Grand Festival

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Paul watched in boredom as Kenny and Nando battled for a place in the finals. Paul didn't actually mind Nando- he was one of Dawn's friends who approved of his relationship with Dawn. And those were few.

Dawn's Pachirisu, Piplup, and Buneary stood on the ledge in front of Paul, watching the action. Paul almost wanted Kenny to win so he could see Dawn crush him in the finals. Dawn already won her semi-final battle against Zoey, and from what Paul understood, that was a big deal.

The clock finally counted down to zero, and Nando was declared the winner. Paul smirked as Kenny trudged off the stage, the tail of his suit in between his legs.

"Room for one more?" A voice asked Paul. He whipped his head to the owner of the voice and groaned.

Dawn's Pokémon turned to the voice and chirped and cried in excitement. A Pikachu joined the three Pokémon on the ledge and nuzzled his cheek against Pachirisu's cheek, electricity surging through their cheeks.

Paul hesitantly scooted over as Dawn's friend sat down next to him.

"Long time no see, Paul" he said.

"Aren't you supposed to be in Kalos making out with some girl, Ash?" Paul hissed.

"Actually I just left, and no I shouldn't be making out with her. Thanks for asking"

"So what are you doing here?"

"My plane landed here due to some weather complications" Ash said, waving his hand around at the word 'complications'.

"No. What are you doing here?" Paul asked again.

"I can't support my best friend in the Grand Festival?"

"No"

"Don't be such a Debbie Downer" Ash said, adjusting his hat.

Paul scoffed and turned his attention back to the stage just in time for Dawn and Nando to walk out. The crowd cheered as Nando and Dawn released their Pokémon; Kricketune and Altaria and Togekiss and Typlosion.

"Yeah Dawn!" Ash cheered as Pikachu and the other Pokémon cheered as well.

"You can do it..." Paul said softly, doubting anyone else could hear him.

"Typlosion, flamethrower!" Dawn commanded.

The battle was four minutes in, and Nando was up a few points.

"C'mon Dawn..." Ash muttered.

Dawn was out of openings and out of options, it seemed. But she seemed to muster up an idea.

"Kricketune, X-scissor on Typlosion!" Nando commanded, strumming his harp.

"Let it hit you!" Dawn retaliated.

"What?!" Ash and Paul screeched.

Typlosion began taking hits from each of Nando's Pokémon, costing Dawn more and more points.

"What is she doing?!" Ash asked, panic clear in his voice.

Paul thought about it for awhile. Why would she do this? Realization bubbled into Paul's mind, "Blaze" he breathed.

"What?"

"Typlosion' ability...it's Blaze!" Paul yelled, standing up and slamming his hands on the ledge in front of him, which startled Dawn's Pokémon.

"I was afraid she'd take after you..." Ash said quietly.

"Me too..."

Suddenly, Typlosion became surrounded with a huge aura of fire type energy. Typlosion got onto Togekiss' back as Togekiss took off into the air. Togekiss began using sky attack as Typlosion used flamethrower. Togekiss and Typlosion were engulfed in a bright white light so hot, Paul could feel some of the heat on his face.

Just before the timer hit zero, Togekiss and Typlosion slammed into Kricketune and Altaria. Steam and smoke covered the entire field, hiding the Pokémon and their trainers. The entire stadium held their breath as the attack cleared. When the smoke cleared, everyone could see what became of Nando's Pokémon.

They had fainted.

"Looks like Nando's Pokémon are unable to battle, which means the winner of this years Grand Festival is...Dawn!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Yeah Dawn! You did it!" Ash cheered.

"She did it..." Paul began softly. He got louder as a small smile spread across his face, "She did it!"

The smile remained on Paul's face longer than he expected. It just wouldn't go away. He knew Dawn had been working so hard for this, and seeing her achieve it made Paul so happy. Probably not as happy as Dawn was, but it was a close second.

"C'mon! We gotta see her!" Ash complained impatiently as he and Paul stood in the lobby. Dawn's three Pokémon stood at Paul's feet with the same excitement as Ash.

"If I learned one thing from big contests like this it's this: never go backstage after it's over. You'll get eaten alive in there, and you won't even find the person you're looking for"

"But I wanna see her!" Ash groaned. Pikachu groaned as well, showing Paul they were both still as pathetic as he remembered.

Soon, coordinators appeared left and right; Kenny, Zoey, Nando...Dawn.

"Dawn!" Ash called once he saw her. Dawn turned her head to Ash, a confused look taking over her face, but it was soon replaced by one of pure happiness. Paul shot Dawn one of his rare smiles, and she grew even happier as she ran in their direction, slamming into Paul in a hug.

Paul took a few steps back as Dawn threw herself at him. He regained his balance and wrapped his arms around her as well.

"You did it..." Paul whispered into her ear.

Dawn hugged him tighter, "I know. I can't believe it" she whispered back.

"I can"

"Hey! Don't forget about me! Best friend waiting for a hug over here!" Ash complained, waving his arms in the air, Pikachu mirroring him.

Dawn moved away from Paul, "Ash" she said breathlessly, "You're here!"

"Yep! What kind of best friend would I be if I missed this?!" Ash chirped as Dawn hugged him.

Dawn pulled away, "Thank you Ash"

"Pika!" Pikachu complained.

Dawn giggled, reaching up to Pikachu and scratching his chin, "Thank you too, Pikachu"

Dawn registered Ash's appearance, "You got taller"

Ash barked a laugh, "Yeah? I just thought you got shorter"

Dawn pushed him playfully as he laughed at his own joke. Piplup, Pachirisu, and Buneary all jumped onto Dawn, attempting to hug her all at once.

Dawn nearly fell over at the assault of hugs, "Okay, okay! I'm happy too! Thank you guys!" She told her Pokémon, returning each of them but Piplup to their Pokeballs afterwards.

Dawn held Piplup with one hand and took Paul's hand with her free one. Paul leant down and pressed his lips against Dawn's.

Ash covered his eye, "Woah PDA alert!"

Piplup made a gagging sound and Pikachu laughed.

Dawn and Paul broke apart, "You're just jealous because you never kissed Misty" Dawn teased.

Ash blushed, "I could kiss her!"

"Suuuuure"

Ash narrowed his eyes "Why do have to come after me, Dawn?"

Dawn giggled, "Come on Ash! No need to worry!"

"That's when I worry the most..." Ash sighed.

Dawn, Ash, Piplup, and Pikachu burst out laughing at the old joke, leaving  Paul utterly confused.

(A/N. I didn't check this for spelling errors and I really don't care too much rn tbh.

SO

I didn't write about the battle because I was lazy just imagine it however you want to

So

K thx bai!)

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