Alright guys, I am sorry this chapter took me forever to write. I had a severe case of writers block with this chapter, as I did not know how to even begin it. I knew exactly what I wanted to happen in it, but not how to begin it. I finally settled on Wes and Rose training, and I am very pleased with how it turned out.

Special thanks to both Umbruhon and pokemonking0924 for reviewing Chapter 4, and a big thank you to The King of Emerald for Beta Reading this story.

Enjoy!

"And that makes five practice matches that I've won so far," Rose sighed, slight irritation clear in her voice. "Now are we going to make that six, or are you going to listen to me for once."

Wes growled, leaning down with some medication in hand. Nayru weakly groaned at him as he began applying the medication, but he paid no attention to her, his eyes locked angrily on Rose. "Cut me some slack! I've been getting better each time, haven't I?"

"Actually, if anything, you've been getting worse," Rose stated, glaring. "How many times do I have to tell you, your mistake is that you aren't anticipating my moves. You aren't forming a strategy in your head on how to defeat me, right Pikachu?" Maple didn't reply to this, forcing a groan out of Rose. "Right, Maple?" Maple nodded finally, squeaking in happiness at her trainer.

"Ugh, again with that strategy talk," Wes muttered, rolling his eyes. "I've told you before, battles aren't all math and books, you need to rely on your gut."

"And I have told you, again and again," Rose shouted back. "You can't just go into a Pokemon Battle with guns blazing. You need to have some reason behind each and every move you make, otherwise you might as well just be throwing stones at a Snorlax, while going around it would be more effective."

"And what if you can't think of a logical way to win," Wes smirked, thinking he finally nailed her on something. "If I recall, Ms. Strategy was gonna give up on our first trial because she thought it was mathematically impossible to win, right?"

Rose blushed heavily at this. "I... I... Okay fine, I admit it, you were right to rely on your gut there." Rose frowned, thinking before speaking next. "But while I've admitted that battles aren't all about math and strategy, and you need to rely on your gut as well, you've failed to do the same. You keep throwing gasoline on the issue, while the strategy in right in front of you, just use water."

"What do you mean?" Wes asked, confused, standing up.

"I mean that I've learned from you, so..." Rose blushed again. "It would be nice if you could learn from me too..."

Wes grinned at this, placing his hands behind his head. "Nah. Glad you learned a thing or two from me, but I'm afraid you've got nothing to teach me. I'm not good at all that book stuff anyway, besides, my battling style is fine, I just need to boost up the power of my team with some training is all."

At this, Rose literally began trembling before yelling loudly in frustration. "You are literally the most insufferable, stubborn person I've ever met! I hope that whatever happens in tomorrow's battle, that I can finally be rid of this partnership of ours for good afterwards!" Rose huffed at that, storming off in a fit of rage, leaving Wes looking after her with a mixture of confusion and irritation.

"Gee, no need to be rude," Wes muttered, puffing his cheeks up a bit. "I mean, seriously, what did I do?"

"Bragged about being the best when all she was trying to do was help," Nayru muttered, getting to her feet. "Come on, master, I mean she does have a point."

"And what point would that be?" Wes rounded on Nayru, glaring a little.

"Well, think about it," Nayru stated, looking up at her trainer. "How much better has Rose gotten at battling since your first trial?"

"I admit that she's improved a little, but so have I, if you haven't noticed," Wes pointed out.

"That's not my point," Nayru sighed, clearly irritated by her master's inability to understand what she was trying to say. "This has nothing to do with your battling, master. Rose's skill has improved so much since she began re-modeling her battle style, that Jason-" Wes growled at the name for a second, forcing Nayru to stop talking before she continued. "The jackass said that Rose had improved so much that she could even contend with some of the teachers. I don't recall him saying the same to you."

"That's because that asshole is biased against me while she's the teacher's pet," Wes huffed in denial.

"Well, would it really hurt to try and adapt some of her battle style into your own?" Nayru asked politely. "I mean, think about it, how much better do you think we would be in battles if we just planned out ahead of time?"

