BA074

==Synopsis==
As the Ula'ula Battle Festival begins, Monica demonstrates her prowess as Champion of Alola.
==Summary==
Yazmyne, Dante, and Megan are at Ula'ula Meadow Stadium where they are joined by Olivia and Sumri. Sumri escorts everyone to the back corridor where they will stay until the end of the opening ceremony. At the end of the opening ceremony, they will be called in front of the crowd for the draw ceremony. In the back, the trio and Olivia join the other twelve competitors. Olivia recognizes one of them, Molayne, whom she introduces to her new friends. Olivia views Molayne as a rival because of his specialty in Steel-Type Pokemon that are super-effective against Rock-Type Pokemon. However, Molayne's focus is science, only battling occasionally and has never entered the Manalo Conference to compete for the honor of Champion, which always frustrates Olivia. 
The tournament begins with an announcement by the tournament organizer: Island Kahuna Nanu, who is flanked by his fellow three Island Kahuna, Hala of Melemele, Sumri of Akala, and Maua of Poni. Per tournament tradition, the first half of the opening ceremony is a battle between the Island Kahuna and reigning Champion of Alola, Monica. Monica steps onto the battlefield to the roar of a large crowd. Nanu frustratedly sighs and steps down to face Monica. The exhibition battle begins and Nanu, a Dark Specialist, leads with his Alola Form Persian, which is a Totem Pokemon and Monica send out a Lopunny. 
Nanu is awarded the first move, firing a Dark Pulse. Lopunny uses Agility to build speed while also evading. Lopunny then uses her new speed to strike Person with an accelerated High Jump Kick. Persian takes reduced damage due to her Fur Coat ability, Persian retaliates with Thunderbolt for a direct hit. Lopunny performs a unique dance with Entrainment to change Persian's ability to its own, Klutz. Therefore, Persian takes the full force of Lopunny's next High Jump Kick. Perisan tried to parry with Night Slash, but she is easily overpowered. Lopunny begins to dance across the battle with Agility while awaiting Persian's next move. Nanu executes his Z-Move Black Hole Eclipse. Lopunny is consumed by the Z-Move, which erupts in an explosion. Monica is very confident in her Lopunny who emerges from the explosion damaged but still standing. She and Lopunny execute the Z-Move, All-Out-Pummeling, which overwhelms and defeats Persian, winning Monica the battle to the cheers of the crowd. 
Nanu and Monica shake hands following the battle. In the second half of the opening ceremony, Nanu then welcomes the 16 competitors to the stadium. Yazmyne and all the competitors step out to the cheer of the crowds. Nanu then holds the tournament's draw to reveal the first round match-ups. Yazmyne and Olivia quickly see that if they win their opening battles, they will meet in the second round. 
Yazmyne chooses Starmie for the competition. Megan chooses Gloom. Dante chooses Beedrill. Olivia chooses a Midnight Form Lycanroc, and her longtime rival, Molayne, chooses a Magneton. The five trainers win their opening battles without the use of Z-moves to advance to the second round. On the second day of competition, Yazmyne and Olivia are set to begin their battle. 
==Major Events==
*Monica is revealed to own a Lopunny
*Monica battles and defeats Island Kahuna Nanu is an exhibition match
*The Ula'ula Battle Festival begins
*Yazmyne, Dante, Megan, and Olivia advance to the second round
For a list of all major events in this anime, please see Major Events/Battles Ablaze. 
==Characters==
===Humans===
*Yazmyne
*Dante
*Megan
*Monica
*Sumri
*Olivia
*Nanu
*Molayne
*Trainers
*Civilians
===Pokemon===
*Ivysaur (Yazmyne's)
*Eevee (Yazmyne's)
*Starmie (Yazmyne's)
*Beedrill (Dante's)
*Munchlax (Dante's)
*Pichu (Megan's)
*Gloom (Megan's)
*Lopunny (Monica's)
*Magneton (Molayne's)
*Lycanroc (Olivia's; Midnight Form)
*Persian (Nanu's; Alola Forme)
*Trumbeak
*Pelipper
*Muk (Alola Form)
*Sligoo
*Froslass
Category:Battles Ablaze