Tomorrow morning, Ash and Misty exited the rented house on Route 1 when Hau ran to them.
"Hey Ash! Misty! I finished my trial!"
"Really?" The redhead asked. "How long ago was that?"
"Not even half an hour ago! We're both ready to face the Kahuna, but I want to see which of us has the right to face Hala first! I want to see how far I've come compared to you!"
"Alright, let's do it could be fun." Ash chuckled as he and Hau walked away from each other to a respectable walking distance. Misty sat down under a tree to watch the two boys.
"Let's have it a three-on-three Ash. You having six makes it too unfair."
"Fair enough. Popplio, I choose you!"
"Torracat, let's go!" To the surprise of Ash and Misty, Litten had evolved. It was bigger and there was more fiery red fur contrasting with the black fur.
"Whoa, when did your Litten evolve?
"This morning before taking on the trial. I spent a fair amount of yesterday and the break of dawn training. And even with Torracat and Pikachu, that Raticate was tough."
"Well, let's see how strong your evolved starter is."
"Yeah! Torracat, use Double Kick!" Sprinting as fast as a cat would, the Fire Cat Pokemon jumped to flip around, and gave to kicks to the Sea Lion's face, and she cried out from the discomfort.
"Popplio, hang in there! Use Water Gun!" Managing to recover, the water starter was able to spray the cat with water, the fire type hissing from the super effective move.
"Double Kick, again!" Angered by getting wet, the Fire Cat Pokemon made the same attack again, this time knocking the water type out cold as she crashed towards Ash's feet with a yelp.
"Popplio, are you okay?!" Ash asked his starter, and despite being beaten down, she gave a pained nod and smile.
"I'm glad you're good. Return." Ash withdrew his Pokemon before sighing. "Looks like I'm going to have to use my newest ace. "Hawlucha, I choose you!" Thanks to defeating two Raticate which were much stronger than any of the Pokemon around(A/N: Due to Raticate being level 20 at minimum while everything else was around half that. Early evolution are either impossible or morally wrong given it's forced.), the Wrestling Pokemon was considerably stronger than when he was first caught. He flexed as he was ready to take on this newest challenge. "Hawlucha, use Wing Attack!"
"Counter with Fire Fang!" Now you'd think that this would follow some logical conclusion. A bird and a cat? Well, it certainly went how one would expect when Torracat bit down with fiery jaws on the white glowing wing, but don't underestimate a fighting type. Instead of just letting the stronger attack get the better of him, Hawlucha simply gritted his teeth as he bashed his other wing into the Fire Cat's side, the two Pokemon falling onto the ground and rolling over, struggling to be on top.
"Hawlucha, use Karate Chop!" During their tumble, the Wrestling Pokemon let his hand glow white, and struck the fire starter, whom was forced to let go.
"Huh, the Wrestling Pokemon using a move that doesn't involve wrestling while literally wrestling a Pokemon. Talk about mixed martial arts." Misty chuckled. Even with that point though, it was able to give Hawlucha the win as Torracat cat couldn't handle further damage and was under the triumphant Hawlucha.
"Torracat, return!" Hau withdrew his starter, but then began to laugh. "Thanks partner. You did great. Rest now. Pikachu, let's go!" Ash felt a twinge of guilt when he saw an electric mouse appear on the field. "Huh, what's wrong?" Realizing that Hau noticed his feelings, the trainer shook his head and steeled himself as he had to continue. Or that's how he felt.
"It's-it's nothing. Hawlucha, use Karate Chop!"
"Thunder Shock!" Despite getting hit with a super effective move, the fighting/flying type was able to power through and chop the Mouse Pokemon into the air, the Pokemon crying out from the blow. "Now counter with Electro Ball!" Forming a yellow ball of electricity resembling a plasma ball at the end of its tail, and did a front flip to sent it at the surprised Pokemon as he was caught in explosion with sparks, sending the Wrestling Pokemon tumbling over his back a few times until he came to a stop, knocked out cold as he groaned.
"Hawlucha, return." Upon withdrawing his strongest Pokemon, he sighed. "Thanks. You hung in there good. Rest now. Buneary, I choose you!" Sending out his Rabbit Pokemon, the normal type smiled with a determined grin as she recognized that the Pichu evolved.
"Pichu, Electro Ball!" Running and jumping at great speed which the swift Buneary wasn't expecting, she was hit by the attack faster than she could respond and groaned from the damage she was taking.
