Having bested Hapu, it was time for us to enter the Vast Poni Canyon! But before doing so, I went back and grabbed Mittens again in place of Shrink, which, spoilers, would end up being the last time we see Shrink. Anyway, we began with a Veteran who went on about freedom but used two Fire-types. We did come across more trainers, including an Ace Duo who used the two Ice-type Alolan forms. They weren't terribly tough, and they didn't do that much damage (especially since I was able to Encore the Ninetales into Hail), but they did take a little bit of time to beat. We waded through a few more trainers, including one with a Lilligant that had Quiver Dance and Synthesis that went on for way too long, not helping was that it kept using Quiver Dance when Mittens was almost dead. It literally did not attack Mittens once. I only died because I hit myself in confusion twice, and spammed Snarl until that point. I got her asleep with Snow White and eventually got Plowman to hit with Icicle Spear and OHKO her within four hits. At least after I finished off her Weavile, Cheery grew to Level 44 and learned Moonblast. I then progressed. Despite Lillie claiming that I was making this place seem like nothing at all, that was far from true. She decided to cross a bridge as her own trial. Alright then!
Continuing to progress, as we beat a couple more trainers, we met with Mina and received the Fairium Z from her. Not bad. After one more trainer, we came to the final reach of the canyon, and used Machamp Shove to push the boulder near the entrance for a shortcut. I went back to grab some healing items, and then made our way through two strong Black Belts, and the final lane on the way to the altar. The trainers there did take a little while, but we eventually beat all of them and got some nice EXP along the way. Lillie met with me at the entrance of the trial site, healed me, and allowed me to progress.
For the Jangmo-o and Hakamo-o, Snow White, despite being sleepy, rammed into them with her Z-Power. But for the Totem Kommo-o, I had to prepare, as I knew we were in for a strong opponent!
As the Totem Aura boosted its stats, I began with Echo, who was knocked to Sturdy thanks to Sky Uppercut, but I used Mud-Slap to lower its accuracy before it called upon its ally. Hakamo-o used Bide, but Kommo-o finished him. I brought in Cheery, and used Baby-Doll Eyes on Kommo-o before it used Sky Uppercut for less than 1/3 my total health. I used it again, Hakamo-o failed to unleash anything, and Kommo-o used Sky Uppercut to get me near half. It then used Flash Cannon, which missed because of the accuracy drop from Mud-Slap, and I just went for Moonblast, which slammed it without a critical hit, even with the Sp Def boost. I'm not going to talk about the Hakamo-o, because you can guess how that turned out.
So I got the Dragonium Z, and the trial was complete. We progressed from there, to the Altar of the Moone. Lillie and Hapu were right behind, and after some talk, we were ready to head to the top! As I approached the top of the altar, I prepared my team for the Lusamine fight up ahead, and then Lillie and I took our places for the flute performance that would summon Nebby to the altar…and get it to evolve into the legendary Pokémon of the region! It took us to Ultra Space, where we discovered that it was full of Nihilego, Guzma having finally felt what fear feels like, and one far gone Lusamine. As she fused with Nihilego to become the Mother Beast, it was time. Well, I'm as ready as I can be… Alright, now it's just me and you!
I began with Plowman against Clefable. I opened the fight with a Swords Dance…which turned out to be a mistake, as she used Metronome, and got Force Palm, which did EXACTLY half (well, 68/135, you get my point). Iron Head OHKO'd, thankfully.
Bewear was next up, unsurprisingly. I decided to stay in and use Iron Head…which scored a critical hit for over 1/3? Alright, I'll take it! She used Pain Split for god knows what reason, and got herself a bit below half. I used Iron Head again, getting her near 1/3, as she used Pain Split again. Why? I had a bit less than 2/3 after that. I used Iron Head once more, no flinch, but she missed with Hammer Arm. Alright then! Iron Head got her into the red, still no flinch, and she used Pain Split once more for some reason. I had just over 1/3 my health left. I continued to have at her, and she once again used Pain Split. She was in the red, and I had just over 1/5 my health. I used Iron Head, which finished her off.
Just try to process that for a second: A Bewear, a Fighting-type, was defeated by a Sandslash, an Ice/Steel-type, that was three levels lower than it. If that doesn't define sad, I don't know what does. And on that note, Plowman grew to Level 48, which is nice.