Wes frowned, but began mulling over Nayru's words. "It's not like we don't ever use strategy... I mean, we used Growl on that Totem Pokemon to weaken it. That's strategy."

"Strategy that your gut told you to do," Nayru pointed out. "Master, I'm a psychic type, and I know damn well that you were just shouting the first attack that came to your mind without thinking through what the attack would do. You've always done that."

Wes sighed, sitting on the ground before laying back and looking at the sky. It was true that Rose's battling had improved a lot since that trial, and it was true, as much as he hated to admit it, that his own skill had only improved a little bit. Most of his new strength had come from his Pokemon getting stronger, not any change in battle tactics on his part.

"Hey, Nayru?"

"What is it?" the psychic fairy type asked, looking over at her master.

Wes sat up and began getting to his feet, "Let's go to the library."

"Alright, sounds g- Wait, we're going WHERE!?"

XxXxXxX

"Um, master?" Nayru sweat dropped, staring at her trainer. "While I am both shocked and happy that you are actually trying to think of a plan to use in the battle tomorrow... don't you think you are overdoing it a little..."

Wes was sitting at one of the many tables in the library, a sheet of paper in front of him and a pencil in his hand with the eraser almost completely gone. Scribbles were everywhere on the sheet of paper, making it almost impossible to understand what exactly was happening on the sheet itself. Bits of eraser were covering the table, and eraser smudges had joined the nonsense of lines on the paper as well.

"Look, it's fool proof," Wes smirked, looking at the nonsense on the paper. "I think I know exactly how me and Rose will beat Kahuna Hala!"

"Wow, well if you know your strategy, lay it on me," Nayru smirked, impressed.

Wes paled at this, looking at the sheet of paper in confusion, "Uh... well..."

"Apparently I was asking for too much," Nayru muttered, staring at her master in disbelief.

"Cut me some slack!" Wes shot at her, groaning and shoving the sheet of paper aside, resting his chin on the table and placing his hands on his head to soothe his throbbing headache. "I've never come up with a legit strategy before... like I told Rose before, I mostly just go with what my gut tells me to do."

"Alright, let's take it slow," Nayru sighed, pulling out another sheet of paper from Wes's backpack, walking over and placing it in front of him, levitating the pencil and beginning to write. "Hala is a Fighting Type Specialist, which means that we already have the upper hand. Fighting pokemon are weak to both fairy and psychic, so me and Faye have the upper hand."

"Yeah," Wes nodded. "Okay, so um..."

"So since we got type advantage, we already hold a good shot at winning," Nayru pointed out. "However, we need to be conscious of one important detail."

"And that would be?" Wes mumbled in confusion.

"Both Faye and I are primarily special attackers," Nayru said, writing it down. "Now, think, master."

Wes stared at the paper for the longest time, thinking on what it all could mean, before finally, something seemed to click in his head. "Oh! What if he has items like Special Defense up, or uses Light Screen!?"

Nayru grinned widely in pride at that, "There you go! That's using your head master!"

Wes, however, frowned. "But the issue is, we don't have enough time to catch and train up a pokemon that specializes in attacking physically."

Nayru frowned as well, "Yeah, we'll just have to make our strategy around using special attack boosting items, or teaching me a move that specializes in increasing my special attack."

Wes stared at Nayru for a minute, realizing something in that minute. "A new move..."

"Pardon?" Nayru asked, looking confused at him.

"Since the school has all sorts of TMs, we can just teach you a move that'll render Special Defense boosts powerless!" Wes grinned.

"Yeah, like I said, maybe something like Calm Mind to boost my power," Nayru stated.

Wes, however, shook his head. "Nah, I remember Professor Kukui mentioning another move that I think you can learn that'll help more."

Nayru looked confused, "I don't remember that."

Wes chucked a little, pride practically radiating off him. "Just trust me."

XxXxXxX

Morning came swiftly on Alola, and soon it was mid-afternoon, where all of the students of the school began gathering in Iki Town, knowing full well that Wes and Rose were scheduled to fight the Kahuna Hala for a shot at clearing the Grand Trial of Melemele Island. Hala was standing up on a wooden stage, a smirk of confidence beaming off his face. Rose looked less sure of herself, standing on the ground next to Wes, who didn't seem worried at all, which only made her more irritated.

