Chapter 29 - "You're Beautiful, Dude!"
It had been a few days since their last encounter with Team Skull, and Cyan and Kala were making their way back to Malie City. The two continued to look for the Island Kahuna, but their efforts were fruitless.
"Are you sure there's an Island Kahuna around here?" Cyan wondered. "It seems like maybe Lilo gave us bad advice." The two had spent the last few hours wandering through the city, walking in circles. They passed by the garden a few times already, and Cyan was starting to grow impatient.
Kala shook her head. "There's an Island Kahuna, but he's one of the busiest trainers around. From what I understand, he comes to Malie City often."
"Lilo is so much stronger than either one of us," Cyan said. "And she said that she struggled to beat him. I wonder if I'll actually stand a chance."
Kala stopped and looked at her friend from behind. He didn't ever come off as someone who was bothered by his losses, but it was twice now that he lost to Guzma, and from the way he spoke, his confidence had been shaken.
Cyan finally took notice that Kala stopped walking, and he turned around. "What's up?"
"Why don't we have a battle?"
"Huh?"
"Me and you. We haven't battled yet. I think it'd be good for us to finally have one."
Kala's Litten let out a growl and then stepped forward.
Before Cyan could give Kala his answer, he was interrupted by a red flashing light and a quick howl of a siren. The two were startled and they turned to find a man, his hair greyed with age, sitting on a police motorcycle. He slowly got off and removed his glasses, revealing eyes that haven't slept in years.
"I have some questions for you two," he said. His voice was deep, and he spoke slowly.
"Have we done something wrong, officer?" Cyan asked. He stood up straight. This wasn't the first time a police officer had approached him, and he was terrified.
The officer looked at the amulet that hung off of Cyan's neck. "You're Cyan Kokura, correct?"
The last time that Cyan talked with an officer was when his sister had gone missing. The first thing that came to Cyan's mind was his mother, and he suddenly felt anxiety ripple throughout his chest. "Yes. Is everything okay?"
He nodded. "Everything is fine. It's my understanding that you two and a girl named Lilo were in Po Town a few days ago. Am I correct?"
Cyan was relieved, and he nodded alongside Kala.
"Thanks for everything you did. I was working on getting Team Skull out of there myself, but you three beat me to it."
Cyan wasn't sure how to respond, so Kala answered for him, "We did our best. But we think they're still active."
The man nodded. "I'll keep a close eye on them. My name is Nanu."
"It's nice to meet you," Cyan said.
There was an awkward silence between the three of them, but Nanu smiled as much as his stern expression would allow him to. He motioned towards Cyan's amulet. "You're looking for the Island Kahuna?"
Cyan simply nodded.
Nanu took a few steps back and sighed. "Alright. Our battle is going to be a three on three battle. Is that cool with you?"
"Wait what?"
Kala stepped forward. "Is it okay if I referee?"
"Just call it down the middle," Nanu said calmly.
Cyan still was baffled by what was happening. "Wait what?!"
"You're looking for the Island Kahuna, correct?" Nanu asked. "Well, you found me. So, let's do this."
Clarity finally came to Cyan, and he took in a deep breath before stepping backwards to create a bit more space between himself and Nanu. "This doesn't seem like the place to have a battle, but I guess it can't be helped. Three on three?"
"Three on three."
"Got it."
Kala raised her arms. "The following battle will be between challenger, Cyan Kokura, and Island Kahuna, Nanu. It'll be three on three, and only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions. Begin!"
"Sableye, go," Nanu said calmly.
His Pokémon emerged, and it was something that Cyan had never seen before. Its eyes were seemingly made of red crystals, and it moved its thin arms in a jittery fashion as though it were cold.
Cyan looked closely at the Pokémon, trying to determine what he was getting into. This thing creeps me out, but I've already challenged a Ghost-type trial, and I'm positive they wouldn't repeat themselves. Maybe this Pokémon has a second typing I can't clearly see, Cyan thought.
He grabbed his Poké Ball and made his choice, sending Graveler onto the field. The mischievous Pokémon laughed upon seeing how nervous Sableye appeared to be.
