Alola, everyone! We're back for two straight chapters of "The Challenge of a Lifetime", which'll include a brand new trial battle and some interesting ordeals!
As of the time I've started writing this, I've been watching shows like WandaVision and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. It's nice to get back into superhero shows after so long. They're very inspiring in terms of the stories they tell.
So last time we left off, the group ran into Gladion again before he promptly beat Trent in a battle. And now, it seems like the remainder of the group is heading towards the Tapu Village! Without further delay, let's jump right back into it!
POKÉMON SUN & MOON
THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME
"Come on out!" Calvin and Erika both exclaimed, tossing up Poké Balls into the air within the Pokémon Center. They popped open, with the lights from them spilling onto the floor and dissipating to reveal Incineroar and Primarina respectively.
"Se rowr!" the Heel Pokémon excitedly yelled as she raised her arms.
"Mah!" the Soloist Pokémon yipped in delight, immediately going over to happily embrace her trainer. She giggled, hugging her back.
"I missed you, too!" she noted, nuzzling against Primarina's cheek sweetly.
"Thanks for sending these two girls back to us," Calvin remarked over to the PC screen, where both of the twins' parents were.
"No problem, Calvin!" Mirajane responded with a giggle, glad to see the touching reunions.
"Are you okay with having Marowak sent back here though?" Ash wondered in concern, glancing back to see the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon practicing his swings with his weapon. Thankfully, his bone wasn't ignited.
"He had a bit of a tough time in the last trial, so I think he deserves a break," the capped boy responded as he walked over to the PC alongside Incineroar.
"And Erika, we've got Drifblim here safe and sound!" Mirajane mentioned over the line.
"Thanks, Mom!" she responded with gratitude, "I'd rather not have him teasing Lurantis since she's back with me now…" she admitted as she sheepishly scratched her right cheek. The Take-Over wizard giggled.
"Speaking of teasing…" she continued cheekily, causing the twins to perk up in surprise, "your big sister finally got herself a boyfriend~!" she exclaimed in a singsong voice.
"Wait, what?!" Calvin yelled while blinking in surprise.
"About time…" Erika mumbled out, crossing her arms over her chest with a blank look upon her face.
"MOM!" their older sister's voice screamed in embarrassment over the line, causing them to look and see her appear on the screen, pushing her parents away, "Don't go telling them something I wanted to tell them!" she insisted, puffing out her cheeks.
"Finally decided to get yourself a boyfriend, Balloon Boobs?" her little sister inquired with a smirk. An annoyed look appeared upon Leslie's face as she exhaled a deep breath.
"I heard about what happened to you two in Malie," she pointed out, "I know that must've been really scary for you to deal with…" she mentioned in concern. Erika did tense up a little, while Calvin balled his hands into fists and looked down. Both of them had very different reactions to when they encountered Guzma. One had experienced fear and dread, while the other was enveloped by rage.
"We… handled it," the capped girl of the two chimed in as a response, "And… hopefully, we won't have to deal with him again," she added, shaking a little.
"… I hope so, too," Leslie concurred, surprised just how scared her little sister seemed, "Anyways, like Mom and Dad said," she continued, "we'll take care of your Pokémon, and you two can keep things going on your island challenge," she confirmed to them.
"Thanks, Leslie," Calvin said in gratitude with a nod, "We're gonna wrap things up on Ula'ula soon," he vowed, pumping his left fist. Their older sister giggled.
"Good luck, you two," she remarked in farewell before the PC screen turned off, ending the call.
"Huh…" Erika exhaled, walking over to sit down on a nearby bench.
"What's wrong?" her brother asked upon noticing.
"Pree mah?" Primarina inquired in concern, moving over to her trainer's side as she stared down at the floor.
"When those Team Skull jerks laughed at me, I thought of what happened to you at the Verdant Cavern," she admitted to Calvin, who blinked in surprise, "And I realized… just how much it hurt you to think that you let your team down," she mentioned sadly, "I let you down, Primarina…" she said to the Soloist Pokémon beside her.
"Mahhh…" she moaned out, rejecting that idea as she nuzzled against the capped girl for comfort.
"Do you really think… they won't bother us again?" she asked her brother, making him perk up in surprise slightly. He then pursed his lips.
"Honestly, I don't know…" he confessed in reply, shrugging his shoulders, "Aside from Plumeria and Guzma, those guys aren't really all that dangerous, even if they're in a group," he pointed out, "It's like those… Team Rocket guys Dad used to have to fight every other day to keep them from stealing Pikachu," he mentioned.
"Because they're trying to steal Nebby…" Erika realized, "Why?" she wondered.
"I don't know," Calvin replied, recalling the warning Gladion had imparted onto them yesterday, "Right now, we should focus on keeping it safe from Team Skull or anyone else who wants it," he advised seriously. His twin sister nodded in agreement.
"Morning, zzt!" Rotom greeted as it floated over to the twins. Hau and Paige were walking over as well.
"Hey Rotodex," Erika greeted in response as she stood up from the bench.
"Any word on Trent?" Paige inquired, putting her hands onto her hips.
"No…" Calvin replied while crossing his arms over his chest, "I don't think we'll be seeing him anytime soon…" he admitted with narrowed eyes. He and his twin sister gave off worried expressions. Their rival was a bit blunt and cocky, but they had never seen him so angry yesterday. Gladion had really triggered something in him…
"I'm sure he'll be fine!" Hau chimed in, wrapping his left arm around his male cousin's shoulders, "In the meantime, we should go find that Acerola girl and Lillie so we can take our trials!" he insisted, pumping his right fist up.
"Yeah, that sounds like a plan to me," Paige agreed.
"Um… I'm gonna have to take a raincheck on that…" Erika admitted, scratching sheepishly at her right cheek.
"Huh?" the silvery-haired girl uttered in confusion.
