pokemon Fighting Dreamers

After the failed act and May's escape, Ash and co. went to May's room but she was nowhere to be seen.

''Max, do you know where could she be?'' Caroline asked him.

''I don't know, she just ran out of the hall.'' Max answered. "I couldn't see her."

"She can't be that far..." Dawn said. "Can she?"

"..." Ash stood silent for a moment. "I think I know where she is, follow me." Ash was about to walk outside the building but Norman stopped him.

"Honestly Ash...I think it'll be better if you go alone."

"Are you sure?" Ash asked.

"I am." Norman nodded placing a hand over his shoulder. "May needs her friend right now."

"Sure...still, I could be wrong, everyone please look for her too." Ash said and they all nodded.

"I'll stay here in case she decides to come." Flannery said.

"Alright, the rest of us will split up." Bea added.

Ash then walked outside of the building and followed a hunch going into the nearby woods, Ash was checking up the trees, but there was still no sign of May, he eventually found a river and decided to follow it.

Some meters away, May was still sitting in front of the river, not moving a centimeter, suddenly she felt something nuzzling to her, she opened her eyes and found two Hoennian Zigzagoons looking at her.

"What are you two looking at?! GO AWAY!" May shouted at the Normal Types, the Zigzagoons then ran away scared of her.

Ash also heard that shout, and after a bit of walking, he finally found May, still sitting down next to the river with her face hidden between her legs.

"Finally, here you are." Ash called May standing next to her.

Seeing May didn't respond, Ash simply sat next to her.

''Leave me alone...'' May said still hiding her face.

''I think I've been doing that for too long.'' Ash answered.

''...How did you know I was here?'' May asked still not bothering to look up.

''You always come to places like this when you're feeling down.''

''I'm surprised you remember anything about me.'' May raised her face slightly, but still not enough to look at Ash.

"After all we've been through why wouldn't I remember?"

''After all we've been through why did you never call me to see how I was doing?" May finally looked at him and Ash stood silent. "Why are you even trying? ...You don't care about me at all.''

''Yes I do! May, listen-''

''No, you listen!" May stood up and looked at him. "You think I'm stupid?! You only came here because Flannery asked you to do it, right?''

''T-That's not-''

''Answer me!'' May demanded.

''...Yes, Flannery told me about the contest." Ash admitted as he stood up as well. "But I came here because I wanted to see you.''

''Why?! Why now?! You think just because you came back everything's gonna be OK?!''

''That's not what I'm saying but...would you have preferred to never see me again at all?"

''...o-of course not! I-I really missed you, but-...argh, why don't you just go with Dawn?!"

"With Dawn?"

"Don't think I don't know, Ash! You never cared about my contests, you were always focused on your battles! But when Dawn had one, you would do anything to help her! She was always your little miss perfect while I was just some annoying brat!"

"May, that's not true!"

"Of course it is! I-If you came to see me then why were you with Dawn already?"

"Are you... jealous of Dawn?"

"...Maybe." May looked to the sides. "It's just...I don't feel like you care about me as much as you care for the other girls."

"If I don't care enough..." Ash searched for something on his pocket. "Then why did I bring this?" Ash showed May his half of the ribbon and she felt like her blood froze.

"You...you still have it?" May asked with difficulty.

"Of course I do, it's very important to me, what about yours?"

"A-Ash, I-" May began to shed tears.

"May, what's wrong?"

"S-Sorry, I have to go!" May quickly ran away from him while Ash simply stood there for a moment, once he snapped back, Ash followed her.

May kept running, not even looking back, she was trying to head to her room, but once she finally made it there, Flannery was waiting for her outside of it.

"May, are you-"

"Get out of my way, Flannery!" May pushed her to the side and tried to enter the door.

"Oh, hell no!" Flannery took a grip of May's arm, carefully to not hurt her. "I'm not letting you go until you tell me what is going on with you, aren't you happy to see Ash again?"

"...This isn't... how I wanted it to be..." May repeated what she had already told Flannery.

"And how did you wanted it to be then?"

"I just wanted him to come on his own! Why is that so hard to get?! I wanted to know that he truly cared, but he only came here because you brought him here!"

"May, that's not true, you should have looked at his face when I told him about the contest, the way he said 'I have to go' He came to Sinnoh only to see you, but so many things got in the way and-"

"Flannery, stop defending him." May interrupted her. "Why do you care about this so much?"

"Because you are my friend and because you're not being fair with Ash, he is great guy and he cares a lot for you."

"If he even cared he'd actually be here."

"May!" Of course, Ash had been following her, he ran through the hall until he was in front of them, May freed herself from Flannery's hold and simply walked inside her room.

"You okay, Flannery?" Ash asked and she simply nodded with a sigh, Ash then took a hold of the knob of the door noticing it wasn't locked. "...Let's try this again."

Ash walked inside the room where May was simply sitting at the end of her bed, Ash sat next to her and May tried to avoid eye contact.

"A-Ash, please I don't want to do this..."

"May...what happened to your other half?" Ash asked considering her reaction when he showed her his.

"...I...I tossed it away." May finally admitted.

Ash stood silent for a moment and then talked again. "...You did what?"

"I know! I'm sorry!" May bursted out. "I-I was really mad at you and when I lost the act I guess I was just looking for someone to blame..."

"That ribbon was-"

"I know what it was, Ash!" May interrupted him. "That ribbon was the biggest symbol of our friendship and I got rid of it like nothing!"

"..." Ash stood silent.

"...Ash?" May called him but he didn't respond.

"..."

"W-Why are you just standing there?!"

"May..." Ash was trying to figure out what to say.

"D-Don't act like I don't know what you're thinking!" May got up from the bed and stood infront of him. "GO ON! HATE ME! SHOUT! SCREAM! JUST SAY SOMETHING! PLEASE! ANYTHING!"

May was now fully crying while looking down, Ash simply got up and walked closer to her, she expected an insult, maybe he would even slap her back, she thought she deserved it, but instead she received a warm hug.

"I..." Ash keep trying his best to find the correct words. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way."

''I-I-I...I'M SORRY!" May cried out loud, hugging Ash's back and crying onto his chest. "I didn't mean to talk you like that! I can't believe I slapped you! I'm really sorry!''

''May...it's alright, I think I deserved it.''

"No, Ash, you didn't." May stopped crying and looked at his eyes. "I-I was the problem...maybe my expectations were just too high."

"What were your expectations like?"

"You'll stride into the room, light will glow from you, I'll hear music, you'll bring me flowers and you'll sweep me off my feet and even if I couldn't recognize you because of the pass of time, I'll know it's you... when you make me smile." May stopped a moment after hearing herself. "... gosh, Max is right, I am a drama queen...I'm sorry Ash, for everything...I know it'll take you a while to forgive me but-" May stopped herself after Ash rested a hand over her head.

"I already forgave you, silly." This statement caused May to give a wide smile. "It's fine May, really, I'm just glad to see you smiling again."

"How could you forgive me after all this?"

"Come on, I would never stay mad at you, but I think I'm not the only one you owe an apology to."

Ash opened the door, finding not only Flannery, but also Dawn, Bea and May's family.

"So, how is May?" Flannery asked.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?"

Ash moved aside and May exited the room, walking until she was Infront of Flannery.

"Flannery, I'm really sorry about what I said." May apologized. "Thank you for bringing Ash here."

"No problem, girl." Flannery answered.

"Dawn, it's really nice to see you again."

"Same goes to you." Dawn replied.

"Guys, sorry for being such a drama queen." May said at her family.

"Ha! She admitted it!" Max laughed and received a back slap from his mother.

''And you..." May then looked at Bea. "I don't know who you are.''

''Well, my name is-''

''I didn't say I was interested either.'' May interrupted Bea.

''LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE-''

''Ok, let's calm down.'' Ash stood between the two girls "This is Bea, she's been traveling with me in the Galar region."

''Thank you all for coming to see me, but I guess there's no point, I think I should present my surrender...unless..." May set her gaze on Ash.

