READER PAY ATTENTION!

Aha hi. So basically I've come back and edited this entire story because I didn't like some of the things I wrote.

Okay talk about an UNDERSTATEMENT. I usually end up hating everything I write and also since I don't watch the anime anymore. Well I haven't watched it properly since Diamond and Pearl lol.

Anyways the plot is more or less the same I guess I've just decided to rearrange some stuff.

It was honestly the most exhausting process and it took me a while to realise I could export the chapters already posted. So that was annoying. I'm a bit happier with what I've written now but I still feel like I've rushed some things or some bits still need improvement.

Oh well, I tried.

CHAPTER 1

May rubbed her sweaty palms on the edges of her dress. Johto had been a crazy journey ever since she had gone off on her own. She worried about her rivals Drew, Harley and Solidad whom she refer to as The Holy Coordinator Trinity of their generation.

Of course she would never outwardly admit that as it would only cause Drew's already huge ego to inflate.

It was a constant struggle between losing hope and reassuring herself that she was just as good as they were.

Lillian, the contest hostess, announced, "And now only Absol and Blaziken are left to fight. May is in the lead but anything can happen. Who will be Johto's Grand Festival winner?!"

May subconsciously looked for her friends in the crowd only to see unfamiliar faces. Unsurprising they hadn't showed up in years.

Lillian warned, "There are now two minutes left on the clock."

"Absolve use Water Pulse!" A wave of water encircles Absol and travels outwards from the centre.

May shouted, "Jump, Blacken!"

As the fire Pokemon towered over Absol, May ordered, "Great. Now use Flamethrower!"

A huge blast of fire covered the entire field, when the water and fire met an electrified gate of fire and water spawned much like when she had battled with Dawn's Piplup. May felt satisfied with her quick thinking. Although she had lost a few points just then, she watched a large amount of points be deducted from Drew as well as heard Lillian's praise.

The shock from the crowd and Drew fired her up and she teased, "What's the matter, Drew? Skitty got your tongue?"

Drew struggled to keep his cool demeanour, "No. We're going to win this."

He shouted, "Razor Wind, Absol! Let's go!"

May spun around, "That's the spirit, Drew!"

Absol sent slashes of wind towards Blaziken who dodged them at lightning speeds barely remaining unscathed. The points from Drew fell causing him to clench his fist. Drew's face was unreadable but May knew she had to be on her toes to try and counter whatever move he had coming next.

Drew ordered, almost incoherently, "Absol, Night Slash!"

May blurted in panic, "Blaziken, Fire Spin!"

Absol's attack sliced right through the fire spin and Blaziken skidded all the way across the field to May. Her points decreased and she asked, "Blaziken? Are you alright?"

Blaizken's wrists flared up and May smiled.

Lillian reminded the coordinators, "We only have just over 30 seconds left. May is in the lead but she'll have to really work for it. If Drew plays his cards right he might just come out on top."

Drew shouted, "Absol, Water Pulse. Full blast!"

This is it, it's going to be his trick move. May had caught him practising it but not long enough to figure out the end product. She wasn't about to find out now.

May yelled, "Blaziken, Brave Bird!"

Drew, taken aback, asked, "Since when did you learn Brave Bird?"

Of course he had underestimated her.

Absol built up a wall of water around him as Blaziken left up high almost touching the window ceiling of the dome. Absol looked up and sent the water flying up. Blaziken began to spin and dove down engulfed in flames. He turned into an intense blue. The water contorted and spiralled around Blaziken steadily evaporating off.

Lillian praised, "And look at that beautiful combination. Blaziken stealing Absolves power as well as neutralising it. Truly outstanding."

Blaziken smashed down onto Absol causing a large cloud of smoke. A gust of hot wind blew throughout the stadium. As the smoke cleared, Absol was kneeling down in submission whilst Blaziken stood tall and strong. All eyes drew to the board and May had a quarter of her points left with Drew having almost around an eighth.

The buzzer sounded and Lillian gleefully announced, "And this year's Johto Grand Festival Winner is May Maple from Petalburg City!"

Mr Contesta commented, "This was a truly spectacular performance that showed how strong the trainers and Pokemon were."