"Why's that, Eri?" Hau inquired, tilting his head to the head.
"I wanted to check out the construction work on Mount Lanakila," she replied, "It'll be really cool to see that new Pokémon League stadium on the mountain…" she mentioned with anticipation sparkling in her eyes.
"Wait…" her brother chimed in, "what Pokémon League?" he asked.
"Huh?" his twin sister uttered out, sounding surprised. After a few minutes of explanation…
"They're making a Pokémon League here in Alola?!" Hau exclaimed in disbelief.
"That's so cool!" Paige pointed out excitedly.
"Mm-hmm," Erika agreed with a nod, "I can't believe the professor never mentioned it to you guys…" she said, rubbing the back of her head.
"Well, we were all kinda recovering from Team Skull…" Paige noted in response as she shrugged.
"Anyways, you guys should go ahead to wherever Lillie and Acerola are," the Ketchum girl insisted, "I promise I'll meet up with you soon!" she vowed, quickly returning Primarina to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light before jogging off, grabbing her bag in the meantime.
"Erika, wait!" Rotom buzzed out, floating after her as she exited through the doors.
"She never changes, huh?" the silvery-haired girl noted with a chuckle.
"We better get going, too!" Hau insisted, "I can't wait to see what kind of crazy trial Acerola's got in store for us!" he proclaimed as he pumped his fists again.
"Yeah," Calvin agreed while returning Incineroar to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light. The trio then headed out of the Pokémon Center themselves, ready to seize the day however they would.
OPENING
Insert "Koko" by Beverly
Opens with the rising sun over the ocean horizon as a boat is sailing towards Ula'ula Island. Upon its bow are Calvin and Erika Ketchum, standing alongside their Pokémon as the wind rushes through their hair. They're about to embark on the next stage of their island challenge, smiling with excitement.
As the music picks up, the Pokémon logo appears in bright green letters, followed by "The Challenge of a Lifetime" appearing in bright yellow underneath it. The brightness of the logo envelops the screen before we transition to the Ketchum twins disembarking from the boat onto the island.
We cut to Calvin fishing in Maile Garden as Steenee and Incineroar are bickering in the background. Once Calvin sees his lure go underwater, he pulls the line hard to reel in a Poliwag. Watching from afar, Paige smiles while holding onto his egg, which shakes a little in her arms.
The scene then changes to Erika trudging tiredly up Mount Hokulani. She's about to fall backwards, but Primarina and Lycanroc are there to help push her up. She smiles gratefully, continuing the trek up the mountain.
We then see several new faces around the island, including Samson Oak, Acerola, Molayne, Sophocles, Grimsley, and Nanu. We also get a shot of Guzma, sitting upon his chair in the Shady House of Po Town. He grins deviously at the screen.
As the music picks back up, we see Calvin swing his left arm out as his Incineroar and Marowak charge in with a Flamethrower/Flame Wheel combination to take down a Skarmory. Meanwhile, we cut over to Erika as she orders for Fomantis to use Leaf Blade on an Alolan Geodude. Drifblim then floats in and sprays out a Gust to blow away a flock of Fearow. Afterwards, he floats over Fomantis to her chagrin as she seethes in frustration.
We get shots of Hau with his Alolan Raichu and Decidueye, Trent with his Mightyena and Greninja, Paige alongside her Combusken and Medicham, and Pyrrha alongside her Quilava and Ariados. Each of them are in their own battles, with Hau's Decidueye using Spirit Shackle on a Haunter, Trent's Mightyena blasting back a Kadabra with Snarl, Paige's Combusken using Flame Charge to ram into a Shieldon, and Pyrrha's Ariados landing a Cross Poison on a Sylveon.
The song continues from back on Melemele at the Ketchum vacation home. There, Leslie gets herself dressed and throws on her visor, heading out of her room alongside her Lopunny and shiny Gabite. As she heads outside onto the front porch, she smirks upon seeing Asta Sutarria there alongside Shiki Granbell and Tanjiro Kamado, as all three of them are looking to train Pokémon with her guidance for them.
Asta commands an Aegislash as he takes on his sword form and slashes at Leslie's Magmortar, who jumps back before firing off a Flamethrower. Meanwhile, Tanjiro's Croconaw attempts to land an Ice Fang onto Gabite, who uses Dig to get away before popping up from the ground and chomping down on his foe's tail, causing him to scream in agony. Watching from afar are Shiki and his Bronzor, who both giggle.
We cut back to Ula'ula Island as we see Erika commanding her Lycanroc to use Rock Slide against the Totem Vikavolt inside the Hokulani Observatory. The Stag Beetle Pokémon dodges the attack and lets electricity surge around his body before zipping down at his foe, who prepares to use Counter. Afterwards, we get a scene of Calvin and Incineroar facing down the Totem Mimikyu inside the abandoned Thrifty Megamart. As the Heel Pokémon lands a Darkest Lariat, a smaller Mimikyu watches from afar in awe.
There are several shots of a Cleffa poking out from a sleeping bag, a Togedemaru near a power plant, and an Alolan Sandshrew wandering about the cold area at the base of Mount Lanakila. We see Professor Kukui staring at the peak from Hokulani, hoping to host a Pokémon League there someday. However, we also see him glaring down Guzma in the Maile Garden as his Golisopod appears behind him. We get shots of Plumeria with her Salazzle and Gladion with Null and his Zoroark.
To end the opening, we see an anxious Lillie looking out over the horizon, concerned for the future. However, Calvin and Erika come to her, both giving her reassuring smiles. She grins, thankful for their presence as they all trek onward through the island…
END OPENING
What a Sandshrew!
"Dammit! DAMMIT!" Guzma shouted repeatedly, stomping angrily on his TV back in the dimly lit, messy manor he and several Team Skull members were inside. After leaving Malie upon his defeat, he was furious. Furious with both himself… and his Pokémon. "I only brought only Ariados and Golisopod 'cause I thought they'd be enough to deal with those damn upstarts!" he yelled, kicking the TV aside as the screen shattered apart.
