In a few day's time, Liam had Sherlock teleport him to Poni Island. He stretched and enjoyed the Alolan sun once more. He then walked to the Pokemon Center at the foot of Vast Poni Canyon to see a small party awaiting him. Not only was his opponent Iris there, but so was: the local Joy, the Island Kahuna Hapu, the Rotom Drone that was sent to oversee the match, and the Totem Kommo-o. Before taking her place she called out her Emolga and told her to stay here and watch. Iris specified to the little electric-type quite clearly that she is [i]not[/i] taking place in this battle.
 Liam greeted all of them in standard Alolan fashion before taking his place on the field.
 The Rotom Drone declared that this match would decide if Iris retained her place in the Master's Eight, or if Johto Champion Coleman would take her place. It said that each trainer would use two Pokemon, and each trainer could either Mega Evolve or use a Z move once. 
"Dragonite, go!" Iris called as her Dragon emerged. Liam thought to himself about how this is one of the angriest-looking Dragonites he's ever seen. Liam sent out his own Dragonite.
 
"Iris has the first move, Begin!" The Rotom drone called.
 "Dragonite, Dragon Claw!" Iris called.
 "Take to the sky and use Dragon Pulse!" Liam called. Liam's Dragonite soared into the air and avoided the attack. He fired the attack at the other Dragonite who quickly knocked it away with wind by beating its wings, knocking the attack away, nearly hitting a Wingull that was flying by.
 "Ice Beam!" both Iris and Liam called. A huge column of ice shot up in the middle of the arena. Iris called for Dragon Rush, which blasted through the wall of ice and landed a direct hit on Liam's Dragonite. Liam called for Ice Punch as Iris called for another Dragon Rush. both Dragonites clashed in mid air, the shockwave shattered the remains of the ice wall which those shards hit the Dragonites causing a Double KO. The Dragonites were recalled.
 Liam sent out Kommo-o while Iris sent out Haxorus.
 "Dragon Dance," Liam called.
 "Dragon Pulse!" Iris responded.
 Kommo-o began elegant movements that allowed it to avoid the attack.
 "Clanging Scales!" Liam called. the loud sound made everyone around other than Liam and the totem Komo-o cover the ears, the move dealt conisderable damage to Haxorus, who responded with Giga Impact. The Attack hit but would leave Haxorus unable to move for a moment. Liam went for a big move with this opening. He activated the Z-Power Ring and used Clangorus Soulblaze the attack his Haxorus while he couldn't move and KO'd him, Giving Liam rank 7 in the Master's 8 and putting Iris in Liam's old spot of 11. He thanked her for the battle as Joy took the four pokemon to heal. Iris' Emolga flew over and latched onto the side of Iris' head in a hug. She comforted the small pokemon after shaking Liam's hand and thanking him for the battle. Once the Pokemon were healed, Liam had Sherlock teleport him back.