Chapter 28 - "Oh, You're Poor Experience!"

Plumeria had a sinister smile on her face. "What, little girl? All out of Pokémon?"

Kala looked down to her final Poké Ball. Jangmo-o was by no means weak, but there was no viable way that he could beat Salazzle.

"I guess your little adventure ends here. Your buddy is going to get decimated by Guzma."

Kala looked past Plumeria and at the mansion. She had no idea what was going on, but if Cyan were going to go head to head with Team Skull's boss by himself, he was sure to have trouble. She clenched her fist and then slowly started to reach for her final ball.

"I don't think so!" a voice called as Kala felt a tug on her shoulder. It was Lilo with her regular cocky grin on her face.

"Another pipsqueak?" Plumeria wondered. "Weak."

"I'll finish this battle. I still have Pokémon that can fight," Lilo said. She gave Kala a thumbs up.

"Then I'll beat them too," Plumeria snapped.

"Go, Araquanid!"

Lilo's massive Bug-type Pokémon appeared from his ball, and he stood up straight, looking at Plumeria's Pokémon with no sense of fear on his face. The two Pokémon stared each other down, attempting to intimidate the other, but neither wavered.

"Flamethrower!"

"Bubblebeam!"

The attacks were fast, and in an instant, there was an explosion of water and flames that filled the town.

"Araquanid, dive in and use Crunch!"

Araquanid followed orders and entered into the smoke, but Plumeria remained calm and silent. Within the smoke, there was a dark energy that pierced through like a light. Araquanid emerged from the smoke and unhinged his massive jaws formed from shadows. But now, Plumeria was ready.

"Dragon Pulse!"

Moments before Araquanid could make contact, there was an explosion of arcane energy from Salazzle's mouth. It blasted Araquanid backwards through the smoke, making the Bug-type land in front of Lilo and Kala. Araquanid wasn't finished though, and he slowly forced himself to stand up.

"Sludge Bomb!"

Salazzle was faster for her size. She slithered forward and opened her mouth before letting out a belch. A thick purple goop shot from her mouth and it raced directly for not only Araquanid, but also Lilo and Kala.

Araquanid was fast. He released a thick web from his mouth before spinning around and wrapping it around the two girls. With one kick heave, he lifted them into the air and then jumped, narrowly avoiding the sludge.

"Bubblebeam!" Lilo ordered.

Araquanid wasted no time. He turned around and unleashed the bubbles from his mouth, which barraged against the entirety of Salazzle, knocking her backwards. She rolled into the smoke, hiding herself momentarily.

"She could come out at any time," Lilo said. "Be prepared to strike."

Araquanid nodded slowly and waited patiently.

Plumeria didn't look as though she had the will to wait, and she snarled, "Finish this! Get in and use Cross Poison!"

Salazzle, still fast as ever, darted forward. Her two front limbs started to glow with a sick poisonous energy, and she crossed her arms while she jumped towards Araquanid.

"Spider Web!"

Araquanid, who had been prepared for the attack, released a thick web at the Fire-type. It covered Salazzle from head to toe, putting her attack to a complete stop.

"Now finish with Bubblebeam!"

Araquanid slid forward on his thin legs while he unleashed the plethora of bubbles from his mouth. One by one, they struck into Salazzle, and it wasn't long until her cries became silent. Still trapped inside of Araquanid's web, her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground.

Now, Plumeria had nothing to say. She instead simply lifted her ball and returned her Pokémon. She glared at the two before shrugging and looking away from them.

"We have to go help Cyan," Kala said.

Cyan slowly moved up the stairs, careful to avoid the gaping hole that was in the middle of them. With every step, the floorboards cracked, and Cyan questioned just how safe he was, but he pressed on. He carried Brionne on his shoulders while Oranguru was nimble enough to climb up the stairs by himself, and within moments, the three were on the second floor.

