"Guys, check this out." Terra said as they spotted a poster. "It looks like this town is having a pokemon dancing competition. It also says here one of the judges is Valerie."

"That's amazing...that I don't know who Valerie is!" Davis said as he acted excited.

"Valerie is dancing superstar." Terra said. "She integrates her pokemon into her dances. They're like works of art because she can include any pokemon into her dances, even if they aren't cute or anything. She made a Gulpin and Pinsir. Not exactly lookers in my opinion."

"Boy, Kari would have loved this." Imperialdramon said.

"Why did you have to mention her. Now, I'm going to be sad on missing her." Davis said.

"It sounds like it could be fun, but none of us are dancers." Cletus said. It seemed like they were going to skip on this event, but things have a weird way of working out.

Through the water, forest, and up in the sky

In the fire, thunder, and right in your heart

There are so many, many, many to find

And I know I can do it

(I can do it)

I know I can catch them all-all-all

(Gotta catch'em all)

So let's go

(Come on)

Oh

Watch me, here I go

Pokemon, here I come

It's destiny calling

I'll give it my all

It's all I can do

(Davis' voice): Moving to a Different Tune

"Finish eating up, everyone." Cletus said as they were all having lunch with their pokemon. Cletus' Grimer was just simply enjoying it's meal and didn't plan to do much else.

"Okay! Let's go over it again!" Grimer could hear something going on over the nearby bushes. Curious, Grimer went over to check it out. Grimer looked and saw a bunch of trainers and their pokemon going over dance moves for the dancing competition. All of them were working rather hard, but Grimer liked all the dancing. After all the times with Cletus, there was something Cletus didn't know about Grimer.

"Grimer!" Grimer started stretching out it's arms and body and appeared to be dancing. It was actually interesting to see as Grimer used it's fluid-like body in it's dance moves.

"Hey, what's Grimer doing?" Terra questioned. All of them noticed Grimer and saw it dancing.

"Grimer?" Cletus said as he never saw Grimer act like this before. It was actually interesting to see. Grimer spun around and dropped itself down like Grimer deflated, and then bounced back up. After that, Grimer did it's own flips as it stretched out to touch the ground, and then whipped the other half of it's body. "Grimer, are you dancing?" He questioned and got Grimer to stop. "No, it's fine. I just never knew you liked to dance."

"Looks like someone has a hidden passion." Terra said. "That was rather interesting to see."

"I'll say. Slime was always fun to play with, but never liked that." Davis said. "Come on, Grimer. Show us more of those moves." All of them wanted to see more on what Grimer could do, and Grimer was glad to show it. Seems like someone has hidden passion for dancing. As this was going on, someone else was walking by. It was a woman with her having teal hair tied back wearing all white clothes. As she was talking and working on a phone, she was just simply minding her own business.

"Okay, Grimer. Show us more of what you got." Cletus said, but the lady overheard them. She took a look and saw the gang all watching Grimer dancing. It was like watching one of those safe slime substance children being stretched out. It was like a child playing with that stuff, but without the child. Grimer's body allowed it to move in different ways, and it's using it's body qualities in the dance movements. However you want to describe it, it was enticing to watch. "Grimer, this is great to see."

"Cletus is right. The way you bend and stretch to dance is awesome." Davis said.

"I'll say. It's so fun to watch. I never knew a pokemon made out of sludge could move like that." Terra said.

"I'll say. That isn't bad." The woman came over as she liked what she saw.

"Oh my goodness! You're Valerie!" Terra said as she was so excited to meet her.

"The famous dancer that is going to be a judge at the competition?" Davis questioned.

"That's me." Valerie said. "Which one of you does this Grimer belong to?"

"That would be me." Cletus said.

"Your Grimer has got some nice moves. Is that the routine you're going to enter for the competition?" Valerie questioned.

"The dance competition?" Cletus said. "Oh no. I'm not entering. I just found out about the competition today because we just got into town. I don't think we're ready for something like that."

"Really? You mean your Grimer has never entered in a dance competition before?" Valerie said. "I find that hard to believe after seeing that."

"I guess Grimer has been practicing that when I wasn't looking." Cletus said. "I never even knew Grimer enjoyed dancing. Still, there's no way we could enter a competition. I have my doubts we're ready for that."

"That's too bad. You still can enter if you want. The competition is for novice dancers." Valerie said. "I think your Grimer might have a real shot, and it clearly seems to enjoy dancing." She claimed and just left it at that as she walked away.

