It was another beautiful day in the Alola Reigon and we find Sarah'a pokemon all in the house having breakfast. "Oh honey, I just can't believe it. Our girls' first grand trial is today." Nikki cooed, feeding Aqua and Milotic.
When Sarah brought them home the other day, she was mesmerized by Milotic's beauty. James was feeding the other Pokémon, "Yes, yes, it seems like only yesterday she just had Blitz as her pokemon and now she has lots of Pokémon partners. And speaking of which... Lolita, can you get Sarah, please?"
"Meowth..." The female Alolan Meowth nodded and she headed upstairs.
Sarah was sleeping soundly by the time Lolita came to her bedroom. She had been helping Aqua and Milotic get accustomed to their new life with her for days and she was worn out but happy for them. Lolita shook her head in amusement as she watched her trainer sleep.
"Meow, Meowth!" she called. "Meowth!"
But, Sarah was a heavy sleeper, she couldn't hear Lolita calling her. The Scratch Cat Pokemon tried again but she still slept.
Now, Lolita was feeling a little annoyed. She knew today was the day for her trainer's Grand Trial and she didn't want her to miss out.
So, she leapt onto the bed and, taking a deep breath, she let out a loud screech that shook Sarah to the core.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! Sarah screamed in panic as she comically jumped and fell off the bed with a loud 'THUMP'.
Poor Sarah was seeing stars as she was dazed and surprised by her Dark Type's unorthodox wake up call. Lolita just sniggered, happy to have woken her up.
"Meow, Meowth, Me, Meowth," she giggled at a disgruntled Sarah.
"Grr... Hardy har har..." Sarah grumbled, setting her dark type Pokémon laughing. Sarah got up, "Mom sent you to get me didn't she?"
Lolita nodded and Sarah went into her closet and managed to change into her regular clothes before heading downstairs. "Did you like your wake up call, honey?" Nikki teased.
"You didn't have to ask her to be my personal alarm clock," groaned Sarah as she and Lolita joined everyone at the table.
"You were a heavy sleeper back in Kanto before we moved," smiled James. "It's clear you haven't changed a bit. We should have Lolita do this to you every morning."
The Puppy Pair, Ponyta, Wooloo, and Blitz laughed and Mudsdale, Aqua, and Milotic tried to stiffle a few giggles. Lolita smirked and stood tall, liking the idea. Even if Silvally didn't show it, he hid a small amused chuckle through his grunt.
"Very funny, Dad," Sarah snorted, not finding it funny.
"Well, Lolita didn't want you to forget, would she?"
"Forget what?"
"Don't you remember?" Nikki answered. "Your Grand Trial with Hala is today. You've been training for it for weeks, now."
Sarah gasped, she almost forgot about the Grand Trial she promised with Hala.
"Oh right, I almost forgot!" Sarah stated. Her parents smiled at her. "So what pokemon will you use for the trial, honey? We're coming to watch you, remember.." Nikki said.
"Hmm... I think I'll use Ponyta and Silvally." Sarah replied.
"Sweet! A real fight!" Silvally smirked. Sarah and a majority of her Pokemon sigh at him but Aqua and Milotic along with Lolita, Ponyta and Wooloo tilted their heads in confusion at the Synthetic Pokemon.
"Are you sure Ponyta is up for it?" James asked skeptically. "Silvally is obviously well trained for the Grand Trial but Ponyta is still young. You did mention the battles she took part in initially were practice matches against Ash for your Professor Kukui's lesson on her and Wooloo."
"I've trained her for days with Lolita's help," Sarah replied. "And, she's already proven that she can take on anything. Right, girl?"
Ponyta gave a happy neigh, confirming her excitement to take part in the Grand Trial.
"See, she agrees with me. I talked it over with her and Wooloo last night." The little sheep Pokémon have a little "baaa.." in agreement.
"Hmm... well Ponyta is a Psychic and Fairy. Psychic Pokémon do have an advantage over Fighting types so it's not a completely bad idea.." Nikki stated.
"And should the type advantage eventually fall flat...?" James reminded his daughter.
"Then, we'll think outside the box to beat Hala and his Pokemon if they corner us," she answered back.
James shook his head in amusement, "That's just like you, Ponchita. Always one to be ready for anything and everything under pressure."
"Then, I guess you should head for Iki Town and tell Hala that you're ready," finished Nikki as they all finished their breakfast. "Although, you should also think about finding Z-Crystals for the others and practicing more Z-Moves when you're at it."
Sarah knew her mother was right. So far, she and Silvally only learned Devastating Drake and one Z-Move may not be enough for her future battles. She also had a feeling she would battle Nanu on Ula'Ula Island at a much later point on her journey and he and the other Island Kahunas would be better than Hala.
"Okay mom.." Sarah smiled. "Come on, everyone." Her Pokémon nodded and they all followed her out the door. "We'll see you in Iki Town, honey." James called.
"Okay dad," Sarah called as she waved back to her parents.
The trek to Iki Town was very short and thankfully, Team Rocket and Team Skull weren't around to spoil her big day. Ponyta galloped happily as she couldn't contain her joy at wanting to participate in her first ever Grand Trial against an Island Kahuna. Silvally was bristling with excitement, he had been looking forward to the Grand Trial for a while and he was edging to see how strong Hala and his Pokemon truly are.
"The old man better not hold back," he mused. "It's time for me to show him and his Pokemon how strong I truly am!"
"Cool your jets, Silvally," Sarah cut in. "We may have been making a name for ourselves and the rest of our family but we can't be too proud."
Silvally looked at Sarah as though she had grown two heads, "Huh? I'm already one of the strongest and so far, nobody's beaten us yet. Why should we be worried?"
"But, we're not the best yet," Sarah reasoned. "There are more trainers out there that have been training for years. Some of them and their Pokemon are good, better than us."