Cyan was faced with going either right or left. The mansion was quiet, so he had to move on instinct alone. Right it was. He walked forward, carrying Brionne while Oranguru hoisted himself up with a beam and climbed nearby. One by one, Cyan opened various doors to the mansion, looked into the rooms, and then would move on.

Every room was essentially empty with only a few beds, broken glass, and damaged dressers in them. Soon, Cyan was down to one last door. This door was slightly cracked open, and neon red light shone through. Cyan was prepared for what was on the other side, and he pushed it open. Sure enough, the familiar Guzma sat in what appeared to be a chair made decades ago. It had wooden legs and the back portion, made of tan cushion, had been torn to shreds. Guzma looked back at Cyan, a sinister expression on his face.

"Breaking into someone's home is a crime. It's not very hero-like," Guzma commented.

Cyan was silent. He put down Brionne, and Oranguru slowly took his place in front of his trainer.

"You really want to fight again? You do remember how strong I am, right?"

"We're here to put an end to Team Skull," Cyan said. "My Pokémon are more than ready for you."

"Put an end to Team Skull?" Guzma wondered while he stood up. "How selfish of you." He drew out his Poké Ball. "But so be it. Go, Golisopod! Use First Impression!"

Before Cyan could even make his command, Guzma's massive Pokémon emerged. It sliced out quickly, getting a direct hit on Oranguru, flinging him backwards. And just as had happened only a week ago, Oranguru fainted.

"No…" Cyan muttered. He returned Oranguru. "Brionne, be careful! Use Icy Wind!"

Brionne stood up on his two front legs and opened his mouth, releasing a cold wind. It filled up the room, and made Golisopod cover his face with his two massive arms. The Bug-type Pokémon took a few steps back, unsure of how to handle himself.

"Now, Aqua Jet!"

"Sucker Punch!"

Brionne brought his cold attack to a stop before he was engulfed in aquatic energy. He blasted forward like a rocket, but Golisopod was fast. Covered in a black energy, Golisopod swiped one of his massive claws, putting Brionne to a stop. And then, with his free arm, Golisopod uppercutted, forcing Brionne upwards.

"Razor Shell!" Guzma commanded.

"Disarming Voice!"

As the black energy turned aquatic and Golisopod prepared to strike, Brionne looked down. He opened his mouth once more, unleashing a deafening scream. Golisopod stopped moving, seemingly freezing in his tracks.

"Attack!" Guzma yelled angrily.

Golisopod appeared physically nervous, but he moved forward nonetheless. Using brute strength, he slashed with his aquatic covered claws, sending Brionne into the ground. The pure Water-type's body was lifeless, and Cyan took that at his sign.

Cyan returned Brionne and then considered his options. Salandit and Graveler had been worn down by their battle with Lilo, and now Brionne and Oranguru were defeated by Golisopod. He was now left with Lycanroc and Venusaur, who had both lost to the Bug-type previously.

"Make your decision, boy!" Guzma demanded.

"Lycanroc, go!" Cyan yelled while throwing his ball.

Lycanroc emerged, and she took immediate notice of Golisopod. She didn't forget what happened before, and she lowered her head and hunched her shoulders, prepared to strike.

"Howl!" Cyan ordered.

Lycanroc was a bit taken aback by the command, but then nodded before howling, filling the mansion with her cry.

"If that's how you want to play, then we'll go first! Razor Shell!"

Golisopod no longer appeared nervous, and he started to run forward, preparing to strike with his aquatic energy, but Lycanroc was prepared this time around. She wasn't going to lose easily.

"Rock Tomb!" Cyan ordered.

Lycanroc jumped backwards as she formed rocks made of energy around her body. She lunged them towards Golisopod who was able to slice through one with ease, but they eventually overwhelmed him, making him stop in his tracks. The rocks squeezed together, and Golisopod let out a cry.

"Accelerock!"

More rocks circled around Lycanroc's body, and then she shot forward at a blinding speed. Before Guzma or Golisopod could react, Lycanroc crashed into the Bug-type.

