Previously on Igniting in the Isle of Armor:

Cyan Kokura, per invitation, has come to the Isle of Armor to train before his battle with the Alola Champion. He is put to the test by Mustard and the other students, ultimately earning himself a Legendary Pokémon, Kubfu. After a lot of deliberation, he decided to have Kubfu evolve into the Rapid-Strike form. And now, with seemingly not much left to do, Cyan is contemplating leaving the isle.

Cyan's Current Team - Venusaur, Vulpix, Typhlosion, Kabutops, SlowPoké, Urshifu

Chapter 12 - "Not Rude, but Eager!"

"Urshifu, use Dynamic Punch!"

"Decidueye, Solar Blade!"

The two Pokémon darted down the battlefield behind the dojo and used their respective attacks. They collided but the energy that they exuded was too strong. For a moment, nothing happened after their clash, but then suddenly, there was an explosion which sent both Pokémon backward. When the smoke and dust settled, both Pokémon remained standing. It was only a matter of waiting for one of them to collapse.

Cyan raised his hand. "Thanks, Lilo. We'll call that good." He looked at the dojo, which he was afraid of damaging if they continued their fight.

"You and Urshifu are quite the team," Lilo said as she withdrew her exhausted Decidueye. "I hate to say it, but you might even be abel to beat me if we both went all out."

"Don't doubt your own abilities, Lilo," Mustard said as he walked onto the battlefield. "Lilo, your an elite level trainer, which is something that almost none of my other students can say. Cyan, you've come a long way in the few weeks that you've been here. I'm impressed but not surprised."

Cyan smiled and then bowed. "Thank you, sensei!"

"The most important thing, even more than strength, is the bond that you create between your Pokémon. Even if you were incapable, I'd still be happy to see you with Urshifu if the connection was there," Mustard said. "However!"

Cyan perked up and his eyes widened.

"You have not mastered Urshifu yet! I know that you're eager to get back home, but I cannot allowed it at this moment."

"Oh," Cyan muttered. He was hoping to get back to Alola soon. Not necessarily for his battle, but for his mom's cooking. "Sorry if it sounds rude, but what is there left to do?"

"Not rude, but eager! Cyan, your next step is to Gigantamax Urshifu. However, a regular max soup isn't going to do it. Urshifu are picky eaters," Mustard explained.

Cyan thought about it for a moment. He didn't really think that Urshifu was a picky eater, as he ate pretty much everything Cyan offered him. But, he knew that everything that Mustard said had a purpose, so he went back to listening.

"You need to find a special kind of honey for your Urshifu. Luckily, it's nearby. Tonight, with the others, you'll go to Honeycalm Island and do one more raid. If you're successful, you'll be awarded with the honey and an Urshifu that can Gigantamax," Mustard said with a grin.

"Why couldn't we just go to the supermarket to get you some honey?" Avery asked as the four arrived on the island. "Don't they know that this island is full of bugs?"

"Don't like bugs?" Kona asked.

"They're not exactly the nicest to my Psychic-types," Avery exclaimed.

"So, how do you guys want to approach this?" Cyan asked.

"This is your battle, Cyan. So, you should be leading us," Kona said. "How do you want to approach this?"

Cyan put his finger to his chin and thought for a moment. "Avery, I'd like if you Dynamaxed for us."

"What? Me? Really?"

"Yeah. I think you could give us some support, and if whatever we're about to battle happens to be a Bug-type, your Pokémon will need as much power as possible to fight back," Cyan said. "Now, I'm not sure what we're getting into, but I think I want to go with Typhlosion."

"I think it's best to hold nothing back," Lilo exclaimed. "I'm going to use my Darmanitan."

"We're not going to lose this one," Kona said. "And my Pikachu and I will make sure of it."

Cyan looked toward the middle of the isle and at the collection of glowing red stones with the light beaming into the sky. He never liked entering the dens, but he now knew what he was getting into, so he was prepared mentally. And for the first time, he felt like he was on the same page as the others.

"Let's go!"

Cyan stepped though the red light, and instead of feeling like he was falling uncontrollably like before, he let the sensation come over him, and he calmly floated through the mist. Within a few seconds, he was on solid ground. He opened his eyes, and the beast that floated before him was not a Pokémon that he had ever seen.

"Vespiquen," Kona muttered. "A Vespiquen of all Pokémon."

"We gonna be okay?" Cyan asked.