Mismagius was next. I stayed in, ready for a Mystical Fire, but instead she used Pain Split to get herself below 2/3 as I used Iron Head to bust her. Geez, Lusamine, step up your game here!
Milotic was next up. She used Hydro Pump and killed me, with a critical hit that I highly doubt mattered. I brought in Mittens, used Fake Out for a light hit, and then she used Safeguard to block status while I went for Snarl for a pretty weak hit, but it did cut her Special Attack. Then she missed with Hydro Pump, and I got in another Snarl to get her near 2/3. She hit next turn, and even with -2, she still did just under 2/3 my health. I got in another Snarl, then she used Flail, but missed because of the Lax Incense, as I got in another Snarl. Unfortunately, she then used Recover. I got in another Snarl to cut her down even further, and her Safeguard was no more. I decided to switch in Blaster, as she used Safeguard again. She missed with Hydro Pump once again, as Thunderbolt finished her from 90% or so (I had the Expert Belt backing that).
Lilligant was last up. She used Leech Seed, and my X-Scissor did well over half, but Leech Seed healed her above 1/3. Then she used Teeter Dance… But I hit through that and finished her with X-Scissor for the win.
You all know what happens here, as Lusamine is about to deal her last stand, Lunala comes out and stops her. Then she realized that Lillie suddenly became beautiful. After we were out from Ultra Space, Hapu and Guzma took Lusamine off for treatment, and Lillie realized that Nebby wants me to be its trainer. I caught it, and after a heartfelt talk, Nanu was there and ready to take me to Mount Lanakila. And it was hailing there, which wasn't doing us any favors. Despite that, I adjusted my team a bit, and proceeded, as Gladion came down from the lift, ready for one last showdown with me. Alright, time to fire up that disco theme!
He began with Crobat, as I opened with Echo. He used Cross Poison for a pretty weak hit while Rock Tomb did well over half, but hail chipped away at us both…
But then he switched out to Lucario?!?! So my Rock Tomb was significantly weaker, but at least I lowered his Speed. I brought in Snow White, who was promptly slammed with an Aura Sphere. I then went to Blaster, and I got the Quick Claw, but that didn't matter as he still lived in the red and got off an Aura Sphere for just under 1/3 my health. Hail brought me to 2/3 though, and I used X-Scissor on the off-chance he would switch to Silvally… But I got the Quick Claw again and he was still finished off.
Silvally was next up. I got a third Quick Claw in a row, but it didn't matter as X-Scissor did less than half, while his Crunch did a moderate amount and Hail brought me to 1/4. I switched to Mittens, as he used X-Scissor for over half. Hail was continuing to chip away at us, but I used Fake Out to further damage him. But he was faster - why wouldn't he be - and finished me with another X-Scissor. I brought in Plowman, despite not really wanting to, and he used Crunch but missed - thank you Snow Cloak - as I finished him with Icicle Spear. Blaster grew to Level 47.
Weavile came after, and I decided to let Blaster get finished with a Night Slash. I then brought in Cheery, and after a weak Night Slash (by "weak" I mean "for just under 1/3"), I used the Z-Move, Twinkle Tackle, and finished him off.
Last was Crobat again. I switched to Plowman, so his Cross Poison failed. After another round of Hail damage and a pretty weak Acrobatics, I finished him with one more Icicle Spear. All three of my remaining members leveled up after that one was out.
Having been bested, Gladion was finally happy, and said some stuff about how he and Lillie consider me the best Pokémon trainer in the world, then gave me a Max Elixir. We parted ways, knowing we aren't enemies anymore, and hoped for me to win. Well, I'll have to do that! Anyway, you know how the scaling goes, I went up the mountain and got TM13 for Ice Beam along with the Icium Z. Not much more to it than that.
Upon arrival at the top, I realized I had no Heart Scales, so I went back to Malie City and got eight essentially for free by dining with Nanu. I retaught some moves, then was met with Hau, who wanted to see if he was ready to take on the Pokémon League!
I began with Mittens against his Raichu, but he had Focus Blast and OHKO'd me. I brought in Blaster and his Psychic did well over half, but Bug Buzz finished him.
Incineroar was next. He wasted his Z-Move, Inferno Overdrive, for whatever reason, and finished me off. I brought in Cheery, and I was faster, and used my own Z-Move, Oceanic Operetta, which slammed him.
