A long while later, the dust finally settled.
Noivern had completely lost the ability to battle, while Kommo-o lay sprawled across the ground, breathing heavily. Its body was covered in wounds, clearly at the end of its strength.
After using Clanging Scales twice and Scale Shot once, its physical defense had already dropped by two stages. Naturally, it couldn't withstand a physical Ghost-type Z-Move unleashed through Phantom Force.
"Kommo…"
Kommo-o nodded toward Peter and Whitney before extending one massive dragon claw.
Resting upon it were two diamond-shaped crystalline blue Z-Crystals.
[Dragonium Z: A crystal containing Dragon-type Z-Power. Once equipped to a Z-Ring, Trainers and Pokémon with deep bonds can unleash the powerful Z-Move "Devastating Drake."]
"Thank you, Kommo-o~" Peter accepted the two Dragonium Z crystals before leaving behind healing berries and Energy Cubes for the three Pokémon. Then he departed the cave together with Whitney.
When they returned to the cave entrance, Hapu immediately ran over.
"So?! Did you succeed?!"
"Of course~"
Peter and Whitney proudly showed off the Dragonium Z crystals.
"You actually defeated Kommo-o…" Hapu's face was filled with visible admiration and awe.
"Heh…" Being looked at with such hero worship by an elementary-school-looking girl made Peter feel strangely smug.
That expression really hit the spot.
"Alright, Hapu," Whitney asked, "what's the next trial?"
"Mmm… There's another Totem Pokémon living in the island forest. It guards the Fairy-type Z-Crystal. But if you want its recognition, you'll need Sister Mina's help…"
"Mina?" Peter repeated.
"Ribombee and its swarm travel across all four islands collecting nectar, so unlike Kommo-o, it can't just be found directly."
"As for Sister Mina, she's a painter who lives in Seafolk Village on the western side of the island. She has a special ability that lets her sense and communicate with Ribombee, so she can probably summon it back."
Peter nodded thoughtfully.
Mina—the future Trial Captain responsible for the Fairy-type trial in Seafolk Village.
In the anime, she had demonstrated an ability to communicate with Ribombee and even sense the emotions of Pokémon through them.
After learning the details, the trio headed north across the island.
According to Hapu, Mina usually spent her afternoons painting atop the cliffs along Poni Wilds.
Peter and Whitney rode atop Braviary, while Hapu was carried by Pidgeotto. The three of them sped toward the crashing shores of Poni Coast.
"Fearow!!!"
Before they even landed, a scruffy reddish-brown bird suddenly dove from the sky, targeting the Pidgeotto carrying Hapu!
"Pidgeotto!!"
Pidgeotto instantly used Aerial Ace to evade before retaliating with an Air Slash that sliced several feathers from the attacker's tail.
But the sudden maneuver also threw Hapu from its back.
Peter reacted immediately and threw a Poké Ball.
"Lopunny, catch Hapu!"
Then he looked up toward the airborne attacker.
[Fearow Lv49 (Advanced Elite Tier)]
Ability: Keen Eye
Description: A Fearow that once lived outside Pallet Town in Kanto. After being driven away by a certain cap-wearing boy's Pidgeot, it fled across the sea to this island without Pidgey populations. Its personality is extremely violent, and it harbors intense hatred toward all members of the Pidgeot line.
————
"Holy crap?!"
The moment Peter read the description, he immediately recognized this Fearow capable of going down in history.
This thing was practically a witness to the growth of a generation-defining Trainer—a true beginner-route mini-boss.
Back when Ash had first begun his journey, he'd accidentally hit it on the head with a rock while it was still a Spearow. The result?
It called in all its brothers and sisters and nearly beat him to death.
But then Ash's legendary backwards-cap buff speech triggered Pikachu's explosion of power, and that world-shaking Thunderbolt taught the flock a very memorable lesson...
Later, when Ash departed for the Orange Islands, he encountered it again in the forest outside Pallet Town.
By then it had evolved into Fearow.
But times had changed.
Ash's Pidgeotto evolved into Pidgeot and completely crushed it, nearly leading to Fearow itself being captured by its old enemy.
Peter never expected it to have drifted all the way here.
Judging from its malnourished appearance, immigrant life on Alola clearly hadn't been easy...
Perhaps in its eyes, everything was Pidgeot's fault.
That probably explained why it dared provoke even a Gym-level Braviary.
Peter carefully examined the Fearow.
To him, this wasn't just a Fearow anymore.
It was a high-potential utility bird.
"Pidgeotto, prepare for battle!"
"Pidgeotto!!"
Pidgeotto responded with a clear, fearless cry.
Its resilient personality had never once feared a challenge.
"Fearow!!!"
Fearow dived downward, its beak glowing while spinning violently.
Drill Peck!
A Flying-type physical move with 80 power.
"Quick Attack, then Air Slash!"
"Pidgeotto!!"
Pidgeotto spread its wings wide.
A flash of white streaked across the air as it dodged Drill Peck, and then the Flying Gem within its body began glowing sky blue.
Sharp currents immediately formed around it.
With one powerful flap of its wings, a gigantic wind blade capable of slicing the sky itself slammed into Fearow's side!
"FEAROW!!!"
A storm of scruffy feathers scattered everywhere as Fearow cried out in pain and was blasted back dozens of feet.
Yet even then, it stubbornly charged forward again.
The hatred in its eyes felt almost tangible.
Its wings shone with metallic luster.
Steel Wing!
"A brute-force fighter only gets kited around~" Peter shook his head before sharply commanding:
"Pidgeotto, Agility to dodge, then use Twister!"
"Pidgeotto!"
Pidgeotto's body split into silver-gray afterimages as it effortlessly avoided the attack again.
At the same time, a spiraling blue tornado completely surrounded Fearow!
With its Unburden ability activated, Pidgeotto had already become a bird Fearow could never hope to catch.
"Charge power… then use Hurricane!!"
"PIDGEOOOTTOOO!!!"
Pidgeotto beat its wings repeatedly.
Countless razor-sharp wind blades surged into the tornado alongside violent currents.
"Fearow!!!"
Hatred flashed through Fearow's eyes.
Then, abandoning all defense entirely, violent energy erupted from its body as it charged straight into the Hurricane!
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Blade after blade pierced its body, yet the injuries only intensified the viciousness in its gaze.
The rushing impact formed a six-pointed-star-shaped airflow around its body as it forcibly smashed through the Hurricane and slammed directly into Pidgeotto midair!
Giga Impact!
A Normal-type ultimate physical move with 150 power. After use, the user enters a period of complete exhaustion.
"Pidgeotto!!"
The Hurricane instantly dispersed.
Pidgeotto fell from the sky like a kite with cut strings.
"Pidgeotto!!"
Peter hadn't expected Fearow to use such a suicidal, mutually destructive tactic.
"Pidge…"
Pidgeotto struggled desperately to keep its eyes open.
But directly beneath it stood a jagged coastal rock formation.
Just before Peter activated Healing—
A massive waterspout suddenly rose from the sea.
Pidgeotto's plummeting momentum slowed instantly.
Peter froze.
For a split second, a gigantic silver-white figure flashed beneath the ocean surface—
Then dazzling light exploded across the sky.
[Ding! Pidgeotto has received the blessing of the Sea Guardian Lugia and has entered evolution!]