"So let me get this straight. You and Torracat met up with the ghost of Torracat's dead friend, a Stoutland, that taught you how to use Crunch. Then the three of you found your fathers lab and discovered his missing research along with the fact that he isn't dead, and there might be two Ultra Beasts that have been roaming Alola for eight years." Cass said in shock.
"More or less, that explains what happened." Ark said.
"I mean there's more to it than that, but overall yes, we did find out father is alive, somewhere." Lillie said.
"And then you, met with the spirit of your dead grandfather, a former Kahuna, and Charizard's old trainer, battled Tapu Lele and uncovered the secret to mega evolution?!" Cass said in shock.
"I don't get what you're getting hung up on." Kiawe said.
"I was supposed to be there for those things for my own paper!" Cass groaned, as she hung her head in defeat.
"Well if it's any consolation, I still haven't had my grand trial." Ark said.
"No, no it really isn't." Cass said with a soul piercing stare.
"I'm going to go check on how my Pokemon are doing." Ark said, leaving the kitchenette.
Ark walked outside to see most of the groups Pokemon enjoying breakfast and the fresh air of Poni Island.
"Alright guys, training day today. With no Kahuna we all need to be in tip top shape to fight Tapu Fini, whos up for a run to town and back!" Ark said.
Unsurprisingly, Pikachu, Torracat, Passimian, and Toucannon all cheered for the exercise while Dhelmise slunk back to the shadows. The real surprise was the fact that Wimpod was all ready and raring to go.
"Alright then, we should be good to go to town on our own, so let's go!" Ark cheered.
While running through the Poni Wilds, Ark heard what sounded like a scuffle in the distance, followed by a scream.
"Guys, let's check that out." Ark said, turning the groups course almost completely around, running towards where the scream had come from. A short run later, Ark found the source, Cass had tried to follow him on his run. "Cass!" Ark shouted.
"Ark, look out!" Cass called out.
"Wahhh! Samurott and Greninja!" Rotomdex exclaimed, as Ark dodged out of the way.
"Torracat, Toucannon, get Cass back to the others, Pikachu get their attention with Volt Tackle! Passimian you use Close Combat!" Ark said, acting quickly.
Pikachu surrounded himself with electricity, launching at the Samurott, as Passimian started to go at it with the Greninja.
"Wimpod, once we get an opening use… Wimpod!" Ark exclaimed, seeing the bug type acting more out of character even by the standard of how he'd been since the Guzma fight, by running straight in between the two fully evolved water types, hitting them with a Struggle Bug.
"Wimpod, what are you doing?!" Ark called out. "Pikachu help out with Thunderbolt! Passimian use Fling!"
Pikachu slipped under Samurott letting of a bolt of electricity, as Passimian leapt above Greninja, pinning it down with the Iron Ball.
"Rotom, facts, what else can I do?" Ark asked.
"Samurott and Greninja, fully evolved water types, both are incredibly fast and sharp attackers." Rotomdex said. "As for your best options, it would have worked to have Iron Tail to counter their attacks."
"What attacks?" Ark asked, only to watch Samurott pull out his sword, knocking Pikachu into a wall as Greninja sent out a watery shuriken sending Passimian after Ark's other Pokemon.
"Regretting not bringing Dhelmise on the run." Ark said.
"Wimp!" Wimpod exclaimed, leaping at Samurott who knocked him away.
"Wimpod!" Ark exclaimed, only to watch the bug type to get back up angrily, before charging at the two once more.
"Well, if you're going to do this, we work together. Wimpod use Struggle Bug!" Ark called out.
Wimpod struggled against Samurott who swept him off once more before striking Greninja again.
"They aren't fighting us, it's a turf war." Ark realized.
"Doesn't matter, they won't stand down until someone stops them." Rotomdex said.
"Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed, sending another Thunderbolt out at Samurott who pointed his sword at the Thunderbolt, absorbing the attack for the most part.
"Passimian if you can get up, go get the others, Toucannon and Kiawe can get here the quickest." Ark said.
"Wimpod!" Wimpod exclaimed, grabbing at Samurott's sword, holding on as the large Pokemon tried to shake him off.
