Now with the big secret out there was no hiding anymore. Dawn right now wanted to strangle May while Ash just wanted a hole to open up and swallow the pair to disappear forever.

"Oh! Can you imagine how many people might want to join Contests if they hear love can be found there?" Lisia meanwhile being completely absorbed in her own little world. It was a tendency for the Idol to get way too much invested when something great happened for a fellow Coordinator.

Dawn was giving May a death stare right now. The brunette just blurted out her love life in front of everyone and the Sinnoh Coordinator was thinking of ways to get back at her Hoenn rival. Dawn couldn't stand May's constant giddiness over her dating Ash.

The brunette knew she messed up. But she'll deal with the consequences later.

"Oopsie." May shrugging it off had an escape plan in place.

"Oh look I'm next up. Better prepare myself for it." It still would a few more minutes till her next battle but she seized the opportunity to get away from the fuming Sinnoh Coordinator.

"You get back here right now! May!" Ash having to contain his girlfriend from chasing the brunette.

"Now let's talk about your loveable boyfriend." From one problem to the next. Now Lisia wanted to know more about them.

"So…how did it happen?"

"Aw, so cute! A twist of fortune has delivered a wonderful twist in your lives." Love really came unexpected. Now back to the matter at hand. The couple's story was something the Idol could exploit to increase the popularity of Contests.

"By the way. Can I tell your romance so people might want to try Contests even more?"

"Absolutely not!"

Both yelled at the Idol. Only their friends and family should know about it. No one else yet till they're more comfortable with it. Except now the most exuberant person they knew since Barry, knew about it they might have trouble keeping it a secret for too long now. Not to mention all the other Coordinators in the waiting room knowing about it.

Disappointed that she couldn't use the lovers tale Lisia tried to make a compromise. It was to good a story to pass up.

"Aw. But it's such a good story to tell. Can I at least change your names? How do Smoke and Dusk sound?"

"She can't be serious." While they were contemplating how to get out of this the starter of it all reentered the room.

"I'm back. What did I miss?" May having won her battle proceeded to the next round. Now Lisia was pulled away since it was her turn to try and book her place in the semi final.

"Wish me luck lovebirds!" She skipped her way through the halls leaving the two redfaced.

Things just couldn't get more embarrassing right now and there was only one person to blame.

Dawn kept warning May not to keep teasing them. Ever since she received her keystone earring from Ash the couple were planning a suitable prank to get back at her.

And Ash already had one in mind that would haunt her forever. He felt a bit bad for having planned something like this but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Lisia in the meantime had won her battle as well. This meant that May and her would face off in the semifinal. So the rivalry had already started to heat up back stage.

Dawn's next battle would be against a girl named Linda. Save to say she got a few chills out of her. Dressed in a dark dress which seem ragged from prolonged use and old age with even darker hair to match. People in the back compared her to a ghost.

While the two were already preparing for their battle Dawn and Ash were more focused on who was coming up for the Sinnoh Coordinator.

"A single battle. Does that mean you're going to use Lopunny?"

"Yeah. May used her Mega Stone and Lisia is known for hers. Time for our Mega debut."

Dawn had been putting it off for too long. And she needed a real test run before she would go to the final. If there were still any complications with Mega Lopunny it gave her a small margin to correct on things.

"Still I'm quite nervous. What if things…"

This will be the first time in a real Contest. Practice makes perfect but nothing beats an actual competition. It was only natural she would be a bit nervous. About to debut a new Pokémon during one of the biggest events out there was a risky move.

Ash did know just what to say. He took Lopunny's Pokeball from her and opened it. She was confused at his actions.

"Lopunny might be nervous too. It wouldn't look good if both of you aren't sure."

Pikachu spoke some words of encouragement himself which cheered the Rabbit Pokémon up. Ever since their reunion battle in Pallet Town where she kicked him around he never stayed mad at her.

Pointing and talking to her giving her a small blush. Seems like the small crush she had on him as a Buneary didn't dissapear. Telling her even when evolved she still was the same small little rabbit Dawn had caught in Sinnoh.

"No need to worry. I should be more confident. I'm a Top Coordinator. Time to act like one."

Where did all this doubt come from recently? She achieved her dream. This whole Mega problem was nothing compared to the hurdles she had to take to get where she is.

From her and Piplup's early struggles, her first few Contest losses, Pachirisu's barely to contain enthusiasm, the capture and trading of Buizel with Ash's Aipom, the disobiendence of Mamoswine, the birth of her Quilava and the adoption of princess Salvia's Togekiss. Her separation from Ash and Brock leaving her on her own and winning the Johto Grand Festival.

And right after she thought about this she was called upon to go on stage for her battle.

And now it was her turn. Ready to get out May and Lisia wished her good luck anticipating how exactly Ash would bring it over. Ash held his hand up in the air the Idol and May not getting it.

She accepted the high five. It was nice to know this was their little thing they could fall back on without anyone eyeing them. Just from his touch alone her nerves calmed down. Feeling more confident about her upcoming battle she took a deep breath. But the Contest Idol had some more motivational words for Dawn.