Komala was next. I used Baby-Doll Eyes to cut him down a bit, as he went for Wood Hammer, which left me at 3 HP… But the hail finished me off. I brought in Echo, and he used Wood Hammer for a little over half, as he took recoil damage, and Rock Tomb got him low after hail damage. I switched to my mirror-match, and he used Wood Hammer for still over 2/3, but died from recoil.
Leafeon was last up. I switched in Echo and let her be finished off with Leaf Blade. As he took hail damage, I brought in Plowman, and he used Baby-Doll Eyes, but missed because Snow Cloak - good timing, as I got in a Swords Dance to double my Attack. He missed again, with Leaf Blade this time, as I used Icicle Crash and slammed him for the win.
Hau thanked me for my strength, and gave me a few Max Revives before heading off. After that was the first time I had to grind my Pokémon the entire game, to my recollection. I got my entire team to Level 51, adjusted my moves, and was ready.
After meeting with Kukui outside, I entered the league building, and after he wished me the best once more, I decided Kahili would be first up.
I began with Mittens against Skarmory, and started with Fake Out to break her Sturdy. Then I switched to Echo, as she used Steel Wing for JUST under half, but I had the Red Card to force her out to Oricorio. She used Air Slash for over half my remaining health, but I was still able to get in a Stealth Rock. She finished me off, but I brought in Cheery, avoided an Air Slash and used Sparkling Aria for the OHKO.
Mandibuzz was next up, and took Stealth Rock damage. Anticipating a Toxic, I switched to Plowman, but instead she used Brave Bird, which was still pretty weak. She was faster and used Flatter, but I hit through confusion and used the Z-Move, Subzero Slammer, which looks ****ing badass and…didn't finish her off?!?! (She had like 7% or so left.) I was legitimately stumped as to how that did not kill her. She healed, but I thankfully snapped out of confusion and went for Icicle Spear, which only hit two times and did around 1/4. Needless to say, she used Flatter again, but I hit through once more and went with Icicle Spear, and hit three times to get her around 40%. She used Brave Bird again for another weak hit, and I hit through confusion and used Icicle Spear, with three hits - the first scoring a critical hit - thankfully finishing her off.
Next was Skarmory again, who took Stealth Rock damage, so no Sturdy for you. I brought in Blaster, as she used Spikes. Then she used Slash for just over 1/4 before I slammed her with Thunderbolt.
Toucannon came after, and that took Stealth Rock damage. Anticipating the Z-Move, I switched to Mittens, who took Spikes damage - and I was right, she used Supersonic Skystrike, which killed me then and there, even with Fur Coat. Ouch! I brought in Snow White, who took Spikes damage, and she started to heat up her beak, while Return got her low, and Beak Blast missed because of my Lax Incense. Haha, suck it! She heated up her beak again, but Return finished her off.
Crobat was last up, and that took Stealth Rock damage. I stayed in, and she missed with Supersonic, and Return looked to do over half her total health. She healed, sure enough, and my Return did just over half. She used Air Slash for less than half my remaining health, and I finished her off with another Return.
After leaving her room and healing up, I decided Olivia would be next, as I had the most coverage for her.
I began with Blaster against Relicanth, as odd as it may seem to use a Bug-type here. She started with Ancient Power, which scored a critical hit for 3/4, which was scary, but I lived it. And I used Zap Cannon, which slammed her. Not often that Zap Cannon gets a lot of usage!
Lycanroc was next, and she used Stone Edge to finish me off. I brought in Echo next, and she used Stone Edge for less than half while I decided to go for Stealth Rock for the two team members she has that have Sturdy. Then she used the Z-Move, which finished me. With the Z-Move out of the way, I brought in Cheery, and she used Stone Edge for over half, while my Sparkling Aria didn't OHKO her, even with the Expert Belt (left her with 10% or so). Not thinking, I switched in Snow White, forgetting that she would heal, which she did. She used Stone Edge, which missed, as I went for the Z-Move, Bloom Doom, which didn't even get her into the red. She used Rock Climb, which did EXACTLY half, and confused me. Yet I hit with Return and got her into the red. Feeling afraid to stay in, I switched to Mittens, as she used Rock Climb and confused me AGAIN! I hit myself in confusion as she used Rock Climb once more for half my remaining health. I hit myself in confusion again, then she used Rock Climb and finished me off. I brought in Snow White again, and used Sucker Punch, FINALLY finishing her off.