"Bite!" Cyan said, unrelenting in his commands.

Lycanroc twisted her body and unhinged her jaws. They started to glow with a dark energy, and she readied to clamp down.

"I don't think so! Use Sucker Punch!"

Moments before Lycanroc would have made contact, Golisopod jabbed, knocking the Rock-type in the side of the jaw. Lycanroc fell the ground and shook her head as she attempted to withstand the blow.

"Razor Shell!"

"Accelerock!"

Golisopod lifted his massive claw, but Lycanroc was much faster. She jolted around and tackled into Golisopod once again, blasting him from the rocks. His body flew back, but then it was covered in a blue light, and Golisopod was absorbed, retreating back into his Poké Ball that was fit snugly on Guzma's belt.

The sinister leader looked down at the ball and growled, "You coward!" Then, from the other side of Guzma's belt, another Bug-type Pokémon emerged. This one was brown in color and it had two large horns on his head, making up pinsirs. It had a sick look in its eye, matching Guzma's crazed expression.

"We're not out of the woods yet," Cyan said. "Be prepared, Lycanroc!"

"Pinsir, we're not going to show them any mercy, got it?"

His Pokémon was silent. It never took its bloodshot eyes off of Lycanroc.

"Accelerock!"

"Throat Chop!"

Lycanroc, as usual, was fast. She zipped forward and lunged at Pinsir, but the Bug-type ducked. He then jabbed outwards, connecting directly with Lycanroc's throat. The canine Pokémon keeled over and started coughing, allowing for Guzma to make his next command.

"Storm Throw!"

Pinsir violently grabbed Lycanroc by her orange mane. He lifted the Rock-type into the air and started to swing his body around. With one heave, he tossed Lycanroc into the floor, destroying some of the wood as her body scraped against the ground. She stopped moving once she reached Cyan's feet, her body lifeless.

"No…" Cyan said quietly. He returned his Pokémon, and his shoulders slumped.

Guzma laughed. "You're still so low level, boy."

Cyan glared. "Shut your big mouth! Go, Venusaur!" He reeled back and then threw his Poké Ball forward with a fast pitch. In an instant, Venusaur was back onto their battlefield. He groaned as he shifted his massive body, preparing for a fight.

"So, it's down to your Venusaur, eh kid?" Guzma asked as he looked out at Cyan's last Pokémon. "I gotta admit, you ain't bad. If you're down for some trouble, I'd love if you'd join Team Skull."

Cyan huffed and glared. "I learned a long time ago to not get involved with people like you. You give Alola a bad name, and all you and your cronies have done since I've been here is try to ruin my Island Challenge experience!"

"Oh, you're poor experience!" Guzma snapped back. "Grow up, kid. It's an old tradition. It's a dying tradition. You're one of Kukui's kids, right?"

Cyan didn't answer.

"Isn't he using you to establish a league? You're the boy that he wants to use an example. Kukui and I have the same goals. We're just doing it differently."

"What do you mean?"

"Kukui and I both want an official Pokémon league for Alola. He's just taking his time with it, and I'm being proactive. Be honest with yourself, wouldn't you rather be traveling and getting gym badges?"

Guzma wasn't entirely wrong. Cyan wanted to leave on a journey more than a year ago, but he wasn't allowed to. Trying the Island Challenge was a compromise he made with his mom. On a journey like this, he would be safe. But a gym challenge and a Pokémon league did interest him more.

"You're silent, which I think gives me my answer. Join me, kid. We'll show the people of Alola how outdated this challenge is. We'll show them that the times have changed and that Alola needs a Pokémon league."

Cyan glared at Guzma. "I'm not from Alola, and yes, I'd love if I were challenging gyms."

"I figured as much."

"But."

"But?"

