Now for those who just came from chapter two. I decided for the beginning of this story to publish two chapters at once. Impatient kids. Hehe.

Here is my story, 'Tournament of Dominance.' Enjoy.

The crowd was dense. There were all types of people scattered throughout the crowd. It wasn't a surprise really. Having hundreds of people attempt to enter the city through only ten entrances generally was a bad idea. With more boats constantly arriving and few people getting through the entranceways, there wasn't much chance of the crowd lessening anytime soon.

No one particularly cared though. The time in the crowd was worth it. After all, this was the location of the largest tournament in the world. The Champions' Crowning. Occurs only one every ten years, this tournament was the only way to be crowned a 'champion' of pokemon. Any trainer who was anyone was entered, and any fan who ever laid their eyes on a pokemon battle was either attending, or preparing to watch at home. The entire Pokemon Island was going to be filled to the brink with pokemon enthusiasts.

Among the thousands of separate conversations going on in the crowd, there was a spiky haired boy screaming at the top of his lungs. You zoom in to see that the boy had a hat on his head, and a yellow mouse creature on his shoulder. Ash Ketchum opened his mouth again to scream.

"Brock, Misty, May, Max, Dawn, Gary, someone. Where did every one go?" Ash called in despair. He lowered his head and let out a sigh. Finally he looked at his shoulder and exclaimed, "Looks like were on our own Pikachu, huh Pikachu?" Ash's eyes widened as he didn't see Pikachu. He spun in a circle as he attempted to look farther over his shoulder. Finally he stopped and let out a groan as he realized that he was all alone.

One day earlier

Dear Ash Satoshi Ketchum,

Hello, Mr. Ketchum. My name is Harley Telimon, vice president of 'The Champions' Crowning' tournament. The C.C. tournament shall be starting two weeks from now, and I would like to cordially invite you to attend as one of the tournament's 300 'Selected Trainers.' If you accept this proposal, you shall receive several special accommodations of the position.

-An opportunity to have an opportunity to reserve a suite at the prestigious hotel 'Milotic Majesty.'

-A free ticket to a luxurious cruise headed for Pokemon Island.

-And many other privileges afforded to a 'Selected Trainer.'

If you accept this proposal, send a message back with the pokemon that delivered this message. We shall then send the details. We at the C.C. tournament would appreciate your cooperation.

Sincerely, Harley Telimon

"This is so cool," Ash exclaimed as he once again skimmed through the letter that had arrived at his house just under two weeks ago.

He was sitting in the Vermillion City Pokemon Center only an hour before the cruise ship was scheduled to leave. He had arrived the night before, and was preparing to head to the port to board the ship.

"Don't flatter yourself, Ashy boy. There are two hundred and ninety-eight other people who had the exact same letter. Excluding me," a mocking voice said from behind Ash. Ash looked behind him to see the spiky haired brunette researcher, Gary Oak.

Ash frowned before snapping, "I know that."

Gary shrugged before saying, "You just have a tendency of overconfidence."

Ash pouted before replying softly, "Do not."

Yes, Gary Oak also received the exact same letter as Ash. Both had immediately accepted, and arranged to travel to Vermillion City for the cruise. Gary hadn't missed even an opportunity to annoy Ash. Gary checked his wristwatch before commenting, "Whatever, but we might miss the cruise if we don't leave soon."

Ash shrugged before claiming, "I'm ready whenever. Mom just started to freak out."

"Well I need to make sure that you have plenty of clean underwear packed, Ash."

Ash groaned as he turned to see his mom dragging a suitcase across the pokemon center. She had insisted on coming to see him off on the cruise. Finally Ash exclaimed, "Mom, come on. I'm not helpless. I've been traveling for the past six years."

Delia smiled before saying in a motherly tone, "Of course, honey. I just want to make sure that you had plenty of underwear."

Ash blushed and ignored the laughing Gary. He grabbed his mom before starting to drag her towards the dock. When he was far enough from Gary, he whispered to his mother, "Did you pack the underwear with the teddy bears?"

Delia nodded and replied overly loud, "Of course honey. I know how you get upset without your bears."

