Chapter Text
Started on: May 6th, 2025, 1:44 PM
Finished on: May 25th, 2025, 12:18 PM
Posted on: September 27th, 11:27 PM
Kiawe shouted the first command. “Turtonator use Flamethrower!”
Turtonator huffed and sharply inhaled before spewing red hot flames from its long nose. The opposing Glaceon had made a semi-graceful attempt to weave around it as the flames followed behind her. As the flames got closer, Sina called her move. “Mirror Coat!”
“Glaaace!” Glaceon shrouded herself in a rainbow light as she braced against the incoming heat. As the flames hit her, she dug her sharp claws into the wood of the stage to prevent herself from being pushed back too much. As the attack stopped, the fire warped into a ball around her and levitated in the air for a moment before being pushed back in a big burst, bigger and hotter than before. Turtonator turned around to shield itself from the double-powered flames using his hard shell. The force of the flames wasn’t enough to trigger his spikes thankfully.
Once the fireball faded away, a hot smoke rose around the field. The rippling waves of heat were visible even from far away, making the people closest to the stage back up a few paces, some shielding their faces.
Glaceon found it hard to move with the heat around, and Sina took initiative in dealing with it. “Dang, use Icy Wind to cool yourself!” Glaceon followed Sina’s command and blew a chilling wind upwards to combat the heat waves. The air mostly returned to its original temperature after a couple seconds, if not a little colder than before. As icy Wind fought against the heat, the heat had also fought against Icy Wind. The air that was just hot and smokey a moment ago had now become extremely humid, covering the stage with a thin sheet of water, slick enough for Glaceon to partially slip on as she regained her bearings.
Turtonator were naturally defensive, but slow, so it wouldn’t move much in a battle, but Kiawe had made a small mental note of the water, sure to make commands that would prevent his trusted dragon from not slipping, especially if it happened to fall on its back. He decided to stick with ranged attacks for now.
“Turtonator, Focus Blast!”
“Glaceon, Shadow Ball!”
Spherical fighting and ghost type energy blasts collided in the center,exploding on impact. A gust of wind shot outwards, pushing both Pokémon back. The slowly intensifying battle had the people cheering louder now.
“Turta!”
“Glay glaci!”
Both Turtonator and Glaceon complimented each other’s skill. Battling was fun, especially when both sides were enjoying themselves to the fullest.
“Hah! You’re good!” Sina laughed excitedly. “Circle it and use Ice Shard!”
Glaceon charged forward, as she ran she conjured sharp pieces of ice around her. Once she was within a few feet of Turtonator she sharply turned left and began to run circles around him. Both Kiawe and Turtonator knew it’d be hard to track her movements with sight alone. ”Focus, Turtonator! Listen to her closely!” Turtonator didn’t move. Like his trainer said to, he opted to listen for Glaceon’s movements.
Glaceon continued circling until she stopped behind Turtonator and went to fire her pre-prepared Ice Shard, but the water on the field caused her to lose her footing and slip onto her side. The shards were automatically fired at random around the field, not a single one hitting Turtonator. Glaceon still lay on her side, mildly stunned and completely embarrassed. She was so focused on the fight she forgot about the water on the field that she herself had made.
“Hit her away with Dragon Tail!”
Seeing the incoming tail illuminated with growing green scales, Glaceon freaked out and fired a flimsy Shadow Ball. The ghostly sphere collided with Turtonator’s tail just before it could make contact with her. The explosion moved both of them back a few steps again, but since the explosion was closer in range to Turtonator - and since he was the one hit by it - he took a few extra moments to recollect. Glaceon panted heavily as she stood back up, adrenaline coursed through the entirety of her icy body. From where they were now they had flipped places compared to the start of the battle, Glaceon was by Kiawe’s side and Turtonator was by Sina’s
Seeing Turtonator still struggling to compose himself, Sina saw her opportunity. “Here’s a chance! Get it with Ice Shard while it’s stunned!” Glaceon complied and prepared more sharp ice to attack with. She ran to Turtonaror’s side and eventually behind him, this time extra weary of where the water was the most slippery. She stopped to fire the Ice Shard, at Turtonator’s back, hoping to surprise him.
