I scanned deeper into the cavern, the echoes of distant movement growing louder. A faint snarl rang out from another den. I crouched near the opening, readying my final Poké Ball.
"Alright, Grubbin… It's your turn."
The Poké Ball clicked open, and my little beetle Pokémon landed on the mossy stone floor with a determined chirp. He snapped his mandibles together, sparks flickering from his cheeks.
Battle Start: Grubbin vs. Yungoos
The Yungoos lunged from the den with a loud snarl, teeth bared as it launched a wild Bite toward Grubbin.
"Dodge and counter with Vice Grip!"
Grubbin skittered sideways just in time, narrowly avoiding the chomp. With a quick pivot, he snapped his jaws around Yungoos's midsection. The Yungoos yelped as the crushing force held it in place.
"Now—String Shot!"
While still clamped on, Grubbin spat a thick web of silk that tangled around Yungoos's legs, slowing it considerably.
The normal-type struggled, shaking off the silk and breaking free, then charged forward with another Tackle, slamming into Grubbin and pushing him back.
"Hang in there! Use Spark!"
Electricity crackled across Grubbin's body. He rushed forward, body glowing with static. The moment he collided with Yungoos, a jolt of electricity surged through the cave.
Yungoos froze for a second—paralyzed.
I clenched my fist. "Let's finish it—Vice Grip, one more time!"
Grubbin zipped in, mandibles wide, and snapped shut on Yungoos with precision. The Yungoos let out one last cry before collapsing to the ground.
✅ Pokémon Defeated: 3/3
Grubbin clicked proudly, hopping back toward me. I knelt down and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Awesome job, little guy."
With the third Yungoos down, the cavern began to shift.
I looked around. The moss on the walls started to tremble. Dust fell from the ceiling above. Something was approaching—heavy footsteps echoed through the chambers, each one slower and louder than the last.
Then, from the shadows of the final chamber, it emerged.
The Totem Gumshoos.
It was massive—easily twice the size of the Yungoos I'd faced. Its body pulsed with a golden aura, the Totem energy warping the air around it. Its eyes locked onto me with a glare that could pierce steel.
I stood my ground. My hand found Thorn's Poké Ball again.
"Let's finish what we started."
With a flash, Thorn burst from the Poké Ball, his sleek dark form glinting in the cave light. His wings gave off a low hum, and his twin stingers flicked with precision. The Alolan Beedrill's gaze matched Gumshoos's stare. No backing down now.
Battle Start: Thorn vs. Totem Gumshoos
The Totem Gumshoos roared and immediately called for help. A smaller Yungoos darted out of a side tunnel, landing at its side.
"Two-on-one. Just like the game," I muttered. "We can handle it."
"Thorn, take out the support first—Fury Cutter on Yungoos!"
Thorn lunged, his stingers slicing clean through the air. The first Fury Cutter struck the Yungoos with sharp precision. It staggered, but didn't go down.
The Totem Gumshoos took its shot—charging with Super Fang. Its massive teeth glowed white as it bit deep into Thorn, cutting his health down by half in an instant.
"Hang in there, Thorn! Use Pursuit—same target!"
Thorn's body shimmered with dark energy as he zipped through the cavern, striking the Yungoos again. The smaller one collapsed this time—knocked out.
"One down."
Totem Gumshoos snarled, now alone. It glared at Thorn and used Sand Attack, kicking up a burst of dirt into the air, clouding Thorn's vision.
"Stay focused! Use Hone Claws!"
Thorn stopped for a second, wings buzzing rapidly as he sharpened his stingers, his accuracy and attack rising.
The Gumshoos didn't wait—it lunged again with a wild Tackle, slamming Thorn into a nearby stone.
"Counter with Fury Cutter—again!"
Thorn burst from the dust and struck clean. The Fury Cutter hit harder this time, now strengthened from earlier uses. The dark-striped Beedrill looked fierce, unwavering.
"Keep the pressure on—Fury Cutter again!"
Another slash. Gumshoos stumbled, the glow around it flickering. It was slowing down.
"Let's end it—Pursuit!"
Thorn zipped behind the totem in a blink and drove both stingers into its back, black energy flashing outward.
Gumshoos gave one final roar before collapsing to its knees—then hit the ground.
Victory.
I exhaled, only now realizing how tense my shoulders were. Thorn hovered in front of me, wings still humming, but I could see he was tired. I returned him to his Poké Ball.
"You did great."
Just then, Captain Ilima appeared from behind the stone pillar at the edge of the den.
"Well done, Trial-goer," he said, nodding. "You've passed the trial of Verdant Cavern."
He stepped forward, holding out a small case. Inside it gleamed the Normalium Z—clear, crystal-cut, and shimmering faintly in the light.
"Take this Z-Crystal as proof of your victory."
I took it carefully and clipped it into my Z-Ring. It locked in place with a soft click.
✅ Z-Crystal Obtained: Normalium Z
This wasn't just a badge or a token. It was proof I could push through. That I was ready for the path ahead.
I left the cavern with a new crystal on my wrist—and the first real step of my island challenge complete.