a shaggy dog story

[blue_ice]

In light of recent events, Seto has decided that it's high time to begin his proper training. And on Alola, that means undergoing the Grand Trials. He's heard whisperings about them and done his research, and that has brought him to Wela Park, where Kahuna Olivia greets him. He's amped up for a battle, his team ready to go, but she has something else in mind for him.

Kaiba is introduced to a Ride Pokémon, a rather large and regal-looking Stoutland who reminds him of himself---stuffy and aloof at first, but with some underlying curiosity. Apparently they will spend two days scouting the island together, searching for treasures. He's given some time to rest and pack beforehand, and after a quick change into his Ride uniform they're off.

Their time together begins uneventfully. They ride, Stoutland sniffs, and they find very little of value It seems all they're doing is cleaning up stray leftovers of broken shells. Worse, they encounter a trainer that wipes out his entire team, and there's a panicked ride to the next Pokémon Center. It's enough to frustrate him, but he's careful not to take it out on his companion for the journey.

He's careful to tend to Stoutland who's working so hard, feeding him a hearty amount of curry and brushing him when they rest under the stars at the base of the volcano. It'd be easy to get discouraged, but he recalls Olivia's words and spends the night tending to his team. They're doing well.

The second day starts off a little better. Kaiba accepts another challenge from a local trainer, and the team learns from the previous day's loss. They win! He feeds them all a curry of congratulation and they resume the treasure search, which...still doesn't go well. It's more broken shells and shattered gems. Which makes him worry that Stoutland is sick, so he's careful to feed him some get-well berries.

Just in time, too, because that's when the great goat stampede all across the island begins! Kaiba resigns himself to being sidetracked and joins Jonouchi in herding the animals, eventually clearing the way enough for Stoutland to resume his work. Their result: a single Star Piece embedded in the ground near the farm.

It's a failed mission regardless, but Kaiba picks it up and trots on back to the volcano park. He has to give Olivia his findings, after all, no matter how he came up short. His team still improved, and he radiates with pride whenever he talks about them. He holds his head up high as he presents the single Star Piece.

And, somehow, he's still ending up with a crystal and a loyal canine friend. How did he even.

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[fallers_npcs]

Olivia smiles as she gazes upon the young man.

Dirty, rough, but surrounded by those who had supported him.

"So," said Olivia, beaming at Seto Kaiba. "You failed. But you gained so much more in return. I heard from the farmers across Akala of what you did these last three days. And I must say? I'm impressed."

Olivia smiled as she spread her arms. "Comrades across the land, the feeling of achievement, the sentiment of friendship! Things that you experience in Alola, the pulse of the land, and the beat of our hearts! Slowly and surely, with hard work this becomes clearer and clearer."

Her expression grew into a more determined gaze. "However, I feel like you need one more push. Seto Kaiba! As you are now, you have passed the Grand Trials. However, you may take it one step further and challenge me, in ritual combat. After resting your Pokemon for one hour, meet me at the battlefield as the sun begins to set. I will be there waiting your answer."

Olivia smiled, turned to leave -- and slipped on a stone as she fell on her face. "I'm okay, really!"

Scrambling to her feet, she limped up the walk towards the mountainside, to leave Seto to his thoughts. Would he accept his challenge?

[blue_ice]

Kaiba stood silently as the adrenaline left him in a rush. He wavered, but a gentle nudge from Stoutland steadied him, and he gave him a grateful pat.

He looked down at his team, gathered around him as always. They'd been well taken care of, and they seemed enthusiastic as always. He couldn't be prouder---they were his strength, and he would guide them.

He bid goodbye to Olivia and Stoutland with a wave, and after an hour of tending to their needs and refreshing himself, he'd be there, his three team members walking at his side.

"We're ready."

[fallers_npcs]

The battlefield was a stone overlook, surrounded by a cliffside on the far end where Olivia stood with the setting sun framing her. Wela itself embraced the right side facing her, from where Seto stood across from her, as one of Olivia's Hiker members stood as referee, the blonde man seemingly alert and waiting for the challenge.

The other side of the battlefield was solid jungle, leading into the forest surrounding Wela, and the path down the volcano was from where Seto came from behind them. As Seto approached, Olivia nodded as she bowed her head.

"We pray to the Gods of Alola, and the sight of Wela. May it bless us in our match together, as we strive in the presence of the setting sun."

In the stillness of the answering breeze that followed, the hiker raised his hand. "This is a two on two battle! The challenger, Seto Kaiba is allowed to change out his Pokemon at any time! The Kahuna is not allowed to do so and must continue until Knocked Out! Challenger Seto, ready? Kahuna Olivia, ready? Send out your Pokemon!"

"Nosepass, go!" Exclaimed Olivia, releasing her Pokemon as it landed with a thud.

[blue_ice]

Kaiba really wasn't one for rituals, but he used the time to check on his team, leaning down to give each of them a pat. He quickly assessed the group and decided someone could use a little confidence.

"Goliath, you're up. I know you can do this."

