Disclaimer: I don't own Poke'Mon, though I wish I did.. I do own original
characters in this story, however.

Chapter II- PreTournament Preparations.

" Bruno masters in fighting and rock type Poke'Mon, and is a very powerful physical attacker.. " Maikeru's voice carried through the room mundanely as Maikeru rather boredly read online reports on the Elite Four on the hotel computer. With a sudden snap, the hotel door opened to reveal Sataku, causing Maikeru to jump slightly as he turned to look to him.
" I just can't get in to talk to Crimson.. " sighed Sataku as Maikeru walked over after logging off of the computer.
" They keep saying he's busy and cannot be disturbed until the tournament begins. Guess there's nothing left to do but prepare.. ". Maikeru put a hand to his friends shoulder then, replacing his hand back into his jacket pocket, he gave a mild yawn.
" I've been up all night studying.. Where's Kokoro, by the way? " Maikeru asked, rubbing his eyes and mumbling slightly. Sataku paled slightly after giving a chuckle and then a small sigh.
" He's.. enjoying the sights the Poke'Mon League Stadium has to offer.. " Maikeru's eyes widened slightly, then, after a short laugh, thought of his friend Kokoro with slight disgust.
" Well, he sure seems confident.. "

" That will be §2,500, sir, " the booth worker said pleasently. Kokoro happily handed over the mentioned money. He had just finished stocking up on souveneirs, including a Poke'Mon League hat, and several gifts for family members. He had the gifts sent up to his hotel room, then went to the outskirts of the Stadium into a grove of trees to train his Poke'Mon for the big day the next morning..
" Well, I guess it's time to begin. Come, Blaziken.. "

" Sir, a letter has arrived addressed to a Maikeru Tannou from a certain.. Sakura Kirei. " Maikeru, who stood in the doorway listening to the deliverer who gave him the letter, instantly grew a slightly shade of pink, but he quickly controlled himself and seemed indifferent as to the whole letter. He left the man with a few § and bid him leave.
" Hm.. " Maikeru thought with a smile. " Guess she made it.
" The young man instantly opened the letter, and it read :

' Maikeru! I knew that you would be here.. I've looked forward to seeing you again, so please, meet me at the Seibutsu Cafe on the East wing
of the stadium at 6:00 P.M. so that we can catch up.
Your friend,
Sakura '

Folding the letter and throwing the envelope away, Maikeru sat at the desk in thought.. His watch read 3:00.. Sataku and Kokoro were already out for the evening preparing for the following day, the First Round of the tournament. Maikeru grabbed his bag and walked out the door..

Quickly leaping to it's right, the Espeon avoiding the onslaught of the Graveler's Rollout attack.
" Now, finish it with a Psybeam! " a deep voice yelled, and the Poke'Mon obeyed as it's opponent, Graveler, veered of course and clumsily attempted to right itself back towards the Espeon. A large flash of light gleamed from the crystal upon the psychic creature's head as it impaled and engulfed the enemy rock-type. After a few seconds, the beam faded away to reveal a passed out and somewhat burned Graveler. The opposing trainer, disheartened, recalled his Poke'Mon and give the victor a reluctant congratulations. Sataku pet his Espeon absently as he looked to the afternoon sky, lost in his thoughts after acheiving his victory.
" Good work, Espeon.. Let's find someone else to train against.. "

A large, fiery red Blaziken was caught in a fierce grappling match with a ferocious Nidoking, each imposing ones strength upon the other to gain the upper hand. After long, long minutes of seemingly no change what so ever, the trainer told them to stop, and gave both Poke'Mon food and encouraging words.
" I think that's enough training for today. You've made me proud, all of you have. I really feel that I can trust you to do your best tomorrow and for the rest of the tournament.. Show your strength to the world.. Win or lose, I'm proud to have you as my friends..
" With a slight sigh, Kokoro watched the beautiful red sunset, blue eyes gleaming in the dimming light of the sun, eyes tearing up just slightly. Suddenly, above the stadium into the somewhat reddish and then somewhat blueish skies, a huge myriad of bright colours flew and flickered through the skies, loud noises signaling the use of fireworks. It was a special salute to the beginning of the League Championship the following morning.. Kokoro and his faithful Poke'Mon watched the magnificant sight, as elsewhere, Maikeru went to meet his friend..

" 7:57. The firework show starts in three minutes.. " mumbled Maikeru absently to himself as he checked his watch, boots thudding slight along the hard concrete street towards the cafe in which he was supposed to meet Sakura..
" Mai-kun! " called a voice over the dull roar of the other people. Snapping out of his thoughts, Maikeru ran to his friend with a smile.

" It's good to see you, Saku-chan. " Maikeru said after he returned the hug his friend had given him, quite without warning. " It's good to see you! I was getting worried you went and got weak on me.. " said Sakura with a small smile and a wink. Somewhat embarassedly, Maikeru muttered
" Nah, not me.. " Sakura would have liken taken Maikeru's embarassment to her advantage if the fireworks hadn't suddenly began.
" Oh, wow! Look at them, Mai-kun! " gasped Sakura in awe. It was a fairly well-known fact that the traditional fireworks display before each tournament was the very best in Kanto.. Everyone, it seemed, was enthralled in the sparkling colours sizzling in the sky, exploding into vast shades of colours.. Maikeru became inspired even more to win this tournament.. He needed to go somewhere desolate to train sometime tonight.. He would enjoy Sakura's company, though, for the time being.. Tomorrow was a big day.