"Graveler, use Thunder Punch!" Cyan ordered.
Graveler's fist started to crackle with electric energy, and he began to roll forward.
"Fake Out."
When Graveler was in a standing position, Sableye snapped forward. He smacked Graveler on both sides of his face, putting the Electric-type to a stop. Graveler flinched, and appeared confused by Sableye's sudden speed.
"Shadow Ball."
Sableye then reeled backwards and formed a ball of darkness in between his palms. He released the ball forward, getting a direct hit onto Graveler, sending the Rock-type rolling.
"Graveler, are you okay?" Cyan asked.
Graveler shook of the attack and then yelled, "Graveler!"
"Got it! Hit them with your Rock Slide!"
"Power Gem."
As Sableye formed what appeared to be diamonds from a dark energy, Graveler pulled stones from the earth. He pushed the stones forward, making them slide towards Sableye. The two attacks clashed, and the stones were destroyed upon impact, kicking up dust and smoke into the air.
"One more Shadow Ball," Nanu ordered.
Sableye unleashed his attack, sending a ball of dark energy into the smoke, but there was no sound indicating what had happened. Nanu and Sableye couldn't see Graveler or Cyan, and what happened next took them by surprise. Graveler exploded from the smoke, his fist electrified with energy. He swung downwards, hitting Sableye on the top of the head. The attack was a lot stronger than Sableye had expected, and he was sent into the ground.
"What?" Nanu questioned.
"Now finish this with Rock Slide!" Cyan called as the smoke faded away.
Now in close quarters, Sableye felt the rumble of the earth directly. Using his magnetic energy, Graveler pulled the stones from the ground and then blasted them forward. They tumbled into Sableye and crushed his frail body into the ground. Sableye was dragged against the ground, and his body went limp at Nanu's feet.
"Sableye is unable to battle! Graveler wins!" Kala declared.
Nanu calmly withdrew his Pokémon and then revealed his next Poké Ball. "I expected nothing less from you. I guess that I need to take this battle seriously." He then tossed his Poké Ball into the air, and a crocodilian Pokémon appeared. It stood on its two hindlegs and crossed its arms. It was brown with dark black stripes, and it looked out at Graveler with a cocky expression on its face.
Alright. How do we approach this? It's hard to read that Pokémon that he's choosing, Cyan thought.
"Krokorok, use Crunch!"
Dark energy formed around the larger Pokémon's mouth, and he started to run forward. The energy increased in intensity, and he unhinged his jaws, creating what appeared to be an inescapable attack.
"Graveler, meet him with Thunder Punch!"
Graveler nodded and then started towards Krokorok. He swung his fist, and Krokorok clamped down, creating an explosion of dark energy that cloaked the two. When the energy faded away, the two Pokémon remained in standing positions. Krokorok had his jaws clamped down onto Graveler's arm, while the Electric-type sent shocks through his body. Krokorok was seemingly unphased by the attack though.
"Wait up!" Cyan yelled. "A Ground-type?!"
"Earthquake!" Nanu commanded.
Krokorok lifted Graveler with one big heave and then tossed the Electric-type into the ground. Then, with his massive leg, he stomped, shaking their makeshift battlefield and creating cracks. The cracks surrounded Graveler, making him fall within them. And then, in an instant, they closed shut, clamping Graveler as hard as they could. The Rock-type let out a cry as his body was pressurized, and in a second, he had fainted.
"No…" Cyan mumbled. He lifted his Poké Ball and returned Graveler into it before taking a moment to think.
It looks like I'm dealing with a dual Dark and Ground-type Pokémon. He thought. With that, he drew out his next Poké Ball and held it loosely before throwing it, making it curve at the last second. It exploded open, revealing Brionne.
"Brrri!"
Nanu grinned. "Looks like you've gotten me figured out. But I'm sure that your Brionne won't be strong enough in the end."
"We'll see about that! Brionne, use Aqua Jet!"
"Brrri!" the Pokémon cried out while aquatic energy formed around his body. He shot out like a missile towards Krokorok, but Nanu was well prepared.
"Crunch!"