"Muds," Mudsdale neighed in agreement. After experiencing how Guzma's Golisopod fared in battle despite being at low health, he knows that there are still other trainers who could be better than her.
"Just remember, it's not all about strength. It's about how we work together as a family and a team," Sarah finished. "If we win, we'll be arrogant and we're better than that."
Silvally sighed, not wanting to argue with Sarah. "Yeah, whatever, you're right..." he sighed reluctantly.
Sarah nodded, glad to hear that from him. She then turned to Aqua and Milotic.
"Aqua, you and Milotic should sit this one out. You don't know anything about battling and I think it's fair for you to see what you'll be in for in the Island Challenge."
Aqua nodded happily and so did Milotic. It would be good for them to get some firsthand experience in battling.
As Sarah and her Pokemon continued on to Iki Town, nobody knew that they were being followed by a familiar bipedal yellow and blue-striped Pokemon eyeing Sarah.
"Zer.." the Pokemon said.
(Opening 2 - Power Rangers Beast Morphers)
(The Ruins of Conflict are shown before Sarah and her Pokémon appear, jumping from a cliff to fight their enemies)
Pokemon!
(Sarah, Blitz, Silvally, and Mudsdale are shown first. Then, the Puppy Pair and Ponyta and Wooloo are featured. Finally, Lolita, Aqua, Milotic appear, all of them being shown in the order detailed)
Go, Go, Pokemon!
(Sarah, Blitz, and Silvally attack enemy Pokémon while Lolita uses her Scratch attack to protect her young Galar charges from Team Skull. Aqua and Milotic dive in the water to battle while the Puppy Pair does a Twin Rock Throw)
Go! Go!
(Sarah and the Puppy Pair are introduced first before Silvally, Blitz, and Mudsdale shown together. Then, Ponyta and Wooloo are featured before the introductions round off with Lolita, Aqua, and Milotic)
It's Battle Time!
(Sarah summons a Pokémon from a Cherish Ball she was given before transitioning to Silvally's evolution to his true form. Lolita unsheathes her claws before shifting to a darkened silhouette of a Pokémon that looked like a bipedal tiger with glowing light blue eyes in a battle stance)
For justice, we fight! With Pokemon Light! Together, we rise!
(Team Skull and Team Rocket appear with their Pokémon. Sarah and Silvally use Devastating Drake while Ash and the others are seen with their Partner Pokémon unleashing their attacks)
Go, Go, Pokemon! Go, Go, Pokemon!
(Sarah and her fully-assembled team appear in front of the Tapu Guardians)
Pokémon: Sun & Moon!
(Sarah and her entire team look out towards the horizon over a cliff on Alaka Island as the titles appear)
Pokémon Alola Journey - The Trials of Sarah
Soon, Sarah and the group made it Iki Town, "Hey...!" Sarah and her pokemon turned and saw Ash and the others there! "Ash, everyone, what are you all doing here?" Sarah asked.
"You didn't think we'd miss your first Grand Trial, did you?" Kiawe teased. Sarah grinned.
"And don't forget about us, sweetie." Nikki said and she and James along with the Puppy Pair's parents, Lucario and Dragonite came up. "Hi Ms Nikki. Hi Mr James." Ash greeted.
"Hi Ash, I see you all came to support Sarah." James smiles, earning nods from the group.
"And this is will help me gather more information on Wooloo and Ponyta." Rotom Dex added. Sarah smiled. "So who are you gonna use for the Grand Trial?" Lana asked.
"I'll use Ponyta and Silvally." Sarah grinned.
"Ponyta?!" cried Ash and the others in surprise.
"I thought you'd be using Blitz or the Puppy Pair or even Mudsdale along with Silvally," Mallow began.
"She's never been in a Grand Trial, Sarah," Lana added. "The only times she battled were in the practice matches with Ash and Little and with Team Rocket when she was captured along with you and Wooloo."
"Are you sure she's ready for the Grand Trial?" asked Kiawe skeptically.
"Lolita and I trained her for days with that in mind," Sarah answered. "She's ready and it'll do her, Wooloo, Aqua, Lolita, and Milotic some good to know what they're in for in the Island Challenge."
"But, don't you think you also should go with Wooloo for this?" Lillie asked worriedly. "What if you need her Bulletproof Ability?"
"We'll think outside the box if Hala corners us, that's how we roll."
Wooloo gave a happy "baa..." in agreement and Ponyta gave a happy neigh.
"Besides, the Puppy Pair are weak to fighting type attacks." Sarah added. "And something tells me he might use Hariyama for the Grand Trial too."
"Yeah, he did the same to me during my Grand Trial when he put Pikachu, Rowlet, and I through the wringer," Ash agreed. He had his Grand Trial with Hala a little while after the Alolan Rattata and Radicate incident and Hala nearly managed to beat him before he and his Pokemon came out on top, just barely.
"And, you were on your last legs, too," Sophocles added. Ash chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed his head in response.
"Well, if anything goes south for us, I'm sure we'll be fine," Sarah reassured just as Hala approached Sarah and her Pokemon after hearing her and the others talk. "As long as we keep our heads clear and our minds open, we're ready for whatever he and his Pokemon throw at us."
"Just what I'd like to hear from you, Sarah," Hala chuckled.
"Alola, Hala," Sarah greeted. "I'm ready for the trial."
"And, I'm sure you are," he agreed. "But first, you and your Pokemon come with me to the Ruins of Conflict. I've something important I want you to do before we begin."
"The Ruins of Conflict?" Sarah asked.
