The morning of the Mulberry Town contest had finally arrived and Dawn couldn't be more excited for it. Though she felt a bit odd over the fact there would be no need to dress in in a Kanto Contest, Dawn was still certain that the similarities and their training would outweigh any novelty of the region to assure them a victory!

Stretching his arms above his head on their mid-morning walk over to the hall, Ash let out a yawn. "Man, everyone seems hyped up about the contest!" he chattered, stepping close to Dawn thanks to the throng of people around the contest hall. The festivities had brought quite the turnout. Not too shabby for a town this size, he figured.

"I know! I'm excited. This'll be a great way to make a debut in Kanto!" Dawn enthused. She paused as she realized Prinplup, squat and slower than the two long legged humans and no longer afforded Pikachu's ride-along privileges, had fallen behind. "Oh, man, we're gonna have to watch our pace."

"Nah, no, we don't," Ash argued. "Pikachu, if you'll let Dawn hold you." Passing off the confused mouse to the equally confused coordinator, Ash surprised them all by swiftly and easily picking up Prinplup when the penguin showed up. "Yeah, you're a little heavier, but nothing I can't handle for this last block!" he assured them all.

Prinplup was too shocked to speak. Then, embarrassment set in and he sulked, crossing his flippers as Ash carried him like a sack of potatoes.

Dawn giggled whilst Pikachu made himself comfortable in her arms, deciding the alternating carry pattern would work until they got somewhere that didn't risk Prinplup getting separated from them.

Soon enough, they, along with the crowd, entered into the hall.

"I guess this is where we split up!" Dawn said to Ash over the din of the crowd as he set Prinplup down.

Getting Pikachu back, he nodded. "Right. We'll try and get good seats to cheer you on!" He raised his hand, a silent gesture of their mutual support and friendship.

Grinning, she clapped her hand against his. "I better see you!" With that, she departed, confidence boosted even more so. She felt as if she'd practiced plenty - between the training with Ash, her own concentrated efforts with Quilava, and her own experience, she felt that her first contest, this go around, would go off without a hitch.

"C'mon, Prinplup. Let's go and find some good seats so we can cheer our heads off for Dawn!" Ash raised a fist, as was custom before pulling the penguin along by his flipper. The latter did his very best to keep up.

While Dawn had managed to keep herself relatively calm in this exciting new atmosphere, thanks to her experience, a lot of the other coordinators were milling around, looking nervous. By Dawn's observations, there weren't very many of them, either. As she walked fully into the backstage area, she looked around, trying to find someone who looked like they knew what was going on.

"Hey, what's up with everyone?"

"We're short some people," a coordinator snapped, looking tense. Her Zubat clung to her shoulder, ears also pinned back. "If we don't get two more people - well, one, since you're here - we may have to cancel the contest!"

"Oh no!" Dawn whined, troubled. All the work she'd put in… Heck, all the work the town had put in! That'd be such a disappointment, a waste of everyone's time.

Soon, however, everyone's worries were calmed. In skidded a little girl, her little Jumpluff as winded as she was.

"S-Sorry! Our alarm broke!"

The backstage manager walked in as well. "Alright. We've got enough to start. We'll only have two battle rounds, though; there isn't enough people for three."

Dawn could live with that. She let out a relieved sigh before giggling. The poor little girl who came in last was being chewed out by the woman with the Zubat.

The event began with its typical pizzazz. Dawn watched from backstage whilst Ash watched from the stands. They noted each coordinator going by; Ash, judging them for their skills, and Dawn, as competition.

The angry woman with the Zubat went out first. A hasty Supersonic seemed to irritate the audience and judges rather than impress them. A vigorous Astonish showed off Zubat's speed and agility. However, that was all to their appeal. Dawn felt a little embarrassed for her. She was clearly new to contests. While the Zubat girl clearly had plenty of energy, her presentation was severely lacking.

It was a little later when the girl with the Jumpluff went on stage. Dawn was impressed with the intention of the little girl's displays, but just judging by the way her Jumpluff's Poison Powder accidentally obscured the brilliant light from Synthesis, she could tell the poor girl hadn't practiced enough. Her Bullet Seed made up for this, though, Dawn gladly noted, and her execution of Bounce as an exiting move was first rate! What an excellent way to add the luster she had lacked at the beginning of her appeal.

