A/N: Hey so, the next few parts feel like filler to me, so they're going to be summed up in a recap of sorts so that the story can continue without interruption.
So, in sequence, Ash and company witnessed what looked like a crack in the sky, almost like a wormhole opening, but it disappeared quickly so they shrugged it off after some light pondering. During Ash's trial, Hau caught and decided to keep a Stufful on his team. After Ash defeated his trial, the trio slept in the Lush Jungle due to how tired he and Hau were from doing challenges all afternoon. Mallow offered them breakfast, but the sheer spiciness of it caused the trio to look for the nearest deepest puddle and dunk their heads into it and drink as much water as possible. Going through the Diglett Tunnel, the trio used their Brionne and two Staryu and calm down all the Diglett and beat two Team Skull thugs causing trouble. Then they encountered the biggest pay day ever by capturing the Ditto Five, a group of troublemakers messing with the livelihood of the citizens in Koniloni City, a surprisingly Asian inspired looking city. As thanks, they got $100,000 dollars for their contribution.
"Whoo! Imagine all of the Malasadas we can eat now!" Hau celebrated as the trio ate a restaurant where the chef was a ditto.
"Now just because we have lots of money doesn't mean we can just spend it all on treats." Misty told the jubilant boy. "You two have a mission, and where would we be if we get fat off of eating pastries all day?"
"Nowhere but here?" Ash asked.
"Right. So we should just spend it on what we need and more vitamins for the Pokemon."
"Awww." Hau moaned out of disappointment.
"However, we can eat a big helping of Malasadas just this once." The redhead kindly gave.
"YAY!" The native boy cheered as they ate to their hearts content in treats and lunch. Once they were full, the trio went to the shop next door noticed them come in.
"Nopass!" It said while one of the floating noses gave Ash a letter.
"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 he read, the Probopass floated upstairs briefly before coming down as he was finishing.
"It's down past the opening of the city and to the left." The female counter attendant told them.
"Thank you." Each of them said in their own way before heading to Memorial Hill. A cemetery filled with people, Pokemon, and deceased loved ones underground with either bare or decorated tombstones.
"Have any of you ever been to a cemeraty before?" Ash asked his friends.
"Nope." Hau denied.
"Me neither." Misty added.
"So that makes three of us." Ash gulped. "At least it's day time."
"The mighty families of Old Alola rest beneath these graves, along with fresh ones." A woman told them as she heard what they said. "Maybe they wanted to stay close to the Tapu. When my time comes, I hope I'll be put to rest in the same grave as my own Rockruff here." Her Puppy Pokemon yipped in agreement.
"Resting with your Pokemon does feel right." Misty reasoned. "In life and in death, you'll always have your closest Pokemon with you always."
"How poetic." Hau complimented as he put his hands behind his head. They then made their way around the maze of short hedges and tombstones when they eventually spotted four people of two groups. Two of the Aether Foundation, and the other two from Team Skull.
"Team Skull, give back that Pokemon!" One of them said, referring to the Slowpoke who hasn't realized yet it's been kidnapped.
"Low?" It asked with a drawl.
"Don't give me trouble! I'll reduce you to rubble!" One of the thugs threatened.
"That's right, we're going to sell this Pokemon to get rich! And we won't make no bones about it! If you want it back, you're going to have to take it!"
"Stand firm!" An older Foundation worker said. "Think of what the president would say!"
"That's what you say Chief, but you don't life a finger!" His female subordinate complained.
"Why, I am the Aether Foundation's last line of defense! What would become of it if something happened to me now? Oh, you three trainers!" The scientist looking worker spotted Ash and the others. "Fight in our steed children, and rout these Team Skull ruffians! I will bestow honor on you if you do!"
"Hay, any time, any place and anybody! We were born ready to wreck you all, yo!" One of the thugs boasted.
"Oh really?" Ash chuckled. Hau snickered as well.
"Yeah! Go Raticate!" Both of them shouted as they sent out dark furred Mouse Pokemon.
"Hawlucha, I choose you!"
"Torracat, let's go!" Both of the heroic trainers sent their Pokemon out.
"Use Hyper Fang!" The thugs tried to attack, but their opposition was faster.
"Use Karate Chop!"
"Double Kick!" Using their respective fighting moves, the Wrestling and Fire Cat Pokemon beat back the normal/dark types with extremely super effective moves that defeated both Pokemon in one move.
