Chapter 9
"Olivia is going to stand in as the acting Kahuna for the final battle of my Island Challenge,"
Thursday, August 23rd (1405)
Kahili's Island Challenge reached its climax. A showdown against her former classmate and rival. It was a storybook ending, and Giselle couldn't imagine a more perfect scenario. Now that Kahili had defeated the representatives of Melemele, Ula'ula, and Poni Island - the stage was set.
A layer of finely carved stone was set on a grass field to create a makeshift battleground. Unlike the battle against Hala, this was a secluded area, with only a gathering of a select few to observe the contest, including some of their former mentors like Giselle and Kukui. Of course, the four official Kahunas were present, and the two 'acting' Kahunas were also among them.
At first, Giselle wondered how Olivia convinced Kalama to let her participate in Kahilia's Island Challenge. But it all became clear when Giselle learned who the other 'acting' Kahuna was. It was Sofu's granddaughter, Hapu. Since she was also a former classmate of Kahili, she insisted that she be the one to battle Kahili as the acting Kahuna of Poni Island. That was where Olivia got the idea from…and she pestered Kalama incessantly until he granted her wish.
Olivia stood proudly on the battlefield with her arms crossed in front of her chest. Kahili stood across the field from her, and she wore a similar grin. Giselle was positioned on the sidelines near the center of the field, and it felt like the field was set ablaze by these two trainers despite the distance between them.
"When was the last time we battled each other?" Olivia asked as she held Lycanroc's Pokeball.
"The last time was before we graduated last year," Kahili noted. "So, at least fourteen months."
"Well, I guess you're in for a bunch of surprises!" Olivia declared as she hurled her Pokeball into the air. It popped over the field, and a white flash leaped to the field and howled as it took shape. "Right, Lycanroc!"
"I know you've been watching our battles," Kahili replied as she called upon her partner, Trumbeak, who took shape beside her. Trumbeak warbled as he flapped his wings, whipping up a gust that forced everyone on or near the battlefield to raise a hand to shield their eyes. "But we've still got a few aces up our sleeve! I hope you're ready!"
Olivia beamed as she used a hand to separate her bangs and tuck them behind her ears. "I was hoping you'd say that!"
Tapu Lele hovered alongside the edge of the field, and she giggled at their eagerness. She didn't want to keep them waiting any longer and hummed a tune as she rose into the air over the field. With her arms raised, Tapu Lele drew everyone's attention to announce that the contest was about to begin. Olivia and Kahili were allowed to share a nod with the Island Guardian before the battle was initiated.
"Marowak," Giselle whispered to her partner, who stood beside her. "Watch closely, okay?"
"Maro," He nodded and locked his eyes on the field.
The battle was of great significance for Kahili. But for Giselle, this was another opportunity to observe the bond between a trainer and a Pokemon manifest in combat.
Unlike her previous matches against the other Kahunas, Kahili took the initiative early. She wanted to see how well Olivia prepared for this battle. With an early call for Tailwind, Trumbeak became a gray blur that raced along the gusting winds around the battlefield, circling Lyranroc from above. The next step was Hyper Voice, and when used in tandem with Tailwind, Trumbeak could assault Lycanroc with a barrage of soundwaves from all angles.
Lycanroc winced and lowered his head as he endured the sound-based assault. Olivia monitored him closely, and she watched as he dug his claws into the stone field, and his back became rigid. This was precisely what she wanted.
"Use Howl!" Olivia commanded.
Lycanroc raised his head and opened his mouth. He bellowed at the top of his lungs, and Giselle felt the pores on her skin stand up. It reverberated throughout the area, and it forced Trumbeak to pause momentarily. That was when everyone saw that Lycanroc's eyes glowed red. Lycanroc snarled, showing his fangs as he did so.
"Well, well," Kukui remarked with a smirk. "Look what we have here. I haven't seen a midday Lycanroc become 'Enraged' in a long time."
Giselle was very familiar with this ability, especially when used by a Lycanroc. She saw it firsthand through Cross and his Lycanroc, and it was a frightening ability in their hands that heightened Lycanroc's combat instincts to their absolute peak.
"I thought only midnight form Lycanroc could use that ability," Giselle noted with a glance at Kukui.
"Both forms can use this," Kukui answered. "But it's more famous among the midnight form Lycanroc because they willingly choose to use it. They embrace their wildness, but it comes with some extreme aggression levels that make them more reckless in battle. On the other hand, the midday form restrains that wildness to make sure they are completely focused. But with the proper training…" Kukui motioned to Olivia's Lycanroc. "They gain those combat instincts but also sharpen their focus tenfold."
"So it's like a performance boost for the midday form," Giselle concluded.
"Sort of," Kukui trailed off as he shrugged his shoulders. "But you'll just have to watch and see for yourself."
Olivia raised a hand above her head. "Lycanroc, use Stone Edge to get into the air!"
A glowing blue stone erupted from the field beneath Lycanroc, which he used to propel himself into the air. He was nothing but a brown blur as he whizzed past Trumbeak until he reached the peak of his jump. He was several meters above Trumbeak and already knew what his next order would be from this position.
"Accelerock!" Energy coalesced around Lycanroc, gathering at his tail into a sphere of light. He howled before a hailstorm of sharp stones was fired down toward the field. It was widespread, and Trumbreak quickly recognized that he couldn't escape being hit entirely. Trumbeak barrel rolled to avoid the onslaught, but his wings were struck repeatedly, and he was dragged down to the field. Olivia then called for Take Down, the finale of their combination. Lycanroc turned his head downward to guide his descent toward the ground.
"Trumbeak, get out of there!" Kahili shouted. Trumbeak winced as he spread his wings and took flight. He barely managed to take some distance from Lycanroc's landing point before the impact. The stone slab Lycanroc hit shattered from the contact, and Kahili cringed at the thought of Trumbeak getting crushed by that attack. Despite escaping the damage from Take Down, Trumbeak was forced to land on the field, and Olivia smirked.