Hala took Sarah and her Pokemon to the Ruins of Conflict to partake in an ancient tradition if she would be approved for the Grand Trial. Her Pokemon watched as she and the Melemele Island Kahuna prayed on their knees in front of a statue of Tapu Koko. She was told that she had to take the Malaho Trial to speak to the Tapu Guardian through her mind.
"Today, we will perform the Grand Trial battle with our young challenger, Sarah. I now ask Tapu Koko, Guardian of Conflict to bestow upon us the power of Alola... To all of the islands," Hala recited.
"Tapu Koko, you've helped my Pokemon and I over and over again..." Sarah thought as she prayed. "I don't know what it is you saw in me but I have a feeling everything since you entrusted Silvally to me was for a reason. Please watch my battle with Hala so that I will know what is ahead for me..."
The minutes ticked by until Hala and Sarah stood as her Pokemon continued to watch.
"Do you think Tapu Koko heard me?" she asked, getting a chuckle out of Hala.
"I would say there's a possibility Tapu Koko heard you. But as far as they go, the Island Guardians follow their own path," he said wisely.
Sarah blinked from that until...
"Tapu KOKO!"
Everyone jumped in surprise. They all recognized who the cry belonged to as Sarah looked around for the Tapu Guardian. "Was that... Tapu Koko?" she asked. Nobody breathed a word as they all stood in awe. Sarah had passed the Malaho Trial and she is ready to take on the Grand Trial against Hala. They made their way back to Iki Town just as her friends and parents, the Lycanroc couple, and the other Pokemon joined them. "Sarah, we just heard Tapu Koko!" Lillie gasped.
"Did you pass the Malaho Trial?" Sophocles questioned excitedly.
"Are you ready now?" Ash begged.
"Yeah... I think I am ready now..." Sarah grinned.
Hala smiled, "Then let just begin shall we?" Sarah nodded at the Kahuna.
Later, Hala and Sarah faced each other on the stage to begin the Grand Trial. Silvally and Ponyta were on either side of their trainer with determined eyes. James, Nikki, and their Pokemon joined the gang and their Partner Pokemon along with her other Pokemon. The Lycanroc couple happily sat with their sons to watch as well.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Grand Trial match between Sarah and Hala will now begin!" Professor Kukui announced to happy cheers. The Iki Townsfolk heard about the match and came to see them.
"It's truly an honor to battle with you!" Hala and Sarah spoke, beginning the Grand Trial.
"This is going to be interesting," James commented.
"I wonder how Sarah, Ponyta, and Silvally will fare," Lillie wondered. "Vul..." Snowy cooed.
"Keep your guard up, Sarah!" Kiawe shouted.
"You can do it, Sarah!" Ash cheered. "Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu pitched in.
"I got it!" Sarah called, waving to everyone. "Let's rocket, Ponyta!"
The Unique Horn Pokemon neighed and entered the stage first. "Ah, a Galar Ponyta, very interesting choice. And, I will choose... Crabrawler, come out!" Hala called as he sent out a boxer-like crab Pokemon to face Ponyta. "He sent out Crabrawler again like he did with me!" Ash exclaimed, recognizing the Boxing Pokemon.
"And, since Ponyta's a Psychic and Fairy Type, she might have the fighting advantage," Lana added.
"But, what if Crabrawler's got new tricks up his sleeve this time?" Mallow pondered.
"I guess we'll have to wait and hope for the best," Kiawe finished as they all watched who will make the first move. As the trial began, no one noticed Tapu Koko appear from above the trees to see Sarah fight Hala. But, the Tapu Guardian felt a presence underneath it and saw the strange bipedal yellow and blue-striped Pokemon down below. The Pokemon was keen to watch how Sarah would fare against the Melemele Island Kahuna.
"Ponyta, start out with Moonblast!" Sarah called and Ponyta launched the fairy type attack at Crabrawler.
"Crabrawler, wait until it comes at you!" Hala ordered. "Crab!" Crabrawler nodded, the Boxing Pokemon watching the Moonblast. As the attack grew in front of his eyes, Crabrawler pulled back his right claw and let out a powerful war cry as he hit the Moonblast and canceled the attack with a smirk, much to Sarah and Ponyta's shock.
"What the-?!" she gasped as Ponyta let out a shocked neigh. Hala laughed after seeing them dumbfounded.
"Direct attacks can't help you, Sarah," Hala told her. "You need to think on your toes if you're to win. Now, Crabrawler, Bubblebeam!"
Crabrawler launched a Bubblebeam at Ponyta, taking advantage of her surprise. "Look out, Ponyta! Agility!" Sarah cried.
Ponyta snapped out of her surprise and increased her speed as she dodged. "That was close!" Lillie shouted.
"She's cutting it close," Lana agreed. Hala remained calm as he watched Ponyta zip around a startled Crabrawler after using Agility and used her horn like a sword to deal him small bits of pain. "Hit her again!"
"Jump and use Dazzling Gleam!" Ponyta leaped above the attack and coated herself in fairy energy. Ponyta let out a neigh and dove for Crawbrawler, slamming right into him and sending him skidding back. Ponyta backed off. "Good girl!" Sarah praised. Crawbrawler shook the blow off and panted from the intense damage it did to him but he smirked as he looked at Ponyta. He felt that he underestimated the little Galar unicorn and was glad to find a worthy opponent in her. Hala was also impressed by the stunt Sarah and Ponyta pulled off.
"Very impressive, Sarah," Hala praised. "That's what I was looking for from you and your Pokemon but is it enough? Crabrawler, charge!"
"Crab, Brawler!" saluted Crabrawler and he dashed towards Ponyta. "Charge!" Sarah roared as Ponyta neighed and charged to meet with her Fighting Type opponent.
"They're going to crash!" Rotom-Dex panicked. Ash suddenly gasped, "No, wait! Look!"
