Alola readers again! Brav here for the update!

This chapter is a tad bit shorter than my normal 10k, but it's still action packed and I personally had a lot of fun writing this one.

A lot of this will delve into Alolan mythology, which is loosely based off real-life Hawaiian mythology. While some of it was pretty heartwarming and epic similar to others, there are a lot of darker stuff involved and parts of this chapter will briefly tap into that all with a twist to immerse it into the Pokemon world. I will explain much of it at the chapter's end.

Enjoy everyone.

I don't remember much about the fire-type trial other than the fact that it's quite different from the others. Professor Kukui said that Hau had easily won which is really good! Now it's Elio's turn.

I was by the TV all day again. By now, I've basically seen the entire first and second season of Five-0 and while Nebby enjoys watching all of these not-by-the-book cops break the rules every episode, it came as a breath of fresh air when I got to see Elio and Ed in the basketball showcase.

Now it was time for the trial. I wasn't able to catch Hau's, but I saw Elio's.

Lots of it seemed to go around some sort of story. I've read in a book that Alolans tell stories through dance and it's definitely…interesting.

You know how I said when it was strange Kukui walked around half naked? Yeah…there's that too. But wow, I couldn't believe Elio has that good of a physique! Had he not been a trainer, all he would need maybe is to clean up his long haircut and he could be a model for a fashion brand or something.

Dear Lillie,

I'm at the top of Mauna Wela right now! It is a dormant volcano, but there are active lava floes in the caldera that really provide this cool reddish lighting!

So Kiawe's trial is a little different than Ilima's and Lana's. Those ones you had to battle smaller pokemon in order to battle the totem. This one…you have to do both that and appease it.

And that means you have to dance for it. With everyone watching.

The trial actually starts before the night and it's a long day of practice right under the sun. When you're several thousand feet closer, it gets hotter for sure! Good thing that there's water around!

The trial is also overseen by this guy named Makoa. He's supposedly Ka Malama, which means that he is one of the people who is charged to preserve the customs and traditions of Alola. He's also the kind of person who thinks that only the natives should be going on the island challenge. Needless to say, I'm not his favorite trainer.

Time to prove to him that a haole can do this!

I also am sending you something you might enjoy. I think Nebby will like it too. I miss you by the way. Been thinking about you a lot recently.

Sincerely,

Elio

The fire staff was a long lightweight pole that was up to his elbow in length with each end covered in a clump of wicking material that had an odd smell. Elio found that it moved with incredible swiftness as if it were made of fine paper.

Kiawe had explained the trial out to him in the center of the ring and under Makoa's hawkish eyes. The totem pokemon resided somewhere nearby and the captain's description of it was one that was difficult to impress. In order to grasp its attention for a rightful battle, he had to conduct a specific dance that involved using the fire staff and a choreographed performance that would have to awe more than just the captain or the totem itself.

"You see this?" Kiawe pointed around in a panorama to the empty bleachers surrounding the small ring in three distinctive sections. "You will be undergoing the trial under the spectators' eye. This trial is the only one available to the public and one of Akala Island's most popular attractions. For those wanting to see an enjoyable show, it is also broadcasted around Alola. Triumphing through this will begin to put you in the spotlight as a talented trainer undergoing the island challenge and stronger opponents will take note."

No pressure.

"The trial is simple. You will perform the dance here in this ring and once it is complete, you shall hear the totem pokemon. If it deems you worthy enough, then the battle will commence. Defeat the totem pokemon tonight to complete the trial!" He lowered the staff. "Any questions?"

"So I just have to complete the dance you show me in order to," Sun wiggled his two fingers as quotations, "Impress it?"

"That is correct. For showing purposes, the dance is also used to tell mo'olelo and one of the longstanding ones about Alolan history. You will play one character and the totem will play another."

"If you manage to impress it." Makoa let out a barely concealed huff of annoyance.

Kiawe sighed. "I do have to apologize for Makoa's behavior. He is very…strong willed and believes that many of Alola's traditions should only be told and passed down by Alolans."

"Basically not me."

"Yes. However I do not share the same narrow-mindedness of him. I believe that Alolans should be warm and welcoming to outsiders and visitors, provided that they give our tapu and ka moʻomeheu (way of life) the respect it deserves. We would do the same to the likes of you should we travel and visit your homeland."

They started out with the basic stance. Elio noticed previously that the staff could be twisted to release a locking pin in its center and allow it to split into two. The time had been mid-afternoon and the sun's oppressive heat continued to bake the mountainside. He was feeling it for sure, as beads of it continued to drip down his arms and legs. His back had already perspired enough to soak his shirt and he whipped it off, welcoming the brief rush of cool air. Now only in a pair of basketball shorts and shoes, he continued as Kiawe took him through a series of stretching drills, limbering and poses to hold.

Elio found it already tough enough. Even as they began moving to the opening stages of the dance, he found himself already panting for air. Oxygen was thinner ten thousand feet up from sea level and several times he had to tell Kiawe to stop for him to take a breather. As an athlete himself, he had been trained by coaches and his peers to push and test his own limits. Some of the workouts he and Ed had done before were the epitome of being ground right into dust.

