Chapter 3: Trial by Fire
Satoshi, Absol, and Lucario exhaled together before their eyes flashed blue, lighting up the dark interior of the Ruins of Life. All three synchronized their aura, trying to sense the presence of other Pokemon in the chamber.
However, all they saw were the weathered remains of an ancient civilization, old pillars, and statues of people/Alolan Pokeballs decorating the dimly lit halls.
"Come on. We're getting close. I just know it!"
"Grouu!"
"Sol!"
Satoshi and his team navigated the somewhat treacherous ruins with ease, given their intense training with the Aura Guardians. The trio's physical abilities allowed them to easily cross areas that would've proven difficult for the average person, eventually reaching a center chamber.
There, a walkway with more statues flanking each side led to a staircase and pedestal. Resting atop the pedestal sat a golden idol of Tapu Lele.
"Grouu!" Lucario eagerly tried to race forward, but Satoshi held a hand out and shook his head.
"It's soo easy."
"Sol!" Absol vehemently nodded, sensing danger ahead of them. All three reached out with their aura again and finally felt something.
"You might as well come out now. We're not going to fall into your trap!"
"Grouu!"
"Sol!"
The statues shifted slightly, and moments later, two Pokemon leaped out.
"Roc!"
"Pass!" A Midnight Lycanroc and Passimian stood ready for battle, earning smiles from the challengers.
"Lucario, Power-Up-Punch, Absol, use taunt!"
The Passimian raced towards Lucario and tried to use Rock Smash, only for Lucario to knock away both fists in effortlessly, then stuck back with a punch that sent Passimian into the air.
At the same time, Absol hit Lycanroc with Taunt, forcing him to attack.
"Psycho cut!"
"Sol!" Absol leaped off the incoming Rock Throw boulders before slashing Lycanroc across the chamber.
"Aura Sphere! Night Slash!"
"Grouu!"
"Sol!" The following attacks knocked out both trial Pokemon.
"Awesome! Now let's get the idol!" Satoshi and his Pokemon approached the pedestal, but just as Lucario reached to grab it, Absol shook his head.
"Sol!"
He warned the others via their aura bond that something felt off. Satoshi knew Absol could sense danger and trusted his Pokemon's judgment.
"Hmmmm." Satoshi carefully examined the pedestal before realizing that the exact spot which housed the idol looked like it could move.
"Ahh, I see, very tricky, Alani. Lucario, is there a rock roughly this thing's size?"
"Grouu." Lucario nodded and looked around until she saw one.
"Grouu!"
"Arigato!" Satoshi took the rock and very carefully moved it over the golden idol. Taking a deep breath, his Pokemon began to sweat in anticipation as he prepared to make the swap.
"Ok, one, two, three!" Satoshi swapped the two and cradled the idol as his Pokemon sighed in relief.
"Whew, alright, now let's-" Satoshi almost froze when he, Lucario, and Absol saw the pedestal start to move.
"Uh oh."
"Sol!" The entire chamber now shook as a massive doorway behind the pedestal opened up.
"Gol!" The ground trembled, and Satoshi's eyes widened when he saw five Alolan Golems coming straight at them with Rollout.
"Run!" Satoshi and his team sprinted through the ruins as fast as possible with debris in their way, often needing to rely on their acrobatic skills.
However, the lead Golemn stepped up the pressure by using rock blast.
"Grouu!"
"Sol!" Both tried to warn Satoshi, but he moved too late, and one rock knocked the idol from his grasp.
"The idol!"
"Gol!" Satoshi tightened his fist and then stopped, turning back to face Golem.
"Alright then, we do this the hard way!"
"Grouuu!"
"Sol!"
"Let's go! Mega Evolution!" Satoshi pressed the two keystone rings on his fingers and watched colorful spheres form around Lucario and Absol.
"Grou!"
"Sol!" Both roared after emerging in their Mega Evolved forms.
