Chapter 3: Trial and Error

Hola, amigos. Bronze is finally gonna take on his first trial. If you thought things were easy for him, then things are gonna get a bit harder for our Johtonian trainer.

Inside the cave…

Bronze looked around and saw a whole cave from the inside. There were holes in rocks, probably for pokemon to live in. It was a it dark but thanks to the torch light, the cave was navigable. He then saw Ilima sitting on a rock, drinking some water.

"I see you want to do the island challenge", Ilima said. "I'm very pleased", Ilima said in a happy manner.

"Thanks", Bronze said. "So… how does this work, do we battle or something", he asked. When BIGJAW heard the word 'battle' he bared his fangs and got ready to throw down.

"No, I'm not the one you'll be battling", Ilima said. "You don't have to look scary for me anymore, totodile", the normal type captain said. BIGJAW was a bit sad he wasn't gonna battle Ilima but he was happy that he was gonna battle something at least. "Your challenge will be to beat the three trial Pokemon who live in the rocks", Ilima said.

"What kind are they", Bronze asked.

"Well if I told you, wouldn't that just take the 'challenge' part out of the island challenge", Ilima said teasingly.

"Alright then, so can I get started now", Bronze asked. He was getting very impatient and showed it through having his staff tap against the ground.

"After I explain the rules", Ilima said. "You cannot leave until you have finished the challenge, and you may not catch any Pokemon during your trial", Ilima said. "You defeat every pokemon to obtain a Z-Crystal, which will assure me that you completed your trial", Ilima finished. "Now you may begin".

"Alright", Bronze said with enthusiasm. BIGJAW was more than happy, he's always itching for a decent battle.

Bronze went up to one of the rocks with a hole in it, which he assumed was dug out to be used as a home. He didn't know this worked, so he did what any sensible person would do, he whacked it with his staff. A echo of wood hitting rock blasted through the cave. Bronze then saw an angry tub good ran out of the rock and got in battle stance. Bronze as about to send out BIGJAW to take it on but Luna let items four of her ultra ball.

"Luna, what are you doing", Bronze said in a angered tone. Luna got in battle stance. Bronze put two and two together, Luna was probably not too happy with losing to Ilima's yungoos, so she probably wanted to defeat a yungoos, just to get a bit of revenge. "Alright then, Luna use Quick Attack", Bronze said. Luna launched itself at a high speed and hit yungoos straight on, but it did budge. Yungoos then headbutted Luna. Luna was dazed and could barely stand.

"Man, these things are tough", Bronze said. Most of his battles have been easy to moderate, but know he's getting a door opened to him, it's called 'struggling'. Most of us haven't struggled too much since gen 6 came out. Those games are but too easy. Back on topic, Bronze was thinking of what to do, yungoos was on the attack and Luna was struggling to dodge. Bronze then thigh really hard and had a brain fart, he had a 50/50 chance of this working.

"Use Attract", Bronze said. Luna stopped and winked with a cute sparkle in her eye. Yungoos stopped in its tracks and its eyes went full hearts. Bronze was relieved it was a male. BIGJAW knew Luna was having a hard time so he took it upon himself to use Metal Claw. Totally not because BIGJAW wanted to battle some Pokemon that would be a challenge.

The yungoos swiped back at BIGJAW and used pursuit. BIGJAW got knocked back and held his chest. It hurt him, he knew this would be be fun. BIGJAW used water gun and hit the yungoos in the face. It shook itself off and tackled BIGJAW. The Johtonian starter had him where he wanted him. BIGJAW finished it off with a blast of water, knocking it out.

Bronze noticed Lina was feeling a bit down since its ears were down. "You did fine, Luna. It looked like the yungoos was strong, even BIGJAW had some trouble", Bronze said as he petted his Eevee. "And as for you", Bronze said. "Stop. Going. A-wall.", Bronze said sternly. BIGJAW looked mad, he wanted to battle and helped Luna. Bronze thought BIGJAW knowing he was, objectively, the strongest member of the team was going to his head.

"Let's keep moving", the Mexican said as he walked down the path, he used a potion on Luna and returned it to its ball. The pair walked down a staircase carved into the ground stone. They found another rock with holes in it. Another yungoos popped out, ready to battle. BIGJAW got ready for battle. He was disappointed to see Bronz spill out a pokeball.