"I call this chapter. A Romance Revealed! Will Love Power Me To Victory!?" Lisia struck a pose leaving the couple lost for words. It was a trademark thing she did to make things more interesting.

The couple both had the same thought.

"This Contest couldn't be over soon enough."

"Lopunny, spotlight." The Rabbit Pokémon appearing knowing what was in store for this battle.

"Sableye. Come out." A small purple figure with shining eyes like crystals showed up. Dawn cursed her luck. With Lopunny being a Normal type against a Ghost type she was at a big disadvantage.

"Ice Beam." Dawn started off. Firing the cold beam of energy from Lopunny's mouth it flew towards the grinning Ghost type.

"Shadow Sneak." Sableye's form descended into the shadows emitted by the stage lights to get away from the Ice Beam. The Ice Beam missing his mark flew over costing Dawn some points.

"Foul Play." Sableye climbed out of the shadows, covered himself in purple energy and attacked Lopunny with her own force. Stumbling back a bit Dawn lost another small portion of points.

"Bounce." Jumping up wanting to stomp on her opponent Lopunny now fell down while performing some flicks to show off.

"Use Shadow Sneak." Again the Darkness Pokémon snuck away in the shadows. Again with Lopunny missing her attack.

"Power Gem." Rocks started to hover around the Ghost type and it didn't take long before the pointed glowing stones flew towards Lopunny.

"Ice Beam." The energy beam froze the glowing stones and made an effect that cost the Sableye trainer some points. Still Dawn knew there was no other choice. Her hands were tied and she knew there was only one way out of it.

Bringing her left index finger to her earring she touched the keystone.

"Stand up! See cuteness mixed with toughness. Two styles merged into one. Mega Evolve!'' The Mega Stone stuffed away in her fur began to glow and soon she was Mega Evolving. Her Mega ability Scrappy would allow Lopunny to hit Ghost types with Normal and Fighting type moves increasing her options in battle.

"Sableye. Mega Evolve." Linda touched a small bracelet she was wearing and the Darkness Pokémon started to change form. This time the red ruby on his chest grew exponentially and now carried it around as some sort of shield.

"Taunt." The Darkness Pokémon's head popped out from behind the gemstone and through his sly grin stuck his tongue out angering Lopunny. Dawn started to fear the worst. Provoking a Mega Pokémon known for their temperament might bite her. And it did.

The Rabbit Pokémon kept kicking away at the jewel the Sableye kept hiding behind. Dawn kept losing points because of Lopunny's recklessness. Needing to act fast Dawn needed to take a risk fast if she wanted to turn it around.

"Dizzy Punch." Using her ears as extra limbs now to beat away at the cowering Ghost/Dark type it cost Linda some points since they just stood there and took it.

"Shadow Sneak." The Mega Sableye descended into the shadow of his giant gem this time taking it with him with Lopunny missing her final kick. Dawn was really starting to get annoyed at the disappearing act she continued to pull off. But not as much as her Pokémon.

"Now Power Gem." Popping up out the shadows again he fired off the pointy rocks.

"Spin and use Ice Beam." This time spinning in place like a ballerina she made a shield of ice protecting her from the flying stones. This in the process cost Linda some points.

"Shadow Sneak."

"I've got to figure out where he appears this time." Was her mindset after seeing him dive into the shadows. Dawn after some quick thinking came up with a plan that would turn the tide in her favor.

"Jump up as high as you can." On her command Lopunny did as she was told. Away from the shadows the Dark type was lurking she noticed a faint small black glint moving in the shadows.

"Let this work. Focus Blast." Gathering the energy needed in midair she threw the orb where she last saw the shadow. It might not have been a direct hit but the debris where the shadow hid in crumbled and forced Sableye out. Now with being brought out of hiding it cost them some points.

"Dizzy Punch." Ears glowing now Lopunny started to beat away on the Mega Sableye. Each hit hitting its mark the Dark type started to become overwhelmed by ffffff fgffggfffffffff their points circle getting smaller with each blow.

"Quick. Use Foul Play." Using his giant gem as a makeshift shield he charged into Mega Lopunny. Using the same strength as he was attacked with he pushed her back. Now with some breathing space Linda hoped she could now counterattack.

The effect of Dizzy Punch set in with Sableye wobbling on his two feet told a different story though.

"Now finish it with Focus Blast." But before Lopunny could launch the energy orb the announcer interrupted their battle.

"Time's up!" With anticipation Dawn looked at the screen seeing the color in her points circle more present than her opponents. The announcer gave the word of relief to her and the audience.

"Despite some setbacks, Dawn managed to pull one out of the hat. So that means we have our fourth semi finalist." More than happy her first Mega battle being a succesfull endeavor. Now just one more hurdle before she would make it to the final.

Okay boys and girls. Final stretch.

I could've gotten this one out sooner but I needed to proof read it so that I didn't post double the text and I was just done. Like literally done.

I'm getting more comfortable with writing Contest battles. May and Lisia are up.

Then Dawn and her semi final followed by the final and end.

Seems like May is the ending month for this.

Speaking of May, what evil dastardly plan did Ash have for her?

See you around