The Sobble waddled forward, looking up with a determined expression. He stepped up behind him, looking across the field confidently at Olivia.

"Use Water Pulse!"

[fallers_npcs]

"Dodge it!" Exclaimed Olivia, as Nosepass dodged, but was clipped by the Water Pulse, the blast shearing it's HP down considerably. Down, but not out as the damage hit it fairly hard even for the hit. "Down across the muddy plains, Mud Slap!"

Nosepass took a hard turn and skidded across the muddy ground, splashing the mud like a wave towards Goliath.

[blue_ice]

Kaiba felt his heart clench as Goliath mostly missed, but he needed this. They needed this. They would stay determined, and as the wall of mud washed up....

"Shoot through it! Water Gun!"

And Goliath definitely tried, opening his mouth wide and shooting.

[fallers_npcs]

"Nooooosepasssss!" Exclaimed Nosepass, being blasted backwards from the attack as he was slammed backwards from the Water Gun.

"Headbutt, let's go!" Exclaimed Olivia as Nosepass dug in and charged through the Headbutt to slam into Goliath.

[blue_ice]

"Stay strong!" Kaiba called out. Goliath braced itself, and held up rather well for his small size. One final water blast in retaliation, and he made it! One down, one to go.

"Great job, Goliath!" Kaiba called out, whistling for him to come back. He quickly snuck him one of his favorite berries before nudging Goose the Goomy.

"Goose, you're up!"

[fallers_npcs]

"You did well, Nosepass." said Olivia, returning her Pokemon to it's ball as she smiled. "Now, Lycanroc, go!"

Releasing her own Lycanroc, it howled, taking a stance.

"Lycanroc vs Goose, let the battle begin!" Exclaimed the Hiker.

"Accelrock!" Exclaimed Olivia, as Lycanroc charged forward.

[blue_ice]

"Goose, move and absorb!"

And she moved. And then fired off a big Absorb. He's not playing around today.

[fallers_npcs]

"Dodge it!" Exclaimed Olivia, not expecting that but it was too late. Lycanroc blundered right into the Absorb and was stuck in the mass that was Goomy, unable to get away.

"Lycanroc!" Exclaimed Olivia as he tried to wiggle out of it, but kept on taking super effective damage.

[blue_ice]

....wow, he was not expecting that. Kaiba grinned at Goose, determined to press their advantage.

"Perfect. Now let's go for it!"

Kaiba can feel her across the battlefield. They're both surging with energy, in perfect sync...and for the first time, he activates the crystal he's carried all this time.

"Breakneck Blitz!"

Is he telling her to throw Lycanroc and herself against the wall? Yes. Yes he is. He crouches and executes the activation flawlessly, his eyes blazing with determination.

And so are hers. They're gonna play hard.

[fallers_npcs]

"Continental Crush!" Exclaimed Olivia, going through her route as well, but it was too late.

As the Continental Crush slammed down half a second too late as Lycanroc held up a paw in futile gesture, it was slammed into the wall.

There was a massive explosion of rock as the words BREAKNECK BLITZ appeared with loud shounen words and as the dust settled, the Hiker raised his hand. "Lycanroc is unable to battle! Victory goes to the Challenger, Seto Kaiba!"

Olivia smiled as the sun began to settle over the horizon. "You Fallers are always surprising me," she said, walking over to rest a hand gently on her partner. "No... you're more than Fallers. You're finding your real Ohana at this rate."

Looking over at the sky, it turned from gold to red, and for a brief moment, a brilliant green glow flashed brightly. "Just like Ash Ketchum," she said in realization. "The Gods were right. They're not here to spell danger."

With a laugh, Olivia got up and scooped Seto into a hug. "I thought as much!" She exclaimed happily, rubbing his head regardless of personal space. "You kids are all the Green Flash! Just like Ash Ketchum! Gosh darnit how could we have not seen this before? And to think we were worried."

Releasing him, she grinned, hands on hips as Lycanroc got up and walked over, giving Goomy a lick. "Here," she said, holding out a Waterium-Z. "I don't usually give these out, mostly Fire and Fighting and Rock, but I feel like with your team, this is the most appropriate reward."

[blue_ice]

Goose was such a good girl. Kaiba wasn't one to overly celebrate his victories...but this was different from dueling. Dueling was merely a test of one's own strategy. Battling alongside living creatures was also a test of his bonds with them.

And they were growing stronger every day. Kaiba called Goose over and fed he some juicy berries, and some for Kisara as well. They had all risen to the challenge of the last few days and he couldn't be prouder, so all who witnessed would see a genuine smile on Kaiba's face.

He rose up as the sun passed over the horizon, feeling something strange at the glimmer of green. He was about to ask about that when he found himself being squeezed and noogied

"H-hey---!"

The moment she released him he reached up to straighten his hair, though even a mild flash of annoyance couldn't mask his curiosity. He took the crystal with a small, grateful smile.

"From context that sounds like a good sign. We've all had enough bad luck for a while, haven't we?"