"But the Island Challenge has been incredibly fun. It's been fulfilling. I've learned so much about Alola and its people. I've been tested in ways that the Pokémon league wouldn't have tested me. The Island Challenge is one aspect of Alolan culture that makes it so fun to be here."

Guzma spat on the ground and slowly looked back up at Cyan, his eyes seemingly reddened with hatred. "You're blind. Pinsir, hit him with X-Scissor!"

"Petal Blizzard!" Cyan ordered.

Pinsir's two horns started to glow with a dark green energy, and he ran forward, prepared to clamp them down, but Venusaur's attack was overwhelming. A storm of pink petals filled the room, and they surrounded Pinsir, stopping his attack. They sliced into him, and he recoiled, trying to escape.

"I don't think so! Finish him with Vine Whip!"

Venusaur released two massive vines from the flower on his back, and they raced across the room. Pinsir was trapped by the vines and then lifted into the air, and then with one quick toss, Pinsir flew back, smashing into the wall behind Guzma.

Guzma appeared unperturbed by his Pokémon's condition. He instead lifted one more Poké Ball and grinned again. "Golisopod, use First Impression!" he yelled while throwing his ball forward.

Golisopod exploded from the light, and then dashed towards Venusaur. In a flash, he lifted his arm and swept downwards. Cyan tried to let out a command, but he was stunned into silence. But it wasn't Golisopod's attack that surprised him, but rather Venusaur. The Grass-type had used his vines from earlier to create a shield, blocking Golisopod's attack. The two were now in a stalemate, pushing against one another and testing their strength.

"Yeah!" Cyan called. "Seed Bomb!"

While maintaining his defensive move, Venusaur started to charge energy in the middle portion of his flower. With one swift movement, he jumped backwards, and the energy exploded from his back, sending Golisopod reeling backwards.

"Don't let him get the best of you!" Guzma yelled. "Razor Shell!"

That's his first mistake! Cyan thought. "Meeting him halfway with Take Down!"

The two Pokémon charged with one another, and upon making contact, it sent a wave of energy throughout the room, washing over the two trainers.

"One more Seed Bomb!"

"Sucker Punch!"

As Venusaur charged his attack, Golisopod moved to the side. He charged dark energy into his claw before jabbing, hitting Venusaur in the side of the face and putting a stop to his attack. Venusaur stumbled backwards a few feet as Seed Bomb's energy faded away.

"Now Pin Missile!"

Golisopod leapt into the air and pointed his two claws downwards at Venusaur. Before Cyan could put together his next command, Golisopod launched small missile-like needles through the air. They connected with Venusaur one by one, forcing the Grass-type to step back a few feet.

Cyan looked out at his Pokémon. Venusaur was on the edge of fainting, and he knew that he had to take his chance now, or he was surely going to lose.

"Alright, let's do it!" Cyan yelled. He held up his wrist, and the green crystal in his Z-Ring started to glow.

Guzma chuckled. "Alright, boy. I'll play your game." He started to laugh maniacally while putting his hands into the air. Dark green energy emitted from his bracelet.

The two trainers started to strike poses, and the energy within the small room shifted, as though time had stopped. They both took their final position, and the two Pokémon were filled with energy.

"Doom Bloom!"

"Savage Spin-Out!"

Venusaur howled, and grass started to emerge from the floorboards and walls, turning the mansion into a small forest. His eyes turned red, and he prepared to cause the massive explosion that would surely put an end to the battle.

But Golisopod had other plans. He released a thick web from his mouth at an incredible speed, and it surrounded Venusaur, binding him. The Grass-type winced as he was unable to complete the attack, and then Golisopod lifted him into the air. With one big heave, Golisopod released his grip on Venusaur, and the Grass-type started to spin at an amazing speed for such a large creature. Venusaur rapidly span in the air before crashing into the ground, completely unconscious. Slowly, the grass and vines retreated, and they disappeared to wherever it was that they came from, and once again, the room became silent.

