Alright! Let's kick off 2018 now! Happy New Year everyone and hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
This was certainly a fun chapter to write. I knew right away how I was going to approach this battle, albeit figuring out a plausible way for it to be a fair fight since it takes place in the middle of the lake. Think the idea sticks! I made the mistake of not going into detail on the battle against the totem raticate, so every one from here on to the end of the island challenge is going to have a much more in-depth battle as long as I get some sort of crazy inspiration to write how it flows.
In the meantime, this story has reached quite a few milestones that I think are worthy of sharing.
We've officially passed 27,000 total views! Not quite to 100 faves, but I'm confident we'll get there. And 120 following subscriptions! The addition of 10.5k words with this chapter now makes it double the length of Advanced Commando; my previous longest story on this website! And we've still got a lot more to go!
Last but my own personal favorite; we've crossed the plane of triple digit reviews! This is my fourth one to do so.
Thanks again everyone for being patient for me. This update was supposed to come out over the weekend since I had a lot of time to edit things after returning from Hawaii, but much of it fell through since there was a LOT of editing to do on this one. I'm bound for south Florida later this month to meet up with a handful of pilot schools and I'll be sure to keep you all in the loop. I don't forsee it disrupting my writing cadence severely at the moment.
Let's get to the chapter everyone. Enjoy.
Elio's trial sounded really scary! If a huge gyarados is scared by a massive fish like that…what does that say?! This thing could kill him!
What if he falls off Lapras? What if he drowns? What if his pokemon get killed?
Please be safe! How does that prayer for the trials go? E mālama ka tapu mai ka lani mai. A alakaʻi iāʻoe i loko o ka hoʻokolokoloʻaneʻane e kokokeʻoe e piʻi….I think.
I find it really bad that I'm here relaxing in a warm tub while he's fighting some monster in rough waters! I should be out there to help and support him and Hau through their island trials. Elio makes battling look so easy! Would I be able to do something like that with Nebby? It can't attack others on its own, but Professor Kukui says that it knows the moves splash and teleport.
So he told me that Leilani accompanied him to Brooklet Hill for the trial and seems really excited she's going to teach him how to surf. I'm not sure how to feel about that, but for some reason, I don't like how Elio gets to hang out with her all the time. I mean…she's really pretty and she definitely likes him. He should be able to choose whomever he wants to spend time with and all. She's got everything I don't…he calls her beautiful, accomplished surfer and proficient trainer…three things I'll never be.
Maybe I should go talk to Professor Burnet about it.
Dear Elio,
Took your advice and chose to relax again. The room in the Tide Song Hotel is absolutely amazing with the softest bed I've ever slept in and a huge bathtub. Decided to use some of the bubble foam and soak in the tub. It's so warm! I also have a pair of headphones (they're waterproof of course!) where I listened to some concertos and game music soundtracks. I know I have a strange taste, but you should definitely try it all! I still wish you were here with me though, but you've got trials of course! Just don't be gone for too long; I can only stand Professor Kukui being spontaneous for so long.
Um…just make sure this Gladion doesn't do anything rash. He sure sounds like a handful.
I hope you passed your next trial. And make sure to catch more pokemon friends! I'm sorry you had to say goodbye to Rockruff, Troy and the egg. Who knows though, maybe you'll get to see them again.
Have fun with Leilani... She's a really strong surfer girl…I'll just be here doing nothing but relaxing I guess.
I miss you. Come back soon my lo- I mean friend.
Sincerely,
Lillie
Moody piano notes trickled through the noise cancelling headphones around Lillie's ears. Blonde hair fanned out against the wall of the bathtub, she let out another sigh of content.
Only her head stuck out from the pearly foam that covered the water entirely. A few purplish petals of the hibiscus; Alola's national flower were scattered among the bubbles.
Lillie's entire body ached with all the stress over the past week. Ever since Elio and Hau left on their trials; she had been with Professor Kukui almost every day when he went into the field. One of the days they would be out for just a couple of hours to research the wild species and another she'd be up with him at six in the morning and stumble into her hotel room eight at night. It was just exhausting keeping up, but in reality, she didn't have the right to complain. After all, the owner was more than grateful to have her as a guest, citing Kukui's help in inspiring her own son to work with pokemon. Apparently she even heard her say that he was a field agent for the Foundation.
The warm water felt incredibly soothing when she submerged herself and the added minerals provided just enough relaxing touch to wear away at the knots in her shoulders and the headache that hammered her forehead. Headphones on with a multi-hour playlist of different songs were the finishing detail that made her feel as if all the worries in the world disappeared in the blink of an eye.
This must've been what Elio was talking about in terms of relaxing.
Interestingly enough, her thoughts drifted right to him. His most recent letter briefly mentioned he was in the trial and the captain, whose name was Lana had been a friend of Leilani Taula's.
She hadn't spoken that much to the eighteen year old surfer girl ever since they both accompanied Sun to the Battle Buffet, but wasn't overly surprised she would be making her way to Akala. Like the rest of the region, the popular wave riding areas around were numerous, including the site of the upcoming Kumu Reef Triple Crown located at Hano Beach.
Lillie would be lying if she had stated that she was completely fine with Elio hanging out with his surfer friend.
She's probably going to teach him how to surf, train better and maybe how to be a better kisser. His lips can do something like that especially if…they look so…so soft.
She scolded herself for going right back into that territory. Through it all, she had thought that the two had a special connection especially after being saved by Tapu Koko with Nebby and spending a lot of time together in Hau'oli City.
I taught him so much about the Alola region and a little on being a trainer, even though I'm not one myself. And now he's going to forget all of that for…Leilani. She's has everything I don't. She's pretty, smart, popular. I'm just some other girl he's going to pass over. The friend.
No. I will worry about that later.
Her flash of jealousy fading, the blonde reached out, adding an extra layer of frothy bubbles to the tub and sighed again as the next piece of music began to play in her head.
I wish Elio was here.
All the way on the other side of Akala Island; Elio was experiencing the complete opposite of Lillie's calm and warm bathtub.
The rain had once again increased in intensity, rolling thunder through the clouds that blocked out the sun into a dull gray that seemed to permeate everything, including the azure ocean and gulches into a lifeless moonscape of sorts.
