The air was cool and still, the soft morning light casting long shadows across the training battlefield outside the Jubilife Pokémon Center.
Barry and I stood across from each other, silent but focused.
No fanfare. No unnecessary words. Just a battle waiting to begin.
"Alright, I've got two Pokémon with me," Barry said, a flicker of excitement in his voice. "Two-on-two, no switching. Does that work for you?"
I met his gaze, studying him. He wasn't what I expected.
Not loud. Not obnoxious. Not the over-the-top, energetic fanboy version I remembered from the anime. This Barry was composed.
Confident. Eager, but grounded. He had the look of someone with something to prove, not someone chasing attention.
Maybe he'll actually be a rival worth acknowledging.
"Fine by me," I said simply.
Barry gave a quick nod, then his expression shifted into something more animated—not over-the-top, but genuine. "Alright, I'm so pumped up! Let's make this an interesting battle!"
We reached for our Poké Balls at the same time.
Twin flashes of red light arced through the air. His Poké Ball soared upward, mine hit the ground with weight and purpose.
"Let's go, Starly!"
"Larvitar, you're up."
The Pokémon materialized onto the field.
Starly burst into the air, wings wide and steady. Its flight was controlled, not the wild flapping of a freshly caught bird Pokémon. Every beat of its wings was deliberate.
Larvitar stood her ground, eyes locked onto the airborne opponent. Her claws twitched, but she waited. Disciplined. Watching. Ready.
At first glance, this matchup should be overwhelmingly in my favor. Larvitar's Rock typing resists Flying and Normal moves, and can return heavy super-effective hits against Starly's flying type.
But I've been around too long to rely on type advantage alone.
If Barry were like the anime version of himself, I'd already be assuming victory.
But this Barry? I can't imagine him ignoring such a blatant weakness. You could see it in the way he moved, the way he looked at the field.
He probably knows exactly what type disadvantage he's facing, but he doesn't seem worried. Which means he has a plan.
He might have already trained his Starly to use Steel Wing. If that's the case, this could be a lot more difficult than it looks.
And then there's Larvitar's own limitations. She doesn't have any reliable ranged attacks. Rock Slide could work, but she's better when there are actual rocks present—something she can manipulate by stomping the ground.
If she wants to use Rock Slide from a long distance, she'd have to channel her own energy to create the boulders and launch them while Starly's flying, but doing it that way burns more stamina than usual. If Barry drags this out—keeps his distance and stalls, it'll wear us down.
Then again, Starly probably doesn't have access to any special attacking moves either. So it'll have to come in close eventually. We'll both be working with mid-to-close range moves. That gives me a little more room to work with.
Still, standing here, it's clear: we're both sizing each other up.
I exhaled quietly. There's no point in overthinking this. I won't figure out his strategy by standing here guessing.
I'll wait, react, adapt. That's how I'll win.
I gave him a smirk, my voice smoothly confident. "Since you're the one who challenged me, I'll give you the honor of having the first move."
Barry's grin widened a fraction, like he was already a step ahead.
"Since you insist—Starly, Sand Attack!"
The bird swooped down instantly, its wings slicing through the dirt and throwing up a curtain of sand. The curtain of sand scattered, a swift wave aimed to blind Larvitar before Starly sharply pulled upward and back into the air.
Smart. Open with a status move. No overcommitment. He's not reckless.
"Larvitar, shake that sand off your face."
She growled low, blinking rapidly as shook the sand from her eyes. No need for us to overcommit just yet.
"Starly, Aerial Ace!" Barry called.
I waited for Starly to come closer.
"Slow it down with Scary Face."
Larvitar's eyes blazed red. Just as Starly twisted midair to commit to the attack, that glare sharpened—an invisible pressure slamming into the bird mid-flight. Its momentum faltered. Wings buckled slightly under the weight of Larvitar's presence.
"Now, Rock Slide!"
Larvitar slammed her claws into the dirt. A sharp burst of stone erupted from the cracked terrain, stones launching skyward in a tight, punishing cluster.
Starly jerked sideways, just barely fast enough to avoid a direct hit. But not all of it. One stone clipped its wing, knocking the bird off balance with a harsh squawk.
Barry narrowed his eyes, unreadable. "Recover and gain altitude!"
Too slow.
"Bite! Don't let it get away."
Larvitar surged forward. She leapt, her jaws clamping down on Starly's wing just as it tried to recover. The weight of the small Rock-type pulled the bird downward, dragging it toward the battlefield.
Starly screeched, thrashing midair. Larvitar bit down harder, refusing to let go.
Barry stayed calm, watching everything. "Twist and pull free!"