Right after the Jumpluff girl left the stage, an older woman with a Persian stepped into the fray. Starting off with the starry, elegant brilliance of Swift, it was clear the older woman had been in the game for a while. Her Persian followed up with Bite, the dark type move eating up each and every star like a little black hole. Though this old woman, like the Zubat girl, had only used two moves, it left a much stronger impression on the judges. They wanted to see and know more, an air of mystery left as the two finished.

Finally, a familiar face stepped onto the stage. Dawn wasn't too surprised to see Ember there as she'd signed up for the contest, but the Flaaffy was new. Where was her Cherubi? Then again, Dawn always kept Piplup, now Prinplup, out and she wasn't using him this time.

"Flaffy, let's razzle dazzle 'em!" Ember ordered. With that, her appeal began. Flaaffy was truly a little starlet, using Light Screen to create mini, pinker hued versions of herself as she danced across the stage. When Ember ordered, she added Charge to the appeal, causing sparks to crackle over each limb as she twirled. Finally, the Flaffy dipped herself, barely hanging onto one of her Light Screens for support as a Thundershock was set off. It cracked all of the screens, allowing Flaaffy to drop onto her back.

A bit more dramatic than Dawn would like, but judging by the way Flaaffy's right leg stayed straight up even during the drop, the coordinator guessed it was some obscure dance move she'd never heard of rather than a flaw in their appeal.

There were a few more until Dawn's turn. She was next to last, a fact she was very glad for. This meant Quilava's appeal would leave a huge impression on the judges. But, soon enough, the time passed, and it was their turn to go.

As they walked onto the stage, Dawn kept a limber pep in her step. Quilava walked beside her. As soon as they reached center stage, Dawn exhaled, allowing a tightened fist to relax. "Alright… Quilava! Spotlight~!" The teen chimed, elegantly tossing the notably seal-less pokeball into the air.

As always, the device burst open, a bright flash of light quickly taking shape on the stage. "Lav!" The fire type chanted, landing on all fours. Aiming to make a good starting impression, the pokemon expelled hot flames from her back. "Let's show them what you can do, Quilava! Use Flame Wheel!" The pokemon quickly obliged, tucking into a sphere that surrounded itself in a roaring flame. A tight circle was torn around Dawn, her hair dancing in the wafts of heat thrown off. The hotter and more brilliantly colored the Quilava's flames grew, the further the second stage pokemon span around Dawn.

"What a nice Flame Wheel by Dawn's Quilava! You can almost feel the heat coming off of that attack!" Lilian shouted into her mic, mirroring the audience's thoughts. Those in the stands watched on, curious.

"Now, let's kick things up a notch! Mix in a Flamethrower with that Flame Wheel!" Dawn shouted.

With that command, Quilava began inserting Flamethrower, turning into a pinwheel that spun around her trainer, who held her composure. The yellow-green flames morphed into a true purple-blue. Navy bangs began to billow above the heat, tinted by the various change in color. Of course, Dawn had learned the hard way that the star wasn't supposed to be her, but her pokemon.

"Now, Quilava! Use Smokescreen!"

As the creature continued to spin, she exhaled hot smoke from the pores on her back, still spinning about. Swirls of ashen clouds surrounded the duo completely.

She whistled, though no one save Quilava would hear it between the distance and the roar of the fire type's flames. Quilava emerged from the thick smog, flipping before landing on all fours. She spat numerous Swifts, the stars cutting through the smoke, leaving black trails after the stars before it all disappeared.

"What a pretty performance! Put your hands together for Dawn and her Quilava!" Vivian shouted.

Though, they needn't be told twice. The crowd bellowed with cheers, enamored with the beautiful display.

Ash, in particular, elected to whistle and shout. "Alright, Dawn!" He cheered, pumping a fist in the air. He wasn't alone; Pikachu stood atop the wall separating the crowd from the stage, decked out in one of his cheering garbs.

"Pika, Pika-ka!" The mouse shouted, waving two different fans in support. Prinplup joined in cheering, too.

Quilava reared onto her rear legs, bowing in time with Dawn. The wriggly pokemon jumped into Dawn's arms, and the girl walked off stage, managing to carry the fire type for that long.

Next was the battle round… And, only half the contestants would make it to that; Dawn was sure she would be among that party.

Ash couldn't help but jump his way over to her, making for quite the unusual scene. He'd rushed down from the stands to greet her, so he didn't particularly mind making one. He had both of his fists raised outward at chest level, dark eyes lit up with excitement. "You guys really pulled it off out there!"

"Pika-Pikachu~!" Pikachu cheered, more or less saying the same.

