Winter, 2004.

Love is the whisper of their wisdom in your ear, when you need it the most.

The hot spotlight of Lilycove's Contest stage was oppressive. Serena felt sweat drip down her brow, as the bar under her name shrunk yet again, as her points winded down towards nill.

No. Don't focus on the score. Focus on your Pokémon! That was a dreadful beginner's habit, but Serena hadn't managed to shed it, just yet. She felt amateurish for that. Blind to the bigger picture, as Sylveon slid across the stage, panting and bruised.

'Even Sylveon's dancing can't keep up with Mega Altaria's speed,' Serena thought. Hovering above was the grand, radiant and fluffy form of Lisia's ace. 'And we don't have the strength to overpower them! How can we win…?'

Serena's blue hues snapped open. An old word of advice from Dawn rang true in her mind: 'When it comes to a Pokémon Contest, remember that the Pokémon is the star!'

Of course. This wasn't a battle; they didn't have to defeat Altaria. The goal was to draw everyone's eyes to Sylveon, and bring out her charm.

"Let's close the curtain, Altaria!" Lisia shouted from across the fray, jolting Serena from her musings with an elegant gesture. "Hyper Beam!"

Brilliant hues gathered in Altaria's drawn back beak; a full kaleidoscope coalescing into a charming pink, thanks to Pixilate. It reminded Serena that Sylveon, too, carried that trait.

And in the face of overwhelming power, Serena's hand ghosted over her heart. That deep, gallant voice echoed the greatest sentiment: 'Never give up, until it's over!'

That was the key. The inspiration for the move she shouted next, with all her heart.

"Sylveon! Last Resort!"

Her precious partner's determination coalesced in a beautiful bedazzlement of hot and cool pink hues. Sylveon charged bravely into Hyper Beam, with a hot pink star blooming into a protective aura about her. With all of her hopes, and Serena's sentiments, she dashed forth into the beam.

Blinding pinks swallowed the whole of the stadium, as Serena guarded her eyes from the radiance. She wasn't sure how the clash would end. Whether Sylveon would endure, and captivate the audience, or whether Lisia would come out ahead, yet again. As the diamond dust scattered, Serena could only cross her fingers, and think of the ones who'd pushed her so far.

'Ash, Dawn… Win or lose, I can say that we gave this battle our all!'