Sun felt the drops of water beading together all on his bare skin, silently thanking Alola for being hot during the day. Yet even with the warmth, he had already been soaked beyond belief with the pads of his life vest possessing an added weight as if they had been completely submerged underwater. The mass amount of rainfall from the sky felt like he was being sprayed with a hose at point-blank range.
Most of what made him shiver was the sight before him.
The totem pokemon that he could only describe as a…kaiju raised its gigantic head into the sky and bellowed like some otherworldly beast before diving right back down. It was straight out of those Kantoan movies where massive pokemon cut a swath of death and destruction through a big city all while military and police forces battled it with troops, tanks and gunships in an attempt to bring it down. Although many urban locations were the victims in their rampages, Saffron City was a favorite from Pokestar Studios' Kanto location.
My pokemon will have to be the cavalry in this case.
"Rotom!" Elio had to shout over the sheer volume of water falling from the sky and the earsplitting cry. "What is that totem?"
"Bzzt! Whoever rated thizzz zpot for good markzzz on fishing forgot to mention there'zzz too much water! Bzzt!" 'Dex said frustratingly, weaving around frantically beside the trainer. "My prozezzez are unable to comprehend the type of pokemon! Bzzt!"
"But you're waterproof!" He cried.
"I ztill don't like water! Bzzt!"
Great. "Okay for starters, how am I supposed to defeat that thing?"
"I'm not zure you can! Bzzt!"
A large depression in the lake's center appeared and the massive totem rose up once more, forgoing the dramatic splash earlier and surfacing so that only the top of its head and dorsal side were above the raging waves.
Another crackling sound, much different from the thunder began to be audible as an orange aura of energy began generating itself, surrounding the massive creature. Tendrils struck it from all around its upper body, causing it to let out another loud cry in response to the stat boost.
"ALERT! Totem pokemon'zz aura hazzz fluctuated! Bzzt! Zcanzz show that itzzz defense has rezeived a zignificant boozt! Bzzt!"
Oh great. So physical moves are going to be less effective.
Elio thumbed Torracat's poke ball. He knew that this was going to be an even bigger challenge than the totem raticate he had to defeat in Verdant Cavern.
Wait a second; none of my pokemon can really fight it if it's in the water.
"Lapras," the transport pokemon glanced back at him. "Can you give my team a place to fight with your ice beam?"
It gave him an assuring nod before opening its mouth and discharging a large ray of bluish white energy. The frigid blast instantly conducted the warm water, quickly dropping its temperature and encasing a large section into a sheet of solid ice that stretched in a rough horseshoe shape to surround the totem's entire front.
"Remember the water around Brooklet Hill izzz at a much different temperature than the izze!" Rotom reminded him from nearby. "Analyzing! Bzzt! You'll have about zix minutes before the izze breakzz up again!"
Then that means we'll have six minutes to take this thing out. Elio thought, finally throwing out Torracat's poke ball. His fire-type starter looked a little uncomfortable in the rain and a little nervous staring up at the leviathan, but crouched low on the block in his pouncing stance. His claws had been extended, digging into its slick surface for a better grip.
Now where do I begin?
From observing the totem's behavior, Elio deduced that its immense size meant that it was going to be slow moving and bulky, especially since there wasn't a lot of room for maneuvering. If it was anything like a boss battle, this was one where the attacks would come powerful, but slow enough for someone to anticipate them coming in time to react accordingly.
Lana's words did echo back in his head though, Mana'o i ka i mana'o'ole'ia. It meant to expect anything.
She's right. We can't let our guard down just yet. It might try to catch us off guard.
"You ready buddy?"
"Tor!"
"Okay, let's start with an ember!"
Torracat reared up on his hind legs, the bell around his neck glowing bright. A few flames spat out of it, however its effects were more or less what Sun was expecting.
He had called the attack out in deduction of how well the fire moves would be in spite of the heavy raining and disadvantaged typing.
The first few flames were quick to die out in the moist air; however a couple shots landed on the creature's left side. Ember's ineffectiveness was evident as the totem barely even budged.
Now having made their move, it slowly began to open its own maw and in a lightning flash, a huge torrential wall of water gushed out like a busted valve.
Elio cried out for Torracat to dodge, even when the latter was already in motion, springing sideways to avoid the deadly stream. It hit the water with an intense force and following splash that pelted even the trainer and his ride a good distance away.
The totem wasn't finished either, moving backwards while still facing them before a multi-finned tail rose above the water. It dropped down after gaining a good amount of height and power, swinging it like a giant club.
Torracat was ready again, not even having to get the instruction of dodging; however the giant tail struck the ice platform with enough force to knock the fire cat off balance. It tiled on its side with the occupant hanging on for dear life for a few precarious seconds and settled back upright once more. The ensuing splash sent another huge wave that struck Elio and Lapras right when he was taking his breath in from the suspense.
Saltwater made its way down his nose and windpipe, attacking the delicate tissues lining both airways with a burning sensation like none other, yet it was an all-out assault on his five senses. The boy had to take a moment with his eyes squeezed shut and cough the last of the water out so that he could breathe again.
Okay...we're okay.
Elio saw a silvery veil of water being gathered in the totem's mouth. Torracat stood firm and timed it perfectly. As it reared back again to fire enough the volume of a hydro pump, he gathered as much strength as he could, firing a second ember. The flames were once again dissipating rapidly under the rainfall, however it didn't seem to diminish in size enough to be completely snuffed out.
The leviathan reacted almost immediately, letting out a roar of pain and shaking itself from side to side. Its huge tail waved itself around, kicking up a splash of its own that fell over the rocky breakers at the far side of the gulch.
Looks like we hurt it. I bet the inside of its mouth is the weakness. Let me see if I can get a charge beam down its throat.
However at the same time, he could only regularly attack it when it fired its water gun again. That put Torracat at risk and the supereffective move could prove too much.
We'd have to dodge it and try it again.
Before either could put that plan into action, the massive totem dipped its head underneath the water. It let out a cry that was amplified in the depths, resonating through the rest of the gulch.
"Oh no!" Rotom bemoaned from beside Elio. Since the battle had started, 'Dex hadn't complained one bit about the falling rain. "The totem pokemon iz calling for help! Bzzt!