Starly flapped wildly, spinning and kicking with sudden force. Larvitar held fast for a second longer, then released just before she was lifted off the ground, landing in a low, ready crouch.
She hadn't taken any damage at all. And so far, Starly had only taken a few minor hits.
We reset positions. Eyes locked. Breathing steady.
Barry went in again.
"Starly, Quick Attack!"
A blur of white light streaked forward.
"Bite again."
Larvitar met the incoming dash with a lunge of her own, snapping her jaws closed just as Starly's shoulder grazed past her head. She caught feathers but not much else.
They reset. Again.
Barry's tone stayed level. "Quick Attack, once more!"
Another dash of white light streaked across the field.
"Bite."
Larvitar was quicker this time, catching the wing more cleanly. Starly shrieked as she dragged it low again, but once more, it twisted free before any serious damage was done.
He was predictable. Repeating the same attack pattern. Letting Starly take minor hits in exchange for zero progress. I expected more from a trainer with his kind of presence.
Disappointing.
He was dragging the fight out for no reason.
"Quick Attack!" Barry shouted again.
"Bite."
Let's just end this.
Larvitar braced as Starly streaked toward her, light trailing in its wake—same as before. I watched, already shifting my focus to our next plan of attack—
"Steel Wing!"
My eyes snapped open in surprise.
Starly's wings gleamed silver mid-dash—its momentum doubling as it twisted at the last moment, turning the Quick Attack into a full-force Steel Wing strike.
Larvitar couldn't react in time.
The glowing wing slammed into her side like a steel baseball bat. The force of the blow launched Larvitar across the field, sending dust and small pebbles scattering.
Larvitar grunted, her body thrown sideways into the dirt with a rough thud. She skidded to a halt, breathing heavy.
Still conscious.
But that did damage.
Real damage.
I clenched my teeth.
So he did have Steel Wing. I was under the impression that since he didn't use it for a while that he didn't teach it to Starly.
He was hiding it until the perfect moment, deliberately letting me underestimate him.
"Alright," I said, brushing dust off my sleeve. "That was a clever move. I'll give you credit where credit is due."
Barry gave a small grin. "Really? You're not mad? That could've been considered a dirty trick."
"Nah," I replied with a slight shake of my head. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have underestimated you."
He didn't say anything, but there was a flicker of something behind his eyes.
"But now," I added, narrowing my gaze, "let's show him what we can really do."
I raised my voice. "Larvitar—full power Rock Slide. Focus your energy directly above Starly."
Larvitar let out a low growl. This time, instead of pulling rocks from below, she looked up and channeled her energy into the air.
Chunks of stone formed unnaturally overhead, suspended by force of will alone. They shimmered with raw energy, quivering above Starly.
"Dodge it!" Barry barked.
Starly shot sideways, but it wasn't fast enough to dodge everything. One of the boulders crashed into its wing, staggering the bird mid-flight.
Barry's eyes sharpened. He saw what Larvitar was doing—still focused, still summoning more.
"Steel Wing, now!" he called. "Go straight in!"
Starly's wings lit up again, silver slicing through the light. It tucked and dove—faster, harder, trying to break through before Larvitar could finish summoning another strike.
But it wasn't going to work. Barry's not the only one who kept a move hidden.
"Protect."
A translucent green barrier flickered to life around Larvitar just as Starly slammed into it, the Steel Wing dispersing harmlessly against the shield.
Barry's eyes widened a fraction.
"Now. Bite, and hold it there."
The barrier dropped, and Larvitar sprang forward in one motion, her fangs locking around Starly's wing again—this time tighter, more deliberate. She wasn't letting go.
"Starly, use Wing Attack! Hit Larvitar with the other wing!"
The bird twisted in pain, slamming its free wing against Larvitar's head, again and again. The impacts were sharp, solid. But Larvitar endured them with a low, rumbling growl.
"Rock Slide. Once more."
This time, the energy formed directly above them both.
Chunks of earth, summoned by sheer force, materialized overhead—then dropped in a thunderous cascade.
The two Pokémon vanished beneath the falling stone.
Dust filled the field, a cloud of grit and debris shrouding everything in a dull silence.
Then—
Movement.
Larvitar emerged, crawling out of the rock pile, panting but standing.
Starly didn't follow.
The bird lay motionless, partially buried beneath a boulder, one wing twitching slightly before going still.
Barry exhaled, quiet, and raised his Poké Ball.
"You did great," he said, recalling Starly in a beam of red light. "Take a good rest."
He looked across the field at me and smiled.
"Man you're hardcore, using Rock Slide on your own Pokemon!"
I nodded, "I knew she could take it."
But this battle wasn't over yet.
Barry reached for his second Poké Ball, his expression steady.
"Let's see how you handle this one."