"Is there a problem, May?"

"Ash, I know I'm no one to ask but...I need your help.''

''Help with what?''

''You heard the rules, didn't you? The finals consists of three acts, it's a win 2 of 3 situation and as you saw, I already lost the first one, the thing is that I don't have anyone to be my partner in the second act...Ash, please, you're my only hope!''

''M-May, are you sure? I mean, I've been in some contests before but this seems way out of my league, I don't think I'm the best option here, can't you call Drew?''

''Don't you mention that idiot!'' May shouted.

''Why not?'' Ash asked her.

''May and him were in a relationship some months ago but they broke up.'' Max explained.

''Really? And how much time were you two together?'' Ash asked.

''3.'' May answered with a blank look.

''3 weeks?''

''3 Minutes! He was so irritating!'' May shouted again.

''I see...''

''Ash, you're gonna be my partner, right?''

''...Of course I will, May.''

''THANK YOU!'' May jumped to Ash's arms giving him a big hug.

"Told you." Dawn said laughing.

"Alright, what should we do first?" Ash asked.

"Just follow me."

May guided Ash until they made it to her practice hall.

"This is my place, oh gosh, we have so many things to prepare Ash! W-Where do we even begin? I-I know, take off your pants and-"

"Wait a second, May." Ash stopped whatever she was going to say.

"Uh, wait for what?"

"Before we dig onto this I just would like to know how have you been these last years."

"Oh, well...let me see, after staying in Johto a bit, I tried to do contests in Hoenn again, everything was pretty much the same, although I did have a better win rate and...I traveled with this girl, Serena, she said she was a friend of yours."

"You...you met with Serena?"

"I did, she was nice I guess, she always tried her best but she didn't win any contest while she traveled with me...battle stages aren't really her thing...when we parted ways she said she didn't know whether she would go back to Kalos or stay in Hoenn, I don't know where she is now, but she was always talking about you...like, a lot."

"Hmm..."

"And well...you know, congratulations on winning the Alola League, I guess you're a bit closer to you dream now, aren't you?"

"I am." Ash answered with a smile. "And now I'll help you with yours."

''Alright Ash, focus on me, for the second act, this are the rules, it'll be a pairing performance where each trainer can only use one Pokemon and they have to dance and sing a love song during the act."

"Dance and sing?" Ash asked. "Why exactly?"

"Contest have been through a bit of a reform lately, they want coordinators to have a more active role in the show, you see? It's not just about the Pokemon doing combinations, the trainer also have to do their part."

"Hmm, I think I get it."

"The important thing is that we have less than 24 hours before the second act.''

''You think we can make it?''

''With you by my side, I'm sure we can.''

''Alright, what song should we do?''

''Well, this is kinda embarrassing but..." May blushed a little. "Do you remember that song 'He and She'?''

''That one you were obsessed with for like 2 months? Ash asked with a blank look.

''Hehe, yeah, that one.'' May smiled embarrassed.

''Of course I remember, your voice singing it is nailed in my brain.''

''Sorry about that.''

"Don't worry, I'll gladly sing it with you."

"Now that I think about it...no offense Ash, but do you know how to sing?"

"I'm at a Center, Trying to get better, all of my Hit Points spent on you." Ash began to sing with a sweet voice. "Where did my speed go? I'm movin' like Slowpoke, ever since you used your Trick Room." Ash then began to clap with the rhythm. "If being a PokeMaster did exist, I would not be getting owned like this, these rotation battles don't make sense, one more stupid switchout I'll be sick, now I'm at a center..."

"Chills, literal chills..." May trailed off with stars in her eyes.

"Hehe, yeah...so you're going against Lisia, what do we know about her?"

"I hate to admit it but she's very talented, she didn't stay champion 5 years because of nothing." May started to explain. "I've heard her family spoiled her a lot when she was younger, she even had her 15th birthday party when she was just 13 years old."

"Do you who's her partner?" Ash kept asking.

"My cousin Brendan." She answered.

"The one with white hair?"

"I already told you is a Hat!" May exclaimed.

"Yeah, sorry."

"Fine, what Pokemon will you use?" May asked.

"Let me see..." Ash then released his team, he had already sent Buizel, Noctowl and Heracross back to Oak's lab. "Hey there guys, listen, which one of you would like to participate in a contest with May and me?"

To Ash's surprise, Weavile quickly raised his claw and took a step forward.

"Weavile? ...You like contests?" Ash asked and the Pokemon simply nodded. "Well, ok."

"I'm sure we can make some nice combos if we pair Glaceon with him, Ash, you know how to dance, right?"

"I do." Ash simply answered.

"Then let's start practicing, there's no time to lose."

"She slapped him?!" Jasmine asked surprised, she was having a meal in a cafe with Dawn, Bea and Flannery, the latter three decided to leave May alone with Ash so they could prepare their act and Jasmine just happened to have gone to the same place after her battle with Ash.

"I'm just glad May and Ash could put their problems aside." Flannery said. "But I still feel kinda guilty for all the drama."

"Flannery, you had no way to know that something like that would happen." Bea said.

"Actually since we are all here alone now, I would like to ask y'all something." Dawn looked at the other three girls. "...what do you girls like about Ash so much?"

"I think he's really well-looking." Flannery was the first to talk. "Ash is simply a great person, I love the intensity he has during his battles too."

"Ash is...someone special." Jasmine followed. "Someone who can make anything better simply being there, there's this positive aura that's always following him...I-I think that's why I like him." She said the last sentence with a blush.

"Why do I like Ash? I guess..." Bea thought for a moment. "I just feel safe around him...I feel happier..." Now it was Bea's turn to blush. "What about you, Dawn?"

"Uh, me?"

"Yeah, what do you like about Ash?" Flannery asked.

"I-isn't a bit embarrassing to talk about that?" Dawn asked back while sweating.

"You made the three of us to talk about it!" Jasmine exclaimed.

"Fine." Dawn gave in. "I guess it has to do with his hero instinct, the way he's always putting other people and Pokemon before him."

"Pfft, it's kinda funny." Flannery giggled. "You would expect this to go like one of those college dramas where we all fight for his attention, but we seem to be pretty chill about the fact that we all like the same guy."

"It's not like I want to get in a literal brawl with Bea." Dawn said.

"Yeah, but how are we gonna settle this?" Flannery asked. "Are we going to have a bikini competition or something?"

"I don't think Ash cares about those things that much." Jasmine said. "After all he saw me in underw-" Jasmine quickly stopped talking and covered her mouth.

"What were you saying?" Bea placed a hand over Jasmine's shoulder with a menacing look.

"Alright, Bea, back off a little." Flannery tried to calm her down and stood between the two.

"Jasmine, care to tell us how that happened?" Dawn asked.

"Uh, no! It's nothing! I-I was-I wa–why did I say that?" Jasmine covered her face in embarrassment.

"No way, girl!" Flannery exclaimed. "Now you have to tell us! Tell us! Tell us!"

"H-He came into my locker while I was... changing and he saw me in underwear, he said they gave him the wrong directions."

"Did you two do something?" Dawn asked.

"O-Of course not!" Jasmine stammered with a blush. "Who do you take me for?"

"Just a bit curious, Although I'm sure Flannery would have done something in your place.

Flannery then started to laugh nervously. "I wouldn't have- I...no, you're right, I would have done it."

"Why didn't you tell us that?!" Bea exclaimed.

"B-Because I supposed your reaction would be something like this..." Jasmine shivered in her chair.

"...meh, fair enough." Bea calmed a bit.

"Still, what's with you, Bea?" Dawn asked. "I mean, how long have you been traveling with Ash?"

"I think it's been a month by now." Bea answered.

"Did you started traveling right when you met?" Dawn asked again.

"Two days after our first encounter actually."

"Was it love at first sight?" Dawn kept asking.

"I..." Bea blushed a little. "Yeah, I guess it was."

"Well, that brings me to the important question, what have you done to make Ash fall for you in that month?"

