"Alright, now Pikachu use Quick Attack!" Ark called out.
"Marowak use Flame Wheel!" Kiawe commanded.
Ark had been back for only a day and already he and Kiawe were back to their old training habits.
"Doesn't Ark know Quick Attack won't work against Marowak?!" Rotomdex cried out.
"Just relax Rotom, I'm sure he has a plan." Professor Kukui said, as Pikachu sped past Marowak.
"Now Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Marowak use Bonemerang!"
Pikachu launched a burst of electricity that shot out, only to be deflected by the flying bone as he was sent into the air.
"I thought Kiawe wanted to train with Charizard against electric types?" Lana said in confusion.
"He does, but this isn't their usual training match." Professor Kukui said. "Look at how they're battling, they aren't taking turns or unnecessary hits, this is the first time they've battled in a month. They're testing each other."
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!" Ark called out.
"Marowak use Iron Head!"
Pikachu's tail collided with Marowak's skull in midair, sending a pulse of pain between the two of them as they bounced backwards.
"Are you alright Pikachu?" Ark asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed, getting back up.
"How about it Marowak, are you good to keep going?" Kiawe asked.
"Maro! WakWakWak!" Marowak chanted picking up his bone.
"Alright then Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Marowak use Flame Wheel!"
Pikachu's blast of electricity collided with Marowak's spinning flames, keeping both plasma based attacks at an even draw.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
"Marowak use Bonemerang!"
Pikachu slammed his tail on the bone, sending it crashing to the ground.
"Now Pikachu use Nasty Plot!"
"Marowak use Iron Head!"
Pikachu cackled as he leapt out of the way of Marowak's attack as he rubbed his cheeks creating static electricity.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt one more time!" Ark called out.
"Marowak use Shadow Bone!"
Marowak grabbed his bone launching it right at the free falling Pikachu as the Thunderbolt shot around it, knocking out Kiawe's Pokémon.
"Marowak return!" Kiawe called out. "Come on out Turtonator!"
"Pikachu let's switch out to Litten." Ark said as Pikachu ran back to his side.
"Turtonator use Flamethrower!"
"Litten use Flame Charge!"
Litten charged across the school yard, flames covering his body as he struck Turtonator in the gut.
"Turtonator use Flash Cannon!"
"Litten use Fire Pledge!"
"I'm still confused, why is Ark using Litten when it's not good against Kiawe if he's looking for an actual battle?" Lana asked.
"It's simple, Ark wants to keep track of Litten's progress as a fire type, and who better to gauge that against than Kiawe. Remember Litten only recently began controlling his flame in long battles, so going up against something that needs more damage is key." Professor Kukui explained.
"Litten use Bite!"
"Turtonator use Shell Trap!"
"Then again, there's always just the realistic possibility that Ark doesn't have many things good against fire types." Lillie reminded as Litten blew up from the explosion.
"Litten!" Ark called out as his fire type got back up.
"Oooh, I need to get closer!" Rotomdex said, flying down snapping photos.
"Alright Turtonator, with the power of Wela Volcano by our side, with all our might, use Inferno Overdrive!"
"Litten, with all of our power, you use Inferno Overdrive too!" Ark called out.
The two trainers moved in sync activating their Z Crystals as heat began to rise from the two fire types. Flames engulfed both of them before launching out, Litten's quickly snuffing out before he was completely overpowered by Turtonator's.
"Aww man, I thought we had it!" Ark groaned. "Litten you did great, take a long rest."
"It is strange, Litten seems fine with his fire type attacks, but when it comes to his Z Move its still about a 50/50 shot." Kiawe said. "Does he have that problem with Breakneck Blitz as well?"
"No, he handles that just fine." Ark admitted, pocketing the Pokeball. "Do you think we need another fire festival?"
"I don't think it's that." Kiawe said deep in thought. "Let's finish our battle, and then tonight I can talk to my folks, see if they might have a solution." Kiawe offered.
"That'd be great Kiawe!" Ark said. "Alright then, Passimian come on out!"
"Ark really likes that Passimian." Mallow commented.
"It's his new capture, he's seeing just what it's Hidden Power can be." Professor Kukui said. "Can you blame him for being excited about it?"
"No, I guess you're right." Mallow said with a smile.
"Charizard, come on out!" Kiawe called out.
"Passimian use Smack Down!"
"Charizard use Air Slash!"
Passimian raced across the battlefield, rolling his berry along while dodging Charizard's attacks, before leaping into the air, and slamming it down on Charizard's back.
"Charizard use Dragon Tail!"
"Passimian use Fling!"
Passimian launched his berry at Charizard only for the fire type to send it flying back at the fighting type, this interaction went back and forth for a bit until Passimian got fed up and launched it hard enough to send Charizard back a few feet.
"Passimian use Bulk Up!"
"Charizard use Flamethrower!"
Passimian tightened the muscles in his body as flames shot down at him, engulfing the fighting type.
"Now Passimian use Smack Down!"
Passimian leapt through the flames right at Charizard, knocking it out of the sky, sending both Pokemon crashing down to the ground.
"INCREDIBLE!" Rotomdex exclaimed, having gotten the fight in clear photos. "A double knockout!"
"You actually beat Charizard, I'm impressed." Kiawe said holding out his hand. "Glad your time in Kanto hasn't changed your fighting spirit."
"Far from it Kiawe. I even fought a Mega Blastoise while I was there!" Ark exclaimed.
"Really, well don't worry they're pretty tough, even Charizard and I couldn't win against a Mega Venusaur." Kiawe said.
"Oh no, Pikachu won against the Blastoise." Ark gloated.
"Wait what?!" Kiawe exclaimed.
"Yeah, Pikachu won, pretty easily too, I guess that means we're the stronger trainer now." Ark said with a smirk.
"Now hold on, we just tied, you aren't better than me"! Kiawe argued.
"I don't know you just said Charizard lost, and if your grandfathers prized Pokemon couldn't beat a mega, but my Pikachu could, I think that means I'm stronger." Ark joked.
"Oh I'll show you whose stronger!" Kiawe said with a chuckle, putting Ark into a headlock.
"It's like he never left." Sophocles sighed, shaking his head watching the two interact.
"Hey Sophocles can I get your help with something?" Mallow asked.
"Sure, what's up?" Sophocles asked.
"Do you still have that Z Crystal program running?" Mallow asked.