Chapter 10
Back in Ash's House, Palermo is now sitting at the sofa of the living room while Aurora is pouring some tea. Aurora asks, "So Mother, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Palermo says, "A lot of things had happened recently, and I didn't feel in the mood of holding the showcase this year."
This causes Aurora to be surprised, "Why Mother? What makes you do such a big deal?"
"Of all the performers, I have been trying to find another person that can rival against Aria. A few months ago, I finally found her."
"That's great, mother. But what is special about her?" Aurora asks.
"She is the first one that refuses to train under me because she wants to improve, so I suggest her to go into Hoenn to partake the Contests, I want you to meet her as you can see how special she is." Palermo says.
Aurora says, "Let me guess, the person you are talking about, is it Serena?"
Palermo raises an eyebrow and she says, "It seems you have known her."
"Her mother and I are best friends back then and my son Ash has a crush on her." Aurora says.
"So the one that travels with her really is Ash. It sure has been a while since I saw him, I kinda forget what he looked like. But if he had a crush on her, how is he feeling after learning the misfortune..."
Aurora says, "Don't worry, Mother. Serena is not dead, but she lost all her memories as Serena since she still has a split self named Lillie. Who is a member of the Aether Foundation."
Palermo says, "The Aether Foundation...I remember that the members there are also Giratina, is that true?"
"Yes, so far Lusamine is still split into two while her children are whole again. I am sure that Ash will be able to unlock her memories before things getting worse."
"I hope so." Palermo says as she sips on the tea.
Back in the Route 2, Ash and Lillie wake up with blushes on their faces, as they see how they are hugging each other. They quickly jump out of the bed and clean themselves. Lillie looks at Ash on the way as she thinks, "I can't believe I just slept with him...I hope he didn't feel different for me..." Ash is thinking the same thing as they can't face each other for now. Then continue forward without talking until they find Hau at the Pokemon Center.
"Howzit, Ash, Lillie? Your Pokémon doing all right?"
"We are doing just fine, I guess." Lillie says.
"Well, I know my team's seen better days, that's for sure! But is there something happened to you two?" Hau asks in confusion.
"I think we just slept together for a night on a same bed." Ash says.
"Wait, for real? Congratulations to you two." Hau says, "But I don't think I should ask what happened. Come on. Let's stop by the PMC!"
Just as they head inside, Hau is having his Pokemon rested while he chats to them. "You know that Verdant Cavern place, right? I guess it's kinda, like, sacred to Tapu Koko."
"I heard that you aren't even allowed to go into it unless you're on your island challenge." Lillie says. "But I am going to challenge as well."
"That's great for you, Lillie. I am sure you can do it." Hau says. "Didja know that Poké Marts sometimes sell different things? And not just that! The two clerks at the counter even sell different things from one another!"
"I have seen of it, some also sells different Pokeballs for capturing and some of them sells battle items." Ash says.
"I think I'll get myself a treat at the café to pump myself up before trying the first trial!" Hau says as he goes to the cafe. Ash and Lillie just look at each other and they decide to go have a drink as well.
"Tapu Cocoa and Roserade Tea? There sure are different drinks in different Pokemon Center." Ash says as he orders the Tapu Cocoa while Lillie orders the Roserade Tea. As for Hau, he orders the Pinap Juice and he likes it.
"Those drinks taste...nice..." Lillie says. "I think it is relaxing."
"I agree." Hau says.
After finished drinking, Ash and Lillie head to the Verdant Cavern first. Ilima is already there and he says, "Greetings. Captain Ilima here. And my trial...begins mere steps from here in Verdant Cavern!"
"I think we have heard of it." Ash says.
"Note that the Pokémon living within Verdant Cavern are quite fierce. I wouldn't venture in unless you've prepared some Potions and so forth. Through attempting the trials during the island challenge, one can exceed his or her own limits. ...That is what the Alolan people believe."
"I see." Lillie says.
"Once you enter Verdant Cavern, you will not be able to leave until you have completed the trial. Are you prepared for the trial?"
The two of them nod as they are ready, then Ilima takes the two of them inside the cavern. They are amazed at the sight of the inside as Ilima says, "Let me formally welcome you to Verdant Cavern! I am your captain, Ilima. Allow me to explain the basics of my trial."
