Round three of the tournament was coming to a close. After today only 32 trainers would still be recognised as tournament participants. It would be a major accomplishment for those who made it that far with the celebratory party following afterwards, so things were getting busy around Driftveil city. The final matchups were to be revealed in one hour and Tyler was at the Pokémon centre doing his last minute preparations for the day.

"Here you are Tyler. You Pokémon are all at perfect health." Said Driftveil city's nurse Joy.

"Thank you nurse Joy." Tyler said with courtesy. He took his pokeballs off the tray. The training he put them through the night before really wore them out so they were in need of re-energizing. He just about ready to head out when Ash, Dawn and Brock rounded the corner to meet up with him at the stadium. As soon as they were in sight he instantly saw Brock on one knee.

"Nurse Joy. Seeing you before my eyes moves me more than I can say. My heart swells with the love I hold for you. Won't you please relieve me-aarrhhhhh!" Brock squealed after getting cock-blocked by Toxicroak.

"Of the great pain I hold in my back…" Brock managed to get out before he collapsed. Toxicroak then proceeded to drag him away.

Shrugging off the awkward moment nurse Joy turned to Tyler. "You're the one who brought in the Dragonite right?" She asked.

Tyler perked up when he heard the question was addressed to him. "Yeah. How is Dragonite doing?" He asked. He remembered that Dragonite was pretty hurt when he ran into it.

"It's doing much better. Its wing's healing properly and it should be ready to go in the next day or so." She assured him.

"That's great news." Ash said.

"Thank you for helping it nurse Joy." Dawn said respectfully.

"My pleasure." Responded the nurse with a smile.

"Let's go Tyler, you've got a battle to win!" Said Ash right before he ran out the door.

"Alright." Said Tyler as he and Dawn followed after him.

Momentarily before the matchups were to be revealed, Jamie was waiting around to see who would be battling who. The stadium was getting filled rather quickly this morning as people were filing in to see what today's competition will bring.

The matchups were to be announced in a few minutes as he kept looking up at the big screen and waited for the show to get underway. He was sticking around long enough to see who his brother will be matched up with. He wouldn't say he'd want Tyler to lose. Jamie wanted to succeed, but not at his brother's expense. He'd prefer to see his brother last another round, not only to bring more prestige to their family name, but for Blackthorn city. Jamie took great pride in his hometown. Made him feel like he was a part of something bigger than himself.

The parings had yet to be announced and Jamie was too deep in thought to notice a familiar figure approaching him until she spotted him out of the crowd and called out to him.

"Jamie. Hey!" She called. Jamie broke his gaze with the screen and looked to his right and caught eye of a girl with smooth, shoulder length black hair approaching him. She was almost half a head shorter than he was and had the scarf Pokémon sitting on her left shoulder.

"Hey Kate. Haven't seen you in a while. Hi Cinccino." Jamie said to them.

"Cin-ccino." The small Pokémon waved back at him.

"So what happened with Curt? How's he doing?" She asked him.

"He and Jeff have been eliminated already, round 2 I think. So has Cory, - and Cheren. Looks like I'm the only one left." He said.

"But, I've heard you've made it to round 4, nice!" She said as she nudged him.

"Thanks." He said with a smile. It was nice to know he outlasted all his rivals.

"So what are you doing here? I thought you'd be out pushing your team by now." She wondered. Jamie gestured back at the screen.

"My brother is battling today. I wanted to see who he's up against."

"Aww, look at you being all caring." She teased.

"No, I told him to win yesterday, so he'd better have a good reason for disobeying me." He said with a smirk.

"Are you going to watch it?" She asked.

"Depends who he's facing." He said looking back to her.

"What about you? What're you going to do when this is over?"

Probably go back to the Indigo Platue. I need to talk to Goodshow again about getting a spot in the Pokémon league."

"Oh." She said with a thought.

Ladies and gentlemen! Round 3 is coming to a close, and with it, coming one step closer to the final battle! So here are the final matchups for round 3!

Somek vs. Cynthia

Agnol vs. Flint

Tyler vs. Riley

Claire vs. Jacob

Buck vs. Saturn

Dean vs. Snattle

Morrison vs. Flannery

Anabel vs. Draden

"There's Tyler." Kate pointed out.

"He's facing Riley." Jamie said recognising the blue-suited trainer.

"Is he good?" She asked.

"Anyone's good to have made it this far. But then, so is Tyler." He said with a confident smirk.

"Shouldn't you be getting prepared for your battle?" Misty asked. They were all sitting around Driftveil stadium. Tyler had opted to not go back to the Pokémon centre like he usually had before a battle. Instead he was simply waiting around for his turn to compete.

"No need. I did some research on the other remaining participants last night and I have a game plan for Riley." Tyler explained.

"Riley? He's the one who beat dad!" Max said to his sister, who nodded back.

"What about switching some of your Pokémon?" Asked Brock.

"No need. I've already got the ones I'm going to use." He said patting his belt.

"Lucky you." Said Iris.

"Riley's Lucario is pretty strong. You'd better watch out for it." Warned Dawn.

"Thanks, but I know. I've ran into him before." Tyler said out loud.

"Really?" Asked Dawn surprised.

"I didn't battle him at the time, but I got a feel on what kind of trainer he is. I know he doesn't really battle competitively."

"Yet he still made it to round 3." Gary said.

"I know, so I'll have to be on guard non the less." Tyler said.

"Kingdra is unable to battle. Magmortor is the winner, and victory goes to Sinnoh elite 4 member, Flint!" They all heard over the intercom. Tyler stood up once he heard this as he knew his battle was next.

"Well I'm up." He said.

"Good luck to ya." Said Gary.

"You go get 'em!" Called Ash.

"See ya latter." Tyler said smiling as he walked out. The rest of them all headed off to the stands to spectate.

Jamie was already sitting in the stands fairly close to the front row. Tyler was in the third battle so he decided to stick around and watch before he went off to train. Kurt, Kate and Cinccino found him while they was looking for a seat and decided to join him. Kurt was a brown eyed boy about the size of Jamie. He had messy brown hair that hung down to his eyes and a long dark red scarf around his neck over his dark brown shirt

"So, decided to stick around after all." She said as she sat next to him.

"His battle was pretty early. Besides, Flint was battling before this." He responded.

"What are you going to do after? Train with your brother?" Kurt asked.

"Oh god no. I'm not going to train with him in case we get matched up." He didn't want to train with competition.

"Okay, don't you think you're taking this to seriously?" Said Kate.

"That's the thing. If I don't take this seriously, I'll never win." He said to her, giving her something to think about.

"And now on with the third battle! Our first participant is from the rocky shores of iron island, Riley!"

While not a very well-known competitor, Riley was a popular choice of the fans in the arena.

"His opponent is a fast rising trainer from Blackthorn city. Entering the arena is the elite 4 conqueror, Tyler!

The fans erupted in applause for the up and coming dragon tamer. Tyler was so surprised by the explosion of cheers he jumped slightly as he stepped onto the battlefield.

"This will be a three on three battle with no time limit. Begin!"

"Alright, let's go!" Tyler called out as he threw a pokeball out on the field.