Jhoto

Ash, "How is the security Fighting Master Bruno?"

Bruno, "As tight as we can make it. Are you alright young Champion?"

Ash gave a small smile, "Can't hide from a Master, can I?"

Bruno raised an eyebrow and waited patiently.

Ash, "I am not hurt, Master Bruno though I am worried about my friends getting attacked just because they are close to me. I know they are too stubborn and short tempered for their own good."

Bruno, "Lance mentioned they might try to get into a fight way over their heads so he made sure one G - men is always around them."

Ash nodded, "Better prepared then not."

Bruno, "Will you attend the finals?"

Ash, "Champion Gold invited me to join him in the observation booth. I think I will, Casey had been working so hard and after all the dealings with Team Rocket, Hunters, poachers and Legendaries I think she is ready to take on the responsibilities of an Elite."

Bruno clicked his tongue, "I heard one of the factions wants to brainwash you into becoming part of the group."

Ash looked at the sky feeling frustrated, "I am afraid that's true."

Bruno demanded, "Why? Have they fallen so low they would force themselves on a child now?"

Ash, "Well, for some reason they have it stuck in their heads I would be their perfect heir? I do not know what they are thinking, I truly do not."

Bruno had an angry expression, "You have your own dreams and goals. What they are doing is an insult to those who have dreams and ambitions."

Ash, "Champion Gold. It is good to see you again."

Gold grinned at them, "It is wonderful to see my Kouhai Champion too. Come on, I came here to take you to the observation area."

Ash, "Alright Champion Gold. I will see you around Master Bruno."

Bruno nodded, "Take care of yourself young Champion and remember you are not alone."

Ash smiled as the older man left and Gold was now escorting him to the observation room which was located on the upper areas right above the battle ground. Gou and Max were off grounds with the Rangers patrolling the area while Brock was with the healers making sure the healing area was prepped and ready. Gold kept Ash's attention on him by talking about the latest batch of poke eggs they received and how he was in charge of preparing them as a prize for the Silver Conference. Now, that got Ash's attention and he listened as Gold mentioned the Pokemon eggs were from outside the region.

Ash was definitely getting excited about the upcoming Silver Conference now and had started to talk about the Pokemon he would be using in the Silver Conference. Gold was interested as Ash planned on using the starters as his main heavy hitter while the others would be taking the second and third teams. Phantump, Magmar and Lapras were the Second main hitter while Noctowl, Omastar and Tyrantrum were going to be the third main group. Meanwhile Gengar, Banette and Annihilape would be the special ghost type team, Ash remembers the Silver Conference battle style.

The elimination rounds would be a race where the trainers would be racing against each other to be part of the limited forty eight seats for participants. Tyrantrum would be taking part in the beginning, he had talked about it with Lance and the older man had agreed it would be a good way to raise the ratings. Tyrantrum was all for the idea as it would show the world he was the best Alpha Pokemon and no one should even try to touch his pack. Gold laughed on hearing Tyrantrum's reasoning for taking part in the starting race then turned to the field.

Gold, "It's starting."

Ash, "Oh! Casey is going first against Maya."

Gold, "Will you avoid using Lucario and the others?"

Ash, "No, of course not. I just want to give the others equal chance to prove they are strong to themselves. Meganium, Typholsion and Croconaw plan on creating their own team in Jhoto."

Gold, "Ah! Like Venasaur, Blastoise and Charizard are doing? How very ambitious of them!"

Ash, "But problem is being abandoned really did a number on their confidence. So, I am hoping by doing really well in a giant show biz like the Silver Conference they will be more confident in themselves."

Gold looked sympathetic, "Not a bad plan and it's true there is only so much we can do to help our Pokemon. They started."

Ash chuckled, "Explaining rules take some time."

Casey, "Let's go Electivire, Gyarados."

Maya, "Time to rumble Blaziken and Jellicent."

Gold, "Huh, Maya was not kidding when she said she wanted to become a double type specialist."

Ash, "Isn't that a really difficult field to master?"

Gold, "Yes, but it does not stop people from doing it."

Ash, "True and we have no place to speak on it considering.... Oooh! That's one powerful combo."

Maya's Blaziken and Jellicent used a combo of night shade and flare blitz to attack Gyarados and Electivire. Gyarados used hurricane to distract and dodge the attack while Electivire retaliated using thunder punch against Blaziken. The attack was directed at the fire starter specifically and forced the team to fight one on one with their opponents instead. Ash's eyes glinted when he saw the divide and battle method, he remembers discussing the idea with Casey a few weeks ago. He was not expecting her to use it in battle already, but looks like the theory works in real time too.

Gold, "That's your idea isn't it?"

Ash, "I would not say it is my idea. We were discussing it with each other but were not sure if it was actually applicable."

Gold, "Divide and conquer, a very old strategy used by the fouth Master of Charizard temple."

Ash, "You have to admit it has it's appeal."

Gold, "I am not saying it doesn't but it will only work once."

Ash, "As long as it works right?"

Casey, "Rain dance and electric discharge."

Maya, "You will take your own Pokemon out, you crazy bint."