Carbink came after. With a weird idea in mind, I switched in Cheery, as she used Reflect. That wasn't quite what I had in mind, but okay I guess? I used Sparkling Aria for what looked to be over half her total health before she used Moonblast and got me into the red - and likewise, triggered Torrent. I then brought in Plowman, as she used Moonblast for over 1/5 my health with a critical hit. Really??? With two more turns of Reflect on her end, I decided to go for Swords Dance before she hit me with Power Gem getting me right near half. Iron Head then finished her before Reflect wore off.
Probopass was next up. She took Stealth Rock damage, but even with +2, Iron Head did less than half, and she used Thunder Wave. Then she used Earth Power and finished me. I brought in Cheery, despite him being almost dead, and finished her with Sparkling Aria. And Cheery grew to Level 52.
Golem was last, and that took Stealth Rock damage too. Thankfully, Sparkling Aria took care of her. Whew!
Have I ever mentioned that I ****ing hate battling Olivia? Because that was just obnoxious. Anyway, I knew Acerola would be next.
I began with Blaster against Sableye. She started with Confuse Ray, but that didn't stop me from OHKO'ing her with Thunderbolt without a critical hit despite a three level disadvantage (I had the Zap Plate). And I grew to Level 52.
Froslass was next, though. I decided to stay in, but her Blizzard did 3/4 my health, while my Crunch did less than half but got a certainly welcome Defense drop. She hit with Blizzard again and finished me off. I decided to have Echo try to take it, but she used Confuse Ray, although I hit through it and finished her with Rock Tomb.
Dhelmise was next. Not wanting to stick around for that, I brought in Mittens as she used Energy Ball for over half, sadly. And Dark Pulse did less than half before she finished me off. I brought in Plowman, and used Icicle Crash, which didn't finish her off, but it did cause her to flinch. She healed, and Icicle Crash sadly did less than half. I used Icicle Spear, which hit four times and finished her off and got Plowman to Level 52.
Palossand was next up. I used Icicle Spear, which scored four hits - the first being a critical hit - to get her below half, but then she used Earth Power and OHKO'd me with a critical hit that I don't know if it mattered, but knowing this Elite Four, I don't think it did. I brought in Snow White, and used my Z-Move, Black Hole Eclipse, to finish her off, and that got me to Level 52.
Drifblim was last up. I decided to stay in as she used Amnesia, but I got in a Yawn. Now I knew there was no point in trying to use Sucker Punch, as her only attacking move was Ominous Wind, so I switched to Echo. She used Focus Energy, but then fell asleep from Yawn. But she used the Full Heal, unfortunately. But that did buy me some time to use Rock Tomb, which did less than half but got in the Speed drop. I switched back to Snow White, which caused her Ominous Wind to fail. I used Yawn again, as she used Amnesia once more, then I went back to Echo as she used it once again to max out her Special Defense before she fell asleep. As she snoozed, I used Rock Slide to finish her off for the win.
That was fun. But this next fight I was ready for the worst from, as my team was VERY weak to Fighting. Cheery is going to be carrying a LOT of weight in this fight. I slapped Toxic and Protect on a few of my team members for good measures, and was ready take on Hala. Well, here we go!
I began with Cheery against Hariyama, and he used Fake Out before I could get in Baby-Doll Eyes, dealing 1/5 my health. That worried me that he was faster, but thankfully he wasn't, so I used the Z-Move, Twinkle Tackle, which slammed him. Also, anyone else find the pose for the Fairy-type Z-Move kind of adorable?
Crabominable was next up. I decided to bring in Mittens, and he used Ice Hammer, which I barely lived, and his Speed was lowered. Then I accidentally mis-clicked and used Dark Pulse, which didn't do much at all, as he wasted his Z-Move, All-Out Pummeling, which finished me. I brought in Snow White, and used Yawn before he OHKO'd me with Close Combat. I brought in Plowman and used Protect to block another Close Combat before he fell asleep. I used Iron Head, which didn't kill him, but that was fine. Even better, he used his Full Restore, and Iron Head looked to just keep him out of healing range again as I finished him next turn.
Primeape was next up. He used Cross Chop but missed, while my Iron Head did over half. He hit next turn though, and OHKO'd me. I brought in Cheery again, and he missed again, allowing me to slam him with another Moonblast. And that got me to Level 53. That first Cross Chop miss did not matter (Primeape is not bulky, so it would've been slammed even at full health), and you'll find out shortly that the second one didn't, either.
