{One more time! Hit 'em with Aerial Ace!}

It turned out there were a couple of Trainers past the graveyard, and I found myself battling one that'd spotted me in the field, and he sent out a sturdy Hariyama as his fighter. Little did he know that I had two Flying-Types to use against him, and the next thing we each knew, Red had struck once, then twice, and the enemy fell to the ground in defeat. The opposing Trainer returned his Pokemon, then congratulated my win.

"Ha! You played that battle well! GG for short!" he told me. "Though if you're on your way to battle the Island Kahuna, I advise that you be careful when using Flying-Types against her. You can hit her Rock-Types with super-effective moves, but they can do the same right back! And they're pretty burly to boot!"

{I have that kept in mind,} I assured him. {I do have an Eevee and a Tyrunt on the team too, so they should balance things out well enough.}

"Tyrunt, you say? Well, well...Fighting Rock with Rock. Sounds like a battle! Good luck to you!"

I nodded, then weaved back through the beaten path among the grass to where Hau had battled someone else. Judging by the huge grin on his face, I guessed that it'd gone pretty well for him, too.

{Did you win?}

"Heck yeah, I did! That guy had a pretty scary-lookin' Gyarados, but all Raichu had to give 'em was one Thunderbolt and it was down! And his Staryu was no problem...We weren't even scratched!"

{Raichu...?}

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Didn't tell you 'bout that, yet," he remembered, extracting a Poké Ball. "Well, I'm about to! Come on back out, Raichu!"

His Pokémon materialized before him, and it turned out to be, quite obviously, the evolved form of his Pikachu. It hovered in midair, sitting on the flat end of its tail and staring up at me with its round, blue eyes. It'd come a long way from the little Pichu I'd first encountered it as.

"Chu..." it squeaked, clenching its tiny fists in attempt to impress me.

{Yeah, you remember me, don't you?} I snickered. {But you're not so scared of me anymore, huh?}

"N'aw, he ain't," Hau nodded. "Hey. You wanna see something awesome?"

I nodded, and Hau bent down to face the Electric-Type Pokémon, reached his hand out and gently rubbed one of its bright yellow cheeks.

Instantly, I detected a scent coming from that spot. I stepped closer to better analyze the aroma, and it turned out to smell something like...

{...How many Malasadas have you been feeding your Pokémon, Hau?}

He snorted, then chuckled.

"That's not malasada you're smellin', pal," he corrected lightly, still overcome with giggles. "That's a pile of maple syrup-drenched buttermilk batter that's been pan-fried to perfection and stacked as high as Mount Lanakila, is what it is."

{It's what...?}

"You don't know what pancakes are!? Aw, man, you're missing out! Hey, let's all go out for breakfast one of these days and I'll show ya! They're not exactly malasadas, but they come in a close second for me!"

{Sounds delicious...} I nodded, intrigued by the idea. {Tomorrow, maybe?}

"Sure thing! I got time!"

{How about Lillie?}

"The more the merrier!" he answered as we turned and headed up the path. "You know I was about to suggest that myself!"

{Speaking of which...When did you see her last?}

"Oh, I met up with her at the Dimensional Research Lab earlier today! She and the Professors told me about the whole thing with the wormholes, and the DNA analysis stuff, and that freaky-looking thing you went up against from some other world...MAN. That thing's not somethin' I'd wanna run into."

{No doubt about that,} I agreed grimly. {It'd snap you up like a malasada...I should know.}

"Yeah...Well, we don't have to worry about it here in Alola, so that's good!"

{Unless the Ultra Wormhole reopens and it finds its way through...}

"Oh...Well, I...didn't consider that. Huh..." Hau realized. "...But if something rescued you from it and brought you here, then I doubt it'd decide to pull something like that, you know what I'm saying? Yeah...You don't need to worry about it anymore. Trust me, alright?"

{Well...If there's anyone I can trust, I know one of them is you.}

"Ah, come on, I'm goin' red, buddy! Hey, let's step it up! It's the Grand Trial or-"

"So...You're the one that Gladion was talking about, are you?"

"...Bust?"

Someone spoke from not far behind us. We turned around to face a...pretty strange-looking human. Female, wore lots of pink and black, didn't seem like the friendly type. And judging by the skull-shaped caps on either side of her head, that signified that she was...

