As the Junior Battle Masters Tournament continues on, the second round has commenced. Davis was able to defeat Nathan and is now advancing to the semi-finals. Flint won his battle as well, and did it with some fierce power that he didn't even give his opponent the chance to fight back. With that, there are only two opened spots left. One of the remaining battles will be between Shade and Cletus. What kind of battles can we expect this time? We'll soon find out.

A new adventure, another day

One more challenge that comes our way

Its up to me and you

I know what we've got to do

We are together now

Friends forever now

Whatever comes our way, we won't run away

Standing tall

And one for all

It's our destiny

Pokemon

(Davis's voice) A Secured Flame

"We've seen some impressive battling so far. We already have our two semi-finalists: Davis and Flint." Vanessa said. "We'll now see who else will be advancing with them. Our next battle is between Carla and Leni." Two female trainers came out and were ready to battle. "Let's see which of these two ladies is advancing to the next round." Both of them called out for their pokemon as Carla was using a Palpitoad and Leni was using a Glameow.

"Cool. A Palpitoad vs. a Glameow." Davis said.

"This could be a good battle." Cletus said. While they were all watching this battle, Tetsu looked to the side and saw Flint leaving a little early. Concerned about how Flint has been acting lately, Tetsu thought this was his best chance to see what was really going on.

"Let me know what happens. I'll be right back." Tetsu said and went after Flint. While the battle was going on, Flint wanted to be alone for a moment. He just sat on the ground and it looked like he had a lot on his mind.

"Just a couple more battles... Just a couple more..." Flint said.

"It's better to talk to someone rather than mumbling yourself." Flint looked up and saw Tetsu as Tetsu had a seat with him. "What's up, Flint? You're not acting like yourself."

"It's nothing." Flint said.

"Come on, Flint. I'm your friend. I'm just asking because I'm concerned and I want to be able to help you." Tetsu said. "You seemed so passionate about this tournament and about battling, but you're certainly not showing it now." Tetsu is trying to get Flint to open up and it seems like it's working.

"It's just... It's not easy." Flint said. "My mom is a great mom and gym leader. I want to be like her, but it's not easy being her son sometimes. People expect things out of me and I just can't seem to measure up. On top of that, it seems like I'm falling behind. Davis managed to beat her and gave her a challenge while I could barely do anything. Now, he's got all eight badges and I haven't gotten my seventh yet. The Centros League will be starting soon and I've got to get my eighth badge, but it's not looking good. I guess with all that's going on lately, I just haven't felt like myself. That's why I'm so focused on winning. Maybe if I win this tournament and actually battle one of the Elite Four, I might start to feel good about myself again."

"I think I get it. You're just feeling a little insecure." Tetsu said. "Believe me, I get it." He admitted with Flint wondering what he meant. "I have two older sisters, and they're like big celebrities back home. Sometimes I feel like I'm overshadowed by them. It's certainly not easy being their little brother."

"So what do you do about it?" Flint asked.

"It still pops up every now and then, but some good comes around for me." Tetsu said. "I get you're feeling a little down on yourself, but you'll still make it. You don't have to be like your mother. Just do what you do. One more important thing..."

"What?" Flint questioned.

"Be you. You love battling and you always get enthusiastic about. Maybe instead of trying to be so serious that doesn't suit you, try to enjoy it." Tetsu said. "I can tell you're trying to win to battle Ginger, but it's not going to be much fun if you don't try to enjoy it." Talking about it seems to have helped Flint as he was starting to feel a little upbeat again, especially since Tetsu seems to empathize with him.

"I guess you're right." Flint said as he jumped up and tried getting back in his usual mood. "What are we waiting for, Tetsu? There's still some battling going on!" Flint said as he charged back out to the field and was starting to sound like him again.

"Sure hope that doesn't come back to burn me." Tetsu said as he's glad Flint is acting like himself again, but does get annoyed when people get so worked up. Meanwhile, the third battle of the second round was ending with Glameow slashing against Palpitoad and won the battle.

"Palpitoad is unable to battle! Glameow is the winner!"

"There we have it! Leni will be moving on to the semi-finals!" Vanessa announced.

"That means that it's time for the fourth match. We have Cletus, the Pennsila gym leader, going up against Shade, a brilliant man with fancy gadgets." Ginger announced as the two faced each other.

"Are you ready?" Cletus questioned.

"Of course I am, and I'm not loosing." Shade said.

"Let's get started. Grimer, let's go!" Cletus called as he brought out his pokemon.

"Grimer!"

"Centiskorch, you're up!" Shade called.

"Centi!"

"Who is that?" Davis questioned as he brought out his pokedex.

"Centiskorch, the Radiator Pokemon. A fire and bug-type, and the evolve form of Sizzilpede. This pokemon's body temperture can reach dangerous degrees and can also lash its body around like a whip."

"That looks like one nasty pokemon." Davis said.

"Sure hope Cletus and Grimer will be okay." Imperialdramon said. As they were about to start, Shade put on his special goggles over his eyes.

"You still use those computerized goggles during a battle?" Cletus questioned.

"They might not be 100% accurate, but they're still helpful by giving me an estimate on readings." Shade said as he was getting a read on Grimer. "Let me show you. Centiskorch, Heat Wave! Aim directly in the center!" Centiskorch lashed its body around and unleashed an intense blast of heat. It travelled through the field and smashed right into Grimer with Grimer taking some real damage.

"Shade is really letting Grimer have it. That attack looks like it was quite effective." Vanessa said.

"Grimer, use your Sludge attack!" Cletus ordered. Grimer fought back as it shot sludge right at its opponent.

