Alola, everyone! This is going to be the last chapter of "The Challenge of a Lifetime" for a while. We're going to be finishing "Mind", getting through all of "Omni Force: WORLD HEROES' MISSION", and starting "Power" in the coming months. So it'll be a while before another chapter comes out.
But I promise that we're gonna end this section of the story with a bang! Let's not delay things any further! Welcome back to "The Challenge of a Lifetime"!
POKÉMON SUN & MOON
THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME
The ocean water was calm around the Seafolk Village as the sun had yet to dawn. Calvin was sitting at the edge of the boardwalk just outside of the Pokémon Center, holding a Poké Ball in his right hand as he swung his legs back and forth over the water, with his feet being bare. Coming outside and letting out a long yawn was Erika, who rubbed her tired eyes.
"What the heck are you doing up so early…?" she wondered aloud with another yawn.
"Heh, sorry…" her brother apologized with a small laugh, "I'm just a little nervous about today…" he admitted. His twin sister blinked in surprise.
"Nervous?" she repeated, arching an eyebrow, "Why?" she asked.
"Well, it's my last grand trial…" he replied, taking a firm grip on the Poké Ball in his hand, "And I know Hapu's really strong," he mentioned.
"But is that it?" Erika wondered out of concern, sitting down next to him. He frowned a little as he stared at his reflection in the water.
"…No," he answered honestly, "I just… don't know what to do when this is all over," he confessed, "There's so much I ended up learning from this journey… but I wanna know even more!" he proclaimed as he looked out toward the horizon. His twin sister smiled, standing up.
"You're not nervous," she realized, putting her hands onto her hips.
"Huh?" her brother uttered in confusion, looking over at her.
"You're just excited for whatever'll happen next!" she affirmed to him, "And I am, too!" she added with a cheeky giggle. She looked out at dawning sun. "Both of us learned a lot," she pointed out, "And whether or not things end after today, I'm still glad we went on this journey," she mentioned firmly as the wind breezed by. Calvin smiled, now feeling a little better. He did enjoy their journey through Alola. And today was going to be what he assumed would be the climax of the island challenge.
"Alright, I better get ready," he decided as he stood up and walked back to the Pokémon Center alongside Erika.
OPENING
Insert "Rise Above" by Rainych
Opens with the sun dawning over Mount Lanakila. In spite of its freezing air, Calvin and Erika stand firm alongside their full teams of Pokémon as the wind rushes by. Near the base of the mountain is the site of what will be Alola's first ever Pokémon League, where Kukui stands with an excited grin on his face.
A rainbow of flower petals washes over the logo as we cut to Calvin lamenting on the boardwalk of the Seafolk Village, sitting alone and wondering if he can really take on the rest of the island challenge. At the same time, Erika is lying on her bed upon her side, thinking about the exact same thing. They both clench their fists determinedly, ready to see things through.
We cut to Calvin flying aboard a Charizard, while Erika's aboard a Pelipper. They fly throughout each of Alola's islands, smiling all the while. They see Ilima, Lana, Kiawe, Mallow, Sophocles, Acerola, Mina, Hala, Olivia, Nanu, and Hapu along the way as they arrive at the Pokémon League.
There, they're greeted by their parents and their big sister, who encourage them as they enter through the doors into the stadium. Inside, they find Hau, Pyrrha, Paige, Trent, and Gladion there. Others like Ryuki, Plumeria, and even Guzma are present. The Ketchum twins both grin excitedly, prepared to engage in some amazing battles.
The scene changes to Calvin commanding his Toucannon to use Beak Blast to take down a Machoke, while Erika has her Lurantis use X-Scissor to down an opponent's Bisharp. Hau's Decidueye goes up against Gladion and Silvally. The Synthetic Pokémon evades his foe's arrow quills before landing a powerful Fire-type Multi-Attack. Decidueye endures it, while Hau prepares a green Z-Crystal with a symbol similar to his partner, cracking a smirk.
We cut to Paige revealing a Key Stone around her neck as she uses it to Mega Evolve her Blaziken, who speeds out to attack Pyrrha's Typhlosion with a Blaze Kick. He counters by using Flamethrower. In the meantime, Trent commands his Alolan Ninetales to use Blizzard on Ryuki's Turtonator. The Blast Turtle Pokémon endures the freezing winds, unleashing a Flamethrower that appears to engulf his foe.
Calvin and Erika are then facing off, with Incineroar and Primarina battling for them. The two collide via a Flare Blitz/Aqua Jet, resulting in a powerful blast. As it clears, we witness Lycanroc slamming his clenched paws against the ground for a Stone Edge aimed to take down Araquanid. However, the Water Bubble Pokémon blasts the incoming stone pillars apart with Liquidation. Oricorio in her Baile Style comes out to unleash the searing fireball of a Revelation Dance toward Toucannon, who endures the attack and retaliates with Hyper Voice.
As the dust settles, we see Lurantis enduring Trop Kicks from Tsareena, gathering sunlight to unleash a Solar Blade onto the Fruit Pokémon. Mimi comes out from the dust, unleashing Shadow Claws onto Starbright, who endures them. She then strikes back with a Meteor Mash, merely busting the costume of the Disguise Pokémon as she chases after her opponent. Finally, we have Marowak using Shadow Bone to bash the incoming icicles of Sandslash, who dives down at him with an Iron Head.
The dust clears again, revealing the Ketchum twins staring at each other confidently with their teams. They're prepared for whatever else is ahead for them as they stand outside the stadium as the sun sets…
END OPENING
Ain't it a Grand Trial?!
The water was calm as Calvin and Erika were respectively riding a Sharpedo and a Lapras side by side, all the while the rest of their family was aboard the Magikarp-shaped vessel helmed by Martin. He hummed contently as he steered the ship along the ocean water, heading toward Exeggutor Island. Leslie glanced out the window to see a flock of Wingull gliding by.
"Seems like only yesterday we got to see Calvin and Erika's grand trial matches against Hala…" she pointed out in remembrance.
"Yeah," her father agreed as Pikachu was sitting in his lap, "When you look back at all you've accomplished on your journey, you feel really proud of just what you've been able to do," he noted.
"Erika definitely showed me how far she's come," his wife mentioned, sharing a laugh with the rest of the family, "Though I feel like Calvin's getting off a little too easy since neither of you got to fight him…" she added as both Ash and Leslie flinched in surprise.
"Mom, come on…" the latter of the two pleaded, holding her hands up in a placating manner.
"Peekah…" the Mouse Pokémon sighed deeply. Moments later, the family finally arrived at Exeggutor Island, immediately being greeted by the Alolan Coconut Pokémon.
"Zeggg…" one burred out, walking off toward the plateau in the near distance. The family followed him, with Calvin looking ahead and spotting Hapu at the ledge waving to them. Once they arrived at the plateau, the kahuna walked over.
"So this is the famous Ketchum Family I've been hearing so much about…" she remarked as she put her hands onto her hips.
"Yeah," Calvin responded, "That's my mom and dad," he introduced, gesturing towards his parents, "and my older sister, Leslie," he added as he motioned toward the Unova Champion Master.
"It's nice to meet you," she greeted with a polite bow.