"Aura Sphere! Sucker Punch!" Satoshi synchronized his aura with both Mega Pokemon and began mirroring Mega Lucario's movements. Within moments, all five Alolan Golem lay on their backs with swirled eyes.
"We did it!" Satoshi cried upon recovering the idol. His Pokemon roared in victory before rushing to Satoshi's side.
Upon emerging from the ruins, they saw a young Alolan man sitting above the ruins entrance with a notepad in hand and a Rockruff beside him, handing his trainer a new pen.
"Arigato." The young man said while patting his head.
"Alani!" Satoshi held up the idol, earning a somewhat dazed smile from the trial captain.
"Ahhh, yes, well done."
"You could've made the trial less dangerous. Not everyone has the agility of an Aura Guardian."
"Hai, that's why I set things up that way just for you."
Satoshi, Lucario, and Absol's mouths dropped into crestfallen expressions.
"You intentionally almost had us crushed by those Golem!" Satoshi roared in a fiery rage, with Lucario and Absol doing much the same.
"Well, yes, Kaiser Ash told us all about your special training on Ora Island, and I thought the usual trial would be a bit too easy for someone like you."
Satoshi nearly felt ready to launch an Aura Sphere or the idol itself at Alani but ultimately decided against it. He slowly placed the golden statue in his hands, trying not to tremble in anger.
"Hmmmm." Alani nodded and handed Satoshi a piece of Rockium Z.
"Congratulations."
"...Arigato." Satoshi collected the bag he'd left outside and left.
"Alola."
"Alola."
"Hmmm?" Alani noticed his Rockruff sticking his nose into an empty Pokefood container and then a brown bag.
"Rockruff, where did you get that food?"
A few minutes later, they reached a nearby beach, and Satoshi let out the rest of his team.
"Everyone, take a look!" Satoshi proudly held out the new Rockium Z, much to the rest of his team's excitement.
"Now we've completed all the Akala island trials! All that's left is to face Kiawe, and we'll be halfway through!"
"Sol!"
"Grauuu!"
"Grouuu!"
"Tile!"
"Ott!"
"Gatr!"
An overwhelming sense of excitement lit up the Pokemon and their trainer as they soon imagined themselves on Ula'Ula Island, becoming the regional champions. However, this daydream was instantly shattered by the combined noise of seven rumbling stomachs.
Satoshi and his Pokemon held themselves as hunger struck them like a wall. Satoshi and those Pokemon on his team who hadn't competed in the trial were still famished from their intense training session that morning.
"Ahhh, so hungry. Don't worry, guys. I made sure to pack plenty of food-" Satoshi opened his backpack only to see all the provisions absconded.
"Ehhhh! Where is everything!?" His Pokemon looked equally horrified, and when their stomachs growled again, all seven collapsed onto the sand.
Satoshi and his team woke up to the unmistakable smell of hot food.
"Ehhh?" The young man saw a steaming bowl of egg ramen in front of him and, similarly, a full bowl of food for each of his Pokemon.
"Run out of food, did you?" A familiar voice giggled. Satoshi looked up and saw none other than Mallow standing over him with a warm smile, Tsareena beside her.
"Mallow-"
"Ahh, eat first, I insist."
Satoshi almost violently seized the utensils and scarfed the ramen down so fast it nearly burned his mouth. All six Pokemon quickly did the same, devouring the pokemon food set before them as Mallow giggled.
It took only a minute or so for them to finish, and each exhaled deeply their hunger vanishing.
"Arigatōgozaimashita." Satoshi muttered, his Pokemon nodding.
"It's my pleasure, Satoshi. Someone has to look after you while your mama and papa are in Kalos."
"Mallow, I'm eighteen. Come on."
She smirked and leaned closer.
"Really? Then why did I find you passed out from hunger?" Satoshi sweatdropped sheepishly and looked away slightly.
"I know I packed meals. I just don't know what happened to them."
"Well, I'm glad I found you. I take it you just completed Alani's trial?"
