Alola, everyone! After this chapter, there's gonna three for "Omni Force: JUSTICE" that I'm hoping you're all looking forward to! But in the meantime, we're back to this awesome story!
Last time we left off, Calvin had trained for his rematch against Olivia and got his Cubone and Bounsweet to both end up evolving. And now it's finally time for him to really go at it in this grand trial.
So let's all see how it goes!
POKÉMON SUN & MOON
THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME
"Wh-Whoa…" Hau stammered out in amazement.
"Pee kahh…" his Pikachu squeaked with widened eyes. The two of them were in the lobby of the Hano Grand Resort, marveling the architecture and vast scenery surrounding them. Having decided to head back to Heahea City to rest up in the wake of his grand trial victory, Hau decided to head to the hotel to meet up with Erika. But now he wondered how he would find her in such a big place. Fortunately, he didn't need to.
"Hey, Hau!" a familiar voice cried out, catching his attention as he whipped around to see his cousin jogging towards him with Brionne hopping over by her side.
"Eri!" he greeted excitedly, running over to meet her halfway, "Man, I was worried I wouldn't find you in such a big place…" he admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. The Ketchum girl giggled.
"It is pretty big…" she noted in reply, "So did you pass your grand trial?" she wondered curiously.
"Yep!" her cousin replied, pulling out his Rockium Z from his pocket to show her, "Now both of us are halfway done with this island challenge!" he pointed out excitedly. Erika smiled… but then blinked as she remembered something.
"What about Calvin?" she asked while tilting her head to the side. Now Hau blinked before giving off a somewhat sad look. Moments later, the two of them were seated together on a bench near the front desk. Brionne and Pikachu were racing about the lobby, playing an intricate game of tag. Some guests chuckled at how adorable the two of them were. Meanwhile, their trainers were in silence after Hau had told Erika about her brother's loss.
"Guess you should've stayed after all…" her cousin said, causing her to perk up.
"Hey, I told you guys that I wouldn't have left if it weren't for that alien guy!" she argued, "But… I can't believe Calvin actually lost…" she confessed as she glanced down sadly for a moment.
"Yeah, me either…" Hau agreed, "Though I'm sure he got his fair share of training from Kiawe, so he'll be fine!" he assured confidently with a wide grin.
"Kiawe, huh?" Erika inquired as she blinked. She had to wonder if the trial captain's training was going to help her brother. And more importantly, if he could find the drive to challenge Olivia again. From how Hau told her about Calvin's loss, it sounded like he took it really hard…
"He's gonna be fine, Eri," her cousin promised, catching her attention as she glanced over to see him flash her a wide grin. She smiled back, letting out a giggle. "So you've been staying here at this big place?" Hau guessed, "I didn't think you could afford it…" he pointed out curiously.
"Well… someone kinda pulled some strings for me and my team and got us a room," Erika explained in reply.
"And we've been zzztaying here waiting for you guyzzz!" Rotom chimed in upon popping up between its user and Hau.
"Cool!" the ponytailed boy exclaimed as his eyes sparkled, "And you got offered a trip to Aether Paradise, too?" he inquired on.
"Yep," his female cousin replied with a nod, "That alien guy said he wanted to bring along lots of trial-goers to be in that tournament they're holding there!" she mentioned with excitement building in her tone.
"A tournament?!" Hau repeated loudly, "That sounds awesome!" he exclaimed as he shot up from his seat, "Can I come?" he asked of her, sounding almost like he was begging.
"Sure!" Erika answered, "After all, I was only waiting her for you guys to finish the grand trial so we could all go!" she pointed out as she giggled happily.
"Sweet!" Hau yelled as he pumped his right fist. Erika was enthused by her cousin's chipper attitude. It made her feel much more at ease than it once used to.
"Maybe you zzzhould zzzhow Hau your new Pokémon, zzt!" Rotom suddenly buzzed to her as a suggestion, getting her attention.
"You got a new Pokémon, Eri?" Hau inquired curiously as he blinked. She let off a sheepish grin, reaching down to her belt and pulling off a shrunken Poké Ball. Pressing its center button, she enlarged it and lightly tossed it forward. Upon popping open, the mass of blue and white light spilled onto the ground and quickly dissipated to reveal Sandygast there.
"G-G-Gassuu…?" he stuttered out, shuddering nervously.
"Whoa, a Sandygast!" Hau exclaimed as he approached the Sand Heap Pokémon, who sweated nervously.
"I caught him out on the beach yesterday," Erika told her cousin, "He's… pretty shy…" she pointed out, seeing Sandygast whimper with fright as he suddenly slid over to hide under the bench behind her legs.
"Hey… that means you've got seven Pokémon now, right?" Hau guessed, arching an eyebrow, "So who'd you send back?" he asked curiously while putting his hands onto his hips.
"I had Oricorio go back for a break…" Erika replied, recalling how the Dancing Pokémon was surprisingly okay with being sent off to Professor Kukui's lab in order for her to actually have her newly caught Sandygast on the team, "Honestly, I didn't even know trainers could only have six Pokémon with them at a time…" she admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head, "I bet it's gonna happen again…" she mentioned with a chuckle.
"But it'll be good for Sandygazzzt to try and overcome that zzzhynezzz of hizzz," Rotom buzzed, getting her attention.
"Yeah," she agreed with a simple nod.
"So in that case… we better get to training!" Hau declared firmly as he clenched his right fist tightly, "You up for that, Eri?" he inquired of his cousin. She grinned, standing up from her seat.
"Of course, cuz," she remarked in reply, "After all, we gotta see who's stronger since we both beat Olivia…" she pointed out.
"G-Gassss…" Sandygast nervously stuttered, hoping not to end up having to battle as well…
OPENING
"High Hopes" by Panic! At the Disco
0:00 – 0:10 = Opens with Calvin and Erika getting their hats and shoes on before stepping outside a Pokémon Center to start their days on Akala Island.
0:11 – 0:34 = Continues with the twins running down a pathway, being joined by Hau, Paige, Pyrrha, and Trent as their respective starter Pokémon run alongside them. Meanwhile, Ash and Mirajane are out on the front porch of their vacation home with Pikachu, hoping for the best of their kids.
0:35 – 0:45 = Shows Calvin with Torracat, Gumshoos, Trumbeak, and Araquanid resting beneath a shady tree, with the Fire Cat Pokémon sleeping contently on her trainer's lap. Cubone is off to the side shattering rocks with his bone until Araquanid traps him in a Spider Web out of annoyance. Bounsweet bounces over and pushes Torracat away, fighting her for Calvin's affection
0:46 – 0:57 = Cuts to Erika training with Brionne and Lycanroc, while Fomantis is asleep on the sunny grass. It's only when Drifblim decides to float over her that she wakes up, mad that the Balloon Pokémon is blocking out the sunlight. Meanwhile, Oricorio is dancing off to the side as Magby watches in wonder.
0:58 – 1:10 = We see Calvin and Erika entering the Battle Royal Dome, awing the spectacle before they're introduced to the Masked Royal, who Calvin fawns over while Erika instantly recognizes him as Kukui in disguise, giving off a blank look.
1:11 – 1:33 = Calvin commands Torracat as she jumps into the ring, attacking Gladion's Null with Fire Fang. Erika's Brionne uses Aqua Jet to knock back Paige's Combusken into the ropes, followed by blasting her with Bubble Beam. Hau's Pikachu and Trent's Frogadier race each other with Quick Attack before they use Electro Ball and Water Pulse respectively, colliding their attacks with each other in a fierce explosion.
1:35 – 1:44 = Continues with Calvin and Erika going along and visiting the landmarks of Akala, seeing the Paniola Ranch, Brooklet Hill, Wela Volcano Park, the Lush Jungle, Konikoni City, the Ruins of Life, and the Hano Grand Resort. But as they journey on, Calvin notices that his sister is getting further ahead of him.
1:45 – 1:55 = Erika is then approached by Plumeria, whose Salandit climbs up her shoulder before they both smirk at her deviously.
1:56 – 2:18 = We then cut to scenes of Lana fishing at Brooklet Hill with her Araquanid, Kiawe overseeing his trial site atop Wela Volcano with his Alolan Marowak, and Mallow picking out ingredients alongside her Steenee. The scene changes to show Olivia and her Midnight Lycanroc turning around and grinning at the Ketchum twins, being a wall for them to overcome.
2:19 – 2:42 = Erika sends out her Brionne in rainy weather to face a Wishiwashi in his schooling form, while Calvin has Trumbeak use Pluck on a Lurantis.
2:43 – 3:12 – The opening closes off with the Ketchum twins standing with their respective teams, smiling at each other, though Torracat and Brionne scoff and look away. We then get a glimpse of Lillie and Nebby at the Ruins of Life, a scene of Tapu Lele floating about excitedly, and finally a scene featuring the Aether Foundation with Faba, Wicke, and Lusamine.
Evolving Strategies!
"So… would you like to have your rematch now?" Olivia inquired curiously to Calvin from the jewelry shop in Konikoni City. Needless to say, he was surprised at first since Nia had mentioned that the island kahuna likely wouldn't be able to take on any grand trials today. But since she herself was offering him the chance for a rematch, there was no way he was going to pass it up.
"Yeah, I'm ready for it," he replied as he balled his left hand into a confident fist, grinning eagerly. Olivia giggled.
