The night air in Twinleaf Town was crisp as Dawn walked along the familiar streets, her mind whirling with excitement and nostalgia. She had just returned from watching Ash's final battle in the World Coronation Series, and the thrill of his victory still buzzed in her chest. But as much as she admired Ash's journey, her own dreams called to her. Pokémon Contests—her true passion—were waiting for her, and she was eager to take center stage once again.

Lost in thought, she nearly missed the familiar figure standing by the lakeside, staring out at the shimmering water.

"Kenny?" she called, squinting through the dimming light.

The figure turned, and recognition flashed across his face. "Dee-Dee?"

Dawn groaned, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Kenny! It's Dawn! How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Hey, some things never change," Kenny chuckled, stepping toward her.

Dawn folded her arms but couldn't hide her amusement. "What are you even doing here? Last I heard, you were training for the next Grand Festival."

Kenny nodded, his expression turning serious for a moment. "Yeah, I've been working hard. Twinleaf's got some good training spots, and I thought I'd visit my folks while I was at it."

Dawn grinned. "Guess that means we'll be seeing each other more often."

Kenny smirked. "Guess so. I hope you're ready to lose, because I've been working on some amazing contest moves."

Dawn laughed, flipping her hair dramatically. "Please. I'd like to see you try."

A few days later, Dawn found herself walking into a café with Kenny, still buzzing from their spontaneous contest battle practice. As they slid into a booth, they heard a familiar voice from behind them.

"Dawn? Kenny?"

Dawn turned, and her eyes widened. "Ash? Serena?"

Sure enough, Ash and Serena stood there, looking just as surprised to see them.

"What are you guys doing here?" Kenny asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We just got back from Kalos," Serena explained, smiling. "Ash wanted to visit Professor Rowan while we were in Sinnoh."

"And grab some good food," Ash added with a grin.

Dawn smirked. "Still thinking with your stomach, huh?"

Ash laughed. "Some things never change."

Serena shook her head fondly before turning to Dawn. "So, what have you been up to?"

"Training for the next Grand Festival," Dawn replied. "Kenny and I actually had a practice battle earlier."

"Oh? How'd that go?" Serena asked curiously.

Kenny leaned back in his chair with a confident grin. "I won."

Dawn pouted. "Barely."

Ash chuckled. "Sounds like you two still push each other."

"Always," Dawn admitted.

Serena beamed. "It's so great to see everyone again. I just wish May and Drew were here too."

Kenny perked up. "Actually, you're in luck. They're supposed to be in Twinleaf for the upcoming contest event."

Serena gasped. "No way! We have to see them."

Dawn nodded eagerly. "We definitely will."

The contest hall in Twinleaf was abuzz with excitement. Coordinators and their Pokémon were preparing for a special event: a Tag-Team Contest Battle, where two Coordinators would battle together in an elegant display of strategy and style.

Dawn and Kenny stood on one side of the field, their Pokémon—Empoleon and Ambipom—ready for action. On the other side, May and Drew stood poised, confidence radiating from them.

"You sure you're ready for this?" May teased.

Dawn smirked. "Bring it on."

The announcer signaled the start, and the battlefield erupted into motion.

"Empoleon, Aqua Jet! Ambipom, Swift!" Dawn called.

Empoleon shot forward in a stream of water, while Ambipom unleashed a flurry of golden stars, spiraling around Empoleon's path to create a dazzling effect.

Drew smirked. "Roserade, Magical Leaf! Flygon, Sandstorm!"

Roserade's glowing leaves spiraled through the air, colliding with Swift in an explosion of shimmering energy, while Flygon's Sandstorm whipped around the battlefield, obscuring the view.

Kenny wasn't fazed. "Floatzel, Ice Beam! Alakazam, Psychic!"

Floatzel's Ice Beam froze some of the swirling sand mid-air, creating a beautiful crystal-like effect. Alakazam's Psychic then sent the frozen shards flying toward Roserade.

May clapped her hands together. "Great effects! But try dodging this! Beautifly, Silver Wind! Sceptile, Leaf Blade!"

