On a hot sunny day in the Alola region, everyone seems to be outside enjoying the weather through various activities. But there lie a few who resist the idea of outside engagement of healthful playtime who would rather scarf down junk foods such as popcorn or even Oreos with the blinds closed. Bob on the other hand enjoys both tasty goods while watching the same anime that arouses not just his mind, but his body too. An anime about cheerleaders in perfect sync to aid the players through a soccer match at the big game isn't always the recipe of excitement, but Bob was bouncing on his seat.

"Throoooooooo?" Rowlet squeaks like a toot trying to be unnoticed, but ends up being louder than it should be. It tries to understand the boys love for the show and the characters in. But the musical notes end up replaying in the Pokémon's mind, under a game buzzer explodes with the winning team bouncing up and down, praising for victory.

"We did it! But we couldn't have done it without our cheerleading team!" One of the athletes exclaimed as they all leaped in the air for a victory pose. The ending to the episode was so powerful, Bob chimed in with excitement for the favorable characters of that anime winning in the end. Until the neighbors knocked in his door to politely ask him to keep the noise to a tolerable degree, which he blushes in the end.

"Welp, glad Mom and Dad aren't here to discover that,"

Bob grabs Rowlet like a plush, which the small Pokémon looks back, wondering if the singing in its head finally stopped.

"That right there buddy, is powerful, and I mean POWERFUL stuff. Not everyone will understand the power of singing and bouncing cheerleaders... Beautiful stuff... I especially like Chloe and Patty's side steps and Breana's twirls-"

Bob rambles on and on day dreaming about what he just embarked upon while his Pokémon ends up in a dizzy head from processing all he was yapping on about, until his groin hits the nightstand right next to the bed. Where his black Z-Crystal has been sitting upon on. Which gave the boy a brief flashback of the old man who was kind enough to give him the key item.

"You know what Rowlet, it's too cooped up in here. Let's do something fun!" Slipping the ring onto his wrist, the two sought out for something unique to find or something to happen.

Walking through the hotel lobby, he noticed that cousin Ernesto was nowhere to be seen in the lobby. Tyrone the Herdier slept behind the employee counter where it normally does, but that wasn't much of a surprise. That was until Rowlet flapped its wings once it had heard rumbling coming from the back, so it zoomed forward to see what was going on, Bob following it on his thirst for adventure.

"Lead the way! I have nothing else to dooooo!"

Taking a peek outside, he wasn't expecting what he was currently watching. Outside was his cousin, who was battling alongside a large bull Pokémon called Tauros. His opponent was his friend from school Kiawe, who has a large tortious Pokémon which is called Turtonator, which is native in the Alola Region.

"You're proving to be worth a challenge Kiawe, but don't forget that I fought many trainers in my career! So don't take me for just any generic face! Tauros, Double Edge!"

Sounding just as confident he posture could ever be, Tauros dives in and delivers a rumbling impact with its horns, but Turtonator took the attack more lightly than you'd think with its armor and experience.

"You're not a pushover yourself, I'm enjoying this too. Now than, Turtonator, Flamethrower!"

Streaming a bright flame from its nostrils, the attack almost makes contact with the enemy, but suddenly cut off by a Protect, avoiding any damage from the flame.

"Now then! It's time!"

Pulling down his sleeve with a white Z-crystal (the one everyone has) he taps it which brightens a white light, matching the color of the Z-Crystal, he poses his arms to form a Z which white energy flows from him into his own Pokémon, which sure was having the time of its match.

"Wha-what in the earth is this?!"

Bob and Rowlet were both astonished to see the rising energy of the battle was going with Ernesto's side of the field.

"Here we go Tauros! I haven't done this in a while! Use Breakneck Blitz!"

Within seconds, Tauros zoomed like a rocket, throwing itself and Turtonator back at least a mile from unmeasurable and unexplainable power. The match was already outside of the box, everyone had to rush where the two Pokémon were, Turtonator STILL standing after an attack like that.

"But... But how can Kiawe's Pokémon withstand an attack like that?!"

The breath out of the boy was taken away, the sweat off of Kiawe rubbed off from his arm, it was time to but the battle back in his own favor.

"It's time to use our own power! I'll show you what Turtonator and I are made of! Fire! Inferno Overdrive!"

The attack unleashed from Turtonator wasn't just blazing, but devastating. The explosive attack was too much for a Protect to be blocked, Tauros was unable to move after a roasting move. Bob from the side was still blown away on the sheer power Z-moves were capable of.

"These moves should be illegal to perform by anyone under 21!"

Bob blatantly blurts, unable to contain his character to his friend or cousin, which they finally noticed his presence.

"Oh Bob, Alola. Didn't even see you there."

Kiawe smiles and casually waved, while his Turtonator greets itself, Rowlet waving how a person would.

