Calvin Ketchum: Hey everyone!
Erika Ketchum: Sorry NegaiFreak isn't here to introduce this chapter. He's too excited about Avengers: Endgame to talk about anything else.
Calvin Ketchum: But everyone should get totally excited over your grand trial today!
Erika Ketchum: That's right! So without further ado, let's get to it!
POKÉMON SUN & MOON
THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME
"Mraw!" Litten called out, clawing at the bedroom door. Calvin had yet to wake up, having slept for basically the rest of the day since he got home. His breakfast was sitting on the countertop, still warm despite it being ten minutes since it was placed there. Yungoos kept trying to jump up to get it, only to be thwarted each time as Pikipek pecked his head again and again…
"Huh…" Leslie sighed from the couch as she was dressed in a white hoodie over a dark green tank top with jeans and pink sandals, annoyed by their antics, "Cal, your breakfast's ready!" she cried out, "Again…" she muttered aloud. She forgot how many times she had called him now…
"Leslie, that's enough," her mother reprimanded, dressed in a maroon t-shirt with a long white skirt. Though she couldn't help but be worried as well. This was her son. He had gone through what some would describe as a traumatic experience, yet he just seemed embarrassed by it.
"Hey, what time is it?" Leslie asked, catching Mirajane's attention. She looked up at the clock on the wall and gasped.
"Oh goodness, we're going to miss it!" she exclaimed, quickly opening a cupboard and pulling out a plastic sheet to put over the breakfast she made for her son, "Calvin, we're heading up to Iki Town!" she called out, grabbing the house keys, "Your sister's going to be taking her grand trial today!" she mentioned. Calvin's eyes opened at her words. He was awake for some time, but didn't feel the need to get up. That is, until he heard what his mother said.
'Erika…' he uttered inwardly, sitting up. The girl who was the worst in class, the girl who didn't want to make new friends, and the girl who was always lagging behind him… was now ahead of him by such a great distance. And he wanted to know how far.
"Mom, maybe we should wait a few more minutes…" Leslie suggested as they got their shoes on, about to head out the front door.
"We can't miss Erika's grand trial though!" Mirajane retorted, pulling out a video camera, "I promised Ash that I'd record something if he wasn't here to see it…" she mentioned. Leslie rolled her eyes in frustration. Just then, they heard a door creak open. They turned to see Calvin standing there, now dressed for the day.
"I'll meet you guys there," he promised with a light grin before Litten jumped up onto his shoulder, nuzzling his head with hers as she purred delightedly. The two women smiled. They knew the young boy wasn't completely discouraged. And maybe seeing his little sister battle would inspire him, too…
A Grand Undertaking!
A flock of Pikipek soared over Iki Town as many people were gathered around the wooden stage. Sawyer and Lisanna were among those in the crowd, standing beside Mirajane and Leslie. The Take-Over wizard was fiddling with the video camera she had in her hands, contorting her face nervously as she tried to figure out how it worked…
"Mom, you can just use your phone…" Leslie pointed out, sounding embarrassed as she noticed a few people staring at them awkwardly.
"I know…" Mirajane retorted with a sheepish blush across her cheeks, "I just think your dad would like the nostalgia of seeing his daughter's grand trial like this…" she mentioned. Leslie sighed with a smile, rolling her eyes.
'Yeah… dad would…' she inwardly admitted, remembering how he always recorded every single one of her league battles for the family to watch any time. It made her wonder though… Would they be able to do the same for her younger siblings?
"Good morning, everyone!" a familiar voice boomed, catching everyone's attention and snapping Leslie away from her thoughts as they looked to see Hala coming from his house, "I assume you're all here to witness today's grand trial?" he guessed.
"Of course, Hala!" Mirajane immediately responded as she held up her camera to record, "So where's our little trial-goer?" she asked. Hala tilted his head.
"You mean she isn't here?" he questioned. Mirajane stopped recording.
"N-No…" she stammered in reply. Everyone gave off dumbfounded expressions. Erika should have been right beside him… right?
"SORRRRRYYYYY!" someone's voice cried out in the distance, causing everyone to turn around and see Erika running up the steps with Kukui and Lillie behind her, while Rotom was floating off towards the stage. The young trial-goer looked exhausted, sweating madly. "Sorry… I'm… late…" she managed to apologize before falling face first onto the ground, making everyone around gasp.
"She appears to be suffering from dehydration, zzt!" Rotom buzzed as it approached her from above, giving off an exasperated look, "Again…" it muttered bluntly.
"Erika!" Mirajane screamed, rushing over to her with Leslie. A few moments later, Erika was guzzling down a bottle of water Kukui had given her.
"Pwah!" she exhaled once she finished, breathing heavily as she was sitting upon the wooden stage.
"Why didn't you stay the night at Hala's?" Leslie asked as she loomed beside her with Mirajane, Kukui, and Lillie, "I'm sure he wouldn't have minded…" she pointed out, arching an eyebrow out of confusion.
"Well… your sister here caught herself another Pokémon yesterday and wanted to train a little more," Kukui explained in response, "By the time she was done, it was a little too late to try and get back here to Iki without it getting too dark," he noted as he scratched his cheek.
"And I overslept…" Erika added with a reddening face.
"Because you were overexcited about coming up with a plan for your grand trial, zzt…" Rotom noted bluntly, much to her embarrassment as her face turned scarlet. Leslie failed to stifle a giggle.
"What's so funny?!" her little sister shouted as she shot up onto her feet, glaring at her.
"Sorry, sorry!" she apologized, holding out her hands in a placating manner, "I just… never expected you to get this worked up over the grand trial…" she confessed, much to Erika's surprise, "I'm proud of you," she added. Erika's eyes widened and shook. Mirajane smiled. So did Kukui, Hala, and Lille. Rotom did, too. For a moment, it looked like Erika was going to cry. But she immediately wiped her eyes with a sniffle.
"Th-Thanks…" she stuttered in gratitude. Leslie grinned.