The ball opened with a burst of light, and the shape that formed on the battlefield was short, proud, and unmistakably blue.
Piplup.
Just as I expected.
A Water-type. The worst possible matchup for Larvitar.
I stared at the small penguin, watching as it bounced once on its feet and gave a sharp chirp.
I exhaled through my nose.
This'll be rough.
I already knew how this was going to go. Larvitar was hanging on from the last battle, and she didn't stand a chance in a one-on-one against the Water-type starter.
But giving up? That wasn't going to happen.
She could still learn something here. So could I.
"Alright, Larvitar," I said, low and even. "Let's give it all we've got."
Barry didn't hesitate. "Bubble Beam!"
The attack launched instantly, high-pressure bubbles ripped through the air in a tight stream.
"Dodge it!"
Larvitar moved, throwing herself sideways, but she wasn't fast enough. The stream clipped her side, the burst of water slamming into her rocky hide with enough force to spin her halfway around.
She landed hard, digging her claws into the ground to stay up.
Still standing.
"Stomping Tantrum!"
Larvitar roared, slamming her foot into the ground with all the fury she could muster. The battlefield cracked beneath her, a rippling shockwave tearing through the dirt.
Larvitar let out a low growl and stomped as hard as she could. Her foot came down with force, cracking the dirt beneath her. The shockwave pulsed forward, catching Piplup off guard.
Piplup stumbled, the tremor knocking its stance off-center.
I wasn't done.
"Quick, Rock Slide!"
Larvitar dropped her claws again, summoning what strength she had left. A pulse of energy sparked through the ground, and a small burst of jagged rocks shot upward—this one a fast, shallow arc meant for disruption over power.
A couple of the stones hit. Nothing devastating. But it was damage. And more importantly, pressure.
Barry's eyes narrowed. He was already giving his next order.
"Piplup, finish it with a Water Gun!"
Piplup planted its feet and fired again, the stream was faster and more precise this time.
"Move!" I snapped.
Larvitar tried.
She really tried.
But her footing was off. Her energy was spent.
The stream struck her head-on this time. She didn't cry out. She didn't collapse dramatically.
She just... dropped.
Larvitar is unable to battle
I recalled her with a quiet, "You did well. Get some rest."
Across the field, Barry didn't taunt or smile. He just gave a quiet nod, waiting for my next move.
I stared down at the Poké Balls on my belt.
I could send out Elekid. Practically a guaranteed win.
But I didn't reach for his Poké Ball.
The purpose of battles like these isn't just to win. It's to prepare.
If I only ever took the path of guaranteed victory, then I'd never improve. I'd never see what I or my Pokémon were truly capable of.
No. I'd rather see how Chimchar handles a disadvantage.
I grabbed his Poké Ball.
"Let's go."
The capsule opened in a burst of light, and Chimchar landed with a sharp cry, tail-flame flickering confidently behind him. He bounced on his feet, loose and limber, eyes narrowed as he locked onto Piplup.
Barry raised an eyebrow. "A Fire-type? Against Piplup?"
"It's fine," I stated simply. "I believe in Chimchar."
No need to elaborate.
Barry just smiled faintly. "Alright then. Let's go, Bubble Beam!"
"Ember."
Chimchar inhaled and spat a volley of flickering fireballs, but the Bubble Beam tore through them, evaporating them on impact before heading for Chimchart.
"Dodge!"
Chimchar darted to the side, flipping mid-air to avoid the worst of the blast. A few of the tail-end bubbles clipped him, bursting against his arm and chest. He winced, took a knee when he landed, but got right back up.
"Piplup, Growl!"
"Taunt."
Before Piplup could let out a sound, Chimchar grinned wide and shouted at it—arms flailing, mimicking its waddle in exaggerated, mocking fashion.
Piplup froze, puffing up angrily, momentarily forgetting what it was doing.
Barry frowned.
That was one option shut down.
"Fine, Peck!"
Piplup charged forward, beak glowing faintly as it lunged.
"Fire Punch with an uppercut."
Chimchar dropped low, then shot forward, flame-wreathed fist slamming into Piplup's underside in a rising uppercut.
Piplup let out a surprised cry and was launched into the air.
"Now, Ember!"
Still mid-air and unable to properly maneuver, Piplup was blasted by another volley of fire from Chimchar. Several embers caught the defenseless Water-type, singeing its feathers as it finally crashed to the ground and rolled to a stop.
Barry's jaw tightened.
"Piplup, Bide!"
I could tell what he was trying. Take the hits, reflect them back. A risky play.
I didn't take the bait.
"Don't attack. Use Taunt."