"Uh, well..." Bea relisted her mind a second. "I did the cheerleader thing."

"Yeah, but Flannery and I did that as well." Dawn objected.

"I kissed his cheek the other day." Bea said.

"I did that too." Jasmine raised her hand. "And I confessed to him before our battle."

"Oh, I confessed some days ago too." Flannery added. "Gosh, he's so cute when he's embarrassed."

"W-Well." Bea kept find to make a point. "We had two dates back in Galar but..."

"But?" Dawn asked.

"Well, considering what happened during those...It's a long story..." Bea said. "Coming to think about it, I haven't done much, I'm sure Ash sees me as a valuable partner and friend, but that's pretty much it, nothing romantic."

"Are you trying to play a May and wait for Ash to do the first big move?" Flannery asked.

"Believe me, that's not gonna work." Dawn said. "I waited for like a year and nothing, Ash may be a great person and I'm sure he'd jump out of a cliff for any of us if necessary, but when it comes to love and that kind of things...he ain't the sharpest tool in the shed."

"Yeah, but, what exactly am I supposed to do?" Bea asked. "Most of my tries end up in failure or reinforcing our friendship, which is not exactly a bad thing, but there has to be a way of going further."

"You just need to find your own gig." Jasmine said. "Look at Flannery for example, her gig is being the terminal case pervert."

"...She's got a point." Flannery admitted.

"I don't think I have a gig tho." Bea answered.

"Well, whatever you have in mind, I suggest you to do it, after all if you, who is the closest to him right now, haven't done anything, then we could get tired of waiting for Ash's answer to our confessions and we might simply act." Jasmine said with a teasing look.

"Well, you'll have to keep waiting." Bea stood up confident. "Because I'm not losing Ash to any of you."

"Well, looks like we have an actual competition in our hands." Flannery stood up as well.

"Is that so? Well, I love challenges." Jasmine joined the two as Dawn simply stood sit.

"Order ready!" The waiter of the cafe came to their table.

"SWEET BREAD BUNS!" The four girls exclaimed and started to eat.

"Still, Bea..." Dawn called her. "I don't feel like your actually trying, you know? I'm sure all that Ash needs is a little push and he'll start seeing you another way."

"Hmm...just curious, none of you plan to come with Ash and me back to Galar, right?" Bea asked.

"Oh, I'd like to see Galar." Jasmine raised her hand.

"GOD DAMN IT!" Bea shouted slamming her fist into the table.

"Kidding! Kidding!" Jasmine tried to calm her down. "I-I will go back to Johto once the contest is done." She actually wanted to see Galar, but Bea can be quite scary, maybe another time.

"I'll stay with mom here in Sinnoh for a while." Dawn said.

"And as I already told you, I'll go back to Hoenn." Flannery continued. "Looks like you'll have Ash all for yourself."

"All for myself..." Bea trailed off mildly excited giving the bread a wide bite. "Dis ish sho gud." She ate with tears of joy.

After practicing all afternoon, Ash and May fell exhausted in the training hall, or that's what they thought, Ash woke up a few hours later, it was already late night, he looked around and noticed May wasn't anywhere to be seen once more, he then went with Weavile and Glaceon who were sleeping together. "Have you guys seen May?"

Both Pokemon simply shook their heads.

"..." Following a hunch again, Ash decided to go to the place where she found May in the first place and there she was, knelt at the edge of the river, with her hands inside of it, looking for something.

"It has to be somewhere here..." May said to herself.

"May, what are you doing?" Ash asked walking to the river.

"A-Ash?! ...I... It's nothing. " May didn't want to respond, but Ash quickly understood.

"Oh, so you tossed it here?"

"..." May simply nodded ashamed and looked down.

"...May, I understand how you feel but it's pretty late and we have the second act tomorrow..." Ash then sighed. "Besides, you tossed it hours ago, it probably just went down the river."

"...I...I've been trying to find it...I thought I should do that at least."

"...I think I have an idea." Ash got closer to the river and searched for his half ribbon, he then put his hand above the water, he was about to let it go, but May quickly stopped him and closed his fist with the ribbon.

"W-What do you think you're doing?!" May exclaimed.

"Well...I honestly doubt we'll find yours so I think we should let this one go as well."

"W-Why?! Why would you do that?"

"I told you I already forgave you, but... I know it hurts you...the fact that you got rid of it and I still have it after all these years...maybe this will help you ease that burden...who knows? the halves might just find each other."

"...Ash, tell me something...when I told you I got rid of my half...even if was for just a brief second...did you hate me?"

"..." Ash's smile died down a little and May felt a heavy weight on her chest.

"Ash, please tell me the truth, I can handle it."

"...May, of course I was mad at you because you throw it." Ash finally admitted and then looked back at May. "But it was never about the ribbon, in the end, it's just an object, I was rather worried about the memories we had with it...our friendship...those are the things I value the most, When you got rid of the ribbon...I thought you were trying to forget about me..."

"...I think I was." May admitted.

"But you still remember our journey together, don't you?"

"S-Sure, I-"

"You still remember our battle, right?"

"Of course I do."

"You still remember when Sceptile cut the ribbon?" May simply nodded. "Then that's all I care about."

"I still feel-"

"You remember that one song?" Ash interrupted her. "It's just about the time...not the weather."

"...It's just about the time...spent together...with you." May ended the song, giving Ash another hug. "Ash...how could I forget someone like you?"

Ash broke the hug and lowered his hand with the ribbon on the water, letting it go, the ribbon went down the river, keeping itself above the surface until Ash and May lost vision of it.

"...I still wish we could have put them together one last time." May said.

"Don't worry about that." Ash tried to comfort her. "Come on, let's take you out of here, you'll catch a cold."

After Ash and May left, the two Zigzagoons she scared away back in the morning came out of some bushes after hearing everything.

"You're thinking what I'm thinking?" One of them asked.

"Time for some pickup!" The other answered.

The next day, the Zigzagoons were Infront of the contest hall, after hours of searching they managed to find the two halves of the ribbon.

"Are you sure we should do this?" One of the Zigzagoons asked.

"I am! We have to give these things back to them! I don't know what they are but they seem important."

"But what if the other humans try to stop us?"

"They won't have time, this mission will be fast, in and out."

"Fine..."

The Zigzagoons entered the building, the main hall was empty since everyone was already in the stands waiting for the show.

"See? I told you there was nothing to worry abou-"

"Hey, what are those Zigzagoons doing here?!" A guard who was doing a patrol looked at the racoons.

"Gah! PANIC AND RUN! PANIC AND RUN!" One of the Zigzagoons started to zigzag around to escape.

"Sigh..." The other Zigzagoon followed his motion.

"Here we are, fellas! It's time for the second act! The pairing show! Oh, isn't this lovely? Will May be able of turning this around? Or will she fail like last time? There's only one way to find out!"

The crowd cheered as the announcer began his opening.

"Alright people, we have a surprise for you! Remember when I said that the judges will come only for the last act? Well, guess what? They're right here, right now! Of course, of course, the voting is still up to you, the crowd, but the judges will be here to watch the acts too, now help me give them a warm welcome!" The judges then started to enter the place in the order that the announcer called them.

"First off, A seasoned ex-coordinator of Sinnoh, Johanna! Our local Nurse Joy! The Chief of the Pokémon Activities Committee, Mr. Contesta! The President of the Pokémon Fan Club, Mr. Sukizo! The ex-champion of Hoenn and Master coordinator, Wallace! And last but not least, say hello to the Kalos Queen, Aria!"

All of the judges waved at the audience and then sat in the judge table that was Infront of the scenery.

"Alright, we got everything set up! Lisia won the last act, so she'll be going first and he partner is...wow, non other than May's cousin, Brendan! Looks like we'll have a family feud, let the show begin!"

As the announcer ended his presentation, Lisia and Brendan entered the stage, Lisia was wearing a long teal dress and Brendan had a dark green tuxedo, by Lisia's petition, the roof of the place was completely closed and the stage was illuminated only by the reflectors.

