Now we have entered the Grand Festival, where the really competition really heats up!
~midnight
Day Twelve:
"Wow! This place is huge!"
Sapphire held Skitty in her arms. She could not believe how huge the conference for the Grand festival was. Many another trainers from all over Sinnoh were scattered into different parts of the room and new reporters never seem too tried to interview every coordinator they seem to cross with. Sapphire began to lose herself into her thoughts when Brock began to hype over each girl that went pass.
"Can't believe he use to be a gym leader." Sapphire heard Drew sigh behind her. "I thought he would be over his little infatuation."
"That's just who Brock is, Drew."
Looking at one man in the room, he looked back and walked towards the group. He was mainly dressed in green with a Mew shaped harp in his hands. He had long hair that Sapphire nearly mistaken him for a woman. Keeping that thought to herself, Sapphire stood there as the man introduced himself to the group.
"Ash." He greeted. "Long time no see."
"It has, hasn't it Nando?" Ash greeted with a grin. "Oh yeah, these are my two friends." Ash questioned his last statement when he looked at Drew. Shaking his head he continued. "This is Drew Blackthorn and this is May Maple, my um, girlfriend." Ash blushed at his last statement. This caused Sapphire's face to flush red as well.
"Why isn't this a cute group?" A woman dressed in yellow came up to them. "I know you!" The reported pointed at Sapphire. "You were entering into the Johto Grand Festival right? May I interview you?"
"I, um." Sapphire sweat dropped. But the brunette didn't have a choice when the reporter dragged her a few meters away from the others. Nando decided to leave the boys alone as another reporter asked to interview him.
Looking at Ash he gave a simple wink with thumbs up. Sapphire smiled and continued with the interview. Ash watched as Sapphire nervously answered the questions the reporter was asking her. Ash was interrupted when Drew placed a hand on his shoulder.
"She really has changed hasn't she?"
Smiling at Sapphire Ash answered, "Yeah, she's so much different to the May I met back in Hoenn."
"But she has changed too much."
"What are you trying to say?" He turned to face Drew directly. Ash wasn't pleased with what Drew was talking about. "May has only changed for the better."
"That battle I had with her back on the boat. Her style was totally different to what I remember. It's like I was having a battle just with a few tricks here and there!" Drew pushed Ash a few steps back. Both kept their argument low to avoid attention. "What did you do to her?"
Only he knew the truth. He knew what Drew spoke was true. Sapphire was a trainer now turned coordinator. Battling was more familiar to her that coordinating. Even if she wasn't the woman he originally fell for, it didn't matter because she was still willing to love him even with his past relationship with Dawn and he was willing to risk his relationship with her until the last moment.
"I didn't change her Drew. You know May more than me since she has been travelling with her in Johto."
"But you're the one she trusts the most."
Ash stood there dumbfounded. May, the one he grew up with was the one she trusted the most even when she was with Drew. Ash looked at Drew in confusion. He didn't know what to think. Drew looked sadly at Sapphire who was still being questioned by the reporter. He flicked his hair and looked away.
"Hey there Ash!" Looking over his shoulder he saw it was Dawn's childhood friend and rival, Kenny. Kenny looked around, confused. "Where's Dee Dee?"
"Dee Dee?" Drew lifted a brow, looking at Ash.
"He means Dawn." Ash explained. "She's not entering this year."
"WHAT?" the people around the boys quickly looked at the brunette. "Why?"
"There were some problems between...us."
"You better not hurt her Ash!" Kenny pointed at the trainer. "Or else I-I." Kenny's face began to light up. "I-I will think what I will do to you later." Kenny spoke before storming off.
"Nice friends you have here." Drew snickered.
"Shut up."
Patting her Skitty Sapphire was glad her sudden interview came to a halt when two pokemon came running around her feet causing Sapphire to fall onto her feet. The sudden thump caused Ash to come towards her. Skitty jumped out and began to pat Sapphire's head with her tail.
"Ouch." Looking up she saw Ash handing his hand two her. Smiling she accepted as her man pulled her to her feet. With his arms around her waist Ash noticed another rival of Dawn's come towards him.
