A/N: I hope the decision I've made regards to this much bigger Tournament is OK with everyone. Mainly that the characters who aren't involved with Ash, Hilda, Trip, Maximus, Nate, Rosa and Hugh won't be covered specifically, but the results generally.
The following morning Ash and Hilda met up again, out the front of the Trainer's Hotel.
"So, the Tournament starts," Hilda said, to which Ash replied "Yep, we've got to find out what Groups we're in"
"That we do. And then we'll have to research our opponents, so we know what to expect"
"Right. I hope not too many of the big names wind up in the same Group, or else some of the major trainers could be eliminated" Hilda replied, to which Ash nodded.
Soon, they all reached the arena entrance, where Drayden was waiting for them.
"Once all the other trainers have arrived, we'll start sorting you guys into groups. The top 2 from the 14 groups automatically get in, and the four best trainers that finish 3rd also get through" Drayden explained, to which Both Ash and Hilda nod, and took their seats.
Over the next few minutes, the trainer stands slowly filled up. Nate, Rosa and Hugh all gladly shook their hands, but Maximus and Trip stayed as far apart from each other as possible.
"I sure hope Maximus and Trip don't face off at some point, or it won't just be the Pokémon that'll be fighting," one of the referees said to Drayden, to which he replied "I'll intervene if they try to attack each other"
And once everyone was settled, Drayden said "Welcome to the Unova League Tournament. You have battled long and hard to get here, so we hope you'll put your best foot forward" Drayden said, to general applause.
He then continued with "Now, you will each come up to the Number Picker Box, and pick a number. These numbers will determine what Group you're in", and everyone nodded. Drayden then started calling names, and in turn, each person got up and picked a number.
Out of the major trainers, Ash was first. He picked Number 74, which put him in Group 13. Nate was next, and he picked Number 54, putting him in Group 9.
"Whew, I'm not in the same group as Nate" Ash said to himself as he and Nate showed their numbers.
After some more, including people sorted into the same Groups as both Ash and Nate. Then, Hilda and Hugh were the next two called up.
"I got Number 26," Hilda said, showing her number to Ash and Nate.
"That means you're in Group 5, well away from us" Ash replied, to which Hilda nodded and joined Drakon in Group 5.
Hugh picked Number 48, which gave him Group 8.
"Whew, that was very close. One number higher and he would have been in the same Group as me" Nate said, while Ash thought to himself "Are the most well-known trainers going to be all separated into different groups? It wouldn't surprise me"
As it turns out, Ash's thoughts came to pass. When Rosa was called, she got Number 14, placing her in Group 3. Trip was next, and he got Number 9, putting him in Group 2. Finally, Maximus picked up his number, and he got Number 60, putting him in Group 6.
"Alright. Looks like we won't have to eliminate any of the up-and-coming trainers that have got a following" Ash said, as he noted which Groups everyone is.
"Now, with your groups determined, this is how the Group stage will be conducted. Each group will do one round of battles, taking it in turns. Round 1 goes first, then Round 2 and so on. Each battle will start with the roulette to determine which battle format will be used" Drayden said, to which everyone nodded. Then, Drayden finished with "Any questions?"
"What happens in the event of a draw?" Nate asked, to which Drayden replied "Both trainers share the points. And if 2nd and 3rd of more than four groups tie, then there'll be a mini-tournament between the 3rd placed trainers to tie it down to four"
"Alright," Nate replied. Ash then asked, "Are the chances for each battle style even?"
"Yes," Drayden replied, to which Ash nodded. Hilda then asked, "Does this continue into the knockout stage?"
"No, it's standard Single/Full battle formats" Drayden replied, to which Hilda nodded. Finally, Maximus asked, "Is there going to be a 3rd-place battle before the Grand Final?"
"Yes, and it will be 6-on-6" Drayden replied, to which Maximus also nodded.
Drayden then finished with "Now, it's time to make final preparations, for the Unova League Tournament. Good Luck everyone" Drayden said, and he bid them all adieu.
During the morning, after the Group set up, Ash and Hilda started researching their Group opponents. Ash figures out that he's got a pretty easy run into the Knockout stage, which, if he was honest, he didn't like too much. He liked a little challenge.
Hilda, meanwhile, was OK with her lineup. She didn't have a too difficult lineup and would love to be #1 in her group.
The first battles, in the early afternoon, was Masashi VS Anupa of the first Group in a Rotation Battle. The battle was close, but Anupa's Floatzel, Escavalier and Arcanine defeated Masashi's Throh, Ampharos and Haxorus.
