Alola again, everyone! Welcome back to "The Challenge of a Lifetime"! It's been a while since we last met up for the story due to the conclusion of Volume 6 of "RWBY: Omni Force", but we're finally back!
Last time, we got to see Calvin take on Acerola's spooky trial at the abandoned Thrifty Megamart, seeing him and his team defeat a Totem Mimikyu! But that leaves the question as to whether or not he got a good enough picture of the Disguise Pokémon… So did he?
Well, let's find out!
POKÉMON SUN & MOON
THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME
"Huh… huh…" Paige exhaled with her hands upon her knees, standing outside the abandoned building as a concerned Acerola looked over her. She had noticed the tears flying out from the silvery-haired girl's eyes as she exited the former supermarket. She was obviously scared by what was inside.
"Hey, it's okay now…" the trial captain assured, holding her hands out in a placating manner, "Look, the rain's stopped, too!" she pointed out. Paige looked up to see that the dark clouds overhead had indeed parted, revealing the sunny sky. She exhaled a breath of relief.
"I hope Calvin's okay…" she said, wiping her teary eyes while sniffling. Acerola gave off a worried look to her. At that moment, she heard the doors open. She and the silvery-haired girl looked over in surprise to see Calvin come outside with Togedemaru perched upon his right shoulder.
"Calvin!" the trial captain greeted, skipping over to him, "When I saw Paige scamper out, I thought something really must've gone wrong in there…" she admitted to him, "If anything went out of hand, I'm so sorry…" she apologized in advance, clapping her hands together in front of herself and bowing to him, hoping for forgiveness.
"N-No, it's fine!" the Ketchum boy stuttered assuredly in response, "It was a little spooky…" he admitted while looking over to the Roly-Poly Pokémon upon his shoulder, "but we handled things all the same," he promised firmly.
"Toh geh!" his teammate squeaked in agreement with a nod. Hearing that, Acerola giggled. Meanwhile, the silvery-haired girl looked on with a stunned expression upon her face. Calvin had actually braved the rest of the trial? Despite how scary it must've been?
Needless to say, Paige was disappointed in herself. She had an opportunity to overcome her own fears by watching the capped boy best the challenges inside the abandoned supermarket. And she herself squandered that opportunity like a coward. That's what she thought as she lowered her head in shame.
"So… let's see the Totem Pokémon!" Acerola requested with a smile.
"Oh, right," Calvin replied, reaching into the right pocket of his shorts to pull out his phone. He unlocked it, pulling up the last picture he had taken before showing it to the trial captain. She stared at it curiously with narrowed eyes. For a moment, she seemed suspicious of the authenticity of the image. But then she cracked a grin.
"Congrats, Calvin!" she exclaimed, handing him his phone, "You successfully got yourself a picture of that Mimikyu and earned this!" she declared, granting him the Ghostium Z as she placed it into his right hand.
"Thank you very much!" he responded with gratitude.
"Mah roo!" Togedemaru squeaked excitedly. His trainer then looked over to Paige, surprised to find her turned away.
"Hey… Paige?" he said, trying to get her attention as he approached her, "You doing okay?" he asked her out of concern. She didn't respond. "I know you got spooked back there…" he pointed out, glancing off to the side nervously, "but it's okay," he assured, making her perk up in surprise, "It's just an extra challenge for you to—"
"IT'S NOT OKAY!" she suddenly screamed as she whipped around to face him, causing him to reel in surprise with a yelp as the Roly-Poly Pokémon hopped off of his shoulder, "You went through that trial without so much as breaking a sweat to any of those Ghost Pokémon…" she noted, looking at her trembling hands, "And I was too scared to even watch you face down that totem…" she mentioned in frustration, closing her hands into fists.
"Paige…" the capped boy uttered in shock.
"Maybe… Trent had a point about being held back by being around everybody…" she admitted sadly to him as she turned away, "When I'm around you nowadays, I can't keep my heart from pounding out my chest…" she confessed, blushing a little, "I'm sorry…!" she apologized before racing off into the distance.
"Ah, Paige!" Calvin called out. Unfortunately, he reached to her too late as she ran off, heading down the black sand beach back towards Tapu Village. He pulled his hand back, letting out a sigh.
"She'll be okay," Acerola assured, getting his attention, "Truth be told, I used to be scared of Ghost-types myself," she admitted to his surprise, "But the thing is, they're just really playful!" she pointed out smartly, "That goes double for that Mimikyu you fought," she mentioned.
"Huh?" the Ketchum boy uttered in confusion.
"You ever stop to think about why he's wearing that Pikachu costume over himself?" the trial captain inquired back, "That's because he wants to be just as popular as one!" she told him.
"Really?" he questioned, looking back at the abandoned supermarket acing as the trial site, "I guess it makes me wonder why he was all alone in that room at the end of the store…" he mentioned, narrowing his eyes for a moment.
"What room?" Acerola inquired, arching an eyebrow, "There's no room in the back!" she pointed out, giggling a little.
"Wh-What?" Calvin stuttered in question, quite surprised.
"Oh, Calvin!" the trial captain laughed, "Maybe you got just as spooked as Paige did!" she suggested, "Anyways, here's the pose you'll wanna use for that Z-Crystal you just got!" she pointed out, standing in front of the capped boy. She crossed her arms, waving them around to begin the dance before crouching and slowly standing up spookily with her hands in front of her face. "And… BOO!" she exclaimed with a cheerful smile as she moved her arms aside, "If you've got a Pokémon with a Ghost-type move, you'll definitely wanna remember that one!" she insisted.
"Thanks, Acerola," the Ketchum boy said in gratitude. She giggled.
"Come on, let's get back to the others!" she beckoned, waving him to follow her as she skipped down the steps towards the beach. Calvin was quick to follow, though a troubled look crossed his face. Paige was a strong trainer in his eyes. So to see her frustrated with herself like Trent was really surprised him. He just hoped that she would be alright.
Unbeknownst to him, the alternate-colored Mimikyu had been watching from afar, peeking from around the corner of the building. She watched as he left alongside his Togedemaru. Curiously, she wound up following them…
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
Anchors Away!
"Phew…" Erika exhaled from back in the Aether House, wringing out her blue vest, which was soaked, "Sure glad all that rain stopped…" she muttered out before taking a towel to help dry off Sandshrew, who was chewing on an Oran Berry.
"Why would you two even try training in that weather?" Lillie wondered, raising an eyebrow.
"'Cause it's fun!" Hau exclaimed in response, shaking his head to rid himself of the water on his hair, "Besides, we gotta be ready for whatever Acerola's gonna throw at us!" he insisted as he punched his left hand excitedly.
"Mm-hmm," his cousin voiced in agreement with a nod, "By now, I bet Calvin's already finished with the trial…" she noted while rubbing the back of her neck. At that moment, the sliding doors went ahead and opened.