Mr Suziko said, "This battle was remarkable."

Nurse Joy added, " This is what Pokemon Contests are all about. Showing off your Pokemon's skills in such glorious ways and I feel this is what has been accomplished."

Lillian held up the cup and handed it to May, "Congratulations May. You are this year's Champion. How are you feeling?"

"Amazing! I can't believe I won?! Everything feels so surreal right now," May excitedly said.

"What are your next plans?"

"The Sinnoh Grand Festival next year."

Lillian smiled, "Good luck and congrats again."

May blushed as she took ahold of the cup. She blew kisses to the crowd and walked off stage with Blaziken right by her side. May gave the stands one last look, old habits were had to break, before giving a faint smile and turning back.

"May! May! This is the finals! Get up!"

May snapped out of her flashback. It was becoming quite the habit. She looked up and saw Kenny, Dawn's childhood friend, nudging her.

"Are you trying to let Ursula win?" Kenny asked pointing to the screen.

May gasped, "Oh my Arceus! Sorry. I thought it was still the Semi-Finals"

Kenny said, "Obviously not or I wouldn't be here!"

May quickly jumped up and grabbed her Pokeballs before sauntering out onto the stage. Ursula stood confidently on the other side with a devilish grin.

Marian said, "And here we have May, popularly dubbed as the Princess of Hoenn. She won the Johto Grand Festival last year could she snag this one too?"

The crowd roared in anticipation and Marian announced, "Coordinators. You have 5 minutes on the clock. Let's go!"

Ursula threw out two Pokeballs, "Garchomp! Wormadam! Time to shine!"

Garchomp and Wormadam flipped onto the stage into their battle stances.

May spun around and gracefully threw her Pokeballs in the air, "Beautifly! Skitty! Take the stage!"

Beautifly flew out with sparkles showering her and Skitty with a heart. Ursula shouted, "Garchomp, Dragon Claw! Wormadam, Bug Bite!"

Garchomp and Wormadam both charged towards May's Pokemon. Skitty went into her battle stance and May calmly watched on.

Ursula's Pokemon close in and May suddenly shouted, "Psychic Blizzard!"

"What? That's not even a move," Ursula frowned in confusion.

"No, but it's a combination."

Skitty let out a massive blizzard and Beautifly grasped it with psychic. The blast froze Garchomp and Wormadam in a neon blue hue. Ursula furrowed her eyebrows.

Marian commented, "That combination was absolutely stunning!"

May ordered, "Beautifly, Aerial Ace and Skitty use Double Slap!"

Beautifly rammed into the frozen Pokemon causing broken ice shards to fly up in the air. Skitty pounced in and slapped them all into sparkles that sprinkled over Beautifly and Skitty. Ursula's points had decreased by a quarter.

Marian praised, "What finesse."

Ursula grumbled disdainfully, "May isn't the only one with combinations up her sleeve."

Garchomp and Wormadam jumped back to Ursula and she ordered, "Dragon Rage and Sandstorm!"

Garchomp's Dragon Rage got encircled by Sandstorm resulting in a huge canon that was evidently impossible to avoid. May watched on as her Pokemon took the powerful hit resulting in even scores.

Ursula sadistically laughed, "Two can play at that game, May. But we're not done yet. Garchomp Double Team!"

Garchomp multiplied herself rapidly and May pursed her lips before Ursula commanded, "Aerial Ace, all of you."

The Garchomps charge at full speed and May countered, "Beautifly, Stun Spore!"

The fake Garchomps instantly disappeared with the real one getting paralysed. May jumped up in delight as some points from Ursula decreased. Ursula merely chuckled, "Ancient Power, Wormadam."

A sudden collection of stones poured down onto May's Pokemon mostly focusing on Beautifly. Ursula wasted no time in giving another order, "Dragon Claw, Garchomp and Wormadam use Rock Blast!"

Gabite charged while Wormadam blasted rocks down. May ordered calmly, "Protect."

At the very last minute Skitty produced a green sphere covering her and Beautifly stopping Garchomp right in her tracks and causing the rocks to simply bounce off of the sides.

