The Rival: A Pokemon Moon Nuzlocke Ch. 10

The Team So Far:

Charlee-Charlee is a trainer with poor impulse control, who interprets attempts to discipline or rein him in, as challenges to be overcome. Despite these flaws, he is also kind-hearted and fiercely loyal. While his knowledge base is still growing, Charlee exhibits a talent for Pokemon battle.

Species: Human(male)

Nature: Naughty

Aleng-Charlee's 'starter'. Aleng acts as the level head to keep his human partner in check, although some of Charlee's more fiery personality has rubbed off on him. Aleng has a mild, type-based racist streak, but he means well and still cares for everyone. Just some, more than others.

Species: Trumbeak(male)

Nature: Rash

Izzy-Izzy is a rescue from an abusive trainer. While her body may literally be toxic, Izzy's personality is anything but, and the innocence and boundless optimism endears her to even the harshest cynic. Izzy isn't particularly bright, but her way of life allows her to notice details that others may overlook.

Species: Alolan Grimer(female)

Nature: Timid

Applejack-The most experienced member of the team, Applejack brings wisdom and common sense to a group in desperate need of it. She recognizes the importance of patience when dealing with others, but at the same time, Applejack isn't shy about making her opinions known.

Species: Mudbray(female)

Nature: Sassy

BugLightyear-Possessing a unique typing, and as the first Pokemon to fully evolve, BugLightyear is an incredible powerhouse, but he also recognizes the need for strategy and reconnaissance. Despite being the newest addition, BugLightyear shares Charlee's strong sense of compassion and justice...as well as his trainer's habit of rushing headlong into danger.

Species: Araquanid(male)

Nature: Naive

At the Nursery, because I didn't know how it worked, OK?

Jermaine(male)

Species: Crabrawler

Nature: Quirky

Hanzo(male)

Species: Grubbin

Nature: Brave

Deceased:

Pona-Pona was Charlee's family pet as a child. Having known Charlee almost as long Aleng, Pona was somewhat possessive of her trainer. She was inquisitive, playful, and determined to earn her place on the team.

Species Rockruff(female)

Nature: Rash

The Rival: A Pokemon Mahina(Moon) Nuzlocke

Chapter 10: The Dance-Battle Deception!

"Remind me, why are we here again?" Aleng asked.

I sighed at my partner. "You really don't remember?"

[Flashback]

"The name's Kiavve, the Fire captain. You can get to Wela Volcano Park from Route 7. I'll be waiting on the peak. If you plan to see your island challenge through to the end, climb to the top with your strongest team!"

[/Flashback]

Aside, I heard Applejack talking to BugLightyear. "Didn't it seem kinda strange, the way a Captain just showed up, invited us, and then left?"

"Yes, he sounded almost as if he had rehearsed it, and blandly at that."

I rolled my eyes. "Guys, every Trial we've had so far has been a trick or a trap. I'd be worried if this one wasn't some kind of scam!"

"That wasn't what I meant." Aleng continued. "What I want to know is why are we rushing up here, right now?" At the moment, 'here and now' was the slope of the largest volcano on Akala Island, just a little past sunset. Stars twinkled through the veil of ashen clouds that rose from thermal vents, and the dark blue of the night sky was met by the fiery glow of the lava pools, dyeing it a supernatural shade of violet. "We could've spent the night in a cozy Pokemon Center and come up in the morning!"

"We're here now, because...wait, why are we in such a hurry?" The entire volcano seemed to shake from everyone collectively face-planting. I tried to recall what happened earlier today. "Let' see...we had just beaten the Totem Wishiwashi, and Lana then had said... something…right?"

"Seriously?" Applejack snorted. "Weren't you here because you're excited to see a certain somebody right away?"

"Oh yeah! We're going to meet Kiavve at the top! And kick his butt!"

"Yeah!" Everyone cheered. Everyone, except Applejack. She just glared at me. What was she giving me stink-eye for? It's not like I said something wrong! I glared right back her.

Aleng moved between us to deftly defuse the tension. "I don't know about you guys, but I am drained from fighting Wishiwashi today. Why don't we make camp and rest for the night?"

It was a request that all of us could agree on. Who knew overthrowing a tyrannical regime was so exhausting? For a sleeping spot, we ended up near a placid lava pool for some much needed warmth. Applejack used her Bulldoze to push up a few barriers to keep us from rolling into the molten rock while we slept. You wouldn't think a volcano would be chilly, but between the altitude and the orographic clouds that were naturally drawn to these high peaks, we were even more soaked and frozen than during the Water Trial! The worse feeling of all was the non-stop trickle of boogers coming out of my left nostril. Let me once again emphasize that all of this was happening On. A. Volcano. In light of the climate, the name "Haleakala" was way more fitting than calling this place "Wela". Haleakala...who was it that shared that name with us, again?

