Ash was nervous for Serena. He knew how much contests and performing meant to her. This was her second to last contest in Hoenn – he wanted her to get as many ribbons as possible.

It was time to watch Serena's battle against the girl Erin and her Whismicott. Hannah and Crystal's battle would be off screen.

-

After a landslide victory to Serena and Braixen, the TV switched to Crystal and Hannah's battle, which was going down to the wire. There was only a sliver of the meter left on both of their pokémon.

'Hidden Power!' Crystal yelled.

'Dodge it Togekiss!'

Unfortunately for Hannah, the green orb collided with Togekiss, meaning that Crystal had won.

'Crystal is the winner, and she will be facing Serena in the final!' The two friends walked backstage.

-

'Well done Crystal!' Hannah said sincerely. 'I knew you were gonna beat me.'

Crystal smiled. 'Thanks Hannah. All I have to do is beat Serena then I will get my first ribbon!' She stopped. 'Arceus. I have to beat Serena.'

'It'll be interesting, for sure.' Serena said, walking up to where they were in the doorway. Swablu was following her.

'I'll look after Swablu for you, right Serena?' Her blonde friend nodded. 'You guys go. I'll be cheering for both of you!' Swablu chirped in encouragement.

-

'Aue!' Hau said. 'I can't believe Hannah didn't win. She used to tell me all about her dream of becoming the world's most popular performer.'

'What's your dream?' Ash asked.

Hau looked at him, a grin starting to form on his face. 'I want to be the champion of Alola, and complete my Island Challenge!' He said. 'Can I go with you and Lillie to Akala?'

'Sure!'

The TV started again, so the boys directed their attention to the screen. Serena and Crystal had thrown their pokéballs, revealing Braixen and Sylveon.

'Swift!' Crystal yelled, and her pokémon swiped her tail, making stars appear. They hit Braixen, making her and Serena's meter go down. 'Moonblast!' Sylveon made a pink glowing orb, and flung it to hit Braixen, who quickly tried to dodge, but the attack hit her tail.

Ash could see that Crystal was bombarding Serena with attacks. Serena yelled for Braixen to use Fire Blast, which hit Sylveon, bringing her and Crystal's meter down. He started to notice certains details about his friend (*cough* girl *cough* friend *cough* I mean what). Ash saw her crystal blue eyes accessing the battle in front of her, her eyebrows scrunched into a focused look. All of his companions were reasonably pretty, but Serena was on another level. She... well she was beautiful.

'Ash? Are you there?' Hau waved his hand in front of Ash's face. 'The battle's over. Hannah's friend Crystal won.'

The black haired trainer slumped. 'I missed it?'

Hau nodded. 'What were you thinking about anyway?'

'Well – I – uh.' Ash stuttered, his face red. 'Oh – um – about what will – uh- be on the next island!' He made his voice higher as if he were asking a question.

Hau looked at him. 'Okay? Now we have to watch Crystal get her ribbon!' They both watched as Crystal, with tears in her eyes, received the blue ribbon from May. She whispered something to Crystal, whose eyes bulged.

-

'Well done Crystal!' Hannah tackled her friend into a hug. Serena also gave the bluenette a hug, but Crystal seemed distracted somehow.

'Crystal, what's wrong?' Serena said.

Her friend looked down. 'It – it was just something May said to me.' A single tear rolled her cheek. 'It would mean I couldn't travel with you guys.'

'What did she say?' Hannah said slowly.

'She wanted to be my mentor.' Crystal said. 'I don't know what to do!'

Serena put an arm around Crystal and Hannah. 'We'll figure it out. How about we talk to your parents?

-

'Oh Crissie dear!' Her mother came rushing toward her, her green eyes brimming with happy tears. Her father was there too, who crushed her with a hug. 'Let's go home and have a celebratory dinner!'

Crystal did a undesisive smile. 'Great...' They all walked back to Crystal's and her parent's home. Joanne started to tinker around the kitchen.

'Oh, um, Mrs?' Serena asked. Joanne told her to use her first name. 'Can Hannah and I do the cooking for you while you celebrate with Crystal?'

Joanne beamed. 'Oh thank you very much Serena and Hannah!' She left the kitchen, leaving Serena and Hannah to do the cooking.

-

'I am so proud of you, Crystal!' Her father said. 'I can just see it. Crystal Greyson (ahhh bad with last names lol) the top co-ordinator in Hoenn!'

'Well, I'm not so sure about that.' Crystal said. 'Mum, Dad, I want to go to Alola to help Serena and Hannah to bring contests there.'

There was silence. Jerry's mouth fell open. Joanne was completely still. Even the noise from the kitchen had stopped.

'Did you say Alola?' Jerry said. Crystal nodded. 'No.'

Crystal stood up from her chair. 'What? Why not?'

'We want to keep you safe.' Joanne said calmly.

Jerry sighed. 'There is an evil team there. (not that evil tbh) Team Skull.'

Hannah shuffled into the room. 'Not meaning to interupt this, uh, family conversation, but Team Skull isn't really bad. They are just bad at being bad.' She quickly bowed, and shuffled back into the kitchen.

'We'll think about it.'

Serena and Hannah came in with piles of steaming food. They awkwardly placed it on the table. The bluenette sat between her two friends, eating their food. Joanne and Jerry said it was delicious. Serena, followed by Swablu, also brought out some macarons.

'My Arceus,' Hannah said, eating the delicacy. 'These are so good Serena! You could open your own pastry shop!'

Serena smiled. 'Thank you.'

-

The three girls were in Crystal's room, Serena and Hannah on stretchers, while Crystal was on her bed.

'I want to go to Alola with you guys!' Crystal groaned. 'Maybe I can just sneak away?'

'No! I know it might not seem like it, but your parents do care. That happened with me.' Hannah told Crystal. 'The day I beat my dad in a battle was the day I was allowed to come to Hoenn.' She sent out her Eevee, who then curled tightly into her lap. Serena sent out all her pokémon, while Crystal sent out Sylveon and Umbreon.

'The day you beat your dad in a battle?' Serena exclaimed.

Hannah nodded. 'I proved my strength to them.'

Crystal had an odd glint in her eye. 'Proving my strength...'

OOH ASH IS STARTING TO REALIZE HIS LOVEEEEEE. This chapter finished in an odd place but eh. I also think it may be a few more chapters than I realized to the time skip. need dem ship moments

Okay, so this week we got over 18k reads, and 600 votes! Just freakin wow

QOTD: Recently, there were some fake leaks about the pokémon switch starters. Did you see them, and if so, what did you think of them? I WANT THE PLATYPUS. I WANT IT NOW. I would call him Thomas cuz I can. But the others were cool, I thought the bunny would evolve into a fire fighting (AAGAIIN), the lemur thing was pretty cool too. BUT THE PLATYPUS WAS MY BABY.

Don't forget to vote and comment :D

Hannah <3