theoneandonlylordmonkeyknight: Yes. Yes she is :)
(Abridged!Marik's voice) "Surprise bitch- betcha thought you'd seen the last of me."
Guest: :D
Considering the Ultra Beasts fucked up her world, Anabel isn't keen on anything bringing them back, regardless of the good it might do. (You can find this in chapter 1.)
They evolved in chapter 33.
Gigarot: Like things aren't already beyond her control ^^;
Officer Anabel was not an easily rattled woman. Years of being a trainer, surviving what was the end of her world and rebuilding a new life for herself made sure of that. But watching those three children escape with the intent of opening up the Ultra Wormhole made her both furious and terrified.
Her Alakazam- Solomon- looked distinctly disappointed in himself but Anabel set a hand on his shoulder. "Even if the legend is true, they can't do anything without this," she reassured him- and herself- as she gestured to where the Moon Flute was put away in her bag.
Though part of her was deeply, deeply tempted to track down the three kids, she had neither the time nor manpower to pursue them- and the fact that she held what they needed to possibly open them up would at least keep them from doing anything stupid. For now, Anabel would do her job and protect the people of Alola from the Ultra Beasts.
"Officer Looker, I'm putting you in charge of gathering everything that can be used as evidence here," she told the officer after he hastily put his phone away.
As she gathered up her squadron, one Sophia Wicke approached her despite her injuries. "If you're going to ask me to go easy on those three-" Anabel began only for the woman to shake her head.
"Secret Lab B... has something... that can help you."
Anabel went down to the lab and indeed found a pale blue sphere with several constrictions along the outside. According to the reports, this was a beast ball designed to capture Ultra Beasts and there were currently fifty of these beast balls functional. While she harbored no intent to leave the Beasts alive, having a fail safe- and with a ridiculously high catch rate according to the notes- was not unwanted.
After putting them away safely in her bag, Anabel took her squadron with her and departed Aether Paradise before contacting the other stations on the islands. Other Police forces had been mobilized across each island and were doing their best to keep the civilians away from the Ultra Beasts.
If there was anything that gave her hope in this, it was the knowledge that the world she had stumbled into was better equipped to combat the Ultra Beasts than her old one. With Z-Powers and Mega Evolution, Anabel knew that the trial captains and kahunas could wield these powers and go toe-to-toe with the Ultra Beasts should the need arise.
But there would always be the chance that it wouldn't be enough.
Hand clutched around her main poke-ball, Anabel kept her gaze squarely ahead. After an hour of sailing, they reaching Melemele Island. Anabel wasted no time in making her way to Hau'oli City. The streets were all but deserted save for the police, along with a battered Kahuna Hala, Trial Captain Ilima and the Melemele gate-keepers- and a yellow tattooed creature with shield-like gauntlets and sharp eyes that many of the trainers were either giving a wide berth or were staring in amazement at.
Anabel had only heard of the Guardian Deity Pokemon in passing but to see one in the flesh was another experience entirely. The fact that they were clearly involved in the fighting spoke volumes to her already.
"Ultra Beasts, eh?" the kahuna mused after she explained what happened. "There were two that Tapu Koko and I engaged- one was red and muscled with four legs, the other cream-colored and svelte."
"Buzzwole and Pheromosa," Anabel concluded- she remembered how much trouble those two had been, the former capable of destroying sections of mountains while the latter could confound it's opponents while slashing away at them before they even realized it.
Tapu Koko seemed to bristle at this and Anabel saw the dents in the gauntlets and how narrow their gaze was. "They were last seeing going towards Route 3 and no one's seen them loop around yet. So the only places they could be right now is Verdant Cavern or Melemele Meadow," Ilima spoke up, hand trembling with anticipation.
Anabel's mind raced- the soundest plan so far was to enact a pincer movement from Route 2 and Route 1 to box them inside so they have less room. Given that the kahuna and trial captain know more of the terrain, they could use that to their advantage. However, previous encounters had used these same tactics against them and half of them ended in failure because the Ultra Beasts just powered on through.
