With Ash right behind Pikachu and Staravia who had settled by Harmony's side earning happy pets, Dawn and Brock were not far behind.
"It's great to see you again!" Dawn says, finally taking notice of who was there.
"Nando you too!" Ash cries out happily.
"Yes, though regretfully the gym leader's not here," Nando sings.
Ash gets a shocked look on his face before running straight into the door making Harmony wince, "Huh? You've got to be kidding…"
"Ash! Watch where you're going!" Harmony cries out helping him get back up after falling. "I've been here for three days, they haven't shown up once. I'm practically seething. The League should be on top of this," she tells him with a frown.
"Say it ain't so!?" Ash cries out unhappy they had come all this way for nothing.
"You here for a gym battle too?" Brock asks.
Nando nods, "Yes, and I was going to team up with my beautifully wonderful partner Kricketune.
"Hey, nice to meet you Kricketune!" Ash says pulling his Pokedex out and holding it up.
"Kricketune the cricket Pokemon and the evolved form of Kricketot. It conveys its many emotions with the melodies it composes."
"Wow!" Ash says watching Kricketune make a small melody.
"Yeah, a musical pokemon sounds perfect for you Nando!" Dawn states
"You're very kind. Sadly it doesn't seem we'll get a chance to battle just yet,"
"What? What'll we do?" Dawn states.
"There's a note on the door," Brock points out.
Harmony scoffs, "Yeah the Gym Leader let to go on their own journey, yet they forgot to find a replacement or temporary placeholder. I'm so upset, this is why most Gyms have apprentices and or gym trainers that can take over for a brief amount of time," she points out. "I think the League doesn't know, so I filed a complaint yesterday after asking around with no answers. " she admits.
"Mainly because this could cause many trainers to miss out on getting a gym badge since it takes a good week or two to get to other gyms what happens if this gym leader is gone longer and doesn't show up when it's close to the conference? I'd rather the League know about this and solve it or at least update their sight to mention this gym is closed," she says frustrated.
"Right, like how my dad is looking after the gym even though I'm on a journey, that way the gym isn't empty," Brock says putting his hand under his chin. "I just wonder why they left it?"
"Man, that's just great! After all this, I feel like I'm gonna explode!" Ash cries out clearly as frustrated as Harmony was on the matter.
"I feel you so much Ash, I hate this, and I was looking forward to wipe the Ghost Gym Leader's pokemon down easily. Bubbles has been working on a Dark-type combo move just for this…" she says sadly.
"Perhaps entering the Hearthome Tag-Battle would be some help?" Nando offers.
"What's the Hearthome Tag-Battle?" Ash and Harmony ask at the same time.
"Only the most famous competition in Hearthome City. It's where trainers from all over the world compete in a challenging tag battle that decides who reigns supreme."
"That actually sounds like a lot of fun, I haven't done a tag battle in forever," Harmony says with Chu cheering her agreement.
"So let's do it! Hey guys are you with me?" Ash asks Aipom and Staravia who cheer in agreement.
"Brock, are you going to join as well?" Harmony asks.
"I'm in! I could use a good battle!"
"Then you three can register at Hearthome Stadium," Nando informs them.
"Nando are you going to enter?" Ash asks.
"No Ash, we have decided to focus on the pokemon contest this time," Nando says looking at his Kricketune.
Dawn gasps, "Oh no! I forgot to register again!" she cries out, making Harmony gasp and grab her by her shoulders.
"Then we best go get you registered! They close soon I think!" Harmony tells her and she nods.
"Nando will you walk with me? Ash, Brock and Harmony have to go register for the tag-battle,"
"Of course Dawn it would be my honor," Nando responds.
"We'll meet you at the contest hall once we're done Dawn!" Harmony calls out to her.
"So you ready for the double competition Harmony?" Brock asks, making Harmony grin.
"Oh you don't have to worry about that, I'm very prepared, I love when they do doubles, it's far more real as that's how the Grand Festival is set up, plus Pip and Lyn evolved while training!" she admits.
"Woah, so you've got a Prinplup and Luxio now?" Ash asks, eyes widening with surprise.
