Author's Note: Serena get's a new Pokemon in this chapter!

5: Canyon Chaos

Poni Island - Vast Poni Canyon

Ash and Paul split off from Barry and Tracey early on for the sake of Paul's sanity as the exuberant blond kept chattering the entire way until Tracey dragged him off the path, and toward a cave entrance. "Short cut." He had said before they disappeared.

Paul nodded after him, "Your friend can certainly read the mood." He said, "Barry was about to drive me into the throttling him."

Ash shrugged, wincing slightly because of his shoulder injury, "He's...spirited is all."

"If that's what you want to call it," the violet-haired trainer sighed before boosting himself up over a ledge, and reached back down to help Ash up, "Oof, you fat fuck!" Paul grunted as he hauled Ash up, "You could stand to lose a few pounds!"

Ash grinned at him as he slowly rotated his shoulder, "Bet you're no feather, yourself."

Paul frowned as the teen worked his shoulder, "Just how badly hurt are you?"

"It's not so much the injury that's bothering me," Ash explained, "It's the stitches."

Paul rose and dusted off his hands, "Well, just so long as it doesn't get in the way," he told him, "Come on. We're burning daylight."

"Right behind you." Ash sighed as they continued on.

As they moved along, the canyon seemed to be alive with different breeds of Rock-type Pokemon that neither Ash nor Paul had ever seen before. Including several that looked like a canines. According to what data Ash's Pokedex could tell him, the Pokemon were known as Rockruff, and it's evolved forms of Lycanrock except that there were two different types of Lycanrocks. One was just like its previous stage and walked on all fours. The other was more like a werewolf Ash had once seen in a horror movie, and stood on two legs.

Paul decided on catching that one. "Got any Poke Balls that would do better than a standard issue?" He asked as he reached for his Pokemon.

Ash took a Fast Ball from his jacket, and handed it to him, "It looks like it would be a pretty speedy Pokemon, so this should do the trick." He said as Paul accepted the device, "Good luck." Ash said as he began to move on.

"You're not staying?" Paul asked pausing. "Your girlfriend won't like that very much."

Ash just grinned, "Don't wanna get in the way," he said, "Besides, one of us has to find those Meltan. I'll send out a signal if or when I do."

Paul sighed and nodded, knowing better than to try to stop him. Ash left the area then, and Paul got ready to battle the Lycanrock.

ガラル

Poni Island - Poni Breaker Coast

"Are you sure it's okay to be this far from the canyon?" Serena asked with a worried look over her shoulder, "What if something happens? I mean, Ash is reckless enough when - " A splash of cold water hit her in the face. "Hey!"

Dawn giggled, "If you worry much more, then you're gonna start getting wrinkles," she said whilst dangling her feet in the water, "And I know Ash can be reckless; I've seen him do some crazy stuff, too, you know?"

Serena nodded, "I...I know you're right, it's just - "

"You're not used to not being right there to drag him out of danger," Dawn put in, "Listen, let's just forget what he's up to right now. Girl talk isn't gonna go anywhere as long as you're scared to death like this."

Dawn's Piplup swam up to her and hopped out of the water, shaking himself out. Dawn giggled, "So tell me," she looked back as the blonde girl slipped off her shoes as well and dipped her feet in, "What's it like dating the Ash Ketchum?"

Serena blushed happily, "Amazing." She smiled, "Bringing me to Alola was his mother's idea, but it was a wonderful first date." Her face suddenly fell into a pout, "At least until the other boys showed up."

Dawn sputtered, "Yeah, I heard about that," she had a half smile on her face, "I took my eyes off of them for two seconds while I was shopping, and they go off hunting Pokemon...sorry about that mess."

"Speaking of the boys," Serena smirked at the girl, "Barry mentioned something about you being Paul's girlfriend?" Dawn blushed all the way to the roots of her hair. "Oh, you're not getting out of this. Spill!"

Dawn turned her head, "I'm not...I mean we're not..." She shook her head violently, "You've seen the way he acts! How could I possibly -?!"