"Hello, everyone!" Acerola greeted cheerfully, getting their attentions, "I'm happy to let you all know that Calvin here cleared my trial with flying colors!" she declared, gesturing towards the capped boy as he walked in behind her.
"I… wouldn't say 'flying colors'…" he sheepishly admitted, rubbing the back of his head nervously.
"But you won, didn't you?" his twin sister inquired. In response, he pulled out his new Ghostium Z to show her and the others.
"Awesome!" Hau exclaimed.
"Well done, Calvin!" Lillie complimented as she grinned brightly, "Now you're finished with the trials on this island, right?" she guessed, earning a nod in response from the Ketchum boy.
"Where'zzz Paige, zzt?" Rotom asked as it floated over. Everyone else realized that the silvery-haired trial-goer hadn't come back with Calvin and Acerola, much to their confusion. The capped boy lowered his head in shame.
"She's… uh…" he tried to say, struggling to repeat what she had told him earlier.
"She said she had to go and train before taking on my trial for real," Acerola chimed in, much to his surprise, "I'm sure she'll be back soon!" she reassured, giving Calvin a wink.
"Y-Yeah, right…" he stuttered in agreement.
"Anyways, who's up next?" the trial captain suddenly asked. Everyone else blinked in confusion.
"Next for… what?" Erika inquired, tilting her head to the side and raising an eyebrow.
"For my trial of course, silly!" Acerola pointed out as a reply, "I can do more than one easily in a day!" she mentioned rather proudly, putting her hands onto her hips.
"Just like Sophocles…" Calvin recalled, sounding impressed.
"So? Who's gonna come with?" the trial captain of the two remaining trial-goers in the Aether House.
"I'll take the challenge!" Erika exclaimed just before Hau could say anything, causing him to lower his head and groan a little.
"Perfect!" Acerola exclaimed, "For this trial though, you're gonna definitely need swim trunks…" she pointed out, putting her hand onto her chin, "And… do you have a Ride Pager?" she inquired curiously.
"Cal does," the Ketchum girl answered, pointing towards her brother. Sighing in realization, he took out the device from his backpack before handing it off to her.
"Don't break it, okay?" he requested.
"Don't worry, don't worry…" she repeated in understanding, "Ready to take on your first trial, Sandshrew?" she asked of the Alolan Mouse Pokémon standing beside her.
"Sannn!" he squeaked excitedly in response as he nodded.
"You caught an Alolan Sandshrew?" Calvin inquired, blinking in surprise.
"Mm-hmm!" his twin sister answered, giving him a smile, "Cal, once we get back, we're gonna battle again," she vowed, closing her right hand into a fist, "I know we already decided who'd take on the kahuna first," she pointed out, "but I really just wanna see how strong both of us are at this point," she insisted firmly.
"…Okay then," her brother replied with his own grin. Moments later, she left alongside her Sandshrew and Acerola through the sliding doors of the Aether House.
"Wait for me, zzt!" Rotom buzzed, floating after them outside.
"Huh…" Calvin exhaled in exhaustion, plopping himself down onto the bench beside Lillie.
"Are you okay?" she asked in concern. He stared up at the ceiling for a moment, pondering his response.
"Yeah…" he answered, letting out a sigh, "That trial just really took a lot out of me is all…" he confessed while rubbing his head.
"Well, now you've got all the time in the world for some R-and-R!" his cousin pointed out, giving him a cheeky smile.
"That's true," he agreed, standing up from his seat, "But I guess I should at least pass the time by mastering the new Z-Move pose," he decided, setting his newly obtained Ghostium Z onto his Z-Ring.
"Ooh, lemme see!" Hau insisted excitedly as he bounced over. He watched as his cousin crossed his arms and swung them around, trying his best to perform the pose. However, as he tried to wriggle himself up from his crouched position like a ghost about to go in for a scare, he stumbled and fell over in a loud yelp.
"Oh!" Lillie exclaimed in surprise, putting her hands over her mouth.
"Tough break, cuz…" Hau remarked, holding his hand out to the capped boy. He sheepishly chuckled, taking his relative's hand, allowing himself to pulled back up onto his feet. "When you master that Z-Move, you'll be almost unstoppable!" he pointed out excitedly.
"I sure hope so…" Calvin replied as he adjusted his cap slightly.
"Kyuuu?" a voice suddenly squeaked, getting their attentions as they blinked in surprise.
"What was that?" the ponytailed boy asked, glancing around with his cousin as confused looks crossed their faces. Lillie had also overheard the squeak, looking about the common area herself. She then spotted something, gasping lightly in surprise.
"Over there!" she pointed out, making both boys look towards the front doors. They widened their eyes upon seeing the alternate-colored Mimikyu there.
"Memeee?" she squeaked out again, slowly approaching Calvin and his cousin.
"A Mimikyu!" the latter of the two exclaimed in surprise, "But… what's one doing here?" he wondered aloud.
'Did it come from the trial site?' the Ketchum boy guessed through his thoughts.
"Toh, togeh!" Togedemaru sounded off suddenly, getting in front of the shiny Disguise Pokémon. She blinked in confusion… but then approached him. "T-T-Toh?!" he stammered in surprise, finding himself being nuzzled by the Mimikyu.
"Keeeuuu…" she squealed contently.
"Uh… okay…" Hau uttered, quite confused by the Disguise Pokémon's affectionate behavior.
"Hey, it's Mimikins!" Hannah suddenly exclaimed, catching the group's attention as they saw her run in alongside Hunter.
"Hi Mimikins!" the little boy greeted.
"Meemee!" the shiny Mimikyu squeaked happily, approaching the two children.
"You know this Mimikyu?" Lillie inquired as she walked over, curiously raising an eyebrow.
"Mm-hmm!" Hannah responded with a nod, "Mimikins always visits every now and again whenever a trial-goer beats the trial at the old store," she explained.
"I think she's always wanted to go on a journey with a strong trainer!" Hunter mentioned while petting the Disguise Pokémon gently.
"Is that so…?" Calvin wondered.
"Keeoo!" Mimikins squeaked, waddling over to him. However, Togedemaru defensively got out in front of his trainer.
"Toh mah!" he called out pleadingly, blocking the shiny Mimikyu off.
"Uh…" the capped boy uttered, arching an eyebrow in confusion.
"How come she hasn't left with a trainer yet?" Hau inquired as he crouched down to observe the Disguise Pokémon curiously.
"I think it's 'cause people are scared of her…" Hannah replied while scratching at her right cheek, "Or Pokémon are…" she mentioned, noticing how nervous Togedemaru seemed.
"That seems a little unfair…" Calvin admitted as he crouched down to Mimikins' eye level, "You wanna go on an adventure, right?" he inquired.
"Mee!" she squeaked happily in response, reaching one of her ghostly appendages from underneath her cloak out to him.