"Well, we might not be able to garner an audience today…" she admitted as she glanced off to the side for a moment, "But I think I know the perfect place for our rematch," she told him.
"Huh?" he uttered in confusion as he blinked rapidly. A while later, he and the island kahuna were standing just outside of the entrance to the Ruins of Life. Nia was also present, standing off to the side between the two trainers. "So you were planning on paying respects to Tapu Lele today?" Calvin guessed. Olivia nodded in response.
"I wanted to thank it for helping save you and your Pokémon earlier," she said, "And I hadn't finished with my cleanup of the ruins…" she mentioned sheepishly, scratching at her right cheek, "That aside, I'm sure Tapu Lele will love getting to see a battle between the two of us, don't you think?" she questioned, pulling off an Ultra Ball from her belt as she enlarged it with a press of its center button.
"Yeah," Calvin agreed as a reply. Just like how Tapu Koko seemed to have chosen both him and his sister back on Melemele, now Tapu Lele was essentially supporting him now.
"Should I explain the rules again, Liv?" Nia wondered curiously with her hands at her hips, catching the island kahuna's attention. She merely shrugged as she grinned.
"Why not for old times' sake?" she questioned back in response. Letting out a sigh with a laugh, the referee stood up firmly.
"This grand trial rematch between Calvin the challenger and the island kahuna Olivia will now begin!" she announced, "Each side is allowed to use three Pokémon," she kept going, "and when one side's team is unable to continue, the match is over!" she exclaimed, "Furthermore, only the challenger may make any substitutions!" she mentioned. Olivia reeled her right arm back.
"Now it's time to see just how far your training's got you!" she yelled, launching the Ultra Ball forward in an instant, "Anorith, go!" she called out. The spherical container opened instantaneously, with the blue and white light coming out and spilling onto the ground. It came into form and dissipated to reveal the Old Shrimp Pokémon.
"Annhh!" he squeaked out, glaring towards Calvin. He grimaced a little.
'So she's using Anorith right from the get-go…' he realized inwardly, reaching down to his belt and pulling off a Poké Ball that he immediately enlarged by pressing its button, 'But that's fine by us!' he exclaimed through his thoughts.
"Marowak, come on out!" he shouted, side-arming the Poké Ball up into the air. It popped open, and the light that poured out of it formed upon the ground, dissipating to reveal the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon.
"Mah whoa!" he exclaimed, spinning his bone rapidly in both hands in front of himself. As both ends of his bone rubbed against his forehead, they ignited with green flames. Upon noticing who his opponent was, he growled.
"So your Cubone evolved!" Olivia noted excitedly, "Congratulations!" she complimented as she clapped her hands together.
"Thanks," Calvin replied with a grin, "And this time, we're not gonna lose!" he declared in addition.
"Wahkk!" Marowak agreed, tightening the grip he had on his enflamed bone. Olivia smirked.
"You might have gotten stronger…" she pointed out, "but we'll see if a Fire-type can handle my rugged little Anorith…" she noted with narrowed eyes.
"Let the battle… begin!" Nia exclaimed as she swung her right arm down.
"Marowak, Flame Wheel!" Calvin immediately commanded. Charging forward, the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon somersaulted before the flames from his bone erupted and surrounded his whole body in a fiery wheel, which rolled towards Anorith.
"Brine!" Olivia ordered as she stuck her right hand out. The Old Shrimp Pokémon lifted his head while digging his claws into the ground to hold his position, opening his mouth and firing off a stream of salty water. However, the enflamed Marowak evaded the incoming stream, continuing on his course towards his target before colliding with him in a fierce explosion.
"Ahhnnhhh…!" he gasped out, flying from the resulting smoke.
"Anorith!" Olivia screamed in shock.
"Now Bone Club!" Calvin ordered while pumping his right fist. Marowak leapt out from the smoke, reeling his bone back as the flames from it had vanished. Before Anorith could even do anything, he was whacked upside the head by his foe's bone, crashing into the ground hard in a flurry of dust.
"Annhhhno…" he groaned as the dirt cloud around him slowly managed to dissipate. Meanwhile, his trainer was stunned. She knew Calvin and his team would have improved prior to the rematch, but she never expected to be overwhelmed so quickly. It actually made her crack a grin.
"Anorith, Ancient Power!" she commanded. Preparing a sparkling sphere of silvery-white energy upon the tips of his claws, the Old Shrimp Pokémon fired it off towards Marowak.
"Counter it with Bonemerang!" Calvin instructed quickly with a swing of his left arm. Rearing his left arm back, Marowak flung his bone out, having it spin rapidly at the incoming sphere of energy. It collided with it fiercely, being at a deadlock with it. It then broke through instantaneously, still spinning towards Anorith. However, Olivia smirked.
"Knock it away with Brine!" she called out. Calvin lightly gasped. The Old Shrimp Pokémon lifted his head up and sprayed out another stream of salty water that struck the spinning bone, blowing it away as it clanked against the ground.
"Mah wahk…" Marowak uttered out in shock.
"Quick, get your bone!" Calvin insisted, snapping him out of his stupor as he hurried over to try and reclaim his bone.
"I don't think so!" Olivia exclaimed with a snap of her fingers, "Anorith, Ancient Power!" she commanded.
"Annh!" the Old Shrimp Pokémon squeaked, forming another sphere of sparkling, silvery-white energy upon the tips of his claws. He flung it out, letting it strike Marowak before he could even touch his bone.
"Marowak!" Calvin cried out, seeing the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon roll to a stop upon his stomach.
"Mahhroh…" he grunted out as he pushed himself up from the ground.
"Now Brine!" Olivia ordered as she stuck her left hand forward, closing it into a fist. Anorith lifted his head up and fired off another stream of salty water from his mouth. Just as Marowak had stood up, the water crashed over him hard. He struggled to maintain his footing as he started sliding back a few steps. Once the water finally ceased, he breathed heavily as what remained on his body dripped down onto the ground. His trainer grimaced a little.
'I knew this was going to be tough, especially since Marowak has a type disadvantage now that he's evolved…' he noted inwardly, looking out at his partner as he shook his head to rid himself of the water still upon him.
"Now Metal Claw!" Olivia commanded while swinging her right arm out. Both of Anorith's claws glowed a silvery white as he lunged towards his foe.
"Knock him away with Headbutt!" Calvin quickly called out.
"Wahk!" Marowak responded, rearing his head back. As soon as Anorith was close enough, he swung his cranium to the left, slamming it against him hard.
"Ahhhnnn!" the Old Shrimp Pokémon screeched, tumbling over across the ground.
"Anorith!" Olivia cried out.
"Now go get your bone!" Calvin advised. With a nod, Marowak hurried over to grab his weapon.
"Stop him with Brine!" Olivia instructed. As Anorith shook his head to regain himself, he quickly sprayed out another stream of salty water. However, Marowak reclaimed the bone and somersaulted out of the way of the incoming water, standing up as he glared at his foe.
"Now Bonemerang!" his trainer commanded.
"Mahhh… roh!" the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon yelled out as he flung his bone out, having it spin rapidly towards his target.
"Knock it away with Brine!" Olivia shouted quickly. Anorith sprayed a salty stream of water from his mouth again, but it failed to stop the bone in time as it struck him head on, sending him flying back as he screeched in pain. "Anorith!" his trainer screamed.
"Now use Bone Club!" Calvin ordered, pumping his right fist out fiercely. Taking hold of his bone as it returned to his right hand, Marowak leapt towards his opponent and struck him with it hard. He was sent tumbling across the ground upon impact, rolling to a stop upon his stomach.
"Annnhhh…" he groaned in agony, shaking his head in an attempt to regain himself.
"Finish him off with Flame Wheel!" Calvin commanded as he swung both of his arms back. Spinning his bone out and rubbing its ends against his forehead, the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon ignited his weapon in greenish flames. They then erupted, cloaking his body in a wheel of green fire as he started rolling to his foe.
"Use Brine!" Olivia quickly ordered. Though riddled with scrapes from the abundance of attacks he had taken, Anorith lifted his head up and fired off one more stream of salty water from his mouth. It struck the incoming wheel of fire, causing steam to erupt from it. But it pushed through the water, striking the Old Shrimp Pokémon in a fierce explosion of white smoke. Both trainers watched on nervously as the veil had yet to subside. All of a sudden, a figure jumped back out of it.
"Wahk!" Marowak exclaimed as he landed down, flashing his trainer a thumbs up. He chuckled in relief. Meanwhile, the steam finally cleared to reveal Anorith lying upon the ground in a daze, having swirls in his eyes.
"Annhhhno…" he groaned out.
"Anorith is unable to battle!" Nia announced as she raised her left arm up, "Marowak wins!" she exclaimed, gesturing towards the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon.
"Mah, wok!" he chanted happily, spinning his enflamed bone around excitedly. Calvin grinned.
'Looks like we're starting off on the right foot,' he inwardly realized, seeing Olivia return Anorith to his Ultra Ball in a beam of red light, thanking him for his efforts, 'I wonder who she'll use next though…' he said to himself, balling his right hand into a fist nervously as beads of sweat were forming upon his face. After putting the spherical container onto her belt, the island kahuna pulled out another one and enlarged it with a press of its center button.