"Yo yo you... you're no joke!" The one on the right gasped.
"That loss was pathetic! Your moves were so kinetic!" The left thug said. "We don't need this Pokemon anyway! Take it! Good luck and good riddance!" The thugs returned their Pokemon and ran off.
"Low?" Slowpoke asked, still not realizing what just happened.
"Whew." The female worker sighed in relief.
"Thanks kids."
"Yes indeed. You two are trial-goers, aren't you?" The older man asked of them.
"We sure are." Ash answered.
"Well, you're both splendid trainers! I am deeply impressed! I'd like to award you by showing you something truly astounding. Once you have finished your Grand Trial, come to Hano Grand Resort and I will take you to see a wondrous place.
"Sweet!" Hau cheered.
"Thank you for helping out. The Aether Foundation appreciates your help." The female worker told them. "I'm so glad there are nice trainers like you around. Good luck on your island adventure." And with that she picked up the Slowpoke and the two left.
"I wonder what place we'll get to see?" Misty wondered.
"Yeah, it sure sounds interesting." Ash nodded.
"Yeah, but before that, we need to meet Olivia! Let's go!" He started running again, prompting his friends to roll their eyes and give chase.
"Slow down! I'm carrying a baby in my bag!" Misty called out, but the normal type appeared to be fine as she enjoyed the bumps of her bag going up and down.
"Eevee!" She yelled. However, just before reaching the ruins, a girl's voice called to them.
"So, you're the one Gladion was talking about? Hmph, none of you look that special to me." The trio stopped as they saw an emo dressed, pink and yellow haired woman step out from a hiding spot. "I'm Plumeria. I help keep Team Skull together. I'm like a big sister to all these numbskulls." As she walked to them, the trio realized she was a bit tall, standing a few inches above Ash. "You have realized what idiots all these guys are, right?"
"Well, the way they talk are certainly weird." Ash admitted.
"Well, in spite of that, they're rather cute in their dumb way. You know what I'm saying? You all are messing with my dumb brothers and sisters. And it's really annoying the hell out of me! Go, Golbat!" Sending out a blue bat with purple wings and a long gaping mouth, Hau stepped forth.
"I've got this guys. Pikachu, let's go!" Sending out his Electric Mouse Pokemon, he ordered, "Use Spark!"
"Pika!" The electric type said as he dashed at a speed Plumeria was not expecting even for a Pikachu, and rammed his electrically charged body into the Bat Pokemon, inflicting major damage to the creature as it hissed.
"Counter with Bite!" The Skull Admin demanded. The flying/poison type used its large moth to chew down hard on the electric type, which caused Pikachu to cry out. Luckily, Golbat let go because Pikachu's Static ability kicked in.
"No!" The woman gasped.
"Static, woo! Now use Electro Ball!" Pikachu formed a plasma ball of yellow electricity at the end of his tail and threw it at the Bat Pokemon, which exploded with sparks. Golbat fell out of the smoke, knocked out as it smacked onto the ground.
"Grr, return. Go, Salandit!" A smaller, pre-evolved, version of Salazzle was brought out. "Use Flame Burst!"
"Counter with Electro Ball!" Both Pokemon launched a ranged elemental attack which met half way in between, which stalemated each attack before they exploded with enough power to slightly cause a shock wave.
"Dragon Rage!" Dark purple fire pushed through the smoke, and the electric Mouse Pokemon was unable to get out of the way as he was bathed in fire, screaming as he tumbled across the ground until he bumped into Hau's legs, defeated.
"Pikachu, return!" The trainer recalled his Pokemon with worry.
"See, nothing special." Plumeria scoffed. Hau became determined as he shouted,
"Eevee, let's go!" Sending out his normal type, he began to perform a Z-Move. "Let's do it Eevee!" Hau requested as he and his Pokemon glowed with power. "Use Breakneck Blitz!"
"Counter with Dragon Rage!" The Skull Admin ordered. While the Toxic Lizard Pokemon was able to fire a blast of draconic energy at the Evolution Pokemon, Eevee was moving with so much speed and power that the offensive move she pushed through it and the poison/fire type stared in fear for a few immobilizing seconds before it was ran over, trampled like a car in front of a train.