"So, are you ready for your grand trial, fledgling?" Hala guessed, placing his hands at his hips. Erika looked ahead at him with a resolute grin on her face.
"Yeah!" she responded eagerly. Elsewhere, Calvin was walking towards Iki Town on Route 1, with Litten and Yungoos tailing behind him, while Pikipek flapped his wings as he flew overhead. He was excited to see Erika's grand trial. It could end up being a good motivator for him to keep going on his island challenge. But then another thought occurred to him.
'What if I just get in the way?' he wondered, coming to a stop.
"Mrah?" Litten purred in confusion. Calvin balled his fists. He was still frustrated after all. How could he not be?
"Oh, Calvin!" a familiar voice chimed in, causing him to perk up and turn around to see Ilima approaching him with Hau.
"Hey cuz!" the ponytailed boy cried out with a wave.
"Hey guys," Calvin greeted, "Are you heading up to see Erika's grand trial, too?" he guessed. Ilima nodded.
"Your sister's shown incredible promise," he pointed out, "I think she'll give Hala a good challenge today," he added confidently.
"I know I will!" Hau chimed in excitedly as he pumped his fists, "Now that I've got the island's only trial under my belt, I'll take on Tutu after Eri!" he declared, racing off up the hill, "See you guys there!" he called out as he bolted.
"Ah, always impatient…" Ilima muttered out with a chuckle, "He's eager for sure," he added before looking back at Calvin, blinking in surprise to the despondent look on his face.
"So he passed, too…" he realized, looking down solemnly.
"Mrrr…" Litten purred worriedly.
"Yung…" Yungoos uttered in concern.
"Peek?" Pikipek chirped as he landed atop his trainer's head, trying to get him to cheer up. But it seemed nothing would work. Then Ilima put a hand onto his shoulder.
"Huh…" he sighed, "I understand your frustration," he noted as Calvin blinked in surprise, "When I was younger, I too had a difficult time finding my motivation to keep pursuing my goals," he explained as the young trial-goer listened carefully, "But I overcame that by how strong my rivals and friends had become, and that motivated me to catch up with them, whatever it took," he told him, "So maybe today's grand trial will be your motivator to keep going," he suggested. Calvin's eyes shook before he grinned and nodded.
"Yeah," he said. His Pokémon all gave off gleeful sounds of agreement before they continued on their way. At the center of Iki Town, Hala and Erika got up onto the wooden stage, taking their places on their respective sides. Kukui climbed up onto the stage, prepared to act as the official.
"Okay, here we go!" Mirajane exclaimed as she started recording on her camera.
"Welcome, everyone!" Kukui greeted, extending his arms out to their respective sides, "We are about to begin the Melemele Island grand trial today!" he exclaimed, "Our Island Kahuna, Hala!" he introduced, gesturing towards the ponytailed man with his right arm, "Versus!" he continued, gesturing towards the girl with his left arm, "The challenger, Erika!" he finished. Everyone began clapping excitedly. "Trainers!" Kukui called out, "This will be a three-on-three battle, and both of you will be able to make substitutions at any time," he explained, "Now select your first Pokémon!" he bellowed.
"Remember, Kukui said Hala uses Fighting types, zzt!" Rotom buzzed as it floated beside Erika, who took a Poké Ball out and enlarged it, "You should be careful about who you choose first!" the Pokédex mentioned seriously.
"Don't worry, Rotodex," she assured in reply, "We've got this," she declared firmly. A nervous grimace came across Leslie's face, which Lisanna took notice as she trotted over.
"You okay?" she asked, catching her attention.
"Oh, uh… I don't know…" Leslie admitted in response, "Erika's never had to deal with a battle that involves substitutions," she pointed out, "so I'm worried she won't know what to do…" she confessed. Her aunt put a hand onto her shoulder.
"She'll be fine," she reassured, "We'll just have to watch and see," she told her. Leslie smiled and nodded.
"I call upon you first…" Hala began, reeling his right arm back, "Mankey!" he bellowed, tossing his Poké Ball up into the air. It popped open, and the light that spilled out from it formed and dissipated, revealing the Pig Monkey Pokémon as he landed upon the stage.
"Maaannhhkk!" he screeched, hopping up and down.
"Mankey, huh?" Erika uttered, narrowing her eyes. An image of the Pig Monkey Pokémon came up on Rotom's screen.
"Mankey, the Pig Monkey Pokémon," the Pokédex began, "His raging tires him out and causes him to fall asleep, but the anger resonating in his dreams causes him to wake up—which infuriates him all over again. If one gets angry, all the others around him will get angry, so silence is a rare visitor in a troop of Mankey," it explained thoroughly. Erika looked back at the Mankey. He seemed to be eager for a bout as he kept hopping excitedly.
"I know the perfect opponent for you!" Erika declared, throwing up her Poké Ball, "Come on out, Rockruff!" she shouted, much to the surprise of the spectators. The container opened, with its light spilling onto the stage and coming into form before it dissipated.
"Rah!" Rockruff yipped excitedly as he took a ready stance.
"BBBzzZZT?!" Rotom buzzed instantly in confusion. Everyone seemed to be the same way. Why would Erika choose a Rock type to face a Fighting type? However, Hala didn't seem to mind as he grinned.
"Show me how you've grown, challenger!" he called out.
"Will do!" she responded as she clenched her fists excitedly.
"All right…" Kukui uttered as he raised his arm up, "let the battle…" he continued, swinging his arm down, "begin!" he shouted.
"Rockruff, Rock Throw!" Erika commanded. Making the stones around his neck glow a bright white, the Puppy Pokémon raised his tail, having a multicolored orb of energy form upon it. The orb then dissolved into multiple sparkles that turned into rocks with a white glow around them, which he subsequently fired towards Mankey.
"Block it with Karate Chop!" Hala bellowed as he made a chopping motion with his right hand. Readying his own, Mankey swiftly struck every rock sent his way, breaking them apart into pieces before they could even hit him. However, he did end up enveloped in a cloud of dust, which made Erika grin.