Lisia and Brendan stood together, Brendan released a Shiftry and Lisia called upon a Bellossom, both of them with flower seals.

The two trainers then started a classic waltz dance as their Pokemon did the same, Lisia's Bellossom then raised one of her arms and used moonlight, creating a small moon above them, the light of its rays centering on Lisia and Brendan, the two trainers then began to sing together.

...

She was simply walking alone through the nights streets

Thinking about how hard love tends to be

She asked herself wondering if Cupid

Her wishes again didn't quite hear

...

He was rolling around the bed, as always

The radio suddenly played a romantic song

He didn't pay attention to it but he wondered

He couldn't find sleep so he walked off

...

They were walking in opposite directions

They stumbled onto each other on the road

No words needed, they simply looked at each other

Universe conspired to trap them into a hug

...

Brendan and Lisia then let go each other and danced around their Pokemon who were still in their waltz, The two then kept singing.

...

Two strangers dancing under the moonlight

Two foreigners suddenly turned into a pair

What's up with this weird melody?

That some people call destiny

And for others is a simple coincidence

...

Lisia and Brendan then got together again as their Pokemon now danced separately around them.

...

He asked into her ear: 'Where have been my whole life?'

'for so much time I have looked for you'

She answered: 'Sorry dear, seems like I was busy'

'Although with what? I don't quite understand'

...

Brendan's Shiftry then used Sunny day, creating a small sun next to Bellossom's moon, the two then orbited around each other.

...

The night suddenly turned into day

but the moon stood there

It stayed in the same place along there with the sun

The two astrals looked down at them covering with light

Those two souls with their heart have finally met

...

Two strangers dancing under the moonlight

Two foreigners suddenly turned into a pair

What's up with this weird melody?

That some people call destiny

And for others is a simple coincidence

...

And now they dance

They don't worry about the things

That happens around of them

And now they dance

And everyone who looks at them

Starts believing in love!

...

Two strangers dancing under the moonlight

Two foreigners suddenly turned into a pair

What's up with this weird melody?

That some people call destiny

And for others is a simple coincidence

...

So tell me love...destiny or coincidence?

...

Lisia, Brendan and their Pokemon then made their final bow, the sun and then moon created by Bellossom and Shiftry eclipsed with each other, creating an extremely bright light that quickly died and turned into sparkles that rained over them as they received ovations from the crowd, the two then left the stage and the roof of the hall was opened again.

"That was truly lovely!" The announcer said. "Now it's up for May to top it! And her partner is...Ash Ketchum! Whoo! That kid is friggin anywhere!"

Ash and May were walking to the gate that lead to the stage, May was wearing a short plain red dress and Ash was wearing long black jeans, a white shirt and his red cap, May woke him up early so they could practice a bit more and they were sure that they were ready, Ash was slightly nervous but he was quite confident too, same as May, although Ash could feel something was still bothering her.

"Still thinking about the ribbon?" Ash asked.

"Yes..." May simply answered.

"Don't worry, okay? I'm here for you, whatever happens." Ash gave her a smile and May simply answered with a nod and a blush. ''There, you ready for this?''

''Of course not..." May sighed but then smiled back. "Let's do this.''

''May I have this dance?'' Ash offered his hand.

''You were just dying to say that, weren't you?'' May accepted the offer.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

May and Ash looked back, seeing a group of guards following the two Zigzagoons that were running at them, the Zigzagoons then hid behind Ash as the guards stopped in front of them.

"I'm really sorry, Miss May." One of the guards said. "These two have been running around the whole building, well take them out."

"Hey, wait a second." Ash stopped them seeing both Zigzagoons had something on their mouths. "May, aren't those-?"

"N-No way..." May knelt Infront of the Zigzagoons and this opened her mouth, giving May her half of the Terracotta Ribbon. "It's...i-it's my half, it really is, I thought I'd never see it again."

"T-They got mine too." Ash took his half from the other Zigzagoon. "Wow..."

Seeing their reactions, the Zigzagoons fist bumped their front paws.

May was simply staring at her half still on the ground, some droplets could be seen in her eyes, Ash then knelt next to her. "Hey, May?"

Ash offered his half and May did it as well, putting the together and combining them into a single ribbon once more, May shed some tears and then jumped to Ash's arms giving him the biggest hug she could.

"Do you feel better now?" Ash looked at May as he wiped her tears.

"W-What do you think, idiot?" The two laughed together, May then looked at the Zigzagoons and took them in a hug.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! You have no idea of how important these are for us."

"ZIG!" The two racoons simply smiled.

"You...w-why don't you come with us?" May quickly offered and one of the Zigzagoons jumped to Ash's head as the other stood with May.

"Heh, alright then." Ash took the Zigzagoon on his arms. "Guys, we don't have any free Poke Balls right now, could you take care of them until the end of the show?" Ash asked the guards who have been looking at the scene.

"O-Of course." One of the guards answered sweeping his tears. "It'll be a pleasure."

After that scene Ash and May ran to the stage together and stood in front of the crowd and the judges.

"Hello there, Ash!" Aria waved at him from the judge table.

"Nice to see you, Aria!" Ash waved back at her.

"You know Aria?" May asked him.

"Long story." Ash replied. "For now let's focus."

"Glaceon, I choose you!" May called on her Ice Type.

"Weavile, take the stage!" Ash did the same and both Pokemon appeared with snowflake seals and stood together.

May and Ash stood close enough to each other so that their bodies touched slightly, Ash rested his right hand on the May's back while holding her right hand with his left hand, May then placed her left hand on Ash's shoulder.

"Here we go..." They both whispered at each other.

Ash began to sing in a slow pace as they dance around slowly as well, swaying from left to right.

...

"She is from Hoenn."

"He is from Kanto."

...

May continued following his moves and they kept switching each verse.

...

"She's not much of a worker."

"He doesn't like to slack off."

"She thinks she'll be okay just wandering around."

"He thinks that going to college is gonna make it count."

...

As May and Ash kept dancing, Glaceon and Weavile used Ice Beam together turning the battlefield onto ice, Ash and May did a quick jump together to not get their feet frozen, they laughed as they almost fell but kept singing, this time with May leading.

...

"She's pretty hotheaded."

"He's a bit more calm."

"She wants to be an actress."

"He wants to leave a mark."

"She believes in that pillar up in the sky."

"He believe in the winds that with change will arrive."

...

Glaceon then used Icy Wind and Weavile used Quick Attack to deviate it the winds as he guided them running around Ash and May, surrounded them in a soft icy tornado.

...

"She comes up from Fortree."

"He ran up from Saffron."

"She doesn't think she's pretty."

"He won't call himself handsome."

"She's been living in Johto for a while..."

"He went to have vacations in the same place and time..."

...

Ash and May then sped up the pace of their dancing.

...

"She's ebony to her feet."

"He was blonde like the sun."

"She knows every street."

"He hasn't been there before."

"He only wanted to take a drink, just that."

"She didn't know that love she was going to find."

...

Ash and May then sang together.

...

"They couldn't be more different than they already are"

"But their two lives somehow got aligned."

...

Ash and May then then abruptly stopped their dance and Weavile stopped running.

"Here comes the complicated part." Ash whispered at May. "You ready?"

"As I'll ever be." May nodded.

Glaceon and Weavile then shot Shadow Balls all over the stage breaking the ice and surrounding the whole place in a dark fog, once the fog dispersed Ash and May's outfit had changed colors, May's dress was now fully white and Ash's shirt was red along with now blue jean pants.

The two then went for a very more active dance, Going for something similar to a quickstep but with a faster pace, May then restarted the song.

...

"She's looking forward for the very first time!"

"He's saying goodbye to a troubled past!"

"She feels safe in her skin!"

...

May rested her head on Ash's chest.

...

"He wants her for him!"

...

Ash hugged her closer.

...

"They are taking away all of their fears!"

...