They may not have ended the battle with Take Down, but she was more than happy to live with the damage done by Accelerock. Trumbeak had dozens of sharp stones embedded in his wings, restricting movement and denying his ability to fly.
"Not bad, Olivia," Giselle remarked with her brow raised. Olivia wasn't the type to think much about strategy during a battle. She always played by air, but it was clear she had a plan of action for this battle. Not to mention how her bond with Lycanroc must have grown if he was willing to embrace his wild side at her command.
"Take Down again!" Olivia hollered. Lycanroc snarled as he leaped out of the indentation he left on the field and lunged at Trumbreak again.
"Steel Wing!" Was Kahili's response, and the grounded Trumbeak opened his wings once again. They gained a silver coating that ejected the stones that pierced his wings, and he used them to ward off Lycanroc's attack by swiping at his face. Lycanroc's fur was as hard as stone, but Trumbeak's Steel Wing sliced right through his outer defenses, and Lycanroc cried out in pain.
"One more time, Lycanroc!" Olivia declared fearlessly. Weary of the Steel Wing now, Lycanroc pounced at his target once again. Trumbeak lashed out with one of his wings, but Lycanroc used his front paws to pin down that wing, so Trumbeak struck with the other. Lycanroc caught the follow-up attack with his mouth and growled as he glared at Trumbeak.
The winged Pokemon felt a chill as his gaze met with Lycanroc's, and then he was lifted into the air. Lycanroc slammed him against the field repeatedly before Trumbeak slashed his face with his Steel Wing again. That forced Lycanroc to release him, but severe damage was done.
"You've got control of this one, Olivia," Giselle noted. "Now you just have to finish it."
"I wouldn't speak too soon," Kukui noted with a nod toward Lycanroc. His breathing was labored, and the red glow in his eyes faded as they returned to their usual blue. "The boost from using 'Enraged' comes at a cost. It's mentally exhausting, and I'm sure he will need to rest for now, which means…"
Kahili had the advantage.
"Trumbeak, this is our chance; use Roost!"
A gust was whipped up around Trumbeak as he trilled again. A white dust filled the air around him, glittering under the sunlight. The dust gathered into multiple glowing white feathers that gathered into Trumbeak, closing up the wounds on his wings and eliminating the bruises on his body. However, they weren't finished yet. As long as Lycanroc was immobile, they would use every second available. With a shout for Swords Dance, Trumbeak's power soared as a dark red aura surrounded him.
"Now attack with Steel Wing!" Kahili commanded, and Trumbeak rose into the air. He went through a quick loop to gain momentum before rushing toward his target.
"Lycanroc, use Crush Claw!" Olivia called out as a countermeasure.
Lycanroc's claws glowed white, and he mustered his strength to lunge at the approaching Trumbeak. There was a high-pitched clang as both Pokemon crossed paths, and they went tumbling to the ground. It only took a moment for the audience to spot the damage done by each attack. There was a long gash across Lycanroc's body, and his fur splintered from that point. He whined but kept his gaze locked on his target. Once again, Trumbeak was stripped of his aerial mobility thanks to the damage done to his wing.
Despite the added defense from Steel Wing, Trumbeak's left wing was shredded by Crush Claw, which hung limply at his side. Lycanroc recognized that he had disabled Trumbeak, and he slowly approached, ready to secure his victory as soon as Olivia gave the order.
Kahili took a deep breath and clenched her hands tightly. Then she let out that air and relaxed. Now wasn't the time to be upset with herself for putting Trumbeak into this situation again. Now that Olivia knew they had Roost in their arsenal, Kahili doubted they would get another opportunity to use it for free. Trumbeak would have to defend himself on the ground, and Steel Wing wouldn't be enough this time, not when Lycanroc could shred through it with Crush Claw. They needed something else to slow things down on the next engagement. She recalled when Trumbeak used Hyper Voice earlier; however, it wasn't very effective in terms of damage…but it did do something else.
"Lycanroc, we can't give them a chance to rest! Use Take Down!" Olivia capitalized on this opportunity.
"Trumbeak, Supersonic!" Kahili barked.
Trumbeak raised his voice and unleashed a sound wave that halted Lycanroc's movement. Lycanroc hunched over as the sound frequency of Supersonic assaulted his eardrums. It was as if giant wooden stakes were puncturing his ear canals. His breathing became erratic, and the red glow returned to his eyes. But from the moment 'Enraged' activated, Lycanroc staggered. The physical toll was too significant for him to use it.
"Lycanroc," Olivia called to him. Her voice was clear to him. "I need you to calm down! This isn't a time to lose control."
Lycanroc obeyed, and after a few steady breaths, the red glow faded. However, that bought Kahili and Trumbeak the time they needed. Roost restored Trumbeak's wing to a condition where he could take flight, and he rose above the battlefield. Olivia clicked her tongue at the sight of this before she shot a grin at Kahili.
"You were always super smart when it came to battling," Olivia remarked. "You could always make something out of nothing. And if I'm being honest, it's really annoying sometimes," Olivia laughed. "But my goal isn't to test your mind. I want to see how strong your bond with Trumbeak is!"
Olivia went through a set of stances in which she flexed her biceps. Lycanroc recognized the initial pose and did his best to imitate her as they went through the rest of the set. A glow flashed around Olivia's body, which then leaped from her to her Pokemon partner. Lycanroc howled as he felt the sudden surge of energy.
Giselle leaned forward and licked her lips. This was just like with Hala…a Z-Move!
"Let's see how you beat this!" Olivia declared. "Lycanroc, use Continental Crush!"
Kalama's brow twitched at the announcement of this attack, and then he began to shout at the audience. "Everyone get away from the field now!"
