Aoki's announcement regarding the newly discovered Fairy-type Pokémon sent shockwaves through the Sinnoh competition, the sheer impact of the revelation reverberating across the entire Pokémon League.
The reaction was particularly intense among trainers from the Hoenn and Kalos regions who had tuned in to Aoki's presentation. Many were so stunned by the implications of the Fairy-type that their focus wavered, leading to some near-upsets in matches that should have been guaranteed victories.
The introduction of the Fairy-type had the most profound effect on trainers specializing in Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type Pokémon. The League's greatest concern was the newfound weakness of Dragon-types (though immunity had not yet been disclosed—that revelation would come later).
Dragon-type Pokémon had long been regarded as some of the most powerful creatures in the world. Though difficult to raise, their potential far outstripped that of most other species. Now, with the emergence of Fairy-types, the dominance of Dragon Pokémon was under threat. The playing field had been leveled, and trainers who had relied on the sheer might of their Dragon-types found themselves scrambling to adapt.
The League chose not to make an immediate public announcement. Instead, they relayed the information to high-ranking officials, ensuring that the upper echelons of the Pokémon world were prepared. The competitors of the Sinnoh competition, particularly the seeded participants, were also briefed on the Fairy-type's properties.
For most, this revelation changed little. But for Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type specialists, every encounter with a Kalosian trainer—or worse, Aoki himself—now carried an added layer of danger.
The day's battles proceeded in a state of controlled chaos. Despite some unexpected developments, the final roster of the Top 16 remained largely predictable.
The sixteen advancing trainers were:
Kanto + Johto Region:
Lorelei
Caitlin
Agatha
Lance
Clair
Hoenn Region:
Steven
Aoki
Wallace
Phoebe
Sinnoh Region:
Cynthia
Lucian
Flint
Volkner
Kalos Region:
Diantha
Drasna
Siebold
Among these sixteen, nearly all would go on to become Champions or Elite Four members in their respective regions.
Clair of Johto and Volkner of Sinnoh were exceptions—though not due to any lack of strength. In Clair's case, her lineage played a role. Clair, she was the cousin of Lance, a direct descendant of the dragon clan. Unlike Lance, who had been raised in Kanto, Clair had grown up in Blackthorn City.
With Lance already serving as the Johto Champion, the League was hesitant to allow another person from the Dragon Clan to claim an Elite Four position, fearing an overconcentration of power within the family. Additionally, Clair was younger than Lance, and by the time she had reached her peak, the Elite Four positions had already been filled.
As for Volkner, the future Sunyshore City Gym Leader and an Electric-type specialist, he had long aspired to challenge the Elite Four. However, circumstances had repeatedly delayed his ambitions. While Aoki wasn't privy to the exact reasons, he knew Volkner possessed the necessary strength.
Volkner and Flint, Sinnoh's future "Fire King," were close friends. Their simultaneous advancement to the Top 16 mirrored Aoki and Steven's dynamic, creating an excellent narrative for the competition. Whether this tournament would finally propel Volkner into the Elite Four remained to be seen.
For every rising star, however, there were those who fell short.
Take Aaron, for instance—Sinnoh's future "Bug Master." He had been eliminated in the Top 32 after a brutal match against Kona. Then there was Wikstrom of Kalos, a Steel-type specialist like Steven, who had faced Volkner, a Fire-type expert. The type disadvantage had proven insurmountable, especially after Aoki's Fairy-type revelation had left Wikstrom visibly shaken.
Still, the League had little reason to intervene. These trainers were the future pillars of the organization, the driving force behind its continued growth.
Once the final match concluded, the remaining competitors gathered, awaiting the next day's bracket. The audience, now familiar with each participant, buzzed with anticipation, eager to see how these prodigies would clash.
But in the Hoenn team's private lounge, the atmosphere was anything but calm.
Steven took the lead, flanked by Phoebe and Wallace, as they cornered Aoki.
"Aoki," Steven began, a smirk playing on his lips, "care to explain how you managed to uncover Fairy-types before the rest of us? What else are you hiding?"
Phoebe and Wallace stood on either side of him, arms crossed, playing the part of stern interrogators. The rest of the Hoenn trainers loomed behind them, leaving Aoki as the sole person seated—trapped.
Aoki sighed. He had expected this.
It wasn't that Steven and the others were upset with him. Rather, they were simply reacting to the sheer magnitude of his discovery. It was the same as when someone wins the lottery—their friends might tease them, but they'd still demand a celebratory meal.
This was their way of teasing him.
And so, Aoki found himself agreeing to a series of "unfair demands."
First, he would cook for them before the tournament's conclusion.
Second, after the competition ended, he would provide each of them with a customized training regimen for one of their Pokémon.
Aoki had no choice but to agree—though with his system still inactive, he couldn't guarantee when he'd be able to fulfill the latter promise. Still, it was better to placate them now.
Once the "interrogation" concluded, the matchups for the next round were finally announced.
A heavy silence fell over the group as they studied the bracket.
None of the remaining trainers were pushovers, and facing an opponent with a type advantage would be even more daunting. By this stage, everyone had compiled extensive dossiers on their competitors—except for Aoki.
Thanks to Florges and the Fairy-type revelation, every Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type specialist now carried an additional file dedicated solely to him.
And as fate would have it, the matchups seemed determined to pit them against their worst nightmares.