They sang together as then spun separately to both sides of the stage, both then stopped abruptly and stomped the stage, walking to each other slowly

...

"...What do some poem writers know about love?"

"...What do some random critics know about love?"

...

Glaceon used Ice Beam again this time creating a block of ice, Weavile slashed it until it took the form of a table with two chairs, Ash walked to it and sat down, May kept singing as she walked behind him.

...

"She sits in his table."

"He is full of nerves to the top."

"She is named Theresa."

"He is called John."

"She says 'what's up."

"He simply answer 'hello."

"She just won't stop talking."

"He says 'speak slow."

...

"She begins to understand."

"He forgets those hard times."

...

May got up from the table and Ash did the same, the two the sang together.

...

"They found a way."

"To let love win the fight."

...

The two walked closer to each other.

...

"He offered his hand."

"She took it with no doubt."

"Kanto and Hoenn have shared their hearts."

...

"They couldn't be more different than they already are"

"But their two lives somehow got aligned."

...

Weavile and Glaceon the used Ice Beam together creating something similar to a ramp, Weavile then Night Slashed several times, until it had took the shape of wide stairs, Ash and May then ran upstairs as they kept singing and dancing with each other at a fast pace again.

...

"She is looking forward for the very first time!"

"He's saying goodbye to troubled past!"

"She feels safe in her skin!"

"He wants her for him!"

"They are taking away all of their fears!"

...

Once May and Ash were a top of the stairs they stood still Infront of each other.

...

"...What do some movie directors know about love?"

"...What do some some random judges know about love?"

...

The two then ran downstairs, Ash jumped over the last steps and landed in the stage again, May then followed him and Ash catched her, spinning her around several times before putting her on her feet.

Glaceon then made an ice pillar and Weavile did various cuts until it took a form similar to the Lumiose tower.

Ash and May got closer again, in the same position they were at the beginning of their act, swinging slowly from side to side.

...

"And now they like in Kalos."

...

Ash continued as Glaceon used Hail over the stage.

...

"They wanted neutral land."

"She managed to be an actress."

...

Ash let May go and bow down to her.

...

"He's just a normal guy."

...

Ash stood up again and May bow down to him.

...

"And now they walk hand in hand."

"Onward to Lumiose Tower."

...

They joined hands together again.

...

"Showing that love."

"Knows no boundaries."

"In this planet..."

...

Meanwhile in Galar.

"SINCE WHEN KETCHUM CAN SING LIKE THAT?!" Roxie exclaimed with a massive blush. "D-Dude has the voice of angel, what in the-"

Roxie then dropped herself on the bed, her group was currently resting on the Turffield Pokemon Center, she just wanted to see the contest not to fall in love with Ash further, yes, Roxie, the girl who breaths poison, the rocker gothic lolita or whatever you might call her, loved contests, of course she wouldn't say that out loud, it kinda embarrassed her. "That was...he was...wow."

"How you doing, Roxie?" Marnie bumped into the room.

"Gah ah! Nothing! it's nothing!" Roxie tried to cover the TV with her body.

"Hey, I didn't know you liked contests."

"I don't like them! G-Garbodor is the one who was watching that thing, right fella?" Roxie asked at her Pokemon who was watching the TV with her and this simply shook his head denying it. "You stupid..."

Back to the show.

Ash let May go for a moment and she spun to her left, Ash then held her in a dip, while he supported her with both hands as May put both her hands around Ash's neck, they stood in that position for a moment, simply looking at each other, Ash them pulled her back up, Glaceon and Weavile stood next to them while posing and they received an standing ovation from the whole stadium.

''Well, don't just stand there, kiss her!'' A random viewer shouted.

"KISS HER! KISS HER! KISS HER!" The whole stadium shouted.

"Uh, M-May?" Ash called her.

"I-It's alright Ash, y-you don't have to do it if you don't want to."

"Uh, w-well, I-"

''Still, not pleasing the fans could cost us some points...Ash, give me your hat.''

''My hat?'' Ash asked oblivious.

Seeing Ash didn't understand, May took his hat and covered the lower half of their faces with it, May then kissed Ash in the right cheek, pretty close from his lips so from the public's perspective it seemed like a normal lip kiss, needless to say, Bea and company almost had a heart attack.

''That nine-tailed bitch.'' Bea said.

''Hey, I already made that joke.'' Cinderace complained, she then felt a pebble fall on her head, Cinderace then looked up and saw Infernape on his Flamming Nimbus.

"What are you doing?" Cinderace asked him and Bea looked up as well.

"Meet me outside, ok?" Infernape answered as he flew away, Cinderace looked at Bea and told her what Infernape said, both of them then went outside of the building.

"Now that's some chemistry if you ask me!" The announcer shouted and the whole stadium clapped.

"Hahaha! Great! Now please, tell Brendan and Lisia to come back to the stage, it's time for the votes!"

Once both couples were standing in the stage, the announcer talked again.

"It's time people, both pairings did their show, I want you all to turn up your light caster, same as the first act, the judges have a light caster as well, but their votes will have the same value of yours, let's make this fair."

Once again, the crowd pressed their light casters, but unlike the first act, there were plenty of red orbs for May, the lights were absorbed by the screen, Lisia's side took advantage first, but May's quickly followed it until it topped Lisia's, the screen then stopped loading and...

"It's a 67% for May! It's aMAYzing! against all odds, May redeemed herself! This competition will go for its third round!"

May gave Ash a big hug, Brendan simply sighed and Lisia huffed annoyed, the two pairings then looked at each other.

''This doesn't change anything." Lisia was the first to talk. "I'm still going to win.''

''Of course you'll win." May giggled while still hugging Ash. "You'll win second place!''

''May's not gonna give up to you!'' Ash said.

''Brendan! Say something!'' Lisia told him and he then looked at Ash.

''...Hey, dude, could you give me an autograph for my girlfriend?''

"ARGH!" Lisia shouted as she walked away and Brendan then followed her.

"Great show, cousin!" Brendan waved at May as he was leaving.

"Thanks, Brendan!" May giggled.

"Get yourselves ready, the third act is an hour!"

"AN HOUR?!" May exclaimed. "But it's always a day later, like with the second act!"

"Not today, girl!" The announcer answered with a laugh.

Ash and May then went back with the Zigzagoons and took them to May's room where they had their Poke Balls.

"Are you sure you want to come each of you with one of us?" Ash asked. "May and I will part ways after the contest and you two seem rather close, we wouldn't want to separate you."

The Zigzagoons looked at each other and nodded, they bumped their front paws again and then jumped each to Ash's and May's shoulders.

"I suppose that's a yes." Ash offered his a Poke Ball and May did the same, both Pokemon got inside them without resisting but the Poke Balls then shrank with a red light.

"Oh, right, I have six Pokemon already." Ash realized. "Guess I'll have to start rotation with them." Ash then looked at May who had her look down. "Something wrong, May?"

"Do we really have to part ways again?" May asked.

"I...sorry, May, but I still need to finish my journey in Galar and if you win this and become contest champion then you'll have to get back to Hoenn and you'll be very busy."

"I guess you're right..." May admitted. "But Ash, thank you for coming, this act with you...I've never felt better, I really enjoyed it."

"I did too, we just put Lisia in her place!" Ash laughed. "Now all you have to do is win that battle."

"I know but, even if Lisia is not the brightest battler, I'm sure she'll use Mega-Audino and Mega-Altaria, that could be a problem...Ash, I have one last favor to ask you."

"WHAT THE HELL DID JUST HAPPEN, BRENDAN?!" Lisia shouted at him on her room.

"Well, we did our best, but May still managed to win, still, I don't understand what you're making a such a big deal about, there's still the third act."

"I've never went to third act in the finals! I always win the first two acts perfectly! This is ridiculous!"

"Lisia, calm down."

"Calm down?! Your cousin is-"

"Don't mind if I interrupt."

"Oh? ...Mr. Wallace." Brendan looked at the man who was standing at the door.

