After seeing the roster and order of the competition, everyone left the arena imdiately to return to their residences and make adequate preparations.
At the sa ti, many Trainers' Pokémon had sustained injuries in today's battles, making treatnt crucial for their performance in tomorrow's matches.
Aoki and the others also returned to the manor on the outskirts of Jubilife City. Though the next day's battle was important, Aoki kept his promise and prepared a sumptuous dinner for Steven and the others.
Steven and his companions didn't stop Aoki from spending ti cooking, as they had all seen the match list for the following day and regarded Aoki with a strange look. They couldn't help but feel he had sohow secured an advantage through sheer luck.
Aoki could only laugh in response. He could guarantee he hadn't received any special treatnt—whether it was luck or fate, he truly didn't know. Regardless, his opponent for tomorrow likely wouldn't sleep well tonight.
The Next Day, Early Morning
The entire arena was already packed. Spectators had taken their seats well in advance, eagerly awaiting the start of the day's matches. From this point onward, the battles would only grow more intense and spectacular.
In the private room reserved for Hoenn's competitors, only five individuals remained. The others had chosen not to enter, not wanting to disrupt the focus and fighting spirit of the four, including Aoki.
All five stood by the window, watching intently as the matches were about to begin.
First Match: Lorelei (Kanto) vs. Diantha (Sinnoh)
"Today's first match features Lorelei from the Kanto region against Diantha from the Sinnoh region. Let the battle begin!"
With the referee's declaration, the first match comnced.
On the large screen overhead, partial information about Kona and Diantha was displayed, followed by six brightly colored Poké Ball icons representing the Pokémon each Trainer could use in today's battle. The rules were simple: the first to have all six Pokémon knocked out would lose.
Ice Specialist vs. Electric Specialist
To the average spectator, the two Trainers appeared evenly matched. However, those with a trained eye could see a slight gap in their skill levels.
Lorelei was considered a top-tier competitor, on par with Steven and Cynthia, while Diantha, though strong, was not quite at their level.
Still, the crowd roared in support of Diantha—this was the Sinnoh region, his ho turf. Diantha was known for her cheerful deanor, always wearing a bright smile that earned her the nickna "The Little Sun." her optimistic personality made her widely beloved.
Opposite her stood Lorelei, the fad "Ice Queen." A master of Ice-type Pokémon, she was strikingly beautiful but carried an air of cold detachnt, rarely showing emotion. Despite this, she had no shortage of admirers, as her regal presence fit the image of an untouchable goddess in the eyes of many.
Battle Breakdown
The first battlefield selected was a mixed terrain of water and rock—a challenging setup for both competitors.
Lorelei led with her Walrein, while Diantha opened with her ace, Electivire.
The battle was fierce from the start. Electivire held the advantage thanks to its Electric-type moves, which dealt heavy damage to Walrein. Diantha claid the first victory, knocking out the massive Ice-type Pokémon.
However, Electivire had taken significant damage in the process.
Lorelei showed no reaction to the loss, her expression as unreadable as ever. The crowd erupted in cheers for Diantha, but she remained unfazed, as if the noise ant nothing to her.
Her next choice was Jynx, an Ice/Psychic-type.
Without the type advantage, and with Electivire already weakened, Jynx swiftly defeated it, securing Lorelei's first win.
Diantha sent out her next Pokémon, a mischievous Rotom.
Yet the outco remained the sa—Jynx claid another victory, defeating Rotom with a combination of Ice Beam and Psychic.
At this point, Diantha recalled his fallen Pokémon and sent out Raichu, while Kona withdrew Jynx, knowing she would need it for future battles.
Diantha's Raichu was t with Lorelei's Mamoswine—a devastating counter.
As a Ground/Ice-type, Mamoswine was completely immune to Electric attacks, leaving Raichu helpless. The match quickly turned in Kona's favor as Mamoswine bulldozed through with Earthquake.
Terrain Shift: Grass Field
After three of Diantha's Pokémon had been defeated, the battlefield transford into a grassy field, though this had little impact on either Trainer's strategy.
Diantha sent out Luxray, but the result was the sa—Mamoswine's Ground-type moves crushed it effortlessly.
By now, it was clear Lorelei held an overwhelming advantage. She had only used three Pokémon so far (Walrein, Jynx, and Mamoswine), while Diantha had lost four.
Diantha refused to surrender, sending out her strongest Pokémon: Ampharos.
With a powerful Thunderbolt, Ampharos managed to take down Mamoswine, but not without sustaining heavy damage.
Lorelei responded by summoning Lapras, which easily finished off the weakened Ampharos.
Diantha's final Pokémon, Electabuzz, fell soon after, ending the match.
Result: Lorelei's Victory
Lorelei had only used four Pokémon in total, with three fainted (Walrein, Jynx, and Mamoswine) and two still in reserve.
Aoki knew Lorelei's true ace was her Cloyster—keeping it hidden in this match proved how little pressure she had faced.
Diantha accepted her loss gracefully, shaking Kona's hand with her usual bright smile. The crowd cheered for her as she exited.
Lorelei, anwhile, received even louder applause—mostly from male spectators.
Next Match: Aoki (Hoenn) vs. Lance (Kanto)
The referee's voice bood across the arena:
"Next, please welco the competitors for the second match—Aoki from Verdanturf Town in Hoenn and Lance from Viridian City in Kanto!"
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