The next day Ashley and the gang are at the Ruins of Hope, why? Because of Hapu's island kahuna affirmation ceremony.

"And now," Hapu said. "I, Hapu of Poni Island, offers this dance to Tapu Fini, who slumbers in the island's water."

Hapu got up and started going in circles just like a ballerina, but slow and clapping her hands while doing that the water begins to gurgle. Then out of the water came Tapu Fini once she got out she started circling Hapu leaving sparkles. Hapu took off her Z-Ring and ask Tapu Fini to grant her the mantle of protector of Poni Island and its surrounding seas. Tapu Fini then used her power to make water which circles the Z-Ring then the water disappears, now Hapu is the island kahuna. Once that's done Tapu Fini then went back to the water and they all left the Ruins of Hope.

"Thank you all for your attendance," Hapu said. "I'm greatly obliged.

"Congratulations Hapu!" they all say.

"Ashley you have waited patiently, Hapu said. "Soon you will have your grand trial."

"I'm ready whenever you are," Ashley said.

"That's the spirit," Lana said encouragingly.

"All right, follow me," Hapu said.

They followed Hapu to where the battle will take place.

"Our battle will take place there," Hapu said.

She pointed out to sea where's nothing but rocks and pillars.

"Huh?" Ashley said, confused. "At sea? But I don't see anything."

"Ashley look closer," Hapu suggested.

Ashley looked closer and saw the battlefield and was quite shocked.

"Tonight the tides will be at their lowest point," Hapu stated. "As the tide goes out the battlefield appears. It is there that my partner, Mudsdale, will battle against one of your Pokemon in a one-on-one grand trial. All right, what do you say?"

"Of course," Ashley said. "And I'm gonna win."

"Very well," Hapu said. "I look forward to it Ashley."

She released her Golurk, got on it and flew off.

"So Ashley, who are you going to use?" Sophocleus asked.

"Well Mudsdale weaknesses are water, ice, grass type Pokemon," Lillie stated.

"Maybe you should use Rowlet," Mallow suggests.

"I could," Ashley said. "if he's awake that is."

Ashley puts her backpack down and opens it. Rowlet is in here and is asleep as usual.

"Rowlet would you wake up, please?" Ashley asks nicely.

Rowlet lazily wakes up.

"Rowlet would you like to battle tonight?" Ashley asked.

Rowlet was fully awake and had determination in his eyes. He eagerly nods his head.

"That's great," Ashley said, hugging the bird.

"That's showing your fiery spirit," Kiawe said.

"I'm going to the Pokemon center to train," Ashley said before heading off.

"I'm right behind you," Rotom said before following her.

"Well, there she goes," Lana said.

"It is her last grand trial," Mallow said. "So she would be excited."

Everyone agrees.

Later that night it was time for the grand trial the water tides are at the lowest point revealing the battlefield.

"Hey gang," Hapu said. "Professor Kukui are you willing to be the judge for this battle?"

"Not a problem," Professor Kukui replies.

The students and Pokemon went to the side to spectate and Rotom gets ready to record. Ashley & Hapu made their way to one end of the battlefield.

"This will be an official 1 on 1 Grand Trial Battle between the island kahuna Hapu and the challenger Ashley. Neither side is allowed to substitute Pokemon and the battle will be over when either side's Pokemon are unable to continue. Can both sides please send out their Pokemon?"

"Go Mudsdale," Hapu said.

"Rowlet I choose you!" Ashley said.

Both Pokemon appeared and got into a battle stance.

"Battle begin!" Professor Kukui said.

"Rowlet Razor Leaf," Ashley said.

Rowlet puts its wings together and launches sharp-edged leaves at Mudsdale.

"Counter with Mega Kick," Hapu said.

Mudsdale jumped towards the Razor Leaf while powering up a kick from its rear legs while taking a lot of damage from the grass type attack and scoring a direct hit on Rowlet. Both Pokemon were knocked backwards.

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"Rowlet are you okay?" Ashley asked.

Rowlet nods his head.

"I know Rowlet has the advantage," Kiawe said. "But Mudsdale is bigger than Rowlet and that could be a problem."

"I think you are right," Sophocles said.

"Ashley can do it, she always does," Lillie said proudly.

"Use Mega Kick once more," Hapu commanded.