"Thanks for helping Lisia. brendan, you two did a lovely presentation, still, I would like to talk with Lisia alone for a moment, would you let me?"

"Sure, I...uh, see you next time, Lisia." Brendan waved goodbye and left the room, once they were alone, Wallace looked at his niece.

"Well, that was an unexpected course of events." Wallace began to talk.

"As I already said, this doesn't change anything, I'm still going to win."

"So you're saying May doesn't stand a chance."

"Of course she doesn't!"

"Oh, I don't know, your second act was good but May's was far more complex, they surely understand each other a lot."

"He can't help her anymore, she'll be alone for the third act."

"I still don't think you should get that confident."

"I'm not going to lose to a nobody!" Lisia bursted out.

"Hmm...Fine, I wish you good luck, dear." Wallace left the room, leaving Lisia alone with her thoughts.

"She's just...a nobody."

Meanwhile with Bea and Cinderace, they went outside the hall, where Infernape was waiting, still on his cloud, Bea stood behind and told Cinderace to go with a sign.

"So...magic cloud?" Cinderace asked once they were Infront of each other.

"Pretty much." Infernape answered. "You, uh, you don't want to go for a ride, do you?"

"Is it safe?"

"Sure." Infernape then extended his hand to her. "Do you trust me?"

"...Yes...I think I do." Cinderace simply said as Infernape helped her get on the cloud, she sat right behind Infernape without much trouble. "But if you start singing I swear I'll kick you out."

"Fine, no singing."

"Hey." Bea called them looking at Infernape. "I want her back before we left, okey?" She asked jokingly and Infernape smiled with a nod.

After Infernape and Cinderace took flight, Bea felt a presence and looked around. "...Whoever you are, I suggest you to show yourself." She said, after a bit of silence, the Mega-Lopunny they met back in Veilstone jumped out of a tree and stood infront of Bea.

"It's you..." Bea trailed off. "You've been following us?" She asked and the rabbit nodded. "Why tho? ...hey, where do you come from?" The Lopunny tilted her head. "I mean...you are a Mega-Evolution...but my Poke Ball worked on you so that means you're wild and don't have a trainer...how is that possible?" The Lopunny simply frowned.

"Well, that face tells me you don't know yourself." Bea continued. "If that's the case..." Bea then showed her the same Fast Ball where she escaped from. "Something I've learned during this travel is that having company is a good way of finding answers, truth is that I'm still struggling to find my place...I guess you're struggling too, so if you want to come by...maybe I could help you...we could help you." Bea offered her the Fast ball, Lopunny raised her paw, but once she was just a few centimeters from the Poke Ball she quickly pulled herself back.

"..." The Lopunny raised her hand creating a Water Pulse, she then tossed the orb to the ground disappearing in a small explosion of water.

"...If you're not ready then...I'll be waiting." Bea said, confidently that the Lopunny would hear her.

"Here you are, Bea."

"Ash?" Bea looked back at him.

"I was looking for you, the girls told me you went outside of the building." Ash explained. "You okay?"

"Sure, that Lopunny we met back in Veilstone was following us."

"Really? Well, maybe she's interested in you like Gallade was." Ash pointed out. "Fighting Type really seem to like you."

"Guess we'll wait and see." Bea answered. "Hey, shouldn't you be with May?"

"She said she'll be fine, we already did our act together, the final round is up to her."

"Sure, nice moves by the way, I didn't know you were such a spirited dancer, you could teach me how to dance someday."

"Well, if you want to, I'll gladly do it."

"I'll be looking forward to it...Hey, Ash, I don't wanna sound rude, but when are we getting back to Galar?"

"Right, that was why I was looking for you, I checked up the ferries, the next trip to Galar is tonight, so we'll go after the contest is done, does that work for you?"

"Sure, it does." Bea nodded. "I mean, it's not that I don't like Sinnoh, going along with you is great, but now there's only five months before the league and you're still missing plenty of badges."

"Well, I guess I don't worry about it that much." Ash said. "After all, even if I don't get the 8 badges in time, I still have the ticket."

"What ticket?"

"My invitation to Galar came with a ticket to enter the league, I only have to present it there and I'll be allowed to compete."

"Then why go through all the effort of traveling Galar and get the badges if you have a free entrance?"

"I wanted to experience and explore the new region, I don't like to get things the easy way after all...besides, if I had waited for the league with my ticket, I wouldn't have met you."

"Yeah, now that you mention that...I'm glad you decided to explore Galar."

"That reminds me, if I get the 8 badges in time, I can give the ticket to whoever I choose and that person will enter the league with me, so what do you say?"

"You're inviting me to the league?"

"Of course! I'm sure I'll be able of getting the badges I'm missing in time."

"Well...guess I'll have to accept your offer."

"Great, now come on, the third act will start in a moment."

As they were walking back inside the building, Ash stumbled onto someone, it was none other than Aria wearing her civilian disguise.

"If it isn't Ash." She said adjusting her glasses.

"Nice to see you, Aria...na, Ariana." Ash almost forgot about her secret identity.

"Wait, you're the Kalos Queen girl?" Bea asked.

Aria looked around, seeing there wasn't anyone but them. "Yes, that's me." She answered. "I like to wear this disguise and call myself Ariana to get away from the attention of the press and my fans."

"Shouldn't you use a pseudonym that isn't just your name with an extra syllable then?" Bea asked.

"Probably, but it has worked until now, only Ash and his friend tend to find out, you're one of his kind, aren't you?"

"I am, my name is Bea by the way, I think Ash mentioned you in one of his stories."

"Oh, you tell your friends about me?" Aria asked at Ash and then looked at Bea once more. "What did he say about me? What did he say?"

"What are you even doing in a contest?" Ash asked curious.

"Contests and Performances have been doing this weird alliance for the last months, they pretty much forced me to come here, but I'm glad I could see you, how is Serena by the way?"

"I don't know, actually." Ash answered. "It's been a while since the last time we met."

"I see...well, I just wanted to congratulate you, that performance was wild, like, you were dancing like a madman and then like a total gentleman, quite surprising considering the trouble you had back in that Kalos dance party."

"Well, the advice you gave me back then really worked, you were right, dancing isn't hard, I just needed to relax."

"I'm glad I could help you." Ariana smiled.

"Attention everyone! The third act will begin in 10 minutes!" A voice was heard on the speakers.

"That's my cue." Aria said. "Gotta change myself to be the judge, see ya later."

"Goodbye then!" Ash and Bea said together and they both walked to the stands.

After everything was set, May and Lisia were walking to the battlefield together.

"Guess you didn't expect me to make it here." May said.

"It doesn't matter..." Lisia replied. ''You know what? I totally admire you, May, you're always trying in the face of certain failure."

After a short laugh, Lisia walked to the stage and May went to her side as well.

"It's time for the third and final act, everyone! We'll have a double battle here, show us your skills, but remember there's a time limit, once the battle is done, the judges will then give us an explanation and choose whoever they consider the winner, we have seven judges so there will be no tie here, the winner will be the one who gets 4 out of 7 or higher, release your Pokemon!"

'Ash taught me lots of things...' May thought as she entered the battlefield. 'He was my mentor during our journey in Hoenn and although I managed to find my own style later that doesn't mean I have to forget what Ash showed me...I'll match our styles...Is up to you! Blaziken! Sceptile! Take. The. Stage!"

May released both starters in the battlefield, they looked at each other and simply nodded.

"Wait a sec, Ash." Dawn called him. "Isn't that your Sceptile?"

"It is." Ash answered. "May said she wanted to try something, so I let her borrow him."

"Audi! Ali! Let's do one final act!" Lisia called onto her two Pokemon.

"If both trainers are ready then the battle begins now!"

"No playing around!" At the second the battle started, Lisia pressed her Mega Tiara evolving both Audino and Altaria.

"Sceptile, Seed Bomb! Blaziken, Blaze Kick!"

