DISCLAIMER: Don't own Pokemon, do own this story

Chapter 3 now, and the tournament gets underway...

Chapter 3: The First Round

The next morning Ash, Misty and Brock went out to the reception, where the players were all deciding their opponents for the first round. Ash walked up to the desk. 'I'm here to choose my opponent' he said.

'OK, all you have to do is press this button when you feel ready and the random selector will slow down and eventually stop. The person whos photograph is on the screen will be your opponent. 'OK' said Ash. The screen started showing random photos, all going at a quick pace. Ash pressed the button. 'And your first opponent is...' said the receptionist. '...Tai Kitano.' 'I guess that's the guy I'm gonna beat' said Ash. 'Your match takes place in Stadium B at 2pm. Good Luck!' said the receptionist.

2pm arrived. Ash could feel the tension. He was sitting in the changing room when his rival came in to meet him. 'I'm Tai' said Tai. 'And I'm Ash' said Ash. They both shook hands. 'May the best man win' said Tai as he went away to his tunnel. Ash walked up to the entrance with Pikachu by his side.

'And welcome to the 3rd match of the 1st round of the Pokemon World Cup!' said the commentator. 'It's the battle of the Japanese as Yokohama's very own Tai Kitano takes on Pallet Town's Ash Ketchum. And here they are, entering the stadium to deafening roars from this amazing crowd gathered here today to witness what is a keenly-awaited contest between these two local champions.' The referee came up to them. 'OK, 3 Pokemon each, first to two victories wins.' 'Right' they both said as they shook hands.

'They go to their ends and the referee asks them to choose their Pokemon. Ash goes for...Bulbasaur and Tai chooses...Bellsprout. Grass vs grass, this could be interesting. Anyway, the ref starts the match and we're away!'

'Bulbasaur, vine whip!' said Ash. 'Bulbasaur goes forward and does an incredible vine whip but Bellsprout blocks it with his own vines. Bellsprout goes ahead with a razor leaf and does some damage to Bulbasaur. Oooh, he really felt that one. Bulbasaur performs his counter-attack and it's...leech seed! This could be dangerous for Bellsprout...anyway here it comes...he's gathering energy...and performs a spectacular attack. It's draining all of Bellspout's energy...He's down on the floor!' The referee holds up the green flag. 'Bellsprout is out. Ash wins round 1!'

'A spectacular start to the match as Ash takes the first round. 1-0 to Ash. Now, who is Tai going to use next. He's going for...a Raichu. Another interesting clash.' 'Agility!' said Tai. 'Tai goes first in this battle. Raichu is confusing Bulbasaur and he takes some damage.' 'No!' said Ash 'Razor leaf, Bulbasaur.'

'Bulbasaur hits back with a razor leaf. He hits Raichu hard but Raichu returns the favour with a thundershock, his most powerful attack. This could be the end for Bulbasaur.' Misty and Brock were sitting on the benches near Ash. 'Oh dear,' said Brock, 'This is bad.' 'Bulbasaur on the floor. The referee comes up and holds the red flag, declaring victory for Tai. 1-1. It's all down to the final battle. One will go through to the 2nd round of the tournament, one will fall at the first hurdle. Ash chooses...Pikachu! This is going to be a spectacular final round. The crowd are up for this. Pikachu walks out onto the battleground...and kicks off with a thunderbolt attack. Raichu isn't touched at all. Raichu comes forward with electric shock and Pikachu is damaged by it but he gets back up and does another agility. Raichu is confused. Look at Pikachu go!'

Both Pokemon were getting increasingly weaker. It was all down to which one would fall first. 'Pikachu seems the weaker of the two Pokemon as he gathers every last bit of energy to perform one more attack!' 'Pikachu, THUNDERSHOCK!' said Ash. '...Pikachu tries his hardest...and...WOW! Lights up the whole stadium with his power! Raichu is gonna be badly damaged by this one. The light clears...and Raichu is on the floor. The ref comes up and...holds the GREEN flag up. 'Ash wins the battle and goes through to the 2nd round!' confirmed the referee. 'AND THERE IT IS! The green flag, meaning Ash has won the battle! WHAT a spectacular end to the battle and WHAT a great start for Ash Ketchum! His coaches come onto the area to celebrate and what spectacular scenes here as Ash wins 2-1, taking him through to the next round.'

'Hmmph...anyone would think he won the tournament' said Gary Oak, Ash's arch-rival as he watched from the stands. Back on the ground. Ash goes up to shake hands with Tai. 'Great match Tai' said Ash. 'Congratulations, Ash, you deserve it' said Tai as he walked off. '...And so, Ash is through to the second round,' said the commentator. 'And it was a brilliant victory too. We'll have to keep watch of him and see how far he progresses...'

That's the end of chapter 3. Sorry for the shortness, it'sjust I can't really think of what else to go in there. He has the battle and he wins the battle. Anyway, keep on, the story'sjust getting exciting. Oh yeah, R and Rtoo:D