"Serpentine, Centiskorch! After that, strike with Heat Crash!" Shade called. Centiskorch squiggled around and avoided all that sludge. When that happened, Centiskorch coated itself in heat and smashed itself right against Grimer. "Nice work. My calculations say Grimer might not last much longer if we keep this up."

"Come on, Cletus!" Davis cheered.

"Davis!" Tetsu called as he and Flint came back. "How's Cletus doing?"

"Not good. Shade seems to be in control of this battle. That Centiskorch looks fierce and powerful." Imperialdramon said.

"A Centiskorch?! Awesome!" Flint said as he loved seeing one and it looks like he's really acting like himself again.

"Anything you like to try, Cletus?" Shade taunted.

"We still have a couple surprises up our sleeve. Grimer, Mud Shot!" Cletus ordered. This time, Grimer shot mud straight at Centiskorch, but Shade read the attack.

"Power Whip! Use it to defend yourself and focus around your center!" Shade called. The end of Centiskorch extended out and it lashed its body around. It used its tail like a whip and was able to block each shot thrown at it.

"What an ingenuous way to use Power Whip!" Vanessa said.

"He must have taught Centiskorch Power Whip to deal with water-types, but who would have thought he use it like that." Tetsu said. "That almost seems like something you would do, Davis."

"It is! I guess I'm rubbing off on people!" Davis said as he felt like an influencer.

"Sorry, Cletus. It looks like I'm winning this one." Shade said.

"It's a little early for you to say that. Grimer can still battle." Cletus said.

"Perhaps, but I don't think it will be able to hold out much longer. Centiskorch, grab Grimer with Power Whip and pull it in!" Shade ordered. Centiskorch stretched out its tail and was able to grab Grimer with it and started to pull Grimer closer until it was in range of Centiskorch's next attack. "We have you now."

"I wouldn't be so sure. Grimer, Poison Gas!" Cletus ordered. Grimer surprised Centiskorch as it breathed right in Centiskorch's face with a toxic gas cloud. Not only did it allow Grimer to escape, but Centiskorch was constantly taking damage and losing strength.

"That does not look good for Centiskorch. It took a direct hit by that Poison Gas and is now poisoned." Vanessa said.

"Shade better do something soon because it's now dangerous for this battle to drag on." Ginger claimed.

"This isn't good." Shade said as he analyzed Centiskorch. "Centiskorch has already lost five percent of his remaining strength and it's steadily decreasing more and more."

"We've got an opening, Grimer! Time to use Mud Shot!" Cletus ordered. Grimer started shooting mud right at Centiskorch and every shot was hitting this time. "Now to turn the tables and finish this!"

"Sorry, but I'm the one that's about to win. You don't seem to realize that you actually helped me. This next attack should be what depletes all of Grimer's power and finish this." Shade said with Cletus not liking how that sounded. "Swing your tail to get Grimer in the air and strike with this attack! Façade!" Centiskorch was surrounded by an intense power. Centiskorch swung its tail around and knocked Grimer right in the air just like Shade said. "Strike now!" Centiskorch bashed its head against Grimer and Grimer was sent flying across the field and smashed right into the wall.

"Grimer!" Cletus called as that attack didn't look good. All of them took a closer look and saw that Grimer was knocked out.

"Grimer is unable to battle! Centiskorch is the winner!"

"It's now done and over. Shade won against Cletus and is now advancing to the semi-finals with our other three trainers." Vanessa announced.

"That last attack looked like it did some real damage." Flint said.

"That's Façade for you. Since Centiskorch was poisoned, it dealt even more damage." Tetsu said.

"Good work, Centiskorch. Rest up to handle the poison." Shade said as be brought Centiskorch back in its pokeball.

"Grimer, you did good. Get a good rest." Cletus said as he brought Grimer back to it's pokeball.

"Too bad about Cletus." Tetsu said.

"Yeah, but Shade has really gotten stronger. That was a pretty cool pokemon." Davis said.

"We will now reveal the matches for tomorrow." Vanessa said as the pictures shuffled around and ended up revealing the matches for next round. Davis is going against that Leni in the first match and Flint is going against Shade in the second.

"Awesome! I'm going against Shade!" Flint said.

"Better be careful." Flint said. "Shade's an analyst. He knows all you use are fire-types and will surely have something to give him the advantage."

"Maybe so, but that's not going to stop me. I've got a few surprises myself." Flint said. It was the way that he said it, with much enthusiasm, that Tetsu really liked to see.

"So, we'll see you tomorrow where we could have our winner out of these four." Vanessa claimed as the tournament will be coming to an end soon.

...

The Next Day

"Welcome back. We're here to see who out of our remaining four trainers will win and have the chance to battle against Ginger, one of the Elite Four." Vanessa said as the tournament was starting up again. With only four trainers left, they're all excited to see who will be the one that wins in the end.

"It's time for us to begin our first semi-final match." Ginger said. "Our first match will feature Davis and Leni!" She announced as both trainers were ready for battle.

"I'm ready to rock! Venomoth, you're up!" Davis called as he made his choice.

"Venomoth!"

"Leavanny, let's go!" Leni called as she brought out her pokemon.

"Leavanny!" Both sides were ready to go. With the tournament going to reach the finals soon, the battles here are only going to get better.

The Junior Battle Masters Tournament is going to end soon. Now that we've reached the semi-finals, only four trainers remain. Who will be the one that stands at the top and earn the right to battle against one of the Elite Four? We'll see soon enough.

To Be Continued...