Disclaimer: We don't own Loud House or Pokemon. All rights to Loud House belong to Nickelodeon. All rights to Pokemon belong to Nintendo and Game Freak.
Trying out the Z-Crystal
After Lincoln and Ilima went over how to use the Z-Crystal, they exit the Totem Gumshoos' den and start making their way back towards the cavern's entrance.
"So, what will you do now, Lincoln?" asked Ilima.
"Are there any other trials here on Melemele Island?" asked Lincoln.
"The only other trial than the one here in Verdant Cavern is the Melemele Grand Trial." said Ilima.
"Grand Trial?" asked Lincoln.
"Yes." said Ilima. "In a Grand Trial, all you have to do is defeat the island's kahuna in a Pokemon battle."
"So, I'll have to battle Kahuna Hala?" asked Lincoln.
"Indeed." said Ilima. As the two continue heading through the cavern, they hear the sound of flapping wings coming from above them. They look up to see a purple Pokemon with bat ears and wings, and dark gray fur around its neck and upper thighs; flying towards them, making them dive out of the way.
"What's that Pokemon?" asked Lincoln as he points his Rotom Phone at it.
"Noibat, the Sound Wave Pokemon. Fruits are its favorite foods. This gourmet carefully picks out just the ripe ones using its sonar." said the Rotom Phone.
"Wicked." says Lucy from the Rotom Phone. As Lincoln looks up, he sees several Zubats flying overhead as well. They swoop down towards Lincoln and Ilima as well.
"Watch out!" said Ilima as he and Lincoln dodge them.
"I wish I had those Pokemon." said Lucy. The Noibat and Zubats continue dive bombing Lincoln and Ilima.
"That does it." said Lincoln as he takes out his Rockruff and Pikachu's pokeballs and lets them out. "Those Pokemon are part flying type, so rock and electric types should have an advantage."
"Catch them, Lincoln." said Lucy.
"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock! Rockruff, use Rock Throw!" said Lincoln. Pikachu zaps several Zubats with electricity, while Rockruff launches rocks at the others. Most of them flew away after that while only one falls to the cavern floor. Lincoln then takes out an empty pokeball and throws it at the Zubat, hitting it, and sucking it in; the pokeball wiggles a few times before clicking.
"Way to go, Lincoln!" cheered Lana. Lincoln then looks over at the Noibat who was flying in place. It releases a stream of green energy at Rockruff, hitting it, and doing super effective damage.
"That must've been a grass type move." said Lincoln.
"Do something, Lincoln!" said Lola. Lincoln looks at his Z-Ring and decides that now would be a good time to try out his new Z-Move. He takes out his Normalium-Z Crystal and places it into the slot.
"Are you going to use a Z-Move, Lincoln?" asked Lana.
"Have to see if I got the poses down sooner or later." said Lincoln as he crosses his arms together, causing energy to rise up from the cavern floor and coats his body.
"Whoa." said Lynn Jr with awe. Lincoln was astonished by the power he was feeling.
'This energy is incredible! I feel like I can do anything!' Lincoln thinks to himself as he feels the Z-Energy flowing through him.
"Do it, Lincoln!" said Lynn Jr. Lincoln then does the poses that Iliam showed him and the energy flows out of him and into Rockruff, making the Z-Power symbol appear in front of him.
"Rockruff, use Breakneck Blitz!" said Lincoln. Rockruff then rockets towards the Noibat at incredible speed and slams into it with such force it sends it flying into a cavern wall where it slides down to the floor, dazed. Lincoln then quickly grabs an empty pokeball from his pocket and throws it at the Noibat, hitting it, and sucking it in. The pokeball wiggles a few times before clicking.
"That was amazing!" said Lana.
"What was that energy like when it was in you?" asked Lynn Jr.
"I can't even begin to describe how it felt." said Lincoln with awe in his voice.
"What are Zubat and Noibat like?" asked Lucy with interest. Lincoln checks out his Rotom Phone for information on his new captures.
"Zubat is a girl, she's part poison and part flying, she knows Absorb, Supersonic, Astonish, and Bite; and she has the Inner Focus ability which prevents her from flinching." said Lincoln.
"So, she won't get startled when Lucy suddenly appears behind her?" asked Lori.
"She has sonar, so she'll know she's coming." said Lincoln. "And Noibat is also a girl, she's part flying and part dragon, she knows Screech, Supersonic, Tackle, Absorb, and Gust; and she has the Frisk ability which lets her know if an opposing Pokemon is holding an item."
All of a sudden, Zubat and Noibat's pokeballs both get transported to storage.
"Congratulations on using your Z-Crystal successfully on your first try, Lincoln." said Ilima.
"Thanks." said Lincoln.
After that, the two then make their way out of the cavern where the others were waiting for him.
"Lincoln!" says Mallow as she and the others ran over to him.
"How did you do?" asked Alola Lana. Lincoln smiles as he holds out his Normalium-Z Crystal.
"Way to go, Lincoln!" said Mallow as she hugs Lincoln while nuzzling his cheek, making him blush.
"So, what now?" asked Sophocles.
"I guess go back to Iki Town and prepare for my Grand Trial." said Lincoln.
"Are you going to do it?" asked Lillie.
"If I want to participate in the Alola League, I'll have to." said Lincoln. As Mallow lets go of him, she notices Rapp's kiss mark on his cheek.
"What's that on your cheek?" asked Mallow with a frown. Lincoln puts his hand up to it and blushes as he remembers Rapp kissing him.
"Team Skull was in the Verdant Cavern." said Lincoln. He then goes on to explain how he beat Tupp in a Pokemon battle, and saving Rapp, which resulted in her kissing his face all over. His friends and family all chuckle, except Mallow who just pouts.
"Should we head back to Iki Town?" asked Lillie.
"Sure." said Lincoln.
"It will be quicker if we take the road north of here." said Professor Kukui. "There are Pokemon you haven't seen yet located in that part of the island."
"Cool!" said Lincoln. "Maybe I can catch some I can use in the Grand Trial."
"Let's go then." said Mallow in a grumpy voice as she grabs Lincoln's hand, making him blush, along with a little nervous, and pulls him along with the others chuckling.
"Someone's being protective of Lincoln." said Leni.
"She's jealous." said Lucy with what could be considered a smile.
Lincoln has just used his first Z-Move. What other ones will learn? Wait and find out.
End of Chapter 18
Pokemon that Lincoln has with him: Torracat (M), Pikachu (F), Rockruff (M), Ekans (F), Misdreavus (F) and Crabrawler (F).
Pokemon in Lincoln's collection: Torracat (M), Grubbin (M), Pikachu (F), Rockruff (M), Ekans (F), Misdreavus (F), Crabrawler (F), Zubat (F) and Noibat (F).