As Ponyta and Crabrawler drew closer, Ponyta stretched her neck out to make her horn reach the Boxing Pokemon but that was a mistake when she suddenly stopped. She gasped as she saw why; Crabrawler was smirking as he grabbed her horn and stopped her dead in her tracks before he waved his left claw with a 'tsk, tsk, tsk'.
"Ponyta!" shouted Sarah. Hala saw his chance. "Okay, Crabrawler, time to give her a swinging good time with Brutal Swing!" he ordered.
Knowing how much fun he'll be having, Crabrawler kept his smirk as he swung the Unique Horn Pokemon hard to the right. He slammed her again to the left and again and again using Brutal Swing in a similar fashion to Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and stopped at ten swings before he threw her up in the air, making her scream and an open target.
Everyone gasped to see Ponyta panicking as she was thrown.
"Ponyta!" "Oh, no!" James and Nikki cried. Wooloo looked on in horror, "BAAAAA!"
Poor Ponyta was feeling the brunt of the Grand Trial from the pain she endured from Crabrawler's Brutal Swing attack but she knew she had to keep going! She couldn't let Sarah and her family down but what can she do?
"PONYTA!" she heard Sarah scream. She opened her eyes and looked down as she fell. Everyone was looking at her but her eyes went to Sarah and then to Wooloo, Aqua, and Milotic before her eyes went to Lolita.
The Scratch Cat Pokemon nodded firmly to her, mentally telling her that she knows what to do. Ponyta's eyes widened in realization; she realized that she, Lolita, and Sarah had been training her hard in case something like this would happen and now, it did!
Quickly, she straightened her body so that her head and horn would be pointing towards the ground. Everyone was astonished to see the huge gamble the Unique Horn Pokemon was pulling off but that was only the start.
Ponyta let out a loud neigh and her horn started to glow and shimmer, "What's that?" Ash asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu gasped and Ponyta blasted a multi coloured beam at Crabrawler, surprising it, "Crab!" The beam struck it, "Brawler!"
"Crabrawler!" Hala gasped.
"What was that move?" Kiawe asked.
"Hold on, searching... Searching..." Rotom Dex said and it found the move, "It was Pysbeam! A Psychic type attack!"
"Psybeam?!" Sophocles cried in shock. "How'd do you think she learned that?"
"Well, I think Ponyta, at the moment when she felt like she lost the match after being beaten by Crabrawler's Brutal Swing attack, felt Sarah calling out to her and I saw Lolita nodding to her," Lillie told everyone. "The love she felt from Sarah and Lolita made her realize that she can't be willing to let her family down when they were so close to winning the match in her first Grand Trial. Because of that, Ponyta was able to recover and learn Psybeam."
Still firing her new Psybeam attack, Ponyta slammed into Crabrawler as they let out cries of pain before they skidded back towards their respected trainers.
"Well done, Sarah! Your Ponyta never ceases to amaze me, never in my life have I seen a Pokemon so motivated by love from one's own family to learn a new attack and keep going," Hala complimented. "But, I'm afraid it ends here. Crabrawler, Bubblebeam at full power!"
"Bring it! Ponyta, Psybeam at full power!" Sarah yelled. Understanding that it's time to decide the match with one final blow, Ponyta and Crabrawler charged their Bubblebeam and Psybeam attacks for a final quick draw.
Everyone held their break, knowing that it's all or nothing for Ponyta and Crabrawler. Finally, their attacks fully charged and primed, the Boxing and Unique Horn Pokemon are ready to fire.
"Crab!" Crabrawler called as Ponyta let out a proud neigh.
"ENGAGE!" shouted Sarah and Hala. The two attacks were launched and they met each other at a deadlock as Ponyta and Crabrawler struggled to overpower each other.
Sarah and Hala looked on, glaring at the deadlock to see which Pokemon will weaken and fall.
Suddenly, Kukui noticed Ponyta's Psybeam starting to win out as Rotom-Dex joined him.
"Rotom?" Kukui asked. "Yes-zzt?"
"I think Sarah and Ponyta just won it!"
"What the-?!" Hala gasped in shock.
3 hours ago
PikachuSkitty SnowNadder
"Quick, High Horsepower!" Sarah called, Ponyta neighed and glowed before charging Crabrawler while using Psybeam at the same time!
BAM!
"Crab...!" Crabrawler fell on the ground... And fainted, "Crabrawler is unable to battle, Ponyta wins!" Kukui exclaimed.
3 hours ago
Quang Quang26943
"Huh? Oh, no!" Hala was gob-smacked that he and Crabrawler lost again.
Everyone cheered as Ponyta let out an ecstatic neigh for her first ever Grand Trial victory before she ran to Sarah and Silvally. "You did it! That was great, Ponyta!" laughed Sarah as the unicorn nuzzled her. She then turned to a baffled and impressed Silvally as he looked down at her.
"Um, very impressive, kid... Uh, good work!" he stammered. Ponyta neighed happily before she looked to Wooloo, Aqua, and Milotic who cheered the loudest. She then made eye contact with Lolita who gave her a proud nod as any mother-figure would for a daughter's big achievement.
Hala returned Crabrawler to his Pokeball with a smile, amazed by how the first battle went. "You battled valiantly, my friend," he said.
"You're good, Sarah. Even when we had you on the ropes, you and Ponyta pulled through and won the round by a horn and a Psybeam. The bond you two shared knows no bounds!" Ponyta looked at Sarah, who rubbed her fur. "You were great, girl. Now take a good rest." Ponyta nodded and went over to Lolita and the other pokemon. Sarah then turned to Silvally, "Ready, boy?"
"Hehehe.,, you bet!" Silvally smirked before he leaped out in front of Sarah.
