At the end of Group 4, Drayden stepped back up to the stage and said "And that concludes Group 4. So now, the third round of battles for Group 5 begins. And this is a special Group, because, not only is Hilda in this group, who's come out of her big brother's shadow, but also the Type Expert trainer, Homer. Good luck everyone" and the crowd cheered appreciatively. Indeed, there were some cheers in particular for Hilda, from her battles at the Driftveil Tournament.

The first battle of Group 5 Round 3 was between Backpacker Jax and Camper Victor in a Triple Battle. And after a close battle, Camper Victor's Carnivine, Weavile and Simipour defeated Backpacker Jax's Simipour, Mamoswine and Absol, keeping Victor in touch with the top of the Group.

The next battle of Round 3 Group 5 was between Ace Trainer Drakon and Swimmer Ted in a Double Battle. And once again it wasn't close, as Ace Trainer Drakon's Haxorus and Druddigon defeated Swimmer Ted's Altaria and Weezing, keeping Ace Trainer Drakon in touch with the top.

Now it's Hilda's turn,. She steps up to the arena and sees Swimmer Tessa step up from the other side. The Referee steps up between them and said "The battle between Hilda of Nuvema Town and Swimmer Tessa of Virbank City will now begin. The format clock will spin, and determine the format" and the format clock spun and landed on Single Battle.
"Sigilyph, let's go" Tessa called, and Sigilyph materialised. Hilda nodded, and called "Reuniclus, let's show them what we can do" and Reuniclus materialised.

Battle: Reuniclus VS Sigilyph
"Sigilyph, use Cosmic Power" Tessa called, and Sigilyph glowed with space-based psionic energy, increasing Sigilyph's defences.
"Reuniclus. use Trick Room" Hilda replied, and Reuniclus summoned a room of psionic energy to invert the turn order.
"Now Reuniclus, use Shadow Ball" Hilda called, and Reuniclus shot a ball of spectral energy at Sigilyph, inflicting Considerable damage.
"Sigilyph, use Air Slash" Tessa called, and Sigilyph shot a blade of sky blue energy at Reuniclus, inflicting Minor damage.
"Fire off another Shadow Ball Reuniclus" Hilda called, and Reuniclus shot another ball of spectral energy at Sigilyph, inflicting a third of its health in damage.
"Respond with Air Slash" Tessa called, and Sigilyph shot a blade of sky blue energy at Reuniclus, inflicting Minor damage.
"End this Reuniclus, use Shadow Ball again" Hilda called, and Reuniclus shot another ball of spectral energy at Sigilyph, KO'ing it.
"Sigilyph is unable to battle, Reuniclus wins. The victor is Hilda of Nuvema Town" the Referee said, and Hilda celebrated with her Reuniclus.
Conclusion: Reuniclus wins.

In the stands, Hilda returned.
"Well done Hilda, that was pretty easy," Ash said, to which Hilda replied "Yeah. Seems Like Reuniclus was a good choice for a Psychic-type"
"Well done Hilda" Nate, Rosa, Hugh and Hannah all said, to which Hilda replied "Thanks guys"

At the end of Group 5, Drayden stepped up, and said "And with that, Group 5 is concluded. And now, we move on to the third round of trainer battles for Group 6, which includes Driftveil Tournament trainer Dmitri" and the crowd cheered appreciatively.

The first battle of Group 6 Round 3 was between Hiker Eric and Beauty Hermiornie in a Rotation Battle. And in a fairly close battle, Beauty Hermiornie's Seismitoad, Maractus and Aggron defeated Hiker Eric's Golurk, Lickilicky and Electivire, keeping Hermiornie in touch with the top of Group 6.

The second battle of Group 6 Round 3 was between Scientist Dmitri and Policeman Bobhiko in a Rotation Battle. And it wasn't exactly close, as Scientist Dmitri's Unfezant, Slaking and Weezing defeated Policeman Bobhiko's Stoutland, Zoroark and Swoobat, keeping Scientist Dmitri at the top of Group 6.

The third battle of Group 6 Round 3 was between Scientist Carver and Clerk Nanaka in a Double Battle. And in a close battle, Clerk Nanaka's Solrock and Maractus defeated Scientist Carver's Grumpig and Carracosta, keeping Scientist Carver at the bottom of Group 6.

After Group 6, Drayden stepped up and said "Everyone, it is time to break for lunch. We'll see you in an hour for the rest of Round 3" and everyone departed for lunch.