"Then I guess you must've underestimated them," Plumeria chimed in, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
"Huh…?" her boss uttered, glaring towards her.
"That Calvin kid won the Aether Tournament for a reason you know," she pointed out, not intimidated in the slightest, "And he made Golisopod use his Emergency—"
"Don't you dare say it!" Guzma roared, interrupting her, "That was his own fault! He got scared!" he angrily claimed. Plumeria took a slow, deep breath through her nose, exhaling out of her mouth.
"We need a new approach, Guzma," she told him, "Charging in isn't gonna do jack for us," she noted, walking off.
"Oh yeah?!" he yelled, "Well, what's your damn plan now?!" he questioned in rage.
"Make 'em come to us, moron," the Team Skull admin replied as she went up the stairs, "I've already got a couple guys out scouting for where our target is," she mentioned, making him blink in surprise, "Don't get yourself in a twist, alright?" she advised, glancing back at him one last time before reaching her room, opening the door and shutting it after walking in. A growl went Guzma's clenched teeth as he looked over the remains of his busted television.
"Whoa…" Calvin uttered out as he, Hau and Paige were looking around Tapu Village. It seemed to be more of site for ruins if anything. But one thing that stood out to them beyond the chain link fence was the heavily damaged roadway leading to what looked like a supermarket in the distance.
"Is that the Thrifty Megamart like on Akala?" the ponytailed boy of the group asked upon noticing, blinking rapidly.
"Looks like no one can really get to it though…" Paige chimed in, "At least… not by car…" she corrected.
"Doesn't look like there's many people around though…" Calvin noted, narrowing his eyes, "I wonder why…" he said curiously.
"That'd be due to the anger of the Tapu, son," a gruff, male voice chimed in. The group turned to see an aging man approaching them with a cane in his right hand.
"You mean… Tapu Bulu?" the Ketchum boy guessed, receiving a nod in response from the elderly man.
"When people started building that supermarket on such sacred ground, Tapu Bulu attacked in what many would call karmic retribution," he told the group of trial-goers, "With the road destroyed, many people were afraid to go to the mart, fearing that they'd be incurring the wrath of the Tapu," he explained, "It worked out for the best though," he mentioned with a grin, "Now the building houses many stray Pokémon that have needed a home," he pointed out.
"That… sounds kinda scary…" Paige admitted as she shook a little.
"Heh, heh!" the old man laughed, "I wouldn't worry too much, young one!" he assured, "By the way… you happen to be trial-goers, right?" he guessed, having noticed their amulets.
"Yep!" Hau answered for the group, "You wouldn't happen to know where Acerola is, would you?" he inquired curiously, arching an eyebrow.
"Oh, she's living at the Aether House down that way," the elderly man replied, pointing towards the dirt path nearby, "Her trial happens to be at that abandoned supermarket," he mentioned to their surprise, "so I'm betting you'll be back here shortly," he remarked with a chuckle.
"Thanks, Mister!" the ponytailed boy said in gratitude, waving goodbye before running off gleefully. The elderly man waved back as he departed in the opposite direction.
"And just like that, Hau hasn't changed either…" Paige pointed out. Calvin was inclined to agree, but then thought back to how his cousin reacted to losing against Ryuki back in Malie. In fact… he saw the same from his twin sister. He had to wonder if they were really okay… "Hey, come on!" the silvery-haired girl beckoned suddenly, causing him to perk up as he saw that she was starting to jog off, "Hau's gonna beat us there!" she noted, chuckling as she ran. The Ketchum boy grinned, hurrying after her. They later arrived at the white building just along the coastline.
"So this is the biggest base the Aether Foundation has on the main islands of Alola, huh?" the capped boy noted, turning to his cousin.
"Yep!" he replied with a nod, "And it's here where Acerola's gonna be!" he pointed out. The doors slid open, allowing the three trial-goers to enter.
"Yungoos, Take Down!" a little girl exclaimed in command. A Loitering Pokémon had a golden force field surround his body. It then became shrouded by a light bronze aura before charging forward towards an Elekid.
"Low Kick!" a little boy ordered. The Electric Pokémon swung his right leg forward to intercept Yungoos, being at a deadlock with him as they gnashed their teeth together. Watching their bout while seated on a nearby counter was Acerola, who swung her legs back and forth. She then took notice of the trio of trial-goers who had just arrived.
"Okay, that's enough for now!" she called out, clapping her hands. Both Yungoos and Elekid perked up in surprise before hopping away from each other.
"Aw, but I was gonna win!" the little boy complained, waving his arms around.
"No, I was!" the little girl argued, sharing a glare with him as they both puffed their cheeks angrily.
"Hunter, Hannah, calm down…" the trial captain insisted, walking over and putting her hands atop their little heads to get their attentions, "We've got guests!" she pointed out. Moments later, she returned with a tray that had a teapot and four cups upon it. Calvin, Hau and Paige were seated around a table, watching as she set the tray down and poured drinks for them. "Trip here okay?" she inquired curiously.
"For the most part…" the silvery-haired girl replied, taking a sip of her tea after it had been poured, "We got a bit sidetracked on the way," she admitted, "but we made it to the Pokémon Center last night okay," she assured.
"That's good!" Acerola noted with a giggle.
"How's Lillie doing?" Hau asked while drinking his tea.
"Yeah, where is she?" Calvin questioned, noticing that the assistant wasn't around at the moment.
"Oh, I'm having her run an errand for me down near the marketplace in Tapu Village," the trial captain answered, "She and that little Nebby of hers are doing just fine!" she mentioned with a wink.
"That's good to hear…" the Ketchum boy said, recalling what Gladion had said last night about how Team Skull was after the Cosmog in Lillie's bag.
