Part 22

Friday, after school.

The day has finally come for our first hero to make his Junior cup debut. Barry was about to make his entrance in the Junior cup here in Lumiose City. His first battle would be against Stephan, a trainer from the Unova region. A strong opponent no doubt.

The Stadium was already packed with battle fans and quite a few students from Sycamore's high school in attendance today. In the stands was also Paul, Ash, And a few other trainer presumably participants to observe their rivals.

"Hey Paul? You have any idea where Trip is at?" Ash questioned.

"Oh Trip? He decided not to show up today. Since he's also due to battle later today, he decided to stay back and do some special training to prepare himself. He is battling Calem first after all," Paul answered.

"Oh, I see," Ash nodded. "I'm sure it'll be a battle full of excitement." Finally the hosts Don George and Freddy were ready to get things underway. Freddy grabbed the microphone to begin narrating the battle.

"Good afternoon and the warmest of welcomes as we've got some Junior Cup action ahead of us. It's Barry and Stephan who will get their tournaments started. Two talented trainers will battle it out for the three points."

As he finished his statement both trainers walked out of the Stadium tunnels and into the battle field with the referee walking in between the two.

"Here we go. Both of them will want to start this well," Ash said. Paul nodded.

"While the two trainers are down there discussing things with the referee let's have a look at Barry's remarkable record so far," Freddy said, as he pulled up his last five matches.

"Well it's incredible to say the least. Very impressive how consistent he's been and it's notable how he managed to knockout 17 Pokémon in just five matches," Don George added. The referee continued explaining the rules to the trainers.

"Our referee this afternoon is 39 year old Olivier from the Sinnoh region," Freddy explained.

"Alright trainers, I want a clean battle out there. Obviously no slurs at each other, no cheating, have some sportsmanship, and we'll be good. You guys will have 30 minutes to battle, 15 minutes for each half. You may use six Pokémon and substitute at will. The trainer with more Pokémon by the thirty minute mark will be the winner," Olivier explained.

Both Barry and Stephan nodded and shook the referee's hand as he wished them both good luck in their battle. Then both trainers shook hands.

"Good luck man," Barry smiled.

"You too," Stephan returned the smile. Both trainers took their respective side of the battlefield.

"Now let's take a look at Barry's lineup for today's battle," Freddy mentioned.

"No doubt he's going to have his star Pokémon, Empoleon out there today. This is shaping up to be a very interesting battle. I'm sure Stephan will have Pokémon of his own to counter Barry's tactics and strategies," Don George remarked.

"Yes you're right, Don. Now let's have a look at Stephan's team," Freddy said.

"Well no surprise there. Sawk, Zebstrika, And Liepard, all three of them sure to cause Barry's defense all sorts of problems. We'll just have to wait and see," Don George Said.

Referee Olivier had a look at his watch then blew his whistle indicating the battle has begun.

"Alright trainers, Battle begin!"

"Empoleon, Let's get it!" Barry shouted. Empoleon was released from its Pokeball, Eager to start battling.

"Alright Zebstrika, your up first!" Stephan released the Pokeball and out came Zebstrika.

"Hmm, not an ideal matchup but whatever. We'll make quick work of it Empoleon," Barry said confidently.

"Empoleon!"

"Alright Zebstrika, Let's make this quick. Use Shock wave!"

"Zebstrika" Zebstrika cried as the powerful shock wave was headed straight for Empoleon. Barry remained calm remembering what Ash had taught him.

"Quick Empoleon, use light screen," Barry called. A bright yellow screen surrounded Empoleon as the Shock wave made direct contact with Empoleon. Even though Shock wave hit Empoleon took almost no damage.

"What?!" Stephan exclaimed.

"Shock wave never misses so it would have been pointless to try and avoid it. And now special attacks damage will be decreased," Barry told.

"Special attacks... Okay Zebstrika time to go all in. Giga impact, now!"

Zebstrika surrounded itself in a powerful yellow, orange and purple energy. Zebstrika charged at Empoleon with menacing speed and power.

"Empoleon just trust me on this one. Wait for it... wait for it..." he ordered. Empoleon desperately wanted to get away from the powerful normal attack but it trusted its trainer. Zebstrika got closer and closer ready to charge.

Once it was close enough "Now Jump!" Empoleon nodded and jumped just in time narrowly skimming the Giga Impact as Zebstrika charged right past it. "Empoleon use Steel Wing!" As Zebstrika charged past Empoloen missing the Giga Impact Empoleon's arms turned into steel and whacked Zebstrika in the legs causing it to Trip over as it zipped right past it.

"Oh no! Zebstrika get up!" Stephan cried.

"Heh, and now Zebstrika needs to recharge because it just used Giga Impact," Barry muttered to himself. "Now Empoleon Let's finish this quick! Use Earthquake!" Empoleon seized this opportunity to use a super effective move. It stomped its foot heavily on the ground causing an Earthquake and hitting Zebstrika with terrifying power. It was unable to move due to the recharge and unable to battle.

"Zebstrika is unable to battle, Empoleon is the winner." Referee Oliver announced.

"Wow! He overcame type disadvantage and wrapped it right up. Very well executed and planned by Barry," Freddy praised.