"And you were waiting for a trainer who you thought would strong enough…" he realized, letting off a grin, "Okay then…" he said, standing up and pulling out a Poké Ball. Togedemaru paled.
"T-T-Togeh, toh!" he begged while stammering uncontrollably. He was very uncomfortable about the idea of the shiny Disguise Pokémon being amongst him and the others on his trainer's team. But it seemed like he had decided upon realizing her plight. He tossed the Poké Ball down, letting it bounce off of the Pikachu-like head of her costume. She then became a red light, zipping into the spherical container before it closed up and landed upon the floor. It shook for just a few moments before stopping with the sound of a click, indicating a successful capture.
"Yay!" Hunter and Hannah exclaimed excitedly in unison. Meanwhile, Togedemaru's mouth gaped open in disbelief. He couldn't comprehend what his trainer had just done. He picked up the Poké Ball, which automatically shrunk in his hand as its button glowed a bright red.
"Guess now you've got a great new teammate on your side!" Hau noted, chuckling cheekily.
"It'll be interesting to see just how you and Mimikyu work together…" Lillie mentioned. Calvin nodded in agreement. He was looking forward to how things would go with the shiny Disguise Pokémon.
X
"Huh," Acerola uttered while looking up at the sky from the Route 14 beach. There was already another overcast of clouds. "Guess Mother Nature's being pretty fickle today…" she pointed out with a giggle. Next to her was Erika, who was dressing herself in her rider gear, donning her vest and helmet over her swimwear. She had the Ride Pager in her right hand as she trotted over to the trial captain.
"So where's my trial?" she inquired curiously, while Rotom floated over beside her.
"Out on the water!" Acerola replied, "We're gonna be doing some treasure hunting over towards that old lighthouse there!" she pointed out, gesturing towards what looked like a mass of stone that seemed to be from a building that had mostly crumbled away.
"Treasure hunting, huh?" Erika repeated as she blinked.
"Yep!" the trial captain responded, "Who knows? You might even find yourself a Ghostium Z like your brother!" she mentioned cheekily. Hearing that made the Ketchum girl grin excitedly.
"Well, let's go ahead and do it!" she decided, punching her left hand. A moment later, she popped the silver Poké Ball out from the Ride Pager, having it open. The light that came out from it formed upon the water, dissipating to reveal a Lapras with a mounted seat upon her back.
"Arroooo~!" she sang in greeting. Both Erika and Acerola boarded her, with the former seating herself onto the mounted saddle, grasping the handles. The Transport Pokémon then swam off towards the distance. It was relatively foggy ahead, likely due to the rain from earlier.
"So how are ya feeling, Erika?" the trial captain asked after a moment, catching her attention as she blinked in surprise.
"Uh, I'm fine…" she answered, "Why?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I was just wondering since everything that happened back in Malie," Acerola responded, making her lightly gasp as her eyes widened a little, "I know you got pretty scared back then…" she recalled. Turning away, the Ketchum girl tightly gripped the handles of the mounted seat. The laughter of Team Skull echoed in her head again.
"…You know…" she began, "that was a long time coming for me," she admitted, causing the trial captain to blink in shock, "Before I started the island challenge, I didn't really care about taking part or even battling with Pokémon…" she explained, "But I started to feel so left out when the people around me were all getting better where I was getting worse…" she confessed, letting out a deep sigh.
"But… why do you feel that you deserved something like what Team Skull did?" Acerola wondered aloud, raising an eyebrow in concern.
"When I didn't get my amulet for the island challenge…" Erika started to reply, "I tried to go to one of the Tapu to get myself a Z-Ring like Calvin's," she told the trial captain, who lightly gasped, "And then… it came and attacked me for ruining its home," she mentioned, "If it wasn't for my big sister, I probably would've never learned my lesson…" she confessed somberly.
"Erika…" Acerola uttered out, quite stunned by the story.
"I'm not gonna let it get to me though!" the Ketchum girl assured, making her blink in surprise, "We're gonna get through the rest of this island challenge and never have to worry about those numbskulls ever again!" she declared firmly.
"That soundzzz just like you, Erika!" Rotom buzzed, floating alongside her. The group approached the mostly-crumbled and submerged lighthouse, disembarking from Lapras.
"So… where can we find the treasure?" the Ketchum girl inquired as she looked around curiously.
"It'll be over there!" Acerola pointed out in response, gesturing towards the fog with her right pointer finger. Erika blinked in confusion, narrowing her eyes into a squint as she stared into the white cloud. She started to notice the silhouette of something come into focus from there.
"What is that?" she wondered aloud.
"It lookzzz like a shipwreck, zzt!" Rotom noted as it looked out at the silhouette through the fog as well.
"Mm-hmm!" Acerola responded with a nod, getting their attentions, "Can't have a treasure-hunting trial without a pirate ship to find the treasure in!" she pointed out cheekily.
"Guess not…" Erika concurred as she sheepishly chuckled. At that moment, she noticed the water starting to bubble nearby her and the others. All of a sudden, something splashed out, causing her and the others to brace themselves from the water, while the Pokédex floated back in a panicked yelp, not wanting to get wet. When the water subsided, the Ketchum girl looked in surprise to find a trio of female Frillish looming around her.
"Freeeee!" they all trilled excitedly upon surrounding her, Acerola, and Rotom.
"Frillish, huh?" the trial-goer uttered out, taking a Poké Ball off from her belt and enlarging it with the press of its button, "Hey, Rotodex?" she inquired, getting her Pokédex's attention.
"Leave it to me, zzt!" it responded, pulling up an image of the Floating Pokémon of both genders upon its screen, "Frillish, the Floating Pokémon," it began, "They wrap their veil-like arms and legs around prey swimming by and drag them down to the depths of the ocean. Using the invisible poison spikes on their veil-like arms and legs, Frillish paralyze their enemies and cause them to drown," it explained thoroughly.
"Thanks," Erika said in gratitude, tossing her Poké Ball up. It popped open, with its light spilling onto the stone surface slightly submerged in water. The luminosity then dissipated to reveal Lurantis.
"Luraaaahhh!" she exclaimed, swinging forth her sickle-like arms. The trio of Frillish didn't seem to be intimidated in the least, each preparing a blue energy sphere of energy in between their veil-like arms.
"Lurantis, Petal Blizzard!" the Ketchum girl commanded. Multiple pink petals swirled about the Bloom Sickle Pokémon before she swung her arms out, firing them towards her trio of foes. They struck, causing their concentration on their energy spheres to break as they splashed apart.
"Leeeesshhh!" one exclaimed angrily, unleashing a dark crimson beam from her eyes towards her foe, striking her as she slid back along the watery surface of the mostly-submerged lighthouse.
"Lurrraaahhh…" she hissed out, glaring fiercely at her trio of foes.