"So which one of you's gonna be the first to take my trial?" Acerola wondered, standing upright and putting her hands onto her hips.
"I think it's gonna be Cal!" Hau answered, causing his cousin to blink in surprise.
"Yeah," Paige agreed, "He's the guy who beat Guzma, after all…" she pointed out, "I think he deserves a chance to shine a bit more," she added with a chuckle.
"Guys…" Calvin uttered, surprised by his rivals' support. But he accepted it, letting off a grin. "Yeah, I'll take the trial first," he vowed to Acerola.
"Great!" she exclaimed in response, "Just so you know, you're gonna need a camera for the trial itself and a flashlight in case it gets too dark from the storm later," she told him.
"Wait… dark?" Paige inquired, "Isn't your trial at that abandoned place the Tapu attacked?" she questioned on.
"Mm-hmm!" the trial captain responded with a nod of her head, "It's mostly a safe haven for Ghost-type Pokémon, which is why I like it so much!" she pointed out, smiling a little. A shiver went up the silvery-haired girl's spine.
"G-G-G-Ghost…type?" she repeated, stammering all the while.
"Uh… Paige?" Hau said upon noticing, raising an eyebrow in concern.
"Are… you okay?" Calvin asked worriedly, reaching out to her.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" a voice screamed from outside, causing everyone to perk up as they all heard it.
"That… sounded like Lillie!" Hau pointed out. His cousin immediately shot up from his seat and hurried to the front door. Outside, the blonde-haired assistant's eyes shook as she held her duffel bag close, backing away from a Team Skull grunt.
"Hey girl, I saw somethin' movin' in that there bag!" he yelled, "Either you show me what's inside, or it gets snatched!" he threatened in demand.
"No one's taking anything!" Calvin's voice suddenly yelled, getting their attentions as they saw him leap down the steps and land defensively in front of Lillie.
"C-Calvin!" she stammered in surprise. Hearing the name caused the Team Skull grunt to widen his eyes in surprise.
"You're… the guy that beat the boss!" he realized, quickly pulling out a Nest Ball from his pocket and enlarging it by pressing its button.
"Then you might as well run while you can…" the Ketchum boy advised as he grabbed his own Poké Ball and enlarged it, "Togedemaru, go!" he called out, tossing it forward. It popped open, with its light pouring onto the ground and coming into form. As it dissipated, it revealed the Roly-Poly Pokémon.
"Toh geh!" he squeaked out, taking on a ready stance as his cheeks sparked. The Team Skull grunt blinked twice.
"GAHAHAHAHA!" he cackled loudly, holding his stomach, "Man, you almost scared me there for a second!" he admitted, opening his Nest Ball to have its light pour out onto the ground and dissipate to reveal a Drowzee, "If you think you can beat me with that little squeaker, you've got another thing coming!" he roared out fiercely. Calvin looked to Togedemaru.
"Mah!" he squeaked with a confident grin on his face.
"We'll see about that!" the Ketchum boy proclaimed, "Togedemaru, Gyro Ball!" he commanded. The Roly-Poly Pokémon had the triangular-shaped markings upon its body spike up, glowing a bright blue before he spun off towards his foe.
"Psybeam!" the Team Skull grunt ordered. Hearing that, Drowzee held his hands out to fire off a streaky blue beam with yellow and pink circles. Togedemaru spun out of its path though, hopping up and colliding with his target square in the chest as his eyes bulged open.
"Now Discharge!" Calvin commanded, pumping his left fist back. The Roly-Poly Pokémon then stopped spinning, having his electric sacs spark with yellow electricity. He then unleashed a burst of it onto Drowzee, zapping him fiercely.
"Drowwww…" he groaned out, falling backwards onto the ground as his opponent landed safely before him. Swirls were in his eyes.
"Ah, Drowzee!" the Team Skull grunt gasped in disbelief.
"Heh," Calvin chuckled, swiping his right thumb across his nose in a smug manner. Lillie looked on at him in amazement before smiling with relief.
"Grrr…" the grunt growled out, returning the Hypnosis Pokémon to the Nest Ball in a beam of red light before readying another one, "This isn't over, brat!" he proclaimed.
"Oh yeah?" another voice chimed in, causing him to blink in surprise as he and the others looked over to see Paige and Hau there with Combusken and Raichu beside them respectively, "'Cause you'll have to deal with us, too…" she pointed out ominously, glaring towards him. Sweat poured down his face.
"Y-You'll get yours someday!" he vowed with a stutter, scurrying off without another word.
"Huh…" Calvin breathed in relief, "Are you okay, Lillie?" he asked the blonde-haired assistant out of concern. She grinned.
"I am thanks to you," she assured in response, laughing a little with him. Seeing that caused Paige to frown a little. And she couldn't understand why…
"Jeez…" Acerola muttered out as she ventured outside with her hands on her hips, "And here I thought Team Skull would've learned to stay in their little town after you beat Guzma, Calvin," she mentioned.
"It seems like they're really gunning for Lillie and the others…" Hau pointed out worriedly.
"I'm sorry…" the blonde-haired assistant apologized, "On our way back, Nebby tried escaping and heading toward the ruins all on its lonesome," she explained, "I think that's how that Team Skull man found us…" she pointed out ashamedly, holding her bag close.
"Well, we're glad you're safe now!" the trial captain chimed in, skipping down the steps to her and Calvin, "Why don't you go inside and rest up with Hau and Paige?" she suggested, "In the meantime, I gotta get my trial all set up for Calvin here!" she pointed out excitedly.
"Oh, that's right!" Lillie exclaimed in realization, "Good luck, Calvin," she said to the Ketchum boy, getting his attention, "Acerola told me that she'd be making sure her trial was biggest challenge yet in Alola," she noted to him.
"Then I'm looking forward to it," he responded with a grin.