"Charlee…" She said my name with familiarity and affection. It was a voice I recognized, but who? "Just one more trial. Wait for me." I could just see her in the distance: her beautiful green hair, her gorgeous smooth skin; everything except her face. "Wait for me, Charlee…" I reached for her.

"Why wait?" another entity asked. This one, unfamiliar. A purple haze further obscured the person that I sought. "Why wait for them, when I am here now?" the fog became smothering; the strange gasses assailed me, and yet, the pressure on my chest seemed to become more tolerable, even enjoyable, with each passing second. The silky feeling left goosebumps on my skin, even as the vapors tried to pry their way past my lips, into my mouth. "Let me in." I was tempted to do just that, but raw instinct urged me to resist desire and I held my breath as the mist assaulted my nostrils. The scent was sharp and bitter, but with an unnatural sweetness that was hard to place. An unfamiliar warmth overtook me. "Choose me." the new voice was forceful and alluring all at once. "Give in."

Unable to hold my breath any longer, I gasped and the vapors invaded in an instant! An alien sensation flooded my entire body; seizing me from the inside!

I bolted upright in shock! My heart was ricocheting in my chest and I was totally drenched! It took me a moment to realize that I wasn't sweating from the lava; there was a fire that was burning through my insides. As in my dream, this sensation came with a feeling of near unbearable pressure, as if I was ready to burst. I needed to pee!

No one stirred as I picked my way beyond the camp, nor did anyone awake from the faint hiss of steam that appeared when I peed into the lava. To my frustration, the strange feelings that afflicted me were not purged along with the contents of my bladder. Still haunted by the confusing and vivid dream, I lightly sniffed the air for any hint of that sharp and sweet haze. Was it all just my imagination? I sniffed again. Just the faint wisps of sulfur and my team's collective BO. If there was any trace of the phantom smell, the cool breeze had carried it away. I allowed myself to breath deeply and that seemed to help. After several moments, my body was cooling down and I started to feel normal again. Well, normal for me, anyway.

"Trouble sleeping?" Applejack snuck up behind me!

"Ah! I didn't mean to wake you up!"

"I lived on a farm; early risin' comes with the territory." She nonchalantly trotted over to the pool of lava and gave it a half-hearted sniff. "You were moaning like an overloaded Miltank before you got up. You need to pee that bad, or was it something else?"

"Nothing...just bad dreams."

"Uh-huh." She didn't sound convinced, but then again, she didn't sound all that interested either, and started walking off.

I should've just let her go, but the look she gave me yesterday continued to nag at my nerves. "Hey Applejack, wait. Are we cool? You seemed kind of...upset when we were talking last."

She continued without even breaking stride. "Don't worry. I'm not the kind to stay angry. You should try letting it go some time."

"Yeah...hey! So um, why were you angry?"

That question gave her pause. "You honestly don't know?"

"Was it something I said?"

"In a way, it's what you didn't say." I continued to stare blankly and she sighed. "Look, from now on, just be more careful when you talk about other people, Charlee."

"What do you mean, 'when I talk about other people'?"

"I mean, if you really care about somebody, don't pretend that they aren't important. It doesn't matter if you were only kidding, that kind of attitude can really hurt a person's feelings."

What is she going on about?

Oblivious to my thoughts, Applejack continued her lecture. "You can bet your Z-Ring that Mallow wouldn't be acting like that if she were in your shoes. You may be my trainer now, but she was my first partner, and I'm not gonna let you treat her that way."

Mallow? I froze. Memories emerged like sprouts from a charred earth. Her voice sweeter than honey; her face more lovely than a field of wildflowers; her heart bigger than a banyan tree! Ever since we began climbing the volcano, I had literally forgotten that Mallow had even existed! How is this even possible? My mind careened into a downward spiral driven by shock and disbelief.

"Charlee, you alright?"

I breathed as deep as I could to calm myself. I remember her now; I told myself, that's the important thing. Applejack had been upset when she thought I was belittling her former trainer; I could only imagine how mad the Mudbray would be if she knew I had forgotten Mallow completely! I had to choose my words carefully. "You're right, Applejack. I'm sorry for what I did, and I'll never forget how much Mallow means to me."

"To both of us."

I nodded. "To both of us."

"Listen up team!" Morning found us in front of our first patch of tall grass. Parched a pale yellow, the vegetation nonetheless rustled with the signs of life concealed within. "Since Applejack couldn't fight in the last trial, I want her in the lead for the rest of our time on Haleakala." Secretly, I also wanted her at the forefront of my mind, as my best reminder of Mallow. I didn't know what was happening on this volcano, but I didn't want to take any more chances. "So, unless anyone has any objections, let's catch us some Pokemon!"