“WAITWAITWAIT! NOT THE BACK! STOP!” Sina’s warnings registered in Glaceon mind too late as she fired a close-range Ice Shard point-blank onto Turtonator’s back spikes.
Kiawe and Turtonator locked eyes, a confident smile on both fired-up souls lit up at once. “Shell Trap!” Turtonator braced as its spikes were attacked, the contact caused by the ice made them explode instantaneously. Glaceon - still directly behind him - took the full brunt of the blow, and was immediately knocked backwards.
“Glayyy…” She groaned as she lay on her back, dazed, and didn’t get up.
Hala raised his hand Kiawe’s way. “Glaceon is unable to battle, Kiawe and Turtonator win!”
And just like that the crowd erupted into cheer.
“Yeah! Kiawe! WOOOOOO!!!” Hau cheered the loudest out of any of the students. As much as he wanted to run onto stage and congratulate Kiawe, it was still a ceremony, and it was considered rude to go on stage if not an active participant. He didn’t want to disappoint gramps after all.
Alongside Hau, the other students cheered, the other participants as well. Selene gave Sina a thumbs-up for her effort. While upset about her loss, that battle had ignited something in Sina she didn’t know was there. She picked up her exhausted icy eeveelution in her arms as she and Kiawe exited the stage. Kiawe kept Turtonator out this time, he seemed eager to watch the other matches.
”Thanks for a great match Kiawe!” Sina shouted to him from the other side of the stage, practically jumping off the last step.
”You too!” He shouted back.
”Turta!”
Kiawe and Turtonator shared a smile, equally grateful for the same reason Sina was.
She laughed to herself then hurriedly sprinted over to the Nurse Joy on standby. From a distance Ash watched a small hoop-shaped Pokémon emit a light green light to heal Glaceon’s burns with. The Pokémon picked a flower off of itself and handed it to Glaceon as she jumped out of Sina’s arms and back onto the ground,
Hau high-fived Kiawe, the loud clap echoing through the air as Hala began to announce the third match-up.
”Now, take to our stage, Elio and Guzma!”
Elio, who was still with Selene, stopped talking and snapped his head backwards. The grey Meowth in his arms scowled as he was also turned around at lightning speed. Elio scanned the area looking for Guzma. When he finally saw the man he waved enthusiastically, a wide smile on his face. Elio ran onto the stage, he looked almost more excited than Hau after Kiawe won. Elio stayed on the left, while Guzma just walked all the way to the right, he still had the same angry-tired look as he did before. His Golisopod was gone as well, presumably back in its ball. When Guzma got to the spot at the end of the stage he let out an annoyed sigh, he couldn’t seem less interested in fighting Elio, he wasn’t even looking at him. All of his focus was on Kahuna Hala and the Masked Royal.
“To a good match ‘kay!” Elio shouted across the stage, his attempt to lighten the suddenly dulled spirits did not work at all. En scrambled out of his arms and took a fighting stance a few feet in front of him. It preemptively brought its claws out, preparing for battle.
Much to Guzma’s dismay, he had to fight the boy. He held out a Pokéball and out came his Golisopod. The two Pokémon glared at each other, neither moving until they heard Hala declare. “Begin!”
”First Impression.”
As En was barely able to take a step forward, the large bug had seemingly teleported right in front of him. Its large claws - which were pretty much the size of En’s entire body - struck the cat right in the stomach, sending him flying backwards. En was on his back already, not even five seconds into the match, but he wasn’t finished.
”En! You okay!?” Elio cried to the Dark-Type Meowth. First Impression was a Bug-Type move, it was a miracle En was even able to get up after that attack. En shivered as he stood back up. There wasn’t much emotion in its eyes before now, now all his face read was anger. To En that was a cheap trick. Seeing that his Pokémon was okay, Elio called his move. “Use Agility to get in close and hit ‘em with Night Slash!”
