Dawn's POV

"Welcome to the Rustboro City Pokemon Contest! I'm your announcer, Vivian, and we have our very own Rustboro City Nurse Joy, Mr Contesta, and Mr Sukizo here to judge the Contest today! We have a whole bunch of exciting displays prepared for you by our amazing Coordinators! Let's make sure to cheer them on! Coordinator Elia is up first!" The voice shouted.

We were waiting in the dressing room before going in stage. I would be staying behind so that I could watch. Crystal was number 12 and was going to use Serena and Ash in the Performance Stage and May and Drew in the Battle one. I could tell that Crystal was nervous because she was hyperventilating.

"Breath... Breath..." Serena kept repeating as she tried to calm her down and using her ribbons to pat her back.

Crystal randomly grabbed a paper bag out of nowhere and started breathing into it. When she was done, she let out a sigh and then put on a determined face.

"Alright guys! Are you ready?!" She jumped excitedly.

We all sweat dropped at her sudden change of attitude. They all gave excited shouts anyways and I smiled. They sure don't seem nervous.

"How many ribbons do you guys have?" I asked.

Serena walked over to me. "Well, if we win this one, it'll be our second one," She answered me.

Ash was playing with Crystal while Drew and May were talking.

"So you only have one ribbon?" I clarified.

Serena nodded.

"Are you guys new to the Coordinating and Training world?" I asked.

Serena looked up in thought and said, "Well, in a way, I guess."

I tilted my head in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, Crystal was originally from the Kalos region. Her parents owned a Day Care on the outskirts of Vaniville Town and raised lots of pokemon eggs. Drew was a gift to her from her parents on her 10th birthday. Instead of traveling after she got a pokemon, she decided to stay at the Day Care and help while raising Drew. When she turned 12, her parents finally convinced her to travel the pokemon world. Crystal didn't want to leave Kalos, so she started out by traveling in her home region. Then she caught me and Ash soon afterwards when we were still Eevee. She didn't fight gyms and participate in showcases, but she did manage to befriend a few Gym Leaders, Trainers, and a Performer. On her 13th birthday, her parents gave her permission and money to travel to another region. That region just happened to be Hoenn. She decided to start Coordinating and Training a few months ago, so we're basically new," Serena explained.

I stayed silent for a few moments while taking in all of that information.

"So she's currently 13?" I finally asked.

Serena nodded.

"And you all just basically started?" I asked.

She nodded again.

"How are you so confident? Even Crystal. After she was done freaking out she jumped up all excited."

"Well, for Crystal, that's normal," She let out a small laugh. "You just have to believe in yourself to be confident. You have to believe that you can do it with this."

She touched my chest where my heart should be with her ribbon and smiled. I smiled back.

In the few days that I've been with the group, Serena has been a big sister figure to me. In a way, May too, but Serena seems more mature. Drew also seems like a big brother while Ash acts like a little brother, even though he's older than me. They've all been able to make me feel like where I am now is home. I never would've thought that I would've been captured by a Trainer. After what happened to my mom, Trainers became a figure of hatred and sadness to me. That one Trainer changed my view of others greatly. But after meeting Crystal and opening up to her, I now know that they aren't all like that. Lots of Trainers actually care for pokemon and won't just catch them out of the blue. They become friends first and even ask.

We started watching the TV that was in the room. It showed the Coordinators on stage. Lots of Coordinators' acts were impressive, beautiful, and graceful. It would be tough to beat that. I glanced over at everyone else as the judges gave the previous Coordinator a 27.8. Instead of looking worried, though, their faces looked even more determined.

When it was finally their turn, me, May, and Drew wished them luck as Crystal returned Serena and Ash and started walking to the stage. She soon appeared on screen and stage and was introduced to the crowd.

"And here comes entry number 12, Crystal Lumiere of Vaniville, Kalos! Let's see what she can do!" Vivian shouted cheerfully into her microphone and her voice echoed through the hall.

"Alright guys! Come on out!" Crystal shouted.

The ball capsule made Serena's entrance seem elegant while Ash's made his look mysterious. They both posed and the crowd cheered. It was honestly kind of weird to see the kind, cheerful Ash act dangerous and mysterious.