Ursula growled and May shouted, "How about a little regeneration. Beautifully, Morning Sun!"

Beautifly emitted a bright, white light from the inside of the Protect sphere causing a lime green light to reflect all around the stage and ceiling.

Marian commented, "May proving once again that a defensive move can be just as effective as an attack."

Ursula pondered and then crossed her arms once again, "Garchomp, use Dig."

Garchomp quickly burrowed into the ground and Skitty instantly got rid of the barrier. Ursula shouted, "Now, Garchomp. Wormadam, Confusion!"

Garchomp jumped out knocking Skitty to the side. May shouted, "Beautifly, Psychic! Skitty, use Assist."

Marian asked, shocked, "Assist? And with only 30 seconds left on the clock?"

Beautifly countered Wormadam's Confusion attack with Psychic. Skitty lifted up its paw in Garchomp's direction and out blasted Blaziken's Fire Spin. Ursula mockingly laughed, "Garchomp is part ground, May."

May smirked, "You don't say. Skitty use Blizzard."

Ursula shouted, "Dodge it, Garchomp! Wormadam use Rock Blast!"

May yelled, "Beautifly, String Shot and Skitty use Blizzard again!"

Wormadam dove down to Garchomp's level and Beautifly quickly wrapped Garchomp and Wormadam. Skitty followed up with Blizzard and slowly freezed them.

Garchomp still had her head exposed and Ursula shouted, "This isn't over! Dragon Rage, Garchomp!"

"Silver Wind, Beautifly!" May yelled.

Beautifly sped up Skitty's Blizzard and knocked the Dragon Rage back at Garchomp. Ursula's Pokemon get launched back to Ursula in their frozen casing. Before Ursula could react, the buzzer sounded.

Ursula and May whipped their heads to the board. May had lost half of her points and Ursula had a third of her points left. Ursula cried out, "No! Ugh! I am so done with Sinnoh. Gar chomp and Wormadam, return. We are SO going to Kanto."

May shouted, "We did it."

Skitty jumped into May's arms and Beautifly flew on top of her head. She cuddled and doted on them both. She whispered, "I love you guys so much. I couldn't ask for better Pokemon."

Ursula walked off the stage with her Garchomp and Wormadam. May was left on stage and headed to Marian who waited with the Ribbon Cup of the Sinnoh Grand Festival in one hand.

Marian congratulated her, "Grand Festival Winner two years in a row! Now that's an achievement. You really are a Top Coordinator. No wonder you're called the Princess of Hoenn. What can't you do?"

May's cheeks flushed and laughed, "The Pokemon are the stars of the show."

Marian asked, "So what's next on your to do list?"

"Probably a rest. We've been training intensely for 3 years straight. I think we deserve a break."

"Don't be gone too long," Marian winked.

May smiled softly and accepted the trophy cup. She waved and blew kisses as she made her way slowly offstage.

A WEEK LATER - IN KALOS

A blonde haired girl and a raven haired boy were walking through Lumiose City. The boy had a Pikachu placed on his shoulder as they walked through the centre. He impatiently asked, "What exactly are you looking for, Serena?"

Serena replied looking through the magazine trays, "There's a new issue of one of my favourite magazines. It must have some really juicy stuff in it because it's been sold out in 2 shops so far."

"And why did I have to come with you again?" Ash groaned.

"Because Clemont and Bonnie are getting some parts for Clemont's robot or whatever," Serena said as she flicked through magazines. She then quickly exclaimed, "I found it!"

Serena rushed to the cashier and as soon as she bought it rushed to sit down on a bench.

She said aloud, "Oh, I've seen her on TV back home. May Maple, isn't it?

Upon hearing this name Ash and Pikachu's ears pricked up and they quickly sat beside her. There she was. On the front cover with her Beautifly on her head and the rest of her Pokemon posing in the background. She was sitting down on a stool wearing a vintage, bright red halter dress. Her bandana was wrapped around like a headband with her hair braided to the side. May's sapphire eyes gleamed and her smile was pearly white.

Ash asked, "Is that really May?"

"Yeah!" Serena replied, "Wait, how do you know about her? I know she's a household name but I didn't think you were into contests."

