Disclaimer: I could never own Pokémon. I'd run out of ideas and change it so that it wouldn't be suitable for younger kids.

Interregional Showdown

Chapter 10

"Max!?"

"When did you get here?"

He readjusted his glasses and said, "I found out about the tournament a few days after it started, and it took a while to get here. I would've wanted to enter, but with Ash in the tournament, I wouldn't stand a chance."

"What about me?" asked May. Max looked at her strangely.

"What about you?"

"I'm competing too!" Max laughed.

"Yeah. As if you would stand a chance in this place." May stomped over to him and pinched his cheeks hard.

"Take that back!"

"Owowow! Ash, save me!"

"Sorry, man. You deserved that one." Max quickly apologized, and May let go of his cheeks, leaving them red and sore.

"I still can't believe you entered his tournament," said Max.

"You shouldn't be quick to judge someone if you haven't seen them in a few years," Ash scolded. Max nodded and changed the subject.

"So, how long have you two been together?" he asked. May blushed while Ash just frowned, still upset about Max's interruption.

"About 3 seconds before you entered the room," he snapped. Max gasped.

"What!? That recently? Wow. I have great timing!"

"I disagree," said Ash, sourly. May giggled at Ash's childish display.

"So Max, how do suggest we catch up?" she asked.

"Oh, yeah!" he shouted, "Let's battle! I'm sure I can beat you by now." Ash laughed to himself. 'This should be interesting,' he thought. May grinned.

"Okay. How many Pokémon do you want to use?"

"How about four?" May nodded and motioned for Max to follow her outside. Ash went with them.

When they were outside, Ash stood between the two to act as referee. May let out Blaziken. Max's eyes widened in shock.

"What the hell happened to him!? He looks like he was run over by several dozen tanks!" A vein grew visible on Blaziken's forehead as it tried to control its temper. May smiled.

"He's just a bit tired from the match we just finished."

"Why didn't you tell me!? I want a fair match!" yelled Max as he grew angry. May thought for a second, then she smiled.

"It does seem a bit unfair. How about this: My worn out Blaziken against all the Pokémon you have with you. Does that seem better?" Max was furious.

"Fine! But don't be upset when you lose!" Ash then raised his hand.

"It's been decided," he said, acting official and earning a laugh from May, "May's Blaziken versus all of Max's Pokémon. Anything goes and there is no time limit. Begin!"

Max began with Swellow, one of his favorites because he knew Ash used one on their journey together.

"Swellow, Aerial Ace!" Swellow flew low and picked up speed, seeming to disappear. However, Blaziken was able to catch him by the beak just before he was hit. He then delivered a Fire Punch to Swellow's belly. Max then ordered Swellow to use Gust, which whipped up powerful winds around Blaziken. But Blaziken stood still, unaffected by the winds. He then fired Aura Sphere at Swellow, who took a direct hit and fainted. Max hesitated before returning Swellow and sending out a Flygon.

Flygon fired a Dragonbreath at Blaziken, who side-stepped to dodge. Blaziken then moved quite similarly to Swellow before using his own Aerial Ace on Flygon, who fell on his back. Blaziken grabbed him by the tail and threw him into the air before jumping up after him.

"Flygon, Hyper Beam!"

Flygon fired his attack at the midair Blaziken, but Blaziken just knocked it out of the way, being careful to use his uninjured arm. While Max and Flygon paused in shock, Blaziken knocked Flygon back to the ground with Blaze Kick. Flygon moved but couldn't get up. Max returned him and sent out a large Tyranitar.

May was impressed that Max could handle a Tyranitar, but didn't hesitate.

"Blaziken, Vacuum Wave."

Blaziken punched the air hard, and the force of it hit Tyranitar in the chest, sending it over Max's head and into the ground several feet behind him. He looked back at the unmoving Tyranitar on the ground, remembering the couple inches that had been between it and his head. May laughed nervously.

"Sorry. I guess I overdid it."

Max looked at her and raised his hands to either side of his head.

"I surrender," he said, his voice a few tones higher than usual. May frowned.

"Relax, Max, I'm not going to shoot you or anything." Ash laughed.

"Now do you see how dumb you sounded when you underestimated her?" Max nodded, his face a little blue from fear.

It's a short chapter I know, but I couldn't resist writing it. I'll up date again when this chapter is reviewed.

Flamers will have curses placed upon them that forbid them from thinking negative thoughts, turning them into mindless optimists. Bwahaha...