"Ash, use Shadow Ball and Serena, use Fairy Wind!" Crystal shouted to them.

As shot balls of purple and black into the sky above him and Serena used the sparkling wind to push the orbs to the crowd. Before they hit anyone, the Shadow Balls exploded from the Fairy Wind and turned to sparkles. Upon closer inspection, you could see that some of the Shadow Ball had been turned into small stars while some of the Fairy Wind combined into small hearts. The crowd gasped as the sparkles flew down on them and cheered.

It's not about what the judges think and feel, but the audience. When performing, focus more on what the audience want to see and how they'll feel, and you'll be guaranteed a sure win. Crystal had said to me before the contest.

"Now use Hidden Power, Ash!" Crystal shouted.

Ash shot multiple gray orbs upward.

"Now both of you, use Iron Tail!"

Both of them jumped into the air and were now above the Hidden Power. Their tails grew white and the came crashing down on the Hidden Power. They pushed the balls to the floor and they exploded into sparkles.

"Now just like we practiced!" I heard Crystal say to them as the sparkles were still on the stage.

They both jumped up on her held out arms and balanced themselves. Then, Crystal silently counted down from three and then lifted her hands up quickly. Serena and Ash jumped off of her arms and high into the air.

"Let's wrap this up! Swift and Dark Pulse, guys!" Crystal called.

Serena whipped her tail and bright, yellow stars came from it. It started showering over the crowd. Then Ash used Dark Pulse before it hit anyone and the Swift exploded into yellow and purple fireworks. The crowd cheered in admiration.

"Thank you!" Crystal shouted as she bowed. Serena and Ash had landed beside her and bowed as well.

The crowd cheered.

Her finishing score was 28.9.

I stared up at the screen with sparkling eyes. Sure, I had watched them practice their routine, but seeing it in action, it was even better than what I had imagined.

Crystal, Serena, and Ash then came into the room and were tackled by congratulations. I had hopped up onto Crystal's shoulder and climbed up onto her head.

"That was amazing!" I praised them all.

"Aww shucks! Thanks Dawn!" Ash grinned.

Serena smiled and Crystal let out a little laugh before taking me in her arms and asking, "So? Are you ready for your turn next?"

I smiled. "Yes!"

"Alright, our turn is next!" May said excitedly.

"Try not to trip," Drew smirked.

We all knew how clumsy May was. But when it really counted, she was very reliable.

"Hey! Shut up!" May punched him and he faked hurt.

They all started laughing.

I'm not glad and confident that I decided to join this group, this Trainer, and these pokemon. They all made me feel welcome and are all kind. Even if I don't end up finding Paul, I know that he'll be fine, because he's strong. He's smart and he's clever. He'll be able to survive out there.

"Alright! Now that the last performance has been done, let's see who'll be going to the next stage!" Vivian voice was heard from the TV.

We all turned impatient to the screen. Other Coordinator's faces popped up one by one. Only four would be chosen out of twelve. Kind of intimidating if you ask me.

Cooordinater Janita and her Lilpup and Buneary had passed first. Then Coordinator Ryan and his Flareon and Vaporeon. Then finally Coordinator William and his Elekid and Torchic.

We stared at the screen in anticipation. Only one spot left.

"And finally, Coordinator Crystal Lumiere and her Sylveon and Umbreon!" Vivian said excitedly.

We all let out the breaths that we didn't even know that we were holding.

"Yes! We did it!" Crystal shouted excitedly.

We all cheered along with her.

"Alright guys, this will be it. After the semifinal battle in the Battle Stage, it's onto the finals and we'll win our ribbon!" Crystal said to May and Drew.

They both nodded and they all high fived.

"You guys can do this!" Ash said excitedly.

Serena nodded and smiled in agreement.

"Alright, let's give it our all!" Crystal finally shouted and we all cheered again.

Welp, here's your update! I think on a roll right now. I'm updating all of my stories in a matter of two or three days. By the way, I'm back on my normal schedule if you haven't noticed so updates might not come as quickly. Anyways, thanks for reading! Please vote and comment and share! Ciao!

~Crystal

Word Count: 1657

3/31/18