"Hai! Which means I'm ready to face Kiawe!" Satoshi boldly proclaimed while rising back to his feet, fist thrown into the air.
"How exciting! I know he's been looking forward to battling you as well. However, he's already had a challenger today, so you'll need to wait until tomorrow."
Satoshi nodded.
"Hai, alright. No rush. We're still well on track."
"Satoshi, why don't you join us for dinner tonight. Kiawe and Hani would love to catch up with you."
"Sounds great! Arigato!"
That evening, Satoshi and Mallow arrived at a house on route 8 near the base of Wela Volcano.
The house had a Pokemon enclosure much like the one he grew up in, and as they approached, he noticed a boy his brother's age, roughly twelve, with typical Alolan tanned skin, brown eyes, and greenish-red hair.
"Come on, Torracat, we can perfect this! Let's go Inferno Overdrive!" The boy shouted while facing none other than Selene.
"Alright, let's give it a go ourselves, Simisear, Inferno Overdrive!" Selene and Hani both performed the motions with their Pokemon until two overwhelming infernos slammed into each other. While Torracat gave his all, Simisear's Z-Move overwhelmed his and drove the fire cat backward.
"Torracat!" Hani cried as he ran over to his coughing partner.
"I don't get it. We made all the right motions." Hani sighed.
"Hani, remember what I told you. Just making the motions isn't enough to tap into a Z-Moves full potential. It takes time and practice to grow in strength. Selene has had much more experience with Simisear and their Z-Move." Satoshi and Mallow saw Kiawe walk over to his and Mallow's son while placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Kiawe, Hani! We have another guest!" Mallow cried. Her husband, son, and Selene looked over at Satoshi, who waved back.
"Alola!"
"Alola! Satoshi, welcome!" Kiawe said, his team beside him.
"Selene, you're here too. You must be the other guest Mallow talked about."
"Hai! I faced her on Poni island the other day."
"Really, how'd that go?"
Mallow giggled slightly and shrugged.
"We did our best, but Selene proved too much." Selene eagerly revealed her Poni island symbol.
"Two down, two to go."
Unlike Satoshi, she'd started on Ula'Ula island and then moved to Poni Island.
"Akala island was next on her path, and I was coming home anyway, so I thought I'd give her a ride. Plus, I hoped we could catch up over dinner, then I found you, Satoshi."
Eventually, the four sat in a dining lanai which allowed them to remain partially inside while also having enough room for their Pokemon to eat with them.
Satoshi's team ate with Selene, Mallow, Kiawe, and Hani's Pokemon. Satoshi's Pokemon occasionally glanced over at Kiawe's, knowing they'd soon face them.
"Grauuu." Kiawe's Charizard smiled at Satoshi's. He'd known Kiawe's Charizard growing up and occasionally saw him spar with his father.
"You should've seen the battle today! Aka overcame his mother, Korrina, and took her spot in the Kalos Elite 4!"
Hani eagerly took out his Rotom device before showing a battle in the Lumoise Stadium. The match was between a boy, perhaps seventeen, who bore a striking resemblance to Kanto Champion Red, though with light blonde hair, and Kalos Elite 4 Korrina.
The boy, Aka, commanded a Mega Charizard Y against his mother's Mega Lucario. Satoshi and his team watched particularly closely as Charizard Y blocked Mega Lucario's incoming blows with Air Slash, then roasted him with Fire Blast.
Despite taking the loss, Korrina looked ready to tear up and embraced Aka, soon followed by Red himself.
"Kalos has a new Elite 4 member, and very soon, we'll have a new Champion. So many changes." Mallow said.
"Yes, though I wonder who it could be." Kiawe smiled at Selene and Satoshi.
"Not so fast, you two have to beat my dad first, and you still have to beat my mom, Satoshi!" Hani protested.
"Hani, don't be rude! Selene and Satoshi are both very capable trainers. They've won regional leagues, and Selene won against me just the other day. I'm quite proud of you both."
