Pokemon Alola Title Defence: Rivalries of Ages

Our next leg of the adventure takes us back up here to Mount Lanakila. Sorry, Beth, but we're going to be hoofing it up and down this mountain several times before we're done today.

Before we actually deal with the League, let's address what this weirdo is doing here.

He is the replacement for the Hall of Fame function from past games, allowing us to check only two entries- our first one, and our most recent one. Of course, we only have one of those.

It really is literally just the species name. At least put it all in one text box.

There are just so many more Pokemon that deserved a mention... And also, use their names. Especially Keokeo.

Right. We have to refight the Elite Four. A lot. I'd tell you what Pokemon I'm packing, but since I'm doing this so many times, I can rather truthfully say the answer is all of them.

Just saying, guys, the dramatic opening animation wasn't in the older games. That was reserved for just the once, with the Badge Check.

Pokemon Ultra Moon Postgame Bosses: Equal Measure

USUM has a few bosses with overlap, and also some entirely original ones. Although "entirely" might be an exaggeration.

First off, a rematch with Hala. With Molayne replacing him in the League, he would otherwise only be an early-game boss, and the devs weren't happy with that.

Pokemon USUM Bonus: Rainbow Rocket

Ray's got a lot of battles to do, and we're starting in a bit of an unusual place: The Battle Agency battle.

Ray gets to skip past the opening spiel since he's been here before. He does, however, have to choose a new Pokemon.

I did a test run of the Battle Agency where I got Bethany to join in. Despite this, however, I did not get her to join in a second time.

We'll have to take comfort in the fact that we at least got Noah. I'm extra happy because of how miraculous this team lineup was.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Ultra Beasts

Noah gets three boss fights, and fittingly, I found reason to use all three of the non-Melia Megas.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Red and Blue

We're going to have a series of tough fights ahead of us, starting off with a brand new one.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Dexio

Rather than fighting us on Ancient Poni Path, Dexio will fight us before we get into Poni Meadow. Nothing else has changed about the event, but this does prevent us from unlocking the only Glide point out here until we can beat him. At least we've had the chance to soak up EXP from Poni Plains!

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Pokemon League

First order of business: Noah, remember to buy your damn Potions. Can't have you failing where Bethany almost did, you have to play by Set rules. Anyway, team.

Pokemon Alola Bonus Mount Lanakila: Final Rivals

This is going to be a bit awkward, and also a ton of stat pages. Battle-wise, we've got Noah and Ray's respective Gladions, and also Noah's Hau. In this case, simplicity's sake is that I do Noah first and then Ray. Right... let's get to it.

Pokemon Ultra Sun Bonus: Fairium Z & Groundium Z

Ray's got a lot of fights to do today, some of which Ailey didn't do. No better time to get started!

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Ultra Space

Two different setpieces, but we'll be seeing them both here. First, of course, Noah handling Lusamine.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: The Trials of Vast Poni Canyon

This is going to be a bit irritating because of how it shakes out. This update will have Noah's Grand Trial, and all three kids' Ancient Trials.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Aether Paradise Invasion

We have a lot of fights to do in this update, starting off with one of the more surprising picks:

Faba 1. What, you thought my decision to use Sinister Arrow Raid in Bethany's run was isolated?

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Darkinium Z

Well, we've got six fights this time, three with Gladion, and three with Nanu. Much like with Guzma and Plumeria, Gladion is more terrifying in USUM than he is in SM, and we'll be seeing more of Ray and Ailey than we will of Noah.

Pokemon Alola Po Town Bonus: Guzma

Let's see if Guzma's as good as his word in this reality.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Ghostium Z

Ailey's turn in the Abandoned Megamart. This Trial is mostly identical to the SM one, but with two major differences.

The first is that basically every moment in the original, including the entry, now has dramatic camera angles.

You get a better look at the hauntings and so forth, but mostly it's just extra ambience.

Pokemon Alola Guzma 1 Bonus: Rock Does Not Resist Bug

Right, so then, let's fight Guzma with a few of our other kids. Shouldn't be too hard.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Electrium Z

We start off with Noah, and well, he's off doing the Molayne fight and picking up some EXP. No team preview yet, but that may be for the best.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Hau (Malie)

Fortunately for Ray and Ailey, Hau has decided to challenge us to the post-Aether battle here, after the Pokemon Centre. If there's anything you need to do to prepare, you have the opportunity to do it.

Pokemon Alola Bonus: Rockium Z

I didn't show the teams, because they're hardly necessary, but let's take a look at the other three Plumeria fights.