Yeah, I know, I should be working on my other two fics right now, but I've been in a Contestshipping mood for a few weeks now and I just couldn't help myself, I had to post it. This is only going to be about 3-4 chapters long, so it's not that big, but the chapters might be longer than my usual. This one alone is over 3,000 words and that's actually quite a lot for me.

I'll say it now, I might have gone a little overboard on the insults with Drew, but I was having a lot of fun with it and it just kind of... happened... So yeah...

Disclaimer: If I owned Pokémon, the Musicals in Gen V would not have happened and would instead be replaced by some kind of revamped Contest. So obviously I do not own Pokémon.

"This is it Blaziken! This is going to be the biggest Contest of my entire career!" I squealed to my Fire/Fighting type as I stood outside the sleek, metallic building. "I'm so excited!"

I had just come home from Sinnoh, having just barely lost my third Grand Festival, when my mother told me about some kind of special Contest being held in LaRousse City. It was only open to those who were either a Top Coordinator or had been in three different Grand Festivals. Since I qualified as part of the latter group, I decided to check it out.

"Welcome to LaRousse City! Are you here to sign up for the Contest?" A woman with dark red hair was at the counter inside the makeshift Contest Hall. I call it makeshift because it wasn't an official Contest Hall, not for the condition it was in.

"Of course I am!" I said, handing over my Hoenn Contest Pass.

"Alright, I still need verification for the other Grand Festivals you've entered, seeing as you aren't showing up as a Top Coordinator." I gave her my Johto and Sinnoh passes, because those were my better finishes.

"Am I all set for the Contest?" I asked. The woman behind the counter nodded and smiled at me.

"Of course! The Contest is tomorrow at 12:00 noon. You'll have to present this special pass to get in," she handed me something that looked like a Contest Pass but with some other information on it, "and it will follow standard Contest rules for the Hoenn Region. One Pokémon for the whole Contest, no substitutions."

"Got it! Thank you so much!" I said, turning to leave. Blaziken followed me until we got out of the Hall. There, he started growling before running off across a clearing.

"Blaziken, what are you doing? Get back here!" I cried, following my Pokémon through a crowd of people, apologizing as quickly as I could as Blaziken shoved several bystanders out of the way before lunging at something.

"Get it off of me!" I couldn't see what had caused Blaziken to react like this, but I could tell they were struggling to get away.

"Blaziken, what are you doing!" I demanded, placing my hands on my hips and giving Blaziken a disappointed look.

"Wait, is that you June? Wow, long time no see. Now could you please tell your Pokémon to get off me!"

"Drew Hayden…" I growled, turning my attention from Blaziken to the grasshead pinned beneath his claws. "What are you doing here?"

"Um, I live here, I thought you already knew that. Am I really that easy to forget?" Drew asked, pretending to be offended.

"Unfortunately, no."

"Anyway, since you asked, I'm actually here for that big Contest that they're having for Top Coordinators. Seeing as I am one now. Unlike some people."

"Seeing as my Pokémon currently has you pinned to the ground and Grass types are weak against Fire types, I suggest you shut up. And it isn't only for Top Coordinators."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me, grasshead."

"Alright, alright, I'll stop if you'll tell your Blaziken to let me go," Drew said. I did as he asked—I honestly wish I hadn't—and he got up, flicking his fringe out of his face in the process.

"Better, but that really isn't anyway to greet someone. A simple hello would have sufficed."

"Who said I was trying to greet you?" I asked testily.

"Well, the fact that your Blaziken here was so excited to see me must reflect somewhat on its trainer. So, you're actually going to enter this Contest? Bold move, considering you're completely out of place," Drew commented, turning and walking towards the Contest Hall.

"What do you mean, 'out of place?'?" I asked, following him while every fiber of my being warned me not to.

"What I mean, April, is that you're going to be up against a bunch of Top Coordinators when you've been in who knows how many Grand Festivals now and still not managed to win one," Drew replied, grinning as my rage grew.

"I'll show you! I'm going to win this to prove that just because I don't have the title doesn't mean I don't have the ability!" I shouted, glaring at the green-haired boy. He chuckled, shaking his head as he went inside.