At first, nothing seemed to happen other than a small ripple of a tiny white creature poking its head above water. Few moments passed before a rumble echoed again and something pierced the waves, rising up above the totem. They resembled long skinny silvery tentacles with the same shaded hue as the totem itself. Lashing down, they struck the massive block of ice splitting in two like claws and causing a spiderweb of cracks to immediately spawn all across it. The ends then moved as if having a mind of its own to the side of the large fish, hooking in as if they were a pair of cord sockets.
Oh crap, this thing's not going to hold on much longer!
Elio had to find an alternative fast. The ice platform he had was rapidly melting and breaking apart and his entire team save for Rufflet was ground based.
I have to change how we fight. I have to change WHERE we fight.
He scanned around, looking for options.
None.
Damn it. Guess we're gonna fight it on a floating hunk of ice that's rapidly melting. What could go wrong?
One of the tendrils flashing caught his eye. A single light pulsed out from the large totem, traveling down its length and spreading out across the ice. Torracat was hit by the first one and a wave of water blasted up from underneath to greet him. When he shook himself with little good, his trainer could see that it was starting to wear him down. Elio had already admired his starter pokemon's resiliency and was certain that most other fire types would already have been defeated or seriously injured by now.
"Be careful Bzzt! The totem's ally pokemon izz uzing water pulze to try and destroy the izze! Bzzt!"
The water pulse must be going through those tentacles. We gotta get them off it!
"Torracat, attack the tentacles! Let's bite them with fire fang and see what we can do!"
"Tor!" As he rushed forward, baring his teeth and infusing them with embers, the totem's tendrils pulsed once more. Now fully anticipating it coming, he jumped up on his hind legs and allowing the water pulse to harmlessly pass underneath the surface. As long as he wasn't touching the ice surface when the attack approached, it wasn't a factor. Sections of the platform exploded as the pulse attacks broke through the thinner sections, sending eruptions of high pressure water up with dangerous looking force.
"Tor!" He stayed nimble on his feet, thanks to their training and made his approach unpredictable. The totem must've sensed what his intentions were and the pulse frequencies increased.
Torracat's claws slipped for a half second and he lost his footing. It was just enough for one lucky water pulse to narrowly catch him down before he rolled back on his feet and kept sprinting ahead with the momentum he had left.
He had reached the tentacle, already jumping up and clamping down with his flaming hot teeth. The falling rain overhead was beginning to lighten up slightly, so Elio was hopeful that the water type move boost would end soon upon it breaking.
Fire fang's power wasn't enough to completely detach it from the ice, but it weakened it. Elio was about to order a bite following up with the attack when Torracat lashed out strongly with its forelegs. He struck the base once and then a second time. That proved to be too much and the beast finally let go, flailing the tentacle upwards in pain.
"Awesome buddy. Let's keep it up! Ember!"
Charging up energy from his throat bell, he fired it once more, this time much stronger thanks to the diminishing of rain. The ball collided, causing a loud hissing sound as the cool water met the hot fire. Then the massive tendril began to flake away, chipping down and having small segments break down to fall back into the water as if it were made of ice, being contacted by the heat. One of the small pieces fell right next to Torracat, flailing around wildly much to his surprise.
Elio peered closer at it.
A wishiwashi?
The revelation hit him faster than an arcanine with extremespeed.
It's not one huge pokemon…it's thousands of them. The totem is a school of wishiwashi!
"Tor!"
"Torracat, we're fighting a wishiwashi!" Elio had to shout as the now-identified totem pokemon lashed out with its tail. His starter jumped back to avoid the swinging hammer strike and crouched low.
"Rotom," he started. "What can you tell me about wishiwashi in this form?"
"I'm on the caze! Bzzt! And I have to thank a writer for lightening up the rain to zomething tolerable! Bzzt! Wishiwashi can shine their eyes brightly to attract their comrades who will then combine into this school form to stand up to their foes. Known as diabolo ke kai, they will even cause the ferocious gyarados to flee in terror. Their water gun is actually hundreds using them at synchronized time with the power exceeding that of a single hydro pump. Wishiwashi in its school form remains a water type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
Okay, that's interesting. Elio thought to himself. This means that the entire school is likely being controlled by a leader or commander. We just have to find and take it out. Then the rest will collapse.
"Torracat, we have to take out the other tentacle!" I'll find whoever's the boss of this monstrosity. We might just have to draw it out.
"Tor!" He jumped forward, avoiding the water pulse attack the wishiwashi's ally was sending to defend itself. Two legs pumped out, striking the base of the clawlike end and chipping out large chunks of the gestalts. Like the one before it, the attacks loosened its grip enough for him to shoot another ember attack that caused a second hissing sound and a subsequent fragmentation of the wishiwashi gestalt.
"Woah there! Bzzt!" Rotom said. "Torracat juzt learned double kick!"
Elio heard the totem growl in frustration and open its maw. He almost had to do a double take of his own when looking in the massive creature's dark pit of a mouth.
He spotted a single wishiwashi with the glowing orange aura. At first he thought that maybe Torracat's previous ember was still doing some havoc inside, but it was actually the source of the totem's defensive boost. That was why it took Torracat two attacks in order to dislodge the tentacles.
There. Elio centered his gaze right on it.
"Torracat!" He pointed right towards it. "Target the leader and take him down with ember!"
"Tor!"
Totem wishiwashi's mouth was wide open, providing the perfect opportunity for him to fire a volley of embers. With the rain having lightened up for the moment, much more of his fire attack sailed easily though the air with much less resistance.
From his viewpoint, he saw the larger wishiwashi let out another bestial cry. Like a colony of durant, there was silvers of movement as some of the lesser fish in the school gathered together on command. They rapidly formed a wriggling dome shield right around their leader just in time as the first of the embers passed through the totem's "lips".
Fire splashed on its smooth surface, puffing into small orange sparks that danced across before snuffing out in the moist air. The beast writhed, kicking up froths of water that splashed everywhere. As the assault finished; the minions parted back to their original positions to reveal the leader wishiwashi was unharmed from the barrage. Not even a singe of embers had scorched its slimy skin.
"It didn't work."
The totem bellowed once more, first beginning with the leader firing his water gun and then the rest subsequently firing in a massive volume spray. It rushed out towards Elio's pokemon at eye-popping speeds.
"Tor!"
