Broken But Unbowed

[onaroll]

Last night, Amelie had a screaming meltdown as five years of trauma repression finally caught up to her. She then proceeded to receive sympathy and understanding from a group of children literally half her age before being bundled off to her wife for the night. She spent a while explaining everything to Apple before crying herself to sleep and waking up to a delicious Japanese-style breakfast prepared by a friend of Ash's, and then it was time.

The Kahuna of Poni Island, Hapu, invited her to participate in her Grand Trial. To 'repair the person that is Amelie.'

She takes a while to prepare - changing her hairstyle to her old low ponytail, swapping out her miniskirt and blouse combo for her suit, and capping the whole thing off with a lapel pin shaped like a spray of white apple blossoms.

With a gesture, she opens the menu and warps to Poni Island. She's ready.

Comments

[duck_npcs]

Poni Island was a sacred place, and what better place was the sunken battlefield.

It was low tide, as Hapu stood there at the battlefield, arms relaxed, stance relaxed and yet firm in nature. She was waiting for Amelie. Next to her in the spectator seats were the children who had comforted Amelie, bearing witness to this Grand Trial like how they had bore witness to Ash's Grand Trial.

"Welcome Challenger! I have been waiting for you." said Hapu. "The Grand Trial of Poni Island is a sacred trial, one of purifying water to challenge one's body and soul, and cleanse itself of doubts. This will be a one on one battle! No time limit, no ring out! Which Pokemon are you using for this battle, Amelie?"

[onaroll]

Amelie closes her eyes and lets out a deep breath before looking at Hapu.

"I will be using my Tyrantrum."

[duck_npcs]

"Very well!" Exclaimed Hapu as she turned towards Kiawe. "Kiawe! Grandson of the Akala Island Island King, please referee our match once more!"

"You got it!" Exclaimed Kiawe.

Nodding, everyone then stood as Hapu bowed her head as Hapu began to pray. "The Island Pilgrimage ritual of the Grand Trial is about to commence. Tapu Fini, ye who drift in the waters of Poni, with the gentleness of the water and thy fierce strength... please purify me and my opponent!"

After a moment of silence, Hapu nodded to Kiawe who held up his hand. "The challenger Amelie faces Island Kahuna Hapu! The Poni Island Grand Trial will now commence... BEGIN!"

"Mudsdale, you're on!" Exclaimed Hapu, releasing her Pokemon.

"Here it comes," grunted Ash, the moment Amelie would release her Tyrantrum onto the field.

"Mudsdale, High Horsepower!"

And attack, right off the bat without giving her an inch.

[onaroll]

Tyrantrum skids backwards from the impact before digging his footclaws into the ground to come to a halt. Amelie considers the battleground, her opponent, and comes to a decision.

"Earthpulse."

Tyrantrum roars in agreement with the command, the glowing light of a Dragon Pulse building up in his mouth. Instead of firing it, however, he jumps into the air and comes down in an Earthquake attack, firing the Dragon Pulse into the Earthquake. The resulting attack resembles a series of dragon-shaped shockwaves propagating through the ground towards Mudsdale.

[duck_npcs]

Instead of dodging however, Mudsdale took the attack head on, being pushed back to Hapu's side. The Earthpulse crashed against it, doing a decent amount of damage. But crimson light flared around it with each hit.

"That's Mudsdale's ability," said Rotom, happy Lillie isn't explaining for him this time. "He gains more Defense when it gets hit!"

"Hooo, combining two attacks in one, how ingenious. However, I won't be moved that easily. That did not hurt us as much as it should!"

Hapu smiled as she commanded, "High Horsepower, once more!"

With it's boosted defense, Mudsdale charged forward once more in a powerful ramming attack.

[onaroll]

"Fearsome Fang!"

At Amelie's command, Tyrantrum lunges forward to meet Mudsdale's High Horsepower, his fangs starting to glow as he layers Crunch, Poison Fang, Fire Fang, and Ice Fang into a single attack.