It's not going to end like that, she thought fiercely, hand clenching as she asked, "And you're certain you've been able to get all non-combatants to safety?"
Kahuna Hala looked forlorn as he stated, "We got as many out as we could but not everyone was able to make it onto the boat before it left. We have them hidden for now with available trainers protecting them."
"Then let's move out as quickly as possible," the officer declared.
Ten minutes later and after divvying up the beast balls, their groups divided into three- Anabel took her squad and moved from Route 1 to Melemele Meadow while Ilima would be on Route 2. Hala would take a third group that would move in should either require his assistance or if the Ultra Beasts try to make a run for it.
As for Tapu Koko, they rushed into the air above Route 3, ready to come to assistance should any party need it.
Ilima knows Verdant Cavern best since it's his trial area and my team is best suited for boxing in the enemy, Anabel reviewed as she kept her eyes peeled over the yellow flowers.
But as her eyes scanned over the area, Anabel began to become concerned- she saw no sign of anything out of the ordinary. If Buzzwole was there, it'd be making sure that no one could take their eyes off it. Even Pheromosa would be darting around and she'd at least see a string of Pokemon trying to go after it.
She opened up her map and looked over the area where the Ultra Beasts were spotted. There's no where else they'd be besides here and Verdant Cavern and we didn't see any on the way here, she thought with a frown. Where else would- wait, what's that?
There was a section of the map just outside of Melmele Meadow- Kala'e Bay, just outside of Route 1.
But it's surrounded by water- Pheromosa doesn't go near it and Buzzwole can't swim, Anabel thought, trying to wrap her head around this before she heard a deep thud reverberate across the meadow.
Her hand already threw out her Salemance- Hida- as another thud ran out and Anabel tried to follow the sounds. Her eyes fell on a small hollow in the stone walls surrounding the meadow and barked to her squad, "Keep the entrance guarded-"
A moment later, screams rang out and Anabel whirled around to see the cave entrance had collapsed and the officers that had been behind them had been crushed. Above them, a Buzzwole flexed harshly. The remaining officers shrieked in surprise and distress at their comrades fall and the appearance of an Ultra Beast but Anabel barked, "Focus! Start up Mega Evolution- we can't let them escape!"
Startled, they still obeyed and brought out a Heracross, Audino, Gengar and Pidgeot as they reached for their badges and Anabel followed their example. Light filled the meadow- Heracross now had an extended horn and nose with red streaks across it's carapace, Audino turned white with fairy-like ears, Gengar's hands and feet grew attached to the ground as a third eye opened, Pidgeot gained brilliant red and blue plumage down it's wing's and crest and Hida resembled a crescent moon almost but it did nothing to take away his fighting power and added to his speed.
SHRAGABAGAGA! the Buzzwole bellowed as it leaped into the fray.
Mega-Gengar swiftly activated it's Shadow Tag ability and the Buzzwozzle shrieked in confusion as it's shadow grabbed ahold of it- while this did not stop it completely, it did greatly hamper it's movement. Heracross and Pidgeot shot at the Buzzwole, opening up with aerial ace while Anabel directed Hida to attack from behind.
She wouldn't let it leave alive.
Ilima hadn't felt this on edge entering his own trial area since he was first given the title. Just the thought of a completely unknown creature capable of killing and maiming the people he had promised to nurture and protect made his stomach clench.
Ilima loved battling- loved the adrenaline, the thrill, the joy of victory, the sting of defeat- but battling when lives are on the line?
The trainers around him kept their eyes peeled, poke-balls in hand as they carefully moved through Verdant Cavern. The familiar scuffling of the Yongoose and Rattara moving out of their burrows, the faint wingbeats of Zubat were completely absent, the only sounds inside being the echoing of their footsteps.
I will either encounter a hulking mass of muscles or a lithe and graceful form, the pink-haired trainer thought, remembering Officer Anabel's descriptions of the two.
He didn't expect anything less than someone of the International Police, certainly one who was one of their highest ranking officers. But Ilima couldn't help wondering where she had gotten so much information about these creatures from.
