Disclaimer: This story, the OC -main, secondary or otherwise- don't belong to be but to a dear friend of mine who decided not to share it here. So I took it upon myself to do it for her.
However as to not be accused of plagiarism, I still made a few changes so it was more in my style than in hers (but that's about all that'll be changed). If anything, think of it as a remake.

Regarding the main cast from Pokemon, they belong to Game Freak or whoever own them.

I had to cut the chapter into two parts as it was much too long (over 3,500 words) compared to the 2,300 words (or so) I try to have for these chapters.

First Grand Trial

part 2

"Hariyama! Knock Off!" Kahuna Hala commanded his enormous Pokemon.

"Flame Charge, Sabretooth!" I boomed out, opening my palm for drama reason. Sabretooth roared out a fierce, yet cute, battle cry, cloaking himself in flames and, with a launch of its back legs, charged towards Hariyama.

"Move to the side." Hala commanded his Pokemon. Surprisingly swift for a Pokemon its size, Hariyama shifted, catching me off-guard. How in the world could a bulky Pokemon like this one move so effortlessly? Of course, Sabretooth missed his target and yet he still managed to land on his four paws, to my relief. He turned around just when Hariyama's hand was cocked back.

"Sabretooth, jump!" I shouted, my heard beating fast in my chest. Fortunately, my Litten was able to jump high enough to miss the beginning of the move. "Now, Ember!" I commanded with a swipe of my arm to the side. But, to my utter shock, Hariyama literally just stood in its place, unfazed, even though it was hit by the flames. It didn't seem to do any damage. Could this Hariyama have Thick Fat? I'd not be surprised… Damn, I swore inwardly. I hadn't thought about that fact. That wasn't good.

"Arm Thrust!" Hala fired off as the smoke surrounded his Pokemon. I watched Sabretooth being pummeled by the flat enormous hands of our opponent the second my Litten was landing on his feet. With each of the four blows that landed on him, Sabretooth shrieked out in pain, and I winced at each of them. I didn't know how, but Sabretooth managed to get away when the Hariyama was raising its hands for the fifth time and tumbled across the battlefield.

"Mrow…" He hissed, struggling to remain standing up. I gritted my teeth when I looked at the Kahuna.

"As you can see, my Hariyama was trained much farther than what you're used to, Jade." he laughed. "And let me add, this is why I will be victorious."

"I hope you wrote those words down!" I sneered back, hiding my panic as much as I could. I knew that losing wouldn't be a shame. Yet this was my first Grand Trial, I didn't want to lose it. "So you can look at them once I defeated you!" I hoped the Kahuna wouldn't see through my show of bravado. "Flame Charge!" I commanded my Litten.

"Mrow!" Sabretooth roared, setting his fur ablaze once again.

"Knock Off!" Hala simply said with a smirk.

"Dodge by rotating your body to the left!" I commanded, trying as much as possible to hide my frightened tone. This battle was much too nerve wrecking for my taste: Marie had been taken out with one blow, now Sabretooth was nearing the limit of his stamina and that last command I had given Sabretooth had been one of the last moves we had trained.

All I need to do for my plan to work is to get another Flame Charge off after this one, I reflected, trying to muster the most reassuring voice I knew. Strangely, it sounded like my dad's tone of voice. I almost bit my lip as I watched Sabretooth slipping by the Hariyama, flipping around and nailing his sharp claws into the huge Pokemon's back. It only stumbled two steps though and turned its head to Sabretooth.

"Belly Drum!"

"Flame Charge around him!" I yelled out with confidence that I wasn't sure to feel. But it was enough for Sabretooth as he inhaled a large breath and sped around Hariyama. Of course, it didn't do as much damage as I expected, I thought, as I watched the Kahuna Hala's Pokemon pounding its massive waist, increasing its fighting spirit to the absolute limit. The wide belly showed black stains of burned flesh, yet nothing major. It certainly had Thick Fat. Somewhere, in the back of my mind, was the picture of Gaïa smirking proudly, as if saying I should have chosen her. I shook my head, now wasn't the time for that. I had to concentrate on the trial!

He's showing no mercy! I thought, an icy feeling spreading down my guts even though the weather was warm and the temperature had increased after Sabretooth's repeated use of fire moves. Wait… Burn… I looked down around the Hariyama and an idea sprang into my mind. Well, if I couldn't burn the Pokemon himself… Oh man, I hope this will work. Sabretooth quickly completed four rotations around his opponent.

"Sabretooth!" I yelled, "go to its feet!"

"It won't work." Hala said. "Hariyama, use Arm Thrust!"

Perfect. In spite of myself, a grin spread on my lips.

"Stay at its feet and dodge!" I instructed my Litten. Flame Charge had increased Sabretooth' speed and it was for the best as Hariyama's oversized hands crashed to the wooden battlefield, sending splinter all around as it tried to hit its opponent that was racing all around him once more, avoiding each of the hits, until…

CRACK!

The platform that had been weakened by Sabretooth' flames broke under Hariyama's huge weigh and its numerous blows when it tried to reach its opponent. I was pleased to see the yellow and blue fighting Pokemon drops a few feet under ground (so to say) and I heartily laughed.

"Let's use it to our advantage! Sabretooth, use Scratch!" I commanded. My Litten raced at the stuck Pokemon, baring his claws as he ran and dug them as deep as he could into the Hariyama's belly, drawing blood on the three claw marks that were left.

"Not bad." the Kahuna said. "Hariyama, get out of here!"

"Sabretooth, don't let him, use Scratch again."

