Takeba's Grand Trial was set to begin within an hour or so. As such she made sure to contact everyone and make sure they were present to watch. Prior to her match beginning, she was once again attempting to master the use of a Z-move with Blastoise, but again, she came up short. Continental Crush failed yet again, causing the pinkette to groan. "Again…"
"Don't feel so bad!" Mallow said with an encouraging smile. "It took me a while to use a Z-move as well. It doesn't come to everyone easily."
"Don't feel terrible." Moon said, sitting off a bit away from everyone else. Lillie wanted to sit close to her but opted not to. "I messed up a Z-move too recently. It was almost bad."
"Moon…" Lillie frowned. Was that still bothering her?
"I was hoping that I'd have this mastered before I fought Olivia." Takeba admitted, patting Blastoise on the shell. "I know she's gonna use a Z-move and I'm already at a major disadvantage…"
"You'll be fine!" Ash said with a reassuring smile. "I've seen you battle and I think you have what it takes."
"I've seen her battle and I'm doubtful." Elizabeth said.
"Ahem." Grace jabbed Elizabeth's side with her elbow.
"We believe in you!" Lana exclaimed.
"Yeah, you can do it!" Sophocles agreed.
"Your chances of success appear high!" Rotom said while lifting one of its arms up.
"If your battle spirit burns as hot as Wela Volcano, you can pull off the win." Kiawe gave his bit of wisdom.
Marcus then wrapped an arm around Takeba's shoulder, lips curving up to a soft smile. "You got this."
A slight blush crept on the pinkette's lips and she gave a slight nod. "I-I'll do my best…!"
Elizabeth made way over to Scott, who was keeping to himself. "Soo…you know how that battle's gonna end, right? Am I right?"
Scott let out a slight chuckle. "Perhaps. But you mustn't forget that Takeba has the sheer advantage of unpredictably, though not in the way that Ash does. So even if I've forseen an outcome, it may not be correct. She could win, she could lose. Only she has the power to make either outcome happen."
"I…see." Elizabeth let out a sigh. "I guess we're in for a show one way or another…"
.
.
The time finally came for the Grand Trial. Olivia was waiting for Takeba and the others at the Ruins of Life, which would be the battleground for the Grand Trial. The Island Kahuna stood on one side of the field while Takeba took the other, greeting the challenger with a confident smile. The rest of the group sat in the spectator seats just outside of the arena. In this case, the judge for this bout was going to be Kiawe. "I've been waiting for you, Takeba. Now that you've undergone an Island Trial, I hope you understand what it takes to use a Z-move and embrace Alola's culture."
"Well, that Island Trial did open my eyes." Takeba said with a nod. She wasn't going to admit that she hadn't mastered the Z-move yet, but was embracing Alola's culture. "And I believe I'm ready for this battle."
"Wow, it's almost like she's a completely different person…" Moon whispered to Ash. She had seen Olivia trip and stumble so many times that watching her now was a bit surreal.
"Olivia may be a little…clumsy, but she's great at what she does." Ash said with a goofy grin. He was excited to watch this battle pan out.
"That's wonderful. Let's see how much you've learned, then." Olivia tossed not one, but two Pokeballs into the air. "Lycanroc, Probopass, it's time for battle!" On that cue, Olivia's Lycanroc (day), and Probopass emerged in a flush of neon blue light!
"A double battle?" Moon blinked.
"It's just like Ash's trial…" Mallow said quietly. Olivia only did the double battle with Ash because he had already completed a Grand Trial prior to fighting her. What was Olivia thinking?
"Hm…" Scott mumbled.
"You sure she can do this?" Elizabeth glanced at Marcus.
"I'm sure she has a plan." Marcus said firmly
"I don't have a plan." Takeba thought. "Okay…rock types…" Takeba said to herself. "Blastoise, Honchkrow, it's all on you!" Takeba called out her trusty companions. What sort of team would they make? She had yet to find out.
Kiawe looked between the two combatants. "Are both trainers ready? Takeba has the first move as the challenger! Begin!"
