The soul penetrates Xiaozhi and destroys Gou Hao at the beginning

"It's terrifying how crazy she's gone, especially since she used sword dance as a setup beforehand. The increased attack power makes the damage incredible," Lillie said.

"Hold on, Lycanroc! After two or three attacks, Outrage will cause the user to become confused. Once it's confused, that's our chance to counterattack!" Ash shouted.

But to everyone's surprise, Gladion didn't intend to follow Ash's script.

After Ash's Lycanroc dodged the first attack of Outrage, he pulled a blue rhombus-shaped crystal from his pocket and held it high above his head; it was a Dragon Z.

"Look closely, this is our brand new power."

"It's Dragon Z!"

With Lycanroc learning Outrage and possessing Dragon Z, it seems Gladion has also gone to challenge the Totem Kommo-o.

Gladion quickly attached the Dragon Z to his Z-Ring, preparing to launch an attack.

"Here we go, Werewolf of the Mane Rock,

Bright and intense light, dance!

Who is the strongest and most invincible warrior? Let their name be etched on the battlefield!

The ultimate dragon shakes the heavens and earth!!!

Gladion's Lycanroc materialized its aura using Z-Power, instantly forming a giant blue energy dragon that launched a full-force attack on Ash's Lycanroc.

Faced with this attack, Ash naturally wouldn't sit idly by and wait to be defeated; he also prepared to unleash a Z-Move to counter it.

Ash showed off his Z-Bracelet, embedding a pink Fairy Z into it, and shouted,

"Here we go, Werewolf of the Mane Rock,

At this moment, O Chaos God of War at Dusk!

This meteor shower that runs through the entire fairy tale—

It is the power to usher in the end of the day!

In the name of Ash, I transform bonds into a rainbow dance that tears apart the laws of nature!

On the battlefield of true disillusionment!

A miracle blooming at the end of paradox, etching the final chapter of a rainbow fairy tale—

Cute stars are flying and crashing into the sky!!!

As Ash performed the Fairy-type dance move, the Z-Bracelet shone with pink light and a Fairy-type ribbon pattern.

A powerful Z-Force shot out from the Z-Force Bracelet, flowing into Lycanroc's body and enveloping its entire form.

Lycanroc also performed the same dance moves in sync, activating its Z-Power.

This is a Z-Move from Playful, with a power of 175.

The Lycanroc smirked, a wicked smile playing on its lips. It used its Z-force to create a seductive space, ready to unleash its full power to torment its opponent.

In an instant, Gladion's mane-like werewolf and the energy dragon it launched were enveloped in a pink space filled with countless adorable elements.

Ash's Lycanroc gathered Fairy-type energy and slammed out a giant yellow pentagram with its paw. The pentagram collided head-on with the energy dragon, canceling each other out. The aftershocks of the explosion also affected the two Lycanrocs.

As the smoke cleared, Gladion saw his mane-covered werewolf still standing stubbornly, and couldn't help but praise it.

"I didn't expect you to pull through all of this."

Ash, were you scared? We used Double Payback.

"Not bad. Although we blocked your Z-Move, we also used up our Z-Moves in the process."

"And the confusion your Lycanroc had from using Outrage was also dispelled by the impact of the Z-Moves colliding," Ash said.

"What? Isn't this just gambling with luck? It's impossible to do this if the Pokémon and the trainer don't completely trust each other."

"My brother's fighting style is just like Ash's," Lillie laughed.

“That’s right. After using Z-Move, both Lycanrocs are extremely exhausted and have no strength left to fight back. So now it’s a test of willpower,” Gladion said.

"Then let's end this battle, Lycanroc, use Iron Head."

"We won't lose either, Lycanroc, unleash Double Strike."

Gladion wanted to retaliate with double the damage, but his Lycanroc was already low on stamina due to the series of powerful attacks and the use of a Z-Move.

After being hit by Ash's Lycanroc with an Iron Head, it still managed to punch Ash's Lycanroc and knock it back, but it was exhausted and staggered, collapsing to the ground with a thud.

Ash's Lycanroc remained stubbornly on the field, letting out a long and domineering wolf howl that signified victory!

"Gladio's Lycanroc is unable to battle, and Ash's Lycanroc wins, so Ash is the winner," Lillie announced.

"Well done, Manerock."

"Iwaro!"

"Pikachu!"

"Buy, buey!"

"Come back, Lycanroc, you've done a great job."

“I didn’t expect you to have already obtained Dragon Z, brother,” Lillie said.

"Yeah, after all, we didn't go through this special training just to show off, but unfortunately we're still no match for Ash and the others."

Ash, next time we meet, we won't lose.

"Alright, I'll wait until you get stronger before we fight again."

At the same time, Tapu Fini flew over the three of them, but did not stop.

Although it was just a brief appearance, it was enough to make Gladio and Lillie uneasy.

Meanwhile, Happou, riding a heavy mudhorse, had been nearby the whole time and watched Ash and Gladion's battle from a distance.

When you see that Ash managed to lure Tapu Fini out with just one battle...

Recalling what Ash said before about how close he used to be with the other guardian spirits of the Alola region,

A surge of jealousy rose in Hapwu's heart.

Why is it that Ash can have such close contact with so many of the guardian spirits of the Alola region?

As for me, all I want is to follow in my grandfather's footsteps and become the new queen of Pony Island, and I've worked incredibly hard towards that goal since I was a child.

But why was Ash able to meet Tapu Fini after only one battle?

I, Hapuu, go to the ruins on the other side of the river to pray devoutly every morning, yet I can't even catch a glimpse of Tapu Fizz.

God, please tell me, what am I lacking?

A: The protagonist's halo!

After saying goodbye to Gladion, Ash and Lillie returned to the Pokémon Center to reunite with the others.

The next morning, Shui Lian arrived early at the pier on Pony Island to wait.

Today is the day she and her master, Iya, agreed to meet in their letter.

Ash and the others, along with Happou who had brought freshly pulled Poni Radishes from the ground to the Pokémon Center, also went along.