"Let's go, Probopass!" she cried out, flinging the Ultra Ball up into the air. It popped open, and the light that came out from it formed in midair. It dissipated soon afterwards to reveal the Compass Pokémon.
"Prrohh…" she hummed out as she hovered over the ground.
"Probopass, huh?" Calvin uttered, grimacing slightly.
"Mah roh!" Marowak challenged, steadying his bone in both of his hands.
X
"Pikachu, Electro Ball!" Hau commanded as he swung his left arm out.
"Magby, Flame Burst!" Erika ordered while pumping her right fist forward. The Mouse Pokémon was preparing an orb of yellow electricity upon the tip of his lightning bolt-like tail, swinging it out to launch it along the sandy ground. Meanwhile, Magby puffed his chest out and fired off a searing fireball from his mouth. Both attacks collided in a fierce explosion, blowing sand about the area. Both Hau and Erika grinned excitedly, enjoying their current bout.
"Bree, breeon!" Brionne cheered from afar, clapping her flippers. She was amongst Lycanroc, Fomantis, and Drifblim, watching the match alongside Hau's Pokémon. However, Sandygast was hiding behind a tree, too afraid to witness the battle.
"Now Quick Attack!" the ponytailed boy commanded. Outlining himself in white, Pikachu dashed forward in an instant towards his foe.
"Dodge and use Feint Attack!" Erika instructed quickly. Leaping out at his incoming opponent, Magby seemingly reeled his right arm back for a punch. But it turned out to be a feint as he kicked Pikachu in the face with his right foot, sending him tumbling back across the sand.
"Pee kahh…" he growled out in frustration, shaking his head to rid himself of the sand upon his body.
"Not bad, Eri!" Hau complimented with a wide grin, "Your Magby's awesome!" he mentioned.
"Thanks!" his cousin replied, "Pikachu hasn't gotten rusty either!" she added with a giggle.
"Kahh…" the Mouse Pokémon growled, glaring down his foe as he kept a ready stance.
"Mahg bee!" Magby squeaked, breathing out a puff of fire. Peeking out from the tree he was hiding behind, Sandygast watched as the two battlers continued to clash with attacks of electricity and fire respectively. As scared as he was about having to train someday, he was also drawn to unlocking his future potential. It excited him a little.
"Blimm?" a familiar voice squeaked, catching his attention as he noticed a shadow being cast over him. It originated from Drifblim, who was floating right above him with a happy look on his face. However, it didn't make Sandygast any less intimidated of his size.
"G-G-G-Gasss…" he stuttered out, "GAAAAAASSSSSSS!" he shrieked, scurrying away. His scream caused Magby and Pikachu to stop their battle as their trainers looked over to see the frightened Sand Heap Pokémon. He was pretty much scared of anyone that came close to him, big or small.
"Is your Sandygast okay?" Hau wondered curiously, arching an eyebrow.
"Huh…" Erika sighed, "I had a feeling he'd be like this…" she admitted as she put her hands onto her hips. She then walked over as the Sand Heap Pokémon was cowering under a beach chair, tearing up in fright. "Hey, it's okay…" his trainer quietly assured, "No one's gonna hurt you," she promised.
"S-Sah…?" Sandygast stammered, slowly inching his way out from under the chair.
"Sandygast are normally lurking on beachezzz for wandererzzz to find," Rotom explained as it floated over.
"How come?" Erika asked, arching an eyebrow. The Pokédex pulled up an image of the Sand Heap Pokémon upon its screen.
"It'zzz said that people who accidentally touch a Sandygast'zzz shovel end up possessed by one," it told her, "And then they use those people to add more sand to their bodies so they can grow," it mentioned thoroughly.
"Whoa…" Erika uttered out. And now she was curious about this form of possession her Sandygast was said to have. She reached her right hand out to touch his shovel…
"GAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSS!" he shrieked in fright, quickly scurrying away to hide behind a tree.
"…Huh?" his trainer said in confusion with a tilt of her head.
"Were you trying to get possessed, zzt?" Rotom bluntly asked out of annoyance.
"Well… I thought he'd want someone to give him more sand!" Erika claimed as a retort.
"Man, that's weird…" Hau admitted, letting his Pikachu hop up onto his shoulder.
"Pee, kah chu ha," the Mouse Pokémon agreed as he nodded.
"I think Sandygast doezzzn't want to take control of anyone zzzince he'zzz so timid, zzt," Rotom suggested as an explanation.
"Hmmm…" Erika hummed out of concern. The Sand Heap Pokémon certainly wasn't living up to his name as a supposedly creepy creature lurking on the beach and awaiting his next victim… He himself was the one who was scared instead of everyone else.
"Hey, let's head back to the hotel and get some drinks!" Hau insisted suddenly, catching everyone's attention, "I'm parched!" he mentioned, patting his stomach.
"Pee, peekah!" Pikachu squeaked in agreement.
"Sure thing," Erika replied after a moment. The two trial-goers returned their Pokémon to their respective Poké Balls, save for Pikachu and Sandygast. The former stayed mounted upon Hau's shoulder as he jogged off towards the hotel building nearby. Meanwhile, Erika approached the Sand Heap Pokémon again, crouching down to his eye level.
"G-Gass?" he stammered out, looking to see her there.
"I think you're gonna be great someday," she assured to him, "So you've got nothing to worry about," she promised, giving him a bright smile.
"Gassuu…" Sandygast uttered, widening his pebble-like eyes.
"Come on, let's get some drinks and a snack back at the hotel," she insisted of him. For once, the Sand Heap Pokémon managed to smile.
"Gassu!" he replied, following her as quickly as he could. By the time they arrived at the hotel, they noticed Hau standing just outside of the snack shop.
"Hey!" Erika called out, catching his attention as he looked over to see her jog over with Rotom and Sandygast beside her, "I thought you were gonna buy something without me…" she pointed out with a curious tilt of her head.
"Well, I was about to…" her cousin started to reply, "but then I noticed that going on…" he pointed out, gesturing off to the side.
"Huh?" Erika uttered, looking over to see two women carrying golf bags with a Machamp at the west corner of the lobby.
"Oh my, you've got such strong muscles!" one of the women complimented, wearing a pink and white-striped outfit with a white visor.
"Would you please be our caddy on the course today?" the other one requested sweetly, donning a yellow outfit with tinted sunglasses over her eyes. Erika noticed how uncomfortable the Machamp seemed, sweating a little. It looked as if he didn't want to help the two women, but it also seemed like they weren't going to give him much of a choice.
"We should probably stay out of that…" Hau advised as he scratched at his cheek.
"No way!" his cousin defiantly responded with a shake of her head, "If that was your Pokémon, wouldn't you wanna help?" she asked of him, much to his surprise as he blinked, "Anyways, I'm goin' over there!" she declared, jogging towards the two women and the Machamp.
"Ah, Eri!" Hau cried out.
"Wait for us, zzt!" Rotom buzzed, floating after her.
"We better hurry before the course gets filled up, Tara," the spectacled woman insisted.
"Yeah," her friend agreed, holding up her golf bag by its strap in her right hand, "You can carry these, Machamp," she offered to the Superpower Pokémon. He seemed somewhat strained, slowly trying to lift his lower arms up to grab their bags. And before he could take hold of them…
"Hey!" Erika yelled, catching their attentions as they turned to see her there, "Don't make that Machamp do the heavy lifting for you!" she demanded of them, "He looks tired, ya know!" she pointed out.
"Huh?" Tara uttered in confusion, tipping up her visor, "What the heck's your problem?" she wondered with a tilt of her head.
"This big guy's more than happy to help us out," the other woman assured, gesturing towards the Machamp, "Aren't you?" she asked of him. He didn't respond, nor did he motion that he was okay with things.
"Look, you ladies are strong I bet…" Erika noted as Hau and Rotom ventured over, "Why not just carry your bags yourselves?" she suggested, putting her hands onto her hips.
"Ah!" Tara gasped, "What a rude girl!" she remarked bluntly, much to the pigtailed trial-goer's surprise, "Tina, have you ever met someone so uncouth?" she asked of her friend.
"Not in my life…" she answered with a shake of her head, "This little one has no sense of dignity!" she exclaimed.
"…Huh?" Erika uttered out, completely perplexed by their demeanor. Hau let out a sigh.
"My mom tells me there are people so stuck-up like this…" he grumbled out, "I just think we should leave this be…" he insisted to Erika.
"And now you're trying to just walk away after insulting us?!" Tina spouted out angrily, "The sheer nerve!" she yelled. The whole argument was being overheard by many of the guests in the hotel, including the staff.
"Pee ka, peekah…" Pikachu huffed in annoyance.
"G-Gassuu…" Sandygast stuttered as he cowered behind his trainer's left leg.
"Listen, we're not trying to start a fight…" Erika claimed as she waved her hands to the two golfers in a placating manner, "We just don't want that Machamp doing something he's totally not comfortable with…" she pointed out, looking over at the Superpower Pokémon as he was sweating somewhat profusely.
"A little brat like you needs to be taught a lesson…" Tara stated in response as she pulled out and enlarged a Great Ball.
"Yeah," Tina agreed, readying her own.
"Wh-What?!" Erika stuttered as she stepped back, "You wanna battle us?!" she asked, blinking rapidly out of shock.