A gust of sparkling wind cut through the battlefield, forcing Dawn and Kenny's Pokémon to readjust. Meanwhile, Sceptile's Leaf Blade met Empoleon's Aqua Jet head-on, sending shockwaves of water cascading through the arena.

The battle raged on, both teams matching each other move for move. But as the clock ticked down, May and Drew executed a flawless final combination—Flygon's Dragon Breath mixed with Roserade's Poison Sting to create a vibrant explosion of colors.

The timer buzzed. The scoreboard revealed the final result—May and Drew had won.

Dawn let out a deep breath, pushing down her disappointment.

Kenny nudged her. "Hey, we did great."

She nodded, smiling. "Yeah. Next time, though, we're taking them down."

May walked over, grinning. "That was amazing, Dawn. You and Kenny work really well together."

Dawn blinked. "Well, yeah, we've been friends for years—"

"Oh, I know." May smirked, leaning in. "You two had such great chemistry. You practically finished each other's moves."

Dawn's face turned red. "W-we were just strategizing!"

May giggled. "Sure, sure."

Kenny coughed, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. "Uh... anyway, great match."

Drew crossed his arms, watching them with an amused smirk. "You two really do make a good team."

Dawn groaned. "Oh, not you too!"

As the battle ended, a contest official approached them, handing out elegant white envelopes.

"Congratulations on your performances. You've all been invited to the Jubilife Grand Gala, an exclusive event for top Coordinators and Trainers."

Dawn's eyes widened. "Whoa, seriously?"

The official nodded. "However... there's one condition."

Kenny raised an eyebrow. "Condition?"

The official smirked. "You must have a date to attend."

Dawn felt her stomach flip. She turned to Kenny, who was already looking at her with wide eyes.

"So, uh..." Kenny rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess that means we're going together, huh?"

Dawn's face turned red, but she forced a confident smirk. "Yeah. Guess so."

May grinned, nudging Drew. "See? I told you there was something there."

Dawn threw her hands up. "Oh, come on!"

Serena, who had been watching from the stands, clapped her hands together excitedly. "This is going to be so much fun! A night of dancing, elegance, and romance!"

Dawn sighed, already dreading the inevitable teasing.

But as she glanced at Kenny, who was still looking slightly flustered, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation.

The Grand Gala was going to be a night to remember.

The Jubilife Grand Gala was breathtaking. The ballroom sparkled under a canopy of chandeliers, casting golden light over the polished marble floor. Coordinators, Trainers, and honored guests mingled in elegant attire, their Pokémon resting beside them or floating gracefully around the room.

Dawn, dressed in a stunning sapphire-blue gown that complemented her hair, took a deep breath as she entered with Kenny. She had to admit—Kenny cleaned up surprisingly well. His dark blue tuxedo suited him, and for once, he wasn't being his usual smug self.

"Well, don't we look fancy," May teased as she approached, dressed in a flowing red gown. Drew walked beside her in a deep green suit, looking as effortlessly cool as always.

Dawn rolled her eyes but smiled. "You look great too, May."

"Save the compliments for later, because tonight's all about the dancing," Serena chimed in, her eyes sparkling. She stood beside Ash, who looked surprisingly nervous in his formal outfit. "There's a couples dance later, so you'd better be ready."

Dawn's stomach flipped. She hadn't really thought about dancing with Kenny—or anyone, for that matter.

As if sensing her thoughts, Kenny nudged her. "Don't tell me you're nervous, Dee-Dee."

Dawn scowled. "Kenny!"

He laughed, but before she could fire back, the music shifted. The first waltz of the night had begun.

As the first pairs moved onto the dance floor, Dawn watched as Ash took Serena's hand with a rare confidence, leading her into the waltz. They looked... good together.

Then, Drew held his hand out to May. "Shall we?"

May, for all her teasing, turned slightly pink before accepting, and the two gracefully spun into the dance.

Dawn smiled, but the feeling was short-lived.

"Hey, Dawn," Kenny said. "Wanna dance?"

Dawn almost said yes—until Zoey appeared.

"Actually," Zoey interrupted, smirking, "I was hoping I could steal Kenny for the first dance."