"We'll be fine!" Lilo stated confidently.

The four all nodded at one another before sending their Poké Balls into the air. Typhlosion, Darmanitan, Pikachu, and Slowbro all emerged, prepared for what was set to be an intense fight.

Vespiquen roared, and hexagonal white energy surrounded her body, seemingly giving her confidence. She glared down at the group of trainers, who didn't flinch at her maneuver. Angered, she reeled back, opened her mouth, and unleashed dark green energy unto the field.

"That's Max Flutterby, and it's coming right for us!" Avery exclaimed.

"Dodge!" Everyone yelled, but it was too late. The attack was fast and direct, exploding against Typhlosion. The others took damage from the blast, and although it was intense, when it was said and done, the Fire-type still managed to stand up straight.

"We gotta be more aware," Cyan said.

"I'll start a counter-attack!" Avery exclaimed. He held out his hand, and withdrew Slowbro before his band fed the Poké Ball energy, expanding it. He tossed the Poké Ball into the air while he made his command. "Max Ooze!"

"Vespiquen's strike weakened our attack power, but this will level the playing field," Kona explained.

Slowbro exploded from the ball and then crashed into the ground, shaking their battlefield. He held up his arm with his cannon and fired off a massive pile of poisonous ooze. The ooze exploded against the hexagonal defenses before it drenched Vespiquen, only agitating the massive Pokémon.

The energy in the air shifted, and while the ooze damaged Vespiquen, the particles that remained behind had a rejuvenating effect on the team's Pokémon.

"Our turn! Flamethrower!" Cyan ordered.

"Darmanitan, use Fire Punch!"

"And, Pikachu, Thunder!"

Typhlosion and Pikachu released their attacks forward while Darmanitan ran as fast as he could down the battlefield. As he leaped into the air and swung his massive fist, the attacks connected with Vespiquen, knocking her a few feet backward.

"That looks like it did a lot," Cyan said.

"Here comes another attack!" Lilo warned.

Vespiquen began to flutter her wings as quickly and violently as she could, whipping up a dangerous stream. It made its way across the field and connected with Slowbro directly in the chest, nearly knocking the giant over.

"Slowbro, fight back with one more Max Ooze!" Avery called.

Slowbro found his balance and then pointed his cannon once more, repeating the same attack from before. And just like before, the energy left behind fueled the team's next attack.

"I'm feelin' it, guys!" Kona said with a wide grin.

But before any of them could make their next command, Vespiquen quickly whipped around her body and looked up. A blue stone formed from nothing before it shot a laser at the ground. Darmanitan was hit directly, and he grunted with pain while he was launched backward. The group looked on in shock at how easy it was for the large Pokémon to be knocked back.

"Everything okay?" Cyan asked while Lilo ran to check on her Pokémon.

Lilo helped Darmanitan sit up before she said, doubt in her voice, "It's a closecall, but we're okay."

"Let's keep fighting!" Kona exclaimed. "Thunder!"

"Flamethrower!"

Pikachu and Typhlosion howled while they released their attacks into the air. Vespiquen was struck directly once again, reeling backward momentarily.

"Darmanitan, use Icicle Crash!"

While Vespiquen was still feeling the affects of the long-distance attacks, Darmanitan took his chance. He barreled down the field and then leaped toward Vespiquen's midsection. In one of his palms, he quickly crystalized ice before he slammed it into the Bug-type. He then fell to the ground below Vespiquen.

"That wasn't enough?" Avery wondered.

As Darmanitan started his run back to the group, Vespiquen used her next attack. She pointed her arms at the ground and slowly moved them up, ripping up a massive stone from the ground. She lunged her fist into it, knocking it over and aiming for Darmanitan.

However, Slowbro was too quick. He stepped forward and took the brunt of attack, allowing Darmanitan to escape safely. The rock shattered upon contact with the ground, kicking up a violent sandstorm, which hid most of Vespiquen's form.

Avery gritted his teeth. "I'm sorry that I couldn't be more useful. We have one more attack while Dynamaxed, and unfortunately, none of us would benefit from this weather. Slowbro, use Max Geyser!"

The ground shook as the battle neared its end. They knew that their time was limited, and the panic began to set in.

Slowbro pointed his cannon once more and let out a strong stream of water. It blasted Vespiquen in the chest before shooting up into the air, eliminating the sandstorm and replacing it with rain.