"No!" Plumeria yelled in disbelief as she saw her Pokemon was knocked out.
"Whew, we won!" Hau tiredly cheered as Eevee ran and jumped into his arms. "Good girl."
"Hmph, you're strong, I'll give you that." Plumeria admitted begrudgingly as she returned her Pokemon. "But you're still no match for Gladion. And if you mess with anyone in Team Skull again, I'll show you how serious I can get."
"We're not afraid." Ash confidently said as he walked to stand with Hau on the right. "We've beaten you before, and we'll keep doing it again when needed."
"Yeah. You don't know who you're messing with." Misty agreed as she stood with Hau to his left.
"Hmph, trial-goers." She scoffed. "Think you're all that? You haven't seen how strong we really are. Just you wait, since you've basically declared war on Team Skull. You'll regret this." She then departed.
"She... wasn't so tough. I just wish... I could've won without using a Z-Move already." Hau panted. "Looks like you're going first... Ash."
"Don't worry Hau, I'll win this for both of us." The trainer declared, and the two grinned in comradery. Walking the rest of the way to the ruins, there they saw Professor Burnet and Lillie waiting up ahead.
"Here we are, just as promised. Lillie is here." The older woman said. "I had no idea how little sense of direction she had." The professor laughed, which made the blonde blush in embarrassment.
"I was avoiding Team Skull! I told you that already!"
"Yeah, but it's the biggest building in the city and you still couldn't find it. And it's not like it was mostly obscured either. Anyway, I've got to go now. The Masked Royal has a match, and there's no way I'm missing that!" She closed her eyes. "Ah that man. What do you think he looks like under there?" She then walked off. Ash, Misty and Hau looked between each other and chuckled.
"Are you okay Hau? You look a little exhausted." Lillie asked her friend, worried.
"I just fought off a tough skull member. A high member apparently. I had to use a Z-Move."
"Oh! So then, shall I heal your Pokemon?"
"I'd appreciate that, thanks." The teen boy nodded while smiling.
"Ok. So are you going to take the challenge then Ash?"
"Yeah. I'm sure Brionne and Hawlucha will win this easily." The trainer proclaimed with a grin.
"Just make sure Hawlucha doesn't get hit. He is also part flying." The blonde turned her head towards the ruins. "Within these ruins waits the guardian deity of Akala Island. This is Tapu Lele's ruin. I doubt that unlike Tapu Koko, we probably won't see this island's tapu. Seeing one is already considered incredible, so let's not get our hopes up to see more than one."
"Makes sense." Ash shrugged. Nebby spoke up beside Lillie.
"And you! I know you tried to drag me along to the Ruins of Conflict on Melemele Island too! Why are these ruins important to you? What do the guardians mean to you?" The Pokemon didn't respond this time. "Just think what would have happened if you hadn't been there back then Ash."
"Yeah. I'm not sure how differently things could've gone." Ash admitted.
"Eevee?" Misty's normal type said as she spotted Nebby.
"Oh, you have an Eevee?!" Lillie gasped. "When did you get one?"
"I got her egg from Paniola Ranch. She actually hatched just after Ash completed his trial against Kiawe. I think you didn't notice her last is because she was asleep in my bag last night."
"That's cool. She's certainly... cute." Lillie said after taking a gulp. Eevee smile, unaware of the pause's meaning.
"Ah, it's your four. Weren't you with Kukui last?" Olivia asked as she walked out of the ruins towards them.
"Yes. I don't believe we've been personally introduced. I'm Lillie, his assistant."
"Oh yes! Of course! How could I forget?" Olivia laughed. "He's talked about an assistant but oddly I've never actually seen you. Weird. Anyway, your names, Ash and Hau. And how about you, dear? What's your name?"
"My name is Misty, nice to see you again."
"Same here. Anyway, Tapu Lele summoned me here to clean up the ruins. Misty, Ash, thanks for getting to know the people and Pokemon of Alola."
"You're welcome. It's been so fun learning everything I have so far." Ash told the Kahuna.
"And I love the islands! The climate and water is so lovely!" Misty complimented the region. Olivia chuckled.
"That's great to hear. So, you've both beaten the three trial captains of Akala Island. Now one of you will face the Grand Trial of the Kahuna-me!"
"That would be me, Miss Olivia." Ash said. "Hau tired himself out just before coming here and his Pokemon need healing."