"Honchkrow, use Drill Peck on Lycanroc! Blastoise, Aura Sphere on Probopass!" Her two Pokémon did as commanded. Honchkrow flew into the air, spinning its body around while soaring towards Lycanroc, taking the shape of a drill as it did so. As for Blastoise, it took aim at Probopass, firing off a tracking Aura Sphere for effective damage.
"Lycanroc, Drill Run! Probopass, Zap Cannon!" Olivia commanded. Lycanroc jumped into the air while twisting its body around, clashing with the incoming Drill Peck! Probopass had the mini units around its body swirl around before firing off a Zap Cannon that exploded against the Aura Sphere. Drill Run and Drill Peck ended in a clash with both Pokémon being forced backwards. "Now, Accelrock!" As soon as Lycanroc landed on all fours, it sped forward yet again, slamming into Honchkrow before it could react, landing a super effective hit that forced it onto the ground. "Magnet Bomb!" A silver orb appeared in front of Probopass's nose and the eyes of the mini-noses began to glow orange. The three Mini-Noses then flew off towards Blastoise and Honchkrow to explode.
"Blastoise, Rapid Spin!" Blastoise tucked its body into its shell, spinning around rapidly as the Mini-Noses came in hot. Using its rotation to gain speed, Blastoise shielded Honchkrow by spinning in front of it, deflecting the Mini-Noses and caused them to explode harmlessly in the air before they returned to Probopass. "And Mirror Move!" Honchkrow recovered by this point. Its eyes shone as it locked n Lycanroc, making use of its last move: Accelrock.
"Huh!?" Olivia wasn't expecting this. Honchkrow sped off, slamming its body into Lycanroc's frame with enough power to force it to skid backwards several feet. A smile then appeared on the Kahuna's lips. Takeba was certainly no pushover. "You're pretty good. But let's see how you handle this! Accelrock!" Lycanroc sprinted off once more, but it had no target in mind, instead it kept dashing around Honchkrow and Blastoise. "Double Team!" And within a fraction of a second, illusions of Lycanroc appeared around Takeba's Pokémon, making it impossible to discern where the real one was!
"Ah…?" Takeba's green eyes frantically looked around.
"I lost them…" Moon admitted.
"Me too…" Sophocles said.
"Stone Edge!" Lycanroc and its illusions all howled, slamming their front legs onto the ground. This caused azure stones to rise from the ground in all directions, all closing in on Honchkrow and Blastoise. The trick was that only one was doing the attacking, but Takeba was unable to figure out in time which one it was, so that meant Blastoise and Honchkrow ate the Stone Edge.
"Oh no!" Takeba gasped.
"Now, Rock Slide!" Olivia was going to keep this momentum up. Lycanroc jumped up, creating numerous rocks around its body, firing it down at Honchkrow and Blastoise.
"Psychic!" Takeba shouted. Honchkrow's eyes shone bright blue as it used telekinetic abilities to take a hold of the incoming Rock Slide. Before Lycanroc could even land, Honchkrow returned the Rock Slide to the sender, pelting Lycanroc with numerous rocks with such force it was sent crashing into the ground. "Got it!"
"Lycanroc!" Olivia was worried. Lycanroc did take some heavy damage but it was all right. "Zap Cannon!" Probopass took aim at Honchkrow, firing off a potent Zap Cannon that would likely end the raven's run in this battle if it hit.
"Watch out!" Takeba shouted worriedly. Honchkrow was barely able to dodge the Zap Cannon. And it destroyed the nearby rock face.
"Giga Impact!" Probopass then went on a full power, full throttle charge at Blastoise, and an intimidating aura swirling around its body as nothing would stop it!
"Hydro Pump and Rapid Spin, go!" Blastoise tucked its body into its shell yet again; jet streams of water shooting out from each opening as it propelled itself forward, clashing against the Giga Impact. Blastoise won the exchange, pushing and damage Propobass backwards. As a plus, due to Giga Impact's drawback, Propobass was now unable to move for a little bit! "Perfect! Now, Rock Tomb!" Blastoise let out a battle cry as rocks started dropping from the sky, intending to crush Lycanroc and Probopass!
