"Come back, Swampert, you've done a good job." Aoki recalled the massive Swampert into its Pokeball, the battle having taken its toll on the powerful Water and Ground-type Pokemon.
With a confident smirk, he reached for another Luxury Ball at his waist, his fingers brushing against its smooth surface.
"I didn't expect to use you so soon," Aoki murmured, his voice low enough that only the Pokemon inside could hear him. He held the Pokeball close, whispering a quick command. "After entering the field, use Camouflage immediately to change your typing to Grass."
The Pokeball contained none other than Florges, a Fairy-type Pokemon that had recently reached the pseudo-Champion level during their training on a secluded island. Now at level 51, Florges was more than ready for battle.
"Go, Florges!" Aoki called out, tossing the Luxury Ball onto the battlefield with a graceful arc.
As the radiant white flower-like Pokemon materialized in a burst of light, murmurs spread through the Sinnoh League stadium. Spectators in the private Kalos section rose from their seats, their expressions a mix of shock and fascination.
A Pokemon native to the Kalos region?
It wasn't the fact that a trainer from another region owned a Kalos Pokemon that surprised them—rather, it was the rarity of Florges itself.
The Kalos region had only recently been integrated into the Pokemon League's systematic knowledge network. Before that, much of its native Pokemon data remained undocumented. While evolution stones and typing had been cataloged, certain species—like Florges—were still shrouded in mystery.
The League had provided extensive research on Pokemon attributes, allowing Kalos researchers to classify most of their native species. However, some, like Florges, defied easy categorization. Was it purely a Grass-type? Or something else entirely?
The debate had left Florges and several other Kalos Pokemon unregistered in official Pokedex archives.
Hachiku, Aoki's opponent, frowned in confusion. He had studied Kalos Pokemon in preparation for this tournament, yet he had never seen or heard of Florges before. No data existed in the League's records.
Aoki hadn't announced Florges' name out of arrogance—he simply wanted the audience (and the commentators) to know what they were witnessing.
"Florges, use Attract, then follow up with Energy Ball!" Aoki commanded.
This was the first time Florges had used Attract in an official match. The elegant Fairy-type struck a charming pose, releasing a cloud of pink, heart-shaped mist that drifted toward Hachiku's Walrein.
As a male Pokemon, Walrein was instantly affected by the move—its Special Attack sharply dropped.
Hachiku's expression darkened. He had no choice but to treat Florges as a Grass-type for now.
"Walrein! Snap out of it! Use Blizzard!"
Dazed by Attract, Walrein barely registered the command. By the time it shook off the infatuation, a massive Energy Ball—larger than its own head—slammed into its face.
The attack wasn't a one-time strike. Florges, having learned from Aoki's Gengar, fired Energy Ball in rapid succession. Each explosion sent Walrein reeling.
Grass-type moves were super effective against Walrein, and Florges had already used Camouflage to adopt a Grass typing upon entering the field. The damage was devastating.
"ROAR!" Walrein bellowed in pain, finally mustering enough focus to unleash a raging Blizzard.
"Florges, Sweet Kiss, and protect yourself!" Aoki ordered, his eyes gleaming.
"Flooooor~" Florges cooed, fluttering its petals in an almost playful manner. The display made Walrein hesitate—was it really attacking such a delicate creature?
Hachiku groaned, rubbing his temples. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel(ꜰ)ire.net
Walrein's Attack and Special Attack had been lowered even further.
When the Blizzard struck, Florges—now reverted to its natural Fairy typing—endured the icy onslaught without taking super-effective damage.
"Now, set up Grassy Terrain, then use Grass Knot! Finish it with another Energy Ball!" Aoki called.
"Walrein! Ice Beam!" Hachiku countered, desperate.
But Walrein's weakened Special Attack rendered its Ice Beam feeble. Meanwhile, Florges summoned lush grass beneath its feet, the verdant field spreading across the battlefield. Though not a Grass-type at the moment, the move still functioned, restoring Florges' health gradually.
Vines erupted from the ground, coiling around Walrein's body. While Grass Knot didn't deal much damage, it immobilized the massive sea lion Pokemon.
Florges, shielded by the lingering Blizzard, hurled one Energy Ball after another. Walrein attempted to retaliate with Aurora Beam, but the weakened attack barely fazed Florges.
The outcome was inevitable.
With a final, dreamy sigh, Walrein collapsed, its eyes swirling in defeat.
The Blizzard faded, revealing Florges standing gracefully atop the Grassy Terrain, its petals glowing under the stadium lights. The crowd erupted in cheers, utterly enchanted by the elegant Fairy-type's performance.
Hachiku sighed, recalling Walrein. He had seen the writing on the wall—this battle was as good as lost.
Florges had made a stunning debut.
In the Kalos private box, researchers exchanged astonished glances. Here was a trainer who understood their native Pokemon better than they did.
It seemed… the age of Fairy-types had arrived.
Perhaps it was time to give them a proper introduction to the world.