Continuing from where I left off-we now had to get ready for the Grand Trial of Melemele Island! Before heading back to Iki Town though, I decided to stay on Route 3 to do some training and obtain the fifth member of my team. It took a while (uggggggggggggggggggh) of searching, but eventually I found him-a Hawlucha! Since Lopunny was the strongest of my current team, I decided to have her battle Hawlucha. You’d think this would be a poor choice in type matchups, but it actually was great! Hawlucha’s direct Wing Attack activated Lopunny’s Cute Charm. That in combination with Baby-Doll Eyes and Return, weakened Hawlucha enough for us to capture him. And capture him we did! Holding a King’s Rock and Jolly natured to boot, Hawlucha and his energetic personality fit right in with my team (it helps that he has an obvious crush on Lopunny).
After that, I challenged the Ace Trainer on Route 3-the one who went on and on about the greatness of Roost. I didn’t expect too much of a challenge, but this fool ended up nearly sweeping my team! His Butterfree OHKO’d Pichu with Silver Wind, and then got a boost to all its stats-twice. Had his Butterfree not run out of PP and had other attacking moves, I would have whited/blacked out (or maybe Hawlucha could have taken a hit, and retaliated with a super effective Wing Attack…). We got Roost for our troubles, which Rowlet and Hawlucha quickly learned. Additionally, Pichu evolved after the battle (I revived her so she could get that juicy EXP) into a Pikachu! She promptly learned Electro Ball and was now ready for the Grand Trial as well.
After some more training, we were ready for Hala. Hau, Lillie, Kukui and practically all of Iki Town decided to watch, so I really didn’t want to lose (cause it would be embarrassing and all). The rules were a three on three match. I decided to use Hawlucha, Pikachu and Rowlet; Rockruff and Lopunny would have been at big type disadvantages. The first pair was Hawlucha and Hala’s Machop (I see he replaced Mankey!). Despite us not having been together long, Hawlucha was a strong battler. Machop’s Revenge took us by surprise (it did quite some damage!), but a combination of Roost and a well-timed Wing Attack + Karate Chop got us the victory. The second match was Pikachu vs Hala’s Makuhita. Makuhita got the jump on us with Fake Out, but we recovered and boosted with Nasty Plot. Hala tried using Arm Thrust, which only activated Pikachu’s Static. Two Electro Balls and it was lights out for the Guts Pokémon.
The last match was Rowlet vs Crabrawler. This one was the most difficult due to Crabrawler having higher attack and defense than Rowlet. It spamming Leer didn’t help either. Both sides got a reprieve when Hala and I healed our Pokémon at the same time, only for the advantage to fall back again with Crabrawler. Luckily, Rowlet scored an Overgrow boosted-critical hit-Razor Leaf (lol who needs Z-Moves?) that knocked out Crabrawler once and for all. And with that, we beat Hala and completed our first Grand Trial! One down, three more to go!
Everyone was super happy, with many congratulations around. Turns out Ilima was there too, and watched the whole thing; he was also impressed I defeated Hala without using a Z-Move (Hala also didn’t use a Z-Move…). After that, Hala gave me a Fightinium Z and a Ride Pager, allowing me to use Tauros as a Ride Pokémon. Hau decided to challenge Hala immediately after me, while Kukui and Lillie decided to get their boat ready to journey to Akala Island-Lillie apparently has business there.
Before Akala though, I had several things on my Melemele to-do list over the next few days.
First, I used Tauros to explore all the previously blocked off areas that were inaccessible due to boulders. I got several items this way, the most important being the Flyinium Z (a lot earlier this time around!) I got in Ten Carat Hill. A woman showed me how to do the pose, but oddly didn’t tell me her name. Secondly, I did some quests around the island that were now available since I beat Hala. My favorite one was the 7 Mysteries of the Pokémon School! Thirdly, I caught some more Pokémon to fill the Pokedex as well as to establish a future work force for cough Poke Pelago cough. Lastly, I went to the Alolan Photo Club at the suggestion of everyone. And I’ll admit-I had a lot more fun than I anticipated and gave the feature credit for.
Notable photos I took were of my first meeting Rowlet, Buneary evolving, Rowlet ultimately clearing the first Trial, photos with Rockruff and Pikachu and Hawlucha and I defeating Hala and getting the Fightinium Z.
Afterwards, I ran into Hau again. To my surprise, his Popplio evolved already! It’s even cuter now as a Brionne. Apparently, it evolved after his Popplio defeated Hala’s Crabrawler. Soon afterwards, Kukui and Lillie showed up, offering us passage on their boat. Before I could say yes, Hau interjected and suggested he and I Mantine Surf to Akala instead. I was wondering when I would finally be able to do that! I think Kukui was a bit annoyed at how Hau suggested it, but whatever. Kukui and Lillie took to their boat while Hau and I headed for the beach with the Mantine.
Before I left though, I went home and left Lopunny there. Turns out that while good at it, she doesn’t like battling all that much. Rather than force her, I decided she can stay home with my mom and live nicely there (plus my mom has an extra Pokémon around). Hawlucha was sad about her departure and is still moping.
Afterwards, Hau and I headed to the Mantine Beach. After reading some tutorials, I went first…and absolutely sucked. I kept hitting Tentacool and barely got any Beach Points after my ride. Dissatisfied with my performance, I decided to practice and accrue more BP before starting my adventures in Akala. After a couple days, I got a lot better at it and eventually became the champion of both Melemele and Akala’s Mantine Surf Spots. Additionally, Rockruff and Pikachu both learned Iron Tail from the move tutor in Akala (after seeing another trainer using said move). Pikachu also learned the slightly stronger Electroweb, over Thunder Shock. No one else got any notable moves, so I decided to call it quits and head into Heahea City with Hau to finally meetup with Kukui and Lillie. Next time, my Akala Island Adventures!