Yet the multiple factors here, holding strenuous poses in sweltering heat when the sun was among his strongest…with thinner oxygen levels. Doing the task closer down in altitude would be trivial, but he had a feeling that this one would test his limits to another level.

Thankfully the captain was more than willing. Makoa had sat on the side, saying nothing but still Elio could feel his judgmental eyes boring into his back like a drill.

This has got to be one of the more intensive workouts I've done. I know I'm relatively fit for my age. What about others who are not so?

"You may ask questions." Kiawe said, breaking the silence after Elio had sat back down to take a swig of water. He had set his pack in the shade of one of the bleachers to keep it from getting hot. "I am sure you have them."

Sun looked him over. Kiawe was breathing calmly in and out and barely looked tired. Sweat did shine on his dark complexion, running down his smoother chest. Elio easily knew that his well-defined core would be more than enough to have throngs of girls running up in admiration.

He glanced down at his own bare chest in self-consciousness. Like him, he preferred to stay in decent shape with his working out and trying to limit the addicting sedentary activities. But he also liked to eat copious amounts of food; some that was definitely tasty, but had little to no nutrition.

"Captain."

"And I prefer to be called Kiawe." A smile graced his face. "Captain is a little too formal for my tastes."

"Kiawe." Elio corrected himself and went forward to ask, already knowing the answer. "Why aren't you tired? Not to brag or anything, but I'm a basketball player and can do something like this easily without wearing down."

"That is because we are on the peak of Haleakala." The answer came from Makoa as he stood up and strode forward in front of the two posing men. "Being a member of Ka Malama is more than just keeping the light of our ancestors alive. We must be the embodiment of Alola itself through our physical, mental and emotional abilities. The peak of Haleakala is but one place where the finest warriors trained for battle against the other kahunas and their clan."

"Warriors?"

Makoa nodded. "Alola was not always all peaceful and serene. The tapu were not always with us in times of need. Hundreds of years ago, our people began to grow distant from one another and without the guardians of the islands to keep peace; Alola soon fell into conflict."

"Clan warlords soon overruled the islands of Alola with iron fists." Kiawe said. "They fell into conflict over everything from food, territory and water rights. There was even a war between two of the largest clans here on Akala Island because the daughter was betrothed to the son of a kahuna and refused. This would've united the two clans together had it succeeded."

"So Alola was once a warzone." Elio surmised. He followed Kiawe's next move by sliding his feet on the ground and crouching low in the newly taught basic stance. It had his knees slightly bent with his left hand outstretched in front and the staff clutched in his right, almost as if he was holding it like a hanbo staff.

"That is correct. Alola did not have as peaceful of a history as many would think." Makoa said. "There were such things as human and pokemon sacrifices, many of them in thanks for their gifts they bestowed upon us."

Elio felt the blood drain from his face.

Kiawe laughed lightly. "It is nothing to be afraid of. We are not savages. I can't say the same if it were three hundred years ago however."

"Why me though?"

"A haole." Makoa answered. "Haoles who ventured to the islands during the times of war would find themselves captured and held against their will. Disobedient ones or those that didn't have a use were used for said sacrifices to the tapu. On occasion, they could eventually buy their freedom and live amongst the people by working directly for the kahunas themselves. The spot where you stand now is one such place where warriors trained and where kahunas would come to commune to the tapu."

Hold on a sec. "Is that why you want me to prove myself as more than just a haole?"

He actually got a rare smile from the older man. "Yes that is correct. I may be a man who believes that outsiders should not participate in sacred Alolan customs, but it is also part of us as a people to welcome them should they prove themselves worthy."

"This is a kapu kawahi." Kiawe added. "That's Alolan for sacred place."

Kind of flawed since this is where visitors come to see a trial.

Elio shifted his stance, mirroring Kiawe again. "I do not mean any disrespect to your culture or customs in any way. But if you are all closely guarding this place by saying its forbidden for myself to go on the island challenge, then why open this trial for everybody to see?"

Makoa sighed. "I can't say for sure. Even though Alola is a popular destination for outsiders to visit, we are still relatively isolated from the rest of the world. I suppose you could say that we show others on our culture to help define to them who we are. Much of the reason why we have opened up to others is the first monarch of Alola, King Kamehameha. He had ended the multitude of feuds thanks to the blessing of the tapus and united the islands of Alola as one which continues to this day."

"Is he from Akala Island?"

"Why yes." Kiawe said. Elio could also see that Makoa had been taken aback by his inquiry and impressed. "Perhaps you saw that the main airport here on Akala is named after him."

They finished the limbering practice and Kiawe had Ed come and assist him in carrying out a large drum that had a rich brown oak lining. Unlike the modern drum instruments he had seen in bands; this one had a conical base that opened outward to its main body. Ornate carvings were all along the wood and Elio could tell that hours upon hours had been spent carefully crafting it.

I don't have the time or patience to do something that good.