With Ash and Hilda
"A Rotation Battle, cool. I researched that method of battle this morning" Ash said, to which Hilda replied "Yeah, I heard about that from my brother, it is unusual but cool"
"Agreed" Ash replied.
The second battle was the second battle of Group 1 between Andrew and Naomi in a Triple Battle. And after careful strategy and positioning, Andrew's Stunfisk, Emolga and Probopass defeated Naomi's Scolipede, Carracosta and Glaceon, giving Andrew victory.
The third battle of Group 1 was between Youngster Charlie and Lass Kelly in a Double Battle. After a rough battle, Charlie's Accelgor and Magnezone defeated Kelly's Shuckle and Maractus.
"And that is the first round of Group 1's Battles. Anuga, Andrew and Charlie have won their games. Now on to round 2," Drayden announced, and Ash responded, "Trip's in Group 2, isn't he?"
"Yep" Hilda replied, nodding.
The first battle of Group 2 got underway, between Maxie and Bonnie in a triple battle.
"I'm wondering how you got past all of the Fighting-type trainers with a Dark-type team," Maxie said, to which Bonnie replied, "You'll see". And Bonnie revealed why she has the skill of a Driftveil City Type Expert Tournament. as her Weavile, Liepard and Mandibuzz crushed Maxie's Haxorus, Vanilluxe and Tropius.
"Well, guess we know why you're part of the Type Expert Tournament," Maxie said as Bonnie celebrated.
With Hilda and Ash
"She's part of the Type Expert Tournament? Wow. She's gonna be tough" Hilda said, to which Ash replied "Yeah. Apparently, most of the trainers from the Driftveil Tournament area are participating in this tournament"
"I think it's cool," Hilda said, to which Ash replied "Agreed"
Then Trip's first battle came up. A single, one-on-one between him and Makayla.
"Alright. Makayla, it's time to show you what the next generation is made of" Trip said, to which Makayla replied "Bring it"
"The battle between Trip of Nuvema Town and Makayla of Driftveil City will now begin. The format clock will spin, and determine the format" the Referee called, and it spun onto a 1-on-1 Single Battle.
"Now, begin" the Referee called.
"Alright. Jellicent, let's show our power" Trip replied, and Jellicent materialised. Makayla nodded, then responded "Whimsicott, I choose you" and Whimsicott materialised.
Battle: Jellicent VS Whimsicott
"Whimsicott, use Energy Ball" Makayla called, and Whimsicott generated a ball of natural energy, shot at Jellicent, but Trip was ready.
"Jellicent, use Hydro Pump on the ground, then dodge" Trip called, and Jellicent shot a blast of water into the ground, and shot upwards, allowing it to avoid the Energy Ball.
"Another Energy Ball" Makayla called, and Trip responded "Jellicent, use Ice Beam" and the ball of natural energy was completely smashed by the narrow beam of cold, though Makayla called "Dodge it Whimsicott" and Whimsicott narrowly avoided the Ice Beam.
"Another Ice Beam Jellicent" Trip called, and this time Jellicent's aim was true, dealing Severe damage.
"Quick, Whimsicott, respond with Energy Ball" Makayla called, and Whimsicott shot a ball of natural energy at Jellicent, dealing Moderate damage.
"Good work tanking that hit Jellicent, end this with another Ice Beam" Trip called, and Jellicent shot another beam of cold at Whimsicott, though Makayla called "Whinsicott, dodge it with Tailwind" and Whinsicott called a stream of sly blue air behind it to narrowly avoid the beam of cold.
"That Whimsicott is fast" Trip said to himself. He then got an idea.
"Whimsicott, use Energy Ball" Makayla called, and Whimsicott shot a ball of natural energy at Jellicent, dealing Moderate damage.
"End this, do a spinning Ice Beam" Trip called, and Jellicent spun rapidly while shooting a beam of cold, KO'ing Whimsicott.
"Whimsicott is unable to battle, Jellicent wins" the referee called, and both Trip and Jellicent cheered,
"Good game. That was tough" Makayla said as she departed, to which Trip replied, "You weren't half bad yourself".
Conclusion: Jellicent wins
With Ash and Hilda
"Trip did pretty well there, that spinning attack was kinda out of the blue" Hilda said, to which Ash replied "Ah, he's learning from me, testing new strategies out to improve"
"True" Hilda replied.
