Today, Sarah and her family were watching a battle coming from the Battle Royal Dome on TV. The screen showed an Incinaroar battling a Machamp, Primarina and a Decidueye all at once.

"We have a first since the Battle Dome opened its doors: with 19 consecutive victories under their belts, it's the Masked Royal and his partner, Incineroar! Will they make it 20 with this Battle Royale?" observed the narrator watching the action from his place while everyone was watching the action being broadcast in the living room.

"It looks like the King of Battle Royales is still at it," Nikki observed with a smile.

"Well, he is supposed to be a highly skilled and effective trainer," James remarked. "Throughout the 19 previous Battle Royales he took part in, nobody's ever managed to come close to beating him."

"You think Ash and his Pokemon are watching it right now with Professor Kukui?" Sarah asked as she rubbed a happily babbling Nebby.

"They'll have to, Ponchita. The Masked Royal is a renowned Pokemon Trainer all over Alola, even Professor Kukui is surprised by how strong he and his Incineroar are," James replied. "He's practically a legend!"

"I wonder how Litten would take to seeing Incineroar battling Machamp, Deducieye, and Primarina belonging to the three other trainers."

"Before that, you'll have to wonder if Aqua will beat 'em to it considering she's watching the third trainer's Primarina battling," Nikki quipped as she directed her daughter to Aqua sitting at the front watching the Primarina on the TV battle.

"Is there anyone here on the ring or anywhere that can defeat Incineroar and the Masked Royal's winning streak?" the narrator asked to no one in particular as the camera panned to Primarina, Machamp, and Deducieye. "Now, we wait for the opening bell!"

The opening bell for the Battle Royale rings, signalling for the match to begin as Machamp starts by charging towards Incineroar before Decidueye and Primarina (whom Aqua wanted to be like and see win the Battle Royale and beat Incineroar and the Masked Royal) prepare their attacks to follow after, all three of them having a common foe in the match while the crowd is going nuts for all four.

Goomy and Aqua looked at the screen with sparkling eyes. Aqua's eyes were fixated on Primariena while Goomy's eyes were fixated on Incinaroar. "You two like Incinaroar and Primarina, don't you?" Sarah cooed.

"Goomy, Goom!"

"Popplio Pop!"

"Now, Machamp, use Bullet Punch!" the Machamp's trainer shouted as Machamp released a flurry of punches at Incineroar, only to stop when the Fighting Type attack hit the Fire Type's chest and it grunted while giving a sly grin. Machamp was shocked and backed up to let the other two competitors take over while it tries to think of a Plan B to beat the Masked Royal's partner.

"Primarina, follow Machamp with Sparkling Aria!" the Primarina's trainer shouted. The Soloist Pokemon obliged as it started to sing and created a water orb before shooting it towards Incineroar.

"Decidueye, Spirit Shackle!" the Decidueye's trainer ordered as the Grass/Ghost type took one of its feathers and, in the style of Robin Hood, shot the arrow as it burned with a ghostly flame and shot it before the arrow landed in range of the Fire Type and covered it just as the Sparkling Aria attack hits.

"POP!" Aqua cheered while Goomy paled, thinking his favorite competitor is about to get creamed. But, when the attacks subsided, their reactions were switched as Incineroar didn't flinch from both attacks just as it didn't with Machamp's Bullet Punch. Even the trainers battling the Masked Royal and his partner were shocked that there was no damage done to Heel Pokemon.

"POP, POP-?!" "GOO!"

"Incineroar is incredibly tough! Not once did it seem to flinch from his opponents attacks!" the narrator commentated. Even Sarah's other Pokemon couldn't help but feel their jaws drop to the ground just from seeing how powerful the Heel Pokemon really is against his three competitors.

"Incineroar, it's our move!" the Masked Royal announced as he activated his Z-Ring for a Fire Type Z-Move. Incineroar bellowed an agreeing roar as he followed his partner's steps to the signature Fire Type Z-Move just for him alone, Malicious Moonsault, and accepted his partner's Z-Power. "Incineroar, let's go! Get fired up, then incinerate the way!" recited the Masked Royal.

"Alright, use Malicious Moonsault!"

Incineroar's Z-Move hit hard, knocking the three competitors' pokemon out! The belll rang again, "And that's it! That's the twentieth win for the Masked Royal and Incineroar!" the narrator announced.

Everyone was amazed that the Masked Royal was able to break his own record and gain twenty Battle Royale victories in a row, especially Goomy as he swayed and jumped, cheering the loudest for Incineroar. All that is, except Aqua, who was mortified that her final evolved form wasn't able to beat the Heel Pokemon, especially since she was going to evolve into a Primarina someday.

"Wow, the Masked Royal really had his work cut out for him," James said with an amazed smile.

"He and Incineroar took those three attacks like it was nothing," Sarah added in awe.

"But, to be fair, Machamp, Decidueye, and especially Primarina, all did their best," Nikki tried to compensate.

"Goomy, Goom, Goo, Goom, Goomy, Goo?" Goomy asked excitedly towards Aqua as he turned to the Sea Lion, thinking she enjoyed the match and that Incineroar is great.

"POPPLIO!" Aqua snapped as she batted the Soft Tissue Pokemon away, angry that he asked her that Incineroar, of all Pokemon, is great. Everyone was surprised by Aqua's tantrum and lashing out at the little Dragon Type but Goomy was horrified when he recovered and saw his older sister's glare before she turned away from him in a huff and crossed her flippers.

"Goomy...?" he asked as he quivered with fear but Aqua ignored him as she still had her back towards him. It's clear that Primarina's defeat under Incineroar had hit her hard since she was proud to be a Water Type and wanted to be a Primarina someday.

"Geez, what bee got up her boxers?" Silvally asked incredulously as he looked at Aqua, who heard him and responded by throwing a pillow at him and he fell down in a daze, hard.

"OW! Uh... Never mind..." Then, the doorbell rang as everyone, barring Goomy and Aqua, turned to the front door.

"Coming!" Sarah called as she went to the door. But, when she opened the door, she was surprised to find Professor Burnet from the Aether Foundation, who was coming to see how Sarah, Nebby, and Silvally are still getting on. "Hello, Sarah."

"Professor Burnet, Hi." Sarah greeted happily and Nebby babbled in her arms. "And hello to you to Nebby, is Sarah taking good care of you?" Nebby cooed and happily babbled, making Burnet laugh. "Burnet, what are you doing here?" Nikki asked her.

"Oh, just doing the usual at the Aether Foundation but I've been asked by Lusamine and Wicke to come and see how you, Nebby, and Silvally have been getting on since your visit. I've also come to see how Professor Kukui was up to, I'm heading to his house later to spend a few days with him and Ash before returning," she answered as she entered and looked around the house.

"It's a nice place, you and your family are lucky to have such a large space." She then turned to the rest of Sarah's Pokemon, Nikki, James, the Lycanroc Couple, and Dragonite and Lucario.

"Hello, everybody, James, Nikki!" she greeted. "Professor Burnet, what a surprise!"

"Would you like some tea?" James and Nikki said in surprise.

"No, thanks, you're too kind. I'm just checking to see how things with Nebby are going before meeting Ash and Professor Kukui again," she replied.

But, then she noticed Goomy trying in vain to get the seething Aqua to talk to him but she kept shutting him down.

"Something bugging them?" she asked curiously.

"The latest Battle Royale at the Battle Dome just became a sore spot for them both. Especially for Aqua, since she wanted the Primarina in the televised match to beat Incineroar before it, Decidueye, and Machamp were toast," Sarah replied worriedly. "And, when we cheered for Incineroar, Goomy joined in but only to add unintentional salt to the wound on Aqua after seeing her evolved form get wiped out."

"Ah, hero worshiping, I see. I'd feel the same way if I was in her flippers," Burnet understood with a knowing smile before gushing about the Masked Royal. "I'm also a fan of the Masked Royal, honestly. I loved seeing him in battle ever since he first and Incineroar first battled a buffed-up Machop, he's amazing!"

"Trainers watching on TV, tomorrow, I'll be accepting any and all calls from you to challenge me and Incineroar in a special event," the Masked Royal called out to everyone watching from home, including Sarah and her family along with Professor Burnet.

"GOOOOOMMMMYYYY!" Goomy screamed, shocking everyone in the room before he plastered himself to the tv! "Goomy, get off the screen!" Sarah scolded.

"Looks like someone wants to go." Burnet laughed.

"Oh my god, that thing has a pair of lungs! Ugh!" Silvally grumbled.

"Popplio..?" Aqua tilted her head in confusion.

She was surprised about the offer from the Masked Royal for anybody to challenge him and his Incineroar in a special event at the Battle Dome. As Sarah finally got the fan-boying Goomy off the TV screen and scolded him, she thought about the Heel Pokemon and how her evolved form was beaten despite its best efforts and how the Soft Tissue Pokemon was so excited to go and attend.

This suddenly gave her the idea to challenge Incineroar and make him and his trainer pay for beating her evolved form as she watched the Masked Royal address all who were watching. "I'll be looking forward to a battle of heat," the Masked Royal continued as he and Incineroar smiled brightly.

"So, until then, ennnnnnnnnjoy!"

"Pop, Pop!" Aqua barked, getting Sarah's attention and everyone elses.

Sarah was surprised as she listened to her Popplio, telling her that she should go to the Battle Dome and battle with Incineroar.

"Aqua, do you want to go there and challenge the Masked Royal and Incineroar, too?" she breathed. Aqua gave a determined nod as she glared at Sarah, wanting to go there badly along with Goomy. "Sounds like we've got a second contender for the Masked Royal's invitation," Nikki replied, smiling at Sarah's Popplio.

"She sure has got a fire burning in her heart," Burnet chuckled.

"I'm sure that Primarina's defeat fired her up to accept the Masked Royal's challenge," James agreed before another pillow was thrown hard at him and he landed behind the couch head first, dazed and confused. "I deserve that."

