Sorry it took a while to write this.

Probably two more chapters, three at best, and it will be the full battle with Cynthia and an epilogue.

Dawn was training for the upcoming Grand Festival in her backyard, with her Contest-oriented Pokémon performing a new routine. For a moment, Dawn was getting into it. But the world around her distorts and she finds herself back in Hisui…she was Akari again. Her mother ran into the backyard to find Dawn curled up and sobbing as her Pokémon had gathered around her and cuddled up. They made way for Johanna whom embraced her daughter. After Dawn touched Johann's face to make sure she was real, she stopped hyperventilating, but she still sobbed.

Ingo and Emmett were having a double battle at the Battle Subway. Two girls, both with aspirations to become gym leaders fought them in a match, having sent out their Braviary and Zebstrika. Ingo suddenly went through something similar as Dawn and saw Hisui. His brother held him upright as he nearly collapsed. Emmett asked two of their stronger trainers to fill in as he carried his overwhelmed brother away.

Ingo, Dawn and Johanna were on a couch, as they talked with their therapist in Kanto. Lorelei pushed her glasses back up and as she began to speak to them. As she goes on her little helpful rant, the family held each other's hands tightly.

Dawn and her friends decide to enjoy themselves at the Sunnyshore Beach. Each trying their best to cheer her up. Barry played up a comedy routine to try and put Dawn in a good mood. She gave a small smile, but she didn't really laugh, only giving a small smile.

Zoey tried to approach her girlfriend, but Dawn jumped away, startled. She apologizes and cries as she clings to Zoey.

Lucas took a meditative stand, joined by Riley and Dawn. While Dawn didn't have potential as an aura guardian, the meditation techniques work for more then just aura. They were surrounded by Rose Incenses Gardenia was generous enough to comply. They were slowly helping.

Maylene held a punching bag in place and encouraged Dawn to let out all her emotions out. Dawn pummeled the bag with all her might and frustration, at one point ripping it, before she collapsed on her knees and panted. Candice then came in with hot cocoa and Snoverberries, which Dawn gladly accepted.

Dawn is back in the backyard continuing to train. The routine was going well. The world flickers as it shifts between Sinnoh and Hisui…But this time she recomposes herself, pushing Hisui down and remaining in Sinnoh. She and her Pokémon finish the routine successfully. Dawn smiles, praises her mons and falls on her behind panting, as her Pokémon go cuddling with her.

Dawn, Barry, Lucas and Zoey were at an eatery they liked to frequent. Dawn was smiling a bit more, but she looked still a little sad. They found Paul decided to go to this eatery too that day. Paul looked at them, then decided to ignore them and just get a table separately from them and try to not look in their direction. However, the new waiter tripped when his order came and ended up spilling the food all over Paul, and everyone heard a sound they haven't heard from Dawn in a long time: genuine laughter. They joined in and were happy to hear their friend laugh like that again.

Dawn had recovered…to a degree, some things leave lasting marks but…she would be ready for the Grand Festival. The finale. Despite everything she has made it here. And she's going up against her own girlfriend. Not that she and Zoey ever held back against one another before. They both have their pride as Coordinators and would give it their all.

She was able to keep her cool somehow up until this final round. She still is shivering and breathing heavily, but the meditation and breathing exercises she learned the past few months are helping a bit. She was ready to go in half an hour. "Glad to see you doing so well." A familiar voice said.

Dawn recognized the voice. A person in baggy grey and black clothing, messy blonde hair…Dawn recognized her, but she was dressed so unlike her usual self that people wouldn't make the connection. "Hi, Cynthia." Dawn greeted with a friendly smile. "Why are you here?"

"Wanted to be here when you are going to make history." Cynthia said with a smile as she lowered her sunglasses. She recognized that Cynthia had bags under he eyes, and they were being covered by makeup. She would recognize it, as she has been applying makeup to hide her own. "Or at least one of the reasons."

"What other reason would be there?" Dawn asked.

