At the peak of Mount Lanakila, sacred mountain of Alola, now rests the Pokemon League. In just slightly over a month its doors would open, and through them would march esteemed Trainers of Alola and beyond, each prepared to show their skills to this region and the world beyond. Each prepared to be part of this announcement of Alola to the world.

Construction is finished upon the central stadium and stands, enough done for such a display to be held. The entrance foyer, large Pokemon Center, cafes and boarding lodges for those visiting from afar and not staying down in Malie City below, are all prepared for the numbers that will be heading through. Through to the stands ringing the tournament field, so that the coming battles at the peak of Alola might be seen.

The battles of the first Alolan Pokemon League.

There was more still to do. Additional arena to be constructed, fields to be added so a full League, a tournament of hundreds, might be held. Focus had been poured upon readying the central battlefield in the single year provided. Hence this exhibition League.

The central battlefield is as the final battlefield of a Pokemon League should be. A simple flat environment, densely packed earth, lines marked out across it. Pokemon trained in repairing disrupted earth are kept by those working as part of the League, so as to restore the battlefield between each conflict. At either end of the field will stand a Trainer, and before them a barrier will appear. One that can allow the beam of a Pokeball to pass in and out, but inside of the arena it will be those Pokemon alone. Such that they can release their full power safely without fearing harm of those behind.

A system already well tested by the number of Final Trials to have taken place upon this stage already.

The League buildings were not fully populated yet. The Pokemon Center and a few cafes had opened, servicing the workers of the League and those performing the Final Trials, but the full staffing would commence only in the days leading up to the League's opening ceremony. Still, there was enough for a large enough group to have a meal.

For those gathered to take part in another Trainer's Final Trials to eat well.

Moon set into her breakfast with vigour, so that she might be ready to face the day before her. Those others with her ate similar, each feeding the hunger worked up the day before. Hau, recovering from his own Final Trials, devoured everything put before him. As soon as the adrenaline high had worn off last night he had crashed hard, and awoken the next morning with a voracious appetite indeed. He had pushed his limits many times in his Island Challenge, but nothing had been like the Final Trials. They really were everything they had been meant to be.

He couldn't wait for Moon to face her own.

Acerola, with the pair, ate heartily as well. Hapu, fourth of the group eating together – the only youths atop Mount Lanakila at present – had the least appetite for she had not taken part in the Final Trials directly. As intense as overseeing them was, being an active part... was something different entirely.

She longed for the day she could do so.

Moon, taking a moment's rest from the amount eaten already, asked Acerola what brought her here.

"Oh, Uncle Nanu didn't want to come!" Acerola replied chipperly after finishing a long drink of juice. "He says that 'since that brat Kukui's making the League'," Acerola's awful imitation of Kahuna Nanu's voice immediately made Hau choke on his breakfast, Hapu dutifully thumping the young boy on the back, "'if he wants an Elite Four to end the Final Trials, he can settle for whoever wants to do the darn job'! So I came instead! Bringing an old royal touch to the Pokemon League, y'know?"

Moon frowned. She understood Hapu's reasoning for appointing a proxy for the Final Trials, as Hapu didn't yet feel confident she had the strength to give an appropriate test alone, but Nanu's reason was... he really didn't care at all about being a Kahuna, did he?

Acerola's wide smile slipped a little. "Well..." she held onto the word, thinking, "he does care! In his own way."

"Not so much about tradition though," Hau, recovered from his choking fit, was already eating again. "He pretty much just did a basic strength test for my Grand Trial then passed me on. It was kind of a let-down really."

"I mean..." struggling to express how Nanu did care about the world in his own way, was just very brusque in approaching it, Acerola teetered off. Moon nodded agreement with Hau. For a Kahuna, Nanu really didn't act like one at all.

Kukui, approaching the table, struggled to hide a smirk overhearing Moon and Hau's opinions on the Kahuna of Ula'ula Island.

"Hey there kids, hope you all slept well last night, yeah!" Answers in the affirmative from all of them gave Kukui a good excuse to show his full smile. Not that he wasn't smiling for that! Just... for other reasons too. "Good to hear! Moon, just so you know, I'm gonna be heading off soon! It's not my place to watch someone's Final Trials, and if you're heading for the League, I shouldn't get any previews of you going all out anyway! I kinda stole too much of a look yesterday as it is."

Understanding, Moon nodded. Thanked Kukui for telling her that. He smiled before turning his attention to another at the table. "The same goes for you, Hau! You don't wanna spoil yourself on Moon before the League either, right? While everyone else is staying here, I can give you a ride back home to Iki Town, if you want-"

"No thanks!" Hau's shaking of his head interrupted Kukui's offer. "I don't wanna see Moon's Final Trials, no way, we gotta go into the League and see each going all out for the first time there! But I do wanna be here anyway when she finishes her Final Trials, so I can be the first to say congratulations! So I'm gonna stick around!"

Moon, stunned by Hau's declaration, stared at him with slightly warm cheeks. To be so believed in was... a powerful sensation. Kukui found himself surprised too. Not that he didn't believe Moon would pass just... yeah, those two, really they only got here because of one another. It wouldn't be right to separate them now.

Each deserved to congratulate the other.

"You'll be waiting a long time," Hapu mentioned matter-of-factly. "Your Final Trials took most of the day, remember?"

"That's fine!" Hau nodded back, "I can wait!" Doubtful looks from everyone, Moon included, settled on Hau's shoulders. He frowned back at everyone. "I can! Just watch! Hey Moon shouldn't you be starting your Trials soon?"

"When you are ready." The deep voice of Kahuna Hala crossed the table as he approached, in step behind him Kahuna Olivia and Kahili Hano. "Moon, the Final Trials will take place over the course of this day: between the point they begin and twelve hours after that time, you must have challenged each of the four who will be administering these trials: whether Kahuna or Kahuna representative. After completing each challenge you are levelled, you and your team may rest and recover, including using the services of the Pokemon Center here, however you must challenge the fourth of us before these twelve hours have expired. The order you challenge us in is yours to decide. Consider that as you prepare."

Moon nodded, feeling the last of her hunger fade away, replaced with the beginning notes of tension. As Acerola and Hapu moved to stand with the group, Hapu with her representative Kahili, Acerola as Kahuna Nanu's, Moon stared at those before her. Four incredible challenges she'd need to pass in a single day. The enormity of it before her was staggering. Even after coming this far, even after everything she'd overcome, still she felt the challenge here was so much more. Was she ready? She hoped she was but...

"Moon!" A hand clapping on Moon's shoulder shook her from her thoughts, Hau smiling as she turned to look at him. "You've got this!"

...okay. Moon turned back to the ones before her. None made show of offering, of reaching out to be her first challenge. No, she had to be the one to choose. Kahuna Hala. Kahuna Olivia. Captain Acerola. And Kahili Hano. Moon had no idea which she should face, or the order in which she should do so, so...

The same order as this had begun, at least at first. Moon's eyes settled on Hala.

Please be her first opponent.

Hala nodded with dutiful acceptance.

"Very well. Moon, please follow after me to the grounds of our Final Trial."

And breaking from the group, who all spread apart so Moon may follow after, Hala set off across the halls of the League foyer, to the path the competitors would walk, Moon in step behind.

Learning the path she'd follow to the battlefield of the Pokemon League.


"Moon," Hala spoke again only after the two had reached the entrance to the stage, passing through the waiting room League Trainers would stay within for the bouts ahead. Past that point was the entrance to the battlefield itself, where the Trainers taking part in the League would enter and take their places before the eyes of the stands ringing the arena, the view of Alola, and the attention of the entire world. A powerful yet silent feeling hung in the air, for this place only a month and a few days away from the opening of the League. The battles fought here so far, they were still just preamble.

The greatest battles of Alola lay just ahead.

"Each Kahuna has chosen a test you must overcome in battle with us. Whether or not what you must do is explained beforehand, or determining it is part of the test, depends on the individual. Please make your way to the right side of the field."

With that Kahuna Hala broke away, walking to the left, where one of the two Trainer rings was waiting. Moon, heart hammering, moved to the right, so the two might stand opposite one another. At this distance between them, it wasn't easy to speak, each having to raise their voices mightily. Hala did so as each took their position, and a faint wall of light shimmered before them.

"Trainer Moon!" Few voices could boom in the way Kahuna Hala's could, reaching across the field, "You stand before Kahuna Hala of Melemele Island, and of Alola! Your Final Trials will now begin, and over the course of this day you will display what you have learned on the Island Challenge you have taken! Remember the Trials you have overcome, and the Alola of which you have become part! Now... begin!"

And from the black and yellow Ultra Ball Hala held a beam of red light emerged, passing neatly through the barrier that enclosed the battlefield of the Pokemon League, and manifested the Arm Thrust Pokemon Hariyama before him. The first Pokemon of the challenge Hala had levelled for Moon. Now, to see how she would respond...

Moon thought quickly, staring at the massive Pokemon across the field. Hala used Fighting-type Pokemon, so Salamence and Sylveon would be the most effective to use in response, and Bisharp the worst. But should she choose one of them immediately? What was the Final Trial of Hala meant to be, anyway? She didn't know what the test was. Had to figure it out in battle, apparently. If she chose one of her best partners to fight Hala immediately and got something wrong, that would be wasting their strength. She needed to figure out what Hala was doing first. So...

The flash of red from the Pokeball Moon grasped resolved into the shape of Decidueye, Arrow Quill Pokemon, longest partner of Moon, with her from the very beginning. It had bested Kahuna Hala's Hariyama as a Dartrix during Moon's Grand Trial on Melemele Island all those months ago, but the difference between how much Hala held back then, and how little he would now, was huge.

A single well-placed Z-Move would mean nothing here, only exhaustion for partners that needed to maintain their strength for the entire day. And Hala would no doubt be using more than just one Pokemon too... Moon's thoughts were surging as the Hariyama before her and Decidueye slammed an open palm of each hand against its large belly before stomping down heavy with each foot on the ground, setting a ready position. A call for Moon and Decidueye to answer.

Putting her focus forward, Moon did so and called out her partner's name.

Immediately Decidueye dove forward, leaves scattering from the hood enshrouding its head and shoulders, the Arrow Quill Pokemon's steps quick as it closed the distance between itself and the Hariyama, who reared back an ominously glowing arm in preparation for a forward thrust. With Normal and Fighting-type moves useless against the Ghost-type Decidueye, Moon knew Hala knew only a few of Hariyama's abilities would have effect.

That didn't make it any less scary or dangerous.

Arching its body with a springing leap Decidueye curved over the forward thrust of Hariyama's arm, the Dark-infused blow popping the air beyond its palm as Decidueye set a foot down upon the larger Hariyama's shoulder, launching upwards while drawing an arrow back, sending a sharp quill speeding towards the Arm Thrust Pokemon below.

