Trials of Sarah VOL 3: Pokemon Sun & Moon - The Warrior Princess

by Snow Nadder

(Continuation of VOL 1-2) After completing their journey, Sarah is reunited with her birth parents; Doug and Delilah and the Alolan Monarchy is restored once more. With Team Eclipse gone, Sarah balances her personal life and her royal duties. All the while, the young Princess makes her own destiny and path and shows that friendship and love can do amazing things.

30. Chapter 123: Aiming For the Top Floor

It's Day 2 of our heroes' birthday tour for Nikki, James, and Tsukumaro on Ula'Ula Island's Malie City. Where will today's adventures take them this time?

Day 2 came and Sarah, her family, Race, and their friends are all up bright and early at the Malie City Pokemon Center, all dressed up (with the gang, the princess, Race, Nikki, James, and Asha back in their loaner clothes) and primed for the last day of their official tour before they were left to their own devices for Nikki, James, and Tsukumaro's birthdays. Pikachu, Sandy, and Togedemaru were particularly excited about their group's latest adventure as they played together atop a parasol umbrella they were running around on while a wide-awake Rowlet was giving Meltan a little ride before they would set off.

Ash, in particular, was excited for a reason that was extremely personal to him, "Yeah! Let's go, to the Kantonian Gym!"

"You sure are excited," chuckled Mallow.

"Of course, I am! We're going to a gym!"

"There's more to life and being a Pokemon Master than just battling. Don't you ever think about doing something else that doesn't involve Pokemon battles for a change?" Sarah sighed at Ash.

"Yeah! Besides, this is my first time going to a Pokemon Gym! I wanna see what it's like! YIPPEE!" Duke cheered as he twirled happily while upside down as he rested on his human caretaker's left shoulder, getting a small smile out of her.

"Why wouldn't he be, Sarah? I'm excited, too. I'm raring to challenge the Kantonian Gym myself and give it a go," Kiawe smiled, sharing Ash's sentiments.

"Indeed, I'm also quite curious to know what it's about," Pyroar nodded with a rhy smile as Sophocles looked up the details of the Kantonian Gym on his smartphone.

"I'm so excited!"

"Same here!" Lana and Sandy agreed as he jumped off the parasol to join his trainer and his parents who came up to him.

"I'll collect as much gym data as I can!" added Rotom-Dex, feeling just as eager as Ash, Lana, and Kiawe.

"I didn't know there was a gym in Alola."

"Yeah!" Lillie and Snowy added with a curious Nihilego Lillie nodding in agreement.

"Here's what it says, 'The Kantonian Gym is apparently a big tourist attraction based off of the eight Pokemon Gyms in the Kanto Region. It's to give tourists the feel of what it's like to challenge an actual Pokemon Gym'. Well, that'll be good for Hiccup and his friends since they know nothing about Pokemon Battles and they're officially Pokemon Trainers now that they have their own Partner Pokemon," Sophocles noted after he finished his research, laughing as Togedemaru jumped down and playfully jumped onto his shoulder.

"So, that means it's not an official gym," Lillie deducted, surprising the others.

"It doesn't matter if it's an official gym or not as long as we can still battle there," Ash smiled, undeterred before he noticed Rowlet and Meltan continuing to play around and making him groan at them. "Aww, man! Rowlet, Meltan! Stop playing and let's go!"

"Okkie-dokie!" the two brothers-in-arms replied cheerfully as Ash returned them to their Pokeballs. "Well, if battling's all you ever think about and if you really want to win it despite it not being an official gym..." Sarah sighed in defeat before she got up and was silent for a moment until she gave Ash a sly smirk as Blitz joined her and shared her smirk and challenged her friends.

"...You guys are gonna have to beat me first if you're planning on going to the top! But, it'll also be good practice for us for today since the Pokemon League's still far ahead in the game."

That got several gasps out of Ash, Sophocles, Lillie, Mallow, Lana, and Kiawe before they threw cheeky smirks back at her, knowing what this could mean for them regarding the Pokemon League while the little princess' family and Race chuckled or laughed in amusement at them.

"Alright, if that's how you want it, Sarah, let's go!" Ash accepted.

"Right!" everybody else agreed as they went out.

---

[New Theme Song - Drunken Lives (Young Hero Fong Sai Yuk - ft. Johnny Ip) {Roughly Translated Ver.}]

(The new opening begins when we see legions of Pokemon trainers and their Pokemon training in a giant stadium and amongst them, Sarah, Ash, and the Pokemon School gang are training with their own Pokemon, preparing for the most important chapter of their lives before the trainers and their Pokemon stood at attention and the gang got into a group fighting pose as the song begins. They will eventually take part in the finalized Alola League to determine who is the top Pokemon trainer in the entire Alola region)

When life is rough and too dark to see, my regrets wash over all of me~

Pain is immense but don't you cry or pout, you'll very soon find your way out~

(In small snippets and previews of what's to come or will be happening now, Sarah and her friends are living out their normal lives again after the demise of Lothor and Team Eclipse including Sophocles and Vikavolt taking part in a Vikavolt Race, training for the upcoming Alola League, the arrival of a little Pokemon looking like it's made from metal, and Mallow, Lana, and Lillie along with Sandy, the female Shaymin, and Snowy taking part in a TV program)

Live a life worth living, make it beautiful, and work hard to be strong and happy~

In the mortal world, your life is so meaningful, so go and prove your own mettle~

(All the while, at specific points in the last volume of the story, Race and Sarah reaffirm their love for each other while Gladion continues his family's mission to uncover more about their father, Mohn, and to determine his current whereabouts, hoping to reunite with him once again as the Alola League was finally completed and approved)

So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~

Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shines at its best~

(The opening ceremonies kick off before Race and Sarah stand together in the midst of a fireworks celebration during a festival as their love continued to blossom and the gang takes up a bit of a sport called Pokemon Golf while helping a famous golfer and her Toucannon out of a slump they're in)

So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~

Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shows me your love I can't detest~

(Guzzlord somehow enters Sarah's world along with other Guzzlords to join him after the Alola League reaches its climax, forcing everybody in the region to try and stop them from destroying Alola and repeating the tragic history of Dia's world. In the short instrumental, the gang takes part in battling at the Kantonian Gym in Malie City on Ula'Ula Island as short snippets of the gang getting themselves into scrapes throughout their misadventures are shown)

So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~

Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shines at its best~

(Lana is then shown facing the toughest challenge of her life as she and Brionne come across a Kyogre and she has to do her utmost to tame it as she reels it in when its life is in danger. Sandy, Mallow's Shaymin, Sarah's Shaymin, the metal-like Pokemon, Breezeon, Sho, and Donka explore Malie City unsupervised after trying to recover a hair ornament before coming across Team Rocket again. Pikachu (and his entire team) and Blitz (with some of his brothers and sisters) go on an adventure to find Ash, Torracat, Sarah, and Silvally disappeared on them when the quartet traveled back in time and meet a younger Kukui as he starts out on his Pokemon journey that leads him to become a Pokemon Professor in studying Pokemon moves)

So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~

Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shows me your love I can't detest~

(Finally, snippets of the Ultra Rescue Rangers' final missions involving Evox with their and the Beast Morphers Rangers' final clashes with him and his followers, the return of Necrozma and their efforts to restore him as the Bright One, the gang all taking part in the Alola League including Sarah or Ash facing off against Guzma and learning how he became the trainer and punk he is now and why he was running away, and a final battle with either one facing off against Kukui and Tapu-Koko in a final full 6-on-6 Pokemon battle and a match for the ages in Alola are shown. The intro then ends with Sarah reviving Necrozma in his true form and standing with him along with Cresselia, Zygarde (10% Forme), Zacian, Zamazenta, Xerneas, Giratina, and Rayquaza while she turned into her Lion Form and roared proudly as the titles appeared above the group on the ground)

Pokemon Sun & Moon - The Warrior Princess

---

Leaving the Pokemon Center and after exploring the city some more with Ash leading the way and him having to rely on his instincts, the group unfortunately got lost and they ended up having to backtrack back to the Pokemon Center so they can wait for Charlie and ask for his help.

"Okay... So, do we know which way it is to the Kantonian Gym?" Ash asked, a little embarrassed that he got everybody lost.

"These buildings look the same and you really have to squint or have a map of the entire area if you don't want to get lost. What's more, I've never entered it my whole life, and the Kantonian Gym's a brand new thing for me," Sarah admitted.

"Since she was too young to enter even though she had Blitz while growing up after he came to her as an egg, we never thought of taking her there, at all," put in Nikki as everybody looked around.

"We sometimes have to ask for someone in that gym to babysit her while we ended up challenging it ourselves whenever possible during some of our visits to Malie City," added James.

"I guess that means we're waiting for Charlie to take us there, then. Speaking of which, where is he, by the way?" Breezeon pondered, looking for the ninja tour guide.

"You're right, Breezeon, I assumed earlier that Charlie was going to take us there as he promised last night," Lillie replied.

Lana looked to her right, she noticed a large paper slip of a false wall on the actual wall covering where Charlie supposedly was. "There he is!"

"I got it!" Sandy called, swiping his paw at the false wall and revealing it to be not Charlie but rather a straw mannequin behind it, surprising him and Lana.

"I was wrong!"

"Where is he?"

Xena stepped forward and examined the false wall and mannequin as he hummed thoughtfully and deducted, "The old false wall and straw man routine, archaic but very effective. I doubt any actual ninjas using the same trick twice if they're trying to ambush people in combat like in the olden days of Japan."

Then, everybody heard a chuckle as they turned to see an old man having a cup of tea on a bench next to a teahouse before he set his cup down and revealed himself to be none other than Charlie Charma in disguise.

"Excellent deduction, my fellow ninja! The tried and true body replacement technique!" he grinned proudly.

"Huh?!" Pikachu gawked as everyone else besides Race and Sarah and her family was jaw-dropped.

"Charlie?!"

"You've been here long?" Kiawe and Ash blinked in surprise.

"Entertaining the customers, that's all part of a tour guide's job. I suppose I'll be taking you to the Kantonian Gym today."