Kenny blinked. "Huh? Me?"

Zoey raised an eyebrow. "Unless you're too scared?"

Kenny scoffed. "Please, I can dance circles around you." He turned to Dawn. "You don't mind, right?"

Dawn, caught off guard, did mind. But she didn't want to admit it. "Oh. Uh—no! Go ahead!" she said quickly.

And just like that, Kenny was twirling Zoey onto the dance floor.

Dawn stood there, suddenly feeling completely alone.

"Why aren't you dancing?"

Dawn turned to see Paul standing beside her, arms crossed, looking just as uninterested in the event as ever.

She huffed. "None of your business."

Paul smirked. "Looks to me like your 'date' ditched you."

Dawn bristled. "He didn't ditch me—he just—"

She glanced at Kenny and Zoey, who were laughing together as they danced. Zoey was smirking, probably teasing him, but Kenny looked... happy.

Dawn's stomach twisted.

Paul raised an eyebrow. "You're glaring. You jealous?"

Dawn whipped around. "WHAT? No! I—of course not!"

Paul shrugged. "Could've fooled me." Then, he walked away, leaving Dawn standing there seething.

And... maybe just a little bit jealous.

After what felt like forever, Kenny finally made his way back to Dawn.

"That was fun," he said, grinning. "Zoey's pretty good at—"

"Oh, don't let me interrupt," Dawn said, crossing her arms.

Kenny blinked. "Uh... what?"

"You and Zoey looked like you were having such a great time," she huffed. "Why don't you just dance with her all night?"

Kenny stared. "Wait. Are you... mad?"

Dawn blushed furiously. "What? No! Why would I be mad? I don't care who you dance with!"

Kenny slowly smirked. "Dawn, are you... jealous?"

Dawn nearly exploded. "I AM NOT—!"

Before she could finish, Kenny suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the dance floor.

"K-Kenny?!"

He grinned. "If you wanted to dance with me, all you had to do was ask."

Dawn's heart skipped a beat.

Before she could argue, the music changed into a slower, more intimate waltz. The golden light of the chandeliers bathed the floor in a dreamy glow as couples moved closer together.

Kenny rested a hand on Dawn's waist.

Dawn gulped. She was in trouble.

Slowly, he led her into the dance. To Dawn's surprise, he was actually... good. Their steps matched perfectly, moving in sync like they had been dancing for years.

She looked up at him, realizing just how close they were.

Kenny smirked. "You okay there, Dee-Dee?"

Dawn's blush deepened. "S-shut up."

He chuckled but didn't let go. As they spun across the floor, Dawn's frustration melted away, replaced with something warmer.

She... liked this.

She liked him.

The realization hit her like a Thunderbolt.

After the dance ended, Dawn and Kenny stepped out onto the balcony for some air. The night breeze was cool against Dawn's flushed skin.

"You looked like you were having fun," Kenny teased.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "I guess it wasn't the worst thing ever."

Kenny smirked. "So... still jealous?"

Dawn hesitated. Then, she took a deep breath and gathered every ounce of courage she had.

"...Maybe a little."

Kenny blinked. "Wait. Are you actually admitting it?"

Dawn turned away quickly. "Shut up before I change my mind."

Kenny chuckled before stepping beside her. He rubbed the back of his neck, his usual cocky expression softening.

"...You know," he started, "I was kinda hoping I'd get to dance with you tonight."

Dawn's eyes widened.

"...Really?" she asked quietly.

Kenny nodded. "Yeah. And I was kinda hoping you'd say yes."

Dawn felt her heart race.

Slowly, she smiled. "Well... maybe next time, you should just ask sooner."

Kenny grinned. "Deal."

As they stood there under the starry sky, Dawn felt lighter. Maybe she had been blind before, but now?

Now, she saw things clearly.

And for once, she didn't mind.

A.N.  so I accually wrote this yesterday after my science test during school so u know..... i didnt get caught lol but i did see that 

Ctikygty 

commented and to this person i say thjat thats a great idea and im working on it right now!! c u in the next one
until next time:
Cosmical