Gyarados smirked and used rain dance and drenched all of them and Electivire stood in front of Gyarados. They had been practicing this move and everyone was watching them with interest with questions inside their heads. Electivire's body sparked and crackled with electricity and then he released it towards his opponents who were moving already. Jellicent and Blaziken threw her above the battle field while the ghost Pokemon herself was hit by the paralyzing electricity. Gyarados was actually safe but she did not waste the opportunity and attacked using dark pulse knocking the ghost water type out.

Maya, "Jellicent!"

Referee, "Jellicent is unable to battle. Would you like to continue or forfeit?"

Maya, "Return Jellicent. Blaziken the choice is yours buddy."

Blaziken looked at her with a determined gaze, "Zi."

Maya, "Continue! We will not give up that easily."

Blaziken roared, "BLAZIKEN!"

Casey smirked, "No you won't. Otherwise you would not be here."

Maya, "Exactly!"

Referee, "The participants have decided on their course of action. Continue!"

Blaziken continued to battle and fought with Electivire while dodging Gyarados's attacks and using the speed the Blaziken line was known for to her advantage. Electivire and Gyarados narrowed their eyes, it seemed like Blaziken just became more stronger after seeing it's partner sacrifice. The two looked at each other then started to use one attack after another at Blaziken to slow the speeding female down. Gyarados fought head first with Blaziken while Electivire gave the serpent Pokemon support. The match was very intense as the water and fire type Pokemon clashed, the types weakness left far behind them.

Gold, "Oooh! You know something? I don't care who wins at this point. They are going to be a very interesting Elite."

Ash, "Agreed though I am biased towards Casey myself. They are good."

Gold, "Looks like type weakness does not affect them as much anymore. Good! It will be easier for them to focus during dangerous situations."

The fight went on with Blaziken using her speed to get between the two Pokemon and just as they attacked Blaziken jumped away making them abort the move. Gyarados got very irritated at one point and jumped after Blaziken as well, they were considered flying types too for a reason. It was because they could jump pretty high and reached Blaziken using tail whip only for Blaziken to twist her body and use seismic toss to throw Gyarados to the ground. Casey called for Gyarados but Blaziken was not letting go and both Pokemon crash landed on the battle field.

Referee, "Gyarados is unable to battle."

Casey, "I will continue to battle. Return Gyarados, thank you girl. You deserve a nice long rest. Leave the rest to us."

Maya, "Looks like we are even now."

Casey smirked, "Not for long."

Referee, "Both sides have decided to continue the battle."

Casey, "Thunder punch."

Maya, "Fire punch."

Will, "Looks like you are enjoying this battle."

Bruno looked at the psychic type specialist then back to the fight, "They have spunk and stubbornness, two things that will keep them alive in our line of work."

Karen, "That's not all though, is it? You have net these two before."

Bruno, "Yes, yes I have and they show great potential. I am looking forward to working with either of them."

Koga, "This will be a battle of wills."

Casey, "Electivire endure!"

Maya, "Do not let him rest Blaziken."

Blaziken attacked Electivire while the electric type used endure to preserve energy and just when Blaziken kicked again Electivire caught her leg. The electric type grinned and sent a painful shock through the fire type Pokemon getting a screech of pain from her. Maya called for Blaziken to break free but Electrivire used thunder shock at close range to completely knock Blaziken out. Blaziken fell to the ground with singed wings which made Ash wince though he was proud of Casey. Cleaning up and fixing wings burned from electrocution was not easy, he knew because he had to clean up after his flying types challenged Pikachu.

Referee, "Blaziken is unable to battle, Casey will move on to the finals."

Casey, "We won? Oh sweet Mew! We won."

Electivire picked her up but winced, "Vire."

Casey, "Are you ok?"

Electivire nodded, "Elec."

Casey, "Ooh! This is going to be painful tomorrow. I promise you, tomorrow I will give you guys special treatment. After Brock looks at you."

Electivire was amused at his partner's plans, as she went off tangent about treating him and the others to the best the Pokemon spa had to offer. She even made plans to give then the best treatment herself if the spas were unsatisfactory. The others watching her were amused by her lack of reaction or rather her sudden shift of priorities from winning to fretting over her Pokemon. Ash giggled under his breath realizing all of his friends including himself was like that and wondered how he might have looked to others as well.

Gold was snickering behind Ash, "Your friends picked up your habit."

Ash, "I am not that bad."

Gold, "I am not saying it's a bad thing Ash just really cute."

Ash, "Thanks? I guess. I just worry."

Gold, "And that's how we know we can trust a trainer."

Maya shook her head heading to the healing area, looks like Casey would be a fine Elite if she succeeded in winning. Maya bit her lip trying not to cry, as Casey was a sweet girl despite her fake cocky attitude which was more cute than cocky. Still loosing after training and coming so far really stung but she pulled herself together for the sake of her Pokemon. On the way though she was approached by Koga who wished to talk to her about getting an apprenticeship. Now this surprised Maya, she wS sure she lost and would not get anything except for advice to do better next time.

Koga smirked, "Master Bruno recommended you as a potential Elite support."

Maya, "I will do my best."