Krokorok gaped open his mouth and patiently waited, bracing himself for a strong impact from the super-effective attack. Sure enough, Brionne was dead on, striking Krokorok in his jaw. The Ground-type clamped down though, and fought through the pain. As Krokorok shook off the attack, he started to toss Brionne around with his mouth, trapping the Water-type.
"Brionne, Bubblebeam!"
"Assurance!"
Before Brionne could find the right position to use his attack, Krokorok formed dark energy in his arm. Still keeping a tight grip on Brionne, Krokorok jabbed, sending the Water-type into the air. The attack clearly hurt Brionne, but he fought through the pain and managed to unleash a flurry of bubbles downwards. They struck Krokorok directly, but the attack clearly wasn't at full power. Brionne landed back on the ground, and he clutched at his chest where Krokorok struck him previously.
Nanu grinned. "I told you so. Alright, Krokorok, use Swagger."
Krokorok shifted his body, and it started to glow red. Cyan, unsure of what was coming, observed closely. Steam started to emit from Krokorok's body, and he then let out a growl, seemingly doing nothing. Everyone stood still.
"What happened?" Cyan wondered. His question was answered almost as soon as he asked it, as Brionne started to rock back and forth. "Confused?!"
"Yeah. Swagger actually buffs up your Pokémon, but the downside is that it causes confusion. If you attack and somehow manage to mess it up, then Brionne is bound to faint."
Cyan shook his head and then drew out Brionne's ball, returning the Pokémon. "We're not going to take any chances."
Nanu smiled. He got what he wanted.
Okay, so since it's a Dark-type, Oranguru is out of the question. And one Earthquake from Krokorok will finish Salandit with no issue. Venusaur might be a good option, but maybe I can outspeed him instead. Cyan deliberated. He made his decision and then tossed his next Poké Ball forward, revealing his orange-furred Lycanroc.
"So be it," Nanu said. "Earthquake!"
"Accelerock!"
Before Krokorok could even begin his attack, Lycanroc darted across the field. She crashed into the Ground-type, knocking him back and allowing Cyan to make his next command.
"Rock Slide!"
Lycanroc landed back onto the ground, and she howled. The field rumbled, and stones were pulled from the ground by a telepathic energy. With one more loud howl, Lycanroc tossed them forward, and one by one, the stones buried Krokorok. After Lycanroc finished her attack, everyone waited, and once the wait became too long, Kala made her call.
"Krokorok is unable to battle! Lycanroc wins!"
"Yatta!" Cyan exclaimed. "It was risky, but I think it paid off."
Nanu grumbled as he withdrew his Pokémon back to its ball. He then made his third and final selection, pulling a Poké Ball from the inside of his jacket. "Not bad, kid. But my next Pokémon is absolutely no push-over."
In front of Lycanroc appeared a Pokémon with a slender body and an almost perfectly round face. It was feline in appearance, and had dark grey fur, which gave it a sinister look.
Lycanroc, in response, got low, and started to growl.
"That's a Persian," Kala told Cyan. "They're sneaky."
"Your little puppy won't stand a chance," Nanu said. He then paused for a moment. "Trash talking is so exhausting."
"Use Rock Slide!" Cyan ordered, ignoring Nanu's complaint.
"Eh? Fake Out," Nanu said calmly.
As Lycanroc roared to pull the stones from the ground once more, Persian quickly snapped forward. She created dark energy within her claw and then slashed out, putting an immediate stop to Lycanroc's attack. The two Pokémon paused before Persian let out a sickening hiss.
"Dark Pulse!"
Before Lycanroc could recover from her state of shock, Persian created a ball of black energy inside of her mouth. She shot it towards the ground, and it exploded, sending Lycanroc backwards. Persian then retreated, getting some distance between the two of them.
"Lycanroc, are you okay?" Cyan asked.
His Pokémon was blindsided by the attack from before, and she was clearly hurt. She walked forward with a limp and continued to growl.
"Can't use Fake Out again," Nanu said. "Looks like we have to fight directly."
"Use Accelerock!" Cyan yelled.
"Power Gem!"