There was nothing that Olivia could do to help Probopass, but she did have an idea. A slight smirk curled up onto her lips as she raised a hand into the air! "Jump!" Lycanroc did just that, leaping into the air, using the falling Rock Tomb as platforms to ascend higher into the air while Probopass took the hits.
"Ah!?" Takeba's jaw dropped.
"Hey, that's…!" Ash's eyes widened. He recalled Lycanroc, when it was a Rockruff, performing the same maneuver when he fought Olivia. Was she taking a page from his book?
"Drill Run!" Lycanroc descended from above, spinning into a drill yet again. It flew past Honchkrow and slammed directly into Blastoise for a direct hit, causing the armored shell pokmeon to stagger back from the damage.
"Gh! Mirror Move!" Takeba commanded once more. Honchkrow mirrored Lycanroc's attack, acting similarly to Drill Peck, only the ground type move was more effective and dealt noticeable damage to Lycanroc as it was pushed back.
"She's making good use of Mirror Move!" Lana clasped her hands together.
About this time, Probopass was able to move again. As soon as Olivia noticed, she grinned. It was time to wrap this battle up. "Stealth Rock." Propobass let out a cry as multiple rocks appeared on the battlefield, but not in the conventional way that Stealth Rock was used. A ring of stalagmites appeared around Blastoise and Honchkrow, entrapping them within the center of the arena.
"What the…" Elizabeth's eyes widened. "That's how she uses it!?"
"It looks like a nasty trap." Scott remarked.
"Oh, it is!" Ash said with a nod. After all he experienced it firsthand.
"Uh…" Takeba wasn't sure what she was in for right now.
And Olivia was going to use her opponent's hesitation to her advantage. "Magnet Bomb!" Just like before, the Mini-Noses flew off independently from Probopass, flying into the ring of rocks to attack Honchkrow and Blastoise.
"Watch out!" Takeba cried. Honchkrow couldn't fly away, because as it did, a Mini-Nose exploded in front of it, cutting off its escape round. The explosion sent it into one of the rocks, where mere contact with it caused another explosion to damage Honchkrow. "Oh crap!" Now it all hit Takeba at once and she realized the situation she was in.
"What is your next move?" Olivia questioned as the Mini Noses continued to assault Takeba's pokemon, hardly giving them the time to act.
"This! Mirror Move!" Once again, Mirror Move was in play. Feathers dropped from Honchkrow's body, moving in a manner that mimicked the Magnet Bomb. Several feathers clashed with the Mini-Noses, forcing them to retreat. Other feathers slipped through the Stealth Rock to strike Probopass and deal some damage. Both sides' were looking a little worse for wear, but Takeba was still at a disadvantage due to her current predicament. "Gotta get out of this. Blastoise-!"
"Rock Slide!" Lycanroc was above! It was sending numerous rocks down onto Blastoise and Honchkrow! These rocks didn't hit, but it did disrupt the defensive formation they had.
"Gah! No…" Takeba grit her teeth. This was getting out of her control.
And at that moment, Olivia's Z-ring began to shine. "You're a very strong battler. But it seems you still have some hesitation within you." One leg slid out to the side and she took a firm stance, preparing to unleash the Z-move that would end it all. "You told me you wanted to take this Grand Trial and make use of Alola's culture. Why is that? What reason do you have for fighting so hard? I can see in your eyes that you're serious, but if you can't bring that determination out within your Pokémon, why are you fighting? This trial is to test the bonds between you and your Pokémon. Do you think you can win with an attitude like that!?"
"Wow, she really laid into her…" Marcus said with a sweat drop. But he was worried about what Takeba was going to do.
"I…" Takeba stared at her Z-ring. "I haven't been able to help anyone for a long time now." The heiress said. "I'm clumsy, forgetful, and I wasn't strong enough to save a friend who became important to me quickly.' That person in question was no one other than Kasumi. "Even earlier I forgot something important and it almost got my friend's Pokémon stolen…but despite that, I still want to do what I can! My pokemon and I need the strength to fight! Alola's going to be in trouble soon, and that's why I need to pull my weight. Even if this Alola isn't my home, I still want to protect it with everything I've got!"
"….!" Moon gasped a bit.