As fast as Moon expected the partner of Kahuna Hala to be, the Hariyama spun around and slapped the arrow aside, its other palm striking up, print glowing red as the air combusted around it. The wave of force, hot air and flame, rippled outwards, Moon's call to Decidueye to dive and hit the ground travelling faster through their Bond than her voice through the air.

The ground shook as soon as Decidueye landed, heavy stomps of Hariyama's feet sending waves through the earth, unbalancing Moon's partner as Hala's pulled back another flaming palm. An arrow quickly shot pierced the ground by the Hariyama's feet, chains lashing out from it wrapping around the Pokemon's arm, slowing the thrust so that Decidueye might dodge. An upswing of Hariyama's other arm sent pillars of stone erupting from the earth by the power it exuded, a Grass-infused arrow shot through the attack causing it to detonate into flying fragments of stone, mixing with the leaves released for Decidueye to dash through and disappear from sight, dancing through the air around the powerful Pokemon of Kahuna Hala.

A slap from each of its great hands against its belly. A stomp from each leg upon the ground.

A loud exclaim of its name.

"Hari!"

The burst of sound itself was enough, blowing out the leaves and stones scattered throughout the air, Decidueye revealed by it surprised for a moment as another burning palm struck out. Moon called again, but the pace had been Hala and Hariyama's from the beginning, and the attack struck cleanly and clearly, the force behind it sending Decidueye flying high into the air. Knowing the damage her partner had taken, Moon raised her Pokeball and called Decidueye back. The first battle Hala's win cleanly.

He'd neither given nor missed an inch.

Which next... Sylveon, or Salamence? Moon still didn't know what Hala's test was. Was it just to defeat his Hariyama going all out? It sure felt like the Pokemon was. No, no she was sure there was more to it than that but... Milotic, Moon chose Milotic, the Tender Pokemon uncoiling from the red beam that released it out of the Net Ball that Moon carried.

Next battle.

Again the Hariyama performed the motions. Two slaps against its chest, two stomps of its feet to show readiness. Was there something to that motion? Should Moon strike during it? Or be wary after it? She wasn't sure, and commanded Milotic to move far more cautiously than she had Decidueye, this Pokemon lacking the typing to avoid the most powerful of Hariyama's attacks.

Surging and twisting movements from Milotic accompanied the water it manifested, allowing it to flow and move at great speed about the field. Circling the Hariyama, Milotic tested bursts of water, attacks of varying form. Yet despite the changing angles there was little the Tender Pokemon proved able to do, quick and accurate thrusts of the Hariyama's arms breaking apart the jets of water, the tests Moon and Milotic were releasing revealing nothing. The answer, the solution to this puzzle, Moon still didn't know.

Two heavy slaps upon the Hariyama's chest. Moon's focus tightened, Milotic responding with equal will. Two powerful stomps upon the ground. Every time this meant something. Moon still didn't know what. But the pace of the battle had flowed to Hala's will this entire time, and this time Moon would disrupt it. The surge of Milotic's movements. The Hariyama's own in response. This dance at the peak of Alola, in perfect tune with its song.

In tune with the song!

Hariyama thrust an arm forward and Milotic dived into the attack, twisting around it before coiling across the Arm Thrust Pokemon itself, the water flowing with the Tender Pokemon cooling rapidly into ice as it continued the motion to untangle itself before the Hariyama could respond. A heated surge of water flowed next from Milotic, striking into the Hariyama as it shattered the ice binding it, the hot and cold reacting into an immediate flash of mist. Moon drew her partner back, her heart-rate pulsing at great speed.

She knew what to do.

The song of Alola was the pulse of life, the rhythm of land, sea, sky, and all living beings within it. It was the footsteps of the many which wove into a tune, it was the cries of Pokemon mingling with the breath of the wind. It was the pace and flow of Alola that master Trainers easily danced to alongside their Pokemon, and by that pace reacted faster, cleaner, and with more ability than possible without. Kahuna Hala and his Hariyama, they were moving to the song. Those two slams of the hands, then two of the feet, as the mist around Hariyama was blown away by the Pokemon's fighting spirit, it was a reset of the song, the combatants as much conductors as conductees. Directing the song, creating the flow of movement that drew others into the pace and led them along, it was an art Moon had seen months ago as well.

Been witness as Ryuki Oda played a tune on his guitar and commanded three of his Pokemon to meet three Captains of Alola with equal strength.

The Hariyama repeated the motions again. Faster this time. Then struck forward an arm that crackled with electricity that jolted and surged out in a wide arcing claw. Crackle jolt, the thrust's attack. Water surge, answer back. Moon grinned. The faster they danced the more command, taking the pace into their hands. So for this Trial just follow the song.

Kahuna Hala please dance along.

From diving twisting Milotic came water flowing coating thick across the stage to change the field and shape this mud by its own will to mire grasping Hariyama stomping down with its own power the waves of force pushing back soft ground into an attack Milotic caught by earthen shell as greater strength upon it fell the Kahuna's partner without relent unleashing more and more intent to crush its foe within the pace this song this dance between them a race mist and water towering higher Milotic swimming up that spire which shattered by a single blow rained as water down below the Tender Pokemon falling fast Hariyama beneath preparing its blast a clash of surging water flowing into a heavy palm bright glowing this moment between the two come to a head and the burst released of power spread across the field as each fell back each stunned by the strength of their attack yet as one stood to continue their fight the other lay bereft of might.

An aggressive pace, and though Moon had matched it for a moment, the difference in strength between her partner Pokemon and the Hariyama of Kahuna Hala proved still too much. Two of her Pokemon beaten, and not one of the Kahuna's. What was the answer now? Moon didn't even know how much she had to do. A flash of red, a Pokeball at her waist activating, answered for her.

Bisharp, Sword Blade Pokemon, set foot onto the stage of the Pokemon League.

Immediately against Moon's distress at the Pokemon's manifestation she felt in return a sense of joy. Of happiness to be here, at the peak of Alola, the highest point in the region. The place Moon had promised to go, and take those who'd joined alongside her with. That happiness, for her partner to experience this stage, Moon couldn't begrudge them that. This Bisharp, a Pokemon older than she was, did it know the song of Alola? Had it commanded through that the many Pokemon it had led over the decades? Was it able to flow well into the motions of a most aggressive pace?

As the Sword Blade Pokemon took a step forward, towards the Hariyama repeating its slap and stomp motion to announce the pace of the song it would follow, Moon nodded and shelved doubts about match-ups or strength. She'd trust in her partner who'd wished to stand upon this stage. They still had a higher place to go to together.

So they couldn't stop here.

Immediately flowed the movement of Bisharp in a way no other Pokemon of Moon's could, through something born of such long experience in battle against so many that the Pokemon possessed an edge far sharper than even the blades along its arms. The fastest strikes of Hariyama Bisharp wove within, its metallic arms pushing aside the muscle-thick limbs of the Arm Thrust Pokemon. For the two standing directly before one another with little more than quick steps taken without ever breaking apart, the amount of movement between them was extreme. The pace of the song, Moon lost the ability to track it, having to surrender thinking to feel alone. Through the Bond between her and her partner, let them share the pace and the sensation of this battle as fast as they could move, even faster than they could think.

A limitless moment of trance in which the song of Alola was theirs alone to define, by every breath, movement, and pulse of their hearts.

Taking a heavy blow upon its smoothed head, the blade most Bisharp carried sundered in a manner that would never heal, Bisharp sunk to a knee for just one moment, the touch upon the earth a bounce that let it rise up again, and struck with its full power returning everything the Hariyama had hit it with into the Arm Thrust Pokemon's chest. Slammed by the immense attack reflecting the power of its own and more, the partner Pokemon of Kahuna Hala stumbled back and fell. Hala nodded. Good.

Moon had shown the beginnings of what his test sought to reveal. That she had learned to flow with the song of Alola, and her Pokemon, to a level beyond anything she could have before. Those Island Challenge Champions of Alola, they must all be able to synchronise with their partners, and with Alola, to that degree. Hala demanded it.

But one moment wasn't enough. If Moon was to continue, she needed to be able to maintain that flow where thought and instinct mixed into a singular intent that reacted at the speed of the greatest of Pokemon battles. So choosing a second Pokemon, the large and white-furred Woolly Crab Pokemon Crabominable, Fighting and Ice-type evolution of Crabrawler, Hala set the battle to continue. Not until Moon had shown far more would he allow her past this test.

Young Moon, let us continue our dance!

Having taken the powerful attacks of Hariyama, Bisharp soon lost this fight, Volcarona the next to join with its powerful flaming force. It took time for Moon to regain the pace, that pure moment she had shared with the Sword Blade Pokemon, but she found it again, and her partner proved well able to wear down Hala's own, the Bug and Fire-type Pokemon possessing such a great advantage over the Woolly Crab that the battle ended in its favour. It had spent a lot of energy to overwhelm the powerful Pokemon of Hala though, and Hala's third choice, a Poliwrath, Water and Fighting-type, rapidly brought Volcarona down to the ground.

Fearing further Ice-type attacks, Moon chose Sylveon next. Yet despite the Intertwining Pokemon's best efforts, the Poliwrath, trained to wield a variety of techniques, struck a powerful Poison-infused blow. Moon's pace was fluctuating, lost easily when things did not go her way. She was showing the beginnings of mastery, but still struggling to exert it.

As Salamence emerged, sixth of Moon's team, Hala made peace with this match-up. It was time for Moon to demonstrate she had what it took to pass his Final Trial. This one battle would be the last they shared this day. So then, young Moon... overcome!

Moon did not Mega Evolve her partner Salamence. Mega Evolution placed a greater demand upon the body of a Pokemon than a Z-Move did, and though the power it exerted was great, Moon knew the cost would last even beyond the healing a Pokemon Center could give. She had three more battles to face today, she couldn't freely spend the stamina of those with her.

But such thinking was far too light.

The pace of the battle continued to go faster and faster, Moon and her partner falling in and out of it, focusing at times and lasting in equal battle with the impressively strong and agile Poliwrath, at others pushed back and threatened by devastating Ice-infused attacks, as Moon had feared.

She understood what she had to do. The state she needed to find. But it wasn't easy, even with the journey she'd taken this far. That level of focus, that level of intent, to activate and maintain it, the demand upon her was... Moon returned her focus, ignoring thoughts of difficulty. Difficulty didn't matter here. She had to do it. That was all it was.

The battle continued on, the Poliwrath resilient and able to withstand immense punishment, Salamence powered by its own great strength and desire to win. The acceleration of the movements between them, this battle that was a dance, told Moon what was coming. A moment's forewarning she understood. Quickly made the motion she knew was best. Placed a sky-blue crystal within her Z-Power Ring.

Opposed the orange-red Fightinium-Z Hala set within his own Z-Ring.