“Swords Dance.” Guzma stuck with his commands being just the move he wanted to use, Golisopod didn’t need much detail in its instructions. As En charged in, Golisopod roared as a fiery-colored light surrounded it. The light was materialized to look like swords - like the move’s title - the sword circled Golisopod in a dance before the sharp tips pointed towards it and Golisopod re-absorbed the light. A bright orange light then surrounded it as its power surged. It stared En down as he swiftly charged in with his extended, shadowy and sharp. Golisopod held its plated arms up to its face and didn’t even do as much as flinch when Night Slash made contact with them.
“Mrowww…?” En had to check that he actually used Night Slash when attacking, he stared at his claws which were very much covered in the darkness of his attack. He looked back up as he felt the wind from Golisopod preparing its claws to strike En again.
Elio had to think fast. “Dodge it, En!” En was two steps ahead, barely able to avoid the massive claws of his opponent. En was now on Golisopod’s left. “Hit it with Pay Day!”
Guzma merely rolled his eyes and waved his hand, not even making the effort to speak commands. Golisopod decided to counter the wave of coins with a sword of water, a Liquidation attack. The sword cut through the coin beam effortlessly, the coins flung to the side and dissipated in a sparkly explosion. En pretty much gave up and made an annoyed sigh as he was struck with Liquidation and flung to the side as well. He was hit hard enough to be flung all the way off the stage, plopping onto the dusty ground with a loud thud.
”I…uh…” Elio watched completely stunned. He hadn't expected to be beaten THAT quick.
Hala didn’t comment, just raised his hand to the right, Guzmas way. ”En is unable to battle, Golisopod and Guzma advance to the next round.”
Guzma returned Golisopod and went back to the left side of the stage. Elio also got off the stage and ran around to pick up En. Selene was waving her hand, calling Elio over to bring En to Nurse Joy, which he did.
”Krooo…” Rowlet pouted from where it was perched on Ash’s shoulder.
”Jeez… See what I mean? The dude’s a monster!” Hau at this point was hiding behind Ash and Kiawe. “And now we might hafta fight him!”
”Maybe.” Kiawe said. “Whoever of you wins the next match since you’re the only ones left.”
”We are?” Hau was so caught up in the action he didn’t realize everyone else had already gone for the round. Everyone except him and Ash. But the idea of finally battling him had rid Hau of every worry he just had. He and Ash both shared a confident look.
”The final match of the first round will be Ash versus Hau!”
Hau and Ash both stepped onto the stage. Ash stayed right while Hau went to the left. They both thought for a minute about which Pokémon they’d send out. Hau was the first to declare his pick, and he went with Raichu. Ash heard Rowlet - who was perched on his shoulder - sigh loudly and sink with disappointment. Dartrix saw Rolwet glaring at him and shielded his eyes with his wings in embarrassment.
Despite how fired up it was while training, Rowlet no longer had any interest in battling if it wasn’t against Dartrix. Ash pet Rowlet to comfort him and called for Pikachu to take the stage. Ash had seen Hau battle Team Rocket the other day, and while he was pretty good, it was Dartrix in combat, and he was just realizing he’d never seen Raichu in a real fight. He and Pikachu never had a great track record battling Raichu - at least on a first try - and this made him a little nervous. But this was supposed to be a fun event, not a full-blown competitive tournament like the leagues (even though basically every other competitor treated it as one). He quickly shrugged off that anxiety when he heard Hala call.
”Begin!”
“Pikachu, use Electro Ball!”
”Pika!” Pikachu jumped upwards high and began to charge a condensed ball of electricity at the tip of his tail. “Pikapikapikapika chu-pi KA!”
Raichu took a fighting stance. “Deflect it with Thunder Punch!” He held his fist out as it surged with sharp sparks. When his fist came into contact with the Electro Ball, it stalled for a moment before combusting and scattering littles sparks across the field, illuminating the sky in a warm golden glow.
”Rraii raiii…” Raichu taunted the tiny Pokémon he was facing. Pikachu tried his best to ignore it, he looked back to Ash for his next command.