"Hmhm," Hapu chuckled, "You're a very beautiful woman," she complimented, "I think Erika's going to inherit that beauty someday!" she mentioned, causing the girl in question to perk up in surprise.
"Yeah… I don't think I'd want that…" she bluntly admitted as she glanced off to the side, causing her older sister to frown in annoyance.
"Anyway…" the kahuna continued, "you'd y'all like to join me for a quick bite?" she offered, gesturing toward a picnic blanket with a basket filled with sandwiches upon it. The group partook in the food, with Erika heartily enjoying the food as a big smile was upon her face.
"It's so good~!" she sang in between bites.
"Erika, please mind your manners," Mirajane requested of her youngest daughter, who swallowed her food.
"Right, sorry…" she apologized sheepishly. Hapu chuckled.
"No worries there!" she assured, "I'm always happy when people enjoy a good meal from me!" she pointed out as she grinned.
"It's really delicious, Hapu," Ash complimented as his own cheeks were stuffed.
"Ash!" his wife shouted in a reprimanding tone, causing him to flinch in surprise. Everyone laughed.
"So I'd been meaning to ask for a while now…" Hapu began, getting everyone's attention, "how's Lillie doing?" she questioned out of curiosity. Both Calvin and Erika blinked in surprise. They then sadly lowered their heads.
"We haven't heard from her since what happened back at the Altar of the Sunne…" the former of the twins noted as a response.
"Did Miss Lusamine manage to get back to Aether Paradise?" Erika inquired worriedly.
"Yeah, sounds like she did," the kahuna replied, "That girl certainly changed into quite the young lady," she pointed out in remembrance, "She seemed so meek back when we first met…" she recalled.
"Yeah, she was like that…" Erika confirmed, "But she's become one of our best friends, too," she mentioned firmly.
"Mm-hmm," Calvin agreed with a nod.
"Oh, Erika," Ash chimed in after swallowing his food, "Didn't you say that you got a new Pokémon you wanted to show us?" he inquired of his youngest daughter.
"Oh yeah!" she replied, reaching into her bag and pulling out the Level Ball, which she enlarged with a press of its button, "Come on out!" she exclaimed, tossing it up into the air. It popped open, and the light that spilled out from it formed upon the ground, dissipating to reveal Jangmo-o.
"Jahng!" he squeaked out.
"That's the Jangmo-o you were chasing after, isn't it?" Calvin guessed, enticing his twin sister to nod. She then grabbed the Scaly Pokémon and pulled him into her lap.
"There's no way in heck I could say no to this little cutie!" she proclaimed as she pulled him for a tight hug, causing him to flail desperately in an attempt to free himself.
'That's the first time I've ever seen her be so girly…' Leslie noted to herself. All of a sudden, Jangmo-o head-butted his trainer squarely in the face, making her yelp in pain as everyone else looked on in surprise. He then leapt out of her grasp and scurried over to the Unova Champion Master, hopping into her lap.
"Uh…" she uttered out, seeing him nuzzle against her, "Guess he likes me more than you right now…" she remarked to her little sister, who pouted.
"That's only because you've got those huge balloons…" she retorted, much to Leslie's shock.
"They're not balloons!" she shouted angrily. Calvin chuckled nervously at their bickering. At that moment, Hapu stood up from the picnic.
"Well, I think it's about time we got this grand ol' trial started!" she declared, "Whaddaya say, Calvin?" she inquired of the capped trial-goer. He stood up with a grin.
"We're ready," he affirmed in reply. A few moments later, the two of them stood about a dozen yards away from each other, while everyone else stood off to the side, with Jangmo-o being held comfortably in Leslie's arms. The kahuna readied an Ultra Ball in her gloved right hand, pressing its button to enlarge it.
"We'll use four Pokémon each!" she decided, "And we'll make it one-on-one matches, too," she mentioned, "Sound fair?" she inquired of her opponent.
"Yeah, that's fair," he replied as he pulled out his own Poké Ball, "What about substitutions?" he questioned.
"I'll allow 'em for you, but not me," Hapu replied to his surprise, "Can't be a good kahuna if I don't give myself a challenge," she pointed out firmly.
"Just like a regular gym battle…" Leslie noted.
"I didn't get that kind of rule…" Erika pointed out, puffing her cheeks in frustration.
"That'zzz because it wazzz a double battle, zzt," Rotom buzzed as he floated out of her bag, getting her attention, "And Hapu wazzz making sure we were worthy enough to go into the Vast Poni Canyon, zzt!" it mentioned in remembrance.
"Okay, okay, I get it…" the Ketchum girl grumbled as reply, turning away and blushing. Everyone around giggled a little. In the meantime, Hapu reared her arm back.
"Let's go, Golurk!" she called out, throwing the Ultra Ball forward. It opened up, and its light formed upon the ground, dissipating to reveal the Automaton Pokémon.
"Gollll…" it boomed out.
"Whoa!" Erika yelped, "She has a Golurk?!" she exclaimed out of shock. In the meantime, her Pokédex pulled up an image of the Automaton Pokémon upon its screen.
"Golurk, the Automaton Pokémon," it began, "Some say that ancient people invented Golurk to serve as a laborer. It follows its master's orders faithfully. When the seal on its chest is removed, it rages indiscriminately, turning a whole town around it into a mountain of rubble," it explained thoroughly.
"This big guy's a lot more fond of open spaces like this," the kahuna noted as she put her hands onto her hips, looking at her partner, "So what'll your choice be, Calvin?" she inquired curiously.
"Come on out, Tsareena!" he yelled, tossing the Poké Ball forward. It popped open, and the light that spilled out from it formed upon the grass, dissipating to reveal the Fruit Pokémon.
"Sah ree," she huffed, brushing her hair-like leaves back.
"A Tsareena?" Leslie said.
"Yeah, she evolved just a little while ago!" Erika pointed out, getting her attention, "She'll be perfect to fight against Golurk!" she affirmed confidently.
"First move's yours, Calvin!" Hapu called out.
"Thanks!" he responded in gratitude, "Tsareena, Trop Kick!" he ordered, sticking his right hand out. The Fruit Pokémon rushed forward, making her tapered legs shine a bright green. She leapt out and aimed her left leg to strike her foe.
"Shadow Punch!" the kahuna commanded. A purple-and-black energy formed around the right arm of the Automaton Pokémon as it closed its hand into a fist. The energy shaped over its clenched extremity, which it thrusted out to counter its foe's attack in a flurry of sparks. After a few moments of deadlock, it blew Tsareena back as she landed down and slid to a stop beside her trainer.
"Wait, what the heck?!" Erika exclaimed in disbelief as she blinked rapidly.
"Golurk's ability must be Iron Fist…" her older sister noted, getting her attention, "That means any punch attacks it has are much more powerful than they would be normally…" she explained.
"That'zzz right, zzt," Rotom buzzed in confirmation, floating beside her.
"You okay, Tsareena?" Calvin asked of the Fruit Pokémon in concern.
"Sah!" she replied immediately as she nodded.
'Golurk's going to be tough to take down since it's so bulky…' the Ketchum boy noted to himself, narrowing his eyes, 'But our speed should be more than enough to take him!' he affirmed inwardly.
