Ash woke up early in the morning once again. He saw Pikachu was asleep still along with everyone else, so he decided to try and sneak out.

Of course, he kicked something on the  way out the door, and two Pokeballs open on their own.

Latias and Lucario walked up to me. "Where are you going so early?"

Ash smiled. "Sorry. Did I wake you two?"

They shook their heads. "No you didn't. We were awake, but we would've missed you had you not kicked that table."

Ash nodded. "Well I was about to go and sit up by one of the cliffs and watch the sun since everyone else is asleep. You both want to come with me?"

They nodded, so all three of them left the room without a sound. They continued like that until they made it out of the Pokemon Center and continued to walk for the cliffside. It was a famous spot among the Plateau that many enjoyed visiting, so Ash wanted to check it out.

"So Ash, what's the big plan for our next match?" Latias asked.

Ash thought for a second. "If I remember, my next match is against a guy named Tyson. If I'm right, then this is a friend of mine from Hoenn."

Lucario nodded. "I think you mentioned him once. Is he the one with the Meowth?"

"Yeah he is. So you're up Lucario. I can't remember his whole team from before besides a Donphan he had. I'll check his profile later."

As they got to the cliffside, they began to sit as dawn broke over the horizon in front of them. The sky was mixed with a black behind them, which formed into purple about halfway across the sky. It then turned into a violet, then a red, then an orange at the break in the sky. Everything around them was calm as they continued to watch the sun rise.

Ash chuckled. "I could watch this all day."

"You think the others will care if we stay here a while?" Latias asked.

"Maybe, but we'll see once we finish watching. It's rare you get this good of a view after all." Ash said.

.........

Everyone began to wake one by one. They all met up by the dining area for breakfast. When they were all awake, they started to wonder where their missing friend was.

"Anyone seen Ash this morning?" Professor Oak asked.

Lillie shook her head. "He wasn't in bed when I woke up, so I guess he got up early."

Bonnie put on a curious look. "Should we go find him?"

Brock shrugged. "Maybe. His match is first up and if he misses it, he is out of the tourney."

Cilan nodded. "Yeah. Let's go look around."

As they began to stand up, they saw a Pokemon appear in front of them. Before they began to respond and see what it was, it used Hypnosis and all of them were out cold. Before they were out, snickering could be heard around the corner.

.........

Ash and his Pokemon walked into the Pokemon Center an hour before his battle would start. He saw none of his friends around, which struck Ash as odd.

He began to review Tyson's trainer profile and find out his main team. "Alright. Shiftry, Sceptile, Hariyama, and Metagross. There's also his Donphan and Meowth. Maybe I can roll with Lucario, Charizard, and Krookodile."

Ash finished deciding his team, and grabbed the Pokemon he chose from the PC and began to walk out of the Pokemon Center. Before he did, he took a look around once more.

"Did they mention to either of you that they wouldn't be here?" He asked.

Both Pokemon shook their heads. "I would've remembered something like that. So would Lucario. But now that you mention this all, should we check on Pikachu?"

Ash nodded. "Yeah. Let's grab him real quick."

After arriving at the room, they found the sleepy mouse Pokemon and attempted to wake him. After he finally woke up, they needed answers.

"Pikachu, have you seen Lillie since I left early this morning?"

The mouse drooped his ears and shook his head. "Pika pi. Pikachu..."

"He said he hasn't seen her or anyone else besides us since last night."

Ash stroked his chin. "Ok, this is getting strange. Maybe they went to the stadium?"

After grabbing a few extra things, he walked out of the room and left the Pokemon Center. He took a short walk to the stadium, and walked into his locker room.

Ash noticed his friends weren't around the stadium lobby either, which started to worry him. He knew that they would be at the lobby to talk rather than leave him alone before his battle. The fact that he couldn't see them anywhere around those spots began to trigger alarm bells in his brain. He decided to take extra precautions.

"I don't like this one bit. Latias, I need you to return to your pokeball. Pikachu, stay with me and Lucario."

Both Pokemon complied without hesitation, and Ash took his steps into the tunnel to the battlefield. He stepped into the light of the day, and was greeted by cheers from the crowd around him. Ash glanced around the arena and still saw no sign of his friends, which worried him even more. However, Tyson appeared through his tunnel along with his trusty partner, so Ash placed his thoughts in the back of his head.

"It's been too long, Ash. Looks like this is under some slightly different circumstances I guess. But don't think I havent gotten tougher." He stated.

Ash smiled. "Same to you Tyson. I'm not going to just let you win. That would be disappointing to both of us."

They stared each other down as the ref called out towards the trainers. "Alright. This is a 3v3 Pokemon Battle. Both of you should still know the rules right now, so let's get this started. Send out your Pokemon."

Tyson threw a pokeball forward, and out came a Donphan. Just as Ash had expected.

"Sorry Tyson, but I had a feeling you would bring him along. Now Lucario, let's go."

The bipedal jackal jumped into the air, and landed in the middle of the battlefield. Lucario gave a look that said he was ready.