Giselle's eyes widened at the sudden change in Kalama's demeanor. Until that point, he was enjoying the battle with a broad grin. That smile was nowhere to be found as he yelled for everyone to take as much distance from the field as possible. They all fled to the edge of the clearing, though Giselle looked over her shoulder to watch as Lycanroc let loose a triumphant howl, and the stone field around him shattered. He then launched himself into the air using Stone Edge, and the broken pieces of the field followed him up in the air, becoming tightly packed until they formed a massive boulder that eclipsed the field. Trumbeak stared at this shocking attack as its descent caused powerful gusts of wind to batter the trainers down on the field.
Olivia stood with her arms crossed in front of her chest, a grin on her face as her jacket flapped wildly behind her. "Give us everything you've got, Kahili!"
Kahili used a hand to hold the brim of her sports visor to make sure it wasn't blown away by the winds. She couldn't help but smile. Olivia and Lycanroc were fantastic to have developed all of these new attacks and abilities since their graduation. Olivia put all her cards on the table, but Kahili was more than prepared to up the ante!
"Trumbeak, head straight for it!" Kahili shouted as she pointed toward the miniature meteor falling toward the field. Trumbeak didn't question her order, but Kahili immediately reassured her partner. "You're the master of the skies! Use your Aerial Ace to circle around it, and you'll find Lycanroc waiting there! You can do this!"
Trumbeak's eyes shined as he flew toward Lycanroc's Continental Crush. It was just as Kahili said. The skies were his domain, and Lycanroc challenged him here. That would prove to be his undoing. Trumbeak quickly scanned the meteorite and calculated its descent speed before he made his next maneuver. Once he reached the base of the attack, he turned over in the air and darted alongside it, traveling just mere inches from its surface of it. So much as the slightest contact with it would disrupt Trumbeak's flight, and he would be caught beneath it.
Everyone watched in awe as Trumbeak reached the outer edge and traveled upward. The updrafts from the meteor's descent became a momentum boost, almost like a slingshot that launched up to the top of the Continental Crush.
"Now finish it with Steel Wing!"
Kahili was right. Lycanroc was positioned at the top of his attack, almost as if he was guiding it to the earth below. His eyes widened as he heard a shrill cry, and he spotted Trumbeak racing toward him with silver wings. There wasn't any time to react. Steel Wing hit its target, and Lycanroc was felled by the blow. The Continental Crush crumbled catastrophically!
Chunks of the attack hit the field, raising a cloud of dust over the area. Tapu Lele intervened from there as she came swooping in to snatch Olivia and Kahili from their positions on the field to avoid being hit. Once the girls were settled at the edge of the clearing with the others, Tapu Lele raised her arms to create a gust of wind that cleared away the dust to see the battle's outcome. Trumbeak was in the air, hovering over the field while Lycanroc was resting on his side. The Steel Wing left a gash across the entire length of his left side, and the pain was too much for him to get back onto his feet. That was all Tapu Lele needed to see as she made her judgment.
Kahili and Trumbreak were the winners!
Tapu Lele treated both Pokemon that participated in the battle, showering them in glittering dust that healed their wounds completely. During this time, the four Kahunas and two acting Kahunas gathered before the battlefield to speak with Kahili. Giselle stood close by, listening closely as they congratulated Kahili.
"Keiki, you've grown," Hala remarked as he placed a hand on Kahili's shoulder. "I remember how you looked when you first asked me about this challenge last year. It's been quite an adventure, huh?"
"Hopefully…" Kahili paused as Trumbeak landed on her shoulder and rustled his feathers. She beamed at her partner before she looked back at Hala. "Hopefully, this is the first of many!"
"Don't talk so soon, keiki," Sofu interjected. "Your journey here isn't finished just yet."
"The finale of your Island Challenge will take place on Poni Island, keiki," Nanu added.
"Next weekend, go to Vast Poni Canyon to the Altar of the Sunne. We all be waiting there for you, keiki," Kalama concluded.
Giselle raised her brow, but thankfully, she didn't have to wait long to get answers. Kalama arranged for everyone to spend the night at the Paniola Ranch with Rango and Sima. A feast awaited them to celebrate Kahili's success, and Giselle spoke with Kalama about the final portion of Kahili's Island Challenge.
"Why were you all calling her…keiki?" Giselle inquired as she sat beside Kalama at one of the wooden tables. Kalama chuckled as he leaned back with a drink in hand.
"It means 'child,'" He replied with a smile. "And don't think of it as an insult. We are all Alola's children…but the Island Challenge is a rite of passage for Kahili to leave the islands. Completing it is a declaration that she is no longer a child."
"It almost sounds like a bad thing," Giselle noted.
Kalama shook his head. "It's not. Kahili isn't forsaking her family or anything like that. She is merely stating that she is independent. Kahili is headed for the mainland, so we can't accompany her. But like a loving family, Alola will always be here waiting for its keiki to return."
"And what exactly is this declaration she will make next weekend?" Giselle inquired.
"You'll get to see it yourself," Kalama replied. "We want you there as well, or really I should say that a few people and…Pokemon requested that you attend as well."
Giselle was surprised that she was invited. She certainly didn't expect it, but she was glad that she would get to see this ceremony. Though, she had no idea what was in store for her there.
Monday, August 27th
Giselle stood in the kitchen at Anela's house, an apron tied around her waist as she chopped some cabbage for her dinner with Anela, Marowak, and Dori. Anela sat at the table with a soft smile as she observed Giselle.
"I really appreciate you making dinner tonight, Giselle?" Anela said kindly.
"It's no problem at all. You were working all day at your stand," Giselle pointed out as she smiled back at Anela. "Besides, you always cook for me. This is the least I could do for you."
Dori, Anela's Oricorio, hopped up onto the countertop to observe Giselle as she worked, and she began to hum a soft tune to fill the silence. Giselle recognized Dori's song and joined in, much to Dori's delight as she added a few dance steps to her song.