You know that awesome feeling you get at the start of the day, when the sun is bright and you're ready for anything? Those are the days when life really decides to throw you a curve ball.

We had barely managed several steps into the tall grass when a Salandit emerged, but this one was a little different from the kind I was used to seeing around Alola. Rather than the sleek, dark raiders that everyone was accustomed to, this one was, for a lack of better words, pudgier. His middle bulged like a dark gray beach ball and the wrinkles lining his eyes betrayed the creature's advanced age. Against a Fire/Poison type like this, any one of Applejack's attacks would have been overkill, and I wanted to take this one alive if I could, so I just went and tossed a pokeball at it straight away. Against all odds and personal expectations, that one toss did the trick; easiest catch ever! The trouble only began after we reopened Salandit's pokeball to welcome him to the team.

The slippery salamander slipped past my partner and went straight for Izzy! This Salandit was certainly no slouch for speed! Panic seized me for just a second; but as it turned out, the Salandit had a different kind of assault in mind. A worse kind.

"What a haul! What a haul! Aren't you a toxic little sweety!" it chittered. The amorous amphibian wasted no time in getting his paws all over Izzy, to the point where bits of her were oozing between his fingers.

"What. The. Hell?" was all I could say.

"Salandit, The Toxic Lizard Pokemon." Rotom offered. "Thiz one appears to be er-hem, 'interested' in your Grimer."
From the look on Izzy's face however, she was not enjoying the attention. "Charlee, I really don't like how he's touching me! Make him stop!"

"Oh come on you cutie, how about just once nice embrace for old Happosai?"

"You heard her, cut it out!" I swatted at the little perv, forcing it to release Izzy and dodge my attacks. BugLightyear jumped into the fray to assist me, but he was no more successful at pinning the agile annoyance.

The Salandit called Happosai effortlessly ran circles around us before making a b-line towards Izzy once again. Fortunately, she had taken to sheltering behind Aleng, and a warning jab from the Trumbeak was enough to deter Izzy's would-be assailant.

"How rude!" Happosai declared. "If you're not going to show me the respect I deserve, I'll find someone else who will appreciate me!" Suddenly, he was upon Applejack! "Hello my darling! Don't you just have the tightest little plot I ever did see!" The Salandit gave her rump a squeeze: big mistake.

"That's ENOUGH!" the Mudbray practically roared. Happosai's actions had put him almost directly in the line of fire for the two most powerful legs this side of the Haleakala crater. Her flank tightened for a brief second, revealing just how much muscle Applejack was packing.

[Applejack used High Horsepower!]

Never mind the type advantage: the sheer power behind the bucking blow was enough to send the Salandit rocketing skywards, until he was little more than a twinkle in the clouds!

"Well, that was a pointlessly irrelevant distraction." BugLightyear noted. "Let's never speak of this again."

Everyone agreed.

"Miserable lowlife." Applejack grumbled.

"I take it you still feel kinda raw?" I asked.

The Mudbray snorted.

"Hey, if you're still up for it, I know one good way to blow off some steam…"

Applejack and I proceeded to beat the tar out of every wild Pokemon we came across. Cubone, Fletchlings, Salandit; it didn't matter! All of them fell before the might of my Mudbray! Each fight was essentially a One-hit KO in our favor! The endless EXP was nice, but if we're going to be honest, it just felt good to unleash some stress. We were so caught up in the heat of battle that Applejack and I nearly ran past a free item.

"Hey Charlee, you missed something!" Aleng called.

Izzy squealed in delight. "Ooh! What is it? What is it?"

I examined the shimmering circular disk in my hand. "It's a Technical Machine; Rock Tomb." Immediately, my eyes shifted towards Applejack. "How about it? This would definitely give you a leg up on Flying types."

"EXCUSE ME?" Aleng protested. His feathers stood on end.

His anger was genuine, but I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Relax, it's not like you and I'll be comin' to blows." Applejack said. "Right?"

Aleng crossed his wings in bitter resignation. "You better hope not."

With each step closer to the top, the fire inside me rose, and the sweet smell of victory grew that much stronger! I breathed deep...and immediately started coughing as my lungs seized!

"Careful. The air gets thin the higher up we get." Aleng cautioned.
"Now you tell me. Thanks."

"It izn't just a lack of oxygen." Rotomdex chimed in. "My sensors are detecting unusually high concentrations of an unknown gas.

"It wasn't me!" I shouted on reflex. "Rotom, why didn't you tell us this sooner?"

"As far as I can tell, it iz not dangerous, but it doez seem to be increasing the higher up we go."

"In that case, I say we press on."

