Chapter 28

Preliminary Problems

The next few weeks went pretty good. Bill enjoyed my home cooking, and I was blessed with the luxury of having of all the cooking ingredients that I could want delivered to my door as part of room service. I was able to work on Pichu's ability to control what he ate during those eight days, and it seemed to work. That is, till I left the house and he ransacked through all the drawers trying to find the sweets.

Travis also made some appearances through out those eight days. Apparently he has this girl that he really likes and has been trying to get in bed with her. Boy, where have I heard that before? I'm telling you, that guy is a real scum. Why is it that I always seem to attract those kind of people as of late? Anyway, he doesn't seem to be after money, or my pokemon in any way. It think he just likes hanging around me for the fun of it. He hasn't asked me to battle him yet either. He told me that this book he read said surprise is one of the best strategies in winning a pokemon match. He also said that anger and knowledge are the other two most important things in winning. Perhaps he is hanging around me to get to know me better, thinking that would give him an edge in fighting me in the upcoming battles.

"So." Bill said, walking up behind me as I cooked breakfast in my green apron. The bacon was sizzling on the pan as I turned it over, checking the oven and watching the biscuits turn a golden brown. "What are you fixing today? As if I couldn't smell it?" He laughed.

"Bacon for you." I said, pulling the biscuits from the oven, while I stirred the white gravy. "And biscuits and gravy for everyone." I laid the biscuits on the table as Bill took one. "Watch out!" I said as he took a bite. He then dropped the biscuit, as he held out is tongue, fanning his mouth. "They're hot."

"So what did you mean by everyone? There's just you and me."

"Piii!" Pichu yawned, climbing down the stairs as if on cue.

"To answer your question," I laughed as I yelled. "We're in here!" Calling Pichu in as he ran for us. He jumped up on Bill's lap, then leaped onto the table as he picked up the biggest biscuit there, which was almost as big as he was.

"Hold on there," Bill said, taking it out of his little paws. "They are hot. Trust me."

"Piii…" Pichu huffed, watching him place the biscuit back in the pan with the others.

"Oh hang on you two." I laughed, taking the gravy off the stove and putting on the table as well. "Just let me get the bacon over here and it'll be ready."

"Oh boy!" Bill said, smacking his hands together as he licked his lips. Pichu did the same, trying to mimic him. "I have ate like a king these past few days. I'm only sad that it's going to end in a week."

"Actually." I corrected him, bringing over the bacon in a plate. "Today is going to be the last day. From now on I'm ordering room service."

"But, your cooking is so much better!" Bill said, stuffing his face as he fanned his mouth at the same time. "I'm burning my mouth but I don't care. It's so good!"

"Pi! Pi!" Pichu said, fanning his mouth as well, and then taking another bite.

"Thanks, but I really need to start cracking down and doing some training." I sat down at the table, taking a plate and breaking two biscuits on it. I then got the ladle, pouring gravy on my plate as I began to eat. "I have waited eight days, and have done nothing. They announced the battles and times yesterday and I didn't even get out to pokecenter to check."

"Its probably a good thing that you didn't." Bill shoved down the last piece of bacon. "I mean, with all those new trainers, I bet the pokecenter was packed. Besides, it's not like you need to worry about it. You are the returning champion after all, surly none of those kids are better than you."

"Bill, because I am the returning champion that means I have to watch out even more. People have been studying me like a hawk, seeing what pokemon I use and what moves they know. I have seen news reporters and trainers hiding behind me every time I go out, trying to dig up some dirt on me." I dug my fork into my plate, pulling up part of a biscuit covered in gravy. "The main reason why I haven't been training for eight days is because I was waiting and watching, seeing when the training grounds were not being used. Also, I noticed yesterday that only one reporter was behind me, all day. They must have just realized that I wasn't going to use my pokemon."

"So when do you plan on training?"

"Late and early." I said, drinking some of my favorite pop as I placed the glass bottle back down on the table. "I found an old training ground about a mile up in the woods. I used it last year with… my friend I was traveling with."

