Chapter 13 Trial and Tribulation
The next day after talking to Professor Kukui and Ash's Grandmother about the Island Festivals, the stadiums are now in construction. Ash, Lillie, and Golly are now at Ash's Mansion since Lillie is having a sleepover. Aurora is looking at the newspaper and she says, "Looks like what you've done yesterday is in the newspaper."
Rotom says, "Let me see...appearing beside the Island Kahuna Hala, Ash, Golly, and Lillie's deeds are something to behold. The children were helped by the Totem Pokemon Gumshoos after defeating it in battle. They were then successful in driving out the Rattata and Raticate who had recently been causing trouble. It was mentioned that all three of them will be receiving a certificate of thanks from Officer Jenny."
"Really?" Ash asks in surprise.
"We get certificates?" Lillie asks, also shocked.
At the same time, the doorbell rings, and they open the door to find Officer Jenny. "Alola, Ash, Lillie, and Golly."
Golly notices the Gumshoos and she says, "Wait, that Gumshoos...isn't he..."
"Thanks to you guys, I was able to find the perfect partner." Officer Jenny says.
"That is great, right? Gumshoos?" Ash asks.
"Gumshoos is also known as the Stakeout Pokemon, it is very persistent and patient. Its compatibility with Officer Jenny is 99.7%!" Rotom says.
"By the way, the three of you are finally taking on the Grand Trial today, aren't you?" Officer Jenny asks.
"That's right." Ash says.
"Would you like a lift in my car to Iki Town?" Officer Jenny asks.
"That sounds great for you guys." Aurora comes and asks, "But is that the only reason you're here?"
Officer Jenny gasps, "I almost forgot! The certificates for you three. On behalf of Melemele Island, I present this certificate to Ash, Lillie, and Golly in praise of their actions."
Each of them is given the certificate, and they thank the Officer for it. With Aurora's permission, they also ride in Officer Jenny's police car as they arrive at Iki Town.
"Are you leaving without watching the Grand Trial?" Rotom asks Officer Jenny once they arrive at Iki Town.
"It's disappointing, but I have a job to do." Officer Jenny replies. "Melemele may be a peaceful island, but it still keeps me busy."
"It's peaceful because of you, Officer Jenny." Ash says.
After bidding farewell, they all head to the Ruins of Conflict, which Hala requests them to do. They are praying with Kahuna Hala before the battle.
"Today, I will carry out a Grand Trial battle against the challenger Ash, Golly, and Lillie. The Guardian Deity of Conflict, Tapu Koko...Please bestow upon us the power of the Alolan Islands." Hala says.
"Tapu Koko...please watch over our Grand Trial battle with Hala." Ash says.
Golly asks, "How long are we going to do this?"
"We're actually done." Hala says with a laugh.
"Um...Kahuna Hala, do you think that Tapu Koko can hear what we said?" Lillie asks.
"It might hear us, or it might not." Hala says. "Tapu Koko is a fickle Guardian Deity, after all."
Then they hear the cry of Tapu Koko, much to their delight, and they decide to head back to Iki Town and do the Grand Trial. At the same time, Professor Kukui also arrives, much to their surprise.
"Ash, before the Grand Trial, I want to double-check some things. What is the pose you make when using a Normal Type Z-Move?" Kukui asks.
"Don't worry! We've got it down perfectly after all the practice." Ash says. "Isn't that right, Pikachu?"
Pikachu nods, and Kukui smiles, "So you've totally Lock-On'd to that Z-Move, huh?"
"We're so excited." Golly says.
"Using a Z-Move consumes a lot of power from both its trainer and Pokemon, so you can only use it once per battle."
"That means it's very important to know when we should use it..." Lillie mutters.
"That's right." Kukui smiles.
With Lillie's request, Ash and Lillie are doing it together, and Golly wants them to go first since she wants to win it alone and it will be better for Ash and Lillie to do together.
Hala says, "Now show me you and your partners' full power! Old Hala here will also be going all out! Let the grand trial begin!"
"The Island Challengers Ash and Lillie's Grand Trial battle with the Melemele Island Kahuna Hala will now begin!" Kukui yells.
"Pikipek! I choose you!" Ash says as he throws the Pokeball.
"Rowlet, come on out!" Lillie says.
"I bet it is still asleep..." Rotom mutters, but much to his surprise, Rowlet is awake.
Lillie says, "Still, I can't believe you would let me use your Pokemon as well..."