Ash blushed again, and started to pull her away faster as Gary started rolling on the ground in laughter. The trio started walking through Vermillion city towards the port of the city. They were quickly in a crowd heading towards the port. Everyone seemed to be heading towards boats and cruises heading towards Pokemon Island and the C.C. Tournament. There were also dozens of small stands on the side of the road, attempting to sell to the many people passing, thus further cramping the group as they walked towards the port.

Ash finally managed to squeeze into the large square where people loaded onto their boats. Currently there were three ships that were loading. Ash turned to his mom and Gary before asking, "So which one is our boat, mom?"

Delia looked around before pointing at an official across the square. She quickly claimed, "I'll just go ask that man." She then quickly walked away before Ash could say anything.

Gary laughed before claiming, "I'll go help her."

Ash quickly volunteered, "I'll go too."

Gary quickly laughed before saying in a mocking voice, "No need to strain yourself, Ash. You can just wait here. I know how difficult it is for you to think."

Ash pouted and sat on a bench as Gary walked away. Gary still always poked fun at him whenever the chance came up. Ash was determined to beat Gary in the C.C. Tournament. Ash would show who the better Pallet Town trainer was.

Ash quickly got annoyed after a few minutes. How long was this going to take? He looked up, but neither Gary nor his mom was by the official they had been talking about. Ash stood up, and started looking around. He couldn't seem to find them anywhere. Ash grew livid. Did they leave him here?

Ash stood up and started walking around looking for his mom and Gary. He couldn't see either of them. He frowned as he started working through the crowd in his search. He started getting pushed and shoved from all sides in the mob. He decided it wasn't worth it, and started working his way to the edge. Finally he reached an empty space where he wasn't in danger of suffocating.

Ash bent down with his hands on his knees to regain his breath, but almost immediately someone covered his eyes. He heard a voice exclaim, "Guess who, Ash!"

Ash struggled for a second before he recognized the voice. He hesitantly asked, "May?"

The hands were removed. He spun around to see May, who immediately spoke happily, "Good to see you haven't forgotten about me while in Sinnoh."

Immediately another voice said, "I wouldn't have been surprised if he had. Ash isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, after all."

Ash pouted when he recognized the voice. He looked to the side to see Misty standing there with a smirk. Ash looked around to see that he suddenly saw Brock, Misty, May, Max, and Dawn. He finally exclaimed, "How did you all get here?"

Brock quickly explained, "Your mom called all of us, and we all arranged to meet here to surprise you."

Ash looked around as he said, "Mom." Finally he saw her next to Dawn.

Delia smiled before claiming, "I was worried about you being by yourself, so I called Brock to ask if he would go with you too. And then Brock suggested this idea to arrange a gathering, and I loved it."

Ash started laughing before pulling everyone into a group hug. It then descended to pleasantries for several minutes. After several minutes, Ash practically screamed, "What, you are actually one of the 'Selected Trainers' Misty?"

Misty seemed slightly offended and looked away with a pout as she replied, "Is there a problem with that. I'll have you know, Ash Ketchum, that my Gym is one of the best in all of Kanto."

Ash scratched his head before finally explaining, "I just thought they would have chosen a little bit more accomplished trainers for that."

Brock held up a hand before claiming, "Actually Ash, I was also selected." Ash looked at him in shock, so Brock explained further, "I think you are overestimating the amount of trainers out there. There aren't quite as many people that place in the top eight as you seem to think Ash. Many of the best trainers don't compete in regional leagues that often. Many are currently taking care of families and such. The 'Selected Trainers' aren't all going to be what you expect."

May quickly added, "Yeah, I even got the invite."

Ash crouched in a corner as he tapped his fingers together with a gloomy atmosphere. He started muttering, "So I guess that Gary was right. I was just thinking that it was bigger than it was." The others patted his back awkwardly. Suddenly his head shot up as he questioned, "Why isn't Gary here right now?"

Delia quickly claimed, "He already got on the ship. He said that he didn't have time to play reunion because he had to write his speech for when he wins the tournament."

Ash immediately yelled, "Like hell I'm going to let Gary win. Come on, let's get on the boat." He quickly started to walk away, only to start slowing down. Finally he came to a stop. He turned around scratching his head as he asked, "Which boat are we on?"