Kiawe set a beat with one of the wands, finally going onto the dance itself and leading Elio through the steps. He noted while following that the movements they did were very fluid and connective. His breath was running short even now, but it had been longer in duration from the last time he needed a break.

Makoa did sense his fatigue however. "Do you need to take a breather?"

Sun panted and wiped some more sweat off his brow, but he shook his head.

I'm not going to show weakness in front of you.

"I say we do. You will prove nothing by wearing yourself out."

"Yes sir. It's just a good sweat."

Kiawe showed him the next steps; crouching low before waving the staff about in front of him. "Perhaps. But the purpose of learning the dance is not to break or destroy you, despite what you may think. But a trainer cannot rely on their pokemon to carry the entire burden of a load. While they may train them to their limits, it is also imperative that the trainer themselves be in the best possible position to face the challenges ahead. You may remember the saying of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger yes?" When he got a nod from Elio, he continued. "That is true. The remainder of the island challenge from here definitely has people putting emphasis on challenge. So as a result, it is our duty as trial captains, kahunas and Ka Malama to test young boys and girls to their limits so that they can be recognized as men and women."

"I want you to fall." Makoa spoke as he circled the trial-goer. Elio did his best not to follow his gaze and memorize the steps of the dance that Kiawe had reset. "It is every objective of the trials and grand trials. You will eventually fall. A true Alolan on the island challenge will stand up again."

So this is a test of persistence. I now see why we have a lot of flunkies in Team Skull. They didn't stop the island challenge because it was too difficult. They were the ones that stayed down when they were knocked.

Surprisingly, the remainder of the dance had been simple. Kiawe took him through it again, twice, three times and even a fourth.

"I want you to be comfortable doing it. Next time it will be in front of hundreds of people…and thousands more watching."

"I'm confident enough." Elio answered. "I'm ready for the trial."

"Very well."

Night had fallen with the evening clouds rolling away to reveal a myriad of twinkling stars and bright moon hanging overhead in the sky watching over everything.

Torches were lit at the base of the arena in a full circle and the air was full of excited chatter as many sightseers and locals alike were filing in for an evening show.

The fire trial was only one on the island challenge that could be openly attended by the public. On occasion, if they happened to be in the area when a trial was being conducted, they were free to watch. Others were done behind closed doors and out of the public's eye.

While it was free to attend, many of the tourists and sightseers opted to pay a small fee of the bus to take the road side of the mountain that was accessible from Heahea City. It was a long thirty minute drive that offered scenic passes as it wound up higher and higher in a meandering path that would drop them off just a little ways from the ring. The dirt road continued higher, most likely for the purpose of volcanologists going to the research facility that was near the caldera.

Ed was allowed to go "backstage" a small building that was just behind the back of the ring where Kiawe, Makoa were with Elio. Several other guides were slowly arranging everyone into seats as soon as it hit the half hour mark of when the performance was set to begin.

The small building was one of the storage sheds that were used to keep supplies for the study facility for the volcanologists and one side specifically for the trial captain and his guides to keep supplies about. Elio saw drums, staffs, torches and many other items that they used around the ring.

He now sat on a stool, wearing nothing except his basketball shorts. A red loincloth had been tied around his waist. Smaller grieve-like leggings were over his shin and calves, flowing down nearly to his shoes. There were similar grass linings secured around his shoulders.

Sun had repeated the poses with the additional attire on for Kiawe and the latter had made a final adjustment by giving him a bobby pin to keep it from unraveling.

"Best we prevent a wardrobe malfunction now."

Then this means it's happened before.

Makoa and another guide had him sit down once it was all in place. They approached with bowls of an inky black thick substance that they smeared on their fingertips.

Elio felt it; a cold and uncomfortable sensation in the warm air as they drew upon his arms and back. He had to almost bite his own lip to keep his sounds of discomfort from being known by them.

They go all out here don't they?

"It feels like you are drawing a picture."

"We are." Makoa said, not looking up from his work. "Every warrior trained in Alola fights for something. Whether it be for glory, honor, territory…survival…acceptance. Regardless, the markings on their bodies used to be that of inkay and octillery ink, etched as tattoos to reflect where they had come from, their heritage and their purpose. What I am putting upon you is only temporary and can be washed off in a shower by the time your trial ends."

"So what symbols of mine?" Elio asked, glancing in the mirror. He had to seriously admire Alolan art being very ornate and couldn't help but truly be amazed at the incredible detail Makoa was putting into it.

"Your symbols indicate that you are a boy. A foreigner who seeks to immerse himself as one of the people. You may be undergoing a trial, but many watching will be seeing a show. Every trainer's trial tells a story as will yours."

"It is almost time." Kiawe said pushing through the door with Ed in tow. The basketball player's eyes widened at the transformed trainer in front of him and whistled lowly.

"Damn bro. They decked you out good huh?"

"You like?" The trial captain asked. "We could do the same and the two of you could come back to do a double showing."

"I don't have pokemon though," Ed said. "But it's all good. Best thing now is to make sure Elio is all set to go."