"Well, Sarah, I couldn't believe it when you told me about Silvally but I've been waiting to see how you've got on with him since Tapu Koko entrusted him to you," contemplated Hala as he prepared his next Pokemon. "Now, it's time for you two to show me your true strength. As you face off against my true partner... Hariyama!"
Finally, Hala's Arm Thrust Pokemon was summoned onto the field as he braced himself, Japanese Sumo-Style, and went into a battle stance.
"I knew it," Sarah thought as she glared at Hariyama. "He did send out Hariyama. Ponyta's on her last legs so she can't fight him now. And, Hala's wanted to see how strong my bond with Silvally is. Not to mention, Silvally's been looking forward to this ever since we won the trial against Totem Gumshoos. I'll have to take our chances with this, I'm not going to let him down!"
"Silvally, Dragon Claw!" The Synthetic Pokemon charged at Hariyama with a Dragon Claw but Hala and Hariyama watched closely and waited for their chance to strike.
"Hmm..." Silvally stated as he just stood there.
"Silvally, what are you doing?! We got this in the bag!" Sarah cried. She was surprised to see him not move and instead, charge up his Dragon Claw attack. But, he must've had a reason for doing so.
"Sarah, wait, something's not right. Look at Hariyama and Hala in the eyes," he told her. Sarah looked at Hariyama and Hala's eyes and she suddenly felt uneasy. She realized why the Synthetic Pokemon did what he did; there was a certain level of authority that the two displayed and their shared battle stance showed her that the two of them are completely in sync. She wasn't sure what it was but she found that while she and Silvally stood in front of Hariyama, the Arm Thrust Pokemon's presence commanded that level of authority she felt, unlike in their first encounter with him and Hala.
"I don't know what it is but this Hariyama isn't the same one we met during the Alolan Rattata and Radicate incident," he went on. "Just give me the signal whenever you're ready and I'll wail on him."
"Hm... Alright then, switch to Air Slash!" Sarah called and Silvally backed off and launched Air Slash at Hariyama, "Block it." Hala said and Hariyama blocked the Air Slash with his hands. "Huh?" Sarah gasped.
"Hmm..." Silvally stated.
"Very nice, Sarah, your Pokemon disobeyed you when he noticed something wrong and you went with him on an alternative," Hala complemented in approval. "Sounds like the time you spent together has allowed you to rub off on him."
"You think so?" Sarah asked in surprise. Hala nodded, "I heard you pulled off a similar thing when Kukui told me how you rescued the Puppy Pair's parents against Team Skull's Plumeria. But, let's see if you can pull that off again. Hariyama, go!"
"Hari!" It said. "Use Belly Drum." Hala called. Hariyama used Belly Drum, "Belly Drum maximizes the pokemons' attack power at the cost of its own stamina. Kahuna Hala's showing no mercy. Full throttle all the time." Kukui smiled,
"That's what he used to try and beat me and my Pokemon!" Ash cried in alarm. Lillie was now worried as she remembered something she forgot to ask Sarah about Silvally, "Uh, Rotom, what type of Pokemon is Silvally against a Fighting Type like Hariyama?"
Rotom-Dex searched his database for the Type: Null entry and he gasped in horror when he found out. "Oh, no! Sarah and Silvally are in big trouble!" he panicked.
"What are you talking about?" Sophocles asked, now having a sinking feeling after hearing Rotom's horrified tone.
"Remember the Type: Null entry I told you about?" Rotom-Dex continued, starting to quiver.
"Yeah, what about it?" Mallow put in.
"I forgot to mention something when I told you about him... SILVALLY'S A NORMAL TYPE!"
"What?!" Everyone exclaimed in horror.
"Then its at a type disadvantage!" Lillie added.
"That's the worst-case scenario against a Fighting Type like Hala's Hariyama!" Kiawe panicked.
"He doesn't stand a chance against Hariyama!" Lana added in terror.
"James, what'll we do? Sarah has no chance with Silvally!" shouted Nikki, worried.
"Now, now, honey, don't lose hope. They'll win, just believe in them!" James encouraged as he held his wife.
"Sarah, pull the plug on Silvally!" Ash cried, trying to get Sarah and Silvally's attention. "Silvally's a Normal Type! He doesn't stand a chance against Fighting Types like Hariyama, switch him out with Ponyta!"
"No, Ash, I can't!" Sarah called back, shocking everybody. "I promised Silvally he'll fight in the Grand Trial, don't make me break that promise!"
"NOW!" Hala signaled to Hariyama as he pointed at Silvally. "Har Hariyama, Hariyama!" shouted Hariyama at Silvally as he charged using Arm Thrust. Sarah noticed Hariyama coming at her Normal Type in full force, "Silvally, LOOK OUT!"
Silvally noticed the Arm Thrust Pokemon coming at him and he responded to Sarah's call as he dodged a few feet away from him. "Use Swords Dance!" Sarah screamed to him, hoping to find a way to beat him despite the type disadvantage.
The Synthetic Pokemon increased his strength as transparent swords danced around his body and a red aura overflowed him before he and Hariyama went at each other again with Hariyama using Arm Thrust and Silvally using Dragon Claw and Crush Claw, both of them letting out powerful war cries as they attacked.
"Alright!" Silvally cheered and he leaped right in and countered Arm Thrust with her Dragon Claw. The two pokemon clashed claws and hands repeatedly until they came to a power struggle. "Interesting..." Hala said. "It seems to match Haiyama's strength.." The two pokemon continued their struggle.
"They're locked together in a pushing match!" Rotom Dex exclaimed. Then Sarah called, "Use Air Slash!" The center of Silvally's head glowed blue, surprising Hariyama, "Hari!" And it got a face full of Air Slash!
