The sun had just risen. The time was somewhat about 6 am and Ash was already awake. Yes, you heard it right 'Ash Ketchum' had woken at 5:30 prepared food for Pokemon as well as for himself and Dawn.

He made it a habit to wake up early and practice with his Pokemon, right from the time he was challenging the Battle Frontier. It not only helped to keep himself fit but also kept his Pokemon in form.

Pikachu was perfecting his Volt Tackle that he had recently learned. Heracross was practicing with Quilava, building resistance against fire type attacks. Starly was working on its speed and Totodile was practicing with Ash and Eevee.

Dawn woke up around 8 am and was surprised to see Ash already awake practicing with his Pokemon. She began to eat the breakfast that Ash had prepared. Piplup and Buneary were also enjoying the food.

"Alright! guys enough for today you can rest now." Ash said as they had completed their training session of about 2 hours. Ash then grabbed a bottle of water and sat next to Dawn. "Morning sleepyhead." Ash said teasingly.

"Morning Ash, I didn't know that you get up so fast and train with your Pokemon, no doubt their so strong." The bluenette said.

"Actually, I developed this habit recently about 3-4 months earlier otherwise I was a sleepyhead, the last one to get up in a group." Ash said putting his hand on back of his cap sheepishly.

"Really?" she questioned

"Yeah, you may not believe, the day when I was going to get my first Pokemon from Prof. Oak I overslept and reached the lab so late that all starters were picked already."

"Seriously! what did you then?" she asked.

"I was so desperate that I asked Prof. Oak to give me any Pokemon. Then he gave me Pikachu, although Pikachu didn't like me in the beginning and won't listen to me at all." Ash said.

"What! you must be kidding me." she exclaimed.

"No, it was when I protected him from a flock of Spearow's he realized that I cared about him and after that we became best buddies!" Ash exclaimed. "Pika!" it cried.

"Oh, I understand now." Dawn said.

"Let's get moving Dawn, just two hours of walking and then we reach Jubilife City!" Ash exclaimed.

After a brisk walk of about 2 hours both trainers reached Jubilife City. "Woah, this city looks pretty advanced." Ash said while looking at the tall buildings and crazy technology.

"Yeah Jubilife City is one of the most modern City in Sinnoh." Dawn said.

Both of them went to the Pokemon Center and gave their Pokemon for a quick checkup.

Just then they heard about an announcement. "Good morning ladies and gentlemen we have an important announcement. The Jubilife City Pokemon Contest will take place today in about 6 hours and the registrations will close in 30 minutes, those who wish to take part please hurry up! Thank you."

"Did you listen Ash I am so going to take part in this contest!" Dawn exclaimed getting excited.

"For that you will have to register first, so hurry up." Ash suggested as there were only 30 minutes for the registrations to end.

They both then walked towards the Contest Desk were the registrations were taking place. "Hello how can I help you?" the lady seated on the desk asked.

"I would like to participate in the Jubilife City Pokemon Contest." The bluenette answered.

"Okay, is this your first Pokemon Contest?" the lady questioned and Dawn nodded.

"Tell me your name so that I can register you for this season's Grand festival." the lady said.

"I am Dawn Berlitz from Twinleaf Town." the bluenette said along with some personal information like age, address and so on.

"Here is your Contest Pass for this season and you have successfully registered for Jubilife Contest. Since, this is your first time I would like to give you these." the lady said while handing over Dawn a Ribbon Case and some Pokeball seals.

"Dawn, what are these?" Ash questioned while pointing towards shiny seals.

"Oh, these are known as Pokeball seals. If you attach them on your Pokeballs like these and call out you Pokemon they come out in an attractive way." the bluenette explained.

"Hmm, there weren't anything like this back in Hoenn." Ash said.

"Yes, I have seen some contests of the Hoenn region on TV, the contestants don't use any seals as well as they can also wear their usual outfit." Dawn said.

"What do you mean?" he asked politely.

"In the contests in Sinnoh, you have to wear a special outfit which looks more appealing and attractive." Dawn explained.

"Oh, I see." Ash said.

After registration process was over, they went to Nurse Joy's Desk to collect their Pokemon. "Are you Dawn Berlitz?" Nurse Joy questioned.

"Yes I am." Dawn answered.

"You have a parcel from your mother Johanna Berlitz." Nurse Joy said while handing over the packet to Dawn and also a letter. Dawn began to read the letter.

'How are you doing sweetie? I Hope you reached Jubilife city safe without facing any problems. Inside this Packet is you Contest Outfit that I have prepared, hope you like it. Good luck for your first contest. Stay calm and focused and win that Jubilife Ribbon! I will be watching you on TV, do your best.'

