The morning sun bathed the bustling arena in a warm, golden glow. It was the day of the preliminaries of the Sinnoh Grand Festival. The prestigious event had drawn Coordinators from all corners of the region. In the heart of the arena's lobby, May and her dear friend, Dawn, exchanged a heartfelt hug, their excitement palpable.

"Dawn, you have to promise me that you'll cheer so loudly they can hear you all the way on the field!" May exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with determination.

"You know I will, May! You've got this!" Dawn grinned. With a final embrace, Dawn dashed off to find her seat in the stands, leaving May with her final thoughts. May's loyal Glaceon, who had been watching the exchange with enthusiasm, was quick to join her as they made their way to the locker room. The two shared a playful giggle as they went, the anticipation of the day ahead building with each step. May knew that today was the culmination of her hard work, and she was ready to give it her all. Once they reached the locker room, Glaceon stood guard at the door while May began preparing for her performance. As she donned her elegant dress, the icy Pokémon couldn't help but smile, her admiration for her Trainer shining through. May gazed at herself in the mirror before turning to her partner, seeking approval.

"Well? How do I look?" Glaceon's response was swift and filled with affection.

"Beautiful."

"Thank you, Glaceon," May replied, returning the compliment with a smile. "You know what? You're beautiful too." The Pokémon's eyes sparkled with delight as May retrieved the outfit Lila had prepared for Glaceon. The Ice-type Pokémon eagerly accepted her Trainer's help in changing, her excitement palpable as the coordinating attire had truly become a reflection of their close bond. And once Glaceon was dressed in her own coordinating outfit, the duo admired their reflections together. May's smile grew even brighter as she observed the matching ensembles.

"You look pretty," Glaceon chimed in.

"So do you." May returned the compliment. With a playful invitation, May beckoned Glaceon closer. "Come on, let's go blow them all away."

"Yeah!" Glaceon eagerly agreed, running with her Trainer toward the waiting room with a burst of enthusiasm. As they entered the room, the air was charged with the energy of anticipation, and May couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. Nearby, another experienced Coordinator and a close friend of May's noticed their arrival and approached her with a warm smile.

"May, is that you? You look incredible." the pink-haired woman complimented her.

"Thank you, Solidad!" May giggled in response.

"You look ready to win." Soledad continued. May nodded, her determination clear.

"You bet I am." Solidad grinned, appreciating the newfound confidence in her friend.

"That's the spirit. No doubt you'll go far with it." Both girls shared a friendly smile until movement on the monitor drew their attention. They both turned and began to watch the opening ceremonies along with the other Coordinators in the room. The announcer's voice filled the room, emphasizing the grandeur of the Sinnoh Grand Festival.

"All year, we've been building to this moment! 200 Coordinators have put their time, talent, and Pokémon to the ultimate test to earn their way here. It's the moment that Coordinators dream of, and it's the place where dreams of the Grand Prized Ribbon Cup come true! It's the Sinnoh Grand Festival!" Marian's enthusiasm echoed through the room as the crowd matched it with cheers of their own.

"Here we go…" May whispered to herself, her heart pounding with anticipation. The mention of the coveted Ribbon Cup, the ultimate prize for a Top Coordinator, added to the excitement in the room for everyone around her just as much. May clenched her fist with determination as she listened to the announcer continue her introduction.

"On this first day of this grand competition, we have the preliminary round! All 200 of our Coordinators will choose one Pokemon to perform in the Performance Stage style act! And from there they'll be whittled down to just 32 top competitors that will move on to the main competition! Who decides? Our fabulous judges of course! So let's do our roll call!" Marian continued on the monitor, however as she did, an usher's voice broke the tension in the room.

"May Maple, you're on deck."

"Alright, Glaceon." May said to her Pokémon, her voice filled with resolve. "Let's knock 'em dead." Glaceon responded with a confident nod.

"Ready!" With that, May recalled Glaceon into her Poké Ball and prepared herself for her turn on the grand stage. The Sinnoh Grand Festival was about to witness a performance like never before.

"First up for our Performance Stage, please welcome May Maple from Petalburge City!" Marian announced. As May stepped onto the stage, the cheers from the audience washed over her like a tidal wave of energy. She felt her heart swell with gratitude and excitement. The stage was set, the crowd was buzzing, and it was time to give it her all. Taking Glaceon's Poké Ball in hand, May twirled in a graceful circle before tossing it into the air. The ball burst open with a heart-shaped seal, revealing her elegant partner.