[duck_npcs]

That's fine, that's fine, this is fine.

Mudsdale will slam into Tyrantrum, getting Defense Boosts for all four attacks. There's a significant chunk of damage but it's mitigated somewhat by the damage. "Interesting," said Hapu. "Double Kick!"

Lashing out with it's front hooves, Mudsdale kicked out twice with it's front hooves into Tyrantrum's neck and jaw twice.

"Your power is impressive, but I want to hear your heart! Mudsdale, follow it up with Bulldoze!"

At point blank range, Mudsdale slammed it's front hooves down, glowing a brilliant orange glow as it rocked the battlefield, buffering it with shockwaves to knock Tyrantrum off balance.

[onaroll]

"Heart of Steel!"

Tyrantrum layers together Iron Tail, Iron Head, and Iron Defense, his entire body covered in shining steel from the combination, and hammers relentlessly into Mudsdale. Amelie throws one hand back dramatically, and Tyrantrum follows the silent order by hammering a Dragon Tail attack into the ground, using the recoil to blast himself back.

"Tarrasque."

The Iron Tail, Iron Head, and Dragon Tail attacks are dropped, and Rock Polish and Dragon Dance are layered over the Iron Defense.

[duck_npcs]

"Hoo, a good defense, and a good power behind it, but defenses are meant to be shattered. Layering yourself under your heart will only ensure your defeat!"

Hapu, despite relying on singular attacks and Mudsdale being worn down by the constant fusion attacks, seemed ready to go as she opened her eyes. "Mudsdale! Let us demonstrate to them our full power!"

The answering neigh was all that Mudsdale replied with as Hapu crossed her arms, and the Z-Ring on her arm glowed a brilliant light as three marks appeared from it.

"Vast roots spreading through Poni Island's soil... bestow upon us your power!" Exclaimed Hapu, doing a spinning pose which fed brilliant crimson light into Mudsdale.

"Here it comes!" Exclaimed Rotom.

"Rising Land Over!" Exclaimed Hapu as the land beneath Tyrantrum would split open to send it plummeting deep into a dark abyss.

1/2

[onaroll]

Amelie’s response to this is quick, decisive, and loud.

“King of Undermountain!”

Tyrantrum immediately layers Earth Power, Dragon Pulse, and Dark Pulse into a single attack that fires downward, flying out of the abyss on a pillar of energy that resembles a dragon made of obsidian. As he lands on the platform, Amelie begins speaking.

“Tyrantrum...you remember that day too, don’t you? The way we all felt after it was over, the pain we’ve carried alone...”

She closes her eyes and breathes out.

2/2

[onaroll]

Her eyes snap open. There’s something in them now that speaks of her resolve.

“We won’t be bound by that day anymore! Any of us! Come, Tyrantrum! Roar out our rage!”

At this command, Tyrantrum powers up a Dragon Pulse before firing a Hyper Voice through it. Towards the sea water surrounding them.

“And now...move beyond it. KT IMPACT!”

The Hyper Voice collects the seawater, and the combination of Dragon Pulse and Ice Fang slams into it, creating a massive iceberg that is carried into the air. As Tyrantrum leaps upward, he starts glowing orange before firing off a Draco Meteor through the mass of ice, raining down on Mudsdale in a shower of frozen meteors.

1/3

[duck_npcs]

"Bold words. Mudsdale!"

From the ground, suddenly the missing Mudsdale burst free from it, charging upwards towards the Tyrantrum to clash towards him, covered in Z-Power. It seems, that Amelie had neglected to realize that this was only half of the Z-Move.

The pair of Pokemon slammed together into a explosion and with a thud, Mudsdale landed. For a moment, it seemed like the KT Impact didn't do it. But then, it slumped to its knees and fell, KOed.

"Winner! Challenger Amelie!" Exclaimed Kiawe.

Cheers broke out from the stands as a figure broke from it and charged Amelie.

