" Dawn yelled. "People are waiting! We need you two on stage so we can begin!"

"Huh? Oh, okay," I chuckled. "Didn't have to break in."

"Sorry, just really stressed!"

"We'll all be fine, don't worry," Ash said. "Why are you so anxious, anyways?"

"I don't know. Let's just get this over with," Dawn sighed, running out of the room.

"No wonder she's related to me," I chuckled.

"You don't need to worry either, Serena," Ash said, kissing my cheek. "C'mon, people are waiting."

"Okay okay," I chuckled, running out of the room.

"You won't beat me!" Ash yelled in his, 'fancier clothes', as he ran after me.

"I'm in heels and a long dress, no duh you'll beat me!" I called.

Everyone looked at us in confusion as we entered the room.

"Sorry," I chuckled.

"Hello everyone!" Professor Kukui yelled in the microphone. "Dawn, Serena, and Ash have put up a lovely performance for us today. I will still be referee in the battle like normal!"

Dawn was up on stage, and when Kukui started playing the karaoke track for Dawn. Ash and I split up, walking on the left or right side, going to our correct side of the battlefield.

^ Play music now! ^

If you want it, take it,
I should've said it before.
Tried to hide it, fake it,
I can't pretend anymore. (Ooh)

I only wanna die alive,
Never by the hands of a broken heart. (Ooh)
And I don't wanna hear you lie tonight,
Now that I've become who I really am.

This is, the part when,
I say I don't want ya,
I'm stronger than I've been before!

This is, the part when,
I break free,
Cause I can't resist it no more.

This is, the part when,
I say I don't want ya,
I'm stronger than I've been before!

This is, the part when,
I break free,
Cause I can't resist it no more.

I looked out, and I saw Ethan watching me. The only question I had, was why I cared. I've never even seen him in the school before, and now I care?

You were better, deeper,
I was under your spell.
Like a deadly, fever, yeah babe,
On a highway to hell. (Ooh)

I only wanna die alive,
Never by the hands of a broken heart. (Ooh)
And I don't wanna hear you lie tonight,
Now that I've become who I really am.

This is, the part when,
I say I don't want ya,
I'm stronger than I've been before!

This is, the part when,
I break free,
Cause I can't resist it no more.

This is, the part when,
I say I don't want ya,
I'm stronger than I've been before!

This is, the part when,
I break free,
Cause I can't resist it no more.

I noticed that my face was burning. Shoot. I'm not blushing. I refuse to blush!!!! These lyrics mean nothing about him, mind!

The thought of your body,
I came alive.
It was lethal,
It was fatal,
In my dreams it felt so right,
But I woke up,
Every time!
Oh, yeah baby!

Everyone stood up and clapped along, and some even started dancing. Serena came up to me and started being a backup singer. Some of the audience joined Serena's role, and that included Ash.

This is, the part when!
I say I don't want ya,
I'm stronger than I've been before!

This is, the part when!
I break free!
Cause I can't resist it no more!

This is, the part when!
I say I don't want ya,
I'm stronger than I've been before!

This is, the part when!
I break free!
Cause I can't resist it no more!

I then did a little dance around the stage at the final part, and everyone clapped at the end, Serena, Ash, and I had a group hug.

"Good luck you two," I whispered to them. I left the stage.

"Now rules will be as usual!" Professor Kukui yelled, running on stage. "And give a hand for Dawn!"

Everyone clapped, including Ash and me. I was happy for her.

"Now, what we've all came for. The battle between the couple of Ash and Serena. Who will win?"

"Come on out, Gardevoir!"

"Let's go, Greninja!"

Perfect... he forgot that they're actual Pokémon. Fairy is strong against that.

"Let the 1v1 battle begin!"

"Gardevoir, get ready," I said, and Gardevoir nodded.

"Greninja, Water Shuriken!"

I nodded my head, and Gardevoir teleported out of the way.

Pokémon moves:

Greninja:
•Water Shuriken

Gardevoir:
•Teleport

"Gardevoir, use Thunderbolt!"

"Greninja, Dodge it!"

Pokémon Moves:

Greninja:
•Water Shuriken

Gardevoir:
•Teleport
•Thunderbolt

"I forgot that Gardevoir could learn Thunderbolt! Ugh. Greninja, let's waste no time here! Stronger and stronger and stronger..."

Ash Greninja has been born.

The massive water shuriken could not be underestimated.

"Gardevoir, wait."

"Greninja, use cut!"

Greninja's Moves:
•Water Shuriken
•Cut

Gardevoir's Moves:
•Teleport
•Thunderbolt

"Dodge then use Moonblast!"

Gardevoir teleported too far away for Greninja to use cut on it. As Gardevoir charged up Moonblast, Greninja was running right to it to land a cut.

"Now!" We both chanted at the same time. A second later, an explosion was on the field.

"Ow!" I watched Ash as he took some damage himself. "That hurts way worse than I imagined."

That means it could be fainted. Please please please?

"They're both still standing!"

"Good job, Gardevoir!"

"Double team, Greninja!"

Greninja's Moves:
•Water Shuriken
•Cut
•Double Team

Gardevoir's Moves:
•Teleport
•Thunderbolt
•Moonblast

"Shadow Ball them all! If they attack, use Teleport!"

"Gardevoir!"

Gardevoir used shadow ball and wiped out all the Greninja except one.

"Thunderbolt!"

"Water Shuriken!"

They both intercepted each other.

"Moonblast!"

"Cut!"

The moonblast once again beat the cut of Greninja, and then it fell back defeated.

"Greninja is unable to battle, so the winner of the Pokémon Tournament is Serena!"

Everyone looked... shocked.

Shocked that I beat Ash, the previous every time champion. We both shook hands as I went to the microphone.

"Hello everyone!" I spoke. "I don't really care that I'm now champion... okay maybe a little.

"But honestly, I wasn't thinking that I'd win, knowing that Ash is the every time winner here. We're both splitting the prize money, so we both won in a way."

Everyone clapped after that, and I went back to my spot. Talk about an unplanned speech.

"Now here's the prize money, Serena! Use it well. And, someone found this crumbled up in some grass I heard. It's just a slip of paper, don't know what's so special about it."

I took the paper from him, and I unfolded it.

Never give up until it's over.

I then hugged Ash, and we went home.

I'm going to make a chapter 36 for music purposes. I didn't ask for a 36 chapter banner, so I won't have one of those unless amandaolson3958 wants to make me another one. 😝

Sorry for the cut, I promise that including chapter 36, chapter 35 would have 3,500 words. Promise. I just don't want this last scene without music or it would be terrible, lol.