Stephan returned his Zebstrika a bit frustrated at how easily it had been taken out by a water type. "Okay Sawk you're up next!" Stephan released his Sawk, a fighting type.

"Man, another terrible matchup for us Empoleon," Barry complained. "No matter, I believe in you no matter what!"

"Empoleon!" It responded back to its trainer.

"Sawk get in close and use Brick Break," Stephan called.

Sawk wasted no time as it got close to Empoleon giving it no time to react. It raised its fist as if it were going to Karate chop a brick and landed it directly onto Empoleon. "Empoleon!" It cried in pain.

"Oh no, Empoleon!" Barry panicked.

"Hmph, that'll take care of the light screen for us," Stephan smiled.  "Keep up the pressure Sawk! Use Close Combat now!"

"Protect!" Barry Called. A bright blue screen surrounded Empoleon as it protected itself from the oncoming Close Combat which Sawk was relentless with. Sawk continued this move until it started affecting its stamina.

"Use Hydro Pump Empoleon!"

"Empoleon!" It cried as it released the powerful water attack straight to Sawk. Sawk used up too much energy and was unable to dodger the move. It was a direct hit and pushed Sawk a few meters back.

"Sawk use Bulk up!" Stephan called.

Sawk began to bulk up sharply raising its attack and defense. "Now Sawk get in close and use Close Combat once again!" Sawk went in more confidently with its Attack stat and Defense boosted. However it looked like Barry already had something planned for them...

"Quick use Aerial Ace Empoleon. Do it now!" Barry shouted.

"Aerial Ace?!" Stephan repeated baffled. Empoleon ran towards Sawk, jumped into the air and extended its arm out ready to attack. Sawk Jumped at the same time still trying Close Combat. Empoleon's arm wrapped around Sawk's neck mid air bringing it down to the ground.

Olivier inspected and gave his verdict. "Sawk is unable to battle, Empoleon wins."

"That's two down for Stephan. Barry really does have a comfortable lead here now," Don George spoke. "Yeah, now he's just gotta keep his concentration. No silly mistakes and he'll be fine," Freddy added. Stephan retreated his fainted Sawk. He really needed to get his he's in the battle or else he would lose this opening match.

"Okay Braviary come out!" Stephan called. The big bird Pokémon was out next against Empoleon.

"You guys were right. Barry has improved significantly over the past few days," Ash commented.

"Not only that. He finally doesn't look hopeless down in the battlefield for once. He looks like he knows what he's doing," Paul added.

As the battle went on in Barry's favor the half time interval arrived and it was time for the trainers to take a break and discuss things with their Pokémon. "So a break now with Barry leading the battle by 2-0 in a comfortable position," Freddy announced.

Five minutes later... after the interval was over.

"So the trainers back on the battlefield and the battle action will resume in just a moment ladies and gentleman," Freddy said. Referee Olivier blew his whistle resuming the second half of this Pokémon battle between Barry and Stephan. Barry kept his Empoleon out in battle and Stephan had his Braviary.

"Okay Empoleon, let's finish this quick. Use Hydro cannon," Barry called. The Penguin Pokémon then released a huge watery blast headed straight for Braviary in the air. There was always the element of risk when using a move as powerful as Hydro cannon.

"Braviary dodge that," Stephan told. Braviary moved out of the way without any trouble. Barry quickly panicked knowing what this meant.

"Hmm, not a great choice of attack Barry," Stephan said. "See now Empoleon won't be able to move for a turn. Now's our chance, use Brave bird!" Bravairy braced itself and was surrounded by a powerful aura. It charged towards Empoleon who could not move and clashed into it with Brave bird. The damage it sustained from Stephan's other two Pokémon was more than enough to take it out.

"Empoleon is unable to continue, Braviary wins." Olivier called. Barry returned Empoleon, praising it for its efforts.

"I think he got a little too cocky there Barry," Freddy commented on Empoleon's loss. "Yeah that was a complete waste," Don George added. " That's just relieved all the pressure."

"Great Job Empoleon. It's my fault you were knocked out," Barry admitted. The rest of the battle saw Barry carefully defending with his next Pokémon running down the clock. desperately waiting for the Referee's whistle. After the 30 Minutes was up referee Olivier blew his whistle signaling the end of this battle.

"The battle comes to an end on a good note for Barry. For Stephan, a little wake up call perhaps. But you never know, this is our Junior Cup. Surprises are inevitable," Don George. "Yes, he said it. And we've got a little more of this, what are you doing with the rest of your afternoon? Don't go anywhere folks," Freddy added.

"Later tonight we've got another spectacular battle sure to entertain you all. It's Trip against Calem for their opening matches. We hope you'll be able to join us here in a couple hours," Don George said. With that being said the fans roared in a approval eager for another battle.

"So, are you going to stick around?" Paul asked, turning towards Ash. "Hm, nah. My battle is coming up tomorrow. I need to start training for it," He replied. Paul nodded as Ash departed from him. Paul decided to stay back and observe his opponents once again. After all, the further he progressed, the tougher the competition got.

Barry vs Stephan: 2-1

To be continued...