Shortly after Paul left for the main hall to watch the matches, both Barry and Lucas were called onto the battlefield.
Compared to their previous opponents, this round's challengers had noticeably stronger lineups. The battles were tough—but nothing as frustrating as facing Conway.
After a challenging fight, both of them eventually emerged victorious through sheer offensive power.
As usual, Tobias dominated with overwhelming strength, effortlessly sweeping his opponent with just one Pokémon. His opponent had no chance to retaliate.
In a tournament where most competitors were barely at Gym Leader level—or below—a peak Honor-Class Darkrai was enough to crush the field.
When the quarterfinal matchups were announced, Paul glanced at the screen and saw a familiar yellow-haired figure placed opposite his own portrait.
"Interesting."
Paul nodded slightly, a calm smirk appeared on his face.
"Paul… this time, I will win!"
Barry, not far away, turned toward Paul and shouted with newfound courage.
"Looking forward to it. Give it everything you've got."
Paul gave a neutral nod and left, heading toward his room.
Though Barry had never beaten him before, underestimating one's opponent—especially in a major tournament—was never wise.
Take the match against Smeargle for example—had Paul not brought his Torterra, his win rate would've plummeted.
He needed to do his research on Barry's team and adjust his strategy accordingly.
"Do your best, Barry! I believe in you—you're going to show everyone a great battle!"
Lucas, ever the supportive friend, encouraged him.
"Yeah! Don't end up like last time. If you lose that badly again, the replay's gonna circulate way beyond just our little group!"
Dawn added a teasing jab after cheering him on.
"No way! I've grown stronger—there's no chance I'd lose that badly again!" Barry fired back, clearly flustered.
Dawn: "Oh sure, right, of course. We totally believe you…"
Barry: "..."
Barry's Known Team:
Empoleon
Staraptor
Heracross
Roserade
Snorlax
Rapidash
Hitmonlee
Jolteon
Skarmory
Toxicroak
"A pretty solid lineup."
After reviewing Barry's team, Paul gave a small nod of approval.
Barry's Pokémon leaned heavily toward offense—unlike Conway's all-rounded, stall-heavy approach. By comparison, this next match should be easier.
As for tactics… Paul made a mental note to watch out for Rapidash's speed blitz, Snorlax's ability to block movement, and Toxicroak's poison pressure.
Skarmory might lay entry hazards like Spikes, just like in the old animated matches—but if that's all, it's no big deal.
Of course, if Barry was still relying on old tactics after all this time, he'd just get steamrolled.
Now for countermeasures—
"Yeah… this should work."
Paul soon settled on a battle plan he deemed stable enough, then sought out Reggie to update his team lineup.
Elsewhere…
"Ugh, this is so hard! What Pokémon should I use to actually win?!"
Barry groaned as he clutched his spiky blond hair, staring at Paul's intimidating record. His head was spinning.
After stressing out for hours, he finally fell asleep without realizing it. At dawn, he scrambled to finalize his lineup and strategy.
At the Battlefield...
"Now commencing the quarterfinal match! Both trainers are in position—Barry from Twinleaf Town versus Paul from Veilstone City!"
"Two talented young Trainers, both with incredible potential—let's see who will earn a spot in the semifinals!"
Under the commentator's enthusiastic announcement, Paul and Barry met eyes from across the field—Paul remained calm and composed, while Barry wore a serious expression.
"Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
As the referee gave the command, both Trainers threw their Poké Balls at the same time.
"Go! Roserade!"
"Hisuian Samurott, stand by for battle!"
"Rosé~!"
"Chah-ha!"
A masked, elegant dancer cloaked in flowers—Roserade, and a cold-eyed samurai wielding dual shell blades—Hisuian Samurott—took the stage.
"Barry takes the first move—let the battle begin!"
"Roserade, Toxic Spikes!" Barry didn't hesitate.
"Rosé~!"
Roserade raised both bouquet-like hands, launching two jets of purplish toxins into the air. As they landed, the battlefield briefly glowed with a violet shade before the mist vanished.
Double layer of Toxic Spikes!
Any grounded Pokémon Paul sends out will be badly poisoned upon entry!
Unlike the games, the real-world rules—as seen in the anime—mean even standing on the field risks poisoning, as long as the Pokémon touches the ground.
But that's only if it touches the ground.
"Stay airborne—Ceaseless Edge!" Paul instantly countered.
"Chaah~!"
Water surged around Hisuian Samurott as it dashed across the field in a flash, twin blades glowing darkly. It unleashed a flurry of vicious slashes—each like a wave crashing upon Roserade.
"Roserade, dodge it!"
Barry shouted, but despite training for both speed and Toxic-style offense, Roserade couldn't evade right after using a move.
Unable to escape, Roserade was struck again and again—its body wracked with pain.
What stood out was that despite the onslaught, Samurott deliberately avoided finishing blows. It didn't aim for a knockout—yet.
"Chaah~!"
With every sweeping slash of Ceaseless Edge, sharp black spikes scattered across the battlefield, disappearing into the ground.
Spikes deployed—courtesy of Ceaseless Edge's side effect!
"Roserade, use Power Whip—followed by Stun Spore!"
Retracting and bruised, Roserade whipped out a vine from its bouquet—but Samurott, reading the motion, severed the vine in a blink.
Roserade tried to release Stun Spore from its mouth, hands, and floral head—but Samurott anticipated every attempt, striking Roserade's weak points with increasing force.
In seconds, Samurott had landed dozens of calculated slashes.
And on the third Ceaseless Edge, the bonus Spikes activated again—this time, Paul gave the signal.
No more holding back.
Samurott went for the vitals. With a decisive final flurry, it knocked out the battered Roserade and rode a burst of water back to Paul's side, floating midair.
Referee: "Roserade is unable to battle—Hisuian Samurott wins!"
"Return, Roserade. You did great out there."
Barry recalled his Pokémon gently.
Though the loss was one-sided—Roserade barely got a hit in—it still managed to coat the field with Toxic Spikes.
Now, any of Paul's grounded Pokémon would be poisoned upon entry.
Barry's tactics were still unfolding—this was only the beginning!
(To be continued...)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want to access advance chapters, please visit: patreon.com / PMadz_23