"Hmph...You don't look so scary to me. 'Specially seeing who you decide to hang out with."

{Are you KIDDING me...} I snarled, not at all happy with the situation.

"Cut the growling stuff," she snapped, rolling her eyes as she approached us. "...I'm Plumeria. And it's my job to keep Team Skull together. I'm like a big sister of some sort to all these numbskulls. They're plain stupid, most of them...But apparently, we both agree that some dummies can be cute in their dumbness."

"You callin' me stupid?" Hau insinuated, not looking very amused either. I shot Plumeria a glare and curled my lips a bit to expose my teeth.

"Yeah, you know what I mean," she answered, standing her ground. "You don't want me picking on your dumb brother...So you can imagine that you picking on all my dumb brothers and sisters is really annoying me, then, right?"

{In case you didn't know,} I chattered, keeping the growl in my tone as Rotom translated, staying behind me all the while. {You thugs were the ones bothering other people, and us 'picking on your brothers and sisters' is just us defending ourselves and our Pokémon. Apparently, you're not much brighter than them.}

"And apparently, you have the nerve to kill and eat one of my brother's Raticate!"

That was what set it off.

{It was SUFFERING! And the head injury it sustained from a Tackle attack-just a TACKLE ATTACK!-would have killed it anyways because it was in such horrible condition! Maybe it would still be alive if you low lives actually TOOK CARE of your Pokemon instead of letting them get to that point! Why do you think we don't want you making off with our teammates!?}

"Wait, hold up," Hau interrupted, looking at me strangely. "...That Raticate was trained?"

{...Under a Team Skull Grunt that didn't care for it right, yes,} I answered him.

He opened his mouth, as though to say something else, but no noise came out, and he simply cast me another odd look before backing away from the two of us.

"See? Even Mr. Kahuna Hala's grandson ain't too keen on that. It's messed up! And now I'm gonna mess YOU up!"

She showed off a Poké Ball and tossed it upwards.

"Golbat! Teach 'em a lesson!"

The creature emerged; an evolved form of Zubat, it appeared to be. Same colors and similar build, but unlike Zubat, it possessed eyes, and it was a LOT bigger.

But I had someone who knew how to handle those just fine, and a bit of an extra challenge would do him some good. I chittered to Rotom to take cover in my bag again, and the minute he went inside, I pulled out my own Poké Ball and threw it in the air.

{Tyrunt! Start this off with Tackle!}

I called out the Fossil Pokemon, and he growled a bit at his adversary before going right in for the attack.

One of the advantages I found with not being able to speak like the humans was that they were unable to understand the orders I gave my Pokémon, and therefore wouldn't know what I told them to do until it'd already been done.

"Oh, no ya don't! Golbat! Fly out of reach and Confuse Ray that thing!"

The Flying-Type cried out eerily, and a strange-looking series of lights emitted from its gaping mouth, surrounding Tyrunt and twirling around him like a swarm of mosquitoes.

When they finally faded, the Royal Heir Pokémon didn't look so concentrated anymore. He kept running, though, and was now heading not for the Golbat, but rather the one COMMANDING it. Plumeria leapt out of the way just before it collided with her legs, though, and Tyrunt finally slowed once he passed her, then turned around and shook his head, looking very disoriented.

{Alpha?} he called. {Wha...Where did everyone go? What's going on?}

Something was wrong with him, I knew there was. And it probably had something to do with the Golbat's Confuse Ray attack.

{Snap out of it!} I crawed. {Shake that confusion off!}

He shook his head from side to side vigorously as he tried to clear the fog in his brain. He was vulnerable in that state, though, and Plumeria took advantage of it.

"Now we got him! Poison Fang!"

The Golbat dove in for the attack, fangs bared and excreting a sickly purple substance, ready to attack. But it was at that moment that Tyrunt finally regained his concentration, and looked up just in time to spy his target approaching.

{Counter it with Bite! Quick!}

The Fossil Pokemon growled in understanding, then opened his jaws, leapt up at the enemy and clamped down on its OWN open mouth, locking jaws with it. The Golbat shrieked at the sudden attack, and its cries only got louder when Tyrunt violently shook it from side to side then threw it across the battlefield. The enemy Pokemon tumbled over the ground towards its Trainer, seemingly defeated, but as soon as it stopped rolling, it got right back up.