"Togeh!" Togedemaru squeaked, hopping onto his trainer's shoulder.
"Okay, let's go!" Acerola beckoned, about to hurry off.
"Wait!" Paige suddenly cried out, much to everyone's surprise as they turned to her, "Um… can I come, too?" she asked nervously.
"Buss?" Combusken squawked in confusion, wondering why her trainer wanted to go even though she wouldn't be participating in the trial.
"Sure you can come!" Acerola assured as a reply, "I change my trial all the time, so you won't be getting the same one as Calvin…" she pointed out with a wink.
"Th-That's fine…" Paige stuttered in response, blushing a little, "I just… wanna cheer him on, I guess…" she claimed, fidgeting with her hands behind her back. The Ketchum boy was taken aback by this sudden proposition. Where was it even coming from?
"Alrighty!" the trial captain exclaimed, raising her right fist into the sky, "To the old Thrifty Megamart we go!" she proclaimed, hurrying off. Grinning a little, Calvin followed her. His silvery-haired rival followed suit, glancing away nervously. She herself had no idea why she wanted to go along with him. But something was bubbling up inside of her. Something she didn't like…
X
"Koree~!" Oricorio sang, making the feathers upon the tips of her wings glow a bright pink before unleashing an orb of pinkish energy that struck a Snorunt square in the face, making him fall over and tumble back along the ground. He rolled to a stop, having swirls in his eyes as he had been bested. "Ree!" the Dancing Pokémon squeaked happily upon seeing that she was victorious.
Elsewhere, Lurantis clashed her sickle-like arms as they glowed a bright yellowish green against a pair of Sneasel, blowing them both back. Lycanroc also was fighting a Sneasel, punching her square in the face as a reddish-orange light was shrouding his form. As the three of them trained, snow fell about around the base of what was Mount Lanakila. Meanwhile, Erika was staring up at the construction work being done for the Pokémon League stadium overhead.
"It lookzzz like it'zzz coming along nicely!" Rotom pointed out, floating beside its user and taking pictures as its camera flashed.
"Gassuu!" Sandygast exclaimed excitedly in agreement. The Ketchum girl couldn't help but smile happily with anticipation. Someday soon, Mount Lanakila would become the monument of Alola's first ever Pokémon League. And she was very excited at the opportunity to participate. Or at least she would be…
"Hmm…" she hummed out, staring down with a frown on her face. So much had happened in the past few days. Even though she completed her trial at the Hokulani Observatory, it didn't negate the dread she felt when Guzma had bested her back in the Malie Garden. She could still hear Team Skull's laughs echoing in her head.
Then there was Trent. His reaction to losing to Gladion last night was… extreme, to say the least. At first, Erika knew him as a somewhat cocky trainer, but he was collected and calculating. It was no wonder he beat her back at the Trainer's School. Then again, she wasn't even trying back then…
"Are you okay, Erika, zzt?" Rotom inquired upon noticing her expression, causing her to perk up in surprise.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine!" she stuttered as a claim, "More importantly, it looks like everyone's getting some good training in for what's ahead," she pointed out, looking over at her Pokémon as they each were battling against the wild ones around the base of the mountain. In the meantime, Starbright puffed out her cheeks, concentrating intensely as she held her hands out.
"Pree, preemah!" Primarina cheered. The Clefairy was trying to use Moonblast like the Soloist Pokémon did without needing to rely on a move like Copycat. And she was really trying.
"Fayyee…" she groaned, falling onto her bottom after a few more seconds of trying to gather energy.
"She'zzz still trying to learn Moonblast, zzt?" Rotom inquired as it blinked.
"Yep," Erika responded, putting her hands onto her hips, "Primarina's doing her best as a teacher though!" she pointed out, seeing the Soloist Pokémon demonstrate how to use the Fairy-type attack, gathering in light that shrouded her body. An orb of pink light then formed in front of her open mouth before she launched it, having it strike a nearby boulder that shattered into pieces as it exploded from the attack's force.
"Klehhh…" Starbright uttered in amazement as sparkles were in her eyes. She then gave off a confident expression, raising her hands up to the sky above and closing her eyes, trying to gather in the moon's energy as Primarina had shown her. Their trainer watched on happily, glad to see them supporting each other.
"So what are you gonna do about Acerola'zzz trial?" Rotom asked curiously, getting her attention. She crossed her arms in thought, closing her eyes.
"Ghost-types are weak to Dark and Ghost moves…" she recalled, "In which case, I might have to rely on you, Sandygast!" she pointed out to the Sand Heap Pokémon, getting his attention. His beady eyes shrank in surprise.
"G-G…Gassuuu…?" he whimpered out, giving off a frightened expression.
"Uh…" his trainer uttered out, grimacing as she knew just how easily frightened he was.
"He got through the observatory'zzz trial okay, zzt," Rotom noted as it floated over, "I think he'll be just fine, zzt!" he buzzed confidently.
"Gasuu!" Sandygast argued, turning away and shuddering.
"Sandygast, you're not the same Pokémon I found back at the resort, you know…" Erika pointed out, crouching down to his eye level as he slowly turned to face her, "I think you're a lot stronger now!" she mentioned to him with a smile.
"Gasuuu…?" he squeaked in confusion.
"Maybe you won't end up battling the Totem Pokémon in the end…" she said, standing back up, "But I'm hoping I can count on you to help get us through the trial when the time comes," she added, letting out a giggle. The Sand Heap Pokémon was surprised by his trainer's willingness to let him stay out of the big battle. But it did make him think… just how strong had he really gotten?
He had battled many Pokémon since Erika captured him back at the Hano Grand Resort's beach. Now he was a lot more confident in himself. So… he wanted to return the favor to the person who had helped him grow.
"Kleh…" Starbright began, starting to have a bright light shroud her form as she slowly moved her hands out in front of her.
"Ree!" Primarina yipped happily while nodding.