"Well, well. Decided to leave little Dawn behind this time?" Plusle and Minun jumped on her shoulder. She flicked her hair with her teasing smile. "Your name?" She pointed.
Gritting her teeth with an added glare Sapphire replied. "May."
"I've seen you on TV awhile back. You've entered in the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn Grand festival." Sounding confident, she added. "The name is Ursula." Proudly pointed at herself. "This is your fourth grand festival must mean you're really good or your just plain useless."
"Stop is Ursula!" A red head tomboy stood in front of the couple, her arm outstretched at them. "You have no right to underestimate May's skills as a coordinator."
"Hmph. Whatever!" Turning around she walked off with her two electric pokemon on her shoulders.
"Thanks Zoey." Sapphire muttered.
"Hey, that's alright." Smiling at the two. "I'll chat to you guys later. Go enjoy yourselves."
After her quick introduction Zoey left as Drew caught up with them both. "Anybody else I need to meet?" Both of them laughing they both shook their heads.
"That's about it right?" Looking up at her boyfriend. Ash nodded. "Now, boys," Moving out of Ash's arms and grabbing both the boy's hands. "Let's enjoy ourselves!"
And for once, Ash and Drew both agreed.
Hours have passed since she had arrived and Sapphire was now relaxing outside where there were no reporters or rivals to face with. There, she was having a long conversation with Celebi who seemed to talk to her more and more often after becoming Ash's only girl.
"You okay with all of this?"
"I'm fine Celebi." Holding her hands behind her back the brunette took in a breath of fresh air. "I'm glad that everything is working out between us."
"You haven't picked yet May."
"But I picked Ash." Sapphire saw Celebi shake her head at her answer.
"The time will come when you will agree that I'm right."
The young grass type crossed her view to a boy coming to her and Sapphire. Sighing Celebi faded from Sapphire's sights. Turning to where she last saw the grass type, Sapphire wondered what made Celebi leave her with a departing message. Shaking her head Sapphire smile and waved at Ash who was heading her way.
"What are you doing out here?" She greeted Ash with a friendly hug. Still in his arms Sapphire added. "I thought you would be inside still eating."
"Nah, I'm done." Yawning Ash stretched his arms into the air. "What about you?" He asked afterwards. "I thought you would be eating inside for hours."
Shaking her head, Sapphire walked ahead of Ash and outstretched her arms and taking in another breath of fresh air. "I'm just so overwhelmed right now." Turning around with a giant grin on her face Sapphire continued. "It's my first Grand Festival and I can't wait to show everyone what I can do!"
Chuckling and holding his hand high up in the air Ash replied. "And I'll be there by your side cheering you on."
Still jumpy and acting like a child who just came a carnival Sapphire high –fived her boyfriend before returning in his arms, smiling and muttering, "I choose you." Closing her eyes and opening them afterwards Sapphire glanced at the same flying grass type watching them a few meters, behind a tree, covered in worry. "I choose you." Sapphire softly repeated.
Confused and curious Ash decided to shake what he heard, off. Ash convinced what he heard was nothing but his imagination. Hugging her back both of them stood there together until it was time for the contest to begin.
"Alright Gible, before May starts her contest lets work on Draco Metor."
The little dragon type nodded and its mouth began to create an orange orb. Seconds later, it flew high in the air but is soon turned into a ball of smoke and caused a loud explosion to make Kenny fall off his feet.
"Kenny, you alright?" Ash ran to the brunette.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Dusting himself and standing up. "Still can't get the hang of it?"
Scratching his head Ash replied embarrassed. "Yeah." Looking back at his pokemon, "But we will get the hang of it soon." Ash spoke determined.
Kenny smiled before looking up at one of the buildings where all his rivals were getting ready. "I'm really excited to go against May." Looking back at Ash. "She seems really nervous for her fourth Grand Festival."
"Even professionals get nervous Kenny!" Smiling, trying to hide the fact it was Sapphire first Grand Festival. "You better get ready. Don't forget you're in this contest too."
"I know." Shoving his hands into his pockets. "I just want to tell you that Drew guy has something for May. He can't seem to get his eyes off her."
Rolling his eyes Ash spoke. "He was her...ex." Kenny knew Ash was all suddenly in a foul mood. "It's complicated."