~Too cool, too cool~! Rosa chimed in as well, limiting her telepathy to Ash and company. She'd been let out once Ash decided the contest hall's occupants would be more focused on the stage than her, giving the Riolu less to get stressed about with all the people nearby.

Dawn let out a chuckle at their praise while Quilava puffed out her chest. "Thanks! All the hard work everyone put in really paid off." At hearing Rosa's message, Dawn nudged her fire type.

"Thank you!" Quilava chirped. "Maybe you should try it sometime! Your aura's really cool, too!"

~You think!?~ The Riolu beamed, becoming quite eager at the thought.

"Ah… we made it to the battle rounds." Turning to grin at them a final time, Dawn flashed a thumbs up.

The backstage area was tense. Well, for Dawn, it was. The fumbling little girl with her Jumpluff chatted ever so kindly with her opponent, a stalwart seeming man in his later years accompanied by an equally old seeming Golem. A few other coordinators also talked amongst themselves, though none of them were as forward as the little girl to speak to their opponent.

Dawn, for her share, continued to trade occasional, fleeting staredowns with her soon-to-be opponent. Of all the luck, she and Ember were slotted to battle each other. Quilava didn't concern herself with the competition. Half draped across Dawn's lap, the little fire type focused on her breathing, knowing it would be important in the upcoming challenge.

Finally, the previous battle was called, a newbie rushing dramatically off stage over his first loss signalling such. Dawn felt sympathy, but also considered that perhaps he should have had more composure.

All the same, she stood, watching Ember return her Cherubi.

"Good luck?" the bluenette tried.

Ember merely huffed. "Witch."

With that, the two walked out the opposite stage entrances as their names were called, tension brewing in both of their veins and a certain glint in Dawn's eye that screamed her need for victory. All the same, despite the fight bubbling under their skin, they kept civil. Both smiled ever so beautifully!

"Next up, we have Dawn all the way from Twinleaf Town, Sinnoh, up against the Pinkan Princess, Ember!"

The crowd responded well to both names and Dawn suddenly was curious about her opponent. Who, exactly, was Ember? She'd look into it later. Right now, she had a battle to win!

"Time starts now!"

Dawn wasted no time, hand swinging forward with dramatic yet tasteful flare. "Quilava, spotlight! Start us off with Swift!"

Rushing to the middle of her particular section of the battle court, Quilava opened her maw wide to set off a barrage of Swift stars at Flaaffy.

"Flaaffy, let's razzle dazzle 'em!" the other coordinator called. "Light Screen!"

Though Flaaffy was able to throw up her Light Screens in time, Swift would not be stopped by such a move, though it was slowed. The twinkling of the stars combined with the soft, chiming clatter of the battered screens created a beautiful scene.

Fortunately for Dawn, the Light Screen response did not cost her any points. And, though it didn't cost Ember any either for failing to fully stop the move, it at least did do damage to Flaaffy. She could work with this; little by little, she would make sure Quilava put Flaaffy down for the count.

"Flaaffy, let's show them the beauty of a pure hearted girl and her pokemon! Use Cotton Guard!" the redhead ordered as she gripped both fists, legs spread and expression passionate.

Dawn had to resist making a face. Pure hearted…?! What was she implying about Dawn, exactly, with that statement?!

The judges and crowd oohed and aahed as Flaaffy twirled, cotton fluff materializing and sticking to the electric type's body to form a protective coat of plush armor. At the end, the pink pokemon struck a pose, costing Dawn a number of points with the judges.

Not to be out done, Dawn bit right back. Dramatically placing one hand to her chest and the other reaching out to the field, she spoke: "Quilava! Like a girl head over heels in love, let's take a Flame Wheel to the stage!" When she heard one of the judges realize she was teasing her opponent and snicker at her joke, the coordinator's grin widened.

The little fire type tucked into herself, rolling forward to smash into Flaaffy. Untucking after the rebound pushed her away from Flaaffy, Quilava watched with a smile as her opponents Cotton Guard caught on fire, burnt up, and was nullified.

Ember lost more points for that then Dawn had for being out done on stage.

However, the fiery duo's giddiness lasted only a moment. Quilava tensed, kneeled on one side as paralysis from ramming into Flaaffy took hold. Dawn's eyes widened. All of Quilava's appeals pretty much relied upon her being able to move. Sure Flamethrower and Swift still worked, but if she wasn't moving, would it have the same impact?!

Seeing that she'd bought a little time for herself, Ember nodded. "Let's Charge up for a final blow!"