"Glaceon, take the stage!" May commanded. Glaceon emerged from the Poké Ball, surrounded by a mesmerizing display of sparkling hearts. The thunderous applause from the audience welcomed her presence. May couldn't help but smile as she watched Glaceon's radiant entrance. "Shadow Ball stream!"

"On it!"Glaceon responded with precision, charging a sizable Shadow Ball in her mouth and then launching it into the air, creating a dazzling spectacle of hearts and darkness.

"Ice Shard!" May's command was swift, and Glaceon fired off Ice Shards, shattering the hearts and Shadow Ball with precision. The elements transformed into a breathtaking shower of multicolored sparkles as Glaceon gracefully landed on the stage amidst the spectacle. May's smile widened as she relished the magical display. "Now let's share the love with Ice Beam!"

"Yeah!" Glaceon nodded as she took a deep breath and unleashed a powerful Ice Beam straight up toward the ceiling. The beam froze the surrounding particles in mid-air, eventually forming a heart-shaped frozen sculpture on the stage itself filled with the colorful particles of the previous attacks, and the audience marveled at the sight.

"And with one move, May and Glaceon have treated us to a color-filled ice sculpture!" Marian, the eloquent host, couldn't contain her enthusiasm as she addressed the audience. May and Glaceon, their faces beaming with satisfaction, stood at the center of the frozen masterpiece they had created. The ice sculpture glistened, capturing the magic of their performance. It was a testament to their synergy as Trainer and Pokémon. But the show was far from over. May's eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned her attention to her partner.

"Now, Glaceon, it's time to play!" Glaceon, her heart filled with joy, smiled brightly as she gracefully glided across the stage, her paws barely touching the ice. With each movement, she added a touch of magic to the performance. "Spiral Ice Beam!"

"Right!" Glaceon responded by spinning gracefully, releasing another Ice Beam that twirled around her, creating a mesmerizing spiral of frozen beauty. The audience gasped in delight as they watched the ice dance through the air. As the Ice Beam continued to spiral, Glaceon's creativity knew no bounds. She molded the ice into a massive slide, curving and winding around the centerpiece sculpture. With a smile, Glaceon jumped to the top of the ice slide with a graceful leap. May's grin widened as she watched her partner's performance unfold.

"Now, let loose!" May exclaimed with enthusiasm. With the command given, Glaceon began her descent, sliding down the icy slope on her paws. Her movements were a delicate dance, swaying and twirling as she descended. The audience was captivated by her grace and the sheer joy radiating from the performance. May couldn't help but smile as she basked in the magical moment they were creating together. "Ice Shard!"

"Hi-yah!" Glaceon yelled as she responded by launching Ice Shards as she slid, carving intricate patterns into the ice sculpture, enhancing its beauty with each precise strike. The climax of their performance was drawing near and May's voice rang out with determination.

"Final Flurry!" Glaceon, fueled by her trainer's energy, charged the largest Ice Shard she could muster. With a powerful launch, she released it into the air just as she reached the bottom of the slide. "Go for it!"

"Right!" With a powerful leap, Glaceon soared into the air, and the final Ice Shard fell back down and collided with the sculpture, creating a spectacular explosion of frozen sparkles that rained down on the stage, showering the audience in a dazzling display of colors. The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, their appreciation for the performance echoing throughout the arena. May and Glaceon, their hearts full, took a moment to acknowledge the audience. May blew a kiss to the spectators, her gratitude evident in her bright smile. Glaceon, always in sync with her trainer, winked playfully and blew a kiss of her own, adding a touch of charm to the finale.

"What a performance! May and Glaceon have turned the stage into a winter wonderland of fun that anyone would want to be a part of!" Marian exclaimed over the roar of the crowd. "Now let's hear what our judges thought!"

"Here we go…" May thought to herself as she turned towards the judges' table. The anticipation in the waiting room was palpable, and May couldn't help but feel a surge of nerves mixed with exhilaration. Contesta, one of the esteemed judges, offered his appraisal first.

"A phenomenal performance. To showcase a brand new style of performing in the Grand Festival takes a great deal of bravery, and then to execute it so perfectly takes real talent." The judge next to him, Head of the Pokemon Fan Club Sukizo, was equally impressed and added his voice to the chorus of praise.

"Extraordinarily remarkable!"