It was almost sunset by the time we reached the top, with the twilight sky a perfect reflection of the glowing orange lava that bubbled in the various craters. At the summit, a lone figure waited along with his Alolan Marowak. He had a well-muscled dancer's physique, wrapped in skin that was darkened as much by the lava as by the sun. Tribal tattoos flanked his shoulders. Shirtless, his only clothing were his Captain's medallion, a pair of ember-colored shorts, and matching sandals. His chocolate and cinnamon hair were jelled up to resemble flames.

"I am Kiavve. My-"

"Hold up!" I said. "We already know who you are. Let's get straight to the action!"

"My trial will test your powers of observation! There will be a dance...and then another. Your task will be to find the difference between the two. Begin!"

"Seriously? What kind of lame trial is this?"

Even I thought I sounded rude and annoying, but the Captain's face remained blank; he hardly showed any expression at all. "What are you proposing?"

"Well, if you and your Pokemon like dancing so much, let's make it a dance-battle!"

Kiavve peered into the caldera of the volcano, as if seeking guidance. All we could hear was the hiss of the smoke and the gurgle of molten rock, but apparently, the Trial Captain received his answer. Kiavve nodded to the lava and then turned back to face us. "Very well. We will each use one Pokemon. Commands must be given through the movement of our bodies, and the Pokemon must repeat those actions to use their attacks."

I grinned. "Applejack!"

"Charlee, what are you doing? I dunno the first thing about dancin'!"

"Relax. Mom and Dad stuck me in dance class since kindergarten. This'll be a synch!"

"And what kind of dance was it, exactly?"

"...That's not important."

"I disagree! You're askin' me to be your partner in a dance battle!"

"Charlee was dancing ballet!" Aleng laughed. I shot him a look.

Applejack stared, dumbfounded. "I honestly don't know if this helps or hurts our chances. Fine. It's not like we got somethin' better." Whether she was supportive or merely resigned to the idea of the defeat, I couldn't tell, but I smiled nonetheless. In a way, it would almost be like I was dancing with Mallow.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAA. " Kiavve started screaming. He and Marowak struck a splayed leg riding stance. "Ai, Ai, Ai! Ho'opuka e-ka-la ma ka hikina e." Stomping the ground, their arms made repetitive thrust-grabbing motions before thumping their shoulders and chests, then the entire gesture was repeated again.

"Uh, what are they doin'?"

"It's a Haʻa." I answered. "Some people do it as a pre-battle dance to psyche themselves up.

"Then now do we know when the battle dance ends and the dance battle starts?"

Kiavve suddenly twirled his arm over head and translated it into a throwing motion. Marowak followed in kind with its bone torch! "IKAIKA KEAHI POEPOE."

My ancient Alolan was at best, piss-poor, but with any luck, I could try to translate what he was saying. "Let's see, 'poepoe' meant round or circle, 'keahi' was fire...oh crap! "He's using Flame Wheel! Quick, Pas de Chat!" I leapt nimbly to the side for a dodge, but Applejack just stood there!

"Pader-what?" The Flame Wheel struck her head on! "Argh!" Applejack staggered back, but she didn't fall. Already, I could see her strength growing and an unmistakable fortitude radiated in her body language.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, but I told you, I'm no lippizanner!"

"You don't know how to dance, but you know a fancy word like that?"

"It's a horse thing. Just keep the moves simple!"

Horse thing...that gave me an idea. "Rotom!"

"Yes?!"

"We need a beat. You ever seen 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'?" The living pokedex grinned and began playing the full version of 'Dance like you Want to Win'. As the light-hearted piano and strings kicked in, I turned back to Applejack. "Follow my lead!" We rushed towards our opponents using Chassé-or chasing. It was essentially a galloping motion that Applejack could easily emulate, and the distance between us and Kiavve began to close!

I fully hoped that Kiavve would continue his attacks, and feed Applejack's Stamina ability, but the Trial Captain was not so quick to oblige.

"Huli." he shouted as we neared! Kiavve and Marowak both spun in a circle, turning it into a Tail Whip to bring our defenses back down. Fine, let them; it was time for us to take the offensive!

"Quick! Pas de Cheval!" I demonstrated the 'step of the horse' and the Mudbray was quick to pick up on it and turn it into a Stomp attack...that had no effect!
"Alolan Marowaks are part Ghost! Normal moves won't work!" Rotom shouted. Crap! We had given them an opening!

"Huli. Iwi." Another turn, another Tail Whip. Then, Kiavve pumped his fist, while using his other hand to slap his bicep.

Marowak's ensuing Bone Club struck Applejack in the face, knocking her off her feet!

"Cheap-shotting little-"

"Applejack, hurry!" We did a split-leap-a Jeté, and narrowly dodged Marowak's next Bone Club.

"Keahi Poepoe." Kiavve went through the motions for Flame Wheel again!

"We gotta snuff out that fire, Charlee!"