"Alright. Battle begin!"

"Lucario, use Aura Sphere."

"Donphan, use Rollout."

Lucario launched a slight volley of Aura Spheres that all ended up being dodged by Donphan, who used Rollout to maneuver around them. Donphan started to get closer to Lucario in a hurry.

"Now use Bone Rush and tip Donphan to the side."

Tyson widened his eyes. "What?"

Lucario formed a Bone Rush and placed one edge on the ground with the other above the ground. Once Donphan ran into the Bone Rush, Lucario tipped the Bone to the side and sent Donphan sliding on it's side. It was struggling to get up.

"Oh no! Donphan, get up!"

"Don't let it. Use Aura Sphere."

Lucario launched 2 Aura Spheres and hit Donphan head on. Once the dust cleared, Donphan had swirls in its eyes.

"Donphan is unable to battle. Send your next Pokémon."

.........

"You noticed how he hadn't looked for you?"

The voice was met with silence.

"Now you see how much of a friend he really is? Why you ever spent time with him, I'll never know." Said another voice.

Once again met with silence, another voice spoke up. "He never even batted an eyelash to look around up here. We are glad you joined us when you did."

Silence was once again made between the people in the area, which shut the discussion down right there.

.........

Tyson widened his eyes in surprise at what he saw. He knew Ash improved a lot, but saying he is a bit different from back in the Lilly of the Valley Conference is an understatement. He was marveled at the speed of that battle.

"You're full of surprises Ash. But I want my team to be the first to push down at least one Pokemon of yours in this tourney."

Ash smiled as his earlier worries were vanishing slightly. "Then you better show me everything you have. Come at me with all the fire I see in those eyes."

Tyson smiled. "Alright. Go, Hariyama!"

He sent out the large fighting type. Ash recognized that look of determination in the fighting types eyes from Hala's Hariyama. He chose to keep Lucario in.

"Round two. Begin!"

"Hariyama, Smelling Salts."

Ash saw what the idea was. "Lucario, don't breath in any of that attack. Space them out with Aura Sphere."

Lucario quickly moved back while firing Aura Spheres down towards Hariyama at an alarming pace.

Tyson frowned. "Use Arm Thrust and return them back."

Hariyama brought his hands up and began hitting them back towards Lucario as quick as they came.

Ash was shocked at the velocity that Hariyama moved his arms, but thought fast. "Bounce up with Bone Rush."

Lucario used his bone to launch upward as dust formed around where he was. Ash, however, had noticed that the Aura Sphere knicked Lucario. He had to finish this.

"Lucario, use Psychic!"

Lucario formed a blue aura around the large fighting type and thrashed him around a couple times with the psychic energy. In a few moments, Hariyama had been defeated.

"Haryiama is unable to battle. Send out your final Pokemon."

Tyson nodded at Meowth, who jumped onto the field with a determined look. Ash was considering switching until Lucario gave him a nod. Ash then smiled and conceded to the fighting type.

"Begin!"

"Hey Ash?"

Ash looked up. "Yeah?"

"Let's end this right." Tyson gave a thumbs up.

Ash smirked and gave his own thumbs up. "Yeah."

"Now Meowth..."

"Lucario..."

"Use Fury Swipes!/Close Combat!"

Both Pokemon rushed forward as they exchanged blow for blow. Ash and Tyson smiled as they saw how much fun their Pokemon were having. But they both knew it wouldn't last forever.

The Pokemon jumped back as the trainers made one last command. "Bone Rush!/Fury Swipes!"

The two opponents rushed forward and seemingly ran past each other with a clash sound echoing throughout. Neither Pokemon moved until both of them collapsed on the spot.

"Both Pokemon are unable to battle. As Ash has two Pokemon left, he wins the match by default."

The crowd erupted in excitement and cheers. Ash and Tyson returnef their Pokemon and walked up to each other. They shook hands as they had recognized each others strength.

Ash broke the silence. "Well, you got your wish."

Tyson smiled. "Yeah. I did. I'm proud I met you so long ago."

Ash smiled. "Come on. Let's talk over lunch."

The two took the same way out. However, something caught Ash by the corner of his eye. He didn't respond to it, but he saw his best friends expression also. They didn't want to believe it, but their eyes held no lies. Not even Aura Sense said otherwise.

His friends were all sitting with the traitors...

I think my plot twists have gotten better over the months. This chapter has been long overdue, and I know most of you know that. Now I really have no excuse to after Halloween. This chapter was supposed to be out by then, but then I just got lazy. As to beforehand, kinda been busy with school. But that should be getting better now, as most of my harder assignments have been knocked back. I really do apologize, and I appreciate the support during my absence. Also, expect the rest of this in 3rd person. I haven't been too lazy in the background,  and I noticed that 3rd person suits me more.

Now comment question: Who is your favorite Frontier Brain and why? You'll see why this question matters in the coming days. Until then, have a great day.

-Bl0torch