He gives a picture of a Yungoos to Ash while a Rattata to Lillie. He says, "What you should attempt to do is..."
Then they see a Yungoos and a Rattata running past them and Ilima says, "Defeat each three of the Pokémon that lurk here in their dens!"
He looks up at the gate and says, "Then reach the pedestal deep within the cave...and collect the Z-Crystal there! You'll need to be completely in sync with your Pokémon to succeed."
Then they hear a large growl as Snowy jumps behind Lillie's legs with fear.
"Oh dear! And there's one more thing I forgot to mention. Many strong Pokémon make their home in this cave, but one stronger and more fearsome than all the rest, known as a Totem Pokémon, also resides here! It will be the greatest obstacle you face as you attempt to clear my trial!"
"So there will be 2 Totem Pokemon for us?" Ash says.
"Why yes. By the way, until you clear the trial, you will not be able to catch Pokémon in Verdant Cavern. This is but one of the seven trials you will face during your island challenge."
Ash and Lillie nod as Ilima declares, "And it begins now! The trial of Captain Ilima!"
The two of them rush to their first dens and they find a Rattata and a Yungoos each. The two of them use the help of Pikachu and Sylveon to defeat them with ease. The second one also rushes to them as they are defeated with the same way as the first two.
In the end, they spot a Raticate and a Gumshoos. Ash says, "Did those two evolve?"
"I don't know. But we should go find them." Lillie says, but just as they get to the den, they already switch to another den and it causes frustration to the two of them.
"They are so fast...how are we going to get those two?" Ash asks.
"Beats me." Lillie groans, but just then, they hear a voice, "Yo, yo, yo!"
Ash and Lillie groan as they aren't in a mood to see Team Skull. "It's your Berry thief boys, back...back again! Remember us?"
Ash doesn't bother to interact with them and he says, "Who are you?"
The two just look at each other and then they switch places, "Just because we switch places and you don't remember us?" The first grunt says.
"Who cares about that anyway?" The second grunt says. "We are here to mess his trial up, yo!"
"Oh yeah, that's right! Yo, let's get that Pokemon, homie!" The first replies.
Ash and Lillie are annoyed as they send out Drowzee, but Ash just takes out the Crabrawler and asks him to do the same to that Pokemon. They lost in the same way as the grunt says in shock, "Is it cool for me to be in Team Skull if I'm this brittle?"
"I don't know about that." Lillie says.
"What's up with those two kids?" The first grunt says.
"For real, though?! I can't get my skull around it! This kid's mad strong, yo!" The second grunt replies.
"Now you lost, just go away." Lillie says.
"Naw, it ain't eve like that. These kids is straight up dangerous, homie!"
"I don't know, man...Isn't this whole place trouble?!"
"Yeah, it totally is, homie. I mean, that thing is so strong that regular Pokemon don't even wanna come out and battle!" As they are about to leave, one grunt just rushes back and says, "Yo, kid! You know there's a mad strong Pokemon lurking back here somewhere, right? I'd run if I were you."
"Naw, we're not going out like that! We gotta get our revenge. Go stand over that den and catch that skulking Yungoos and Rattata, yo!"
"For real?! Fine! I got no bones to pick with you!"
Just as they leave, they are blocking the dens and Ash says, "Wait, this is perfect, we can defeat the two Pokemon if they are blocking the way."
"Yeah. Though I feel like it is against the rules..." Lillie says as they go battle the two Pokemon. In the end, they are defeated as they find Ilima.
"Fantastic, you two. You proved your strength to all three Pokemon. I also heard that Team Skull is here, so I am going to have them out of here." Ilima says as he leaves, "Go on and face the Totem Pokemon."
Ash and Lillie nod as they head to the Totem's Den, but all they find is nothing except a pedestal that has two Z Crystals on it.
"I feel like a piercing gaze is cutting right through us..." Ash says as Lillie says, "Me too."
Just then, a Totem Gumshoos and a Totem Raticate jump in front of them and Lillie says, "Wow, they are very big."
"We can defeat them." Ash replies, "But I want to battle myself."
"Sure, you can fight Gumshoos and can I use Infernape to battle Raticate?" Lillie asks.
"Of course you can." Ash says as he lends her the Pokeball.