"Magical Leaf!" he commanded. A green light shrouded Tsareena's hands before she swung them around and brought them together, forming an orb of energy. It unleashed a flurry of green-glowing leaves that were heading toward the Automaton Pokémon. However, Hapu cracked a grin.
"Charge through with High Horsepower!" she instructed, causing Calvin to blink in surprise. An orange aura shrouded Golurk before it started charging forward, bashing through the leaves as if they were just a mere breeze.
"W-Watch out!" the Ketchum boy stammered to Tsareena, enticing her to jump aside before the Automaton Pokémon could slam into her.
"Oh, whoa…" Erika uttered out of shock as her eyes were widened.
"Golurk's quite a strong Pokémon, hm?" Mirajane noted over to her husband.
"Yeah," he agreed, "But I think Calvin can pull through from this," he affirmed on.
"Now Dynamic Punch!" Hapu ordered. Golurk closed its right hand into a fist again, making it glow a bright red as a red-orange energy pulsed off of it like an explosion.
"Dodge it!" Calvin called out. Tsareena swiftly avoided each of the Automaton Pokémon's attempted strikes, but was finding herself in an unfavorable situation as she could see just how much damage one hit could do after a punch made a crater in the ground. "Trop Kick!" her trainer commanded. Steeling herself, the Fruit Pokémon made her tapered legs shine a bright green. She leapt out and struck her foe upside the head, making it stumble back.
"Goll…!" it boomed out, finding its footing.
"Now Magical Leaf!" the Ketchum boy ordered. Tsareena formed another orb of green energy upon her hands, unleashing a flurry of green-glowing leaves from it that hit her opponent squarely in the chest. It appeared to falter for a moment, but then stood back up.
"Shadow Punch!" Hapu ordered. A purple-and-black energy enveloped Golurk's right arm once more as he closed its hand into a fist. It thrusted it down, striking the Fruit Pokémon hard as she flew back.
"Tsareena!" her trainer cried out.
"Golurk, High Horsepower!" the kahuna commanded. An orange aura shrouded the Automaton Pokémon before it charged toward its airborne foe, slamming into her and causing her to crash hard against a rock wall.
"Sahhh…" she groaned, falling down onto her hands and knees.
"Oh man…" Erika uttered worriedly with a grimace, while Rotom covered its eyes. Meanwhile, Jangmo-o seemed to be enamored with the battle thus far as his eyes slightly sparkled.
"Let's wrap this up with Dynamic Punch!" Hapu commanded, closing her gloved right hand into a fist. Golurk's own extremity pulsed with a red-orange energy as it clenched it tightly. Its shadow loomed over the Fruit Pokémon, who widened her eyes.
"Dodge it!" her trainer exclaimed quickly. Tsareena flipped over her foe's fist, running up its arm and leaping into the air. "Use Magical Leaf!" Calvin ordered on. The Fruit Pokémon prepared another orb of green energy upon her hands, unleashing several green-glowing leaves onto her foe as it was still turned away from her. It became enveloped in a white smoke, veiling it from view.
"Sah… sah…" Tsareena breathed out tiredly.
"Is it over?" the Ketchum boy wondered aloud. Unfortunately, the smoke settled to reveal that Golurk was still standing as it turned around to face its opponent.
"Heavy Slam!" its trainer commanded. A silvery aura shrouded the Automaton Pokémon suddenly, followed by it charging toward its foe again.
"Counter with Trop Kick!" Calvin called out. Tsareena had her legs shine a bright green as she immediately lunged out and struck her opponent with both of them. To her shock though, it barely phased it as it threw its momentum forward, slamming her against the ground. "Tsareena, no!" her trainer screamed. Everyone watching widened their eyes. As the dust settled, Golurk stood back up, looming over the fainted Fruit Pokémon as she was gouged in a hole in the ground of her shape. Her eyes were in swirls as she groaned in agony.
"Guess that's round one to me!" Hapu concluded with a big grin.
"Oh shoot…" Leslie uttered out, seeing her little brother go over to Tsareena as she sadly sat back up.
"Sahreee…" she moaned out, lowering her head with shame.
"Hey, it's okay," her trainer assured, petting her head gently, "You did your best, and that's all anyone can ask of you," he pointed out, "Now take a nice long rest," he advised, returning her to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
"So what's next, Calvin?" Hapu inquired curiously, getting his attention as he stood back up, looking out at Golurk.
'That Heavy Slam is definitely gonna be a problem for a lot of my Pokémon…' he noted to himself, 'But speed's still key!' he affirmed inwardly, readying another Poké Ball as he pressed its center button to enlarge it.
"Mimi, go!" he called out, tossing it forward. It opened up, with its light shooting forth and forming upon the grass, dissipating to reveal his shiny Mimikyu as sparkles shone around her.
"Mee!" she squeaked happily.
"Your brother got himself a Mimikyu?" Mirajane inquired over to Erika, getting her attention.
"Yeah," she replied, "She's pretty strong from what I've seen and heard…" she mentioned as she scratched at her left cheek sheepishly.
"A Ghost-and-Fairy-type definitely is a good match against a Golurk…" Leslie noted aloud, "But the same can be said for Golurk, too…" she added in concern. Meanwhile, Pikachu took notice of Mimi staring at him intently.
"Peekah?" he squeaked in confusion with a tilt of his head.
"Hey, Mimi?" Calvin said, getting the Disguise Pokémon's attention as she turned to her trainer, "I'm counting on you, okay?" he noted with a wink.
"Mee!" she responded, turning her attention back onto her opponent.
"We'll take the first move this time 'round!" Hapu declared, "Shadow Punch!" she commanded, thrusting her gloved left fist out. Golurk enveloped its left arm in a purple-and-black energy once more, closing its hand into a fist and aiming to strike its foe.
"Dodge and use Mimic!" the Ketchum boy instructed. Mimi hopped back to evade her opponent's punch as it struck the ground. There was a glint in her eyes as she memorized the move in her head. "Now Shadow Punch!" her trainer commanded. Having one of her appendages protrude from beneath her cloak, the shiny Mimikyu had a purple-and-black aura shroud it in the shape of a fist. She thrusted it forward, striking the Automaton Pokémon.
"Goll…!" it grunted, stumbling back a step.
"Way to go, Mimi!" Erika cried out in cheer.
"Use Shadow Sneak!" Calvin ordered. A black shadow expanded out along the ground from underneath the Disguise Pokémon, going past Golurk. It rose up behind it in the shape of the shiny Mimikyu, striking it over and over with its appendages.
"Golurk, Heavy Slam!" Hapu commanded. A silvery aura erupted around the Automaton Pokémon as the shadow retracted back to Mimi. It charged toward her, about to slam her against the ground.
"Dodge and use Shadow Claw!" the Ketchum boy called out. The shiny Mimikyu hopped back to avoid getting pushed against the ground, drawing both of her appendages from underneath her cloak. They were encased in a black aura outlined in violet before she struck her foe with them.
"Golll… urrkkk…" it groaned as it stumbled back.
"One more time!" Calvin yelled.
"Meee… MEE!" Mimi exclaimed, landing one last powerful swipe to the Automaton Pokémon's head. It toppled over onto its back, groaning all the while.
"Golurk'zzz down, zzt!" Rotom buzzed excitedly.