"Okay, Howl!" she called out.
"Raff!" Rockruff yipped, ceasing his attack, "RRRRAAAAAAHHHHOOOOO!" he howled up into the air. A reddish aura then began flowing up his body. The dust began to settle. Hala cracked a smirk.
"Mankey, Pursuit!" he ordered. Just as the dust finally blew away, the Pig Monkey Pokémon was gone.
"Where'd he go?" Lisanna asked as she blinked in surprise. Erika grinned.
"Turn around and use Bite!" she instructed quickly. Rockruff immediately did as told, just as Mankey reappeared behind him with a dark aura shrouding his body. He struck Rockruff's head with his right hand, but at the same time, his opponent's glowing teeth bit his tail.
"MAAAAAAAAAHHHHHNNNN!" he screeched in pain, hurriedly trying to pry himself free.
"Spin him around, Rockruff!" Erika called out. The Puppy Pokémon nodded, keeping his grip on Mankey tight as he spun him around rapidly before letting go, sending him flying across the stage. The Pig Monkey Pokémon bounced off it a couple of times until he managed to regain his footing, sliding the rest of the way before finally stopping.
"Impressive…" Hala uttered as a compliment, "Mankey, Focus Energy!" he called out.
"KEEE!" Mankey screeched, having an orange aura outline his body as his eyes narrowed onto Rockruff.
"That's the same move those Team Skull numbskullz used back at Verdant Cavern, zzt!" Rotom remembered. Now Erika had a serious expression on her face.
'I have to make sure Rockruff avoids getting hit by a Karate Chop…' she told herself, 'Now that Mankey's using Focus Energy, one of those might k-o Rockruff just like that…' she realized, looking down at her partner. They needed to wrap up this first battle quickly.
"Rockruff, Howl!" she commanded.
"RAAAAAAHHHHOOOO!" he howled again. The reddish aura flowed up his body.
"Increasing your attack power with Howl, eh?" Hala inquired, "A fine strategy, but will it be enough?" he wondered aloud, causing Erika to perk up in surprise, "Mankey, Fury Swipes!" he ordered. Making his fingers glow a bright white, Mankey rushed forwards.
"Dodge and use Rock Throw!" Erika commanded. Now she sounded a little worried. Rockruff created another multicolored orb upon his tail, firing stones from it. Mankey evaded almost all of them, getting only nicked by a few as he swiped at the Puppy Pokémon again and again.
"Come on, Rockruff!" Mirajane cheered.
"You've got this, Rockruff!" Lisanna cried out.
"Rah… rah…" the Rock type panted as he was covered in small scratches, glaring down Mankey, who glared back.
"Now Karate Chop!" Hala bellowed as he made another chopping motion with his hand. Mankey lunged out, readying his right arm to strike at Rockruff.
"Dodge and use Tackle!" Erika quickly shouted. Rockruff hopped off to the side and then jumped up, slamming head first into Mankey hard, sending him hurdling down off the stage. He struck the ground hard, creating a plume of dust and dirt.
"Ah!" Hala gasped. The crowd seemed collectively stunned as well.
"Whoa, what happened?" Calvin asked as he had just arrived with his Pokémon and Ilima. Rockruff landed down on the stage, breathing heavily.
"Did we win?" Erika wondered. Kukui hadn't made a judgment yet. He was still observing the cloud of dust that emitted from Mankey's impact, which started to dissipate.
"Maaaannnhhhkkk…" the Pig Monkey Pokémon's voice growled, causing Erika and Rockruff to widen their eyes in realization.
"Mankey is still able to continue!" Kukui announced. The Pig Monkey Pokémon jumped back onto the stage, and Erika noticed something different about him. There was a red aura shrouding his body and in his eyes, much to her confusion.
"What is that?" she wondered aloud. A loading wheel came up on Rotom's screen.
"Analyzing… Analyzing…" it repeated as it stared ahead at the Pig Monkey Pokémon.
"Mankey, Karate Chop!" Hala commanded again. The Fighting type lunged out speedily towards his target, readying his right arm.
"Use Rock Throw!" Erika called out. A multicolored orb of energy formed upon Rockruff's tail again before he shot out several rocks towards his oncoming opponent. To his shock though, Mankey bashed through all of the rocks with his right hand before hopping up and chopping at his foe's head fiercely, causing a burst of wind to blow out upon impact. Everyone flinched except for Hala.
"Ergh…" Erika grunted, opening her eyes to see what had happened. She immediately gasped. Rockruff had fallen over onto his side, having swirls in his eyes as steam emitted from the point of impact at his forehead.
"Rockruff is unable to battle!" Kukui called out, raising his right arm, "Mankey wins!" he announced, gesturing towards the Pig Monkey Pokémon.
"MAAAAAHHHNNNNKKK!" he screeched delightedly as he hopped up and down. Meanwhile, Erika's eyes shook in disbelief. What had just happened?
X
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Hau exclaimed repeatedly, "I didn't know Tutu's Mankey was that strong!" he noted in shock.
"What the heck happened?" Calvin asked as he blinked. Ilima put his hand onto his chin.
"Rotodex, what was that?" Erika questioned to her Pokédex, who still seemed to be analyzing Mankey.
"Data updated, zzt!" Rotom buzzed, "That was Mankey's Anger Point!" it exclaimed.
"Anger Point?" Erika uttered, arching an eyebrow.
"It's an ability that maximizes Mankey's attack power after he's taken a critical hit, zzt!" Rotom explained. Erika blinked in surprise. But then she remembered how Rockruff's Tackle seemed to have more power behind it, enough to send his opponent crashing into the ground. It wasn't intentional for sure, but now things were becoming a lot more difficult. "This is bad, zzt…" Rotom buzzed, "That Mankey could knock out your other Pokémon easily now with his attack at max output…" it noted. Erika grimaced in frustration. She took out Rockruff's Poké Ball.