"Now Leaf Blade!" her trainer ordered. Both of the Bloom Sickle Pokémon's scythe-like arms glowed a bright green and sharpened before she lunged forward and slashed mightily at all three Frillish, sending them flying as they splashed into the water. Once they emerged, the group saw them swim off in fright.
"Lurann," Lurantis huffed proudly, putting her arms onto her hips.
"Nice going, Lurantis!" Erika complimented.
"And with the weather not being sunny, she'zzz totally awake, too!" Rotom pointed out.
"Hmm…" Acerola hummed curiously, staring out towards the shipwreck in the distance through the fog, "I get the feeling those Frillish were just scouts trying to protect whatever's inside that ship…" she pointed out, getting the attentions of the others, "Oh, I'm stoked to see what other things we can find!" she exclaimed excitedly, "It's giving me chicken skin just thinking about it!" she mentioned. A drop of sweat rolled down the Ketchum girl's head.
'Is that a normal phrase people use in Alola?' she wondered inwardly, having heard it before from her cousin. She and the others then boarded Lapras, swimming into the fog towards the shipwreck. Erika widened her eyes upon seeing that it was a large wooden flagship with a semi-ripped jolly roger flag hanging from the mast.
"Whoa…" she uttered out.
"Never seen a pirate ship before?" Acerola guessed, arching an eyebrow.
"Just never seen one shipwrecked…" the trial-goer responded while staring at the broken vessel. Once they were close enough, everyone disembarked from Lapras onto the nearby rocks. "Thanks for your help!" the Ketchum girl exclaimed in gratitude.
"Arrr~!" the Transport Pokémon yipped happily, being returned to the silver Poké Ball in a beam of red light. Erika then clicked it back into place on the Ride Pager, pocketing it away.
"Hey, Erika!" Acerola suddenly called out, catching her attention and those of Lurantis and Rotom as they saw her standing next to an opening into the hull of the ship, "I think we can get in through here!" she pointed out. The trial-goer went over with her Pokémon and Pokédex, entering the broken hull first. There wasn't much inside of the ship when regarding supplies. But the Ketchum girl could see the wear and tear that had made the ship rot over what likely was years.
"Hmm…" she hummed in thought, putting her right hand onto her chin.
"What'zzz wrong, zzt?" Rotom inquired.
"If I were a secret treasure in a pirate ship, where would I be…?" she wondered aloud, closing her eyes to concentrate. Her father was friends with people who were pirates themselves, though not the best at keeping treasure… But in terms of where it'd be hidden… "The captain's quarters!" she exclaimed, placing her right fist into the palm of her right hand.
"Ooh, that definitely sounds like I place I'd keep my treasure!" Acerola pointed out.
"In that case, we're gonna have to go up…" Erika realized. She and the others ventured towards the stairs, about to embark up to the ship's deck. However, Lurantis stopped upon noticing something. Part of the ship's hull was submerged in the water. And she could see something round poking out from it.
"Lurr, lurraaah!" she cried out, catching the attentions of the others before they could head upstairs.
"What's wrong, Lurantis?" her trainer questioned. She then took notice of the figure lurking in the water as it slowly rose up. It was actually a male Jellicent.
"Jellleeeee…" he hummed out ominously.
"Now there's Jellicent, huh?" Erika noted, while Rotom pulled up an image of the Floating Pokémon upon its screen.
"Jellicent, the Floating Pokémon, and the evolved form of Frillish," it began, "Jellicent are always hanging around fancy cruise ships and tankers, hoping to drag away their prey. Fishermen are terrified of this Pokémon. They're rumored to drag them into the sea and steal their lives away," it explained thoroughly.
"Wait, 'their prey'?" Erika repeated, knowing only that one of the Floating Pokémon was looming before them. All of a sudden, a second one splashed out from the water, floating beside his brethren. Both of them formed blue spheres of energy upon the tips of their arms, launching them out towards their targets. "Lurantis, Leaf Blade!" the Ketchum girl commanded quickly.
"Luraaah!" the Bloom Sickle Pokémon responded, making her scythe-like arms glow a bright green and sharpen before slashing forward horizontally, splitting both incoming energy spheres cleanly in half as they exploded into white smoke behind her. She then lunged forward and slashed both of her opponents, blowing them both back. They winced in agony, but remained floating firmly as they glared at their foe.
"Nice hit, Lurantis!" Erika complimented with a pump of her right fist, "Leaf Blade again!" she instructed. The Bloom Sickle Pokémon was prepared to attack once more. However, her arms didn't glow at all, much to her surprise along with those of the others. The two Jellicent immediately took advantage, firing off dark crimson beams of zigzagging light from their eyes, striking their foe to make her tumble back along the floorboards of the shipwreck.
"Lurrrr…" she groaned out, pushing herself up onto her feet.
"What the heck just happened?" the Ketchum girl wondered aloud.
"That must've been Jellicent'zzz ability, Cursed Body!" Rotom responded quickly, getting her attention.
"Cursed Body?" Erika repeated in confusion, raising an eyebrow.
"Mm-hmm," Acerola chimed in, "Sometimes when a move hits Jellicent, there's a chance that it'll be disabled until the end of the battle," she explained.
"Jellleeee!" one of the Floating Pokémon exclaimed as he flew towards Lurantis. Before she could do anything, she found herself ensnared in its arms, which wrung her tightly as she grimaced.
"Lurantis!" her trainer cried out.
"Now he'zzz using Wring Out, zzt!" Rotom exclaimed in surprise. The other Jellicent then floated in, firing off more zigzagging beams of dark crimson light that struck the entrapped Bloom Sickle Pokémon, making her grimace as she had no way to escape. Erika gritted her teeth together in frustration. Obviously, the Jellicent were much more trouble than the Frillish they faced earlier. Then she blinked upon remembering something.
"Lurantis, Growth!" she called out. The Bloom Sickle Pokémon's eyes shot open upon hearing her trainer, taking on a serious expression. A greenish aura flowed around her body, which grew ever so slightly. "Now Petal Blizzard!" Erika commanded. Pink petals swirled around Lurantis' body as she slowly pried herself free of Jellicent's grip. After breaking free, she swung her arms out to unleash the petals onto her foe, striking him fiercely in a burst of smoke.
"Jelleeee…" he moaned in agony with swirls in his eyes as he lied upon the floorboards.
"Yes!" the trial-goer exclaimed excitedly as she pumped her left fist.
"There'zzz still the other one, zzt!" Rotom pointed out, causing its user to snap away from her excited stupor to see the remaining Floating Pokémon readying another sphere of blue energy upon the tips of his arms. He fired it out, striking his target in a burst of white smoke.
"Lurantis!" Erika cried out. Fortunately, the smoke subsided to reveal that the Bloom Sickle Pokémon was still standing, shaking her head to recover. "Petal Blizzard!" her trainer ordered.