"Alright, White Fang, it's time for your first battle", Bronze said. He chose the puppy for obvious reasons, for being rock type since a normal guy who throws himself at a rock isn't gonna do shit to it.. The yungoos used tackle but ending up hurting them

Selves.

"Rock Tomb", Bronze said. the puppy had floating rocks around bulk and lanced them at the enemy yungoos. "Finish this with bite", Bronze said. The puppy Pokemon opened its mouth and bit down on yungoos' tail. The Pokemon screamed in pain and fainted. "Great job, White Fang", Bronze said. White Fang ran to Bronze and rubbed its neck on Bronze. It hurt… a lot.

"Ow, what are you doing", Bronze said. White Fang was happy and tuned its neck harder. It felt like a bunch of sharp rocks that poked him a lot but not enough to break the skin. BIGJAW was getting a jt jealous of the rock puppy from the way Bronze was treating him. I

Rotom Drx said through Bronze's bag, "Rockruff run their necks on their trainer if they like them, this is natural since when they are Rockruff, they are very friendly", Rotom Dex said as he edumacated Bronze.

"All right, all right. Time for you to return", Bronze said as he put the puppy back into its ball. "All right, BIGJAW, last ones all yours", Bronze said. BIGJAW's eyes lit up, he really wanted to battle and was even happier to see Rockruff gone for now. Bronze said to his partner, "Don't worry, White Fang won't replace you, you're still special to me", he said to the crocodilian as he petted BIGJAW on the head. BIGJAW didn't know what to do so he just walked to the third location.

The Johtonians looked for a good bit. They saw a bunch of holes and no Pokemon in them, or already Pokemon wouldn't come out. Bronze stuck his staff into the holes to try and fish Pokemon out, needless to say, BIGJAW had a historical hiss and a smile on his face the whole time.

"Alright, I think that one over there is out winner", Bronze said. He pointed to a hole by that wa a good distance from a man blocking an entrance. Bronze had asked why he was there, he said he would be on guard during the battling of the three Pokemon. Bronze was about to walk to the place when he heard some familiar voices of wanna be gangsters.

"Alright, alright, we gonna find dat powerful totem mon and beat down the cowboy and his croc", the skull grunt A said.

"Yeah, les hope we don't run into him, he scary bruh",skull grunt B said. After his remark he was punched in the shoulder.

"Don't be sayin' dat nonsense. We don't need to be afraid of that fool", grunt A said. "Why we need is to get this powerful mon and steal the sherrif's debuties".

"Aww great, it's those pendejos again", Bronze said. BIGJAW hissed in a annoyed way. "Let's teach them a lesson".

The grunts found a hole, Bronze he let them just so that he could scare them. The found he whole and the yungoos came out. "Alright then, let's make this mon be able to be mad dangerous", grunt A said.

"Smaller den I thought", grunt B said.

"Hello there", Bronze said. The two grunts jumped as they heard the voice of the Johtonian Trainer.

"What up sheriff", grunt B said, he knew Bronze wasn't like the other trainer. Bronze was bigger than them, had strong Pokemon (for a fairly new trainer), and had a staff.

"What are ya doin, knuckle head. Let's get em", grunt A said, obviously showing that he had a pair. "Let's mess this fool up, Drowzee". Drowzee was out and read for battle but grunt A didn't see grunt B's Pokemon. "Hey doofus, were ya mon at", grunt a asked in a angered tone.

"I-I… I'll watch the Pokemon, you can take on the sheriff", grunt B said nervously.

"What eva", grunt A said. He was about to call him to pull off a move when Drowzee got hit by a critical water gun. The Pokemon fainted instantly. It's not like the grunts were challenging to him.

"Now scram, before I kick you out myself", Brizee said.

"Hey, we're not done. Get out your pokemon", grunt A said to grunt B. But he saw the Grunt B was already running across the cave in fear. "Useless, coward", the grunt said in disappointment. "This isn't ova sherif, you're getting bones with the wrong people", grunt A said before high tailing it out of there.

Bronze rolled his eyes and BIGJAW gave him the same unimpressed looked. "Sorry about that little guy, those team numskulls are really just idiots", Bronze said. The yungoos thanked them in Pokemon lau gauge and walked into its hole. "Wait aren't we gonna battle", Bronze said. BIGJAW was thinking the same thing.