"You mean the old training grounds they had before they remodeled the league ten years ago?"

"That's the one."

"But, Kyle, they closed that off because it was very rough terrain."

"Exactly. That same terrain is what they currently use in the matches for the champion league. They just don't want anyone to know about it."

"Oh." Bill said, taking another bite of his biscuit. "I see."

Knock! Knock! Knock! We both turned. The door in the living room was being knocked on, something that we both had grown accustomed to these past few days.

"Want me to get it?" Bill asked.

"Nah, I'll go." I stood up, taking off my green apron as I walked to the door. I noticed that I had a gravy stain on the collar of my black T-shirt. My dark denim pants, however, were clean. I swear, somehow I will always end up making a mess on myself. Its like I am a magnet for food. I put my hand on the doorknob, turning it and seeing the same familiar brown cowboy hat.

"Howdy." Travis smiled with a piece of wheat in his mouth. "What'cha into today?"

I looked at him blankly for a minute. "Where do you get that wheat you are always chewing on? There isn't a wheat field around here for miles."

"Oh, this?" He asked, pulling the piece of wheat out of his mouth before putting it back in. "Ya see, back on the farm we have a ton of it. And some of my pokemon loves the stuff, so I keep it in an item holder."

"So, you and your pokemon eat grass? Nice. You have told me so much about you and your pokemon just in one sentence. Nice way of keeping your pokemon a 'surprise'." I laughed. "Besides, you might not even get the chance to fight me in the league. I might get beat, you never know."

"Oh trust me, I know." He smiled. "I gave my word to a little lady that I would win this year's league, and I know that I'm going to see you in the semi finals." He then took off his hat, showing his short dark brown almost black hair. "I have seen the way you pushed all those trainers over with one pokemon, and not just one battle, the same pokemon against seven trainers. You fought 42 pokemon with that one Scizor, and never lost a single match." He then laughed. "The bad news is that now everyone knows your strongest pokemon. That Scizor is burnt toast when I fight you."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "He isn't my strongest one, by far. And from what you just said I have figured out half of your party already."

"Oh, and what's that?" Travis narrowed his eyebrows.

"First off you have a Sandslash, I saw it that day at the hospital. Second you have a Rapidash, because it eats grass, or wheat in your case, and my Scizor is 'burnt toast' as you said." I saw him open his eyes wide as I continued. "And the last one I know of is either a Tauros or a Miltank, because both of those chew cud, or in this case, wheat, and you have a bandana around your neck that has Miltank on it."

Travis then smiled. "Well, you found out three of them. But this bandana doest have anything to do with my choice of pokemon. You see, this was a gift, from that sexy little lady that's gonna go with me with I win." He then looked up to me. "But as for you, I already know your party as well."

"Oh really?" I leaned up on the door. "Seeing as how I have 12 pokemon now and have only shown 4 of them to people since I have been here, I figure you only know one third of my party." I then stood back up, keeping my hand on the knob. "Now, is there anything else I can do for you Travis?

"Well, Have you checked your matches yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Well, neither have I. I was wondering if you wanted to go check them with me?"

"Listen, I'm not your mother. If you want someone to hold your hand while you cross the road-"

"No!" He huffed. "Just figured we could looks at um' together. You know, see when we fight."

"Hmph. Alright, but I'm eating breakfast right now. Would you like to come in? We have plenty leftovers."

"Alrighty! Thank ya!" Travis walked in the house as I shut the door behind him. He was rather tall, standing about five or so inches above me. "Wow…" His eyes widened as he looked around the room. "This place is so big!"

"You're just in the living room." I said, walking to the kitchen. "Food's in here."

I walked in and took my seat back. Bill was done, and was picking his teeth with a toothpick when Travis came in. Travis looked at Bill with a shocked look on his face. "Are you a returnin' champion too?"

"What?" Bill laughed. "No! I'm Bill, I came here with Kyle."