"I don't know, are you sure you want to do this, Aqua?" Sarah asked, worried for her Water Type. Aqua only gave a determined nod with a glare and "Pop!" in response.

"I guess you really do want to battle him along with Goomy," she sighed before she smiled. "Okay then, we'll leave for Akala Island early tomorrow." Goomy cheered loudly but Aqua gave a smirk and a glare; she was stoked, she is now going to give both the Masked Royal and Incineroar a piece of her mind.


(Opening 3 – Rurouni Kenshin Opening 1 – Freckles (English Dub)

(The opening begins with a silhouette of a young girl with a Chinese straight sword sheathed in a gold scabbard sitting within images of Team Rocket, Team Skull, Guzma and Plumeria, the three mysterious grunts, and the grunts' leader before the image brightens and the girl is left alone)

(The girl gets up and awakens to reveal herself as Sarah as she and her Pokémon are on a large boat as it sailed across the ocean to one of the other Islands of Alola. While some of her Pokémon are relaxing on the boat ride, Silvally, Lolita, Blitz, and Red Eyes look out into the ocean with determined looks on their faces with their trainer)

I brush against the freckles that I hated so and life goes on but I heave a little sigh for you. It's heavy, the love that I would share with you. Then it dissolves like it was just a sugar cube!

(Ash and Pikachu were shown at the Pokémon School trying to practice the steps to a new Z-Attack until they missed or exaggerated a few steps and fell down on the ground. Lana, Mallow, and Sophocles, who were with them along with their Pokémon Partners, either laughed at or groaned at them. Ash and Pikachu smiled sheepishly as the scene pans from the school to the beach near the school)

Now, the little pain sitting in my heart has shrunken a bit but it really does hurt me now. Those silly horoscopes, I guess I can't trust them after all~!

(Kiawe was there with Pyroar and Turtonator as he commanded a Double Flamethrower and gave a satisfied smirk as his partners landed on either side of him as he then looked to his right)

If we could get further away~! I wonder what it would be li-i-i-i-i-ke, yeah~!

(The scene pans to Lillie looking out her backyard from her mansion with Snowy as she had a happy look on her face before they turned to their left in surprise)

I'd be so happy inside my hea-a-a-a-a-a-art!

(Sarah and her Pokémon are surrounded by mysterious grunts and a small team of people in white uniforms as she held a strange cosmic-like Pokémon in her left arm and the Sword of the Sun Lion on her right hand as she was then attacked by a mystery grunt's Houndoom and its Flamethrower attack)

All the memories I have are beautiful in my mind!

(A Thunderbolt appears and blocks the Flamethrower to reveal Zeraora as the Thunderclap Pokémon shielded her)

But, they don't feed the hunger deep inside my soul!

(Silvally, Lolita, and the Puppy Pair use Tri Attack, Dark Pulse, and Double Rock Slide to beat their foes getting to Sarah)

And, tonight, I thought I'd be just sitting in my sorrow!

(Ponyta and Wooloo attack together with Electro Ball and Moonblast while Aqua and Milotic use Bubblebeam and Dragon Pulse before Candy and Blitz joined forces to use Thundershock and Signal Beam at their own enemies)

And now, I must wonder why, what did it really mean to you?

(Sarah appears and opens her eyes as she saw her family and friends, humans and Pokémon alike, waiting happily for her to join them as she walks to them. The Season 2 titles appear just as the song ends)

I just can't see it anymore~! I just can't see it anymore~! O-o-o-o-o-oh~!

Pokémon Alola Journey – The Trials of Sarah


The Next Morning...

the family arrived on Akala Island and were in front of the Battle Royal Dome, "Hey Sarah! Ms. Nikki, Mr. James, Professor Burnet." a voice called and the group saw Ash and the others there with Professor Kukui.

"Hey everyone." Sarah greeted.

"What are you doing here?" Lana asked.

"Goomy and Aqua want to battle Incineroar in the Battle Royal." Sarah replied.

"What?!" Ash and the others replied, surprised by the news.

"You're going to battle him with two Pokemon?" Mallow gasped in surprise.

"But, that's lot logical for a Battle Royale," Lana quipped.

"That would require you to face him in a Double Battle!"

"Aren't you worried that you're jumping the shark with this, Sarah?" Lillie fretted, worried about what her friend and her two Pokemon will be doing.

"I know what I'm doing," Sarah reassured. "Besides, no hard feelings even if I do lose. What's more, Goomy and Aqua made the choice to battle Incineroar, Aqua mostly. That Primarina's defeat was too much for her and she wanted payback for him beating her final evolved form."

"She wants to evolve into a Primarina?" Kiawe asked in surprise, getting a surprised "Roar?" and "Turt?" from Turtonator and Pyroar.

"After meeting Ida's Brionne and the Primarina from yesterday's match, there's no way she was going to back down on becoming one. She loved her final evolved form's beauty and grace and she wanted to have that."

"That's understandable, I couldn't wait to see how Charjabug will be like when he finally evolves," Sophocles understood with a smile.

"Goo Goomy, Goomy, Goo, Goo Goomy?" Goomy asked Aqua happily as he approached, wanting them to do their best. Popplio glared at him before she nodded in agreement and turned away in a huff, making Goomy sag in sadness and regret. Everyone could see that Aqua still hasn't made amends with Goomy following the results of the previous Battle Royale.

"Oh dear, sounds to me like there's some serious discord between those two," Kukui replied, looking worried for them. "Then, I suggest that neither of you add salt to the wound if you don't want her mad," Nikki advised. "She's really sensitive about her final evolved form's loss."

"It's true, she even threw a pillow at me last night after that loss," James replied, smiling sheepishly. Nikki raised an eyebrow at her husband, "Sometimes, dear, you can be so insensitive."

"Huh?" James asked with a blinking question mark next to his head. Sarah chuckled, "Come on, let's go in." Sarah said and the group entered the Battle Royal Dome and took their seats.

"Ta-da!" Sophocles boasted as he got himself a Masked Royal mask and wore it when he got back to everyone as they took their seats on the front row. The others were impressed when they saw him. "Hey, not bad," Lana complemented happily as Sophocles repeated, "Ennnnjoy!", in a similar fashion to the Masked Royal.

"So immature..." groaned Silvally as he rolled his eyes, earning a small nudge from an annoyed Wooloo and a soft rub from Sarah. She could tell that he would rather get himself entertained through a Battle Royale.

"Who are you?" Kiawe asked in surprise.

"Now, don't tell me you haven't heard of the Masked Royal, Kiawe!" Sophocles said, getting into the Fire Type user's face. "He wears a mask like this, I'm a super fan!"

"And, his Incineroar is so awesome! And, pretty soon, I'm gonna have a battle with him real soon," Ash boasted as Pikachu agreed.

But, all they got was angry flipper slaps from Aqua as she scowled at them from being next to them with her mother figure and family. "OW!" "PIKA!"

"I think you should wait until Aqua and Goomy have a turn first, Ash," Sarah replied.

"But, you're welcome to join us, if we step up to the plate."

"Doesn't it strike you as terrifying that she's taking it a little too personal?" whispered Silvally, not expecting Aqua to become so cold-hearted.

"Yeah, but I don't want to hold her back," replied his mother-figure, quietly. "If she wants to battle them, I'll let her when she and Goomy get to the field."

"Lotic..." Milotic replied with a worried frown. She was worried for Aqua, now; the Tender Pokemon could see that her little sister wanted to battle the Masked Royal and Incineroar so badly after seeing the Soloist Pokemon lose to the Heel Pokemon but she saw that she was taking her grudge against the Fire Type a little too far.

But, Lillie was curious about something involving the Masked Royal, "I was thinking, how come he wears that mask?" Everyone paused, realizing that she was right about the mask part.

"Nobody knows. Maybe to hide his real identity?" Sophocles suggested.

"He really must not want anyone to see his face," Lillie continued, wanting to know the mystery behind it. "Maybe he's just real shy," Mallow theorized.

Lana sighed as she blushed, "It's all a mystery. That's what makes him great." Then, the lights went on as the Battle Royale with the Masked Royal and Incineroar was about to begin.

"You might want to table your fan-boying the Masked Royal, girls, the match is starting," Sarah told them as they all began to watch.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," announced one of three commentators from the Battle Royal Dome's staff. "This is Andy Finnegan, Jean Doyle, and Hunter Gallaway, coming to you live from the Battle Dome to bring you this special event: the Masked Royal Trainer's Challenge, where three lucky trainers out of all of you gathered will get the chance to battle the one and only Masked Royal!"

"In this match, we'll be expecting a battle of heat as three trainers will be chosen at random or by your own choice to take part in a Battle Royale!" added Jean with a big smile.

"In a free-for-all match like this, you'll be pushing yourselves and your Pokemon to the limits as you battle or gang up against each other where there are no rules and the only way to win is to fight! But, only if you're still willing to play fair and battle with honor and dignity!"

"And now, without further ado, it's time we get this show on the road! Please give a big hand, a round of applause for our special guest and host for the Masked Royal Trainer's Challenge, the one, the only: MASKED ROYAL!" Hunter concluded as a figure appeared running into the ring with a microphone in his hand and addressing the audience with his signature call, "Ennnnnjoy!"

The audience followed and proudly chanted his name as he started to speak.

"Okay! You want to battle me?" he announced as everyone cheered but Aqua and Goomy cheered the loudest, making Ash and the others cringe from their shouts, one of excitement and one bearing a personal grudge.

"Alright! Let me introduce you to my partner, the hottest flame in all of Alola," the Masked Royal smirked as he pointed to the Incineroar entrance he came from. "Come on out, Incineroar!" With that call, the Heel Pokemon appeared and greeted everybody with his trademark roar as the crowd went nuts for him. Aqua just glared at him with dangerously narrowed eyes, remembering last night's Battle Royale when he defeated her evolved form that made her decide to come to the Battle Dome and fight him.