"Cletus, maybe you should consider it." Terra said. "Grimer does have some pretty nice moves, and clearly likes to dance. If the competition is for novices, you might have a chance to win."

"But it's going to start in a few hours. That might not be enough time to get a routine ready." Cletus said.

"So, use the time right now. Even if you don't win, Grimer might love it." Davis said.

"What do you think, Grimer? You want to try it out?" Cletsu questioned.

"Grimer!" Grimer seemed really excited about giving it a shot. It might actually be fun.

...

The Dance Competition

The competition was set to start soon. The town gathered to watch this. It was taking place on a large stage with a lot of people gathering to see this.

"Welcome, everyone! Our little town is holding one big competition!" The mayor announced as she was acting as the announcer for this event. "This competition is sure to spark the dancing feet of pokemon! We are looking for someone who could possible be the next big thing, and we've got a special guest for that! Please join me in welcoming one of the best dancers in Grecko: Valerie!" She announced as Valerie took the stage and waved to the crowd.

"Thank you." Valerie said. "As an experienced dancer myself, I would love to see young trainers and their pokemon to aim for the stars. I was young and inexperienced myself, but I followed my passion and turned that passion into something I could be proud of. It's also because someone gave me a chance, so I'm hoping to find the next big thing. Of course, if you're here just to compete for the fun of it, that is perfectly fine. Dancing is just another way to express yourself, and it should be fun. So, let's see what is in store for us."

"Let me explain how this dance competition works." The mayor said. "The trainers aren't the ones dancing, but they can participate and help if they want or is needed for the dance. The pokemon are the ones who will be doing all the dancing. Each participant is only allowed to use one pokemon."

"That's a twist." Davis said. "It's all the pokemon and not the trainers?"

"Makes sense." Terra said. "Valerie isn't the only one who dances in her performances. She has other pokemon do their own dance."

"Sort of makes sense. The pokemon are the main attraction." Imperialdramon said.

"Valerie and I will be the judges of this fun little game." The mayor said. "Once all the contestants have had their turn, we will decide which one will be the best. Everyone here has a fair chance, so let's try and have some fun with it!" A lot of people were excited about this. Grimer and Cletus were backstage and Cletus was a little anxious. With Grimer holding the number fifteen for their entry.

"Boy... I'm not much of a performer." Cletus said as he had a sense of stage fright hitting him. "There sure are a lot of people out there. I hope we'll do okay."

"Grimer! Grimer!" Grimer looked pretty calm and confident. If Grimer is, there's no reason for Cletus shouldn't be.

"Right. What am I nervous about when the rules say you'll be the one performing. I'll just make sure you'll do okay." Cletus said as he was beginning to calm down. Once those two got their nerves together, the competition was underway. Some of the pokemon were actually rather good. One was an Ekans that danced like...well a snake. A Roserade spun around and jumped like a ballerina. There was even a Machop that moved like a break-dancer. There were all kinds of different pokemon dancing in different styles, and they all looked rather good.

"It looks like there's some tough competition out there." Davis said.

"I'll say." Imperialdramon said. "Who knew a Hawlucha could pop-n-lock like that?"

"Sure hope Grimer is going to be okay with the tough competition." Davis said.

"It will be fine. They're only entering to try and have some fun. It's not like they're expecting to win this." Terra said.

"I guess so as long as they still do the best they can." Davis claimed.

"And now we have our next contestant. We have...number 15: Cletus' Grimer." The mayor announced.

"Well, it's your turn." Cletus said. The two of them walked out on the stage with Grimer taking center stage. "Go for it, Grimer. Try and enjoy it."

"Grimer!" Grimer seemed ready to go. The music started and Grimer started moving. Grimer started out by swinging it's upper body and stretching it out as best as it could. Then, Grimer rolled around on the stage until it reached the edge and held out its arms. After that, Grimer moved back as it thrusted it's arms forward. Grimer kept moving back until it was back in the center and started spinning around. Grimer kept spinning around and was forming a spiral pattern. Then, Grimer jumped up and flipped around in the air. Grimer got some air and that certainly impressed others. Then, Grimer splatted down and spun it's body around until it was perfectly around. Once Grimer was like that, it bounced back up.

"Look at Grimer go!" Davis said.

"Grimer's using it's body structure rather well in it's dancing." Terra said. As Grimer was dancing around, Cletus was very happy for Grimer. What's more is that Valerie saw something in Grimer. Valerie could see the passion and fun that Grimer had for dancing.