Sceptile took the seeds on his back and tossed them to the air, Blaziken then jumped and made several Bicycle kicks firing them up and shooting them at Lisia's Pokemon as they exploded.

"Double Moonblast!" Audi joined her arms with Ali's wings and shot a giant moon shaped orb.

"Overheated Leaves!" With a combined Overheat and Leaf Storm, the starters pushed the Moonblast again and damaged the Fairy Types.

"Catapult!" Blaziken jumped onto Sceptile's tail, the latter then swung his tail around, tossing Blaziken at Audino and crashing her onto a wall, Blaziken then jumped off and did the same to Altaria, jumping away once more and landing next to Sceptile.

"Sea of flames!" Sceptile and Blaziken raised their fists together and then punched the ground creating green and red energy columns respectively, Audino and Altaria were surrounded by the columns and these then exploded as the field was surrounded by a grassy terrain that was burning the ground.

"Hey, that's what Burgundy and Cilan used against us." Bea pointed out.

"That's right, I gave May the idea." Ash said.

"Looks like Lisia has no way of countering May's combos!" Flannery cheered on.

"She's really going all out." Dawn continued.

"And I think I know why she's doing that." Jasmine smiled.

'Calm yourself, Lisia.' She thought. "She is not gonna win, Ali, Hurricane!" Altaria flapped her wings quickly creating a hurricane that absorbed the terrain surrounding itself on flames.

Seeing this, May gave a small laugh. "Blaziken, is all yours!"

Blaziken jumped Infront of the tornado and with a strong, direct palm strike he sent it back at them, exploding onto the fairy types.

"Sceptile, Frenzy Plant!" The gecko slammed his palms onto the ground, several giant vines rose from it.

"Audi, Icy Wind!"

Before the roots reached them, Audino froze them in place.

"Just like we planned!" May shouted, Sceptile broke the frozen roots with Leaf Blades and Blaziken started kicking them at the enemies.

"Ali, Audi, double Fire Blast!" The fairies tried to counter but there were two many ice chunks and it took down both of Lisia's Pokemon.

"Dragon Breath and Moon Blast!"

"Leaf Blade and Blaze Kick!"

BZZZZZZZZZZ!

A loud alarm was heard.

''The time's up, people!''

Everyone was so focused in the battle that they had forgot about the time limit, the two girls were panting exhausted, but knowing the procedure, May and Lisia returned their Pokemon and walked together to the stage, waiting for the judges' verdict.

"Now it's time for the judges to decide! I can't contain myself!" The announcer squealed. "Remember that the judges will also take in consideration the other two acts to help their judgement!" This last statement caused May to worry, considering her first act performance. "Let's begin with Johanna!"

"Well, this is quite of a hard choice." Johanna began. "We had amazing performances from the two sides, but I'll stick with May."

She was then followed by Mr. Suziko. "As much as I felt the passion of May's lastest acts, I just can't ignore the first one, my vote is for Lisia."

"I'll have to agree with Mr. Suziko." Mr. Contesta was the next to talk. "May's first act, if it can be call that, left a bitter taste in my mouth, of course the other two made up for it, but it still wasn't enough to make me forget it, Lisia's three acts were impecable so my vote goes for her."

"I stick with the last two statements." Nurse Joy continued. "Due to May's incomplete performance, my vote goes to Lisia."

May worried and Lisia smirked as the counter quickly went to 3 over 1.

"May, I can tell your heart was conflicted during your first act." Fantina said as May lowered her head. "But I truly think you made up for it, whatever that conflict was, I can tell you got over it, you gave your all in the second and third act, that I admire, my vote is for you."

"Both performers, I-I mean coordinators did their best." Aria was the next to talk. "But there was something about May's second act simply trapped me, so my vote is for her."

The counter then went 3 to 3 and Wallace was the only judge left, Lisia smirked again, obviously expecting her uncle to give her his vote, on her side, May tried to keep herself together, expecting the same as Lisia but not giving up on hope just yet.

''It is up to Wallace to choose who'll be the winner!"

"WALLACE! WALLACE! WALLACE!" The whole crowd called his name, Wallace raised his hand and everyone went quiet.

"..." Wallace simply stood silent, he then stood up from his chair and raised his light caster, which he kept after the second act, he looked firmly at both girls and pressed the device calling a red orb of light to come out of it, fading in the air right in front of Lisia.

"RED! FRIGGIN AKARED! WALLACE VOTED FOR MAY!"

"W-W-WHAT?!" Lisia stammered

"EVERYONE SALUTE THE NEW WORLD CONTEST CHAMPION, MAY!"

The announcer shouted once again, golden confetti fell from the roof and everyone was cheering on May, the simply looked up with stars in her eyes. "We did it...we really did." May trailed off.

"You!" Lisia went off the stage and stood in front of her uncle. "Why did you do that?! Why did you let her win?!"

"Don't misunderstand dear, I still think you're a better coordinator."

"Then why did you-"

"Because you need a break." Wallace interrupted. "You let your eyes be blinded by lights, chasing cheers for years and years, always needing more, but was that turned you into?"

"...T-That's not."

"There's something more in the contest than winning...you need to stop, look all around you and remember who all this was for."

"My fans...M-My fans are-"

"Yeah, but how long will they be your fans? After all, you just lost to a...how did you call her? A nobody?"

"..."

"Lisia, over my years or coordinator I've understand that a man learns who is there for him when the glitter fades and the walls won't hold." Wallace then gave her a smile. "Remember that from the rubble, what remains can only be what's true."

"What does that means?" Lisia asked.

"That is something you'll have to find out yourself."

Lisia simply looked down.

"Good, now, if you allow me, your uncle Steven is waiting for me, I'll see you another time."

Wallace left the judge table and Lisia stood still for a minute or so.

"Miss Lisia." A staff member called her. "Uh, as you might know, it's tradition that the previous champion hands over the cup to the new one, you have to go and give it to May."

"...Sure, I'm going." Lisia answered.

After a few minutes, May was standing in the podium alongside Ash, the announcer and the Pokemon they used for the contest, Brendan was the next to come by, along a tall blue haired girl wearing a red horned hoodie.

"May, congratulations." Brendan and the girl said.

"Thanks guys." May replied.

"Wait a sec-" Ash trailed off looking at the girl.

"Ash, this is Brendan's girlfriend." May introduced the girl. "Her name is-"

"A TEAM MAGMA GRUNT!" Ash shouted once she recognized her.

"W-W-Wait! Is not what you think!" The girl stuttered scared. "I-I know what you did and who you are, but don't worry, Team Magma is reformed!"

"Reformed?" Ash asked.

"Y-Yeah, we're an environmental group now, since leader Maxie realized his mistakes we've been trying to fix the mess we've made."

"After you almost dried up all of Hoenn you call yourselves an environmental group?" Ash asked.

"We've been reflecting in our actions from that time, we apologized too..."

"...Can you assure me that Courtney or Tabitha aren't going to try recreating Maxie's plan and ending up failing and killing themselves?" Ash was still kinda affected by what happened with Saturn.

"O-Of course!" The girl assured him as if it wasn't the first time someone asks her that.

"Uh, sure, sorry." Ash finally calmed down. "What was your name?"

"My name is-" The place suddenly went dark and all the reflectors pointed at Lisia who was walking to the podium carrying the cup. "Oh, guess I gotta go." The Magma Grunt gave Brendan a cheek kiss and then left the podium, The reflector followed Lisia until she stepped on the podium, the lights then went back to normal, Lisia looked at Brendan first.

"Brendan, excuse me for that outburst of earlier."

"Don't mind it, Lissi." Brendan smiled at her, Lisia then smiled back and looked at Ash.

"That second act was beautiful, May is lucky to have a partner as talented and handsome as you."

"Uh, well thanks." Ash replied. "You and Brendan did great too."

Lisia ended setting her gaze on May, the two looked at each other for roughly half a minute of silence.

"...May, before giving this to you there's something I have to say" Lisia sighed. "...I'm sorry..."