Ash nodded to Pikachu’s request. “Use Quick Attack!” Pikachu shrouded itself in white light and darted forwards. Hau and Raichu believed he was going to attack head-on so Hau commanded another Thunder Punch. Last second, Pikachu swerved to Raichu’s side and bashed into him full-speed. Raichu stumbled onto his back, looking up at the sky, an inky black with the only light being the dapple of stars and sparks remaking from the Electro Ball he punched. Raichu pushed himself back up, mostly unfazed and started sailing on his tail. Lifting himself in the air, he stared down at Pikachu and laughed at him.
Pikachu growled at the floating Raichu, who continued to taunt him. Neither Raichu nor Hau chose to attack so Pikachu and Ash decided to instead, sharing a nod, Pikachu jumped up and struck Raichu again with Quick Attack. Raichu wasn’t that far up, so he was easy to hit, but judging by how shocked Raichu was, he wasn’t thinking the same.
”Rai! Rararararai!” Almost losing his balance, Raichu stumbled, stuck mid-air. “Rrrrrraaaiiiiii.” He glared at Pikachu like that was the dirtiest trick in the book, he was already preparing his move when Hau called it.
”Raichu, Thunder!”
Raichu’s fur stood up tall as static built up around him, a small storm cloud formed above Pikachu’s head as the sounds of thunder echoed. Pikachu was weary of when it’d hit, and slowly backed up. As the cracks quickly became more frequent Pikachu dashed to get out of the way as a hot beam of electricity was called downwards onto him. Barely able to avoid the worst of it, the Thunder struck his side and he was sent flying backwards to the feet of his trainer, who kneeled down to catch him before he could fall off the stage like En in the previous round. Both Pikachu and Ash were stunned at Raichu’s raw power.
Hau stood on the other side proudly as the crowd's loud cheering calmed to more ‘wooaahhhs’ and ‘ooohhhs’. The wood was scorched with a charred black where Thunder had landed. Honestly, Hala was surprised it wasn’t damaged sooner.
Back on the right Pikachu was shaking his head, shedding the extra sparks from the attack before standing back up, a little dazed but ready to continue. He pumped his fist, reassuring his trainer he was alright and ready to continue.
Ash rubbed his eyes. ”Wow, that was…bright.”
Hau let out a small laugh. “Sorry! My bad!”
”Raaaaaaiiiiiiii!” Raichu jumped back onto solid ground, no longer floating on his tail. He and Pikachu locked eyes again.
”Chuuuu…” Raichu growled as he took a fighting stance. Pikachu was a little worried at his sudden aggression.
”Alright Pikachu, Thunderbolt!”
”Piii-kaaa-CHUUUUU!” Pikachu screamed as he unleashed a bolt of electricity from the red spots on his cheek. The electricity traveled along the stage at a speed Raichu didn’t dodge. He braced as the electricity mildly scorched his syrup-colored fur. Dartrix - who was next to Hau watching - had the most offended expression as Raichu didn’t even care about his fur being messed up. Dartrix turned his head with a huff, unable to watch anymore (he’s so dramatic my god).
Pikachu preemptively prepared to get a close hit in. ”Now, get him with Iron Tail!” His tail became coated in a sleek reflective metal and he jumped up into the air, preparing to get a clean hit atop Raichu’s head.
”Psychic!” Hau blurted out his final trump card and Raichu’s eyes became a glowing pinkish-purple. Pikachu stopped mid-air just as his tail was about to hit. The same pinkish glow surrounded him in a thin outline as his tail reverted back to its fuzzy bright yellow. Pikachu yelped in surprise as Raichu controlled his movements. He was spun around in the air for a moment before being pushed back to his side of the stage, as he rolled along the stage he fired an Electro Ball at random, he managed to graze Raichu’s face as he dodged per Hau’s command.
”We got him! Chase him down with Thunder Punch!” As Pikachu skidded to a stop Raichu charged in with another Thunder Punch.
Pikachu was about to dodge when he heard Ash. “Wait, Pikachu!” For a moment he was confused on why, but looking back on how Raichu took and avoided attacks he understood. He stayed where he was until Raichu got closer.