"I think he yungoos have you the win", the man guarding the entrance said. "You have permission to enter", he said. BIGJAW extremely disappointed, he wanted to battle a strong pokemon, at least when it wasn't already disabled by a teammate. The pair walked into the opening.

They saw a bunch of vegetation on the ground and around the walls,m. There was a huge hole in the cave that let in sunlight. Bronze felt a powerful presence in the room, a sort of energy. BIGJAW bared its fang and was on guard. Bronze kept a tight grip on his staff, his amulet tried to the stick glowed in the sunlight. Bronze walked towards a totem where he saw a crystal, it was gray and shines in the light. Bronze reached his hand in to grab the object when he heard a growl.

Bronze backed away from the town and he gripped his staff. BIGJAW growled too, trying to be intimidating when he really was a cute little crocodile. The two heard the growl become louder and they saw a large shadow, the partners tensed up and they saw the shadowy figure jump in the air. It landed with a thud and the shockwave knocked BIGJAW of his feet and Bronzes hat flew off his head, he cushy it before it could've gone too far though.

The giant gumshoos roared, energy flashed to life around its body. Bronze was ready to command while BIGJAW bared his fangs. The two Pokemon locked eyes. "Luna, White Fang, BIGJAW can't take on this guy alone", Bronze said as he put his stick into the ground.

"BIGJAW, use Metal Claw. Luna use Quick Attack. White Fang use Tackle", Bronze commanded all three to attic at once. Luna ran at high speeds, BIGJAW's claw turned as hard as steel, and White Fang lunged itself to the giant gumshoos. The attacks did not do much, Luna was dazed when she impacted gumshoos, BIGJAW didn't even make a scratch, and even for a rock type, White Fang was hurting.

Gumshoos swiped at thre trio and knocked them all back. BIGJAW wasn't about to give in so he ran in with his claws hard as steel. "Luna, cover BIGJAW with attract, White Fang, use Howl till you can't anymore", Bronze commanded. Luna used attract and the Gumshoos stopped in it's tracks and had it's eyes go full hearts. BIGJAW started to going ham with his Metal Claw. He swiped at the speed of sound, trying to raise his attack in the process. White Fang was howling his cute little howl.

Unfortunately for them, the Attract didn't last long, probably because it's a powerful totem pokemon. Gumshoos tried to use Hyper Fang but BIGJAW was too quick, he was very fast and was great at dodging. BIGJAw dodged every swiped, kick, and bite. BIGJAw was really working up a sweat from this. Bronze noticed he was sweating and he wasn't even doing anything. I guess the saying of when you're pokemon is battling it's like you're battling too.

BIGJAW jumped onto the Gumshoos neck and bit down. The Gumshoos yelped and rolled around BIGJAW fell off and Gumshoos bit down on BIGJAW's tail. It screamed in pain.

"Luna, help out BIGJAW", Bronze said. Luna bit on Gumshoos tail but it didn't hurt the totem pokemon. It then whipped its tail and knocked Eevee into the ground. White Fang wasn't fond of this, especially since it hurt Luna. White Fang used Rock Tomb and it hit the totem Gumshoos. The rocks broke on impact and the Gumshoos looked back at the puppy, who went to aid Luna. BIGJAW was in pain, and his vision was going blurry. BIGJAw used Water Gun to hit the totem pokemon right in the kisser.

It dropped BIGJAW and tried to dry it's face off. Bronze noticed Water Gun did more damage than anything else he had been doing. "BIGJAW, keep using water gun" Bronze said. "Physical Moves aren't doing much so keep up with ranged attacks", Bronze said. BIGJAW shot another torrent of water at the totem pokemon, it tried to hold it's ground and used its arm to block the blast of H2O. Luna used Quick Attack and White Fang used Tackle to knock the Gumshoo's over. The fox and wolf pup unged themselves into the totem pokemon. They tried will all their adorable might to knock it over.

"BIGJAW used Water Gun to launch yourself and use Metal Claw", Bronze yelled. BIGJAw did as he was told and used Water Gun as a makeshift propulsion device. BIGJAW's claws were steel now and he finished with a powerup wipe to the face. His attack rose alot from using metal claw ALOT, and the force of the Water Gun really did a number on the Gumshoos. It was knocked down but wasn't down for the count. It roared and youngoos came running to it's aid.