"Hey, it lookzzz like she'zzz finally getting it!" Rotom pointed out, catching everyone else's attention as they looked over to see the Fairy Pokémon attempting to form an orb of pink energy in between her hands. But just as she was about to use it, there was a loud thud nearby, causing her concentration to break as the orb shattered apart in her hands.
"Fayyee…" she whimpered out as her eyes started tearing up. Meanwhile, the others looked over to where the thud had come from. Standing there was a Sandshrew, though he was different from the variant that Erika was familiar with. His body was a light, icy blue, with a cream-colored belly and muzzle. Thick plates of what appeared to be ice formed a dome around his head and his ears, resembling an igloo's entrances. Along with that, his body was much larger than the Kantonian variant, with a shell of ice covering his hide.
"Saaahhh…" he groaned, falling onto his stomach in exhaustion.
"Whoa, hey!" Erika yelped, immediately hurrying over to the Alolan Mouse Pokémon, kneeling down beside him. He had several cuts and bruises along his body that she noticed. "Rotodex, this is an Alolan Sandshrew, right?" she guessed to the Pokédex, who floated over.
"Correct, zzt!" it responded, bringing up an image of the Alolan Mouse Pokémon upon its screen, "Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon, Alolan Form," it began, "An ancient tradition of Alolan festivals, still carried on to this day, is a competition to slide Sandshrew across ice as far as one can. The skin on his back is as hard as steel. Predators go after his soft belly, so he clings to the ground desperately," it explained thoroughly. Upon hearing all that, Erika turned the Alolan Mouse Pokémon over to see if his belly had been injured. Thankfully, it wasn't as she sighed with relief.
"Lycanroc, can you grab my bag for me?" she requested of the Wolf Pokémon.
"Rykan," he replied, jogging over to get the shoulder bag for his trainer. A few moments later, she finished wrapping bandages around the Sandshrew's body.
"Saahhh…?" he groaned out as his eyes fluttered open. Erika's Pokémon were looking over him curiously, making sure that he was okay.
"You're really good with bandagezzz, Erika!" Rotom pointed out as the Ketchum girl put what was left of her roll of gauze back into her bag.
"Heh," she chuckled, "Back when I was little, I'd always get myself a little scraped up from trying to play ninja all the time…" she recalled with a sheepish grin, "so Mom wanted me to learn how I could help myself if she couldn't," she told the Pokédex.
"Shroooo…" Sandshrew groaned as he sat up to the relief of the others.
"I wonder how Sandshrew could've gotten all those cuts to his shell…" Erika said, narrowing her eyes curiously, "You mentioned how even a Sneasel's claws couldn't break something like that yesterday…" she mentioned in remembrance.
"That'zzz right, zzt," Rotom responded, "Maybe it wasn't a Sneasel that hurt him…" it suggested. Just then, Lycanroc perked up, sniffing around. He then started to growl.
"Lycanroc?" his trainer uttered in confusion. She blinked in surprise upon noticing the figures lurking in the tall grass nearby. They lunged out, landing around to surround the group. They were a pack of Absol.
"Soll!" the apparent leader of the pack exclaimed.
"Absol, zzt!" Rotom buzzed out.
"They must be hunting Sandshrew…!" Erika realized, looking back at the injured Alolan Mouse Pokémon. Meanwhile, the Pokédex brought up an image of the Disaster Pokémon upon its screen.
"Absol, the Disaster Pokémon," it began, "Although they're said to bring disaster, in actuality, Absol possess a calm disposition and warn people of any crises that loom. The elderly call them the disaster Pokémon and detest them, but interest in their power to predict disasters is on the rise," it explained thoroughly. The pack stalked their target, growling all the while. One of them lunged out at Sandshrew, having his horn glow a bright purple as it was about to slash at his belly. However, Lycanroc suddenly got in his way, taking the attack to his right arm as he gnashed his teeth together. A reddish-orange aura shrouded his body afterwards before he landed a powerful left hook onto the Disaster Pokémon's face, sending him flying back and tumbling across the ground upon hitting it.
"Solll!" the lead Absol roared, enticing his comrades to all charge out towards their target.
"Keep them away, guys!" Erika called out to her teammates. They all voiced their responses with nods.
"Maaahhh~!" Primarina sang, letting her hair come undone as she formed an orb of sparkling water over the tip of her nose. It then splashed apart into watery streaks, striking a trio of Disaster Pokémon in bursts of white smoke. Oricorio had her feathers glow a bright pink before she readied a sphere of energy in between the tips of her wings. She fired it onto an Absol… only for her to charge through it unaffected.
"Ree?!" she squawked in confusion and fright, blinking rapidly.
"Psychic-type movezzz don't work on Dark-typezzz…" Rotom pointed out blankly. The Disaster Pokémon was about to attack as her horn glowed a bright purple, but suddenly found herself struck by an orb of pink light, being blown back in a powerful explosion. The Dancing Pokémon blinked in surprise, looking back to see that it had come from Primarina, who gave her a reassuring wink.
"Ryyy… KAANNN!" Lycanroc roared, making several small boulders that were floating around his body fling out and strike down more of the Absol. Lurantis was also doing her part, having a torrent of glowing pink petals strike back more of them.
"Nice work, guys!" Erika called out in a complimentary tone.
"Fayye!" Starbright squeaked excitedly, mimicking her trainer's happiness. However, she then noticed an Absol about to pounce on Sandshrew from behind. As he leaped out, she dashed in front of the Alolan Mouse Pokémon defensively. Without even thinking, a light shrouded her body before she formed an orb of pink energy upon her hands. Everyone noticed, widening their eyes in surprise. "Kleh… FAIREEEEE!" the Clefairy exclaimed, unleashing the orb as it collided with the Disaster Pokémon's underbelly in a fierce explosion, causing him to fall onto the ground in agony.