”Now!” In a split second Pikachu lept upwards and was now above Raichu. His tail was re-coated with a shining iron and he was hit in the back of the head full-power. The force of the hit pushed Raichu down face-first into the wood. Pikachu looked back at Raichu as he struggled to get up.
”Rrrrrrrrr…” He grumbled, barely pushing himself back up. He charged a second Thunder Punch as Pikachu too prepared his next move.
”Raichu, Thunder Punch!”
”Pikachu, Thunderbolt!”
The two electrical attacks collided, shrouding the stage with bright sparks. As it dissipated, Pikachu was standing. Raichu was not.
”Hm.” Hala raised his hand Ash’s way. “Raichu is unable to battle, Pikachu and Ash advance to the next round. With this we conclude the first round of the Full-Force-Festival. As always, all matches will halt for a thirty-minute break in favor of the advancing contestants.”
—————
⁉️ Who’s that Pokémon? ⁉️
With a flashing slash of its giant sharp claws, it cleaves seawater - or even air - right in two. (Sun)
—————
The students re-gathered on the outer part of the festival so they could actually hear each other after their Pokémon were checked out by Nurse Joy. Hau held Raichu tight in his arms. “I feel bad for that Elio kid. Guzma rocked him bad.”
”Yeah. I didn’t want to believe that guy was as bad as he sounded just by words but seeing him fight in person…” Ash pet Pikachu gently on the head.
”You might have to fight him next round, I’d be careful.” Kiawe said.
”Same goes for you, y’know?” Mallow had bought some fruit skewers and was sharing them with the group.
”He didn’t even really give orders, just moves and Golisopod did whatever it wanted.” Raichu had decided he was tired and freed himself from Hau’s arms. He chose to watch the festival from a distance, sitting in the grass away from the others. His ears were pinned to his side, watching intently as Hala spoke with some of the festival-goers. Dartrix followed him soon after and used his beak to clean Raichu’s fur.
Raichu silently stared down at the grass. When Dartrix finished straightening his fur he sat beside him. Raichu smiled a little. ”Rai rai.”
“If Team Skull is such a problem…” Ash paused to take another bite of the fruit skewer, “…why haven’t police been involved? Or have they?”
”There’ve been attempts, but them trying to get people to battle them, graffiting, and generally just being annoying can’t really land them in jail unless it’s consistent.” Lillie said, stepping back as Popplio and Bounsweet - who were chasing each other - almost ran into her.
Sophecles added on. “And since there’s so many members they have trouble pin-pointing who does what.”
Lillie thought for a moment. ”I only remember a few stories of members that’ve been arrested or charged. There was that one girl that graffitied the Ruins of Conflict, but since she was pretty young - maybe thirteen or fourteen - they didn’t arrest her and instead had her do a few weeks of community service.”
“Oh I remember that story!” Mallow said. “I was pretty surprised when she got off that easy, especially ‘cause it was THE Ruins of Conflict that she vandalized.” Everyone nodded in agreeance.
”I know they’ve tried arresting Guzma a couple times, and since he’s actually an adult he can be.” Lana added.
Popplio and Bounsweet stopped chasing each other and ran back to their trainers. ”I’m surprised he’s evaded the cops as much as he has.” Mallow picked Bounsweet up and offered a piece of fruit to her, which she happily ate.
It was at this point Hau realised Raichu and Dartrix were away. “I’m gonna go back to the festival.”
”M’kay.” Lana mumbled mid-bite.
”See ya later!” Ash waved as he walked away.
”All this Guzma talk is bringing down the mood isn’t it.” Lana laughed awkwardly.
Lillie sighed. ”Definitely-AH!” A small figure ran past her and into the center of the group.
”Mau.” The black and orange feline stretched and shook a few leaves off himself before flopping onto his side. “Mrowwwwww…”
”Hey, It’s Litten!” Mallow ran over to him and ran her hands against his fur. He outstretched a paw towards the last piece of fruit on the stick she held. “Want this?” Litten stood back up, meowing until the stick was close enough. He snatched it and ran away.
Lillie laughed as Litten scampered away. ”Not surprised he’s here. Maybe he came with Anela? That or he’s just here to beg people for food.”
