Season: This would have been up faster but I didn't really like the way the chapter was going, plus I was away for thanksgiving. My birthday was on Sunday as well, so there's that. Happy birthday to me, to another year of getting older!

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Stupidity Does Not Earn You Heaven

By: Season Of Magic

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"Welcome everyone to day two of Kanto's Grand Festival. I'm your host Kenny and I'm here to tell you that today is going to be even more exciting than yesterday. You may be wondering 'how do you compete against day one, where we had two top coordinators having an exhibition match?'" He asked as if perplexed. "The answer to that is really great you just have to believe me."

"If you could just tell us what you're up to, I think we would all really appreciate it." Zoey couldn't help but state from her chair.

"By having them still around in day two that's how!" Kenny yelled. "Sheesh! You don't let me have any fun Zoey."

"Yes, let him have his fun." Nurse Joy said. "But I do wonder why we have an extra chair here."

"Oh you're right, there is a fourth chair. Kenny really, what are you up to?" Zoey stated as if bored already.

Kenny winked. "Nothing much." He said. "Just that we have a very special person as a honorary judge today."

"And who is it?" Zoey asked.

"Who is it indeed. Let's call them out. Come out honorary judge!"

"I've been nothing but set up all weekend." The person said as she walked out the guest door.

"Yes, we kept one of Sinnoh's top coordinator around. We missed Dawn enough to make her a judge."

"If I knew all it would take for me to be a judge was to go missing and then come back, I'd have done it ages ago." Dawn replied as she walked to the empty chair. She sat down and smiled at the crowd. "Hi everyone! I hope to have a lot of fun and to see great competitions today from everyone. Thanks for having me."

"We appreciate you taking time out of your trip to join us." Zoey said beside her, clearly overjoyed.

Dawn winked. "Wouldn't be anywhere else for the world." She stated. "Even if I was only told this morning I'd be a judge."

"Sorry Dee-Dee we really wanted to surprise you." Kenny said.

"You're the one who's going to be surprised if you keep calling me by that name." Dawn stated.

The festival began without a hitch. One by one contestants gave their individual performance. Soon it was May and Ash's turn.

"Up next to perform... Here she is everyone! Returning crowd favorite, May." Kenny said.

"If you keep saying that I might believe it." May said laughing as she walked into the stage with Glaceon.

She was wearing a dark blue headband with spikes which matched Glaceon's hair, and a light blue jumper with a darker shade shirt that matched her headband underneath. Glaceon had on a bell on its neck.

"Subtle but cute." Nurse Joy stated as she jotted down on her notebook.

"I love that you're dressed similar to Glaceon." Dawn said.

"That jumper is totally adorable." Zoey said. "And I love Glaceon's bell."

Kenny waved a hand. "Matching colors with her pokemon seems to be a good choice but can she walk the walk and talk the talk? Two minutes on the clock; May show us what you got!"

May laughed a bit at that. "Of course I can! Watch and see. Glaceon are you ready?"

"Ceeeee!" Glaceon chirped.

May nodded and clapped her hands as the music began. "Ice Shard, followed by Ancient Power just as we practiced."

Glaceon did as it was told, the ice flew all over the stage, but lights followed it and suddenly the shards became nothing but sparkly powder.

"Mirror Coat, Shadow Ball and to finish it off... Ice Shard!"

A square beam of light rose up like a mirror, and after using Shadow Ball, Glaceon got on top of it and followed the ride until it hit right in the middle but not before even using Ice Shard. The square suddenly burst, and all that was left was a beautiful blend of dark and light, as if it was yin and yang.

Glaceon hopped to the floor and bowed with one paw. May instantly went to it and hugged it. "Fantastic job Glaceon! I knew you could do it!" She said.

"Fantastic job indeed." Dawn said teary eyed.

"That was marvelous." Nurse Joy agreed.

"Simply amazing." Zoey stated.

"The judges are impressed." Kenny stated.

"Where's your vote?" Zoey asked. "You're a judge too."

"I think they were good." Kenny said.
"Up next we have our final contestant for this block, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."

Ash walked into the stage followed by Pikachu who was carrying around a bottle of ketchup. Ash had on a simple gray vest with a hat and a cane that had yellow thunderbolt stripes. Pikachu was wearing a similar outfit with a yellow striped tie. When they got to the middle of the stage, Pikachu tossed the bottle into the air with its tail and caught it again with its tiny paws then placed it down.

Nurse Joy, Zoey and Dawn had all clapped and stared amazed.

"Chuuuu!"

"Hello everyone." Ash said.

"I kind of want to ask what the deal with the ketchup is but at the same time I don't want to..." Was all Kenny said at the trick Pikachu did.

"It's better not to ask or Pikachu will definitely be talking nonstop about it." Ash agreed while placing his hands behind his head.

Nurse Joy, Zoey and Dawn finished clapping and began to write things down.

"I definitely love the outfit." Zoey complimented.

"Pikachu's tie matching with your cane's design is adorable." Dawn said.

"I agree." Nurse Joy stated.

"Now then, you're a beginner but since you're last you've seen everyone else so I assume you already know the drill and are ready." Kenny stated.

Ash nodded. "Yep, aren't we buddy?"

"Pikaaaa!" Pikachu agreed as it got into a fighting stance.

"Two minutes on the clock; START!"

"Alright buddy let's do this. Electro Ball and Iron Tail."

"Chuuu!" Pikachu nodded as it began charging up the attacks. It jumped high into the air and made the ball of electricity then slammed it with its tail that was fortified for the attack. Suddenly the electric ball dissipated into smaller sparks that light up the stage.

"Let's finish this, Electro Web and Volt Tackle buddy."