"Why not?" Tara asked back, "If we beat you, you'll leave us be with our muscly caddy!" she declared with a grin.
"Now we're talking!" Hau exclaimed as he stepped forward, standing beside his cousin, "If it's a battle you ladies want, we'll give it to ya!" he vowed firmly, "We're not island challengers for nothin'!" he mentioned with a cheeky grin.
"Hau…" his cousin uttered out in surprise, followed by letting off her own smile.
"Hmph," Tina scoffed, "Trial-goers or not, you'll be blown back by our Pokémon!" she yelled out, reeling her arm back.
"Go, Oricorio!" both she and Tara exclaimed as they tossed their Great Balls upwards. They popped open, and the lights that spilled onto the floor from them came into form, dissipating to reveal two of the Dancing Pokémon. One was in the Pom-Pom style, while the other one was in the Pa'u style.
"Koree~!" they both chirped out, spreading their wings excitedly.
"Two Oricorio, huh?" Hau noted as he rubbed his nose, "Well, we're ready!" he exclaimed, "Pikachu, go!" he called out.
"Pee kah!" the Mouse Pokémon squeaked as he jumped out and landed on the floor.
"Huh…" Erika sighed in annoyance, "Guess it can't be helped…" she realized, about to grab a Poké Ball from her belt.
"G-G-Gass!" Sandygast suddenly stuttered out, catching her attention as she looked down to see him inch out from behind her feet, "Gassuuu…" he managed to squeak.
"I think Sandygast wantzzz to battle!" Rotom buzzed in exclamation.
"Do you?" Erika asked of the Sand Heap Pokémon, crouching down to his eye level.
"G-G-Gaasss!" he stuttered in response, nodding to her. She cracked a grin.
"Okay, go for it!" she yelled as she pumped her right fist forward.
"G-Gass!" Sandygast stammered as he slid himself across the floor, ending up beside Pikachu.
"My goodness, that rude girl thinks she can beat us with that?!" Tara exclaimed out of disgust.
"How dare you mock us!" Tina shouted angrily.
"G-Gasss…" Sandygast squeaked out meekly as he cowered behind Pikachu, who blinked in surprise.
"Kah?" he uttered in confusion with a tilt of his head.
"You sure you wanted to use Sandygast, Eri?" Hau asked his cousin while rubbing the back of his head with a perplexed look on his face.
"He'll be fine!" she assured in response, "Rotodex, what are Sandygast's moves?" she questioned to the Pokédex.
"One zzzecond, Erika!" it buzzed in reply, loading up the data upon its screen, "Sandygast'zzz movezzz are Astonish, Mega Drain, ZZZand Tomb, and Hypnosizzz!" it listed off quickly.
'Not many moves that can attack, huh?' the Ketchum girl inwardly noted, 'Well, we can make it work!' she confidently told herself, balling her hands into fists.
"Since you so rudely challenged us, we'll make the first move!" Tara declared as she pumped her right fist forward. Tina did the same.
"Use Air Cutter!" they both commanded. The pink feathers upon the Pa'u-styled Oricorio's wings glowed a bright blue, as did the pom-pom-like feathers on her teammate's. They both flapped them rapidly to unleash blue, x-shaped blades of air towards their two foes.
"Dodge and use Quick Attack on the yellow one!" Hau quickly instructed to Pikachu.
"Cha!" he squeaked in response with a grin, dashing forward in an instant as his body was outlined in a whitish energy. He weaved through the incoming blades of air, which were heading right for Sandygast.
"SAAAAAAHHHHH!" he shrieked in fright.
"Stay calm, Sandygast!" his trainer cried out assuredly, "Block them off with Sand Tomb!" she yelled.
"G-Gassuu!" the Sand Heap Pokémon squeaked nervously, making his eyes glow a bright orange. All of a sudden, a small tornado of sand formed in front of his body, blocking off each and everyone one of the x-shaped blades of air.
"No way!" Tara exclaimed in disbelief. At that moment, Pikachu slammed head on into the Pom-Pom-styled Oricorio's chest, knocking her back.
"Nice one, Pikachu!" his trainer complimented with a pump of his right fist, "Now use Thunderbolt!" he commanded. Leaping up as his cheeks began sparking wildly with electricity before his body became enveloped in yellow lightning.
"Kahhh… CHUUUUUUUUU!" he screamed, firing off a bolt of lightning that fiercely struck the Pom-Pom-styled Oricorio.
"REEEEEE!" she shrieked in agony as she was caught up in a powerful explosion afterwards.
"Ah, Oricorio!" Tina exclaimed out of fright. Tara gritted her teeth angrily.
"Revelation Dance!" she commanded to her Dancing Pokémon.
"Koree!" she chirped in responded making the feathers at the tips of her wings glow a bright pink before bringing them together to fire off an orb of pink energy forwards. Pikachu managed to spin out of the way in time, but it ended up hitting Sandygast in a blast of white smoke.
"Sandygast!" Erika cried out. Thankfully, the smoke cleared to reveal that the Sand Heap Pokémon was okay, though he was whimpering frightfully.
"Yikes…" Hau uttered, "Pikachu, watch out for that move next time!" he yelled to his partner.
"Ka!" the Mouse Pokémon squeaked in response.
"Rotodex, what the heck was that move anyway?" Erika asked of the Pokédex, catching its attention.
"Revelation Dance!" it answered, "It'zzz a move that only an Oricorio can learn and variezzz between each of their formzzz!" it mentioned to her.
'So the one that the Pa'u-styled Oricorio used was a Psychic-type attack…' she inwardly realized, looking back at the pair of Dancing Pokémon, 'And the other one's definitely an Electric-type attack…" she noted to herself, letting off a grin as she remembered something.
"Let's put on some more pressure, Hau!" she insisted of her cousin, who blinked in surprise before pulling off his own smile.
"Yeah!" he agreed, "Pikachu, Quick Attack on the pink one!" he ordered as he swung his left arm out.
"Peekah!" the Mouse Pokémon replied, dashing forward as he was outlined in white.
"Counter him with Double Slap!" Tara shouted. Her Oricorio had the tips of her wings shine a bright white, reeling her right one back in an attempt to smack her incoming foe. However, he leapt over her wing and landed behind her. Before she could even attempt to turn around, Pikachu slammed right into her back, sending her flying forward.
"Nice!" Hau exclaimed as he pumped his left fist, "Your turn, Eri!" he called out to his cousin, who nodded.
"Sandygast, Astonish!" she commanded. As the Pa'u-styled Oricorio landed on the ground upon her stomach, she looked up to see the back of the Sand Heap Pokémon.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUU!" he suddenly screamed as he whipped around with his eyes glowing a bright purple.
"REEEEEEEEE!" Oricorio shrieked out of fright, shooting up onto her feet. A black, ghastly aura then shot out from Sandygast's body, striking the Pa'u-styled Dancing Pokémon as she tumbled back.
"Oricorio, no!" Tara exclaimed, letting off a growl as she turned to her friend, "Hey, help us out here!" she demanded of her.
"Excuse me?!" she shouted back, sounding offended, "We're having our own troubles, thank you!" she sarcastically pointed out with vigor in her tone.
"Koreee!" her Dancing Pokémon chirped as she stood back up, catching her trainer's attention.
"Use Revelation Dance!" she commanded with a confident grin.
"Reereereeeee~!" the Pom-Pom-styled Oricorio chanted, rubbing her feathers together to make electricity build up and spark upon them. She then fired off an orb of yellowish energy that zoomed towards Pikachu.
"Dodge and use Electro Ball!" Hau instructed quickly. The Mouse Pokémon leapt up to evade the incoming sphere of yellow energy as it crashed against the ground in a flurry of dust. He then had an orb of sparking yellow electricity form upon the tip of his tail.
"Peeka, peekah…" he started to bellow, spinning himself around, "Chu, PEEKAHHH!" he exclaimed, flinging the orb of electricity out at his target. Before the Pom-Pom-styled Oricorio could do anything, she was struck by the orb in a fierce blast.
"Kyaahh!" Tina shrieked as her Dancing Pokémon fell down to the ground with swirls in her eyes, "Tara, do something!" she begged of her female friend.
"Shut up! We're working on it!" she shouted back to her, "Oricorio, Air Cutter!" she commanded.
"Ree!" her Dancing Pokémon chirped, making the feathers upon the tips of her wings glow a bright blue as she reeled them back.
"Sandygast, use Hypnosis!" Erika called out quickly. Without warning, the Sand Heap Pokémon appeared in front of the Pa'u-styled Oricorio. He made his eyes glow in a multicolored light as he stared into his foe's.
"Ree…" she tiredly squawked as her eyelids drooped. She fell down as her eyes shut, snoozing contently on the floor.
"What?!" Tara exclaimed in disbelief.
"Nice move, Eri!" Hau complimented with a thumbs up to his cousin, "We'll wrap things up from here with a Thunderbolt!" he called out, pumping his fist up into the air. His Pikachu leapt up, letting his cheeks spark with electricity again.
"Peee… kaaahhh… CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" he exclaimed, enveloping himself in lightning and shooting down a bolt at the sleeping Oricorio. It hit, zapping her as she was rudely awakened, shrieking before becoming caught up in a blast.
"Oricorio!" Tara screamed. When the smoke subsided, it revealed her Dancing Pokémon lying on the floor in a daze as her eyes were in swirls.
