Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 77: Daybreak Spark

Daybreak Town came into view the day before the Contest, and Dawn walked faster the moment she saw the Contest Hall roof. Piplup hurried at her side with his chest puffed out, while Mamoswine and Rapidash followed behind with the serious focus of partners who knew this was not only practice anymore.

The town felt built for Coordinators. Banners hung from the lamps, children traded stickers outside the Pokémon Center, and every open space seemed to have someone testing an Appeal combination. After the darkness of the Distortion World and the pressure around Sunyshore ahead, the bright Contest signs almost made the road feel gentle again.

That gentleness did not mean the pressure was gone. Dawn had four Ribbons in her case, and Daybreak was her last step toward the Grand Festival. Every time her fingers brushed the case, she smiled, but I could see how carefully she was holding herself together.

"This is it," Dawn said, clenching both fists. "One more Ribbon, and I can enter the Grand Festival."

Daniel watched the Contest Hall doors with thoughtful eyes. "Then today is for making the Flame Ice combination stable, not only impressive."

Tox adjusted his bag strap. "And do not ignore the rest of your routine. A single technique does not win a medical examination or a Contest."

Dawn turned back with a confident smile. "I know. I am going to perfect all my moves and win this Contest for sure."

We found an open practice court near the Contest Hall. Mamoswine lowered his tusks while Rapidash circled him, flames moving like a ribbon around ice. Dawn watched every step, correcting the distance whenever the fire came too close to melting the shard too early.

"Mamoswine, Ice Shard," Dawn called. "Rapidash, Flame Wheel around it, not through it."

The first attempt cracked apart before it could form. The second held together longer, but Rapidash's heat melted the outside too soon and sent steam across the court. Dawn did not panic. She wrote a note, took a breath, and tried again.

Mamoswine rumbled with frustration, but he did not charge ahead. Rapidash stamped once and lowered her head toward him, almost like she was reminding him that strong partners could wait for each other.

Mamoswine's meaning came low and careful. "I can hold back without giving up."

"That is what we need," Dawn said, smiling at him. "Strong and controlled."

Her confidence lasted until she saw two small Electric types bouncing near the practice court. Plusle and Minun spun together, sparks popping like cheerful pom-poms between their paws. Dawn's face went pale so quickly that Piplup stopped walking and looked up at her.

"Dawn?" Lillie asked gently. "Are you okay?"

Dawn took one step backward. "Anything but Plusle and Minun."

"You guys!" Ursula's voice called.

We turned as Ursula approached with Plusle and Minun at her sides. She looked just as sharp and confident as ever, with a smile that already knew where it wanted to sting.

Plusle and Minun were not doing anything cruel. They bounced beside her, cheerful and bright, and that somehow made Dawn's fear look even more painful. Her body remembered danger before her mind had time to remind it that these two were only standing there.

"It has been a while," Ursula said. "Are you entering this Contest, Ash?"

"I already have five Ribbons," I said. "Dawn has four, so this one is hers."

"What a coincidence," Ursula said, turning to Dawn. "I have four as well. I wonder which of us will win a fifth Ribbon first."

Dawn forced herself upright. "For your information, I have been practicing hard for tomorrow."