"Thanks, Charlie," the heroes thanked before moments later, Charlie took everyone to the Kantonian Gym which was actually the five-story Bell-and-Brass-Tower-inspired structure with hints of Darmanitan and Darumaka lanterns strung on its ends.

"What a mysterious-looking building," Lillie commented as everyone else looked at it in surprise and Rotom-Dex took pictures of it.

"Charlie, is this place really the Kantonian Gym as you said it is earlier?" puzzled Sarah to Charlie, looking over the building and its tower-inspired design over.

"That's right, this is Malie City's Kantonian Gym. It was made to look like the gyms in the Kanto Region with heavy inspiration for its design taken from the designs of the Johto Region's Bell and Brass Towers in Ecruteak City," Charlie stated much to Nikki, Ash, and James' confusion.

"Charlie, are you sure this is the Kantonian Gym?"

"I don't remember any of the Pokemon Gyms in Kanto looking like the Bell and Brass Towers."

"Yeah, me neither."

Charlie looked surprised as he puzzled the trio, "Really?"

"Of course, my husband and I were initially from the Kanto Region before we moved here," Nikki explained as James nodded in agreement.

"Me, too. I'm actually from Pallet Town," Ash added.

That got an unexpected reaction from the tour guide ninja as he gasped in shock and looked starstruck, "This is a big deal!"

And, he wasn't the only one looking starstruck because joining him and feeling the same way as he did are three more ninjas named Farley, Darley, and Shirataki (all three of them being Charlie's friends), jumping in front of Ash and Sarah's adoptive parents.

"Wow, Pallet Town, THE Pallet Town? That's the home of the world's leading authority on Pokemon, Professor Oak!"

"So, just what kind of place is the REAL Kanto are we talking about?"

"And, are our Kanto-Style outfits completely on the mark?"

"Tell us!"

"Come on!"

"Please!"

"Pretty please!" the three ninjas began with Charlie joining in as they got in the trio's faces (all of them and Pikachu getting nervous as a result), begging them to tell them what they know about the Kanto region.

"Who are these people?" Mallow questioned, blinking at the starstruck ninjas.

"They're all ninja!" Lana screamed happily, leaving Xena to sigh at her as he facepalmed and shook his head in exasperation.

"Actually, they're more like...Kanto fans, Lana," quipped Hiccup awkwardly.

"BIG Kanto fans," warbled Toothless with an agreeing nod.

"I see," sighed Lillie, understanding what Hiccup and Toothless (even if she couldn't understand dragon speak) meant as she told Charlie and his friends, "Excuse me! Would you all please calm down?!"

Snapping out of their starstruck stupor, Charlie and his friends realized their mistake and stood back as they allowed Ash, Nikki, James, and Pikachu to compose themselves and he apologized, "Sorry, we get excited over the subject of Kanto sometimes."

"We beg your forgiveness!"

"Please to meet you and your friends, we're the Gym Trainers of the Kantonian Gym."

"What your Viking friend said is true; we're all big fans of the Kanto Region so it's actually very exciting for us to actually meet someone from Kanto," added Farley, Darley, and Shirataki sheepishly.

"Wow! Does that mean I can have a Pokemon Battle with all of you?" Ash grinned.

"I'd like to battle you, too!" added Kiawe.

Charlie and his friends chucked as they all smirked and Shirataki told them, "Actually, you guys, the thing is the four of us don't do Pokemon battles."

"Huh, really?" Ash quipped in confusion.

"See, instead of normally having Pokemon battles here, you're going to play a game with us in the tower," Charlie clarified.

"Game, what kind of game?" Asha inquired as she came up beside her sister.

"Whatever are you younguns talking about?" Tsukuarmo questioned suspiciously.

Shirataki was only too happy to explain the rules as he stated, "It's like this; one of us will be stationed at every floor in the tower, and on each floor, whenever you come across us, you'll have to beat us at our own game. The winners will move up one floor while the losers have to stay or return to the ground floor where they'll be given visual coverage of the remaining challengers going up the tower until they reach the top floor. That's where our boss, the head of the Kantonian Gym, is and whom you'll be having a Pokemon battle with."

"Whoever manages to beat all of us and gets to the top floor will be given the honor of battling our boss," Darley finished.

"Oh, so this is a little like the Towers of Water and Darkness like Hashimoto and Ching Wan's case back on the Isle of Armor!" Blitz realized, recognizing the similar way as to how the Kantonian Gym works.

"I see, shouldn't be too hard unless they give us the lowdown on their games," Sarah nodded.

"That sounds like fun! Why don't we all take part in it, too?" Mallow grinned at Lana and Lillie.

"I'm all for it!"

"Sounds like a great idea for a tourist attraction! Since we're all here for today, we might as well take up the challenge, Snowy!"

"Let's do it!" Lana, Lillie, and Snowy bantered eagerly.

"Good luck, Lillie, Snowy!" replied Nihilego Lillie, wishing her sisters good luck.

"Let's give it our all, Togedemaru!"

"Yeah!"

"Us, too, Pyroar!"

"Let's rock!" Kiawe, Sophocles, and their chosen Pokemon grinned.

"What about you guys, you want to take part?" Race asked the Berk Dragon Riders.

"We'd like to try it but you guys and your Pokemon have more experience with that kind of stuff."

"Once we and our partners have more experience with all this, we'll take it on next time."

"Yeah, you guys go on and have fun. We'll cheer for you all the way," smiled Hiccup, Zenna, and Astrid.

"Okay, we're all going for it!" Ash told the four ninjas.

"Got it, fantastic! Alright, gang," Charlie smiled before he and his friends took out more smoke bombs and used them to "disappear", hiding behind a nearby statue.

"Huh, they disappeared again!"

"With a poof!" Sophocles and Lana balked while the rest of the gang and Rotom-Dex were surprised (apart from Sarah, her family, and Race as they rolled their eyes or shook their heads unimpressed or in amusement) before Darley reappeared to begin the first game and the climb up to the gym's top floor.

"So, if you're all ready then, it's time for you to play the first game!" she announced, opening the doors to the ground floor and revealing a large fountain and a lake inside it.

"Fascinating..."

"Incredible," gawked Donna (former queen) and David in fascination.

"It's beautiful," Asha blinked in amazement.

"Who would've thought there'd be such a big pond and fountain put in a building like this?" Lillie grinned in awe.

"What are we all going to be doing in here?" Mallow asked as Farley reappeared and addressed everybody.

"Everybody calls me 'Farley'. If you wanna move up a floor, you're gonna have to go through me first."

"I can do that!"

"Then, we can move on to a battle!" Kiawe and Ash grinned determinedly.

"Not so fast, you two. Things in the Kantonian Gym are never what they seem," Race commented as he stepped forward. "My family and I did this while you were all planning out my birthday."

Sarah blinked, "You did?"

"Exactly, and with the ground floor pool, you have to cross it but you can't swim. Isn't that right, Farley?"

Lana and Sandy blinked at Race in surprise, realizing that they will not be allowed to swim across the pond to win the game.

"Right, Race, glad you remember. The first game you'll be playing is called 'Water Crossing'," Farley smiled in confirmation as he sets a box down and revealed its contents to be the tools real ninjas used in the day such as grappling hooks, bamboo sticks, and strange-looking shoes that had a square in the middle with two loops for toes and surrounded by a wooden circle called Mitsugumo (Ninja Mud Shoes). "You're welcome to either use these tools or have you and your Pokemon work together instead, the point here is to make it across to the other side."

"Whoa, how do you get these things to work?" Ash asked, picking up one of the Mizugumo shoes.

"The Mizugumo shoes? You put them on, like so," Farley demonstrated, putting a pair on and gliding effortlessly to the other side, amazing the heroes and the Berk Dragon Riders. "And, you simply glide across the water with great balance and dexterity."

"Amazing!"

"Bloody hell!"

"Remarkable," Delilah, Tsukumaro, and Doug breathed in amazement.

Xena nodded in satisfaction, seemingly impressed with how he glided across the water, "Not bad, admirable balance and dexterity right there. A key part of Ninjitsu is balance and this young fellow demonstrated that perfectly."

"You're right, Xena! It's just like walking on water!" Lillie blinked in awe.

"But, isn't that myth busted in that episode focused on the ninja from Mythbusters?" Flareon asked in confusion before Vaporeon quickly put her paw over her sister's mouth.

"They don't know that, I think it's best to let them think it's true apart from it being confirmed for Water Pokemon such as myself, Xena, and Link," the Bubble Jet Pokemon whispered to her.

"Hmm, looks as easy as pie," Kiawe remarked as he put on a pair and took a step only to humiliate himself by flailing about and nearly sinking before he grabbed the rocks on the edge.

"Balancing on that looks difficult," noted Rotom-Dex, realizing that walking on water with the balance and dexterity Farley demonstrated is much harder than it looks as everybody else watched Kiawe scream as he frantically tried to get back on the surface.

"Looks like it, fly guy. It takes a lot of training, perseverance, and trial and error to make no waves of that skill and by the looks of it, our resident fireball has got nada," Rotoscope agreed as he recorded Kiawe's fail.

"It looks easy as pie, huh, hothead?" sniggered Race, grinning smugly at Kiawe.

"I can do it!" Ash volunteered, deciding to go at it himself but suffering the same fate as Kiawe did (much to Pikachu's shock and disbelief over the fact that he'll have to attempt to walk on water as Farley demonstrated) as he screamed and flailed about, nearly sinking as he was forced to call it quits for him.

Sarah could only laugh at his expense as she remarked, "I guess it's never easy being a ninja, right, Ash?"

Then, Sophocles tried to use a bamboo stick to cross the water but he also fell short as he panicked and packed it in, "Off I go... I can't do it, I'm feeling dizzy!"

Xena and Vaporeon sighed in exasperation and annoyance as they facepalmed and Link deadpanned and rolled his eyes at the boys' failed attempts to cross the water. Deciding to motivate them and the girls to figure out a way to cross the pond, he nudged Sarah to ride on his back and carefully took Zelda into his mouth to keep her from touching the water as he prepared to cross with Vaporeon joining him as she wanted to help give Sarah's friends a little more motivation.

