Rayquaza45: Hi there readers, sorry for taking a long time getting this chapter up, but a thunderstorm knocked out my internet and I couldn't do anything about it. But, that's all in the past! The chapter is here for you to read. Please remember to review at the end of the chapter. The decreasing number of reviews I get makes me feel sad :(

Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon or any of its concepts.

Chapter 6: The Second Preliminary Round

Ash got furious. "We've just teamed up with complete stranger! We had to set differences aside and fight to win! Now we have to eliminate our own partners to proceed?"

"That's correct." The referee said with a voice that made Ash want to have Pikachu use volt tackle on him.

"That's insane."

"You're free to withdraw if you want."

"Ash." Landon said, trying to calm him down. "That's just how it is. We have to follow through with the rules."

Ash seemed almost offended. "You're agreeing to this?"

"I don't like it anymore than you do." He explained. "But the tournament is why we're here. We need to go on through."

"Whatever." Ash conceded.

In a room of the Battle Tower, Brendan Birch, having come to terms with the rule, prepared to battle his original partner, Sean. Their old opponents had left and the match was to begin as soon as the referee entered.

"This will be a 1 on 1 match." The referee said. "Trainers must use the same pokemon used in the previous round."

Brendan sent his Swampert back out while Sean did the same with his Hypno. Their pokemon had been exhausted from the last round, why were they required to use them again?

"Let the battle begin!"

Brendan assumed an intimidating pose. "Swampert get in close and grab Hypno!"

"Hypno!" Sean yelled. "Avoid Swampert and attack with confusion when you get the chance."

"Hypno." The hypnosis pokemon said as it jumped around, trying to dodge Swampert's repeated attacks. Finally achieving the optimum degree of closeness between the two, in addition to having charged up, Hypno used its confusion. The attack collided with Swampert and created a cloud of dust around the mud fish pokemon. Eventually, the dust cleared and Swampert stood, having only been scratched and not significantly affected in any way.

"It's nothing, Swampert!" Brendan shouted. "You're close enough, use hydro cannon!"

"Swampert." The mud fish pokemon yelled as it scored a direct hit with its powerful attack, sending the hypnosis pokemon flying and eventually landing on its back.

"Hypno, get up." Sean shouted, visibly worried about his pokemon.

"Hyp…..no." It said as it struggled to get up.

"Do you wanna go on?" Sean asked, having his question met with a head nod. "Then get in close and use headbutt!"

The hypnosis pokemon ran up to its opponent in order to attack it and end the battle, only to have its headbutt attack dodged.

"Swampert! Use superpower!" Brendan commanded. Hypno turned around only to see Swampert preparing to attack.

"Swampert!" The mud fish pokemon shouted as it activated its attack. Swampert's body became surrounded in a light blue aura. It then picked up a large rock and threw it at its opponent. Hypno could not stand up to the attack.

"Hypno is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Swampert is the winner and goes on to the third preliminary round."

Having recalled and thanked their pokemon, Brendan and Sean met up again in the middle of the field and parted ways after sharing a handshake.

In another room of the Battle Tower, a fight had been raging on between Ash Ketchum's Pikachu and a Staryu belonging to his former partner, Landon, with both pokemon having already sustained injuries. Despite the type disadvantage, Staryu was putting up a good fight against Pikachu.

"Pikachu!" Ash said. "Use quick attack!"

"Staryu, use water gun." Landon ordered.

Pikachu, using its incredible speed, managed to avoid Staryu's water attack and slam into it with its own attack. Staryu stood up once again but was clearly having trouble moving.

"Pikachu, Staryu can't move!" Ash shouted. "Let's finish it off with thunderbolt."

"Pika…chuuuuu" The electric mouse pokemon screamed as it launched the attack at the immobilized Staryu, sending its former partner flying, but not yet knocking it unconscious.

"It's still not down?" Ash questioned.

Landon started panicking. "Staryu, use water pulse!"

"Pikachu, dodge it."

As the stream of water chased the electric mouse across the field, its trainer came up with a final plan.

"Pikachu! Jump over Staryu!" Ash ordered.

"Pika?" The mouse said as it obeyed its trainer and jumped over the sparkling core pokemon.

"Now!" Ash started. "Use volt tackle from where you are in the air!"

"PikaPikaPika... Pi-ka" The electric mouse repeated as it slammed into its opponent with the force of its attack as well as the gravity aiding it on its way down from the air. The force of the shock was enough to knock Staryu out.

"Staryu is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Pikachu is the winner and goes on to the third preliminary round."

In the middle of the field, Ash met up with Landon. Landon having recalled Staryu, and thanking it, was feeling upset.

"It was a good battle, Ash." Landon admitted.

Ash sadly nodded. "I'm sorry it had to end like this."

"Me too." Landon said before starting to laugh. "You'd better go out there win it all."