Anela leaned back in her seat as she watched Giselle, and she couldn't help but think back to the version of Giselle she first met on the airfield two years ago. Her eyes were focused…but her gaze was narrow. Always so caught up in trying to help Cubone evolve, she failed to see the beauty of the world around her and frustrated herself constantly. This thought earned a chuckle from Anela.
"Giselle, do you realize how much you've changed?" Anela inquired.
"Really? What makes you say that?" Giselle asked in return, though she kept her back turned to Anela.
"I feel like the person I met when you first came to Alola would've still been outside trying to practice with Cubone," Anela stated, and Giselle froze mid-chop. Dori noticed this pause and watched Giselle set the knife on the cutting board. Giselle turned to face Anela now, a smile on her face as she scratched at her cheek.
"Yeah… you're probably right," Giselle agreed with her. "I changed a lot."
"And…are you happy?"
Giselle stopped and leaned against the kitchen counter. "Am I happy?" She repeated the question as she looked up in thought.
Cubone evolved into Marowak. That was a goal for years, and they achieved that! But there was so much more that she had to appreciate now. Giselle had a job that she loved, and it enabled her to learn more about Pokemon and then teach others what she was learning. She had a great living situation with a wonderful roommate in Anela. She made some amazing friendships in Alola, learned to cook a proper meal, and could even run Anela's fruit stand on the weekends!
Giselle nodded slowly. "I'm happy."
Anela clapped her hands together. "I'm glad to hear that," Anela remarked. "It's nice to see that you've relaxed, and it's made you healthier," Anela added with a gesture to Giselle's physique. Her skin was golden now, tanned from all her time under the Alolan sun. Her hair was left natural, free of the hair products Giselle used previously to straighten it. And she kept a bright flower tucked into her hair that often matched the brightness of her smiles. "You really have become one of Alola's keiki."
Giselle tilted her head. "Can a mainlander become one of Alola's children?"
"Of course, dear!" Anela exclaimed. "You've already done all that and much more! The time you've spent with us is invaluable, and I hope you can recognize that."
Giselle furrowed her brow. There was something different about Anela right now. She was always insightful, but today she seemed to look directly into Giselle's heart. Giselle knew this feeling from all those times when it felt like Marowak was doing the same thing.
"I wouldn't trade the last two years for anything in the world," Giselle answered her.
Anela beamed in response. "I can see how much you value it, and while I know Cubone's evolution was a reward for your growth…I still think there's one more thing you need to do."
Giselle pursed her lips in question. "What would that be?"
"Return to Vast Poni Canyon and complete your trial."
Giselle didn't hesitate to follow through on Anela's suggestion. After dinner, she returned to her room upstairs to pack for the trip. The timing was perfect. She could spend the rest of this week in Vast Poni Canyon and meet up with everyone for Kahili's ceremony on the weekend. However, as Giselle packed what she would need, she spotted her keepsake that she looked at almost daily.
The Hard Stone that she obtained from Boldore during her last visit to Vast Poni Canyon.
"Mmm," Marowak grunted as he stood in the doorway. Giselle looked toward him and saw that his gaze was also fixated on the Hard Stone.
"Do you think we should take this too?" Giselle asked him as she picked the small object.
Marowak nodded. Perhaps if they presented this to Noviern now, they would pass their trial.
Friday, August 30th
Giselle and Marowak's second trip into Vast Poni Canyon wasn't nearly as arduous as the first. Considering they spent a few weeks here last time, they better understood the area and how to traverse the different levels. However, they had limited time to travel since they would have to be at the Altar of the Sunne by noon on Saturday.
So when they first arrived on Tuesday, Giselle and Marowak immediately made their way to the upper levels of the canyon to a location where Skarmory often made their nests. As nasty as their temperament could be, earning a Skarmory's respect was fairly straightforward. Beat them in a battle, and Marowak made quick work of the first Skarmory they encountered. Once Skarmory was willing to talk, he agreed to be a 'taxi' for Giselle and fly them to each of their trial sites around Vast Poni Canyon for the remainder of the week.
That saved them a considerable amount of time traveling. What took them days to do last time was now done in just a few hours, so they retook one of the trials each day.
They went to the highlands Wednesday morning to meet with Mienshao again. Giselle wasn't sure if they remembered her since it was over two years ago since she was last here, but they didn't make a fuss as she and Marowak joined them. The duo sat among the Mienfoo and observed Mienshao as she demonstrated her martial arts forms. For Giselle and Marowak, they adopted this into their own training. However, it was treated as more of a stretching or warm-up exercise than something they would use in combat.
Giselle couldn't help but snicker as she watched some of the Mienfoo try to replicate the stances that Mienshao demonstrated. They couldn't keep their balance and sometimes fell over, just like she did when she first started to practice these forms. Giselle's inner teacher also came out as she watched the struggles of the Mienfoo as she corrected their stances, much to Mienshao's approval.
Early in the afternoon, Mienshao invited everyone to demonstrate the stances they had learned. Giselle and Marowak were stand-out students as they mirrored Mienshao's forms perfectly. The Mienfoo applauded for their success, though this was an expected outcome since they went from peers to mentors during one lesson.
They were awarded their Black Belts, but Giselle decided to remain on the highlands for the rest of the day to observe Mienshao. Giselle wanted to see what she could glean from Mienshao to improve as an instructor. One interaction stood out in particular to Giselle.
There was a Mienfoo who struggled mightily to keep up with everyone else. He just couldn't grasp the stances or keep his balance. Giselle wondered if something was wrong with him physically, but Mienshao identified the problem. She took this Mienfoo for a private lesson, and Giselle watched closely. Mienshao reversed the stances and forms that she taught this Mienfoo, and in a matter of minutes, he caught right up with everyone else. At first, Giselle didn't quite understand until she realized that this Mienfoo treated his left hand as his strong one. He was a southpaw.