Ash smiled, "May and I used to travel together back in Hoenn and Kanto. I left for Sinnoh and she left for Johto. The last time I properly saw her was during the Wallace Cup."

Serena flipped open a page where Dawn Berlitz and May Maple were posing together with Pokeballs in their hands, "And Dawn's in this as well."

"Yep, travelled with her too, in Sinnoh. When I went to Unova last year she went to Hoenn."

She skimmed through the page, "They're coming to Kalos for the Inter-Competition. It's only natural, they're one of the most successful Coordinators of our generation."

"The what?" Ash asked, scratching the back of his head.

"The Inter-Competition. It's this huge competition slash tournament style thing where it alternates between Trainer and Coordinator battles. Only the best are invited," Serena explained.

Ash fished something out of his back pocket, "So that's what this was..."

Serena grabbed the letter and quickly read it. She gasped, "Ash, why didn't you tell me?"

"Well, I was busy and I hadn't really bothered to properly read it," Ash shrugged.

"Too busy? For a tournament, nonetheless! Ash, you're all kinds of weird," Serena commented handing Ash back the letter.

Ash opened his mouth but quickly shut it as his and Pikachu's stomachs started growling. Ash chuckled, "Can we get something to eat? I don't think we'll be able to hold out any longer."

"Fine but you're still carrying my shopping," Serena replied skipping ahead.

SINNOH

Dawn and May were on their way to the Pokemon Centre after leaving the TV station where they had recently finished doing an interview with the Contest Channel. As they arrived May asked, 'So Dawn. You heading straight to Kalos?"

She shook her head, "Nope. I'm going to spend some time with Barry here in Sinnoh. We're going together since he also got invited."

"Cool. Tell him I said hi."

"Will do," Dawn said as they both handed their Pokeballs over to Nyrse Joy. Dawn asked, "So are you going back to Hoenn?"

May nodded, "Yeah but only for a super short time. I was really hoping that I would just relax and travel around. My parents are probably going to make Max and I travel to Kalos together. I really want to try food and go sight seeing before the competition started. And Max has just finished battling all the Hoenn gyms and stuff."

"Ooooh. Did he make past the Elite 4?" Dawn asked chirpily.

"Nope. He got defeated after the first guy. They were really impressed with his skills though. He's also really excited for the Inter-Competition. Probably because he'll see Ash again. He's been waiting to battle him since day 1," May joked as they retrieved their Pokeballs.

"Oh yeah. I haven't seen Ash in a year. Miss him."

May agreed, "Yeah. I miss him so much."

They walked up the stairs together and Dawn gave her a smirk as they walked through the halls. May looked at her weirded out, "What? Can't I miss a friend?"

Dawn crossed her arms as they entered their room, "You still like him, don't you? I can hear it in your voice."

May stammered, "Yeah but not...like that. I've barely seen him."

Dawn shrugged, "You're not fooling anyone but okay."

May changed into her pyjamas, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Dawn rolled her eyes and changed as well, "Just admit it."

"He's too good of a friend, okay," May countered plopping onto her bed.

Dawn replied, "Friendships do make the best relationships."

May gestured, "If Ash hypothetically liked me, don't you think he'd be too dense? So there would be no point."

Dawn dreamily sighed, "I don't know. I've seen the way he looks at you and the way he talks about you."

"We've known each other for ages. Of course we'd support each other. Your point?" May insisted.

Dawn just gave her a look and May replied, "Dawn, her could like Misty or something. We're just friends."

"Whatever he could still like you. I bet he still carries around that ribbon you guys won together."

May paused for a second, "You think so?"

Dawn replied in a sing songy voice, "Well when I travelled with him he did. And in Unova."

They both went into their own beds and Dawn teased, "Told you there was hope."

"Shut up!" May said.

Dawn rolled her eyes and turned over to her side. She retorted, "Why hide from the truth, Maple?"

May thought to herself, I don't like Ash, I got over him a year ago. And Ash liking me? I bet he's still as dense as before. I'd be delusional if I believed that.

Hope you guys enjoyed that!

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xoxo,

IdealSkylar