To be honest, the moment Satoshi and Uika stepped into Poni Canyon, they could feel it—how strong the Pokémon here were.
In a place this harsh, Pokémon were forced to train just to survive. Their levels were far higher than anywhere else, and the ones in Poni Canyon were especially nasty to deal with.
"Frogadier, use [WATER PULSE] on Gigalith! Rillaboom, use [ACROBATICS] on Mienshao!"
"Electivire, use [THUNDER] to knock Skarmory down! Pawmot, use [CLOSE COMBAT] on Lycanroc!"
"Koga!" "Rilla!" "Ele!" "Paw!"
Frogadier formed Water Pulse in its hands, the sphere gleaming like clear crystal, then fired it straight at Gigalith. It burst across the Rock-type's body, just barely forcing it out of the fight.
Rillaboom flared with a coat of white light. Like a performer mid-act—fast and precise—it spun its drumsticks, power roaring to the limit, and smashed Mienshao away with its strongest Acrobatics.
Electivire and Pawmot brought their own opponents down too—but only barely.
Satoshi and Uika were basically scraping through by chaining super-effective moves and coordinating off each other's Pokémon. The stamina drain was brutal. At this rate, they might have to turn back before they even got to Kommo-o.
According to Uika, Rainbow Wing's Trainers had basically never cleared this trial. No one from Rainbow Wing even had a Dragonium Z—meaning if they made it through, they'd be the first ever to do it for Rainbow Wing.
A trial like that—and a title like that—was more than enough to get your blood pumping.
Honestly, Satoshi had zero complaints about running into these Pokémon.
Satoshi: I'm fine with this!
Uika, on the other hand, was feeling a little pressure. She had to watch for surprise attacks, command her Pokémon, cling to Satoshi, and—just for fun—stay on guard in case her childhood friend Togawa Sakiko showed up.
The stress was unreal, okay?!
If the whole "stealing Sakiko's boyfriend" thing ever got exposed… Uika didn't even know if she'd be able to stay friends with Sakiko afterward.
Uika: Saki, you're so gentle… you'll forgive me, right?!
Praying desperately in her heart, Uika forced all her focus onto the Pokémon charging in.
This time, something about the opponent felt… off.
Because it was a Gyarados.
A Gyarados flying through the air.
The second Satoshi saw it, his eyes went wide.
Gyarados—you can fly?
I mean, I know you're part Flying-type. I know you flew in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
But Satoshi was still completely shaken.
I've never even seen you fly in the anime—so you really can? Which friend gave you the ability to fly, huh?
Is this even legal?
"Pawmot—[QUICK ATTACK]!" Uika sliced her hand forward.
"Paw~!"
Pawmot erupted in dazzling golden light. It sprang into the sky, its body wreathed in fierce golden electricity, and slammed straight into Gyarados—electrocuting it into the ground and knocking it out cold.
"ROAAARRRR~~~"
All I can say is: if you're 4× weak to Electric, don't even show up. It's embarrassing.
Come back after Terastallizing into Electric and bringing a Cell Battery or something!
"This is the first time I've seen a Gyarados in the air too," Uika said, smiling at how stunned Satoshi looked. "Apparently it's pretty common in the Sinnoh region. It's rarer in Kanto. I didn't think we'd run into one in Alola."
As she explained, she naturally took his hand again—completely immersed in the "trial" she was doing with Satoshi (a date).
Misumi Uika actually carried a lot of pressure in everyday life.
She'd come alone from her home island all the way to Rainbow Wing City, become an idol, and on top of that become one of the School Elite Four. The strain was enormous. She was constantly running back and forth between both worlds.
Her rare hobbies were basically just Pokémon battling and stargazing. Most days she poured her time into practice, and the only person she regularly saw was someone on her idol team—Sumita Mana.
But for Uika…
Sumita Mana—who?
Some cheerful girl who liked donuts, maybe. The sort who latched onto you one-sidedly. But she barely registered in Uika's heart. Every time Uika talked to her, she had to force a smile.
She wasn't like a childhood friend.
To be honest, chances to loosen up like this were incredibly rare. It wasn't exactly relaxing, but just being with her childhood friend Satoshi already made her happy—so right now, Uika's heart was in full flutter mode.
As long as Sakiko didn't show up, it was perfect!
"Sinnoh, huh? I can't wait. I really have to find a chance to go someday," Satoshi said, excitement brightening his face.
Truthfully, he was even more interested in the place that came before Sinnoh—the region called Hisui.
He wanted to restore those nearly extinct Pokémon to glory again.
Hisuian Zoroark was ridiculously cool. Arcanine wasn't bad either.
And Sneasler—without needing a held item—was the fastest Pokémon in the universe!
Sadly, they were rare… but not nonexistent. After all, Kitakami had Bloodmoon Ursaluna. Maybe other Pokémon were hiding somewhere too—mutating into something new.
"Then next time, how about we go to Sinnoh together—just the two of us? It'd be a nice way to unwind," Uika said lightly, and then—without thinking—interlaced her fingers with his.
The gesture was lover-like, smooth as flowing water, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She savored it completely.
If someone saw this…
She'd get flamed online!
"Ah… sorry. After this school trip, I have to go to the Kalos region, so I really don't have time," Satoshi said, refusing without a second thought.
I've still got plans over here to get Kanto a new System! Sinnoh would just get in the way!
"Kalos?" Uika blinked, puzzled.
"I'm going there to get something important. For my High School Pokémon League… it's the key."
Promoting Mega Evolution!
Satoshi was already gearing up for the future—preparing to fight countless Kangaskhan bosses!
[Hehehe~ Satocchi's Mega Lopunny~ Satocchi's Mega Gardevoir and Mawile~]
Don't go feral on me!
[Then Satocchi's Mega Steelix? Furiko wants it~]
That's insane—and I don't even have a Steelix in my team!
Satoshi felt helpless.
"Something important… Then, Satoshi, do you have someone you want to go with?" Uika asked, leaning in close. She cared a lot more than she should. She knew it wouldn't be her, but she still wanted to know who it was.
Even though Uika didn't like Satoshi. Even though she had no intention of stealing Sakiko's boyfriend.
"Yeah, I have someone in mind," Satoshi said casually. "But this isn't the time. A Pokémon's coming."
He shifted his attention to a Noivern flying in from the distance.
But Uika—who told herself she didn't like him—still couldn't move past the topic, turning it over and over in her head.
Who is it?
That girl… is she more important than me?
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T/N: NOIVERN!!! CATCH!! noivern is pretty cool