"I know! Let's try this!" I kicked forward with a hard, sweeping motion. It was a motion known as Dégagé, but I repurposed it to strike the ground with my foot as it swept, throwing up a mess of dirt. Applejack promptly got the message and slammed her hooves into the ground to generate a Bulldoze attack! A small wave of dirt smashed itself the spinning bone torch, snuffing the attack and showering Marowak with debris! Kiavve's Pokemon lept back, but before it could mount a counter-attack, I repeated the Dégagé with my other foot, and Applejack burried him with another Bulldoze!

"Marowak, rise." Kiavve was starting to lose his concentration, but still, the Marowak erupted from the ground, ready for more! Well, if that's what he really wanted...

"Come on!" another Grand Jeté leap took us over Marowak's head! It turned to meet us with a huli, which was exactly what we wanted! I raised one knee, keeping it high and bent in Passé, before thrusting it out hard behind me as an Arabesque kick! Applejack nodded and tightened her haunches. The muscles bunched together, like a spring being compressed into a chamber. Then, as if someone pulled the trigger on a gun: both her legs fired forward and unleashed all of that energy through two powerful hooves! High Horsepower!

It was Marowak's turn to take an attack to the face, and he had neither the health nor the defensive strength that Applejack possessed! The blow sent him flying across the battlefield! Stunned and battered, Marowak staggered to his feet once more, before promptly collapsing in defeat.

I panted; then I turned to Applejack. "Great job, you were amazing!"

"Thanks, you too! Let's never do that again!"

"Haha, you said it!"

"Oh, you two were so beautiful!" Izzy gushed, her eyes wide with awe; "I wish I could dance like that!"

Aleng gave me a playful slap with his wings. "You were moving with a lot more heart then those times I watched you practice in class. What made the difference?"

I grinned. He would have a fit if he knew I was driven by the thought of...the thought of...oh no! It's happening again! I strained my brain, hoarding every last mental image and memory of Mallow! Can't forget, can't forget, can't-

"Congratulations Charlee." Kiavve broke my train of thought. "I never expected to battle someone else who had such a passion for dance. The test is over. You and your Pokemon have proven yourselves worthy."

"For the Fire-type Z Crystal, right?"

"No, to serve our goddess in eternal bliss."

"Aweso-wait, what?"

Something emerged from the caldera! A statuesque figure pulled herself slowly from the inferno, like a super-model out of a pool. As the lithe creature sauntered towards me, viscous, glowing lava cascaded almost hypnotically off her exposed form. The Pokemon's dark skin stretched taut, without a wrinkle in sight, and bright magenta streaks on her underside accentuated the curves of her body. I couldn't stop staring; none of us could. Suddenly, the heat wasn't just coming from the volcano.

"Behold. The Fire Totem Pokemon, and future Queen of all Akala Island." Kiavve practically prostrated himself with the pronouncement. He looked so stupid, and yet, something inside wanted to follow his example: showing respect, showing devotion, was the right thing to do. I resisted the urge out of personal pride.

"You can call me, Salazzle." her voice was deep and husky; more so than it had any right to be, and I felt myself drawn to her more with each syllable. Salazzle's hips swayed like palm trees with each sashaying step she took towards us. Bending down near Kiavve, she placed her slim, delicate fingers on his bare shoulders, and whispered unbearably close to his ear, "You may rise, Trial Captain." He did as he was told with a vacant stare in his eyes. Salazzle's cultured laugh echoed over all of Haleakala. "O-hohohoho! Such an strong, obedient young man!" With one finger, she began tracing the lines of Kiavve's well-defined biceps. I imagined her wet, silken touch on my own arm, and my heart began to race. As if reading my thoughts, she turned her sultry eyes towards me. "Once again, thanks to you, I'll have another trainer to tend to my every need."

Yes…yes I-NO! I shook my head vigorously, trying to clear the haze. The haze! The strange fog from my dream! It was her!

"Charlee! The gasses I've been detecting, they're coming from Salazzzle!"

"Yeah, Rotom, we kinda figured that out!" I snapped.

"What-what's going on with Aleng?!" Izzy shouted. I looked at my partner; the Trumbeak had the same blank expression on his face as Kiavve, and neither one were taking their eyes off of Salazzle. Jeeze, was that how I looked a second ago?

"She's using some kind of pheromone! It must only affect the boys!" Applejack shouted.

Salazzle giggled. It was surprisingly cute and endearing. "A girl has to use what she's got to get ahead. And I guess now, that also includes you!"

"Think again, you creep!" I slapped myself in the face to stay alert. "Ow!" That hurt more than I expected it to. Well, whatever worked.

"Ooooh." Suddenly she was right behind! How did something so big move so fast?! "I love it when they try to resist." she cooed. Her touch sent a shock running through me and I went stiff as a board; my body becoming completely paralyzed! I couldn't move even if I wanted to, but then again, why would want to leave her embrace?