"Bill, huh? Hmm… sounds familiar… and you look familiar too…"

"He should." I said, giving Travis a plate as Pichu ran over to me. "He made the PC system that everyone uses. Here, get some food before this little mouse eats it all." I looked over at Pichu who had gravy caked into this fur and was plowing into the same giant biscuit he tried to eat before.

"You mean you're the Bill?" Travis jumped.

"Thanks, Kyle." Bill groaned, looking at me.

"Hey, share in the fame, ya know?" I laughed. Bill always hated the media, just as much as me. We were both people that like to stay alone, let the world do its thing and leave us out of it.

"Wow! I get to see the world famous Kyle Gray and Bill, in the same house!"

"Hey, Travis." I said, getting his attention. "Word of advice. You know we are people. Regular people. So don't treat us any differently, okay?"

"How am I supposed to treat you like those regular trainers out there? You two are rich and famous!"

"First off, we're not rich."

"Speak for yourself." Bill said, sipping on some milk.

"Second off, if you want to stick around and eat, or hang around me anymore, just listen to me. Treat us like normal people, because that's what we are. People." After that I saw Travis look down, almost like he was being scolded. He walked around the table, taking a biscuit, some gravy and then sat down at the far end.

"Umm…" He said, digging in. "The room service is great here. Taste a lot better than the stuff I have been getting."

"Thanks. I tried." I said, finishing up the last bite of mine.

"Wait." Travis looked at me. "You mean you made this?"

"Yep." I stood up, taking mine and Bill's plate over to the sink. I washed them up as Travis kept eating. By the time I was done, however, Travis was standing by the sink with his cleaned off plate. I offered to take it from him, but he shook his head.

"I'm the guest here, I'll clean up." He smiled as he began to wash his plate.

"Okay, suit yourself." I put the clean plates up as I walked over to the table, grabbing my jacket and heading for the door. I looked back, yelling to Bill. "Hey Bill."

"Yeah?"

"Me and Travis here are going to the pokecenter. Keep an eye on Pichu and make sure he doesn't eat any more sweets."

"Okay, will do!" Bill then turned around, looking at Pichu munch away on another biscuit. "You hear that, I got my eye on you." I chuckled as I watched Bill start to eye down Pichu, who then ran and hid behind the brochure that was standing up on the table.

"Ready ta' go?" Travis asked, wiping his wet hands off on his button up shirt.

"Yeah, sure." I opened the door, walking out on the porch as he joined me. On the porch I left my helmet on the swing, which I picked up. I then reached into my pocket, taking out my bike capsule and throwing it on the ground. In a big puff of smoke the bike appeared on the lawn, stickers and all.

"Oh, come on." Travis said, looking at the bike. "Don't you ever walk?"

"Walk?" I said, putting on my helmet. "That sounds too much like 'work' to me." I chuckled, raising the lid to my bike as I slid in the seat.

"Well, if you're takin' that, then I guess I'll use my ride." He pulled a pokeball off his belt as he released it on the ground. There stood a tall Rapidash, and for a minute, it reminded me of a blue one I used to know. Travis put a hand on its horn as he pulled himself up. The horse whinnied and then stood still as Travis got situated. "How about a race?" Travis said.

"Nah, sorry." I looked out to the streets. "I really wouldn't want to shoot you down before I get the chance to beat you in the ring."

"Yeah right!"

I revved the engine, taking off down the road.

***_-Scene Change-_***

As I expected, the pokecenter was vacant today. Most all the trainers were either still asleep at 9am, checked the battle times the previous day, or a combination of the two. Needless to say, Travis and I were the only ones in the pokecenter when we went in. That is, with the exception of Nurse Joy and the Chansey.

We both pulled up a seat next to two vacant computers, plugged in our information and then went to our emails. I waited for him to read his email before I typed in my password. Can't be too cautious, especially with what happened last time. I checked my email, and found a letter labeled "Pokémon League Official Battle Matrix". It read:

Dear Mr. Kyle Gray;

Attached to this document is a list of the current battles and when they will be appearing at the upcoming league. Your information has been processed and you have been selected to battle trainers that using a system that assigns at random. The information given in this document has been laid out via the format of a matrix. If you have any difficulties reading this matrix, or need additional assistance please contact or visit the Indigo Plateau Main Visitor's Office between the hours of 9am and 4pm. You will need to bring a valid ID as well as your trainer identification for verification of your entry.