I hears stories of monsters unlike Pokemon coming to Alola but I assumed they were just boogeyman stories, Ilima reflected. Is she a scholar or did she encounter these creatures before-
Kygarara...
Ilima froze at the sound as it cut through the air and the trainers with him halted in their tracks. He looked around sharply but could find no trace of anything in sight, though he knew already that that meant little.
"Keep your guard up," he spoke to them in a low voice as he brought out his Gumshoos and Smeargle.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ilima saw the moss bend beneath pressure before it shifted back. Then, dust on the walls by them flitted to the ground. A moment later, a great gust of wind began to coil around the trainers and Ilima faintly saw three figures- or they could just be after-images. Either way, the figure(s?) resembled the Pheromosa Officer Anabel described.
"Use aerial ace!" one of the trainers shouted and her Trumpeak made contact-
- only for the attacking wing to be shredded off from the sheer speed the Pheromosa were traveling at. The Trumpeak shrieked in pain as the trainer tried to return them. Then, the Pheromosa leaped away, hissing angrily as it waved it's appendage to get off the blood and feathers.
"Sketch!" Ilima barked but Smeargle was motionless, staring at Pheromosa entranced and a quick glance showed the other Pokemon were in similar states.
Close inspection showed that even their trainers had froze, staring at the three Ultra Beasts with adoration. "Wha-?! Wait!" Ilima exclaimed as they began to walk towards the Pheromosa, deaf to his pleas.
As his Gumshoos and Smeargle came closer and closer to Pheromosa, Ilima quickly touched his Z-Stone and performed the poses, shouting in desperation, "Breakneck Blitz!"
Gumshoos froze as the energy filled them and gave a roar as he charged forward and smashed the Pheromosa in front of him into the wall. Smeargle hissed as his tail swished too and fro, pasting bright green pain all over the other Pheromosa's face and blinding it. The trainers by him seemed to snap out of it as well from the exposure to Z-Power and they quickly activated their own Z-Moves.
Trumpeak, Gumshoos, Raticate and Herdier swarmed the Pheromosa, brimming with power. The three Ultra Beasts stared confused at their pheromones not working but then slashed back, the air pressure being enough to force a way through.
"Keep going! Breakneck Blitz!" Ilima barked, even as sweat rolled down his face and his body trembled with exertion.
Hala kept his eyes peeled along with the gate-keepers. He wasn't used to the silence in Melemele, the noises of humans and Pokemon alike no longer occupying the space. He could still see Tapu Koko hovering above the route, alert and poised.
Since the battle with the two Ultra Beasts had ended, Hala had expected that Tapu Koko would disappear once more- but he was less astounded than he expected when they stayed to make sure that the civilians and non-combatants were brought to safety.
He still remembered seeing the image of a scarred man for just a moment over Tapu Koko. The tales that suggested the Tapus were once the Kahunas of Alola in it's Golden Age have gained more credence in this last day, the kahuna thought to himself with a small smile.
He had never expected to become kahuna in his earlier days, just content to battle and live with his Pokemon- he eventually trained under the previous kahuna but only to hone his skills so his Pokemon wouldn't be hurt in battle. But when she was stabbed in the back trying to protect a family from a mugging and had maybe hours left before she succumbed to her wound, she passed Hala as his successor.
Hala could never have been ready to become kahuna- he could never be ready for the responsibility, the anxiety and the expectations of the people around him now that he bore the title. He also could never be ready for the strain it put on his family- his wife remained steadfast but he knew she was weary from everything happening and she eventually succumbed to illness. When his son became a trainer, people all about assumed he would be the next kahuna. Added with the trauma of losing his wife in childbirth, his son left Melemele and hadn't been seen since.
The kahuna was brought out of his memories when he heard both a deep thudding against the ground and a burst of wind following it. The next moment, a Buzzwole and Pheromosa burst from opposite directions on either side of Hala. He took note of the bruises on their bodies and knew that these were the same Ultra Beasts he and Tapu Koko had come across yesterday.
