Akalas Grand Trial and Team Skulls Admins Fury?


After completing Mallows trial it finally happened. Her Popplio evolved into Brionne! Bethany was so emotional that she cried tears of joy. She never felt so proud of her! And she even caught a new Pokémon to join her team, a Steenee.

Mallow offered Bethany some of her 'special soup', and she didn't quite understand what all the fuss was about. It was delicious! Lana and Kiawe have no sense of taste whatsoever. She even received plenty of the leftover soup, too!

Professor Kukui showed up right after the three trial captains left. He congratulated her then gave her a TM (67) as a reward. She told him about Popplio evolving into a Brionne and he praised her. Not long after their small talk, he invited her to visit The Dimensional Research Lab in Heahea City and telling her to get on over there with Extreme Speed. She grimaced at his horrible pun which only made him laugh harder.

She left Lush Jungle to heal up her team at the Pokémon Center then used her Charizard Ride Pager, which took her straight to Heahea city.

When arriving at the Lab, she witnessed Lillie commanding Nebby to use Splash and it gave her a confusing 'pew'. Bethany quietly watched as to not disturb their little conversation. That soon ended when Nebby saw her and greeted her with a cheerful squeal. Nebby flew to her side and she picked up the ball of fluff in her arms, nuzzling her cheek onto its own. This caught Lillie by surprise, staring at her and wondered if Bethany saw everything just now.

"Hey, Lillie." Bethany greeted with a smile.

"Um, oh, Bethany. Hello. I feel like it's been a while since we last meet." She said. "Th-there's a laboratory here that studies the dimensions, did you know?"

Bethany hums in thought. "I speculated they would. It sounds... complicated really..."

Lillie nods in agreement. "Oh, and the professor is waiting to meet you!"

Bethany follows behind talking on the way inside the building. Both girls were talking to each other while Nebby was currently enjoying being held by the magenta-haired girl. As they reached the third floor, Bethany was introduced to Kukuis' wife, Professor Burnet. From there on she started to tell them a story: three months ago, where she found Lillie lying on the beach unconscious along with Nebby whos' real name is Cosmog.

Professor Kukui began to talk about Hau, then mentions about how he could become a Kahuna like his grandfather someday. Out of nowhere, Hau appeared which caught Kukui by sudden surprise. Burnet took this opportunity to pull Bethany off to the side.

"Miss Burnet?" Bethany stared at the woman in confusion.

"Sorry, dear, but I just couldn't help to notice... how much you've grown." she studied the girls' appearance from head to toe. "You look so beautiful!"

She blushed staring down at the floor. "Um... th-thank you, Miss Burnet."

Bethany felt two hands on either side on her shoulders. She raised her head and noticed Burnet staring down at her with a look of sympathy and... sadness? Why is she—

"Beth... I'm so sorry for your loss."

Burnet's words struck a nerve. Many old, unwanted, and agonizing memories came rushing at her like a waterfall. Her eyes were wide and the size of her pupils had shrunken. Nebby, who was still in her arms looked up at her in worry. Bethany shook her head, her pupils returning back to its original size.

Burnet could only stare at her and Bethany was giving her had a blank stare, and then it changed giving Burnet a small smile. Soon Kukui called them over. Bethany reassured Burnet that she has been doing well, then left before she could even reply.

Strange phenomena had been occurring in Alola and Burnet had the answer to all of this, it was called the Ultra Wormhole. Burnet stated that they can be extremely rare, but can open over the sky of Alola when its least expected. Legends about mysterious dimensions that are inhabitants of fearsome Pokémon that appears from the Ultra Wormhole.

If the legends are true, the guardian deities of the islands must've fought desperately against them. But like she said, it's all legends and folktales. Right?

Night had fallen over Akala and Bethany decided to call it a day. She stepped outside the building before having a strange urge to look up at the sky. The sky was normal at first when suddenly; a crack appeared momentarily before it faded away. What was that just now? It looked like—

"Hey, Bethany!" she yelped, whipping her head around, before realizing it was only Hau. "You—don't sneak up on me like that!"