"Lurr!" she responded, making another flurry of pink petals fly out and strike the lone Jellicent, knocking him into his fainted brethren before they splashed into the water together. Moments later, both of them floated up to reveal that they were unconscious, having swirls in their eyes.
"Way to go, Lurantis!" the Ketchum girl complimented, pumping her right fist up excitedly.
"Luraaaahhhh…" the Bloom Sickle Pokémon sighed in relief, seating herself down onto the floorboards to catch her breath for a moment.
"So it'zzz been Frillish and Jellicent we've run into so far, zzt…" Rotom noted, catching its user's attention, "Thozzze Pokémon are known for causing trouble on the water, too…" it mentioned.
"Hmm…" Erika hummed in thought, putting her right hand onto her chin.
'If that's the case, then there might be a Totem Pokémon here related to shipwrecks…' she concluded inwardly, 'Of course, it'd have to be a Ghost-type, too…' she mentioned through her thoughts.
"Hey, are you coming?" Acerola's voice inquired, snapping her away from her thoughts as she turned to see the trial captain heading up the stairs onto the deck. The Ketchum girl soon followed along with Rotom and Lurantis. The fog had spread quite a bit, causing the trial-goer to feel somewhat uneasy. She wasn't afraid, but she was nervous. Part of her really had no idea what to expect as they approached the captain's quarters.
"Lurrahh…?" the Bloom Sickle Pokémon voiced out nervously in concern as they approached the door.
"After you!" Acerola insisted, gesturing for Erika to go ahead and open the door herself. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, the Ketchum girl pushed the wooden door open. To her surprise, the captain's quarters were practically barren. In fact, it seemed… clean?
"Hey, look over there, zzt!" the Pokédex buzzed, getting her attention. She looked ahead to see at the end of the room was a pedestal similar to the ones she'd seen before from both Verdant Cavern and the Ten Carat Hill. And upon it, she noticed the Ghostium Z.
'Just like when we were in Verdant Cavern…' she recalled through her thoughts. And right away, she knew something wasn't right. She glanced around the room, looking to spot if something was amiss. She noticed a lot of ropes upon the ceiling tied together, acting as nets. But before she could even catch as to what was up there…
"Are you gonna grab that Z-Crystal or what?" Acerola inquired, getting her attention as she blinked in surprise.
"Oh, uh, right…" she stuttered out, venturing over to the pedestal to go and grab the Ghostium Z. As she approached though, she heard shuffling from above. "Huh?" she uttered in confusion, looking up to see the imposing figure lurking just behind the nets above her. It was a Dhelmise. And it was big.
"Dellll…" it growled. His anchor then burst through the ropes suddenly, veering towards the Ketchum girl.
"WAH!" she yelped lunging out of the way in the nick of time as the anchor smashed through the floorboards, sending splinters of wood scattering about the captain's quarters.
"It'zzz a Dhelmise!" Rotom exclaimed in shock. Its user quickly got onto her feet and grimaced, seeing the Sea Creeper Pokémon lower itself down as its anchor was reeled in.
"Dell, myyy…" it echoed out before a yellowish aura flared up around its body.
'That's the Totem Pokémon?!' Erika exclaimed through her thoughts out of disbelief. Meanwhile, Acerola chuckled cheekily to herself.
'I made extra sure this trial in particular would be a hard one…' she noted inwardly, 'Now…' she continued to herself, 'what are you going to do, Erika?' she wondered, seeing the Ketchum girl take on a firm stance…
X
It was already sunset as Leslie and Dylan held hands while walking down the road back towards the former's vacation home. After a hearty lunch of pizza, the new couple partook in a couple of arcade games, going to see a movie, and a little bit of shopping. Now it was time for their first date to end. And for the Unova Champion Master, it was actually a lot better than she could've hoped it'd be.
"So what'd you end up buying?" she asked her boyfriend, seeing the shopping bag in his right hand.
"Ah, just a birthday present for Mom…" he replied, "Figured I might as well grab something while we were in the mall…" he pointed out as he shrugged.
"Wow, subtle…" his girlfriend noted sarcastically, making him chuckle.
"Kinda miffed that you skipped out on popcorn for the movie," he pointed out to her.
"Ah, I'm trying to cut down on the snacks…" she remarked back with a dismissive wave of her left hand, "Can't go getting added weight on this body…" she muttered as she gave off a grin.
"Fair point," Dylan agreed, "So… are you gonna go back to Unova?" he inquired curiously, "I hear Iris and Alder might be gunning for your seat again," he told her.
"Really?" she questioned as they were passing by the Trainer's School, "Nah, I think I'm just gonna settle down for a little while," she decided in response, crossing her arms over her chest, "Maybe go on a few OFF missions, help people with Pokémon training, you know…" she listed off as suggestions.
"Even after that big mission you went through a while ago?" her boyfriend asked.
"Yeah!" she responded with a nod, "Truth is, I was never really an Omni Force girl back in the day…" she admitted sheepishly, glancing off to the side, "I only had my MPG during high school because my parents thought it'd be convenient for me to get to places I needed to be…" she pointed out, "And… I never really used it for any… hero stuff…" she mentioned. Dylan gave off a concerned look. "But you know…" his girlfriend continued, making him blink in surprise, "I'm super glad that I went on that mission!" she confessed cheerfully.
"Even though you got imprisoned?" the dark-haired man beside her inquired.
"That was just a one-time thing…" she assured, waving her hand dismissively again, "There were lots of crazy things that happened during that whole mission…" she recalled, "I remember finding out when Natalie and her boyfriend wound up—"
"Oh, we're here," Dylan suddenly interjected, causing her to frown and puff out her cheeks before noticing that they had indeed arrived in front of Ketchum vacation home, "Don't suppose you'd wanna invite me in for dinner?" he inquired curiously. His new girlfriend looked over to him, stifling a chuckle.
"It's only the first date, Mister Regulus…" she pointed out as she inched closer, "But…" she continued, blushing a little, "I guess a little kiss wouldn't hurt…" she admitted. He cracked a smirk, leaning his head in. The two of them closed their eyes, sharing a soft, tender kiss. It was short, but sweet.
"Not bad," he remarked upon leaving her lips, making her giggle slightly
"Have a good night, Dylan," she said in farewell, heading up the steps to the front porch. They shared a wave before she went inside, sighing happily.
"Sounds like it went well…" her mother's voice chimed in, getting her attention as she saw her cooking in the kitchen.
"It… actually did!" she replied happily, "Guess we're gonna do things like that more often now…" she concluded, "Dad, thanks for the recommendation for the place!" she added in gratitude to her father, who was trying to set up a brand new door in place of her broken one for her room.
"No problem, sweetie," he responded, "I'm glad you had a great time," he mentioned with a grin.
"So… what's for dinner?" she asked curiously, setting down her white handbag. Back aboard the shipwreck on the sea beyond Route 14, the large Dhelmise stared down Erika as she grimaced nervously. She had a feeling a Totem Pokémon would be the last hurdle she'd have to overcome in order to secure the Z-Crystal. She just didn't expect the Sea Creeper Pokémon to be the very one.