"Let me guess," Rose muttered in anger. "You are going to tell me not to bother with my strategy as you will handle everything with your power?"

Wes looked at her confused, but somewhat hurt as well, "I didn't say that... what is your strategy anyway?"

"Not like you would follow it anyway," Rose shot back at him, turning away with her arms crossed.

Nayru leaned forward on Wes's shoulder, whispering into his ear, "What will we do, master?"

"As long as you and I follow our plan, we'll be fine," Wes whispered back. "I just hope Rose doesn't lose both her allowed Pokemon." Meanwhile, watching them from behind was Jason and Kukui, both of them looking at the two trial goers with different looks.

"Oh, this isn't good," Kukui muttered nervously. "They really need to Bulk Up and get it together."

"I don't see the issue," Jason muttered. "Wes will lose both his Pokemon cause he's a moron, and Rose will single handedly defeat the Kahuna, earning herself the stamp while Wes fails. She'll move on, and Wes will be forced to stay behind. Honestly, it would be better that way, Rose learned all she could from Wes in my opinion, so it's only right."

Kukui was about to respond, but before he could Hala and stepped forward. "Alright, let's get this trail underway. Today, we have two trial goers who have already cleared the Verdant Cavern trial, and are about to face me to see if they are worthy of continuing on to Akala Island to continue their challenge. I am proud to welcome Wes and Rose up on stage with me!" Both trainers stepped forward at that point, looking at Hala nervously. He turned to them, grinning broadly. "Wes and Rose, are you ready? You will both be allowed two Pokemon against me in double battle style, while I will use four. First side to have all four Pokemon faint loses... however, if even one of you loses both your Pokemon, you will surrender the win. If one of you gets knocked out, but the other one wins, that person will continue onto Akala Island alone, and the other will stay behind to battle me again later on." Hala smirked at that. "If both of you wanna win together, you must battle as one. Do you need time to prepare with one another?"

Wes was about to speak, but Rose instantly spoke up. "No, we're fine."

Hala looked confused at that. "Are you sure? Don't you want to know what your partner is planning?"

"I already know what he is going to do," Rose said angrily. "I've got my plan in mind, so there is no need."

Hala shrugged, "Alright then, we'll begin now."

"Hey, give me a chance, why don't ya?" Wes growled as Hala stepped over to the trainer box on his side of the field. Rose responded only by glaring at Wes before turning back to Hala.

"Alright, send out your pokemon," Hala declared.

"Go, Faye!" Wes called, throwing the level ball into the air. Faye emerged from a flash of white light, cheering as she flew around.

"Go, Maple!" Rose commanded, pointing. Maple squeaked, jumping from her shoulder onto the field.

"And for my Pokemon, I will pick Mankey and Makuhita!" Hala called, throwing two Ultra Balls into the air. From the first popped out a Pokemon with a round body covered in whitish, shaggy fur, with a pig snout like nose, red eyes and triangular ears with brown insides. From the second ball emerged a bulky, yellow Pokemon with black markings on its chest that extended to its neck. It had round hands resembling black boxing gloves, yellow feet with two visible toes, red ring-shaped markings on its cheeks, and slit-like eyes.

"Rotom, analyze!" Rose ordered.

"On it," Rotom shouted. "Mankey, the Pig Monkey Pokemon, zzt. Extremely quick to anger. It could be docile one moment then thrashing away the next instant." Rotom then turned slightly to look at Makuhita. "Makuhita, the Guts Pokemon. Makuhita has a tireless spirit - it will never give up hope. It eats a lot of food, gets plenty of sleep, and it trains very rigorously. By living that way, this Pokémon packs its body with energy."

"Sure you don't wanna strategize?" Wes asked.

"I'm fine," Rose replied rudely. "Maple, Reflect!"

"Don't let her get that off!" Hala shouted. "Makuhita, Fake Out!"

Before Maple could make her move, Makuhita charged forward, slapping both of Maple's cheeks at the same time. Unable to complete her move, Maple growled in frustration.