My Litten hissed as it rushed to Hariyama, but this time, Hariyama wasn't left unmoving. It had firmly placed its hands on the wooden platform and once it had been certain of its support, pushed itself upwards. Inch by inch, I could see the huge body getting out of the hole it had fallen in.

"Get out of here," I told Sabretooth right after it had clawed the Hariyama again. Now the fighting type Pokemon was almost completely out, six bloody fresh claw marks on its belly.

"Alright! Time to end this!" Kahuna Hala bellowed out, crossing his arms with his Z-Ring shining. He lifted his left foot far off the battlefield, his Hariyama copying in perfect sync. Both thrust their arms forwards as if they were hitting some invisible target in front of them.

Here it come…I thought I had been ready for it to happen, yet it still caught me by surprise.

"I am the Kahuna! I am connected with Tapu Koko and my Pokemon as one!" he recited. "It's time to show you our full power! All-Out Pummeling! Let's GO!" he shouted that last word.

"Hari!"

This looked bad, but I wasn't going to give up now, I resolved as an aura came from the Kahuna and surrounded the Hariyama.

"Alright, Sabretooth! Our turn! Time to show why we cranked up that speed of yours and why we are doin' it again!" I said to myself. "Flame Charge to dodge them all!" I commanded in a mighty roar, determination back in my voice. If I were to lose, I'd lose in a blast. But I wasn't going to lose! Sabretooth roared out in the same intensity, cloaking himself in fire for the fourth time. He charged at full speed towards his opponent.

My hands clenched into a first as I watched the show that'd decide it all. However the rapid amount of energy-created hands that fired of Hariyama's body blinded Sabretooth from me.

But not for too long.

Looking up, I saw that Sabretooth had leaped into the air as the remaining pummeling hands flew by. And Sabretooth looked to be alright, he had succeeded in dodging them all! The plan had worked! Worked!

"YES!" I shouted out of excitement. "Now it's our turn! Sabretooth!" I boomed in pride, crossing my arms to activate my Z-Ring and its Normalium Z-Cristal, sending my fighting spirit to Sabretooth. I had a smirk when I saw my Litten crossing his two forepaws in an "X" sign. In my mind, I was sure he was grinning just like I was.

"Alright, Kahuna. Time to show you what we are REALLY made of!" I yelled to Hala. "Sabretooth, time to end this wicked party! Use Breakneck Blitz!"

Just like what had happened during our training session, Sabretooth screeched out a battle cry that sounded fiercer than any he had. He blasted off his tiny paws, running at maximum speed and, within two seconds, collided against the Hariyama. Instinctively, I shielded my eyes when the impact was made and, the moment I looked up again was the exact time Kiawe announced the result.

"Hariyama is unable to battle! Litten in the winner. The match goes to Jade!"

It took me a moment to register what those words meant and, once I understood, I crumbled onto my knees. It just had happened…. Part of me wanted to scream in joy. To do a happy dance. Yet, instead, the stress got the best of me and caused my knees to buckle under me. Which was for the best as I was at the right level for Sabretooth to come to me with glimmering eyes. I squealed out and hugged him tight, to his displeasure. He growled under his breath, but I wasn't about to let go of the affectionate act.

"Jade, that was awesome!" Ash exclaimed, coming to me, and giving me a start. In the heat of the battle, I had totally forgotten there was an audience. As I expected, Sabretooth took advantage of it to get away from my embrace. He still meowed and brushed his fur against my leg as I was getting up.

The other came and congratulated me as Mallow handed me back Gaïa who was still pouting.

"Stop sulking, we won." I told her. "Oh man! Thank you Ash, guys. It was a lot of…" I was beginning to say, but I noticed that Lillie hadn't moved from the place she had been standing in when watching my battle.

She looked enthralled, seemingly unaware that my Grand Trial was even done. Following her glance, I noticed in the distance a mahogany Pokemon that I have never seen before, standing in a slump stance next to a person in black clothing. Unfortunately, from the distance, I couldn't be sure if they were looking back at Lillie or something else. Then they walked off.

I jumped down the platform, leaving the group discussing the battle and went to her.

"Lillie, are you alright?" I asked, patting her on the shoulder.

"Huh? Oh… Yeah," she said, as if I had suddenly awaken her. "I think congratulation are in order?" she asked in a sheepish voice. She was blushing, her cheeks a deep shade of red, and I was almost 100 percent sure it wasn't because of the battle.

"Who was that guy?" I asked her. "A boyfriend?" I suggested bluntly. I hadn't been able to see much of the person, but I knew it was a guy from his stance and the way it moved that was quite masculine.

"What? No!" She almost screamed, turning even redder. "I… I have to go."

"Wait…" But she was already running away. Now she had got me curious. What could be the issue? From what I understood, Lillie was from a wealthy family. Maybe she had her future husband already chosen? I heard that it happened in rich household, so the family would get richer. And maybe Lillie had fallen in love with a guy? A secret love. One that her family wouldn't agree with. That'd be so romantic. And if I could, I'd help them!

My daydream was shattered by a deep booming voice and a heavy hand on my shoulder.

"Congratulation on passing your trial, Jade!" Hala hummed from my side. Looking up, I nodded with a smile, too surprised to even complain about the Kahuna's familiarity and touch.

"Thank you Kahuna. And I hope you marked those words that you said about beatin' me." I said with pride.

"Fortunately for me, I didn't." He laughed, handing me a fighting Z-Crystal. "Once again, congratulation, you earned it!"