He managed to deftly jump aside in the nick of time and Sun could only watch with wide eyes as the massive hammer of a tail rose once again, striking swiftly down on the sheet of ice. There was a loud crack as it cleaved straight through, sending massive chunks flying everywhere.
Right at them.
Lapras threw up protect; a massive greenish barrier surrounding it as well as its rider. Elio still flinched when the ice slammed against it with crunching sounds as they shattered.
"Tor!" Torracat had taken his eyes off the totem for just one moment.
And that was the perfect opportunity for it.
As he skidded to a stop on part of the intact ice. Wishiwashi locked straight onto him as a target, opening its mouth and firing another water gun. The first one, with the rest following suit resembled a much more powerful hydro pump again. Caught dead center in the blast, Torracat was blown entirely off the ice platform right into the waves with a harsh splash.
Oh no.
Elio didn't take a moment to think about his rash decision, unstrapping himself from the ride harnesses' safety cord and jumped right off Lapras' back into the open water, completely unaware of the gasps from the two girls watching ashore.
When he broke the surface to breathe again, more of the choppy waves crashed right back down and the saltwater forced its way down his lungs.
Sun felt its burning sensation working into his sinuses, throwing a coughing fit while flailing his arms about in a losing battle to stay afloat. Looking in front, Torracat's prone form floated freely in the rolling gulch.
As soon as he managed to recover and stop coughing, he took in a deep breath and windmilled his arms while leaning forward. A freestyle stroke wasn't the most practical since he found his baggy clothes and the erratic tugs of the flows underneath pulling him in a myriad of directions. Lactic acid began to flood his limbs and he could only stare in disbelief as he seemed to have expended all the energy to go no closer to his fainted pokemon.
Okay, this was a very stupid decision.
Just go with it. Torracat needs your help.
Elio changed his stroke to the breaststroke, slicing through the waves and sucking in a breath before a breaker was upon him. With the difference, he covered the distance rapidly.
It's okay. Just like in swimming lessons.
With the differing stroke, he was still finding it difficult to move through the choppy water. Much of it was tugging him like some giant invisible hand while Torracat's unconscious form was slowly beginning to sink.
No!
Taking as deep of a breath as possible; Elio spread apart the water beneath him and dove down, fluttering his feet. His eyes opened and scanned around in the grayish area for any sign of orange or black. Salt stung his eyes, but he forced himself to ignore it.
There.
Moving underwater was much easier than going at the surface and he managed to cover the twelve feet to Torracat, who was still floating.
Elio felt a rush of welcoming heat from the fire bell around his throat. It was a good sign. If the litten family was anything like charmander, the fire that burned on their body still being lit meant that they would be alive.
He cradled Torracat under his left arm in a lifeguard carry, using his own body to keep the pokemon above water as much as possible. His right and legs gently tread as he started making his way back.
"It's okay Torracat." He soothed, almost more to himself that he'd be okay. "I got you partner."
Oh crap. I forgot his poke ball.
It didn't do him much good either since the invisible hands from earlier decided to push him erratically around. Looking in the general direction of the totem battle, he could see the wishiwashi letting out another bellowing roar as its tail swatted again at the ice.
Our platform's a lot smaller now! We better hurry!
"Lapras?!" Elio called out. "Lapras?!"
He thought he heard an affirming cry, but another massive swell was rising right in front of him.
Thinking fast, he hugged Torracat close as the wave crashed down right on him, rushing on his front and ears with a loud noise and blast that made him feel as if he was facing a pressure shower. Lasting only a few moments, the rush felt as if it were an eternity.
Elio was nearly out of breath when he broke the surface once more. Checking Torracat, he was relieved to see that he wasn't seriously harmed. A long rest at the pokemon center should have him back to normal.
I still have to get him out of this water.
Luckily, there was something approaching and he glanced up, completely ecstatic to see the blue lapras, paddling to his side.
"Oh thank the tapu you're here." Is that how it goes?
Lapras let out a coo of concern as Elio grabbed onto one of its pectoral flippers and hoisted himself up top the ride pokemon again. He laid Torracat down, trying his best to shield him from the falling rain, which had begun to pick back up.
His hands slipped on the slimy surface, but they still weakly found the safety straps and he managed to hook himself in.
"Tor-"
"Easy." Elio knelt down to give his pokemon a reassuring squeeze on the side. "Decided to go for a swim without me?"
"Tor." He got a weak smile in return before the memory of the battle resurfaced and he looked away ashamedly. His eyes blazed with a determination as the fire type tried to stand up, however he collapsed mid-attempt.
"Hey." Elio shook his head. "You've done enough."
"Tor! Torracat!"
"No. I don't want to risk your life for this!"
"Tor."
Elio saw the look in his starter pokemon's eyes and after being around him for quite some time, he was understanding the message being conveyed. "Of course. Remember. We're all a team. So if we lose…we'll lose together."
"Tor." He glanced down again, almost ashamedly like he had been the one to let the team and his trainer down.
Elio read his mind though. "But you know, we also win as a team. We win together too!"
"Tor."
"Okay. Thanks for your hard work buddy." The boy grabbed the poke ball and returned him.
"Elio!" 'Dex popped out from behind lapras. He weaved down to his level, a look of concern etched onto his face. "Are you okay? Bzzt!"
"Yeah. I'm good. Torracat just needs some rest."
"I'm glad to hear. Bzzt! You look zoaked!"
"I know." Elio had been subconsciously wiping his longer hair out from his eyes in order to properly see. Being out underneath the full rainstorm for some time had completely soaked him.
I've never been this wet in my whole life.
"Let's just finish the battle."
Across from him, he saw that the platform made of ice in front of the wishiwashi had all but melted. A few fragments remained, no larger than a barstool at most.
"Oh great. How are the rest of my pokemon supposed to fight?"
Can't forfeit now! We'll have to make do.
"Rufflet, you're up!"
As Elio tossed Rufflet's great ball, catching it in his hands, the totem wishiwashi was already springing into action, opening its maw once more. The larger "leader" fired its water gun, momentarily with the rest following in succession.
Rufflet was prepared. Even though his flight was slightly impaired by the sheets of torrential rain coming down, he easily glided out of its path, dipping underneath the stream.