"Alright!" Erika and Hau yelled out happily, sharing a high five with each other.
"Peekah!" Pikachu squeaked with delight, running over to Sandygast, who flinched in surprise, "Cha?" the Mouse Pokémon offered, holding his left hand out to the mound-like creature. Staring at the appendage, Sandygast's face slowly formed into a smile before he tapped his stubby arm against Pikachu's hand.
"How did we just lose…?" Tina wondered aloud as she and Tara returned the two Oricorio to their respective Great Balls.
"It's because your Oricorio couldn't land a single attack!" her friend argued, causing her to perk up in surprise.
"Oh please, like yours did any better!" Tina shouted back. As the two of them bickered, the Machamp standing behind them didn't seem to change his expression. In fact, Erika noticed that something was… odd about the Superpower Pokémon. He hadn't said a thing during the whole exchange…
"What's going on here?" a familiar voice asked, causing everyone to glance over to see Kahili approach. Trotting alongside her was an Oricorio, though different from the ones Erika had already met. He was covered in red feathers with two lines of black feathers across each of his wings and tail. His plumage resembled a frilly flamenco dress. On the back of his head was a white ball with thin, spiraled extensions on either side that resembled earrings. His eyelids were purple, and he had a long tail.
"Kahili!" Erika yelped in surprise. She nervously looked around the lobby. Thankfully, the only area that was seemingly damaged from the battle was floor on which the Pokémon fought.
"Hello, Erika," she greeted with a smile, "Seems like you got yourself into a little bit of a mess…" she pointed out, noticing the damage to the immediate area.
"Kor, koree," her Oricorio squawked in agreement.
"Uh, it wasn't our fault!" Erika assured as she raised up her hands in a placating manner, "Not totally…" she corrected while nervously glancing off to the side.
"Yeah, those ladies were trying to get that tired Machamp to carry their bags for them," Hau pointed out to her. She looked over and blinked in surprise before letting off a sigh.
"Tara and Tina, huh?" she grumbled out.
"You know them?" Erika inquired, arching an eyebrow.
"They're my rivals in golf matches…" Kahili responded with a nod, "And they tend to be a little more overdramatic than most…" she mentioned out of annoyance, seeing the two women leave in a huff with their bags in hand as the Machamp remained where he was. Again, his expression didn't change. And Kahili noticed. "Wait a minute…" she said, walking over to the Superpower Pokémon with her Oricorio.
"Miss Kahili?" Erika uttered in confusion, following her over with Hau and Rotom behind her. The golfer carefully inspected the Machamp, narrowing her eyes and putting her hand onto her chin.
"Huh…" she sighed deeply afterwards, "What are you doing here, Adrian?" she asked, placing both of her hands onto her hips.
"Huh?" Hau uttered in confusion, while his cousin blinked. All of a sudden…
"Those kids chased away my big score!" the Machamp exclaimed, though his mouth didn't move…
"A-A talking Machamp, zzt?!" Rotom stuttered out in disbelief, while Erika and Hau's mouths gaped open.
"Nope," Kahili responded, "Though he's definitely not a Pokémon either," she pointed out to them.
"Hey, I'm not exactly comfortable in this suit, ya know!" the Machamp yelled to her.
"Why are you even in that suit anyway?" she asked.
"Well…" the costumed man began, "the ladies 'round here all started to remember my face whenever I offered to caddy for 'em…" he told her, "so I decided to disguise myself as a Machamp to bring in some more!" he stated, "I didn't expect the costume to be so heavy though…" he grumbled in admittance.
"As usual Adrian, you have no class…" Kahili muttered, "I'm glad I turned you down to be my caddy that time…" she confessed bluntly.
"Oh come on, Kahili…" the costumed man pleaded as he managed to step towards her, "I wouldn't have been that bad-"
"KORR!" Oricorio suddenly squawked, jumping up and pecking at the man's head.
"OWOWOWOWOW!" he yelped in pain over and over.
"You are completely hopeless…" Kahili grumbled out, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"So… it was just some guy in a costume…" Hau realized as he blinked rapidly. However, his cousin was more focused on the Oricorio as her eyes shook with interest.
"Rotodex, what form of Oricorio is that?" she asked of her Pokédex.
"The Baile ZZZtyle, zzt!" it replied, pulling up an image of the Dancing Pokémon upon its screen, "Oricorio, the Dancing Pokémon," it began, "This Oricorio has sipped red nectar. His passionate dance moves cause his enemies to combust in both body and mind. If his trainer gives the wrong order, this passionate Pokémon becomes fiercely angry," it explained thoroughly, "He's also a Fire and Flying-type now, zzt!" it mentioned.
"Cool…!" Erika said, balling her fists excitedly.
"Now would you kindly leave before I ask security to escort you out?" Kahili requested of Adrian, keeping her hands at her hips.
"All right, fine!" he replied, managing to raise his hands up in a placating manner, "Sheesh…" he muttered out as he trudged off.
"Well, I guess all's well that ends well…" Erika remarked as she crouched down to Sandygast, "Great job!" she complimented, catching his attention as he turned to face her, "With more training, you'll be able to fight plenty in the future!" she vowed to him as she pumped her fists. Sandygast blinked in surprise before nodding.
"Gassuu!" he agreed.
"And you know what?" Hau suddenly question, catching her attention as she turned to him, "I think now's the perfect time for this," he said, taking his backpack off and unzipping it open.
"What are you talking about?" his cousin asked, arching an eyebrow. After rummaging through his bag for a moment with his right hand, Hau pulled out something: a green stone with a yellow lightning bolt inside of it.
"Oh, a Thunder Stone!" Kahili noted upon seeing the gem, "So you're going to evolve your Pikachu, hm?" she guessed.
"Yep!" Hau answered, crouching down to the Mouse Pokémon's eye level, "You finally to surf the waves, bud?" he asked of him.
"Kah!" he squeaked in response with a nod. His trainer handed him the Thunder Stone, which he took into both of his hands. After a few seconds, he started to glow in a bright blue light. Everyone stepped back, looking on in amazement. Pikachu's ears rounded out, while his tail lengthened. His arms became stubby as he started floating up from the ground.
"Whoa…" Erika uttered out in amazement. The light finally subsided, revealing the completed evolution. He was now a Raichu, though much different than the ones the Ketchum girl remembered. He had lighter coloring and more rounded features. His eyes were blue with yellow half-circles along the bottom. He also had large yellow ears with an inner spiral toward the base and brown on the inside. His ears were thicker and less pointed than a standard Raichu's. In addition to his white belly, he had white markings on his paws with bright yellow lines between his digits. The stripes on his back had also turned white, and there was a small, white circular marking on each heel. The lightning bolt-shaped tip of his tail had rounded edges.
"Ry!" he squeaked as a greeting.
"Sweet!" his trainer exclaimed, going over and embracing the evolved Alolan Mouse Pokémon, "Good to meet ya, Raichu!" he greeted happily.
"Ryryy!" he replied.
"So Raichu has an Alolan form…" Erika noted curiously.
"Yep!" Rotom buzzed in reply, bringing up an image of the Alolan Mouse Pokémon upon its screen, "Raichu, the Mouse Pokémon, Alolan Form," it began, "He uses psychokinesis to control electricity. He hops aboard his own tail, using psychic power to lift the tail and move about while riding it. When you rub his cheeks, a sweet fragrance comes wafting out. However, you'll also get a light shock!" it explained thoroughly.
"Wait… he's a Psychic-type now?!" Erika questioned out of disbelief.
"Mm-hmm," Kahili answered with a nod, "The Raichu of Alola are well-known to be psychically adept compared to their Kantonian counterparts," she mentioned to her.
"And with Raichu, we're gonna finish the island challenge before anyone else!" Hau declared in addition.
"Ryy!" Raichu excitedly agreed. Erika smiled at their enthusiasm. But she was going to do her best to clear the island challenge, too. And hopefully, so was her brother…
X
"Prohh…" Probopass hummed from back on the Akala Outskirts as she and Marowak stared each other down. Calvin wiped the sweat forming on his cheek with his right hand.
'Probopass is a Rock and Steel-type, so Ground-type moves'll work best…' he inwardly noted.
"Marowak, Bonemerang!" he commanded as he swung his left arm out.
"Mah, wakkk!" the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon yelled, flinging his bone as it spun towards his foe. However, Olivia cracked a grin.
"Use Magnet Rise!" she instructed.
"Proh, pahhh…" Probopass hummed, making sparks of yellow electricity emit from her body before she started floating up, evading the bone as it spun by.
"Ah!" Calvin gasped.
"Now Power Gem!" Olivia ordered. The Compass Pokémon had a sphere of sparkling energy appear at the tip of her nose, followed by her firing off a pale pink beam surrounded by a white aura towards her opponent. It struck him fiercely in a powerful blast, blowing him back as he tumbled along the grass.
"Marowak!" Calvin cried out.
"Mahh…" the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon groaned as he pushed himself up, catching his bone as it returned to him.
"Pro, pass," Probopass remarked while floating down.
'Ground-type moves won't work when Probopass uses Magnet Rise…' Calvin realized, gritting his teeth in frustration.
"Flame Wheel!" he ordered.
