Once the groups were set, the contestants headed off to prepare. The elimination round would begin in twenty minutes, and anyone who failed to show up would forfeit.
Mingyou and Akari went their separate ways to get ready. Ogerpon, who wasn't competing, stayed in the stands with Carmine and the others.
As they waited for the matches to begin, Carmine held Ogerpon and started complaining. "Damn it... I'm in the last match this afternoon. The crowd will be gone by then, so who's going to see me shine? The Junior Cup doesn't have full battles, does it?"
"No. It's a competition for young people, so they have to account for new Trainers who haven't caught six Pokémon yet. Even the regional elimination rounds are one-on-one Single Battles."
Kieran explained quietly. He had studied the rules inside and out. The first elimination round was somewhat like a Battle Royal in the Alola Region: eight contestants fought at once, and the winner advanced to the main tournament.
Once the main tournament began, contestants could use two Pokémon. That number rose to three in the quarterfinals and four in the final.
They might all be Single Battles, but they were far from easy. Double Battles were the norm at Blueberry Academy, so the Junior Cup would test its students in a different way.
Meanwhile, Cynthia and Caitlin had finished their exhibition match and taken seats in the VIP section beside Alder, the Champion of the Unova Region, ready to watch.
"You really were impressive, Miss Cynthia."
Alder greeted her with his arms folded, looking every bit the roguish older man.
Cynthia paid it little mind. With a faint smile, she changed the subject. "I went to Opelucid City yesterday. Mr. Drayden said he had a feeling something big was about to happen in