This Team Skull Pokémon seemed to be in better shape than the Raticate from earlier, so I was at least hoping the same thing wouldn't happen again.

The Golbat flapped its wings and became airborne again, eyeing Tyrunt with an angry glare.

"Try again, Golbat! Confuse Ray!"

{Dodge and try to lure it in from above!}

Tyrunt was able to duck and tumble beneath the Confuse Ray attack this time, and as he approached the spot beneath where the opposing Pokémon was hovering, he barked at it, calling for it to come closer.

{Come on!} he teased. {Too scared to fight me up close!? Coward! I dare you to battle me face-to-face!}

"He's askin' for it, Golbat! Wing Attack!"

It stooped down and started to fly at my Pokémon again. But they had no idea what we were up to.

{Alright, Tyrunt! Stomp! Get it back on the ground!}

He jumped up right in the nick of time, and once the Golbat was right underneath him, he pushed both of his feet down overtop its head, putting all of his weight onto it. Again, the enemy shrieked, and Tyrunt snarled at it from above.

{Excellent! Now, finish it off with Dragon Tail!}

He got off his opponent, letting it stand back up...

But the minute it got back onto its feet, Tyrunt spun around and whammed it with his tail, sending it hurdling across the field and falling flat on its back.

And this time, it wasn't getting back up.

Plumeria let out a frustrated growl as she returned her fainted Pokémon.

"So, you've got a type advantage against me..." she sneered. "But I'm not the only one with a bunch of trick up her sleeve!"

She pulled out her second fighter.

"Salandit! Let's go!"

The Toxic Lizard Pokémon emerged, and let out a threatening hiss upon entering the battlefield. I scoffed at the sight of it, though; my Salandit had not only looked five times prettier than that one, but she had also fully evolved into a Salazzle by then.

And Tyrunt STILL had the type advantage.

{You still game, Tyrunt?}

He nodded back to me with a smile on his face, then faced off against the enemy.

"Poison Gas!"

{Hold your breath and go in for Dragon Tail, Tyrunt!}

He took a deep breath and ran right through the cloud of gas the enemy shot our way, and ran right out of it unscathed as he continued to charge. his tail aglow.

"Dragon Rage, hurry!"

{Duck and tumble!}

He tried to dodge the attack, but at that point, he was too close, and the next thing I knew, he was engulfed in the purple energy, and it was the next moment that it exploded in his face, throwing him off to the side. He tore up the grass as he slid across the battleground, looking like he'd taken a beating.

He got back up, though, and gave the Salandit his best roar. It wasn't much more than a long bark, but it was a battle cry, nonetheless.

"Nice one! One or two more oughta do it! Fire up another Dragon Rage, Salandit!"

It trilled menacingly as it fired up its second attack, but I was ready to counter it.

{Wait for my signal, Tyrunt! Start running!}

{On it!}

He started his approach again, and Plumeria's Salandit continued to fire up its Dragon Rage. And once Tyrunt was halfway there...

"Now! Fire!"

{Jump to the side!}

The ball of energy flew out of its mouth and hurdled towards Tyrunt, but the Fossil Pokémon was able to skid to a halt, kick his leg and dart off to the right of the attack just as it whizzed past him, leaving both Plumeria and Salandit surprised.

{Now keep running and go in for the Tackle!}

He snarled again, and before the enemy had a chance to fire up another Dragon Rage, he charged up his speed and rammed head-first into the opposing Pokémon, then swung his head and threw it off to the side. It crashed into the side of one of the cliffs we were by and slid down to the ground, landing on its stomach. It started to get back up, but it was obviously struggling. We just needed to give it one more push.

{Now use one more Bite before it can get back up!}

"Flame Burst! Maybe we can burn it!"

The enemy Salandit fired up flames in its mouth and shot them at Tyrunt as he approached. But the Rock and Dragon-Type Pokemon was barely even phased by the collision.

And before it had a chance to try and burn him again, he was already on top of it, and he clamped his jaws down on the Pokémon's middle, shook it wildly then flung it back towards its Trainer. The Salandit lay where it landed, motionless except for the rise and fall of its middle.

