After I beat the Grand Trial of Melemele, It was time to head to the next island, Akala. I met with Hau and Kukui near the marina and they said I should reach Akala by surfing on Mantine. I, having a lack of free will, was forced to do that. Wasn't too bad though.
We all met again at Heahea City and a guy named Dexio challenged me to a battle. He's also a Psychic-type user, and Inkay was able to easily take down his Espeon after Caleb had dealt with Mime Jr.
Akala had three trials. The first one is a Water-type trial, and on my way we had a lot of fights, particularly one with an ominous guy by the name of Gladion, and at the end of it everyone was on pair with the trial levels.
After battling a couple of Wishiwashi and Dewpider the Totem appeared. It was an Araquanid, and this one was a tough cookie. It took me a couple of tries until I decided to change my strategy of leading with Raichu and instantly dying to a Leech Life, and instead with Mr. Mime. I used some Confusions to chip it down while it attacked me with Bubble. When I was one Bubble short of dying, I used an Encore so the thing would continue to use the same move. After Mr. Mime fainted I then switched to Raichu and beat the ally Dewpider and Masquerain with Charge Beam, while also raising my special attack by two stages. Once I dealt with them, I used a couple of Psychics on the Araquanid and brought it to red health. After Raichu fainted in that turn, I sent out Smoochum to finish the job.
Once I got access to the Lapras Paddle after the trial, I went back to Melemele and to Kala'e Bay, where I caught a Slowbro by SOS calling. Sorry Caleb, but Shelly will be your replacement!
I tutored Slowbro some moves and she made the Fire trial very trivial. Hydro Vortex was able to almost OHKO the Marowak, but one more Water Pulse finished it off. The type disadvantage didn't even matter!
The Grass trial was next, and for that I caught an Oricorio on Route 6 to help me out. While I was there I also caught a Ralts named Dallas, who replaced Mr. Mime. Sorry, Janp!
When everyone was leveled up it was time to fight Lurantis. The fight was probably as annoying as Araquanid, with Synthesis and Comfey being major problems here. I had to, again, change my strategy. I led with Slowbro (who could surprisingly take a Solar Blade) and used Signal Beam. I was able to fire off two Signal Beams since Lurantis had to charge up Solar Blade on the second turn, and after she fainted, brought Oricorio out and used Supersonic Skystrike. Lurantis was down and Comfey didn't take long to faint.
With all three trials in Akala completed, it was time to challenge the Grand Trial. Olivia lived in Konikoni, and so I went there, going through Diglett's Tunnel and fighting Team Skull once again.
In Akala Outskirts, just outside Konikoni, I caught a timid Natu and tamed him Tiki. I leveled up everyone (with Natu evolving!), fought another member of Team Skull called Plumeria (easily beat her with Raichu), and went to challenge Olivia. I led with the new member Xatu and finished off the Anorith with two Air Slash. I chipped Lileep down by a little bit until Xatu fainted. Brought in Raichu who was able to finish Lileep off with two Psychics. Lycanroc one shot Raichu with Bite and I brought out Slowbro. One bite did about a third of its health and Shelly OHKO'ed the ace with the water Z-move. The Grand Trial is completed!
My next destination is the Hano Grand Resort, which I'll be heading onto soon!
The Team
Raichu (Sunshine) | Nature: Rash | Surge Surfer
Moves: Charge Beam, Psychic, Nasty Plot, Thunder Wave
Level 28 @ Expert Belt
Inkay (Aquamarine) | Nature: Docile | Contrary
Moves: Foul Play, Topsy-Turvy, Hypnosis, Psybeam
Level 28 @ Amulet Coin
Smoochum (Regret) | Nature: Serious | Forewarn
Moves: Confusion, Powder Snow, Lick, Sing
Level 24
Slowbro (Shelly) | Nature: Relaxed | Oblivious
Moves: Confusion, Water Pulse, Disable, Signal Beam
Level 28 @ Waterium Z
Kirlia (Dallas) | Nature: Docile | Trace
Moves: Draining Kiss, Magical Leaf, Calm Mind, Misty Surge
Level 28 @ Eviolite
Xatu (Tiki) | Nature: Timid | Synchronize
Moves: Air Slash, Ominous Wind, Stored Power, Confuse Ray
Level 28 @ Sharp Beak
