Jade looked up at the building before her. This was it. The Grand Festival was finally here and here they were standing where it would all end. One way or another.

She couldn't describe the feeling bubbling in her chest. There was excitement there sure, but perhaps there was something else. Nervousness? Anticipation? Either way the one thing she was looking forward to was Destiny.

Jade was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a hand grasp her shoulder. Glancing back, she saw her friends standing there behind her. Niko giving her a big grin.

"Hope you're not getting cold feet when you're this close." she said. "You've done this before so it shouldn't be too daunting."

Jade smiled and shook her head. "Nope. Anything but that."

"For Jason to just disappear like he did. Not even saying a word." Rhyme grumbled as she crossed her arms. "He really honestly is the worst. After everything's he's done, the least he could do was give an apology."

It was true that Jason had just vanished right before this. Jade just guessed that he had just resumed his usual journey. But for him to leave without saying a word to Rhyme was a bit weird.

Or maybe it was just a simple sibling thing that she would never understand.

Hearing the complaints, Niko simply shrugged in response. "Eh, his loss for missing out on something like this. But also means we get a slightly better chance at getting some good seats."

Rhyme sighed but nodded. "I guess you have a point there."

'I guess whenever there's some downtime, I should tell her what happened that night.' Jade thought before focusing her attention on the building ahead of her. She took a breath and began walking towards the entrance.

The sooner she signed herself up, the more time she and her team had to rest and prepare.

As Jade walked in, the receptionist at the desk greeted her with a smile. "Hello Miss Jade. Please show me the contest ribbons you've won."

The five Sinnoh ribbons, which were kept securely in a little case was given to the receptionist. After a few moments, they were returned to their rightful owner, along with a key card. Jade assumed that the keycard was for her room.

"There you go and best of luck."

Jade smiled and nodded as she took the items in her hand. "Thanks."

She followed the instructions to her room, being greeted with a space that seemed like a nicer version than her apartment. Rhyme didn't hesitate to run into one of the bedrooms, plopping down on the soft sheets.

"Now these blankets are much better than the ones at the Pokemon Center." she said, burying her face in the pillows.

Jade picked a room as well. Though she only had just enough time to set her bags down before Niko stepped in. An envelope in her hand.

"This was set out for you."

Confused, Jade took the envelope in her hand and opened it. Inside was a letter. With curiosity getting the best of her, Jade read the letter. Leafeon hopping on her shoulder to read as well.

Dear Jade.

Congratulations on making it this far. Though I didn't have a doubt that you would. This is just what I expected from you. I hope you know that I'm really wanting to face off against you in a battle. But I'm pretty sure that you want that too. Don't you dare lose to anyone before our match! May the best coordinator win.

Destiny.

After reading the note, a smile formed on Jade's face.

'I hope you don't lose to anyone before our match either.' she thought. 'You're right about us wanting the same thing here.'

"Guessing it was something good if you're smiling like that." Niko noted with a grin.

Jade nodded, her smile getting even bigger. "I'm more than ready for this to start. Both of us are excited, huh Leafeon?"

"Eon!" the Verdant Pokemon nodded, his tail wagging with anticipation.

"Well, you got this far so there's no need to review everything that you should be doing." Niko said with a shrug. "Just do your best and have fun out there, alright?"

"Yeah. We'll be sure to do that."

...........

The morning of the Grand Festival arrived and Jade, now dressed up was making her way to the door. Right before she could step out of the room, she saw Niko, Rhyme, Ethan, and her old team there at the door waiting for her.

"Well, it's finally time. Are you ready?" Niko asked.

Jade nodded with a smile. "Yeah. We're all ready."

Niko nodded. "Though it kinda sucks, I'll be staying here with your other pokemon and we'll just watch on the tv. But know we're watching your every move though."

"And I'll do what I've always done!" Rhyme chimed in. "Cheering you on from the front seats!"

"Thanks Rhyme." Jade then looked over at Ethan. "You haven't said since we got here. Is everything alright?"

Ethan hesitated for a bit until speaking up. "Well, though I still will be watching you from tv... I'm afraid it won't be here or in the audience. I have to catch the next flight back to Paldea. It's almost time for all the students to return from the Treasure Hunt."

"So already, you have to go back?" Rhyme echoed in question. There was a slight whine in her voice.

"Yeah... sorry about that. I really wish I could stay a little longer but I gotta head back home and start class."

Jade nodded in understanding. "Well, whenever you do head back, I hope you have a safe journey."

Ethan smiled and extended his hand out to Jade. "Best of luck. I really hope you win."

"I thought that the way to say goodbye when it came to you was 'hasta la vistar'?"

Ethan looked surprised for a moment before laughing. "Heh, yeah. Was saving that for the end but I guess you beat me to it."

The two shook hands. With his belongings all gathered, Ethan took one last glance at his friends before walking off. Though right before he was out of their sight he saw Rhyme doing the hand star motion that he had showed her. He couldn't help but smile, returning the gesture.

'I have a lot to share with everyone back at home.'

Jade

Leafeon (Ability: Leaf Guard) Leaf Blade, Magical Leaf, Nature Power, Grass Whistle

Delcatty (Ability: Cute Charm) Attract, Shadow Ball, Blizzard, Hyper Voice

Mismagius (Ability: Levitate) Psychic, Perish Song, Hex, Confuse Ray

Umbreon (Ability: Synchronize) Dark Pulse, Swift, Shadow Ball, Iron Tail

Garchomp (Ability: Sand Veil) Dragon Claw, Power Gem, Bulldoze, Stone Edge

Lopunny (Ability: Run Away) Double Kick, Quick Attack, Bounce, Drain Punch

Rhyme

Prinplup (Ability: Torrent) Bubble Beam, Peck, Metal Claw, Pound

Plusle (Ability: Plus) Helping Hand, Nuzzle, Quick Attack, Spark

Minun (Ability: Minus) Helping Hand, Nuzzle, Quick Attack, Spark