Dawn had seen Cynthia as a lot of things. A strong, powerful woman, a trainer she admired to be like. A hero to the region, a Champion whom stand idly, the one beloved and admired by all. She was brains, brawn and beauty all in one. People would see her as an epitome of perfection. She was the supportive mentor and older sister or young aunt figure on her journey. But Dawn didn't see Cynthia as that now. Cynthia looked like a mess, and not just because she deliberately dressed and styled differently. Her normally vibrant eyes were almost empty, and full of sorrow. "I'm so sorry." Her voice broke, she never heard Cynthia like that before. She was always composed and confident.

This was a sensitive topic it seems so Dawn had to get out a dignified reply. "Whut?" She had forgotten she was also still a mess. Dang it.

"It's my fault." Cynthia said. She sat down on a nearby chair. She looked so tired. It was odd.

"I don't understand." Dawn said honestly.

"Because of me…I caused you this pain, I caused you to…I shouldn't have let you go up against Cyrus, whether or not I thought you were ready or not, I…" Cynthia stared at the ground and ran her hands through her hair. "I should have stepped in. I should have dealt with Team Galactic. If I had, you wouldn't have been in so much pain."

"I kept running in Team Galactic regardless, so eventually I would have to confront them a final time." Dawn noted.

"You shouldn't have. Even with the bad luck of you running into them, I should have dealt with Cyrus myself." Cynthia said. "You got hurt because I was selfish…I saw great potential in you. You were so strong, strong like I was at your age, probably stronger. Someone whom could make it to be a Champion, that could protect Sinnoh. For as I know I would not be around forever. And at the time…I thought that because you were strong, you had dreams of becoming a strong trainer, that you would be able to…" Cynthia froze up, like she had to prevent herself from breaking down. "I feel like I'm making excuses. I wanted an out, to not be chained down by the burdens of Champion. To be free, by condemning another."

"Everyone thinks they know my story. The youngest Champion Sinnoh ever had. A hero whom beat the King of Pokélantis, put the sleeping giant beneath Snowpoint back to sleep, stopped evil teams that plagued Sinnoh before the Galactic group came around, stopped an actual serial killer…People romanticize that. Of a strong person overcoming great adversity, showing their strength, their worth…they think of it as a story come to life. But seeing stories on tv or movie screens, reading hero novels…it's a whole lot different to go through those events in real life and they are not as ideal or have happy endings.

I had to give up a lot of childhood. People got hurt, crippled, killed in those events. I didn't stop them, I just ended events before they could make more victims. I have lost so much. I lost friends, family, Pokémon that were close to my heart. And since becoming Champion I had to step up and in the last few years before Team Galactic, nothing as insane…I had a rep to uphold, I can't show weakness, I can't falter, I'm not allowed to fail. Too much depending…" this time Cynthia actually broke down. Cynthia, world's strongest woman, bawling her eyes out. Dawn was so surprised she didn't know what to do at that moment.

Cynthia regained enough composure to continue speaking: "…and you couldn't depend on me where it mattered. Because of me, you and your father lost a year of your life, you lost contact with your loved ones and your memories…I brought this hurt upon you because I wanted to give up." Cynthia stood up. "You are here right now, ready to fulfill one of your dreams. You haven't given up despite everything. You've earned this."

"You still want to fulfill your other dream of becoming the strongest trainer. You will make it towards me in the League no doubt. And when you defeat me…You can go down in the Hall of Fame, but you don't have to take the title. You can go down in history, having fulfilled that dream, and live the rest of your life, treasure your loved ones, and see more of this world. I don't want to inflict this burden upon you."

"But…what about you?" Dawn asked. It was the first thing she was able to ask ever since Cynthia started talking.

"I've held it for so long, I can hold it a bit more. I can wait a bit longer. And when it does happen, I'll make sure the person is aware of everything before they start it." Cynthia looked like she wanted to cry again, but she had seemingly used up all her tears. "I feel stupid for springing this upon you now, in hindsight…stupid Cynthia, Stupid!" she facepalmed herself and began nervously pacing around the room.

"You have been keeping that in, for a long time have you?" Dawn asked. "I'm so sorry to hear. I can't even put into words…"

Cynthia blinked a few time, staring at Dawn a bit. "I expected you to be angry, to curse me…like I deserved."