Now much slower, Lycanroc bounded forward. She created the stones around her body while the blue stone on Persian's head started to glow. The two collided with each other, sending dust and smoke into the air. The dust was quick to dissipate, revealing Lycanroc's unconscious body. Persian remained standing above her, baring her fangs.
"Lycanroc is unable to battle! Persian wins!" Kala declared while Cyan returned his Pokémon.
It was now down to one Pokémon each. Cyan looked down at Brionne's Poké Ball. He had already taken some damage from the battle with Krokorok, but at the very least, his confusion status had been erased. Cyan closed his eyes, and with a fast pitch, threw the Poké Ball outwards. Brionne emerged, and he flexed his small arms before laughing to himself.
"Let's not get too excited," Cyan said, trying to make his Pokémon take the battle more seriously.
Brionne stopped laughing and then looked towards his opponent. He lowered his head and waited for Cyan's command.
"Use Dark Pulse!" Nanu commanded.
"I don't think so!" Cyan yelled while he put his hand into the air. The blue crystal that was placed in his bracelet started to glow, and he started to strike dance poses. This sent energy surging through the area, and Brionne howled as he was filled with aquatic power. "Hydro Vortex!"
As Persian released the wave of darkness, Brionne shot forward. Water trailed behind his body, soon taking him over completely. Brionne fought through the darkness, parting it with ease, and then he began to surround Persian. The Dark-type looked on in panic as water took over her body. Soon, the two were engulfed, and no one could see what was happening. Within their water prison, Brionne swam back and forth, repeatedly bashing into Persian while she choked for air. Soon, the energy was used up, and the water exploded, sending both the Pokémon flying. Brionne landed on his two arms and did a pose while Persian smacked into the ground.
"Yatta!" Cyan yelled. He looked at Persian with a smile, which soon faded away once the Dark-type started to stir.
"Not bad. Not bad," Nanu said. "But let me show you how it's done." He slowly raised his arm into the air, and a black energy pierced the sky. As though he had been a pro dancer his whole life, he quickly struck four poses, filling his Pokémon with darkness. "Black Hole Eclipse!"
Persian roared as a dark energy circled around her and her eyes turned to black. She looked forward, shooting the energy at Brionne. The Water-type tried to break free, but it was without payoff. The darkness entrapped Brionne, sucking him into what appeared to be a black ball.
"Brionne!" Cyan yelled.
The ball surrounded Brionne completely, and soon, the Water-type disappeared into blackness. There was a short moment of complete silence, and then it exploded, blinding Nanu, Cyan, and Kala. They all patiently waited as the smoke from the attack faded away, and when it finally did, what awaited surprised everyone.
Brionne, as though it was his only option for defense, seemingly took a different form. What now stood in Brionne's place was a large white Pokémon with a dark blue lower half. He now had long flowing blue hair and dark blue eyes that pierced through the air like lightning. Brionne, had evolved.
"Primarina," Kala said, in shock of what she was seeing.
Nanu sighed. "I was hoping to have this over already, but I guess that you're always full of surprises. Looks like you got yourself a Primarina now."
"Primarina?" Cyan wondered.
"Prrri!" the new Pokémon called.
"Nice!"
"Use Power Gem!" Nanu ordered, knowing that the battle was coming to a close.
"Primarina, use-" Cyan started, but this his Pokémon turned back towards him as if to say 'I got this'.
She sat up on her large tail and started to chant a soft tune, releasing bubbles from her mouth. They sped across the field, and upon making contact with Persian's attack, they destroyed it completely. Then, they made it all the way to the Dark-type. With a small moment of silence, Primarina waved her arms, and then they exploded, sending a wave of sound and water outwards. They washed over Persian, sending her towards her trainer.
Nanu looked at his unconscious Pokémon and sighed before nodding at Kala.
"Persian is unable to battle! Primarina and Cyan are the victors!" she declared with a smile.
Cyan, still baffled by his new Pokémon's move, slowly approached Primarina. He reached out and pet him on the head. "You're beautiful, dude!"
"That was a move called Sparkling Aria," Nanu said. He had returned Persian and then made his way to Cyan and Primarina. "It's Primarina's signature move. I was expecting it to happen, but I was hoping that Persian would have been faster."