Z-Move met Z-Move. Into the waves of force, the countless arm thrusts of Poliwrath performing the Fighting-type Z-Move All-Out Pummelling, flew Salamence, wreathed in Z-Power itself, unleashing the Flying-type Z-Move Supersonic Skystrike.

This was the moment. The absolute instant Moon pushed herself to give her partner everything she could. To see the flow of the strikes, shaped by and shaping the song, and move within them. To use her own Z-Move to pierce through and strike the Poliwrath on the other side. As a test of maintaining the focus, and ability, to master battling with the song of Alola, there could be no better.

So when Salamence succeeded in bursting through, struck Poliwrath with its full force and sent the Tadpole Pokemon flying across the field, Hala in his heart pronounced the first of Moon's Final Trials done.

Three more to go.


The healing capabilities of Pokemon Centers have only improved since their inception, today recovering Pokemon resting in Pokeballs from minor damages in moments, and even major harm in little time at all. For creatures that lived for combat with one another, such a thing enabled them to engage in more and more, and drove further the growth and evolution of Pokemon and Pokemon Trainers both.

However even with the incredible capabilities of Pokemon Centers, there are still things they cannot cure. As the Bisharp partner of Moon had proved, a piece of one's body lost will not be restored. The curving head blade of the Pokemon, shattered by the Golisopod of Guzma, would not return. Such injuries were beyond even the miracle of modern medicine.

More insidious in its inability to be healed was the exhaustion great battles could bring.

In the wake of the battle with Kahuna Hala, first of Moon's Final Trials, her Pokemon were restored at the Pokemon League Center. Their wounds healed, damage sustained undone, the Pokemon were returned to battling condition.

Yet just because Salamence was ready to battle again, it did not mean the body of the Dragon Pokemon was prepared to sustain another Z-Move as soon as healing was done. Recovery would be faster, yes, but it would still take time. And the mental toll, the intense focus of battle, was again an aspect that only time could disperse. Though Moon's team could battle again as soon as the healing was done, each member would be so much less able than they had been before.

So the best thing to do was to accept the lengthy period of time given to the Final Trials, and rest. Wait patiently, while your Pokemon recovered further on their own.

Waiting with her Pokemon alone, part of the Final Trials being to stand on one's own, Moon's patience only lasted so long. If she'd had Hau to talk to, or even the others who'd be overseeing her Final Trials, she was sure she could wait longer. But Hau was in another part of the League building, respecting the traditions of the Final Trials that Moon must face them alone.

So when the first hour had passed and Moon's need to continue peaked, she had no one to advise her calm before bounding to her feet. And when she sought out Kahuna Olivia, amongst those gathered to test Moon here this day, Moon received no suggestions that she might wait longer first. The Final Trials were not to treat any competitor as a child, or devalue their own will. One must make and accept their own decisions in this moment.

No-one would tell Moon what choices to make. Those were hers alone. Silently she followed Olivia along that same path through the League building, and out onto the stage upon which they'd do battle.

The second of her Final Trials.

Olivia's presence was strong, and calm. Much like Hala, exerting the focus of a Kahuna serving one of their most sacred duties. It reminded Moon clearly of how much those two were Kahuna in her eyes, and how much respect she'd found for each of them. She wondered if she could ask, past this date, what Olivia felt towards Tapu Lele. Whether she knew about Holei, and what had happened with her.

So many questions.

But now was not the time for that, and Moon focused only on what she needed to do as she once more took position on the right side of the stage, standing opposite Olivia on the left. The same as Hala, Olivia had given Moon no instructions, and so the nature of this Final Trial too would be up to Moon to determine. But she'd find it. And use the greater awareness of the song of Alola Hala had helped her learn to do so.

Though the first of the Final Trials had been an intense thing indeed, from it Moon and her partners had gained a new strength.

Now to put it to the test.

From Kahuna Olivia and the blue Great Ball she held came a beam of red light, passing through the barrier once more raised around the battlefield of the Pokemon League stage, resolving into the shape of a small Pokemon floating in the air. A creature resembling a stone laced with crystals, blue eyes staring out from a head ringed by white fur, the Jewel Pokemon Carbink Moon had encountered in caverns across Alola. They were a rarely combative Pokemon, and so Moon had rarely battled them. Wondered now just what this partner of Kahuna Olivia could do.

As Olivia was a Rock-type specialist, Moon knew her strongest partners for this fight would be Decidueye, Milotic, and Bisharp, with Volcarona in greatest danger from whichever foe it would face. Aside from this Carbink, Moon also knew Olivia to have both a Midnight Lycanroc – the foe she had faced in Kahuna Olivia's Grand Trial – and a Tyrantrum, a Fossil Pokemon that possessed the Dragon-typing. If anything could compete with that thing, it would be Salamence, though Sylveon held strong potential too. There were a lot of options to facing the team of Olivia, and knowing that allowed Moon a measure of calm. Once more she chose Decidueye to go first, and test the field. Determine what Kahuna Olivia would do, and what this Trial would be.

The determination Moon felt mirrored by her longest partner before her, Decidueye drew back an arrow quill aimed squarely at the floating Jewel Pokemon before it.

And let it fire as the battle began.

The arrow shattered moments later, dispersing into tiny fragments as soon as it neared the serenely floating Carbink. There hadn't even been a motion of response, the Pokemon showing no changes at all. It had to have incredible defensive powers, Moon noted, to be able to react as such. But if that were the case, it would lack offence in turn. So the pace of the battle was hers alone to define.

Arrows to fire and overwhelm, Grass-aligned attacks to strike, leaves released to approach through the defenses of this Pokemon, Moon considered many options and her partner reacted in turn. Shot arrows and dove through released leaves, changing its positioning to strike from differing angles moment by moment. Sought a break in the guard of this Carbink foe, Moon's focus taking into account the song. Ways to move with the flow of this battle that would aid the harmony between her and her partner further. Yes, she knew what to do.

They could win this fight.

And fully believing that, Moon's confidence slipped moment by moment as every attack Decidueye unleashed was smoothly blocked or evaded by the slightest movements of the floating Carbink, and every rising note of the song in her heart broke against the wall of the Jewel Pokemon's indifference.

Into the moment of questioning doubt how she'd face this foe it reacted, a clear command from Olivia given, and a beam of concentrated light bursting forth from the Pokemon to strike Decidueye cleanly in the moment it landed after its latest failed attack.

Experienced enough now to recover quickly from such a thing, Moon tightened her focus, Decidueye not harmed nearly enough by the blow to be anything but ready to continue the battle. But as soon as her focus and guard were up silence was the only answer the Carbink gave in return. It seemed to have no interest in pursuing that one attack, or maintaining the pressure upon Moon and Decidueye. Moon frowned. She didn't understand this strategy, or Olivia's intent, at all. But kept her guard up properly for Decidueye's next attack.

The arrow quills Decidueye produced were the core of her attacks, whether carrying the ghostly binding chains or infused with Grass-type energy. Yet the defenses of this Carbink, the barriers it seemed to manifest with ease, and the slight movements it made while floating about, easily negated every action Moon and Decidueye tried. This Pokemon was acting as a wall, a sheer force against which Moon and Decidueye's attempts would break. It was frustrating, Moon acknowledged as she raised Decidueye's Pokeball up, Olivia's eyes focusing on the action, but there seemed little they could do to stop this Pokemon before them.

So calling Decidueye back Moon chose one she fully trusted to break through this foe. Manifested for battle at this peak of the world once more, Bisharp again experienced that thrill. The response from Moon was that this was only the beginning. They still had much further to go.

So to do that they'd have to overcome this foe before them. With those thoughts shared, the Sword Blade Pokemon focused forward.

Without ceremony Olivia made her own substitution.

Probopass, Compass Pokemon, Rock and Steel-type. A larger floating stone Pokemon, its blue main body highlighted by two large red stones, one upon its front resembling a great nose, the other upon its head guarding a pair of eyes. A bush of iron filings gathered beneath the front-facing red rock of the Pokemon completed the resemblance it bore to a statue's head, appearing not unlike a particularly bushy moustache. Moon had seen this Pokemon rarely in her time, and never battled one directly herself. That Olivia so readily chose to switch her partner in response to Moon's own, that had to mean something. What was this Trial meant to be? Moon considered that even as she directed Bisharp forward with caution to respond to their opponent's attack.

Quickly three smaller blue stones flew forth from the Probopass, units under the control of its powerful magnetic pull. Rotom-dex, watching over the battle at Moon's side, identified the magnetic field as distorting the functionality of Pokeballs, so that Moon wouldn't be able to call Bisharp back as long as it was in effect. A block then. Moon frowned, before shaking her head. She trusted in Bisharp fully.

They'd dance to the song and bring this opponent down.

Bisharp moved faster than Decidueye, and with far more precision in close quarters. The swinging of its arm blades as it approached the Probopass of Olivia, easily the Sword Blade Pokemon beat back the smaller Mini-Nose units the Compass Pokemon commanded. Yet despite being able to react to them quickly, they did not slow their assault, keeping Bisharp locked in place. When a bright glow took shape before the Probopass's main body, the powerful magnetic field around it producing an intense electrical blast, Moon was forced to direct her partner to pull back in order to dodge both that blast and the Mini-Noses harassing it. The distance lost the small units controlled by the Probopass punished by maintaining their assault, keeping Bisharp even further back. This entire battle, it was as though it were designed to stop Moon from taking even one step forward. To push her back constantly and leave her and her team at the edge.

Maybe that was the point of it. Moon set her focus forward and sought to push through.

It was a long fight. Slow, made of countless steps forward that were immediately pushed back. The Probopass of Olivia reacted rarely, the smaller floating stones it controlled constantly driving Bisharp back in its stead. Spending so little energy, the Compass Pokemon easily countered each time Bisharp drew too close with more powerful attacks, the entire conflict one extended and intense. Practising the focus of the song, Moon and Bisharp pushed forward still. Forward and back, a step gained and then lost. It was intense, and draining, requiring a consistent focus that went far beyond anything Hala had asked for. The length of the entire battle with him, from start to finish, had passed long before Bisharp scored even one direct hit against the Probopass of Olivia. And even that wasn't enough to change anything of the attack it unleashed in return.

It was hard to tell how long the battle lasted until it was done, Moon's unflinching focus upon it causing her to grasp her head as Bisharp, after so many long approaches, finally struck the Probopass hard enough for it to drop to the ground, the magnetic field in the air fading away. That had been rough, the length of this battle a strain Moon hadn't felt before. Bisharp too was tired, drained by the long and focused assault. This sort of battle, it wasn't the kind Moon had ever experienced before. She shook her head. At least they'd won this fight.

Without a single word given Olivia brought another Pokemon to the field.