"Opposites attract," Serena giggled, "Ash and I are proof of that. Besides, Paul kind'a denied it a little too strongly. He made it a little too obvious."

Dawn chewed her lip slightly, "He...he did...didn't he?" Then she frowned, "Wait a minute, we were talking about you and Ash!"

"Oh, but I wanna hear more about you and Paul!" Serena pleaded before a splash caught both girls' and Piplup's attention. A small pod of Seel and Dewgong were passing by. But something else was with them. "What Pokemon is that?" Serena wondered as she pulled out her Pokedex.

The thin pad lit up and displayed the Pokemon's full image. {Popplio - The Sea Lion Pokemon. No further data available.}

The Popplio jumped out of the water and twirled around like a ballerina before diving back down. Serena beamed, "It's so cute!"

Dawn giggled, "Why not try to catch it?"

Serena nodded and reached into her bag for one of the special Poke Balls Ash had given her, and pulled out one with a yellow arrow design on it. "This Lake Ball should do the trick." She said as she pressed the primer on the front and prepared to throw.

"Hold on!" Dawn shouted in warning, "Don't you think you should battle it first?!"

Serena frowned, "All I have is my Budew."

Dawn nodded, "Piplup, you go and lure Popplio to the shore," she told her partner, who readily dove back into the water. "There, now maybe you can battle it if it follows him."

Serena sighed, "Sorry, I guess I got a little too eager." She said as Piplup swam out to the Popplio and started chattering away. She then took Budew's Level Ball from her bag, and got ready as Popplio started swimming toward them. With a quick dive and a leap, Popplio landed right on the sand in front of her, clapping it's back fins together. "This is going to be fun," Serena tossed the Ball, "Budew, let's do this!"

Budew popped out of her Ball with sparkles flying out all around her and Dawn had to gape; she didn't know anyone other than Ash with a Shiny Pokemon like that!

"Let's use Absorb!" Serena ordered and Budew shot out two thin vines to wrap around Popplio. But the little Water-type was quick and had already blown a bubble from its nose to jump on and bounce out of the way. "Stun Spore, quick!" Budew blew out a gust of orange dust toward the descending Popplio just as it surrounded itself in water, and hurtled toward her, "Oh, no! Dodge it quick!"

Budew's tiny legs scurried out of the Aqua Jet's path just in time as Popplio crashed into the sand, sending it bouncing along the beach, "Now, while it's down, use Stun Spore again!" Budew twirled around and blew out another orange gust, this time catching the Popplio by surprise as it recovered from its missed attack. Sparks of paralysis started arcing over the Pokemon.

"Alright!" Serena tossed the Lake Ball. Once the Popplio was hit, it went right it, and started fighting against the Ball, but it soon, PINGED, and Serena yelled in delight just as Budew began to glow. Soon, the tiny Grass-type grew in size, and sprouted arms that held blue roses on one side and black roses on the other.

"Roselia!" The newly evolved Pokemon smiled at her trainer.

Serena ran forward and scooped her up, "That was great, Roselia, I'm so proud of you!" She giggled as the Pokemon nuzzled against her.

"Great job," Dawn said as she smiled at duo, "I can see Ash's methods haven't changed a bit."

"Pi piplup!" Piplup said.

Serena returned Roselia to her Ball and picked up her new addition. "I wonder if this is a rare Pokemon?"

"No idea," Dawn said, smiling, "But I bet you can only find it here, so it probably is." She frowned and took out her Pokedex, "I wonder if the local Pokemon professor could update our Pokedexes to include Alolan Pokemon?"

"Maybe," Serena smiled as she placed the Lake Ball in her bag before looking back at the canyons. "I wonder if the boys are having any luck?"

ガラル

Vast Poni Canyon - Ash

Ash found himself walking through a cave system in his search for the Meltan group. The wild Pokemon didn't seem to mind his presence either. Most of them were a group of strange-looking Geodude and Gravelers along with Roggenrola and Boldore. He even thought he saw a Gilgalith lurking in the darker parts of the cave.

