Tension! That chapter was supposed to be twice as long, but as I was writing and got to the end point I realized that ending it right there would be for the best. This will be more of a second part of chapter 7, and leads to the Semi-Final matches. All of you are the best. Enjoy!

Also I've had a lot going on lately and have been writing periodically. Sorry this took so long.

Chapter 7 Part 2

"... we both love Ash Ketchum."

Dawn's ears rang with the words being spoken to her. This was the person who'd taken Ash's heart. Dawn looked over the honey-blonde and wondered what had made him love her. She sniffled and tried to speak, "I don't love him,"she tried.

"I'm sorry Dawn, but I'm not as dense as he is. He told me when you started to cry, and what he'd said before. You love him," Serena said.

Dawn's heart sank as Serena was talking to her. She knew the girl was right of course, but why she was even helping was a mystery. "Why are you even trying to help me then?" she asked.

"Because Ash brought you here because I was the first person he thought of that was kind-hearted, and could help you more than him. He was looking out for you without realizing it could hurt you. He had the best intentions, just poor execution."

Dawn blinked the last of the tears from her eyes. Serena looked at the small blunette and sighed wondering what to do next. "You can stay here and talk to me if you want, but I'm not going to force you," She said to Dawn.

Dawn pondered the offer then decided it would be better to leave and talk to May who was probably worried sick wondering where she was. "I'm sorry but I have to decline. I have other friends here. Serena, I'm not giving up anytime soon, I want you to know that." Dawn said.

Serena was shocked. Dawn had just told her she still wanted Ash, while still sitting on her bed. How bold can a person be? She thought. "You know he loves me and I love him. I've been waiting for years to have the chance to be with him."

"So have I been waiting longer than you," Dawn said.

"I've been waiting since we were Six."

Dawn wasn't upset anymore; she was ready to fight, and fight they would. Not physically. Yet. Dawn was dead set on having Ash and would do anything to have him. Serena was trying to maintain her composure, but could feel the rage building slightly. They both glared at each other neither willing to back down. A knock came at the door. They snapped their eyes to the sound, and Serena moved to open the down putting on a happy face. She opened the door to find the source of the room's tension there. "Hey sorry to interrupt but they're about to announce matchups for tomorrow and contest matches between battles. Thought you guys should know. Happy to see you're not crying anymore Dawn," Ash said, Then he left.

"If we don't go to this they will all know," Dawn stated.

"I'm sure they know something is up, but you're right."

"I hope we fight then."

"I'm not fighting. I put on a special show during the finals, because I'm the region's queen," Serena was angry she didn't get the chance though.

She looked at Dawn "Can we keep this quiet when we're in public?"

"I suppose, but if you come to my region you better be ready for a fight."

With that the girls went downstairs.

Ash wound up getting paired against Tierno who he walked over and shook hands with immediately as a form of politeness. Sawyer and Astrid would be the other match. Both were sure to put on a show. Dawn would be paired against May for the in between battles contest. All things the next day were sure to be electric.

Begin Chapter 8

Yes I know and I'm sorry there's barely anything in this though and it seemed like a strange transition so instead will be a longer chapter.

Ash was watching the battle on the screen in the preparation room. Sawyer and Astrid were deadlocked at one Pokemon left each. Astrid's Mega-Absol vs Sawyer's Mega Sceptile the battle was electric. He would be challenged by either one of these contestants, but for old times sake he was cheering for Sawyer.

Absol used Dark pulse and the field exploded when it met Sceptiles Dragon Pulse. "Sceptile, Leaf Blade!"

"Absol, Detect!"

The two collided, but Sceptiles blades glanced off harmlessly. "Now Absol Slash!"

"Counter with Leaf blade again!"

The two met again with a collison that sent both flying backwards. They stood on opposite sides of the field in a stalemate. Suddenly Absol collapsed. "Absol is unable to battle, which means this match goes to Sawyer," The official called.

The stadium erupted with cheers as Sawyer made his first finals match. Astrid returned her partner. She'd be back next year and she wanted to win.

Ash stood up and began his walk to the stadium…

Sorry I'm skipping the contest, but I honestly don't know how I'd write that.

Ash was winning. It had been quite a good battle up to this point. Tierno had started with Raichu, Ash with his Garchomp. Garchomp had won handily. Garchomp had also defeated Tierno's Ludicolo before falling to his Roserade. Ash's Charizard defeated Roserade and was losing in a tight battle against his Crawdaunt…

"Dragon Claw!"

"Water Pulse"

Charizard was doused in water unable to do much of anything. Ash gritted his teeth as the inevitable happened.

"Charizard is unable to battle, Crawdaunt is the winner."

Ash recalled his longtime still had two pokemon after Crawduant Ash had four, but had no clue what Tierno had for his sixth Pokemon (Blastoise at 5). He thought for a moment. "Lucario lets go!"

The Aura Pokemon sprang from the ball and took up a stance to fight. I'm ready Master, Ash told him to stay ready. Tierno made the first move. "Crawdaunt use Bubblebeam."

"Dodge and use Aura Sphere."

Lucario dodged and launched a ball of aura that made a direct hit. Crawdaunt collapsed after the sheer power behind the attack. "Crawdaunt is unable to battle, Lucario is the winner!"

Ash smiled and his eyes drifted towards the balcony where Serena was sitting with a sparkle in her eyes. This will all be worth it in the end, he thought. He looked across the field to where Tierno was. His friend was looking more and more dejected as the battle went on. Tierno knew this wasn't close, but he wanted to put up as much of a fight as possible.

"Charizard, I choose you."

"Huh?!"

Ash had never seen Tierno use a Charizard and if he was anything like Ash's this could be trouble. "Lucario start with Dragon Pulse."

"Use Flare blitz."

Tierno's Charizard turned into a ball of fire and hurled towards Lucario as the dragon pulse was dodged. Direct hit. Ash winced. "Now use Air slash!"

Counter! Ash screamed into the head of his pokemon. It worked… Lucario took a massive hit though. Then Lucario collapsed after the two super effective attacks. "Lucario is unable to battle!"

Tierno's Charizard was powerful enough to continue through and take out Ash's Pikachu but not cleanly and the match ended in a tie. Ash used Sceptile to take out Teirno's Blastoise. The two shook hands and left as friends.

END CHAPTER 8

Sorry this took so long guys between school and work i can hardly find the time to write and scrambled to get this chapter out i wish it could've been longer