Once more sporting a full face-covering of iron filings, the Alolan Form of Golem, differed from its more rounded traditional form by the giant rock spines emerging from its back, announced itself as the magnetic field in the air intensified once more. A feeling as if of a long sigh came to Moon as Bisharp's sole response to this foe. Then the Pokemon raised a bladed arm and strode forward again.

This time the battle ended in Kahuna Olivia's favour. Still it was long, lasting until Bisharp's exhaustion, combined with the attacks it had suffered, finally caused it to fall. The magnetic field faded, allowing Moon to call her partner back, and unleash Decidueye to continue the fight. Olivia, without a missed beat, substituted the Golem for another Pokemon, Armaldo, the Rock and Bug-type Plate Pokemon, a Fossil Pokemon much like the Tyrantrum she kept.

And this long battle continued for another cycle the same as it had before.

Without pity or pause Olivia maintained the fight by her own pace. Everything Moon had learned from Hala, about taking the pace of the song of Alola and accelerating it with her partner into a relentless force, proved useless here. Too strong was the wall of strength Olivia raised, her partners keeping a defensive approach that broke every attempt Moon's Pokemon made to seize the reins of this battle in their own grip.

Moon made progress. Defeated the Armaldo of Olivia, and the Carbink when it returned as well, despite the Z-Move Olivia unleashed to Moon's own great surprise, the technique used to reshape the battlefield into something even more difficult to move within. But even with those victories, most of Moon's team were beaten as well, the length of this battle exhaustingly long. So when Olivia unleashed the partner Moon had been both awaiting and fearing the appearance of, the Despot Pokemon Tyrantrum, Rock and Dragon-type Fossil, Moon knew she had only one choice.

With just Salamence left, held in reserve for this moment, and the true form of this Trial still unknown – though the way Olivia approached this battle, so different to her Grand Trial, made Moon suspect that was the point – there really was only one thing Moon could do. Her only answer being to grasp the rainbow pendant that hung from her neck and will the power of Mega Evolution in her partner arise.

If Olivia went all out Moon was sure even her Mega Evolved Salamence could not stop the Tyrantrum against it, but this was all Moon could do now, and so she intended to give it her all. Thus in a great flash of red light the Mega Evolved form of Salamence roared its readiness for battle – a roar answered in turn by the wide open jaws of the Despot Pokemon before it – and the final round of Kahuna Olivia's Final Trial for Moon began.

Immediately their clash sent waves across the battlefield, the great bulk of Tyrantrum allowing it to contest Salamence in strength, its massive jaws crunching down hard upon the armour wrapping Salamence as it bit back in turn, blue flames spilling from its mouth as similar energy burned across Tyrantrum's body. Yet for as vicious as this clash was, when it broke apart Moon heard Olivia voice an order, a command for distance and control, and the heavy slam of the Tyrantrum's foot upon the ground rose jagged rocks from the earth all around it to gain such.

Distance and control. Was that Olivia's intent? She'd held that this entire battle so far, dragging it out for what felt like an age. Slowing down every fight, Moon's focus during it so intense her head now felt like it was burning. Was that the test? To be pushed like this? Moon shook her head, the feeling not changing. She was tired, exhausted in truth, and just wanted this to be over. To rest. But...

She'd promised to win.

So despite everything pushing her down, the severe mental exhaustion weighing upon her shoulders, still Moon held her focus. Still she gave her commands, and still Salamence fought. Still the Dragon Pokemon opposed the Despot, each clash of their power shattering the rock-distorted arena around them.

Olivia smiled.

Back during Moon's Grand Trial, that young child had asked about this Tyrantrum. At the time Olivia had told Moon clearly, even holding back, as Olivia was now to keep Tyrantrum's pace defensive and draw this battle out, still that Pokemon would have crushed Moon's without mercy. Yet look now, at how she competes. Even after so long, being pushed so far, still Moon stood strong. Carried that intensity, focus, and ability to weather the intense stress and demands of the greatest of battles that those who bore the title of Island Challenge Champion would face. Moon would go on to face far greater battles than this in the life ahead of her, and so Olivia had demanded Moon show she could bear such to go on.

She was strong, her partner Pokemon incredible, but this was something else. Something different from the infinity Moon could give to those partnered to her. This was a testing of Moon's mind, and that had always had its limit. Moon's loss, her breakdown on Ula'ula Island after failing the fifth Trial, weighed heavily upon Olivia's shoulders. As a Kahuna she should have seen it coming. Identified that Moon was running on pure determination for victory, at the expense of everything around her. The failure to see that, the almost casualness with which Olivia allowed Moon to pass her Grand Trial and continue on, never even considering the struggles she was bearing, it stung. It still stung.

But here was someone different. Someone changed. Though pushed down and exhausted by the battle thus far, still Moon's eyes held that light. Still her focus held care and direction. Still she heard the song of Alola, and moved to keep its pace. She was giving everything she had to win, but it was not consuming her and those who trusted in her. It was everything an Island Challenge Champion should be, and to see that so clearly in someone so young... the only thing that amazed Olivia more was that it was the second time in as many days she'd seen such.

These kids, they really were something else entirely.

And as, mid-roar with Tyrantrum pushed down before it, the Salamence of Moon slipped from its Mega Evolved form, collapsing from exhaustion as Moon herself sat heavily down, Olivia nodded. That showing was exactly what she'd been looking for.

Exactly what it took to pass the Final Trial of Kahuna Olivia of Akala Island.


The sun was already well past midday by the time Moon awoke, blearily coming to consciousness upon a Pokemon Center lounge before jolting to her feet, panic coursing through her body as she called to Rotom-dex for the time. The afternoon; Moon had slept for hours as her Pokemon recovered, the incredible mental demand of Olivia's Final Trial draining her to such a state. How much longer until the Final Trials were over? Still time, still time to do another, rest, and take the last, but not nearly as much as she'd feel comfortable with.

Calling her partners to her, rapidly consuming a meal for her own recovery as each with her ate as well, Moon soon sought out the third opponent she must face. With only two Trainers left to go, Moon had to decide which to battle first. When it came down to it, she felt the danger Kahili posed must be far greater than Captain Acerola's. So Kahili had to be next, with the strength Moon's team still had – what they'd recovered in the rest they had taken. Approaching Kahili and Hapu, the pair dutifully awaiting Moon's challenge, Moon called out.

Her third Final Trial.

She was ready.

"Moon," as the three stood before the battlefield to which they'd soon take Hapu spoke up, Kahili standing behind her as the Kahuna outlined the Final Trial she had chosen for the Island Challenger Moon. "You've done incredibly well to come this far, and defeated many powerful opponents. But against both the Totem and myself, your victory was won by numbers. By using the actions of one teammate to the next to create weaknesses you could exploit to win. That's not wrong, but to go further, that won't be enough."

Moon nodded, understanding. She was aware of that too. So many of her greatest victories were won by the numbers she kept. Individually, there was still so much further to go. Hapu smiled to see Moon's quick acceptance.

"For this Final Trial, you and Kahili will engage in six battles. Each battle will be a single Pokemon against another, and when one is defeated, you will each return your Pokemon and choose another. To pass my Final Trial... win more battles than Kahili does. Four at least. Do you understand?"

She... did but... Moon stared at Kahili, whose expression was one focused. Moon had never actually seen Kahili going all out, or even battling at all now that Moon thought about it, but she knew in her heart that Kahili had to be incredibly strong. To win at least four times against her...

"These are your Final Trials." Kahili spoke while Moon stared up at her, meeting Moon's eyes with her own pale blue. "To assert yourself as an Island Challenge Champion, you must overcome incredible odds. Acknowledging the strength of your opponents is wise, but that does not give you the luxury to doubt yourself. I will not go easy on you, as Kahuna Hapu has requested."

"You must be ready to face this, Moon," Hapu agreed with Kahili's words. "Courage against the odds is a core of every great Pokemon Trainer. And you have shown great courage so many times to this point. Now tell me, are you ready for the Final Trial of Kahuna Hapu?"

It... took a moment, for Moon to find herself and nod. But when she did her eyes were focused, and Kahili and Hapu both smiled. Good, that was the look they wanted to see. Turning to take their positions across the battlefield, Kahili in the Trainer's space, Hapu behind her to watch over this fight, the two waited as Moon took her own position.

To pass the third of her Final Trials, Moon must match up against a Trainer she'd known to be incredible from the day she'd met her. Kahili Hano... the last dregs of the sleep Moon had taken fell away from her mind. She wanted to see just what the Flying-type expert of Alola could do.

"Begin!"

Hapu's call drove both women to action, Kahili and Moon each choosing a Pokeball, beams of red revealing the first pair to battle. From Moon Sylveon, the Intertwining Pokemon stretching as it emerged for its third fight. In the battle with Hala it had been struck down quickly, and though the fight with Olivia had lasted long, Sylveon had been one of the best suited for that lengthy pace. It was one of the least tired of Moon's team, and an ideal for Moon to lead with for this fight.

The nervousness Sylveon had carried as an Eevee, even when partnered to Moon, had faded in the presence Moon embraced it with. Her love and care, it was that very affection that had driven the evolution to this Fairy-type form, and from it Sylveon had found peace. A level of caution and guard would always travel with it, but it was a calmer and more observant sort than the jumpiness it had carried before. Moon, understanding this of her partner before her, knew few other of her Pokemon would be as able to tease out the battling style of Kahili Hano.

Kahili and the Toucannon she chose.

Toucannon, Cannon Pokemon, Normal and Flying-type. Evolution of Trumbeak, final form of Pikipek, the sizable bird Pokemon attacked strongest thanks to its giant beak, which could generate intense amounts of heat, whether to strike opponents with, or shoot projectiles using that great energy. Moon had ridden on the back of this Pokemon with Kahili a number of times, and each time felt as if their weight meant nothing to it. It must be strong.

Every Pokemon of Kahili's must be strong.

Little, as Moon gave her first commands, directing Sylveon's caution for whatever the Cannon Pokemon facing it might do, could have prepared Moon for just what Kahili's choice would be. For the Toucannon to beat its wings and send out such a surge of forceful wind that Sylveon was pushed down, and in that space provided for Kahili to raise her right arm, Flyinium-Z in the Z-Ring set around her wrist glowing bright. Wait, Moon's eyes widened, quickly moving to perform her own Z-Move in counter, this was way too sudden!

Kahili's aggressive lead was too fast, and even as Moon performed the Z-Pose necessary to activate the Fairium-Z, the Flying-type Z-Move Supersonic Skystrike had already struck Sylveon down.

The first match in Kahili's favour.

"You can't expect your opponents to act the same!" In opposition to the Kahuna, Kahili proved quite willing to give her opinion, calling out to Moon across the field as each of them called their Pokemon back. "You weren't prepared for me to strike at full force from the very beginning, and so I immediately took a win! You start too slow, Moon!"