Seeing what Link was doing and deciding to follow his example, Kit, Ella, Latios, and Latias put the smaller Pokemon on their backs as they also prepared to go across without swimming.

Also agreeing to the idea, Xena then fired his Water Shurikens onto the pond, using them as stepping stones and jumping across them, being the first to reach the other side.

Ash and the others along with their Pokemon and Rotom-Dex watched in surprise and shock as Tyson, Zacian, Zamazenta, Chien-Pao, Race, Asha, and the rest of Sarah's family followed his example before Sarah and Race's Eon Pokemon joined them.

"Wow, look at that!"

"Did you see that?!"

"That's incredible!" Lana, Mallow, and Lillie gasped in wonder as Link and Vaporeon along with Zelda and the little princess were the last ones to cross as they walked on the water themselves.

"Walking Wake can walk across water, too, just like Suicune! And, Xena, true to his ninja heritage and Greninja species, can use his Water Shurikens as stepping stones to get across the water! Unbelievable!" balked Rotom-Dex as an amazed Rotoscope recorded everything, especially Link's shared ability to walk on water with Suicune, for evidence.

"See ya on the other side, gang!" Sarah smirked cheekily while holding out a peace sign as she rode on Link's back and the dragons flew their riders and their Pokemon across.

"Oh, come on!" groaned Ash as he slumped down in defeat while Farley gave an amused and impressed smile at the ones that crossed the pond first.

"Lillie, what do you think we should do?" Mallow asked worriedly, wondering how they were going to follow their example let alone top it.

"Like, what?" asked a concerned Snowy, getting Lillie's attention as he realized what they can do to cross the water easier.

"I know! Snowy, use Powder Snow!" Lillie commanded, allowing her partner to freeze the entire pond and get another impressed smile from Farley.

"I can't take it anymore, make it stop! Make-!" Sophocles panicked before he realized he was not falling and deflated in relief. "Oh, I'm saved..."

"It's okay for us to use our Pokemon's powers to cross it as you said, right?" Lillie asked Farley who nodded in confirmation.

"Of course."

"'Kay, everybody, let's go!" Lillie chirped as everybody walked across the frozen pond easily and without any further trouble.

"Amazing, Lillie!"

"You really helped!" smiled Lana and Ash.

"I'm glad I was able to help," Lillie replied humbly to her two friends.

"See ya there!" Sophocles cheered, happily bobsledding on his stomach across the ice as everybody rejoined Sarah and her family.

"First floor clear! Excellent work," Farley declared in recognition.

"And, next up," Kiawe began as a staircase appeared, allowing the group to proceed to the second floor.

"It's time for you to advance to the next floor, good luck!"

"Alright, thanks!" replied the heroes as they all left and entered the second floor where the lights were dimmed and they can hardly see anything.

"Wonder what's happening next," Ash wondered as they entered.

"You'll see, each challenge for each person entering this gym is different and this one for us is no different. Because on this floor, with you all..." Race replied, trailing off as he directed everybody to Darley in the middle of the room before a spotlight came over him and he addressed everybody gathered.

"Kudos to you all for making it up here. My name's Darley, the guardian of the second floor, lights!" he announced as the lights came on and they were introduced to a large selection of Malie City foods spread out on a nearby table in the teahouse he stationed with a Froslass Waitress. "Get your stomachs ready! For your second challenge, each person must finish a single plate of food!"

"One plate and that's it for this floor?" Rotom-Dex buzzed in confusion, looking at the food on the table while everybody else looked on in surprise and delight at all the dishes unique to Malie City (with Fishlegs and Meatlug once again drooling over the spread Darley had set up for everyone) including a personal favorite they already had.

"Oooh," Dratini cooed, her eyes sparkling at the food.

"Okay, now I'm hungry," Meatlug grinned, rubbing her stomach.

"Thor, help me... I'M IN FOOD HEAVEN!" screamed an ecstatically hungry Fishlegs with utter glee.

"Guys, look! They have Octillery Special Breakfast Balls!" Mallow cried in delight before she noticed a jelly desert that had what looked like a single edible Goldeen treat inside the jelly. "And, what's this?"

"A Malie City sweet specialty, Jelly Goldeen Desert," Darley introduced.

"It's so darling! It's almost too pretty to eat!" Lillie cooed.

"Is that a Magikarp Cookie?" Stormfly questioned, looking carefully at the food item that caught her eye.

"That's gotta be the biggest cookie I have ever seen," blinked an amazed Astrid as she, Lana, and Sandy joined her and eyed the cookie.

"The perfect snack! Right, Sandy?" Lana asked her Eevee.

"A snack like that can keep the doctor away from me for weeks!" Sandy grinned.

"It sure looks delicious, all of it."

"I'm almost sorry to be eating this spread."

"Indeed, honey, I only wish we could have something like this back home on Melemele," Sarah, Delilah, and Doug admitted, feeling guilty about wanting to eat such a lavish and appealing feast.

"Believe me, I felt the same way you guys did when my family and I came across Darley's feast. But, it's the only way for you to get to the third floor and there are a lot of selections you'll be dying to have even after the first plate. So, everybody, pick one of your old or new favorites and dig in," Race chuckled as he and his Pokemon each helped themselves to a dish they liked and tucked into them.

"Well, when you put it that way," Asha thought as she looked at the dishes until she was approached by Darley's Froslass Waitress who smiled and offered her a plate of dumplings that looked like Corsola. "Oh, wow, thank you."

"Eh, why not? I'm hungry, anyway."

"Yeah, no way am I skipping out on lunch!" Ruffnut and Tuffnut said, each and their dragons and dragons snatching themselves a plate.

"Alright, Race. Bottoms up!" Sarah conceded, smiling as she helped herself to a plate of Malie Takoyaki and everybody else grabbed a plate and ate away at their chosen food.

Lillie had chosen to try out the Jelly Goldeen Desert and despite feeling a little guilty about eating it because of how cute it looked, she gave it a taste. And, at that moment, her face glistened with joy as she was subjected to the sweet taste and allure of the dish she couldn't get from any other desert on the planet.

"It's just so deliciously sweet!" she cooed in delight.

"Everything here's tasty!" remarked Sophocles as he and Togedemaru happily ate some buns.

"Some tea to cleanse your palettes, dearies?" Darley's Froslass Waitress kindly offered, bringing two cups of tea for her and Sophocles as Mallow noticed.

"Why, thank you," she smiled, accepting a cup.

"Mmm, this Malie Takoyaki's super fresh today! I know it's what we all had yesterday but those balls are just absolute perfection!" Sarah glistened as she ate her Malie Takoyaki.

"You're telling me, Malie City's food has got to be the best in all of Alola! I never thought these Chicken & Vegetable Corsola Dumplings would taste so delicious!" grinned Asha, indulging herself in the dumpings she was offered to try out as the two sisters were also offered some tea which they happily accepted.

"Thanks, Darley. You and Froslass have really outdone yourselves with this one," Race thanked Darley who nodded appreciatively with a proud smile.

"Glad to hear it from all of you, Race. That means you've all passed the second floor with flying colors," he announced much to Lillie's confusion.

"Hold on, are you saying that's it?" she quizzed.

"The point of challenging this floor is to let you know exactly what Malie City has to offer," Darley explained.

"He's right; trying new things is a scary thing for many of us growing up because we never know if we might like it. So, by offering the best food the city has to offer for people who are new to Malie City, visitors can get a true first-hand look of Alola's very own Little Tokyo," Race clarified as Lillie grinned at Darley in delight and understanding.

"It worked because everything you've offered to us is so yummy and sweet and we sure enjoyed it!" she praised happily.

"I could go for seconds of those dumplings when this is all over! You and your friends and everyone else here have the best food any of us can ever have in Alola by far and I'll be surprised if there's anybody outside of Alola that's never even had this stuff!" Asha praised with a hearty grin.

Darley nodded proudly as he then told everyone before he left them alone to their own devices and to continue to the third floor, "That's good because from here on out, the next two floors and the games that follow before you reach the top won't be so easy. Get ready!"

"Uh, alright," Lillie replied, now feeling a little nervous.

"Yeah, bring it on!" Ash replied eagerly as the staircase leading to the third floor appeared as he and Kiawe prepared to move forward. "Alright, let's go!"

"Seconds, please!"

Upon hearing Sophocles and seeing him continuing to eat along with Mallow, the two of them were baffled as they didn't understand why they were not coming with them to the third floor while they noticed Sarah and her family eating some last-minute helpings before they would continue on with them.

"Sophocles?" puzzled Ash.

"You guys go on ahead, I'm going to have a bit more," the Electric Type student grinned, still eating.

"Yeah, and I've just got to get the recipe for the dish I just had!" Mallow added before she rushed off to meet with Darley. "Excuse me, Darley! May I...?"

"Alright, I guess, we'll, uh...meet you up there," Ash replied awkwardly before he and Kiawe arrived at the third floor and met up with Shirataki (with a firing range up and ready for the heroes), joined by Rotom-Dex, Rotoscope, Lana, Lillie, the Riders, Sarah and her family, Race, and Asha.

"Hi there, my name is Shirataki! And, on this floor, you'll be dealing with the Kantonian Gym's Target Practice," the female ninja introduced, showing the targets she set up behind her.

"Wow, they're Shurikens!" Ash gaped in awe, seeing the pink ninja shurikens that had been laid out for the group to use on a table in front of them.

"Just like the kind real ninjas use!" Rotom-Dex added.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say that. They are like the ones ninjas normally used after the original Bo Shurikens called Hira Shurikens but their designs vary depending on the schools over the ages in Japan that used them," Asha replied, looking over the shurikens they'll all be using.

"That's right! They're Hira Shurikens and if you land three of them on the targets, you'll move on to the fourth floor," advised Shirataki in confirmation.

"Yes!" Ash nodded before he took up three shurikens and he managed to land three of them on the target he chose, one of them even hitting the bullseye. "Yes!"