"This can't be their first time competing." Valerie said as Grimer didn't look like a novice out there. Grimer went for the big finish as it shot its arms to the opposing sides and them jumped in the air to land on it's hands. It looked like Grimer stuck the landing, but was about to lose it's balance.

"Oh no!" Cletus said as that didn't look good, but Grimer recovered, by landing on it's bottom. Despite the shaking ending, people still enjoyed seeing Grimer dance.

"Nice recovery." Davis said.

"That was close." Terra said.

"Nicely done, Grimer." Cletus said as it went rather well. The rest of the dance competition. However, Cletus and Grimer weren't the ones that won.

"Congratulations to Butch and his Machop. You two truly are gifted dancers." The mayor announced. The breakdancing Machop and it's trainer were the ones that won. That Machop would have been tough to beat. Now that the contest was over, Cletus and Grimer regrouped with Davis and Terra.

"Sorry you didn't win." Terra said.

"It's fine. We didn't have much expectation for winning." Cletus said as he was perfectly fine with how things ended.

"Hi, Cletus." Valerie said as she came over to them. "Sorry you didn't win, but we had to take a few points off because of that shaky ending."

"It's okay. We're fine." Cletus said.

"However, I did see that your Grimer was brimming with potential." Valerie said. "It looked real happy out there. The reason I came out here and was the judge was because I was hoping to find something new to be part of my team. Yes, the winner of the competition has talent, but I would like a new recruit as part of my team. That's why I'm hoping you'll allow me to take Grimer with me and I'll make it a great dancer."

"You want me to give you Grimer?!" Cletus questioned as they were all shocked about that.

"I don't expect an immediate answer, but I will need one by tomorrow before I leave." Valerie said. "I'll certainly understand if you don't want to give away Grimer, but please think about it." This wasn't what Cletus was expecting. What is he going to do?

...

Cletus

All of them went to the pokemon center. Cletus had to think about Valerie's offer. Should he really giveaway Grimer to dance? Valerie is a great dancer and can get any pokemon to dance.

"What are you going to do, Cletus?" Terra questioned.

"I don't know." Cletus said. "It sounds like it would be great for Grimer, but that would have to mean we would part ways. I've never been in a situation like this before, so I'm not sure on what I should do."

"It makes sense that you don't want to giveaway one of your pokemon, but one thing I know about a trainer is that you got to do what would make your pokemon happy." Davis said. "Grimer obviously loves dancing, but this is a decision that effects both of you. All I can say is that you got to do what you think is best for Grimer." What's best for Grimer... As a gym leader, Cletus knows that, and he thinks he already knows the answer.

...

Valerie

The next day, Valerie waited outside her van for Grimer and Cletus to show, but she had to hit the road soon. Since it seemed like they weren't going to show, Valerie was about to leave.

"Valerie! Wait!" Cletus called as they caught her just in time.

"You made it!" Valerie said. "Have you decided?"

"I've decided...to let Grimer decide." Cletus said as he entrusted it all to Grimer. "This is about what Grimer would like. What's best for Grimer. So, it's your choice, Grimer. Do you want to stay with me or do you want to continue dancing with Valerie?" Grimer had to think it over. Grimer might have been caught like any other pokemon, not a good first impression, but Cletus has been good to Grimer. He took good care of him. However, Grimer loved dancing. It hardly ever had the chance to do just that. It wasn't an easy one, but Grimer decided...to go with Valerie. Grimer showed that by standing with Valerie. "I understand. Valerie, please take good care of Grimer."

"I will, and you can come by whenever." Valerie said. "My studio is in Anistar City in Kalos." Cletus appreciated that. He handed Grimer's pokeball over to Valerie and made it official. Grimer is going to learn to dance from a star. Once it was official, Grimer got in the van and was off for a new life.

"Bye, Grimer!" Davis called.

"We'll miss you!" Terra called.

"Best of luck with all the dancing!" Cletus called.

"Gri! Grimer!" Grimer called its final farewell to the others with Cletus so proud that Grimer was able to pursue what made it happy.

Even though Grimer and Cletus have to part ways, Cletus is glad he raised Grimer well enough to pursue a new life and a new dream. In the end, Cletus did what was best for Grimer, and that's all any trainer could really do. With that done, our heroes will continue on their own journey.

To Be Continued...