"Flinching..." Rose growled in frustration. "Why didn't I see that coming?"

"Allow me," Wes stated. "Faye, Reflect!"

Faye twirled around in the air, before what looked like a barrier of energy surrounded both her and Maple. Rose blinked in surprise, before turning back to Wes. "Wait, you taught Faye Reflect?"

"Duh, we're fighting against fighting type Pokemon, which normally specialize in physical attacks," Wes muttered, before looking at Rose irritated. "Might as well double our defense, right?"

I don't believe it, Rose thought to herself. He actually planned ahead? No, probably more of his dumb 'gut feeling' stuff, that or he's copying me.

"Oh, ho," Kukui smirked, watching in interest. "Seems like Wes finally did some homework."

"One move doesn't account for an entire plan," Jason pointed out. "Wes might have just used that move because Rose tried to. We'll have to see how he plans to finish this off... with 'plan' being used loosely."

"I'm impressed, seems like you two did coordinate," Hala grinned. "But let's see you fight against this. Mankey, Focus Energy!" Mankey roared out, flashing red and glaring at both Faye and Maple.

"Focus Energy doubles the chances of him landing a critical hit," Rose muttered. "Since criticals ignore Reflect, I need to-"

"WE," Wes shot at her. "We need to take Mankey down first. Faye, Moonblast!"

Faye flew up, charging a pink orb of energy before sending it flying towards Mankey, however the pig monkey was ready, and leapt out of the way of the attack before it landed.

"Oh no you don't!" Rose shouted. "Maple, Thunder Shock!" Maple charged up some electricity before sending it flying towards Mankey, who got zapped but still seemed able to continue.

"Makuhita, Arm Trust!" Hala commanded. "Mankey, Karate Chop!" Both Makuhita and Mankey charged forward, first Makuhita hit Maple with the side of his arm, then Mankey hit Faye with the side of his hand. Maple and Faye both seemed injured after this, but still were able to continue.

"I need to use my strongest move," Rose growled. "Maple, Surf!"

"Hey, hey!" Wes shouted.

Faye's eyes went wide, soon obstructed by the giant tidal wave that Maple created, sweeping Faye, Mankey and Makuhita under it. Faye emerged dizzy and injured, while Makey was knocked out, and Makuhita was seriously injured.

"What's the big idea?" Wes shouted at Rose. "You should warn me before you pull something like that!"

"Faye survived, didn't she?" Rose shouted back. "Besides, she quad-resists fighting attacks, so she can take more hits before she's knocked out."

"Sure, but pull another stunt like that and I'll almost think you are trying to knock me out on purpose," Wes muttered angrily.

"I did it to damage them both," Rose shot back. "And like I said, she's fine!"

"Oh, boy," Jaun sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Those two are at it again."

Lillie nodded, watching the battle, "But haven't you noticed, they are completely different. Rose seems too angry to focus on actual strategy, while Wes actually is thinking everything through."

"They managed one knock out," Kukui sighed. "But at this rate, they are gonna end up hurting each other's Pokemon more then Hala's."

"Not bad... but you two aren't going to win like this." Hala announced, recalling Mankey and pulling out another Ultra Ball. "Go, Crabrawler!" Out of the ball emerged a purple shelled crab with blue and yellow accents, and two long, yellow antennae above his eyes.

"Crabrawler, the Boxing Pokemon," Rotomdex analyzed. "It punches so much, its pincers often come off from overuse, but they grow back quickly. While guarding its weak points with its pincers, it looks for an opening and unleashes punches, zzt."

"Now it's time to show you the true meaning of these crystals you are earning," Hala suddenly said, holding up his left arm, where Wes noticed a white bracelet with a brown colored crystal attached to it. Upon touching the crystal, he began doing a series of poses, which created a yellow glow that surrounded both him and Crabrawler.

"W-what is happening?" Rose asked, fear in her voice.

"This is a Z-Move," Hala stated. "All-Out Pummeling!" Crabrawler charged right at Maple, his claws glowing with energy. But right away, before Maple got hit, Faye jumped in the way at the shout of Wes, taking blow after blow from Crabrawler before finally falling to the ground, unable to move.