Second from Kahili was a smaller Pokemon, the yellow feathered Pom-pom style Oricorio, the Electric and Flying-type Melemele variant of the Dancing Pokemon. Considering her partners, and the others Moon remembered Kahili had – a Baile Style Oricorio and a Mandibuzz – Moon made her next choice. Decidueye here, the Arrow Quill Pokemon's Grass-type weak to Flying, but resistant to Electric. Six one versus one matches... five, Moon grimaced. She had to recover her pace, use what she'd learned from Hala, and maintain her focus the way the fight against Olivia had demanded. Keep control of the song, and her awareness and attentiveness at a level high enough to do so. Kahili had used her Z-Move. She didn't have another, and Moon could still use them with most of her partners at least. Salamence, having used both a Z-Move and Mega Evolution already, was truly exhausted. The risk that it would lose its fight when it came...

Moon set her eyes forward on the battle before her. She'd win.

Two more Pokemon set to the clash.

The Flying-type techniques of the Pom-pom style Oricorio proved aggressive, Kahili seemingly unconcerned with the restriction Decidueye placed upon the use of electric attacks. Moon and her partner's focus, reacting at speeds the finest of Trainers would find impressive, kept the battle even, but Kahili's own intensity was of another kind. Compared to Moon's loud calls, directions for her partner and constant speech – the most active Hapu had ever seen the girl in battle – Kahili was quiet and calm. Spoke with purpose, and her Pokemon reacted with such. It was a clear battle displaying the difference between the two. With calm and focused intensity Kahili met the full passion of Moon and her longest held partner before her.

Hapu, who knew the Flying-type expert to be far stronger than she, found it all quite unnerving. Kahili, in the times she had served as Hapu's proxy for the Final Trials, had time and time again shown this state. This nature of the legendary Alolan Trainer. At the very least, she was doing as Hapu knew was necessary, and only posing enough challenge to test, not destroy.

If Kahili truly wanted to win, there would be nothing Moon could do to stop this battle ending six against zero.

"She's off-balance." Kahili drew Hapu's attention when she spoke up, not loud enough for Moon to hear, before directing her Oricorio to punish Decidueye's obvious movement. The Arrow Quill Pokemon was too reliant on its evasive techniques, and its positioning had grown stale. Moon needed to handle that or Kahili would knock out this partner of hers too.

She wasn't going easy.

"Do you think the choice to face you third was the wrong one?" Hapu's question Kahili didn't answer immediately. Focused for the moment on her partner as Moon reacted as she should, giving Decidueye new directions on movements to make. Replacing the tired routines Kahili had seen with new ones to keep her off balance in this fight. Moon was talented, and able, but still so young. Even for far weaker Trainers years older than Moon, the experiences they had gained mattered so much.

It almost felt like she shouldn't pass this test.

"No," Kahili answered finally after a time. "If she weren't at least using what those two taught her I would have already won this fight and the next as well."

Ah, the Ghostium-Z. The new movements Moon had chosen for Decidueye had enabled the space to perform that Z-Move to be opened. Kahili nodded as the Z-Move Never-Ending Nightmare engulfed her partner Oricorio. The first of them at least.

"I see," Hapu replied with a subdued voice, as Kahili waited for Moon, the victor of this round, to choose her next partner. Salamence, the Dragon, a Pokemon that simply should not exist in that form at that age. Even with the time to rest and healing it had undergone after the last Final Trial, it still looked weary. Kahili chose Mandibuzz to face it.

A Pokemon that excelled at range, to avoid the threat Salamence could pose to those who got too close.

"What... do you think?"

"We're being too kind." Kahili answered starkly as Mandibuzz flew beyond Salamence's attacks, responding with its own bursts of Dark and Flying-type energy that the Dragon Pokemon struggled to evade or negate. "The Final Trials are to acknowledge a Trainer as an Island Challenge Champion. Someone who has become a true part of Alola, and found great strength with the partners beside them. She's still so young. She still has so much to learn."

"So do I."

"And if you were taking your Final Trials, Hapu, I would defeat you as well."

Hard to say anything in response to that. Hapu stayed silent as Kahili called her Mandibuzz back, choosing her second Oricorio, the Fire and Flying-type Baile style of Ula'ula Island, to replace the victorious Bone Vulture. Two wins for her and one for Moon. Moon had to win all three of her remaining battles to pass this Final Trial. The pressure upon her, now it was time to see what the true nature of Moon the Trainer was. Whether she'd crumple under it, too young and too immature to face the pressure of Pokemon battling at this level, or focus and overcome.

As Hapu had asked of her, Kahili had provided an appropriate test for an Island Challenger to face at the peak of Alola. The part of her hoping Moon would win Kahili kept silent. To show this young girl proper respect, Kahili's full intent must remain upon this battle.

Anything less would be an insult for the youth that had struggled and fought to make it this far.

The Baile style Oricorio of Kahili had been Moon's greatest concern, a threat to Bisharp and best countered by Milotic. So being able to respond to it, it was the best possible situation. Had Kahili known that, Moon wondered. Was making this choice, making Moon's own easy, part of Kahili's concession to give Moon a chance? Well she wasn't going to doubt herself or question Kahili's mercy. Choosing Milotic, the Tender Pokemon unfurled itself with an airy cry, sharing Moon's will to continue despite the battles fought so far that day. Moon put her full focus forward.

No holding back.

"Oh!" Hapu's surprise Kahili did not share, focused upon the battle as she was, but she could not deny agreeing with the happiness in Hapu's voice at the sight. Moon's intent had hardened, as this intense pressure was meant to do, and her and Milotic's actions, their synchronisation in this fight, was perfect. That, that was the kind of Trainer who should pass the Final Trials of Alola and enter the Pokemon League. Acknowledging that for the first time, Kahili let herself smile as she called the beaten Baile Oricorio back. Two to two, very good. But Moon must still hold this state and defeat Kahili twice more before the expert Trainer would be content.

So as Moon chose Bisharp next, Kahili answered with a counter Moon had not known was coming. With the Wrestling Pokemon Hawlucha, a Fighting and Flying-type, the Pokemon one Kahili had partnered with during her time in Kalos. Kahili had been there when Moon had caught that Bisharp, and understood the Pokemon's age and power. The advantage her Hawlucha held over it in type, the Bisharp held back by the severe difference in age between them.

But that didn't mean Kahili was going to go easy.

Moon still had to prove herself this day.

Despite suspecting its strength thus far, this was the first time Kahili had truly seen the Bisharp partner of Moon in action. Hapu had experienced it, in their months of training during Moon's seventh Trial, but Kahili never had. Oh it really was strong, that must be one of Alola's most powerful wild Pokemon on its own. Partnered to Moon, drawing from her limitless reserve, that Sword Blade Pokemon was a truly impressive being indeed. Even with the immense speed and rapid attacks of Hawlucha, the Bisharp expertly evaded and countered the Wrestling Pokemon's moves. A combination of the Bisharp's own instincts and experiences mixed with Moon's focus and the song of Alola the two shared.

Even if other Pokemon of Moon could display more power – the Salamence especially – that Bisharp Kahili found herself acknowledging as the most impressive of Moon's team. The way it struck a stunning blow and Moon neatly moved into the motions necessary to unleash the power of the Steelium-Z, it had an elegant beauty the Flying-type expert could not fault. Kahili nodded as the full power of the Steel-type Z-Move Corkscrew Crash fell upon her Hawlucha and drove it into the ground. Not bad.

Not bad at all.

Three to two.

One more fight to go.

First to enter the battlefield was the Volcarona of Moon, Bug and Fire-type Sun Pokemon, evolution of Larvesta. In answer from Kahili was her sixth, Skarmory, Steel and Flying-type Armour Bird Pokemon. Immediately Moon remembered, she had seen that Pokemon before. Only once from Kahili, and so it had slipped her mind, compared to the Baile Oricorio, Mandibuzz, and Toucannon that had shown far more presence.

But this was as good a chance as could be! Volcarona had been at threat from every single one of Kahili's Pokemon, but at least this one, this Steel-type Skarmory, would be at threat too. It didn't make things perfect. It didn't make this easy.

But it was a chance.

And with her full intent behind every thought she had, Moon commanded her partner in this battle too.

They would not lose.

It was surprising, Hapu considered, the relaxed way Kahili approached this final battle. On some level the Kahuna had expected Kahili to go all out, with full intensity, but Kahili was if anything at peace. Commanding cleanly and clearly, pushing back against every move Moon made but... at ease. Calm and... frankly, easy-going.

In the end, before the battle was over, she had to ask.

"Ms. Kahili-"

"She's holding her own." The reply of Kahili came quick, the woman knowing full well what the Kahuna who had asked for her aid was thinking. "Not being thrown out no matter what I do, just focusing on doing what she can and doing it well. The difference between how this battle started and ended, it's huge, isn't it?"

Hapu considered. It was true, Moon had shown great intimidation from Kahili at first, but now... now she wasn't acting with anything but intent. A pure focus, sharpened by pressure and challenge from Alola's best. The Final Trials of Hala, Olivia, and now herself through Kahili, they'd taught Moon to battle at a level far beyond what she'd been able to do even the day before. As the Final Trials should. Those who passed them were named Island Challenge Champions.

And even without a League before this point, those Alola considered Champions were still expected to carry great strength.

"Then you are content?"

"..." in silence Kahili watched as her Pokemon and Moon's danced in the sky, flaming scales swirling around them as Volcarona evaded and punished Skarmory's own strikes. The result was clear if Kahili changed nothing. If she focused, pushed forward all the strength she could give, and commanded at her best, she could still end this in her favour.

Victory was within her grasp.

"...I am." An explosion of fire, Volcarona unleashing its own full flame, hung in the air as the Sun Pokemon's title was exerted, from the ball of burning fire Kahili's partner Skarmory falling to the ground. "She's passed."

Despite the need for the Kahuna to show propriety and dignity in the Final Trials they oversaw, Hapu couldn't help her wide smile hearing that. Something mirrored on Moon's face, mixed deeply with relief, as she called her partner back. Four wins to two. A victory in her favour.

The passing of the third of her Final Trials.

Moon sat heavily and exhaled long indeed.

She needed another rest.


The Final Trials had begun during the mid-morning. The length of time, between their beginning and when the last Kahuna must be challenged, was twelve hours. So it was dark now, stars studding the night sky, as Moon rose to her feet and sought Captain Acerola out. Moon had let things run almost the full twelve hours through, to rest as best she and her team might after the three Final Trials so far. Now it was time for the fourth. The last.

The Final Trial of Captain Acerola, to be held beneath a star-studded sky, within the transparent-roofed but warmly kept Pokemon League dome. This battlefield at the peak of Alola warm despite the winter night outside. Lights lit the stands and stage, Moon and Acerola emerging onto the field.