Mudsdale rear legs began to glow white and aim itself towards Rowlet.

"Dodge it and use Razor Leaf," Ashley said.

Rowlet dodges the attack and puts its wings together and launches sharp-edged leaves at Mudsdale and scoring a direct hit.

"Mudsdale are you alright?" Hapu asked.

Mudsdale nods its head.

"Impressive, but we won't be beaten so easily," Hapu said. "Use High Horsepower."

Mudsdale glowed and starts to charge towards Rowlet.

"Rowlet counter with Peck," Ashley said.

Rowlet's beak becomes sharply pointed and flies towards Mudsdale. Both moves collied making a mini-explosion.

"Rowlet if you can hear fly up," Ashley said.

Rowlet flies out of the smoke.

"Mudsdale if your alright use Rock Slide," Hapu said.

Mudsdale became surrounded with an orange aura, forming a circle that created several large rocks forming towards Rowlet.

"Rowlet try your best to dodge it," Ashley said.

Rowlet flies around or threw the rocks. However, a few manage to hit Rowlet.

"Rowlet!" Ashley shouted.

Rowlet weak flies back up.

"Time to finish this," Hapu said. "Let's do it Mudsdale."

Hapu does the poses to activate her z-move.

"Here it comes," Ashley said. "Get ready Rowlet."

Rowlet nods.

"Use Tectonic Rage!" Hapu shouted.

Mudsdale burrows deep into the ground and slams into Rowlet will full force of its z-power.

"Rowlet!" Ashley shouted.

"Is it over?" Mallow asked.

Rowlet lays on the floor motionless until it flies back up very weakly.

"Rowlet your alright!" Ashley said happily. 'However that last attack could've taken you out we need to finish this.' Ashley thought.

"Well then Mudsdale use Rock Slide," Hapu commanded.

However, Mudsdale is a little exhausted after using its z-move.

'Now's my chance,' Ashley thought. "Use Razor Leaf.

Rowlet puts its wings together and launches sharp-edged leaves at Mudsdale. Mudsdale couldn't dodge and took the attack head-on.

"Mudsdale!" Hapu shouted worried.

"Okay Rowlet," Ashley said. "Let's do it."

Ashley does the poses for her z-move.

"Rowlet at full power now," Ashley said. "Bloom Doom!"

Rowlet collects energy from plants using its z-power and attacks Mudsdale at full force. It was a super effective attack on the already tried Mudsdale and knocked Mudsdale out with swirls in its eyes.

"Mudsdale is unable to battle Rowlet wins. Therefore the winner is the challenger Ashley," Professor Kuki declared.

"Well done Rowlet," Ashley said as she hugged the bird.

"All right!" the rest shouted.

"That was close call," Rotom said.

"No kidding," Lana agreed.

"Well Ashley, congratulations on beating me in your final grand trial," Hapu said. "As proof of your victory, here is the Poni Island Trial Stamp." She handed Ashley the stamp.

"Thanks Hapu," Ashley said as she takes the stamp.

"Additionally now that you have finished all of the Island Trials and Grand Trials, you get to choose a z-crystal you want from this box," Hapu said as she presented a box containing all types of z-crystals.

"Awesome," Ashley said. "Well Rowlet since you're the one who worked hard, you should pick."

A short while later Rowlet chooses the Flyinium Z.

"So the Flyinium Z, huh?" Hapu asks receives a nod from Rowlet. "Then here you go." She gave Ashley the z-crystal.

"Thanks again Hapu," Ashley said, taking the z-crystal.

Rowlet being Rowlet immediately fell asleep.

"Rowlet you deserve a good rest," Ashley said as she puts Rowlet in her backpack.

"Now that's settled," Hapu said. "Do you guys want to come to my house for dinner?"

"Sounds like a good idea. Is everyone okay with this?" Professor Kuiki asked, earning nods of agreement from the others.

"Alright, let's go," Hapu said as she led the group back to her house for dinner.

During dinner, everyone talked about their time on Poni Island. Rotom showed the video Ashley and Red with Ashley's permission, of course, and everyone thought it was sweet.

"Ashley?" Mallow whispered. "Don't you think you should tell them?"

"I don't know," Ashley whispered back. "I'm nervous about how they will react."