She knew she has the first of many chances to beat the Fire Type to personally avenge the battle loss of the Primarina, no matter what. Sarah saw this and realized this is Aqua's moment and, quickly taking her into her arms and whispering to Goomy to come with them, she went to the ring but not before telling her parents that they're going to to battle, which they agreed.

"And, here comes Incineroar, the Masked Royal's number one partner and Fire Type powerhouse!" Hunter announced proudly as he, Jean, and Andy saw him entering the ring.

"Trainers of all ages, gathering here or watching from home, watch closely 'cause we're in for one of the hottest Battle Royales to ever grace the Battle Dome with this wrestling battle master and his partner!" Andy continued. Rotom-Dex examined the Masked Royal's Incineroar and brought up the data on him.

"Incineroar, the Heel Pokemon, the final evolved form of Litten, and a Fire Type. Incineroar is capable of shooting fire from its own fire belt, made from a ring of fire around its belly!"

"A belt made out of fire? That's awesome!" Ash gushed.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, it's finally time to decide who will be the three lucky trainers battling Incineroar and the Masked Royal! Raise your hands if you want to be the ones!" Jean replied, raising her hand to emphasize her point. Immediately, everyone raised their hands, even Ash and the others wanted to battle them.

"What a well-trained unit, anything but ordinary!" Kiawe awed in surprise.

"It's true and they're right in front of me!" Lana gushed brightly but everyone went silent as a loud "POPPLIO!" sounded out.

Everyone turned to find Sarah walking towards the ring with Popplio in her hands and Goomy following beside them, much to everyone's surprise and the others' shock. James and Nikki, on the other hand, smiled knowingly at Sarah as their daughter took her two Pokemon children to the ring and went to speak with the Masked Royal, Incineroar, and the commentators.

"Excuse me, I would like my Popplio, Aqua, Goomy, and I be the first trainer in this Battle Royale against Incineroar and the Masked Royal, please," she bowed kindly to them while Goomy awed the Heel Pokemon as his eyes twinkled and Aqua turned and glared at Incineroar determinedly.

The Masked Royal and Incineroar were shocked from seeing the two Pokemon but the Masked Royal, in particular, was stunned as he stared Aqua in the eyes. He felt like he recognized the Sea Lion Pokemon wearing the metallic blue collar. Incineroar, however, was surprised by the anger and determination in her eyes as she eyed him. He could tell that she was not one to be trifled with despite her small size and he felt like he would be in for quite a battle against her.

"Honey, this is quite an endeavor you're risking with two Pokemon. The rules normally said one Pokemon for each trainer but judging by how much your two Pokemon wanted to battle the Masked Royal and his partner, you're dead serious," Jean replied.

"It's a long story that happened yesterday, you see," Sarah replied.

"The results of last night's match was-"

"Wait, come back!"

"Rawr, Rawr!" shouted a familiar Pokemon and boy trainer belonging to him.

When Sarah, Aqua, and Goomy looked to see who it was, they were surprised. It was actually Ash's Litten, who was challenging Incineroar to a battle, much to the Heel Pokemon's surprise when he saw his pre-evolved form.

"Litten?" The fire cat Pokémon meowed at Incinaroar. "Litten..!"

The Masked Royal greeted the Fire Cat Pokemon warmly as he smiled.

"Well, well! Hello, Little Litten!"

"Sorry!" Ash called as he and Pikachu ran to the ring after Litten.

"Litten, what are you doing? You can't just run off like that. Come on, let's get back to-HUH?!" Ash turned towards the Masked Royal and he was surprised to see him and his Incineroar as his young Fire Type sniffed the Heel Pokemon and then at the Masked Royal before he screeched at him in surprise as his eyes widened, like he recognizes the guy.

He was even more surprised to find Aqua glaring at Incineroar and since she, Sarah, and Goomy entered the ring, she never took her eyes off of him. The Masked Royal smiled again as he knew what Litten also wanted and that he recognized him.

"Well, if I'm not mistaken, Little Aqua and Litten wanted to fight with Incineroar. And Goomy, too," he told Ash as he joined him and Sarah. He then looked to Aqua as she then glared at him, mentally telling him that she personally wanted to fight Incineroar herself, help or no help.

"Well, now, I like that face. I see that you wanted to fight Incineroar yourself, right?" "Pop!" Aqua replied with a determined nod as she held her glare.

"Goomy, Goomy!" Goomy replied excitedly, also telling him that he wanted to battle Incineroar as well. The Masked Royal smiled at him as well, as if he was somehow expecting this to happen. Sarah took the time to pluck up courage and tell him why her two young Pokemon wanted to battle him and his partner.

"Sir, Goomy and Aqua saw you battling a Machamp, a Decidueye, and a Primarina last night on the TV and they wanted to fight you. Goomy wanted this chance to get stronger like the rest of my Pokemon family and Aqua wanted to battle him since she wanted payback for him defeating her evolved form."

"Yeah," Ash piped up. "Litten also saw Incineroar on TV last night and he wanted to battle him ever since then." "I see... Very well, stay on the ring then," smiled the Masked Royal.

"Our first challengers will be you five!" Sarah was surprised as she considered the news. Were she, Ash, Goomy, Litten, and Aqua really being chosen as the Masked Royal and Incineroar's first challengers for the Masked Royal Trainer's Challenge? While Ash expressed his joy in an understandably childish fashion, Sarah remained silent as her face darkened until she gave a determined smile as she, Goomy, and Aqua looked at them.

"Alright then, challenge accepted!" she agreed. "I've you got and Incineroar to thank for allowing Goomy and Aqua this chance to fight."

"No problem, young lady. So, are you two and your Pokemon by yourselves?" he asked her. "Nah, I came here with my family early this morning and my friends and their partners arrived minutes after we arrived," answered Sarah as she pointed to the group in their seats with Sophocles waving at them, specifically towards the Masked Royal, wanting to battle him.

"They're all sitting right over there with my parents and my Pokemon." "Well, then, call your friends up, too. We'll need one more opponent for the big Battle Royale," he proudly announced. And, so it was arranged; after much arguing and decision-making on Sarah's part when she demanded that her friends stop fighting while she decides who will fight with them and the Masked Royal, she eventually decided on Kiawe who smiled in appreciation for picking him.

Sophocles was crying from missing out on the opportunity as he was forced to watch from the sidelines with the others. With the three challengers picked, the Battle Royale can begin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we now have our four Battle Royale participants and boy, do we have an eclectic affair for our first three challengers!" Andy began. "To start off, we have, in the red corner, the Masked Royal and Incineroar! In the blue corner, Ash Ketchum and Litten! In the green corner, Kiawe and Pyroar! And, finally, in the yellow corner, Sarah, Goomy, and... Aqua!"

"This is quite an interesting match-up and it's twice the pressure put on Sarah since she and her Pokemon will need to rely on teamwork to overcome their three adversaries, especially the Masked Royal," Jean added. "We'll see what happens when we get into the rumble, fellas," finished Hunter.

"So, with all that said, let's ring the first bell and let's get ready to RUMBLE!" The bell rung and everyone cheered as they all watched who will strike first. Sarah knew this battle wasn't going to be easy and she wanted to be sure that she, Goomy, and Aqua can still hold themselves together if they're going to win.

"Be careful, you two," she warned. "If Ash and Kiawe have improved in any way, they could be stronger than us. But, our biggest problem is the Masked Royal and Incineroar so we better deal with him first." Goomy chirped in agreement but Aqua kept her eyes on Incineroar as she only returned a nod.

She was becoming certain that she would defend her Pokemon species' pride and avenge the Primarina and her trainer's loss despite knowing that she'll lose.

"Alright, Litten! Use Scratch, now!" Ash called before Litten charged to use his attack. "Pyroar, use Flamethrower!" Kiawe began as Pyroar fired a powerful Flamethrower attack.

"Aqua, Bubblebeam! Goomy, get ready to use Protect on my signal!" Sarah called as Aqua fired her Water Type attack. To Sarah, Kiawe, and Ash's shock, Incineroar just bounced their attacks back as he stepped and jumped forward to meet them. He even managed to bounce Litten towards Goomy and Aqua, whom Sarah saw coming.

"NOW!" she called again to Goomy while the Soft Tissue Pokemon quickly created a green energy shield that bounced the Fire Cat Pokemon back and into Pyroar but causing Goomy and Aqua to skid back and become a little disorientated after being banged around inside his Protect.

"AH!" "No way!" Ash, Sarah, and Kiawe gasped, realizing that none of their Pokemon's attacks had any effect on the Heel Pokemon.

"Ouch! What an unfortunately shaky start to the match for our challengers, folks!" Jean winced with a smile, enjoying the action already.

"It looks like Incineroar's already proving to be more than a match for Goomy, Pyroar, Litten, and Aqua! Can they pull out the stops to come back out on top?"

"Pyroar and Litten are down and Goomy and Sarah are already on the ropes!" Mallow replied worriedly.

"And, it's four against one," Lillie added, concerned for Sarah, Ash, and Kiawe in their predicament.

"I know, aren't they awesome?" Sophocles gushed, obviously referring to the Masked Royal and Incineroar.

"That's just what you expect from Alola's fieriest flame," Lana dazzled as her eyes twinkled. Aqua and Goomy regrouped with the Fire Type duo but Aqua was starting to get aggravated as she realized that Incineroar isn't fighting back at his full strength. Neither she, nor Goomy, Litten, and Pyroar are willing to go down as they prepared to gang up on the Masked Royal's partner again but this time, with Kiawe and the Royal Pokemon taking the lead.

