PJ and Alex were stood on the stage. Zinc and Patch beside them. PJ twitched nervously as all the eyes of the audience stared at him. Alex enjoyed the attention.

Alex - I have fans already

With them on stage was a well built teen called Bruce. He wore tight clothing to show off his muscle next to him was his pokemon geodude. Beside Bruce was a shady character named Drake. Drake was wearing dark clothes. Black vest and dark purple jeans. His black hair draped over half his face. Drake stood emotionless.

Alex whispered to PJ

Alex - this guys don't look so tough

PJ smiled hiding his disagreement.

Announcer - first up is… Drake

Drake didn't even flinch when his name was called

Announcer - and…

PJ - please not me, please not me, please not me

Announcer - PJ

Alex - good luck PJ

Alex and Bruce made their way of the stage followed by their pokemon.

Bruce - looks like it will be you and me after

He said smugly as they walked down the steps. Alex smiled at him

Alex - looking forward to beating you

Bruce clenched his fist In anger

Bruce - don't underestimate me kid

Alex - don't you call me a kid!

The two stared each other down fiercely whilst Zinc and Geodude were getting along fine ignoring their trainers arguing.

PJ and Drake were in position. Patch limbered up. Jumping and punching. Drake's pokemon hadn't appeared yet.

Announcer - Drake? Your pokemon?

Drake didn't speak. His face fixed like stone. Suddenly a gastly appeared behind him. Flying over his head and ready to fight.

Patch froze as she saw the ghost pokemon.

PJ - don't worry Patch

PJ encouraged.

Drake - let's begin

He spoke harshly but with no emotion in his voice.

Drake - night shade

PJ - dodge it Patch

Gastly's burst of attack skimmed Patch as she dashed away.

Drake - don't let it get away

Patch ran. Gastly vanished reappearing in front of Patch. She froze to a stop.

PJ - what speed

Drake - hypnosis

Gastly stared at Patch. His eyes span. Patch wobbled before collapsing on the stage and began to snore gently.

PJ - wake up Patch

It was useless Patch was out of it.

Drake - Dream eater

Gastly seemed to do nothing but close his eyes.

In Patch's dream she was in a huge field filled with strawberries. Dashing around happily chomping away at them. Suddenly the field burns away and fire spreads all around her. A huge gastly appears from the sky charging for Patch.

Patch woke up weak and scared.

PJ - you ok?

Patch ran at PJ climbing up his coat and hiding in one of the pockets shaking.

Drake - what a pathetic pokemon

Drake turned and walked off the stage. Gastly vanished once again.

Announcer - Gastly and Drake win due to Patch leaving the fighting area.

PJ put his hand in his pocket. Pulling out Patch and stroked her gently.

PJ - don't worry Patch I get scared sometimes to

Patch scurried up his arm and onto his shoulder. Staying close to him for protection.

PJ made his way down to Alex.

Alex - that Drake guy was a jerk

PJ - maybe just a little.

Alex - I'm defiantly gonna beat him

Bruce - hey! You have to beat me first.

Announcer - can Alex and Bruce please make their way to the stage.

Alex grabbed Zinc and ran up to the stage. Waving to the audience. Zinc copied him but waving in the opposite direction.

Bruce and geodude got on to their spot.

Bruce - I'm going to enjoy taking you down kid

Alex - don't call me kid! Zinc dragon rage go!

Zinc fired out his dragon rage at geodude. The blue fire burst at him.

Bruce - show him true power. Hammer arm

Geodude flew forwards. His arm spread out. The hammer arm split the dragon rage and struck Zinc hard to the ground.

Bruce - now crash down on him with roll out.

Geodude curled into a ball and span at Zinc.

Alex - dodge it

Zinc jumped out of the way. But Geodude rolled back.

Alex - keep dodging.

Zinc dived out of the way again. And once more until Geodude finally struck him.

Alex - zinc you ok?

Zinc got up slowly. Slapped his face and puffed out a little smoke.

Alex - that's the attitude.

Bruce - that charmander can take a hit.

Alex - yep and he can sure attack well to. Metal claw go

Zinc slashed out with his gleaming claws. Geodude flinched back with pain.

Alex - good attack! Now again with another metal claw.

Zinc repeated the attack.

Bruce - mega punch!

Geodude and Zinc's attacks landed at the same time. They both flew backwards. Zinc flipped up quickly as Geodude struggled to.

Alex - now's our chance. I know its not 100 percent yet but lets try out iron tail.

Zinc leaped into the air. His tail glowing. Swishing at geodude his tail faded with light and the attack failed.

Bruce laughed aloud to his failure.

Bruce - haha, and now your gonna loose. Geodude use rock tomb.

Geodude came crashing down on Zinc squishing him as he made impact.

Alex - get out of there

Zinc squeezed out from underneath geodude. He walked with a limp as was hurt bad.

Bruce - finish him with roll out

Alex - Zinc! Focus all your strength into your tail. You can do it. Iron tail go.

Zinc gritted his teeth in concentration. Geodude was close now. His tail glowed bright. Zinc swished his tail at Geodude striking with an iron tail. Geodude flew away into Bruce. The two of them fell off the stage.

Alex ran over to Zinc lifting him into the air.

Alex - you did it! You learnt iron tail!

Zinc - char, char!

Announcer - wow what a great battle! Now we will have a short break before the final between Alex and Drake.

Alex walked down the stage to talk to PJ. Patch was still on his shoulder, but now much calmer.

PJ - that was an amazing battle.

Alex - thanks. It's Zinc he's just incredibly tough

Alex looked down. Zinc was tired and breathed heavily.

PJ - maybe he's not in good enough shape to fight again.

Alex thought for a moment looking at Zinc.

Alex - nah he's fine

PJ - I would consult you on not fighting. Zinc could get really hurt.

Alex bent down to face Zinc

Alex - are you ok to fight?

Zinc nodded faintly but with determination.

Alex - I knew you were.

The announcer went onto the stage and called to the crowd.

Announcer - now please may the finalists come to the stage

PJ - good luck

He said as Alex walked by.

Alex - who needs luck when you got Zinc

Drake walked on stage with his down beat stroll. Alex ran on waving once again the crowd. A small cheer was heard from the back for him.

Alex - thank you, thank you.

Drake watched Zinc clumber onto the stage.

Drake - are you going to use another pokemon?

He muttered to Alex. Alex ignored him.

Alex - come on Zinc lets beat this guy

Drake - he can barely walk.

Alex - shut up you

Drake - are you kidding me. I won't fight an injured pokemon.

Alex - because your scared that's why

Drake kept his cool and stepped closer to Alex.

Drake - you should be ashamed of your self. Your pokemon is hurt and you want to make him fight. I had respect for your skill in battling but now… I'm disgusted

Drake walked away. Off the stage and through the crowd.

The crowd became silent. So did Alex. After a while the announcer broke the silence.

Announcer - Alex and Zinc win due to a forfeit

Despite of his win Alex was upset. He strolled to Zinc and picked him up. With his head hung low Alex walked past PJ and struggled through the crowd. He whispered to Zinc

Alex - I'm so sorry… all I cared about was winning.

Zinc looked up. His silver eyes met Alex's

Zinc - char

He said with a smile.

PJ ran after them. Catching them up he walked behind in silence.

Alex - lets go to the pokemon centre PJ. Zinc needs some rest.