"Maybe a part of me is mad but…I can't stay mad knowing you are suffering too. That for all your strength…you can hurt too." Dawn sighed. "It has been hard but… in the end I learned a lot, I got stronger, and I got everything back. I returned to my family and my friends and my old team…or present team should be a good term?

It was weird at first, I was Dawn, then I was Akari and then there was this period I was both…Or neither? I'm still not sure." Dawn ranted. "And while it was hard to leave my friends, allies and Pokémon from the past behind, I knew my Pokémon would be well cared for by the friends I made, and doing a bit of digging into the friends I made in the past…I learned from history they lived long and fruitful lives. So I can at least take solace in that.

I guess I can be lucky for regaining what I had. Some are not so lucky. Some's loved ones are still missing after that whole…blip? And my friends, my family, my Pokémon, they tried do hard, they stuck by me, they lifted me up…and I couldn't just give up you know? That would make all the time we spent, all the effort we put into things, it would be meaningless. So I refuse to let this take me down…"

Dawn locked eyes with Cynthia. "You hadn't allowed anyone to share your burden, to lift you up, and you've hurt yourself." Dawn put a hand on her shoulder. "My loved ones did make sure I would take a step back, to relax, and to recover. They looked after my well-being. So…allow me to look after you. I'll take that burden away. I will allow you to rest, for you to get better. To heal…so you can live. Even if you are not a champion anymore in the future, you are still a hero. But even the biggest heroes need to sometimes rest."

"That is if you defeat me." Cynthia noted.

"When. I won't lose when there is a lot that depends on it." Dawn responded. "For my loved ones whom did their best to bring me there, for the people of Sinnoh to be protected…and for you to finally get a chance to heal."

"After everything you'd still…" Cynthia nearly broke down again, shuddering as she held back her emotions. "After the suffering I caused?"

"You didn't cause suffering, Cyrus would be the one to have a galactic tantrum." Dawn said. "Positions are heavy burdens, yes. But someone has to do it. And even if we know with the pressure that comes it, someone has to step up because if no one does…if no one steps forward, how does anyone get anything done?"

Cynthia let out a soft chuckle. "You are wise beyond your years, Dawn. For all that it's worth…I'm proud of you."

Dawn looked at the time. "Time is almost up, I have a performance waiting, a Grand Festival to win…just sit back, relax and enjoy the show. And if I don't see you until the League…give me your all, I want it to be the battle of the century." Dawn turned around, adjusted her dress for the final time and left for the stage."

Cynthia had a soft smile. "I won't wish you luck because you have the skill, the power, the determination. I just instead wish for your happiness, Dawn."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Hailing from Twinleaf Town, welcoming our first finalist…Dawn Berlitz!" the announcer said as our heroine was introduced to the crowd. There was a lot of cheering. Her nerves acted up again for a moment, but she locked eyes with her friends and family in the audience, giving her looks of love and support. She pushed those feelings down. She's better, she can do it, she's better, she can do this.

"And the second finalist, hailing from Snowpoint City…Zoey Nozomi!" Zoey came in from the other side. True to her tomboy nature she wore a suit instead of a dress but she didn't look any less dazzling. She looked really dapper…and Dawn had to remind herself this was a Contest and not a date.

Both locked eyes. Their love shone through but also their determination. They wouldn't go easy on each other, they respect one another way too much for that. But they were going to have a blast.

"For this final round, we have a freestyle. No category, nothing to do but to dazzle everyone and earn points for performances. While you know this rule but we are legally obligated to mention: this is not a battle so direct harm to one another's Pokémon are not allowed. With that said…let's go!"

Dawn brought out Ozzy the Piplup and Skadi the Glaceon. Zoey brought out Nyatalie the Meowtiful and Aloe the Leafeon.