"Yeah they were practicing before we got attacked by some pokemon, then Pip evolved with Lyn straight after to protect me. I'm really proud of them. We've got some great combos put together to showcase how Water and Electric can actually work well with each other. And for battles I'm going with Bubbles and Cinders to create a fire-water combo. Assuming we get past the first round of course." Harmony admits.
"I'm sure you'll do fine! You always are great at it, we saw a replay of your win at Alamos Town while we were on our way here, it was incredible!" Ash admits his eyes sparkling making Harmony's cheek flush a bit.
"It was because I used unusual pokemon, that's why they like to keep tabs on my stuff it seems. I really want to use Alice my Ampharos at some point but she's not really wanting to battle right now, so we'll have to wait to see if she will. She's more into battling for gyms than for contests." she admits.
"So she might want to help with this tag battle thing?" Brock asks.
"I'm hoping she will, but I'm not sure, she lost pretty badly the last battle I had with a trainer we came across heading here, and she wasn't thrilled about it. I don't blame her, it was hard as we went against a ground type so it was my fault for putting her in the situation." Harmony explains. "I wasn't prepared and she lost, the others were able to bounce us back to a win, but because she lost she felt really bad."
Once the three were registered they headed back to meet up with Dawn, until they headed to the Pokemon Center.
Finishing dinner early Dawn left to go have a pep talk with her pokemon while the other finished up.
"Alright Piplup? Check! Pachirisu? Check! Buneary? Check! Buizel? Check! Course I'm here, that's it! Alright, you all know we've been training just as hard as we possibly can, so no need to worry!" Dawn states happily with her pokemon as the trio come walking up to her.
"That's the spirit Dawn!" Harmony says with a grin.
"That's what I like to hear! Confident and Psyched!" Ash points out.
"You've really come a long way Down,but I would imagine you're feeling a little bit nervous? Brock points out.
Dawn lets out a sigh, "I'm feeling a lot bit nervous," she points out, making Harmony move to her side, giving her a hug.
"And that's fine, even I'm nervous and always am, but I get out there and show them what I've got!" she points out.
"My heart feels like it's racing a hundred miles a second, after all, it's my first double performance," Dawn points out.
"Yeah, I get it, but remember it's about having fun and showing off the wonders of these guys," Harmony points out gesturing to her pokemon, "Plus they can sense your nerves, it gets them nervous too, which might cause them to mess up," she says softly, "So breathe,"
"And it's all happening tomorrow," Zoey calls out walking up to them.
"Zoey! It's nice to see you again! I would assume that means you're also nervous? But remember this is how the Grand Festival is going to play out, it's always a double performance for those." she reminds her. "So think of this as a practice?"
"I heard about the Hearthome Gym thing, I'm really sorry Ash, Harmony," Zoey says.
Harmony lets out a sigh, "I am still frustrated on that, don't know how the League is going to deal with it, but I for one hope that no one else gets duped to coming here for a badge,"
"It was a drag, and still is a drag, but we're all entering the Hearthome tag battle!" Ash points out, "that'll be a blast!"
"Oh yeah? That should be fun!" Zoey agrees.
"Thanks! I hope you do well tomorrow too!" Ash says his excitement is getting a hold of him.
Zoey lets out a chuckle, "Of course if I win tomorrow that means Dawn or Harmony won't," she points out.
Ash gasps realizing his mistake, "let's say I'm rooting for the three of you okay!?"
Harmony laughs, "Thanks Ash, it won't be the last time you're rooting for everyone though,"
"Oh, I almost forgot! Thanks to all the advice you gave me on double performances, I know I'll look great!"
"You'll look great? Dawn, it's about the pokemon, not the trainer, they're the stars of contests," Harmony says slowly giving Zoey a look of confusion.
"You'll know you look great?" Zoey replies confused as well, but Dawn took no notice.
"I can't wait! You've taught me so much about contests Zoey!"
"I agree with Harmony Dawn...I think your priorities are all messed up, the pokemon is the star, not the Coordinator," Zoey points out.
"Make sure you focus on these guys, okay?" Zoey points out to Dawn's pokemon.
"Okay, thanks I will!"