"Wahk!" Marowak responded, rushing forwards. He spun his bone rapidly out in front of himself, having its ends rub against his forehead to ignite. As the green flames grew and enveloped him, he somersaulted, rolling in a wheel of fire towards his foe.
"Magnet Bomb!" Olivia commanded. Multiple light blue orbs of energy appeared in front of Probopass' face, which she subsequently launched. The first two were easily evaded by the rolling Marowak, but the others struck, causing him to trip up and fall onto his stomach as the flames dissipated around him.
"Marowak!" his trainer cried out in fright.
"Now Power Gem!" Olivia ordered as she stuck her right hand out. As the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon was slowly pushing himself to his feet, he looked up and widened his eyes too late to see the pale pink beam of light outlined by a sparkling white aura. It struck him fiercely in an explosion of black smoke. Calvin grimaced. It took a moment for the veil to clear, but once it did, it revealed Marowak lying on the ground, still clutching his bone as his eyes were in swirls. Nia quickly ran over to assess the result.
"Marowak is unable to battle!" she announced, raising her left arm up, "Probopass wins!" she exclaimed.
"Prohh!" the Compass Pokémon hummed happily.
"Huh…" Calvin sighed, taking out Marowak's Poké Ball, "Marowak, take a good rest," he insisted of the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon, returning him to the container in a beam of red light, "Thanks for all your hard work," he said in gratitude, putting the Poké Ball away after shrinking it.
'I promise I won't let it go to waste,' he firmly vowed through his thoughts, taking out another container and enlarging it with a press of its center button.
"Steenee, let's go!" he called out, tossing the Poké Ball up into the air. It popped open, and the light that came forth poured onto the ground and dissipated to reveal the Fruit Pokémon.
"Nee!" she huffed, placing her stubby hands onto her hips as she glared ahead at Probopass.
"Ah, that's the Steenee I saw you with earlier!" Olivia remembered, giggling a little, "I'm looking forward to seeing how she battles!" she mentioned with anticipation.
"Neee…" the Fruit Pokémon growled, puffing out her cheeks.
"Let's put the pressure on right away, Steenee!" Calvin insisted, "Use Magical Leaf!" he commanded, pumping his right fist forward.
"Stee!" she replied, leaping up as her rounded hands became enveloped by bright green orbs of light. She swung them around before bringing them together to fire off a flurry of light green glowing leaves. They flew out and struck Probopass head on, pushing her back slightly.
"Prohh…" she hummed out, seemingly unfazed. Olivia snapped her fingers.
"Tri Attack!" she ordered. The Compass Pokémon had the Mini-Noses upon her body detach and float around her. All of a sudden, each of them unleashed a beam of flames, lightning, and icy blue light respectively towards their target.
"Use Rapid Spin to dodge!" Calvin instructed quickly. Steenee stood on only her tapered right leg as she spun around, leaping over and evading the trio of beams fired onto her as they struck nothing but the ground. "Now Double Slap!" her trainer yelled. The tips of the Fruit Pokémon's sepals glowed a bright white as she lunged out at Probopass, smacking her again and again with them. She didn't seem all that fazed still though…
'It doesn't seem like we're really getting anywhere…' Calvin inwardly noted, clenching his fists tightly, 'There's gotta be some way for us to get through Probopass' defenses!' he told himself.
"Now Magnet Bomb!" Olivia commanded. More orbs of blue, sparking energy appeared around the Compass Pokémon before she fired them off at her foe. Steenee leapt away from the first few, but the others managed to all converge and strike her in a fierce blast.
"Neee!" she yelped as landed on the ground hard upon her back.
"Steenee!" her trainer cried out, "Are you okay?!" he asked out of concern, seeing her slowly sit back up, shaking her head to regain herself.
"Stee, steee!" she squeaked assuredly, hopping up to her feet. Cavlin breathed out a sigh of relief, but his expression remained serious. His mind raced with thoughts, trying to determine a solution. And then he looked at Probopass' large nose. He blinked in realization, cracking a confident smile.
"Steenee, charge in and use Sweet Scent!" he instructed, catching her attention.
"Neee…?" she uttered out in confusion, unsure of what her trainer was planning. But she adhered to the order, dashing towards her foe.
"Power Gem!" Olivia commanded. Probopass had a sphere of pale pink energy form on the tip of her nose, having a sparkling white aura outlining it. She then fired a beam of that same light forwards. Steenee ducked under it though, sliding across the grass she found herself right underneath the Compass Pokémon's nose.
"Steee… neeee!" she exclaimed, unleashing a wave of pink mist that found its way up Probopass' nostrils.
"P-P-Prohhhhh…" she stuttered out as her eyes started to become more relaxed and dazed.
"Probopass!" Olivia cried out in shock.
"Now Magical Leaf!" Calvin commanded. Getting to her feet, Steenee leapt up as a greenish light shrouded her rounded hands. She brought them together to form an orb of energy before firing off a flurry of green glowing leaves. They struck Probopass from behind, enveloping her in a cloud of grey smoke.
"Prohh… pahhh…" she groaned out, trying to regain herself.
"Stay calm, Probopass!" Olivia advised, "Use Magnet Bomb!" she ordered as she swung her right arm out.
"Magical Leaf, again!" Calvin commanded quickly. As orbs of blue light were launched out from the smoke towards her, Steenee fired off another flurry of green glowing leaves. Both attacks passed each other, striking their intended targets in fierce explosions. Calvin and Olivia grimaced, wondering what resulted from the blast. The smoke had yet to clear as Nia watched on carefully. Once it finally did, it revealed Steenee standing up with scrapes along her body, while Probopass was lying down upon the ground on her side. Swirls were in her eyes.
"Probopass is unable to battle!" Nia announced, raising her right arm up, "Steenee wins!" she exclaimed, gesturing towards the Fruit Pokémon.
"Alright!" Calvin yelled excitedly with a pump of his fist.
"Nee," Steenee huffed proudly, skipping back over to her trainer while passing by the fainted Probopass. Olivia returned the Compass Pokémon to her Ultra Ball in a beam of red light.
"Thanks for all your hard work, Probopass," she said in gratitude, shrinking the container with a press of its button and putting it back onto her belt, "I'm impressed, Calvin!" she complimented, catching his attention, "Your training's certainly proved fruitful as of now," she pointed out, readying one more Ultra Ball as she enlarged it in her hand, "But you've still one sturdy wall left to overcome…" she noted, narrowing her eyes and grinning. Calvin steadied himself. He knew who that metaphorical wall was.
Olivia tossed her Ultra Ball up into the air. It popped open, with its blue and white light spilling forth onto the ground. It formed and then dissipated to reveal her Lycanroc, who sneered wickedly.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he roared out.
"Neee…" Steenee growled, taking a ready stance. With a deep breath, Calvin steeled himself.
'We'll overcome this wall… and move forward!' he inwardly declared.
X
The tension was thick as Steenee and Lycanroc stared each other down, carefully stalking one another while waiting for their trainers' commands. They too were eyeing the upcoming battle with anxiety. Even though Calvin knew that Steenee had a type advantage, he also knew how tenacious Lycanroc was. And winning especially wouldn't be easy since the Fruit Pokémon had been weakened in the battle prior.
"Start things off with Magical Leaf!" the Ketchum boy commanded. Making a green light emit from her rounded hands, Steenee swung them around before bringing them together to form an orb of energy that unleashed several glowing leaves of the same shining color. They flew out towards Lycanroc… who didn't move! "Huh?" Calvin uttered in confusion. Olivia cracked a smirk.
"Fire Fang!" she ordered, causing the trial-goer to gasp in surprise. All of a sudden, Lycanroc's teeth glowed a bright red before his mouth billowed up with flames. As the leaves approached, he chomped down on them, causing an implosion of smoke. Once it subsided, it revealed his wicked grin as his crimson eyes glared at his foe.
"N-Neee?!" Steenee stammered in disbelief as she blinked rapidly. Her trainer was just as shocked.
"A Fire-type attack?!" he exclaimed in disbelief.
"Lycanroc may be a rugged Rock-type, but he does have plenty of weaknesses…" Olivia pointed out, getting the trial-goer's attention, "So we've been conducting our own training to create counters for those weaknesses," she told him.
"Rykann!" Lycanroc barked out.
"Stee…" Steenee growled in frustration. This battle had become all the more difficult with that reveal. And her trainer knew it, too.
'We'll have to figure out another strategy now…' he realized, balling his fists tightly.
"Steenee, charge in and use Sweet Scent again!" he instructed to his teammate.
"Nee!" she squeaked in response, charging forwards. She leapt up and spun around, unleashing a pinkish mist from her sepals that wafted towards Lycanroc.
"Use Rock Slide!" Olivia ordered. With another smirk, the Wolf Pokémon jumped up. Several orbs of light sparkled around him, coming into form as large boulders. He swung his arms to launch them forward as they tore through the mist, making it dissipate.
"Neee?!" Steenee yelped in shock.
"Quick, knock them away with Double Slap!" her trainer immediately called out. Making her sepals glow a bright white, the Fruit Pokémon managed to smack away a few of the incoming boulders. However, the others struck and piled onto her as she slammed into the ground in a fierce flurry of dust. "Steenee!" Calvin screamed. As the dust cleared, it revealed the Fruit Pokémon managing to pry herself free from the pile of rocks, falling onto the ground upon her stomach.