He walked over and kneeled down in front, as if a coach talking to his wrestler in the ring. "Remember about staying focused. I've heard the totem pokemon are more than just oversized freaks of nature on their own species, but they're also cunning…smart. You need to think the same."

"Ed, I know this is a fire trial." Elio shot back.

"I'm trying to give you a pep talk here man! Why don't you just listen for once! Just because you may have water, rock or ground pokemon doesn't mean you're going to win. Even trainers who have their entire party like that can still struggle. It's like what Makoa here said in practice. You're gonna fall. Be that true trainer and stand up again. Let it know that it doesn't matter whether you're a native or a haole! Any trainer who puts forth the effort and dedication alongside his pokemon will triumph over this trial!"

Elio nodded, still trying to process through the words. "Dang brah. Did you read that out of a book or something?"

"I kinda made it up on the fly." He put a hand behind his head in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"Sorry for what? That was a really good speech." Kiawe and even Makoa had nodded in agreement. "You're ready to be a team captain once the league drafts you."

The fire trial captain cleared his throat. "As inspiring as that speech was; the crowd has all been seated and our show is about to start. Elio; anything you want to go over last minute?"

The boy shook his head. "I'm good. Let's do this."

"Excellent. Take the next few minutes to bring your pokemon up to full strength. Whenever you are ready, go and meet Makoa at the end of the ring."

Elio felt his nerves turn his own stomach into an oily mess. Truly it was no different than any other basketball game in school especially during the regional playoffs. However now after being a trainer for almost two months, he was about to face yet another colossal totem pokemon that he had no idea about.

The raticate was already tough enough and it had taken the efforts of Litten and Grimer to bring it down. Wishiwashi had been completely unexpected; scaring off the gyarados he had anticipated facing.

What kind of fire pokemon was going to challenge him this time?

Either way. We're going to beat it.

His pokemon team had his back and knew their roles. Charjabug was going to be less effective since her bug typing wouldn't last long against fire. He planned to use her as much as possible, maybe even inflict a paralysis. That would make things so much easier.

And her mud shot move is my little ace up the sleeve. Gotta love the Shirona Effect.

Grimer and Rufflet both had mild effectiveness against fire types. If Charjabug failed to paralyze the totem, he could always try and use the former's poison touch ability to whittle its energy down.

Torracat and Rockruff would be the bulk of the offense. Even though his starter didn't know any good moves against fire types, Elio was counting on his deft agility and strong moves to be able to last. Fire types were yet another that were ineffective against itself. Rockruff's own rock moves had the potential to do immense damage, however he wasn't necessarily fast. His mind went back to the paralysis, knowing that his job would be much easier if he scored a successful hit that inflicted the status.

"Alola ahiahi!" Kiawe's voice over the hidden speakers around the ring brought Sun out of his thoughts. He peered around the glow of the lit torches surrounding the ring now able to see that the entire sections of seats had all been occupied by visitors. They all chatted excitedly to one another as they waited for the show to begin.

"Alola!" He heard a unanimous chant back from everyone else.

"My name is Kiawe Iokua from Paniola Town and I am the current captain of the trial here at Mauna Wela Volcano Park. The trial is a special rite of passage for young pokemon trainers in Alola as part of a transition from being a youth to being recognized as an adult. All of the trials are supervised by us captains who have completed our respective trial when we were at that of age."

He took a deep breath and looked around the ring.

Full house tonight.

"Before we begin our performance for tonight, let me inform you of a few rules. They are simple to follow. This is a live fire pokemon battle that will be taking place. Due to the immense power of both the totem and the Z-Power, should our trial goer opt to use it, we have installed a Ward of Dawn shield around the ring in order to keep everyone safe. Second; please do not use any form of flash photography while the trial and show are active."

Murmurs rang out across the crowds.

"Now let's bring in our trial goer." Kiawe extended a hand out to Elio's direction. He now noticed that there was a cameraman sitting in a designated spot and pointed the lens directly at him.

"He hails from Cerulean City of Kanto and has blazed with a molten resolve through the trials of Melemele Island and the trial of Brooklet Hill. The boy has been blessed with special attention from our deity Tapu Koko as its waeia kekahi! Elio Kai Northstar!"

Instead of loud cheers and whoops like in basketball, the audience clapped loudly as Elio himself was gestured forward by the trial captain.

"Now our trial goer today plays an important role in our show tonight. See much of the land you had traveled on to get here was once where our ancestors tread their feet. They still haunt these trails and grounds, providing us today with guidance in our relationship between ourselves and our pokemon."

Kiawe circled back to Elio's side. "Our ancestors often passed down stories in the form of dance and we today use that to pay tribute. Our dance tonight is about a love story that happened here on this mountain. Many of you who have spent much time here know about the romantic interludes between Pelei and Kamalono'a in how he had slain the mo'owahine to rescue his love. For those that don't, allow me to explain."

With a wave of his hand, Elio stepped out of the spotlight. To everyone else, it was as if he had disappeared entirely. Sweat began to course through his palms, slicking the staff.

Almost there.