Misty sighed before commenting, "Still the same, Ash."

"Hey."

The group quickly started working their way through the crowd towards the largest ship. After several minutes of waiting in line, the group took turns showing their tickets to the boarding passenger. Ash was last. He turned to his mom and gave her a hug.

Delia pulled back as she ordered, "Make sure that you change your underwear every morning."

Ash laughed before claiming, "Come on, mom. I've traveled through four regions without a problem. Now, I'm going to be staying in a hotel in the middle of the city. It will be like a vacation."

Misty quickly yelled, "Yeah right, Ash. Everyone knows that you would have starved to death without Brock."

Ash pouted before hugging his mom again. Delia quickly informed him, "Professor Oak and I have made arrangements to go to the tournament in a little while. So make sure that I get a chance to see you in action."

Ash laughed before exclaiming confidently, "Don't worry, mom, because I'm going to win the entire tournament."

Ash felt someone tugging on the back of his shirt. He turned his head to see Misty dragging him up the ramp towards the ship. She quickly said, "Hurry up, they are about to raise the ramp."

Ash waved to his mom from the top of the ramp, as the workers removed the ramp. His mom was quickly swallowed up in the crowd as the boat started moving away. Ash sighed before turning around and announcing, "Now it is time for me to win a tournament."

The group chuckled at him before looking around the boat. Dawn quickly exclaimed, "Look, a pool." True to her word, there was a large pool on the deck.

Brock immediately yelled with hearts in his eyes, "Who cares. Look at all the swimsuit babes around the pool."

Brock immediately gave a cry of pain as Max pulled his ear. Max then started to drag him away as he commanded, "Calm down, big boy. No harassing women for you." Misty looked disappointedly at her hammer before having it disappear into thin air.

People started to split up immediately. Dawn, May, and Misty all went off to find their rooms and change into their swimsuits. Max was trying to restrain Brock from walking over to all the 'babes.' Ash suddenly realized that he was all alone. Ash tried to think on what he should do, but suddenly an amused voice spoke behind him, "It looks like they left you all alone, Ashy boy."

Ash frowned as he turned to look at Gary. Gary was leaning against the rail with his arms crossed, and a smirk on his face. Ash shrugged before pausing. Finally he asked, "I thought you had a speech to prepare."

Gary laughed before claiming, "Nah, its just fun to mess with you."

Ash frowned with another frown on his face. He quickly announced, "Good because you won't win the tournament in the first place. Because I am winning."

Gary shrugged before saying in a mocking voice, "Sure, Ash."

Ash now shouted, "I will win. Just make sure that you meet me in the finals, Gary. I want to beat you on the biggest stage of all."

Gary surprisingly seemed skeptical. He looked at Ash funny before shaking his head as he muttered, "The finals." He now looked at Ash seriously before asking, "Are you really serious, Ash?"

Ash was surprised by the sudden change in Gary. Mocking to serious in a second. Ash quickly questioned, "What do you mean? Of course I'm serious."

Gary sighed before saying bluntly, "Ash, there is no chance of either of us going to the finals. Neither of us have even gotten to the finals of a regional league, and you expect us to do it at the C.C. tournament." Gary leaned forward before continuing intensely, "Ash, this isn't a regional league. Far from it. This is the largest and greatest tournament in the world. There will be champions competing. The elite four. League winners. And who knows who else. There will be trainers that will have enough power to make your Charizard look like a toddler. People train for years in preparation for this tournament. I have been making sure for months that my pokemon were at their peak, but not only did you forget about it, after you received the letter, instead of training, you went on a vacation through the Orange Islands."

Ash quickly objected, "That wasn't a vacation."

Gary quickly cut in, "It doesn't matter, Ash." He grew quiet for a moment before looking at Ash without a hint of humor in his eyes. Finally started speaking slowly, "You need to realize Ash. This tournament…will be the hardest thing you have ever done. Both you, and your pokemon will be pushed to the limit. And even with that, you won't win this thing Ash. We are both sixteen. There are people who compete in this tournament three or four times and never even get to the champion rounds. Yet you are talking about winning this thing. Ash, for once listen to me and get this idea past your thick skull. Do not enter this tournament with any ideas of winning. And remember that if you get to the champion rounds, or the top thirty-two, sixty-four, heck, even the top one hundred and twenty-eight, be thankful. No matter what techniques or crazy ideas you come up with, know this, this is an educational experience." Gary walked away without another word.