"Me, next! Me, next!" Pikachu cheered, eager to shoot some shurikens as well as he held three shurikens in his paws.

"Wanna try it, buddy?"

"You bet!"

"Pikachu, Iron Tail, let's go!" Ash shouted, throwing the shurikens towards Pikachu and having him use Iron Tail to land them on the target as well.

"Overdrive Power!" Kiawe roared, throwing his shurikens with passionate force at the target and landing all three while Pyroar did the same with his shurikens using his tail.

The Riders, surprisingly, managed to land their shurikens on the targets easily and thanks to some ninja training she and her family had with Xena prior, Sarah and her loved ones were able to hit their shurikens on the targets with ease (Xena proceeding to show off his ninjitsu mastery by using his Water Shurikens in conjunction with the ones everyone used for Shirataki's Target Challenge, landing three perfect bullseyes with all three hitting dead center, shocking Ash, Kiawe, and Pikachu).

Race was able to hit three in a row on the targets with no problem after he and his family first took on the Kantonian Gym and Lana also shocked everybody as she had three bullseyes with six at hand.

Finally, it was Lillie's turn as she stepped up to the plate. "Let me try," she offered.

Unfortunately, while steeling herself for the challenge, she threw the shurikens but also made the classic mistake of letting her nerves get the better of her and making the fatal error of closing her eyes while throwing them. As she threw them without warning, she shocked and terrified nearly everybody in the room as they dodged the shurikens she was throwing with some of them accidentally hitting Fishlegs, Tuffnut, Ruffnut, Snotlout, and their dragons. Startled by how badly their best friend and human sister was screwing up the challenge and letting herself be controlled by her nerves, Sarah and Nihilego Lillie rushed over to the nervous Ice Type student to help her calm down as they gently grabbed her arms.

"Sister, Sister! Please! Stop, control yourself! It's okay!" begged Nihilego Lillie.

"Lillie, okay! You can stop now! Breathe! Breathe! Lillie, LILLIE!" Sarah screamed frantically, finally getting Lillie to snap out of her nervous trance and yelp in surprise and horror, seeing a terrified Ash, Kiawe, Pikachu, and Pyroar on the floor, having fainted and with the shurikens she threw barely missing them.

"AAAAAHHHH!" she screamed, realizing her mistake.

"Well, not exactly controlled but it was a good effort," Shirataki sweatdropped sheepishly.

Sarah sighed in relief but she gave Lillie a worried frown as she gently soothed and scolded, "Oh, Lillie... I warned you to be more careful when you're trying out something like this, closing your eyes is the worst thing that can happen to you. Imagine if you're in a real-life situation when you're a real ninja and you have to rely on beating your opponents using nothing but Hira Shurikens, what would've happened if you did what you just did after closing your eyes and letting your nerves run wild at the last minute? You wouldn't last a minute out there had any guards or samurai picked you out so easily."

"I'm so sorry, Sarah, everybody! Well, why don't you all just, move on and don't worry about me? I'll be fine," Lillie apologized remorsefully to make up for the mess she made while Nihilego Lillie decided to stay with her sister and Snowy and help comfort her as she gently rubbed her with one of her tentacles. "Thanks, Lillie."

"Yeah, that's probably for the best. But, as for the rest of you, you passed! Third floor, clear! You're now ready to meet Charlie on the fourth floor for your next challenge. Good luck, my friends," agreed Shirataki as she grinned at the others for their success and the staircase leading to the fourth floor was lowered for them to proceed.

"Awesome!"

"Alright!" Kiawe and Ash cheered as they and everybody else moved on.

"See ya later!"

"Bye, Lillie, see ya guys when it's all over!" Lana and Sarah called Lillie, Snowy, and Nihilego Lillie as they left.

"Bye-bye."

"Good luck to all of you!" the two Lillies replied as they waved goodbye until the end of their Kantonian Gym challenges.

True to Shirataki's word, upon arriving at the fourth floor, Charlie awaited them in a giant room that made up the fourth floor but behind a giant curtain for some sort of surprise he had in store for the remaining heroes regarding his challenge for them.

"Hi, Charlie!" Sarah smiled, seeing the ninja tour guide and Kantonian Gym trainer.

"Greetings, everybody, and a hearty congratulations to all of you here! I'm impressed so many of you have made it this far," Charlie smiled, impressed with what he was seeing as the group remaining came over to him.

"If we win, we can have a Pokemon Battle, right?" Ash asked, eager to battle.

"You bet we can! And, you'll need to pass your fourth and final challenge to do it which is right behind me!" Charlie confirmed as he revealed an American Ninja Warrior-inspired obstacle course. "If you can clear this obstacle course, the Kantonian Ninja Warrior Rush, you've earned yourselves the right to a Pokemon battle!"

"Alright, here goes," Sarah nodded, deciding to go first on the Kantonian Ninja Warrior Rush.

Steeling herself at the starting point, she began crossing the course with her Lion's Agility and Dexterity along with the training she was given by the Swords of Justice and her godfather, easily hopping over the stepping stones with immense agility and speed, crawling along the moving log while doing her best to hang on after climbing up the cargo net showing her improved stamina, climbing up the pole and hand-vaulting on the handlebars with her improved and enhanced upper body strength, and managing her balance on the balancing beam with perfect balance while narrowly dodging a giant pink ball swung at her that would've knocked her off the beam with swift reflexes body weight control before she reached the end.

"Too easy," she remarked, feeling proud of herself and the training she had gone through prior.

"Alright, Sarah!"

"Nice going, Sis!" hollered Ash and Asha as everybody else applauded and cheered for her.

"Well, Your Majesties, are you going to try your hand at this course?" Charlie asked the little princess' family.

"Thank you, Sir Charlie, but we'll decline in taking part if you don't mind."

"We much rather get more fun watching our daughter and her friends taking part and her being happy," Doug and Delilah replied kindly with Tsukumaro, David, and Donna (former queen) nodding in agreement along with Nikki and James, extending the same regarding Asha.

Charlie smiled understandably as he nodded, "I understand, your daughter seemed to do very well with the course and she had a good teacher if she was able to clear it so easily."

"You can thank a friend of ours for that," Delilah smiled as they watched the others gathered taking part in the course after the little princess.

"Piece of cake, I'm super good at these things," Kiawe smirked as he prepared to take on the course.

"You can do it!" Ash encouraged as he then went through it like it was nothing.

"No surprise there!" grinned Rotom-Dex before they watched him go on the balance beam as he tried his hardest to not fall off.

"Look out!" Lana gasped, seeing the pink ball swinging toward him before he jumped over it and made it to the other side, passing Charlie's challenge.

Then, it was the Riders' turn as they took part in the course, and from their own training, they were able to pass the course as well while their dragons opted to wait on the side for them with the rest of Sarah's family as they joined her following her completion of the obstacle course. Things seemed to be going well with the heroes for the most part as nearly everybody passed and the heroes on the other side were primed to move on to the top floor but when Ash stepped up to try his luck on the course, that's when things would fall apart and leave yet another one of the group on a dead end.

"Alright, looks like I'm next."

"Bring it on!" Ash and Pikachu breathed, eager to clear the course for their promise of a battle.

When the two of them finally started, they were doing brilliantly as they also cleared the obstacles before there with no trouble at all. But, when it came time for them to test their luck on the balance beam, that's when Ash made a terrible mistake that would leave him, Kiawe, the Riders, Asha, Race, Sarah, and her family as the only ones left to go to the fifth and final floor.

"Be careful. Once we start, it'll start, too," Ash warned his partner.

"Gotcha," Pikachu nodded, bracing himself as they stepped forward and the ball suddenly swung at him.

"Here it comes!" Kiawe warned, seeing the ball coming at him and Pikachu.

"Alright! Meltan, go!" Ash called, sending out his Hex Nut Pokemon and horrifying Sarah, Nikki, James, and Tsukumaro once they saw the little Steel Type happily eating through the chain holding the ball.

"ASH, WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! RETURN THAT METAL-EATING MENACE BACK TO HIS POKEBALL, NOW!" Sarah screamed in shock at the Kanto Trainer.

But, it was too late; Ash and Pikachu ignored her as they dodged the ball in time but to their horror, once they looked back, the two of them went pale as they saw the ball flying across the room, destroying the entire obstacle course and splashing into the stepping stones pond just as Lana and Sandy were about to cross themselves, leaving them soaking wet and unable to join the others. The others on the other side of the course winced upon seeing the destroyed course and Lana now stuck in a rut, her and Sandy's untimely end in the Kantonian Gym challenge inadvertently caused by Ash and Meltan through "Friendly Fire".

"I can't pass," she deadpanned darkly, sounding peeved as she tried to control herself and Sandy shook the water off his fur.

"Dah, sorry, Lana!" panicked Ash, feeling extremely guilty for what he did.

"Ash, you muppet!"

"You idiot!"

"What did you do?!"

"What is wrong with you and your metal runt, for Odin's sake?"

"Why'd you go and do that, Pancake Head!?"

"Now, you've done it."

"The boss of this place is not gonna be happy," the Riders groaned, their dragons also giving exasperated and annoyed warbles at Ash and his Meltan.

While Sarah did her best to keep herself from exploding on her Kanto friend while the rest of her family along with Race, Asha, Nikki, and James gave off their own angry shouts, annoyed groans, and exasperated shrugs at him and his Steel Type, her godfather was even less merciful and uncontrolled as he had only one thing to blurt out in his reignited fury and hatred over Meltan.

"KETCHUM! YOU THICK-HEADED UTTER LITTLE WEASEL!" Tsukumaro roared, causing Ash, Pikachu, and Meltan to flinch along with Kiawe as the Fire Type student rushed over to check on Lana and Sandy (the two of them not reacting to his rage in their own disappointment).

"I-I, uh... I didn't know that would happen-!"

"ASH, WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WERE YOU DOING?"

"I had to dodge the ball somehow! I didn't think Meltan would eat the chain!"

