"Poisons are not only natural, but crucial for human development!" Zac said passionately, the battle now entirely forgotten. "Both alcohol and coffee are poisonous in large doses, or to most Pokemon. Hell, coffee is produced by plants to kill insects! But in smaller doses, both alcohol and caffeine can be easily consumed by humans. They've caused cultural revolutions!"

"Every major civilization throughout history and pre-history that figured out fermentation immediately had a boom of art and culture. It unlocks the mind and removes inhibitions, leaving you free to create! There's no alcohol in Charja-Cola, obviously, but it's absolutely chocked full of caffeine!" Zac emphasized his point by cracking open another can of Charja-Cola and drinking half of it in one go. His body shuddered with barely-contained energy. "Caffeine was the catalyst for the Enlightenment, Razz! Without it Kalos and Galar would be shadows of their current selves. Still stuck in the Dark Ages! It's a better alcohol. It focusses and energizes, and it removes the need for sleep, which is something I'm particularly happy about." 

"Why the hell would you let them drink Zapsi!" Zac said, alarmed. He turned away from the battle, so that his heart was pointed directly at the young, impressionable ranger. "Listen mate, lots of these drinks have negative side effects on Pokemon. Charja-Cola is the ONLY drink that is free from the dangerous preservatives used by the big cola companies. Zapsi and Dr. Pika have a long history of using unsafe chemicals that can distort and damage the bodies of your lovely Pokemon." Zac said, gesturing strongly in the direction of the ongoing fight.

"Charja-Cola, on the other hand, uses natural preservatives derived from berries and Exeggutor sap, the long term effects of which are not even known to science! Just think about the potential!" He said, grinning. Zac cracked open his own can and drank half of it in one swallow. "Now THAT hits the spot. And with 157% of your daily recommended intake of Niacin, Thiamine, and even Hydroxycobalamin, it's not hard to see why!"

Zac fixed Razz with a mentorly gaze. "Razz, did you know that Charja-Cola contains Rare Candy extract? It's the only sports cola that has been Flab tested. That's right! The Flabebe we tested it on all reached max level after barely two doses! It's astounding what this drink does to your body! So do you want your Pokemon guzzling down dangerous soda? Or do you want to be powering them up with intense, delicious, refreshing and now-legal Charja-Cola!"

"You can't be poisoning them with Zapsi," Zac said earnestly, his brow creased in worry. "You've gotta be poisoning them with Charja-Cola."

"Sounds pretty good to me!" Zac said, looking at his team. Their moves and typing had a lot of synergy, but the trio didn't have any experience working together. "Vern! Let's crank up the sunlight!" Zac said, and Sawsbuck used Sunny Day. The already blazing summer sun beat down on the field, baking the sands into burning dunes, and making Zac sweat through his Alolan shirt. He pulled two Charja-Colas from his bag and offered one to Razz.

Zeraora bolted towards Lurantis, and it was all the insect could do to take the hit on their crossed scythes. O'Malley was pushed back in the sand, with weak electricity crackling over their carapace. Before he could counter attack the lightning zipped back across the field, and Zeraora and Decidueye switched places.

The burning sun was getting in Tapu Bulu's eyes. The legendary snorted in annoyance, and his Grassy Terrain rippled outwards. First, thin beach grass carpeted the field, followed by the emergence of dozens of shady palm trees. In moments, what had been waves of sand had been replaced by a pleasing beach oasis.

O'Malley prowled between the woody plants, stalking Link. He melded with the foliage, counting on his unusual green coloration to keep him hidden. Sensing an opening, he struck, he lunged at Link with a scything Superpower.

-Zeraora hit Lurantis with Volt Switch
-Vern used Sunny Day
-Tapu Bulu's Grassy Terrain covered the field in grass and palm trees
-Lurantis disguised itself it in the trees and attacked Link with a Superpower

"Thanks but no thanks," Zac said, cracking open a crisp, sparkling can of Chanja-cola. "Zapsi just doesn't do it for me anymore. Only Charja-Cola gives me the rush of energy that I need to face the day. He took a draught of the superior soda and let out a sound of deep satisfaction. "That's the stuff!"

Zac's eyebrows raised at the mention of filming a commercial. "Me too actually! And the league has let me bring along a special guest!" Zac finished his cola, finding it harder and harder to stay annoyed at his best friend. He had a sneaking suspicion that Kaz had only taken the Zapsi sponsorship to make him jealous. The worst part was that it had worked. " I'm heading out to a little island near Lilycove if you want to come with. I'm sure you'd love to meet the special guest."

"Let's get this battle started then!" Zac said, stretching his neck and pulling out a pair of Pokeballs. "2v2, yeah?"
Zac sent out his two Pokemon, a quick-footed, wide-eyed lizard and a bright red crustacean. The little reptile -Zappa- immediately set to work clearing the area of insects, snapping them up with its electric tongue. Meanwhile Clawitzer rested on the sand, its oversized claw pointed right at Kazimir. "Ready when you are!"

"So you and Melody Miro are cousins?" Zac nodded, putting together the family tree in his head. "Wait. Maverick. Any relation to glitch maverick? If so then that's a hell of a pedigree the three of you are putting together. Already two gym leaders in the family!" Zac smiled, taking another pensive sip of the refreshing cola. Nearby, Fabrizio the Dugtrio disappeared into the sands. "A can-do attitude is the first step. Have you done any contest work yet? I know that both Glitch and Melody have participated in my contests a few times so far. They're both legends! Might be worth getting some hints from them too."

Zac went to finish his can, but Dugtrio tried to dig up underneath his feet and he stumbled. "Hey! Watch it mate! I almost spilled my cola!"