"She finally got it, zzt!" Rotom buzzed excitedly.
"Way to go, Starbright!" Erika complimented with clenched fists. The Fairy Pokémon blinked in surprise, looking at her hands. She had actually used a Moonblast like Primarina. Her eyes sparkled with amazement as she jumped up and down happily.
"Sollll…" the lead Absol growled in frustration, realizing that he and his brethren were outmatched by the group of Pokémon, "Ah, sol!" he called out, enticing his comrades to retreat with him as they quickly traversed the mountainous area.
"Nice work, everybody!" the Ketchum girl exclaimed as she and the others gathered around again.
"Gassuu…" Sandygast uttered out, having remained near Sandshrew the entire time the Absol pack had attacked.
"You okay now, Sandshrew?" Erika asked of the Alolan Mouse Pokémon, getting his attention.
"Sahh!" he squeaked assuredly in response with a nod, making her giggle happily.
"We should get back to the Pokémon Center soon, zzt," Rotom advised to its user, getting her attention, "The forecast showzzz that it'zzz gonna rain soon…" it pointed out, showing the weather pattern upon its screen.
"Yeah, that sounds good," Erika agreed with a nod. She then returned all of her Pokémon to their respective Poké Balls, save for Sandygast. "Take care of yourself on your way back home, Sandshrew!" she advised to the Alolan Mouse Pokémon, starting to head off.
"Shroo!" he squeaked out, getting her attention as she turned to see him trudging after her.
"What is it?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at him.
"Sah, san shroo!" Sandshrew told her, waving his arms before pointing at her with his right one, "Sand shroo!" he added.
"Maybe he wantzzz to go with you?" Rotom guessed as it floated over.
"You think so?" Erika inquired.
"Sah, san!" the Alolan Mouse Pokémon responded eagerly with a nod. The Ketchum girl cracked a grin. She quickly pulled out a Poké Ball from her belt.
"Okay then!" she said, reeling her arm back after enlarging the spherical container by pressing its center button, "Welcome aboard, Sand—!"
"Sah!" the Alolan Mouse Pokémon squeaked, shaking his head defiantly to her surprise. She then saw him take a few steps back before taking a ready stance. "San shroo!" he challenged. Erika blinked.
"I guezzz you'll have to try and catch him the old fashioned way, zzt…" Rotom cheekily pointed out. A deep sigh of frustration left the Ketchum girl's lips. She pulled out another Poké Ball…
"G-Gassuu!" Sandygast suddenly stammered out, getting her attention as she looked to see him inch forward, albeit nervously.
"You wanna battle, Sandygast?" his trainer inquired out of surprise while blinking.
"Sah, gass!" he responded with a nod, taking on a firm, determined expression. Erika grinned.
"Okay, go for it!" she called out, throwing her left hand forward.
"Gassuu!" the Sand Heap Pokémon squeaked. Sandshrew had his claws glow a silvery white before they extended. He then lunged out at his opponent.
"That'zzz Metal Claw!" Rotom buzzed.
"Sandygast, Shadow Ball!" Erika commanded. The Sand Heap Pokémon formed a purple-and-black ball of energy in front of his open mouth, firing it forwards. However, his foe evaded it by spinning out of the way, slashing at his face.
"Gaahhh…!" he yelped out, frightfully shielding himself with his stubby arms.
"He's faster than I thought he'd be…" Erika noted with widened eyes.
"Yeah…" Rotom agreed.
"It's okay, Sandygast!" the Ketchum girl assured as the Sand Heap Pokémon shook his head to regain himself, "Use Bulldoze!" she ordered. Taking on a serious expression, Sandygast glared at his target.
"Gassuuu!" he exclaimed, becoming surrounded by an orange aura. A ring of the same light pulsated through the ground, causing it to surge towards Sandshrew, striking him as he flew back. However, he landed safely on his feet.
"San!" he exclaimed, rolling forwards as his body glowed a light blue.
"What move is that?" Erika inquired as she blinked.
"It's Ice Ball, zzt!" Rotom buzzed out in response. The Alolan Mouse Pokémon then collided with Sandygast in a fierce burst of cold mist, sending him sliding back as he winced in agony.
"G-Gassuu…" he stuttered out, shaking with fright.
"Sandygast…" his trainer uttered worriedly. She decided that despite his bravery, he was fighting at a major disadvantage and needed to be returned. Grabbing his Poké Ball, she aimed it towards him and…
"GASUU!" he suddenly exclaimed in defiance upon noticing, much to her surprise as she blinked, "Sah, gassuu!" he yelled, taking on a determined expression again as he glared at Sandshrew.
"Shroo!" he squeaked, cloaking his entire body in a whitish light to make him appear black-and-white.
"He'zzz gonna use Iron Head!" Rotom buzzed out, seeing the Alolan Mouse Pokémon charge forward. Erika grimaced. She knew that Sandygast had already taken quite a bit of damage, but also knew that he wanted to see this battle through. So she had an idea.
"Bulldoze!" she ordered again. The Sand Heap Pokémon shrouded his body in an orange aura once again, causing a ring of that very energy to pulsate, making the ground surge up and knock the incoming Sandshrew hurdling helplessly into the air.
"Whoa!" the Pokédex yelped.
"Now Shadow Ball!" the Ketchum girl commanded, sticking her right hand forward. Sandygast opened his mouth wide, forming another purple-and-black ball of energy with purple electricity sparking around it. Before the Alolan Mouse Pokémon could regain himself, he was struck by the ball in a powerful explosion. He crashed into the ground upon his stomach, grimacing all the while.
"Nice one, zzt!" Rotom complimented. At that moment, Erika readied a Poké Ball in her right hand.