"Pyroar, Leer plus Wild Charge!" Kiawe ordered as the male Royal Pokemon charged himself with electricity and glared at Incineroar, dwindling his attack strength before he rammed into the Heel Pokemon. But, shockingly, the Wild Charge did some damage but not enough that could be a good hit as the Masked Royal's Fire Type bounced him right back as well.

"Amazing! Even with Leer and Wild Charge in a combo attack, Pyroar still hasn't made a dent on Incineroar! Could our first three challengers be already hitting a brick wall?" Hunter commentated in amazement as the Masked Royal and Incineroar made their move.

"Alright, children, get ready. We've been saving this special move just for you, Darkest Lariat, go!" he ordered. Incineroar charged up his flames, then he held his arms out, and spun around like a top as he became a Poke-Wheel of Fire.

"Aqua make a balloon to protect yourself and Goomy, now!" Sarah's called.(edited)

"Uh oh, I recognize this move, folks! It's Incineroar's Darkest Lariat, a Fire Type move known only to him and his species as he starts to charge towards our challengers and their Pokemon, being a walking Pokemon Fire Tornado! Fasten your seat belts, this is gonna hurt!" Andy said as he watched what was happening. As Andy spoke, Aqua quickly blew a balloon to shield herself and Goomy with a determined glare, their human mother knowing that they can't use Protect again unless it's really necessary.

"Honey!" Nikki cried, horrified.

"Ponchita, Aqua, Goomy, move! He's faster than he looks!" James called out in shock.

"That's amazing... WAH!" Ash cried in horror as his moment of distraction made him realize that Incineroar was now attacking the group as he took advantage of their surprise and knocked them back.

Unfortunately, Pyroar and Kiawe were out of the Battle Royale but thankfully, Litten was still standing along with Aqua and Goomy as their balloon popped when the Heel Pokemon reached them and hit it while they were being jostled. However, by doing so, Incineroar got a little bit of water on him and he winced a little in pain from the water touching him as he returned to the Masked Royal's side.

"Unreal! Litten, Aqua, and Goomy are still standing on their own four paws and flippers and slippery bottom!" Andy shouted.

"Is there no limit to the trio's fighting spirit?" Jean asked in amazement as she watched the three Pokemon glare at the Heel Pokemon while he watched with greater interest, realizing that he fell into Aqua and Goomy's trainer's trap. The others in the audience were relieved as they smiled. "

AWESOME! You're all doing great!" Ash called but Litten's ferocious cries threw him off as he realized that something was off with his Fire Type.

"Litten's angry..."

"That was close, you okay?" Sarah asked her Pokemon. "Goomy!" Goomy called but Aqua barked at Incineroar to fight at full strength and stop fooling around, much to her shock and worry.

"Easy Aqua..." Sarah cooed.

The Masked Royal wasn't deterred as he chuckled at Aqua and Litten for realizing that he and Incineroar are still playing around and are going easy on them.

"Ha-ha, I see! So, you two realized that we're holding back now, did ya?" he asked knowingly.

Ash and Sarah gasped in shock and surprise; throughout the first few minutes of the Battle Royale, Incineroar and his partner were not fighting them to the max but with half or a fraction of their full strength. Litten continued to growl and prepared to pounce his evolved form as he glared at Incineroar to start fighting at full power, for real. Ash's face darkened but them he smiled, finally realizing what Litten really wanted out of his idol and rival, a fair fight on equal ground and full strength.

"I get it," Ash finally said. "We're having a battle, getting serious is what it's all about! Right, Litten?"

"Rwar, Mwar!" Litten shouted. Snarling with intrigue, Incineroar got himself into a battle stance, ready to show his pre-evolved for what he's truly made of. The Masked Royal was impressed by Ash and Litten's fighting spirit and his partner's renewed determination.

"You look serious, Incineroar. I'm with ya, I'll get serious, too!"

Everyone soon started chanting for Litten wanting him to win but Goomy and Aqua didn't join in and neither did Sarah as they watched their main opponents. Goomy was ready to fight again alongside his big sister and mother but Aqua wanted to fight Incineroar alone for the sake of her final evolved form as they waited patiently.

Sarah, on the other hand, was worried that Ash and Litten don't know what they're getting into against the Masked Royal and Incineroar. "This can't be good, I have a bad feeling Litten and Ash don't fully understand what they're going up against," she thought worriedly.

"Alright, Incineroar, let's go! Bulk Up!" cried the Masked Royal and the Heel Pokemon agreed, increasing his size and his attack power.

"He got so big!" Kiawe gawked along with an equally surprised Pyroar.

"Alright, Litten, they're all cheering for you so let's give it all we got! Fire Fang!" Ash ordered before the Fire Cat Pokemon charged at his stronger foe but what the two didn't realize was that they've fallen into a trap. Something that Sarah noticed when she saw what the Masked Royal and his partner were doing and gasped!

"Ash, wait! What are you doing? Pull back Litten! It's a trap!" she called but it was too late as the Masked Royal made his next call.

"Right, now grab him!" he shouted. Incineroar reached out and grabbed his pre-evolved form with his left paw as he and the Masked Royal looked to Ash, impressed with what they're trying to do before they decided to end things for the two before moving on to Sarah, Goomy, and Aqua.

"Let's finish it, Incineroar, Throat Chop!" Complying to his partner's orders and despite not wanting to end the fight between him and Litten so soon, he agreed as he threw Litten up and gave him a merciless chop to his throat, throwing him back towards a completely stunned and horrified Ash, now reeling from the loss while everyone's jaws dropped in the same fashion.

"LITTEN!" Ash cried, shocked that he was now out of the Battle Royale.

"What a roller coaster, folks! Litten did his absolute best to fight at his full strength but it's all she wrote for him and Ash as they were beaten by a Bulk Up and Throat Chop combo by the Masked Rider!" Hunter announced as everyone else cheered. Ash's face darkened as he took Litten away to be healed and recuperate from his and Litten's loss, trembling a little from how the battle went at full strength.

"Ash..." Sarah said as she looked at the downtrodden Kanto trainer leaving. "Well, Sarah?" the Masked Royal called to her. "I trust you, Aqua, and Goomy are ready for our match?"

"I love to see how they would fare in battle at their full strength, especially Aqua's. The fire in her is nothing like I've ever seen out of one so little, maybe bigger and brighter than Litten's is regarding seeing her final evolved form lose to us last night. Goomy's quite a handful as a battler despite being the weakest of the Dragon Types but what is your Popplio really made of, that's what I like to know. I'll gladly let us give her the opportunity to show us what she can do as Alola's Water Type Starter." Sarah realized what the Masked Royal meant, while he was impressed with how she and her two Pokemon handled themselves, he and Incineroar was most interested in Aqua and her own strength. It was clear they wanted to know what her true strength is and to allow her the opportunity to beat the Heel Pokemon for the sake of her species' pride and dignity.

Incineroar even made it clear to Aqua when he told her the exact same thing and would like to fight with her at full strength as well. The Sea Lion Pokemon gasped but she smirked and prepared to fight again. Goomy, feeling worried, told his big sister that they have to work together to beat him despite her insistence that she fight with the stronger Fire Type alone.

Eventually, Aqua gave in and agreed to have her little brother help her. Sarah's face darkened as she thought about it but finally, she smiled with determination and prepared herself for Goomy and Aqua's toughest fight yet. "Alright, let's go galactic!"

"Goom!" "Pop!"

The Masked Royal nodded with a smirk before he ordered Incineroar to begin the fight, "Incineroar, use Fury Swipes!" Incineroar charged at the two Pokemon and swiped at them.

"Aqua, get on Goomy! Goomy, dodge!" Sarah called before the two Pokemon complied and dodged their opponent.

Meanwhile, Sarah's family and friends were worried, even her Pokemon couldn't help but be concerned for their human mother. After how effortlessly Litten was defeated, they began to fret for Sarah.

"Now, it's just Sarah, Goomy, and Aqua left," Lillie put in.

"And, Ash and Kiawe are down for the count." "I can't believe how strong Incineroar got when he used Bulk Up and Throat Chop on Litten," breathed a slightly terrified Sophocles as they watched Aqua counter Incineroar with Water Gun before she and Goomy continued to dodge despite getting a few nicks on them.

"Honey, this has gone too far, we have to stop them! They don't have any clear idea how strong Incineroar really is!" Nikki begged.

"You know we can't do that!" James replied firmly. "Aqua and Goomy made their choice despite their differing opinions about how last night's battle went. We'd be holding them back and our daughter wouldn't want that for them."

"I hope Sarah, Aqua, and Goomy will win this," Mallow prayed as Goomy and Aqua used Dragon Breath and Bubblebeam despite Incineroar blocking and bouncing the attacks back.

"I don't know if they could if Aqua keeps on going against Goomy as we've known since earlier," Lana pondered worriedly as everyone else started to cheer for Aqua and Goomy. "Incineroar, Darkest Lariat!"

"Aqua, Goomy, Twin Water Gun!" shouted Sarah and the Masked Royal to their Pokemon. As the Heel Pokemon used his strongest attack, the Sea Lion and Soft Tissue Pokemon unleashed two powerful Water Gun attacks together but even if their stronger adversary flinched, he still kept going as he forced them back, with them giving out painful screams.

"Aqua, Goomy!" Sarah cried in horror. Luckily, Aqua was able to survive the Dark Type attack as she panted heavily and glared at Incineroar, who was impressed by their teamwork and combined strength but Goomy was all puttered out as he was on his last legs. However, as he wanted to help his big sister win, he tried to crawl back into the field.

"Goom, Goomy, Goo.." Goomy said as he tried to get back into the field.

"Hmm.. you have a determined little Dragon Type, little lady." The masked Royal said.

"Goomy... are you sure..?" Sarah asked worried for the young pokemon.

Goomy turned to her and let out a determined, "Goomy...!"

However, Aqua interrupted, "Popplio Pop Pop Popplio!"