"Way to go, Calvin!" Ash and Erika simultaneously cheered. Mirajane and Leslie giggled at their enthusiasm. In the meantime, Hapu returned Golurk to its Ultra Ball in a beam of red light.
"Thanks for the hard work, partner," she said in gratitude before putting the spherical container away.
"Good job, Mimi!" Calvin complimented as he crouched down to pet the shiny Mimikyu.
"Mee!" she squeaked happily. She then turned her attention back onto Pikachu, staring at him intently. He started to sweat a little, unsure as to why she was so fixated on him.
"Hey, Mimi?" Calvin began to the Disguise Pokémon, getting her attention, "You think you'd be okay with taking a break for a bit?" he inquired of her as he held up her Poké Ball.
"Mee, keeoo!" she responded with a nod, allowing him to return her to the spherical container in a beam of red light.
"He's switching?" Erika noted curiously.
"Mimikyu might've had a type advantage against Golurk," Leslie chimed in, "but that might not be the case against someone else on Hapu's team," she pointed out. They watched as the kahuna enlarged another Ultra Ball in her hand with a press of its button.
"Let's go, Gastrodon!" she called out, flinging the spherical container forward. It burst open, with its light spilling onto the ground and taking shape, dissipating to reveal the Sea Slug Pokémon.
"Gaaaahhh!" she exclaimed.
"Gastrodon, huh?" Ash said, narrowing his eyes.
"If Calvin still had Tsareena able to battle, she'd be a perfect match for this fight…" his wife noted aloud.
'What are you gonna do, Calvin?' the Pokémon Master wondered inwardly. His son readied a Net Ball in his hand after putting Mimi's Poké Ball away. With a press of its button, the spherical container was reared back in his hand.
"Come on out, Araquanid!" he exclaimed, throwing it upward. It burst open, with its light pouring onto the ground. After shaping into form and dissipating, it revealed the Water Bubble Pokémon.
"Kwaaaahhh!" he screeched out.
"A Water-type versus a Water-type, hm?" Hapu noted with a grin, "You're full o' surprises like your sister, Calvin!" she remarked with a chuckle.
"We'll take the first move now!" the Ketchum boy declared, swinging his right arm out, "Araquanid, Spider Web!" he instructed. The Water Bubble Pokémon leapt up, aiming his spinneret down at Gastrodon. It unleashed a thick strand of sticky thread, which split off into the shape of a net, ensnaring the Sea Slug Pokémon. "Now Lunge!" Calvin ordered. Landing on the ground, Araquanid shrouded his body in a yellowish-green light before leaping out at his trapped opponent. However, the kahuna smirked.
"Sludge Wave!" she commanded, causing the Ketchum boy to blink in surprise. Dark purple sludge enveloped Gastrodon's body, making the webbing around her come apart. She then had it shoot out toward her foe, swallowing him up.
"Araquanid!" Calvin screamed. Fortunately, the Water Bubble Pokémon escaped the sludge as he landed back in front of his trainer. However, a purple light suddenly shined upon his body as sparks of electricity and bubbles appeared around him.
"He just got poisoned!" Erika exclaimed in shock.
"Maybe Tsareena wouldn't have been able to do much…" Leslie inferred, knowing that such an attack would be devastating to a Grass-type.
"Kwaahhh…" Araquanid groaned out in agony.
"Hang in there, Araquanid!" his trainer yelled, "Use Aqua Ring!" he instructed. Rings of water appeared around the Water Bubble Pokémon, causing a healing, green aura to flow up his body. However, the poison didn't subside as his form glowed purple again.
'All Aqua Ring's doing is offsetting the damage from the poison…' the Ketchum boy realized with a grimace, 'And we've still gotta figure out how to deal with Hapu's other two Pokémon if we manage to beat Gastrodon…' he noted through his thoughts.
"Now Mud Bomb!" the kahuna commanded. The Sea Slug Pokémon arched her head back before firing off a blob of brown mud from her mouth.
"Araquanid, dodge it!" Calvin called out. Quickly, the Water Bubble Pokémon jumped back to avoid the mud ball as it struck the ground in a small blast. "Now use Lunge!" his trainer ordered, enticing him to make his body shine in a yellowish-green light once again before charging toward his foe.
"Muddy Water!" Hapu yelled quickly. Brown water erupted from underneath Gastrodon's body, spiraling out at the incoming Water Bubble Pokémon. However, it merely nicked him as he managed to collide with his foe, sending her sliding back along the now-muddied grass.
"Nice!" Erika exclaimed with a smile as she pumped her fists.
"I guess it's all going to come down to whether or not Araquanid can outlast the poison…" Leslie inferred as she narrowed her eyes.
"Now Liquidation!" Calvin commanded. Water swirled around the Water Bubble Pokémon's front legs as he lifted them up, about to strike his foe. However, the purple light shined upon his body again, ceasing his movements as he winced in pain.
"Ice Beam!" Hapu ordered. A blue orb of light appeared in front of the Sea Slug Pokémon's open mouth, unleashing several zigzagging beams of blue light that struck her foe's front legs, freezing them in ice.
"Ah!" the Ketchum boy gasped.
"Now Mud Bomb!" the kahuna commanded on. Gastrodon reared her head back again before firing another ball of mud from her mouth that struck Araquanid's underside, sending him toppling over onto his back.
"Araquanid, no!" Calvin cried out.
"Gastrodon, use Muddy Water!" Hapu shouted. Brown water erupted from underneath the Sea Slug Pokémon, flowing out toward her downed foe.
"Counter it with Liquidation!" the Ketchum boy quickly instructed. The Water Bubble Pokémon was able to shatter the ice around his front legs before making water swirl around six of them. He hopped up and slammed them against the ground, resulting in a shockwave that blew away the brown wave. "Huh…" his trainer sighed in relief.
"This is getting really intense…" Erika pointed out worriedly.
"If Calvin doesn't figure out a way to have Araquanid stay in this battle, he'll be down to two Pokémon against Hapu's three," Leslie noted in concern. Their brother took a deep breath to calm himself. He knew the odds weren't in his favor. So now was the time to turn the tide.
"Araquanid, Liquidation!" he commanded. The Water Bubble Pokémon charged forward, letting water start to swirl around his front legs as he was heading toward Gastrodon.
"Ice Beam!" Hapu ordered. The Sea Slug Pokémon had another ball of blue energy appear in front of her open mouth, unleashing zigzagging beams of icy light. They struck her foe's front legs as he raised them up, freezing them in ice. It looked as if he'd be repeating his last attempted attack as the purple glow of the poison shone upon him again, making him wince.
"Don't stop!" his trainer called out. Hearing him, Araquanid steeled himself and slammed his frozen legs into Gastrodon. The ice shattered as she was blown back, crying out in pain as she tumbled over the ground.
"Gastrodon!" the kahuna yelped in surprise.
"Alright!" Erika exclaimed with a pump of her fists.
"Araquanid's hanging in there after all…" Ash noted as he grinned.
"Kwahhh…" the Water Bubble Pokémon huffed in exhaustion, breathing heavily.
"Now use Lunge!" his trainer commanded. Araquanid cloaked his body in a yellowish-green light, leaping out toward his opponent as she got back up.