Flaaffy raised her little hooves above her head, chanting her name over and over as a dazzling, crackling gleam danced over her skin and wool. "Flaaffy Flaaffy Flaaffy Flaaffy!"

"Quilava, Flamethrower!" Dawn grimaced at the failure, points being lost due to the pitiful show on Quilava's behalf.

"Now, with all the speed and dazzle of a stylist lamb, Flaaffy, use Thundershock!"

Thundershock?! Somehow, Dawn felt insulted, but all the same she knew with the charge and the fact the attack was the same type as the pokemon, it was nothing to sneeze at. "Quilava, you have to dodge!"

Amazingly, Quilava did manage to move! She was merely entirely too slow, gait not straightened out at the moment and she let out a yelp when the enhanced Thundershock scorched her backside. More points lost for Dawn.

Ember twirled, clapping her hands together as she turned around to face the field again. "Flaaffy, honey, let's get dressed for success! Cotton Guard!" Once more, the show was put on, though no points were lost due to the move already being used this battle and in the same exact manner, as well.

However, Dawn was deeply insulted. If that wasn't a taunt, she didn't know what was! If Ember really thought she'd use another Flame Wheel, the snotty redhead had another thing coming. "Quilava, Smokescreen!"

The stage was flooded with pitch black smoke, obscuring both pokemon. Judging by Flaaffy's bleating, the sheep was obviously confused about where Quilava was now.

"Now, Swift!" Ember shouldn't have underestimated her, Dawn thought; after all, she'd seen Dawn do this in her appeal.

Quilava charged forward, movements slower but finally functional, as she cleared the way before her, the barrage of stars cutting through the smoke to hit the blinded Flaaffy before finally Quilava spat out the attack at point blank range, causing Flaaffy to fall back on her butt from shock and pain.

"Flaaffy!" the pink pokemon cried out.

"Quilava!" the navy back pokemon asserted, confidence renewed.

Dawn nodded, clenching her fist happily as Ember lost enough points for that muddled display to even the two girls out.

"Flaaffy, get up and use Charge!" Whatever pretense Ember had been keeping up was suddenly dropped.

That was fine with Dawn. Watching the Flaaffy use Charge, she knew she couldn't afford to play around anymore either. Their time was limited and Quilava's backside dropped, evidence she couldn't really walk right now, but that was fine. In her haste, Ember hadn't allowed Flaaffy to back off. "Quilava, Flamethrower!"

The stream of fire washed over Flaaffy at point blank range. When the last of the flame cleared, the sheep blinked before falling over, knocked out. The timing was perfect. Ember's points were draining, likely to drop to empty, just as the referee called Dawn's victory.

"Ember's Flaaffy has been knocked out, and is thus unable to battle! That makes Dawn the winner!"

"Ugh, I can't believe this!" Ember whined. "I lost to this weirdo chick and her meanie pants pokemon!" Stomping off stage, Ember didn't seem to even care about the negative attention she was gathering.

"... Snorlax isn't even my pokemon," Dawn mumbled as she kneeled down, scratching Quilava behind the head as her face was moved from the first round of battles to the second on the overhead screen. With that, the coordinator and fire type left the stage, leaving it for the next duo to battle on.

After a quick trip to the in-house healing station and a quick chat with Ash - they'd run into each other on accident during the intermission - Dawn was back in the backstage area. Between Ash's gentle encouragement, Prinplup's outspoken pride that she'd beaten Ember, and Quilava's quiet confidence, Dawn felt as if she could most definitely do this.

Besides, it was only two of them left in the competition. Her and an older woman wrapped in what Dawn hoped was faux fur. As Ash had pointed out during their break, no matter what, Dawn would at least be making it as runner up in her first contest.

Still, Dawn couldn't help but want to shoot for the gold.

Finally, the backstage manager gestured to Dawn and the mysterious woman. Quilava walked by Dawn's side as a Persian slinked beside the old woman.

"Out final round, everyone! The winner will be decided between Glenda from Saffron City and Dawn from Twinleaf Town! Now, let the battle begin!"

Not wanting to hold back this time, Dawn came out hitting hard. "Spotlight, Quilava! Use Flamethrower!"

"Persian," Glenda said haughtily, "use Fake Out."

The Persian ran forward, leaping towards Quilava. The little fire type flinched, head turned away and move canceled out. The normal type grinned, smacking Quilava to the side.

"It's fast!" Dawn gasped.

With the fire type's composure broken, Dawn's points chipped away just a bit.

"Now, use Bite." Glenda was so calm, completely in control of herself.

