The New Adventures of Raptor Trainer

A Shocking Type of Trial

Upon approaching the doors to the observatory, I noticed someone standing in front of the entrance...Thankfully not a Team Skull grunt this time, by the looks of it. Was he the trial captain, perhaps?

Well, there was only one way to find out.

I sped up to a trot and approached him, noticing a welcoming smile spread across his face...He was expecting my arrival, it seemed.

"Hey there!" he greeted, his tone relaxed and slightly quiet. "Here for the trial? Professor Kukui told me about you a little while back."

{That's what I'm here for,} I confirmed.

"Echo, right...?" he asked. "I believe that's what he said your name was. My name's Molayne. And I'm guessing this is the Rotom PokéDex the professor gave you?"

I nodded.

"Must be pretty handy to have around; I can see why he thought to pair you two up."

"Hee hee...Well, I do what I can, y'know?" Rotom replied. "So, I'm guessing you're the trial captain up here on Mount Hokulani?"

To my surprise, he shook his head.

"I used to be, but not anymore. Though I do still run the observatory as a whole, along with Alola's PC box system Trainers use to store their Pokémon in."

"Huh..." I huffed. {But then, if you're not the trial captain, who is?}

"Oh, Captain Sophocles is in that position now; I taught him how to manage everything when I was getting ready to leave the position. I guess you could say he's my protégé."

{So...You trained him for the task, so to speak?}

"That's about right. He's pretty busy for someone of his age; tracking the paths of comets, studying the orbits of far-off planets, managing all of the tech equipment...You get the idea, don't you?"

{I think so.}

"Last I checked, he was still setting everything up for the main part of the trial; normally when that's the case, I determine whether Trainers are qualified to take on the trial myself."

{Oh...? How so? Like, with a battle?}

"The Professor wasn't kidding when he said you caught onto things quick," Molayne remarked. pulling a Poké Ball from his cerulean coat pocket. "...I'll gladly show you the skills of a Trainer who toughened up while adventuring alongside Kukui back in the day!"

{Wait...You two used to train together?} I asked. {And travel?}

"Sure did! Some wonderful times we had together, honing our skills and finding our way forward...Sometimes it's hard to believe it was over ten years ago, you know?"

{Wow...That's a long time.}

"Perhaps we can tell you more once you've completed the trial...starting right now!" Molayne finished as he drew his Poké Ball back and prepared to toss it. "Let's go, Skarmory!"

The Pokémon emerged, and when it landed the creature spread its bladed wings and cried out.

"Aeeeoorr!"

This was the same kind of Pokemon I'd seen on the bus ride up here...Judging by its PokéDex entry, I wondered what kind of opponent it would make.

{Rotom. Who do you think has the best matchup against this thing?}

"Sassafras izzz probably your best bet. Steel-Types are Immune to Poison-Type attacks, but they're weak to Fire."

{Thanks for the tip...Alright Sassafras, let's show 'em what we got!}