By switching the forms to let him lead with his right hand, the forms came naturally to him. Giselle snapped her fingers with a smile. Teaching wasn't always about using repetition to drive home a point or skill. Sometimes it requires an adjustment to help students understand and unlock their potential.
Thursday morning, they mounted Skarmory and traveled to the opposite end of Vast Poni Canyon to visit Hakamo-o's den. Or what was formerly Hakamo-o's den. What awaited them on this battleground was a Pokemon that gave Giselle chills as he let loose a fearsome roar.
"Kommo-o!" He roared, and the field seemed to shake.
Giselle beamed as she realized that the Kommo-o that stood on the field was none other than the Hakamo-o she and Cubone had battled originally. Now it would be a rematch between their evolved forms. Kommo-o beckoned for them to come onto the field, his claws glowing green. 'Come! Our battle will be legendary!'
It was legendary.
This battle was much longer than the first bout. A contest that went that distance as Kommo-o demonstrated all the strengths of his final form. It came down to another final exchange between their most potent attacks. For Marowak, this was his Flare Blitz that they had worked tirelessly on for the last few months. For Kommo-o, it was his Outrage, an attack he managed to improve since their previous showdown. His eyes burned with a bright red glow, and lightning crackled around his form before he charged to meet Marowak's Flare Blitz.
When these two attacks met, they shattered the field beneath them, and smoke erupted from the point of contact. Giselle shielded her eyes with one arm, and her hair whipped wildly from the gusts of wind. The battle was judged as a draw by Kommo-o since the armor on his torso split, and several scales were knocked off his body. He awarded Giselle and Marowak a Dragon Scale.
Today, they returned to Boldore's cavern at the heart of Vast Poni Canyon. Giselle prepared in advance for this trial specifically. Last time they spent almost three hours in this steamy cavern waiting for Boldore to carve out a Hard Stone, and the end result was the two of them almost becoming dehydrated. To avoid that, Giselle had filled four canteens to the brim, which would be more than enough, especially since Marowak was now a fire type, and this heat hardly affected him. Once they settled at the end of the cavern where several Boldore were located, Marowak fell asleep beside Giselle, who decided she would use this time to reflect.
"Return to Vast Poni Canyon and complete your trial."
They failed on their first attempt. So, what was different now? Giselle made a mental list, and the first thing she noted was…
"I'm happy," She whispered.
Two years ago, she was extremely goal oriented. She wanted nothing more than to help Cubone evolve, and that was all they worked toward. That intense focus made her miss so many details about Cubone, about life in general…and especially herself. Of course, Giselle was still goal-oriented, but at the end of the day, she didn't let that determine if she was pleased with how her day went.
Success wasn't measured by what they accomplished. She was satisfied with whatever they did. Not every experience has to be a step towards improving as a trainer. In fact, those experiences that had nothing to do with Pokemon training often put her heart at ease. The little things…cooking, cleaning, walking on the beach, having a cup of coffee in the faculty room in the morning. Those little things made her smile.
And doing those little things together with Marowak improved their relationship tremendously.
"Appreciate the little things…and the big things will come," Giselle noted as she glanced at Marowak.
Alola taught her all of this.
"Mahalo nui loa, Alola."
Saturday, September 1st
The noon-time sun blared down from the skies above onto Vast Poni Canyon, but the heat didn't mean anything to Giselle as gusts of winds kept her skin cool. She was airborne on the back of her befriended Skarmory, en route for the Altar of the Sunne.
Today was the big day, the closing ceremony for Kahili's Island Challenge. As the Altar of the Sunne came into view, Giselle couldn't help but marvel at the incredible stone monument carved into the cliffside. The ceremonial site was at the base of the cliff structure, and Giselle could see a small gathering of people already.
Skarmory screeched as they came in for a landing, and all eyes were on Giselle, and she disembarked. She thanked Skarmory graciously and advised that this was the final stop of her journey, so Skarmory was free to return to his nest. Giselle then looked to the group that included some of Alola's most famous and influential trainers. The four Kahuna's, Hala, Kalama, Nanu and Sofu. Two of their current proteges, Olivia and Hapu. Of course, the person participating in the Island Challenge, Kahili. But the stand-out guest, or at least the one Giselle wasn't prepared to see…was Anela.
"What are you doing here?" Giselle asked in a whisper as she approached the elderly woman.
However, there wasn't any time to speak. Giselle was the last person they were waiting for, and her arrival summoned the final four guests. There was a flash above them, and suddenly the Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini were all hovering above them. Each of them cried out before positioning themselves at the front of the massive Altar.
Kahili and the Kahunas approached the structure's base and kneeled for the Island Guardians. Giselle remained with Anela, Olivia, and Hapu to observe the ceremony from farther back.
"Great Guardians of Alola," Hala began, and his voice seemed to echo throughout the area. "Today, one of Alola's keiki has come before you with her heart set on seeing what lies beyond our islands," He motioned to Kahili as he made this declaration. The eyes of the Tapus all went to her. "Each of us has been able to judge her strength, and she has proven to be more than capable of finding success in other lands. But she has also earned the right to carry the power of Alola with her, and we wish to grant her this."
"Go on, keiki," Kalama said as he nudged Kahili to take a step forward. Kahili glanced over her shoulder at the squadron of Kahunas behind her. They all nodded briefly, then Kahili looked forward and tossed Trumbeak's Pokeball into the air to summon her partner. With Trumbeak alongside her, Kahili reached into her jacket pocket and took out an item that Giselle recognized. A silver and gray stone that shined under the sunlight. A Hard Stone.