"You, me, the finals. Make it there and we'll see who's better." The automatic doors closed and I was left standing outside, wishing I had told Blaziken to blast him into next week when I had the chance.

~ ( ~ ) ~

"Alright Blaziken, you ready for this?" I asked my Fire/Fighting type as I waited for my turn to go onstage. There were so many different Coordinators here, from all different regions. I recognized one as Dawn's friend, Zoey. According to Dawn, Zoey had been the one to beat her in the Sinnoh Grand Festival finals, becoming a Top Coordinator and leaving Dawn in second place. She and her Glameow were amazing.

"Alright Ms. Maple, you're up next!" I returned Blaziken to his Pokéball and waited for the coordinator before me to leave the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big welcome to May Maple from Petalburg City!" Vivian Meridian was standing center stage, with two other women on either side of her. On one side was her sister, Lilian, who announced all the Contests in the Kanto region. On her other side was Marian, who was the Contest announcer from Sinnoh.

"May just recently participated in the Sinnoh Grand Festival, narrowly losing her chance at the title of Top Coordinator in the final round!" Marian announced. Wow, that's a great way to up my self-esteem, just remind me of my past failures.

"But will she be able to prove herself among all these Top Coordinators? Well, it isn't up to us to decide that!" Lilian said. Yeah, no pressure, right?

"So let's get started!" All three women said at once, earning generous applause from the audience. I walked onto the stage, Pokéball in hand and a bright smile plastered on my face as the three Contest announcers left the stage. This must have been huge if all three of them were here.

"Alright Blaziken, take the stage!" I said, sending out my Fire/Fighting type. Unlike most of the Sinnoh coordinators, I didn't use any Seals for my appeal. It might have been risky, but it was a risk I had to take. "Let's try Sky Uppercut!" I took a few Frisbees that I had brought out and tossed them in the air at different times, Blaziken kitting each of them with perfect accuracy. Then I threw four up at the same time and Blaziken punched through each of them, one after the other, landing perfectly behind me and wrapping one arm around my shoulders.

"Wasn't that amazing!" Vivian declared when my appeal had finished.

"I've never seen such amazing accuracy!" Lilian agreed, nodding in approval.

"It looks like May might put up a pretty good fight in this Contest," Marian commented. "That is, if she can make it past the Appeal Round. Let's hear from the judges!"

"A great showcase of Blaziken's speed and skill! We definitely have a seasoned coordinator here! My only advice is to keep trying for that Ribbon Cup!" Mr. Contesta said.

"I'm at a loss for words! It was simply remarkable!" The ever-reliable Mr. Sukizo exclaimed.

"Blaziken is in perfect condition! I've never seen a better groomed Pokémon in all my years of nursing!" The LaRousse City Nurse Joy commented, giving me a big smile.

"And there you have it folks!" Vivian announced.

"I think we all hope to see May in the next round, am I right?" Lilian asked, earning more applause.

"But there's certainly much more talent to be found!" Marian said, announcing the next contestant as I left the stage.

"Well, well, well, looks like June might actually get in."

"Save it for the finals, grasshead," I sneered, taking Blaziken's Pokéball and holding it between my fingers. "So you chose Roserade, huh?"

"Well of course I did, I'm a bit disappointed you didn't use Beautifly. I mean, I had a rose for her and everything. For old time's sake," Drew said, shaking his head sadly.

"Well Beautifly certainly appreciates the gesture, but I think she'll pass," I replied, brushing past Drew to find somewhere quiet to wait for the results of the appeals.

"Oh, well, you're sure you don't want to give it to her?" Drew asked, catching up to me with relative ease.

"You can give it to her yourself after the Contest," I said evenly.

"You know that's not how I work," Drew commented, stepping in front of me and blocking my path. He flicked his hair out of his face—and Arceus forbid I thought for one second that it was cute—and smirked as I tried to get past.

"Out of my way!" I said, crossing my arms and glaring at him.

"No way, it's too funny to watch you get mad," Drew said.