"That's why I'm here" Ash said, clinching his fist.

In another room of the Battle Tower, Brock had engaged in a battle with his former partner, Geki. Brock's Steelix and Geki's Ursaring were less concerned about fighting their former partners than their trainers previously were and had been attacking each other relentlessly, sometimes without being ordered to do so.

"Steelix, use iron tail!" Brock ordered.

"Ursaring!" Geki shouted. "Get around it and use focus punch!"

Ursaring was not able to dodge Steelix's powerful and wide spread iron tail attack and was sent flying back into the wall, ultimately crashing into it, leaving and dent and getting knocked out.

"Ursaring is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Steelix is the winner and goes on to the third preliminary round."

Having recalled their pokemon, Brock and Geki met up at the exit of the arena.

"Thanks a lot ref." Geki, said sarcastically under his breath.

"Hey Geki, you did a good job." Brock told him.

"Well thanks for not holding back against me just cause I'm younger than you." Geki said.

Brock started laughing. "I could never teach anyone anything if I did like that."

In another room of the Battle Tower, Leaf Green had annihilated her former partners Machop.

"Machop is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Venusaur is the winner and goes on to the third preliminary round."

"I think you've got a good shot at victory." Miranda said.

Leaf smiled. "Thanks a lot, but if I'm gonna win there's gonna be a tough opponent for me to face."

In yet another room of the Battle Tower, May prepared to face her former partner Kimmy and her Vileplume with her Blaziken.

"Don't think for a second that I'm going to go easy on you!" May said.

Kimmy laughed. "I was just about to say the same to you!"

"Blaziken! Use flame thrower!"

"Vileplume, dodge it!"

Even as the blaze pokemon chased the flower pokemon around the field, continuously spraying its powerful flamethrower all around, one trainer started getting smug after her pokemon leapt over the other.

"Vileplume! Use stun spore!" Kimmy shouted.

"Vileplume." The flower pokemon shouted as it released the spores over the defenseless Blaziken.

"Blaaaaze." Mays pokemon yelled as it fell victim to the stun spore, rendering it nearly unable to move

"Blaziken!" May shouted. "Can you fight?"

The blaze pokemon nodded as it stood up and put up its fists, answering Mays question.

"Guess that paralysis isn't 100% effective!" May said. "Okay, Blaziken. Use sky uppercut!"

"Blaze!" It shouted as is rushed towards the flower pokemon is a dash of speed too fast for Kimmy to react. Both of Blaziken's fists began to glow light blue and the blaze pokemon smashed Vileplume straight into the air. Eventually coming back down, Vileplume tried to stand up but found it was unable to do so and collapsed on the floor.

"Vileplume is unable to battle." The referee announced. "Blaziken is the winner and goes on to the third preliminary round."

Later on, recalling their pokemon and congratulating each other, May and Kimmy met up with each other at the arena exit.

"If I had to lose to anyone, I guess I'm glad it was you." Kimmy said.

"Thanks a lot." May replied.

"You're gonna go far."

May smiled. "That's the plan."

In yet another room of the Battle Tower, Gary Oak had managed to annihilate a Weavile belonging to his former partner Sara. His Electivire's attacks and his own tactical skill had proved to be too much for the sharp claw pokemon to handle, who was knocked out quite quickly.

In a room of the Battle Tower that had held the battle between Dawn, her partner Ross and their opponents, a battle had been determined to be unnecessary by the referee.

"Because Hitmonlee was knocked out alongside the losers in the last round, Piplup goes on to the next round."

"What?" Dawn asked. "Can't he just choose another pokemon?"

"Unfortunately, no." The referee said.

"But that's-"

"Dawn, its okay." Ross said.

Dawn was surprised. "What are you saying?"

"I'm upset about not going to the next round. Sure." Ross explained. "But if I chose another pokemon, then Piplup would be at a disadvantage."

"It's just so unreasonable." Dawn whined. "I can choose another one too."

Ross shrugged. "That's just how it is. Good luck in the tournament."

As Ross left the arena, Dawn simply waved goodbye to him.

On the ground floor, the winning trainers were hanging out as the losing trainers had already left the tower. Gary and Leaf were the first member of the group to arrive while Ash, Brendan, Brock, May and Dawn came down afterwards. As the gang met up with each other, preparing to share stories, Wallace returned to the stage, having escaped the fangirls who chased him.

"Congratulations to the 64 trainers who have passed the first two preliminary rounds." He said.

Amidst the cheering winners, Wallace raised his hand to silence them, needing to explain more.

"Your third and final preliminary round begins tomorrow." He announced. "Please return to the Battle Tower tomorrow at 12:00 noon for the battles. A no-show will be treated as a withdrawal from the tournament."