”Is she Litten’s trainer?” Ash asked as Pikachu mimicked Litten, pawing at him until he could also get a piece of fruit.
Mallow shook her head. “No, he’s wild. He just hangs out around her stall because she always offers him food. He actually shows up at my restaurant sometimes right before we open or close. He’s so cute you can never say no!”
”Based on what you’re saying, Litten begs fairly often right?” Rotom asked.
”Hm.” Mallow had never thought of that. “Yeah, you’re right. I don’t think he should have to hunt that much, maybe he has friends or something?”
”It’s possible.” The Pokédex buzzed, scanning through what data it had on Litten. “Though all of my data indicates they’re mainly solitary. Maybe he’s different?”
Sophocles then thought back the topic of battle. ”Back to the festival, what about the others that were participating, they were pretty cool right!”
”Turta.” Turtonator looked to Kiawe.
He nodded. “Sina and Glaceon were pretty powerful. I wish it would have lasted longer but not everyone knows about Turtonators combustible spikes.”
”I wonder why she went to attack Turtonators back anyways since he has his protective shell.” Lillie wondered.
Kiawe shrugged. “Maybe she wanted to catch him off guard. Turtonator isn’t very fast so if he was startled enough she could get an edge easy.” That seemed to be it.
“I really liked Selene and Espera’s battle!” Mallow said. “They both looked like they were having a great time!”
Everyone seemed to agree. “This year’s festival was pretty great, all of the people participating put on a show!” Lillie paused. “Uh, besides Guzma…” They all laughed and continued talking about whatever they could think of before a loud noise was heard.
”What was that!?” Ash peeked around the corner of the stall they were talking behind to see a crowd circling around a point of the festival. There was yelling coming from it.
Sophocles held Togedemaru tight. “What if it’s Guzma?”
”Could be.” Kiawe said.
”Let’s check it out.” Ash and the group went towards the crowd to see what was going on.
—————
⁉️ It’s Golisopod! ⁉️
—————
Hau wandered aimlessly around the paths of the festival. “I can’t believe I lost in front of gramps. He’ll never let me take the Grand Trial now!” Dartrix pecked him to snap him out of it. “OW! Sorry I just…why does he not want me to take it!?” He continued rambling to himself as he bought another malasada for himself, Dartrix, and Raichu. They watched another group performing on the stage they just fought on.
As Raichu scarfed down the powdered dough he noticed a particular group of people he did not like. “Rai! Rai rai!” Getting Hau’s attention he pointed to them.
The shock of seeing them almost made Hau choke. “Wha-!? I was hoping it was just Guzma here but I guess not!” He then got a brilliant idea. “If they’re gonna cause trouble we should stop them!” He was about to chase them when he stopped himself. “But it’s still Team Skull! What if they-“
”Dar!” Dartrix flew up to be eye-level with Hau. He stared for a moment before perching himself on his shoulder. Dartrix put a wing over his heart. “Triiix trix!”
“Huh?”
”Raaai chu!” Raichu too supported Hau.
”Of course I can always count on you two! Let’s go!”
Hau made an effort to be as stealthy as possible and watched the nefarious group of three with their Team Skull uniforms. Watching from behind a stall, Hau stayed quiet.
—————
Three Team Skull grunts giggled as they crouched behind the stage.
”Keep going, Salandit! Burn it hotter!” The blue-haired boy, Tupp, whispered to his fiery noxious salamander. The Salandit in question kept firing off Embers at the wood supporting the stage.
”You too, Yungoos and Zubat!” The pink-haired girl, Rapp, quietly cheered on her Pokémon as they chewed through the supports.
The brown-haired boy, Zipp, quietly cheered on the others as his Pokémon was too big for this kind of stealth mission.
”Yo yo yo this is gonna be the raddest competition ever! I can’t wait to see everyone’s faces once this stage collapses mid-fight!” Rapp giggled.
”Rai!”
”Dar!”
Tupp turned his head around to see two opposers. ”Hm? What’s this?”