"Sludge Wave, quick!" Hapu yelled to the Sea Slug Pokémon. Dark purple sludge started to build up around her body. But she was too late to release it as the Water Bubble Pokémon collided with her in a burst of grey smoke. Everyone watched on intently, waiting for the veil to clear away. Once it did, Gastrodon fell over onto her right side, having her eyes in swirls.
"And that'zzz Gastrodon down, too!" Rotom buzzed out.
"YES!" Erika screamed happily.
"Huh…" her twin brother sighed in relief. He watched as Hapu returned the Sea Slug Pokémon to her Ultra Ball in a beam of red light.
"Thanks kindly for the help, partner," she said with gratitude, putting the spherical container away, "Ya did your job just fine," she assured.
"Ah… kwahh…" Araquanid breathed out tiredly. Blinking in realization, Calvin took out the Net Ball and aimed it at him.
"Great job out there, Araquanid," he complimented, "Take a break for now," he insisted, returning him to the spherical container in a beam of red light.
"He's switching?" Mirajane noted in confusion as she blinked.
"I guess he wants Araquanid to save whatever strength he's still got for later," Ash inferred, getting his wife's attention.
"Either way, it's good that Araquanid came out on top," Leslie pointed out, "Now Calvin has a better chance against whatever Hapu has left of her team," she mentioned.
"Jahhh…" Jangmo-o uttered, still amazed by how the battles had gone thus far. In the meantime, the kahuna readied another Ultra Ball in her right hand, enlarging it with a press of its button.
"Battle's not over yet, Calvin!" she proclaimed, rearing her arm back, "Let's go, Flygon!" she called out, flinging the spherical container up into the air. It popped open, and its light spilled onto the ground before dissipating to reveal the Mystic Pokémon.
"Furrraaaaiiii!" he screeched out.
"Flygon…" Erika uttered, remembering how much trouble the Mystic Pokémon had given her and her team in their grand trial.
"What are you going to do, Calvin?" Ash wondered aloud. He watched as his son readied a Poké Ball and flung it forward. It opened up, and its light shot onto the ground, forming before dissipating to reveal Mimi again.
"Mee!" she squeaked. Both she and Flygon glared at each other, determined to win for their respective trainers.
X
"Mimi, Shadow Sneak!" Calvin ordered. The shiny Mimikyu had a black shadow extend from underneath her cloak, heading toward her foe.
"Flamethrower!" Hapu commanded. Reddish-orange flames billowed in Flygon's mouth before he unleashed a powerful spray that engulfed and eviscerated the incoming shadow. The Ketchum boy grimaced, while his partner glared. "Now Earth Power!" the kahuna yelled on. The Mystic Pokémon flew up before diving toward the ground, slamming down against it. Glowing gold cracks appeared in the earth, surging toward Mimi.
"Dodge and use Shadow Claw!" Calvin called out. The Disguise Pokémon leapt up, avoiding the shattering ground from striking her. She then drew one of her appendages from underneath her cloak, encasing it in a shadowy aura outlined in violet. She swung it out at her opponent, but he flew up to dodge it, much to her surprise.
"Now Iron Tail!" Hapu ordered, much to the Ketchum boy's surprise. Flygon cloaked his tail in a silvery-white light, flying down and swinging it to strike his foe fiercely, sending her flying back.
"Mimi!" Calvin exclaimed, seeing her hit the ground hard right in front of him. She stood back up, dusting herself off. And then, there was a pop.
"Mee?" she squeaked, noticing the head of her costume drooping down, "M-M-Meee…?" she whimpered out. Her whole body started trembling before she whipped around and glared fiercely at Flygon. "Keeoooooo…" she growled angrily.
"F-Furraaiii?" the Mystic Pokémon stuttered in concern, starting to sweat a little.
"What just happened?" Leslie inquired as she blinked.
"Calvin'zzz Mimikyu izzz pretty sensitive about otherzzz messing with her costume, zzt…" Rotom explained as a reply, getting her attention, "She getzzz pretty riled up…" it mentioned.
"Mimi, Play Rough!" the Ketchum boy ordered. With a glint in her eyes, the Disguise Pokémon rushed forward toward her foe.
"Iron Tail again!" Hapu commanded. Flygon's tail shined a silvery-white again as he swung it out at the incoming shiny Mimikyu, striking her again and sending her tumbling back along the ground.
"Meee…" she growled out, getting up.
"It's okay, Mimi," her trainer assured, "Use Mimic!" he instructed.
"Mee!" the Disguise Pokémon squeaked in response, staring intently at the glowing tail of her opponent. She recalled how he utilized it, making sure to recall every last detail she could.
"Flygon, Flamethrower!" Hapu ordered. The Mystic Pokémon soared out and expelled a powerful stream of fire from his mouth, heading for his foe.
"Dodge and use Shadow Claw!" Calvin called out. Mimi leapt over the fire, drawing one of her appendages from beneath her broken costume as she cloaked it in a shadowy aura outlined with a violet light. She swung it out, managing to strike Flygon's underside as he flew back, making him wince.
"Looks like she got a hit in!" Mirajane noted with a smile.
"Yeah, but that won't be enough…" her husband pointed out grimly.
"Peekah…" Pikachu worriedly squeaked.
"Now Iron Tail!" both trainers commanded. The stick acting as Mimi's tail glowed a bright silvery-white, while her foe's actual tail did the same. They lunged out at each other, swinging and colliding their tails with each other, resulting in a flurry of sparks flying about. Ultimately, Flygon proved to be stronger as he sent the shiny Mimikyu crashing down onto the ground.
"Mimi!" Calvin screamed.
"Flygon, use Earth Power!" Hapu ordered, palming the ground with her gloved right hand. The Mystic Pokémon somersaulted and dove toward the grass, landing hard to make golden-glowing cracks appear, surging toward where his foe was. As she got up, the ground erupted beneath her, with shards of rock striking her as she shrieked in pain.
"Oh no…!" Erika gasped. Mimi landed upon her back, struggling to get back up. Her trainer grimaced in frustration, knowing that they had just gotten the battle back into their favor.
"Now finish it with Iron Tail!" the kahuna commanded. Flygon's tail shined in a silvery-white light once more as he dove toward his foe.
"Mimi, Shadow Claw!" Calvin yelled desperately. Hearing her trainer, the shiny Mimikyu had her eyes jolt open as she drew both of her appendages from underneath her busted costume, cloaking them in a shadowy aura. She brought the left one up to parry her foe's tail, followed by landing a sharp swipe to his stomach.
"Gahh…!" he gasped out, wincing with agony.
"Ah!" Hapu yelped, widening her eyes.
"Now Play Rough!" the Ketchum boy ordered. Getting back up, Mimi leapt out at her foe and started wrestling with him, crashing against the ground as they became enveloped in a cloud of white smoke. Flygon had to endure several relentless strikes from the Disguise Pokémon.
"Flamethrower, quick!" Hapu instructed quickly. Flames billowed in the Mystic Pokémon's mouth as he was prepared to unleash a powerful stream.
"Mimi, Iron Tail!" Calvin commanded. The shiny Mimikyu leapt off of her foe and up through the smoke cloud, making her tail-like stick shine a bright silvery-white. A stream of reddish-orange flames were shot toward her from her opponent. She swung her glowing stick down to block them, with the added momentum from falling propelling her to strike Flygon atop his head in a powerful shockwave.