Slowbro then grunted before his Dynamax energy dissipated, and he shrunk back to his regular size.

"We only have a few more moves left!" Kona yelled while the red storm above them raged on.

"Darmanitan, use Superpower!"

Darmanitan was surrounded by orange chakra before he rocketed down the field. He leaped into the air and swung both of his fists, hitting the giant Bug-type in the jaw.

Vespiquen responded with a roar, and the dark green energy from before returned. The energy shot downward, forcing Darmanitan into the unforgiving ground. Lilo knew her Pokémon well and understood that it was over for her. She lifted her Poké Ball, and the red light retrieved Darmanitan.

"We can still fight! Even in rain!" Cyan said with a girn. "Typhlosion, Aerial Ace!"

Piercing white energy formed in Typhlosion's tiny palm. He growled and then zoomed forward with the intent to finish the battle. However, Vespiquen was ready. She created the blue stone from nothing again and released its violent energy onto the field. Typhlosion was stopped as the gems rained down onto him. Dust and smoke kicked up around him, hiding him momentarily. And when everything settled, Cyan was shocked to find his Pokémon without his flames.

"Don't worry, Cyan. We'll still win!" Avery exclaimed. "Slowbro, use Shell Side Arm!"

Slowbro heaved and took in a deep breath. He pointed his arm at Vespiquen, and although his attack was much smaller than before, he still put all that he had into it.

His water blasted into Vespiquen, sending her into another fury. She unleashed dark green energy attack onto the field with an emphasis toward Slowbro. The energy exploded upon contact, and Avery lifted his Poké Ball to withdraw his Pokémon, knowing that it was over.

The ground shook and the red clouds above them rumbled. Wind whipped up, indicating that they were only moments away from their raid being finished and incomplete.

"Pikachu, use the rain and let everyone hear a Thunder that they'll never forget!" Kona commanded.

"Pika," the veteran Pokémon said as he took in a deep breath and focsued. "Chu!"

Pikachu seemingly connected with the storm of the dungeon and the rainclouds above. He shot a bolt of lightning into the air, which mixed with the clouds before cracking back down on Vespiquen in a blinding red light. The sound was deafening and the light was blinding.

What followed was an explosion, and when Cyan got his senses back, the last thing that he saw before being blown out of the dungeon was Vespiquen unconscious. Everything turned white once again, and within a single second, he and the others stood on Honeycalm Island, successful.

Kona grinned and let his Pikachu climb on his shoulder. He looked at the red light as it faded away. Slowly, as though it were a gift from the sky, a large honeycomb fell to the ground in front of the gorup.

"There you go," Lilo said. "I guess we actually did it."

Cyan ran to pick up the large honeycomb. It was sticky, but he didn't mind picking it up and holding it in the air. "We did it!"

Avery put his hands on his hips. "All thanks to me and my wonderful Dynamax strategies!"

Cyan couldn't help but smile. "I agree! You did great!"

Avery was taken aback.

Author's Notes: So, yeah. I've been insanely busy. Not much else to say, but I'm going to try to write when I can find the time. I need to finish this arc of Cyan's story, or I'll regret it. I think about Cyan, Logan, and Yurie's stories a lot, so I've been wanting to get back into it. We'll see how it goes!

This story has only three more chapters left and then I'll FINALLY get to write Cyan vs. Kaarina. I remember writing plans for how that battle would go roughly two years ago, so I'm very excited to get into it.

Reviews:

pokemonking0924 - "Cyan was having trouble deciding what form his Kubfu should evolve into but he chose what felt was right for both of them, Rapid strike form. Now it's off to find some Max Honey next." - And now what's your next prediction? Haha

CrescentApple - "Personally, I'm a fan of water Urshifu. So I'm vgad Cyan picked the water Temple." - I chose the water Urshifu in my game, so that's why I went with this one.

wisdom-jewel - "Pretty interesting. I wonder if Cyan would go to Galar to try it out. Maybe take Urshifu with him on his trip through the region." - I don't have any solid Galar plans. I'd like to eventually write something, but no plans.

pokestets23 - "Love the take on the tower. Urshifu is going to be great for him. But how is he going to handle having the power of a Legendary? Hope it all goes well!" - I don't think that Urshifu is too powerful when it's compared to the lore of other Legendary Pokemon, so maybe Cyan will be able to handle it! Maybe.