Ash was too shocked to even attempt to stop him. Gary was talking about not having any chance of victory. Gary always was confident he could beat anyone. It shook Ash to the core that Gary admitted he had no chance at victory. And Ash could tell that Gary truly believed that.

Ash leaned back against the wall as he thought. He couldn't shake this troubled feeling. Gary had just thrown a curveball. Ash couldn't imagine Gary admitting that he wasn't strong enough to do something. Ash laid his head against the rail as he let out a groan. How was he going to handle this? He couldn't even feel that supreme confidence he always had?

Ash was still in shock when, once again, a voice spoke behind him, "That was rough, Ash."

Ash turned to see Norman and Caroline. Ash was getting annoyed of being surprised by all these people. Ash straightened and said quickly, "Hello, Norman. I didn't know you were on this ship. Good to see again, Caroline."

Caroline nodded and replied, "You too, Ash."

Norman now claimed, "We came with May. I also was chosen to be a Selected Trainer along with May. We just stayed on the boat. We felt that we were an unneeded presence for you guys' reunion."

Ash smiled before saying, "So you were also chosen, Norman. I'm not really surprised by that. You were probably the toughest gym leader in Hoenn for me."

Norman smiled before replying, "Thanks for the compliment."

Caroline tapped Norman on the shoulder before pointing as she exclaimed, "There's May." Ash looked to see May in a swimsuit with Misty and Dawn.

Norman looked at Caroline before suggesting, "Why don't you go and talk to her. I want to talk a little bit with Ash." Caroline nodded before walking away.

Ash watched her leave before asking Norman uncertainly, "What were you going to talk to me about?"

Norman shrugged before informing Ash, "I heard your talk with Professor Oak's grandson." Ash shifted uncomfortably for a moment, so Norman raised his hands to signal to be calm as he continued, "I'm not going to lecture you or anything. Just thought you might need someone to talk to."

Ash looked at Norman for a moment before turning around to look at the ocean as the ship moved. Finally he claimed, "I've just never heard Gary talk like that. He was always the cocky one who thought he was unbeatable. I was always the one who rushed into things head on. I guess I'm a little surprised that Gary thinks he doesn't stand a chance."

Norman quickly asked, "So its not that you are feeling discouraged?"

Ash shook his head before explaining, "Everyone always tells me that I don't stand a chance. Ever since the start of my journey, but Pikachu and I will keep going till we succeed." Pikachu shook his hand in the air as he squeaked in agreement.

Norman chuckled at Ash's eagerness before growing serious, "It is good to hear that, but I hope that you don't get your hopes up too high. The C.C. tournament is unlike anything else you have ever seen, Ash. I should know, I've competed in two."

Ash raised his eyebrows before questioning, "Twice. It only comes around every ten years. That means twenty years. You were battling twenty years ago? Just how old are you, Norman?"

Norman coughed awkwardly before claiming, "I'm thirty-two. I first competed in the C.C. tournament when I was twelve. Man, I was excited. I had only competed in the Hoenn league. There I had only gotten to the top sixty-four." Norman looked into the distance as he reminisced before admitting, "That first C.C. tournament I didn't even get past the preliminary rounds. The next tournament was when I was twenty-two. May was three, and Caroline was pregnant with Max. I trained hard, but I didn't have my head in the right place. I was always distracted about Caroline. She even went into labor during the tournament. Luckily it wasn't during one of my matches, anyways Max was born. I looked at him as a baby. This was my son. The next day I just couldn't concentrate. I ended up losing a match where I was the heavy favorite. I was declared the top one hundred and twenty-eight. That ended that tournament for me."

Ash didn't know what to say. Finally he said awkwardly, "I'm…sorry."

Norman shook his head before continuing, "Don't be. I didn't particularly care at the time. Having a child being born really puts things into perspective. I realized a tournament wasn't the most important thing in the world. Well I continued raising my family for the next few years, three years ago I got my gym leader position."