"Faye!" Wes shouted, running forward and gently picking up his Pokemon. "I don't understand, with both her fairy and bug type, that should've barely done a thing.

"Z-Moves are more powerful then ordinary moves," Hala stated. "Even with your reflect up and your resistances, Faye was just too weak to survive that. Maybe if you two were actually working together, that would've have happened." Hala then turned to Rose. "Your inability to work with your partner caused his Pokemon to faint. If you didn't notice, even after your pokemon attacked her, she was willing to sacrifice herself for Maple to continue the battle."

Rose seemed to suddenly realize what she was doing, looking down at Wes cradling Faye, with both Maple and Nayru looking at her in worry. Wes pulled out Faye's level ball, recalling Faye and stepping back to his spot.

"Wes, I'm sorry, I-" Rose sighed. "I was so angry with you, that I just thought about winning this battle on my own. In that stead, I guess I was so angry that I didn't care even I even hurt your Pokemon."

Wes looked at her for a moment before sighing. "Knock it off with that mushy stuff!"

"But-" Rose gasped.

"I said don't," Wes snapped, but then he smirked at her. "Save it for after we win this battle! Go, Nayru!"

"Are you sure you should continue battling?" Rose asked.

"My gut is telling me yes," Wes smirked, turning to her again. "And my brain is telling me that Nayru has a good chance of winning, and my strategy is prime for action. You in?"

Rose looked at Wes mesmerized before finally smirking back. "I'm in! You deal with Makuhita, I got Crabrawler. I'll make him pay for knocking out Faye! Maple, Thunder Shock!" Maple charged up some electricity before shocking Crabrawler, but this didn't do too much to the crab pokmon, who remained ready for battle.

"Crabrawler, use Power-Up Punch on Maple," Hala commanded. Crabrawler charged and punched Maple right in the gut, injuring her too much to continue.

"Maple!" Rose shouted, rushing forward towards her.

"Nayru, use Confusion on Makuhita!" Wes commanded. Nayru glowed with blue energy, which surrounded Makuhita and sent him flying before he landed on the ground, unable to battle.

"They're two for two now," Jaun stated.

"Let's hope this continues," Lillie muttered.

"Not bad," Hala said, recalling his Makuhita. "But now for my last pokemon, go Machop!" A humanoid, gray skinned pokemon emerged from the ultra ball, with three brown ridges on top of its head, and large red eyes.

"Rotom?" Rose asked.

"Machop, the Superpower Pokemon," Rotom stated. "It continually undertakes strenuous training to master all forms of martial arts. Its strength lets it easily hoist a sumo wrestler onto its shoulders."

"Thanks, Rotom," Rose muttered. "Machop seems strong."

"I remember facing those in Hoenn before," Wes commented. "Easy pickings for Nayru."

"Let's hope, that Crabrawler is dangerous," Rose stated, taking out her great ball. "Go, Bagon!" Bagon emerged, clicking her jaw.

"If you think my team is going to fall so easily, you are mistaken," Hala declared. "I declare that I am using two items. I'm using two X. Special Defenses, one on each of on my Pokemon."

"Oh, no," Rose gasped, stunned. "This is bad, he just boost his team's special defense... I don't think I can take them both on!"

"You don't have to," Wes calmly replied.

"How can you be so calm?" Rose asked in panic. "Your stupid gut felling cannot be seriously telling you this is ok! Crabrawler has more attack power because of Power-Up Punch, and those items just increased his special defense on both his Pokemon two fold! Bagon can't take them both on, they got good natural defense as it is."

"Once again, I must remind you that this isn't over," Wes smirked. "This time, not because of my gut, but because my strategy is about to take effect!"

"Huh?" literally everyone asked in confusion, especially Jason and Rose.

"Allow me to show you, by attacking Crabrawler," Wes declared. "Nayru, use Psyshock!" Nayru's eyes began to glow again, but this time, what looked like a mass of blue and purple energy, firing it at Crabrawler, who took the hit, causing a miniature explosion. Crabrawler stumbled from the blast, looking severely injured.

