I was so nervous about facing off against Hala later. I woke up all sweaty and nasty that I had to clean my sheets and blanket. Caleb thought it was funny how nervous I was. He also told me that I'm just overreacting.

Caleb and I went to the beach and relaxed. Well he relaxed. I tried to. When he was putting sunscreen on my shoulder he chuckled as he felt my body shake.

"Dude, chill. You are going to be fine."

I wasn't just shaking because of my battle with Hala.

Later that night I took the moment to make myself a nice calming soup. I stripped away the skin of my Pinap Berry and gave a little bit to Skitty. He didn't approve of the sour taste. However, he and Rowlet loved the spicy inside. Oricorio wasn't a fan of either. So I used the skin to create a sweet and sour soup.

It was okay, but it really calmed me down.

Caleb came to my house right before I was about to leave.

"Thought you'd like some friendly company on your way to Iki Town."

I nodded and thanked him. My mom was already there. She left about 20 minutes earlier in order to give me some privacy. Aaron hasn't been home since this afternoon. Guess he won't be at Iki Town to watch.

Whatever.

I put my Oricorio and Rowlet in their Pokeballs and left with Caleb. Skitty tagged along and walked. When we approached Iki Town, Kukui and Illima were talking.

"Ah look at you," Kukui said as he shook my hand. "So are you ready for your battle?"

"Yeah I guess."

Kukui looked at Caleb who just shrugged. Illima chuckled.

"You'll be just fine. I mean you won't have a rock to help you with this battle, but I think you'll be fine."

We all chuckled a little bit. It helped me relax before entering the town. The town was just like it was when Caleb faced Hala. People were festive, laughing and talking.

All because I'm facing Hala? Because of me?

This is just so surreal.

Everything becomes a bit of a blur until I'm standing on the stage with Hala and his Makuhita right in front of me.

I look around and see Caleb standing next to Kukui and Illima with Skitty in his arms, as usual. So many people have their eyes locked on me. I spot my mother who catches my eye and waves. Then I see Aaron. He looks at me and doesn't do anything.

Castor and his band of vagabonds are sitting on the roof of his home. I hear him yell out "Splits!" I pay him no mind.

I reach towards my belt and send out my Rowlet.

Like Caleb and Hala's fight it is a dead heat. We are both down to our final Pokemon when Hala laughs.

"Another entertaining battle for our people and our Guardian." He bellows another laugh and says, "Lets finish it with aplomb, my boy."

I nod as I send out Oricorio. Oricorio dances on the stage in front of Hala's Crawbrawler.

"Crabhammer attack!" Crawbrawler quickly rushes to Oricorio and slams her with his big blue fists.

"Air Cutter!"

Direct hit.

Crawbrawler is left reeling after that hit so I decide to be aggressive. "Pound!"

Oricorio charges towards Crawbrawler but when he is about to connect, Crawbrawler jumps and lands behind her. "Frost Breath attack."

No. An Ice attack.

Oricorio struggles to break free of the ice.

"This was well fought, Cameron. You should be proud." He smiles and finishes off by saying, "Crawbrawler, Focus Blast!"

"Hurricane!" I say just before the first hit lands on Oricorio. Oricorio is sent flying into the air.

But before the second punch hit Oricorio flapped it's wings causing an abrupt gust of wind to embroil the Pokemon in dirt and leaves. I can't see what is happening even after hearing a loud thud.

A few moments later dust clears and a Pokemon is standing over a downed Pokemon.

Oricorio.

I won.

Hala laughs and claps his hands as he returned his fainted Crawbrawler to his ball. I rush over to Oricorio as she flutters to the ground. I reach into my bag and apply a salve to it's injured wing as she eats a Poke Bean.

"Congratulations, Cameron. That was a fantastic battle. I thought I had your Oricorio beat." Hala stood over me with his hand out. I grabbed his hand as he helped me up. I returned my Pokemon to it's ball so it can rest up.

That's when I finally realized all of the people clapping their hands. Caleb and Kukui were yelling in support. My mom was crying, being the hot mess that she can be. Meanwhile, I found Aaron's glance. He simply nodded and walked away.

I guess that's positive support from him.

"Thank you," I said to Hala.

He nodded with a broad smile on his face. Then he grabbed my hand and held it up.

"Let us congratulate Cameron here on a job well done. He has completed his first major step on his way to completing the Island Challenge." A large round of applause stills my beating heart. I almost want to cry. "Dare I say the last week has shown us here on Melemele Island that we have some promising young trainers."

I look over at Caleb and he gives me a thumbs up. That's when I realize Skitty is no longer in his arms. In fact, he is next to my feet looking up at me. I picked him up and held him like I've seen Caleb hold him.

"I did it," I whisper. Skitty looks at me and makes a nuzzling sound. "We did it."