"Still, I'm quite excited to see what you're capable of, Satoshi." Kiawe's eyes met Satoshi with clear challenge, which the Aura Warrior eagerly returned.
"Hai! I watched you train with my dad for years! I've been looking forward to this!"
"Grauuu!"
"Grouu!"
"Tile!"
"Ott!"
"Sol!"
"Gatr!"
Kiawe's Pokemon looked similarly eager and nodded.
"Ohh! That reminds me, I messaged your parents that you'd be here! Why don't we give them a call!" Mallow took out the house phone and dialed a number. Moments later, Satoshi and the others saw his parents, Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, Yvonne, and a few of her Pokemon.
"Alola, Ash, Serena, Yvonne!" Mallow cried.
"Alola!"
"Alola." Hani muttered. Even though he'd met Ash many times, talking to the Pokemon Kaiser was still overwhelming.
"There's our boy. Merci for having him over." Serena said warmly.
"It's our pleasure!"
"Mallow tells us you and Selene are progressing well, Satoshi." Ash said, earning bright smiles from his son and Selene.
"Hai! Selene has a slight lead, but we'll be caught up again tomorrow after my battle with Kiawe."
"I see, don't be hasty, Satoshi. Kiawe is no simple opponent. He's what you'd call a Z-Move Master, and certainly on the level of any Elite 4."
"Satoshi, you're too kind. I'm just trying to stay worthy of the title Kahuna." Hearing the Pokemon Kaiser speak so highly of his father made Hani tremble slightly, so much so that Mallow giggled and helped him stay upright.
"Sounds like things are going well so far, Satoshi! Good! Keep it up, go for broke and become Alolan Champion just like papa!" Yvonne shouted, full of fiery support for her big brother.
"Yvonne, how's Sky Trainer School!?" Satoshi asked.
"It's going wonderful!" Yvonne beamed. Kiawe and Mallow saw the same overwhelming excitement and ambition in Yvonne's expression they'd seen in Ash countless times.
"Your sister has some very exciting news to give you."
"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu leaped onto Yvonne's shoulder and nuzzled her as she nodded with a beaming smile. Ash and Serena guided their daughter directly in front of the camera.
"I made it into the Sky Trainer Grand Prix!"
"The Grand Prix!" Selene cried in disbelief.
"Yvonne, that's amazing!"
"Grauu!" Charizard roared while a younger female Charizard howled behind Yvonne.
The Sky Trainer Grand Prix was a grand tournament once every four tears that took place in Kalos, where sky trainers worldwide competed for the title of Top World Sky Trainer.
"Good luck, Yvonne. We'll be rooting for you!" Mallow promised.
"Definitely, we could send you a piece of Flyinium-Z to help." Kiawe said.
"Merci!"
"Satoshi, your grandmother says hello too." Serena said as he nodded.
"So you guys are heading back then?"
Ash and Serena turned to each other with bashful smiles that reminded Mallow and Kiawe of young lovers.
"Actually, we made another call to your aunt May, and she says Diago is still safe. So, I decided your mother and I could use some time away."
"Time away?" Satoshi muttered. Serena nodded with a wider smile as she wrapped her arms around Ash and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Oui! Your father and I are spending a few days in Kiloude City for a romantic getaway."
"Ehhh?" Satoshi and Yvonne muttered, particularly as Ash put his hand around Serena's back and pulled her into a fiery kiss.
"Ahhh! Mom, dad!" Satoshi groaned with Yvonne while Mallow giggled and covered Hani's eyes.
"Mom, come on, I'm twelve, not six!"
Pikachu rubbed the back of his head as he and the others watched them kiss, Selene, giggling intensely while Kiawe shook his head.
"Married for almost twenty years, and you still act like love birds." I think it's sweet." Mallow said while coming over and kissing his cheek.
"Alright, we better let you go before this gets more uncomfortable. Alola, everyone!" Yvonne said.