Ash now asked, "No offense Norman, but why are you telling me this?"

Norman laughed before looking at Ash and explaining, "I just want to tell you something. I think that the reason you are having trouble with Gary is that he has realized something. There will always be another chance. This will be my third C.C. tournament. This will be your first tournament. You are thinking right now that this is your chance. Top eight declared 'masters' and the winner declared 'champion.' You want to fulfill your dream here and now. Gary is currently thinking not of this tournament, but the next. You two are at completely different perspectives right now. So don't worry. You need to forget about how Gary, Brock, May, or anyone else is going to take this tournament. Just focus on what you want to do."

Ash smiled. Norman hadn't said anything he hadn't known, but he still felt better for some reason. Ash nodded at Norman before admitting, "Thanks Norman. That really helped."

Norman nodded before walking away. Ash turned around to look at the water again. He let out a smile before saying loudly, "Alright. Time to win the tournament."

Later in the day

"Really Max, you've started your journey?" Ash asked in amazement. It was difficult to imagine the tiny kid he'd traveled with on his own journey.

Max lifted his head cockily, "Of course. I got my first pokemon two months ago, and I've already gotten three badges."

"Cool, so what pokemon do you have?" Ash asked excitedly. Ash faintly heard a cry of pain. Croagunk was getting his training by giving Brock a Poison Jab every minute to stop him from hitting on girls. Max had gotten tired from restraining the unbeatable Brock after a while. Croagunk had since taken over. Everyone else had split up to different parts of the ship. Ash was now talking with Max in the chairs around the swimming pool.

Max shifted his glasses with a grin before starting to say enthusiastically, "I chose Treecko as my starter. Dad also gave me a Slakoth like he always promised me. After that I went searching for that Ralts that I met while traveling with you. Remember?" Ash nodded so Max continued, "It took a while till I found Ralts, who had evolved into a Kirlia, by the way. While searching I took the time to train my pokemon. Treecko and Slakoth evolved."

Ash now questioned, "So you have a Grovyle, Vigoroth, and Kirlia?"

Max nodded before continuing, "Yeah, but I've also caught a Taillow and Shroomish."

Ash nodded before asking, "Can I see them?"

Max nodded before stopping and admitting, "Okay, but not Vigoroth. I'm having a little trouble controlling him. He listens in battles, but he isn't exactly the most well behaved of my pokemon."

Ash nodded before claiming, "Don't worry. I understand what that is like." Remembering Charizard.

Max then released his pokemon. Many trainers were releasing their pokemon all over the ship so it wasn't a problem. A Grovyle, Kirlia, Shroomish, and Taillow quickly appeared. Immediately the Shroomish jumped into Max's lap. Max laughed before looking at his pokemon and gesturing towards Ash as he told them, "This is the trainer I've told you about, Ash Ketchum." His pokemon quickly nodded.

Ash stood up before looking at the pokemon. After several moments, Ash exclaimed, "This is a nice set of pokemon, Max."

Max rubbed his head as he said, "Thanks." He looked at Ash before asking, "Ash, what pokemon do you have on you? I'm sure my pokemon would like to see several of yours. Plus I would like to see any of your new pokemon."

Ash thought for a second. He finally claimed, "Well, several of my pokemon are a little too big for the deck. However, I'm sure I can let several out pokemon." Max smiled and stood up in excitement. Ash smiled before pulling out three pokemon. He tossed them in the air as he announced, "Come on out, guys."

Out of the poke balls came, Infernape, Gible, and Bayleef. They looked around at their surroundings, and Pikachu quickly jumped from Ash's shoulder to join them. Max excitedly started examining them. Ash's pokemon looked awkward at their inspections. Max's pokemon quickly started to mingle with Ash's.

Ash crouched down before asking, "So you are planning to enter the tournament with these pokemon?"

Max nodded before explaining, "Yes, all the gyms shut down for the tournament, and I just couldn't let the opportunity pass me by. Why is there a problem with them?"

Ash looked up before suggesting, "Maybe you should catch a water type? Right now you don't have any pokemon that would have the advantage over a fire type. You have two grass types, and so there is a good chance that someone would use a fire type against you in the tournament. A water type would be able to help you there."