A blast of cold water suddenly and splashed at both of us! Although it only seemed to strike me. Salazzle lept back with a violent hiss, leaving me to get drenched in the face! Considering the alternative, the water was a welcome refresher.

"Get away from my trainer, foul temptress!" BugLightyear!

"You aren't hypnotized?" I sputtered. The titanic arachnid casually tapped the helmet bubble that shielded his face to answer my question.

Well, that was one less team mate I had to worry about. "Aleng, return!"

To my utter disbelief, the Trumbeak dodged the beam of his pokeball. "I serve only the goddess, Salazzle now…"

"Oh for crying out loud! Izzy, you and Applejack get Aleng out of here! BugLightyear, let's you and I hose this hussy down! Watergun!" BugLightyear took aim, but another flaming Pokemon came out of nowhere and slammed into him!

"That was a Feint Attack!" Rotom shouted! The Pokemon that used it resembled some kind of fiery Donald Duck with the face of someone who's taken too many blows to the head! Stupid expression aside, the Magmar had the same blank look as the others, as well as the trainer beside it: a blond-haired man with perma-stubble in a green tank-top and beanie.

Salazzle laughed again. "Don't assume my loyal subjects will just let you harm their Queen. Come, my fine Hiker!"

"Yes, my lady. Magmar. Smokescreen." Oh great. As if I wasn't breathing in enough weird stuff already.

Unable to find a target, BugLightyear began spamming his Watergun in every direction, hoping for a hit! "Your minion can't conceal himself forever!"

"He won't have to. David and Magmar need only keep you busy long enough for your trainer to fall under my thrall!"

No matter where I went, I couldn't avoid the acrid-yet sweet scent emanating from Salazzle's flawless skin. Already I could feel the purple haze in my head getting thicker than the smoke around us. My entire body felt like it was in a pressure cooker! I slapped myself again to knock out the effects, but the pain was less potent this time. The touch of my hand felt almost numb; certainly nothing like the touch of Salazzle.

Don't think about her! Think about your Pokemon. I focused harder than I ever had in my life! A pair of powerful arms suddenly seized me and broke my concentration. The Hiker!

"Very good David. Now, bring him to me, while your Magmar mops up his Araquanid."

"It shall be done."

"The hell it shall!" No one lays a hand on me! Especially not some sweaty, love-zombie! My anger boiled over like magma from the earth's crust! Indignant rage overrode the effect of Salazzle's toxins, at least for the moment. I put that moment to good use by slamming my skull into Hiker David's face!

"Gargh!" He dropped me immediately to nurse his broken nose. Once free, I gave him a good kick in the stomach for good measure and the Hiker crumpled to his knees, gasping for breath.

Then I kicked him a few more times for good measure! *Kick! Kick! Kick!*

Simultaneously, BugLightyear finally found his mark, and with a gurgling cry, Magmar fell in a torrent of water and steam! "Now it's your turn, Totem!"

"Don't think you can touch me so easily!" she retorted! At her call, a Salandit emerged from the lip of the crater and engaged BugLightyear.

At the same time, I found myself tackled by yet another mind-controlled servant! "Kiavve!" I wrestled against his grip, but the Trial Captain had me almost pinned to the ground.

"Do not resist the goddesses' love."

"Don't tell me what to do, you love-sick ninny!" I tried to headbutt him, but he kept me at arm's length. Kicking him wasn't effective either! I gasped for air. At this point, I didn't care what I was breathing in; I just needed oxygen in my lungs. I was out of options; there was only one thing left that I could do: I snorted deep to collect all the gullah-gullah (snot) in the back of my throat. Then, I spit. In his eye.

[Charlee used Sludge!]

"Agh! Gross!" As Kiavve tried to wipe the mucus from his cornea, I charged in and body-slammed him to the floor!

When he tried to get up, I stomped my foot down on his chest. "Stay down, or I'll dance on your grave!"

A slow, soft clapping filled the air. Salazzle. High on adrenaline, my heart was racing a mile a minute. When she spoke, it somehow went even faster. "I can see why you were able to defeat the Captain in your Pokemon dance-battle. Sooo impressive."

"Darn right I am!" I panted. Hey, a compliment's a compliment.

"That is precisely the sort of strength that I'm looking for." Salazzle drew closer, her body gliding over the ground like a lava flow made flesh. Her exotic body literally glowing with totem energy and radiance. The heat coming off of her was like nothing I had felt before; intense and yet, inviting. "I need that power to help me spread my control over this entire island. Charlee, I need you."

This was without a doubt, the most uncomfortable feeling ever, and yet, I couldn't pull myself away. By nature, I was compelled to help anyone in need, and if I was the only one that could help Salazzle then-NO! But my body was already betraying me. It remembered that sudden pleasure the instant she had laid a hand on me. After a taste of that, I craved the whole thing! I yearned for the Totem's moist touch and that desire moved me closer to her; a moth to the flame. With each step, the air around her smelled sweeter; felt warmer. It was a warmth that I had never felt before: so alien, and yet, so inviting.