Back at Leaf's vacation house at 3:00pm, the gang began sharing the stories of their victory. Ash explained his victory and anger towards the rules. Leaf explained her easy wins while Gary did the same, regarding his match against his partner. Despite her victory, Dawn was more upset than one would have thought, as she explained her lack of a second round battle.

"So when Hitmonlee was knocked out, the referee said Ross had to leave. They wouldn't have even let him choose another pokemon to battle me with." Dawn said.

Gary, being the one sitting next to her, put his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"Piplup was already tired from the battle, if he'd chosen another pokemon; you would've been at a disadvantage." He said.

"I know but still, I could've…."

"Now you have the chance to go further on in the tournament." Gary revealed.

"I guess." She reluctantly said.

Several moments of silence later, Brock stood up and left his pokeballs on the table.

"Well, I've got some business to take care of." He said. "I'll be back later."

He left as fast as he could, not even explaining where he was going or answering anyone else's questions.

"Where's he going?" Leaf asked.

Ash smiled. "I think I have a good idea."

The Olivine City gym was run by the gym leader, Jasmine. She was somewhat of a quiet individual most of the time but she was known for being bold and serious when the time was right. After Brock entered the gym, he looked around and couldn't fine any trace of the light-brown haired gym leader.

"Maybe she's not here." He thought to himself.

Just then, a figure leaped from the ceiling and right in front of Brock.

"Welcome to the Olivine City gym." It said. "I'm the leader Jasmine."

Brock simply stood there, staring at her and fantasizing.

"Hey, haven't we met before?"

"Absolutely right! I'm Brock and I have met you before in both Johto and Sinnoh and I was wondering if-"

"You're not here to challenge the gym?"

"No I'm here for the challenge of a woman's heart and nothing is here to stop me me."

"Well, you're obviously not shy."

"No and you're obviously willing to-"

"Hey. I remember you. Your name is Brock; you traveled with that Pikachu boy." She realized.

"Yes, that's absolutely right; And speaking of electric pokemon, how about I Raichu a poem an-"

"Sorry, Brock, if that's what you're here for, but the thing is, I'm already seeing someone." She said.

"What?"

"He's a guy from Hoenn who comes to Olivine City every little while to research rocks and other minerals. I met him and-"

The whole world was crashing around Brock as she spoke those words. Jasmine was half of his reason for coming to Olivine and his heart may very well have been telling him to go home. Though not by her words, but by its interpretation of the situation.

"There's no need to explain, I was just wondering if you…."

"I'm sorry if you just-"

"No need to explain anything." Brock said, his voice verging on cracking.

"Brock, I-"

"It's alright." The shut eyed trainer said as he turned his back on the gym, exiting the door and not once looking back. As he left, the light-brown haired gym leader just sighed and turned around.

"Brock, six months ago I'd….."

Back at Leaf's vacation house, Brendan was sitting on the couch, reading the newspaper. At that time, Gary walked in.

"Hey! Gary!" Brendan said. "Here we go again."

He took a page out of the newspaper and showed it to Gary.

Gary read over the ad. "Free massage…with the purchase of a bottle of lemonade?"

"It keeps showing up everywhere!" Brendan shouted. "It's like one of those numerical enigmas."

In the attic, as Leaf was searching through all the junk, Dawn May confronted her.

"Leaf." May said. "We need to talk."

Leaf was surprised. "About what?"

"We got the safe open that you showed us last week." Dawn explained. "We asked Brendan and Gary to get it open and when we got it back, the top had been welded shut. I'm guessing that they had one of their pokemon do it."

"What exactly was in that safe that'd make Gary and Brendan try to keep it a secret from us?" May asked.

Leaf put her head down. "You really want to know?"

"Yes."

"We wouldn't have asked otherwise."

"Alright, then." Leaf started. "It was a picture of me, Gary and Ash from when we were kids."

"Picture!" They both said at the same time.

"Yeah, a picture." Leaf said, not knowing why they were surprised.

"Why would Brendan and Gary try to hide that from us?" May asked.

Leaf started blushing, making her look even cuter than before. "I don't know if Brendan knew the details….but in that picture, I kissed Ash."

"WHAT!"

"You're joking!"

"No I'm not. Back when we lived in Pallet Town as kids, Ash, Gary and I were together all the time. In some ways, Ash and I were something more."

Dawn was puzzled. "Something…more?"

"I still don't believe it!" May said.

"When we were like 8 years old, we took a picture together and I kissed Ash on the cheek when he wasn't looking." She went on. "I left that picture in the safe here in the attic because I hardly ever come here and I wanted to keep it a secret."

"Being attracted to someone isn't a crime." May laughed.

"I know it's not a crime." Leaf said, while continuing to blush. "But childhood crushes are always embarrassing."

"True enough." Dawn said, reassuringly.

"When you asked me what was in the safe, I didn't want to open it so I said I didn't know to make you lose interest. Guess that worked out well, huh?"