He took off his backpack and knelt to the ground, "This should be far enough away from the others," he said to himself as he placed his hand against the ground. He closed his eyes and let his Aura move through him and into the ground. It was one of the few tricks he had learned from Riley, and the reason he had ditched Paul early on.

As his Aura seeped into the ground, his sense expanded. He could sense the presence of every living creature around him. Far off to his left he sensed Barry and Tracey, and he could make out an argument between the two of them; probably Barry shooting his mouth off again. Behind him he sensed Paul moving along the canyon walls. Nearby he could sense a massive presence moving toward the violet-haired trainer. Something big.

[Paul can take care of himself,] he thought idly, [But I'll keep an eye out just in case.]

He pushed out further, searching for his target.

Then he felt something incredibly small, yet powerful. And it was nearby. "Found you."

He reached for Riolu's Ball, and marched forward. The cave opened up into a large area lit up by sunlight filtering in through the cracks and crevices in the walls. Taking a bag from his backpack, he baited the ground with the soda cans he had brought along for the metal eating Pokemon before moving off to hide behind a boulder.

It wasn't a long wait.

Something small was moving toward his bait. Something small, and reflective.

The Meltan was just as it had been described. Small, liquid metal body, and a large nut for a head. The little Pokemon gave out a trill of delight when it happened upon the soda cans and rushed in to begin eating. Ash chuckled slightly as the tiny Pokemon polished off the 'food' before tossing Riolu's Friend Ball.

"Force Palm!" Ash order as soon as Riolu appeared, sending the little Fighting-type into action. Meltan yelped at the sudden attack, and never had the chance to defend itself as Riolu's attack connected and sent it splat into the cave wall. But that wasn't enough to finish it as Meltan recovered and started charging up energy. Ash frowned, "That's Flash Cannon," he said, "Riolu, dodge it with Quick Attack and get in close to use Vacuum Wave!"

Riolu darted out of the way right before the Meltan fired and got right net to it before launching his own attack. The two consecutive Fighting-type moves connecting had done a lot of damage to the Steel-type, and Ash was beginning to think that it was done. However, Meltan's body began to spark with electricity. It wasn't a powerful attack, but the damage was done to Riolu because neither one of them had expected and Electric-type attack.

But even though Ash could see the beginnings of paralysis taking over the little Pokemon, Riolu managed to stay on his feet. "Just a little more, Riolu," Ash told his Pokemon, "Try using Quick Attack to get close again, and use Force Palm!"

Moving slower than it intended, Riolu darted in...and froze.

Meltan then Heabutted the unfortunate Pokemon and sent him rolling back to Ash who rushed in and scooped him up. Taking a chance, Ash returned Riolu to his Ball and reached for the Level Ball on his jacket, and pressed the primer. "Alright, let's see if that's good enough." He drew back and threw. The Level Ball sailed through the air and struck the Meltan in the head, drawing it in.

Once it hit the ground, the ball began to shake violently, and Ash thought that for a moment that Riolu hadn't done enough damage. But with one last violent shake, the Ball PINGED, and Meltan was caught. Ash sighed in relief as he went to collect his new Pokemon.

"For such a small Pokemon, it sure packed some power," he said as he placed the newly occupied Level Ball beneath Riolu's Friend Ball, "Guess they're not called Mythical Pokemon for nothing."

Taking a quick look around, Ash saw that all of the other Pokemon in the area had fled the battle. "No sense hanging around here, or else I might attract that Melmetal's attention." He started back down the way he came.

He stepped out into the sun and breathed in the fresh, feeling strangely drained. Just then, a titanic roar shook the air, followed by an explosion. Ash looked down below the ledge he was standing on and spotted Paul and his Electivire in battle with a gigantic scaly Pokemon that looked like a type of Dragon.

Paul was clutching his shoulder, which was bleeding badly from the look of the stain on his dark jacket. Ash acted immediately and jumped down to slide down the canyon wall, "Paul!"

Paul looked up, "Ash! Stay back!"

"Not likely," he hit the ground running and saw three massive claw marks under his sleeve, "How'd you let this happen?!"