The final Final Trial.

Moon's heart was pounding.

"Alright!" With a smile Acerola turned to Moon, waving for her attention, before holding out a cloth. "Here you go, Moon!"

Taking the cloth, Moon unfurled it. It wasn't too large, like a bandanna, purple in colour with black and yellow eye patterns across it. It was a rather unnerving design. What was it for? Moon looked up at the Captain. Acerola grinned wide. "It's for you, silly! It's a blindfold!"

...come again?

"You made it all this way, so it's time for your last Final Trial!" Acerola made her announcement without any concern at all for Moon's reaction. "Now we're going to test how strong the Bonds between you and your Pokemon really are! The connections between us, sharing our thoughts and feelings, for the best of Trainers they're way more important than any other of their senses! So we're gonna see just how strong those connections for you really are! You're going to need to battle with your whole team against mine, a full six against six, and do the entire thing relying on your Bonds, not your eyes! Don't worry though, I won't go all out to keep it fair. I won't go easy either though! You're gonna have to work!"

...Acerola had six Pokemon? Moon hadn't known that, and knew for a fact that having that many at Acerola's age was not an entirely normal thing. Not that she was anything approaching normal herself but...

"Yep yep!" Acerola smiled wide, raising a hand and holding up one of her classic victorious 'V's. "So come on, Moon, you challenged me but time's still a-wastin! Just cause you passed three of your Final Trials doesn't mean this one's a sure thing! You can still lose if you don't take this seriously, so get over there, get that blindfold on, and let's go go go! No holding back! Right?"

...no holding back. Moon nodded and moved across the field. Took the right side of the stage again, Acerola standing across from her. Slowly, as the Captain cheered out encouragement, Moon raised and placed the cloth bandanna against her face. Tied it at the back, the fabric dense enough to easily block out the light. She couldn't see a thing.

...

And so her fourth and final Final Trial began.

The sound of a Pokeball activating and a faint noise, like dry leaves rattling against glass, was all Moon had to go on as she stood there. She didn't even know which Pokemon of Acerola's that was. Rotom-dex wasn't active here, silent so as not to ruin the point of this Final Trial. So it was just Moon and her instincts alone. Her mind whirred.

In the first of the Final Trials Salamence had used a Z-Move. Pushing itself at the end of the second, it had unleashed Mega Evolution. It was a significant feat, one only made possible by a combination of the intense training Moon and her partner had undergone in the months since its evolution, and each's own determination. Attempts at controlling the combination of Z-Move and Mega Evolution had... likely been part of what allowed this close usage of the acts. But using them together was still too much for now.

Still so much further to go.

But having used those two abilities, even with the time spent over the rest of the day in recovery, still Moon knew that Pokemon would not be able to do so again. There was a drain on Salamence that only a full and long rest would recover. She couldn't demand it give any more than it already had.

In the battle with Kahili, both Decidueye and Bisharp had used Z-Moves. It had been a little while since that time, and recovery through the League Pokemon Center had taken place, but even still Moon knew the consequence of asking for another was defeat. The drain from that, Decidueye and Bisharp both could likely perform another move, but the cost would be that they could do little more after. True exhaustion lurked over the pair as well.

Sylveon, Volcarona, and Milotic were still the most able. Not one had performed a Z-Move over the course of this day and, even if they had won and lost battles, engaging in long conflicts with those Moon faced before, Moon knew those three were still ready.

Three Z-Moves her partners could likely continue battling after. Two there was no way. One who only had the barest strength left to give. Against six Pokemon of Captain Acerola. While blindfolded. Moon frowned. This was a brutal challenge.

Such the Final Trials of the Island Challenge demanded.

"Moon, you gotta pick a Pokemon you know!" The relaxed sing-song voice of Acerola moved Moon to raise a Pokeball, nominating Sylveon to begin. As the oldest of her partners still at full strength, Moon would be relying on them to help her find her feet in this battle without sight. Relying on the strength of the Bond they shared.

Sylveon was looking up.

If its head was raised its opponent was flying. Moon didn't know any of Acerola's Pokemon, and had only picked up on the Captain's speciality – Ghost-type – in passing conversation with others. Though she'd spent some time with Acerola over the past few months, it wasn't nearly as much as Hau had, as he'd been training with her while Moon was with Captain Mina. If this were Mina Moon was battling blind, she'd be far more confident going forward. Acerola was a mystery. And solving a mystery while blindfolded wasn't exactly an easy ask.

Caution, tension, reaction. Senses that mixed with the sound Moon heard, of a howling gust of wind, something striking down from the air to where her Sylveon stood. The Intertwining Pokemon had dodged, and by Moon's will fired back a beam powerful of energy. That desire to counter-attack, it had been instinctual, a shared feeling between the two. Moon nodded. Alright, she understood that. If that was how it was she...

They'd find the way.

Acerola watched with a relaxed smile as her Drifblim continued to rain attacks down on the battlefield below, Moon's partner Sylveon dodging around them while launching back its own in return. Both Pokemon had an assortment of ranged abilities, making this first battle one of exchange. But Moon was finding her feet well and fine. The movements were mostly Sylveon's right now, but it was clear Moon was allowing her partner to lead, providing support to it with her own focus. Ceding control of the dance to her partner and simply following along.

It wasn't bad, as far as starts went, but it wasn't what Acerola was looking for either. This wasn't about Moon simply being support for her partner's actions, Moon had to be part of this too. It took way more passion and intensity to really make a Pokemon battle shine. Moon was too cautious, too slow, and too reactionary.

She needed to be pushed even further along.

"Hey Moon! I'm speeding up!"

Moon tensed as the howl of the wind in the air intensified, the storm controlled by Sylveon's opponent rapidly increasing in strength. Still applying caution, Moon directed Sylveon to form protective barriers, so it might gauge what its opponent was doing. But the response she got, the immediate need to move, was overpowering. Sylveon ignored Moon's command and dodged, but did so slower for Moon's own attempt to command opposite.

Pokemon and Trainer out of sync.

Well that's no good at all! Acerola frowned as her Drifblim, wrapped in the Tailwind it had summoned, jetted about the field, far too fast now for Sylveon's reactions to catch. Without Moon's support and focus, her Pokemon would never be able to keep up with Acerola's own. Moon and her partner needed to find true synchronisation even without sight. A sense shared at a deeper level. The mark of a true master Trainer.

Asking that of a girl just twelve years old was a lot. The demands of the Final Trials, even Acerola had faced them freakishly early for her age. Moon and Hau... were both absolute exceptions in the truest of senses. Different, but keeping such equal pace. Hau's determination, his unflinching focus that had let him and his partners work together, Acerola knew from her time training him that it came from his desire to match up to Moon. Having her as a goal and rival.

Did Moon not see Hau the same way? Was his victory not the absolute drive for her that it should be? Or maybe she just saw things entirely different all the same. After what had happened with her fifth Trial, and the training she'd received since, maybe a part of Moon was still cautious about the absolute and unrelenting drive to win. Still struggled to separate and control those desires, which could give such great strength to her partners, but posed such danger without proper care.

The sort of thing you really, truly, only could learn with age. Moon was so young. Not that Acerola had been that much older when she'd passed her Final Trials but even still...

Should she prompt her? Try and stoke in Moon that fire to win? That wasn't really what the Kahuna were meant to do though, they barely even spoke in the Final Trials. But Acerola wasn't a Kahuna, so she could do what she felt was right, right? Argh but should she? She didn't know! Frustrated by her own musings, Acerola's own focus drifted a little.

The battlefield before her eyes became obscured in pink mist.

Oho! Was that Sylveon's perfect timing, creating the misty terrain as soon as it caught Acerola's focus wavering? That sort of reaction, that was the kind of thing that had to have a Trainer behind it though. A perfect combination of a Pokemon sensing a moment, and a Trainer answering back in that same instant through their shared Bond. Moon was standing there on the other side of the field, showing little motion. What was she thinking? What was she feeling? Who knew. Acerola focused on her partner properly again.

That mist might be useful against some opponents, but for her Drifblim, who exhaled a wave of black wind, it wasn't anything at all. As soon as the gust of wind hit the ground the mist was blown back, swirling up from the battlefield in a single great cloud.

Not one Pokemon on the ground below.

Wait! Acerola's eyes bulged for a moment, before she fixated on the cloud rising up. Had Sylveon jumped with the rising cloud? Had Moon swapped the Pokemon for another – one of the fliers – inside of it? So many thoughts racing through Acerola's head in the time it took the pink cloud of mist to rise. Her Drifblim, sensing Acerola's concern, blasted a full surge of wind into the mist, breaking it apart.

Revealing nothing within.

Light glinted on the battlefield below, the shape of Sylveon resolving from twisted air as Moon, across the field while Acerola's eyes had been held high, completed the Fairy-type Z-Pose. Manipulating light to hide... in the time it took Acerola to think that, the technique one a number of Pokemon could use with enough time to shape the light and air around them, Sylveon had launched upwards in a single mighty leap. The Tailwind behind Drifblim had been blown out into the full storm of wind it unleashed into the mist. That much power exerted, it had momentarily weakened the Blimp Pokemon.

No moment, no instant, more perfect than this for a Z-Move to strike against it.

The Fairy-type Z-Move Twinkle Tackle, unleashed by the Sylveon partner of Moon, struck into Acerola's partner and erupted in a surge of power, sending the Blimp Pokemon sky-rocketing all the way into the transparent dome high overhead. Such a thing wasn't damaged in the least, designed to take incidental punishment from the most powerful of Pokemon, but that didn't matter here. This first round was over, Acerola could sense that as clearly as see it.

What a ploy Moon and her partner had managed.

"Nice, Moon! How're you feeling?"

The question made Moon pause, surprised by how engaged Acerola was in speaking compared to the three before. Moon... still felt uneasy. That had been a plan that only worked because her partner had enacted it so well. Acerola laughed.

"Don't sell yourself short, that sort of move isn't anything a Pokemon could do on its own, or even by taking the lead! A Z-Move involves working together equally doesn't it? Even if just for a moment, you two were perfect even without you being able to see! Just do that five more times, okay? Just five more to go, Moon! Get ready! Here I come!"

Moon didn't know what the next Pokemon of Acerola's was. Sylveon was focusing forward, so it was something on the ground, and likely another Ghost-type. Anything beyond that... Moon slowed her thinking, focusing only on the connection she and her partner shared. It didn't matter what it was. All they had to do was everything they could. This time... Moon and Sylveon would attack first!

The Intertwining Pokemon raced forward and Acerola nodded appreciation as she gave her own command and her partner, the Marionette Pokemon Banette, disappeared into the pool of its own shadow beneath it.