"Remember the last time Blaziken saw you? I might let him attack you this time," I said, showing Drew the Pokéball in my hand.

"You wouldn't even if you wanted to June," the grasshead said. I raised an eyebrow before responding.

"And why wouldn't I?"

"One, it's a great way to get disqualified. Attacking another contestant can be seen as cheating, and you don't want to get thrown out of the Contest before the appeal results are even in, would you?" Drew asked, smirking even more and tilting his head so that his green hair fell perfectly—did I just call Drew's hair perfect?—right in front of his emerald eyes.

"Okay then, I'll set Blaziken on you after the Contest," I reasoned, but Drew shook his head to that too.

"Not in LaRousse you won't," he warned.

"And why not!" I demanded, clenching my fists.

"Because, in case you've forgotten, my parents own the Battle Tower and essentially this entire city. Now, do you really want to anger them?" Drew asked.

"Then I'll find you the minute you leave the city."

"The police will still be within range."

"I'll get you where you can't get phone reception and there's no one around."

"You'll never find your way out of wherever that is without your PokéNav, which would be, unfortunately, unavailable."

"…"

"…"

"Have I ever told you I hate you?"

"Keep it up and I might believe it."

"And what is that supposed to mean!"

"You're blushing."

"Am not!" Sure enough, I could feel my face heating up. Damn it Drew Hayden and your perfectness.

… Oh sweet Arceus, did I really just think that?

"Come on April, just admit you like me and we could avoid a long argument that I would win in the end anyway!"

"I have not, do not and will not ever like you, Drew Hayden, are we clear?" I growled, glaring at him before turning around and leaving him to stand there with that damn smirk on his face.

"Alright, it's time to announce the eight coordinators that will be moving on to the next round!" Vivian announced after what seemed like an eternity.

"We've had so many wonderful appeals, I can't believe only eight of them get to move on! Why don't we give them all a big hand!" Thunderous applause assaulted my ears, but I shook it off.

"And now, may we present to you, your eight coordinators that will be moving on to the first found!" Marian exclaimed, gesturing to the screen as eight pictures showed up. Drew's was first, then a pink-haired coordinator that I vaguely remembered from somewhere, then Zoey, then me, followed by three other unknown coordinators.

"Hey, May, looks like you got in too!" I turned to see Zoey walking towards me, her Glameow trotting along at her heels. "Great to see you again!"

"Great to see you too Zoey!" I said, wrapping my arms around her in a hug. "Have you talked to Dawn lately?"

"Yeah, she just left Hoenn today. Funny how she came here when you were in Sinnoh, huh?"

"Yeah, so how did she do!" I asked, eager to hear about the girl who had beaten me in the Wallace Cup.

"Top Coordinator, just like her mom!" Zoey exclaimed, grinning widely.

"That's awesome!" I said, smiling back. However, one part of me couldn't help but be a little jealous.

One more friend who's a Top Coordinator before you…

Quiet, I should be happy for Dawn, she finally got to fulfill her dream!

Yeah, before you did…

Shut up.

"So congrats on getting in. Looks like you're up first tomorrow too!" While I had been arguing with myself, the battle matchups had been announced. Drew was battling one of the coordinators I didn't know, as was Zoey, and I was battling the pink-haired coordinator. "Tough luck, you get to battle Ursula."

"Wasn't she Dawn's rival?" I asked, finding said coordinator in the crowd.

"One of them, along with Kenny and me of course," Zoey said, grinning. "She just won the title Top Coordinator a few weeks ago in Kanto. In fact, I think you're the only one in the first round who isn't a Top Coordinator. Congrats, on that too."

"Thanks Zoey. Well I have to go to the Pokémon Center and make sure Blaziken is rested up for tomorrow. If either of us is to get some sleep, I'd rather it be him than me!"

"I hear ya! See you tomorrow!" With that, I left for the Pokémon Center with Blaziken's Pokéball in my hand and my others on my belt. A voice in my head kept replaying bits and pieces of the couple days over and over in my mind.

