Chapter 779 - Steven VS Siebold

Siebold is a prominent Trainer from the Kalos region and, under normal circumstances, would eventually become one of the Elite Four members there. In addition to his battling prowess, Siebold works as a chef, and his gentle personality makes him well-liked among his peers. After all, who wouldn't appreciate someone skilled in cooking? Aoki, too, is quite popular, though in a different way.

Siebold's appearance contrasts sharply with Steven's. While Steven carries himself with the commanding presence of a Champion, Siebold exudes the warmth of a friendly neighbor. When the two stepped onto the battlefield for their 16-to-8 elimination match, the crowd erupted in cheers. By this stage of the tournament, every competitor had gathered their own share of fans.

Despite the type disadvantage—Siebold's Water-type Pokémon against Steven's half-Steel, half-Rock team—the battle was far from one-sided. Both Trainers started cautiously.

Steven led with his Rock/Bug-type Armaldo, while Siebold chose his Water/Psychic-type Starmie. Their Pokémon were locked in a mutual counter: Starmie's Water-type moves were strong against Armaldo's Rock typing, but Armaldo's Bug-type attacks dealt heavy damage to Starmie's Psychic nature. In the end, Starmie's slight level advantage allowed it to narrowly defeat Armaldo, though it was left severely weakened.

Steven's next Pokémon was Cradily, a Rock/Grass-type. Its Grass-type moves easily overpowered the exhausted Starmie. This particular Cradily had the Suction Cups Ability—had it possessed Storm Drain instead, it would have been even more effective. In team battles, Steven's reliance on Rock-types made him vulnerable to Water-type attacks. A Storm Drain Cradily could negate that threat entirely. However, Storm Drain is Cradily's hidden Ability, making it exceptionally rare. Additionally, Cradily itself is a rare fossil Pokémon, with limited revival opportunities through fossil restoration technology.

Siebold then sent out a Swanna, a Water/Flying-type from the Unova region. Though Water-types were weak to Grass moves, Swanna's Flying capabilities gave it an edge. The battle intensified as Cradily struggled to land hits on the airborne Swanna, eventually falling to a well-placed Hurricane.

With two of his Pokémon down, Steven remained unfazed. Aoki and the others watching felt no concern for him—Steven's confidence never wavered. Armaldo and Cradily were among his weaker team members, and their performance had already exceeded expectations.

Next, Steven deployed Skarmory, a Steel/Flying-type. Its formidable defenses and level advantage allowed it to overpower Swanna, bringing the match back to equilibrium.

Siebold responded with a Carracosta, a Rock/Water-type from Kalos. However, Skarmory's Steel typing negated most of its attacks, and after a relentless assault, Carracosta fell. With three of his Pokémon defeated, Siebold was forced to switch battlefields.

After a moment of deliberation, Siebold sent out his ace—Clawitzer. This Pokémon was a devastating force, its pulse-based attacks turning it into a mobile artillery unit. Its Mega Launcher Ability boosted the power of moves like Water Pulse and Dragon Pulse by 50%, and its Aura Sphere—a Fighting-type move—was particularly lethal against Steel and Rock-types. Knowing Steven's reliance on such Pokémon, Siebold had prepared Clawitzer as his ultimate counter.

Steven hesitated. Siebold's strategic type advantage was undeniable. His Steelix, weak to both Water and Fighting moves, stood little chance. Instead, Steven revealed his trump card—a gleaming, golden Metagross.

This Shiny Metagross, a pseudo-legendary from Hoenn, caused an uproar among the spectators. After a grueling battle, the golden behemoth managed to defeat Clawitzer, though not without sustaining heavy damage. To preserve it for future matches, Steven recalled Metagross and sent out Aggron for the final push.

Siebold's last two Pokémon—Blastoise and Gyarados—fought valiantly but ultimately fell to Aggron's relentless assault. With this victory, Steven advanced to the quarterfinals, keeping his final secret weapon—Aerodactyl—unrevealed. Even Aoki had yet to witness its full power, as Steven rarely used it in training.

Both Trainers received thunderous applause as they exited the arena, having delivered an unforgettable battle.

The next match pitted Hoenn's Wallace against Sinnoh's Flint—a Fire-type specialist facing a Water-type master. The outcome was predictable: Flint fell to Wallace's superior tactics. Still, Flint managed to take down three of Wallace's Pokémon, proving his worth as a future Sinnoh Elite Four member—the Fire-type sovereign.

As the tournament progressed, the Sinnoh League found it increasingly difficult to control the competition. Every remaining participant was a formidable opponent.

Next was Hoenn's Phoebe, whose misfortune was facing Kanto's Sabrina, a Psychic-type expert. Though Ghost and Psychic types counter each other, Sabrina's experience overwhelmed Phoebe's relative inexperience. After a hard-fought battle, Sabrina defeated four of Phoebe's Pokémon to claim victory.

Phoebe had prepared for this outcome the moment she learned her opponent. Her calm acceptance left Steven and Aoki, who had readied words of consolation, with nothing to do. Her resilience outshone even theirs.

So far, three Hoenn Trainers had advanced to the quarterfinals—the highest representation among all regions.