"Rockruff, return," she said as the container shot out a beam of red light. As it made contact with the fainted Puppy Pokémon, he morphed into the light and was brought back to the Poké Ball. "Thanks for the hard work," Erika told the Rock type inside the container, "I promise we'll win," she stated firmly before placing the ball back on her belt.
"Keee…" Mankey growled as he hopped up and down, eager to see his next opponent.
"Come on, Erika!" Leslie cheered, "Show 'im what you're made of!" she cried out. Her little sister grinned.
'Yeah, I will!' she inwardly declared, readying another Poké Ball in her hand.
"Go, Oricorio!" she called out, tossing the container up into the air, letting it pop open. The light that came out of it spilled onto the stage, forming before dissipating to reveal the Dancing Pokémon.
"Kori, kori!" she chirped while dancing about.
"She caught a new Pokémon?" Calvin questioned, blinking in surprise.
"Interesting…" Ilima uttered.
"You're doing great, sweetie!" Mirajane called out, still holding the video camera in her hand.
"So that's your second one?" Hala inquired with a tilt of his head, "Well, we're not ones to hold back, even when at a disadvantage!" he bellowed, throwing out his left arm, "Mankey, Fury Swipes!" he commanded. Making his fingers glow a bright white, the Pig Monkey Pokémon ran out angrily at Oricorio. Erika grinned.
'If we don't let him hit us, we'll win!' she declared to herself.
"Use Teeter Dance!" she cried out.
"Kori, kori~…" Oricorio sang, dancing as she waved her wings in a wave-like manner, exuding a pink mist that spread out and hit Mankey. He suddenly stopped, stumbling crazily.
"Ah, Mankey!" Hala gasped, realizing what had happened.
"Wow, that's quick thinking!" one spectator noted, sounding impressed.
"Wasn't that the same girl who was in the festival a while ago?" a woman wondered aloud.
"She's a lot different now…" another man admitted. As Mankey kept stumbling around, he accidentally struck himself with his glowing fingers.
"KEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" he shrieked in pain.
"Oh my…" Lillie uttered in disbelief.
"He hurt himself, zzt!" Rotom buzzed out of shock.
"And we'll take advantage of that!" Erika added as she pumped her right fist back, "Oricorio, Double Slap!" she commanded. The Dancing Pokémon made pom-pom-like feathers glow a bright white as she dashed up to the stumbling Mankey. She then proceeded to smack him again and again, not letting up for a second.
"Yeah!" Leslie cheered as she threw her right fist into the air. Mirajane noticed, giggling at how enthusiastic she was. With one last smack, Mankey was sent sliding back across the stage. He shook his head however, appearing to have alleviated his confusion.
"Keee…" he growled angrily.
"Heh," Hala chuckled, "Now use Pursuit!" he ordered.
"Dodge and use Peck!" Erika shouted quickly. A dark aura appeared to shroud Mankey before he vanished in an instant to the crowd's surprise. Oricorio felt her feathers ruffle. The Pig Monkey Pokémon reappeared behind her, but as he tried to strike her with his foot, she ducked.
"Mahn?!" he squeaked in shock, seeing her turn around as a bird-shaped aura shrouded her head. She hopped up and hit him beak first, causing an implosion of smoke to envelop both of them. After a moment, Mankey fell out of the cloud onto his back with swirls in his eyes, while Oricorio flew out, landing next to her trainer. Kukui went over to see the Pig Monkey Pokémon's condition, raising his left arm.
"Mankey is unable to battle!" he declared, "Oricorio wins!" he announced, gesturing towards the Dancing Pokémon.
"Kori, kori~!" she sang happily, dancing around as Erika smiled. She had her first win.
"And now the score's even!" Leslie exclaimed as she pumped her fist.
"Your sister's something all right…" Lisanna noted.
"Yeah," Sawyer agreed, "Confusing Mankey with Teeter Dance definitely helped…" he pointed out, sounding impressed. His father returned the Pig Monkey Pokémon to his Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
"Thank you for your effort," he said in gratitude, putting the container away before readying another one, "I call upon you second," he began, reeling his arm back, "Makuhita!" he cried out, tossing the Poké Ball into the air. It popped open, and the light that spilled forth from it formed upon the stage, dissipating to reveal the Guts Pokémon.
"Mah koo!" he exclaimed, thrusting his arms at the open air.
"Now it's Makuhita…" Erika uttered, narrowing her eyes as her serious face had returned. An image of the Fighting type came up on Rotom's screen.
"Makuhita, the Guts Pokémon," it began, "Their daily routine consists of training together first thing in the morning, eating and napping in the afternoon, and then more training afterward. There's a rumor of a traditional recipe for stew that Trainers can use to raise strong Makuhita," the Pokédex explained.
"Thanks, Rotodex," Erika said in gratitude, "Oricorio, you still good to go?" she asked.
"Kori!" the Dancing Pokémon chirped in reply with a nod.
"Okay, we'll go with what we've got!" Erika declared, "Use Teeter Dance!" she ordered.
"Koriohh~!" Oricorio sang as she started to dance like before.
"Fake Out!" Hala commanded, swinging out his right arm. In a surprising instant, Makuhita lunged out and landed right in front of Oricorio.
"K-Kori?!" she stuttered in shock. The Guts Pokémon clapped his hands together in front of her, creating a large shockwave of air that blew her back.
"Ah!" Erika gasped in shock.
"Whoa!" Calvin yelped, "What was that?" he asked, turning to Ilima.
"Fake Out is a priority move that makes opponents flinch when used," the trial captain explained, "Hala definitely has a strategy when it comes to facing types of Pokémon his own are weak to…" he noted with a grin.
'He's getting serious with her…' he realized, placing his left hand at his hip.
"Now Knock Off!" Hala exclaimed. A dark aura enveloped Makuhita's hands as he ran forward and used them to slam Oricorio's head against the stage floor.
"Oricorio!" Erika cried out.
"Ergh…" Leslie growled in frustration, while everyone looked nervously.