Cyan stared at his Pokémon in shock. He thought that he forsure had the victory, but Guzma was equipped with one surprise after another. He slowly grabbed ahold of his Poké Ball, and he let the red light retrieve Venusaur.

"Once again, kid. You ain't bad," Guzma said. "You're also fighting a battle you can't win."

Cyan remained silent. Before he could answer, both Kala and Lilo came through the door. They had worried expressions on their faces. Lilo rushed to Cyan while Kala took a stance in front of him.

"I lost," he mumbled. "I'm sorry."

Lilo shook her head. "It's okay. You'll be okay."

"We're asking that you leave Po Town!" Kala said. "You've done enough damage here. You've run people from their homes, and they should be able to come back if they want to."

Guzma's glare softened and he returned Golisopod before simply saying, "Okay."

The three trainers were stunned, unsure of what they just heard.

"Wh-what?" Kala asked.

"We'll be leaving Po Town. You may not have beat me, but you clearly beat the rest of my crew. I've been thinking that maybe they're not worth keeping around, and if that's the case, then I have no need for this place either."

"Are you saying that Team Skull is no more?" Cyan asked.

Guzma shrugged. "I ain't sayin' nothin'. But we're getting outta here. I'm still gonna do what I have to do to get a Pokémon league in Alola." He started walking forward, casually passing by the three trainers. "Don't get in my way. You'll get seriously hurt, kid."

The three were left alone in the room, and they looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Lilo stepped forward and looked around the room, observing how much it had been destroyed by Cyan's battle. But what she noticed the most was a small glint that came from behind Guzma's chair. She approached the chair slowly and looked behind it, finding a pile of Z-Crystals.

"Buginium Z," she whispered. "You guys need one?"

The trio's trek back to Route 17 was a silent one. Ultimately, they were defeated, and it wasn't something that they were all too used to. Lilo hadn't lost a single match up to this point, and Cyan was so sure that he had Guzma figured out that his loss forced him into silence. Kala felt as though she hadn't done nearly enough, and she was beginning to have doubts as to whether or not she could be an effective trainer.

"So, Team Skull is done?" Cyan wondered as they exited Po Town. They hadn't seen a single member during their walk back.

"Yeah, but it feels weird. It doesn't feel deserved," Lilo responded. "It feels too fast. I feel tricked."

Kala didn't respond. She thought about Guzma and his final words and demeanor. Team Skull were definitely annoying, and the way that they destroyed Po Town was detestable. But maybe, Guzma and his cronies bore no true ill will after all?

"Where are you going next?" Cyan asked Lilo.

"Well, first thing's first, I'm going to the Pokémon Center. But after my team is ready to go, we're heading off to Poni Island to finish the Island Challenge. And you?"

"I still have to battle the Island Kahuna, but Kala doesn't even know where we'll find 'em," Cyan answered. He looked at his friend who remained silent.

"I recommend going back to Malie City. He'll find you," Lilo said. "Good luck, Cyan."

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

All done with that! The last two chapters took me so long to write! We're now in Chapter 28, which means that we only have roughly 12-13 chapters left. Any predictions for how the rest of Awakening Alola will go?

REVIEWS:

pokemonking0924 - "Kala really has an issue with Team Skull and seeing her reaction to their headquarters has Cyan concerned. It was pretty nice of him to give his new ghost z crystal to her though. I wonder if Cyan will also take three bug type z crystals for himself and his friends after be battles Guzma" - It wasn't Cyan, but Lilo! She can use it with Araquanid, but Cyan doesn't currently have any Pokemon that'd make good use of Buginium Z.

wisdom-jewel - "I think that's a good idea to make Aether Foundation a bigger threat to Logan's story. Though I'm guessing Team Skull would stay quiet until Logan comes around or disband and regroup. Again I love how you're doing battles." - I'm still iffy on if I want to write Logan's story in Alola, but I do like the idea that he had encounters with the Aether Foundation when he did adventure there. Maybe we'll get hints of it down the line.