Sun saw what looked like a bit of uncertainty cross the totem's features. It bellowed again, moving the massive tail directly underneath its ventral side in an attempt to sweep out Rufflet.
While it was glancing down, he stared with complete disbelief at Rufflet, who had reemerged around the giant fish gestalt's right side. Apparently, the totem had no idea where its foe was located.
It's got a blindside! Let's take advantage of that!
"Fury attack! Go for the eyes!"
With a bloodcurdling screech, the eaglet dove forward. Too late did the totem realize its target.
Elio watched as Rufflet's beak sharply jabbed and burrowed its way into the white section that was the "eye" The action actually knocked the beast back and it flailed its large fins about, kicking up a vigorous splash that added to the already raging waters.
It's a good thing I'm focusing on the battle. Otherwise I may have gotten seasick by now.
Rufflet still wasn't done with his fury attack. He rolled out of the way again from another water gun or hydro pump, Elio wasn't sure which, before peeling out and extending his beak. Thanks to the totem moving slowly about, he was able to strike the second eye.
Even though fury attack's base power was lower, it seemed to have some sort of effect. Wishiwashi growled again in a hair-raising manner as it fired yet another water gun. This time around, Rufflet was nowhere near to where it was aimed.
That can't be. Did taking out its eyes blind it?
Another caw snapped him out of his thoughts as the wishiwashi suddenly lashed out with its pectoral fins, jumping straight up in a speed that the boy didn't think was remotely possible for something so big. Wisps of white energy briefly surrounded it.
"Ayeee!" Rotom screeched in panic. "That'zzz double-edge! Bzzzt!"
It had targeted Rufflet more accurately and the tiny bird dove right back down to meet it at his order in a wing attack. His left one slashed the beast's side, carving a long gash from the dorsal fin all the way down the tail. As the scar opened up, Elio could see tiny specks of miniature wishiwashi gushing out as if it were bleeding. It also appeared that every successive attack was doing more and more damage, as the totem was giving off a pained reaction.
"Rufflet watch the tail!"
He had been so concentrated on attacking that he failed to notice the incoming aqua tail attack. It whipped about ferociously, slapping the bird's side and sending it plummeting down.
Thankfully, he had recovered, spreading his wings and catching flight again just before hitting the water. Wishiwashi splashed down, pulsing out a good sized wave that almost had Leilani tempted to catch it on her ride.
"You good to go buddy?" Elio called out. He got a caw in reply.
Wishiwashi reared its head back again. Now a bright blue energy was coalescing in its mouth. When it reached full strength, it fired it out, crisscrossing in a fine lance that immediately froze the entire amount of moisture in the area.
Oh crap! This thing knows ice beam!
Rufflet barely dodged in time, rolling to the left. The frigid attack struck the water in front of Elio, hardening and creating another iceberg that was similar in size to the one lapras had done for him a little bit ago.
I can create another platform this way.
"Rufflet, we need to provoke it again. Slash at it with wing attack!"
With a caw, he looped around, wings gleaming in the murky light.
Reacting, the wishiwashi spotted his adversary attacking once more and charged another ice beam quickly. As it let loose, Elio yelled at him to break it off. Rufflet raced across the water's surface, remaining barely ahead of the chilly stream as the totem narrowed its blinding eyes, intent on catching his prey.
Rufflet finally saw another opening.
Elio saw it too.
"Wing attack again!"
Rufflet spread his wings once again, cutting a sharp ninety degree angle dive right towards the wishiwashi. It adjusted the course of the ice beam still ongoing, but Elio could see that the energy buildup was beginning to fade.
Hopefully Rufflet won't get caught in it.
The totem's mouth was wide open and if he flew at maximum speed directly into the maw of the monster, he could finish this fight.
We take out that leader and this battle is over!
If only it were that easy.
Wishiwashi's mouth had stopped firing the ice beam, but as the lead fish saw the eaglet approaching its exposed mouth, it launched another quick water gun attack. At such a close range, Rufflet was unable to dodge, getting a full dose of high powered water blasting him back, power amplified by the rain. He skidded over the surface of the waves like a skipped rock before crashing against the ice, unmoving.
"Rufflet!"
Elio grabbed his poke ball and recalled his defeated pokemon back, much more grateful that its retrieval beam was able to reach him. "Thanks buddy. You did amazing out there."
He felt as if his praise was going empty, even though he was truly commending his pokemon genuinely for their best efforts.
I'm two pokemon down and still can't put this thing away. What am I doing wrong?
He glanced back, clenching his hand into a fist. His strategy was simple, that lead fish at the back of the totem's mouth was the target. It had only proved his theory correct that it was a massive weak spot since the rest of its school were heavily defending it.
Wait a second. That shield.
Elio remembered the shield that some of the lesser fish had made to shield their leader from Torracat's embers. They appeared to come in close contact with their leader whenever they attempted to protect it.
Maybe we can do that. No sense in not trying.
"Grimer, let's go!"
"Grime!" His sludge pokemon landed on the ice with a plopping sound, facing the giant totem while lazily waving his arms.
"We're taking the first move this time! Poison gas!"
"Griiiime!" Sucking in a deep breath, he belched out a noxious looking yellow greenish gas, enveloping the field. Some of it coated its outer skin, latching on with an oily residue that left long streaks in the water.
Oops. Hope this stuff dissolves or something. I don't want to be that guy who pollutes Brooklet Hill.
Wishiwashi let out a pained bellow as the poison started its health whittling effects. He did begin to see some of the school that had suffered the worst of it break off from the main totem and fall into the water out of sight.
Good. Now it's only a matter of time.
At his command, Grimer disabled the responding water gun, preventing it temporarily from using its signature attack. With that option not viable at the moment, it resorted to an aqua tail.
Perfect.
"Alright here's our chance! Ready?! Poison fang on that tail!"
The large appendage came crashing down on the ice. Its own ice beam had created a stronger section than lapras had since it failed to slice right through the sheet. Despite it not cutting, the ice visibly shook when the tail struck. Grimer looked a little shaken, but recovered in time to seize the long upper end and clamp down upon it with a pair of virulent fangs. Another bellow from the totem gave him the message they were on the right path.
We keep weakening it.
Grimer was finally wrested free and it slid back into the water, surfacing back up again.
Alright. Now for this to be pulled off.