Thank you and good luck in the league!

I saw the little attachment icon on the side of the email and clicked it. A processing bar came up, and then a fifty nine page document with names, lines, dashes, and times wrote out beside them. I looked over to Travis and saw him staring at the screen, scanning his eyes over and over the pages trying to figure out how they laid out. I then looked up to the Nurse Joy, who walked back in the back and the Chansy followed. I looked back to the computer and saw a little printer icon. Hmm… I wonder. I clicked the button, and heard a "Err-ka-Chhuuurrrrrr…."

We both turned to the printer on the front desk. It was beeping and … ka-churr-ing… and then, it starting spitting out papers. I looked over to Travis, who looked back to me, then we both logged out and stood up to walk over to the printer. I picked up the first page, which had the words: "Trainer ID Number 0942091 – Kyle Gray – PC Number 17 – Indigo Plateau Pokecenter – Document: League Matrix –"

"Well, what do you know." I smiled.

"Wait, you mean you can print it out?" Travis asked as he looked back to the computer. "Man, I sure wish I knew how to work one of those contraptions like you do."

"I don't know anything about it." I shrugged. "I just clicked the printer button." Before long the printer stopped spitting out paper. I grabbed them up and looked over the first few pages. "This looks like it is laid out like a map, or puzzle of some kind." I then walked over to the table and began to layout pages that lined up with one another. After a while of sorting and reading I had it all pieced together.

"Alright, so if I am reading this right, there are sixteen different buildings to battle in, and each one will have 32 people battling in them."

"Which means there's 512 people that entered this year." Travis chimed in.

I did some math on my fingers before looking back at him. "Wow, you are really good with numbers."

"Well, ya gotta be when you're a farmer."

"Alright, so, each one of those 16 buildings will have one victor, and then that victor will move on to the Champion Building, where the semi finals will be held."

"And the winner there will go on and fight the Elite Four?"

"Yep, that's right." I nodded. "And it says here on this extra paper that in the preliminaries you will only be allowed to use three pokemon per battle. In the semi finals, however, you can use all six."

"Don't cha you already know this stuff?" Travis asked. "I mean, you did come here last year."

"Yeah I did, but this is different. The Johto League does things differently than the Kanto. Last year we all fought in three buildings, with over two hundred in each building."

"Oh, I see. Well, lets see where we are."

We both examined the papers, darting our eyes back and forth over the lines, struggling to find our names. Lets see, Kyle Gray, Kyle Gray… where am I? "A-ha!" I said, pointing my finger down on building number 16. "There I am. Looks like my first fight is in five days, on the 14th at 10:20am. And then I'll fight again at 12:40, one at 3:00 and then the last one at 5:20." I looked over at Travis. "How about you, what does yours look like?"

"Hmm. Mine is in building number 12, and I think everyone fights at the same times."

"Why do you think that?" I asked.

"Because the same times you called off to me are the times I'm fighting."

"That's strange." I said, looking down at the fight times, but sure enough, they were. "Hmm…" My eyes then darted around the charts again. "Where is he?"

"Who are you looking for?" Travis asked, looking over my shoulder.

"Name's Lance."

"Oh, that guy." Travis groaned. "He's over there, in building 1."

"Wow, really?" I scanned my eyes over to that chart.

"Yeah, that guy's been bragging since yesterday about how he's in the first spot of the first building, and he is going to pull out as number one in the finals."

"Hmph. I take it you don't like the guy?"

"Nah… he's really stuck up." He then spat out his chewed up piece of wheat. "That guy thinks he's all that, ya know?"

"Yeah, I know." I smiled, folding up the papers as I held them under my arm. "He used to be the leader of the Elite Four."

"Wha?" Travis jumped. "Not that guy!"