"Furrraaaaiiii…" he groaned as his head drooped down onto the ground, with his eyes in swirls. In the meantime, Mimi landed behind him, breathing heavily in exhaustion.
"Flygon'zzz down!" Rotom exclaimed.
"Huh…" Erika sighed with relief, "That was way too close…" she admitted, putting her right hand over her chest.
"Even though Mimikyu had a type advantage, she still had such a tough time," Leslie noted, "especially compared to when she beat Golurk…" she added with narrowed eyes.
"Mee… mee…" Mimi breathed heavily as she waddled over to her trainer, who crouched down.
"Great job, Mimi," he complimented, "I'll fix that up for you right now," he promised, adjusting the head of her costume and making sure it was reset with the sound of a pop.
"Mee!" she squeaked gratefully. In the meantime, Hapu returned Flygon to his Ultra Ball in a beam of red light.
"Thanks for the help, Flygon," she said with gratitude, "I know you did your darnedest out there," she mentioned, putting the spherical container away, "You're really somethin', Calvin!" she called out in a complimentary tone to the Ketchum boy, getting his attention, "Just like your sister, you've got three Pokémon left to deal with my one!" she pointed out.
"Um, thank you…" the capped trial-goer responded in gratitude, blushing sheepishly as he scratched at his left cheek. At that moment though, Hapu's expression turned serious.
"But we aren't done just yet, you know," she pointed out, "I've got a quite a bit of gas left in the tank, especially with my partner here!" she mentioned, readying another Ultra Ball in her gloved right hand, "Come on out, Mudsdale!" she yelled, throwing it forward. It burst open as its light spilled onto the ground and formed, dissipating to reveal the Draft Horse Pokémon.
"Daaaaaaaaayyyyyylllll!" he neighed proudly, raising his front legs before bringing them down hard upon the ground, causing it to shake a little. Calvin's expression shifted back into a serious one. This was the last obstacle he needed to face before finishing the island challenge with his twin sister. All that was left to do… was win.
X
"Mimi, are you okay to keep going?" the Ketchum boy asked of the shiny Mimikyu, getting her attention.
"Mee!" she squeaked with a nod, turning to face Mudsdale determinedly. Her trainer stood up, taking a deep breath to relax himself.
"Mmm…" Erika hummed out worriedly.
"What's got you so wound up?" Leslie inquired upon noticing, getting her little sister's attention.
"Mudsdale's really strong…" she responded, "Even though I was up with three Pokémon against him, he still almost wound up beating us…" she recalled, "I think Calvin's in a tougher spot since he doesn't have a Pokémon with a clear type advantage right now…" she told the Unova Champion Master, "Araquanid's nearly out of juice and so is Mimi…" she pointed out.
"He's still got his fourth Pokémon though," their father chimed in, "The battle isn't over just yet," he affirmed, folding his arms over his chest.
"Mimi, use Shadow Sneak!" the Ketchum boy commanded, sticking his right hand out. The shiny Mimikyu's shadow blackened, extending out from beneath her cloak in her shape. It expanded underneath her opponent, rising up behind him and drawing a pair of claw-shaped appendages. Mudsdale was struck again and again by the shadow, wincing with each blow.
"Peekah, pika!" Pikachu cheered from his trainer's shoulder.
"Seems like a good start so far…" Mirajane noted with a small grin.
"No, it's definitely not…" her youngest daughter disagreed to her surprise. A reddish aura flowed up the form of the Draft Horse Pokémon, who was enduring more of Mimi's strikes. After another moment, the shadow finally retreated back to her.
"Muhhh…" Mudsdale huffed as steam hissed out from his nostrils.
'So that's Mudsdale's Stamina ability, huh?' Calvin noted to himself, looking over at his exhausted partner, 'Considering that my Pokémon all have to fight up close, that's not going to bode well for us…' he mentioned inwardly, 'So in that case…' he began through his thoughts.
"Mimi, Shadow Claw!" he ordered.
"Keeeoooo!" the shiny Mimikyu responded, drawing her appendages out from beneath her dirtied costume and cloaking them in a shadowy aura outline in violet. She lunged forward, ready to strike her foe.
"High Horsepower!" Hapu commanded. An orange aura shrouded the Draft Horse Pokémon before he galloped forward. He collided with his opponent in a fierce burst of dust, which resulted in her getting blown back instantaneously.
"Mimi!" Calvin exclaimed in shock.
"Now Heavy Slam!" the kahuna ordered on. A silvery aura shrouded Mudsdale as he continued galloping. He then took a great leap into the air just as the shiny Mimikyu had landed upon her back. She opened her eyes and widened them before her foe came down onto her hard in a flurry of dust and dirt. The Ketchum boy braced himself from the impact, shielding his eyes with his arms. When the dust settled, he looked out to see the Draft Horse Pokémon looming over the defeated Mimi, whose eyes were in swirls.
"Mimi'zzz down, zzt…" Rotom sadly buzzed, while the rest of the Ketchum family looked on worriedly.
"Meee…" the shiny Mimikyu whined as she got up. Calvin approached and knelt down beside her.
"Hey, you did a great job today," he assured, "Take a good long rest for now, okay?" he requested, returning her to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light. He stood up, putting the spherical container away.
'Yeah, it really isn't going to be that easy…' he confirmed through his thoughts, taking a deep breath to calm down, 'Type advantages aside, Mudsdale's just incredible…' he noted to himself, 'Then again, our team's pretty hindered from having to deal with Hapu's other three Pokémon…' he mentioned through his thoughts. He looked at his Z-Power Ring, wondering what exactly he could do next.
"Is he gonna try for a Z-Move with Araquanid?" Leslie guessed.
"Would that even be enough?" Erika wondered aloud, getting her attention, "I mean…" she continued, "Mudsdale's defenses are probably too high for Araquanid to take out, even with a Z-Move…" she pointed out.
"Well, let's see what your brother does," Ash insisted of his daughters. They watched as Calvin pulled out and enlarged the Net Ball he had with a press of its button.
"Let's go, Araquanid!" he called out, having the spherical container open as its light spilled onto the grass and took shape. It then dissipated to reveal the Water Bubble Pokémon.
"Kwahh!" he exclaimed, followed by wincing as the purple shine of poison glowed upon his body with sparks and bubbles.
"You're goin' to all you can while ya still got some fight, huh?" Hapu guessed, grinning a little.
"That's what we do best," Calvin affirmed in response.
"In that case…" the kahuna began, "Mudsdale, Rock Slide!" she ordered. Several lights appeared around the Draft Horse Pokémon, forming into small boulders with sparkling white outlines that orbited his body. He then swung himself around, throwing them out toward his opponent.
"Counter it with Liquidation!" Calvin instructed. Araquanid raised its front legs, having water swirl around them. He thrusted them out to bash through the incoming boulders with ease.
"Alright!" Erika exclaimed delightedly.
"But it's not over yet…" Leslie noted aloud.
"High Horsepower!" Hapu commanded. An orange shrouded Mudsdale as he charged forward again.