Ash and Hilda found a spot by themselves, and Ash asked "How are you finding your Group?"
"A nice challenge. I didn't quite expect Double, Triple and Rotation Battles, but it's proven to be an interesting twist. How about you?" Hila replied, to which Ash said "I've had Single and Double battles before, in previous League Tournaments, but the previous tournaments were knockout all the way through, no Group stages"
"Well that's interesting" Hilda replied. Ash nodded, then said "Agreed"

Meanwhile, Nate and Hugh were having their own discussion while Rosa was in the toilet.
"Jax is still second in his group, and I have no doubt if he knew what we know about Rosa, he'd attack her if they faced off," Nate said, to which Hugh nodded, and replied "Drakon and Victor seem pretty strong, hopefully, Jax is knocked out of the top 3"
"Do we know if Drayden is aware of Jax?" Nate asked, to which Hugh replied "He's right there, we could ask him", to which Nate nodded, and they headed for Drayden.

"Hey Drayden, is it OK if we join you?" Nate asked when they reached Drayden's table, to which Drayden replied "Sure" and both Nate and Hugh took seats.
"Sir, we're a little concerned about Jax, and a couple of statements he's made," Nate said, to which Drayden responded "I am already aware of them, and I have people keeping an eye on things, making sure Jax doesn't try anything on your ex-Plasma friend"
"Whew, thanks" both Nate and Hugh replied. Drayden nodded. Soon, Rosa joined them too.
"Hey Rosa, nice to see you," Drayden said, to which Rosa replied "Hey Drayden, wondering why Nate and Hugh are sitting with you"
"They were just making sure that I was going to keep you safe at this Tournament" Drayden replied, to which all three nod.
"Good, I was feeling a little nervous about Jax, honestly," Rosa said, to which Drayden reassured Rosa by saying "Don't worry, I've got people keeping an eye on things", to which Rosa nodded, reassured.

An hour later, everyone returns to the Arena, ready for the rest of the third round of the Tournament.

Then, Drayden stepped back up to the arena and said "And with that, Group 6's battles are done. Now for the third round of battles for the trainers of Group 7, which includes Driftveil City trainer, Xavier and Type Expert Tournament trainer, Margaret. Good luck" and the crowd cheered appreciatively.

The first battle of Group 7 Round 3 was between Lass Danielle and Pilot Kendal in a Rotation Battle. And in a close battle, Lass Danielle's Krookodile, Zangoose and Bronzong defeated Pilot Kendal's Espeon, Slaking and Banette, keeping Lass Danielle in touch with the top of Group 7.

The second battle of Group 7 Round 3 was between Veteran Margaret and Youngster Dorian in a Single Battle. And it was a total blowout, as Veteran Margaret's Magnezone destroyed Youngster Dorian's Jellicent, keeping Veteran Margaret at the top of Group 7.

The final battle of Group 7 Round 3 was between Bird Keeper Eric and Ace Trainer Xavier in a Rotation Battle. And it once again wasn't close, as Ace Trainer Xavier's Archeops, Simisage and Heracross destroyed Bird Keeper Eric's Amoonguss, Probopass and Walrein, keeping Ace Trainer Xavier in touch with the top of Group 7.

At the end of Group 7, Hugh stood up and said "Here we go, the third round of battles for my Group is about to start, so I'll see you in a bit", to which everyone nodded. After a quick hug with Hannah, Hugh headed for the arena.

At the end of Group 7, Drayden steps back up to the arena and said "And with that, it is the end of Group 7, and the start of the third round of battles for trainers of Group 8, which includes the Aspertia City hotshot, Hugh, as well as the Type Expert trainer, Drakon" and the crowd cheered appreciatively, with additional cheers for Hugh specifically.

Hugh was first up, and he stepped up and saw Battle Girl Wanda was his opponent. The Referee stepped up and said, "The Battle between Hugh of Aspertia City and Battle Girl Wanda of Icirrus City will now begin. The format clock will now spin, and determine the format" and the clock spun and landed on a Single Battle.
"Metagross, let's do this" Wanda called, and Metagross materialised. Hugh nodded, then said, "Steelix, let's show our power" and Steelix materialised.

Battle: Steelix VS Metagross
"Metagross, use Hammer Arm" Wanda called, and Metagross' arm was cloaked in orange energy, shaped like a hammer, and Struck Steelix, inflicting Moderate damage and lowering Metagross' Speed.
"Steelix, respond with Earthquake" Hugh called, and Steelix unleashed waves of Light Brown energy at Metagross, inflicting Considerable damage.
"Metagross, continue the Hammer Arm offensive" Wanda called, and Metagross' arm once again glowed with Orange energy, shaped like a hammer, and struck Steelix again, inflicting Moderate damage and further lowering its Speed.
"Steelix, keep the Earthquake's up" Hugh added, and Steelix once again unleashed waves of Light Brown energy at Metagross, inflicting Considerable damage.
"More Hammer Arms Metagross" Wanda called, and Metagross' arm glowed with Orange energy, shaped again like a hammer, and struck, inflicting Moderate damage and lowering Metagross' Speed again.
"End this Steelix, use Earthquake" Hugh called, and Steelix unleashed waves of Light Brown energy at Metagross, KO'ing it.
"Metagross is unable to battle, Steelix wins. The winner is Hugh of Aspertia City" the Referee said, and Hugh celebrated with his Steelix.
Conclusion: Steelix wins