"Steee, neee…" she grunted out as she slowly stood back up, much to her trainer's relief.
'So Sweet Scent's not gonna work like it did with Probopass…' he inwardly realized, 'Guess we'll have to change tactics!' he concluded through his thoughts.
"Use Double Slap!" he commanded, pointing forwards. Making the tips of her sepals glow a bright white again, Steenee charged at Lycanroc.
"Counter with Dual Chop!" Olivia instructed. The Wolf Pokémon had a green light in the blade of a blade shroud both of his paws. He lunged forward and threw his right one out at Steenee, which she countered with her right sepal. They glared each other down, staying in a deadlock before exchanging blows. Each one was effectively countered. Neither of them were landing a solid hit.
'Come on…' Calvin pleaded to himself, 'There's got to be an opening somewhere…!' he pointed out inwardly. As Steenee countered another attempted slash from Lycanroc, her trainer blinked as he noticed something.
"Steenee, use Rapid Spin to dodge and then Magical Leaf!" he told her quickly. Olivia blinked in surprise.
"Nee!" the Fruit Pokémon squeaked, spinning around to evade a swipe by her foe, zipping around behind him as his crimson eyes widened. A green light formed upon her rounded hands as she stopped spinning.
"Now!" Calvin yelled. Bringing both of her glowing hands together to form an orb of light, Steenee fired off several green, shining leaves that struck Lycanroc directly in the back.
"RAH…!" he gasped out, lurching forward.
"Nice one, Steenee!" Calvin complimented as he pumped his right fist.
"Not bad…" Olivia remarked, sounding impressed, "But we're not going down that easily…" she noted as her teammate managed to land on his feet and stay upright, much to Calvin and Steenee's surprise, "Thunder Punch!" she commanded. Closing his right paw into a fist and enveloping it with sparking yellow electricity, Lycanroc whipped around and struck the Fruit Pokémon square in the face, sending her flying before she hit the ground hard, tumbling across it.
"STEENEE!" Calvin screamed. She rolled to a stop, lying upon her back.
"Stee…!" she grunted out weakly, lifting her head up slowly as electricity sparked around her body.
"Ah…!" Calvin gasped, realizing that she had been paralyzed from the attack.
"Now Fire Fang!" Olivia ordered fiercely, pumping her left fist out. Grinning wickedly, Lycanroc had his teeth glow a bright red as his mouth billowed with flames. He lunged out at his foe, who had just stood up.
"Quick, Magical Leaf!" Calvin desperately cried out. Steenee managed to make her rounded hands glow a bright green, but was suddenly overcome by the electricity sparking around her as she grimaced. Lycanroc dove in and chomped down hard, enveloping her in a blast. Calvin looked on with shock in his eyes. When the smoke from the blast dissipated, it revealed the Wolf Pokémon looming over Steenee, who lied upon the ground unconscious as scrapes were all along her body. Nia jogged over to assess the result. She raised her left arm up.
"Steenee is unable to battle!" she announced, "Lycanroc wins!" she exclaimed, gesturing towards the Wolf Pokémon.
"Steenee!" Calvin cried out, hurrying over to the defeated Fruit Pokémon. He knelt down and gently took her into his arms. She slowly managed to open her eyes.
"Neee…?" she squeaked out weakly. Her trainer grimaced in frustration, shutting his shaking eyes. The frustration from the previous match he had against Olivia was bubbling back up. But all of a sudden, a light emitted from his shorts and streaked out onto the ground beside him.
"Huh?" he uttered in surprise, seeing the light dissipate to reveal Araquanid there.
"Kwaahhh…" he said, using his front right leg to wipe off some of the dirt on Steenee's face. She smiled warmly at him before turning her head away in a huff.
"Stee neee…" she whispered out in gratitude, blushing a little. The Water Bubble Pokémon seemed somewhat distraught over his teammate's loss. And then he looked over to who had defeated her. It was none other than Lycanroc, the Pokémon who beat him in the previous grand trial match. Now, he was even more motivated to win his battle.
"Ah, kwa kuaahh!" he chittered to Calvin, who blinked in surprise. But he took on a serious expression upon realized what the Water Bubble Pokémon wanted.
"All right Araquanid…" he started to say, standing up with Steenee still lying in his arms, "I choose you!" he called out.
"Kuahh!" the Water Bubble Pokémon bellowed as he stepped out in front of Lycanroc, who smirked. It was time for their rematch at last…
X
"Take a nice long rest, Steenee…" Calvin insisted, letting the beam of light from the Poké Ball envelop the Fruit Pokémon in his arms before returning her to it. He placed it back onto his belt, standing firmly as he stared out at the match to happen: Araquanid against Lycanroc.
"I wonder what your strategy will be this time to stop us," Olivia noted curiously, narrowing her eyes, "Maybe we'll get to see a Z-Move from you…" she suggested as she grinned. Calvin didn't smile, maintaining a serious look. Araquanid looked back at him and nodded.
'Right now, we need to avoid getting hit by Lycanroc's Thunder Punch and Rock Slide,' he told himself, balling his fists, 'So…' he continued inwardly, letting sweat trickle down his cheek.
"Lycanroc, Dual Chop!" Olivia commanded as she threw her right hand out.
"Rah!" he barked in response, making a green aura in the shape of blade shroud his paws before he lunged forward.
"Use Aqua Ring!" Calvin called out.
"Kwah!" Araquanid responded, quickly having several rings of water surround his body before Lycanroc swiped at his bubbled head. He attacked again and again, pushing the Water Bubble Pokémon back step by step.
'So he had Araquanid set up an Aqua Ring to heal between taking attacks…' Olivia inwardly noted, letting off a grin as she saw the greenish aura flowing up his body once the Wolf Pokémon's assault ceased, 'Well, we'll see how that works after this!' she declared through her thoughts.
"Thunder Punch!" she ordered, pumping her right fist out. Losing the blade-like aura over his paws, Lycanroc closed his right one into a fist, cloaking it in yellow electricity that sparked wildly. He reared it back, preparing to strike his opponent.
"Bubble Beam!" Calvin yelled. The bubble around Araquanid's head glowed brightly before he fired off a flurry of them that Lycanroc's coated fist collided with in a huge burst of steam. Both he and his foe jumped back as the white cloud was blown away by the breeze.
"Rock Slide!" Olivia commanded.
"Spider Web!" Calvin called out. Both Pokémon leapt up. Several white orbs of energy sparkled around Lycanroc upon appearing, shaping into large boulders.
"Ryyy… KAHNN!" he roared out, swinging his arms out to launch them at his foe. He spun around, aiming his spinneret at the incoming boulders and launched a large strand of thread that split off into a net, catching most of the boulders.
"Now throw them back!" Calvin instructed.
"Aaahhhh… KWAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Araquanid bellowed whipping around and flinging the boulders he caught back towards Lycanroc as the sticky thread snapped. The Wolf Pokémon had no way to dodge as he was struck by them, crashing fiercely into the ground. But at the same time, a few of the boulders that managed to miss getting caught in the thread struck Araquanid, making him fall hard as well.
"Araquanid!" Calvin cried out. The dust cleared, revealing the Water Bubble Pokémon shaking his head to regain himself.
"Kwahh!" he squeaked out in assurance, much to his trainer's relief. Unfortunately, Lycanroc was also still standing as he emerged from the dust cloud with some scrapes along his body.
"Rrrr…" he growled angrily.
"Dual Chop!" his trainer ordered quickly.
"Bubble Beam!" Calvin commanded as he pumped his fist. Just as Lycanroc made a green, blade-like aura appear around his paws, Araquanid unleashed another flurry of bubbles that struck him fiercely, blowing him back as he tumbled along the grass, coming to a stop upon his stomach.
"Rrrrr…" he growled again, pushing himself up. Olivia was starting to look nervous, especially as her fists were shaking.
'This boy's really giving it his all…' she noted inwardly as she grinned, 'In that case, we better respond to that with all our might!' she declared through her thoughts.
"Lycanroc, Thunder Punch!" she commanded.
"RAAAHHHKKK!" the Wolf Pokémon roared as he shot onto his feet and dashed towards Araquanid. Both of his paws were clenched into fists before they were enveloped by sparking yellow electricity.
"Stop him with Spider Web!" Calvin called out. Araquanid hopped up and stuck out his spinneret to fire off another strand of sticky thread that split off into a net about to ensnare Lycanroc. However, he tucked himself in and spun through an opening in the sticky thread, grinning wickedly.
"Kuahh?!" Araquanid yelped in shock, right before getting punched ferociously by the Wolf Pokémon's electrically coated fists.
"Araquanid, no!" Calvin screamed.
"Now Fire Fang!" Olivia ordered as she clapped her hands together. Lycanroc's teeth glowed a bright red as flames billowed in his mouth. He jumped out at Araquanid as he was trying to regain himself, biting into his front left leg.
"Kwahh…!" he gasped out in pain, stumbling back. Even as the Aqua Ring was still healing him a little, the agony from his foe's attacks were becoming harder to bear.
"Stay strong, Araquanid!" Calvin advised reassuringly, "Use Bug Bite!" he ordered, closing his left hand into a fist. Steeling himself, the Water Bubble Pokémon made his teeth glow a yellowish-green. He moved his head down and bit onto Lycanroc's head, causing them to both be caught up in an explosion of whitish smoke as they blew each other back.