'Thanks mom I will do my best and make you proud.' Dawn said in her mind, getting a little nervous as this is the first contest that she would be participating in.

"Hey, Earth to Dawn! Ash said what are you thinking?" Ash asked Dawn who was lost in her thoughts.

"No need to worry! I am just a little nervous." Dawn said trying best to hide her nervousness.

"Hey, Dawn you don't have to worry just do your best and you will surely win." Ash said trying his best to lift up her mood.

They then went to the battlefield behind the Pokemon Center and started practicing. Ash was teaching Dawn more about status moves as she had very less knowledge about it. She also practiced some combinations and had a practice match with Ash. After an intense training session of about 2 hours Dawn was all set for her first contest as if a new wave of confidence just entered her.

"Hey, Dawn after having lunch we can go and explore the city as 3 hours are left for the contest to begin." the raven-haired trainer suggested.

"Sure, why not!" the bluenette exclaimed while sipping on her soda.

"This city sure is pretty modern as you said." Ash said as he was impressed by the tall buildings, cars as well as the live hoardings and all.

"Hey, Ash look there." Dawn said while pointing towards a stall that were selling some king of gadget.

"Wow! a Poketch, a coordinater should definitely have one." Dawn said earning a confused looked from Ash.

"Seriously Ash! you don't know what a Poketch is?" Dawn asked getting a nod from Ash. "These are special gadgets with many features like the map of whole Sinnoh region, information about all upcoming contests as well as gym leaders, functions like Coin Toss, GPS and many more!" Dawn explained with glitter in her eyes.

"Oh, sure seems interesting it is just like a smaller version of Pokenav." Ash said.

"Excuse me can I get two Poketch's please?" Dawn asked the salesman.

"Sure, 300 Poke dollars please. 150 for each." the salesman said.

"Man! aren't these too expensive." Ash exclaimed earning a glare from Dawn.

"They are expensive, but worth it." Dawn said.

"Whatever." Ash said handing over his share of money.

"Yeah! I finally got my own Poketch." Dawn exclaimed as she was checking the features of her new watch. Dawn had bought herself a Pink Poketch and a red one for Ash.

"I will still say we could have bought 10 potions and 15 Pokeballs in that price." Ash said still grumbling over the expense of that gadget.

They reached the stadium just before 45 minutes of the scheduled time. Dawn was busy dressing her hair for the contest but to her dilemma she was having a bad hair day.

"Oh no! the contest is going to start in half an hour and I am still not done dressing my hair!" she exclaimed.

"Can I help you?" a red-haired girl of about her age asked.

"You can?" Dawn asked as she began to brush her midnight blue hair with a brush and designed it perfectly as Dawn wanted.

"Wow! Thanks, my hair looks great and by the what is your name?" Dawn asked the person who had just saved her from a bad hair mishap.

"I am Zoey from Snowpoint City, you seem pretty nervous is this your first Contest?" the redhead questioned.

"It is and I'm Dawn from Twinleaf Town." the bluenette answered.

"Oh, I see there isn't any need to worry just relax and try to do your best." Zoey said trying to calm her.

"Thanks, is this your first contest as well?" Dawn inquired.

"No, this is my third contest and I have won a ribbon already!" Zoey exclaimed while showing her a ribbon that she had won.

"That's great." Dawn said.

"Hey, Dawn where are you!" Ash exclaimed as he was searching for Dawn in the dressing room.

"Ash I'm here what are you doing here?" she asked

"Oh, I came to wish you luck and by the way you look beautiful!" Ash said who was awestruck by her beauty as she wasn't wearing her regular beanie and dress instead letting her hair free. She was wearing a pink dress.

"Um, thanks!" Dawn said while controlling her blush from Ash's sudden compliment.

Suddenly an announcement was heard;

"I am Marian and welcome to the Jubilife City Pokemon Contest. I would like to welcome The Chief of the Pokemon Activities Committee and Head Judge, Mr. Contesta; The President of the Pokemon Fan Club, Mr. Sukizo; and finally, the operator of the local Pokemon Center, Nurse Joy." she said as the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Now we will begin the Performance round and I would like to invite our first contestant for today 'Dawn from Twinleaf Town.' she announced.

"Oh no! I am up first." Dawn said getting nervous.

"No need to worry Dawn just remember what we had practiced, stay calm and do your best. I know you're gonna win it for sure!" Ash exclaimed while giving a thumbs up to Dawn."

"Thanks a lot Ash." Dawn said as she started walking away but suddenly stopped in between and turned towards Ash, raising her right hand up, Ash immediately understood her indication and he too raised his hand forward sharing a 'High-Five' with her.

So, Dawn was pretty nervous for her first contest but Ash cheered her up and now she is all set for the first round. Stay tuned for what happens next as the journey continues!