"Well I hope you the best and I hope you didn't hurt Dee Dee in the process." Turning his back on Ash, "I don't want to see her hurt because of some idiot like you."
Ash sighed and turned around and held his dragon type in his arms. There were no words to use to lie to Kenny. Holding Gible tight Ash walked past the coordinator, accidently brushing shoulders with him.
"You did hurt her, didn't you?" Kenny yelled.
Holding Gible a little tighter the dragon type looked up and noticed the sadness in his trainer's eyes. Rubbing his eyes Ash replied. "She wasn't the only one that got hurt Kenny." Turning around, "Everyone I loved did. So don't talk like Dawn wasn't the only that got hurt!" Kenny just watched on as Ash continued. "There are some things that no matter how much you protect them, they will always get hurt."
Afterwards Ash made his way as Kenny was left alone with the words from Ash echoing in his mind.
Sapphire held her hands tightly as the host introduced the judges of the Grand Festival and spoke words to hype the crowd even more. Even Fantina was introduced and given the name as a special judge. Watching from the wall television from the waiting room made it look like it was a small stage but as the camera panned out Sapphire's eyes widen with shock and saw three stages in one huge one, one pink, blue and green.
Ursula walked up onto stage like it was nothing. She threw two pokeballs high into the air and two Eevees came out and spun around each other in mid air using their iron tail to create bubbles. Digging into her pocket's Ursula threw two evolution stones at the small foxes and both evolved on the spot. One became a Vaperon and another Flareon. The judges were amazed at their evolution and each one only showered her with praise.
Nando was next and he summoned his Altaria and Kricketot and began to play wonderful songs as they flew around the stage. Jessie once again used herself as a doll for her pokemon to land attacks to impress the judges. Zoey's Gastrodon and Lumineon used whirlpools to gather the judges in excitement. Kenny started off well but failed the ending, sending the boy in disappointment.
Then came Sapphire's turn, she held the two pokeballs in her hand and worried covered her face. Doubts entered as she wrapped her arms around herself. A soft gentle hand soon woke her up. Turning around she saw it was Drew and the others.
"Relax May." The lime-hair boy spoke. "You'll think of something."
"Yeah." Grinning she ran out of the room, ready to show the whole world what she was capable to showing. "Take the stage Skitty and Wartortle!"
Both pokemon were released from their ball and greeted the stage with grace.
"Skitty use Assist and Wartortle use Ice beam all over the field!"
Relying on luck Skitty used ice beam just like Wartortel and spread it all over the field, turning the place into a frozen ice slide park. Sapphire was filled with joy when her idea worked well.
"Skitty jump on Wartortle's back and jump onto the slide!"
As their trainer commanded them Skitty jumped on Wartortle's and both started to take a ride on the ice made slide. As they were about to reach the end Skitty jumped off and stood on the single pillar placed in the middle of the field.
"Assist once more and Wartortle use Hydro pump while still in your shell!"
Skitty cheered and started to blow high pressure air as soon Wartortle came over her. Wartortle continued using hydro pump as Skitty continued to float him with silver wind. It was a pokemon version of a sprinkler with glitter around it. Sapphire's heart raced when she heard the cheer of the crowd and the judges continued praise they gave to her.
Sapphire had never enjoyed a contest so much in her life.
Walking off the stage with her proud pokemon, she was greeted with her boyfriend and Brock.
"That was awesome!" Ash cheered.
"Pi pikachu!" Pikachu mimicked.
"That was a fantastic combination May." Brock praised.
"Don't praise her too much." Drew spoke as he walked passed them. "I'm entering too."
"WHAT?" Sapphire nearly fell off her feet. "Since when?"
"You didn't think I would come to Sinnoh to babysit you?" Looking over his shoulder he held two pokeballs in between his fingers. "I have enough ribbons to participate in the Sinnoh Grand Festival." Throwing the balls and catching them again. "Just like old times?" Smiling Drew walked onto the stage to show why he was Sapphire's rival.
Clenching her hands Sapphire looked at Drew bitterly. "I will beat you Drew! I did it before and I will do it again!" Sapphire glanced at her pokeball. "Don't get too confident Mr. Drew Blackthorn."