"Luna, White Fang, take care of the yngoos", Bronze said. "BIGJAw, you still go some fight you", Bronze ased. BIGJAw was sweaty and tired, BIGJAW was having trouble standing even. Bronze was sweating still, it's almost as if he was battling too. B=The Gumshoos got up and wiped the water from it's face. BIGJAW ran to the gumshoos but it got swiped and was knocked back. He fell on his stomach and struggled to get up. Every muscle in his body was on fire.

Bronze looked at his partner, he felt bad for him, BIGJAw was in so much pain right now and all he's been doing was barking out orders. This totem pokemon hit like a truck and was e feet taller than Bronze, how could he win this. "BIGJAW, return, you need to rest", Bronze said as he took the odd pokeball of his necklace. BIGJAW what Bronze said, and against every fiber of his being, he mustered up some strength and stood up. BIGJAW looked around and sw the totem pokemon ready to battle some more, he saw Luna and White Fang struggling against the yungoos, and he turned his head to see Bronze with the pokeball out. BIGJAW didn't want to stop, he made a commitment when he chose to join this team.

He wanted to help his trainer, he knew how much he meant to Bronze, and he owed Bronze for saving him from a life of loneliness, he didn't even capture him on the spot, he was willing ot let him be and just be friends with a wild pokemon. BIGJAW remembered Bronze gave him a sitrus berry to fix him up and put down the ball when he was scared. Bronze was a perfect match for hi and only after a short time of knowing him, he felt like he's been with him for his whole life. BIGJAw had overwhelming energy and had a mad look on his face he bared his fangs and let out a battle cry. His body started flashing and turning white. Bronze saw what was happening, every pokemon stopped battling to see what was happening to BIGJAW.

BIGJAw jaw got bigger, another scale was growing in the middle of his head, and his jaw was changing shape. Bronze was in awe to see his partner, evolving. The white energy faded away and BIGJAW's new form was revealed. BIGJAW had a 'cave man' pattern on his torso, his jaw changed space, he had a mohawk style scale on his head, and he was bigger. "You evolved into a Croconaw", Bronze said in amazement. BIGJAW turned and looked at him and smiled, he evolved, then he faced the totem pokemon and bared his fangs.

"Alright, BIGJAW. Let's finish this", Bronze said. "Scary Face", Bronze said. BIG AW bared his fangs and looked like a total monster, Gumshoos did the same. Bronze sw this wasn't going to end so he thought of using water gun and then biting down on it's neck. Bronze was about t giv the command when BIGJAw blasted water in it's face. The Gumshoos yelped in pain, but then started to scream when BIGJAW bit down on it's neck. Bronze was shocked, he just did what Bronze thought of before he even said it. Bronze just thought it was coincidence and continued to give orders. Meanwhile, Luna and White Fang had just finished defeating the yungoos. The two pokemon ran to the totem pokemon to give BIGJAW a hand. Una used Quick Attack on it's leg and knocked it down. White Fang used Rock tomb to break upon impact. Gumshoos fell to the ground and finally was knocked out by a powerful Water Gun. Bronze dropped his staff, bolted to his pokemon, and hugged them, he was so happy they beat the totem pokemon.

"You guys did amazing out there", Bronze said. Rockruff started t rub it's neck on Bronze, Luna nuzzled in and BIGJAW hugged his trainer back. This would of gone on for a good while if Ilima hadn't come into the totem area.

"I see you completed your trial", Ilima said. "I must say, these are some powerful pokeon I trained up and you were able to overcome them".

"You gave us a huge run for our money", Bronze said.

Ilima looked at BIGJAW and said, "I can see that". BIGJAW blushed a bit, in embarrassment. "Now that you have completed my trial, you may receive your Normalium-Z", Ilima said. Bronze was a bit confuzzled, he didn't know what it was. Ilima could tell he was confuzzled so he explained what it was.

"Alright then" Bronze said. He and his pokeon walked over the totem and he reached in and grabbed the sparkling Z-Crystal. "Cool", Bronze said as he put the crystal in his bag. What you thought he was gonna do the 'I got a Z-Crystal' shit Ash does in the anime, which is really unnecessary and a bit cringey in my opinion.

