Due to Yuga's intense performance in this competition, especially Chimecho's final field of Reflect barriers, which had a significant visual impact, the atmosphere in the arena became highly charged. The audience finally let loose with their applause and cheers.
Next up was the match between Sora and Grant.
Most trainers aspiring to become Gym Leaders specialize in a specific Pokémon type. Even Yuga was a semi-specialist in Grass-type Pokémon. However, Sora was different because he had a diverse range of Pokémon types in his lineup.
While the Pokémon League didn't strictly require Gym Leaders to have a single-type Gym, some Gyms with specific types sometimes included Pokémon of other types in their battles.
The most famous example was the Blackthorn Gym in Johto, known for its Dragon-type Gym, yet often featuring Pokémon like Gyarados and Charizard.
However, the general trend remained constant. Many challengers assumed that Gyms would be single-type, making trainers like Sora, who used Pokémon of multiple types, stand out.
Sora's three Pokémon on the field were Weavile (Dark/Ice), Bellossom (Grass), and Feraligatr (Water), all capable of countering Rock-types, except for Weavile.
These three Pokémon were all known to Yuga and possessed impressive strength, giving Grant no clear advantage.
Grant's team consisted of Rhyperior, Barbaracle, and Carbink, none of which were known for agility.
So, when Sora's Weavile took the stage, it took advantage of its agility.
It first used Swords Dance to maximize its Attack stat and then continuously harassed Rhyperior with Ice Punch. Eventually, it defeated Rhyperior.
Grant's Barbaracle, while successfully defeated Weavile's Ice-type moves due to its dual Rock and water typing, fell to Bellossom, which had a fourfold advantage.
Grant's best Pokémon, Carbink, had high defenses and excelled in defensive moves like Reflect and Light Screen. While it couldn't match Chimecho's complete defensive skillset, but it was still proficient.
At first, Feraligatr had a headache because of Carbink's defense. However, in the end, Sora's Feraligatr managed to defeat Carbink as Feraligatr's health decreased. Its Torrent ability was activated, and a powerful Aqua Tail turned the tide, defeating Carbink.
Apart from the Panpour line from Unova Region, the Torrent ability was considered an exclusive trait among the water-tupe starter Pokémon of various regions and It is a characteristic that can make a comeback against the wind.
Sora and Grant were quite evenly matched, engaging in a fierce battle. If it weren't for Sora's type advantage, the outcome could have been different.
However, both seeded players from the Kalos Region, Viola and Grant, were defeated in succession, failing to reach the final four. This left Elite Four Siebold looking displeased.
Compared to Siebold, Elite Four Lorelei was much more relaxed. Becaus the Kanto Region didn't have any challengers who made it close to the final eight, so Lorelei seems like she's just going along for the ride. She's decided to take it easy with a carefree attitude.
By the time the match between Brawly and Christine concluded, the biggest upset of the competition had occurred. Christine, who had previously shown mediocre performances, surprisingly defeated Brawly.
As a trainer specializing in Grass-type Pokémon, Christine had previously used gentle and calm Pokémon like Cottonee, Leafeon, and Sunflora, maintaining a mild battle tempo.
However, when facing Brawly, her first Pokémon was a Abomasnow, a Pokémon she hadn't used before, and it had an exceptionally aggressive nature.
It's rare to find Grass and Ice-type Pokémon with such a fierce temperament, but Abomasnow was an exception, evident from its name.
(Note: Abomasnow chinese name is Blizzard King)
Clearly, Christine had been concealing her strength in previous matches. Her Abomasnow, surprisingly, won two consecutive battles against Brawly's Fighting-type Pokémon, only to be defeated in the end by Brawly's Poliwrath due to the Water-type's resistance to Abomasnow's Ice Punch.
Christine's second Pokémon, Tsareena, had a fighting style quite similar to Abomasnow's and excelled in martial arts with its strong legs.
Yuga was relatively familiar with Tsareena; he had over ten of them in his Ecopark. Due to their abilities, most of them had strong-willed personalities, and their long legs were their most formidable weapons.
This particular Tsareena was even stronger than Abomasnow. With a move like Trop Kick, it brutally defeated Poliwrath. Adding the type advantage, Poliwrath couldn't hold out for long and was swiftly defeated.
Christine's advancement to the final four delighted Professor Carolina greatly. She had mentally prepared herself for stop at top eight, and even if Christine lost now, it was a significant improvement compared to the challengers from the Kanto Region. Christine's performance was indeed a pleasant surprise.
However, Elite Four Phoebe felt a bit uneasy. She had initially expected both of their representatives from the Hoenn Region to advance, but a dark horse had emerged.
Nonetheless, she maintained a cheerful demeanor and congratulated Professor Carolina.
Brawly, who lost the match, took it in stride. He continued to smile warmly at Yuga's group, showing no signs of disappointment.
For Brawly, securing the Gym Leader position had been the primary goal of this journey, and the final victory didn't hold as much importance.
The last match of the top eight featured a showdown between two friends.
As Yuga had suspected, Roxie's strength greatly surpassed Marlon, and it was a decisive victory.
Roxie only used two Pokémon: the previously seen Giant Arbok and a Garbodor.
Giant Arbok easily defeated Marlon's Jellicent with a single strike, almost turning the male Jellicent's blue face Marlon due to its powerful physical attack. Yuga speculated that Roxie's Giant Arbok was likely a naturally gifted Pokémon, possessing much greater strength than ordinary Pokémon, thus granting a hidden power boost, somewhat akin to Yuga's Absoluro.
After defeating Jellicent, Giant Arbok went on to effortlessly defeat Marlon's Samurott. Finally, when Marlon sent out her last Pokémon, Roxie decided to recall Giant Arbok.
Marlon's final Pokémon was a Mantine, different from the Mantine he had used when exploring ruins with Yuga's group, and it was significantly more powerful.
However, this Mantine was eventually defeated by Roxie's Garbodor.
The Garbodor had Stench ability. When activated, not only did it overwhelm Mantine with a foul odor, but the audience also had to cover their noses and mouths.
Aside from having a low probability of causing the opponent to flinch, Stench's most significant effect was disrupting the opponent's mental state. In an environment filled with this nauseating stench, it was nearly impossible for anyone to maintain their composure.