Out of no where, a voice exclaimed, "Yeah, you need a water type." Ash and Max looked over to see Misty in the water. She continued, "A water type is absolutely necessary for a pokemon team. Also Ash, Max is also vulnerable to flying, ice, and steel types would resist all his pokemon. A water type has resistances to all those, so it would really help you Max.

Max nodded in understanding, but asked, "Well where would I get a water type? I guess I could go fishing before the tournament."

Ash stepped back before announcing, "Why wait? There are hundreds of water types right underneath us."

Max walked over to the rail to watch the water twenty feet below them. He then turned and asked said awkwardly, "I think that is impossible, Ash."

Misty quickly said, "Nonsense, you just need a water type to ride on." She then started swimming away before saying, "Hope that Ash managed to think this through cause I'm not gonna help you two."

Ash yelled at her, "I did think it through." He turned around angrily before walking over to Max and explaining, "We just need a pokemon to ride on till you catch a water type, and I got the pokemon right here." He pulled out a poke ball before tossing it over the rail as he yelled, "Lapras, come on out." The water and ice type dinosaur-like pokemon appeared in the water. Lapras gave a cry as it continued swimming along besides the ship.

Max exclaimed before asking in an excited voice, "Woah, a Lapras. I didn't know you had a Lapras. They are really rare, and powerful pokemon."

Ash smiled before explaining, "I caught Lapras when I traveled through the Orange Islands. When I heard the tournament, I called some of my pokemon from training. Lapras was one of those pokemon. I traveled for a week around the Orange Islands to find it."

Max nodded before asking reasonably, "So how are we gonna get down?"

Ash quickly called, "Bayleef, can you lower Max and me down to Lapras with your Vine Whip?" Bayleef cried happily before grabbing Max and lowering him over the edge. Ash heard a yell and a suggestion from Max for Bayleef to drop him softer.

Ash laughed as he got picked up. As Bayleef lowered him, he ordered, "Stay on the deck. I'll yell up when we are done." Bayleef apparently dropped him off softer than Max.

Ash patted Lapras before ordering, "Get us a little way from the ship, but make sure that the ship is always within sight." Lapras gave a cry before angling away from the ship. Lapras easily outpaced the ship, and it started to disappear into the distance. When it was just on the horizon heading towards them, Ash patted Lapras before ordering, "That's enough, Lapras. It is pretty shallow here." Lapras came to a stop.

Max looked into the water before asking, "So how am I going to catch anything? We didn't bring any fishing rods, and I don't have any pokemon other than Vigoroth on me."

Ash smiled before bringing out another poke ball. He then proceeded to release Buizel into the water. The water weasel looked to Ash for orders. Ash proceeded to explain, "Buizel will help. Lapras will take us underwater. Most likely there will be plenty of pokemon, find one you think it would be nice to catch. Then point to it, and Buizel will weaken it so you can catch it. You think you can do that, Buizel." Buizel nodded.

Max quickly said, "Thanks, Ash."

Ash nodded before lifting a hand and announcing, "Let's go." Lapras quickly pulled them under the water. Ash held onto the shell as he went deeper and deeper underwater. He felt his ears popping, and then Lapras stopped descending. Ash opened his eyes to see the underwater world. (Usual underwater scenery from real world.) Entire groups of Luvdisc, Magikarp, Barboach, etc. Ash looked over to see Max looking at all the pokemon. Ash waited for several moments before he got worried. He was starting to run out of breath, and Max didn't seem to be about to choose any pokemon. His head was like a top, constantly spinning to look at the pokemon. After a few more moments, Ash couldn't take it. He hit Lapras on the back, and then signaled to rise. After ten seconds, they broke the surface.

Ash took several deep breaths before informing Max, "You need to hurry up and choose, Max. We don't have a long time down there."

Max protested, "Sorry, but this is a difficult decision. I need to consider their types, evolutions, moves, and everything else."