Bewear was next up. I stayed in and used Moonblast, which OHKO'd him.
Poliwrath was last up. I stayed in and went for Baby-Doll Eyes, which lowered his Attack as he used Submission for a weak hit and some recoil damage. I used another, then avoided a Submission. And another Attack drop and a weak Waterfall. I switched in Echo just so she could gain EXP, taking over 1/4 her health from Submission. Then he used Waterfall to get her below half as I used Mud-Slap for not much beyond an accuracy drop. Then I brought in Blaster, avoided a Submission, and took a Waterfall from 1/5 even at -3, unfortunately flinching after. I avoided a Waterfall, then hit with Zap Cannon and slammed him. And Echo grew to Level 52. Good day.
With that, I had beaten the Elite Four! Yet there was but one more battle for me to take: the Champion. I was dreading this fight. But I had to try! I adjusted my moves yet again, hoping I'd be able to find a way through it. I made it to the chamber where Kukui discovered I had beat the Elite Four, and it was his turn.
This took several tries. I knew this was going to be tough, but I didn't realize until it was too late just how little I had for quite a few of his team members, Magnezone and Snorlax in particular. There was one in particular that was so beyond infuriating (it started off pretty promising, but I only had Plowman left and he had Decidueye below half, I just had to hit the Icicle Crash to win, and I missed and then lost). I had to adjust my team several times until I found a strategy that finally worked in my favor. This thankfully came right after that run, because I wasn't sure how much more of it I could take.
I began with Cheery against Lycanroc. He began with Stealth Rock, as I used Sparkling Aria for an OHKO.
Magnezone was next. I decided to switch out to Snow White, and he used Thunder Wave, but that failed thanks to Comatose. I used Bulldoze for what looked like exactly half… And he used Thunder Wave again!!! Oh my god!!! I used Bulldoze… And that got him to 1 HP!!! AND HE USED THUNDER WAVE AGAIN!!! He healed up, and Bulldoze did less than half this time. I used it once more, and he was still hanging on, and he ONCE AGAIN used Thunder Wave. Geez, professor, I thought you were supposed to be top-notch on Pokémon knowledge here! I should be questioning this, but after so many BS runs, I'm not complaining. I used Brick Break (in case he switched to Braviary) and finished him. And Cheery grew to Level 54.
Braviary was next. I switched to Mittens, took Stealth Rock damage, and he used Brave Bird for over half and some recoil damage. Then he used it again and finished me. I then brought in Blaster, and took some unwelcome Stealth Rock damage. He used Tailwind, but that's fine, as I used Thunderbolt and finished him.
Decidueye was next up. YOU!!!!!!! TIME FOR SOME REVENGE!!!!!!! I went for Bug Buzz, but first he used Spirit Shackle, for well over half my health. And I did less than half of his. Then he finished me. Despite not wanting to just yet, I had little choice, so I brought in Plowman, and took Stealth Rock damage. He used Spirit Shackle for over half my health, and I hit with Icicle Crash to beat him. Then the Tailwind petered out, but it wouldn't have mattered as he was faster anyway.
Snorlax was next. Feeling bold, I switched in Cheery, took Stealth Rock damage, and he used High Horsepower for not that much. I then used Reflect, and he used Body Slam for less than half my remaining health. Feeling I may actually have some time, I went for Sparkling Aria, which actually did a little better than I thought it would. But then he used Body Slam and scored a critical hit, finishing me off. I brought in Snow White and took Stealth Rock damage, then used Brick Break for less than half his remaining health. He used Heavy Slam for not that much, then I used the Z-Move, All-Out Pummeling, which finished him off.
Ninetales was last. Could we do it this time?!?! He missed with Blizzard, allowing me to get in a Bulldoze for less than 1/4 but it did lower his Speed before my Reflect wore off. He then hit that turn, leaving me with just Echo and Plowman left. I went to the former and took Stealth Rock damage. Then he used Safeguard, which is completely fine with me, and I used Rock Tomb…which finished him!!! And it scored a critical hit just to rub it in his face even harder.
So that was that, and I had finally been crowned Champion! Then during the festival, I battled Tapu Koko, and Cheery handled that - it survived an Electro Ball with less than 1/3, Moonblast did just under half, it used Agility and then I finished it with a Torrent boosted Sparkling Aria. And there you have it!