"USE YOUR HEAD AND KEEP THAT DAMN POKEBALL CONTAINING YOUR METAL MONSTER LOCKED UNTIL THIS IS OVER!" Tsukumaro barked furiously at the terrified Ash and Pikachu before he overlooked the destroyed course and directed him to the damage that had been done. "You've totally destroyed the entire course and made it impossible for Ms. Lana and Sandy to join us for the final part of this gym challenge!"

"If that isn't property damage 1-0-1, I don't know what is."

"I'm not sure if the boss would let you and Meltan back in here after we clear the final floor and he hears what happened to the course," sighed an unimpressed Asha and Race.

"It eats metal for a living."

"What else did you think would happen once it got hold of that chain?" Hiccup and Zenna added dryly and sarcastically.

"It's okay, Tsukumaro. What's done is done, you just do your best and don't worry about me," Lana deadpanned to the group before her.

Ash sighed remorsefully as he apologized to everybody while bowing to Charlie, "I'm sorry, Charlie, everybody..."

"Don't worry, forget it. Things happen and we often had to learn things the hard way to become better at them, that's what comes with being a ninja," reassured Charlie as he smiled and dismissed the property damage that was done as the final staircase came down, granting the remaining heroes passage to the top floor. "But, Ash, Sarah, Kiawe, Asha, and Race? You and your Viking friends have all passed the fourth and final challenge and now, it's time for the main event and what you've all been waiting for!"

"Sorry about that," Ash apologized again as they all left for the final floor and the long-awaited Pokemon battle.

"Good luck!" Lana cheered as Meltan noticed the group leaving and quickly jumped down as he raced to catch up with them.

"WAIT FOR ME!" he squealed.

---

After they finally reached the fifth floor, Ash and Kiawe were psyching themselves up for the upcoming battle, "It's finally time."

"Yeah, this is it."

"I wouldn't get too cocky if I were you, guys. I've made it this far when my family and I first came here and passed all of these challenges and let me tell you, this battle is nothing like the normal Pokemon battles we're used to," Race warned as he, Ash, Kiawe, Sarah, and Asha along with the Vikings and their dragons and Pokemon found themselves in front of a giant battlefield (the princess' family staying behind with Charlie, Sandy, and Lana to meet up with Sophocles, Mallow, and Lillie so they, Togedemaru, Shaymin, Snowy, and Nihilego Lillie and go to the top floor so they can watch the battle from the sidelines).

"It's a battlefield!" Rotom-Dex deducted, beaming at the confirmed prospect of a battle.

"Is this really where we're going to have our battle with the boss of this gym?" Sarah quizzed.

"Given how different the challenges were with how each of us passed them, Sis, I think it's safe to say this one's gonna throw us for a loop," implied Asha.

"But, where is their boss? I don't see anybody else around here besides us," Kiawe asked, looking around and seeing no sign of the boss they are going to battle against.

"Is anybody around? We came here because we wanna have a battle!" Ash shouted, trying to get the boss' attention.

Then, the group noticed what looked like a stage as smoke billowed from it along with the appearance of some music and sound equipment such as amplifiers and a microphone. But, amidst the smoke on the stage, there was a figure of a boy/man in either his late teens or early 20s as a red glint from what looked like his only eye appeared.

Sarah and the others were surprised by this but Race narrowed his own eyes and braced himself for the person they were to face in battle, he knew who it was given his and his family's previous visit to the gym and the battle he had with him was no cakewalk as far as he can tell. He debated on telling the others about the boy but he decided to keep his mouth shut and let them find out for themselves.

At the same time, Charlie reappeared through a hidden corridor with the rest of the heroes' party as they were directed to the rafters for the audience to sit and watch the battle taking place for the ones that passed all of the gym challenge games.

"You all can watch the battle from right here and if it's too small for the larger Pokemon to squeeze in, they can sit on the sidelines close to you if you like as long as they don't get themselves hurt from the battle," he explained as everybody with him took their places and seats.

"I wish I could've battled, what a shame," Lana frowned, still moping over her lost opportunity to take part in the final battle challenge.

"Hey, look! There they are!" Mallow cried, directing everybody to their party's remaining challengers as the Riders, Asha, and Race decided to sit the battle out and join them after they extended their support to Ash, Sarah, and Kiawe as they prepared to battle the Kantonian Gym Boss themselves (especially Race since he supposedly either won or lost the first time he and his family came).

"Really, is that their boss?" Rotom-Dex quipped as the boss in question revealed himself to be a rock star and not a ninja (much to Lana's devastation and everyone's shock once they heard him speak via the microphone save for Charlie who just grinned at him).

"Who dares, to address me by such a lame name?!"

"Uh, Rotom, that was a stupid question," Sarah hissed in quiet exasperation.

"You've walked right into that one, dude. No bailing you out of that, no sirree," admonished Rotoscope towards his predecessor as he appeared from Sarah's loaner clothes, leaving Rotom-Dex to groan miserably.

"Is that a, ninja...?" Lana squeaked, still devastated.

"Lana...?" gulped a worried Mallow gently to her best friend.

"My name is Ryuki! And, I'm forging my own path, and I'm ever thinking of changing my style! After all, I am a star," the Kantonian Gym Leader, Ryuki, introduced himself to everybody gathered.

"Boss, I'd like you to have a battle with three honorary challengers," Charlie called to Ryuki, directing him to Ash, Sarah, and Kiawe before him.

"BOSS, IS SUCH A LAME NAME! CALL ME LEADER, LEADER...!" Ryuki roared in annoyance through his microphone, earning deadpanned looks from everybody in the crowd.

"Thor, what's his problem?" grunted Astrid, already peeved from Ryuki's attitude.

"Someone's having mood swings~," Snotlout mocked in sing-song.

"Forgive him. Our 'leader' is just...refusing to want anything to do let alone follow the ninja style," chuckled Charlie sheepishly.

"Being invisible's so not his thing."

"Kinda like Sarah, really," Sophocles and Lillie commented.

"Well, he's quite...the spirited one, I can give him that much. Bloody hell, I'm going to need a hearing aid if he doesn't wise up," Tsukumaro sighed in annoyance, hitting his ears given Ryuki's constant shouting through it via his rock star persona had nearly deafened him.

"Okay, My Three Challengers Gruff, if it's a battle you want, come and get me! The star will see you now," Ryuki said, agreeing to the challenge before him.

"Oh, yeah-!"

"I think I'll go first," Kiawe said, cutting Ash off as he went first with the Kanto trainer being slow on the draw and Sarah deciding to wait out until she gets to battle Ryuki herself should she be the only one left standing.

"But, I wanted to go first...!" Ash whined with a pout.

Charlie agreed to the arrangements as he took his place as the battle referee in the middle of the field, "I'll act as our referee for all three battles. Alright, the battle between Gym Leader Ryuki and Challenger Kiawe will now begin! Trainers, present your Pokemon!"

"Let's give it our all, Pyroar!"

"Yes, Kiawe!" Kiawe and his Royal Pokemon bantered, standing strong against Ryuki.

"Hey, you got a pretty rockin' face so it's time for you to meet my band! Come on, baby! Hit the scene!" Ryuki called out, summoning a Zweilous to face Pyroar.

"It's a-!"

"That Pokemon Ryuki has, I know what it is! That Pokemon is a Zweilous, the mid-form of the Deino evolution line! That one looks to be strong and well-trained by him!" James gasped in surprise, cutting Ash off this time.

"My turn, hit the spotlight on this one, dudes!" Rotoscope buzzed as he scanned Ryuki's Zweilous and read the data on it before Rotom-Dex could have a chance to do so. "Zweilous, the Hostile Pokemon. A Dark and Dragon Type and the evolved form of Deino, its two heads won't get along with each other so one of them will try to assert its dominance by eating more food than the other."

"Why did you cut me off, you floating little bag of circuits?!" snapped Rotom-Dex at his successor furiously for having his thunder stolen again.

"Whoa! So, that and Snowflake's dad are what I'll turn into by battling?" Snotlout's Deino blinked in surprise at his first evolved form.

"When you've leveled up and enough and older, kid. That stuff takes time and patience out of you and your trainer," Chien-Pao nodded as he laid down next to him from his left while the Fidough Sisters nestled down with him.

"Oh, baby, baby! Can't we all just get along?" Ryuki remarked before he took a deep breath.

Gulping and realizing what was about to happen, Sarah swiftly brandished her wand and conjured up earmuffs for herself, her family, Asha, and Race along with the Riders and the dragons (given the dragons and Pokemon's super-sensitive hearing) just in time as Ryuki then let out a loud rock star scream through the microphone. The noise banged about and echoed around the room at a tremendous rate as rock music started playing on the speakers, causing Ash, Mallow, Kiawe, Lana, Sophocles, Lillie, their Pokemon, Rotom-Dex, and Nihilego Lillie to suffer the brunt of it the most without any ear protection for them.

"IT'S SO LOUD!"

"MY POOR EARS!"

"I'M DEAF!" squealed Lana, Ash, and Pikachu as the music and Ryuki's scream blasted through the speakers.

"YEAH! Now, let's get this rock show on the road!" Ryuki grinned as his Hostile Pokemon then started to move in sync with the music, something that Sarah noticed as she blinked in surprise at how his Zweilous wasn't bothered by the rock music being blasted at such a volume.

"That's strange, normally some, if not, most Pokemon would think of loud music as a nuisance. But, Ryuki's Zweilous, he's really getting to the groove of it, almost like he doesn't mind it at all," she thought as she saw Zweilous bopping to the beat at an energetic rate.

"THAT GUY'S TOTALLY INTO IT!"

"WHEN THE MUSIC PLAYS, THEY DON'T FIGHT!" Mallow and Lillie shouted, seeing Kiawe at a real disadvantage as they saw him being disorientated by the music a little bit as he grunted before he composed himself.

"I won't let them win, we won't! Pyroar, get ready to-huh?" Kiawe seethed as he got himself ready with his partner to fight back but stopped as he saw his Royal Pokemon bopping to the music as well, enjoying the groove of Ryuki's rock music and making his human partner pale as he squeaked. "Not you, too..."