Ash uses Aura Sphere on Gumshoos, who dodges and then uses Take Down. Ash is hit, but he manages to fire Flamethrower. Lillie uses Mach Punch on Raticate, which is super effective but it gives a Hyper Fang, which causes some damage to Infernape.
Just then, they start to call out Pokemon to help, a Rattata and a Yungoos appear besides them.
"It will be tough." Ash says.
"Yeah, but we can win this." Lillie says.
After exchanging some attacks, Ash says, "Time to finish it off." Ash uses the Hyper Voice and it causes Gumshoos and Yungoos to faint. Lillie also activates the Blaze and defeats Rattata and the Raticate.
The two Pokemon stand up and say, "You two are worthy opponents." Then they all head back into the cavern.
"What an incredible Trainer you are!" Ilima comes to them and says, "For you to be able to defeat the Totem Pokémon that I had trained up to such a powerful state... I don't know what I can say! Working in harmony with your Pokémon, you have cleared the trial of Ilima! You're a phenomenal Trainer! Congratulations, Ash, Lillie! The Z-Crystal from the pedestal is yours now!"
Ash and Lillie take the Z Crystal from the pedestal and they yell, "We got the Normalium Z!" Then their Pokemon also cheer for them as well.
"What you have just received is the Normal Z-Crystal! It is known as Normalium Z! Now if you let a Pokémon that can use a Normal-type move hold that..."
He shows them the pose and he says, "and strike an elegant pose like this one... then you will be able to strengthen a Normal-type move by unleashing Z-Power!"
"Moving right along..." He turns around and says, "Ah, yes. First, there is one thing I forgot to mention. The Totem Pokémon! In every locale where a captain holds his or her trials, you will encounter a particularly strong Pokémon, like Gumshoos and Raticate just now. And during battles against such Pokémon, they may summon allies to shore up their offense. It's not a tactic often seen in other regions. Perhaps Pokémon in Alola are simply more inclined to help one another?"
He turns back and says, "Since you have managed to defeat the Totem Pokémon and proved yourself, you can now try to catch any of the Pokémon you find here in this cave. In fact, have some Great Balls."
Ash and Lillie take the Pokeballs and Ilima says, "And here, let me see to your Pokémon after all of their hard work in there!"
He gives the Pokemon each a Potion and some for Ash as well. "If we're done here, I have something interesting I'd like to show you. Come with me to Route 3."
"Wait, you are not surprised that we are Pokemon?" Lillie asks in shock.
"Well, your mothers kinda inform all of the trial captains and the kahunas, and we swore to keep it a secret as well." Ilima says. "Though I couldn't believe that you will battle the Totem alone."
"True." Ash says with a laugh as they leave the cave.
I made Ash battle the first totem, because it should be cooler if he enter the battle himself. Lillie will also battle the totem in the future, and I hope you like this chapter.
Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:
Alola Dex: Rowlet, Litten, Pikipek, Yungoos, Rattata (A), Butterfree, Ledyba, Spinarak, Pikachu, Grubbin, Bonsly, Blissey, Snorlax, Slowpoke, Wingull, Abra, Meowth, Magnemite, Muk, Growlithe, Drowzee, Makuhita, Smeargle, Crabrawler, Gengar, Misdreavus, Drifloon, Crobat, Noivern, Primeape, Hawlucha, Gyarados, Gigalith, Sylveon, Tauros, Milotic, Talonflame, Noctowl, Goodra, Tyranitar, Trevenant, Metagross, Pangoro, Torkoal, Krookodile, Garchomp, Glalie, Vulpix, Scrafty, Clawitzer, Lapras, Crawdaunt, Scizor, Heracross, Dragonite, Aerodactyl, Cosmog
Kanto Dex: Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Pidgeot, Rapidash, Kingler
Johto Dex: Meganium, Typhlosion, Feraligatr, Bellossom, Steelix, Donphan
Hoenn Dex: Sceptile, Blaziken, Swampert, Swellow, Gardevoir
Sinnoh Dex: Torterra, Infernape, Empoleon, Staraptor, Floatzel, Rhyperior, Yanmega, Gliscor, Gallade, Dusknoir
Unova Dex: Serperior, Emboar, Samurott, Liepard, Unfezant, Zebstrika, Seismitoad, Leavanny, Gothitelle, Ferrothorn, Hydreigon
Kalos Dex: Chesnaught, Delphox, Meowstic, Aegislash