By the morning of the third day, the atmosphere in the rest area had changed.
With only sixteen Trainers remaining, the once-crowded room now felt unusually quiet eerily so. The few that remained were hunched over in quiet contemplation, the air thick with tension and ambition.
They were close. So close.
Anyone who made it this far had a real shot at becoming the Whirlpool Cup Champion and perhaps earning the title Hero of the Sea.
Still, one Trainer sat completely relaxed—Kai.
Ever since the other competitors learned he was the Indigo League Champion and Honorary Orange League Trainer, they'd been avoiding him like he was infected with Pokerus. None dared strike up a conversation; at most, they'd toss cold glances his way.
Not that Kai minded. He was too busy chatting and laughing with Ash and Misty.
But their good mood evaporated when the next matchups were posted.
Both rushed to the wall and froze.
They were… facing each other.
The color drained from both their faces.
"Well, that's just perfect," Misty muttered under her breath.
If there was one thing they didn't want, it was fighting each other this early. Facing a friend in the Top 16 felt unfair like destiny itself was pulling a prank.
Kai tried to lighten the mood, but even he could feel the sting.
Still, after a few minutes of sulking, Ash and Misty refocused. Their determination returned with full force. No holding back.
Kai nodded approvingly and turned his attention to his own opponent. He used the break to review the guy's past matches online solid but unimpressive. A Trainer who advanced more by luck than skill.
Even so, Kai never underestimated anyone. He'd seen too many wildcards take down giants to get cocky now.
Ash and Misty's match was the second of the day.
As they stepped onto the field, Kai leaned back on the couch and watched the broadcast.
The rules had changed for the Top 16: each Trainer could now use two Pokémon, raising the stakes and giving room for strategy and comebacks.
The crowd's energy was electric by now; every remaining battle was a must-watch TV.
Ash sent out Totodile. Misty replied with Poliwhirl.
A rematch of redemption.
These two had both stumbled in their first battles but bounced back with strong wins in the second round. Clearly, their Trainers had renewed faith in them.
The battle was tight. Powerful attacks flew from both sides. Eventually, Poliwhirl dove beneath the waves and ambushed Totodile with a relentless [Double Slap], knocking it out and earning Misty the first point.
Ash wasn't discouraged. He sent out his ace: Kingler.
Kai sat up a bit straighter. This was the same Kingler that had carried Ash through several rounds during the Indigo League. It once won a 3-on-1 match. Serious firepower.
Misty recognized the threat but chose to stick with Poliwhirl.
The match started and Kingler went beast mode.
With a single swing of its massive claw, it smashed the water's surface, generating four massive whirlpools across the battlefield.
"What the—" Brock blinked. "That's insane!"
The swirling currents completely disoriented Poliwhirl, dragging it helplessly across the arena.
It was a visual spectacle and a tactical masterstroke.
Even Misty had to admit defeat. Poliwhirl went down, tying the match 1–1.
Then came the final round.
Misty reached for her Poké Ball… but Psyduck popped out on his own.
"Not again..." Misty groaned, facepalming.
For the third no, the fourth time in the tournament, Psyduck had completely ignored her command and thrown himself into battle.
And then, in typical Psyduck fashion, he immediately did something unbelievable.
He fell into the water… and started flailing wildly.
Splashing, choking, sputtering he looked like a Magikarp in distress.
The crowd burst into laughter.
A Water-type that couldn't swim?
Psyduck's frantic paddling nearly drowned him before he finally hauled himself onto a floating stone platform.
And just to pour salt in the wound… the camera cut to Misty.
Her face was bright red with embarrassment.
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