Chapter 19: Dance, Dance, Evolution!

The next afternoon, Ash and Ilima headed up to the top of Wela Volcano for Ash's third trial. Kiawe was waiting for them with his Marowhack.

"Are you ready, Ash?"

"You bet! If this trial is anything like your class, then this will be awesome!"

"Good. Then let the trial commence! Ilima, I must ask that you step off to the side so that we have plenty of room."

Ilima nodded, sitting on some bleachers just out of the way. Kiawe then turned to Ash.

"My trial is simple. Marowhack will perform a dance, and then your Pokémon must replicate it. If it is successful, you may continue. If it fails, you must win a battle before continuing. You may change Pokemon, but each Pokemon must stay in for a full round. Do you accept these terms?"

"Challenge accepted! Pikachu will go first. You ready, buddy?"

"Pika Pi!"

"Very well. Let the trial begin!"

Marowhack and Pikachu stared each other down before Marowhack began its dance. It was a simple one, simply swaying its arms back and forth gently, before clasping them above his head and slowly swaying his body. Once it was finished it nodded, indicating to Pikachu it was his turn. Pikachu copied the dance perfectly, Kiawe nodding in approval.

"Excellent, you have passed the first test. Do you wish to keep Pikachu in?"

Before Ash could answer, Rockruff burst out of its Pokeball, giving an excited "Ruff!"

"Huh? You want to do the next once, buddy?"

"Ruff Rockruff!"

"Well alright then. You alright with that, Pikachu?"

Pikachu nodded his head in understanding before running up to Ash's shoulder.

"Has the challenger chosen his next Pokemon?"

"Rockruff will take you on."

"Very well. Then let the next dance begin!"

Marowhack went for a break dance this time, sweeping its legs around its body while spinning its club, ending in a striking pose.

"Alright Rockruff, do exactly what he did. Got it?"

"Ruff!"

The little puppy began to replicate the dance. At first all went well, but halfway through, it tripped over its tail, sending it spinning to the ground. Although it wasn't severely hurt, it was upset that it failed.

"Hey, its alright Rockruff, you did your best. We can still pass, we just need to win a quick battle. I know you can do it."

Rockruff smiled as Ash stroked his fur, letting out a small purr as Ash turned to Kiawe.

"Alright, send out your Pokemon."

Kiawe smiled, knowing what was coming next.

"Oh, I never said you'd be battling me."

"Huh? But then who-"

"ALOLA!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Ash nearly jumped out of his skin at this unexpected greeting. He turned to see a blonde haired hiker smiling at him.

"Heh heh, sorry about that. I'm kind of socially awkward. Name's David."

"Well then David, you ready to rumble?"

"You know it, Ash. Magmar, I choose you!"

David's Magmar burst out, flaming fists barred for battle.

"Alright. Rockruff, you're up."

"Rock Rockruff!"

"Battle start!"

"Fire Punch, Magmar!"

"Rockruff, use Rock Tomb!"

Magmar charged, fists blazing brightly. Rockruff shot out rocks from his mane, encasing the fire Pokémon. Although it suffered some damage, the rocks barely slowed Magmar down as he just blasted right through them, landing a blow on Rockruff who barely flinched.

"Hit him with a Flamethrower, Magmar!"

"Rock Slide, now!"

Magmar shot out bursts of fire, only for them to be blocked by rocks emerging from the ground before Rockruff hurled them at his opponent. Magmar kept up his flamethrower, bursting some of them before the rest battered him, knocking him to his knees.

"Finish him off with Zen Headbutt, Rockruff!"

Before David could issue another command, Rockruff dashed up to Magmar and headbutted him right in the gut, knocking him down for the count.

"Magmar is unable to battle. The battle goes to challenger Ash and Rockruff!"

"Way to go Rockruff! Return."

"Ruff."

Rockruff wagged his tail as Ash recalled him, as did David with his Magmar.

"You did good, buddy. Take a nice long rest."

Kiawe watched as David joined Ilima in the audience before turning to Ash.

"Now it is time for the final dance. Send out your last Pokemon."

"Totodile, you're up!"

The enthusiastic Pokemon burst onto the scene doing a little dance out of joy.

"Alright buddy just pay attention to what Marowhack does and copy him. You up for it?"

"Totodile!"

"That's the spirit. Ready when you are Kiawe!"

Kiawe nodded before turning to his Marowhack.

"Excellent. Let the final dance begin!"

Marowhack started by doing a few simple waltz, moving slowly and elequoently. Suddenly, it leapt out of the waltz and began spinning, ending with a limbo stance.

"Alright Totodie, looks pretty…Totodile?"

Ash's Totodile was staring at an overhead flock of Butterfree, having missed the whole thing. Ash fell to the ground in embarrassment.

"Oh well. Come on David, guess its time to go again."

Kiawe smirked broadly.

"Oh, I have a different opponent in mind for you."

"Huh?"

The Earth began to shake, Ash and Totodile struggling to maintain their balance. From out of nowhere, a large Salazzle slammed into the ground, roaring at them.

"Looks like the Totem Pokémon wants to fight. You ready, Totodile?"

"Dile!"

"Alright, hit it with a Water Gun!"

Totodile spewed water right at his opponent, who countered with a sludge bomb. The two attacks connected in the middle, the water gun breaking up to the poison before landing a hit on the Totem Pokemon, pushing it back. But the poison still hit Totodile, making him flinch.

"Totodile, shake it off and use Aqua Tail!"

Quickly collecting his bearings, the little Pokémon swatted at his opponent with a water covered tail. The much larger Salazzle didn't even flinch and slammed him onto the ground, crushing Totodile under its massive claw as he struggled to get free.

"Totodile, Hang in there!"

"Dile!"

Salazzle seemed to be laughing at Totodile's pathetic attempts to escape, it prepared another Sludge Bomb to finish it off…"

Only for Totodile to begin glowing, growing larger to everyone's awe. When the glow died down, a Croconaw was now in its place.

"Woah, Totodile! You evolved!"

While Salazzle was caught by surprise, Croconaw took his chance and pushed up with all his might, lifting his opponent off of him with ease before slamming him onto the ground, leaving the Totem Pokemon dazed and confused.

"Finish him off with Hydro Pump, Croconaw!"

By the time Salazzle had gathered its bearings, the Hydro Pump hit is mark, knocking it out cold. After a moment of stunned silence, Kiawe made the call.

"Totem Salazzle is unable to battle. The winner is the challenger Ash Ketchum and his Croconaw!"

"Alright, way to go Croconaw!"
Croconaw smiled at his trainer's gentle strokes, content…

Only to snap and try and bite him a moment later. Luckily, Ash pulled his hand away at the right moment, chuckling at his Pokemon's antics.

"I guess some things never change. Return, Croconaw."

Everyone laughed, as the Totem Pokemon slunk off into the shadows.