"Piiii!" Pikachu nodded in understanding, the electric mouse produced an electric attack and was circling around as he did it to create the appearance of a web. He moved away and charged into the web with speed and electricity seeping out. Once again when the move dissipated, sparks we're flying everywhere, this time in the shape of various broken web strings.

Ash grinned and gave a peace sign. "And that's how we roll." He winked towards the judge's area.

Nurse Joy seemed unfazed, Zoey was quickly jabbing at Dawn's ribs. Dawn had already been looking and blushed at the wink he gave.

"T-that was..." She muttered.

"I'd say that it is 'beyond words.' Since that's what you seem to be; Utterly speechless." Zoey said giggling.

"They were perfectly executed moves." Nurse Joy stated. "Pikachu doesn't even seem fatigued."

"Agreed Nurse Joy." Kenny said, and waved Ash and Pikachu off the stage. "We're going on a quick commercial break while you all decide our finalists."

Kanto Grand Festival is sponsored in part by Viridian Forest. An adventurous place where thrill seekers can learn things and enjoy nature.

**It is not recommended that you go on your own.

"This is so intense." Dawn said as she breathed a small sigh of relief. "I don't want to pick anyone to cut off from the event since they were all so good."

Nurse Joy nodded in agreement. "It a tough choice but it must be done."

Dawn tapped her pen against the paper in front of her. "I now have an understanding of how hard it is for everyone, not just the contestants."

Zoey stuck her tongue out. "You learn a lot having this job, like how much you wish you were competing instead, for example."

Dawn nodded as she took her pencil and stared at the sheet. "Speaking of competitors do we all agree Ash did really good for his first time doing this or is that just me?" She said as she placed a check on Ash's and May's names.

Zoey kicked her lightly. "Your boyfriend did okay." She teased.

Nurse Joy circled a couple names. "He did well and so did May."

Dawn began to circle names as well, so did Zoey. At the end of four minutes they checked their answers and made another list together signaling their decisions.

"What an exciting day so far." Kenny stated as he took the envelope from the judge's panel and walked up to the stage. "But like any other contest, there sadly have to be people who are let go. This is no exception and in my hands I have the list of contestants advancing to the finals."

"Wait Kenny before you read the list can I just say that you all did wonderful, and it was really hard to choose." Dawn stated from her seat. "You should all be proud of what you've accomplished."

"Likewise." Zoey said.

"Today may be the end of your road here, but where one door closes, another door opens. I hope to see all of you in another competition soon." Nurse Joy said.

"And now what you've all been waiting for." Kenny said. "The contestants who advance to the finals are..."

On and on the list went. About twenty five or so contestants. May was amongst the first to be named, and Ash close to the end. They both breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at each other.

"Congratulations to those who have passed to the finals. We will see you here tomorrow bright and early, and at the end of the day one of you will be crowned; Kanto's Best. I'm Kenny and this is Kanto's Grand Festival. See you tomorrow!"

"Dad you made it!" Brianna said as she went to hug Ash. She had made Tracey and Gary run straight backstage after the finalists were announced but she had gotten to his dressing room first. "Now all that's left is to bring home the ribbon."

"Excuse you parrot but it's not going to be so easy." May stated as she walked in. "I'm the one who's going to win tomorrow."

Brianna waved her hands. "Dad is going to be the winner I know it."

"I can't let down the birthday girl." Ash said as he ruffled Brianna's hair. "That means I'll definitely win tomorrow."

"I'd like to see you even try to make it to the top four." May said sticking out her tongue.

"You, me, the finals." Ash declared all hyped up.

"Again, if you even make it to the top four." May said defensively.

"She's just trying to psych you out." Gary said with his arms crossed. He had finally caught up to Brianna. "A fantastic ploy, in which I'm actually a bit impressed."

"Oh I know she's doing that, and it's not getting to me." Ash replied. "Thanks for trying though May."

"Competition brings out the best and the worst in people but I thought you two would be unfazed." Tracey said as he walked into the room. "Brianna, next time don't run ahead like that what if you got lost?"

"All common sense seems to have left everyonebecause apparently it's the finals." Gary replied. "Personally, I'm rooting against Ash myself and it's quite hilarious to see."

"Thanks for the confidence in me Gary. You sure know how to lift the spirit of your best friend." Ash mumbled. "Great to see someone believes in me. And Bri, don't do that again ya munchkin."

"I believe in you Ash. Congrats on making it to the finals you were great." Dawn said as she walked into the changing room. She kissed his cheek. "What's this about Brianna now?"

"He and Pikachu were really synched. That Volt Tackle was AMAZING!" Brianna said proudly. "And I might have been running so fast I left Gary and Tracey behind."

"If you like that just wait for what we have in store at the end." Ash said with a grin. "And again; don't do that next time. You may have a tracker on your Poketch, but I'd rather we not need to use it."

Brianna raised a hand to her hair and twirled it. "Ehehehe..."

Ash sighed. "Don't make me and your mom worry please."

"He's right you know. I'm a judge again tomorrow... against my own will, but I would like to do a good job." Dawn said. "If Gary and Tracey can't keep a seven year old in line, who else am I supposed to leave you with?"

"She's seven years old, she should know better than to misbehave." Gary stated.

"You're all being too harsh on her." May replied as she went to hug Brianna. "Or did you forget she's a genius? She does know better, I just blame it all on the adrenaline rush."

Brianna cast her gaze down. "I'm sorry, I'll try my best not to stray far from Gary and Tracey." She said. "Even if I can seem to outrun them easily."

Ash smiled. "It's good that you seem to realize you can outrun them, but you won't do it again." He said nodding his head.

"I won't." Brianna promised.