Sylveon's sense was that the opponent had disappeared. Moon kept her focus. Ghost Pokemon could do that, and Sylveon had made its own vanishing act just moments ago. The battle with Holei, against the Totem Mimikyu, it had moved through the darkness too. So watch below! That sense, that awareness of Moon's thoughts, it proved enough for Sylveon to dart backwards as the shadows beneath it suddenly exploded into grasping hands, Banette emerging before forming and throwing a ball of shadow energy forward. Sylveon, seeing the attack coming, blasted back with its own, but the drain of the Z-Move it had just performed meant this follow-up attack, without Moon's full intent behind it, only reduced the incoming blow. The ball still struck and Moon felt her partner shudder from the hit.

To stop the Mimikyu Moon had used Decidueye's binding arrows... Sylveon didn't have the same techniques. And it had used a Z-Move. At this point... the choice was simple for her, and raising a Pokeball Moon called her partner back. Making switches was an important part of battle, and Acerola smiled to see Moon keeping her head enough to make those decisions even without sight. From another Pokeball emerged Decidueye. Fantastic. The Captain of Tapu Village kept her grin and her commands. Let's see what Moon did next.

Quickly Decidueye moved, dodging around Banette each time the Pokemon burst from the shadows, firing its own ghostly arrows in return, each piercing and sticking into the ground, emitting the waving binding chains. Acerola knew the technique, Spirit Shackle, and what Moon was trying to do. It was a fair counter, and leading Banette into a patch of the arrows would definitely tie it up. That wasn't going to happen though, not with Acerola on guard. Moon would definitely need to push this further if she wanted to get anywhere here.

Moon knew it wasn't working. The sense of her Decidueye, it told her that each time Acerola's Pokemon – whichever it was – attacked it was avoiding the arrows. And their power didn't last for so long Decidueye could cover the arena in such. Something smarter, something more, Moon's search for an answer in the darkness of the cloth covering her eyes focused on a different technique they'd used against an opponent beneath the earth. The Z-Move Bloom Doom had allowed Moon and Decidueye to control the surfacing of Kahuna Nanu's Krookodile when the Pokemon had been digging through the earth. But a Z-Move would truly exhaust Decidueye, who had used one today already.

But maybe there was compromise to be had.

The timing had to be exact. Perfect. In the moment the Pokemon of Acerola burst from the earth and attacked, rather than dodging beforehand, Decidueye had to dodge in that exact instant. Use the technique with the leaves, and strike. And it was clean, the way Decidueye released the wave of leaves, Banette slashing through them, the Arrow Quill Pokemon responding with a second, sharper, wave after. A number of the leaves stuck into Banette, but that follow-up attack from Decidueye allowed one from the Marionette Pokemon as well, who struck a powerful ghostly blow into Decidueye's chest.

Decidueye stumbled back, pained, as Banette disappeared into the earth once more. But Moon felt the acknowledgement, the sight her partner had seen. The leaves had stuck into that Pokemon's body, unleashed by the power of Decidueye's own. They'd react.

Once more perfect timing, as Moon set the Grassium-Z into her Z-Power Ring. Acerola saw the motion, Moon unclipping the Z-Crystal from one of the holders on the ring's side and swapping it with the Fairium-Z. Moon knew precisely where in the slots around her Z-Power Ring each Z-Crystal was. Or could tell them apart by the sense they gave. Either way, Acerola liked that. Okay, if Moon wanted to try another Z-Move, Acerola would be into that! She'd bait it out, use Banette's shadow traversal to dodge, then strike a finishing blow! As the Marionette Pokemon popped out of the shadows, Decidueye glowed with Z-Power. The partner Pokemon of Acerola moved back into the darkness.

A bolt of Z-Power snagged hold of one of the leaves buried into its form.

The Z-Power unleashed through the Grassium-Z was a wave of pure growth energy, overwhelming force that seared opponents, but also drove plantlife to rapidly grow. It could appear from nothing, grass and flowers all around, but that which was already alive gained power too. Grew further too.

Acerola's eyes widened as a massive series of vines grew out of the leaves that had struck her partner, binding it tight before the wave of the Z-Move Bloom Doom raced across its form. What? What what what? That sort of move, she'd never even heard of something like that before! Was that what it meant for Moon to perform Z-Moves without limit? That she'd learned things about how to use them that no-one else had ever known?

Hold up, both the Z-Moves that had struck Acerola's partners, those had been from Moon and her partners totally outplaying her! This was a fight! A real one! Hold on! Forget the Final Trials, this wasn't fair! If Moon could go this wild even after all the battles she'd had already, what would it mean if she and Acerola went all out fresh? Why didn't Acerola get to have that fun? No way no way no way! Now she was upset! It felt like she was being robbed here!

Decidueye sunk to a knee and, unable to rise and deal the finishing blow to the stunned Banette slowly coming to, that Pokemon clawing its way out of the plant-growth that had overtaken it, stared grimly. Feeling that grim acceptance, Moon called out for Acerola to wait, that Moon would bring Decidueye back as beaten. Acerola nodded, then realised Moon couldn't see that. Moon used Decidueye's Pokeball to return her. One of Moon's team beaten, and Sylveon way down on strength. Pretty much the same for Acerola though.

She was really upset she had to hold back and not go all out now. Of course if she did, with Moon's team tired from the battles so far, this Final Trial would be over in a cruel and merciless way but... Acerola wanted to fight! Really fight Moon! She got now why Ilima had so often lamented never having the chance. Not that any time before now Moon would have been able to even come close like this but... there was this presence about her in this moment. Like fighting her would let Acerola enjoy the sort of Pokemon Battles you heard about in the big stories.

Seriously, this wasn't fair!

Bisharp. Moon closed her eyes, even with the bandanna covering them, and focused on her next partner. She knew what they needed to do. Even having used a Z-Move, Moon knew Bisharp was strong. The first day they'd met, and formed a Bond together, the Sword Blade Pokemon had used a Z-Moves in both battles against Guzma – once at Po Town and the other at the Aether Paradise. It was old, and strong, and Moon felt its resilience and determination. Trusted in it.

Sought to see as it did.

Somewhat limply, struggling with this fight being test more than battle, Acerola commanded Banette to attack the same as before. Easily, as the Marionette Pokemon burst from the shadows, Bisharp took one step to the side, swung an arm to knock Banette's claws away, then swung the other with a powerful Dark-infused slash. It was a clean blow, beautiful as well. One direct hit with perfect precision ending this fight. Acerola called back Banette and huffed. She didn't really know that much about Moon's team, not that really. Had heard various things, but hearing and seeing were completely different deals. That Bisharp, it really did look crazy strong. Maybe if Acerola went all out against it, at least, she'd get to have some fun. Raising a Great Ball, she chose her Palossand to go next. Of her remaining four Pokemon, it was best equipped to fight that Steel and Dark-type Pokemon of Moon's.

Moon, without any idea of what foe she faced next, focused on the feelings her partner gave. A measure of acknowledgement, wise caution, and focus. Something backed by the sort of maturity that could only come with age and experience. Moon relied on that feeling to temper her own as well.

They'd make it through.

The rumbling, sweeping sounds of waves of sand washing across the battlefield before her told Moon what she faced. Something Ground-type, she knew, attempting to figure out what it was before realising that thinking on that was wasting time and focus. With clean steps and cuts Bisharp navigated the waves of sand surrounding it, walking through the storm, but the opponent it faced was beyond it for this time. Bisharp couldn't see it in the sand, and neither could the blindfolded Moon. They couldn't play this defensively though, they needed to strike! Moon searched for an answer as Bisharp held its own.

Of the Z-Moves Bisharp could unleash, the Dark-type Black Hole Eclipse was the obvious answer. It would easily suck in this mass of sand, and expose the Pokemon of Acerola's even if it wasn't caught by the attack itself. And Bisharp, even more than Decidueye, could weather the effects of a second Z-Move. But even still it had received great damage over the course of this day. This wasn't something Moon could risk. She couldn't solve every problem she faced with a Z-Move. A lot of them yes, but not every single one.

A switch? If this foe was part Ground-type, Milotic would be ideal. Or Volcarona, who could take to the skies and bake the sand below it with flame. Bisharp may have only been here for a moment, but it had struck a keen finishing blow on one of Acerola's Pokemon. Why keep it in a disadvantageous situation?

Pride, mostly, Moon felt. The Bisharp, old and venerable, wasn't the type to back down from a fight easily. She'd have to convince it to, and through their Bond could sense its desire to fight on.

But...

Moon sent a command. The strongest direction she'd ever given this Pokemon partnered to her. Something opposing its pride. To win, in this desperate situation, they had to turn everything to their advantage they could. So come back and wait for your next moment instead. A brief response of complaint. Of desire to continue. Moon almost faltered on it.

Then snapped her intent. The Bisharp had chosen to trust in her as a Trainer and this was her decision. So return! The sense of surprise from the Sword Blade Pokemon mingled with respect. Moon showing that sort of determination and intent, it seemed to have moved the Pokemon's heart.

With gallant ease it swung its blade, cut through the raging sands around it, and stepped back to stand before its partner Moon. Made a small noise – one of the rare few it did – for her attention. Moon nodded and raised the Pokemon's Pokeball. Another switch.

Okay, Acerola frowned, this was getting ridiculous! She'd known that Bisharp was strong, but having it waltz through the sands of her Palossand, dodging the attacks mixed into it with total ease, really rankled her pride! Alright, no more Miss Nice Captain! Whatever Pokemon was coming next, Acerola was gonna go fully mean and get Moon's energy kicked up to an even higher level! She wanted Moon to be going all out with ferocity! That focus and calm right now was all well and good, and a great sign, but the level beyond that, fighting for everything you could get, that was what Acerola really wanted to see.

And if she had to get mean to push Moon to that state, she totally would!

As always Milotic emerged from the Net Ball Moon carried with a surge of water surrounding it, diving in amongst the raging sands which quickly muddied and compacted. Without seeing the Pokemon before her, Moon had no idea that water was an ideal environment for it, the Sand Castle Pokemon Palossand growing denser and harder when wet. It would be difficult for that Milotic to hurt it, and Acerola made sure to direct her Pokemon to channel the water mixing with the sand around.

It was a good fight, the Captain acknowledged, watching the towering mixture of water and sand tug back and forth between the two, Milotic diving through the wet mass searching out the Palossand within it, while the Sand Castle Pokemon struck back with its own attacks. Moon's approach changed Pokemon to Pokemon, relying on the Bond between them causing her partner's nature to feed back to her. With Milotic she took a wilder aggression, her and her partner both seeking to overpower their foe. Acerola didn't dislike that, and really, were this totally fresh, she'd be so into this right now.

But there was still the acknowledgement this wasn't the fight Acerola wished it could be. She could push Moon further, make her go higher, but in the end to be fair Acerola couldn't give it her all. In the end, the most fun she could have here was driving Moon to show everything she could.