"Very well then. Get ready for your hardest Pokemon battle yet. We'll give you everything we've got! My partners are all adorable, rugged little rock types!"
"We'll prove we're tougher then the most sturdy stone!" Ash agreed, his enthusiasm building as the hype was building.
"Let us begin, the island challenge! The Akala Grand Trial! Well of all nature the dwells on Akala Island, Tapu Lele." The Kahuna clapped her hands together as she prayed to the guardian deity. "The guardian of all Island life! Watch over this young man and me during his Island Challenge and bestow your strength upon us!"
"That's quite some pre-trail chant there." Misty said, impressed with how wholeheartedly she said it.
"I can barely hold my excitement." Lillie agreed.
"Come on Ash, win it for us!" Hau cheered, breaking the atmosphere, to which the girls shushed him angrily. "Sorry."
"Anorith, let's go!" The Kahuna sent out a fossil Pokemon that resembles an anomalocaris.
"Brionne, I choose you!" Sending out his water, starter, the battle begins.
"Use Bug Bite!" Scittering across the ground, the rock/bug type having gotten to the water type faster than she could dodge and used its mandibles to bite down on her body, causing the Pop Star Pokemon to yelp in discomfort.
"Use Bubble Beam!" Spraying the Old Shrimp Pokemon with bubbles, the foe was forced to let go and was pushed back until it rolled onto its back, defeated.
"Anorith, return." Olivia withdrew her Pokemon. "Thank you. Lileep, let's go!" Next was a purple plant like Pokemon eight dark-tipped, pink petal-like tentacles protruding from an opening on top of its head.
"Use Bubble Beam again!" Ash ordered. Firing a barrage of glowing bubbles, they popped against the Pokemon, but the rock/grass type didn't appear to be damaged. In fact, it appeared to become stronger. "Huh?! How didn't that work?!"
"It's called Storm Drain. This ability nullifies water type moves and raises the ranged attacks of my Lileep! Now, use Giga Drain!" Aiming the top of its head towards the the shocked Pop Star Pokemon, a beam of green energy shot out and she screamed from having her strength absorbed. In fact, she even collapsed from the move being too strong.
"Brionne, return!" Ash called his starter back. "Sorry Brionne. I guess we were too sure about this. Well, at least I have another good one. Hawlucha, I choose you!" Sending his Wrestling Pokemon out, the fighting/flying type flexed while puffing his chest out.
"Use Ancient Power!" Forming a black and white sphere of energy, Lileep twirled around and threw it at the Wrestling Pokemon.
"Jump to dodge it!" Ash requested. Thanks to his great speed, Hawlucha was able to jump up. Noticing that he was at a perfect angle, the Wrestling Pokemon grinned as he spread his arms and wings as wide as he could as he glowed, and started to fall.
"Oh, that's Flying Press!" Lillie gasped. "He learned a new move!" With newfound power along with his speed, Hawlucha crashed into the field with the unfortunate Sea Lily Pokemon as a cushion, and that roused up a lot of dust.
"No!" Olivia cried out as the dust settled and the rock/grass type was shown to be defeated with Hawlucha standing over it in triumph.
"Yeah! Hawlucha you're awesome!" Hau celebrated as he pumped his fists in the air.
"That was great! Keep it up!" Ash encourage his Pokemon.
"Return." Once the Kahuna called back her Pokemon and thanked it, she sent out her ace. "Lycanroc, let's go!" It looked like a slouched, bipedal wolf or werewolf in it's midnight form. It has short red fur with white on its lower legs and a white streak that covers its face, underbelly, and tail. It has pointed, button ears with black tips, three large tufts of fur on each side of its face, a triangular black nose, and a mouth full of sharp teeth. A mane of fur covers its back and shoulders, sweeping forward over its head to form a crescent moon shape. On either side of its body, just below the shoulders, two small rocks resembling claws poke out of the mane. A single, bigger stone projects out of the front of the mane over its head. Each of this form's paws has three black claws, and it has a stubby tail covered in long fur. Crossing her arms then thrusting them out, the Kahuna flexed her arms like a body builder while doing a lunge, initiating a Z-Move. Both she and Lycanroc glowed with power as her ace jumped up into the air. "Go Continental Crush!" Lycanroc started to take loose surrounding rocks and stones from around the area, forming a 55 foot high, 100 meter wide and about 1.3 billion kg heavy 150 feet in the air. This just seemed overkill as a Z-Move. However, Hawlucha wasn't afraid. In fact, he planted his feet into the ground and spread his arms wide as if to say, "Come on!"