"Kamalono'a was a warrior demi-god of fertility, valor and peace. He is associated with the Tapu Bulu of Ula'ula Island and is commonly represented by obsidian and gemstones. He was known to many as a very attractive, handsome young man in which many women of his clan on the island had sought after his hand."

Elio had yet to hear the story itself, but it had already fascinated him. From the fact that he was "playing" a handsome demigod to how Kiawe described on the virtual girls all going for his hand.

He took another glance at the trial captain, seeing him walk to various points of the ring and looking up into every part of the audience. No one section was left out and even if it had been, there was no one bored by his story. Kiawe crouched low, waving his arms in motions to amplify his tale and the myriad of expressions on his face mirrored the tone.

The trial captain was truly into the trial and Elio couldn't help but admire the amount of dedication and passion he was throwing into it. It wasn't just a show for the tourists, it was a way to honor and uphold the traditional story.

"While there were many fine women of his clan; Kamalono'a had his heart set on Peleia. A similar demigoddess as the embodiment of many things. Fire, emotion, love. She hailed from the rival tribe on Akala Island, she was known as the girl who was born of fire. The tribes on Akala and Ula'ula had been at odds for some time and thus both sides had made it forbidden to come into contact with one another at any time. Of course, Kamalono'a had refused this."

Oh it's one of THOSE stories. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl fall in love. Mom and Dad on both sides refuse to let them marry.

"They had agreed to meet up in secret. And because the all-seeing kahuna on Ula'ula Island would sense him meeting with a member of their sworn enemy." As he said this, the lights dimmed, causing Kiawe to vanish entirely from view. His voice continued to carry over the speakers and connected wirelessly to the small microphone he wore on his side. "He had to go on a rite of passage of his own."

Sun sucked in another deep breath, closing his eyes. We've been practicing all day. This is for real. We're doing this for the totem battle, the completion of my next trial and another stepping stone in my own rite of passage to properly call myself a man.

"However before he could even leave Ula'ula in his own carved candlenut ka moku," The audience gasped as a pair of ghostly green flares flashed to life just opposite him. "The kahuna had discovered his intentions, declaring it hewa to discreetly fall in love with a member of the rival clan."

This is a trial battle! Elio's mind raced as he reached for his first pokemon. "Charjabug! Go!" Kiawe continued the story, paying mind to the battle about to commence for the show purposes while speaking. His battery pokemon landed nimbly on the ground, clicking her mandibles together and ready to face her opposition.

"Kamalono'a was undeterred by the kahuna, saying that love had no boundaries and he was free to choose whomever he wished."

"Woah there!" Rotom was out to assist his trainer at the same time the spotlights snapped on, revealing a small dark bipedal pokemon. It held a stick in his right hand resembling a femur bone that had been the source of the spectral flames that crackled in the night sky. An elongated skull covered its face with dark markings etched into various parts of the bone.

It looks like a…

"New pokemon detected buddy! Bzzt!" He floated in front of Elio, displaying a more familiar shape of a creature he knew was native to his homeland Kanto. "Marowak. Bone keeper pokemon. Marowak will throw bones at its natural foe; mandibuzz with a violent temperament. Marowak is a ground type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."

"Hold on." Elio stopped him. "This is a fire trial. How can a marowak be in here if it's ground? Even the cubone were the standard ground type."

"That'zz becauzze marowak hazzz a zubzpeciezzz here in Alola! Bzzt! Marowak native to Alola use bones that were once its mother's. It beats foes with its club, spreading cursed flames wherever it strikes. Alola Marowak are ghost and fire type."

So there's the fire typing.

"Now what will you do koa?" Kiawe asked, booming his voice in a challenge.

The Alolan marowak didn't wait for a signal to begin, already throwing its spectral bone right at charjabug. The throw had been right on target, spinning slowly before speeding right up until it was a blur of green and white, throwing off sparks erratically.

Charjabug easily saw the flame wheel attack coming before she scrunched up her own body to propel herself out of its way. At his command, she gathered bits of electricity between her mandibles, centering her aim and firing quickly.

Anyone else from Kanto watching him must've thought he was crazy at using an electric type. Kanto native marowak had the ability lightningrod, which absorbed electric attacks to boost its own. Even if it didn't have that ability, the standard form was ground type; the only one that made electric attacks obsolete.

I probably should have made sure I took some precaution before ordered an attack that would end up being useless.

To his surprise, the marowak flinched from the beam of fine energy, staggering back. Just as it finished, there was a dark purple aura that enveloped his entire body. It shot out, surrounding Charjabug and then suddenly dissipating.

"What? What was that?"

"Oh no!" Rotom wailed, flailing its arms about. "That wazzz the marowak'zzz ability! Cursed body! Charge beam izzz now disabled! Bzzt!"

Huh. Smart. We'll have to go in close.

Unless I play my hand with her mud shot.

Decision made. "Charjabug, stop. Mud shot it!"

"Ssk!" She hissed in compliance, using her smaller mandibles once again. This time around, it was a long stream of dark mud that splashed right over the marowak's body. It grunted in protest and planted its bone on the ground to slow its reeling.