"Kuahhhh…" Araquanid groaned as he stumbled a little.
"Araquanid…" his trainer uttered worriedly, followed by gritting his teeth together. He looked ahead at Lycanroc and Olivia, who were still standing firmly.
"I think it's time we ended this," the kahuna decided, crossing her arms over her chest with her Z-Ring facing forward. Calvin noticed and immediately grimaced. The Rockium Z flashed brightly before Olivia swung her arms around and stuck them out in front of herself, having the left arm crossed over the right. Lycanroc had been mimicking her motions.
"Get ready, Araquanid!" Calvin yelled to his teammate, who took a ready stance. Olivia hopped and flexed her arms, followed by going down to a knee sturdily. Lycanroc did the same. The light brown aura that had been building around the kahuna shot out to him in streaks, merging with his body before the Z-Move symbol flashed right in front of him.
"It's time to bring together the earth of Akala and show the mountain that lies before you!" Olivia bellowed, clenching her right hand into a fist. Her Lycanroc leapt high into the air. "CONTINENTAL… CRUSSSSHHHHH!" she roared out. Several large rocks shot up from the ground, coming together just above the Wolf Pokémon to form one giant boulder. A bead of sweat dripped down Calvin's face. This was the same Z-Move that had defeated Araquanid the last time…
'He couldn't handle it back then… because we didn't try something different from Erika!' he noted inwardly, readying the Waterium Z upon his Z-Power Ring.
"Let's do this, Araquanid!" he called out to his teammate, crossing his arms to make the Z-Crystal flash and glow brightly.
"Kwahh!" the Water Bubble Pokémon responded, readying himself. His trainer swung his arms around, crossing them again as they were stuck out forward. He then waved his arms left to right like waves of water as a blue aura shrouded his body. It then shot out in streaks to Araquanid, merging with his form before the Z-Move symbol flashed in front of him. Meanwhile, Lycanroc threw down the gargantuan boulder towards his foe.
"We'll beat this Z-Move with our own!" Calvin fiercely declared as his fists were clenched, "Hydro… VORTEXXXX!" he bellowed out. Water bubbled out underneath Araquanid's legs before he became enveloped in it, launching himself forward in an instant. He started circling around the area, creating a tornado of water that shot up into the sky. It struck the incoming boulder, pushing against it like a geyser.
"AAAAAHHHHH…. KWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Araquanid roared as he zipped around even faster, causing the watery vortex to intensify as it pushed back against the large boulder.
"No way…" Olivia uttered out in disbelief as her eyes shook. The boulder started to crack before it shattered into pieces in a giant splash. At the same time, the watery tornado broke apart as upon the ground below, Araquanid came to a stop, breathing heavily.
"Way to go, Araquanid!" his trainer complimented as he pumped his fists excitedly.
"Ah, kuahh…" the Water Bubble Pokémon squeaked out, still exhausted from all that effort. In the meantime, Lycanroc landed down, breathing just as heavily. His trainer was still left stunned by what had happened.
'No trial-goer's ever managed to actually stop the Continental Crush…' she noted to herself, 'This boy…' she inwardly continued, looking to see the expression of confidence upon Calvin's face.
"Let's finish this, Araquanid!" he called out to his teammate, "Use Bubble Beam!" he commanded with a swing of his right arm.
"Ahh… kwaahhh!" the Water Bubble Pokémon bellowed as he fired off several bubbles from the glowing one over his head.
"Dodge and use Thunder Punch!" Olivia quickly instructed. Lycanroc lunged forward, evading the bubbles as he closed his right paw into a fist and encased it within yellow electricity that sparked. He closed in on his foe, grinning wickedly before landing a ferocious right hook to his bubbled head.
"Araquanid!" Calvin screamed in fright. The Water Bubble Pokémon was reeling from the punch… but wasn't deterred. In fact, the bubbles at each of his six legs started to glow. He suddenly leapt up, much to everyone's surprise. Water swirled around his legs, emitting from the bubbles.
"Ah, kuahhh!" he exclaimed, coming down onto his opponent before he could even react, striking him fiercely with the water in a powerful blast.
"Lycanroc!" Olivia cried out. Nia quickly ran over to see what had happened. As the smoke slowly started to clear, she blinked in surprise. Araquanid was breathing heavily with exhaustion… and Lycanroc was lying on his back with his eyes in swirls. For a moment, the referee almost couldn't believe it. But she rescinded, raising her right arm up.
"Lycanroc is unable to battle! Araquanid wins!" she announced, "And therefore…" she continued, gesturing towards the capped boy, "the winner of this grand trial match is Calvin!" she exclaimed. The Ketchum boy beamed upon realizing.
"We did it!" he yelled out.
"Ahkwah!" Araquanid squeaked happily, turning to see his trainer run over.
"That was amazing, Araquanid!" he complimented, "But… what was that new move you used?" he wondered, remembering how he hadn't issued a command after the Water Bubble Pokémon had taken that Thunder Punch.
"Liquidation," Olivia answered as she ventured over, catching his attention as she saw him return her Lycanroc to his Ultra Ball in a beam of red light, "I suppose your Araquanid responded to your feelings of wanting victory in the end," she noted with a giggle. Calvin blinked in surprise before letting out a chuckle.
"Guess so…" he agreed.
"Kwahh!" the Water Bubble Pokémon chittered, happily nuzzling his bubbled head against his trainer's.
"Ah, hey!" he yelped, "You're gonna get me wet, Araquanid!" he pointed out, giggling all the while. Olivia smiled as she approached him, reaching into her pockets for a few things.
"Calvin," she said, getting his attention, "I'd like you to take this," she insisted, holding out two things to him. One of the objects was a Rockium Z in her right hand. The other was a Z-Crystal… though with a different shape. In fact, the added edges it had seemed to be a perfect fit for the new indents in the Z-Power Ring. Calvin looked at the Z-Crystal's black symbol. The wolf-like shape it had was similar to…
"Lycanroc?" he inquired, arching an eyebrow.
"That's right," Olivia responded with a nod, "This is a Lycanium Z, meant exclusively for Lycanroc," she explained to him, "Though I personally never used it myself…" she admitted.
"But… why are you giving it to me?" Calvin asked, tilting his head out of confusion, "I don't have a Lycanroc…" he pointed out.
"It's for your sister," the kahuna told him as he blinked in surprise, "I'm sure she'll be able to use it one day…" she mentioned with a giggle. The capped boy cracked a grin.
'I do owe her a Z-Crystal…' he recalled, remembering how Erika had given him her Fightinium Z a while back.
"Thanks, Miss Olivia!" he said in gratitude, flashing a bright smile. Looking on from the trees afar was Tapu Lele. Having witnessed the whole battle, a content look was across its face.
ENDING
"Cascade" by Unlimits
0:00 – 0:11 = Opens with Calvin and Erika as children, playing together in their shared room while a happy Leslie watches. She starts to reminisce about all the good times she's had before her siblings arrived…
0:12 – 0:18 = Cuts to various scenes of the landmarks in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar.
0:19 – 0:31 = We continue with Leslie receiving a Snivy as her first Pokémon from her parents, followed by being wished off as she decided to travel to Unova. There, she battles her new rival, Hugh, and his Tepig.
0:32 – 0:47 = Leslie is walking down a pathway with Snivy following her, but the scene constantly changes with Riolu, Magnemite, Magby, Sandile, and Spheal appearing beside her, evolving into their final forms. Leslie then comes to a stop as she spots Team Plasma's ship overhead, taking on a serious expression in preparation for battle.
0:48 – 1:01 = Cuts to her Walrein using Ice Beam to freeze up some of Team Plasma's Pokémon aboard the ship, followed by Magnezone discharging bolts of electricity. Magmortar blasts back a Weavile with a stream of flames, while Lucario fights hand-to-hand with an Absol before blowing him away with an Aura Sphere. We then see Leslie go up against Black Kyurem and Ghetsis with Serperior and Krookodile by her side. She smiles confidently, commanding them into battle as they lunge out at Kyurem.
1:02 – 1:07 = What follows is a scene of Calvin and Erika excitedly being escorted into a stadium by their parents to watch their big sister's battle for the Unova Championship.
1:08 – 1:19 = As Iris and Leslie take their respective positions on the large battlefield, the Ketchum girl adjusts her visor and gives off a wave to her parents. She then takes out a Poké Ball and fires it onto the field.
1:20 – 1:30 = Cut to today where Leslie sees her brother and sister battling in a stadium, smiling happily out of how proud she is of them…
END ENDING
And with that, the Akala arc of the story is starting to come to a close! After the next chapter, we'll be getting a new opening and ending!
Not much else to say other than that the next chapter won't be for a while because of "Omni Force: JUSTICE" updates, but I hope this summary will hold you all over until then!
SUMMARY
With his grand trial finally cleared, Calvin ventures over to the Hano Grand Resort to meet up with Erika and Hau. And to their surprise, their rivals have gathered together as well! The Aether Branch Chief Faba invites them all out to Aether Paradise, promising a wonderful time while also battling in the upcoming Aether Tournament!
Elsewhere, we see Lillie meet up with the person she's closest to…?!
END SUMMARY
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, folks! I know I will!