"Dellll…" it growled out.
"Pretty impressive, huh Erika?" Acerola inquired, catching the Ketchum girl's attention as she blinked in surprise, "After Calvin beat that last trial, I thought I'd up my game with something a little… creepier, I guess!" she pointed out, giggling a little. A drop of sweat rolled down the trial-goer's head.
'She's almost as bad as Lana was…' she muttered to herself.
"Dell MYYYY!" the Sea Creeper Pokémon exclaimed, shooting its anchor out towards her. Fortunately, Lurantis lunged in and crossed her scythe-like arms, blocking the attack from striking her trainer. She flew back, landing on her feet and sliding to a stop upon the floorboards.
"Lurrraaahhh!" she squeaked angrily, readying herself for battle. Composing herself by smacking her cheeks with her hands, Erika was prepared as well.
"Lurantis, Growth!" she instructed. A greenish aura built up around the Bloom Sickle Pokémon before a reddish light flowed up her body. In the meantime, Dhelmise reeled its anchor back in. It then prepared a purple-and-black of energy in front of itself with sparks of purple electricity around it. It fired the ball forward, heading straight towards its target. "Dodge and use X-Scissor!" the Ketchum girl called out quickly. Leaping up, Lurantis evaded the ball as it struck the floor in an explosion of white smoke. Her arms glowed a yellowish-green as she swung them out at her target in an x formation, slashing it fiercely. However, it was only blown back a few feet from the impact, still floating rather firmly.
"Dellll…" it growled out.
"Lurraaahhh…" the Bloom Sickle Pokémon hissed in response.
"Dhelmise izzz a Ghost-and-Grazzz-type…" Rotom pointed out from afar, "Lurantis isn't exactly the best matchup for it, zzt…" it noted.
"Come on, Erika!" Acerola cheered, pumping her right fist up into the air.
"Lurantis, Petal Blizzard!" the Ketchum girl commanded. The Bloom Sickle Pokémon had several pink petals swirl around her body. She swung her arms forward, unleashing the petals in a torrent that surrounded her opponent, continuously striking it. However, the totem seemed relatively unfazed. In fact, the trial-goer noticed the chain of its anchor start to extend.
All of a sudden, the Sea Creeper Pokémon fired its rusty anchor out at its target, breaking through the torrent of pink petals. She narrowly backed away from the first swing, only for it to extend its chain to catch her in the anchor a second time. It slammed her hard against the wall in a flurry of dust as chips of wood splintered about.
"LURANTIS!" Erika screamed. The dust settled, allowing her to see the Bloom Sickle Pokémon drop onto her knees and slump face forward onto the floor with swirls in her eyes. "Ergh…" her trainer growled in frustration.
'This definitely isn't like how our battle against Selene and her Dhelmise went…' she noted to herself, taking out Lurantis' Poké Ball.
"Lurantis, return," she said, recalling the Bloom Sickle Pokémon to the container in a beam of red light, "Thanks for all your hard work," she said in gratitude, "I promise I won't let it go to waste…" she vowed, putting the Poké Ball away.
"Delll…" the totem echoed, reeling its anchor back in.
"Rotodex, Dhelmise is a Ghost-and-Grass-type, right?" the trial-goer inquired to her Pokédex, getting its attention.
"Yezzz, zzt!" it responded immediately.
"Okay then…" Erika said, pulling out her Heavy Ball and enlarging it with the press of its button, "Sandshrew, come on out!" she yelled, throwing the Poké Ball forward. It popped open, with its blue-and-white light forming upon the floorboards before dissipating to reveal the Alolan Mouse Pokémon.
"Sann!" he exclaimed, taking on a ready stance.
"You're using Sandshrew, zzt?!" Rotom buzzed in surprise.
"What better chance for him to show what he's got than against a totem?" Erika questioned back as a retort, "Besides, I know he's raring to go!" she mentioned firmly, balling her left hand into a fist.
"Shrooo!" the Alolan Mouse Pokémon squeaked in agreement.
"Delll…" Dhelmise growled. It then formed an orb of light green energy in front of itself, firing it forward.
"Dodge it!" Erika called out, enticing Sandshrew to quickly dash to the side to evade the orb, which struck the floor in an explosion of white smoke, "Now Ice Ball!" she commanded. Leaping upwards as his body glowed a light blue, the Alolan Mouse Pokémon spun around before slamming into the totem, knocking it back.
"Nice one!" Acerola cheered.
"One more time!" Erika instructed. Sandshrew's body glowed even more brightly, with the aura around him growing and freezing into a ball of ice. He jumped out and slammed into the Sea Creeper Pokémon again, causing it to crash against the back of the room in a flurry of dust.
"Dellll…" it growled out, removing itself from the wall as it floated back up, seemingly unfazed. But the Ketchum girl knew it was growing tired. And she knew that it wouldn't be long before the Ghostium Z was in her hands.
"Ice Ball again!" she ordered. The ball of ice surrounded Sandshrew grew once more before he lunged out at his target. However, it was prepared, firing off its anchor. It smashed through the ice and slammed squarely into the Alolan Mouse Pokémon's stomach. His eyes bulged open before he flew into the wall in a flurry of dust. "Sandshrew!" Erika cried out.
"Sannn…" the Alolan Mouse Pokémon groaned out as he fell onto the floor, slowly pushing himself back up.
"That Dhelmise izzz really powerful, zzt…" Rotom noted as it blinked in surprise.
"Mm-hmm!" Acerola responded with a nod, "It's Anchor Shot really packs a punch, doesn't it?" she inquired rhetorically.
"That'zzz right…" the Pokédex buzzed in realization, "It'zzz ability izzz Steelworker, meaning that itzzz Steel-type movezzz are much more powerful…" it pointed out.
"Sandshrew, can you keep going?" Erika asked of her teammate.
"Shroo!" he exclaimed assuredly in response with a nod. The Ketchum girl let out a sigh of relief.
'Normally, someone like Drifblim or Magmar would have a better time against Dhelmise…' she noted to herself, balling her hands into tightened fists, 'I don't wanna have to use Oricorio or Sandygast since it's got Shadow Ball…' she mentioned inwardly, 'And Primarina or Clefairy wouldn't fare much better…' she concluded through her thoughts.
"Delll… MYYYY!" the Sea Creeper Pokémon exclaimed, unleashing four purple-and-black balls of energy out towards its foe.
"Dodge and use Metal Claw!" Erika called out. A silvery white aura in the shape of claws appeared over the arms of the Alolan Mouse Pokémon before he charged forward, evading the incoming energy balls as they struck the floor in explosions of white smoke, veiling him from view. Dhelmise searched around for its opponent, only to wind up ambushed from above as Sandshrew slashed with his right claws.