"Kori…!" Oricorio squawked angrily, pushing herself back up.
"Oh…" Hala uttered, sounding impressed, "Makuhita, Arm Thrust!" he ordered. The Guts Pokémon's hands glowed orange as he thrusted them forward towards Oricorio.
"Use Double Slap!" Erika commanded quickly. With her pom-pom-like feathers glowing bright white, the Dancing Pokémon countered the first thrust from Makuhita. What followed was the two sharing blows again and again, countering their attacks with their own. The crowd cheered excitedly.
"Mraww…" Litten uttered in amazement. Calvin's eyes were shaking. His twin sister seemed so anxious, frustrated, even stressed… But she wasn't backing down.
"Oricorio, Peck!" she commanded, enticing the Dancing Pokémon to hop back before lunging out with a yellow, bird-shaped aura shrouding her head.
"Sand Attack!" Hala called out. Makuhita put his hands against the stage floor before moving them forward, brushing up dust that struck Oricorio's face.
"Koree!" she screeched, coming to a stop as she stumbled, shaking her head to try get the dust out of her eyes.
"Oh dear…" Mirajane uttered worriedly as she continued to record on her camera.
"Oricorio, you okay?!" Erika asked immediately.
"Kor…" she squawked, still blinded as she stumbled aimlessly around.
"Now Arm Thrust!" Hala commanded. Making his hands glow orange again, Makuhita lunged out and punched Oricorio in the head again and again.
"Oh no, zzt!" Rotom buzzed worriedly. Erika gritted her teeth together.
"Hang in there, Oricorio!" she cried out. Though things didn't seem good… Oricorio was blinded and on the verge of losing. At this rate, she'd lose and leave Erika with just Popplio to fight Makuhita and Hala's other Pokémon. With one final strike, the Guts Pokémon sent Oricorio sliding back. She shook her head again, regaining her vision.
"KORRRREEEEEEEE!" she screeched, making her wings glow a bright blue before flapping them rapidly to make several x-shaped blue blades suddenly fly and strike Makuhita as he had no chance to react in time. He was knocked down to the floor, much to everyone's surprise.
"Wh-What was that?" Erika stuttered in question.
"That was Air Cutter, zzt!" Rotom buzzed in reply, catching her attention, "Oricorio learned a new move!" it pointed out.
"That's great, Oricorio!" Erika called out excitedly.
"Koree!" the Dancing Pokémon chirped back.
"Okay, Air Cutter!" Erika commanded as she swung out both of her arms. Flapping her wings again as they glowed bright blue, Oricorio unleashed several x-shaped blue blades that were heading for Makuhita, who had just gotten back up on his feet.
"Block it with Arm Thrust!" Hala cried out.
"Mah koo!" Makuhita responded, letting his hands glow orange as he thrusted his arms to strike each blade sent his way. Some managed to get by and nick him, but he stayed on his feet for what seemed like a while. The audience awed the tenacity. Erika gritted her teeth again. This was getting her and Oricorio nowhere.
"Use Peck!" she commanded quickly, throwing out her right arm. Halting her flapping, Oricorio ran forward, making a yellow bird-shaped aura shroud her head as she then glided out at Makuhita.
"Knock Off!" Hala ordered. With both of his hands going from orange to a dark aura surrounding them, the Guts Pokémon raised his arms up before bringing them down to smack Oricorio's head just as she struck him with her beak. They were both enveloped within a plume of smoke that erupted from their impact, enveloping a good third of the stage. It was slow to dissipate as everyone watched in anticipation, wondering who had emerged victorious in the end. When the smoke finally did clear, it revealed that both Pokémon were still standing with scrapes all along their bodies. However, one fell first with a loud thud. That was Makuhita.
"Kooohh…" he moaned in agony with swirls in his eyes. Kukui raised his left arm again.
"Makuhita is unable to battle!" he declared, "Oricorio wins!" he announced, gesturing towards the Dancing Pokémon.
"Kor… kor…" she breathed heavily. She wasn't dancing happily out of victory this time. She was exhausted. So was Erika. But both were glad that they made it through the battle. Now the lead was theirs.
"Way to go, Oricorio!" Leslie cheered.
"Y-Yes, well done!" Lillie stuttered out happily. Hala returned Makuhita to his Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
"I'm sorry things didn't work out this time," he apologized to the container, "You did very well," he added before putting the Poké Ball away, "I'm impressed, Erika Ketchum!" he called out to the challenger, making her perk up, "You've certainly come a long way from when I first met you at the festival," he noted in a complimentary tone, taking out another Poké Ball and enlarging it by pressing its center button, "But that said," he continued as she kept a stoic expression on her face, "we shall not lose!" he declared loudly, reeling his arm back, "I call upon you last," he kept going, tossing the ball up into the air, "Crabrawler!" he beckoned. The Poké Ball popped open, and the light that spilled forth from it formed upon the wooden stage, dissipating to reveal Hala's third Pokémon.
It was a crustacean Pokémon resembling a crab. Most of his shell was purple with blue and yellow accents. He had two long, yellow antennae over his eyes. One blue eyelid was half-closed, giving it the appearance of a black eye. The purple shell covering his body appeared to be made of three parts: two plain plates covering the shoulders and part of the chest and one plate covered in blue stripes across his underside. A large portion of his yellow body was visible down the center of his chest and a tiny spot was visible in the center of his back. He had three pairs of legs as well. The two rear pairs were smaller with yellow joints and blue tips. The foremost pair of legs had large blue pincers resembling boxing gloves.
"Crah brawl!" he exclaimed, punching at the air with his pincers.
"It's Tutu's Crabrawler!" Hau yelled excitedly.
"A Crabrawler?" Erika uttered in confusion, "Hey, Rotodex?" she called out.