"If that's your reason, then let's see if you can bring it to fruition with the power you have now!" By this point, Olivia had finished her pose, sending all the Z-power into Lycanroc, who took high into the skies, gathering rocks that took the shape of a small mountain over its head. "WORLD' S END FALL!"Lycanroc howled as it tossed this crushing landmass down towards Honchkrow and Blastoise.
"It's now or never…" Takeba crossed her arms over her chest, her Z-ring shining brightly. Everyone remained silent as she once again attempted to use a Z-move. "I'm not going to get any stronger if I keep blaming myself for simple things. I have to protect everything I have with me now. So Blastoise, please, let's combine our strength the only way we know how!" Her pose completed and she sent the Z-power into Blastoise. (play, Your Adventure)
"She's going for it…!" Mallow gasped.
"Can she do it…?" Kiawe questioned to himself.
"Based on her attempts before, there's a 50% chance of this working-roto!" Rotom declared.
All of her training in Alola led to this very moment. This was now or never! Blastoise let out a battle cry as it formed its own large mass of rock over its head. "WORLD'S END FALL!" The two Z-moves clashed against one another. It was a fierce struggle…that ended in a stalemate. Both attacks exploded violently against one another, neither beating out the other. In the end, the Stealth Rocks were destroyed by the explosion, thus freeing Blastoise and Honchkrow, who ended up receiving no damage, just as Lycanroc and Probopass did. "I-It worked!"
"She did it…!" Ash cheered.
"You can do it, Takeba!" Lillie shouted alongside the others.
As rocks fell from the sky, Olivia held a soft smile. "So that's the power you have to offer."
"Yeah! And we're just getting started! Blastoise, Hydro Pump!" Blastoise took aim at both Probopass and Lycanroc, firing off two strong jet streams of water towards the two rock types!
"Probopass, Zap Cannon!" Probopass fired off another powerful electrical sphere to combat the Hydro Pump. The two attacks exploded in the middle, thus creating a cloud of smoke. "Magnet Bomb!"
"Rapid Spin!" Just as the Mini-Noses came flying in for a third time, Blastoise's rapid rotation repelled them and it spun closer to Probopass, slamming into the metal giant to push it backwards and rebounded to gain distance.
"Stone Edge!" Lycanroc howled, slamming its front legs onto the ground, sending sharp rocks from the ground towards Blastoise.
"Mirror Move!" Honchkrow landed on the ground, slamming its talons on the arena. This prompted a Stone Edge to clash with Lycanroc's, resulting in an explosion that spared both parties from damage.
"Brave Bird!" A fierce, fiery blue aura formed around Honchkrow's body as it dove towards Lycanroc at a dangerously low altitude.
"Double Team!" Just before Lycanroc was hit, it split into multiple copies of itself. What Honchkrow hit was nothing more than an illusion, much to Takeba's dismay.
"You're not getting away from me again! Aura Sphere!" Blastoise fired off one Aura Sphere to track down Lycanroc, and if that wasn't enough. "And Mirror Move!" Honchkrow did the same thing! Two Aura Spheres were flying towards the real Lycanroc.
"Magnet Bomb!" Mini-Noses flew to the rescue, flying in front of Lycanroc to shield it from the two Aura Spheres that aimed for its head. The Mini-Noses were sent flying, but they did their job. "Giga Impact!" Probopass' target was Blastoise once again!
"Let's take it out! Rapid Spin and Aura Sphere!" Blastoise tucked its body into its shell once more, this time coating itself from the aura of Aura Sphere! It collided against Probopass, the powers of these two titans causing an explosion that blew both of them backwards in a KO'ed state. The damage they sustained finally got the best of them.
"Both Probopass and Blastoise are unable to battle!" Kiawe exclaimed. As soon as he did, the two trainers returned their Pokémon, leaving on Honchkrow and Lycanroc on the field. The next exchange was without a doubt, the end of the battle.
"Brave Bird!"
"Accelrock!" Both Pokémon were off in streaks of brown and blue light. They continuously clashed against one another, shockwaves booming out from each collision. Those watching could barely follow the action with their eyes and could only go by the sounds and sights of the nearby destruction. The two eventually entered a stalemate in the center of the arena, both sides attempting to overpower the other and finish this battle!