"Alola!"
That night, Satoshi and his team sat outside enjoying the cool night breeze and the gentle sound of rustling foliage as they stared at the ocean of stars above them.
"Can't sleep either?" Selene asked as she approached him.
"It's not that late. I probably won't stay up much later." His old friend sat down beside him and took in the scenery.
"It's funny, our whole lives, nobody ever thought someone else would become Alolan Champion since your dad is also the Kaiser. Now one of us could earn the title."
Satoshi nodded, picturing himself standing before Alola as their new champion, his family and team beside him, Kalua too.
"Satoshi, have you thought about what you'll do if you actually succeed?"
"Eh?" He and his team looked back at Selene, who appeared lost in thought.
"What if one of us actually does become Alolan Champion? What would we do then."
"That's funny. My dad once told me he had a similar conundrum just before he challenged Daniel Rian years ago. Apparently, he was more afraid of winning than losing since it meant that there'd be nothing left to strive for after doing so. But my grandpa Felix reminded him that his ambitions didn't have to stop there, that the world is far bigger than ending even at Kaiser."
Satoshi grinned.
"Maybe I don't know what I'd do after becoming Alola Champion now. But I know we'll figure something out!"
Selene soon smiled again. Satoshi certainly hadn't lost his spirit over the years, and he was right. One way or another, they'd find their next path.
The next day, Satoshi and Kiawe stood across from each other on the peak of Mt. Wela. Intense heat radiated around the volcano's top, but it didn't prevent dozens of locals and competing trainers from gathering to watch Satoshi battle the island Kahuna.
Mallow and Selene took up prime seats on the edge of the battlefield while Hani led six Alolan Marowak in a traditional Alolan fire dance.
"You go, Hani!" Mallow cried for her son as he spun two flaming staffs in his hands just like the Marowak. Satoshi and Kiawe exchanged competitive but respectful glances as their spectators cheered in anticipation.
"The battle between Akala Island Kahuna Kiawe and challenger Satoshi Ketchum will now begin! As island Kahuna, Kiawe reserves the right to choose the victory conditions. He has chosen a best out of three single battle contest." The official cried.
Satoshi nodded. Each Kahuna was allowed to choose how to conduct their battles. Mallow preferred only using a single Pokemon each; Lei ran double-battles and Hau regular three on three.
"Trainers, choose your Pokemon!"
The audience watched closely as each took out a Pokeball.
"I choose you, Marowak!"
"Marow!" Another Alolan Marowak, much bigger than the others, came out and spun his flaming bone around.
"Go dad!" Hani cried.
Mallow and Selene wondered who Satoshi's first Pokemon would be.
"I choose you, Pidgeot!"
"Ot!" Pidgeot whipped up a powerful gust of wind while flying up and over his trainer.
"Pidgeot then. Very well, let's get things fired up!"
The entire audience went silent as Hani, Mallow, and Kiawe's Marowak all sweatdropped.
"...Oh, Kiawe." Mallow sighed.
"I didn't think it was that ba-" Satoshi started.
"Fire Spin!"
"Mar!" Marowak unleashed a trio of successive spinning torrents of fire.
"Agility!" Pidgeot moved with incredible dexterity despite his size and masterfully dodged each Fire Spin. Kiawe, however, merely smiled while observing the movements.
"Will-O-Wisp!"
"Agility!" Satoshi's eyes flashed blue, as did Pidgeot's, and he desperately tried to avoid the incoming move. However, Marowak moved too fast and conjured up several ghostly fire embers around him that honed in on Pidgeot, inflicting the great bird with a deep burn.
"Ot!" Satoshi grunted as his aura bond let him feel some of the pain.
"Yes! That's it, dad!" Hani and the other Marowak resumed their fire dance as a few spectators cheered on.
"Stay strong, Pidgeot. We knew this wouldn't be easy! Use Arial Ace!"
"Flame Wheel!"