The creature had spun around again, now releasing the bone in a perfect throw. Charjabug's eyes automatically drifted to the spinning projectile, seeing if it was headed to hit her.

What she didn't see was the marowak powering up his fists in similar green fire. He rushed forward on both feet, closing the distance between the two combatants.

Charjabug responded with a spark attack, meeting it head on. The two clashed right together, culminating in fire winning over electricity. She was hit once and then a second fire punch struck her side before she had a chance to react.

As marowak jumped away, Elio saw the blur of spinning fire bone curving right back.

"Charjabug! Look out!"

It had been too late. The bone rush attack had sped up its pace from behind, smashing itself into Charjabug's back and sending her flying up in the air. She had managed to recover and land upright when falling, however Elio saw that the attacks had taken a lot out of her.

The main trial hasn't even started and she's already tiring out. Marowak's a smart one. He throws the bone as a distraction, strikes and then lets the bone curve around for a second behind the back attack.

Had he looked to the marowak, their visible efforts wouldn't have been in vain. The pokemon opposing them had leaned onto his flaming bone for support when he had struggled back to his feet. Elio was suddenly aware that the cursed body effect had now worn off. He pointed for a charge beam and she gathered just enough energy when he spun his bone around. It wasn't enough to deflect the fired electricity and his crackling form had collapsed to the ground.

The audience had opted to clap proudly for the young trial goer instead of loud cheers. He acknowledged the praise, although said nothing as he returned Charjabug to her ball and slipped it on his belt.

"Marowak was very pleased by your battling ability." Kiawe commented with several murmurs coming from the crowds in agreement. "It just had to battle you."

He knelt down and gently offered it some berries. As it ate, the creature had enough energy to stand up again. Elio felt beady eyes fall on him and the skull had nodded down.

It was a nod of respect.

PleasebecarefulEliopleasebecarefulEliopleasebecarefulElio. You can beat this. I believe in you.

"Pew!"

"I know Nebby." Lillie whispered as she laid at the edge of the bed in her hotel room. She had been waiting for almost an hour before when it was time for Elio's trial to air on television. The reason the trial had been broadcasted wasn't to her understanding, but it seemed that the local populace around Alola enjoyed one publicly shown trial that displayed the rite of passage for young boys and girls.

"Pew!" Nebby's cry came out a little more forceful. Lillie realized that she had been hugging it just a little too tightly to her chest.

"Oh I'm so sorry Nebby!" Lillie brought the cosmog close so that it could rest in the crook of her right elbow to remain comfortable. "I didn't realize I was hurting you."

Hurting. You've gone through so much pain and I'm fussing over hugging you too tightly. I can't help it. Not when I'm worried about Elio.

Don't worry Nebby. The blonde glanced down at the tiny pokemon, who was still watching the TV and perking up with excitement whenever the shot panned over a certain boy. We'll protect you and I'll be sure to make certain you are back home safe and sound. And then I will have to find a place I can call home too.

"Pew." Nebby's curious cry brought her out of her thoughts and she found herself staring directly at the screen where Elio's bare chest could be clearly seen.

She admired the handiwork for sure. Plenty of ink had been applied on his shoulders and upper pectorals with sharp edges and curved lines, all in a very elaborate and carefully crafted design. It was almost like the work of a tattoo artist and many of them appeared similar to the ones that the ancient Alolan warriors of long ago had adorned their bodies with.

Nebby watched the girl with a curious expression on its own face. Her eyes had wandered over it, looking past the tattoos onto the fine lines.

Lillie had seen them on occasion; hastily hidden underneath some of her own mother's fashion magazines she had subscribed to and in the posters for name brand stores. Much of the men's section had featured images of well sculpted handsome boys.

Still in the middle of her teenage years, she couldn't help but admire the finely crafted pectorals, abs and broad shoulders.

Seeing Elio shirtless made her realize that his body shape was quite similar to those models. On the television screen, he had branched out his staff to the marowak who had struck it with its bone. Balls of flame suddenly sprouted from both sides, illuminating the markings on Elio's body as if it were war paint. He began a choreographed dance as a drumbeat began to pound somewhere at the site. The staff was spun in his hand so easily as if he had done it for years.

Nebby's own gaze turned to amusement when it noticed that her face was starting to redden at the sight. It may not have been a particularly old pokemon, but after spending so much time around the blonde human, it had picked up quirks, habits and many things that others would overlook.

Lillie always seemed to pay extra close attention whenever Elio was mentioned and it assumed that tall the letters she read on the bed with it snuggled by her side were from him. She had stared at most of them with a smile on her face, but there had been one or two where she looked a little distraught.

"Pew."

What a handsome person. "I know Nebby. Don't you worry. We're here to cheer Elio on right? He sure is such an amazing and handsome trainer."

And dreamy. Just look how he dances. How he looks. Those abs…I wonder what they would feel like?

Elio had been briefed on how the ritualistic dance was going to do. Kiawe would tell the story and he would do the dance that would reflect the tale.