In the stands, Hannah called "I was a little nervous there for a bit, but Hugh managed to get through in the end"
"That Steelix is tough," Rosa

said, to which Ash replied "Yeah, very tough Physically"
"So cool too" Hannah replied.

Back in the arena, the second battle of Group 8 Round 3 was between Psychic Destiny and Black Belt Hayden in a Double Battle.
And despite the disadvantages of taking on Hayden's Steelix and Vanilluxe, Destiny's Chandelure and Gothitelle triumphed in the end, showcasing her skills as a Type Expert Tournament trainer.

The final battle of Group 8 Round 3 was between Psychic Delphine and Pokémon Ranger Makina in a Single Battle. And it wasn't close, as Psychic Delphine's Starmie defeated Pokémon Ranger Makina's Mandibuzz, despite the apparent type mismatch, once again showing her skill as a Driftveil Tournament trainer.

At the end of Group 8, Hugh returned to the stands just as Nate headed out for the arena.
"Good luck Nate" the group called as Nate departed, and Hannah gave her brother a big hug when he returned.
"Your Steelix is really tough big bro," Hannah said, to which Hugh replied "True, he is. Steelix are all about Physical Defence, but they have enough Attack Power to deal a good amount of damage"
"Yeah, it's cool" Rosa replied.

At the end of Group 8, Drayden stepped back to the arena and said "And with that, we now move on to the third round of trainer battles for Group 9, which includes the final of the Aspertia City trio, Nate, as well as the Type Expert Trainer, Castor" and the crowd cheered appreciatively.

The first battle of Group 9 was between Scientist Castor and Lass Clarissa in a Rotation Battle. And despite enormous type disadvantages, Castor's Gengar, Swalot and Skuntank managed to defeat Clarissa's Klinklang, Starmie and Escavalier, showing his skill as a type expert trainer once again.

Then Nate's battle was up. As Nate stepped up, he saw that he was taking on Camper Yosef. The Referee then stepped up and said "The battle between Nate of Aspertia City and Camper Yosef of Nimbasa City will now begin. The format clock will now spin, and determine the format" and the clock spun and landed on Rotation Battle.
"Mienshao, Floatzel and Whimsicott, let's go" Yosef called, and Mienshao, Floatzel and Whimsicott materialised.
"Heracross, Samurott and Lanturn, standby" Nate responded, and Heracross, Samurott and Lanturn materialised.

Battle: Mienshao, Floatzel and Whimsicott VS Heracross, Samurott and Lanturn
"Mienshao, start with a Fake Out" Yosef called, and Mienshao cloaked its arms with white energy, and clapped Samurott, inflicting Minor damage and causing Samurott to Flinch.

Yosef then rotates to Whimsicott, which Nate called, and switched to Heracross.
"Whimsicott, use Sunny Day" Yosef called, and Whimsicott danced to cause the Sun to intensify.
"Must be Prankster, I can sense my Heracross is faster than his Whimsicott," Nate thought to himself, then said "Alright, Heracross, use Megahorn" and Heracross' horn glowed teal, and slammed into Whimsicott, inflicting Massive damage.

Yosef then rotated to Mienshao, then called "Mienshao, use Acrobatics" and Mienshao cloaked itself with sky blue energy, and struck Heracross, KO'ing it in one hit.

Shocked, Nate withdrew Heracross, then rotated to Lanturn. Yosef then rotated to Whimsicott, and called "Whimsicott, use Solar Beam" and Whimsicott shot a beam of solar energy at Lanturn, inflicting Considerable damage.
"Now take this, Lanturn, use Signal Beam" Nate called, and Lanturn shot a beam of teal energy at Whimsicott, KO'ing it.

Yosef then rotated to Mienshao, while Nate rotated to Samurott.
"Another Fake Out Mienshao" Yosef called, and Mienshao once again cloaked its arms with white energy, and clapped Samurott, inflicting Minor damage and causing Samurott to Flinch.
"Now Mienshao, use Brick Break" Yosef called, and Mienshao's arm was cloaked in a blade of orange energy, and struck Samurott, inflicting Moderate damage.
"Samurott, respond with Aqua Tail" Nate called, and Samurott's tail was covered with water, and struck Mienshao, inflicting Considerable damage.
"Now Mienshao, another Brick Break" Yosef called, and Mienshao cloaked its arm with a blade of orange energy, and struck Samurott, inflicting Moderate damage and putting Samurott into Torrent range.
"End this Samurott, use Aqua Tail" Nate called, and Samurott's tail was now cloaked by both water and the blue aura of Torrent and struck Mienshao, KO'ing it.