"Mar!" Marowak covered himself in flames while racing forward to meet Pidgeot. Selene nodded in admiration of Kiawe's battling. He knew Arial Ace couldn't miss, thus would make Pidgeot pay for a direct attack by covering himself in flames while also dealing with his burn.
Pidgeot grunted as his burn flared up, but the aura bond with Satoshi proved too strong, and he didn't falter.
"Ot!" Pidgeot readied himself to use Arial Ace but didn't go in quite yet, focusing with Satoshi for the right moment. While Flame Wheel did cover the entire body, on a rocky surface like this, it couldn't cover the bottom, and waiting for their opportunity, Satoshi saw it.
"Now!" Pidgeot flew in and blasted the ground with a gust of wind, pushing Marowak up just enough to expose his underside, not lit aflame, and slashed him there.
"Yes, good hit, Satoshi!" Selene cried while Hani grunted.
"Ha! That's it, just like your father!" Kiawe laughed while Marowak flipped himself up and back into his feet.
"Fire Spin!"
"Mar!" Marowak spun his bone faster and unleashed four fiery tornados around the battlefield, pushing his opponent back into a defensive position.
"Agility!" Pidgeot did his best, but the burn hit again, and he found himself unable to move any closer with the multiple fire spins.
"Hmm, a fire screen." Selene said, very interested. Kiawe was playing the long game, dragging out the fight and letting burn take its toll.
"You're on the clock now, Satoshi. Let's see if you can find a way out." Mallow said to herself, giggling slightly when she saw her and Kiawe's son dancing with particular enthusiasm.
"Keep it up, dad! You've got him!"
Satoshi remained calm despite his rapidly deteriorating situation and tried to think of a way out with Pidgeot.
"That'll work! Pidgeot, use Hurricane!"
"Ot!" Pidgeot blasted the air with a colossal typhoon, which carried away all four Fire Spins and nearly drove Marowak off his feet.
"Marow!"
"Marowak, brace yourself!"
"Arial Ace!"
Marowak couldn't move without the Hurricane carrying him away and thus was helpless against Arial Ace, which sent the Alolan pokemon stumbling backward.
"Great job, Pidgeot!" The great bird wanted to squawk, but his burn flared up again.
"So that's it then. Very well, looks like we need to end this now, Marowak!"
"Mar!"
"Ahhh! Here it comes!" Hani cried in glee when he saw his father and Marowak performing the proper motions as the Firium-Z powered up.
"Z-Move! Now we're talking! Ready, Pidgeot!"
"Ot!" Selene and the others watched in eager anticipation as Satoshi touched one of his five keystones.
"Let's go! Mega Evolution!"
A colorful sphere surrounded Pidgeot until he emerged as Mega Pidgeot.
"Ot!"
"Ohh, this is it! Mega Evolution vs. Z-Moves!"
"Inferno Overdrive!" Kiawe roared.
Marowak struck a series of synchronized poses with him, then rapidly spun his bone over his head, causing a large ball of light green fire to form above him. He then used his bone to strike the fireball, sending it flying at Mega Pidgeot.
"Fly!" Mega Pidgeot flew up as the Inferno Overdrive followed. Eventually, he disappeared into the sun, and many wondered if the Z-Move hit.
Satoshi and Kiawe, however, knew. All eyes fell upon Mega Pidgeot as he came back down and slashed Marowak with Fly.
"Mar!" Marowak fell onto his back with swirled eyes.
"Marowak is unable to battle! Challenger Satoshi wins round one!"
"Satoshi!" Selene stood up and applauded with Mallow and much of the audience. Hani and the other Marowak felt their heads drop.
"Pidgeot, you got him!"
"Ot!" Mega Pidgeot nearly knocked his trainer over while hugging him.
"Marowak return, well done out there. You certainly don't disappoint, Satoshi."
The Aura Warrior returned Pidgeot and smiled back.
"We aim to please!"
Kiawe reached for his next pokeball.