"Guardians of Alola, please grant me the power of Alola!" Kahili declared as she raised the Hard Stone over her head to present it to the Guardians. Tapu Koko came swooping down and snatched from her hands before he returned to his counterparts. With the Hard Stone in hand, Tapu Koko closed his arms around his body, concealing himself within his armor. His body began to shake rapidly for several moments, and everyone could hear him singing from within his armor.
Tapu Koko opened up and tossed the Hard Stone to Tapu Lele. She followed the same process as she tucked her body into her armor which began to shake as she worked on the Hard Stone. Tapu Bulu and Tapu Fini did the same, and when Tapu Fini finished, the Hard Stone glowed brilliantly. It floated on its own as she released her hold on it, and it flew up to the centerpiece of the stone monument behind them. Each Tapu then took their corresponding position around the floating Hard Stone, and a silver glow engulfed them. The energy around them then converged at the center point where the Hard Stone was waiting, producing a blinding light.
It took several seconds before the light faded, and what was left back was a small glowing gemstone. Tapu Koko collected it and descended to Kahili to present her with it. Kahili accepted it graciously, and even from a distance, Giselle could see how the stone glittered in her hand.
"What is that?" Giselle asked as she looked at Hapu and Olivia.
"The power of Alola!" Olivia answered with a broad grin.
Giselle furrowed her brow. "But what does that mean?"
"You'll understand shortly," Anela said with a slight chuckle.
Hala approached Kahili next to present her with a white bracelet. Kahili beamed as she held it tightly, then she fixed the crystal into a slot on the top of the bracelet. Once it was in place, Kahili slipped it around her wrist, and the crystal seemed to respond immediately. There was another flash of light, and Hala motioned for Kahili to proceed. She and Trumbeak separated themselves from the group, and all eyes watched anxiously as her demonstration began.
"It's time, Trumbeak!" Kahili declared as she thrust one of her hands into the air. "This is the moment we've been working so hard for. Don't get nervous. Just do everything like we practiced!"
Trumbeak landed on the ground in front of Kahili and trilled in anticipation. Kahili transitioned through a set of three stances, and Trumbeak seemed to mirror her actions. As Kahili reached the final stance, the crystal on her bracelet was ignited with light that jumped from Kahili to Trumbeak. This energy consumed his form, and Trumbeak cried out as he took flight. A tremendous gust of wind was unleashed as he raced into the skies, blowing Kahili's visor off her head. Tapu Koko rushed out in the air above Kahili, and he raised one of his arms to get Trumbeak's attention.
'Give me everything you've got!'
"This is it, Trumbeak," Kahili called out. "Our Z-Move! Supersonic Skystrike!"
The energy surrounding Trumbeak spiraled like the tip of a twister as he rose higher into the air. The winds surrounding him eliminated any sort of wind resistance, and he accelerated rapidly. He went through a massive loop in the air, his speed increasing with every passing second. As he was upside down, he spotted Tapu Koko below, waiting for his attack. With his target in sight, Trumbeak's descent began, and the twister around him seemed to understand where he wanted to go. It opened up into a terrifying wind tunnel that followed the exact path that Trumbeak wanted to follow.
Tapu Koko found himself in the middle of this tunnel, and he closed up his arms around him in preparation for the oncoming attack. However, even with his armor, he wouldn't escape harm. Supersonic Skystrike was the pinnacle of aerial attacks. The spear's tip was Trumbeak's beak, which drew power from the wind tunnel as it became the ultimate precision weapon. The wind tunnel further amplified this, allowing Trumbeak to reach his maximum velocity. A terrifying combination of speed and precision to create untold power.
Everyone grimaced as they heard a high-pitched screech, the sound of metal grinding against metal. Kahili smirked as she visualized a sword penetrating through a shield. She could tell their attack pierced Tapu Koko's armor and struck his shoulder.
As the wind tunnel dispersed, everyone watched as Tapu Koko lowered his armor, and one arm hung limply on his side. Despite the damage, Tapu Koko raised his good arm to declare his approval. Kahili and Trumbeak passed their Island Challenge!
Giselle felt her knees tremble, and her mouth hung open. "I could feel their power," Giselle said in a whisper. It wasn't just the amazing powers of a Pokemon on display there. It was a combined effort. Both trainer and Pokemon. Giselle could feel their strength together, and it culminated in a Z-Move. "Amazing…"
"That is the power of Alola," Anela stated with a small smile. "According to legend, there is a natural energy that fills Alola. Something only found here on these islands. This power can only be harnessed by a trainer and Pokemon. It can't be summoned by either party separately. They must work together," Anela explained.
"So, is that the power of your bond with your Pokemon?" Giselle inquired.
"Not your bond. This power exists on its own, and the bond between you and Pokemon is a channel for it," Anela went on. "In Alola, trainers can use this power once they learn to wield it. But outside of Alola, a Z-Crystal is required to summon that power. To receive a Z-Crystal from the Island Guardians is a sign that a trainer has come to understand how powerful the bond is between them and their Pokemon."
Giselle looked back to Kahili in awe. Her Z-Move was so much more than just completing her Island Challenge. It was proof of how deeply she loved Pokemon.
"This is so amazing," Giselle marveled as Marowak leaned against her leg. "To think that our bond could do something like that," Giselle shook her head, unable to suppress the smile on her face. "The world of Pokemon will never cease to amaze me."
"Do you want to give it a try?" Anela asked her.
Giselle staggered slightly. "I don't think we're capable of that," Giselle said sheepishly.
"I wouldn't jump to conclusions," Anela smirked and pointed to the skies. "Finish your ancient trial and see what happens."
There was a roar from above, and Giselle looked up. Black and purple wings, a silver mane, and ears that resembled stereo speakers. "Noi-vern!"
Giselle's eyes widened as she recognized this Noivern. The Totem Pokemon of Vast Poni Canyon and the judge of Giselle's ancient trial. Noivern landed on the raised platform at the base of the Altar, and all eyes went toward her as she let loose another shriek. Her gaze rested firmly on Giselle, and Noivern beckoned for her to approach.