"Hariyama!" cried Hala in surprise. The type advantage tables had turned in his favor with Hariyama when Sarah brought in Silvally but despite that trump card playing in his favor, the Synthetic Pokemon was able to match his Arm Thrust Pokemon. He was even more intrigued when he sensed the growing bond he felt in Silvally and Sarah when she refused Ash's advice to switch him out for Ponyta, knowing he was looking forward to a challenge from him, the Island Kahuna.
Hariyama reeled from the Air Slash but he recovered from the hard blow and nodded in approval at his opponent.
Silvally nodded back and got ready to pounce him again once they begin to fight again.
Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she and her Normal Type barely eeked out a hit or two on the Fighting Type despite the type disadvantage.
Professor Kukui was amazed, "Outstanding...! Despite the type disadvantage, that Pokemon hasn't taken as much damage as any other Normal Type should have." The others gasped while Sarah's other Pokemon and the Lycanroc couple cheered for Sarah and the Synthetic Pokemon.
"Alright, Silvally!" Ash cried in amazement. "Pika, Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu joined in.
"Wow, Silvally's amazing! He's not getting rag-dolled that easily!" Sophocles gasped.
"He's certainly not like any other Pokemon I've ever seen," Lana agreed.
"Impressive, Sarah." Hala praised. "Using Dragon Claw to get close and then using a close range Air Slash."
Sarah smiled at Hala, "But.. let's see how you handle this..." he crossed his arms and his Z-Crystal glowed.
Everyone gasped in surprise as they saw Hala activating his Z-Ring and performing the steps needed to use the Fighting Type Z-Move alongside Hariyama, who knew exactly what his human partner wanted. It was time for them and Sarah and Silvally to begin the final stage of their Grand Trial Battle, the usage of their Z-Moves.
"Guys, look! Hala's using his Z-Ring!" Mallow cried as she pointed to Hala.
"He and Hariyama are going to use his Z-Move on Silvally!" Lana cried.
"Oh, this is bad! This is very, very bad-zzt!" Rotom-Dex panicked. "All Out Pummeling is a powerful Fighting Type Z-Move that inflicts heavy damage depending on the Fighting Type attack that's being used! And, since Hala and Hariyama are using Arm Thrust to use is and they used Belly Drum, THEY'RE GOING TO FINISH OFF SILVALLY IN ONE BLOW!"
The gang, the Pokemon, James, and Nikki all gasped in horror as they watched Hala start to transfer his energy to Hariyama after they completed the Fighting Type Z-Move steps for All Out Pummeling. "Silvally, Hyper Beam! Hurry!" Sarah cried in horror realizing what could happen.
"Right!" Silvally began to charge up his energy for a Hyper Beam counter to Hala's Z-Move but she can only hope they have enough time to use it before Hala and Hariyama finished them off.
"I am the Kahuna, I make the wills of myself, Melemele, and Tapu Koko as one! I... Have... THE POWER!" Hala recited with great power and authority as he made punching movements with his fists and finished transferring his energy to his partner.
"Hariyama!" Hariyama roared as he burst with Z-Power flowing through him.
"ENGAGE!" Sarah shouted as Silvally finished charging and fired his Hyper Beam.
"All-Out Pummeling, LET'S GO!" Using his Z-Power from Hala, Hariyama unleashed a storm of punches from his fists as the two attacks met in another deadlock. This time, the deadlock was short-lived as the Hyper Beam canceled half of the Z-Move's power but it managed to hit Silvally as he screamed from the pain being inflicted on him. "SILVALLY!" Sarah gasped in horror.
"Oh no!" Ash cried.
"Pika!" Pikachu added. When the dust cleared, Silvally was on the ground, "Silvally...?" Sarah called.
Kukui noticed the unmoving Pokemon, "Silvally is-"
Suddenly, Kukui heard, "Rrrr..."
"Huh?" He looked and saw the Synthetic Pokemon twitching and he started to move! "Silvally!" Sarah gasped. Silvally staggered to his feet, "I'm... not... finished... YET!" Silvally roared as he stood up with a burst of energy and it used Swords Dance on its own! But, just as he used Swords Dance again, he felt the pain from All-Out Pummeling still getting to him as he got down on his knees and panted heavily, feeling like he's on his last legs.
"Silvally, wait!" Sarah cried, running to him and propping him up. "Are you alright?"
"...Urgh... I am, Sarah. Listen to me, we can still win this. Hala and his Hariyama have shown us their bond but we can still prove that ours is stronger. We must use our Z-Move and-!"
"NO! I can't, not after what you just gone through!" Sarah cried as she hugged Silvally, shocking the Synthetic Pokemon. Everyone looked on in amazement, they had never seen Sarah so broken from seeing one of her Pokemon go through so much hell like this just to win for her sake. "I'm sorry, I was so stupid!" she continued to cry. "I know how much the Grand Trial meant to you but if I had known you'd be like this, damn it! I should've switched you out for Ponyta when I had the chance!
Silvally was stunned beyond belief, he had never heard Sarah break down like this and never thought about how she really felt when she saw him beaten down on the ground despite using Hyper Beam as a temporary shield to save him from All-Out Pummeling. What's more, he had been focused on winning and proving himself that he didn't bother to slow down and let Sarah ask him if he was okay. He was trying to win the match for himself despite Sarah guiding him.
Before he knew it, he also started to cry as tears welled up in his eyes and he started to nuzzle Sarah, even with his mask getting in the way. "...Sarah, I'm sorry..." he began, groaning in pai. "You... You really are not like the humans I once came into contact with..." Sarah was confused as he looked to him. "All my short life, I was nothing but an experiment gone wrong, a hybrid of many creatures that ended up becoming the freakazoid you see now. I wanted to show everyone how I felt when they treated me like a ruthless, wild animal..." Sarah shook her head, not wanting Silvally to have her think that of him. "...But, I've changed since I've met you and your friends..."