"I choose you! Turtonator!"
"Turt!"
"I choose you, Sceptile!"
Sceptile came out and slid his feet across the battlefield while staring his opponent down.
"Trainer Satoshi has chosen a Sceptile!"
"Sceptile?" Numerous spectators mumbled in confusion.
Kiawe, however, merely laughed.
"A grass type against a fire type. You are Ash's son, without a doubt! Turtonator, use Incinerate!"
"Turt!" Turtonator turned his shell to Sceptile and blanketed half the battlefield in flames.
"Dragon Pulse!"
"Tile!" Sceptile caught everyone completely off-guard with the dragon-type move, which easily blew a path through the Incinerate directly in front of him.
"Dodge it!" Despite his size, Turtonator flipped himself over, avoiding the dragon attack by millimeters.
"Dragon claw!"
"Iron Defense!" Sceptile and Satoshi's eyes glowed blue together as the grass starter dashed through the opening like a ninja, his hands glowing green.
At the last possible moment, Turtonator coated himself in a thick veil of metal, absorbing much of the attack. However, Sceptile's sheer power and the effectiveness of the move made Turtonator grunt in agony, his stance wavering.
"Incinerate!"
"Dodge it!" Sceptile acrobatically flipped himself up and over Turtonator.
"Dragon-
"Shell Trap!"
Satoshi smiled.
"Pulse!"
Kiawe grit his teeth and watched Sceptile prepare his attack.
"Fire Blast!" Turtonator couldn't hit Sceptile directly but blasted the ground between them, knocking both off balance and sending Dragon Pulse into the air.
"Awesome!"
"Don't let his size fool you. Turtonator is a speedster too."
Hani exclaimed as much while resuming his fire dance.
"Then we'll be faster! Let's go! Mega Evolution!"
"Already?" Selena laughed as Satoshi touched one of his two keystone rings. A colorful sphere surrounded Sceptile until he emerged Mega Sceptile.
"Tile!"
The audience cheered, but Mallow and Kiawe smiled to each other.
"Now he's done it."
"Fire Blast!"
"Dragon Claw!"
Mega Sceptile, now no longer weak to fire, easily slashed apart the Fire Blast and then pivoted to slash Turtonator.
However, at that moment, Kiawe revealed a purple Z-Crystal.
"Let's go, Devastating Drake!".
Satoshi and the audience, save Mallow, found themselves caught off-guard by this.
Kiawe and Turtonator made the right movements and unleashed the colossal dragon-shaped Z-move into Mega Sceptile at point-blank range.
A blinding flash of dragon energy surrounded the battlefield, blinding everyone except Satoshi via his aura sight.
"Sceptile!"
When the light faded, all saw the grass-started back in his base form, knocked out cold.
"Sceptile is unable to battle!"
"Yes! You show him dad!" Hani cried.
The audience did much the same, and the Marowak began dancing.
Satoshi sprinted over to help Sceptile up, his head still spinning. In his mega form, Sceptile was weak to dragon moves, but a dragon Z-Move was something else entirely.
"You did a great job, Sceptile."
"Tile." Sceptile sighed before noticing Turtonator offering him a hand.
"Turt."
"Tile."
"Sceptile return. I knew you wouldn't make this easy, but that's what makes victory worth it!"
"Kahuna Kiawe and challenger Satoshi are now tied. The winner of the next battle will win the match!"
Both trainers slowly reached for their third Pokeballs as the audience watched in anxious anticipation.
"I choose you Charizard!"
"Grauu!" Two Charizards soared out and flew over their respective trainers as smoke puffed from their nostrils.
"Oh, a battle of Charizards, now we're talking!" Selene shouted as she stood up.
Mallow nodded.
"Z-Move vs. Mega Evolution. Let's see who'll come out on top."
Both Charizards stared each other down with fiery determination, much like their trainers.
"Dragon Claw!"