"Goomy..!" Goomy asked in shock.

"Hey what's going on?" Ash asked.

"I think Aqua doesn't want Goomy to go on any further for his safety." Nikki guessed.

"No, this is personal," James interrupted. "This is what Aqua's been wanting all this time. She's the one who wanted to fight Incineroar after what happened last night's Battle Royale. It's true that she's looking out for Goomy right now but she's still sore with him for cheering Incineroar on and not being considerate to her evolved form for doing its best."

"But, that can't be! Aqua wouldn't hold such a petty thing against Goomy!" Nikki argued worriedly, remembering what happened between them before.

"She has a lot of respect for her evolved forms since meeting Ida's Brionne and seeing Water Type trainer's Primarina on TV," convinced James. "Aqua will eventually become like them someday and she's been wanting this so she can defend the trainer's Primarina's honor and her own as a Water Type."

The others heard James and Nikki's conversation and they were stunned by how far Aqua will really go to beat Incineroar. Even Litten couldn't blame Aqua for being such a hard-headed fighter like him, maybe more so than he'll ever be. The Masked Royal and his partner were also shocked when they looked into the Sea Lion Pokemon's eyes as she glared back at them after telling the already beaten Goomy to back off. But, they eventually smirked again, still amazed and amused by her fighting spirit.

"Now I get it, you're still mad about us beating Primarina in last night's televised match, huh? And, you wanted to challenge us alone, one-on-one?" chuckled the Masked Royal again.

Aqua nodded before she barked at Sarah, who was shocked from seeing her telling Goomy to back off and let her fight alone now. "Aqua... Why would...?" she trailed off as she remembered how devastated she must've been from seeing the Primarina from before lose so early. She couldn't deny how personal this was to her and like the rest of her Pokemon in their own harsh battles, she's going to go down in a blaze of glory but for her evolved form's honor as a Water Pokemon, win or lose.

"Goomy..?" Sarah saw Goomy looking at her with worried eyes. Sarah gave Goomy a comforting smile.

"Goomy, hang back and let Aqua battle, okay little guy?" Goomy looked at Aqua, who gave Goomy a determined nod, "Goomy..." and Goomy crawled back a little.

"It looks like the Dragon Type pokemon, Goomy, is letting Aqua battle Incineroar in a one on one battle before he steps in again," Hunter announced.

"No, Goomy was already down for the count despite being able to fight again," Jean replied, noticing what's going on. "I think Aqua wants to decide everything between her and Incineroar in a final showdown, a one-on-one battle between Fire and Water!"

"Whoa, you're right, Jean! Just look at those sparks fly," Andy agreed as he looked at Aqua and Incineroar glaring at each other before he turned to the disheartened and worried Soft Tissue Pokemon.

"I guess Goomy didn't expect Aqua to take on his Pokemon idol alone after the teamwork they've put in to get this far. So, I guess this means it's over for Goomy until next time."

"Aqua, Icy Wind!" Sarah shouted. Aqua barked at Incineroar to prepare himself and with a loud "Pop PO!", she blew a fierce wind of ice and snow from her mouth into the Heel Pokemon, hoping to slow him down.

"Charge with Scratch, Incineroar!" cried the Masked Royal as he smirked and pointed at Aqua. "Incine!" replied Incineroar and he charged towards the little Water Type, not minding the Icy Wind attack after being powered by Bulk Up before Sarah called a follow-up attack. "Use Water Gun!" "POP-P-P-P-P-P-P!" "Dodge it!" Aqua and the Masked Royal bellowed.

As the Water Pokemon shot her basic but effective attack, Incineroar dodged back but not before his right foot caught into the Water Gun and he winced again before he stood firm on both his feet.

"Now, this is going to be interesting, folks," Hunter commentated. "Aqua may be small but with her trainer's belief in her and her brains, she's skillfully faked out Incineroar in scoring a hit despite how small it seemed!" "But, don't relax yet. They'll have to keep on their toes for this one," Jean added in anticipation.

"The Masked Royal and Incineroar aren't the Battle Royale Kings for nothing."

"I love your fighting spirit, kid, you're just as determined as that trainer and her Primarina," the Masked Royal smiled.

"Alright, Incineroar, let's finish this!" "Roar!" Incineroar agreed.

"Get ready, Aqua..." Sarah said. "Pop..." Aqua growled before she started to glow in blue energy.

"What's that?" Ash asked, surprised.

"Pika..?" Pikachu added.

"Could that be... a new move...?" Lana questioned.

"Would you look at that, ladies and gentlemen?" Jean commentated with widened eyes as the crowd cheered in amazement while some observers look in shock, awe, and surprise. "It looks like Aqua's just learned a new move. She's going to go all out in this final attack in a blaze of glory!"

"Interesting... Incineroar, Bulk Up again!" the Masked Royal replied as Incineroar used his energy to become bigger and once again, raise his attack strength.

"Look at Incineroar!" Lillie cried.

"Vul Vulpix Vul!" Snowy replied, just as surprised. "Now, he's even bigger and stronger!" Kiawe gawked in amazement as the gang and Sarah's family all watched Aqua prepare her new move.

"Goomy..." Goomy replied, worried that his big sister will still lose despite learning a new move to boot. He now knew first hand how strong his Fire Type idol really is and despite knowing the type advantage would still be on her side, the Soft Tissue Pokemon.

"Pop..." Aqua growled, ready for the attack.

"What kind of move is that?" Mallow asked, wondering what it could be.

"I don't know, do you think it'll be enough to help Aqua win?" pondered Sophocles as everyone braced themselves for the final clash between Aqua and Incineroar.

"Use Darkest Lariat go..!" The masked Royal called and Incineroar performed the attack and charged towards Aqua. "Pop...!" Aqua leaped into the air and her body was coated in a jet stream of water!

"That's Aqua Jet!" Ash exclaimed.

"Lotic..." Milotic gasped.

"POP, POPPLI, POP POPPLIO!" "INCINEROAR!" Aqua and Incineroar shouted as they continued to charge at each other in this final showdown of Fire vs. Water as they collided and created a massive explosion and covered the arena in a cloud of smoke. Everyone braced themselves as they waited for the smoke and the following shock wave from the explosion to subside.

"WOULD YOU GET A LOAD OF THAT, FOLKS?" Andy called through the blast. "AQUA HAS JUST LEARNED AQUA JET AND HAS NOW CLASHED WITH INCINEROAR'S DARKEST LARIAT ATTACK IN THIS FINAL SHOWDOWN BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER!"

"I HOPE OUR CAMERAS WILL GET THE PICTURE BACK AND THE SMOKE WILL CLEAR SOON AS WE'LL BE WONDERING WHO WILL COME OUT ON TOP IN TODAY'S MASKED ROYAL TRAINER'S CHALLENGE!" Jean added through the blast as well.

Finally, the smoke departed to reveal Incineroar and Aqua panting from exerting themselves so much through their attacks. They both glared at one another with smirks on their faces, determined to find out who will be the one to fall first in this final showdown between them. The minutes ticked by as everyone waited with bated breath to see who will emerge as the winner.

Everything and everyone was silent, until...

With a final groan, Aqua was down and out as she gave in to her wounds while Incineroar got down on his left leg and his right knee on the ground, the new Aqua Jet attack having given him quite a hit. Sarah, her family, her friends, and her Pokemon were shocked by the results and so was the Masked Royal. Even the commentators and the entire audience was thunderstruck until Jean, Andy, and Hunter made the final announcement after getting over their shock.

"And, it's all over! Incineroar has once again emerged victorious!" Andy called as the crowd went nuts for Incineroar and most importantly, Aqua. "It was quite a battle and in the end, the fiery Incineroar came out victorious!" Jean added. "And, let's not forget Aqua, she was a sight to see!" Hunter finished.

"Aqua..!" Sarah rushed over to her down water type pokemon.

"Goomy, Goom!" Goomy called, wanting her to wake up.

"Aqua, wake up girl..." Sarah called and Aqua opened her eyes, "Pop? Popplio..."

"You were amazing, girl..." Sarah congratulated just as Milotic, Lolita, Wooloo, Sylveon, and Ponyta came to see her. "Popplio..." Aqua smiled sadly, knowing that she lost but she had fun, regardless.

But, then she remembered how she failed in her previous goal and turned away, feeling sad that she hadn't avenged the previous trainer's Primarina despite having learned Aqua Jet.

"Aqua...?" Sarah asked, noticing her self-loathing Water Pokemon frown in disappointment. The Masked Royal smiled with an approving nod as he went to his partner. "Well done, Incineroar, I'm proud of you." "Incine," thanked Incineroar with a smile before they went to their most determined and spirited challengers.

"That was a great battle, young miss," the Masked Royal congratulated drawing Sarah and her Pokemon's attention. "Your Pokemon fought valiantly but Aqua sure took us by surprise, especially with that Aqua Jet."

"Yeah, but this loss really made a dent in Aqua's pride as a Water Pokemon and she didn't avenge the honor of that Primarina and her trainer," she replied worriedly when she held her self-disappointed Sea Lion Pokemon to them. She looked at them and turned away, concerning Incineroar as he gently turned her head to him. He gave her a kind smile and growled to her, thanking her for a spectacular finish to his and his partner's first Battle Royale of the Trainer's Challenge.

Aqua smiled back but it didn't make her any better. None of the others in the audience didn't know what to say, they all felt sorry for her despite having come so far in the Battle Royale as the Masked Royal and Incineroar continued to congratulate her, Sarah, and Goomy.

Her downtrodden mood didn't improve when everyone returned to Melemele Island the next day as she looked out towards the ocean, thinking about what the Primarina and her trainer she saw would say when she would meet up with them. Sarah and her friends were watching her with worry, wondering how she's taking her previous loss.

Goomy and Milotic went over to her, "Goomy..?" "Milotic..?" Aqua just sadly turned away with a sad, "Pop..."