"It will be fine. I promise," Mallow said.

Ashley takes a deep breath. "Guys, Hapu there is something I should tell you."

"What is it?" Sophocles asked.

"After me and my mum found dad wasn't coming back," Ashley started. "Mum was devasted and I was sad. Mum got angry at me and shouted this was all my fault. She started to punch and kick me until I passed out. Everyday it's the same thing over and over again and sometimes I don't get anything to eat for breakfast or dinner. No matter how much I apologize, she wouldn't listen. No one believed me because she puts an act in front of everyone to make her look like the perfect mother or neighbor. One day, she beat me with a whip, she hit me several times, my skin was bleeding so hard, and that's how I got that scar on my neck." She shows the scar on her neck, making everyone except Mallow, Lana and Rotom gasped.

"Sometimes I stay in the forest for a few days for safety because I couldn't keep handling this intense pain. Years had passed, I finally could become a trainer, but mum didn't want to lose her punching bag so she tried everything to stop me. Lucky for me, I woke up early and quickly left the house before mum could catch me. After I got Pikachu I left as fast as I can." Ashley finished.

"I-I can't believe it," Lillie said sadly.

"So when we were in Kanto," Kiawe said "your mum was fooling us."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Sophocles asked.

"Would you have believed me?" Ashley asked.

All of Ashley's Pokemon jumped on her and nuzzled her in an attempt to comfort her.

"Does she still hurt you?" Hapu asked.

"Unfortunately, yes," Ashley replies. "Everytime I return from a journey she abuses me more and more telling me I shouldn't have left. Sometimes I waited until she falls asleep and sneak in through the window."

"So that's why you were nervous about hanging with your mum when we were in Kanto," Lana said.

Ashley nods.

"Professor Kuki," Ashley said. "After being with you and Professor Burnet I started to see you two as parents. Even though you're not related by blood I love you guys."

Professor Kuki stands up from his seat and hugs Ashley. "I love you too, and I know Burnet will feel the same way."

Ashley returns the hug and sheds a few tears.

"Ashley," Hapu said. "I might not have known you long, but I could see you a nice girl and you didn't deserve that abuse and neglect. That woman should be arrested."

"I agree," Lillie said.

Everyone else agrees.

"Thanks you guys," Ashley said still with tears in her eyes.

"Now stop crying, we're here for you," Professor Kuki said wiping her tears.

Ashley stops crying and smiles brightly.

"You guys are my family," Ashley said. "My Alolan family."

"Alright, enough sad talk," Hapu said. "Let's finish eat."

"Okay," they all said.

The Next Day

It was time to back to Melemele Island.

"Okay gang," Prof. Kuki said. "Did everyone enjoy their time here?"

"I sure did," Sophocles said.

"It was amazing," Lillie agreed.

"Lots of fun," Kiawe said.

"Lots of memories," Lana said.

"I got to see my mum again," Mallow said.

"And I finally got my last grand trail," Ashley said. "I saw my dad and I appreciate you guys a lot more after telling about my past."

Pikachu nuzzles her cheek.

"Thanks bud," Ashley said. "Sorry if I didn't tell you sooner."

"Okay, time to head home," Prof. Kuki said.

They were about to board the boat.

"Wait, hang on," A voice said. It was Hapu on Golurk.

"Hapu what are you doing here?" Ashley asked.

"I wanted to give you these," Hapu said.

She handed them Poni radishes.

"Thank you Hapu," Mallow said overjoyed.

"Your welcome," Hapu said. "It's what friends do and Ashley you have good friends and Pokemon by your side to help you."

"Thank you," Ashley said before hugging Hapu which Hau returns.

"We should get going," Prof. Kuki said.

They all board the boat.

"Bye Hapu until next time," they all said.

"Bye guys," Hapu said.

They all waved to each other until they were out of sight.

Ashley takes out a necklace which is one of her most valuable possession.

"That's a pretty necklace," Lille complimented.

"Where did you get it?" Mallow asked.

"It was a gift from my father," Ashley said. "I always keep it with me."

Everyone nods.

'Daddy, I love you,' Ashley thought. 'You will always be in my heart. One day I will solve the mystery of what happened to your Pokemon. Until then I hope you will always believe in me.'

"Melemele here we come again," Ashley whispered.