"Air Slash!" Satoshi and Kiawe's Charizards flew up and began a fiery clash, both exchanging a series of rapid slashes against each other. Satoshi mirrored his Charizard's movement while their eyes glowed blue together, but Kiawe's Charizard managed to hold the younger Pokemon at bay.
"Dragon Tail!"
"Steel Wing!" Satoshi's Charizard pinned the opposing Charizard's arms away, then slashed his tail forward, only for two metal wings to knock it aside.
"Air Slash-"
"Dragon Rush!"
Kiawe's Charizard tried to use the momentum of his Steel Wing to propel himself forward with Air Slash. However, Satoshi's Charizard shot himself forward with Dragon Rush first, flying up and over his opponent before making a sharp turn and hitting him in the back.
"Oh no!" Hani yelped as he watched his father's Charizard tumble through the air before regaining control of his flight pattern.
"Hmp, I should've known. You two have won multiple leagues. So why are you holding back?"
Satoshi and Charizard smiled at the challenge.
"You asked for it! Let's go! Mega Evolution!"
"Grauuu!" Satoshi touched the keystone around his neck and watched Charizard Mega Evolve into Charizard X.
"Grauuu!".
Hani grit his teeth while the others sprang up with enthusiasm.
"Dragon Breath!"
"Heat Wave!" Charizard let out a thick cloud of dragon energy which Charizard X burned away with Heat Wave, allowing him to close the distance with his opponent.
"Steel Wing!"
"Dragon Claw!" Charizard struggled to hold back Charizard X's furious assault, feeling each claw strike dig deeper and deeper into the metal coating around his wings.
"Air Slash!"
"Dodge and use Dragon Claw!" Charizard flew forward, but Charizard X evaded, coming around to flank him.
"It all comes down to this, we win, or we lose! Charizard!"
"Grauu!" Kiawe's Charizard had flown fast enough to avoid Charizard X and got into position as his trainer revealed a third Z-Crystal, Flyinium Z."
"Let's go! Supersonic Skystrike!" He and Charizard performed the necessary motions and shot up like a missile.
"Go, dad!"
The audience went silent as Charizard disappeared into the sky and then came down like a meteorite straight for Charizard X.
Despite this, the Mega Pokemon stood ready, his eyes flashing blue with Satoshi's as their aura synchronized. Kiawe's Charizard closed the distance and came in for the blow.
"Dragon Rush!" Charizard X didn't go straight for his opponent but rather just past him at an angle.
"Blast Burn!"
The battlefield went silent, only enhancing the concussive sound of Blast Burn as it reverberated through the air and hit Charizard in the back. The subsequent explosion sent Charizard tumbling down in an uncontrollable spiral.
"Dragon Rush!"
"Grauuu!" Charizard X now had enough speed to catch up and slam Kiawe's Charizard into the ground.
As the dust cleared and Kiawe moved his arms from his face, he saw Charizard on his back, unconscious.
"Kahuna Kiawe's Charizard is unable to battle! The winner is challenger Satoshi!" The spectators broke out into applause, including Selene and Mallow.
"Alright, Satoshi!"
"Well done." Mallow said.
Charizard eagerly flew over to embrace Satoshi and nuzzled his head.
"Grauuu!"
"That was amazing, Charizard!"
"..." Hani gave a crestfallen expression, and the various Marowak did the same.
"Charizard return. They've become so strong." Kiawe approached Satoshi and offered a hand.
"Let me guess. I'm just like my dad!" Satoshi laughed.
"You are, but you've also become a trainer in your own right, so I'll recognize this victory as Satoshi's." He took out the Akala island symbol and handed it to Satoshi, who gazed at it with Charizard.
"Two down, two to go!"
"Grau!".
Author's note
Satoshi has now beaten Kiawe, I told you I'd be jumping around a bit
Z-Moves vs Mega Evolution in the battle, I hope you guys enjoyed it.
Also someone asked what Kalua looks like. Picture season 1 Korra, something like that
So until next time,
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