Marowak approached after it had regained enough energy for a moment and then tapped Elio's unlit staff with its bone.

Almost instantaneously, bright orange flames flickered to life on both wicking ends. Sun felt heat warm his arms and glow flicker off his body in flashes. Similar to what he had seen from a Kalos' delphox; the flames had a different characteristic than normal fire and he was tempted to gaze right into its alluring embrace.

"Kamalono'a had defeated his clan's kahuna and with no other choice, he had to ensure that courting Pelei would mean peace between the two tribes. It was perhaps a trivial task for Kamalono'a…after all, he is an embodiment of peace." As Kiawe said that, a dark expression crossed his face. None of the crowd had noticed it, too occupied with the low laughter from him pointing out the obvious.

The drums thundered again and it was Elio's signal to start the next phase of the dance.

Bending his knees, he kept low to the ground locking his stance at a forty-five degree angle and holding the staff to his side. The flame came close to his body; however he had pulled it back to a regular arm's length to avoid scorching himself. The drumbeat came in fours with him shifting forward opposite every fourth time.

"Kamalono'a set his ka moku in the water and paddled west towards Akala Island. He braved stormy seas, killer sharpedos and the relentless sun in a trip that took him six days to reach the eastern shores. Today the voyage takes only a couple of hours, but six days can seem like forever when you merely have an oar and the night stars of Huinakolu as guidance."

This was Elio's cue to stop and he stood rigidly at attention once more. When the drums beat at a slightly faster pace, he started the next phase.

No longer encumbered by the slower speed of the ka moku, he sprinted up, jumping, spinning in midair all while moving the staff in a blur of artistic motions. This had been the longest thing he and Kiawe had practiced on and even though it looked purely trivial, contorting the body and maintaining balance were crucial. He was even told that it took years for fire dancers to perfect some moves.

Stick the landing. Don't lose the staff. Don't screw up.

Something on his side wiggled and he glanced down in the middle of the next routine to see that Charjabug's ball hadn't been fully secured and threatened to fly off.

Crap.

Just as he landed again, the impact was enough to jar the ball out of its hold. Elio was more than welcome to retrieve his ball if one got separated from him, but they were too close to begin the trial and he felt as if making a mistake as minute as losing one of his pokemon because of it not secured to his side would immediately put the sense of doubt in the heads of everyone watching.

Screw it. I have to get rid of the staff…just a little early is all.

It was completely off routine, but Elio gingerly released the long stick into the air. He saw it begin to arc just slightly forward in front. However since it was bright and in motion, he had figured both those attributes would have the audience's gazes on it rather than him.

Hope this better works. Or else this is going straight to featured on Fails of the Week!

Tucking in his head; Sun extended his arms hoping to minimize the impact of his head on the ground. Instead, by either adrenaline or luck, only the palms brushed the smooth rocky floor and he had done a flip, propelling himself right back up to extend a hand and seamlessly catch Charjabug's ball and slip it back on his belt. Elio made certain through the noise of the drumbeats in snapping her capsule securely in his belt.

Still in motion, he halted himself, skidding slightly and close to losing his balance. He had come to a stop right in front of one of the cameras and stared right into it with the blazing staff held in front of him, illuminating his entire body.

Oh my goodness! Holy freakin' crap! I can't believe I just pulled that off!

Offstage, there were several additional marowak at the center just before the rift opening where they were preparing to commence the beat that set the cadence for the next dance when Makoa held up a hand. Even though it was regular for the trial continue; he felt as if the pose was to make a perfect picture moment.

Elio knew he was staring right into a camera and would've done a smile or goofy expression to break the tension, but he kept it in check. The trial was serious business and he wanted to look as fierce as possible.

Sorry Mom. If you're watching, I can't say hi.

The marowak resumed their drumbeats a second later and Sun twisted the staff in his hands, one hand went clockwise and the other counterclockwise. Action caused an inner bolt to split the item in two and he crossed them over one another, making sure that the flames still were burning on their wicks. It would do him no good if they were extinguished.

"Kamalono'a soon found out that the rival kahuna of Akala had lured Pelei to Mauna Wela where the much feared mo'owahine dwelled. She was a strong powerful beast capable of breathing the hottest fire imaginable and secreting the most noxious poisons. The mo'owahine preferred to lure unlucky men to their deaths off cliffs by appearing as a beautiful maiden. She would also use women to her advantage, sealing them away and manipulating their cries for help. Even demigods were not immune to her power."

Sun held them as if they were a pair of swords, slashing at the air towards "imaginary foes" while Kiawe depicted how Kamalono'a had battled his way through other mythological beasts as he made his way up to Mauna Wela.

"Kamalono'a was not fooled by the mo'owahine's attempts to trick him and he forged himself a path ahead. However more stood in his way, including those enthralled by her."

Elio "fused" the staff back together and crouched down, holding it behind him and using his free hand as an outstretched warrior pose.