"Dodge and use Spider Web!" Calvin called out, enticing the Water Bubble Pokémon to hop up and aim his spinneret down at his foe. He unleashed a thick strand of sticky thread that split into the form of a net, ensnaring the Draft Horse Pokémon completely and bringing him to a stop. "Yes!" the Ketchum boy exclaimed with a determined pump of his right fist, "Now Liquidation!" he ordered.
Coming down, Araquanid had water erupted from the bubbles on all six of his legs, swirling mightily. He crashed down hard onto the entrapped Mudsdale, resulting in a huge blast of white smoke. Everyone watched in awe, waiting for the veil to clear. However, Hapu cracked a smirk.
"Counter!" she yelled, causing Calvin to widen his eyes. Within the veil, the Draft Horse Pokémon had a reddish aura build up around his body. He swung his hind legs around and kicked Araquanid's underside, not only causing the smoke veiling them to instantly dissipate, but also send his foe flying until he crashed into the ground, slowly sliding to a stop beside the Ketchum boy.
"Araquanid!" he exclaimed in shock, hearing him groan out of agony.
"Now Araquanid's down…" Erika noted as she grimaced.
"That Liquidation might've done some good damage though," her older sister pointed out reassuringly. She and the others watched as Calvin returned the Water Bubble Pokémon to the Net Ball in a beam of red light.
"Thanks for all your hard work today," he said in gratitude, "Take a good long rest," he insisted, putting the spherical container away. He took another deep breath, standing firm and clenching his fists.
"Loving that determination, Calvin!" Hapu called out, "I wanna see just how far it'll end up taking you!" she proclaimed.
"MUHHHHHH!" Mudsdale neighed, standing on his hind legs. The Ketchum boy reached behind himself and grabbed a Poké Ball, enlarging it with a press of its button. He made sure to have a firm grip on it as he reared his arm back.
"I choose you, Toucannon!" he exclaimed, throwing it forward. It popped open, with its light forming upon the ground and dissipating to reveal the Cannon Pokémon.
"Kahh!" he squawked, spreading his wings.
"Toucannon's his last one?" Erika inquired out of surprise.
"That does mean Mudsdale's High Horsepower won't be effective," Leslie noted, "But his other moves could do a lot of damage…" she added with narrowed eyes.
"Good luck, Toucannon!" Mirajane called out in cheer. In the meantime, her son set the Normalium Z onto his Z-Power Ring.
"Tookah?" the Cannon Pokémon squawked in concern, getting his trainer's attention.
"No, I'm fine," he assured as a reply, "I won't freak out like I did back in the canyon," he vowed, taking on a serious expression, "Let's do this!" he insisted determinedly.
X
There was a bit of a standoff between Toucannon and Mudsdale, as they both narrowed their eyes onto each other, waiting for the commands of their respective trainers. Hapu then stuck her right hand out.
"Heavy Slam!" she ordered.
"MUHHHHHHH!" the Draft Horse Pokémon neighed, galloping forward. A silvery aura shrouded his body as he leapt toward his foe.
"Toucannon, Bullet Seed!" Calvin commanded. The Cannon Pokémon reared his head back before firing off several seeds from its mouth, which were coated in a light green aura. They struck the incoming Mudsdale, causing him to falter as he fell onto the ground upon his side.
"Whoa, nice!" Erika yelped happily.
"So Calvin taught Toucannon how to uzzze Bullet ZZZeed?" Rotom buzzed in question.
"Looks that way," Leslie confirmed with a nod. The Draft Horse Pokémon got back onto his feet in a huff, exhaling a puff of steam from his nostrils.
"Rock Slide!" his trainer commanded. Small boulders appeared around Mudsdale in flashes of sparkling light, orbiting his body. He whipped himself around to send them flying toward his target.
"Dodge and use Hyper Voice!" the Ketchum boy instructed quickly. With a flap of his wings, Toucannon flew away from the incoming boulders. He then reared his head back again.
"KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he screeched, unleashing blue waves of energy that crashed onto the Draft Horse Pokémon.
"Muhhh…!" he grunted, sliding back a few feet.
"Let's keep it up!" Calvin called out, "Bullet Seed!" he ordered. Gliding down, the Cannon Pokémon shot out another flurry of seeds coated in a light green aura from his mouth.
"Bust through with High Horsepower!" Hapu yelled. Mudsdale had an orange light shroud his form again before galloping forward. The seeds struck, but barely ended up fazing him as he kept on his charge.
"No way…!" Erika gasped.
"Is his defense really that high at this point…?" Leslie wondered aloud, quite surprised.
"Now Heavy Slam!" the kahuna commanded. A silvery aura shrouded the Draft Horse Pokémon as he lunged out and slammed into Toucannon hard, sending him tumbling back across the ground.
"Toucannon!" his trainer called out.
"Too… kaahhh…" the Cannon Pokémon squawked, pushing himself back up onto his feet with his wings.
"Heavy Slam again!" Hapu ordered. Mudsdale galloped over, ready to collide with his opponent once again.
"Quick, Beak Blast!" Calvin yelled. Perking up, Toucannon made his beak start to heat up just before the Draft Horse Pokémon slammed into him, resulting in a flurry of dust. Those of the Ketchum family looked on in concern, wondering what the result of the collision was.
As the dust settled, they saw that the Cannon Pokémon was wincing in agony as his beak was still heating, while his opponent was standing firm. But all of a sudden, a plume of fire erupted around Mudsdale, causing him to cry out in pain. Hapu widened her eyes in surprise.
"Mudsdale'zzz been burned, zzt!" Rotom buzzed out.
"Now Cal's got a better shot since his attacks aren't gonna do much damage anymore!" Erika affirmed with a big grin.
"Don't get too confident, Erika," Leslie advised, "I doubt this is the first time Hapu and Mudsdale were in a corner like this," she noted as she slightly narrowed her eyes.
"Mudsdale, Rock Slide!" the kahuna commanded. In spite of the embers flickering around him, the Draft Horse Pokémon stood on his hind legs, making small boulders appear around him again in flashes of sparkling white light. He had shoot out toward his foe, whose beak was still heating.
"Toucannon, fire!" his trainer yelled. Opening his beak, the Cannon Pokémon unleashed a burning beam of orange light. It eviscerated most of the incoming boulders, with only pieces managing to nick him. However, Mudsdale was able to avoid the beam entirely.
"Now Heavy Slam!" Hapu ordered. A silvery aura shrouded the Draft Horse Pokémon again as he galloped toward his foe.
"Hyper Voice!" Calvin commanded. Toucannon turned to his incoming foe, opening his beak again and unleashing another powerful screech with blue waves of energy. They crashed into Mudsdale, but he continued to charge through, ultimately colliding with the Cannon Pokémon in a flurry of dust.
"Mudsdale's just too relentless…!" Erika noted as sweat was dripping down the side of her head.
"It's like he isn't even bothered by being burned…" Leslie added aloud.
"Peekah…" Pikachu squeaked worriedly. The dust settled, with Mudsdale standing up firm in spite of the embers flickering off of body. Meanwhile, Toucannon was slow to stand back up, breathing heavily.
"You've hung in there for a quite a while, Calvin," Hapu pointed out, getting the Ketchum boy's attention, "Let me ask ya somethin'…" she requested, "What do you think you'll do after things are all over?" she inquired curiously.
"Huh?" the capped trial-goer uttered in confusion.