”HA! They look like they wanna stop us!”
”Well bad news for them, no one stops Team Skull!”
The three of them stood up, their Pokémon running to take an offensive stance in front of them. They looked down on Raichu and Dartrix, laughing.
”Hey, you!” Hau confronted them aloud. “Trying to sabotage the festival huh!?”
”Yeah, so what yo!?”
”This festival could burn and we wouldn’t care yo!”
“Get lost before it gets ugly yo!”
”No way! This ceremony is devoted to the island and the Tapu and their bond with the people and Pokémon living here! You can’t interrupt something that important!”
Tupp laughed hard in Hau’s face, practically spitting on him. “What’re you gonna do about it? Battle us with that stupid Raichu that lost to a Pikachu!?” He stopped laughing. “Hilarious.”
Zipp continued. “You’ve been scared to even be seen by us ‘til now, what's with the sudden confidence?”
Rapp dramatically pushed Zipp and laughed with a teasing tone. “Isn’t it obvious yo? He just wants to look good infront of his dear old gramps.”
The trio’s loud taunting had garnered some eyes by now, angering Hau more.
Pushing his way through the crowd was Ash, the other students in pursuit. “Hau!” He stood by Hau’s side. “What’s happening?”
Hau pointed to the wood holding up the stage. “That! They were trying to get the stage to collapse!”
Kiawe also stepped forward, glaring at the trio.
Tupp just continued laughing. “Oh you think you're tough man? Salandit, go!”
”Zubat, Yungoos, you too!”
”Aaand Garbodorrr-“ Zipp was about to call upon his partner when a loud shout interrupted their near battle.
”Hey!” A woman with long pink and yellow ponytails pushed her way through the crowd, following her was Guzma.
“Plumeria’s here too?” Ash heard Hau whisper.
Guzma sighed loudly as the trio turned to face him. “We’re doing it boss! Screwing up the festival for you!”
”And exactly who asked for you to do that?” Plumeria yelled. Behind her a sleek black Pokémon hissed, it looked like Salandit but bigger. Its sharp eyes glared with a mean purple. Tupp’s Salandit cowered in its presence.
”Ssssssssaaaalaaaaaazzzzz…” It hissed with a low pitch, exhaling smoke as it did.
”Uhhh n-nobody…but! Screwing up the festival we just know would be the perfect thing to do so we-“ Tupp wasn’t even able to finish his reasonings before Plumeria grabbed him by the chain around his neck and dragged him away, one look from her Salazzle was enough for Salandit to follow. It didn’t take anything else for Zipp and Rapp - along with their Pokémon - to leave as well. Guzma said nothing and walked away. Plumeria continued dragging the three away while Guzma stayed - or rather continued his slouching on a bench - scrolling on his phone to pass the time.
”Ugh! I knew they were up to no good!” Hau kicked a rock in dirt. As things finally settled down Hala came over. “Gramps!”
”Yes, I saw.” He looked at the scorched and bitten wood and lightly kicked it. He let out a chuckle. “This wood’s been through worse, it’ll hold.” The spectators seeing how the conflict was resolved continued wandering throughout the festival. “I’d get ready, the second round is about to begin.” Hala smiled at the group as he walked onto the stage. Ash and Kiawe said their goodbyes to the rest of the students as they parted, Ash and Kiawe went to the right side of the stage while Espera - who was looking around the stands with Maya - saw Hala go back on stage and went over to the left side.
”People of Alola.” As Hala began to speak, people gathered again. “The second round of the Full-Force-Festival is about to begin. And with that, Z-Moves will now be permitted during battle.”
As that was said Ash saw Kiawe whisper a quiet but excited “Alright!”’
”And with that, may the second round begin. Up first, Kiawe versus…”
Ash and the other students tensed.
”…Espera!”
Kiawe stepped proud onto the stage, as did Espera. She did well adapting to types when it came to Selene’s Grimer being part Dark, but how would she adapt to an Inferno Overdrive? “Alright Turtonator!” Turtonator stomped up the stairs onto the stage.