"Yep. And I'll tell you what, he's all hot air."

"Well, Kyle." Travis said as we walked out of the pokecenter. "I got to head on back and train. Thanks for helping me though." He released his Rapidash as he climbed on.

"Yeah, no problem." I said, throwing out my bike as the cloud of smoke appeared. I raised the hood, slipped on my helmet and waved to him as we both took off. Him, taking a shortcut to the training ground, and me heading back to the house.

***_-Scene Change-_***

To Bill's dismay I kept to my word. I didn't cook for the next five days, instead my pokemon and I were on a strict training schedule. I trained Pichu inside all day and then worked with my other pokemon through the night in the abandoned training ground, the one that me and Shonna used last year. I must admit, the place brought back memories, memories that only made my heart hurt. But, it was the only place I could train in seclusion.

As the days grew closer to the tournament I saw less and less of Travis. I wasn't sure if that was part of his plan in the 'perfect strategies of winning' or if he was just too busy to stop by. Either way, even if he did show up, I was much to busy to shoot the breeze. Training had taken up all of the five days that was left, and with the training, I grew closer with my pokemon. Kabutops was just starting to learn how to channel his touchy-feely qualities to battles, and Scizor seemed to almost enjoy my company now. Pichu increased his speed and dodging ability tremendously, and Umbreon kept impressing me more and more with his Last Resort. Gyarados, Pidgeot, Arcanine, and Dragonite needed little to no training, but I still brought them out and let them get some exercise. Beedrill preferred to train with Typhlosion, for whatever reason, and Raticate, well, he wasn't much on battling at all. All he did was sit around and snicker when one of my pokemon missed an attack and ran into a tree.

Never the less, time seemed to pass through my fingers, and before long it was the big day. Trainers were everywhere, lining up outside of the buildings hiding in the pokecenter, doing some last minute preparations before the long day of fighting. I had already healed my pokemon the day before, so there wasn't any need to stop in the pokecenter yet. Besides that, they allotted two hours for healing between the battles, so I would go during that time if I needed to.

I followed the map I printed out that day that me and Travis went to the pokecenter. "Lets see, building 16… building 16…" I followed the map, which led me to the giant arena behind the food court.

"Pi! Pi-cha!" Pichu said, climbing over my shoulder and pointing at a hotdog stand. "Pi-chu!"

"Pichu, you just had a pop tart before we left. You'll have to wait till lunch to eat like everyone else."

"Pi…" He huffed, draping his self over my shoulder and letting his paws fall into the front pocket of my green jacket.

When I walked in the building I noticed right away how small the rings were. There were 16 in total, and each one was the size of a small gym ring, which were all located in the center of the building. Around the walls were rows of benches, and also a few booths where people were selling little souvenirs, as well as other things. Hmm… I thought. With the size of the rings it limits me and my choice of pokemon. Arcanine and Dragonite would be pushing it in a ring this small, and Gyarados is crap out luck. Kabutops needs room to be able to effectively use his attacks, but I guess I could use him if I got in a pinch.

"Attention trainers!" An announcer said over the speaker system that was stationed in the four corners of the giant room. "The first match will begin in 10 minutes. Please, all trainers make their way to their rings." The announcer went quiet for a little bit as I began to walk to ring 7, but then he chimed back in. "Also, we are currently taking bets on the winning three people. All bets must be made before the end of the first round."

"What?" I jumped, watching people pile around the announcer guy and his booth. "They are allowing teenagers to gamble?" I sighed. "Well, what else should I expect from Johto? They also allow prostitution and distribution of drugs to minors." I turned my back to the group as I made my way to ring 7. Ahead of me I saw a boy, probably 12 or so, standing beside my ring. He was leaned up on the small stage, with some pre-teen girls hanging all over him. I walked by him, rolling my eyes as he turned to face me.