The third battle of Group 2 was between Hiker Euro and Socialite Wilia, in a triple battle. It was another close battle, but Willa's Vanilluxe, Magmortar and SIgilyph defeated Euro's Vaporeon, Sunflora and Gothitelle.
"And with that, the second Group's first battles Now for the Group 3 battles," Drayden said, and Ash commented "Rosa's in this Group, I hope she does well"
"I hope so too, she deserves it after everything she's been through" Hilda replied, to which Ash nodded.
The first battle of Group 3 started, and it was between Psychic Ferly and Lass Uno in a Single Battle.
After a close battle, Psychic Ferly's Dewgong defeated Uno's Bronzong.
"That took a while," Hilda said, to which Ash nodded, and said "Double stall kinda does that"
"Oh, Rosa's next," Hilda said, to which Ash responded "Yeah" and when Rosa reached the arena, both Ash and Hilda called "Good luck Rosa"
Homer also walked up to the arena and said "Alright Rosa, let's see what you've got", to which Rosa nodded.
The Referee then stepped up, and said "The battle between Rosa of Aspertia City and Homer of Driftveil City will now begin. The wheel will spin, and pick the battle format this battle will use", and the wheel rotated, and landed on the Rotation Battle. Now, select your Pokémon and start" the Referee said, and Homer called "Gastrodon, Claydol and Krookodile, let's empower the Earth" and the three materialise.
"Seismitoad, Swanna and Escavalier, let's put on a show," Rosa said, and they materialise. Claydol was the Pokémon in the middle on Homer's side, while Escavalier was the Pokémon in the middle on Rosa's side.
"Begin," the Referee said.
Battle: Gastrodon, Claydol and Krookodile VS Seismitoad, Swanna and Escavalier
"I've got to take that Gastrodon out asap, or else there's a good chance he'll beat me," Rosa thought to herself.
"Gastrodon, use Muddy Water" Homer called, and Gastrodon shot a wave of muddy water at Escavalier, but Rosa called "Swanna, rotate in, then use Air Slash" and Swanna tanked the hit easily, only taking Minor damage, it's Accuracy not reduced by its Keen Eye Ability.
Then it shot a blade of sky blue energy at Gastrodon, dealing Minor damage.
"You think you can win from here Rosa?" Homer asked curiously, to which Rosa replied "You're about to find out. Swanna, use Tailwind" and Swanna flapped its wings, and generated a stream of sky blue energy that doubled all allies Speed.
"Let's keep going. Gastrodon, use Ice Beam" Homer called, and Gastrodon shot a beam of cold at Swanna, but Rosa was ready.
"Swanna, dodge it" Rosa called, and Swanna was able to narrowly avoid the beam.
Then, Swanna was rotated for Escavalier, and Rosa called "Escavalier, use X-Scissor" and Escavalier's lances glowed teal, and charged in, slashing Gastrodon and dealing Considerable damage.
"That won't be enough to win, Gastrodon, heal off the damage" Homer called, and Gastrodon glowed white and regenerated its cells, restoring half its max HP.
"Well, guess we'll have to hit it harder then. Escavalier, use Swords Dance" Rosa called, and Escavalier danced while surrounded by white swords, sharply raising its Attack.
"Now Gastrodon, use Muddy Water" Homer called, and Gastrodon unleashed another wave of muddy water at Gastrodon, dealing Moderate damage.
"Escavalier, respond with X-Scissor" Rosa called, and Escavalier's lances glowed teal, and slashed Gastrodon, dealing two-thirds of its max HP.
"Another Muddy Water Gastrodon" Homer called, but Rosa was ready.
"Watch the wave carefully and get under it so it doesn't hit you" Rosa called, and Escavalier was able to narrowly avoid getting hit by the Muddy wave.
"End this, X-Scissor" Rosa called, and Escavalier's lances glowed teal and slashed Gastrodon, KO'ing it.
Homer then rotated over to Swanna as the Tailwind petered out.
"Krookodile, strike with Earthquake" Homer called, and Krookodile unleashed waves of brown energy at Seismitoad, dealing Considerable damage.
"Good work tanking that Seismitoad. Now, Surf" Rosa called, and Seismitaod unleashed a wave of water all around it, dealing Severe damage to Krookodile.
"That's not good. Krookodile, use Earthquake again" Homer called, and Krookodile unleashed another series of waves of light brown energy and dealt Considerable damage to Seismitoad.