"People and Pokemon, connecting side by side, creating all kinds of emotions. Ladies and Gentlemen! The magic moment you've all been waiting for! And that magic moment takes place at the Hearthome City Stadium right here, right now!" Marium calls out to the crowd.
"For our first round, Coordinators will use two pokemon in an exciting double performance, with the second round being a double battle. It's beauty times two, battling times two, double the fun no matter how you slice it!"
Harmony rocks back on her feet with a grin, straightening her dress a bit and holding her pokeballs closer to her humming while next to Dawn and Zoey.
"Guess who girls?" Jessalina states from behind them.
Harmony turns to raise her eyebrow up at the dressed up Team Rocket member.
"You're Jessalina!" Dawn says surprised.
"Hi…" Zoey says clearly uninterested in her.
"So dear are you ready to give it your all?" she asks Dawn.
"Of course! No need to worry," Dawn states making Harmony sigh.
"That's when it's time to worry the most," she states, shaking her head.
"Worried about other Coordinators? You don't sound so confident," Zoey states
"Oh container! I am full of confidence!" Jessalina states fire burning around her.
"Dear me, the sparks are sure flying," Nando points out from the side.
"Here it is, the Hearthome Ribbon, which one lucky and talented Coordinator will take home, and of course have the chance to move on to the Grand Festival!" Merium announces, "What do you think of that?"
"And now it's time to hear some words from our panel of judges," she states as they go through each judge though Harmony had tuned out by then trying to calm her own nerves.
The Performance Stage begins with Nando as the first contestant, using his Sunflora and Kricketune. Sunflora's Grass Whistle and Kricketune's Sing combined with Nando's harp captivates the audience with the melodic music.
When Harmony takes the stage she lets Lyn the Luxi and Pip the Prinplup come out of their pokeballs with a thunder seal and bubbles surrounding each other. The thunder bits popped the bubbles creating a sparkle around the two. Upon letting them out she calls for Pip to use Drill Peck, then Lyn used Charge Beam which lit up and enhanced Pip's move earning gasps from the crowd. Following up with a Stream of Bubble Beam and Lyn Using Swift to arrange to make a star in the sky with the swift on the inside before the two pokemon jumped up into it the moves popping and dispersing around them making them shine like little fireworks around them.
Dawn then takes the stage with Pachirisu and Piplup. Pachirisu launches Sweet Kiss while Piplup encases the attack with Bubble Beam. Pachirisu follows up with Discharge as Piplup whips up a Whirlpool, the electricity causing the whirlpool to dissipate in a flash of sparkles.
Jessalina takes her turn, sending out Mime Jr. and Cacnea. Cacnea uses Needle Arm, which Mime Jr. Mimics before using Tickle on Jessalina as both Cacnea and Mime Jr. hug and tickle Jessalina, spinning her around the stage.
Zoey then takes the stage with Glameow and Shellos. Shellos fires Mud Bomb as Glameow's Iron Tail breaks the attack. Glameow taps into Secret Power, which creates a paralyzing light as on the stage. Glameow then prepares Shadow Claw to create a sparkle from the Secret Power. Shellos then launches Water Pulse, surrounding Glameow as it uses its claws to split the Water Pulse, causing the water to then rebound on itself and create a dazzling sparkle.
While they were waiting for the results Dawn started brushing Buneary while Harmony gave Pip and Lyn her own poffins to snack on.
"You did amazing, you two, I hope you're proud of what you did?" she tells her pokemon who cheer out happily.
"Dawn! Harmony! You two did so great!" Ash states with a wide grin as the two turns to look at their friends.
"I sure hope we did, Pip and Lyn worked really hard on it, that drill peck and charge beam move was hard, as we didn't want to shock Pip but surround him in the dazzle of the charge beam," Harmony admits.
"And it worked really well! Combining something like water and electricity is really amazing!" Ash states.
"Thanks, Ash, it means a lot that you enjoyed it, means we're doing what we should be doing," Harmony says with a smile.
"I'm feeling really confident this time, that second ribbon is as good as mine!" Dawn says enthusiastically.
"Slow down Dawn we have to get past the first round," Zoey points out.