"Hey, you." He said, looking at me as I walked up to my side of the stage.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Is that little mouse the best you got?" He huffed. "Man, that means I'm going to get mouse guts all over my white shoes." He picked up his feet, showing off his white leather shoes, which was only complemented by the white cap he had turned around backwards on his head. He was also wearing dark baggy jeans that hung down far too low, showing off his striped boxers that were hanging out of his pants. His hoodie wasn't any better. Black, baggy, and tucked in under his boxers of all things.

"Oh, hehehe." The girls giggled as they hugged him more.

"Yeah, it sure is hard to clean out blood from these clothes." He smiled, wrapping an arm around one of the girls.

"Oh, you wont have to worry." I smiled. "Your team's blood will be caked on there so thick you wont be able to see anything else."

"What was that you little maggot?" He screamed, shaking his fist at me as he spun around.

"Better hurry up, show's about to start."

"You'll pay for that!" He screamed as he ran on his side of the stage.

Before long a referee came over to our stage when a buzzer went off. "HOOONNNKKKKK!" The air horn sounded as the announcer picked up the microphone again. "We will now begin with the first matches. If you are not at your rings by the time I am done with my announcement, you will be disqualified and be forced to forfeit. This will be a three on three match. No trainer may switch out during this time, if they do it will count as a knocked out pokemon. Referee's, you may…" There was a long pause as the announcer grabbed the air horn again. I watched the kid on the other end of our ring start to pour with sweat. He gripped his pokeball tight, gritting his teeth as he looked at me. This is so strange. I know I guess I should be nervous, or something, but I'm not. "BEGIN! HOOOOONNNNNNNKKKKKKKKK!"

The referee looked at me, then to the kid. "Who would like to begin?"

"You can." I motioned to the kid.

"No!" He screamed back. "You make the first move! I'm going to cream you in your first match! You wont even make it to the next round."

"Suit yourself." I looked over to Pichu, who was on my shoulder. "Why don't you show him what you're made of?"

"Pi-chu!" He squeaked, pumping his arms as he leaped on the stage.

"I knew it!" The boy called out. "But I also know that electric have no effect on grass type!" He released the pokeball in his hand, and out came a pokemon that I never thought I would see in a league competition.

"Meta-Meta… Metapod!" The bug pokemon spoke as he rocked back and fourth in his hard cocoon.

"Phfftt…" I bit my lip, trying to hold in my laugher, but couldn't. "Bwa-hahaha!" I rolled on the ground.

"What?" The boy screamed. "What? What's your problem?"

"Oh! Ha-ah!" Oh my gosh! Ha!" I choked on my words as I tried to stand. "First off, electric attacks do less damage to grass, but it's not immune to it. And second, that's a freakin' bug type, and not just any bug type, it's one of the weakest!"

"Oh yeah! We'll show you!" The boy pointed out his finger as he issued a command. "Use Harden!"

"Phfft…" I cracked up again.

"Meta…" Metapod began to get a clear white shimmer on it as its skin became harder.

"Pichu, use a Thunder Bolt." I laughed out, still trying to find my breath. I was laughing so hard that I couldn't even keep my eyes open when Pichu attacked. A white light took over the stage and when it was over Metapod laid there on its side, burnt to a crisp.

"Oh no! Metapod!" The boy cried out, recalling his pokemon.

"Blue side, one point!" The referee called out as he held up a flag to my side. "Red side, zero." He then held up a red flag to the kid's side.

"Not for long! That rat is dead! Go!" The boy released his next pokemon, which went in the air as the red light around it dissipated.

"Pidge!" The Pidgeotto called out as it flapped its wings in the air.

I looked at the kid confused. "How… How did you…"

"Evolve my pokemon?" He asked, turning away with a grin on his face.

"No." I shook my head. "How did you even win a gym match? That has got to be the worst swap I have ever seen."

"I don't need to fight a gym." He smiled. "I got my certification from Ecruteak City Pokemon School!"

"Well, I'd ask for your money back."

"Ha! Shows what you know, stupid! That school is a public school."

"Oh… so that explains it."

"You butthead! You're going down! Pidgeotto! Wing Attack!"

"Pichu… just shock it."