A wet sound came from the dark pit as a spotlight snapped on to reveal two small pokemon emerge from its depths, quickly finding Sun and hissing threateningly. Both were lizardlike in appearance, with dark gray skin and black appendages. They seemed to rest on their hind legs while their forelegs went underdeveloped. A long thin tail trailed at the end.

"Woah! We got a new pokemon detected!" Rotom buzzed at his side. He shuffled his screen to a matching image. "Salandit. Toxic Lizard pokemon. It uses its own bodily fluids to create a poisonous disorienting gas. There are roughly seven males per female. Salandit is a poison and fire type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."

"The mo'owahine's thralls had come to challenge Kamalono'a." Kiawe announced, indicating this was another battle. "And still he was undaunted by her treachery."

"Charjabug! You're back in it!" Elio used his free hand to throw her back out. "We're gonna go right into this! Spark!"

"Ssk!" She hissed loudly and jumped forward, cloaking herself in bright electric power. The salandit's eyes widened as she slammed right into them. One of them tumbled backwards, landing on its feet but barely standing. The other had been luckier, avoiding the attack entirely. It launched a volley of embers.

Each tiny ball of fire struck Charjabug and pushed her back. She was still determined not to show any weakness from being hit by a super effective attack.

"Charge your core!" Elio shouted.

She obeyed, using just a little bit of energy to gather into herself. By Rotom's indication, her special defense had been temporarily increased by a pinch.

The second salandit hissed, opening its mouth and releasing a cloud of foul-smelling gas. It had spread quickly, enveloping Charjabug inside.

"Girl?"

"Ssk!" He heard a weak hiss from within.

"Sal!" The first salandit leapt forward with its own open mouth and shooting another ember.

"Ssk!" Charjabug responded with a charge beam. The wild pokemon was caught off guard and it had zapped it down to the ground where it didn't get up.

"Be advizzzed! Bzzt!" Rotom buzzed. "Charjabug iz poizoned and running low on energy!"

"One problem at a time buddy." Elio said.

"It izzz already a problem. She hazzz been defeated! Bzzt!"

True to Rotom's word, Charjabug was unmoving as the salandit prowled right in front, looking rather pleased with its handiwork.

Without warning he saw that her eyes shot open again and quickly fired a second successive charge beam attack that blew out the salandit next to its comrade. When it stopped rolling; it was pretty clear that the blow was too much for him.

"Ssk." Charjabug had turned her head to face him. Her expression gave her trainer the understanding that she wasn't going down until she took both those opponents with her.

You're an amazing pokemon.

"Thank you girl." Sun whispered, taking her nest ball. "Return."

I've got five pokemon left. I can do this.

As he had called back his defeated pokemon, the crowd clapped loudly again.

"Truly impressive!" Kiawe exclaimed, getting up from his seat and crossing to the center of the stage. "You are a true disciple to Kamalono'a and his resolve! Now that you have defeated her thralls and suitors, the young warrior had to battle against the mo'owahine herself."

More drumbeats followed as all the lights finally shut out, leaving the only sources as the stars above and Elio's fire staff.

This is gonna knock people dead.

Part of his body could still be visible reflecting off the fiery glow. And just like how he predicted, the crowds had both amazed and nervous looks when he flipped the staff in his hand and threw it towards the top of one of the sections as if it were a javelin.

The staff looked like it was being thrown right at pitch blackness before it moved again on its own and brought down to reveal the marowak who had caught it. The same one he had battled earlier.

"You have passed through my trial with much ease Elio." Kiawe said. "Like Kamalono'a before you, your final destination is in sight and it will be up to you if you can withstand the mo'owahine's powerful onslaught or not."

Marowak twirled the staff in his hand before planting one of its flaming ends into the ground.

Bright orange flames flashed to life all around the ring, finally bathing everyone within in a dazzling show of illumination. Shadows danced on the floor as Elio centered his gaze on the pit at the ring's other side.

"Come! Mo'owahine!" Kiawe called out. "Let us begin!"

For a few moments nothing happened. And Then Sun heard a low gurgling sound that made his limbs freeze.

A slender dark scaly limb emerged from the pit with little droplets of glowing lava still attached.

Next up is a very exciting Totem battle! Stay tuned because I may have a few surprises in store for the next few upcoming chapters.

Translations:Mo'olelo - Story, Tale

Kapu Kawahi - Sacred place

Ka moku - Boat

Hewa - Heresy

Alola ahiahi! - Good evening!

Huinakolu - Navigator's Triangle. Although I am unsure of this, but I believe history has said that ancient Polynesians used these three stars as a basis for navigation at night. The star's western names are as follows: Humu is Altair, Hawaiki is Deneb and Keoe is Vega.

Mo'owahine - Literally Lizard-Woman. The mo'owahine is a mythical creature said to linger around the Nu'uanu Pali Highway pass and lure male travelers to their deaths off the cliffs when it took the form of a beautiful woman.

Kamalono'a and Pelei are based off the demigod Kamapua'a and Pele respectively.

The story of Kamalono'a and Pelei is based off the romantics of the fertility demigod Kamapua'a and his courting of the Hawaiian goddess of fire Pele.

Mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.

Brav