Paul growled as he kept his eyes on the battle as the Kommo-o pushed his Electivire back, "Damned thing blindsided me. I barely had time to call out Electivire before it got me!"

"The G.S. Ball I gave you?" Ash demanded as he looked back at the Dragon. "It might be the only way to get out of this. Both my Pokemon are in no condition to fight that thing!"

Paul groaned as he reached for the Ball, and primed it, "I really didn't want to waste it like this." He growled, "Electivire, move!" The Electric-type moved out of the way, and Paul tossed the Ball at the Kommo-o. It tried to swat the device away from it, but the Ball struck the Pokemon's massive arm, and drew it inside. The Ball fell to the ground and PINGED right away without so much as a wriggle.

Paul looked on in surprise, "Whoa...who'd you say you got those from?"

Ash chuckled and took off his bag to look for medical supplies. "I'll put in an order for you as soon as we get back." He said as Paul knelt, weak from the loss of blood. "Meantime, we need to get this treated," Ash sighed as he took a roll of gauze, and a pocket knife from his bag. He cut into Paul's sleeve, and started wrapping the wound. "Man, Dawn's gonna be seriously hacked off about this."

Paul groaned, "Not you, too!"

"What?"

"There's nothing between me and Dawn!" Paul snapped.

Ash shook his head, "And people say I'm dense."

Paul glowered at him, "What's that suppose to MEAN!" He ended on a yelp as Ash tightened the wrappings.

"It means she has a thing for you, and you just don't want to admit that you have a thing for her." Ash said.

"And since when are you an expert in romance, numb skull?" Paul asked, "You didn't even know she had a thing for you back when you were traveling together!"

Ash's hands stilled, "You're right," he sighed, and started wrapping again, "I didn't. But I'm not as dense as I used to be. I know the signs, now, and she definitely cares for you."

"Vire." Electivire growled as he placed the occupied G.S. Ball in Paul's lap.

Paul looked at his partner, "You think he's right, too?"

"Elec," it nodded.

Paul shook his head, "Reduced to taking love advice from the most dense person I know, and a Pokemon," he frowned, "What next? Barry catches the rarest Pokemon in the world and never let's me hear the end of it?"

"We are not that unlucky." Ash chuckled as he tapped the Level Ball on his jacket, "I got mine. You?"

Paul frowned and shook his head, "After I caught the Lycanrock, I ran into that Kommo-o, and it was all I could do to keep my head on."

"Well, at least you got a strong Dragon-type," Ash said as he finished up with Paul's arm, "Tracey even warned us against tangling with one, and look what you've got to show for it."

Paul snorted, "Well, I can't say I'm disappointed." He said as he picked up the Ball, "This one will surely do well in the tournament coming up."

Ash nodded, "Figured you knew about that," he said, "This is gonna be crazy."

"Tens of thousands of trainers competing for the world's strongest," Paul grinned as he pocketed his new Pokemon, "Finally a tournament that'll settle things between us, huh?" Ash just grinned and shook his head. "Anyway, any sign of Mister Seven-Eleven, and your friend?"

"Seven-Eleven?" Ash frowned.

"The guy who's mouth never closes." Paul smirked.

Ash's lip began to twitch, and then he outright started laughing. "Y-you told a joke!" Ash sputtered.

Paul let out a chuckle himself, "I told you I had a sense of humor." He started laughing as well, only for it to agitate his wounds.

Ash was still grinning when he helped him to his feet, "Come on, you clown, let's get out of here." He said, "Barry and Tracey can take care of themselves."

Paul nodded as he leaned on Ash while they started making their way out of the canyons.

ガラル

By the time Ash and Paul dragged themselves out of the canyon, dusk was beginning to settle in, and, thankfully, Serena and Dawn had their camp set up. Of course, all thoughts of their little adventure had gone flying out of the window as soon as both girls got a look at them.

"PAUL!" Dawn ran toward them to support the injured teens as Serena ran up to Ash. "What happened to you?!"