"How did it do that much damage?" Rose asked in shock. "That was a special move, wasn't it?"

"It was," Wes grinned confidently. "A special move that inflicts physical damage!"

"I can't believe it," Jason blinked in surprise. "He's using his freaking head!"

"That certainly is a Psyshock, huh?" Kukui grinned, prompting a massive groan from Jason and every other student.

"Psyshock is not only more powerful then Confusion, but the physical damage done by it passes though those items you used," Wes boldly stated. "Now, if you used Light Screen, I'd be a bit more screwed. For some reason, the way Light Screen works decreases Special Attack done by me, so..."

"Machop, Light Screen!" Hala commanded.

"Oh, Arceus," Wes muttered.

"It's alright, I got this," Rose stated. "Bagon, Brick Break!" Bagon charged forward and with a chop, shattered the Light Screen and did damage to Crabrawler, who fainted from the battle. "Now, Wes!"

"Uh, right," Wes stumbled. "Nayru, Psyshock!" Nayru nodded, sending more energy orbs at Machop, who tried to avoid them but couldn't, fainting from the blast.

"Alright, we win!" Wes cheered with Rose, both trainers hugging each other in happiness. The hug lasted for a few moments, before Rose suddenly realized what she was doing and shoved Wes away, blushing a bit as he tumbled to the ground.

"Um, g-good job," Rose mumbled.

"You didn't need to shove me away," Wes glared up at her.

"Well, you two really managed to pull through in the end, huh?" Hala declared, walking forward with a smile. "Now I can proudly say that... hey, Nayru is glowing."

"Huh?" Wes looked over, and sure enough Nayru was being surrounded by a massive blue light.

"Master! I feel weird," Nayru shouted. "What is happening to me? I feel strange... why am I growing bigger!?" Nayru suddenly began to grow, inside of the light, before it vanished. Nayru now looked like she was wearing a white tutu, with three ruffles on each hip. Beneath the ruffles, she had skinny blue legs with pointed feet, and thin white arms. Her blue hair now revealed her orange eyes, reaching down to her shoulders. Her orange horn was now also different, looking like hair pins on each side of her head.

"Nayru just evolved into Kirlia," Rotomdex announced. "Analyzing... Kirlia, the Emotion Pokemon. It is said that a Kirlia that is exposed to the positive emotions of its Trainer grows beautiful. This Pokémon controls psychokinetic powers with its highly developed brain."

"So, I evolved?" Nayru asked, looking over herself. "Sweet!"

"Well, that isn't the only prize you are getting today," Hala announced. "Here you go, your prize. Accept this Z-Crystal!" Both Wes and Rose held out their hands, taking from Hala a crystal that looked the same as the one he used in the battle.

"So, these crystals we are winning allow us to use those Z-Moves?" Wes asked.

"Correct," Hala nodded. "But you two still need the final piece of the puzzle to unleash Z-Power, and it just so happens the second prize for this was... a Z-Ring!" He then held out a white band similar to his own, which Rose and Wes took, strapping it on their wrists. "A mysterious armband that can draw out the power that lies deep within Pokémon. We kahunas can make them by refining stones."

"That's pretty cool," Rose muttered. "So we can use Normal and Fighting Z-Moves now..."

"Yes, but your Pokemon must also know a normal or fighting move before doing so," Hala explained. "Additionally, you can only use a Z-Move once per battle. The ring only recharges outside of battle."

"That bites," Wes frowned. "Still, it's pretty awesome."

"I can't wait to see your progress," Hala grinned. "To the Melemele Island Trial completion for both Wes and Rose!" Everyone around them cheered, clapping excitedly. Wes and Rose both sheepishly grinned, embarrassed by the praise they were getting.

"Well, Jason, what says you?" Kukui asked, turning to his assistant. "Still think Wes was a bad pick?"

"He cleared this island... and that has definitely piqued my interests," Jason said, a true grin forming on his face since Wes met him. "He has a long way to go... but now I think this journey is going to be a lot more interesting."