"Both May and Glaceon looked to be having so much fun! What I would've given to play with them!" Nurse Joy chimed in as well. Up in the stands, Dawn couldn't help but express her pride and support.

"That's the way! You show 'em, May!" she screamed out. May, humbled and thrilled by the response, gracefully bowed with a bright grin. She left the stage, and Glaceon, her tail wagging with happiness, happily ran after her.


In the backstage area, Marina couldn't contain her excitement as she approached May eagerly.

"May, that was incredible!" she exclaimed as May giggled and her cheeks tinted with a bright blush. The praise from her friends and the audience filled her heart with gratitude. She had given her all in that performance, and she felt the connection she shared with Glaceon had shone brightly on the grand stage. Solidad, always a pillar of support, approached May as well with a reassuring smile.

"Definitely a new style for you. But you were having so much fun. And it definitely resonated with the audience." she pointed out. "But don't forget you're certainly not the only one who's been practicing. We won't be going down without a fight."

"I'm counting on it." May nodded in agreement. Marina, with her infectious enthusiasm, couldn't contain her excitement.

"I can't wait! This is going to be so awesome!"

"You can say that again!" May grinned at her friend. The girls all laughed amongst themselves until Drew, who had been observing from a distance, couldn't resist joining the conversation and walked over.

"That's one way to put it." he commented. May raised an eyebrow, her playful spirit in full swing.

"Oh, Drew, you always know how to make an entrance don't you?" Drew merely smirked, his trademark confidence evident.

"It's a talent." he replied. It was then that another familiar face joined the group with a friendly greeting.

"Hey, May! You did a great job out there!" the auburn-haired Coordinator informed her.

"Hey, Kenny! Glad to see you here!" May answered, delighted to see him. Kenny returned the compliment with a warm smile.

"You too! And the rest of you as well."

"Hi, Kenny." Solidad acknowledged with a friendly nod while Marina again couldn't contain her excitement.

"Yay, everyone's here!" Her statement was made even more true as Harley, always one for dramatics, suddenly made his own appearance among the group, seemingly from out of nowhere which made everyone jump.

"Well, personally I thought your whole performance was too gaudy. Like you're trying way too hard to be liked." He rolled his eyes dramatically. Drew, in his usual nonchalant manner, addressed Harley with a touch of sarcasm.

"That's rich coming from you." May, still feeling confident after her successful performance, teased Harley back with a knowing smile.

"Just because you're allergic to fun doesn't mean everyone else is, Gingerbread Cookie." Harley bristled, his pride wounded by the use of his own nickname for her.

"Why, you little—!" Solidad quickly intervened to calm the situation.

"Alright, alright, calm down, you two." Harley huffed in response but didn't escalate the situation any further. The playful exchange between May and Harley was a familiar sight to their friends as Drew, always the voice of reason, redirected the conversation.

"I think Kenny you're up next right?"

"Right! And it's the best performance I've ever done! Just you watch!" his comment caught May's attention and a playful thought crossed her mind as she turned toward the younger Coordinator.

"Heeeeeyyy, Kenny?" May's voice carried a mischievous tone. Kenny was caught off guard and turned his gaze toward her, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"What?"

"Your girlfriend will be watching you out there." Her expression was positively smug as she dropped her playful bombshell. Kenny's face flushed crimson, his embarrassment evident to everyone in the room.

"G-Girlfriend...? I-I don't have a-"

"Dawn is in the stands watching as we speak." She couldn't contain her giggles. Kenny's blush deepened, and he stammered with his eyes wide in realization.

"Sh-She's here...?! I thought she was in Hoenn...!" Marina, always quick to pick up on such moments, chimed in with a teasing remark.

"Aw! Kenny has a crush on Dawn!" Kenny, his embarrassment reaching its peak, mumbled a response.

"Sh-Shut up..." Drew couldn't help but roll his eyes at the playful banter.

"Oh brother..." May's giggles filled the room, as Kenny, unable to handle the teasing any longer, made a swift exit.

"I-I gotta go on stage... I'm next..." He practically dashed out of the room, leaving behind a room full of amused friends.

"The two of you are terrible." Solidad told Marina and May with a light-hearted remark. Marina's laughter continued, unaffected by Kenny's hasty retreat.

"Hehe, let's be honest; it's cute." she countered.

"Like you were any better when you spilled all my secrets a few years ago." Drew reminded Solidad of her own past antics. Solidad, finding the humor in it all, chuckled and conceded,

"Touché." May meanwhile was surprised by Drew's openness about his feelings. They had barely talked about things since that day because it was still an awkward topic, so hearing him speak so calmly about it surprised her.