Ash was relieved seeing Kiawe wouldn't have to go up against Guzma and his momsterous Golisopod. Wait, why am I so worried? He questioned himself before realizing something else. If he’s against Espera that means I have to fight Guzma! He really didn’t know why he felt so threatened by Guzma, the man never even said anything to him. Pikachu seemed equally conflicted. Ash turned to him. “It’ll be fine, we’ve fought worse.” And then to Rowlet. “If you chose to be the one to fight him or not, I’ll support you all the way.”
It stumbled out of its sleep squawked a quiet “Kro!”
”But we’d have to think of a way around First Impression. That’s the main problem.” He’d try to think of ideas while watching Kiawe and Espera’s battle.
“Good luck, Espera!”
”Yeah, you too.” Espera gestured her head forward, and Maya jumped to the stage.
”Begin!”
”Turtonator, use Flamethrower!”
”Dodge it!”
Turtonator inhaled before he breathed out red flames. Maya ran to her left to avoid them. The flames chased her for a few seconds before letting up.
”Okay, use Power Gem!” Espera commanded before adding on an additional warning. “Be sure to avoid his spikes!”
”Espi!” She fired a glowing blast of minerals from the ruby on her forehead. Unable to move out of the way, Turtonator shielded his face with his arms as he took the blow.
”Turta!” He growled, shaking away the smoke.
He tanks hits well. Espera thought. ”Get him off-balance with Psychic!”
”Eeeesss-peeeee-oooonnn!” Maya’s eyes glowed with intense psychic power. The faint pink-ish glow wrapped around Turtonator and she tried to throw him onto his front side.
It wouldn’t be hard for him to get up like that, but seconds is all Maya needs to get ahead. Espera thought, but was interrupted by Kiawe. ”Don’t let her, Turtonator! Focus Blast!” As Turtonator struggled against the force pushing him down, he began to charge a blue ball of energy in his hands. The energy was surrounded with waves and sparkles of various blue hues, intensifying as Turtonator charged it longer.
”Careful, Maya!” She leapt out of the way as Focus Blast was fired, the attack grazing her back as she did so.
”Speee…” She hissed. “Es!” She jumped upwards as an unbound Turtonator swung his tail at her, the scales coated in a glowing green.
Both Pokémon backed up momentarily to breath. “Dazzling Gleam!” Maya shrouded herself in the rainbow rings of Dazzling Gleam as she charged forward. She managed to land a direct hit on Turtonator, and clung to him afterwards. They heard the crowd all gasp as Turtonator tried to shake her off.
Turtonator nor Kiawe expected her to stay so close. “Get her away with Flamethrower!” Turtonator pointed his long nose at Maya, preparing the attack.
“Power Gem!” As Turtonator charged Flamethrower, Maya charged Power Gem. Both attacks were fired and exploded in their faces, causing both of them to stumble backwards. Maya coughed up some smoke as she regained her bearings.
”One more time!” Maya prepared what she thought would be her final attack of the battle. Power Gem collided with Turtonator, right in his face.
”Tuuurrrr…” He groaned.
Kiawe cried out to his explosive partner. ”Turtonator!” Though his face was a little messed up from all of the attacks, Turtonator was confident.
”Turta.”
Kiawe grinned as he held out his Z-Ring, turning the red crystal on it and reciting his words. “The zenith. Of my mind. Of body. And spirit. Like the great mountain of Akala. Become a raging fire and burn! INFERNO OVERDRIVE!” He and Turtonators movements synced as a ball of fire grew in both size and heat, the ripples of the high temperatures warping the sky above. The mini-sun was fired at Maya and the fire exploded around her. When the heat and smoke cleared she lay on her side, fur scorched, and unable to battle.
Hala raised his hand to the right. “Maya is unable to battle, Turtonator and Kiawe win!”
As the cheering of Kiawe’s victory was heard, Ash saw Guzma approaching the stage. Kiawe and Espera shook hands, thanking each other for a great match before Espera sprinted over to Nurse Joy. As Kiawe descended the stage, he high-fived Ash.
”Good luck man.” He said.
”Thanks.” And Ash stepped onto the stage.