It was still alive, but there was no way it was getting back up to battle.

We'd won.

{Nice goin' out there, Tyrunt! You really whooped that Salandit!}

{I did?} he grinned. {I-I mean, ah...Of course I did! I learned from the best, after all!}

"Oh! Did we win, boss?" Rotom asked, peeking out of my bag. I gave him a nod, and he floated back out, taking a look at the unconscious Salandit on the ground before us.

"Ha! You sure showed them how it'zzz done! Heh...That Salandit's still alive, though, right?"

{Oh, don't worry about it. It should be fine as long as this one at least has the decency to take it to the Pokémon Center.}

Plumeria huffed, then returned her Salandit to its capsule.

{So what were you saying about messing me up?} I teased, Rotom translating for me again.

"Hmph...So you are as strong as he said you were," she acknowledged. "Not too shabby, I'll give you that...But mess with anyone on Team Skull again, and I won't hesitate to show you how serious I can get."

{Oooh, I'm terrified. I might have to use THREE Pokémon instead of ONE next time, and I'll have to use one that'd evolved at least once already. I couldn't possibly imagine anything worse than that.}

"You're not the only one who knows how to train and evolve Pokémon, dumbass! You know how to kill and eat them, though..."

{And you know how to steal Slowpoke and cut off their tails. As if that's much better.}

"We need the money those tails are worth!"

{Because you're too lazy to earn it the right way like the rest of us do?}

"OH. So that's how you wanna play, huh, Ms. Moral-high-ground? Well, I'll have you know that-"

"Hey, hey, guys, guys! Come on, guys..." Hau interrupted, stepping between us a bit. "This argument's gettin' too heated. Let's chill out, huh? Besides, we-"

"Did I ask for YOUR opinion?" she snapped at him. "Why don't you step back down into place like the pushover you are? You're the Melemele Kahuna's grandson, and you're the weakest simpleton I've ever seen in my life...Shameful. I can imagine how disappointed Hala must be in you...And the only reason he doesn't say it outright is probably because he pities you so much. Pities what you turned out to be...And this thing, whatever she is, she probably does, too."

I expected him to laugh it off and call her crazy for ever thinking such a thing, and the same thing was on my mind...But Hau just fell completely silent then and there.

He just looked at me, then at Plumeria, then back to me again. His head lowered, and he backed away from the two of us, then turned away and wandered back into the Akala outskirts, looking like his heart had just been torn clean in half.

I turned back to face Plumeria, and frankly, I was speechless myself with what she'd said to him...But she didn't seem to think much of it.

"What? You know it's true as much as I do," she told me. "And if you don't like, why don't you scratch me like you did my brother on Melemele? Or did he rub off on you so much that you ain't got any nerve yourself anymore?"

That was what did it.

"And while you're at it, maybe you-"

WHAM

All I had to do was spin around, and not only did she go quiet herself, but she was also knocked clean off her feet. I didn't use my claws on her, contrary to what she thought I would do, but being hit by a sturdy tail right across the middle didn't feel much better, by what it seemed.

She groaned as she sat back up, looking like the wind had been knocked out of her for a moment, too. But I took no pity on her. And I made sure to get my point across, baring my teeth again and letting an angry hiss stream out from between them as I lowered my head to face her. I was able to deal with them threatening to take Hau's Pokémon, and even threatening to beat him to a pulp, since they did that to everyone.

But a personal attack? Especially when everything she said was completely false? That wasn't something I was going to let slide so easily.

{...Go apologize to my friend,} I snarled, Rotom doing his best to incorporate my angry tone in his own voice. {Then get out of here and never bother us again. And SHUT UP about your 'brothers and sisters' that cause nothing but trouble for everyone around here. Hau is a thousand times the brother to me than any of them could ever be to you, and you don't even realize it...That's what's shameful.}

"Psh," she scoffed, a smug grin on her face. "I'm not as easy to sway as the grunts, you know. Try and make me!"

{Alright.}

WHACK

"OW!"

That time, she was struck square in the face.

{Are you swayed yet? Or should I call out my Hawlucha and have him practice his Karate Chop for the Grand Trial?}

"...Fine," she finally caved. "But only because you're so insistent!"