"Hey, you didn't even try to deny it?" she wondered. Drew, perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed himself, flipped his hair and offered a simple response.

"Not worth the argument." he informed her. Surprised by his response, May decided to not push further for now, instead, she shifted her focus to the monitor to watch Kenny's performance.

"Well anyway, I hope we haven't just put new pressure on Kenny at the worst possible time."

"And you call me manipulative." Harley huffed.

"I tease because the three of us are friends, not to compensate for a lack of talent." May retorted. The jab seemed to rile Harley up even more as if it hit a little too close to home.

"You little-!" Solidad, ever the voice of reason, stepped in to maintain the peace.

"Alright, easy you two."

"Once I win, I'll finally shut that dirty little mouth of yours." Harley huffed at May.

"Let's just watch Kenny perform." Marina offered.

"Sounds good to me." May nodded.

"Not me. I'm on after him, so I need to go get ready." Drew informed them. Before he left, however, he handed a rose to May with a parting comment. "Don't go losing to anyone until we face off."

"You can count on that." May accepted the rose with a determined smile. Her competitive spirit burned brightly as she watched the television screen, her focus on the competition ahead.


The spotlight now shifted to the stage as Marian made her next announcement.

"Moving right along, welcome Kenny from Twinleaf Town!" The crowd applauded as Kenny made his entrance. He sprinted onto the stage and his voice rang out with determination as he hurled his Poke Ball into the air.

"Let's do it, Machamp!" In a dazzling display of stars from his chosen seal, Machamp emerged from the pokeball, taking center stage with an imposing presence. His four powerful arms flexed, showcasing his raw strength. May, unable to contain her excitement, watched intently as Kenny and Machamp prepared to perform. She knew that each Coordinator brought their unique style to the Grand Festival, and she was eager to see what Kenny had in store. Dawn meanwhile, who was still watching the performances from the stands, suddenly found herself taken aback by the unexpected appearance of her childhood friend. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn't help but watch intently with her hands folded together.

"Focus Punch now!" Kenny wasted no time in commanding his Machamp. Machamp, with astonishing agility for its size, launched himself into action. He slammed his fists into the stage floor, sending a flurry of debris high into the air. The precision of his attack was awe-inspiring, earning it an impressed whistle from May. The performance continued to escalate as Kenny called out his next move. "Mach Punch now!"

"Ma…champ champ champ!" Machamp yelled as he leaped into the air, displaying remarkable agility as he targeted the airborne debris. With pinpoint accuracy, he pulverized the rubble into fine particles, leaving the audience in sheer amazement. As the others watched backstage, there was a mix of reactions. Harley couldn't help but roll his eyes at the display of power on the stage. To him, strength without artistry lacked finesse. Solidad, however, seem to appreciate the uniqueness of Kenny's choice.

"Great performance. Showing off strength instead of beauty is a unique choice." she commented as May nodded in agreement, impressed by Kenny's control and Machamp's precision.

"I'm sure impressed. It was definitely a great way to show control."

"Showing off strength with his crush in the stands. So cute!" Marina giggled which caused May to laugh.

"Hehe, I didn't even think about that." Solidad chuckled at the camaraderie among the group.


As the Grand Festival continued, the spotlight shifted once more, this time to Drew as Marian introduced him.

"Next up, welcome Drew LaRousse from LaRousse City!" The crowd cheered excitedly as he confidently strode onto the stage, his signature air of elegance and style accompanying him. With a flourish, Drew summoned his partner from her pokeball.

"Roserade, let's go!" He released Roserade from her Poke Ball, and she emerged gracefully, a stunning figure adorned with a flower seal. May watched Drew's performance with unwavering attention, knowing that he always had a surprise up his sleeve. His reputation as a top Coordinator was well-deserved, and she was eager to see what he had prepared for this year's competition. Wasting no time at all, Drew initiated his routine. "Start with Petal Dance!"

"Rose!" Roserade responded, launching a mesmerizing swirl of pink petals into the air. The elegant display captivated the audience and set the stage for what was to come.

"Now, Sludge Bomb!" Drew called out the next move. Roserade complied, launching a Sludge Bomb high into the air. The explosion that followed sent vibrant colors scattering through the air, transforming the petals into a breathtaking rainbow that bathed both Roserade and the stage in a kaleidoscope of hues. May couldn't help but smile in response to the visual spectacle unfolding before her. The fusion of poison energy and beauty was an unexpected and brilliant choice by Drew. The performance reached its grand finale as Drew commanded, "Finish with Dazzling Gleam!"

