"I'll also need Lapras, Ninetails and Metagross." Tyler said to professor Elm.
"I'll send them over right away. Charmeleon and the others will be well taken care of." Said the professor. He moved out of view of the screen and after a few moments a group of pokeballs were transported to the pad sitting on Tyler's left.
"I've got them professor. Thanks again."
"Anytime. And say good luck to Jamie for me as well." He asked.
"Okay, Bye." Tyler ended the call with professor Elm and walked outside to where Brock and Iris, along with May and Tracey, were waiting for him.
"Oh. Are you guys cheering me on?" He guessed with a shrug.
"Yep. And to help any way we can!" Said May.
"We want you to do your best in the fourth round." Tracey said.
Tyler turned to face Brock. "Okay, you ready?"
Brock gave him a nod. "Whenever you are." He smiled back.
"Okay then." Tyler grabbed a ball in his hand.
"Go Skarmory!"
"Ash, isn't there a chance you're getting just a little too worked up?" Asked Dawn.
Ash was frantically moving around his hotel room, from the bed, to the computer, to the fridge and the desk. He had books lying around and papers scattered all over the room. He was in hyper drive preparing for his battle with Alder. She, along with Misty and Max, were reduced to standing as even his bed was littered with scraps and such of potential battle strategies.
"Unbelievable. He's still this messy." Misty sighed while rubbing her head.
"Come one Ash, the battle's not for days, just try to relax a little." Dawn said.
"No way! Can't do that. I'm facing one of the strongest trainers in the tournament! I have to make sure I'm ready! I can't waste a single moment!" Ash hurried through the database, combing through several of Alder's recorded battles, even up to where he battled against Trip at the junior cup.
"He's right! You're going up against the Unova champion! If you want to win, you'll need strict training and 100% focus!" Max said as if he was an expert.
"I get how you feel Ash, but obsessing over it won't do you very good either." Dawn said with a worried expression.
"Hey, why not get out of here and do some training with your Pokémon?" Misty suggested.
"I will. Once I know what I'm up against." Ash continued typing away.
"One thing's for sure, it'll be an awesome battle." Max nodded to himself.
"Yeah. Alder is an awesome trainer, no doubt." Ash said with a smile on his face. "I know he didn't become champion for nothing. But he's one of the trainers I'll have to overcome if I want to win this thing!" Ash said jumping out of his seat.
"That's the Ash I know." Dawn smiled with him.
"So what have you learned so far?" Misty asked.
"I knew he had a Bouffalant, but I found out he's also got a Volcarona, Escavalier and Accelgor.
"Ugh, that's pretty bug heavy." Misty shuttered. She did not like bugs.
"So fire and rock types would work really good on those opponents." Max said.
"So I guess Charizard and Boldore are in." Ash said.
"And what about Bouffalant?" Dawn asked.
"I'll need a fighting type to beat Bouffalant. So I'll probably use Infernape."
"Good choice. As a fire type, Infernape has an advantage over those bugs as well." Max said.
"And of course I'll need you out there Pikachu." Ash said to his partner. Pikachu raised its arm in excitement as it called out its name.
"Pikachu, Infernape, Charizard and Boldore sounds like a really solid team." Dawn said.
"I'll decide on the rest of my team later. For now, I need to get some fresh air. You were right Dawn. I'm getting a little too stressed out over this." Ash said as he took a good look in the state his room was in.
"Hey, I get that you're worried about battling a champion, but this is a tournament. You should be enjoying the battles." Dawn said with understanding.
"I know I'm having fun just from watching." Misty said smiling.
"Let's take a walk around town. I'm sure there's something going on." Max said.
"Sure. Let's take a stroll around town." Misty agreed.
Jamie leaned back in his chair as he looked up at the ceiling. He sat back, closed his eyes and just breathed quietly for a few seconds. He opened his eyes with a deep breath and looked back at the computer monitor. It currently displayed the tournament webpage for Paul. He was looking into info of his opponent that he could use to battle him with.
"Okay, Sinnoh league." He said rubbing his eye, as if he'd been doing this for a while. "He used Magmortor, Electivire and Ursuring to sweep Palmer's son." He leaned forward in the chair as he closely examined the details of Paul's battles during the Sinnoh league tournament. His track record in Sinnoh was actually kind of intimidating. He never lost any Pokémon in his first three battles. He didn't lose any Pokémon until he fought Ash, though he ultimately lost. But he did fight a tough battle, getting all his eliminations with Drapion and Electivire.