I scanned around for Hau, and finally spotted him heading south, about to make the turn back onto the coastal cliff. I barked to get his attention, and he slowly came to a stop, stood there for a moment, and then looked back at the two of us. I called out a couple more times, and he started to head back towards us, his head hung all the while.

...He seemed so lifeless compared to what he'd been just a few minutes ago. He almost looked ill.

{...Well?}

She rolled her eyes and faced Hau, still looking pretty displeased by the situation she was in.

"Alright, alright...Sorry for bein' a jerk, or whatever," she spat, turning back to me. "...Happy now, Scarface?"

WHAP

"AUGH, you son of a...WHAT'S THE PROBLEM NOW!?"

{Go. Get out of here.}

"Jeez...Who's idea was it to let you out on the streets, huh?"

{NOW!}

"Alright, alright already!" she replied as she headed back towards Route 9. "But don't think you've seen the last of me! Either of you!"

Finally, she disappeared around the corner. I turned to face Hau; he had risen his head at that point, but it was clear that he was still pretty upset by what he'd been told.

{...You do know that's not true, right?} I asked him. {Team Skull isn't anymore honest than they are pleasant.}

"Well...I mean, I hope it's not true," he replied. "But...Ouch. They've poked fun at me for stuff before, but...That one cut pretty deep, you know?"

{I can imagine...Why do you think I got so angry at her?}

"Heh...Yeah. Guess that's proof enough that YOU don't think that about me," he nodded, his smile finally starting to return. "But, like...Someone sayin' something like that kinda does make me wonder if I'm really living up to people's expectations, you know? You ever feel that way about stuff?"

{Hmm...I can't say I haven't.}

"Yeah?"

{Yes...I felt like I wasn't living up to my full potential at one point. But...}

"But what?"

{Well...That was what earned me THIS.}

I raised a claw and tapped at the jagged scar streaming down the side of my jaws.

"Oh. Oh, dang..."

{But I guess you can't try to fight your way to the top without taking a risk of some sort,} I figured. {Besides, I was all on my own trying to achieve that goal. You, though? You're not alone in this. I'm backing you up. Every step of the way as we go on this Island Challenge. That's my new goal. And it's yours...And since we're both on the same path walking side-by-side, that means I'M not alone, either. And I couldn't have found a better companion to find myself taking this journey with. You're not a disappointment. You're a role model, you're my friend, you're...}

I paused.

{...No. You're not just a friend to me anymore, Hau,} I corrected myself. {...You're my brother.}

His eyes widened a bit, and his small smile grew bigger still.

"...You really think that, huh?"

{I do...Plumeria and her underlings don't have anything on us. Trust me...We'll show 'em one of these days.}

I nudged him with my elbow, and whatever sadness remained in his eyes seemed to fade in an instant.

"...Heh...You said it, Echo," he replied. "Ha ha...You know, if I'm your brother, I guess that makes you my sister, right?"

{It does, doesn't it?}

"Yeah...Guess Rotom here was right when he said I was like, a cool uncle to your Pokemon, huh?"

"Yep! I called it! Ha!"

"You sure did...So, should we keep going? Can't wait to see you go all out against the Kahuna!"

{I was just about to say something along those lines,} I replied, looking at the path ahead and into the clearing. {...Let's go in.}

We headed past the twin statues lining the path and looked up at the entry into the ruins.

{So there are the Ruins of Life, are they Rotom?}

"That they are! The people on Akala Island vizzzit here to pay their respects to the Island Deity Tapu Lele! Kzzt!"

"Yeah...But speaking of visiting, where's Kahuna Olivia at?" Hau wondered aloud. "You think she might've gone inside?"

{Well...There's only one way to find out, I suppose,} I decided, heading closer to the opening in the earth. {Come on. Let's see if-}

"Hey! Hold on, Echo! Hau!"

We both turned and looked behind us to see both Professor Burnet and Lillie coming our way. The latter was pink with embarrassment.

"Sorry to trouble you two," the former told us. "But Lillie got herself a little lost in Heahea City, so I decided to bring her to you guys."

"Oh. Uh...Yeah! Not a problem with us!" Hau grinned.