"Fight it Charlee!" BugLightyear shouted in desperation! "Think about Ma-" he was suddenly blind-sided by another Salandit minion!

"Give in. You'll have all the love, all the attention you desire. Be mine...forever." Her seductive voice had purged all remaining thoughts from my mind. I could see it now: the Totem Pokemon and I, together forever, intertwined in eternal bliss. I yearned for that toxic embrace.

A small tsunami of dirt hit me in the face and suddenly, I was tumbling, half-buried with my world dark and upside down! A Bulldoze attack! I came up spitting soil and suddenly, my only emotion was all-consuming anger!

"Applejack! What the hell are you doing?!"

"Snapping you out of it!"

How dare she get in my way of-wait, what was I doing, again?

"Get away from him!" Salazzle shrieked, but BugLightyear pounced on her from behind!

Simultaneously, Applejack pinned me with her hooves; her face just inches from mine. "Look at me, Charlee. Look at me! Why am I on your team?"

"What kind of stupid question-"

"Why. Am. I. On your team?"

"Because I...caught you?" No, that wasn't it. We, we had met somehow. She was a gift from someone...

"Charlee, can you please take Applejack with you on your journey?" That voice...the first voice from my dreams. I remembered: watching the sunrise over this very mountain- Haleakala was her name for it. Applejack was there too, on the grassy hill at Paniola Ranch; I was with her and…

"Mallow." The fog cleared and her face was suddenly all I could see. Smiling, concerned, sympathetic, laughing- embodying everything that made life worth living. I don't know what kind of expression I had on, but Applejack seemed satisfied and let me up. "So um, weren't you supposed to watch Aleng?"

"Relax, Izzy's got it covered."

Like a zombie, the Trumbeak burst from the pile of rocks he had been buried under. "Salazzle! My heart is yours!"

"Nope." Izzy bopped Aleng on the head and he fell unconscious again.

A cry cut through the air, and we both turned to see BugLightyear fall on his back, legs flailing and badly poisoned. The battle with Magmar, then Salandit, and now finally Salazzle, had taken their toll. She loomed over him and smirked. "Either I control you directly, or I'll have your trainer. Either way, you will serve me."

"Even if you had Charlee's mind, you will never control his heart!"

"I can live with that."

I threw a rock at her. "When we're through with you, you'll be lucky if you can live at all!"

Salazzle laughed her annoying, haughty laugh again. "Do you really think you can resist me with the power of love?"

It was true, I didn't know how long I could last just by having Mallow in my thoughts...but fortunately, memories weren't the only thing she had given me. "More like the power of kicking your butt! Applejack, Bulldoze!" I returned BugLightyear to his pokeball as the Mudbray shook the entire crater with her attack!

The sinister Salazzle leaped nimbly over the the assault. Then, our opponent retaliated with Torment, impeding Applejack's ability to use the same attack twice!

My partner whinnied in frustration. "She's so fast, she's dodging as soon as you give a command! How can we even land a hit if she knows what's comin'?"

The exact same thought was going through my head. We were running on borrowed time! How can we conceal our moves from Salazzle?

The pounding in my heart was suddenly matched by the rapid beat of music emanating from Rotom: "Är förlorad och förförd, Jag är skakad och berörd, Hjärtat slår så hårt, Låta bli dig blir för svårt..." I didn't know the language, but I recognized the song: Håll Om Mig (Hold Me); and I knew its significance.

"Applejack, up for one more dance?"

She grinned as the music reached a crescendo. Together, we struck a defiant pose in open Fourth Position as Salazzle rushed us with a Flame Burst! Even as the fiery sphere exploded, the two of us leaped back with a Brisé jump! The heat was intense, but nowhere near as intense as our focus! We powered through the searing sensation and upon landing, I threw my straightened leg as high as it would allow for a Grand Battement! Applejack was moving in almost perfect sync; it was a considerable departure from our previous fight when one followed the other's lead. When our legs to go no higher, we brought them slamming down hard enough to send up a shower of rocks! As we had hoped, the nature of our fighting style confounded Salazzle! She didn't realize we were using Rock Tomb until she was nearly buried in it! The Totem Pokemon tried to retaliate with Toxic, but it was too little, too late! Her mobility had been compromised and she was vulnerable. Our coup de grâce was a Grand Jeté leap that served to build up extra momentum for a final Dégagé-Bulldoze to completely overwhelm Salazzle. She fought and clawed for escape, even as the terra torrent overtook her, completely burying the Totem to finally ending this battle and her dreams of conquest! Then we threw a another Rock Tomb on her, just in case.