"Not only because you said you didn't know but that it was nothing important." Dawn said.

"Did I say that?" Leaf started laughing as well.

"Yeah." Dawn said. "You didn't know what was in it and yet you said 'it' was nothing important."

Leaf covered her face with her hands. "How careless of me."

"So what else?" May asked.

"Well eventually we left on our pokemon journeys and hadn't seen each other till that night last week." Leaf said. "People gossip and say I've always been kind of a flirt, but Ash is different from any other guy I've ever known. He was always so energetic and upbeat. It was enticing, even when we were kids."

"I get that." May said.

"When I saw him again, he was just so quiet and reserved." Leaf continued. "I've been trying to bring him out of his shell, but I think I've been making it worse."

"So that's why he's been so quiet recently." Dawn reasoned. "Maybe he's just embarrassed around you. You make him feel stuff."

"That's what I thought, so I tested out that theory last Sunday and I think that my theory is pretty much confirmed when I think about it now." Leaf concluded.

"I guess it's gonna take all of us to work something out for now." May decided.

"So anyways, about the safe…." Dawn started, hoping someone else would finish.

"Well I can't exactly blame you for being curious." Leaf said. "I probably would've broken it myself if I were in your shoes."

"That's a relief." Dawn said, wiping her forehead.

"Yeah, sure, but don't break anything else." Leaf said while laughing.

"So what are you gonna do about Ash?" May asked.

Leaf smiled. "Only time will tell."

Back outside, Ash had decided to train with Snorlax. He had hung up more wooden targets on various trees and left Infernape, Torterra and Sceptile at key points near the trees.

"Snorlax, use mega punch on the target near Sceptile's tree!" Ash ordered.

"Snore!" The sleeping pokemon shouted as it powered up its attack, ready to strike at the tree.

"Now, Sceptile!" Ash shouted. "Shake it up!"

"Sceptile!" The forest pokemon said as it kicked the tree, making it shake and causing the wooden target to move all about.

"Snore?" The sleeping pokemon said as it was perplexed by the target moving about, evading its hits.

"This is the exercise Snorlax!" Ash shouted. "It'll teach you how to physically hit opponents who keep dodging."

Meanwhile, Brock returned to the house, more depressed than ever before.

"Hey, Brock!" Gary said.

"Care for some lemonade?" Brendan joked.

He simply went by Brendan and Gary, moaning all the way, forgetting his pokeballs on the table and entered his bedroom and locked the door. He lay on his bad, completely devoid of any movement.

"What's with Brock?" Brendan asked.

"Who's to know?" Gary replied.

As May and Dawn came downstairs and saw Brendan and Gary, they decided to put their plan into motion. After they had some fun with them, of course.

Dawn got right up in Gary's face. "When were you going to tell us about Ash?"

"I never thought you'd lie to us, boys." May said, tapping her foot.

"Come on." Brendan said. "We promised not to say anything, he was really shaken up."

"If he hadn't been so upset I'd have told you." Gary said to Dawn.

"Oh, Gar-"

"It'd have been the perfect opportunity to embarrass him and have some fun!"

At that, Dawn stomped on his foot. "Oh come on!"

"Hey." He responded, jumping on one foot. "That hurt!"

"So how about you, headband?" May said.

Brendan did his best to remain calm. "What is it you're looking for?"

May looked at Dawn, nodded and turned back to Brendan. "We need your help."

"You need our help?" Gary asked, still hopping around.

"How many good date spots are there here in Olivine City?" Dawn asked.

The next day, Ash and the gang went on to the Battle Tower for the final preliminary round. Brock was still as depressed as ever and nobody seemed to know why, since he avoided talking about it, reminiscent of one, Professor Ivy. As the gang entered the tower, dozens of referees stood on stage behind Wallace. It was now 12:00 in the afternoon.

"Welcome back to the Battle Tower, trainers." Wallace started. "The next preliminary round begins now. Please line up at the entrance to the stairs and one of our battle referees will take you to your arena."

Ash and the gang got to the entrance of the stairs first, reasoning that nobody in their gang could battle another one of their friends if they all entered first.

Soon, all the trainers were taken to an arena to fight. In his, Ash prepared to fight his opponent, as his friends did in their own arena, hoping they could make it into the top 16 round.

Rayquaza45: Alright people, so how was my sixth chapter? I'm seriously hoping you liked it cause I had alot of trouble with it. Battle keep getting more and more difficult to write as the story progresses. So seriously, now that you've read the chapter, please write a review and tell me how it was. I seriously want more feedback about my writing ability and if I'm presenting a good story. And from now on, I'm gonna give you hints about upcoming chapters. It may just be the title or it may even be something more that I tell you. Keep readin to find out ;)

The next chapter is the seventh one: Chapter 7: The Final Preliminary Round. Will the gang make it through?

Till next time ;)

P.S: Write a review, please.