"How's Aqua?" Mallow asked as they watched the Tender and Soft Tissue Pokemon huddle close to her, Milotic going so far as to wrap her tail around her little sister figure in a sad but comforting hug, which Aqua accepted as she nuzzled her.

"Not getting any better," Sarah sighed sadly. "She's really feeling the sting of her loss and now, she felt like she's let her species, even the Primarina in the last Battle Royale and her trainer, down. Not even Goomy and Milotic can cheer her up when we got home."

"Sounds like she's taken losing to Incineroar and the Masked Royal pretty hard. We all know how she feels along with Litten, especially after those Bulk Ups," Kiawe sympathized with a sad frown.

"Using Bulk Up twice made Throat Chop and Darkest Lariat that more powerful," Rotom-Dex noted.

"But, at least they did their best," Lana pointed out. "Even the crowd was cheering for them and Goomy had a lot of fun and wants to become stronger until the next time he faces his Pokemon idol."

"I'm more worried about what that trainer with the Primarina would say if she found out about that," Sarah retorted. "Clearly, Aqua wanted to prove that a Primarina can be just as strong or stronger than an Incineroar would ever be."

The others didn't know what to say.

At that point, as they kept watching, a familiar woman and her Partner Pokemon were swimming nearby on the beach leading to the Pokemon School when they saw Aqua looking disappointed as Goomy and Milotic continued to do their best to comfort her.

Curious about the collared and downcast Water Pokemon, the trainer and her Primarina got out of the water and walked over to the three Pokemon, with Aqua being their main interest.

"Hello there, why the long face?" she smiled kindly. Aqua turned to her left and her eyes widened, she was meeting her own idols from the Battle Royale she saw on TV. It was the Primarina Trainer from the previous Battle Royale that led to the Masked Royal and Incineroar's twentieth victory.

"Hey, isn't that-" Mallow asked.

"The trainer and Primarina from the last Battle Royal..!" Sarah gasped.

"Pop..." Aqua gasped. Sarah and the others came over to the small group,

"Hey there." the women greeted.

"Hi, are you and your Primarina really..." Sarah asked, a little gobsmacked as she picked up Aqua, who could only stare at the woman and her Primarina in shock.

"That's us, I'm personally surprised we got ourselves a big fan in your little Popplio if she was surprised to see us," she chuckled. "I'm Raine and this is my Primarina, the two of us were in the last Battle Royale you saw being televised the night before yesterday."

"Marina!" the older Water Type bowed with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Raine. I'm Sarah and this is my Popplio, Aqua," Sarah introduced. Aqua finally broke out of her starstruck trance and let out a happy "Pop!" as she waved.

"Hello there, my name's Ash and this is Pikachu." "Pika!" Ash and Pikachu said.

"I'm Lana, and this is my Pokemon Partner, Popplio!" Lana greeted excitedly with Popplio giving an ecstatic bark.

"Hi, my name's Mallow and this here's my Steenee!" "Steenee!" replied an awestruck Steenee and Mallow.

"Sophocles is my name and these here are my partners, Charjabug and Togedemaru!" Sophocles introduced himself and his Partner Pokemon.

"I'm Kiawe and this is Pyroar and Turtonator, it's nice to meet you." "Pyroar!" "Turton!" greeted Kiawe, Pyroar, and Turtonator.

"Hello, I'm Lillie and this here is Snowy," Lillie introduced herself and Snowy politely with a smile.

"I'm glad to meet all of you," giggled Raine before she and Primarina looked fondly towards the school. "To think it's been years since we first walked in that building, Primarina. You as my little Popplio and I was the adventurous little 10-Year-Old back then."

"Marina Pri Mari," Primarina smiled as she giggled towards her trainer.

The others were surprised when they heard this, was Raine once a student at the Pokemon School with Professor Kukui as her teacher? "You went to the Pokemon School, too?" Sarah asked.

"Of course, I was one of the school's first students when it first opened. And, my partner and I were amongst the best," smiled Raine.

"Cool..." Ash stated happily. "Now, why is your little Popplio here sad?" Raine asked.

"Well, when we saw you and two other trainers with a Machamp and a Decidueye battling the Masked Royal and Incineroar, Aqua and Goomy became inspired and wanted to battle them at the Battle Dome," Sarah began. "But, when Aqua saw Primarina losing and Goomy cheered for Incineroar's win, it created a rift between them. She took your and Primarina's loss pretty hard and wanted to avenge you in a solo battle against him which is why my family and I brought her to the Battle Dome to fight along with Goomy since he wanted to face his idol."

Raine and her Primarina were intrigued, "Whoa, sounds like we got a few Battle Royale contenders. We saw you when you asked to be accepted as the Masked Royal and Incineroar's first challengers alongside two of your friends when it was being broadcast. I was really impressed with how your Goomy and Aqua held up, especially after learning Aqua Jet."

"She really gave it her all when she fought Incineroar alone in the last quarter of the Battle Royale and she even learned Aqua Jet which took all of us by surprise," Lana added before she also frowned sadly.

"But, it wasn't enough for her to win, especially since she told Goomy to back out and let her battle alone for that last round."

"Aqua felt she really let you two down after failing to beat Incineroar and the Masked Royal," Ash finished. Raine was surprised but she and Primarina gave Sarah and Aqua a sympathetic smile.

While their loss against the Masked Royal and his Heel Pokemon was a rough one for them, they took it all in stride and trained harder, knowing that there will be another time when they'll have a chance against their strongest opponent. Now, it looks like one of their fans was feeling the same pain they felt but on a much more personal level. Raine decided to take Aqua in her arms and soothe her.

"You feeling a little bummed from losing in our honor?" she asked kindly.

"Pop..."

"I know it's hard for you to accept that, Aqua, but losing like that's not that bad."

Aqua looked at Raine, "Popplio?" she asked, tilting her head to the side a little.

"The thing about losing at any level is that you need to learn that there is much more you can learn from defeat than what winning could ever teach you. It's very nice that you've fought for Primarina and I in that Battle Royale but you can't hope to beat him alone just with your own strength. You drew your true strength from the bond you shared with your fellow Pokemon and Sarah which allowed you to last longer against Incineroar and the Masked Royal longer than most challengers have." Aqua's eyes widened as she remembered that she had to work together with Goomy to take on Incineroar before she forced him to back off and let her fight alone.

Then, she recalled the times when she assisted everyone in saving a wild Wailmer from a Bruxish from the start of the gang's Akala field trip and when she and her younger brothers and sisters helped to save a sick Sarah from Team Eclipse. "What you did to help your family has allowed you to know that you drew your strength from them and your friends because they all loved and cared for you," Raine continued before she turned to Sarah. "Isn't that right, Sarah?"

"Yeah, ever since I've helped her and Milotic break free from their old trainer, that's how it's been with her, me, and the rest of my Pokemon."

"Sarah always has something in her that can bring out the best in a Pokemon in any situation, Aqua's no different with what she does as part of her family," Mallow agreed.

"Even Goomy was worried for her when she took on Incineroar for the last few minutes of the Battle Royale and he did feel bad about not considering her feelings about you and your Primarina," Lillie added

. "I see," Raine smiled again as she petted Aqua again. "How would you like to battle me and Primarina, to help cheer you up and perfect your new Aqua Jet, Aqua?"

"Pop?!" Aqua gasped in shock. She looked towards Raine's Primarina and she nodded with a smile, confirming her trainer's wish. "Pop! Popplio, Pop!" Sarah's Sea Lion Pokemon barked happily.

"Goomy?" Goomy asked as he crawled over, "Goomy Goom?"

"Aww... Goomy wants to battle too." Mallow cooed happily.

"Goomy?"

Sarah smiled when she saw him coming to Aqua, "I know what he also wants." "Goo... Goomy?" he asked his big sister.

"Pop?" asked Aqua, surprised. Goomy was a little nervous after how things recently went between them following the televised Battle Royale and his obvious idolizing of The Masked Royal and Incineroar but he carried on, telling her that he's sorry for not thinking about the other challengers, especially Raine and Primarina, and that he should've understood her own feelings on the matter. He even promised to let her battle his idol first again should he forgive him for his idolization and naivety.

Aqua was surprised and silent after Goomy gave his apology to her but then she smiled and also apologized for being so harsh with him over Incineroar and the Masked Royal's win over Raine and Primarina and their other competitors and for not wanting to fight with him in their first Battle Royale.

She also extended Goomy's promise on her side by letting him and the rest of their family fight with her in future Battle Royales they'll partake in the Battle Dome against her their common rivals at any time if he'll forgive her for overreacting and being a jerk towards him. With that, the two younger Pokemon made up as they hugged and nuzzled each other happily while everyone else looked on, smiling at them. That was enough for Raine and Primarina as their smiles brightened.

"Well, that settles it," she said finally. "Aqua, Goomy, would you two like to double team against us?"

"Pop!" "Goomy!" the Dragon and Water Types saluted with determined smiles as Raine and her Soloist Pokemon gave approved nods.

"Alright, any objections, Sarah?"

"None whatsoever!" Sarah smirked as she also accepted the offer.

Aqua and Goomy cheered happily. Then, Aqua and Goomy were facing off against Raine and her Primarina.

Ash and the others stood off to the side with their partners and the rest of Sarah's Pokemon as they eagerly awaited the battle between Sarah, Aqua, and Goomy against Raine and her Primarina. The human kids could hardly contain their excitement.

"This is gonna be great!" Ash cheered loudly.

"We're going to see Sarah, Goomy, and Aqua battle Raine and her Primarina!" cried Lana excitedly.

"I wonder how Raine and Primarina will fare against them," Sophocles wondered, optimistic about the battle.

"We're about to find out," smirked Kiawe. "I'll let you, Aqua, and Goomy have the first attacks, Sarah!" Raine called with a smile as Primarina braced herself.