Dawn's eyes widened. She hadn't lost many points yet, but being tossed around like this would eventually cost her the points and the match! "Quilava, use Flame Wheel, and turn up the heat!"

The big cat pounced down onto Quilava just as the pokemon tucked into herself. As teeth sank into Quilava's back, her flames flashed out angrily, burning a brilliant blue-green. It made the Persian yelp and back off. Not ready to let her opponent get away with the damage she had done quite yet, Quilava pursued, ramming her rainbow flamed body into the fleeing feline. With that, she untucked, facing the Persian and Dawn with her back to Glenda.

"Quilav!" she challenged.

"Perr," the big cat growled, crouching low.

While Dawn felt satisfied with the points Glenda had lost due to her quick thinking, the way the old woman remained calm was a little unnerving. Did she know something Dawn didn't?

"Quilava, use Smoke Screen…" Whatever it was, Dawn wasn't going to let Glenda do it without a challenge.

The old woman remained passive. "Persian, Screech."

The image of Persian yowling right before the smoke enveloped it was haunting to say the least. It caught Dawn major points, the judges a little more moved by this impromptu performance than Dawn's hard earned rainbow fire. It was a little frustrating to the coordinator, honestly, but it was all the more motivation to work hard.

"Now, use Swift."

Dawn's eyes bulged. Did Glenda just tell Persian to use Swift?! "That's our… combination..." There were no rules against that, just a general code of honor. Dawn watched in shock as smoke was cleared, revealing Quilava having taken damage.

"I know, deary. You should learn to keep your aces hidden," Glenda taunted. The elder was schooling Dawn, it seemed. Glenda relished in the points Dawn lost, a smile finally crossing the old woman's face.

"Fine. Quilava, use Flame Wheel!" Persian couldn't steal that, she figured.

"Persian, dodge!"

The normal type leaped effortlessly over Quilava's initial attack, simply too speedy even for the fire type. Untucking and skidding to a stop upon realizing she wouldn't be able to keep up like this, Quilava looked back at Dawn.

"... Right! Like we practiced! Rainbow Flamethrower-Flame Wheel!"

Whilst Glenda considered making a snarky comment over the wordy name of the move, Quilava tucked into herself again, normal rich red fire around her as she ran at Persin again, the cat dodging once more. The time around, the Flamethrower was added to the Flame Wheel, scorching the cat as it ran out of the way. Now, finally, the flames increased in heat, glowing brilliantly in white and purple before the edge flames faded into the other beautiful hues.

Quilava knocked fully into Persian, untucking mid-air to watch gleefully as her opponent skidded painfully across the battlefield.

"How're those reflexes now, huh?!" Dawn cheered, fist pumping with pride at what her pokemon had done. It helped that the move had cost Glenda massive points, putting her slightly below Dawn in that manner.

Desperation entered Glenda's face. "Persian, use Bite!"

"Smokescreen, Swift!" With them on the ropes, Dawn would allow no room for error.

Persian's Bite hit soot and ash. Quilava, hidden within her Smokescreen, waited to see the glint of Persian's forehead jewel before finally using Swift. The stars once more cut through the Smokescreen, not winning or costing anyone any points, but putting the punishment on Persian all the same.

"Grah! Persian, use Bite!"

"Flamewheel!"

It was a knock out. The moment all of Persian's weight came down on the open flames, Quilava kicked the normal type off with her sphere of fire, earning herself the victory.

"Quil lava!" she barked, warning the Persian to not underestimate her despite her size.

"And, the match goes to Dawn!" While Glenda still had enough points left to have made it a questionable victory if the timer had been the end of the match, the one on one round ended in Dawn's favor and that, along with her marginal point victory, was all she needed.

Glenda nodded, calming down as she returned her Persian. Years of experience allowed her to get emotional when need be, but also put on the mask of professionalism with ease. Meeting Dawn at the center of the stage, the woman spoke lowly, barely a whisper. "You're very talented, my dear, but you're a bit of a show off. You might want to keep in mind a bit of mystery is every woman and every coordinator's ace in the hole. That said, congratulations. It's good to see fresh talent."

Dawn watched her elder exit the stage, an odd mixture of leftover contempt for the enigmatic, thieving way Glenda operated but a certain admiration. The woman was right. Dawn did need to be a bit less forward and open with her appeals and potential combinations. She'd keep that in mind going forward. But, right now, she had a ribbon to receive.

Soon, the stage was cleared, leaving the main judge to approach Dawn, opening a small case to reveal her first ribbon secured on dark velvet.