"Iee... Guess the truths out then... I lost,"

Ernesto scratches the back of his head in little shame of losing, but ultimately shakes off tension by returning his Tauros back into its Pokéball.

"You friends with Kiawe? School friend?"

After small talk of their relationship, Ernesto couldn't help of the black Z-Ring in current possession of Bob, like it was some fancy watch which a kid purchased all by himself.

"Bob's Z-Ring is something I haven't ever seen before. I can't tell if it's just simply a different color, or if there's actually something that makes it different than its appearance."

The two look upon the Z-Ring such as suspicious police, but Bob wasn't on board of it being any different than an ordinary ring.

"What I suggest is that you two should take it to an Island Kahuna. They're always the one to bestow these gifts towards newly developed Pokémon trainers, maybe they'll know if it's normal or not."

Limit on ideas, Bob and Kiawe currently headed to Ike Town, in which Ernesto returns to the hotel to resume his job. Reaching the center of town, the Island's Kahuna Hala appeared to be training right side his Pokémon Hariyama, a large and threatening Fighting Type.

"Now take note young lads, Pokémon battles isn't just about brute strength. You must also train on your stamina, motion and balance. If you were to unleash imbalance attacks through your opponent for the sake of damage, you won't be getting far in your match."

Hala guides several other kids with their partner Pokémon on an important lesson that they assume would be important in a Pokémon battle. These kids payed close attention to the lesson that this wise old man was informing them about, even asking questions of their own. Such as,

"How do we keep ourselves from breaking under pressure?"

And;

"Is there any way we can improve ourselves for our Island Challenges?..."

The answer to that question was simple to Hala, not because he's been constantly asked about it, but once being like them, he had the answer for them.

"Make sure you all train hard and battle everyday. Try not to show signs of weary from lack of rest or anything that could dislocate yourselves."

The noble kids all stood up as they bow to the man in gratitude, which the man returns one back. Also dismissing those kids for the day, once turning about, he waves at the two boys.

"Oh. Kiawe. Bob. It's been quite sometime!"

Waving at the boys, they have the sense of welcoming into Halas presence.

"It's great to see you too Hala."

Kiawe bows in a manner way, before he brings up matter of Bob and his unusual Z-Ring. Which suddenly gives Bob a chilling sense in his system. Showing something that could possibly be out of line to the person who first set you up for the activity could easily mean disqualification AND the separation of his partner Rowlet.

Hala inspects the object, his face doesn't look any different then what it's usually. But it wasn't until he removes the accessory from his wrist to look in a better angle, which really rolls in the anxiety in the boy, but it all ends in a firm nod.

"Nothing wrong or unusual about this particular Z-Ring Bob. I in fact take a liking to the pattern and color used for that one. Where did you get that one?"

Hala asked, while the boy explains he was given his item from the old man from the Tapu Koko, after hearing quite an uplifting compliment. Returning the item back to Bob, Hala smiles and reaches his hand into his pocket, fishing out a metal object from inside.

"Before I forget, I don't recall you ever getting your Island Trial certification,"

Bestowing the item how a king would honor to a knight, he hands him an amulet with 4 different colored shapes on it.

"As Kahuna of Melemele Island, one of four with the Alola Region, I now pronounce you to start your Island Challenges!"

With a silly gesture, the men get a good laugh out of that, right before the bushes began to rustle. Before any of the two could get alarmed of any threats, Hala informs that the Pokémon entering from the bushes weren't enemies of any sort.

"These Pokémon are only students for my leading Pokémon Hariyama. Just as you saw with the other kids you saw a second ago, these Pokémon known as Makuhita are the pre-evolution of my very Pokémon."

The short but chubby Pokémon circled the mighty Hariyama for their current lesson to begin, as it happy accepts as their own form of class was in session. One of the Makuhitas follows the reflection of light that was coming from the shininess of Bobs amulet, which walks right up to Bob.

"Ma-hu?"

It tilts is head to the object, which Kiawe misunderstands the Pokémon for its sudden interest in Bob. But Hala could see the attraction of the Pokémon comes from the shining light.

"Well, looks like Makuhita has quite the curiosity about your amulet. Why don't you tell it about yourself and the whole challenge you wish to embark on."

Taking the idea, Bob kinda sits down with the Pokémon and has like a father-son talk about the Island Trials he wishes to compete. Which also reels in the Pokémon.

"Ma! Maku! Ma!"

It hardly makes any air while jumping in the air, amped up just hearing that these challenges would provide hard work and battling others. Makuhita wished to extend its training far beyond the norm and sore to he mountains.

"Woah woah! You're an excited one huh? Well how bout you join my crew? Me, Rowlet and Houndour!"

Makuhita throws its first into the air, confirming a spot on his team, as he took out a Pokéball and successfully captures it with its extremely high catch rate.