"Congratulations, Bronze, you are now allowed to catch any pokemon you want here", Ilima said as he walked off.

"What a dreamboat", Rotom Dex said through Bronze's bag. Bronze, BIGJAW, Luna, and White Fang had weird expressions on their faces. They just walked out of the cave and pretended the didn't hear that. The four left the cave and saw Hau was talking to his Rowlett and Pichu.

"Hola", Bronze said. Hau turned around and smiled.

"How'd it go, bronze", Hau asked.

"It went pretty well, I got a Z-Crystal", Bronze answered.

"Wow, have you used a Z-Move yet", Hau asked, kinda fan boying.

"No, how do I", Bronze asked.

"I… never done it before", Hau said. "But my grandpa can show you", Hau said.

"Cool, I'll be heading off", Bronze said.

"And I'll be starting my trial", Hau said as he and his pokemon ran into the cave.

Bronze saw a rocky mountain path and walked to it. "Bronze", he heard a familiar voice say. It was Kukui, holding him up once again.

"Hey, professor", Bronze said. "I finished my trail and got a crystal", Bronze said.

"Wow, I knew you could do it", Kukui said. "You must of dished out some pretty powerful moves to take on the totem pokemon", Kukui said He then laid eyes on BIGJAw and noticed he evolved. "You even evolved you're totodile into a Croconaw, you're really making a power move", Kukui said.

"Thanks, cousin, but why did you come all the way out here", Bronze asked.

"I wanted to show you something", Kukui said. He sent out his Rockruff, who went to go play with White Fang. "Rockruff, we can play, later", Kukui said. Rockruff then rn to the professor and got in battle stance. He had a Z-Ring like Bronze did and he tapped it. He then performed a certain dance and finished with a pose. Rockruff had aura flash around him and it used a move that Kukui called out, "Use Breakneck Blitz". Rockruff then ran right into a nearby rock and crashed into it, the rock shattered and Rockruff looked at Kukui. "That's a Z-move, you can only use a Z-move once per battle, since it's all a team can handle", Kukui said.

Bronze was speechless, he had never seen a move that powerful in his life, it made his dad's Tauros look like they were having a pillow fight. "Ok, that was awesome", Bronze said, he was not very flabbergasted before but now he was. It's not everyday you see a move this powerful being used. It was familiar though, Kukui did a similar dance in the pokemon league with his Lycanroc against a Charmeleon but it was a rock move. "Did you use that in the pokemon leauge", Bronze asked.

"Hah, you're quick you know that, Bronze", Kukui said. "But, yes I did, but it was a different move with a different dance", Kukui said. "Oh, and can you help me look for Lillie, I'm searching around here for her but can you look in the rocky mountain part, it's straight ahead", Kukui said.

"Alright", Bronze said as he returned his pokemon to their pokeballs, except for BIGJAW, he needed someone to walk with. The two passed through the mountainous part of Melemelee and had a few battles on their quest to find Lillie. Bronze and BIGJAW found an opening to a cave. They went inside to find a whole garden and Lillie gazing upon it. Bronze saw the Nebby was enjoying itself across the garden. "Hey, Lillie, what are ya doing here", Bronze asked.

"Nebby got out of my bag and ran off into this garden", Lillie said. "And I can't go get him because I ran out repels".

"I'll go get him", Bronze sighed as he walked into the field with BIGJAW.

One goose chase later…

Bronze had Nebby in his arm as he walked towards Lillie. She sighed and relief and thanked Bronze for chasing down Nebby again. "You little rascal, stay in the bag", Lillie scolded. "It's for your own good".

"Why don't you put him in pokeball", Bronze asked.

"I don't want other trainers to force me into battles". Lillie said. "It's bad enough that I'm not trainer but Nebby doesn't even know any damaging moves", Lillie said.

"Alright, it's fine", Bronze said. "But you may want to take it into consideration, Nebby likes to get out allot, at least you'd be able to keep track of him better".

"Let's just get back to Iki town", Lillie said in a annoyed tone. The group walked out of the cave and headed to Iki town.

"I see Totodile evolved", Lillie said.

"You just now noticed it", Bronze said in a sarcastic tone.

Lillie puffed her cheeks. "If your pokemon ran off unannounced as often as Nebby does than you'd understand, I get worried sick when he gets loose", Lillie said.