A wide grin spread across Chimchar's face. He paced in a tight circle around Piplup, hands behind his head, whistling obnoxiously, then started doing an exaggerated impersonation of Piplup again. He waddled with exaggerated clumsiness, deliberately tripped over his own feet, and flailed his arms wildly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Piplup's expression twitched. Its beak quivered. Rage started to boil over.
"Piplup you have to ignore it."
Listening to Barry's command, Piplup remained still, locked in its Bide.
"Keep going."
Chimchar leaned in real close and let out a smug "Pip-luuuup~" with a stupid grin.
The glow around Piplup began to fade. Its expression twisted, not in pain, but in frustration.
It snapped. It attacked without a command.
Chimchar was mid-step when the Pound hit. Piplup slammed into his gut with both flippers, catching him off guard and knocking him back a few feet.
He stumbled, skidding into a crouch.
Alright. That got him.
But now it was our turn.
"Flame Wheel."
Chimchar burst forward, flame erupting around his body. He tore across the field in a spiraling blaze, crashing straight into the oncoming Piplup.
The flame wheel struck full-force, sending the Water-type flying with a yelp of pain. It crashed into the dirt and tumbled several feet before finally skidding to a stop.
Barry's voice broke through the tension, sharp and desperate.
"Piplup! You can do this! Please, get back up!"
The little Water-type stirred slowly, shakily rising to its feet, responding not out of obedience, but out of will.
A soft light blue aura shimmered around its body, glowing brighter for a few seconds before fading away.
But its eyes—
They still glowed.
Torrent.
My gaze narrowed. That ability would push Piplup beyond its natural limits. Its water type attacks would hit harder, strike faster.
Maybe I should've been more concerned. After all, Torrent was no joke. A boosted Bubble Beam could end this in one hit if we weren't careful.
But instead of worry, all I felt was excitement.
This was what we needed. A real test.
This is the kind of pressure Chimchar needs. The kind that forces growth—the kind that reveals whether or not a Pokémon can rise above its limits.
I gave a faint smirk.
"So your Piplup has Torrent?" I said, tone rising with a challenge. "Then come at us with everything you've got. Chimchar will still break through."
Barry didn't hesitate.
"Bubble Beam!"
Piplup fired instantly, unleashing a rapid-fire barrage of shimmering, pressurized bubbles. They surged forward, faster than before.
"Dodge it!"
Chimchar leapt aside, but even his reflexes weren't enough to escape unscathed. A glancing hit clipped his shoulder. He grunted, staggering slightly.
One more hit like that, and it was over.
Barry followed up without missing a beat.
"Water Gun!"
"Flame Wheel! Use it to dodge and then counterattack!"
Chimchar didn't hesitate. Fire erupted around his body as he launched into a spinning wheel of heat and motion. He veered sharply, ducking beneath the next blast of water by a narrow margin.
The wheel collided with Piplup at full force, the flames engulfing the penguin in a blaze of impact.
Piplup crashed hard, skidding along the ground.
It tried to rise. Legs trembling, eyes still glowing with Torrent's light.
But then, it collapsed.
I kept my eyes on it, watching closely for any sign of movement.
Nothing.
It ended surprisingly quickly. I had a feeling this might've been the first time Piplup ever triggered Torrent.
I looked over at Chimchar.
He was breathing hard—steam rising from his soaked fur, his stance low from fatigue. But his eyes were still fierce, and his footing steady.
He'd taken every hit, kept pushing forward, and came out on top.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.
"That was incredible, Chimchar. You held your ground and you earned that win."
Chimchar looked up at me, chest still heaving, but his tail flame flared just a little brighter.
"You're getting stronger. Keep this up, and no opponent will stop you."
Across the field, Barry slowly walked over and returned Piplup with a quiet word of thanks. He looked tired, but not defeated. If anything, he looked more fired up than before.
"I lost," he said, voice clear and unwavering, "but I gave it my all! So I can honestly say right here, I have no regrets!"
I met his gaze. There was no bitterness in it. Just resolve.
"It was a great battle."
Barry grinned, all energy again. "Let's battle again someday, we'll find out who's really the top trainer!"
I didn't say anything right away.
But I knew we would.
Maybe it'd be in some other city, somewhere along the road.
Or maybe it'd be on the biggest stage of all, the Sinnoh League.
And when that day came?
It'd be an even better battle than the one we had today.
__________
AN: Regarding Blaze/Torrent/Overgrow. In the anime May's Blaziken, Ash's Grovile/Sceptile and Barry's Empoleon all had the abilities. However, for all of them it was a minor boost/1 episode thing. I'm going to treat that as the usual level for trainers who's pokemon have those abilities. Chimchar/Infernape will just be an anomaly with even greater power with Blaze, in exchange for it being significantly harder to control.