"Me...?" she asked in surprise.
"Ever since Tapu Koko entrusted me with you, I didn't have very high hopes that you would ever change me for the better. I thought you would just kick me while I'm down and not bother caring for me when I wouldn't do what you wanted to do. But, you're different from the humans that did all those things. Thanks to you, I was able to learn the importance of teamwork, compassion, friendship, love, happiness... You, your family, your friends, and all your Pokemon, you all gave me something I never thought I would have... A second chance."
"Silvally..." Sarah gasped. Silvally got rid of the tears, "And I'm not... gonna... let you down...! Not ever...! I'm winning this trial... for you...!" He faced Hariyama and suddenly, three areas on the front of his mask glowed in blue, yellow and red and he fired the attack and it turned into three beams of ice, electricity and fire!
"What?!" Ash gasped.
"A new move!" Sophecles added.
"Pika!"
"Toge!"
The attack struck Hariyama hard, "Hari...!"
"What was that?!" James and Nikki exclaimed.
"That was Tri Attack!" Rotom Dex exclaimed. Hariyama recovered but suddenly, its body was covered in fire for a second, "Harii...!" and fell onto its knees, "Hariyama, no!" Hala gasped.
The whole crowd gasped in shock! Not only did Silvally learn Tri-Attack from his strengthed bond with Sarah and his gratitude of her for giving him a second chance in life, but he was stronger than ever even after he was struck by All-Out Pummeling.
Sarah's Pokemon cheered loudly for Silvally, having gained a newfound respect for him. He was no longer thinking of himself, he was thinking of Sarah and his family! Nobody realized this but Silvally's mask started to produce a small crack that slowly got bigger and started to spread. Sarah heard the cracking sounds and she didn't know what to make of it but Silvally knew. His selfless deed and newly unbreakable bond with her had allowed him to not just learn a new attack but their reaffirmed friendship shone brightly for him to evolve to his true form behind the mask.
"I may have been a pain to you and your family, Sarah," Silvally spoke to Sarah. "But, thanks to you and your friends, I'm now my own Pokemon. My past is gone and it's time for me to move on!"
Everyone gasped as Silvally started to Glow and the cracks on his mask became bigger and more visible.
"I do have a future and my future is with you! For at last, I'm no longer a monster! I am no longer a menace to all! I'm a friend to all whom I protect and love with all my heart! I am a light of hope! I am finally happy!"
"I! AM! FREE!" With a final roar, Silvally was engulfed in a bright light as his mask finally broke away and evolved into his true form.
Everyone shielded themselves from the bright light but when it died down, they all gasped in shock, amazement, and awe. Even Sarah was at a loss for words when she saw the Synthetic Pokemon's true beauty.
Silvally now had a mammalian head with mechanical parts. Covering most of its head and neck is a thick, silver mane that extends down over its chest. Its blunt snout is metallic on the bridge of its nose and upper jaw. It has a triangular black nose framed by three red lines, pointed ears with bright pink and black insides, one visible fang on each side of its lower jaw, and a slight overbite. Its eyes are bright silver, have no visible pupils, and appear to be surrounded by an empty, black space. On each side of its head is a circular, metallic drive, with a white circle crossed by a metal line. On top of its head is a large, axe-like fur or feather crest. The tip of the crest as a hooked, metallic piece, while the back has three white feathers.
Sarah was speechless! "Silvally... you broke your mask!"
"UNBELIEVABLE!" Rotom Dex exclaimed. "SILVALLY, BROKE IT'S MASK! INFORMATION UPDATED! INFORMATION UPDATED!" Even Kahuna Hala and Hariyama were surprised, by this. "Ahh..."
"And I'm gonna win...!" Silvally exclaimed. It cloaked itself in a high energy, forcing Sarah and and Silvally leaped up and slammed into Hariyama! "That was Multi-Attack!" Rotom Dex gasped.
"It learned two moves in one day!" Ash gasped.
"Unreal!" Kiawe said. The others gasped.
The yellow and blue-stripped Pokemon was completely mesmerized by the Synthetic Pokemon's true beauty and what Sarah had done to bring it out. It smiled brightly at her with a soft growl and a nod, silently congratulating her on her greatest achievement. Above the strange Pokemon, Tapu Koko nodded in approval, it couldn't be more proud of the Synthetic Pokemon.
Then, Sarah's Dragonium Z glowed brightly, they knew it was time for them to unleash their Z-Move. "Sarah, it's time for us to show Hala and Hariyama our true strength!" Silvally said, throwing her a determined smile.
Sarah nodded in agreement, sharing his determination. "You got it!" she agreed and looked towards Hala.
"Hala, with Silvally having revealed his true beauty and strength, and with our unbreakable bond of friendship, we'll unleash our power like a storm on you and Hariyama! Feel the true might of our unbeatable family love through our Dragon Type Z-Move!"
Sarah crossed her arms as she activated her Z-Move and built up her Z-Energy. "Dragon tail to Dragon scales, hear the mighty roar of my powerful friend.. Silvally..!" She called out as the energy flowed from her and to Silvally, who roared, "Bring it...!"
"Now Silvally, show everyone what we can do... Use Devastating Drake!" Silvally roared and unleashed a sphere of blue and purple energy that charged into a flying dragon that slammed into Hariyama, creating a massive explosion that sent the fighting type flying and crashing on the ground. Everyone gasped. Kukui ran over and saw Hariyama... fainted...!
"Melemele Kahuna Hala's Hariyama is unable to battle which means the winner of the grand trial is Sarah and Silvally!" Kukui exclaimed.
"Alright!" Ash cheered.
"Pika Pikachu Pika Pika!" Pikachu and Blitz cheered together. The Lycanroc couple howled together while their sons leaped up and down barking with joy. Sarah's other pokemon cheered in their own way too. Silvally panted and she sat down as Sarah hugged him, "Silvally, we won! We really won!"