To go that far at least... the Captain of Tapu Village set a Ghostium-Z into her Z-Ring and raised her own arms, might as well make a show of it.

Even with her eyes covered Moon knew. The Ghost-type Z-Move Never-Ending Nightmare, one she had used with Decidueye just earlier that day, the Captain of Tapu Village was unleashing it. There wasn't time to try and set the Waterium-Z and strike back here, there wasn't a counter Moon could unleash. So she focused on what she could do otherwise instead, and had Milotic release an even greater wave of water as the attack fell upon it. Beaten it may be, but the sands of this Pokemon had slowed greatly. It wouldn't be able to direct them at the same speed as before, and was now clumped tight.

To Acerola's surprise Moon returned Bisharp immediately after calling Milotic back. A different Pokemon she'd expected but... all too soon it became obvious why Moon had made her choice. A Z-Move had its after-effects, even for those strong, and Palossand was not only slower, but the sands it kept were weighed down by water too. Bisharp strode through the sludgy earth the Sand Castle Pokemon was controlling with that same absolute calm. Step by step, its blades cutting apart the sandy masses that did rise up against it. Palossand, also thickened by the water that had surged across the field, couldn't so easily disperse within it this time. Though it was far harder, more resilient than ever against damage, it also couldn't hide. And severely lacked the speed to escape the Bisharp's focused steps.

Moon's trust in this strong partner, and focus upon it, allowed it to remain calm as it stood before the Sand Castle Pokemon it had been forced to flee a moment before. The same as the Banette then. One raised arm.

A quick spin and cut through of the mass of sand rising behind its back.

Then a continuation of the spin to cut through and unleash a wave of dark energy upon its foe. Acerola, struggling not to be impressed by just how crazy that Pokemon was, called her Palossand back. Okay, she had three left, she really needed to step it up here! So choosing her next Pokemon, emerging in a sudden wave of ice, Acerola set her focus forward. She and Froslass, the white-bodied spirit of haunted ice, Ice and Ghost-type Snow Land Pokemon, would make up the difference. If nothing else, that Bisharp was going down!

Just like Hau always said in the times they'd trained together.

No holding back.

Whatever Acerola's fourth Pokemon was, Moon knew it was a dangerous foe. The air was far colder, but Bisharp within the storm sent a feeling of heat. A ghostly attack had touched it and set a burn upon the Pokemon, the opponent impossible to track through the ice that surrounded it. Bisharp was in the same situation as before, harassed by attacks beyond its reach, and being weakened by them. Moon called it to return again, but unlike the sands it had cut through before, it failed to navigate the ice. It was struggling to see, being redirected by the storm. Moon felt confusion, sapping energy, and the burn upon her partner, all weakening it within the surrounding ice. That Pokemon of Acerola's, it was frighteningly effective, and Bisharp proved unable to do anything as – making use of the Pokemon's tiredness from the fights so far, as well as this battle with Acerola included – the Froslass laid low the Sword Blade Pokemon of Moon.

In response to ice Moon chose fire. Volcarona, Sun Pokemon, fluttered into the sky, burning scales already falling from its body, combusting amongst the storm of ice. This was the fourth of Acerola's six Pokemon, and the Captain had already used her Z-Move. Moon had Volcarona still at full strength, Salamence at most, and Sylveon quite low. Not a great match-up, and if this Ice-type Pokemon of Acerola's persisted, it would be incredibly dangerous to Salamence after. So Moon would stop this here. Sent her partner power and focus as it continued to blaze, air around it igniting into a storm of fire to hold out against the ice. The Pokemon of Acerola's had struck best using a blizzard as cover, but Volcarona would not be so easy to reach. The Pokemon one best for wide-reaching attacks, it followed Moon's directive and unleashed a wave of flame racing outwards, pushing the ice back even further still. There was no sense of acknowledgement of Acerola's Pokemon, no sighting of it, hidden the same way her previous had been. But Moon kept her focus and intent, and directed her partner to cross the field, spreading fire as it went.

If it had to set the entire battlefield aflame to flush out the partner of Acerola, so be it.

Compared to Moon, Acerola hadn't called back a partner once. Not that she'd specifically spotted the right opportunity but... this was part of her handicap to be fair to Moon. To provide a test, not a battle for victory. She'd definitely call back Froslass in this situation in a real fight, the Pokemon essentially directly countered by the power of the Sun Pokemon that opposed it. Volcarona was an incredibly powerful Pokemon, famously so, and even with the differences in experience between Froslass and it, still the advantage was in Moon's partner's... hands? It didn't really have hands or claws. Just some cute little feet sticking out of its white mane of fur. Acerola shook her head as the raging firestorm finally successfully cornered and engulfed her partner Froslass.

Okay, number five then, Sableye. The Dark and Ghost-type Darkness Pokemon, a small purple creature studded by jewels – most notably the red jewel in its chest and large blue jewels representing its eyes – was similar to Banette an expert in attacking through shadows. That ability allowed it to move through the flames Volcarona had spread across the field safely, and unleash its attacks at a distance from it. Most notably was a beam from the gem in its chest, which in just one hit made Moon's eyes widen at the intense blow her partner had just suffered. No, not when she was this close. Moon immediately made substitution. Volcarona for Salamence, a Pokemon that could easily wade through the flames spread across the field. Not with victory within their reach.

This was a test of Moon's Bonds. That thought, that remembrance, immediately came to Acerola in the wake of the next attack. As her partner Sableye emerged from a shadow across the field, hidden by the flames, and formed another of the Rock-infused beams. This one would hurt too. A moment's confidence in that, as the beam emerged, was enough for Acerola and Sableye both to be surprised by what came next.

For Salamence, hit by the beam, to take from Moon courage and strength of will, and power through the flames, huge wings launching it across the field, to close in upon Sableye in an instant. Into the shadows the Darkness Pokemon ducked, but a counter to that move, an ability that tore through it, Dark-infused jaws clamped down upon the singular shadow – all others dispersed by the raging flames making Sableye an obvious target – and pulled the Pokemon up into the air, grasped in the Salamence's jaws.

For as many desperate attacks as Sableye made to break free, it couldn't escape this powerful hold biting down upon it. Even when Salamence collapsed, exhausted by its battles so far, still its jaws held tight. Struggling didn't help Sableye escape as the Dark-aligned attack drained the last of its strength. Acerola called that Pokemon back in the same moment Moon did her own.

That was good enough, really. The speed at which that Salamence had caught and taken down her Sableye, something only possible by sharing full awareness and power with Moon, was proof. Moon really had forged Bonds of a degree no twelve year old should possibly carry. She really was incredible in so many more ways than just the most obvious.

Her too.

Acerola's last Pokemon was a Dhelmise, a Pokemon born from wrecks at sea, shaped like a ship's wheel bound to an anchor, thick seaweed wrapped around it. Moon chose Volcarona once more, that Pokemon more able to fight still than Sylveon despite the powerful Rock-type attack it had taken. The stadium lit ablaze again in moments, the firestorm Volcarona exuded spreading without pause. Against a part Grass-type Pokemon, this final round was obvious. But Acerola wanted to see it out all the same.

With luck she'd find herself facing Moon in the League as well, but at least to wrap this up, let her have her fun.

Let them go all out for the last moments of Moon's Final Trial.


One final Z-Move, one well earned by hard effort, brought the battle to a close. As Moon stood there, breathing heavily, stress from the intensity of this fight mixing with everything that had happened that day, the first realisation came to her. That was six.

If that was six that meant she'd beaten Acerola.

If she'd beaten Acerola that meant she'd finished that Final Trial.

And that was her fourth Final Trial.

Which meant.

Which meant.

She'd...

"You did it, Moon!"

The loud voice of Hau crossed the field first of everyone, the young boy racing out from the entrance to the League battlefield as the others – Hala, Olivia, Hapu, and Kahili – followed behind, the Kahuna guarding the entrance and waiting to see Moon's Final Trial complete. Standing there stunned, Moon barely reacted as Hau once more wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, the blindfold still covering her eyes. She'd... done it?

When Hau set Moon done he moved to undoing the bandanna over her eyes, Moon shutting them tight at the sudden light she was exposed to. Other voices, Acerola, the Kahuna, and Kahili, joined them as well. Notes of congratulation. Appreciation. Her victory.

Moon sat down heavily, thoughts unable to flow. This day, this long day, her struggle within it was over and for the first time, the first time since this challenge began, Moon was able to not think. To just... be.

Hau sat down next to her as the others gathered agreed to let Moon have her moment to rest. There'd be time for congratulations later.

Time for celebration later.

For now... she'd rest.


And so it came, in two days more time, that as night settled across Alola a great celebration was held within the town of Iki on Melemele Island. In attendance were so many: among them the four Kahuna of Alola – one in particular brow-beaten into showing up by a Captain of his island – the seven Captains of Alola – former Captains Mina and Molayne present too – Kahili Hano, Professors Kukui and Burnet, Guildmaster of the Alolan Dragon Tamers Pitaya, and mother of Moon Jewellery.

Here to see the announcement of her daughter and daughter's best friend's incredible feat.

"Tonight," Hala stood upon a stage, Hau and Moon before him, "we celebrate two young Trainers, who have completed their Final Trials, the Island Challenge of Alola, and become Island Challenge Champions! Though young, Hau and Moon have both taken Alola fully into their hearts, and shown the light and love of this region to a magnificent degree! As Kahuna to their home island, I would like to offer my congratulations to each. You have done wonderfully, and should be proud. For as long as each of you live, never forget the Alola you have seen and become part of. You are both fine Alolan Trainers!"

Incredible energy coursed amongst the crowd gathered, each member cheering loudly as, one after the other, Hau and Moon returned the Island Challenge Amulets they had been given on this stage, just under nine months ago. Hala took each with a smile. Let the blessing of Alola carry on with these symbols, to those who would carry them next.

The cycle of the Alolan Pokemon Journey to continue.

"And now," the Kahuna spoke again, stilling the crowd once more, "I have one more thing to say." Hau and Moon tensed, looking up at Hala before them. "The role of the Kahuna has expanded over this past year, tasked to nominate a number of Alolan Trainers to take part in the upcoming Pokemon League. We have discussed long those to take part, and extended the invitation to each who has passed our judgement. Hau. Moon. We, the Kahuna of Alola, would like to extend to the two of you an offer to take part in our first Pokemon League, should you wish to-"

The only thing louder than Hau's immediate "Yes!" interrupting Hala was Moon's own joining with him. Each child turned to face the other, a smile of pure joy visible on the other's face. With a grin, Hau raised up a hand, palm outstretched. Moon met it with her own in the way they always did.

Even louder than their acceptance, the crack of their palms meeting one another echoed over the crowd of Iki Town around them.

...ow.