A/N: I may be a day off, but happy 25th Anniversary Pokemon!

Chapter 79: Best Served Cold

"Mudsdale, use High Horsepower!"

"Hydro Pump, Araquanid!"

Despite the high rate of water being pushed at him, Mudsdale charged through it to deliver a swift kick right to its jaw, knocking the spider out and winning her the battle. Sighing, her opponent returned his Pokemon to its ball.

"Dang it, I thought I had you."

"You fought well, but you'll have to do better than that if you want to qualify for The Alola League."

"Well, next time i'll win for sure!"

"I look forward to it."

After a friendly handshake, her opponent ran off to heal his Pokemon while Hapu gazed up to the Alolan sky. Ever since Kukui had announced his plans to start an official league in the region, she'd been getting lots of new challengers looking to start their Z-Crystal collection. Not that she minded, as it gave her plenty to do. Besides, anyone challenging her expecting an easy win was in for a harsh wakeup call. Her grandfather would be proud.

Her reminiscing was short lived, however, when an all to familiar crack appeared in the sky, setting her on edge.

"Oh no, not again..."

Her fears were proven correct when a lone figure shot out of the rift and crashed into the ground. When Hapu saw what it was, her blood froze cold.

"No...it can't be..."

But it was. The very same Ultra Beast her grandfather died repelling stood before her, its muscular body bulging up and down as it sized her up. Her blood boiling, Hapu's eyes narrowed.

"I don't know why you decided to come here again, but I'll be glad to send you back to where you came from! Mudsdale, use High Horsepower!"

Her noble steed charged, ready to buck the mutant mosquito back through the anomaly from which it came...

Only to be sent flying with a single punch, as if he himself was the insect. The Ultra Beast dusted itself off, not at all worse for wear.

"Mudsdale, are you okay?"

The Ground type rose to its feet, shaking himself to regain focus.

"Alright, use Bulldoze!"

Snorting, Mudsdale slammed his hooves into the ground, shaking it violently and throwing the creature off its balance.

"Now use Mud Slap!"

Repeatedly stomping the ground, blinding its foe with mud before it could make a move.

"Now get in close and use Stomping Tantrum!"

The Beast managed to clear the mud from his eyes, but by that time, Mudsdale was already upon it. Before it could throw his opponent off, Mudsdale was trampling it, breaking multiple bones as it cried weakly.

"No mercy!"

"Hapu, wait!"

Hapu turned to see Ash, Lillie, and Illima running towards her, looking concerned.

"Stay back! This is between me and him!"

"What? Wait, is that..."

Hapu nodded, hatred still burning in her eyes.

"He took my grandfather away, now he has to pay!"

Her friends watched in horror as Mudsdale continued to trample the bug.

"Hapu, stop! If this keeps up you're going to kill it!"

"Then so be it! An eye for an eye."

Realizing Hapu was blinded by rage, Lillie tried a different approach.

"Hapu, please this isn't the answer. I've lost family too, I know what you're going through..."

"No you don't! You got your family back, whereas I can't!"

"Maybe so, but I know what its like to feel that pain. After dad disappeared, mother became so distant that is was like she was a different person. Then Gladion left and it felt like I had no one! I was so lonely, so angry I wanted to lash out like you're doing!"

Hapu remained silent, but it seemed like Lillie was reaching through to her.

"The anger that you're feeling is natural. You don't have to forgive it, but it you keep going down this path, you'll be no better than it. Please Hapu, we're your friends. We don't want to have to fight you, but we will if you force us to."

Hapu closed her eyes, thinking things over. She glanced down at the Ultra Beast, which looked more like a mound of flesh than a Pokemon as her Mudsdale pummeled it. Glancing up towards the sky, she could've sworn she saw Tapu Fini, who seemed to be glancing down at her, sharing her friends' looks of concerns. Sighing, she knew what she had to do.

"Mudsdale, return."

With a click of the Pokeball, Mudsdale returned. Ash then took out a Beast Ball and captured the Ultra Beast, now named Buzzwole. As the four left, Lillie decided to check up on Hapu.

"Hapu? Are you alright?"

"No, but... I will be. Thanks, Lillie."

"Don't mention it."