But, Pyroar wasn't the only one enjoying the rock 'n roll buzz as Togedemaru, sporting a black start tattoo over her right eye, bounced up and down excitedly as she seemed to be the only one in the audience (without ear protection) having a blast as she called to Ryuki, "Again! Again! Again! Again! Again...!"

"You actually like that stuff?" a gobsmacked Sophocles asked his partner as some of the others with them blinked in disbelief at her.

"Well, what do you know?"

"Dude, she likes rock music that much?"

"Are you joshin' me?"

"Seriously?"

"I don't believe what I'm hearing."

"No, way..."

"You mean to tell me they actually like that crap fest of a music show?"

"Well, hey, to each their own," Barf and Belch, Brawleon, Seleneon, Stormfly, Stryka, Amber, and Tai Lung remarked incredulously at Sophocles' rock music-loving Roly-Poly Pokemon partner.

Ryuki, seeing this, could only smirk as he told everybody and ordered an attack from his partner, "Of course, they do! Pokemon know how to rock as well as humans and once the ride starts, it can't be stopped until the show's over! Now, Zweilous, use Dark Pulse!"

Still grooving in sync with the music, Ryuki's Zweilous fired his Dark Type attack straight at Pyroar which left Kiawe little to no time to call him to use a counterattack or to dodge it.

"Pyroar, look out! Use-!" he tried to shout only for the music to drown out his voice as Pyroar was hit hard, sent flying into the air and crashing into the ground, knocking him out cold and resulting in their loss. "Pyroar, no!"

"Pyroar is unable to battle! Zweilous and Ryuki are the winners!" Charlie declared, handing the first win to Ryuki and ending Kiawe's chance in the Kantonian Gym final battle.

"Victory shout! OH, YEEEAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Ryuki cheered, praising himself and Zweilous for their effortless battle against Kiawe and Pyroar.

"Wait, do they really allow that?"

"Maybe it's some sort of unknown and unexpected strategy," Mallow and Sophocles squeaked as they and everybody else were devastated, baffled, or outraged by what Ryuki and Zweilous pulled on Kiawe and Pyroar.

"Hey, that wasn't fair!"

"Those cheaters didn't give Mr. Pyroar and Mr. Kiawe a chance to counter or defend themselves!"

"What do those creeps think they're doing?!"

"I oughta slug 'em!"

"I won't mind giving them a good right hook with my vines."

"Cheats!" Duke, Mai, Tepig, Oshawott, Snivy, and Donka seethed with rage at Ryuki and Zweilous.

"Pyroar, return. You did your best, I'm sorry you got distracted by him," Kiawe soothed Pyroar as he returned him to his ball and held it tight, realizing what Race meant when he said that the battle he, Sarha, and Ash will be having with Ryuki is nothing like their normal battles as he turned to the pair as Ash planned to go next. "Ash, Sarah, don't let your guard down."

"Right."

"Okay," the two trainers nodded before Ash stepped up to the plate, wanting to teach Ryuki a lesson and already having the perfect Pokemon in his mind that won't be distracted by Ryuki's music and rock star antics.

"Rowlet, I choose you!" Ash called, bringing out his Grass Quill Pokemon who fell asleep mid-flight and float to the ground, sleeping.

"Oh no," moaned Craggeon as he facepalmed.

"SSSSSSSeriously, that Grasssssssss Type pillow head of a Pokemon?" sighed Medusa in exasperation as she hung her head.

"Come on, Ash, be serious!"

"Are you kidding?!"

"Highly illogical choice given his unbelievable sleeping habit," Seth, Tepig, and Chien-Pao groaned.

"What's with Ash's Rowlet?"

"Definitely not the Pokemon I'd use to battle Mr. Rock n' Roll," Snotlout and Zenna remarked.

"Unfortunately, Ash's Rowlet has a tendency to fall asleep much of the time. It's very much aloof as far as we can tell," James explained sheepishly.

"Come on, Rowlet, it's Battle Time!" Ash smiled amusingly, shaking his Alola Grass Starter awake.

Ryuki himself was also taken aback by how much of a sleepy goofball Ash's Rowlet is as he sweatdropped and remarked, "Man, that's one laid-back Pokemon. You sure he can battle like that?"

"When Rowlet's up, Rowlet's really on!" Ash reassured as Rowlet, now wide awake, stretched himself and is now raring to go.

"He may be aloof but he's a great choice on Ash's part!"

"Rowlet won't be distracted by anything let alone that loud music."

"You can do it, Rowlet!"

"Go get him, Rowlet!" Mallow, Sophocles, Lillie, and Snowy cheered, being optimistic about Rowlet's chances of success.

"Alright, now the battle between Ash Ketchum and Gym Leader Ryuki will now begin! Face your opponents, and begin!" Charlie signaled, beginning the second battle.

"Rowlet, use Tackle!" Ash called as Rowlet steeled himself and flew into the air, going in for a power-dive tackle while Ryuki just smirked, already having a plan in mind for him.

"Let's get this party started, Zweilous, use Dragon Rush!" he began, his Hostile Pokemon's heads glowing as he coated himself with a powerful rush of blue energy.

Rowlet, deciding to get a headstart so he doesn't fire Dragon Rush, managed to kick Zweilous's left head as he connected his Tackle attack but Ryuki continued to smirk as he then snapped his fingers, allowing Zweilous to use his right head to use Bite before it missed. However, that was only a feint as his left head took Rowlet by surprise when it caught him, the music starting to play at full volume again as Zweilous excitedly bopped his two heads to the beat, startling the poor aloof Grass Type as he screamed and couldn't escape.

"YAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

"Rowlet!"

"Oh, no!" cried a horrified Ash and Pikachu, seeing things already going south despite a smooth start.

"Amateur, rock n' roll may not be appeasing but if you don't open your heart to it, it may come back to bite you! Now, let's wrap this up, use Flamethrower!" Ryuki mocked Ash as he gave Zweilous the "All-Clear" and he unleashed a powerful Flamethrower attack at close range, blasting Rowlet onto the ceiling and scorching him before he fell onto the ground, fainting from the super-effective attack and shocking everybody watching.

"ROWLET, NO!" Ash freaked, unwilling to believe that it was all over for him as well.

"Big Brother!" Meltan screamed in horror.

"Rowlet is unable to battle, Ryuki is the winner!" Charlie declared, leaving Ash to grit his teeth and try to hold in his emotions over such a swift loss for him and his Alola Grass Starter.

"Wow, done and dusted as fast as it was for Uncle Kiawe..."

"Sure is," breathed a stunned Zap and Splattertail as Goggles whimpered in agreement for Ash and Rowlet.

"And, I thought Ash had it in the bag with Rowlet," commented a stunned Kiawe.

"I've never seen Ash so shaken before," Mallow agreed.

"Damn, that was both fast and pathetic," Eternatus shrugged, unamused.

"This is bad; the challenge against that boy has only started and two battles in, Kiawe and Ash were already outmatched by that Zweilous and his love for rock n' roll," grunted Zacian, glaring at Ryuki and Zweilous with disdain.

"How could such a trainer pull off such dirty tricks? As far as I'm concerned, he and his Zweilous have no true Pokemon and Pokemon Trainer Pride or honor," scoffed Zamazenta in disgusted agreement.

"That means the princess is the last one standing against this topsy-turvy nutcase," Breezeon sighed.

"Daddy, will the princess be alright against that horrible boy and his Pokemon?" Freezeon asked Guardeon as she huddled close to him.

The Steel Type Eeveelution smiled softly as he gently rubbed and nuzzled his Ice/Psychic Dual Type daughter as he reassured her, "Now, dear, you should know that the princess has been able to worm her way out of tight spots such as this. Just have faith in her and her chosen Pokemon for whatever that rapscallion has up his sleeves for her and he'll learn his lesson soon enough."

Ash returned Rowlet after he composed himself, smiling softly as he told him after he was in his Pokeball, "Thanks a lot, Rowlet, you were great."

The Kanto trainer then sighed as he made a serious face and turned to Sarah as he prepares to let her have a shot at Ryuki, "Okay, Sarah, it's up to you now. Ryuki's a very good Pokemon trainer and he raised his Zweilous good, be ready for whatever he has planned for you."

"I will," Sarah promised, putting a reassuring left hand on his left shoulder and sharing a nod with him before he, Meltan, Pikachu, and Rotom-Dex joined the others on the sidelines and Sarah took his and Kiawe's place on the field with Blitz and Curly standing by her side.

"Welcome, Princess of Alola, nice of you to finally join the party. I was wondering when I'd get to battle you and since you're our honored guest, I'd like to have our battle be a full-fledged Double Battle!" Ryuki smirked, eager to battle Sarah.

"A Double Battle?!"

"That's not fair!"

"Unreal!"

"Cheat!"

"Yeah, you had two Single Battles with Ash and Kiawe-bzt!"

"Why change things up like that for my girl?!" Dart, Veneon, Pouncer, Ruffrunner, Manteon, and Wyveon snapped incredulously.

"Wait a second! Young man, are you sure it's wise for you to change the rules out of the blue like that?" Tsukumaro inquired with a suspicious glare, irking Ryuki as he heard them and screamed in their faces while still on his microphone.

"THE GYM LEADER MAKES THE RULES, DIG IT?! IF I SAY IT'S OKAY, IT'S OKAY!"

"Of all the nerve!"

"What a horrible boy!"

"Such insolence!"

"What a character, hmph!" Donna (former queen), Delilah, Doug, and David huffed, utterly offended by Ryuki's insolence.

"Odin's Beard, Goldilocks! Dial it down!"

"No need to scream about it," Snotlout and Hiccup barked in annoyance as they and the other Riders hit their ears since they all heard Ryuki's scream through their earmuffs, groaning in annoyance.

"Geez, reminds me of Stoick when he barks orders through coercion," grumbled Toothless.

"Who'd you think would win a screaming match with or without those human microphones, Mask Man or Stoick the Screamer?" asked Stryka to the other Riders' dragons.

"Stoick/Stoick/Stoick/Yeah, Beardy/Mr. Vastie, case closed," Stormfly, Meatlug, Hookfang, Barf, and Belch commented, knowing who'd win.