2/3

[never_give_up]

"You did it!" Exclaimed Serena, clutching onto Amelie happily. "I'm... I'm so proud of you!"

"Congratulations on joining the Grand Trial Club!" Exclaimed Ash, holding out his fist for Amelie to pound as Lana and Kiawe held up their wrists in greeting.

"I'm so proud of you big sister!" Bawled Serena.

3/3

[duck_npcs]

"Yes, yes, you did well," said Hapu, walking forward with a large chest and a Z-Ring. "As Island Kahuna, I present to you Amelie of Kalos, with the mark of the right of passage. Take this Z-Ring as proof of your passing, and..."

She opened the box to reveal a multitude of Z-Crystals. "Select one Z-Crystal from any of these Z-Crystals. It is tradition. Wear it with pride."

Above, sparkling water rained down as everyone looked up as a shell-like Pokemon circled ahead. "Ah," said Hapu, as Tapu Fini trilled overhead. "It seems your heart has truly been cleansed. Tapu Fini has said your heart has been cleansed of doubt and fear. You have been reborn from the old Amelie."

[onaroll]

Amelie doesn't go for the fistbump, instead roping Ash into the hug with Serena. Smiling, she ruffles their hair as she stands up, walking over to Tyrantrum. He makes some small noises nothing like his earlier battle roars and looks down at Amelie, who places a fond hand on his muzzle.

"You feel refreshed too, don't you? Thank you for everything."

Leaning in, she gives Tyrantrum a hug before turning to Hapu. She carefully picks out the Dragonium Z before crouching down and throwing her arms around the Kahuna.

"Thank you...thank you so much!"

1/2

[never_give_up]

Hapu smiles and hugs back. "Go in peace, may your heart be cleansed by the waters of Tapu Fini. I was right, to offer you my Grand Trial."

"You know, this deserves a celebration." said Serena, wiping tears from her eyes. "Once we get back to Melemele, we'll throw a feast for Amelie."

"That's right!" Exclaimed Mallow. "We'll hold it at the Aina Restaurant. I've already told dad to start cooking. It's not every day someone passes the Grand Trial."

"Hapu you should come too!" Exclaimed Ash. "We'll teleport over."

Hapu nodded. "I would be honored. To celebrate, with the guest of honor."

2/2

[cidery]

"We'll be there too," said a voice as everyone turned. There, standing was Apple, her wife, and her parents as well, along with Serena's mother Grace who was noticeably pregnant. A minor footnote, but no one was really paying attention to that. Except for Tzareena who hovered protectively over her.

Cat's out of the bag but, despite this, the situation was no less happy as Grace, Amelie's Grace, sweeps her into a hug.

"I'm so proud of you, my darling girl," said Grace, her father following close behind.

"You found your closure, my wife," said Apple, smiling her thousand watt smile. "Let's go have some cake. Right, papa?"

Tadashi nodded. "I've never had an all expenses paid trip to Alola. Let's make the most of it."

[onaroll]

Amelie returns the hug, clinging to her mother for a moment, before returning Tyrantrum and sweeping Apple into a kiss, her hands going up to run through her wife's hair. As she disengages, she takes Apple's hand in hers and looks around - at her family, at her friends, at all the people that supported her.

"Ah! Je vous aime tous!"

1/2

[duck_npcs]

As the group headed through the teleports back to Melemele, Hapu paused to look over at Tapu Fini who was lingering in the skies over the battlefield.

Tapu Fini was staring over onto the moon for a long moment. "Tapu Fini?" she asked, curious.

Tapu Fini looked over at the cliffside and Hapu followed it. There, a man stood, looking over. He was looking over a Duck Menu as well, watching the proceedings.

2/2

[duck_npcs]

The man smiled.

He bowed and vanished. But not before sending a message to the Duck.

"What ominous statements," said Hapu, having seen it on her own phone before she followed the group through the portal.

"Patch 3.0 approaches. Please Look Forward To It."