"Here goes!" she yelled, flinging it forward. It struck Sandshrew atop his head, popping open. The Alolan Mouse Pokémon then turned into bright red light that zoomed into the spherical container, which shut before landing upon the ground. The button blinked a bright red as it shook. The Ketchum girl watched in anticipation. Once it stopped, she smiled upon thinking that she had just caught him. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case as the Poké Ball popped open as its light formed upon the ground, dissipating to reveal Sandshrew still ready to fight.
"Sah!" he exclaimed, lengthening the claws on both of his arms as they glowed a bright silvery-white.
"Shoot!" Erika shouted in frustration. Never had any of her previous Pokémon that she encountered ended up escaping from their Poké Ball prior to being captured.
"It'zzz been a while, huh?" Rotom guessed in a rather smug manner, causing its user to puff out her cheeks. The Alolan Mouse Pokémon charged in again, readying his claws. He slashed at Sandygast, making him slide back slightly. This time though, he was enduring the attacks with a firm expression. He didn't want to be scared anymore.
"That's it, Sandygast!" his trainer called out in a complimentary tone, "Now use Hypnosis!" she yelled. After taking another slash, the Sand Heap Pokémon made his eyes glow a bright pink as he stared into his opponent's eyes. He reacted too late, letting his eyes droop before falling asleep, lying upon the ground on his stomach.
"He'zzz asleep!" Rotom noted, blinking in surprise.
"And I know just the Poké Ball to catch him with!" Erika decided additionally, reaching into her bag. She pulled out the Heavy Ball she had from her collection, enlarging it with the press of its button. "And… go!" she yelled, throwing it forward. It hit the sleeping Sandshrew atop the head, opening up as his body morphed into red light and zipped into it.
The special Poké Ball then closed, falling onto the ground. Its button blinked a bright red as it shook in place, with those around it watching in anticipation. And then it finally blinked a bright green as it clicked, indicating a completed capture.
"ALRIGHT!" Erika exclaimed as she leapt up with joy, raising her right fist to the sky.
"Gassuu!" Sandygast squeaked out happily. Moments later, his trainer went over to retrieve the Heavy Ball, which shrunk in her hand as its button glowed a bright red. She smiled with a sigh of realization.
"Guess we're gonna have to send someone else back in a bit to officially welcome our new friend…" she concluded, chuckling all the while. Nevertheless, she was glad to be back on track. And now, she'd get to prepare for her upcoming trial…
X
"Here we are!" Acerola exclaimed, gesturing towards the abandoned Thrifty Megamart for Calvin and Paige to see.
"Togeh…" Togedemaru squeaked out in surprise as he blinked. Just then, there was a clap of thunder.
"AH!" the silvery-haired girl yelped girlishly, hiding behind the capped boy in fright, "C-Can't Cal take this trial when it's sunnier out?" she inquired with a stutter.
"Well, that's up to Calvin!" Acerola pointed out in response, putting her hands onto her hips.
"If you're scared about going in, then you can just stay out here…" he mentioned to his rival. As much as she didn't want to go inside, part of her wanted to see what kind of trial the Ketchum boy would have to face. Plus… she didn't want to leave his side as rain was starting to come down.
"No… I'll go…" she finally said as her lips quivered with fear and embarrassment.
"Okay then!" Acerola yelled, pumping her right hand up, "I hereby pronounce this trial begun for you, Calvin!" she declared. The capped boy adjusted his cap and took a deep breath. Togedemaru took on a serious expression. They were prepared to enter the abandoned trial site…
ENDING
Insert "Fushigina Fushigina Ikimono" by Tortoise Matsumoto
Opens in a hospital, with the newborn Calvin and Erika lying in separate cribs as they snooze soundly. Watching from outside the window to the nursery is Leslie, who's excited about having both a little brother and sister. Her father comes up behind her and puts his right hand onto her shoulder, giving her a warm smile.
We cut to the Ketchum family returning home. Leslie spends a lot of time with the infant twins, helping her parents feed, bathe, and put them to sleep. As the years go by, we see that she struggles to keep up with trying to take care of the rambunctious twins. At one point, Erika actually refuses her baby bottle and tries getting her milk from her sister's breast, much to her shock and embarrassment.
We cut to when the family started vacationing in Alola, with Leslie having drifted somewhat apart from her twin siblings. It saddens her that most of the good memories she had with them are now fleeting. We see her put on her new dress as she goes to the Iki Town festival, where she witnesses Calvin and Erika attempt to battle for the first time. Though they both lose, she's happy that they tried.
From Ash and Mirajane's point of view, they've had a wonderful life with their three children. Ash and Pikachu had helped teach Calvin how to walk, while Mirajane showed Erika how to garden as they water plants together. There's another scene of the twins getting to see their sister in a tournament as her Krookodile goes up against Benga's Garchomp, countering a Dragon Claw with his own.
We cut to the present day, where Leslie contently watches the highlights of the Aether Tournament. As she sees the final match between her twin siblings, she doesn't even realize that she's crying happily for getting the chance to witness it at all. Her parents take notice of her emotional state and venture over to give her a comforting hug.
As the ending slowly winds down, we cut to the twins camping together on Ula'ula. They both glance up at the stars and smile. They're grateful to be on a journey that they never thought they would enjoy in the first place.
END ENDING
And with that, we've gotten to the start of Calvin's trial! I wanted to give you guys a reprieve from all the action lately, so I decided to make this chapter a little shorter. In the end, I think it worked for the best.
Anyways, we've got another chapter to go that'll feature the upcoming trial in full along with a few other surprises! So here's a summary for next week!
SUMMARY
Calvin's trial begins in the Abandoned Megamart! Facing Ghost-type Pokémon of all kinds, there's no telling what kind of totem he'll end up against! Who'll it be?!
And back on Melemele, Leslie's about to go through her own turmoil… She's going on her first date! How will she fare at the famous Battle Buffet Dylan takes her to?!
END SUMMARY
Hope you're looking forward to next time as much as I am! See you all later!