Dawn took the first turn, with Skadi creating an icy floor, Dawn clicking her heels and skates popping out. She, Ozzie and Skadi took to the ice and did a synchronized ice skating routine. At the end of it, Ozzie used Whirpool to create a swirling cone of water above him, with Skadi freezing it. It became an icy bowl as Dawn jumped in and skates in circles around it like a stunt motorcyclist in one of those round cages. As Ozzie balanced it with its powers, Skadi jumped in and Mon and trainer skated in circles as Skadi used an icy wind. It creates sparkles that reacted with Dawn's dress which started to glisten. They launched themselves out of the icy rink, an icy slide was created by Skadi as they slid off it. Ozzie broke the icy ranks and spat Bubbles, which reacted with the Icy Wind already in the air, freezing them and making them drop, exploding into glitter bombs that accentuated the experience as Dawn and Skadi struck a final pose. The cheering was overwhelming for this strong first performance.

Zoey has Aloe use Magical Leaf and break the storm into two groups, both which started to fly above them in patterns, the leaves' glow creating a beautiful trail. Both leaf swarms came down, and Zoey and Nyatalie jumped on top and rode the Magical Leaves. They also did a dance on top of the moving leaf platforms, with Nyatalie's being a Swords Dance, which made her claws glow and elongate. And Zoey's suit also interacted with the glow of the Magical Leaves, to give it a nice green shine. As the leaves spiraled in a series of patterns, Nyatalie and Zoey jumped up, the leaves forming a spiral-shaped slide. Using Grassy Glide, Aloe shot upwards on the spiral, creating a beautiful after effect. As she reached the top, Zoey and Nyatalie landed beside her and with another Grassy Glide, they slid down and posed when they came to a standstill at the bottom. More cheering as they were also impressed.

Dawn undid her hair to let it flow, while pulling at her collar so that her dress transformed into something new. Skadi combined her Water Pulse and Shadow Ball into Shadowy purple liquid bubbles. She shot them in the air. Dawn held Ozzie by the flippers, doing a cutesy dance, which transitions into throwing Ozzie up, whom used Drill Peck to pop the Shadowy Water Pulses, each creating a shockwave of blue and purple aurora. Dawn gracefully caught Ozzie as he came down, as they repeated It a few more times. Then for the next step, Skadi slammed the ground with Iron Tail to create an Icy platform, on which Ozzy landed. He uses Waterfall to create a water spout that shot his icy platform upwards. Skadi shot a Shadowy Water Pulse at Ozzy, whom jumped up, shot down with Drill Peck, into the Shadowy Water Pulse, creating an aquatic purple drill effect, that broke the icy platform and through the water spout, creating an aquatic spectacle that sprayed water in hues of purple around. And when Ozzy safely landed, a rainbow in hues of dark blues and purple were formed.

Zoey discarded her jacket as the cane she held during her performance split in two and extended. Nyatalie uses Fire punch to set the ends of both staffs ablaze, and they started to do a routine that was not unlike something you saw in Alola. They upped it when Aloe channeled Magical Leaves into the fiery tips, causing them to burn in greenish yellow fire, which made the fire dance more beautiful. Aloe combined Swords Dance and Solar Blade, the leaf on its head becoming a blade of sunlight and did a sort of dance that blended somehow with Zoey and Nyatalie's dance. When at the final dance move, she uses Shadow Ball, cleaved it with the solar blade, and created a solar/aurora curtain that went from the warm colors of the sun in orange and yellow to the purples of the shadow Ball, creating an impressive color transition effect.

Dawn put her fingers together and cracked them as Zoey gave a 'bring it' motion. Dawn undid something at her belt, which transformed the dress again, Zoey turning her discarded hat and jacket inside out for a new color. Dawn and Zoey snapped their fingers as Hail and Sunny Day were set up and mixed, courtesy of Skadi and Aloe. Both pointed upwards as Ozzy, Skadi, Aloe and Nyatalie fired a variety of attacks upwards, where they hung in the air, ready to be summoned down.

Zoey called down one of Aloe's Shadow Balls, and whacked it with her cane into the Bubbles that Ozzy has set up, popping them with miniature dark aurora waves like Dawn's team did earlier. Dawn pointed at the Swift stars that Nyatalie put up, the Ice Shards from Skadi connecting and turning them into mini-comets that made a beautiful effect but burnt up before they landed. Zoey had Razor Leafs summoned and shot at some Shadow Balls of Skadi, creating shadowy effects in the air, while Dawn had Ozzie's Water Pulses shot at the Magical Leaves hanging above Zoey to trap them and create a watery ring glowing green and blue due to the leaves.