"You got it! Aqua, Goomy, let's go!" Sarah obliged before she signaled her two Pokemon to begin. Goomy took his place while Aqua balances herself on his head, both having determined smiles to prove themselves to Aqua's idols.

"Goomy, Tackle! Aqua, Water Gun!"

"Primarina, your tail!" Raine smiled as she looked to the charging younger Pokemon.

"Mari!" Primarina acknowledged as she prepared her tail and swung at Aqua and Goomy when they were at close range, blocking the Water Gun and Tackle attacks and bouncing them back, much to their surprise.

"Whoa..." Sarah gasped in amazement. "That's amazing, Primarina was able to use her tail like a baseball bat and hit them back. What else can she and Raine do?"

"Wow! Did you get a load of that?" Mallow breathed in awe.

"Yeah, Primarina used her tail to send them back and block their combo attack without using her special attacks," Lana awed.

"Raine and her Primarina must've trained very hard and they must be very close if they were to do that," Kiawe noted in agreement.

"We'll need a new plan, guys! Let's try a blind long range attack blitz!" Sarah recalculated as Goomy and Aqua went side by side.

"Goomy, Dragon Breath! Aqua, Bubblebeam!" Goomy first used Dragon Breath and Aqua followed with Bubblebeam, hoping to take Raine and Primarina by surprise this time.

"Primarina, Sparkling Aria!" Raine called. Primarina nodded as she got on her tail and produced a water bubble that exploded into tinier bubbles which made contact with the Dragon Breath and Bubblebeam attacks and nullified them before the rest traveled to Aqua and Goomy.

"Dodge it, guys!" cried Sarah. Aqua got onto Goomy again and he quickly whisked them away despite feeling the shock waves from the bubbles that exploded near them and nearly threw them off.

"That was too close!" Lillie gasped. "That Sparkling Aria was really powerful if it was able to shake them up like that," Sophocles noted.

"And, it's something that could be a double-edged sword unless it's used correctly," Kiawe added.

"What do you mean?" Ash asked, having not known fully about Primarina's signature attack.

"It's a move only Primarina knows that could be used against her opponents and allies," Mallow explained.

"She's right! If an ally's Pokemon is burned on her side, she could use Sparkling Aria to heal it," Rotom-Dex described.

"But, it also inflicts damage to any adjacent Pokemon and it can be upgraded to a Z-Move called Oceanic Operetta if one possesses a Z-Ring holding a Z-Crystal called a Primarium Z."

"Huh?! Just how effective is it since Raine doesn't have a Z-Ring?" Ash asked in shock.

"I don't know and I don't want to be the one to find out," Mallow finished while the others nodded in agreement.

"Very well done, Sarah, but you'll need to push yourself and your Pokemon beyond your limits if you're going to win," Raine congratulated. "Now, it's time to see what Aqua Jet can do!"

"Right, coming your way! Goomy, stand by," Sarah smiled and nodded. Goomy understood what was about to happen so he backed off and got himself ready to stand in and help Aqua should she need his help.

"Aqua, let's get in gear with Aqua Jet!" Sarah called to her Sea Lion Pokemon. Barking in agreement, Aqua covered herself in a sheet of water before she charged at Primarina, keeping her eyes on Raine and her evolved form.

"Primarina, use Aqua Jet too!" Raine called and her Primarina used Aqua Jet as well and the two seal pokemon charged at each other.

They both collided but Aqua was knocked back by Primarina's Aqua Jet. "Aqua!" Sarah gasped.

"Goomy...!" Goomy crawled over to where Aqua would and let Aqua land on him instead. "Pop?"

"Goomy..?"

Aqua got off of Goomy, "Popplio, Pop."

"Goom..." Goomy smiled.

"That was a closer one!" "Pop, Pop!" Lana gasped along with Popplio.

"That Aqua Jet Primarina made sure was a tough one," Mallow noted.

"She and Raine had complete control over it and they fluidly knocked Aqua away with such grace," Lillie gaped.

"A trainer is as good as his or her Pokemon and your Pokemon have been well trained and cared for, Sarah," Raine smiled.

"Thanks, but I owe it to them a lot for making me the trainer I am," Sarah accepted the thanks.

"And, that's the spirit that will make you into a greater trainer than most. But, a Pokemon needs to be in harmony with oneself and his or her other teammates if they're going to be unbeatable. I've learned my lesson and so did Primarina when we lost our first battles and we've grown stronger from that."

Sarah nodded, understanding what Raine was saying, "That's what happened to me and I've learned to trust my Pokemon on matters like that."

"Then, let's see your spirit burn as brightly as it did during yesterday's Battle Royale! Primarina, let's go!" Raine called as Primarina cooed in determination.

"We're ready! Aqua, Goomy, Tackle plus Pound!" Goomy, hearing his and Aqua's mother figure's next orders, charged towards Primarina again with a Tackle attack while Aqua prepared her tail to use Pound on her evolved form.

"Moonblast!" Raine bellowed as she pointed at her and Primarina's charging opponents. The Soloist Pokemon launched her Fairy Type attack but this time, Goomy and Aqua were ready as the Soft Tissue Pokemon jumped up and tackled Aqua forward, barely missing the Moonblast attack before it hit Goomy and he was thrown back, allowing Aqua to spin like a wheel as she fell down and swing her tail towards Primarina on the head, surprising her and Raine greatly.

"Primarina!" Raine shouted in amazement and shock.

"They got 'em!" Ash cried out.

"Aqua finally managed to hit Primarina and with Goomy's help!" Lana cheered happily.

"Goomy's quite a trooper taking that Moonblast," Kiawe said.

Goomy shook off the damage from the super effective Fairy Type move, "Goomy...!"

"That's the way, Goomy..!" Sarah cheered.

Quickly, Aqua used Aqua Jet to make it back to Sarah's side and check on Goomy to see if he was hurt bad by the Fairy Type move.

"Pop, Popplio, Pop, Pop?" she asked worriedly as she nuzzled him.

"Goo! Goomy Goo, Goom, Goo, Goomy!" he told her proudly before he noted that they'll need to outsmart Raine and Primarina more if they're going to win despite the lucky shot they got.

Aqua was amazed from Goomy's fighting spirit as she looked him in the eyes and saw the same fire to push himself to the limits with his family by his side as she had in them. Even with their little fallout over something so petty, it was rekindled thanks to Goomy, Sarah, Raine, and her Primarina when she was reminded that her true strength comes from her family and the bonds of love she shared with them. The Sea Lion Pokemon now realized that she can't fight anybody alone and she needs her family and friends more than ever if she's going to protect her human mother and surpass Incineroar and now, it looks as though Goomy is learning the exact same lesson in his own way.

"Poppli?" she asked Goomy, who turned to her. "Popplio, Pop, Pop, Popplio... Popplio!" she tells him, wanting them to finish this battle, together as they should've done with Incineroar.

"...Goomy, Goom, Goo, Goomy, Goo, Goo!" Goomy agreed, also knowing that there will be no hard feelings for either of them if they win or lose, as long as they become stronger together to protect their family and friends and have fun.

But, it was right then and there that a miracle happened. As soon as their promise was made, they both began to glow a bright blue. Everyone looked in shock and awe as Sarah's two Pokemon started to change shape and grow a little bigger.

"Ah..." "Marina..." Raine and Primarina gasped in awe and amazement.

Sarah couldn't speak as she saw her Dragon and Water Types morph and change until they completed their evolution cycles and revealed their new forms to everyone. "Brionne!" "Slig Sliggoo!"

"They both evolved?!" Mallow exclaimed in shock.

"But, that's impossible!" "Pika!" Ash and Pikachu gawked.

"Difficult in a way for two other Pokemon but not for those two," Kiawe gasped. "But, how and why?"

"I think they made a promise to each other that only they know and that's what caused them to evolve together," Lillie theorized. "Now, Aqua's a Brionne and Goomy's now a Sliggoo."

"So cool..." Lana gasped in amazement.

"HISTORY IN THE MAKING! HISTORY IN THE MAKING! I'M SEEING A DOUBLE EVOLUTION!"Rotom-Dex buzzed ecstatically as he first scanned Aqua. "Brionne, the Pop Star Pokemon, a Water Type and the second evolved form of Popplio. Brionne can make balloons in all sorts of colors, and performs a joyful dance when its Trainer needs cheering up."

Then, he scanned Goomy now seen as a Sliggoo, "Sliggoo, the Soft Tissue Pokemon, a Dragon Type. Its four horns function as a highly sensitive radar system, picking up many different scents and noises."

Sarah was gobsmacked, she thought it was her imagination but she felt the bonds connecting her to Aqua and Goomy grow when they evolved after they made their promise and now, she was enthralled from seeing their double evolution.

Raine and Primarina were amazed as the brightest smiles they had on their faces appeared. "Primarina, this is their true strength," she said and Primarina agreed wholeheartedly.

"Bri!" "Slig!" Aqua and Sliggoo chirped happily to Sarah, who snapped out of her trance to see them.

"You two..." she breathed. "You want to continue...?" They nodded as they gave determined smiles and glares towards Raine and Primarina.

"Okay, let's get down! Ready or not, Raine, here we come!"

"Alright, Sarah, now let's see what you and your Pokemon are made of!" "Pri!" Raine and Primarina smirked, accepting the challenge. "Primarina, Aqua Jet plus Pound!" she called as Primarina shot forward towards Aqua.

"Sliggoo, stand by! Aqua, use your Pound and Aqua Jet!" Sarah shouted as Sliggoo braced himself while Aqua shot forward towards Primarina.

"Sliggoo..!"

This time, with her true strength revealed, and her new evolution from it, Aqua was able to match Primarina as they traded blows with Aqua Jet and Pound, smiling to each other as their battle was just beginning.

Then, Aqua was forced back as Sliggoo caught her and swung her in a circle before he released her to allow her to continue.