Sun dug onto his belt, "Grimer return!" A beam of red enveloped his pokemon and he switched out to his final pokemon. "Grubbin, charge beam! Target the big leader!"
Let's hope this works!
His tiny bug materialized onto the ice, etching her stubby feet into the grooves. Hearing his command, her mandibles clamped together and a fine beam of electricity shot out, aimed directly at the lead fish.
The minions were there once again, slowly but surely appearing to form a perfect dome to surround their larger compatriot. When they were hit by the beam, some of them fell quickly. However their makeshift shield had withstood the super effective attack.
Grubbin finally had exhausted all of her energy and she stopped, awaiting directions.
At first, Elio thought his strategy didn't work.
And then the wishiwashi yelled again in another pained cry. Through its open maw, falling rain and fast movements, he could see a good amount of toxic liquid bubbling thinly on the lead fish's surface. There was a lot more than a normal poisoning.
It worked! Thank the tapu it actually worked!
Back in school when they were learning about various pokemon, two of them came to his mind when attempting this. Combee was a honey gatherer in the lush Sinnoh region, roaming around the western warmer edges to gather pollen to bring back to its nest. The queen of the hive, known as vespiquen directed the entire operation of the hive. One of the defensive moves vespiquen could do is to call upon its combee drones to form a protective barrier. She was also capable of ordering them to swarm her foes as well as heal herself when injured.
Elio had seen similar activity to a combee hive with the wishiwashi and knew that the school's shield around their leader had everyone in close contact. Poisonings were virulent on a pokemon and they were just as easily susceptible to spread onto others if kept in direct contact for prolonged periods. Poison fang had the chance to badly poison his target, worsening in damage received the longer it was unchecked.
Wishiwashi writhed in agony letting the noxious liquid continue to wear it down. Apparently, the disabling of its water gun had finally ended as it fired another blast in Grubbin's direction. Amazingly, she dug her legs into the ice and held on, allowing the powerful stream to pass overhead. The totem's attack was cut short as the poison attacked again, causing it to visibly shake several more of its school off its body. Sun assumed that in order to keep as much energy to battle, it had to cut some of its underlings loose in order to survive.
Wishiwashi dipped its head under the water, letting out another loud cry that echoed under the water. Moments later, Elio saw the two large gestalts rise out like giant snapping tentacles. They spread out onto the surface of the ice, hooking firmly into place on the side of the totem.
He saw the flashes of light travel down the "cords" like surges and the water pulses expanding outwards.
Unlike Torracat, Grubbin wasn't as agile and got hit with a pair of the first ones. She fired a charge beam back in response, hitting one of the gestalt tendrils. The super effective attack was enough for it to let go and it vanished underneath.
This is when it's at its most vulnerable! Let's see if we can get that leader!
"Grubbin, bite the second one!"
"Ssk!" She crawled forward with a burst of speed, jaws glowing. Sensing her intentions, the totem fired another water pulse traveling down the tendril. With no time to dodge, she took the attack full force, being knocked back and wobbling about.
"Oh noezz!" Rotom wailed. "Grubbin izz confused! Bzzt!"
"Then it's time to switch again." Elio held out her nest ball. "Grubbin return!" At the same time when she was withdrawn, he tossed Grimer back out.
"Bite it!"
Grimer slithered over, also seeing another water pulse coming his way. He was ready, executing a minimize that shrunk his overall profile in time to avoid its wave.
Expanding back into proper size, he bit his fangs down to effectively neutralize the second tendril. Like the first one; it seemed to disintegrate into the individual fish that collapsed and scattered about when they hit the water.
When the wishiwashi emerged back from the depths again, a large splash accompanied it from his left.
A pink heart-shaped pokemon emerged with long vertical fins that swam calmly next to it. It had dark markings above its eyes like eyelashes. Their gold iris color was soft and emanated a warm gaze, but also one of fierceness.
The new ally pokemon opened its mouth, revealing a brighter pinkish pulse than its own tone.
"Grimer, be ready!"
To his surprise, the pokemon didn't fire it at his own. The attack was directed directly at totem wishiwashi. He saw it swish around in the water, roaring vigorously as it seemed to be regaining strength.
It took him two seconds to figure things out.
NO! NO! NO! This is NOT happening!
"New pokemon detected!" Rotom buzzed from behind him. "Alomomola. Caring pokemon. Alomomola's special mucus can seal open wounds of injured pokemon. It's common for sailors and fishermen to take this pokemon with them on their voyages to eliminate the need for a doctor or medicine while at sea. Alomomola is a water type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
'Dex turned back to Elio. "Be careful! Bzzt! Alomomola has the power to heal the totem! Bzzt!"
"Oh really?" Elio sarcastically snapped back, still trying to focus on the battle. Grimer once again minimized to escape another hammering aqua tail while lunging in a pound, however the totem smartly pulled back. "You couldn't have told me that ten seconds earlier?!"
"That'zzz not all! Bzzt! Analyziz of thizzz alomomola indicatezz that it hazz the ability healer, which givezz it a chanzze to remove the poizon on the totem!"
Elio took a moment to digress that information. So if healer has a chance to work and it keeps using heal pulse, then everything we worked for will be for nothing!
We'll have to deal with it quick and prevent that chance! Grimer can disable it for a short time. The totem's beginning to weaken, so we're close!
Predictably, the alomomola's mouth opened again, starting another one.
"Alright buddy, disable that heal pulse!"
"Grime!" With a wave of his hands, the tips flashed white briefly, causing the gathered energy to disperse. It stopped short, eyes wide with surprise before covering itself in water and shooting forward.
Aqua jet!
"Grab it!"
Grimer obeyed, thrusting his hands out. The water made the fish slippery enough, but his sticky grip managed to get hold of the bottom fin, nearly tearing him off the icy surface. As it wriggled to free itself, he bore his sickly fangs right down on whatever he could find. The alomomola shrieked, finally getting itself free and using a double slap in the process before flopping back into the water. When it surfaced again, Sun was pleased to see another layer of toxins eating away at its body.
They hadn't been paying attention to the wishiwashi however and as soon as its ally was clear of the line of fire, it let loose a strong ice beam.
Grimer didn't have the chance or the ability to dodge. Being exposed in the rain and in a viscous fluid comprising his body made the frigid attack quickly freeze himself right in place. His movements stiffened before ceasing and leaving him encased in a clear shell of ice.