"Leave it to me, zzt!" Rotom buzzed in reply, putting an image of the Boxing Pokémon upon its screen, "Crabrawler, the Boxing Pokémon," it began, "He punches so much, his pincers often come off from overuse, but they grow back quickly. What little meat they contain is rich and delicious. Crabrawler has been known to mistake Exeggutors for coconut trees and climb them. The enraged Exeggutor shakes him off and stomps him," the Pokédex explained thoroughly. Aside from being a little confused, Erika remained stoic as she looked back at the Boxing Pokémon. He definitely seemed like a greater challenge in comparison to Makuhita. Erika then looked back at Oricorio. She was certainly exhausted from back-to-back battles, but if she could whittle Crabrawler down, even just a little…
"Oricorio, let's keep it going!" Erika yelled to her partner.
"Koree!" she chirped in agreement, readying her wings. Just then, a sudden flash of light caught their attentions. Erika looked out and widened her eyes. Hala had his arms crossed in front of his face, revealing a Z-Ring upon his left wrist. But upon the ring itself was a different Z-Crystal. It was orange, having the symbol of a fist at its center. It glowed brightly as Hala swung his arms around, putting his left out over his right as they were extended forwards and crossed.
"Crabrawler…" he began, continuing his poses by simultaneously punching the air with his partner, "let us become one as we show our Z-Power in honor of our island's guardian!" he declared before finishing his poses with one final punch, right before orange lights streaked from him onto Crabrawler, appearing to supply him with energy as the Z-Move symbol flashed in front of him.
"Crah!" he exclaimed, taking a ready stance.
"What the heck is that?" Calvin asked, widening his eyes. Everyone aside from him and Hau seemed to know what was coming. Even Erika did.
'He had a Z-Move up his sleeve all along?!' she inwardly exclaimed in fright.
"ALL-OUT PUMMELING!" Hala bellowed. With an orange aura shrouding his form, Crabrawler punched at the air repeatedly and rapidly, unleashing several pincer-shaped projectiles towards Oricorio. She had no chance to dodge, getting struck over and over by them.
"ORICORIO!" Erika screamed in fright. The crowd collectively gasped.
"GO!" Hala shouted. Crabrawler then shot forward like a rocket, enveloping in an orange light as he rammed into the defenseless Dancing Pokémon, taking her crashing offstage behind Erika in a huge burst of dirt and dust. Erika shut her eyes, bracing herself from the oncoming cloud. After a few moments, it dissipated, with Crabrawler looming over Oricorio as she lied upon the ground with swirls in her eyes.
"Oreee…" she moaned in agony.
"Oricorio is unable to battle!" Kukui declared as he raised his right arm up, "Crabrawler wins!" he announced. The Boxing Pokémon hopped back onto the stage, taking his position as he punched at the air again.
"Wh-Whoa…" Calvin stuttered in amazement, looking at the Z-Ring upon his wrist.
'Is that was this is for?' he wondered inwardly.
"Erika," Hala began, catching the challenger's attention, "as I've said, you've come a long way," he noted with his hands at his hips, "But you also need to know that trainers who've already faced me have proven they're ready for the greater challenges ahead," he explained, "Can I expect the same from you?" he asked of her. She clenched her fists. It was frustrating to have lost… but… she couldn't help but smile in anticipation. She wanted to earn that Z-Ring for her team. She wanted to perform Z-Moves like Hala just did.
"Oricorio, thanks for the hard work," she said in gratitude, returning the Dancing Pokémon to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light, putting it back onto her belt before pulling out another one and enlarging it by pressing its center button. She turned around with a grin on her face. "You can expect the same and more from us!" she declared firmly to the kahuna, "Because we're gonna win!" she stated. Hala appeared to smirk.
X
"Come on, Erika!" Leslie cheered as loud as she could, "You've still got one Pokémon left for this guy, right?!" she cried out. Erika grinned wider. She'd normally yell at her sister for calling her out as usual, but she was right. She did have one Pokémon left to face Hala with. She reeled her arm back.
"Popplio, I choose you!" she exclaimed, throwing it up high. It popped open, and the light that spilled out formed in midair, dissipating to reveal the Sea Lion Pokémon.
"Ar!" she barked, landing upon the stage.
"Popplio's her last one, huh?" Kukui noted with his hands at his hips.
"Seems fitting that you've chosen to try and win this battle with who you started your journey with!" Hala mentioned, "Now show us your drive to win!" he beckoned, pointing towards the challenger.
"Will do!" she replied, "Popplio, Aqua Jet!" she ordered quickly. Immersing herself within a torrent of water, Popplio rocketed forwards in an instant, heading right for Crabrawler.
"Iron Defense!" Hala shouted. The Boxing Pokémon crossed his pincers and let a white shine flow up his body before it became iron. Popplio struck him fiercely, but only managed to send him sliding back a few yards as the coating upon him vanished.
"Crah…" he growled, seeing his opponent land upon the other side of the stage.
"Now use Bubble!" Hala commanded. Opening his right pincer and aiming it forward, Crabrawler shot several bubbles towards Popplio.
"Water Gun!" Erika shouted. The Sea Lion Pokémon reeled her head before firing a stream of water from her nostrils, striking the bubbles and making them all burst in a cloud of steam. "Now use Disarming Voice!" Erika ordered. Popplio opened her mouth and released a beam of purple pink hearts in a loud shrieking voice, striking Crabrawler as he didn't see it coming, tumbling across the stage.
"Cruh braw!" he exclaimed angrily. Hala let off a grin.
"Way to go, Eri!" Hau cheered, "You too, Tutu!" he cried out as he waved.
"Keep up the pressure, Popplio!" Calvin yelled from afar.
"Mrrraaaaawww!" Litten roared to her rival.
"Peek, pik peek!" Pikipek chirped cheerfully.
"Popplio, Aqua Jet!" Erika commanded. Immersing herself in another torrent of water, the Sea Lion Pokémon rocketed out towards Crabrawler once more.
"Dodge and use Pursuit!" Hala cried out. Hopping up, the Boxing Pokémon managed to evade Popplio as he immersed himself in a dark aura. Before she could even try to go after him again, she saw that he had vanished. He then reappeared behind her, smacking her from behind to send her crashing into the floor below.