"A Double Battle, huh? I had a feeling Zweilous wasn't the only Pokemon you have on you. Since I'll need two Pokemon against you, I've got just the pair to help me out with that," Sarah told Ryuki before she turned to the stands and eyed Rapidash and Pontya. "Rapidash, Ponyta, would you two like to give it a go?"

The two Unique Horn Pokemon nodded as they left the stand and joined Sarah, Blitz, and Curly on the battlefield, standing in front of him as they prepared to go against Zweilous and Ryuki's second Pokemon.

"Wait, Rapidash and Ponyta?" Kiawe blinked in surprise.

"Of course! I see where she's going; Zweilous is a Dragon and Dark Dual Type and Rapidash and Ponyta are Fairy and Psychic Dual Types since they're a regional variant of the original Kanto Ponyta and Rapidash. So, they're basically immune to any and all Dragon Type attacks and their unique Dual Typing would make their Dark Type weaknesses null and void!" Rotom-Dex grinned at the genius of using Fairy Types such as a Galarian Ponyta and Rapidash against Dragon Types.

"And, knowing Island Girl, she's probably got an out-of-the-box solution she's been practicing for a musical match like this," smiled Race knowingly.

"Let's hope so."

"We'll see," Mallow and Lana prayed.

"So, Ryuki, got another competitor to go up against my Fairy Types?" Sarah challenged.

"Interesting choices, Your Holiness. Galar beauties such as Rapidash and Ponyta, no problem! Now, it's time for you to meet my second partner and leading bassist!" Ryuki replied, sending out a Druddigon.

"A Druddigon!" blinked James, stunned as everybody else gasped and Rotom-Dex scanned the Dragon Type.

"Druddigon, the Cave Pokemon. A Dragon Type, Druddigon is vicious and cunning and it chases its foes through narrow caves and then attacks with its sharp claws. The skin on its head is harder than rock," he read after going through the data.

"Dragon Types vs Fairy Types, a type match-up for the ages! Let's see how you and your girly girls rock the stage against us, Princess!"

"I'm ready," Sarah nodded, now knowing what she, Rapidash, and Ponyta are up against.

"I'll have to be careful; I've never done a battle with music all the way. That song duel with Jigglypuff last year wasn't too bad but I never thought my Pokemon and I would have to do an actual battle where music is king. Good thing we've been given a lesson on how to deal with this sort of thing, I just hope it works against Ryuki and his rock n' roll."

"Keep your guards up, Ponyta!" Blitz called to Ponyta.

"We got it!" Ponyta reassured.

"So, girlfriend, got any ideas on how to turn this musical circus of his upside down?" Rotoscope asked as he joined Sarah.

"I have an idea but I just hope we can drown out his rock n' roll so he and his Druddigon and Zweilous won't have a chance to counter. We'll gauge them for a bit and when the time's right, that's when we'll bring the house down. Got the music ready?" Sarah said to her Rotom Phone.

"All systems go, give me the go-ahead and we'll light the place up."

"No kiddy-fluff, none of that?"

"None, just the perfect tune that's a real 90s dig he won't expect!"

Sarah nodded thankfully before she turned to Rapidash and she told her, "I need you and Ponyta, Rapidash. Let's show Ryuki how we battle to the beat of our own musical drums."

"Never fear, Sarah, darling. We are here for you, always. No amount of that infernal drive that boy and his Pokemon are dancing to is going to keep us from dancing to the music we enjoy doing, even in battle," Rapidash reassured with a soft smile and nod.

"Thank you... Okay, Ryuki, let's get it started!"

"Alright! Our final match between Gym Leader Ryuki and Princess Sarah of the Alolan Royal Family is about to start! Trainers, are you ready?" Charlie announced.

"Yes!" Ryuki and Sarah nodded.

"Ready? Begin!"

"Ponyta, use High Horsepower!" Sarah shouted as she and Rapidash allowed Ponyta to go first as the little Fairy Type charged forward with High Horsepower.

"Take it on!" Ryuki countered, allowing Druddigon to tank the Ground Type attack given its own training and strength as they forced each other back by a few inches.

"Use Psybeam plus Psycho Cut!" Sarah continued to her Fairy Types, this time having Rapidash join in as the two unleashed a Psychic Type combo attack. "Let them come after they dodge!"

"Gettin' in the groove, YEAH!" Ryuki grinned as his Pokemon start bopping their heads as the music started up and they dodged the combo attack. "Druggigon, Dragon Claw, go! Zweilous, use Bite!"

"Stand your ground, girls, and wait for my signal!" Sarah shouted reassuringly to Rapidash and Ponyta, shocking and worrying the others in the stands while her family, Asha, and Race looked on determinedly and with knowing and faithful looks.

"Sarah, no!"

"Don't!"

"Run!"

"What are you doing?!"

"Get Rapidash and Ponyta out of there!"

"Rapidash, Ponyta!"

"Look out!"

"Dah, it's all over!"

"NO!"

"Don't just stand there, you two!"

"Run for it!" Ash, Pikachu, Kiawe, Mallow, Lana, Sandy, Sophocles, Togedemaru, Lillie, and Snowy screamed in horror.

"This is not good! If Rapidash and Ponyta don't dodge or counter Druddigon and Zweilous' Dragon Claw and Bite attacks, THEY'LL WAIL ON THEM AND IT'LL BE OVER FOR SARAH, TOO!" Rotom-Dex freaked as he flailed about in panic as Rapidash and Ponyta held firm as their rock-loving opponents got closer.

"Wait for it!" Sarah shouted as she eyed Druddigon and Zweilous preparing their attacks as they got closer and closer to her Fairy Types and Rotoscope readied himself for their big moment until...

"SARAH/SARAH!"

"Now, Rotoscope!"

"Aww, yeah, baby! Let's get this World Cup party started!" Rotoscope cheered as he played the music they agreed upon: a popular tune from the '98 France World Cup.

(The Cup of Life (World Cup '98 Theme Song (Eng Ver.)) - Ricky Martin)

Rotoscope - Do you really want it? (YEAH!)

Do you really want it? (YEAH!)

Do you really want it? (YEAH!)

Go, go, go (Go, go, go)

Ale, ale, ale (Ale, ale, ale)

Go (go), go (go)

Here we go (Yeah)

To everyone's surprise, Rotoscope played the music of choice he and Sarah decided on and she, Ponyta, and Rapidash bopped and grooved to the beat via some Spanish Flamenco as they prepared to fight back. This was nothing like the rock music Ryuki enjoyed with Druddigon and Zweilous (who stopped in bewilderment) and before the three had time to react...

"Okay, Ponyta, let's go!" Sarah then shouted to Ponyta.

At her command, in the middle of the first instrumental, Ponyta surprised Druddigon as she fired a Psybeam without warning that startled the Dragon Type and forced him to cancel his Dragon Claw attack before she jumped into the air.

"Rapidash, now push along with Dazzling Gleam on Zweilous!" Sarah called to Rapidash, allowing her to charge forward and knock Zweilous back with a super-effective Dazzling Gleam attack while Sarah continued to dance to the beat, a winning smirk on her face.

The Cup of Life, this is the one

Now is the time, don't let it stop

Push it along, gotta be strong

Push it along, right to the top

"WAH!" gawked a startled Ryuki before Rapidash, still grooving and in tune with Ricky Martin's magnum opus, followed up Mythical Fire while Ponyta used Psybeam which struck the Dragon Type team. "WHAT THE PIZZAZ IS THIS!?"

The feeling in your soul is gonna take control

Nothing can hold you back if you really want it

I see it in your eyes, you are the cup of life

Now that the day is here, gotta go and get it

"Check it out!"

"Amazing!" gasped Ash and Pikachu as their jaws dropped.

"Look at them go!" Kiawe balked in awe.

"Whoa! Guys, are you seeing this?!"

"By Thor's Thunder, she's using Ryuki's own technique against him!"

"Incredible and ingenious; by using and dancing to a different song with her Pokemon, she can block Ryuki's rock music and bring out a different rhythm he and his Dragon Type Pokemon couldn't follow!" Snotlout, Astrid, and Fishlegs grinned.

"They might win it!"

"YEAH!" Mallow, Lana, and Lillie cheered.

Here we go (Ale, ale, ale)

Go, go, go (Ale, ale, ale)

Tonight's the night we're gonna celebrate

The Cup of Life (Ale, ale, ale)

"Good job, you two! Don't let up and let's party!" Sarah smiled at Rapidash and Ponyta as all of them happily continued dancing while they traded blows against Druddigon and Zweilous who both had trouble keeping up with them with the new and more-controlled musical beat.

The Cup of Life, it's do or die
It's here, it's now, turn up the lights
Push it along, then let it roll
Push it along, go, go, goal
And, when you feel the heat, the world is at your feet
No one can hold you down if you really want it
Just steal your destiny, right from the hands of fate
Reach for the cup of life 'cause your name is on it
Do you really want it? (YEAH)
Do you really want it? (YEAH)

"Our daughter is so wonderful!" Delilah cried, wiping a proud tear from her right eye.

"That's my Island Girl."

"Fighting music with music, ingenious," smirked Race and Asha, looking impressed while most of Sarah's Pokemon bopped or danced to the beat with the younger Night Lights joining in as they took off their earmuffs and enjoyed themselves.

"Still, it's just a matter of time before Ryuki and his Pokemon catch on and match their beat."

"She better have a backup plan and fast," agreed Sophocles.

"Or she'll lose as well," Lillie fretted.

"Hush, my friends, it'll be alright. I know she's learned some new things while we all trained for battles as strange as this ever since you told us of her family's strange musical duel with a Jigglypuff," Xena reassured as they watched.

True to Sophocles and Kiawe's concern, both Ryuki and his Pokemon did pick up on the beat and were starting to match up with Rapidash and Ponyta as they started getting bruises and bumps themselves. But, they and Sarah surprisingly kept calm as they continued to dance even though it would be at a point when most trainers who are relishing in an early victory would suffer a surprise comeback from the more powerful trainer and crack.