"What are you waiting for, Giselle?" Sofu called out to her.
"It's your turn," Hapu added as she gave Giselle a slight push.
Giselle looked at the two of them and remembered they were present when she failed the first time. Sofu seemed weary the first time, almost as if he didn't want her to approach Noivern. But now, he wore a broad grin.
Marowak stepped forward first, and he looked back at Giselle. They shared a glance, and that was all the reassurance Giselle needed. 'We'll do this together.'
Everyone separated to make way for Giselle to approach Noivern. Unlike Kahili, who had the full backing of the Kahunas, Giselle went alone to Noivern to present her offerings. Just like last time, she kneeled with Marowak and set down the three items they received in Vast Poni Canyon.
Noivern eyed them cautiously, but she remained where she landed. All she did was stare at them. Giselle bit down on her lower lip to ignore the tingle on her back. Noviern's sharp gaze was unnerving.
"Tell her what you've learned!" Anela shouted.
Giselle maintained eye contact with Noivern. "Alola has taught me that…you won't experience happiness if you're filled with envy for something someone else has," Giselle thought of her rivals such as Ash, Volkner, and Flint. All three of them were able to unlock their Pokemon's full potential, something she still had yet to do. "A journey isn't about replicating what someone else has accomplished. It's about discovering myself and finding what I'm looking for," Giselle smiled faintly as she remembered her breakthroughs with Cubone that eventually led to his evolution. "But above all, I've learned to be happy with my current circumstances, because I can't control everything, and that's just how it is," She remarked. "It would be great to accomplish something amazing whenever I want to, but at the end of the day, I love Marowak, I love Pokemon…and I love Alola. And I'm satisfied because that's all I need to be happy."
Noivern approached them and kneeled down. The stern expression she wore softened, and she smiled for them. She reached for the Hard Stone that Giselle presented and flew to the Island Guardians that hovered above them.
Giselle felt her stomach tighten as Noivern gave them the Hard Stone, and the Guardians began the same process used to create Kahili's Z-Crystal. As Giselle watched each of them work, she felt a warm hand touch the back of her hand. When she glanced at her side, she saw that Marowak put his hand on hers as they watched. Not a word was said until Tapu Fini finished her work on the Hard Stone, and what remained of it was a glittering, amber-colored crystal that was returned to Giselle and Marowak thanks to Noivern.
"Does…does that mean…we passed?" Giselle asked as Noivern placed the crystal in the palm of her hand.
Noivern nodded, and the cheers from everyone around them burst forth. Giselle was startled as she looked back at everyone as they clapped for them.
It seemed as though everyone present anticipated Giselle passing the ancient trial. Hala had another one of those bracelets tucked away in his jacket, which he gave to Giselle, and he labeled it as a 'Z-Ring.'
Then it came time to use her Z-Move, and Kalama stepped forward and became their instructor.
"The Z-Crystal will help you to channel Alola's energy into Marowak, but the important part is to do these stances in unison," Kalama explained as he demonstrated each stance for them. "The stances help each of you to harness that energy and guide it. By doing it together, you amplify it to create a Z-Move. Go on…try!"
Giselle fastened her Z-Ring to her wrist and stared at the small red crystal she had received from Noivern. This was their moment now. It took a few tries, but their form practice with Mienshao paid off. They executed these stances almost perfectly, and Giselle felt as if her stomach was bloated. Something was gathering there that felt…powerful. But then it transitioned up to her chest, and it caused her to gasp. It was such a strange sensation like there was a bulge moving within her.
'Guide that energy to Marowak,' Kalama instructed her.
Giselle looked to her Marowak, who was a few feet in front of her, and he glanced over his shoulder to make eye contact. There was an amber glow in his eyes, and he nodded to her. Giselle reached out toward him, and that was an outlet for the energy summoned by her Z-Crystal. The gemstone flashed before a ray of light jumped from Giselle to Marowak. He trembled from the sudden surge of power, and he roared as it engulfed his entire body.
"Maro-wak!" He shouted, and he raised his bone club over his head, twirling it rapidly. A ball of azure flames was ignited just above him, and Giselle took a step back as she felt the temperature around them skyrocket.
"Don't back down," Giselle steadied herself. "This is our zenith!" Giselle stated before she raised her hands over her head to mirror Marowak's stance. "Become a raging fire and burn!" The flames expanded rapidly to the point where Giselle was convinced that she was standing next to a miniature version of the sun. "Marowak, Inferno Overdrive!"
There was a call from the skies above, and the two of them looked up to see Tapu Lele separating herself from everyone. She waved her arms, a signal that she was willing to be the target for their first successful Z-Move. Giselle and Marowak locked onto their target and took aim. The raging inferno was then propelled forward, moving with a frightening pace toward Tapu Lele, who sealed herself with her armor in preparation. Once it made contact, Giselle raised a hand to shield her eyes as the Inferno Overdrive became a supernova!
Fiery gusts of wind filled the area, and the remaining Island Guardians lowered themselves to the group and cast a shield in front of the audience. Tapu Fini shielded Giselle and remained alongside her. They watched as the flames were sucked into the heart of the attack, and all that remained was a tiny ball of fire that flashed several times before it detonated. The attack was at least two hundred feet in the air, but the wind still blasted Giselle as if she was right next to the source. If not for Tapu Fini, Giselle was certain that she would've been swept away by the blast.
The sky was filled with fire, and while the Altar of the Sunne didn't have much plant life around it, the fire that was raining down on them would consume the little greenery that was present there. Tapu Fini acted quickly to make sure that these plants weren't set ablaze. She cried out, filling the air within her shield with moisture that she then expanded over the entire area. The flames were swallowed up by the sudden wave of moisture, but Giselle would never forget the sight of Marowak's first Inferno Overdrive.