"...Only because I had you by my side... Partner..." Silvally smiled as he nuzzled Sarah. Everyone broke out into a storm of cheers and applause that could be heard from around the world.
It was incredible, through a series of wild and crazy but fortunate events, Sarah's Grand Trial battle ended in a spectacular finish for the ages.
Amazed and satisfied from seeing Sarah and Silvally win, the yellow and blue-striped Pokemon smiled as it left to go elsewhere. Tapu Koko watched it go before turning it's attention back to the human and Pokemon it was interested in. With a final nod of approval, it took off to find something to present to them later on. Wooloo and the other pokemon came over and nuzzled Sarah and Silvally as Ash and the others came over, "Sarah, that was an amazing battle..!" Ash stated.
"Congratulations." Lillie said.
"Vulll!" Snowy added.
"We're so proud of you, honey." Nikki said and she kissed Sarah on the head, "Hehe, aw mom..."
"You did it, Sarah!" Lana cheered. "Pop, Popplio, Pop!"
"That was really cool!" Sophocles praised. "To Togede, Tog, Toge!"
"You and Silvally were awesome!" Mallow added. "Bounsweet!"
"Beautiful!" Kiawe smirked in amazement. "Turton Tur!" "Maro Marowak!"
"You were brilliant out there, Ponchita," James praised. "Both of you..."
"Hehe... aw Dad..." Sarah blushed.
"Sarah..." Sarah and Silvally looked as Hala came up to them both. "I'm very proud of you. You and Silvally have shown me what your true strength really is during the short time you've spent together. I'm amazed that Tapu Koko has entrusted you with a truly majestic Pokemon that is more than meets the eye," Hala praised grandly. "Your love for Silvally has allowed him to gain a new power and that, in turn, made your friendship with him stronger than ever."
"I just didn't want to let him down from my own mistake of having him take part without being fully prepared," Sarah told him. "He means a lot to me now and after everything we've been through, my Pokemon and I would be lost without him."
"And, I'd be lost without you all to guide me back into the light," Silvally purred happily as he nuzzled her again, making her giggle. Hala didn't hear him speak but he knew what the Synthetic Pokemon and Sarah meant.
"And, that kind of thinking is what will make you the very best like no one ever was," he nodded in approval before he took out a Z-Crystal with a fist on it. "What's that?" Sarah asked.
"A Fightinium Z. With it, you'll be able to use the Fighting Type Z-Move.." Hala explained.
"Wow..." Sarah but as she made a reach for it..."KOKOOOO!" Everyone gasped and something wooshed between Hala and Sarah. "Could that have been.. Tapu Koko..?" Kukui asked.
"It was so fast, I couldn't get a picture..." Rotom Dex said. Hala looked down at his palm. "It can't be..!" In place of the Fightinium Z... was different Z-Crystal. It was a yellow one! "An Electrium Z Crystal!" Ash gasped.
"Pika...!"
Sarah felt something thrust in her hand at that moment, too. When she looked at it, she was shocked to find the Fightinium Z in it and looked on in disbelief at the two Z-Crystals.
"Hala, look! I got the Fightinium Z in my hand," she shouted in surprise. Hala and Kukui looked at the two crystals in amazement.
"Hala, what do you think this means?" Kukui asked curiously. Hala thought for a moment, also baffled by the strange turn of events. "I don't know, there must be a reason for it."
But, he decided not to think on it right now and smiled proudly, regardless, as he handed Sarah the Electrium Z. "Well, in light of these events, I can say that you've earned these crystals, Sarah. You may use them however you wish as long as you champion and protect the ones you and Silvally and your Pokemon love and hold dear."
"Really, thanks so much." Sarah smiled.
"Awesome! You got two Z-Crystal for the price of one!" Ash cheered.
"Pika Pika Pikachu..!" Pikachu smiled.
"Pikachu and I can help you with Gigavolt Havoc."
"Pika!"
"Sure thing, Ash," Sarah nodded in agreement before she held the crystals in front of Silvally and Ponyta. "We did it, guys. We may have two Z-Crystals now but who cares? We won ourselves the Melemele Grand Trial Z-Crystal... The Fightinium Z!" Sarah declared as she held the Fighting Type Z-Crystal for all to see while Ponyta let out a happy neigh and Silvally gave a proud roar.
With the unexpected surprise from Tapu Koko past them, everyone continued to cheer for Sarah, Ponyta, and most of all, Silvally, for their Melemele Grand Trial victory.
In one of their toughest battles ever faced, Sarah, Ponyta, and Silvally won the Melemele Grand Trial in an impressive and heartwarming performance which also allowed Silvally to evolve into his true form. But, there is still much more for Sarah and her loyal and beautiful partner to see and do in Alola as the journey continues!
Sarah's Team:
1. Pikachu
Moves - Thundershock, Tackle, Thunderpunch
2. Rockruff (2x)
Moves - Rock Throw, Bite, Tackle
3. Silvally
Moves - Crush Claw, Air Slash, Hyper Beam, Swords Dance, Dragon Claw
4. Mudsdale
Moves - High Horsepower, Double Kick, Mud Slap, Bulldoze
5. Wooloo
Moves - Wild Charge, Tackle, Electro Ball
6. Ponyta (Galar Form)
Moves - Dazzling Gleam, Moonblast, High Horsepower, Heal Pulse
7. Meowth (Alola Form)
Moves - Thunderbolt, Scratch, Iron Tail, Dark Pulse
8. Popplio
Moves - Pound, Water Gun, Icy Wind, Bubblebeam
9. Milotic
Moves - Dragon Pulse, Ice Beam, Twister, Mirror Coat