"Ha ha...Yeah...I got a little sidetracked while trying to find my way here."

"I'll say," Burnet nodded. "She says she spotted some more of those Team Skull grunts on her way there, and she lost her way while she was trying to stay out of their sight."

{Oh for the love of peace. Team Skull is EVERYWHERE!} I crawed in contempt. {I just had to deal with them TWICE within two hours! Can't they just pick ONE island to cause trouble on!?}

"I'm afraid they never learn their lesson," she replied, shaking her head and sighing. "I just hope that'll change someday soon...I've gotta go, now, though. The Masked Royal is having a match in half an hour, and there's no way I'm going to miss it! See you fellas!"

She turned and headed back down the pathway, and we turned to face Lillie.

"So, uh, Lillie," Hau said to her. "Echo and I were talkin' about this not too long ago. You free tomorrow morning?"

"I think so," she nodded.

"So, ah..." he continued, turning ever so slightly pink in the face. "You keen on meeting us at one of the breakfast nooks in Heahea City tomorrow for, like, some pancakes and stuff like that? I dunno, just a thought...I mean, if you're busy, then I-"

"Actually, that sounds pretty nice," she answered him. "First thing in the morning?"

"Oh. Uh...Yeah! Ah...Rotom, where's the nearest breakfast place?"

"There'zzz one just in between the Pokémon Center and the Game Freak Office building southeast of the Dimensional Research Lab!"

"Awesome...Hey, what kind of ratings does the place have?"

"Oh, you're doin' your homework on this, huh? I couldn't imagine why..."

"Chill out, Rotom. I'm not gonna want to eat at a place with horrible reviews."

"Because you wanna impress."

"DUDE!"

Rotom burst into a fit of giggles, and Hau just stood there, turning redder still.

"Haha...Heh. According to my database, the place has overall 4.2/5 starzzz," my PokéDex finally answered him. "Not too shabby, if I do say so myself! Bzzt!"

"Thank you...Okay. So, what brings you here, Lillie?"

"I came here for Nebby," she replied. Both of us noticed the tiny gaseous Pokemon trying to escape from her bag again. "Well...More accurately, I was brought here. But you know what I mean...It's funny, really. Nebby's fascination with the Ruins and always wanting to go to them..."

"Pew!"

It'd finally escaped its confines, and was now hovering low to the ground among the three of us.

"Why are these Ruins so important to you, Nebby?" Lillie asked it. "What do the guardians mean to you?"

"Pew...?"

It didn't seem to understand, its attention focused on the entrance to the Ruins of Life. All of us looked into the mysterious cavern...

And all of us saw the silhouette emerging from the darkness.

Lillie jumped, unnerved by something so unexpected, and Hau stepped in front of her, Poké Ball in hand. I narrowed my eyes to try and peer into the darkness, but by the time I was able to make out the shape of the figure, it had already stepped into the evening light.

"A-ha! There you are...Perfect timing!"

"Oh..." Hau sighed in relief. "Kahuna Olivia. It's just you."

"So it is," she nodded as she approached us. Lillie beckoned for Nebby to go back into hiding, and when it refused, she stepped in front of it. "Sorry I had to ask you to come all the way here, Echo. Tapu Lele summoned me here to clean up the Ruins some, and I wasn't about to refuse."

{Wait,} I responded. {The Island Deity actually called you to come here?}

"Certainly so. We Kahunas don't just preside over the trials of our respective islands; we tend to the Guardian Deities' Ruins, as well!"

{Erm...How did it call you here?}

"Oh, it usually makes a noise; it's loud enough for all of Akala Island to hear sometimes. Ha! But when it calls, I come...Good thing I'm finally finished with that business. And so are you, regarding the three trials. Right?"

I nodded.

"Well then, I think it's high time we had that Grand Trial, don't you?"

{I've been looking forward to it for hours,} I chattered, already clutching my first pick for the fight.

"So have I..."

She grabbed a Poké Ball of her own, and Hau and Lillie stepped over to the side, watching from a distance.

"You better prepare yourself, Echo! Me and rugged Rock-Types are gonna show you everything we've got!"

The very moment the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, we called out our first Pokémon, and the Grand Trial I'd been preparing for all afternoon finally commenced.