"Delllll…" it growled out, now forming a light green ball of energy in front of itself. Still in midair, the Alolan Mouse Pokémon had no way to evade the attack as it struck him upside the head, blowing him back. He landed down on his feet thankfully, sliding to a complete stop. His foe then swung its anchor out, having it shoot towards him.
"Iron Defense!" Erika exclaimed. Getting down onto his stomach, Sandshrew had a metal sheen coat his body. The anchor bounced right off of him, being redirected up to the ceiling as it smashed through it.
"Whoa!" Acerola yelped in surprise as she and Rotom both blinked rapidly.
"Delll…!" the Sea Creeper Pokémon grunted out, struggling to bring its anchor back down as it appeared to be stuck. Seeing that made Erika grin. Now was their chance.
"Sandshrew, let's do this!" she exclaimed, quickly reaching into her pocket and pulling out a Steelium Z.
FLASHBACK
"Molayne wanted us to have these?" Erika inquired to her brother, holding the Steel-type Z-Crystal in her hands after being gifted it from him.
"Yeah," he answered with a nod, "If you get a Pokémon with a Steel-type move, that should definitely come in handy," he noted confidently. His twin sister smiled happily. It felt like a long time coming after she had given him her Fightinium Z.
"I'll make sure to put it to good use!" she vowed.
END FLASHBACK
Crossing her arms over her face to make the Z-Crystal flash brightly, Erika swung them around. Sandshrew moved in sync with her as a silvery aura was shrouding her body.
"Ooh, they're going for a Z-Move!" Acerola noted excitedly with sparkles in her eyes.
"And Dhelmise'zzz anchor'zzz still stuck!" Rotom pointed out. Smacking her fists together twice and thrusting them forward, Erika had the silvery aura building around herself shoot out in streaks to Sandshrew. He absorbed them into his body, followed by the Z-Move symbol flashing in front of his face.
"Time to take the victory, Sandshrew!" his trainer called out, "Corkscrew Crash!" she exclaimed. Leaping up, the Alolan Mouse Pokémon spun around before the light building around his body formed into a sharp drill. He then shot himself forward, slamming mightily into the wheel of the totem. It appeared to be evidently pained from the attack, but because of its force, the anchor was freed from its stuck state, allowing it to be reeled in. Dhelmise then made it shine a bright white, slamming it against the attacking Sandshrew to send him crashing into the wall nearby in a flurry of dust.
"Sannn…!" he groaned out as he fell onto his stomach.
"Sandshrew!" Erika screamed. At that moment, she heard something shatter. She looked down and gasped to find that her Steelium Z was gone. Rather, it had shattered.
"That'zzz what happened to Calvin'zzz Z-Crystal back then…!" Rotom recalled upon noticing, thinking back to the Ketchum boy's battle against Gladion on Akala.
"No way…" the trial-goer uttered in disbelief with shaking eyes. None of her Z-Moves had ever failed her before. At least… not until she battled Guzma. The thought of him clouded her thoughts as she could Team Skull's laughter echoing in her head again, making her tremble with fright.
"Erika!" Rotom buzzed out, trying to get her attention. Dhelmise was floating over towards Sandshrew, who lied upon the floor on his stomach, desperately trying to push himself up. His trainer was still in a frightened daze, grabbing at her head as tears were filling her eyes.
'Shut up… Shut up! SHUT UP!' she screamed repeatedly through her thoughts, clenching her eyes shut. A purple-and-black ball of energy formed in front of the Sea Creeper Pokémon as it was about to fire it onto the injured Sandshrew. He was hoping that his trainer would call out to him for a move… but he saw that she was too focused on the laughter echoing in her head. All of a sudden though, a beam of blue-and-white light shot out from her swim shorts, forming upon the floor right in front of the Alolan Mouse Pokémon. Just as the Shadow Ball was fired, it struck whatever had appeared in a burst of white smoke.
"Ah!" Acerola gasped.
"Sandshrew!" Rotom exclaimed in surprise. The Ketchum girl finally opened her eyes, widening them as she removed her hands from her head to see what had happened.
"S-Sandshrew?" she stuttered out. The smoke slowly cleared, followed by everyone gasping in shock. In front of the Alolan Mouse Pokémon was none other than Sandygast, who was wincing from taking the attack. However, he took on a serious expression, glaring out at the totem.
"Gasssuuu!" he squeaked angrily.
"Sandygast…?" his trainer uttered in disbelief. She hadn't anticipated trying to resort to him during this battle, especially knowing how scared he usually was. But right now, he seemed determined to fight. Was it because he saw her starting to get scared since her Z-Move failed?
"San, gass!" he called out, catching her attention as she blinked in surprise. He nodded to her assuredly, ready for any command she'd give. Her eyes shook before she smacked her cheeks again to regain her focus. As she winced from the stinging feeling in her cheeks, she took on a determined look.
"Sandygast, Shadow Ball!" she commanded. Opening his mouth wide, the Sand Heap Pokémon prepared a purple-and-black ball of energy with purple static sparking around it. He fired it forwards, striking Dhelmise squarely as it flew back along the room. However, it came to a stop, readying several light green spheres of energy before itself.
"That'zzz Energy Ball!" Rotom buzzed. The Sea Creeper Pokémon fired the energy spheres out towards both Sandygast and Sandshrew. The former was prepared to move away, but then noticed how the latter was still struggling to move. Without hesitation, he moved in front of him, shielding him from the spheres as they struck in blasts of white smoke.
"SANDYGAST!" Erika screamed in fright. The smoke was slow to settle, but once it did, it revealed the wincing Sand Heap Pokémon. He stood firm though, much to everyone's surprise. As scared as he was, he didn't want to see that same fear from who he knew as a fearless trainer of his. All of a sudden, his body started to glow a bright blue.
"BzzzZZZZzzzTTttt?!" Rotom buzzed in disbelief, while everyone else widened their eyes.
"He's… evolving!" Erika realized as she was stunned. The Sand Heap Pokémon's body grew, with its shape becoming sturdier and more well-built. His form was taking the shape of what looked like a sand castle. When the light finally subsided, it revealed his evolved form.
He was now a Pokémon resembling a yellowish sand castle with gray pebbles along the base. He has a square main castle for his body, two round towers for arms, and the top of another round tower with a conical point rising up from the body. A tunnel through the center of the main body created a mouth. There was a line of five alternating blue and pink seashells over the top of his mouth. The central tower had six windows: three located in the front, one on each side, and one in the back. The two outermost windows in front of the central tower had tiny pebbles in them and appeared to act as eyes. The two side towers had crenellations along the top with a ring of windows underneath. His main body had crenellations around the central tower. A ring of alternating pink and blue seashells surrounded the central tower just below the point. In the peak of his tower was a red shovel stuck handle-first into the top.