"And now, is pleased to present the Mulberry Ribbon to our big winner, Dawn!"

It was a rather fancy looking design, bearing a gold base with two layers of four pink bow-ends. The suited man standing at about Dawn's height offered a genial smile, pulling back the case after Dawn accepted her prize. "You competed in Sinnoh's Grand Festival, didn't you? Congratulations on starting your path down a whole new circuit!"

He congratulated, going on to speak further. "That was quite the performance from you and Quilava. A great display of power, beauty, and discipline. I'm sure you'll do great moving on through Kanto!"

"I sure did! Thank you very much!" Dawn bowed her head to the authority before brandishing the small congratulatory medallion. "Alright…! I won the Mulberry Ribbon!" She cheered, holding it above her head.

"Quil, Quilava!" The bottom-heavy fire type cheered, jumping and wiggling in celebration.

The victory was greeted with much cheering and clapping, allowing the teen to soak in her victory.

Dawn spotted Ash within the crowd as she brought her hand down and looked intently at him for a moment, both of them sharing the same smile: one of pride from him and gratitude for her.

"Thank you all so much for coming! Be sure to congratulate our participants if you see them out on the street and enjoy the last night of festivities in Mulberry Town!"

With that, the contest was complete.

"It's always a pleasure to serve our victors," Nurse Joy chipperly said as she returned Quilava's pokeball to Dawn's possession.

The girl nodded and thanked the nurse, glad to have her whole team back her possession. Dawn walked back over to where Ash was waiting idly, Pikachu and Rosa watching a the end of a cartoon with him. "Okay! You guys ready to go?"

"Mmhm!" Ash agreed, picking up Rosa as Pikachu scampered up his shoulder. "You know, we didn't get a chance to talk on the way over with all of the crowds, but that was a great contest, even if you guys didn't have everyone there!"

"You noticed that?" Dawn inquired. "But, right. I got some good advice, too."

"Yeah! Ember's actually pretty talented, even if she's got a serious attitude problem… The li'l girl with the Jumpluff tried her best, too. And, that old lady - Glenda, wasn't it? - with the Persian was amazing! Was it her who gave you the advice? I saw her whisper to you!"

"She did, actually."

"Well?" Ash fished.

Dawn smirked, closing her eyes and lifting her chin up. "Can't tell you. It's a secret."

Prinplup snickered from where he walked beside the bluenette, the Pokemon Center now left far behind them.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Ash whined. "I'm not your competition!"

~Right!~ Rosa agreed. ~A-Actually… We, or, um, I would like to be on the team… Contests seem really fun!~

"You wanna be in a contest?" Dawn asked, a little surprised. "Well, I'm okay with it if you're okay with training with me for it! Ash?"

"Heck yeah! You're not gonna jump ship on me, though, are you, Rosa?"

Pikachu and Prinplup exchanged a look, recalling Ambipom and Buizel-now-Floatzel. Pikachu shook his head. Rosa might be interested, but she was entirely too attached to Ash to be open to changing trainers like that. Unless the situation happened that she couldn't get to Ash, she wouldn't go with Dawn.

~No!~ the puppy barked, not entirely aware that Ash had been joking. ~I just wanna try!~

"Relax, relax," Ash said, calming her. "I know. I was just joshin' with ya!"

Dawn giggled. "Well, that works out. Oh, right, the advice Glenda gave was to not show off all my moves before the contest really starts. I need to start keeping some moves in reserve."

"Makes sense," Ash agreed.

"Well, with Mulberry conquered, where to next? Cerulean City, right?" That was where Misty was, but that was about all Dawn knew of the place.

"Right! Most of the big cities are that way and there's towns all over the place, so there'll be tons of contests, I know it!" He looked up at the horizon as they headed into the woods once more, on the trail that would lead them eventually to Cerulean City. "But, first, we've got to go through Mt. Moon!"

"Mt. Moon," Dawn mumbled. "Hey, it isn't as big as Mt. Coronet, is it?"

"Nah," Ash assured. "But it's darn pretty." If they lucked out, they'd be there in time for the full moon!

Dawn suddenly raced ahead. All of her current pokemon except Absol and Houndour had been used in contests before. It was time to get more ideas, see new things, and get inspired. "Well, what are we waiting for?! If it's so pretty, I've gotta see it!" she yelled.

Ash ran after her, laughing. "Hey, Dawn, the mountain ain't going anywhere!" Still, neither slowed down. They'd get to their destination in record time if they kept this up!