The gate-keepers quickly surrounded the two with their Pokemon but the Pheromosa and Buzzwole paid them no mind, attention focused on Hala. "While I'd be more than happy to give you two a rematch, I have neither the luxury nor time," he stated as he brought his team out and called to the gate-keepers as he reached for his Z-Ring, "Give everything you've got!"
Orion Kukui was not a man who easily lost his cool. A lifetime of battling, traveling, new outlooks and ideas had molded him into an easy-going but overly calm person emotionally.
But even his nerves were tested with everything that was happening- the creatures his wife studied coming into Alola and threatening their lives, getting a call from his colleague Augustine Sycamore about a misplaced Legendary Pokemon and the appearance of Elite Four member Grimsley with two of Sycamore's students who requested his presence at Aether Paradise.
"Go- I'll be fine," Magnolia Burnet assured him and kissed his cheek.
Even with her reassurance, Kukui's stomach was already dropping as he flew to Aether Paradise. Along with Grimsley and ones Sina and Dexio, Officer Looker was waiting for him as well and the two filled him in on what had happened. Sina had already hooked up a labtop to the green and black object- the Zygarde Cube as they called it- and Dexio had set up a tube that housed several green cells as the two men finished their recap.
"So you've already come across Zygarde and it was helping Asalie rescue Hau from Team Skull?" Kukui tried to wrap his head around Grimsley's explanation but his worry for the young trainers was making it rather hard.
The fact that one Astin Nalani had been hospitalized after it was revealed that he had been the Zygarde itself and Asalie disappearing into the Ultra Beast's world along with his former friend and the president of Aether Paradise only made his headache worse. He would worry how to explain this to Ashwin but the man was deaf to the world thanks a'la mini coma.
While he worried for the family, Kukui knew he couldn't do anything for them at the moment and tried to focus on what he was brought there for. Why would Zygarde be in Alola and how could Astin turn into Zygarde?
By the time Kaia reached Poni Island, the sun was high in the sky.
The village before the three teens- as it was indeed small enough to be classified as such- had several boats that seemed to house more people than the sparse cottages that were built into the rock. Behind them was a expansive landscape of plains, mountains and groves.
"So this is Poni Island- it doesn't look like the smallest island," Gladion remarked, eyes wide as he surveyed the land before them.
"Well, a lot of people don't live here because of the crazy-strong Pokemon," Hau explained. "There's a reason it's the last stop on the Island Challenge."
"Now, we find the kahuna," Lillie said, cracking her book open. "There's a chance they know of the Legendary Pokemon and how to find them. We can also tell them what's happening across Alola is they haven't heard yet."
"... OH SHOOT!"
The siblings were startled by Hau's sudden horrified exclamation. "What's wrong?" Lillie asked, concerned.
"Rotom-Dex! We completely forgot about them!" the green-haired boy cried.
Gladion blinked, confused. "What's a-?"
"Oh no! Were they in Asalie's bag when mother threw it off?" Lilie realized in horror.
"Oh man, oh man, this is really bad! They're not even water-proof and I don't think anyone's gotten her bag out of the water yet!" Hau began to panic.
The older blond looked at the two with mild confusion and some annoyance that they weren't answering his question before setting a hand on both their heads. "There's no use worrying about this now- we can't go back."
The two looked at him with varying levels of upset, the green-haired boy looking close to tears as he protested, "They're our friend! They've been with Asa since she started out..."
Gladion tried to keep his expression stern but with his sister and the boy that seemed far too talented at making Lillipup eyes both looking at him sadly, he could feel his resolve starting to sway.
"NICE TO SEE SOME NEW FACES HERE!" a loud voice barked.
Gladion momentarily felt relief at a distraction as they turned to the source of the voice- that being a stout man with long black hair and beard wearing blue standing atop a Wailmer-styled boat before leaping down onto the docks with a loud thud.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" his sister asked.
"I'm the chief of the seafolk- it's my job to keep everyone together."
"'Seafolk'?"