"That's our power," Giselle marveled before her shoulders became heavy and her knees buckled. She fell to her bottom, much to Marowak's concern, but as he came close to her, the exhaustion hit him as well, and he fell straight into her lap. Giselle smiled softly as she pulled Marowak into an embrace.
Monday, September 3rd
Giselle let out a breath as she peered out at the property of the Pokemon School from the balcony of her classroom. Situated at nearly the highest point on the building, Giselle always had a view of the school grounds, the hillside and pathways that led down to the coastline near Hau'oli City, and Alola's emerald water.
Leaning against the railing, Giselle held her journal in one hand as she looked through some of her earliest entries. She could only laugh at her first impressions of Alola and how people wasted too much time doing things that didn't matter. Alola would go on to prove how wrong her opinions were.
There was no such thing as wasted time here. Even something like an afternoon nap had value, or at least that's what Kalama insisted as an excuse to spend every evening in his hammock. That thought aside, the culture on these islands enabled bonding with a Pokemon far more than anything Giselle experienced back home in Kanto. The Battle Royal Dome, the Wela Crown ceremony, her ancient trial within Vast Poni Canyon, working on the Paniola Ranch…the list went on and on. Being a Pokemon trainer was so much more than just practicing for combat. It was a relationship that hinged on the bond between both trainer and Pokemon.
It took her a long time to learn that lesson, and it triggered a set of questions that Giselle wanted to reflect on. She thumbed over to the next blank page in her journal and scribbled down today's date at the top.
"What are some challenges that I've overcome?"
Giselle recalled her first few weeks in Alola and how their initial failure within Vast Poni Canyon made her feel. She bit down on her lower lip as she wrote this word on one line.
Inadequate.
At first, she was filled with doubts about herself and her ability as a Pokemon trainer. After all, she hardly understood the lessons she was supposed to learn in Vast Poni Canyon, and it was starting to seem like maybe she wouldn't be able to help Cubone evolve. But there was that night she heard Cubone declare that he was absolutely certain that Giselle was the trainer for him. That reassurance was the treatment that her wounded psyche needed.
Even after that, it still took time, but they worked together. And if it weren't for Cubone, Giselle wasn't sure how she would've fared as a teacher at the Pokemon School. She still couldn't believe that she was asked to become a teacher overnight. But…two years later, she still had the job, and she was looking forward to starting yet another new school year next week.
Above all, that was their recent success on their second attempt within Vast Poni Canyon. Giselle and Marowak's bond was judged as worthy of wielding the 'power of Alola.' The image of Marowak's Inferno Overdrive was burned into her memory. That was the power of their bond on full display!
They were strong!
"What are some areas that I could improve?"
Giselle paused for a moment and thought of a keyword. It didn't take her long to find an answer, and once she wrote it down, she circled it.
Communication.
She wasn't very good at speaking with other people about subjects other than Pokemon. Of course, Alola put her out of her element on a daily basis with how friendly everyone was, but Giselle could stand to work on her communication skills on things outside of her comfort zone. Giselle made a list of things to do to improve in this area.
Get to know her neighbors better and put in more effort getting to know her student's families. Giselle tended to keep a bit of distance between herself and her students to maintain a bit of professionalism. But the more she thought about the friendship she gained with Olivia, Kahili, and Ilima, the more she realized that this distance was necessary. Not in a place like Alola.
Giselle knew that she had a strong reputation in the community because her name was passed around by the children. However, she wanted their families to judge her based on their own interactions with her, not just word of mouth from their children. Not to mention, building bonds with other people was also part of being a Pokemon trainer. If Giselle wanted her students to understand all aspects of bond building, she would have to make sure that she was demonstrating them first.
Giselle nodded to herself and wrote down her final question.
"How will you be different in a year?"
Giselle already had her answer.
She wanted to own a house here in Alola. She wanted a hammock on her front porch like Kalama to nap on the weekends. She wanted to have a private battlefield in her backyard like Hala to host practice matches with the locals of Hau'oli City.
Giselle adored Anela. She loved that this woman had opened up her home to a total stranger for the last two years...but Giselle felt like it was time to fully establish herself. Having her own home was the first step.
"What else?" Giselle asked herself out loud, but someone cleared their throat.
She looked up and saw Marowak standing at the entrance of her classroom. With his arrival, Giselle looked at the watch on her wrist and saw that it was already six o'clock in the afternoon.
"Oh, we're going to be late!" Giselle exclaimed as she snapped her journal shut.
She dashed over to her desk and exchanged her journal for the backpack resting on top of it. Giselle pursed her lips as she looked at her journal again, and then she looked toward Marowak.
"Are you happy?" She asked him.
There wasn't any hesitation in his answer, and he shot her a grin. "I'll be happy as long as you're happy."
Giselle stifled a laugh before she continued. "Well… I'm glad you're happy then."
Giselle slung her backpack over her shoulder and looked back at her journal one last time. There was no need to rush to answer all her questions. She would be back later to write more.
She was sure of that.
-FIN-
Noho Me Ka Hau'oli - Be Happy
A/N
What can I say? It's definitely been a long time. I stopped writing altogether to adjust some of my priorities earlier this year. I came back to this one on a whim earlier this week to finally wrap it up since this is technically the last chapter. To explain what I mean, this chapter concludes the narrative focus on Giselle. I outlined some additional chapters to attach to this story to lay the groundwork for future stories, but I'm very iffy about whether I'll be able to write them with how things have been going for me. But we'll see how things play out.
Switching back to Giselle, what did you think of her journey in Alola and what she's learned until now? This was a fun little side project at first, but it became very personal as I worked on it. I appreciate anyone who took the time to read this through to the end, especially since the release of each chapter was extremely staggered over the last few years. Thank you for your time, and all the best to everyone going forward!