"Wonderful! I hope you and your trial go swimmingly! If you'll now excuse me, I'll go attend my own Pokémon and it's own class."

He walks to the Hariyama who was practicing using its Arm Thrust along with the other Makuhitas. Bob and Kiawe returned to Hau'Oli City right after their encounter with the old man, which they were indeed ready to split roads.

"Take care Bob, I hope I can teach you how to use your Z-Ring once you complete your first trial."

Kiawe waves before getting into the back of his Charizard and flies away to the other island in Alola, returning home as Bob returns back to the hotel.

"Before I go nuts with my trial... I better get back to the swing of things with a Pokémon battle... Hopefully Ash isn't busy tomorrow..."

He closes the door to his room as the night goes into day, Bob goes straight to the professors place around 11 in the morning, a fine where everyone should be up by now. Ash was the one to answer the door, being his usual self.

"Hi Bob! What brings you over here?"

Asking the boy if he could have a match with Ash in a Pokémon battle, he no way did he turn him down over a good battle, so he excepts it and made their way into the beach.

"You're on Bob! Alright Rowlet, I choose you!"

Ash sends out the iconic grass Pokémon within the Alola region, but Bob had a different approach.

"Alright Makuhita! It's showtime!"

He sends out his newly caught Pokémon, which Ash has indeed seen elsewhere, even saying it himself. Rotomdex swoops in and Analyzes the data Makuhita before the battle had truly began.

"I think I'll go first if you don't mind Ash! Let's start with a Peck!"

Starting off with Type advantages, Rowlet swoops in and delivers a super effective shot! But the problem there is that Makuhita hardly stepped back from the impact, in fact, Rowlet flung back from its tiny size and weight.

"Uhh... This'll be tougher than I'd thought..."

Ash scratches his head while Pikachu right besides him sweatdropped, Rotomdex taking note of Makuhita's endurance.

"Inzzcredible! I didn't expect Rowlet to be knocked back by its own attack... Rowlet will have to be alert from here..."

The other side of this, Bob was stunned to see Makuhita to dust off an attack as seen, and laughed at the scene of Rowlet.

"Sorry Ash, but that was too funny to not recognize! Alright alright! It's my turn! Let's start with an Arm Thrust!"

Makuhita, running as fast as it can, attempts to hit Rowlet with a flurry of punches, but the Pokémon immediately dodges by reaching the high ground.

"Rowlet may not have the strength to knock Makuhita down, but it sure does have heart and speed! Use Tackle, back to back!"

One at a time, Rowlet lands blow by blow to the short and heavy Pokémon, Makuhita was just way too slow to keep up with the birds speed to land a successful hit. Which erases the smile on Bob's face, getting his head out of the silky clouds and back into the fight.

"What to do... What to do?? Use Arm Thrust!"

Another unsuccessful attempt to score any damage on Rowlet, Makuhita ends up doing the same thing as before, which Ash makes the opportunity to move again.

"Let's go! Use Tackle again! The same thing too!"

Rowlet began another flurry of bashing into the Pokémon, and Makuhita continues to make the effort to score any damage, but Bob grows an idea.

"Makuhita! Don't change your direction! Stay where are you and use Knock Off!"

Testing the trainers idea, Makuhita stands in position, while Rowlet chips away even more of its HP. Right where it was facing, Makuhita swats the bird right out of the air, slamming it right onto the ground. Bob was relieved that his plan actually worked, but as was more impressed than weary of his Pokémon's strength.

"Alright, Rowlet! Use Leafage!"

A wind of leaves began to blow right into the target, the Pokémon wasn't fazed in any, but it became a bit exhausted from the successful attacks from the opponent, and if Bob didn't think of something soon, he would be facing another loss from Ash.

"Use... Use Focus Blast!"

Using this was quite the risk taker to use a move while it was being attacked, but Makuhita focuses its energy into a spherical projectile, and unleashes it right through. Rowlet was knocked back to ground level after a move like that.

"Let's wrap this up! Use Peck!"

Charging full speed ahead, Rowlet's beak extends for a successive blow, but Bob believed it was now time to use the fourth move right about now.

"Makuhita, Ice Punch!"

Too late turning back now, Rowlet was hit with a subzero degree fist, confirming to be knocked right out from its massive weakness of ice.

"Woah! Way to go Bob! That's a mighty Makuhita you have!"

Ash carried the sleepy Pokémon right into his backpack, feeling better already despite all the attacks it feel right into. Bob was pretty happy to know that Makuhita would make an impressive Pokémon for his team. Now also knowing its feats and its downfalls, but it has plenty of time to improve those holes.

"Let's go Ash, let's grab a sandwich! I'm starving!"

Bob and Makuhita gesture the boy to follow him, where he takes his offer just like that. Because knowing Ash, he just loves himself a tasty footlong Subway Sub. Eat Fresh.