Oh no. He's frozen.
"Grimer return!" Elio called him back, throwing Grubbin in his place. "We're gonna finish this."
Alright. That alomomola is going to try and heal itself. I hope…so let's take this wishiwashi down!
The totem thrashed once more, firing off another desperate water gun. It was hastily aimed off target by a good amount. The huge mouth was open, completely exposing the lead fish.
Elio made a fist. "Charge beam! That leader goes down!"
"Ssk!" She gathered her electricity between her pincer jaws, firing the arc that was perfectly aimed. Inside, the minions gathered in front once again to form the protective barrier.
The beam struck it dead center and for a moment, Elio thought it would hold. However it seemed that the poisoning had done enough damage to seriously weaken it to the point where its strength was diminished. Fish broke away in flecks, their bodies crackling with a fatal dose of electricity.
One part of the dome shaped shield broke right open and the leader wishiwashi fish with the glowing aura let out a screech of pain echoed by the remainder of the totem.
It lunged again, crashing against the iceberg that hit the lapras. Elio felt like his entire insides had been turned to jelly, even as the motion knocked him free of his seat. He found himself swinging freely, screaming in fright from the harrowing jolt. His hand stuck itself out, stopping his wild swinging thanks to the safety strap and saving an embarrassing faceplant into the side of his ride's rather durable shell.
Back out at the water, the wishiwashi was letting out another agonizing roar as it started to almost…deform.
The dorsal fin was first, its structure collapsing into the ocean as if the enormous totem was hit by a corrosive acid. Its open mouth bubbled, but upon closer inspection, it was the froth of hundreds of tiny wishiwashi falling apart. From his perspective, this monster leviathan was being liquefied.
More and more of its comrades were falling into the water like an avalanche, clouding the surrounding underneath with a large gray slicked mass. Just as quickly as they had congregated dramatically at the beginning of the battle, the bigger schools moved left and then right before dispersing all around them.
One fish however remained besides the alomomola. Elio recognized it as the leader and its pained expression made him feel just slightly…slightly guilty on finishing a weakened opponent.
All its buddies left it behind. It kind of feels bad in taking him out now.
"Yeah that'zz right!" Rotom cheered. "Get outta here! Bzzt! Elio! Now'zz your chanze! Defeat it before the alomomola healzz it! If it gainz enough strength, it can call the zchool back again!"
"Right away." Elio pointed right at it. "Finish this Grubbin! One last charge beam!"
"SSK!" With newfound determination, she gathered another blast in between her jaws and shot it out.
Either by the poison or the super effective electric attack, the totem wishiwashi was hit and blown back, landing underneath the water and rising up. It twitched in trying to right itself before going still.
Yes! Totem is down!
"Ho'omaikai'ana Elio! Now defeat that alomomola and victory will be ourzzz! Bzzt!"
"Sounds like a plan! How about you Grubbin?"
His little bug turned around to acknowledge him, but her entire body pulsed white in the process.
What?
Before he could ask about what it could be, the glow returned much stronger. It encased her entirely, illuminating the battlefield.
Is it evolving?
He could see through its glare that her body was growing in size. Swirls of more strange power circled around his pokemon before they faded.
Grubbin had completely changed forms. Her white body was now predominantly a bright green with a boxlike structure. Her long jaws were replaced by smaller ones and eyes were bluish tinted with a glossy sheen over them. There was a small jagged mouth at the front and her slow movements hadn't changed that much. Instead of crawling, she seemed to shuffle, moving the segments of her body as if a relaxed caterpie.
"You…you evolved!" Elio shouted. "Let's see what you got!"
The alomomola seemed ready to resume the battle and avenge the defeat of its totem. It sped forward in an aqua jet.
"Spark!"
With a hiss, the evolved Grubbin waited until it closed the distance before lighting up dancing sparks and boosting up to meet its foe. The electricity conducted the water easily, shocking the unfortunate victim and knocking it out of the right.
Alomomola laid still, fainted for a few moments before weakly rolling upright and disappearing underneath the waves.
Since engaging in the battle ten minutes ago, there was a calm silence descending across Brooklet Hill.
That's it. He let out a sigh of relief. It's over.
"Woohoo!" Rotom cheered. As he threw up his arms in celebration, a catchy tune that was triumphant sounded played from his speakers. "You defeated the totem wishiwashi! Bzzt!"
"We did it!" Elio was taken by surprise when Grubbin's new evolution jumped off the iceberg into his arms. "Woah there! You were amazing Grubbin!"
'Dex piped up. "Actually, she'zz no longer a Grubbin! Bzzt! I'll bring up the analyziz of your new pokemon! We bezt be getting lotz of photozzz at the Photo Club and Festival Plaza! Charjabug. Battery pokemon. It is the evolved form of Grubbin. It can store tremendous amounts of electricity within its stout shell and it can be used for a variety of purposes. Blasts are discharged at persistent foes and the small jaws serve as outlets that are compatible with most cords to charge and power electronics. This pokemon is a popular option on camping trips and outings due to its portability. Charjabug is a bug and electric type. Wow there! Bzzt! Maybe I can have zome when I'm running low?"
Maybe! Elio was more relieved than overjoyed if he was honest. That trial was hard! Way harder than the raticate!
"Elio!" He glanced back to see Lana and Leilani waving at him from the shore. "Fantastic job! Please come back this way."
Obliging, he gave the lapras a tap and together paddled towards the land. Unstrapping himself from the safety harness, he jumped down with a little bit of shaky legs and his new Charjabug in an arm.
"Thank you Lapras." The boy set a gentle hand when the transport pokemon leaned down. "Thank you for helping me."
It let out a wailing cry of happiness before opening its mouth and letting a long slimy tongue wipe itself across his face. Totally not expecting that, he stumbled back with a shout of shock from the makeshift kiss.
Lana and Leilani couldn't help themselves laughing.
Lapras looked at the three humans before turning back to the calmer waves and diving underneath. The nasty weather overhead had subsided with the dark clouds beginning to fade back into the north where open ocean was located. Sunlight shone down on them and Elio let out a satisfying sigh as the heat began to dry up the droplets of water still clinging to his pale skin.