"Popplio!" Erika screamed. From afar, Lillie flinched at the sight. It was obvious that she didn't like seeing this kind of battle.
"Hang in there for Erika, Popplio!" Leslie shouted out. Her mother nervously held onto the video camera as she kept watching.
"Power-Up Punch!" Hala commanded. Crabrawler's right pincer became surrounded by a golden aura as he was coming down towards Popplio. Erika grimaced.
"Counter with Aqua Jet!" she shouted to Popplio, who immediately responded by enveloping herself in another torrent of water, shooting upwards like a missile to meet Crabrawler head on, striking him in a fierce burst of smoke. The wind blew by fiercely as both trainers and the audience braced themselves. Crabrawler and Popplio emerged from the smoke, landing upon the stage. The Boxing Pokémon had a reddish aura flow up his body for a moment, while his opponent just breathed heavily.
"This is bad, zzt…" Rotom buzzed, catching Erika's attention, "Power-Up Punch is a move that increases Crabrawler's attack power after it hits," it pointed out, "And Crabrawler's ability, Iron Fist, makes his punching attacks like that all the stronger!" it added worriedly. Erika clenched her teeth together and growled. There had to be something they could do…
"Now Bubble!" Hala ordered. Opening both of his pincers, Crabrawler fired off a stream of bubbles towards Popplio.
"Use Disarming Voice!" Erika commanded. The Sea Lion Pokémon fired off another stream of purple pink hearts in a loud shrieking voice, blasting through the bubbles as they all popped before striking Crabrawler, sending him sliding back again.
"Crah…" he growled angrily.
"All right, Popplio!" Leslie cheered, "Keep it up!" she called out loudly.
"Ar…" she panted. This was becoming a tedious task. But she steeled herself, prepared to continue.
"Crabrawler, Power-Up Punch!" Hala commanded as he thrusted his right fist forward. A golden aura shrouded the Boxing Pokémon's right pincer as he rushed out towards Popplio.
"Water Gun!" Erika cried out. Arching her head back, the Sea Lion Pokémon fired off a stream of water from her nostrils. However, Crabrawler punched through it, striking her in the head with his glowing pincer and sending her flying back in an instant.
"Ah!" Calvin gasped. Practically everyone in the crowd widened their eyes as Popplio tumbled across the stage, coming to a stop upon her stomach as she moaned in agony.
"Oh no…" Lillie uttered worriedly as she covered her mouth with her right hand.
"Ar…" Popplio moaned as she tried to push herself up from the floor.
"Come on, Popplio…" Erika pleaded as she clenched her shaking fists, "Please…" she begged. After a moment, a bluish aura began enveloping the Sea Lion Pokémon as she got up, glaring out at Crabrawler.
"Oh…" Hala uttered in surprise.
"Craaahhh…" the Boxing Pokémon muttered, holding up his pincers in a fighting stance.
"That's Popplio's Torrent, isn't it?" Calvin guessed, getting a nod in reply from Ilima.
"I assume this was what Erika was waiting for…" he noted with a grin.
"This must be it then!" Hala realized, swinging his left arm out, "Crabrawler, Power-Up Punch!" he commanded. A golden aura shrouded both of the Boxing Pokémon's pincers as he lunged out at Popplio.
"Dodge with Aqua Jet!" Erika cried out.
"Arr!" Popplio responded as she rocketed upwards in a torrent of water, narrowly evading a punch from Crabrawler, who widened his eyes in surprise.
"Now use Water Gun!" Erika commanded. As she broke out from the torrent of water with droplets falling all around her, Popplio fired off a huge stream of water from nostrils to strike the Boxing Pokémon from above. He was knocked down onto the stage on his stomach, grunting as he tried to push himself up, only for the water to keep pushing him.
"Yeah, Popplio!" Leslie cheered with a pump of her fist. The crowd yelled excitedly. They knew the battle was nearing its conclusion.
"Popplio, Aqua Jet!" Erika ordered as she swung her right arm down. Ceasing her Water Gun, the Sea Lion Pokémon immersed herself in water once more, shooting towards Crabrawler. Hala grimaced.
"Quick, Power-Up Punch!" he called out to his partner.
"Crah…" he uttered, making a golden aura shroud his right pincer, ready to get up. But he was too late. Popplio struck his back fiercely in a blast of smoke that made both trainers flinch from its force. It took a while for the smoke to clear as the crowd watched in anticipation. Just then, Popplio hopped out, landing in front of her trainer. She was clearly exhausted, breathing heavily. And the smoke finally settled, revealing what was there to the audience's collective shock. Crabrawler was down, moaning in pain as he had swirls in his eyes. Kukui smiled at the result, raising his left arm.
"Crabrawler is unable to battle! Popplio wins!" he announced, "And therefore," he continued, gesturing to Erika, "the victor is the challenger, Erika!" he declared. The trial-goer's eyes shook in amazement. The whole crowd started cheering.
"Way to go!" one man cried out.
"That was incredible!" another woman commented. As applause rained down, it finally dawned on Erika as she blinked. They won. She smiled wider than she ever had before.
"We did it, Popplio!" she exclaimed, picking up the Sea Lion Pokémon in her arms.
"Congratulations, zzt!" Rotom buzzed excitedly. However, Popplio didn't seem to be all that enthused.
"Ar…" she moaned, catching their attentions.
"P-Popplio?" Erika stuttered, "Are you okay?" she asked in concern.
"Maybe she's still hurt from all those attacks she took…" Rotom suggested.
"Erika, what's wrong?" Kukui asked as he jogged over, while Leslie climbed onstage.
"I-I dunno…" the young trial-goer responded with a stammer as she held Popplio out, "She must not be feeling well or something…" she noted, sounding very concerned. But at that moment, the Sea Lion Pokémon began to glow brightly in a bluish white light, much to everyone's shock.