"Yeah!"
"And now the moment you've all been waiting for. Here are the eight Coordinators who made it through!" Marium announces. "These eight lucky contestants have impressed our judges with their double performances that they're going on to be part of round two! The exciting double battle!"
The first picture was revealed to be Harmony making her sigh in relief and pet her two pokemon, not worried about who else made it until she heard a gasp from Dawn which made her look back up with a frown.
"Oh Dawn, I'm so sorry," she says softly noticing Dawn hadn't made it through at all.
Dawn just glances at her lap in disappointment, "I'm sorry I let you down," she says softly to Pachirisu and Piplup, "You all worked just as hard as you could.
"Dawn, don't let it get to you, sometimes losing makes you better, and I think this is just the case, you know what you did didn't work so you'll try something new and even better next time," Harmony says softly to her friend.
"Remember you were in perfect sync with Piplup and Pachirisu the whole performance!" Brock points out.
"Okay, then why did we lose?" Dawn says hostility.
"Dawn," Zoey says softly.
"It's fine, you don't have to say anything," Dawn says softly as Piplup tries to comfort his trainer. "I said it's fine!" she yells at Piplup only to catch herself, "I'm sorry," she says getting up and running off.
"Dawn!" Ash calls out to her.
"Ash, hold on, she just needs a little time," Zoey states as Ash sighs.
"Well, may the best of us win right, Zoey?" Harmony says with a grin.
"Yeah,"
Cinders and Bubbles the Cinderace and Vaporeon worked well together, easily knocking others points off and advancing to the finals with ease.
Going up against Nando was really tough on Bubbles as he used Grass-type moves and Cinders did most of the protection of his partner in all this. But thankfully with one final combo of Hydro-pump and fire spin were the two able to defeat Nando and get their ribbon.
"You did it! You two are amazing!" Harmony cries out rushing to her pokemon hugging them in joy while they huddled closer to their trainer.
"And that's it! Harmony Sword has won the Hearthome City Contest!" Marium announced.
"More than halfway there aren't you?" states as Harmony takes her ribbon nodding.
"Yeah, I can't wait, my team is super happy with this win, we're sure to bring our A-game to the next contest for sure!" she says before spinning and holding her ribbon up, her pokemon cheering happily that they had won, their teamwork was amazing after all.
Back at the Pokemon Center Harmony sighed as she stood next to Brock and Ash as they talked with Johanna, "Dawn must feel pretty bad?" she asks, and Harmony nods.
"I feel really bad that she lost so soon, but even I've lost in the first round before it really hurts," Harmony states.
"Yeah, Zoey does too, losing to Nando like that," Ash points out, "but they have each other to talk about stuff with,"
"Poor Zoey, so close, but not close enough," Johanna points out, "But congratulations to you Harmony, your performance was really well."
"Oh thank you so much, it means a lot coming from you, but my pokemon deserve all the praise I wouldn't be where I am without them. I'll have to let my Mum know about my win too, she'll have to watch it in the morning though, time zones are horrible sometimes," Harmony says softly.
"Do you want us to go get Dawn?" Brock asks.
"I think it's best if I leave her alone right now, I know she'll be fine. You see having a friend instead of me to talk to is the best thing for her," Johanna admits.
"I know, I'd help her, but I feel like she'd push me away because I won, and I don't want to be shoving it in her face. It'll only make her more upset," Harmony says softly.
"Yes, that's Dawn for you, she'll come around," Johanna points out.
"Yeah, thank you again we'll talk with you soon!" Harmony calls out as the call ends.
"Well hopefully Zoey'll knock some sense into Dawn, she was getting a bit spiteful at the moment, and she needs to realize you win and lose some, learn from what you did that they didn't like. I always bugged the judges afterward wanting to get their advice and they told me what they didn't like so I adapted to what would be better," Harmony points out.
"Wow, I never thought of asking what went wrong when I lost a battle before or something like that," Ash says thinking.
"Don't look too hard into it, after all, we're gonna be battling soon at the Tag Battle thing, now how about we go check on the two?" she asks.
"Right," Ash says with a grin and Harmony felt as though there were Butterfrees in her stomach.