Kahuna Hala, Mimikyu, and I sat on the ancient grounds of what was called The Ruins of Conflict. He said it was a pre-battle ceremony, or something like that. Mimikyu was glued to my shoulder as always, and Kahuna Hala was sitting to my right. The air was very crisp and fresh. I was very nervous, for I didn't know what to expect out of this. Froslass and Gengar were back at Kahuna Hala's with my dad and Ash.

I kneeled down on both knees; My heels supporting me from falling. Mimikyu rubbed her soft cloth against my cheek in attempt to calm me down. I smiled at this, because she always knew how to calm me down.

"Okay Emethyst," Kahuna Hala said. "I want you to close your eyes, and try to feel Alola around you." He said.

I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air around me. I listened to the noises all around; From the gentle breeze blowing the trees above, to the many Pokemon cries out in the distance. I wasn't exactly sure how to feel Alola, but I was doing my best I guess.

"Today, we will perform on a grand trial battle with our young challenger, Emethyst. I now ask Tapu Koko, Guardian of Conflict to bestow upon us, the power of Alola, and all of the islands." I heard Kahuna Hala say beside me. I didn't really understand what was happening, but I went along with it the best I could.

I took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. My knees were beginning to become numb from kneeling for a bit on the hard concrete. I tried my best to stay sat up, but was having issues. I then opened my eyes, and Kahuna Hala began laughing.

"You can move now, Emethyst." Kahuna Hala chuckled.

As soon as he said that; I sat crisscross style on the cement. I was instantly relieved. "Oh, thank goodness." I said, as I smiled. My heart was pounding in my chest. I could feel the adrenaline piling up in my body, for I knew what came next. The trial itself. I didn't exactly know what to expect, but I was as ready as I would ever be.

"You're nervous, aren't you?" Kahuna Hala asked, as he sat crisscross style just as I did.

I nodded. "Yeah, a little." I replied, as I looked off to the side. I took another deep breath to try to calm myself down, with the aid of Mimikyu snuggling up to my face at the same time. "Kyu!" She exclaimed. I guess that was her way of telling me I was going to do fine.

Kahuna Hala chuckled. "Well, if you're anything like Young Ku; You'll get into it right away." He said, as he smiled at me.

I laughed a little at that. "Young Ku?" I said, as I felt my eyebrow raise.

"It's a term of endearment I gave to your father when he was really young," Kahuna Hala explained. "He was fired up from the age of five to have his first grand trial with me." He added, as he looked to be recalling a memory.

I continued laughing at that. "Young Ku.." I said again, getting the giggles. It was hard imagining my dad like that. It was funny to me.

"You know, your father got a z crystal before he got a z ring as well." Hala said, as he looked over at me.

I tilted my head to the side. "Really?" I said. I didn't even know my dad had a z ring. I've never seen him wear one or even talk about one. I thought this was kind of odd.

Kahuna Hala nodded once. "Mhm." He said. "Well, let's go ahead and get your grand trial started." He added, as he stood up.

I put my hand on my chest, and took a deep breath. I stood up, as I felt the adrenaline pumping through my veins again. "Well, here goes nothing." I thought to myself.

********

We were now back at the battle ground. It was a wide open cemented area that was sort of behind of Kahuna Hala's home. Froslass and Gengar stood in front of me, and Mimikyu was still perched up on my shoulder. I was really nervous now, for I didn't know what to fully expect. Well I did, but didn't at the same time. I tried my hardest to chill out for a second, and just feel the area around me. The sun beating on my exposed skin, and the slight hot breeze blew against me.

I sighed. "Alright you three, are you ready for this?" I said to them, as I smiled lightly. I was interrupted by that familiar rustling in the nearby trees. I overlooked my ghostly sweethearts, and thought I saw a shadow of sorts floating in the trees above. But again, it happened and disappeared so fast that I could have been mistaken. However, I was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable

I brushed it off, and turned my attention back to my Pokémon. I confided in them for the moment. I looked up at Gengar, and then back at Froslass. "I love you guys so much." I said to them, as I hugged them. "We'll do our best today." I said.

I then saw my dad and Ash approach me, as well as Rotom Dex and the other Pokemon.

I pulled away from Froslass and Gengar, and took a deep breath as I looked over at them. Nervous must have been written all over my face, because they looked at me funny.

"Wow Emethyst, are you okay?" Ash asked. "You look nervous." He added. I saw him look at me from head to toe.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, I'm okay." I said. "But I am nervous.." I said, hesitantly. Mimikyu cuddled up to my face as she normally did. Froslass and Gengar hugged me in comfort as well. I smiled at this. "Thanks you guys." I said to them.

"Now Emethyst, do you remember how to do the correct poses for the Ghost type Z move?" My dad asked me.

I felt my eyes widen a bit. I then remembered Mimikyu's little Haunter dance from yesterday. "Yeah, I think so," I said. I thought this was kind of an odd question to ask, because it's not like I could use the Z move yet. "Why?" I asked.

"Kahuna Hala will have you try to initiate the Z move once you get the Z ring, if you win." He explained. "With the way you, Gengar, Froslass, and Mimikyu are now, using a Z move will be quite tiring." He added.