"Yes ma'am!" the Chief declared with a thumbs up. "The people who live 'round the docks- we're navigators and nomads, traveling the world in search of adventure and wonder! Whenever we find anything, we bring it back here to trade and barter!"
"... that sounds awesome," Hau said, eyes sparkling while Gladion gave a small sigh of relief.
The Chief began to laugh at this before his eyes flitted over the bags Lillie and Hau carried, settling on the latter's Island Challenge Amulet. "So, you're here to challenge the kahuna and finish your challenge, eh?"
His expression became more grave. "You can probably find 'em at Lady Hapu's place- it's not hard to miss, as it's the only house on the island. Not to mention her Mudsale's always grazing outside it."
"This is where Hapu lives?" Lillie said in surprise.
"You know Lady Hapu?"
"Yes- I met her thanks to a friend of mine. Thank you very much for telling us, Chief!"
"Aw, don't mention it- and call me Lapis!"
The wilds of Poni took up more than ninety percent of the island, the docks being one of the few exceptions. With vast plains, hidden grottoes (Not like the ones in Unova), jet black beaches and mountains covering the island, it was both the best and worst place for trainers to come to to hone their skills.
There were also far more trainers in the wild than expected, trying to battle with any newcomers while also fending off the ridiculously strong wild Pokemon. Luckily, Lillie had plenty of max repels and sprayed it about, making Hau cough and gag while Gladion's nose wrinkled at the smell.
We don't have time to waste and I don't have enough experience to bring Asalie's team victory, she thought, gripping Pellimore's poke-ball as they slipped by an Ace Trainer's diligent eyes.
"So, this Hapu is someone Asalie introduced you to?" Gladion inquired as his Sneasel slashed through the vegetation blocking their way.
"Yes. I met her in Malie City and Asalie met her on Akala Island. She even helped us find the Ruins of Abundance. But I didn't expect that she lived on Poni Island, or that she seems to be very important here."
As they made it further in, the three teens came across a series of ruins that depicted several ancient buildings that used to stand there. Of the crumbling stone archways and rotted walls, there was a small cottage with a wall around the sides and back of the building- and sure enough, Hapu's Mudsale was grazing in the front.
"Hello Mudsale!" Lillie called and waved to the ground type.
Said Pokemon perked up but looked rather subdued as she murmured, "Niii..." softly and halfheartedly nuzzled at her ponytail.
The blonde looked around but saw no sign of Hapu. I've never seen them apart before- I wonder where Hapu is...
"Oh?"
A white-haired woman stepped onto the cottage's porch. "And who might you three be?"
"My name is Lillie- this is my friend Hau and my brother Gladion," the blonde introduced them. "We're looking for Hapu- do you know where she might be?"
The woman looked over them thoughtfully and remarked with a small smile, "So you're the friend that my Hapu met during her travels."
"You know her?"
"Indeed I do- she's my granddaughter. You can call me Hela."
"Nice to meet youl!" Hau remarked before asking, "So, could you tell us where the kahuna is? We gotta ask them something super important and we don't have a lot of time to waste!"
Hela's expression became solemn at that. "I imagine that they would be at the Ruins of Hope, by Poni Breaker Coast," she said before asking, "If I could see your page rider for a moment?"
Hau handed it to her and she typed in a few keys only for a harsh beep to ring out. The white haired woman looked up and asked, "How many Z-Crystals have you gotten in your journey?"
"I've only gotten up to Sophocles."
Hela nodded to this before she took out a toolkit and snapped open the back of the page rider. After a minute of tinkering, she handed it back to Hau and there was an option for a Sharpedo and a Machamp. "If anyone asks, you can direct them to Hela Kauie."
"Thank you very much, they'll be a great help!" Lillie said, remembering seeing Olivia's Ride Machamp and Asalie's Sharpedo. "But why would we get in trouble?"
"Certain functions of the page rider are limited by the Z-Crystals you earn from the Trial Captains and Kahunas," Hela explained. "Because your friend doesn't have enough, I couldn't update his page rider the conventional way. But considering everything that's happened, conventional's not going to get a lot done right now."