Paul winced as he transferred his weight over to her smaller frame, "I ran into that Kommo-o that Tracey warned us about," Dawn frowned at him, worry and anger flashing in her blue eyes, "I didn't go looking for it!" Paul said in a rush, "It snuck up on me!"

"I'm just a little winded," Ash said, breathing heavily from carrying Paul, "Most of this blood is from him."

"Most of it?" Serena glared before pulling him down to look at his shoulder. "You popped a couple of stitches!" She cried in dismay as she tugged him over toward the fire to start treating him, "Ash, I asked you to be careful!"

Ash just grinned crookedly, "Must've happened when I was running in to help Paul," he reasoned as he shrugged out of his jacket, and pulled off his T-shirt, "I couldn't exactly leave him to fend for himself."

Paul glared at him as Dawn fussed over his injury, "It's not like I was completely helpless, you dope."

"You'd have figured something out," Dawn said in an attempt to comfort him, "I'm just glad you got out of there in one piece." Serena noticed that the girl had a bright blush on her cheeks. "I...I don't know what I'd do without you, you know?"

Paul looked at her for a moment before turning away, "You'd be fine..." Ash caught his eye and gave him a pointed look, "But...thanks...for caring."

Ash groaned, "I've never met anyone so emotionally constipated in my life!" Hearing this, Serena sputtered out a laugh as Paul glared in their direction.

"Who're you calling constipated, you thick-headed twit!" Paul shouted.

Ash didn't even flinch at the insult, "I may be thick, but at least I'm not blind like you seem to be," he grinned as Paul growled.

Dawn was looking in between the two of them, "Guys, come on, that's enough!" The girl said in an attempt to stop the impending fight.

"Besides, we all know that Paul's got a salty attitude," Serena quipped, unable to keep it to herself.

Dawn gave her a betrayed look, "Et tu, Serena?"

"That's salty-ass attitude," Barry snickered as he and Tracey walked into camp, both of them looking dusty and roughed up.

"Et three, Barry?" Dawn groaned.

Paul groaned, "Did you catch a Meltan, at least, Monsieur Motor-Mouth?"

That stopped Barry in his tracks, "Er, well, no...not exactly..."

"Either you did, or you didn't," Paul glowered, "Tracey? What happened?"

Tracey had a dark look on his face, "He kept jabbering, and attracted a huge group of Hakamo-o," he turned a glare onto the sheepish blond, "we both managed to catch one, but he wasted the G.S. Ball on his, and I had to use the only Ultra Ball I had. And even then, they chased us up this old dead tree."

"So how'd you get away?" Serena asked, curious.

Tracey scoffed, "Oh, you'll love this," he went on as Barry began to blush in embarrassment, "While we were up that tree, the seriously old dead tree, bucket-mouth here kept taunting them until this big one rams the tree, and sends us rolling down into a ravine!" Tracey growled at the blond, "And the real kicker was that this bozo landed smack dab on top of a cactus! I spent the rest of the day yanking out thorns!

By now, Paul was barely containing his laughter, the only thing keeping him from howling being the fat that his silently chortling was playing havoc with his injured arm. Ash was having no such troubles, and was laughing so loudly that it echoed off the canyon walls behind them. Serena was at least trying to hide her laughter behind her hands, but was failing miserably.

Dawn had tears in her eyes from her own laughter, "Well, at least Ash managed to get one, right?"

"What?!" Barry shouted, "Seriously! That's totally not fair!"

Ash shrugged, wincing at his shoulder, "Not my fault that your big mouth got you in trouble, again."

"Says the thick-headed risk taker," Paul said, aiming his insults back at Ash.

"At least I'm not emotionally constipated." Ash snarked right back.

"Let's not forget the salty-ass attitude!" Barry jumped right in.

Paul growled, "I hate all of you."

Author's Note: My battle scenes suck, I know, but maybe I'll get better. But hey, both Ash and Serena have some Alolan Pokemon now! Ash has a Meltan, and Serena has Popplio. Paul and Barry didn't come away empty-handed either.

Anyway, ya'll know what to do if ya wanna see what happens next!

Adios Amigos!