Bold move, considering you're completely out of place…

…narrowly losing her chance at the title of Top Coordinator…

…only one here who isn't a Top Coordinator…

I shook my head to clear it. I was just as capable of winning this Contest as any of those other coordinators. A title does not define the trainer, it's what they can do, right?

The lights in the Pokémon Center glowed warmly as I approached. The lobby was full of people, and I had to push and shove my way to the front desk.

"Excuse me, can I leave my Blaziken here and then have it sent up to my room later?" I asked Nurse Joy.

"Of course, may I have your name?" she asked.

Am I that easy to forget? You just saw me, like, an hour ago…

"May Maple," I said patiently. Nurse Joy typed a few things on her computer before a worried expression replaced her cheerful smile.

"I'm afraid we don't have a room registered for you and we're completely full right now," she said, frowning.

"But I got a room yesterday!" I cried, ignoring the many people that were now staring at me.

"I'm sorry Ms. Maple, but I'm afraid we don't have any other rooms. I can look into it and see what might have caused this but that's the most I can do for you," Nurse Joy said, giving me an apologetic smile. I nodded and turned to leave. There were hotels in town, I could stay at one of those.

Very expensive hotels.

Hotels that would probably wipe out an entire month's savings for one night.

Some things could not be helped…

It was freezing out at night in LaRousse. I shivered, wishing I was back in the nice, warm Pokémon Center instead of out here in the icy wind.

Despite the cold, it really was beautiful. The lights on all the buildings shimmered in the dark. One building—the Battle Tower, I would assume—stood above all the rest, the millions of lights inside glittering like tiny stars in dozens of different colors.

…my parents own the Battle Tower, and essentially this entire city…

Of course, Drew would be at home in what was probably his own personal mansion with anything he could want right about now. Damn rich people…

After walking for what felt like forever and checking at least five fully booked hotels, I finally gave up and sat down outside a small coffee shop, enjoying the occasional warmth provided when someone opened the door. Before I knew it, tears were finding their way down my face onto my shirt, leaving dark spots where they landed.

Today had started off so perfectly! Why did it have to end this way?

It had all started going downhill when I met Drew…

It was all his fault…

Damn Drew for ruining everything. Damn Top Coordinators for rubbing their title in my face. Damn computers for somehow forgetting that I had a room that I should be in right now, sleeping and getting ready for my first battle of the Contest tomorrow.

"You look a little cold. Do you want to come inside?" I looked up to see a young woman, probably in her early twenties, standing in the doorway to the coffee shop, holding a mug in one hand and a small bag in her other. I nodded and shakily got to my feet, following her inside. She flipped the sign on the door to "closed" and led me to a table in the back of the little shop.

"I hope you like Bluk berries. It's the only kind of muffins we had left and I figured you might be hungry," the woman said. "And I made you some hot chocolate too if you want that. It gets pretty cold out at night."

"Thank you," I said, taking the mug from her and enjoying the warmth the smooth ceramic gave me before taking a small sip. It was like liquid heaven after the harsh cold outside, and creamy as it ran down my throat and seemed to instantly warm every inch of my body.

Then there was the muffin.

Bluk berries…

Damn it Drew, you can even ruin a perfectly good muffin.

"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" the woman asked, staring at me with chocolaty brown eyes. She had a kind-looking face framed by straight, red hair. "You seem to be a little upset."

I spilled everything to her, a new set of tears finding their way to my eyes. The woman didn't interrupt once, staying quiet for a while after I had finished. I hiccupped during the silence, occasionally sipping at my hot chocolate.

"I've got a spare room upstairs if you want it. I live in the apartment above the shop and it has an extra bedroom. You're welcome to stay if you'd like," the woman said, smiling warmly.

"But I don't even know your name, I couldn't possibly trouble you for—"

"It's no trouble at all!" the woman exclaimed. "And call me Sarah."

"Alright Sarah, but at least let me pay for the hot chocolate," I said. Sarah shook her head.

"You needed a little chocolate. It fixes everything."

"Amen to that."

So, what did you think about my first real Contestshipping fic? Like it? Hate it? Wish I would stick to Ikari? Send me a review!