She pointed to the south. "Poni Breaker Coast is just down that way and the Ruins of Hope are where the sand and soil are pitch black."
"You've helped us so much- thank you, ma'am!"
As they were about to leave, Mudsale suddenly lumbered after them with solemn eyes. Lillie took one last look around but still saw no sign of Hapu.
Perhaps she's at the Ruins of Hope themselves, Lillie deduced and asked, "Can you show us the way?"
Poni Breaker Coast was unlike any beach Lillie had seen before- Hela had not been exaggerating when she said the sand and soil were black. Lily-pads floating in the rocky crevices and a few geysers lazily spouted steam.
"Nihii..." Mudsale rumbled lowly as she plodded along, leading the three through.
I wonder if Tapu Fini will even be there- Tapu Lele and Bulu never showed up when we went to the Ruins of Life and Abundance, the thought came to Lillie.
"Well Tapu Koko's our island's guardian deity, yeah," Hau began before rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, "but more often than not, it likes to march to the beat of it's own drum!"
But even if they're capricious, there's still the chance they might be there and there might even be a chance that coming here will help Nebby somehow. Tapu Fini is even able to wash away impurities with their mystic water, the blonde reassured herself.
And even if this doesn't work out, we can still find the kahuna and get answers on the Flutes. Either way, we can still move forward.
After another ten minutes, Gladion found the statues that came before each Ruins, hidden in the far back of the beach and Mudsale almost galloped down the path. The walls were covered in algae, But despite the life and movement around them, the place help an almost oppressed- and even sad- air to it.
The inside looked the same as the Ruins of Life and Ruins of Abundance, with indigo marking across the wall and crystal clear water beneath- crystal as in transparent enough that a shadow would look like inches above the water when it was so much deeper. and like before, there were the intricately carved slabs of stones blocking their way.
"All right- we can use Machamp here!" Hau said as he typed in the page rider.
Ten minutes later, a stout and muscled Machamp made it to them- however, it refused to move the slabs. "Please?! Pretty please move them?!" the green-haired boy pleaded but the fighting type wouldn't listen.
"HIIIII!" Musdale rumbled and stomped her hooves down hard as she glared at the Machamp.
The Machamp startled at this display and grumbled irritably as it obeyed, the thuds of the slabs making as they were pushed into place reverberating across the hall. During this, Lillie opened her bag up. Nebby- Cosmoem- floated out of Lillie's bag with ease but they remainedas silent and still
"Capricious," indeed, Lillie thought. Is that why there's no response from Nebby yet? No, we still haven't come to the last room yet.
Once the Machamp was done, it lumbered away with a dark look in it's eyes even as Hau thanked it before they made their way across. The room at the end was the same as the rooms in the previous temples, with indigo flowers decorating the dais and throne. And at the top was Hapu, kneeling before an old man in robes and bushy pure white hair and the same grey eyes as the shorter girl, half-sitting, half-sprawled on the dais.
In his hands, something glowed a brilliant indigo color as he handed it to her and Hapu held it close to her chest. "I give thanks to pass on the blessings and burdens to one who has proven their merit," the old man croaked.
"I give thanks to receiving these blessings and burdens," Hapu spoke back, hands clenched around the object. "As kahuna, I shall give my everything for the people and Pokemon of Alola."
The indigo light increased before washing over Hapu, her eyes closed as it flowed over and through her. Once the light died down, the old man wrapped his arms around Hapu's frame. Lillie couldn't hear what he was saying and the old man laid down on the dais and was still. Hapu slumped to her knees, shoulders trembling as she hugged the old man to her.
Fun fact- I thought "Buzzwole" was "Buzzwozzle" before actually checking XD
Also, summer time may be my writing bane- it's when I procrastinate the most, when my emotions are fluctuating increasingly and I'm almost always needed at work. I won't say it'll be the only time where my writing's sporadic or that you can always expect it to be like that but... yeah.
As for Ultra Sun and Moon, I'm happy either way if it's a sequel (Like B2W2) or remake (Like Platinum). What I'm not happy about is the price.