"Thanks to Professor Kukui, I have let you access my Pokemon not only for training you to touch Pokemon, but also to give you some practice with Pokemon battles." Ash says.
"And I'm still thankful for that." Lillie smiles.
"Come on out, Mankey and Crabrawler!" Hala says as he sends out two Pokemon. Ash says, "Fighting Type Pokemon...I see..."
"Pikipek and Rowlet are both Flying Types, Ash and Lillie have advantages!" Rotom says.
At the same time, Tapu Koko is watching from the shadows. Crabrawler uses Power-up Punch to gain the attack stats, and Mankey uses Focus Energy. Rowlett and Pikipek all use Gust, which the two Pokemon hangs on.
"It was Super Effective!" Rotom says.
Then Mankey uses Karate Chop and makes them fall to the ground, much to their surprise. Ash and Lillie gasp as Golly mutters, "Their health points have decreased dramatically..."
"Both Hala's Mankey and Crabrawler are as powerful as ever." Kukui notes.
"Okay, Pikipek! Use Quick Attack!" Ash says.
"Rowlet! Use Leafage!" Lillie says.
Both Pokemon attacks, and Hala tries to have Crabrawler use Bubble Beam and Mankey use Karate Chop, which causes both sides to go neck-to-neck.
"My Pokemon are not your typically trained Pokemon, Ash and Lillie." Hala says.
"Hala was right...Actually, his strength is beyond words." Kukui thinks.
Rowlet suddenly appears beside Lillie, causing her to scream and hide behind Ash. Ash sighs, "Geez Rowlet. You keep getting beside us like that without us realizing..."
Lillie suddenly stops being afraid and says, "That's it! Rowlet can use Leafage again and then sneak up on Crabrawler."
"Then I'll continue to attack Mankey with Pikipek's Fury Attack." Ash says.
Both Pokemon manage to attack the two Fighting Type Pokemon, and they make a great comeback. In the end, Both Crabrawler and Mankey are unable to battle after the continuous attacks.
"Crabrawler and Mankey are unable to battle!" Kukui says.
Ash says, "Nice work, Pikipek, you too, Rowlet."
Pikipek and Rowlet nod, but Pikipek faints while Rowlet falls asleep, much to their surprise.
Hala turns to Hariyama and says, "I need your help, Hariyama."
Hariyama nods as he stands on the field, and Hala takes out another Poke Ball and says, "Bewear, I need your help as well."
When both Pokemon appear, Ash and Lillie are a little nervous because of how strong they are. They nod at each other and send out Pikachu and Sylveon to battle.
"Hariyama, the Arm Thrust Pokémon. A Fighting-type. Hariyama's impressive bulk is actually all muscle. When its muscles are flexed, they are hard as a rock. It is said that one hit from a Hariyama can send a 10-ton truck flying." Rotom says.
"10-ton truck?" Golly asks.
"That's right. That's like the weight of 1667 Pikachu!" Rotom adds.
They start the battle by having Pikachu use Iron Tail and Sylveon use Double-Edge, but Hariyama goes for Fake Out to make Pikachu flinch and goes for Knock Off. As for Bewear, it goes for Brutal Swing, stopping Sylveon on the tracks.
"Using Knock Off after Fake Out?" Golly asks. "That is a superb combination..."
After both Pokemon get back up, Ash has Pikachu use Electro Ball while Sylveon goes for Moonblast, but both Bewear and Hariyama go for Bind and Arm Thrust to block the attack, and then they keep attacking the two Pokemon.
"Arm Thrusts from the large-bodied Hariayama, and Bind from Bewear... they all do considerable damage to Pikachu and Sylveon..." Kukui says. "What will you do, Ash, Lillie?"
After managing to dodge and get free from the attacks, Pikachu and Sylveon go for Thunderbolt and Moonblast, dealing a lot of damage to both of them.
Hala says, "Use Belly Drum and Pain Split!"
Hariyama starts to hit his body as Belly Drum is an attack that maximizes the user's attack power but losing half of its health. As for Bewear, it hits Sylveon and causing their health points to be equal.
"You're going all out, just like you always do, Kahuna Hala?" Kukui asks.
"Here we go! Hariyama!" Hala says as he activates the Z Ring.
"They're using a Z-Move!" Lillie gasps.
"My precious Melemele Island and the Guardian deity Tapu Koko, share your will with the Kahuna!" Hala says as he starts to do a lot of punching moves with Hariayama. "Now let's combine all our strength..."