"Pallohhhh!" he echoed out mightily.
"Whoa…" his trainer uttered in amazement.
"He's a Palossand now!" Acerola pointed out with sparkles in her eyes. In the meantime, Rotom pulled up an image of the Sand Castle Pokémon upon its screen.
"Palossand, the Sand Castle Pokémon, and the evolved form of Sandygast," it began, "Buried beneath the castle are masses of dried-up bones from those whose vitality he has drained. Once Palossand has whipped up a sandstorm to halt he opponents in their tracks, he snatches away their vitality," it explained thoroughly.
"Dellll…" Dhelmise growled, forming another purple-and-black ball of energy in front of itself before firing it off. It struck the newly evolved Sand Castle Pokémon squarely in an explosion of white smoke. Once it cleared though, it revealed his determined expression still upon his face. Bits of gravel and sand started to gravitate towards his body, merging into it as a greenish, healing aura flowed up his form.
"Wh-What's happening?" Erika stuttered in question.
"Analyzing… Analyzing…" Rotom repeated with a loading wheel upon its screen, "He'zzz using Shore Up, zzt!" he buzzed out.
"Shore Up?" the Ketchum girl repeated upon overhearing.
"It's Palossand's signature move!" Acerola responded, getting her attention, "When he uses it, he can restore a lot of his health!" she explained to her.
"Pahhlohhhh…" he growled towards Dhelmise, who seemed nervous as it backed off a little.
"Dellll…" it echoed angrily, forming another purple-and-black ball of energy in front of itself.
"In that case, we'll use Shadow Ball, too!" Erika declared as she pumped her right fist forward. Opening his mouth wide, Palossand formed his own purple-and-black ball of energy, having it crackle with purple static. Both he and Dhelmise fired at the same time, with their Shadow Balls colliding with each other, trying to push the other back. After a few tense moments, the Sand Castle Pokémon's broke through, striking the totem in a fierce explosion of smoke.
Everyone watched on nervously, waiting for the smoke to subside. When it finally did, it revealed the Sea Creeper Pokémon was still floating, much to Erika's chagrin as she thought that her efforts weren't enough. But all of a sudden, its anchor struck the floor hard, followed by it falling forwards in a loud thud.
"Dellll…" it groaned out, having a swirl in the compass that acted as its eye. The Ketchum girl's eyes shook. She almost couldn't believe that the totem was finally defeated. But the clapping of Acerola snapped her out of her stupor, causing her to look over to the trial captain.
"Congratulations, Erika!" she complimented with a tilt of her head, "You've cleared my trial!" she pointed out as she smiled. To her surprise though, she saw tears well up in the Ketchum girl's eyes as she turned away and trembled.
"Th-Thanks…" she whimpered out, wiping her eyes. She hadn't just been tested as a trial-goer today. She'd been tested emotionally as well…
X
"The Aether House, huh?" Plumeria noted while raising an eyebrow, standing at the beach as the sun was setting in the background, "And you're sure you saw her there?" she inquired to the Team Skull grunt with crossed arms.
"Positive!" he replied, "But there's also those twin kids who battled the boss…" he pointed out grimly.
"Tsk…" the admin scoffed, "The girl might not be a problem, but the boy's definitely gonna be…" she realized, "So we need to get them out of our hair…" she concluded, letting off a grin, "You mentioned that there're little kids with Pokémon there, right?" she questioned curiously.
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 wrapped up the trials on Ula'ula Island! But the journey isn't over yet! We've got a lot of this left to cover, and here's a preview as what's up next!
SUMMARY
After concluding her trial, Erika returns to the Aether House with Acerola to find that Team Skull has appeared again, this time with Plumeria! Will an emotionally conflicted Erika be able to defeat her a second time?!
Meanwhile, Calvin and his team get to know his newly caught Mimikyu, now known as Mimi! Will she be accepted by the others in spite of her appearance?!
And as for Leslie, a new dilemma arises in the Ketchum household that requires her and her father to hurry to the Sinnoh Region! Whatever could be going on?!
END SUMMARY
And we're not done yet, folks! Here's a special preview of what's going to be Volume 7 of "RWBY: Omni Force"!
TRAILER
Opens with a recap of the Leviathans' attack on Argus as the Omni Force fought them, with Way Big blasting one to ashes. While the conflict goes on, James Ironwood gives a voiceover.
James Ironwood: Many have described these as uncertain times…
Cuts to Ruby using her Silver Eyes to petrify the other Leviathan. What follows is a scene of her and her comrades arriving in Atlas via the stolen airships.
Ruby Rose: I'm trying to do what I think is best… but I really can't tell if what's best is what's right…
Peter Parker: Never that simple, Rubes. That's what I've always learned.
He and the others look up at the Atlas Air Fleet from their ship.
Weiss Schnee: This isn't right…
We cut to the group heading down to Mantle instead, followed by various shots of the city.
Blake Belladonna: This whole city… It just seems awful…
Ben Tennyson: Compared to Atlas, I don't think they're living easy…
Lie Ren: So… what do we do?
A stranger chucks a trash can at a video screen angrily as part of a riot in the city.
Ruby Rose: Well, we didn't come this far to fail now!
We cut to a scene of several Centinels emerging from the ground in an abandoned Dust mine as Team RWBY and Peter watch on.
James Ironwood: Until now, I believed it was impossible to truly turn the tide against Salem…
Team RWBY, JNPR, Oscar and Qrow draw their weapons, while Ben transforms into Diamondhead. Together, they fight against the invading Sabyrs on the streets of Mantle.
James Ironwood: We find ourselves in the position of needing… a new approach.
Peter webs up a trio of Sabyrs for Diamondhead to take out with a large crystal spike that shoots up from the ground. Meanwhile, Weiss uses black glyphs to levitate Sabyrs into the air for Ren to slash into ashes.
We cut to various scenes of our heroes facing off against various Grimm, both in the city and icy caverns.
James Ironwood: She will keep returning, stronger and stronger… unless we destroy her…
Hearing that from within his office, Ruby looks over to him.
Ruby Rose: Tell us how we can help.
We cut to a scene of her and the rest of Team RWBY leaping out from a Manta, each donning new outfits along with some changed hairstyles. We get various scenes of Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang in action before seeing all four of them land together at the site of the abandoned Dust mine. Peter lands amongst them as well, now wearing his PS4 costume.
Peter Parker: New suit, same old me.
Ruby Rose: *giggles*
RWBY: VOLUME 7
The scene changes back to the streets of Mantle, which seem a lot calmer.
Qrow Branwen: I was honestly expecting things to go a lot rougher…
All of a sudden, he, Team RWBY, ORNJ, and Peter wind up bound in restraints, falling onto the ground. As they struggle, a certain figure takes the Lamp of Knowledge…
STARTING JULY 9
END TRAILER
Hope you're all as excited as I am! I'll see you guys later!