He only laughed. "So you've made it through all the captains' trials, yeah?" she nodded. "Then you should go meet Kahuna Olivia! She lives in the town past Diglett's Tunnel." Hau said as he grabbed her hand, pulling her with him. "Let's go!"

"Whoa—whoa, hold on to your Mudsdale, Hau!" she escaped his grasp and he looked her in confusion. "I appreciate your optimism, but I think we should call it day. I'm exhausted... I'll be staying at the hotel nearby, plus it's getting late."

"Oh!" Hau scratched the side of his cheek with a smile. "Tomorrow then?"

She smiles. "Tomorrow."

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The day couldn't have been more complicated. While she travels through Diglett's Tunnel she stumbled upon two Team Skull Grunts, a male, and female. They were crouched down and were blocking the exit to the Tunnel. She secretly hoped she wouldn't have to cross with them but I guess she carries around problems such as this one. Both Grunts were mad and challenged her to a battle, and in a matter of minutes, she won. Somehow in the scuffle, Hau joined in on the fun.

Bethany made it through the other side of the tunnel and made her way down Route 9 but not before being greeted by an old friend. It was the famous detective Looker.

At first, he didn't recognize her but that's when he took a closer look at her. He was overjoyed to see her in Alola and asking how'd she's been. In between their conversation, Looker expressed his concern about many reported sightings of an infamous Pokémon mafia... yeah, that's Team Skull for you.

He then apologized for keeping her this long and gave her a Thunder Stone as compensation and saying that he had bought three without even noticing! Looker wished her good luck in her trials before walking away.

She set foot in Konikoni city, and the atmosphere around her felt nostalgic. This place reminded her of her old home in the Unova Region. She stopped by the PMC (Pokémon Center) to heal up her Pokémon then headed straight towards Olivia's shop. Upon entering, a Probopass quickly recognized her and approached her with a letter in its grasp. She took the letter and read it.

'Olivia here. This is Probopass. It watches the shop whenever I'm away.

I know I asked you to meet me here, but there's been a change of plans. Come meet me at the Ruins of Life past Memorial Hill, when you can.'

As soon as she was done with the letter, Probopass went upstairs and then came back down to her side. It was holding a Medicine bottle.

"Pass?"

She blinked. "F-for me?" she held out her hand as it handed over a Max Potion. She bowed. "Thank you."

"Pass-pass!"

Bethany journeyed her way to Memorial Hill, battling a couple of trainers along the way. As she walked out of the tall grass a commotion caught her attention. It was two Team Skull Grunts trying to steal a Slow-poke and two Aether Foundation people confronted them, demanding them to return the Pokémon.

Slowpoke was utterly confused at the situation. Bethany stepped in to assist and won the battle.

They thanked her for helping them retrieve Slowpoke. The blond male, wearing an odd-looking green visor, offered her to meet him at the Hano Grand Resort when she finishes her trial, where he would take her to what she assumed was the Aether Foundation.

She was glad that there weren't any Trainers around on Akala Outskirts. Honestly, she could use a break every once in awhile, then four tiki statues came into view. This is it; beyond these statues, she'll face the Kahuna of Akala Island, Olivia. Nothing can ruin this moment...

"So, you're the one Gladion was talking about? ... Hmph. You don't look like anything special to me."

Bethany turned around to face a young woman with golden-yellow eyes and pink hair with yellow highlights. Her hair was so bizarre, but she has seen other hairstyles far odd-looking than hers. But the clothing she wore, the fake tattoo on her belly and a team skull necklace said it all... great; today is definitely not her day.

The woman expressed her anger at Bethany for having defeated many Team Skull Grunts. This woman named Plumeria challenged her to a battle.

Plumeria managed to knock out her Mudbray and Steenee. The woman only had two Pokemon; Golbat and Salandit. But Bethany pulled through with her Brionne, finishing off Plumerias Salandit with Aqua Jet.

Plumeria was fairly impressed by how strong she is but gave her a warning not to mess with them again or else she'll show her how serious she can get. With that, Plumeria left Bethany and her Brionne.

Knowing how 'good' her luck can be, she'll eventually cross paths with them. Just the thought of it made her frown. She called Brionne to follow her as they now walked into the Ruins of Life.