"Wimpod, I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but this isn't working, Pikachu use Volt Tackle!" Ark called out.
Pikachu got back to his feet, charging at Greninja, knocking the water type to the ground as Wimpod was thrown off of Samurott's sword. Samurott spun around, swinging his sword down at Pikachu, only to hear a series of tings.
"Rotom, are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Ark asked.
"I am, I'm just not sure I can believe it." Rotomdex said in shock.
"Liso!" The Pokemon blocking Samurott's sword exclaimed, pushing the sword back and tossing it away as Greninja got back up.
"Rotom you know the drill." Ark said.
"Golisopod, a Bug and Water type. Known moves Razor Shell, X Scissor, Poison Jab, and Dual Chop." Rotomdex rapid fired.
"Alright Golisopod use Dual Chop!"
Golisopod swung both of it's arms out, pushing against Greninja and Samurott, keeping both of them from reaching Pikachu as Passimian got back up.
"Alright, let's tag team. Golisopod and Pikachu get on the outside then use Volt Tackle on Greninja, and X Scissor on Samurott, then Passimian use Seed Bomb!" Ark commanded.
Ark's Pokemon triple teamed against the two Pokemon striking them rapidly.
"Alright Golisopod, time for your Z Move!" Ark said, putting in a Z Crystal. "Use Acid Downpour!"
Golisopod put both of his claws in front of his mouth before launching a burst of poisonous blobs from his claws, dropping both to the ground.
"Incredible." Ark said with a smirk, as both water types ran away with their tails between their legs.
Back at the hotel
"You." Ark said, angrily walking in with his Pokemon behind him.
"Hey did Wimpod evolve?" Professor Kukui asked.
"Yes, and don't distract me." Ark said angrily. "You weren't supposed to leave here without me or Lillie and preferably another person."
"I thought you were going to your trial." Cass said. "I wanted to tag along for my paper and to see what they were all about."
"That doesn't give you any right to run off on your own, you should have had someone take you." Ark said.
"You went alone!" Cass argued.
"Yes with five Pokemon battle ready at a moments notice." Ark said angrily. "You don't want me to be super overprotective but you keep doing dumb things like this, that almost get you seriously hurt!"
"Like running into the woods during a storm because you think someone might be injured?" Lillie asked.
"Or rushing into a gang fight that you aren't a part of?" Lana asked.
"Maybe even practicing a Z Move with little prior knowledge on it." Kiawe added.
"Yes, exactly all of those." Ark said angrily.
"Are things you did when you met Pichu." Professor Kukui pointed out. "She's not being dumb, she's doing exactly what you would do if the situation was reversed."
"Okay yes, but she still broke the number one rule." Ark said.
"Technically both of you did, Professor Kukui said everyone had to use the buddy system." Sophocles pointed out.
"But I…" Ark paused, before sinking his head. "Okay, you're right." Ark groaned.
"I think that as punishment, the two of you will be permanent buddies for the rest of the trip." Professor Kukui said. "And you each have a new task for your papers. Cass, on top of doing yours on what a trial means, I would like you to take part in a traditional Island Trial, and Ark I want you to give points on how you helped find a trial that she and Meltan could handle."
"Yes Professor." Ark said. "Come on Rotom, we have research to do. You too Cass."
"Wow, that was surprisingly harsh." Mallow said.
"They broke the one rule I had given, I know Ark can handle himself, especially from what I've seen, but it doesn't excuse the fact that he knowingly disobeyed my rules. As for the rest of you, if you are without a buddy the consequences will only grow in terms of punishment. Am I clear?" Professor Kukui said.
"Yes Professor." The class said.
"Good, now let's get some breakfast, I am starving." Professor Kukui said.
Ark's Current Team and their Moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Nasty Plot - Surf - Volt Tackle
Toucannon: Beak Blast - Hyper Voice - Rock Blast
Torracat: Fury Swipes - Crunch - Fire Fang - Flamethrower
Golisopod: Razor Shell - X Scissor - Poison Jab - Dual Chop
Pasimmian: Fling - Smack Down - Seed Bomb - Close Combat
Dhelmise: Anchor Shot - Giga Drain - Shadow Ball - Waterfall