"...I think you forgot the insulting part of that insult." May answered rolling her eyes.

"It wasn't an insult." Lisia assured her. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you...you won fair and square...you have something that I forgot about...could you hand me the microphone a second?" Lisia looked at the announcer and he handed it over while Lisia still had the cup in her hands. "Thanks..." Lisia then looked at the crowd and started to talk though the microphone. "This is a message for all my fans...I'm retiring." The whole place let out a gasp. "I know what you might be thinking and...yes, it does have to do with this defeat...but it's not just because I lost, it's because my showdown against May showed me that I've been lacking something...so I'll back down for now, I might return someday but honestly I don't think that would happen...well, be as it may..." Lisia then raised the cup at her rival. "You'll be in good care."

After a big celebration to congratulate May's victory, Ash and Bea had packed their things, the sun was almost setting and all that was left was saying their goodbyes to their friends and Ash decided to start with Ash and May.

"Well, it's time to part." Ash said to his former companions. "I'm really thankful for getting the chance to see you two again."

"I'm really glad I could see you again too." Dawn replied.

"Just make sure I don't have to wait four more years to see you again." May pleaded.

"I will, promise." Ash assured. "May, congratulations again, I'm sure you'll do great as the contest champion."

"Yeah, hang into that throne while you can." Dawn said. "You just wait, next time, I'll be in the finals!''

"You can try if you want, but with all the effort it took, I won't give up that easy." May giggled. ''Say Ash, if Dawn ended up in the finals and we both asked you to be our partner, which one would you choose?''

''Well, I...I don't know." Ash raised his shoulders. "If someone asked me to choose between you two, I don't think I could.''

''Hmmp, that was the exact answer I was expecting.'' Dawn said.

"That's Ash Ketchum, alright." May agreed.

"I'll stay in contact with you two, I promise." Ash hugged them both at the same time and then left the two girls alone.

''He still called me his favorite.'' Dawn smirked at May.

''Shut up.'' May rolled her eyes.

''Yeah, yeah." Dawn then walked to Bea, handing her a shopping bag. "I brought this little gift for you Bea, hope you like it.''

"Oh, well, thanks, D..." Bea took the bag and opened it, blushing in the instant she saw its content. ''D-D-DAWN! What in the!''

''Oh, don't be dramatic, I'm sure Ash is gonna like it a lot, he already saw me wearing one anyway."

''HE WHAT?!'' Bea shouted with a blush and then looked at Ash who was talking with Flannery.

''So you won't come back to Galar with us?'' Ash asked her.

''Sadly no, I'll be going back to Hoenn with May for a while, I need to check up the Gym too, guess we'll meet again, but thanks for letting me go along, I enjoyed this crazy little adventure.''

''We were glad to have you.'' Ash's sincere smile was enough to make Flannery blush

''Hope you and Bea do great together.''

''Thanks, Flannery.''

"Oh, Ash, one last thing."

"Uh, what thing?"

"This thing!" Flannery took a hold of her shirt and flashed her black bra at Ash, it was less than a second, but it was enough to leave that image on Ash's mind for a while, speaking of Ash, rather than blushing, it seemed like his face was going to erupt.

"F-F-FLANNERY!" Ash stuttered once he reacted.

"What?" Flannery asked with a laugh. "If you already saw Jasmine's then I don't see the trouble."

"You told them that?!" Ash exclaimed at Jasmine.

"I-I didn't have much of choice." Jasmine replied embarrassed.

"What are you so embarrassed about?" Flannery hugged Ash from behind tightly. "You're having impure thoughts already?" Flannery then whispered on Ash's ear. "I always knew you were a pervert."

"I-I'm not, you were, I-I-"

"HAHAHA!" Flannery laughed at him. "I'm just messing with you, Ash, I love how easy it is to get you embarrassed." Flannery then moved forward a little, still hugging Ash and giving a cheek kiss. "Just to make sure you won't forget about me, Mr. King of decency.''

Flannery then let the blushing Ash go and pushed him slightly, causing him to stumble onto Jasmine, who stopped him from falling, once Ash regained composure again, Jasmine looked firmly at him.

"Oh, well, guess it's my turn...I..." Jasmine scratched the back of her head, unsure of what to say. "W-Well, my goodbye won't be as dramatic but..." She held both of Ash's hands as they blushed. "I just hope that when we meet again you've had made up your mind about...well, all of this."

"Thanks...I hope that too." Ash said, receiving yet another cheek kiss from Jasmine. "Take care."

"You too."

After saying all the goodbyes Ash went with Bea who simply looked at all the scenes from behind.

''You okay, Bea?''

''Perfectly fine.'' Bea then handed Ash his cruise ticket and his backpack.

''Well, it looks like it's just you and me again.''

''Oh, thanks god.'' Bea whispered.

''What?''

''N-Nothing! I said Nothing!''

''Uh, well, I think it's time we head back to Galar.''

''Sure, let's get going!'' Ash and Bea walked until they made it to the nearby port, but just before entering, Ash remembered something.

"...wait, have you seen Cinderace and Infernape?"

"Oh, I think I did." Bea simply pointed up and Ash looked at Cinderace watching the Sunset along Infernape, both of them on his Flamming nimbus. "Way to go." Bea said.

"I guess you were right, this place is nice." Cinderace said at him playing with his flame as if it was hair.

"Yup! And I bet Galar is just as good." Infernape replied excited. "I can't wait to see it."

"Trust me, you're gonna love Galar."

"Hey you two! Come on down!" Bea called them and Infernape then lowered then lowered the cloud as Cinderace jumped off.

"Hope you liked the travel." Infernape said.

"I did..." Cinderace held Infernape cheeks and got closer to him nuzzling their noses together. "Thank you." Our man Infernape fainted in the act and Cinderace walked to the cruise satisfied.

"Would you look at that." Bea laughed as Ash returned Infernape. "Hey, do you know when we'll be arriving to Galar?" She asked him.

"I think it'll be tomorrow around midday." Ash said looking at his ticket.

'Hmm...so we'll have the morning for us in the cruise...' Bea thought for herself. "Ash, I'm tired, I'll go to my room, see you tomorrow." Bea said quickly and then ran aboard and went directly to her room.

"Uh, sure, sleep well." Ash waved goodbye as he went to his room.

"Finally, it'll be just Ash and me!" Bea celebrated with a blush, she then looked herself in the mirror of her room. "...Tomorrow's the day, Bea!"

Meanwhile in Hulbury, at Nessa's mansion.

"Hey, Matthews." Nessa talked to one of her butlers. "Have you seen the bleach?"

"Why yes." The butler answered. "Miss Valerie took it a few minutes ago."

"Oh, that's...wait a...VALERIE!" Nessa exclaimed as she ran to Valerie's room, she quickly made it to her door and ordered her Barbaracle to kick it down, there was Valerie on the floor, simply looking at the roof with the bleach bottle on her hand.

"V-Valerie, are you-" Nessa was afraid to ask but Valerie interrupted her.

"Don't worry about it, I don't even have enough willpower to open this thing." Valerie struggled to take off the cover of the bottle, but she couldn't, this caused Nessa to sigh in relief.

"Thank goodness." Nessa calmed herself

"Yeah, thank goodness for making pathetic up to that point." Valerie continued.

"Valerie, it's just an artist block, you can't stay like this forever." Nessa took the bottle away from her friend.

"Watch me." Valerie rolled over herself ending up with her face on the ground.

"God damn it...Barbaracle, put her in her bed, would you?" Nessa sighed and the Pokemon did as told, the Water Gym Leader then took her Rotom Phone, which had just received a message from Ash.

-Hey there, just wanted to tell you that we're already on our way back to Galar, we'll be there tomorrow-

Nessa blushed by the fact that Ash considered her important enough to sent her that message, she then looked at Valerie again and an idea ran through her head. "You know, Valerie? I think I know just what you need, a little bit of Ketchum charm."

-We'll be waiting for you, take care- Nessa answered the chat.