"Use Frustration!" While surrounded by the electricity, Buneary grew to be red as her anger over took her, and she leaped to give a kick which landed against the electric type.
"Quick Attack!" While being kicked back, Pikachu used his tail to sink into the ground, bent back from the force, then rebounded like a spring to get extra momentum as he sprinted and rammed into the Rabbit Pokemon. She screamed as like Hawlucha she was sent flying back, and was soundly defeated as she was down and out.
"Whoa, you've definitely grown stronger. Thanks Buneary, return."
"Aw yeah man! I know that much training would pay off!" Hau jumped up and down in joy. "How were my Pokemon's best moves?!"
"They were certainly good. You were certainly taking my Pokemon down fast. Even your... Pikachu was just as fast as my Hawlucha."
"Yeah, now I'm going to show the Kahuna what I'm made of! Way to go Pikachu! Gonna show my old gramps I'm pretty strong now!"
"Wait, Hala is your grandfather?"
"Yeah! Now I'm going to see if I've surpassed him! Ain't that right Pikachu?!" The electric Mouse Pokemon cheered in response. Ash felt a punch in his gut that Misty recognized on his face for what it meant. "Hey, is something wrong?"
"Um... well..."
"Ash's first partner was a Pikachu." Misty explained. "I told you before about his encounter with the Spearows, but Pikachu was in very bad shape. Physically he's fine but he still hasn't woken up." Hau lost his smile.
"Oh, sorry man. Must've been hard seeing my Pikachu after something like that."
"If I had only knew better, he wouldn't be in the state he's in right now." Ash sighed.
"Hey now, it's like your mom said. Not everyone has the best start. Don't beat yourself up over it." The redhead tried to be assuring as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Well, maybe some time later we can do something fun." Hau shrugged. "To get your mind off it."
"Yeah, maybe." While he wasn't sure if that would help, it would be nice if they did something together.
"Cool. I'm going to get my Pokemon healed up, then you can watch me beat my grandpa."
"Well Hau, I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what moves you and your Pokemon will pour your soul into." Professor Kukui said as he and Lillie were talking with Hau, now that you've beaten your first trial. And good work on beating Ash."
"I'm surprised you managed to beat him." Lillie commented. "I didn't think you would have grown that strong that quickly." Hau just laughed.
"Yeah well, that's the thing with having only three Pokemon. They're growing twice as fast due to not spreading training out so thinly. We sure achieved something cool with the trail."
"Alright, let's see how you do against your strong challenge, cousin! His fighting type team won't be easy to beat."
"I have a secret weapon. Just watch." And with that, Hau left the two and went to his grandfather, Kahuna Hala.
"Congradulations on clearing your trial in Verdant Cavern. Good work." The older man complimented his grandson.
"Thank you."
"You think you're ready for me?"
"Yeah! I'm going to show I surpassed you!" Hala grinned from his response.
"I have been waiting for this!" The two walked to Iki Town's platform, where Misty, Ash and Lillie watched from the sidelines.
"Hey Misty, maybe later we can train so that I can handle this better." Ash requested.
"Sure. Say, I think that the fun thing we can do is ride that Mantine ride. I mean, after you get the Kahuna's permission that is."
"Yeah, that sounds fun." That was when they heard Hala give an uproar.
"Now show me you and your team's full power! Old Hala here will also be going all out! Let the Grand Trial begin! Go, Machop!" The Kahuna sent out a small grey humanoid.
"Noibat, let's go!" Ash was surprised that Hau had caught a third Pokemon.
"Machop, use Focus Energy!"
"Use Supersonic!" The Bat Pokemon's ears produced sound waves of a high pitch which caused the Superpower Pokemon to cover his ears, even as it glowed white and gained a more defined muscular body.
"Stay focused! Use Karate Chop!" Trying to shake the confusion and ringing out of its head, the fighting type took a leap to try and attack, but Noibat was able to fly out of the way, and the dizzy Pokemon crashed onto its head and thus hurting itself.
"Use Gust, quick!" Flapping his wings to produce a big amount of wind, the disoriented fighting type was blown off the field and crashed against a tree.
"Machop, return. Apologies that you couldn't display your strength. Go, Makuhita!" A fat yellow Pokemon with black markings around its neck and round hands shaped like boxing gloves replaced the Superpower Pokemon.
"We can still win this easily! Use Supersonic again!" Like before, the Sound Wave Pokemon confused the opposing fighting type.
