[Item obtained: Normalium Z]
John picked up a white Z-Crystal from the ground. The Verdant Cavern trial was officially cleared, though he hadn't been teleported out of the dungeon yet.
"You've defeated all the Pokemon in Verdant Cavern and obtained the Normalium Z crystal. Congratulations on completing my trial!" Ilima announced with a flourish. "As captain, I shall teach you how to use the power of Normal-type Z-Moves!"
John raised his arm to reveal his Mega Ring. "I don't have a Z-Ring yet."
"Not to worry," Ilima said with a dismissive wave. "Once you pass Kahuna Hala's grand trial on Melemele Island, I'm certain he won't be stingy with a Z-Ring!"
"Before that, I'll teach you how to use the Normalium Z move Breakneck Blitz. You can practice and implement it after you receive your Z-Ring."
With that, Ilima began demonstrating the Normal-type Z-Move pose right in front of John.
He made fists with both hands, then crossed his arms in front of his chest, showcased the Normalium Z on his Z-Ring, and pulled his arms away with force, resembling the pose Ultraman Tiga makes before firing his Zapelio Ray. Finally, he made a movement as if holding a mirror with both hands in front of his chest, moving them up and down.
John felt his face flush with embarrassment. The worst part was that the movements had no energy effects to accompany them, making the whole display even more awkward.
Ilima performed the sequence again, first in slow motion, then at normal speed. It looked more like a dance routine than a battle technique.
"Come on, you try it with me!" Ilima gestured for John to join in.
Well, for the sake of power, John figured he shouldn't be stingy with his dignity. He reluctantly mimicked Ilima's movements, "dancing" alongside the captain.
"The Z-Move poses are designed to make it easier for beginners to channel Z-Power accurately," Ilima explained as they moved. "Once you're familiar with Z-Moves, you can actually use them without the elaborate gestures."
Just like when John had battled Master Mewtwo back then—no awkward dancing required.
After John had practiced the Normalium Z's embarrassing choreography several times, the trial officially concluded, and he returned to the entrance.
Ilima's parting dialogue appeared on his Gameboy screen:
[Ilima: As I am the only captain on Melemele Island, you can proceed directly to Iki Town to find Kahuna Hala for the grand trial! Looking forward to your performance!]
Apparently, other islands might have several trial captains. To complete an island challenge, one must pass all the trials and defeat the island's kahuna.
The full island challenge meant passing all the trials across Alola's four islands!
However, John didn't immediately head to Iki Town. Instead, he re-entered Verdant Cavern.
This time, there was no special trial instance—just the ordinary field map.
John guided his character around the cave, encountering Diglett, Zubat, and Alolan Raticate, but there were no Yungoos or Gumshoos to be found, let alone the Totem Gumshoos.
"Did I scare it away for good?" John muttered, eventually giving up. Perhaps he could return in a few days.
When he made his way back to Iki Town, Hala stood waiting in the town square—an open space dedicated to battles. The island kahuna had clearly been expecting him for some time.
"Hahaha, traveler from afar!" Hala boomed. "Your strength has impressed Captain Ilima! He specifically asked me to test you with high-level Pokemon! I hope you won't disappoint!"
High-level standard to test me?
John frowned. Ilima, you sneaky kid, just wait until I get the chance to battle you!
Like a normal Trainer battle, the scenery transformed into silhouettes as John entered battle mode. He found himself standing in Iki Town's battle ring, surrounded by local residents who had gathered to watch the spectacle.
Directly opposite, Kahuna Hala stood with confidence, his yellow coat billowing dramatically in the wind.
"Come, let's begin the grand trial of Melemele Island!" With that declaration, Hala hurled a Pokeball into the arena.
The ball burst open mid-air, releasing a Hariyama that landed with a ground-shaking thud. Level 61 appeared above its head.
So the grand trial was simply a battle, defeat the island kahuna, and you pass.
But... testing me with his "highest strength" meant using a Level 61 Pokemon?
It seemed Hala still wasn't using his full power.
John reached out and threw his own Pokeball. The Pokemon that materialized was his shiny Haxorus!
Unlike the barely noticeable color difference during its Axew phase, after evolving into Haxorus, its body now sported black armor instead of the typical dark green, making it look substantially more intimidating.
The two blood-red axes protruding from its head appeared ferocious and terrifying. Combined with the black-armored body, it resembled a killing machine straight out of a nightmare.
Once just a little brother who used to scamper around Tyrantrum Island, it had now grown into a powerful Pokemon capable of holding its own. John had raised it to level 57 by occasionally equipping it with an Exp. Share. Handling a Hariyama just four levels higher shouldn't be a problem.
"A shiny Pokemon? What a fortunate challenger!" Hala exclaimed.
"However, against absolute strength, luck means nothing!" The kahuna clasped his hands together in front of his chest, revealing his Z-Ring. A brown light of Fighting-type Z-Power flashed, and he immediately performed a series of poses, finishing with a waist-level thrust.
"Z-Move: All-Out Pummeling!"
The Hariyama erupted with brown light, its arms pulling back in preparation.
In the next moment, both Hala and Hariyama thrust forward simultaneously.
Suddenly, enormous palm prints constructed from Fighting-type energy filled the sky, bombarding Haxorus mercilessly!
This was All-Out Pummeling, a Z-Move based on Arm Thrust.
"So it's a ranged attack!" John realized with surprise.
"Damn it, using Z-Moves right from the start? Fighting dirty for an old man!" John couldn't help but mutter.
"Haxorus, Dragon Dance!"
The black killing machine started moving, pressing its foot against the ground and leaning its body forward, sweeping close to the earth like a shadow leaping past. Its Speed stat was an impressive 97 points, quite excellent by any standard! And Haxorus had become so proficient at Dragon Dance that it could dodge attacks while simultaneously boosting its stats.
The black shadow darted across the battlefield, its speed increasing with each passing second. While avoiding the barrage of energy palm strikes, its attack power grew sharper and more ferocious.
Until finally, it closed in on Hariyama.
"Dragon Claw!" John commanded.
Haxorus summoned an enormous claw forged from dark green Dragon-type energy and tore through an incoming energy palm. Without losing momentum, it slashed heavily toward Hariyama's exposed chest!