"Rose roserade!" Roserade unleashed a glittering pink light that showered the stage, shattering the remaining petals and leaving behind a dazzling display of sparkles. In perfect harmony, Drew and Roserade both bowed, their movements synchronized to perfection. The coordination and grace exhibited during the performance were a testament to their bond as Trainer and Pokémon that the crowd couldn't help but cheer on.

"Ah…! Wow!" May smiled with sheer delight.

"He's changed things up too. Used to be he'd not be the biggest fan of Poison moves." Solidad chimed in with an observation.

"So awesome!" Marina added, ever enthusiastic.

"I've never seen that move he finished with before!" May confessed. "What did he call it? Dazzling Gleam?"

"It's a really great Fairy move. My little Pink has used it before." Marina explained. The mention of Fairy types sparked May's curiosity.

"Fairy?" Harley, never one to miss an opportunity for a snide remark, couldn't resist teasing her.

"Should've known you wouldn't be up to date on Pokémon news." Solidad took it upon herself to fill May in on the recent developments.

"They just classified an 18th Pokémon Type a few weeks ago. The Fairy type."

"Whoa..." May's eyes widened in amazement.

"Several Pokémon have been reclassified too. Like my little Pink." Marina shared her own experience.

"That's cool!" May grinned.

"And you expect to be Top Coordinator without knowing that." Harley chuckled to himself. But May defended herself with a mischievous grin.

"Maybe it's just me, but I think learning about a newly classified type a few weeks late is less embarrassing than not knowing my fly is down in a huge group of people."

"Don't even try that you little rat!" Harley huffed and then he proceeded to storm off, leaving the group amused by the ongoing banter.

"You two sure do go on." Solidad commented.

"Why is that anyway?" Marina wondered.

"Heck if I know." May shrugged.


A few performances later, the anticipation in the waiting room continued to build. The crowd's cheers echoed through the backstage area, a constant reminder of the excitement unfolding on the grand stage. Marian's voice filled the room once more, announcing the next performer.

"And for our final entry, we have a real treat for all of you! With two Grand Festival wins already under her belt, please welcome Marina from New Bark Town!" Marina's entrance was nothing short of spectacular. As she ran onto the stage in her elegant dress, the audience erupted in applause. The anticipation in the waiting room grew, and May couldn't take her eyes off the screen.

"Flamey, let's go!" Marina exclaimed, tossing a pokéball onto the stage. A majestic female Pyroar landed with grace, exuding an air of fierce elegance. "Start with Flame Charge!"

"Py!" Pyroar's fur ignited in flames, creating a breathtaking display of power and beauty.

"Now use Acrobatics!" Marina commanded. The crowd was quickly enraptured as Pyroar raced across the stage like a blazing comet, performing her Acrobatics attack with grace and precision. Even May was captivated by the seamless choreography between Trainer and Pokémon. "Switch to Wild Charge!"

"Roar!" within a split second of her trainer's command, Pyroar's fiery mane crackled with electricity as she switched Flame Charge to Wild Charge, coating her body and the field in dangerous levels of electricity that crackled and sparked in almost something of a dance with her movements.

"Finish with Noble Roar!" Marina called out. In response, Pyroar took a deep breath and unleashed a powerful roar that shattered the flames and electricity with her voice alone, leaving the audience and May in awe.

"Impressive. Simple and it shows off Pyroar's fierce nature." Drew commented.

"No wonder she has two wins under her belt." Solidad added as May only nodded.

"No kidding…" Marina praised her Pyroar and then cleared the stage, signaling the end of the first round as Marian's voice once again broke through the audience chatter.

"And with that, we close out our first round!" she announced. "Our judges will now decide which Coordinators will earn their spots in the Battle Round as our 32 top competitors! I wouldn't want their job right now! So please wait patiently!"

"No going back now…" May whispered to herself as she took a seat. The tension in the room escalated as Coordinators anxiously awaited the judges' decisions. May's own heart was pounding with anticipation. The first round had been filled with remarkable performances, and she knew the competition was fierce. But when she glanced at her partner and earned a happy smile from the Ice Type, her worries seemed to fade a little. They had done well and they both knew it. All they needed now was for it to pay off.

To be Continued...