Zoey and Dawn shot forward, looking like they were to collide but at the last moment they swerved and both started to break into a dance routine and turning it into a dance battle. Their mons started to join in, to the dance. Always trying to get closer but pulling back, never touching or attacking but sort of teasing, challenging the other, a variety of effects use to enhance it. Shadowy auroras, Icy glitters, magical burning leaves, all used the enhance the dance.

Nyatalie grabbed Zoey and Aloe's arms and did a Brutal Swing to turn into a shadowy tornado, with Aloe's Solar Blade enhancing it to become a glowing spinning top that changes between darker and lighter colors.

Dawn put her skates back on, grabbing Skadi as she creates more icy terrain. Dawn grabs Ozzie and Skadi as she did a spin on the ice, with Ice Shard and bubble being used to create a glittering effect around them. The two circle each other as Beyblades, once again at times getting close but never colliding. Soon, both groups broke their spin attack, jumping up and preparing for a landing. It was not easy to do as both groups were a bit dizzy from the move, but if they landed, it would look cool. Dawn landed on her feet, stretching her arm upwards so Ozzy could slide down it, up to Dawn's other arm, where she held out her hand for Ozzy to land in. Skadi came down as Dawn bent over, ran down Dawn's back, landed and turned around to lay by Dawn's feet to complete the pose.

Zoey was next. Aloe put up small walls of Magical Leafs to jump off and able to land safely. Nyatalie landed with the cat-like grace her species I known for. Skadi's magical leafs spit into a small leaf tornado to slow Zoey's descent as she would land…though she didn't shake off the dizziness fast enough and when her feet touched the ground, she stumbled slightly and was about to trip.

Dawn had shot forward, grabbed Zoey's wrist and new held her above the ground, her other arm on Zoey's back, like when one does to a partner after a dance. Zoey and Dawn locked eyes. Both were breathing heavily from the effort. Their eyes locked again. Non-verbally once again, they were able to project their feelings. Admiration for one another, respect for the performances they both had put up, but also showing the love they had for each other. The performance had shown them various reasons they loved each other. Aside the two thinking one another beautiful or sweet, they also loved that the other was creative and had moves.

The timer was done, a ringing of a bell marked the end of the round. But the two kind of forget about the performance after locking eyes. As Dawn pulled Zoey straight, so Zoey would stand (slightly) taller then Dawn once more, and both kissed. The cheering went to loud 'awwwwwws' (aside a few conservative bigots whom quickly got shut up by non-prejudiced crowd members).

"These beautiful performances were ended with the most beautiful thing of all: love." The announcer said. "It was a close one, one of the closest matches we ever had, but it just happened that Miss Zoey just stumbled slightly at the end. It was a small thing but with photo finishes like this we have to judge the details. The Judges agree on this, the winner of the Sinnoh Grand Festival and the new Top Coordinator for Sinnoh, is Dawn Berlitz!"

There was a lot of cheering. "Congrats, Dawn. You won. And there was no one else whom could have beaten me but you…" Zoey said.

"It was just a small detail at the end, otherwise you were amazing, it could have gone either way. You could have been a winner." Dawn said.

"I already feel like a winner, when I'm around you." Zoey said as she put her forehead to Dawn's.

Next to them, Skadi and Aloe nuzzled each other, expressing their loves like their trainers had.

Nyatalie and Ozzie had a friendly handshake with their paw and flipper.

When Dawn was on the stage to receive her trophy, a special Ribbon, some cash and some rare items as a prize, she felt on top of the world. Among the huge crowd she saw her friends and family, whom gave thumbs up and looked proud. Her rivals and fellow contestants with most of them giving approving looks and respect. Most of them…go suck a lemon, Ursula, you ojou-sama styled bitch! Ringlets are so last season. Anyhow, among them was also Zoey, still looking at her lovingly.

She fulfilled one of her dreams. She has won the Grand Festival. She was the Top Coordinator. But it was only one half of her dreams. The other one still awaited. She got the badges, she would have to cross Victory Road, fight through strong trainers, to then fight the strongest trainers in the region. But she will not back down. She welcomes the challenge.