"Here it comes!" Golly says.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack and dodge the Z-Move!" "You too, Sylveon!" Ash and Lillie are panicking a little.
"All Out Pummeling!" Just then, Hariyama starts to throw out a lot of punches, the two Pokemon try to dodge with speed, but they are still hit by the attack and fall down.
"You guys can continue, right?" Ash asks as they nod.
"I should've expected as much from the ones Tapu Koko is interested in..." Hala says.
"We won't get back down. Use Quick Attack! Run around Hariyama!" Ash says.
"You too, but Bewear instead!" Lillie says.
And both Pokemon manage to circle around the two Fighting Type Pokemon, and with the strike from Iron Tail, both Fighting Types are on the ground.
"So the answer to a combination is another combination." Kukui says.
"Now it's our turn! You're ready, Ash?" Lillie asks.
"Of course." Ash says. Then both Ash and Lillie activate their Z-Rings and they start to do a series of poses.
"I can feel it...the awesome power that is coming from being connected with Pikachu..." Ash thinks.
"This power...it feels a lot different, but it gives me a lot of energy..." Lillie thinks.
They say, "This is our full power! Breakneck Blitz!" Both Pokemon rush quickly and hit the two Pokemon, causing them to faint.
"Both Hariyama and Bewear are unable to battle, Pikachu and Sylveon win! Which means the victory goes to Ash and Lillie!" Kukui announces and everyone cheers for their victory.
"We did it!" Ash and Lillie cheer while hugging each other, after realizing what they're doing, they blush really hard.
"Thank you, Hariyama, Bewear, you tried your best." Hala says while recalling all his Pokemon. He turns to Ash and Lillie and says, "That was a wonderful battle, you and your Pokemon give it everything you had."
"Thank you very much!" Ash says.
"And for your Z-Move, you were brimming with joy while using it." Hala says. "I felt your youthful and splendid auras!"
Ash and Lillie smile, and Hala continues, "As the Kahuna of Melemele Island, I, Hala, declare that you two, Ash and Lillie, have completed this Grand Trial."
"Congratulations to you two." Golly says.
"And please don't forget to take these with you." Hala says as he takes out two Z Crystals. "These are Fightium-Zs. You'll be able to use Fighting Type Z-Moves now that you have this."
"Thank you so much." Ash says.
After getting the Z Crystals, they reach them into the air and yell, "We got the Fightium-Z!"
"Sounds like we can have a celebration." Kukui says with a smile.
Just then, they hear the cry of Tapu Koko, and wind suddenly blows. Kukui asks, "Was that Tapu Koko?"
"It was too fast, I couldn't tell." Rotom says.
Hala notices that in his hand, there is another new Z Crystal. "What's this?"
"Is that Electrium Z? But it looks different..." Ash says.
Hala laughs and says, "How peculiar! No, how extremely peculiar! This is the first time that Tapu Koko has ever taken such an interest in challengers! Perhaps there will come a time when I will be able to understand its reasons. But for now, I think you should also accept this Z-Crystal."
Ash nods as he takes the strange Electrium-Z. After Golly's turn, she also gets the Fightium-Z in the end. Hala turns to Kukui and says, "Kukui. You mentioned something about a celebration...Would it be okay if I were to join? I'd like to help celebrate the completion of Ash, Lillie, and Golly's first Grand Trials."
"Of course.! It'll be an honor." Kukui says.
Then with Lillie and Ash calling their friends from the Pokemon School to come, they have a giant festival. While they are having fun, Ash also notices the two people with strange suits walking past.
"That was a most mysterious event... A festival to celebrate drawing forth one's full power..."
"You looked like you were enjoying the show. Did you want to take part in the battles, too?"
"Don't be silly... We are here to investigate and learn."
"Yeah, what'd they call that thing? A Z Ring? Its aura readings were off the chart! Do you think that's why they can control auras like that? Alola is definitely an amazing place! Let's go check the next site!"
"Even with all of our technology, we cannot control the Blinding One's light... Thus we are left with no choice but to try to stop it by force! And yet it seems that the humans of this Alola can wield powerful auras."
Ash stares at the two figures, until Lillie comes while holding Snowy's egg. "Ash? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Lillie. Let's get back to the party." Ash says as they head back to the party.
And here is a new chapter, as you can see, Ash and Lillie manage to win against Kahuna Hala and get their new Z Crystals. I hope you like this chapter.