Yosef then rotates in Floatzel, while Nate rotates in Lanturn.
"Floatzel, use Crunch" Yosef called, and Floatzel's fangs grew, and were cloaked with anti-positive energy, and struck Lanturn, inflicting Minor damage.
"Lanturn, respond with Thunderbolt" Nate responded, and Lanturn unleashed a blast of electricity, inflicting massive damage.
"Another Crunch Floatzel" Yosef called, and Floatzel's fangs once again grew, and were cloaked with anti-positive energy, and struck, inflicting Minor damage.
"End this Lanturn, use Thunderbolt" Nate called, and Lanturn unleashed another blast of electricity at Floatzel, KO'ing it.
"Mienshao, Floatzel and Whimsicott are unable to battle, Samurott and Lanturn win. The victor is Nate of Aspertia City" the Referee said, and Nate and his Pokémon celebrate.
Conclusion: Samurott and Lanturn wins

The final battle of Group 9 was between Swimmer Yen and Scientist Celsius in a Single Battle. And after a close battle, Swimmer Yen's Gliscor defeated Celsius' Slaking, anchoring Celsius to the bottom of Group 9.

At the end of Group 9, Nate returns to the stands, and Hugh said "Good work Nate, your Pokémon have shown their mettle"
"Yeah. I didn't expect Heracross to be KO'ed in one hit by Mienshao's Acrobatics, but I managed to win in the end"
"Yeah, we got a little nervous after Hereacross went down, but we're glad you won" Hugh replied, to which Nate, taking a seat, nodded.
"Now for Maximus' group," Ash said, to which Hilda, and the rest of the crew nodded.

At the end of Group 9, Drayden stepped back up to the arena and said "And now, we move on to the third round of trainer battles for Group 10, which includes one of the favourites of the tournament, Maximus" and the crowd cheered appreciatively, though there's the biggest cheer yet for Maximus in particular.

The first battle of Group 10 Round 3 was between Baker Sudapon and Hiker Roddy in a Single Battle. And after a close battle, Roddy's Wailord defeated Sudapon's Wigglytuff, winning the battle for Roddy.

And then, Maximus stepped up and faced Lass Sunan. The referee also stepped up and said "The Battle between Maximus of Nacrene Town and Lass Sunan of Mistralton City will now begin. The format clock will now spin, and determine the format" and the format clock spun and landed on Single Battle.
"Octillery, let's go" Sunan called, and Octillery materialised. Maximus nodded, then called "Simipour, let's unleash our power" and Simipour materialised.

In the stands
Hilda grabbed her Pokédex, and said "Octillery?"
"Octillery, the Jet Pokémon. It has a tendency to want to be in holes. It prefers rock crags or pots and sprays ink from them before attacking." Hilda's Pokédex said, to which Hilda replied "That's interesting"

Back in the arena
Battle: Simipour VS Octillery
"Simipour, use Grass Knot" Maximus called, and Simipour summoned natural grass knots around Octillery, striking and inflicting Moderate damage.
"Not bad, now, Octillery, use Focus Energy" Sunan called, and Octillery pumped up with white energy and sharply increased its Critical Hit ratio.
"Let's strike again, Simipour, another Grass Knot" and once again, Simipour shot knots of grass into Octillery, inflicting Considerable damage.
"Octillery, snipe that Simian with Signal Beam" Sunan called, and while Octillery struck with the beam of red-and-teal energy, no critical hit, so it only inflicted Moderate damage.
"End this Simipour, Hyper Beam" Maximus called, and Simipour unleashed a devastating beam of white energy, KO'ing Octillery.
"Octillery is unable to battle, Simipour wins. The victor is Maximus of Nacrene Town" the Referee said, and Maximus and Simipour both celebrated as Sunan is anchored to the bottom of Group 10.
Conclusion: Simipour wins

The final battle of Group 10 Round 3 was between Scientist Levina and Youngster Allan in a Triple Battle. And in a close battle, Scientist Levina's Mamoswine, Muk and Sawsbuck defeated Youngster Allan's Throh, Scrafty and Carracosta, catapulting Scientist Levina into a tie for 2nd in Group 10.

In the stands, Hilda said "Maximus continues to show his skill and power", to which Ash replied "Yep"