"Sparkling Aria?" Cyan wondered.
Nanu reached into his jacket and grinned. "I actually have two Z-Crystals for you today."
"Two?"
He nodded, revealing two crystal shaped stones. One was similar to the one that he had in his bracelet, black as the night, and the other was light blue with a small insignia in it, similar to that of Primarina's head. "One is the Darkinium Z, and the other is for your Primarina. I'm in charge of handing out the specialized crystals for trainers that get Pokémon from Kukui."
Cyan took the crystals and held both of them high, letting the sun shine off of them.
"With Primarium Z, you'll be able to turn Sparkling Aria into Oceanic Operetta. It's one of the more devastating Z-Moves you'll ever use. Don't go doing it excessively."
"Wow," Cyan said while he marveled at the stones. "What about Kala? Does she get one for Litten?"
Nanu grinned. "If she can ever beat me in a battle."
Kala nodded. "I will when I take on the Island Challenge."
Nanu winked and then turned his attention back to Cyan. He reached into his jacket once more, pulling out a tiny box. He reached out and lightly grabbed the wooden amulet that hung around Cyan's neck before pressing a stamp down onto one of the triangles.
"That's your third stamp," Kala said.
Cyan looked at it closely. "One more!"
"You should head to Poni Island next," Nanu said. "I definitely recommend training your Pokémon as much as possible though. You have one more trial and then a battle with the last Kahuna, and I'll be blunt with you, you currently stand no chance at either of them."
Cyan, who was not usually the best with criticism, simply nodded. He had a look of determination on his face. "I won't lose! I can't lose!"
"That's what I like to hear."
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Alright! Finished with Ula'ula Island. It feels like we've been here forever. Now Cyan and Kala are moving onto Poni Island where Cyan will be faced with one of his toughest challenges. I'm excited to see how it goes for him.
REVIEWS:
pokemonking0924 - "Cyan did his best and I feel he was close to winning, but team skulls big bad buggy boss won. Kala also did here best and was willing to fight until the end, maybe she'll do better with a full team and when her little dragon type gets some more experience. Lilo on the other hand stole the show, she has a natural talent to train and battle with her Pokémon that makes it look easy." - Yeah. Lilo probably should have battled Guzma instead.
CrescentApple - "that was unexpected, but interesting nonetheless. My favorite battle for this entire 2 parter is Logan (Cyan) vs Guzma. Second is Lilo vs Plumeria. They were just so unique. And Logan (Cyan) losing again cause me off guard. I expected him to have won this time. That was well done. And I can also see now that Lilo is really really strong. Kala is the most interesting to come of this. Her narration means she is having musings about being a Pokemon trainer? Cant wait!" - A lot of people tend to mix up Logan and Cyan, but I totally understand. Sometimes, I accidentally write Logan. Cyan needs to lose a few times, and I see his battles against Guzma as a good opportunity for that.
wisdom-jewel - "I'm guessing Guzmo either has a soft spot for Cyan or sees himself in Cyan or a bit of both. It would explain somewhat why he would willingly step down and back off. I do like how Guzmo isn't a hardass or truly evil. His team just gets in the way and causes misfit. Annoying yes, but he and his group doesn't have an end game or goal yet. I do wonder if Guzmo would remember Cyan if he ever meets up with Logan." - I think Guzma, even in the games, has a soft spot. It's something I kind of want to explore more.
Recent reviews for Chapters 4 and 5
UKEagleclaw "Solid chapter. The battle was described well and had a good flow to it. I've not played the Ultra games, so not sure if they were a canon character or not as I didn't recognise them, but I think you did an excellent job of giving one of the villains (presumably) of the story a tension-filled, mysterious cameo." - Enhalus is an original character of my own based on the weird characters in Ultra Sun/Moon.
"Really enjoyed the humour (re: heights and the old man) in this chapter brought about by snappy dialogue and action beats. E.g. 'Cyan looked at the door nervously'. A top read, as usual." - I don't really like that chapter besides the comment about Cyan being afraid of falling, but I'm glad that you enjoyed it nonetheless!