From: "Bryon Youngblood" Pokemon Tournament Chapter 2-Premilinary Round Time! Ash and Brock had just been reunited and now were heading for the castle with the other competitors in the tournament. Ash had wondered a bit why Brock was invited. “Brock, why were you invited? You’re more a breeder than a trainer.” Ash said. “I know, but I think I got invited since I was Pewter’s gym leader before Dad came back and became Gym Leader.” Brock said. “I guess. I was invited due to the fact I placed the highest of all of Pallet’s trainers.” Ash said. Ash then turned to his side and noticed Brock was gone! Ash then saw Brock looking at a beautiful girl. That was one problem Brock had. He can’t resist a pretty face. “You’re lovely, you know that?” Brock said, all lovestruck. “Yes, I do. I bet you’ll meet a nice girl soon.” The girl said leaving. Brock sighed to himself and said, “Shot down again.” “Relax, Brock. You’ll get a girlfriend soon. Count on it.” Ash said, putting his arm around Brock’s shoulder. “Yeah, I bet you’re right, Ash.” Brock said, walking alongside Ash. Soon, Ash and Brock saw another familiar face… Misty, holding Togepi in her arms. “Huh? Is that Misty?” Ash wondered. “Yeah! I think it is!” Brock said. Ash and Brock ran over to their friend and were correct… it was Misty. “Hey, Misty.” Ash said. “Ash! Brock! Good to see you guys!” Misty said. “Toge, Toge, Toge!” Togepi said. “Good to see you too, Togepi!” Ash said, picking up Togepi. “So Misty, why did you get invited?” Brock said, tying his long hair into a ponytail. “I guess because I was a gym leader.” Misty said, getting Togepi back from Ash. “That’s what Brock told me.” Ash said. “Why did you get invited, Ash?” Misty said. “Well, I was invited because I’m considered the best Pokémon trainer in Pallet. At least that’s what a lot of my opponents told me.” Ash said. “Where’s Pikachu?” Brock and Misty said at the same time. “Oh, he and Raichu are back at the hotel I’m staying at.” Ash said. “You have a Raichu now?” Misty said. “Yeah, it was a gift from Lt. Surge. I don’t why he sent me a Raichu though.” Ash said. “Maybe because you beat him, he wanted to give you a little gift.” Brock said. “Maybe. Well come on.” Ash said. Soon Ash had leaded everyone to the castle gates and led them inside the castle. As soon as everyone got inside, they were greeted by a huge banquet. Ash, Misty, and Brock all sat down and soon began to eat. As Ash and friends were eating, they saw a boy with green-black hair and with a Sandslash walking by his side. “Is that…” Ash wondered. “AJ?” Misty added in. “Could be.” Brock said. “Hey, AJ!” Ash shouted. AJ heard the voice and turned around to see Ash and his friends. AJ and Sandslash then walked over to Ash and sat down. “Ash! What a surprise! I’m glad to know there’s someone here I can beat!” AJ said. “I see Sandshrew evolved into Sandslash.” Ash said. “Yeah, but I did get another Sandshrew.” AJ said. Soon everyone got into stories about what they had been doing. “So, that’s what’s been happening to all of us.” AJ said. “Yeah.” Ash said. Soon a huge pair of doors opened… Ash knew what was going to happen, but didn’t want to tell anyone… Who’s That Pokémon?! Hint-Number 18, and uses Mirror Move The doors opened and Sapphire and his aides appeared. “Welcome. You are here to compete in the greatest tournament there ever was. I expect that many of you are the best trainers in the world. In a few hours the tournament will begin and we shall see which of you is the best. Enjoy the relaxation while you can. It may be the last bit you get when the tournament begins. And now, a taste of what you can expect. If someone would please step up onto this stage, we will demonstrate.” Sapphire said. Brock stood up and headed for the stage to try his luck. “I will except.” Brock said. “Excellent! And now, one of my assistants will be prepared to fight this young man.” Sapphire as he stepped away. “I choose Arcanine!” said the assistant throwing a PokéBall. “Golem, Go!” Brock said, throwing a PokéBall as well. Golem and Arcanine stood face to face, prepared to fight. “Arcanine, Take Down!” The assistant said. “Golem, Defense Curl!” Brock shouted. Golem stuck his arms and legs into his rock body and rolled up as Arcanine charged. The dog Pokémon slammed his face into Golem’s body but got pushed back. Golem then stuck his arms and legs out of his body and looked at Arcanine. “Golem, Seismic Toss!” Brock commanded. “GOLEM!” Golem