"I mean… I saw Erika's drive back in the canyon when y'all were helping Lillie," the kahuna recalled, "But somethin' tells me you're not exactly the same," she mentioned as she folded her arms over her chest, "So what's the endgame for you?" she asked again. Calvin lowered his head in thought. That question had never occurred to him. If he and his Pokémon finished the island challenge… what was next?
Thinking back to all the trials and battles he had to go through and learn from, the Ketchum boy knew he had grown quite a bit. But in the end, it all came down to him being alongside his Pokémon and his twin sister. Without her, he might've never continued to aim higher. And without him, she might've just stayed behind and not take part in the island challenge. Both of them had pushed each other, whether they realized it or not.
"Erika and I…" Calvin began, lifting his head up, "We'll keep pushing each other to greater heights," he vowed firmly, "Even after the island challenge, we'll climb even higher!" he declared on. Hearing all of that, his twin sister slightly widened her eyes. Ash and Mirajane smiled, while Leslie chuckled.
"Hm," Hapu huffed as she grinned, "Well, that's a mighty tall order for you and yer sister," she pointed out, "So let's see how far it'll get ya!" she insisted.
"MUHHHH!" Mudsdale neighed as he stood up on his hind legs.
"Toucannon, are you ready?" Calvin asked of the Cannon Pokémon, getting his attention.
"Tookah!" he squawked in reply. His trainer grinned, followed by crossing his arms over his face as the Normalium Z upon his Z-Power Ring flashed brightly.
"He's going for the Z-Move now?!" Erika exclaimed in question.
"All this time… and all this effort…" her brother began as he swung his arms around to make the poses he needed to, "It all pays off right here!" he proclaimed as an orange light built up around his body once he struck the final pose, having his arms held in a z-shaped formation. The luminosity shot out in streaks to Toucannon, merging with its body before the Z-Move symbol flashed in front of him.
"Tooo…" he chirped, taking a lunging stance.
"Be ready, Mudsdale," Hapu advised of her partner, "Rock Slide!" she ordered. Small boulders appeared around the Draft Horse Pokémon in flashes of sparkling white light, orbiting his body.
"Toucannon…" Calvin began to bellow, "BREAKNECK BLITZ!" he echoed out. The Cannon Pokémon launched forward in an instant, zooming toward his foe. Mudsdale had the boulders around him shoot out at his incoming opponent, but he sped right past them. He slammed into the Draft Horse Pokémon fiercely, resulting in powerful blast of dust and dirt.
Calvin and Hapu braced themselves, as did those on the sidelines. The wind cleared the cloud away slowly, with the Ketchum boy looking out to see what had happened. Toucannon was wincing in pain, struggling to stay standing up as his legs were about to buckle. Meanwhile, Mudsdale was still standing firm. He huffed out a puff of steam from his nostrils.
"No way…" Erika uttered in disbelief.
"Wait, look!" Rotom buzzed, enticing everyone to blink out of surprise. They watched as Mudsdale suddenly toppled over onto his left side. There were swirls in his eyes as he groaned in agony. For a moment, the whole world around Calvin stopped. Once he regained his composure, his eyes shook.
"We… won?" he assumed, trembling a little, "We won!" he realized excitedly.
"Too kah…" Toucannon exhaled with relief, seating himself down on the grass.
"Hm," Hapu chuckled, returning Mudsdale to his Ultra Ball in a beam of red light.
"You did it, Cal!" Erika exclaimed as she hurried over to embrace her brother in a tight bear hug, causing him to wince in agony. Ash and Mirajane also went over to hug their son, while Leslie stood off to the side and sighed happily.
"Jahhh…" Jangmo-o uttered in amazement, getting her attention as she noticed the sparkle in his eyes. She cracked a grin.
"You wanna become strong like that someday?" she guessed.
"Janhg!" the Scaly Pokémon eagerly responded, making her giggle. Later as the sun was starting to set, Hapu went ahead and stamped both Calvin and Erika's Trainer Passports.
"There you go!" she said. Both of them smiled widely at the sight of their completed passports. Eight trials and four grand trials later each, their island challenge was officially completely.
"Thank you so much, Hapu!" Erika exclaimed with gratitude as she bowed sharply. The kahuna laughed.
"No need to be so formal, Erika!" she assured in response, "I'm glad that you've both come this far, building each other up," she pointed out, "Huh…" she sighed, "I guess it's that pride you feel for a kid that's worked hard, right?" she inquired of Ash and Mirajane, as the latter was tearing up a little.
"R-Right…" she confirmed with a stutter, wiping her eyes.
"So that's it, huh?" Calvin noted aloud, holding the Groundium Z he had been gifted with in his right hand, "Our island challenge is finally over…" he concluded somewhat solemnly.
"Yeah…" Erika said as she nodded.
"I wouldn't say it's over just yet," their older sister chimed in, getting their attentions as they turned to look at her, "There might still be something up ahead…" she inferred with a smirk.
"Like what?" her twin siblings asked simultaneously.
ENDING
Insert "Who Are You?" by PELICAN FANCLUB
Opens at Aether Paradise as Lillie is with her bedridden mother, sleeping by her side. In her dreams, she's imagining becoming a Pokémon Trainer herself, journeying through regions with her Pokémon by her side. She starts running along the pathway, excitedly smiling all the while.
Throughout her journey in her dream, she comes across many great things. She encounters amazing Pokémon, strong trainers to battle, and memorable sights. Her Pokémon of choice is a Clefairy which she happily lifts in her hands.
All of a sudden, the area around them darkens as a shadow looms over them. Lillie looks up in horror to see a giant version of Lusamine engulfed by Nihilego overhead. She cowers in fright momentarily, but then notices a bright light shining up above.
It turns out to be Solgaleo, who comes down with Calvin and Erika aboard. They both offer their hands to Lillie, who happily accepts them as she climbs onto the Sunne Pokémon. They hurry off, avoiding the giant rocks Lusamine chucks their way. One is about to strike, but it's destroyed as Gladion appears aboard Silvally, slashing it apart.
Together, they lunge up to attack the Aether Foundation president, engulfing her in a shining, golden light. Lillie opens her eyes, lifting her head. She finds her mother awake in bed, giving her a weak, yet thankful smile.
Lillie smiles back, gripping her hand tightly. As Wicke wanders in to check on them, they turn on the TV as the Alola League is starting. Lillie giggles at the sight of the Ketchum twins in battle once again, happy that they're seeing their dreams through…
END ENDING
And thus, we're finally done with the last grand trial! But there's obviously going to be more ahead! We've got 32 chapters left to get through!
Anyways, I want to go ahead and thank everyone for all of the support as we head into a hiatus for this fic. I know some things haven't gone as smoothly or could be improved upon, and I hope to change that come the next big arc for the story. But for now, we'll be going into a few other stories. Until then, here's a summary to hold you all over!
SUMMARY
The challenge isn't over just yet! Thanks to Professor Kukui and the Pokémon League Federation, a new tournament known as the Lanakila Conference is starting, inviting trainers who've either completed the island challenge or obtained eight registered gym badges! Obviously, Calvin and Erika are going to enter!
But who else will wind up joining them?!
END SUMMARY
That's all for now, folks! It's back to finishing "Mind" for me! See you later!