Here we go (Ale, ale, ale)
Go, go, go (Ale, ale, ale)
Tonight's the night we're gonna celebrate
The Cup of Life (Ale, ale, ale)

"You got some moves, girlfriend, but it's never too late to learn! Druddigon, Dragon Claw again! Zweilous, Flamethrower!" Ryuki smirked as he called for his partners' next assault, Druddigon charging at Rapidash with Dragon Claw this time and Zweilous shooting Flamethrower at Ponyta with both keeping the beat.

"I've learned plenty. Rock it!" Sarah replied as she pointed at Rotoscope and the two shared a wink; they did have a backup plan as Sophocles hoped but in truth, it was all part of a grand plan they had in mind.

Without warning, just as Druddigon and Zweilous' attacks were about to connect, Rotoscope changed the music with a comic record scratch and soon, a new song from out of the blue was played soon after.

(Chhoo Le Na - Disney's Roadside Romeo (2008))

Then, out of left field, the beat of the music changed as Sarah and her Fairy Types danced in a way that resembled dancing from an Indian Bollywood movie that threw off Ryuki and his Pokemon's rhythm with Rapidash and Ponyta dodging as they and Sarah bowed down low and shot up. As they did so, the older Unique Horn Pokemon whacked Druddigon with her horn and head while with Flamethrower, Ponyta created a gust of Fairy Type pixie dust with a loud neigh that wafted the Fire Type attack away and hit the Unova Dragon Type but it also managed to hit the Cave Pokemon as he was caught in the gust, too.

Rotoscope (female voice change) - Chhoo le na
Chhoo le, chhoo le na, i honthon ko
Chhoo le na (Choo le choo le na, choo le choo le na)
Chhoo le na (Choo le choo le na, choo le choo le na)
Chhoo le na (Choo le choo le na, choo le choo le na)
Chhoo le na (Choo le choo le na, choo le choo le na)

"WHAT WAS THAT?"

"That move!"

"But, what move was it?"

"That was Fairy Wind!"

"And, Sarah's changed their musical battle style, too!"

"I can't believe Ponyta learned Fairy Wind!" Ryuki, Kiawe, Lana, Rotom-Dex, Mallow, and Ash gasped in shock while Sarah's Pokemon and the dragons continued to dance.

"Never in my life have I ever experienced an abrupt change like that coming from Sis."

"And, to think that Ponyta learned a new move right on the spot after the music and battle style Sarah was using before changed," admitted a baffled Asha and Lillie.

Xena could only chuckle as he stated, "That's the first lesson in being a ninja warrior, Ms. Lillie, 'Always expect the unexpected'."

"Ponyta's amazing!" grinned Sophocles in delight, feeling impressed.

Dil ko choo le just this one time choo le
Kuch to keh le just this one time choo le

Rotoscope (voice change: male to female) - Oh laila oh laila
Oh laila oh laila
Main tera hain chhaila
Oh laila aaja
Choo le na
Choo le choo le na in honthon ko

"I know you hate being a ninja, Ryuki, but I've learned a thing or two about surprising others when they least expect it. I've been planning things out for our battle on the spot during your battle with Kiawe and Ash so this is what I've come up with. I hope you're in the mood for the last couple of seconds of our dance party 'cause you're about to be washed out on the dance floor! Alright, Ponyta and Rapidash, time for Fairy Wind and one final combo with Mystical Fire and Moonblast, and let's really bring the house down!" Sarah smirked as she, Rapidash, and Ponyta danced and then made the final call.

"Druddigon, use Slash! And, Zweilous, Flamethrower, quick!" panicked Ryuki as his equally-panicked partners made one last ditch effort to try and beat their crafty opponents with a final Flamethrower and Slash attack combo.

Chhoo le na (Choo le choo le na, choo le choo le na)
Chhoo le na (Choo le choo le na, choo le choo le na)
Chhoo le na (Choo le choo le na, choo le choo le na)
Chhoo le na (Choo le choo le na, choo le choo le na)

That was when Ponyta and Rapidash brought the curtains down on them as Ponyta fired Fairy Wind, halting their assault, and leaving them open for a final Mystical Fire and Moonblast combo attack that struck them hard.

"AHH!" cried a shocked Ryuki as the smoke eventually cleared and a final pose finish from his challengers while Rotoscope stops the music, revealing the defeat of both of his Pokemon and leaving Charlie nodding in satisfaction at the overall battle as he declared Sarah, Rapidash, and Ponyta the winners.

"Druddigon and Zweilous are unable to battle! Ponyta and Rapidash win! That means the battle goes to Princess Sarah of Melemele Island!"

"We got him...WE WIN!" Sarah gasped before she gave out a hearty cheer along with an equally-victorious Rapidash and Ponyta as they neighed proudly.

They went over to Sarah as Rapidash happily nuzzled her human and Ponyta continued to neigh excitedly while running around her legs, stoked about her and her mother's victory and having more bragging rights to show off to her brothers.

"You two were amazing!" Sarah laughed before she turned to Rotoscope as he floated over to them. "Thanks, Rotoscope, you're the best!"

"Don't mention it, girl! If you want a musical hoedown of whacky proportions, I'm your phone! Up top!" winked the smirking Rotom Phone as they shared a victory high-five.

Everybody on the sidelines cheered for Sarah's victory as Kiawe and Ash along with Rowlet and Pyroar had been avenged and Ryuki has been brought down from his rock 'n roll high horse with a taste of his own medicine.

"Incredible!"

"So cool!"

"They did it!" Mallow, Sophocles, and Lana cheered ecstatically.

"Sweet dancing!"

"Again, again, again! Do it again, again!"

"Groovy to the max!" Shaymin, Togedemaru, and Sandy buzzed excitedly.

"Now, that was an unexpected way to win," chuckled Hiccup.

"They were awesome!" warbled Toothless, still excitedly bopping his head even though the music stopped.

"Do it again, I just blinked!"

"Me, too!" Barf and Belch cried, having an adrenaline rush over the battle's final moments.

"That was their best battle by far," Meatlug beamed.

"Yeah!" agreed Stryka.

"With the right training, even the most stringent of Pokemon Battle expectations can be unpredictable. And, by the princess' example, this was no different," Ghost (Dragapult) beamed with a hearty chuckle.

"And, that's why one should never underestimate the crafty nature of a true warrior or a true ninja," Xena added with an approving nod and smile.

Even Kaulu and Loki howled happily and clapped for the Psychic/Fairy Type Pokemon for a job well done in their battle, greatly inspired by how crafty and athletic they and Sarah were throughout their battle.

"YAY, AUNTIE RAPIDASH AND BIG SIS PONYTA!" Dart and her brothers all cheered as they came up to the Fairy Types in question and tackle-hugged and nuzzled them happily, making the pair laugh.

"Oh, Sarah, sweetheart! I'm so proud of you!" Delilah gushed as she and the others rushed over to Sarah and she hugged her happily. "You've grown in such a short time while we were gone!"

"You've become a wonderful Pokemon Trainer, baby girl. Congratulations," Doug smiled in agreement, ruffling his daughter's hair as Tai Lung, Cobalt, Tyson, Medusa, and Amber gave her, Rapidash, and Ponyta water and some towels to wipe off the sweat they made from their dance battle with Ryuki and his Pokemon.

"Aww, Dad, Mom," Sarah blushed as Tsukumaro also flashed a proud smile and nod for his goddaughter.

Speaking of Ryuki, humbled and impressed with how his royal opponent and her Pokemon fared against him and his partners, he returned Druddigon and Zweilous and addressed Sarah as Charlie and his friends came over with a reward for her completing the entire Kantonian Gym.

"I can say that I really enjoyed your firey spirit with your crossover bonanza, you three, impressive work. And, so as a symbol or two of your victory," he praised as Sarah and the others approached the four ninjas and the young gym leader while they presented her a circular badge that had his face and name on it and a set of replica Kanto Pokemon Gym badges.

"Whoa," gasped the heroes as they saw the replica gym badges even though they stared awkwardly at Ryuki's badge.

"Gee, Ryuki, it's, uh..." Sarah blinked, looking at the Kantonian Gym badge featuring the rock-loving gym leader himself. "It's, uh, it's really something..."

"Show it off to your friends! After all, you've beaten Ryuki," Ryuki finished, handing the badge to Sarah before Shirataki, Darley, and Farley joined them with the replica badges in a sturdy and unbreakable display case.

"And, these replica badges may not be the real deal but from the real badges, they're a reminder of the hard work, dedication, trust, and the strong bonds you have with all your Pokemon. By that, Princess, you've shown all of those qualities with the best battle we've seen in a long while," smiled Farley, explaining about the replica badges put in a display case for the little princess as he handed the case to her.

"We were proud to host you and your family and friends here at the Kantonian Gym and we only wish you more fun and happiness as well as the best during your stay in Malie City."

"Feel free to come back anytime during your stay or even after, we'll always be ready to take you up for a challenge again," grinned Shirataki and Darley.

"Wow, thanks, you guys," Sarah thanked as she accepted the case with the replica badges and held it high for everyone to see while Blitz and Curly along with Rotoscope, Rapidash, and Ponyta showed off the Kantonian Gym badge. "We did it, guys! We've just beaten the Kantonian Gym!"

"Like a boss!"

"We're the greatest!"

"We're the champs!"

"Victory!"

"We won! WHOO-HOO!"

"Congrats to you, Sis. So, we still got five more days to kill. What else do you wanna do?" Asha quizzed as she, Lillie, Snowy, and Nihilego Lillie joined them.

"Well, I heard there's a community center around here so I'm thinking of getting some Hold Items for my Pokemon. I should also probably train Duke to get to Level 41 and, Lillie, maybe you, Snowy, and your sister can tag along with me for a look in the library."

"Sure, that'll be great!"

"Yeah!"

"Of course!" Lillie, Snowy, and Nihilego Lillie agreed eagerly.

An unexpected yet heated musical gym battle at the Kantonian Gym caps off Day 2 of our heroes' week-long stay in Malie City but like before with their arrival, their wild n' crazy ordeals there are only just beginning as the journey continues!