That's when Takeba finally decided to bring out her ace in the hole. "Finish it with Superpower!"
"What, is she crazy!? All that recoil might finish Honchkrow off!" Elizabeth said.
Takeba was well aware of the risk. If this failed, she lost. But she had to put it all on this gamble. Honchkrow's body bulked up as it summoned strength beyond strength. This was allowing it to push against Lycanroc. Olivia's eyes widened as this situation didn't look good for her. "Ah…!" And with one final cry, Honchkrow overpowered Lycanroc, crushing it into the ground with all the power it could muster. Honchkrow sustained heavy recoil as a result, and as the smoke and dust cleared…Lycanroc was defeated.
"Lycanroc is unable to battle! That means the winner is challenger Takeba!" And as Kiawe said this there was a huge grin on her face.
"She won…" Grace was pretty amazed.
"I knew she could do it. I never had a doubt my mind." Marcus said proudly.
"So why were you sweating near the end there?" Elizabeth pointed out.
"Woo! She did it!" Mallow cheered.
"So my initial thought was right." Scott said nonchalantly.
"She overcame the odds! I must update this!" Rotom was updating the information he had on Takeba after this battle.
"That was an intense battle. I was on the edge of my seat." Lana was, quite literally, on the edge of the bench.
"I couldn't even blink!" Sophocles said.
"That was…kind of amazing." Moon admitted quietly.
Lillie stared at Takeba. Something about her words and the way Moon reacted made her tilt her head. "…I wonder…"
"Honchkrow! Blastoise, you both were amazing out there! Thank you so much!" Takeba went to hug Honchkrow, but it started pecking at her instead, this time out of happiness. "Ow! Ow!"
"Congrats on clearing your Grand Trial!" Ash said with a huge grin. "You were awesome out there, both of you!"
"Indeed, you were very strong." Olivia retuned Lycanroc, approaching Takeba with a box. "Since you already have a Rockinum-Z, I've decided to reward you by allowing you to take a Z-crystal of your choosing….!" Near the end of that sentence, Olivia tripped and started to fall. "A-Ah…!" And she collapsed, the box flying into the air, numerous Z-crystals spilling out in the process.
"Oh no! I got them…!" Takeba said, but we all know she didn't. Right after Olivia tripped, she did as well.
"…." Everyone watched in stunned silence. How these two klutzes continued to fall on each other amazed them.
Honchkrow grabbed a Flyinium-Z with its beak, landing in front of Takeba after making the executive decision. "…I uh…I guess I'm taking this one…hahaha…"
"G-Good choice…!" Olivia looked up at Takeba with an embarrassed smile.
"Just like that, huh?" Marcus sighed and helped Takeba up, while Kiawe helped Olivia up.
"Well, now that you've completed your Grand Trial, what's next?" Grace asked.
"Uhm…" Moon mumbled.
Ash heard Moon's quiet voice, causing him and Pikachu to tilt their heads. "What's up, Moon?"
Moon shifted around a bit awkward. "…I know I've done the Island Challenge before, but I…I want to do a Grand Trial on Melemele. I-It might help me remember some things…!" She blurted out. Watching Takeba battle inspired her to do the same again. She didn't want to remain weak and useless when trouble was brewing within Alola.
"I think that's a great idea." Olivia said with a soft smile. "I wish you the best of luck, Moon."
"R-Right…" Moon gave a slight nod.
Ash was pumped. "All right! When we get back, we'll start training right away!"
"Hey, count me in too!" Kiawe didn't want to miss this.
"…Looks like her plan is working so far…" Grace said, surprised that Takeba's idea of inspiring Moon was actually taking effect.
"Of course it is." Takeba said smugly.
"Hey, be careful about how much hot air you pump into your head. At this rate it may bust." Elizabeth replied with the same amount of smugness.
"T-that's not faaaaair!" Takeba whined. It did give everyone a good laugh, though. In the end, Takeba was filled with more confidence than before. She firmly believed she had the strength to pull her weight in the trials that were to come. And now, it would be Moon's turn to do the same.
.
.
Next Time: Moon's Trial.