"What the?!" Calvin yelped, "What's happening?!" he asked as Popplio's body was morphing, with her earflaps appearing to grow, while more ruffs formed on her glowing body. Erika's eyes sparkled at the sight before the light finally burst apart, revealing what had happened.
In Popplio's place was a light blue, pinniped Pokémon with three ruffle-like growths around her body. The first ruffle was just under her longer front flippers, while the last was shortly before the tail. The ruffles alternated white and pale blue. Her now long ears were made up of three segments that lighten and increased in size towards the tip; the first segment was ovoid, while the latter two were spherical. She had a long, conical snout with a white tip, a spherical pink nose, and large dark eyes with pinkish pupils. Her front flippers were much longer than her tail flippers, although both now had white tips. There were three digits on the front flippers like before though.
"Breeaah!" she exclaimed happily in greeting as she raised her flippers.
"Whoa, Popplio evolved!" Hau cried out with sparkling eyes.
"E-Evolved?" Calvin stuttered in surprise. Litten's eyes shook in amazement.
"That's incredible, Erika!" Leslie complimented to her sister, "Your Popplio's a Brionne now!" she pointed out excitedly.
"A… Brionne?" Erika uttered, still shocked. An image of the Pop Star Pokémon came up on Rotom's screen.
"Brionne, the Pop Star Pokémon, and the evolved form of Popplio," it began, "She cares deeply for her companions. When her trainer is feeling down, she performs a cheery dance to try and help. She attacks by smacking her enemies with the exploding water balloons that she creates," the Pokédex explained. Erika still seemed stunned. So much so that Brionne thought her new appearance was too girly for her trainer. However, that all changed once she was brought into a warm embrace from Erika.
"This is awesome!" she exclaimed happily, "You're a whole lot stronger now, I bet!" she added excitedly.
"Bree, breeah!" Brionne agreed, clapping her flippers excitedly. With all that said and done, Mirajane finally stopped recording.
'I have a feeling you're going to enjoy this one, Ash…' she noted to herself, wiping away the tears of joy forming in her eyes.
X
A while later, Erika was holding out her trainer's passport to Hala with her Pokémon all gathered beside her. They were happy about emerging victorious. The rest of her family, Lillie, Hau, Sawyer, Lisanna, Kukui, and Ilima were all gathered off to the side, smiling at her.
"And… there you are!" the kahuna exclaimed as he firmly stamped down one of the pages of Erika's passport. She grinned happily as she took a look at it, seeing that it was a yellow stamp of Tapu Koko.
"Thank you so much, Hala," she said in gratitude, bowing to him. Her Pokémon did the same.
"Oh ho!" the kahuna chuckled, reaching into the sleeve of his yellow jacket, "But that isn't your only reward…" he noted, pulling something out and handing it off to her, "Here," he offered, letting her take it into the palm of her right hand. As he pulled his extremity away, Erika looked down to see a new Z Crystal in her hand. It was the same one he used in their battle as it gleamed in the sunlight. "That there is the Fightinium Z," he told her, "From now on, you'll be able to make your Pokémon with Fighting type moves use All-Out Pummeling with it," he explained. Erika smiled.
"Thank you again, Hala sir!" she exclaimed gratefully. Everyone giggled at how happy she was. Calvin was still in awe. His twin sister had just beaten the island kahuna and now had two Z Crystals. He clenched his fists and grinned.
'I'll catch up to her, no matter what!' he inwardly declared.
"Ah, that reminds me…" Hala chimed in, causing Erika to perk up, "Since you don't have your Z-Ring but completed my trial regardless, I shall gift you one now!" he promised. The girl's eyes sparkled in delight.
"Th-Thank you!" she stammered out. Her lips were quivering with excitement. But before Hala could go back inside to get her Z-Ring…
"KOKOHHHHH!" a familiar voice screeched from the forest beyond the town. Everyone widened their eyes and stopped whatever they were doing. Erika, Brionne, and Rockruff shivered a little upon recognizing this. In a practically a flash of lightning, something slammed down onto the ground nearby in a flurry of dust, causing everyone to brace themselves as dirt rushed by. When the dust settled, everyone widened their eyes. There was Tapu Koko, floating before them. It turned to Erika, who gulped a little as her eyes shook.
"Tapu… Koko…?" she uttered out. The guardian deity merely placed something on the ground in front of her. She looked down and gasped. It was the same kind of stone that her brother had gotten from Tapu Koko all that time ago. Everyone widened their eyes in surprise, especially Calvin.
"Tapu Koko gave Eri a stone, too?!" Hau exclaimed out of complete disbelief. Erika knelt down and grasped the stone in left hand, standing up and staring back at the guardian deity. It nodded. Her lips quivered as tears began rolling out from her eyes profusely. But she still managed to smile. Because she was finally deemed worthy.
"Thank you…!" she managed to blurt out gratefully before wiping her eyes. Tapu Koko nodded again.
"Koh KOH!" he bellowed before taking off into the sky in an instant.
'So now there are two worthy candidates in Tapu Koko's eyes…' Hala noted inwardly as he looked back Erika, who was being mobbed with praise and support from her family and friends, 'I wonder what must be happening for it to have to do such a thing…' he mused with his hands at his hips. Regardless of whatever circumstances were happening, he was glad to know that a strong challenger like Erika had grown into a worthy trainer.
END
It's Erika's victory in more ways than one! I'm really happy with myself and the recent slew of chapters I've put out. But now I'm a week away from my last set of final exams and presentations, so things aren't gonna be coming so quickly.
My next objective is to complete "Omni Force: WAR" with back-to-back chapters, and then continue this story along with working on "Omni Force: GUARDIANS". But until that time, here's the summary for the next chapter of this story!
SUMMARY
Now that Erika's passed her grand trial, she eagerly awaits her Z-Ring while practicing the poses for her future Z-Moves! In the meantime though, Calvin is ready to retake his trial… at night! Will he fare better than he did last time, or will things turn out worse than before?!
END SUMMARY