I nodded in understanding. "Okay." I said, as I smiled. That then sparked the remembrance of my mom. She always told me she wasn't a big fan of Z moves, and the truth is; I haven't even attempted to practice the dance. I knew how to do the dance, but I don't think it would be that hard to go through with.

Kahuna Hala then approached beside me.

"We're ready to go, Hala!" My dad exclaimed. As soon as he said that; my heart started thudding in my chest and I felt the numbing adrenaline pump through my veins.

"As are we, Professor." Kahuna Hala said. I saw his Hariyama now by his side. It was huge however, Gengar wasn't too far behind it on the height part.

Kahuna Hala then began walking to the other side of the battle ground, and I walked up on the cement anticipating. I then began wondering what Pokemon I should choose first. "Hmm.. if I choose Froslass and Gengar, then I have a clear advantage because of Froslass being able to mega evolve.." I thought. I looked straight ahead at Hala, who had almost reached the other side. I put my hand on my chest, and breathed for a minute. Mimikyu then did her familiar cuddle to my face to calm me down as she always did. I giggled at this, and rubbed my hand on her cloth.

"You're gonna do great, Emethyst!" I heard Ash exclaim from the sidelines. "Pika pika!" I heard Pikachu cheer right behind him.

I smiled over at them. "Thanks guys." I said, and waved.

My dad then walked to the center of the field. I guess he was going to be the trial captain for this trial. Boy, was I nervous now. I had no idea what to expect.

"Attention, competitors!" He announced. "The grand trial between Kahuna Hala and the challenger, Emethyst is prepared to get under way!" My dad added.

Kahuna Hala eyed me from across the way. "My Emethyst, are you alright over there?! You look like you've seen a ghost!" He called out at me.

I chuckled in nervousness. "Ha-ha-ha, very funny!" I called out sarcastically, but happily. Old man has jokes, I see. I knew that was a stab at me to trip me up; One thing I couldn't let him do was get under my skin.

I knew it was time for me to select my Pokemon. I had to show confidence as much as possible. I felt myself smirk. I already knew who my first pick would be. "Every beauty needs her beast, so Gengar, I choose you!" I exclaimed.

Gengar's big purple body levitated in front of me and landed on his feet. "Gengar!" He called out.

Kahuna Hala brought out a Pokeball. "Crabrawler, come on out!" He yelled, his voice getting deeper.

A purple and blue Pokemon materialized in front of me. It began doing punching like motions. I actually thought it was kind of funny. I knew it was a fighting type right off the bat, so I didn't need to know much about it.

"Okay," I thought to myself. "Gengar should have this one, easily." I thought.

"Crabrawler, use Bubble Beam!" Hala called out. I watched as the Crabrawler shot it's bubble beam straight at Gengar.

"Gengar, Dodge it! Then use Shadow Ball!" I exclaimed.

"Geng!" Gengar exclaimed, as he floated up and dodged the Crabrawler's attack. I saw him charge his shadow ball, and I saw it hit Crabrawler directly, causing it to take a tumble.

"Alright! Great job, Gengar! Now, Paralyze with Lick!" I exclaimed. This actually probably wasn't going to be as hard as I thought it would. I was beginning to feel a bit more confident now.

Gengar went straight for Crabrawler with his tongue out, but my thinking this was going to be easy got shut down real quick.

"GRAB GENGAR'S TONGUE!" Kahuna Hala yelled. I saw Crabrawler grab Gengar's tongue with one of it's claws. Gengar yelled in pain. "THEN USE BRUTAL SWING!" He called out again.

Crabrawler swung my big beastly ghost around like he was a ragdoll. I then saw it get ready to throw him. I got an idea, but I wasn't sure if it was going to work.

"Gengar, use your cursed body to your advantage! Try to catch yourself midair from taking the fall!" I exclaimed. I hoped what I said made sense to Gengar. It could hopefully help him not take alot of damage.

As soon as Crabrawler threw him; I saw him try his best to stop himself from being thrown, so he understood what I said. But it was no use; The Crabrawler's throw was too powerful. Gengar took it, but he got right back up like it was nothing. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Gengar, use Shadow claw!" I exclaimed. Gengar floated over in front of Crabrawler, and got his claws ready.

"Power-up Punch!" I heard Kahuna Hala call out. I was stunned, because I wasn't expecting him to call out a move so soon. Crabrawler punched the heck out of Gengar, causing him to fly all the way up.

However, I was taken aback. I was surprised. "Wait, that should have been not very effective!" I called out. I couldn't believe what I was watching here.

I heard Kahuna Hala chuckle from across the way. "I think you know by now my Pokemon are trained far beyond what you're used to, my young Em!" He called out.

My palm went straight to my forehead. "He really just gave me a nickname too.." I thought. I thought about what I was going to do next.

"Geng!" I heard Gengar's raspy voice scream behind me. He startled my thoughts, causing me the jump a little.

"Gosh, Gengar! Don't scare me like that!" I exclaimed at him. It was then I had an idea. Gengar is a Ghost... He should be able to disappear and appear as he pleases. I then thought about the battle with my mom, and how Haunter used the mist to his advantage.

I looked up at Gengar's red eyes, and got an idea. Crabrawler's defense might be high, but you can't defend yourself from something you can't see. "Gengar, use Shadow claw one more time, but scare Crabrawler when you do it." I said, a little hushed. I was for sure this would work. Time for Gengar to use his typing to his advantage: To scare.