"Close one, but Seismitoad will still do it. Seismitoad, another Surf" Rosa called, and Seismitoad unleashed a wave of water at Krookodile, KO'ing it.
"Ugh, I've got only one left," Homer said, and he rotated to Claydol.
"OK, let's see how this goes," Rosa thought to herself. She then continued, by saying "Seismitoad, use Surf" and Seismitoad unleashed a wave of water at Claydol, dealing Significant damage.
"Now Claydol, fire off a Psychic" Homer called, and Claydol unleashed a burst of psionic energy at Seismitoad, KO'ing it.
"Oh no, Seismitoad, return," Rosa said, and Seismitoad was withdrawn and rotated to Escavalier
"Claydol, use Earth Power" Homer called, and Claydol unleashed a surge of light brown energy underneath Escavalier, dealing Moderate damage.
"Escavalier, end this with X-Scissor" Rosa called, and Escavalier's lances glowed teal, and slashed Claydol, KO'ing it.
"Claydol, Gastrodon and Krookodile are unable to battle, Escavalier and Swanna win. The Victor is Rosa of Aspertia City" the Referee called, and Rosa and her Pokémon cheered.
Conclusion: Escavalier and Swanna win.
The final battle of the first round of Group 3 was between Hiker Fidel and Beauty Centsa in a triple battle. After a close battle, Fidel's Simipour, Arcanine and Whimsicott defeated Centsa's Flygon, Garbodor and Roserade.
"And with that, Round 1 of Group 3 has been completed. Now, onto Group 4" Drayden called.
With Ash and Hilda
"Rosa did well there," Ash said, to which Hilda replied "Yeah, she's come into her own"
"The entire Aspertia trio has, that's true" Ash replied, to which Hilda nodded.
Back to the Tournament
"The group 4 trainer battles will now start" Drayden called, and the first battle was between Ace Trainer Alison and Beauty Chloe in a Double Battle. After a tense battle, Alison's Metagross and Drapion defeat Chloe's Umbreon and Haxorus, giving the win to Alison.
With Ash and Hilda
"That was close, but Alison managed to overcome the type disadvantage to win," Ash said, to which Hilda nodded
The second battle of Group 4 was between Clerk Lester and Worker Hernando in a single battle. And Lester's Excadrill proved its might, defeating Hernando's Ferrothorn.
The final battle of Group 4 took place shortly afterwards between Veteran Walter and Pilot Harley in a Triple Battle. And despite a couple of negative type matchups, Walter showed his skill as a trainer, with his Heracross, Scolipede and Galvantula defeating Harley's Magnezone, Garbodor and Audino.
"With Ash and Hilda
"I'd better get going Ash, I'm in the next Group," Hilda said, to which Ash replied, giving her a big hug first, "Good Luck Hilda, I'm sure you'll do well"
"Heh, thanks Ash" Hilda replied, returning the hug, before heading for the waiting spot, for the six trainers of Group 5.
"And now for Group 5, and this group includes the younger sister of the legendary Hilbert, who had well and truly excited her brother's shadow and become a strong trainer in her own right, Hilda," Drayden said, and the crowd roared for Hilda.
"Alright Hilda, time to put what you've learned to the test," Hilda thought to herself. The trainer matcher spun randomly, and Hilda landed as the first battle, taking on Ted, a male Swimmer. They went out and headed for their positions at the opposite sides of the arena.
"The battle between Hilda of Nuvema Town and Ted of Mistralton City will now begin. First, spin the wheel to determine which battle style they'll compete in" the Referee said as he went up to his spot. The wheel spun and landed on a Single Battle.
"Oh, that should be nice and short, at least in theory," Hilda thought to herself.
Ted then nodded, and said "Eelektross, let's do this" and Eelektross materialised. Hilda smiled, then said "You're not the only one with an Eelektross. Eelektross, let's show them what we can do" and her Eelektross materialised.
With Ash
"Wow, they both have Eelektross. Hopefully, Hilda can tactic her way to victory" Ash thought to himself, as Hilbert and Hilda's mom arrived.
"Hey Ash, I see Hilda's Group has started," Hilbert said, to which Ash replied "Yep, and she's first up in the battles"
"Cool, this should be good. Especially since there are two Eelektross going to battle here" Hilda's mom replied, sitting on Hilbert's other side.
With Hilda
Hilda spotted her mother and brother, and waved to them, which they returned.
"My mom and brother are here watching, this is going to be great," Hilda thought to herself as she turned back to the arena.
The Referee then said "Begin", and the battle began.