"Hawlucha!" He shouted.
"Run!" Misty yelled however as she and the others ran in fear for their lives. But Ash stayed put. If his Pokemon wasn't worried, he wasn't either.
"Come on Hawlucha, let's prove our strength can move even the mountains!" He yelled as he began to use one of his own. The mountain above them started to finally fall as Ash and Hawlucha glowed with power. They each punched the air several times before Ash screamed, "All Out Pummeling!" Hawlucha started to send out orange shock waves in the form of fists and feet which started to blast into the center of the incoming hill of stone. While it appeared to not stop falling, its descent did noticeably slow down after a few seconds. In fact, it soon stopped and stated to go back up due to the All Out Pummeling! Olivia and Lycanroc gasped in sheer astonishment as the mountain was sent pummeled back towards the rock type, and slammed into the Wolf Pokemon.
"What fighting spirit!" The Kahuna shuddered as she saw the pile of rock then explode due to all of the kinetic energy from All Out Pummeling being too much for the Continental Crush to handle. It took a small while, but eventually Lycanroc crashed back onto the battlefield, taken out quite thoroughly. Ash's friends cautiously came back from their hiding place.
"Is-is it over?" Lillie gulped.
"I think he did." Hau replied.
"Whew, that was close. We did it." Ash panted as he dropped to his hands and knees. Hawlucha also dropped, but only to one knee as he took deep breaths while sweating.
"Hmph, how lovely." Olivia sighed with relief as she returned her Pokemon. "You did great Lycanroc, and the rest of you too." Olivia hummed in contemplation as she closed her eyes. "Diamonds only sparkle after coal is pushed to their absolute limits. And you absolutely sparkled here Ash! You and your Pokemon are great! Here, the Rockium Z is yours." Walking up to her victorious challenger, the Kahuna gave him the brown colored crystal with a boulder emblem in the center.
"Thank you." Ash chuckled.
"Man, I am totally going to have to train my Pokemon to survive that." Hau said, both inspired and terrified of Ash's strength.
"You saw how I move to use Continental Crush, so you can already use it for any rock type move. Be sure to use your hips properly for it. Use it well. Rock types; study, rugged and physically strong. Basically nothing like me at all!" Olivia laughed. "I guess opposites really do attract!" Nebby made a noise of happiness next to Lillie.
"You seem very pleased, don't you?" She asked her Pokemon.
"By the way Lillie, this may seem like a weird question, but why even come to the Ruins of Life when you're not a trainer?"
"I came because Hau asked me to see him battle you, before I discovered he couldn't battle you and Ash did so instead. And... it's also because of Nebby. It's not originally from here, and I want to help it get back to its home. But I don't have any idea how to do that. It seems fond to ruins for some reason. So I keep visiting them and hoping that maybe I will find some clue to help it." Olivia turned her gaze to Nebby.
"You certainly don't see a Pokemon like that everyday. Tapu Lele may be the guardian deity of Akala Island, but it can also run wild at times. Regular Pokemon avoid the guardians at all cost. Unless they're strong enough to face the Tapu themselves, that is." The kahuna paused before resuming, "Wait, that can't be right. I think your journies will hold many surprises for all of you. And I hope they hold many joys. I'll escort you all back to town so that my you and my team can heal up before Hau faces me. And you Lillie, I like the kind of person who helps their partner even without being a trainer. So I just feel compelled to lend you a hand."
"Oh yeah, then after I face Olivia, we can go to the Hano Grand Hotel to meet those Aether people." Hau mentioned. At the mention of the organization, Lillie paled, and that was something since she was already quite white for a Caucasian skinned girl.
"Th-the Aether Foundation? Uh-um... I think I'll stay here. There's still something I need to do with Professor Burnet! Yeah! After Hau beats Olivia first that is."
"That's cool, and I'm going to try my best like Ash did!"
"Then you better show me your full power then." The Kahuna laughed. As everyone else began to talk to each other as they headed to the city, Lillie stayed back by a few steps, worried about what's to come.
That was awesome.