"Whew!" I shouted as Applejack reared up in victory! For the first time since this disaster started, I was able to breathe easy; literally! The surest sign that Salazzle had been beaten was that her pheromones were wearing off and the air was clearing. Even her other victims were starting to regain their senses.

"What the...what happened?" Aleng asked.

Izzy was immediately glomping him with joy. "Yay! They did it! You're ok again!"

Kiavve was the next to come to. I suppose I should've been a bit more sympathetic to a freshly-freed victim...then again, it was his fault!

Applejack seemed to share my opinions. "Your she-demon Pokemon nearly mind-controlled our trainer: that's what happened! What kinda Trial Captain are you?"

"I-I-I'm sorry! Once she evolved, nothing could satisfy her anymore! She just-"

"No excuses! You better stop prissy-pracin' around and step up your trainin', before we have a word with the Kahuna; that clear?"

Kiavve managed the weakest of all nods. "Please, accept my deepest apologies, and this Firium Z Crystal as sign of my gratitude." I took the dinky gem from his hand and stared at it.

Sensing an opportunity, Rotom jumped in. "We didn't go through all this just for a Zzz-Crystal! For what you put us through, we expect a lot more!"

"Please also take my Ride Pokemon!" Kiavve said hastily. "Charizard can take you almost anywhere you've visited in Aloha!"

"Now we're talking!" My very own Charizard! Bummer I couldn't use it in battle, but still! "Thanks Rotom."

"Don't mention it! It waz wonderful watching you two dance! You already have 2k likes on Youtube!"

"Yeah…" I turned towards said dance partner.

"Hey, Applejack? Mahalo."

"No problem. Between you and me, being your dancin' partner's not so bad."

I shook my head. "You helped me to remember Mallow, and how important she is to-" I caught myself at the last second; "to both of us. We never would have won without that."

"Oh, that. Shucks, it was as much for her as it was for you. So do us both a favor, and don't make her wait any longer, ok?"

That's right! We had completed all of the other trials! "Yeah, come on team! Time to see Mallow!" After everyone was tucked inside their pokeballs, I summoned my new Charizard for the first time and soared into the night sky! The wind whipped my face and I smiled at the thought of who was waiting for me! Somehow, I just knew that, waiting in the Lush Jungle, Mallow was smiling back.

It took every last ounce of strength for Salazzle to dig herself free from the earth that entombed her. Looking around, she realized that the summit of the volcano was quiet; deserted, save for her. The Fire/Poison type weakly pulled herself to the rim of the caldera and slid into the lava lake. The molten rock felt soothing to her battered body, like the healing waters of a hot spring.

"Even Kiavve's gone." she mumbled to herself, gazing at the sky. "Even if he came back, he'd be prepared to deal with my pheromones." It would no longer be easy to take advantage of him. How could she make others fall in love with her now? Salazzle barely registered the faint twinkle in the sky, but it rapidly grew into the shape of a fat, wrinkly old Salandit that slammed into her at terminal velocity!

Salazzle gasped for air as soon as she resurfaced from the lava! "What the-"

"Well hello there, beautiful!" Happosai immediately latched himself on to her chest. "How's about you and I share a soak?"

"Ugh, get off me you creep!" Salazzle shoved and pushed, but attempts at dislodging her abhorrent admirer were futile. That was when the Totem Pokemon remembered her special 'talents'. She barely had to concentrate as she flooded the crater with fresh pheromones. "Aren't you a sweet little cutie. Would you mind giving me some alone time to 'freshen up' before we cuddle?"

Happosai immediately froze. The miniature molester breathed deep, filling his lungs with Salazzle's toxic allure. Then, Happosai tightened his grip and if anything, he began to nuzzle her even harder. "Nope! Wow, you have such a nice smell. Did you put all of that perfume on just for me?"

Salazzle was stricken with absolute horror and dread! This little lech, whoever he was, could resist her charms with sheer unadulterated lust! In a frantic panic, Salazzle resumed her attempts to pry the poisonous parasite off, even as he continued to bury his head in her bosom.

"What a haul! What a haul!"

Author's Notes: Hmm, maybe it would have been more merciful to just leave Salazzle dead and buried. The inclusion of Happosai the Salandit was not necessary to the story, but I did technically catch him, so he had to be featured somehow. Believe it or not, all of this was planned months ago when I was playing the game, before the whole, sexual-harassment debacle, that is now flooding the media. Changing the spelling on Kiawe's name was a deliberate choice to get people to pronounce it correctly in their heads. In Hawaiian, 'w's are pronounced with a 'v' sound, unless they're at the beginning of a word, so 'Kiawe' should be pronounced "Ki-ah-vey". As always, constructive comments and suggestions are appreciated to improve my writing. Mahalo!