"Sorry, but yeah, he evolved, he's a Croconaw now", Bronze said. "Also, he has a name, it's BIGJAW", Bronze said.

"Well, I think that since you're his trainer then that's fine, but since I'm not really friends with your starter like you are,, I call him y the pokemon he is", Lillie said. Bronze got a bit lost but just said ok.

Bronze took out a granola bar and took a chomp of it, he split it with BIGJAW. "You want one", Bronze said.

"Oh, no thank you", Lillie said with a smile.

"Why not, aren't you hungry", Bronze said.

"Fine, I'll save it for later", Lillie said as she put the granola bar in her bag.

"What a sunset", Bronze said. He knew Alola was such a beautiful and colorful place, but he never just took a look at it.

"Yes, it's very pretty", Lillie said. "I used to watch them all the time when I was younger, so this is a nice reminder", Lilllie sadid.

"I've seen sunsets before, but Alola has a really nice one, no wonder the professor likes it here so much", Bronze said.

"Yes, he does love it here, but he really is something else", Lillie said. Bronze busted out laughing and Lillie did too.

"You're right about that, all the puns and his obsession with moves", Bronze said.

"Have you tried living with him, we have to repair the place every other week", Lillie giggled.

"It's nice to have a good laugh", Bronze said. "Oh, we're i the middle of Iki Town", Bronze said.

"I guess talking to each other really passed the time", Lillie said. If we didn't stop we may have been halfway across the bridge to the ruins".

"Well, I think I finished my trial", Bronze said.

"Oh, congratulations", Lillie said.

"Thanks, I think I have to battle the Kahuna now, you know where Hala is", Bronze asked.

"Yes I do, just follow me", Lillie said. The two walked to the where the entrance to the staircase that leads to the ruins were and they found Hala talking to Kukui.

"Ah, Bronze, congratulations on completing your first trial", Hala said. "Now, are you ready to face the Kahuna of Melemele", Hala said.

"You bet", Bronze said as he spun his stick and slammed it into the ground.

"Not really, you need your pokemon ready for battle", Lillie said as she pulled out some medicine.

Lillie doctored up Bronze's pokemon. Bronze and Hala walked onto the stage that Bronze and Hau battled on at the festival. Hala said, "Come now Bronze. Show me and Croconaw your power", Hala yelled as he performed a sumo stance.

"Alright BIGJAW, you ready to test out you're new form", Bronze said. BIGJAW let out a battle cry and bared his fangs. The Johtonian Cowboy and the Alolan Sumo locked eyes, both were ready to battle.

Bronze was determined to win this battle, he wanted to be the strongest trainer in Alola, and he has a big obstacle to get around first.

Well, here ya go. This chapter was shorter than the others, but that so this chapter won't be full of battles. I feel it's a bit much to have two big battles in one chapter. Anyways, yes, my Totodile evolved into a Croconaw during my first trial. That's all for now, I'll see you next time, adios.

Responses from a faux chapter:

1h ago c3 El Presidente

Since Bronze was always exhausted from walking up stairs, does that mean he used to be fat in his youth before bulking up? If he was, do you plan on showing flashbacks of his weight woe?

Answer: I was hoping some one would ask this. Yes, Bronze has always been heavy, but he's not like super heavy. He's not athletic or fast but he can run and jump and shit. He's also taller than the average 15 year old and he's pretty strong so he Ahmad that going for him. If you couldn't tell, Bronze is not your average trainer. Adios.

Sep 24 c2ARSLOTHES

looking forward to the next chapter

Response: Glad you like it Amigo. Adios.

Sep 24 c26f5e4d

Nice work with this series, though I should mention that Rowlet cannot learn Pound in the games (that kick it used in the anime is actually Tackle), and Pichu cannot learn Nuzzle and Quick Attack until it evolves into Pikachu

Response: Thanks for the knowledge, Amigo. Adios

Sep 24 c2 1995hzq

Nice fanfic, like to see more of it keep it up.

Response: Thanks for the support. Adios.

Sep 24 c2 Martyn

How's about Bronze has a fear of Ghost types?

Response: I was thinking more of Bug types since bugs are already pretty creepy, there are a few exceptions like dragons fly for instance. Adios.