"His Ursuring has proved to be quite strong… and Drapion and Electivire will be tough to deal with too." Jamie mumbled to himself. There was also Magmortor, Torterra, Honchcrow, Gastrodon, Aggron, Nidoking, Gliscor and Hariyama. Paul had a lot of strong Pokémon. They were all different types too so a good strategy would be ever more important.
"Well Paul…" Jaime thought to himself as continued his search. "It looks like you'll be my toughest opponent yet." He said with intrigue.
Metagross psychic
The powerful steel type used a telekinetic force to stop Sudowoodo in the middle of its double edge.
Now iron head
The psychic Pokémon launched forth and slammed into the imitation Pokémon with the full force of its entire body. Sudowoodo flew back hard after taking the super effective hit.
"No, Sudowoodo!" Brock cried.
Iron head again
Metagross charged at Sudowoodo a second time. The rock type jumped up to its feet at the last second as the steel Pokémon collided with the ground.
Now hammer arm
Sudowoodo's left arm started to glow red before it swung it at Metagross.
Meteor mash
Sudowoodo hit Metagross with the fighting attack, but it came back with an uppercut motion with the steel attack. Sudowoodo was hit into the air and landed flat on its back.
"Oooooo… that was rough." Iris cringed.
"I think that's enough for now." Brock said as he knelt down to his Pokémon. Sudowoodo sat up and gave a weak smile of agreement back at him.
"Sounds good." Tyler said as he walked up to his Metagross. "Great job Metagross." He rubbed his ran over the surface of Metagross's body.
"Met-ta!"
"Wow, Metagross sure is strong." May complimented.
"It has strong offensive and defensive qualities. Metagross will sure be one tough Pokémon to beat." Said Tracey.
"I know. Metagross has always come through for me before. I'll be counting on you in the next battle." He said to Metagross with a clenched fist.
"Me-ta!" It said with a raised leg.
"Nice. It looks ready." Brock said.
"Yeah. And your other Pokémon all look top notch." Tracey said.
"But are you sure it's okay to not use Flygon? After all it's your best Pokémon." May questioned.
"I know, but Flygon put so much effort into the last battle, and I'd like to give it some more rest. Besides, all of my other Pokémon are itching to get in on the battles too." Tyler explained.
Okay, if you're sure." Iris said unconvinced.
"Hey, it's you decision. No one knows your Pokémon like you do and it's up to you who you choose to battle with." Brock said to him.
"Right. And the last thing I'm going to do now is lose, especially after getting this far." He said determined.
"Well then, what's say we continue?" Brock said.
"You bet." Tyler said, another pokeball in hand.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhh, coming throughhhhhhh!" The five of them turned to the scream before Tyler and Brock were knocked straight to the ground by Barry.
"Oowww… what the hell?" Tyler questioned.
"Barry?" Brock groaned while holding his head.
"It's you again!" Iris recognised the quick footed trainer from Twinleaf town. She just knew him as the 'male Bianca'.
"Hey you guys! What's with running into me?!" Barry shouted and jumped off the ground.
"What's the rush this time?" Brock sighed as he got to his feet.
"Is there a 70% sale at the shoe store?" May asked in a mocking, girly like tone.
"Oh a wise guy huh? I should fine all of you! But you're lucky that I have other things to do. I heard that Paul was heading over to the Pokémon centre, and I haven't seen that guy in ages."
"How would you know that?" Tyler wondered.
"So you're looking for Paul again?" Brock said with a disappointed look on his face.
"Yep. I wanted to wish him good luck in the tournament. See ya!" Barry ran off towards the centre doors and almost hit Paul as he was coming out.
"Oh Paul?" Barry stopped right in front of him. Tyler saw Paul and recognised him as his brother's next opponent.
*Oh, so that's the Paul Jamie is facing.* He thought.
"You're Barry right?" Paul said as he remembered the trainer in front of him.
"That's right! It's been a long time Paul. I wanted to wish you luck in the tournament." He said.
"I'm assuming you've already been eliminated." He said.
"Yeah I was. But it was an awesome battle that's for sure." He said chipper.
"It's good to see you again Paul." Brock said as the grouped walked up.
Paul looked over to the five of them as they approached. Brock was the only one of them he knew, but it was another that caught his attention.
"You're Tyler aren't you?" He asked in realization.
"Uh, yeah. That's me."
"I knew I've seen you before." He walked past Barry to confront this trainer face to face. "I challenge you to a battle." He declared.
"What?" Tyler asked surprised.