Oh...This feels so good right now.
"What a very surprising surprise." Lana said. "Frustrating I might add too. Especially since I diligently trained the totem wishiwashi to be as formidable as possible! Even I was caught! Hook! Line! And finally the sinker!"
"I'm just glad to be alive honestly." Considering he was thrown around by breaker waves and smashed against his ride's shell, that was just enough to be appreciative of.
"The trials are not all about winning the battle either Sun. Yet you still persisted and triumphed! That means you deserve this Waterium Z!"
The girl reached into her satchel at her side and held out a small diamond crystal.
Elio gingerly took it into his hand, examining it. Through the sunlight shining down, it glowed a pure bright sapphire with a dark water droplet insignia in the center.
This calls for a little celebration! And it's not proper without my team!
Throwing out the other three members, they weakly stirred and glanced up after Torracat used the heat on his bell to thaw out the still-frozen Grimer. Seeing the new crystal in his hand, each member went wide eyed.
"You see this guys! We got the Waterium Z!" He crouched low, kneeling down and holding the gem close to himself, spinning around in a circle and thrusting it up in the air, striking his celebration pose; right hand in a victory fist and left hand with the crystal. "Yes! Trial is complete!"
Behind him, his entire team let out a victory cheer with their respective cries and then rushed forward, clinging to his legs in a makeshift hug.
"Thank you guys." He whispered breathlessly. "Mahalo."
"So you ready to see how the Waterium Z works?"
"I am."
"Excellent." Lana formed an "X" with her arms. "Now watch closely."
She spread them back out, extending in a waving motion to her left and then once again to the right, flicking her hands in a final pose.
"Okay." He agreed. "Easy enough."
"Yup! And I've got more than just that to offer you! Here's a couple tokens for clearing my trial! First up," she dug into her satchel again and handed him a small object. It was some other crystal as well, but unlike the Z-crystal he had received earlier, it was shaped like a petal in an azure blue.
"I believe that is your second one of the trial flower."
"It is." Elio had gotten an explanation from Ilima when he cleared the normal type one. The trial flower was another attachment to his island challenge amulet where he would collect six of the petals earned on the first three islands in order to finally be able to challenge the seventh. Apparently Ilima had hinted that the completed flower would be the key to it all.
"And here's a Haukea original! It's one of my family's homemade fishing rods!"
Okay that's pretty interesting. Elio stuck his new Z-crystal in the slot on his pack, next to his other two. Even though he had once grumbled that it seemed to be taking forever in filling each section, he was one-sixth of the way for the eighteen standard.
Lana's fishing rod was collapsible and able to be assembled in seconds. Stringing the line and hook was simple.
"Before you going casting that rod about," she started. "Let me tell you now that fish pokemon prefer to stick to the shadows and rocky parts. Find one and watch your bob dip underneath the water when you've got a bite. You'll have to be fast, because the fish will free itself eventually!"
"And we'll be busy fishing." Leilani added. "Because we're on to catch you a remoraid!"
The trial captain smiled. "I can be of assistance to that. Besides, you can't go trying to catch anything around here without the aid of dive balls! It's a fisherman's best choice!"
"Dive balls?" Elio asked, turning wide-eyed when Lana extended out a long case. Inside were ten bluish poke balls with white tints patterned along the sides. "Thanks Lana." He looked a bit sheepish. "How many gifts am I getting here?"
"Just one more!" Any other questions he had were silenced when Leilani's arms wrapped around his back and she hugged him tightly. Sun's face went hot as he blushed madly as a certain part of her chest was brushing against his cheeks.
Still a bit surprised at the brazen action, Sun had to remind himself what his mother had taught him when being embraced.
Don't be a dead fish.
He sighed and gently put his arms around her back. Fingers spread out and he realized he was touching her back skin. It felt…
So soft. Just wow. She is just…amazing. Beautiful.
A giggle startled him when he regretfully had to part in order to avoid making an awkward hug and Lana put her hands on her hips in a mock pout. "By the way Elio. You do know that I once reeled in a red gyarados?"
"Wow you did? Because the only time I've ever heard a red gyarados being found is some lake!"
"Are you trying to steal him from me?!"
"Well, what do you think? And Leilani, he's quite the handsome one. So you shouldn't be surprised that there are so many girls trying to go after him. Just remember our conversations when you were telling me you couldn't count on your fingers how many boys wanted to be your boyfriend!"
"The lady gets to choose!" The surfer gave Elio a cute smile. "And you're right. But I also know some other girls who are interested in him! How about a hint? Starts with an L."
That could mean a whole bunch of people.
"Anyways, let's go fishing and start surfing!" Without warning or hesitation, Leilani grabbed the boy's hand, just about yanking it free of its socket for the second time that day.
"Waiiiit!" Elio protested. "I'm so tired right now…can't I just lie down and nap? Ten minutes?!"
"Not if there's a hella big wave to catch! C'mon! Stop being a stick in the sand!"
He rolled his eyes. "You know, you and Hau are a lot alike."
"Oh."
It was his turn to surprise her. "And that's totally a good thing. I just know I'm gonna sleep good tonight."
"Yup! Nothing like sleeping good when you've spent the day with all your friends and pokemon! Oh and by the way, you don't have to be discreet with your shirt off." She smirked back at him. "I like it that way."
Okay everyone! Trial is complete! Now Elio's next trial will be to survive the rest of the day fishing and learning how to surf without falling asleep! He's definitely going to be tuckered out from such a big battle like that!
Again, I'm terribly sorry for not getting this out on the weekend during my intended targeted time. I hope its release was worth the wait.
Translations:
E mālama ka tapu mai ka lani mai. A alakaʻi iāʻoe i loko o ka hoʻokolokoloʻaneʻane e kokokeʻoe e piʻi. - May the tapu watch over from the heavens and guide you through the trial you are about to surmount.
Kaiju - Kaiju is Japanese for "strange beast" it also refers to a genre of film where massive monsters of gigantic proportions would attack urban centers and engage in battles with military forces deployed to stop its rampaging. The most notable series of films in this genre, named after the iconic monster is Godzilla.
Mana'o i ka i mana'o'ole'ia. - Expect the unexpected.
Diabolo ke kai - Sea demon
Ho'omaikai'ana - Congratulations
Mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.
Brav