shouted as he picked Arcanine up and leapt into the air, tossing Arcanine straight towards the ground. Arcanine went zooming and crashed into the ground… hard! Arcanine attempted to stand up, but Golem’s Seismic Toss weakened him too much and so… he collapsed. “And that is that. Now, rest up and be prepared to be called to battle.” Sapphire said, as he disappeared. Ash knew what to expect and so he rested for a bit. Soon, Ash got an announcement that he would be battling. Ash, along with Pikachu and Raichu, headed for the arena, preparing for his first battle in the Tournament. Ash stood on one podium while his opponent stood on the other. “Gentlemen, you will each use as many Pokémon as you can. No time limit either. Let the battle begin!” The referee said slashing his hand downward. Ash grabbed one of his PokéBalls and waited for his opponent to choose. “GO!” His opponent shouted, throwing a PokéBall. The PokéBall landed and opened… revealing an Electabuzz. Ash then grabbed one of his PokéBalls and called out his Venusaur! “Venusaur!” Venusaur roared as he glared at Electabuzz. “Venusaur, Razor Leaf!” Ash commanded. “SAUR!” Venusaur roared shooting out super sharp leaves which slashed at Electabuzz’s fur. “Now, Vine Whip!” Ash shouted. Venusaur leapt into the air and shot a vine right at Electabuzz, slapping the electric Pokémon across the face. The Razor Leaf had done it as did the Vine Whip. Electabuzz was defeated. Meanwhile, Brock was confronting his first opponent using Golbat. “Golbat, Wing Attack!” Brock commanded, as Golbat charged at Vileplume, slapping his opponent with his wing. As the first part of the preliminary rounds continued to get even better! Misty and AJ had won as well as Ash and Brock. Other contestants like Samurai, Gary, Joe, and Giselle had also won. Soon the first half of the tournament was over with. Ash had scored 38 points, as did 47 other competitors. Now that the first half was done… Sapphire would explain the rules of the next half. “It is amazing that 48 have succeed. Now you will each be put into two different divisions, Eastern, and Western. And soon you will face each other again, but this time… to try and stay in the tournament.” Sapphire said on a giant screen in the Town Square. It was exactly 5:00pm and Ash was walking the streets with Pikachu and Raichu. Ash hoped he could heal Kingler, Venusaur, and Drowzee, since he used them in his first battle. Ash and his two Pokémon also hoped to get something to eat. Ash then noticed a restaurant where Misty and Brock were eating as well. “Hey, guys.” Ash said, walking towards his friends. “Hey, Ash! I was impressed by your first victory.” Brock said. “Yeah. You sure did raise your Pokémon since we last saw each other.” Misty said. “Well, I guess I’m just lucky I guess.” Ash said. “Luck had nothing to do with. It’s your skills that allowed you to win.” Brock said. “Well, I guess so…” Ash said, eating some soup. “Lucky for us we can eat for free.” Misty said. “YEP!” Ash shouted as he ate. Soon Ash looked out the window and saw a girl and was lovestruck. “Hey, Ash, what’s up?” Brock said. “Ash! You there?” Misty said, waving her hand in front of Ash’s face. “Beautiful girl…” Ash said. “What?! WHERE?!” Brock said looking around. “There…” Ash said, pointing towards a shop window. “Oh, you mean my sister.” Gary said, as he approached the table. “What? That babe is your sister?” Ash said. “Yep. Her name is May and I doubt she would go for a runt like you.” Gary said, smirking. “May Oak… I have to introduce myself one of these times.” Ash said. “Why, Ash? You heard Gary. She wouldn’t like you.” Misty said. “Maybe, she would. A woman’s heart is a fickle thing, Misty. Maybe Ash might have a chance.” Brock said. “Yeah! Have some faith in me, Mist!” Ash shouted. “I guess…” Misty sighed. Soon, Ash headed back to his hotel room to relax. He had a full stomach as did Pikachu and Raichu did. Ash lied back in his bed and thought to himself, “What if Gary’s right? What if May wouldn’t like me? I have to try, at least…” Then Ash fell asleep. Well that was a short chapter wasn’t it? And if you’re wondering, I’m writing May as someone important to the plot. If anyone would like to take a guess HOW important May will be, write me at bryonyoungblood@hotmail.com And now, answer to Who’s that Pokémon-Pidgeot, Pidgeotto’s evolved form and one of Ash’s Pokémon. That’s that for chapter 2, soon chapter 3 will be done and sent. Adios for now.