Pidgeotto called out a fearsome cry as it flew into the air. It circled around up near the steel rafters of the building, swooping down as its wings began to glow a bright white. It closed in on Pichu, who just stared up at it oddly. He even tilted his head, looking at the bird like "What are you doing?". As Pidgeotto grew closer, I watched as Pichu began to build up energy. When the wing struck him, he released the stored energy into Pidgeotto, reversing the attack and sizzling the bird. It fell to the ground, feathers smoking. "Pi?" Pichu tilted his head and looked at the bird before poking it with his foot. The bird didn't move, but was recalled by its trainer.

"Blue side, two points!" The referee called. "Red side, zero!"

The kid then grit his teeth. "Alright then, no more Mr. Nice Guy. This is my strongest one. Go!"

I watched as his last pokemon stood on the field. "You know what?" I said. "I take it back. That Pidgeotto wasn't the worst swap I've seen. You just topped yourself."

"Poli?" The Poliwhirl said, tilting his head as he looked at me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" The boy screamed.

"Argg…" I groaned, turning away as I waved my hand. "Pichu, I'm tired of this kid. Use Volt Tackle." And before the kid could say another word I heard Poliwhirl hit the ground.

"First match over!" The referee said. "Blue side, score three. Red size, score zero!"

Pichu ran and jumped on my shoulder as I walked off the stage, leaving the boy screaming and cursing over his lose.

***_-Scene Change-_***

The rest of the matches that day went the same way. I only had to use one pokemon for each match. First up was Pichu, second I used Umbreon, third was Pidgeot, fourth up was Typhlosion, and fifth I used Beedrill. Nearly all of the trainers in my building were ones that got their pokemon degree from a school, and then entered in the league that way. A few were trainers, and they were a bit tougher, but I knew that the true challenge waited the next day.

It was 5:20 when my last match of the day was done. Beedrill had just put the whoopin' on an Ivysaur, Houndoom, and a Snorlax, which was a stupid last move. The pokemon was so large it took up the whole ring, and got stuck, which made my victory that much easier.

I walked out of the door, and saw the sun setting behind the food court in front of me. "So how'd it go?" I heard a voice say from behind. I jumped, looking to see Travis leaning up against the wall of building number 16. "I take's that ya' won?"

"Yeah." I chuckled. "How about you?"

"Was there ever a doubt in your mind?" He huffed. "Yep, I actually got out early because a guy went the to the bathroom and didn't get back in time, so they disqualified him."

"Wow, that sucks for him." I laughed.

"I would have won anyway." Travis then turned to look at me. "Hey, they already updated the battles for tomorrow."

"How are they laid out?"

"Building one's winner fights at the first spot with building number two's winner. Then three and four, and five and six, and so on like that."

"Are they all at the same time?" I asked.

"Nah. This time they go in order, with only a ten minute break in-between."

"Ouch." I then thought about this. "Wait, that means that you fight, then I fight, then we fight each other."

"Yep, it sure does." Travis smiled. "Well Kyle, I'm gonna head back home. Get a good night's rest in."

"Yeah, I guess I should too." I watched as he pulled out his pokeball, releasing his Rapidash and taking off. I sighed, reaching in my pocket as I took out the capsule for my bike. I pushed the button, throwing it on the ground as I hopped into the seat and drove down the road to the pokecenter.

***_-Scene Change-_***

When I got to the center Nurse Joy took my pokemon, healed them, and then checked my e-mail. Sure enough, what Travis said was true. The e-mail said that all 16 of the winning competitors have to be preset at the Main Champion Battle Arena at 8am sharp tomorrow morning. There will be no set times for battles, and all battles will be six on six. So all trainers must show up. If they are not present they will be disqualified.

I logged out of my account, walked through the sliding doors, and hopped on my bike again. Pichu was still in the cup holder when I lifted the lid and sit down. He was acting like he was driving the bike, like he always use to do back in Kanto. I smiled, revving the engine and taking off down the road. It was late, and I really do need to get my sleep. After all, tomorrow is a big day.