"YES!" Sarah cheered in amazement.

"Amazing, Aqua was now able to match Primarina in terms of controlling her Aqua Jet, her teamwork with Goomy after he evolved into a Sliggoo, and her endurance as she was able to last longer without wasting energy after she was forced back," thought Raine as she watched her partner and Aqua fight, smiling all the way. "She finally understood that she doesn't have to fight alone and that she needs her friends and her family to help her, including Sliggoo!"

Aqua and Primarina's clash continued until they forced each other back, deciding to have a final showdown to end it and this time, Aqua will have her little brother's help.

Raine knew what they were thinking as Primarina nodded to her and she returned it, "Aqua's improved, Sarah, and so has Sliggoo. But, now it's time to end all of this."

"My thoughts exactly," Sarah agreed, despite not wanting the battle to end.

"Primarina, one last Moonblast!" "Aqua! Sliggoo, combine Bubblebeam with your new move, Dragon Pulse!" Sarah and Raine called for their Pokemon's final attacks.

Primarina built up her Fairy Type energy until her Moonblast attack is fully charged and she released it back at Sliggoo and Aqua, who retaliated by shooting a more powerful Bubblebeam and combined it with the stronger Dragon Pulse energy sphere instead of Dragon Breath.

The two attacks met in a deadlock as everyone watched with bated breath to see who would come out on top but the two attacks finally scraped past each other and all three Pokemon ended up getting hit.

When the smoke settled, all three Pokemon were grinning at each other when... All three Pokemon fell.

Everyone was amazed by what just happened. The battle had ended in a draw but Sliggoo and Aqua had managed to beat Primarina and they did it together without Aqua having to fight her alone!

Ash, the others, and the Pokemon all looked on, goggle-eyed at the scene, until they all cheered for Raine, Sarah, and their Pokemon for an incredible battle and for how much Aqua and Sliggoo improved in such a short time.

"Aqua, Sliggo!" Sarah cried as she ran to them and picked them up, smiling at them as they woke to see her. "I'm so proud of you two, you were fantastic!" she told them as she hugged them with both Pokemon returning the hug and giving her a nuzzle.

Raine nodded proudly as she went to Primarina, who got up and saw their opponents, smiling prouldly as well. "Primarina, I'm very proud of you. You fought brilliantly," she congratulated. "Marina..." the Soloist Pokemon smiled happily to her partner as they watched Sarah's Pokemon dogpiling on Sarah, Siggloo, and Aqua congratulating them for Aqua and Siggloo's victory and double evolution despite the draw.

Even Ash and the others along with their Pokemon partners couldn't help extending their congratulations to the trio. "You did it, Sarah, they're so strong now!" Ash replied.

"You three were fantastic out there! And, Raine and Primarina were awesome," Lillie agreed happily.

"Just what we expect from our strongest friend and her family!" cried Lana excitedly.

"That was beautiful the way you guys fought and that double evolution was such a feat!" Mallow put in.

"The best battle I've seen out of you in a while!" said Sophocles with a proud smile.

"You and Raine were awesome, Sarah," congratulated Kiawe.

"Thanks, guys, but I think Aqua and Siggloo deserve the credit," she tried to deny again. "Even Raine and her Primarina were awesome out there."

"Actually, you and your Pokemon together are incredible out there, Sarah," Raine congratulated as she and Primarina came to them.

"Sarah, that was the best battling I've ever seen from a trainer and Pokemon of your stature. I knew there was something about Aqua's true strength that made her unique and now, I got to see her at her brightest and her best because you and Sliggoo were there to fight with her. Even if our battle ended in a draw, that did a world of good for her as she now knows that she'll need you guys and the rest of your Pokemon to help her win, especially when they meet Incineroar and the Masked Royal again."

"Marina, Pri, Prima, Marina!" Primarina agreed as she extended her own congratulations to Aqua, who blushed as she rubbed her head with a sheepish smile.

"Thanks, Raine, you and Primarina were a great help. I'm sure we can learn a lot from you," Sarah smiled.

"And, to extend my congratulations to you, I think you deserve these as a reward," continued Raine as she proudly presented two Z-Crystals, a Waterium Z and a Primarium Z.

Everyone's eyes twinkled as they gasped in awe and amazement with bright smiles. "Are those Z-Crystals?" Lillie cried happily.

"A Waterium Z and a Primarium Z," Raine confirmed. "I had two crystals since a friend of mine on Ula'Ula Island had them in a jewelry store and he and his staff didn't find anyone who wanted them. So, I took them and kept them with me until I can find a trainer who could make good use of them."

"Are those two... For me, really?" Sarah gasped as she eyed the Z-Crystals.

"You deserve them, especially with what Aqua just went through," smiled Raine as she and Primarina nodded.

Sarah nodded and smiled, happily accepting the Z-Crystals. "Thank you, Raine, they're beautiful!" she awed as she held them.

"The Waterium Z will allow you and a Pokemon that knows a Water Type move to perform Hydro Vortex and once Aqua evolves into a Primarina, you two can perform the upgraded Z-Move of Sparkling Aria, Oceanic Operetta," the Primarina Trainer told Sarah.

"Thanks again, Raine, you're the greatest!" Sarah smiled at her.

Raine nodded proudly as she and Primarina looked to Aqua and Sliggoo. "Aqua, Sliggoo, don't forget what you've learned today because a little teamwork and family love between you goes a long way," she reminded them.

"Brionne!" "Slig Sliggoo!" the two Pokemon saluted as they smiled.

Sadly, as the day was ending, it was time for Raine and Primarina to say goodbye as they decided to continue their own journey while Sarah and the others continue their own.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Sarah asked as the two prepared to leave on a motorboat. "Professor Kukui will be happy to see you again if you know him."

"Thanks, Sarah, but we ought to be getting home," Raine politely declined. "We've got a lot of training and exploring ahead of us, anything to help us prepare for our future together and for our next challenge against the Masked Royal and Incineroar."

"I sure wish we could come with you on your adventures, Raine," Lana wished. "We would've loved to see what you and Primarina do in your time."

"Maybe next time, when we pop in for another visit, we can take you on our next trip or help with a lecture at the school," the Primarina Trainer offered. "We'd love to teach you what we've learned from the school's early days. I was a graduate from there, after all."

"Good luck, Raine. You too, Primarina." "Take care," Ash and Kiawe said as the others exchanged their goodbyes, too.

Sarah brought Aqua and Sliggoo to Primarina, the Pop Star Pokemon feeling sad that her idol/mentor and her trainer had to leave after everything they've been through. But, after she nuzzled Sliggoo goodbye, the Soloist Pokemon her trainee's head, telling her they'll meet again whenever she and Raine pop by to see them. Knowing this is not farewell, Aqua smiled and shared a hug with her, crying happily.

"Bye, Raine! Bye, Primarina!" Everyone called happily to their new friends.

"Bye, everyone, take care!" "Primarina!" Raine and Primarina waved happily as they departed.

As everyone said goodbye to Raine and Primarina until the next time they see them again, they had no idea that they were being watched by a familiar figure and Fire Type Pokemon at a distance. The Masked Royal and Incineroar had seen everything and they smiled proudly for Sarah, Aqua, and Sliggoo.

"You know, Incineroar, I thought Ash and his Torracat were something special," the Masked Royal mused. "But, Sarah, Aqua, and Sliggoo, they're something else. I'll be looking forward to us having a future Battle Royale with all five of them, someday, especially Aqua."

"Incineroar," Incineroar agreed, he obviously found a great rival in Ash's Torracat after he evolved and proved a more formidable challenge for him. But now, Sliggoo was looking to be a greater challenge and Aqua was probably destined to be his greatest rival and friend. He was obviously looking forward to the moment when they battle again and at that time, she will be ready and so will he.

Aqua and Goomy's double evolution to a beautiful and peppy Brionne and a strong and slick Sliggoo became a reality along with gaining a stronger sibling bond, thanks in large part to the encouragement and timely arrival of one of the Masked Royal's previous challengers, Raine and her Primarina. But, our heroine and her friends' next encounter with them will remain a mystery as the journey continues!


Sarah's Team:

1. Pikachu

Moves - Thundershock, Tackle, Thunderpunch, Double Team

2. Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Moves - Rock Throw, Bite, Tackle, Rock Slide

3. Lycanroc (Midnight Form)

Moves - Rock Throw, Bite, Tackle, Protect, Rock Slide

4. Silvally

Moves - Crush Claw, Air Slash, Hyper Beam, Swords Dance, Dragon Claw, Multi Attack, Tri Attack

5. Mudsdale

Moves - High Horsepower, Double Kick, Mud Slap, Bulldoze

6. Wooloo

Moves - Wild Charge, Tackle, Electro Ball

7. Ponyta (Galar Form)

Moves - Dazzling Gleam, Moonblast, High Horsepower, Heal Pulse, Psybeam

8. Meowth (Alola Form)

Moves - Thunderbolt, Scratch, Iron Tail, Dark Pulse

9. Brionne

Moves - Pound, Water Gun, Icy Wind, Bubblebeam, Aqua Jet

10. Milotic

Moves - Dragon Pulse, Ice Beam, Twister, Mirror Coat

11. Mareep (Shiny)

Moves - Thunderbolt, Confuse Ray, Power Gem, Signal Beam

12. Sylveon

Moves - Tackle, Tail Whip, Copycat, Shadow Ball, Light Screen

13. Sliggoo

Moves - Water Gun, Protect, Tackle, Dragon Breath, Dragon Pulse

14. Noctowl

Moves - Wing Attack, Foresight, Air Slash, Confusion

15. Espurr (Male)

Moves - Helping Hand, Psyshock, Light Screen, Future Sight

16. Espurr (Female)

Moves - Heal Pulse, Psyshock, Dark Pulse, Future Sight