"It seems like Hau's really got this under control." Lillie commented. "He sure has a good Pokemon to take on his grandfather."
"Yeah. I'd imagine I'm going to win this primary with Hawlucha as well." Ash remarked. "I'm going to have to train my other Pokemon real good so that they don't fall too far behind."
"At least it won't take very long." Misty added. "A day or two of training, and you'll certainly reach Hau's level. And I'll help all the way."
"Thanks." Paying back full attention to the fight, they saw that the Guts Pokemon was knocked down too.
"Makuhita, return. Well Hau, you've certainly trained yourself a well suited Pokemon, but don't think I'll just let you take the win. Go, Crabrawler!" This Alolan Pokemon resembled a purple lobster with four legs, and pincers resembling boxing gloves colored cyan.
"Stay focused Noibat! He might use his Z-move!"
"Right you are! I am the Kahuna! Behold out Z-power!" Hala yelled as he activated his orange Z-crystal, and he plus his Pokemon performed a series of punching, building up power.
"We'll use our own then!" Striking a pose to form a square, both he and Noibat were determined to survive what was to come. "Breakout Blitz!"
"All-Out Pummling!" Hala roared as his Crabrawler starting sending out orange shock waves which Noibat deftly dodged initially, but the rate of the punches were getting too fast and thus the Sound Wave Pokemon's attack was completely repelled thanks to the orange fists, including one giant one that overwhelmed the flying/dragon type. However, due to being a flying type and raised well, the attack merely weakened him and not defeated him outright.
"Wow. All-Out Pummling." Ash was amazed by the fighting type Z-move, as was Misty. "Just what other kinds are there?"
"Logically speaking, there's a Z-Crystal for every type, but rumor is that there are crystals for specific Pokemon." Professor Kukui told him. "I want to learn about them all so that I can fully understand the scope of them. The sweet moves they all make, yeah."
"It is quite the interesting phenomena." Lillie nodded. "Kalos has their own special crystals that empower the Pokemon's forms. Yet Alola has crystals for the moves."
"Quite indeed Lillie. I wonder which is the superior item, and what if we could combine the enhancements of Mega Evolution and the power of Z-Crystals?"
"Mega Evolution?" Ash asked.
"It's when Pokemon evolve further than what they can normally do." Misty answered. "They're rare, so it's not something commonly seen." With one final Gust, Noibat was able to dispose of the Boxing Pokemon, and Hau won the Grand Trial! Everyone in the village cheered.
"Whoa, well played!" Hala laughed.
"Woo! Way to go cousin!" Kukui complimented.
"Way to go Hau!" Ash shouted.
"You handled that so well!" Misty celebrated for him. Lillie didn't say anything but she was smiling and softly clapping in applause.
"Hmph, your results come of no surprise to me!" Hala congratulated Hau. "You are my grandson after all! What a fine trainer to have such a fine Pokemon to beat me so easily!" The boy beamed from such high praise.
"Tapu Ko-Ko-Ko!" Everyone heard their guardian deity respond through the air.
"Ho, and the mighy Tapu Koko agrees! Perhaps Tapu Koko is hoping is hoping that a day will come where you will grow strong enough to battle it as well. Hau, accept this Z-Crystal." Handing his grandson a Fightium-Z, the boy nodded in gratitude before raising it high for his friends to see, and they each gave their own response to show how happy they were for him. "With this victory, you have cleared all the trials of Melemele Island. The moon in the daytime... The sun at night... Now to see if you can pour your heart into something that cannot be seen but is very much real. As you continue on your island challenge, consider what makes up the people and Pokémon that you meet: both what you can see and what you cannot. You will surely meet Tapu Koko someday."
"Yeah." Hau agreed, his eyes shining with hope and pride.
A/N: For the record, Ash could've even more easily beaten Hala. Just one Hone Claws and he would be able to one-shot Machop and Makuhita and down Crabrawler with two Wing Attacks. But considering that Hau didn't have a Pokemon that could exploit the Raticate's 4X weakness to fighting, he had to be overall tougher. Ash's team was level 12 overall for simplicity's sake with Hawlucha by the end of the Captain trial at level 14. Hau's Pokemon, due to being only 3 instead of 6, could have the time to train up to level 17 each to have a better shot of beating a realistically level 20 Raticate while Hala's Pokemon are their canon levels. I say this as to explain why Hau won both against Ash and Hala quite handily. Don's expect Ash to always be behind though. He'll make sure he can keep up the next time.