Ash nodded before saying, "Don't think about all that Max." MAx looked at him funny, so Ash continued, "Don't judge a pokemon by its types. Try and feel any attachment. Some pokemon I see, I immediately feel that connection. Just see if you feel a pull towards a single one." Max nodded, so Ash signaled Lapras again who immediately dived.

Once again, Ash found himself surrounded by dozens of water pokemon. He looked at Max who was intensely searching. Suddenly, Max's hand shot out. Ash followed where he was pointing. At first he didn't see anything, but then he saw a glow. He looked closer to see a single Chinchou. Immediately Buizel launched himself towards the pokemon with Aqua Jet. The Chinchou didn't have time to react before the attack connected and threw it back. The Chinchou took a moment to recover from the attack. The pokemon then started to glow as it prepared for an electric attack. Buizel reacted quickly and launched a Water Pulse. The attack hit before Chinchou could launch its electric attack. The pokemon once again took a several moments to recover. Once it did, it immediately shot a multicolored beam from its antennae. The Psybeam attack was immediately intercepted with a Sonicboom attack from Buizel. Another wave of the Sonicboom went to connect with the Chinchou, completely knocking it unconscious. Max took the chance to throw the poke ball. Immediately Lapras started rising as its passengers were about to run out of air.

Ash gasped when his head broke the surface. He let his lungs fill up several times before looking over at Max. Max was still recovering. Ash announced, "Congratulations, you got yourself a Chinchou."

Max took several more breaths before exclaiming, "That was so cool. I just saw the Chinchou and before I knew it, I was pointing at it." Max suddenly sat up and continued in a panicked voice, "Oh no, the poke ball. Where is Chinchou's poke ball?"

Ash smiled before gesturing with his head, "I think Buizel has you covered." Max looked over to see Buizel holding the poke ball.

Max sighed in relief before reaching over to grab the poke ball. Finally he sighed before announcing, "Alright, I caught a Chinchou. It has a really unique combination. Chinchou will also be able to cover my weakness for flying types also."

Ash nodded along before commenting, "However, it will need some training. It has a lot of potential, Psybeam is a really unusual move for a Chinchou, but it won't stand in the tournament unless it is well trained."

Max nodded. He then quickly started speaking extremely fast, "Your Buizel was really strong. It must be at a really high level to defeat another water type in only three moves." Buizel looked proud at the praise, but Ash started thinking on his own. Buizel was strong, but there would be plenty of strong trainers at the tournament. Maybe he needed to train some more when he got to the island, but surprisingly, he couldn't help the excitement building in him.

Finally Ash patted Lapras before ordering, "Take us back to the ship."

The next morning

Ash was given a rude wake up call. He sat up in a panic when the water nailed him in his bed. He finally saw Misty, May, and Dawn all giggling in the doorway, Misty's Staryu was poised in front of them.

Ash asked angrily, "What was that for?"

Dawn giggled before answering, "Just wanted to see your cute angry face."

Misty quickly added, "Plus the ship will be docking in half an hour. I didn't want to spend ten minutes trying to wake you up." The trio quickly left.

Ash sighed before sitting up, and proceeded to get ready to leave. He gathered his things into his suitcase, while trying to be quiet to allow Pikachu to continue sleeping, who surprisingly hadn't been woken by the Water Gun.

After showering, Ash finished cleaning the room he'd spent the night in. After gently waking Pikachu, Ash took his suitcase and started down the hall. It only took a minute to end up on the crowded deck. He worked his way through the mob of trainers till he found Brock and the gang. Brock nodded at Ash, and Ash got ready to finally get on Pokemon Island to compete in the C.C. tournament.

Just quick note. For anyone who can't believe that I made it clear Ash won't win the entire tournament. I know Ash has to be the main character, but realistically in the anime, compare Ash to Cynthia. Hell would freeze over before he won. Just trust me. Ash will still do good, and this story will hopefully be entertaining.

I also just felt like writing about Max catching a pokemon. Chinchou just seemed to fit him.

What do you think of my tournament name? The Champions' Crowning or C.C. tournament. I needed to do something other than the usual Master's Tournament, etc. Also quick explanation. This story has the top eight crowned a 'master', but only the winner is declared 'champion.' So Ash might possibly fulfill his dream without winning. Wink wink.

Move on to next chapter.