Chapter 17

Ash and Lillie are walking around the city as they also enter the shops to see what they can buy on the way, Ash was usually a boy who doesn't like to shop, but with Lillie he starts to feel enjoyment in this kind of stuff.

"Hey, Ash." Lillie says as Ash turns around and faces her. "Yes? Lillie?"

"As much as we want to continue looking around...But this little fellow will hardly sit still... I think Nebby might be interested in visiting the Ruins of Life. Apparently they house the sacred guardian of Akala Island. A creature called Tapu Lele."

"Tapu Lele, huh?" Ash says., and then Nebby starts to hug around Ash's leg.

Lillie says, "I wondered if you'd like to come with us when we go to visit the ruins... I mean...little Nebby here seems to like you quite a bit, Ash..."

"Of course, but where is that place?" Ash asks, and Lillie frowns, "I don't know. But since we are here, how about we stay a night at the Tide Song Hotel?"

"I think it will be fine." Ash says, "But where is that hotel?"

Lillie points at the hotel and then she says, "I can see the building from here, after all. Even I shouldn't be able to lose my way. I think."

Then she turns to Nebby and says, "And you! I'll have you stay in your bag, mister."

Once they put Nebby back in Lillie's bag, Lillie says, "And do you remember the time when we encounter Team Skull? They are people who tried to steal Pokemon, right?"

"Yeah, they are much like Team Rocket, but we need to be careful if we want to escape the notice of such a collection of villains." Ash says as they head towards the hotel.

But just as they arrived at the Fountain, they see two familiar faces who are walking around the fountain. Ash greets them and he says, "Alain? Marin?"

The two of them turn around and they are surprised at least. Marin says, "Ash! Long time no see."

"It is nice to see you again as well, Marin, Alain." Ash says while greeting them. "But what are you guys doing here?"

Alain says, "Well, ever since what happened in the Kalos, I think that we all need a vacation, so that we're here seeing the sights in Alola.. What about you?"

"Well, I am trying this Island Challenge thing." Ash says. "My mother asked me to try it out, so that I can relax ever since I finished the Kalos League."

Marin says, "And who is this girl over here?"

Lillie feels a little uneasy and she says, "Um...my name is Lillie...nice to meet you..."

Alain asks, "So she is your new travel companion I assume?"

Ash frowns and says, "Well, there is something that I need to tell you about it..." Ash turns to Lillie, who nods and then he whispers to them about the whole thing.

"So you mean...this girl over there is actually Serena, the same one who got caught in the plane crash a few weeks ago?" Marin gasps.

"Yes, we manage to recover some of her memories, but that is still not enough." Ash frowns, "And I decide to help her out."

"I see, I can't believe that happened..." Alain says, feeling a little sad for the boy in front of him.

After the whispering, Lillie asks Ash, "So I assume that I know them when I was Serena?"

"Yes." Ash says to Lillie, and Sylveon can also confirm it. Marin pets the Sylveon and says, "So I guess this girl here still remembers me as well?"

"Well, yes." Ash turns to Alain again, "So are you also trying out the Island Challenge?"

"Well, its unique tradition of island challenge... It's pretty fascinating, I've got to say. Though I don't know if I should do it since I was also helping out Professor Sycamore."

"I see...then how about a battle?" Ash asks, "I mean...I kind of want to battle you again ever since the Kalos League."

Alain smiles, "I don't see why not. But your Greninja isn't with you, right?"

"I still have a lot of aces, Greninja is not the only one." Ash says as they go to the battlefield, and Alain sends out his Charizard while Ash says, "Say hello to my Charizard."

As he sends out his own Charizard, it gives a loud roar and Alain smiles, "I never knew you have a Charizard."

"Well, I have it as a Charmander back in my Kanto Journeys, though it refused to listen to me back then and it cost my Kanto League. But now we are strong buddies, right?"

Charizard gives him a Flamethrower on the face in approval, causing the others to sweat drop. "Ash, are you okay?" Lillie asks in concern, and Ash says, "I am fine."

Then after getting back up, they start the battle. "Charizard, use Flamethrower."

As Charizard gives the opposing Charizard a Flamethrower, it uses Dragon Claw to counter, and also hurting him. Alain's Charizard fires the Flamethrower back, but Ash's just fly into the air and lands the Dragon Tail.

"How about we take this to the next level." Alain shows him the new Mega Ring, and Ash says, "I see you found a new Key Stone. Considering the last one was from Team Flare."

"Yeah." Alain says as he Mega Evolves his Charizard, and then it uses Thunder Punch on Ash's. Ash's Charizard retaliates by using Slash. Charizard uses Air Slash, but it is blocked by Alain's and Ash's got hit by a Flamethrower.

"Use Thunder Punch again." Alain yells and it hits Charizard, causing him to knock back to the ground. Ash says, "Well, I think we shouldn't play anymore."

Ash takes out his Z Ring, and then he switch sides to show that there is a Key Stone on it, and on Charizard's Flaming Tail, there is a Charizardite Y. Alain says, "You really are full of surprises, Ash."

"Of course. Charizard, let's go with the Mega Evolution! Respond to my heart!" Ash yells as he presses the Key Stone, causing Charizard to give a loud roar and it becomes Mega Charizard Y.

Lillie says, "Amazing...I don't know that Charizard has different forms..."

Marin says, "But is it just me, or I feel like the sun is getting stronger..." She then tries to wipe her sweat, and Pikachu, Sylveon and Chespie also feel that the sun is going to burn them.

"Mega Charizard Y's ability is Drought...but it boosts the power of my Fire Type Attacks." Alain says.

"I know, but that is what I want. Use Slash again!" Ash yells, but Alain's Charizard dodges the attack. Alain's Charizard uses Flamethrower which is intercepted by another Slash. Then the Thunder Punch is being countered by the opposing's Thunder Punch.

"Well, I thought your power with Greninja is amazing, but I never knew that you and your Charizard is also amazing as well." Alain says.

"I am feeling the same thing, but I think I am going to finish the battle. Charizard! Seismic Toss!" Alain is surprised that a Charizard was able to learn that move, and Ash's Charizard grabs Alain's as he starts to spin around, after that, he tosses the Charizard to the ground, knocking him out.

"Charizard! Are you alright?" Alain rushes towards his own Charizard and Charizard just returns back to normal and gives him a loud roar. Ash walks towards his own Charizard and says, "You did a good job, Charizard."

Ash's also return back to its form as Marin says, "Aww...Alain lost..."

Lillie says, "But that battle is so cool...I mean...it sure is heated."

Alain shakes hands with Ash and says, "That is a nice battle, Ash. Though I was curious why didn't you use your Charizard back at the League?"

Ash says, "Well, when I come to a new region, I always thinking of training new ones to see how far I have improved. Which is why I kind of feeling guilty of leaving them all at the lab."

"I see...Since you are here, I have some things to tell you." Alain says. "As you can see, the winner of the League competition can go to the Elite League, which they have the chance to face off against the Elite 4 and the Champion, you do know it, right?"

Ash says, "I know, so did you beat them?"

Alain says, "The truth is, I am not qualified to face them, you are."

This causes Ash and Lillie to get shocked, Ash says, "But I didn't win the League, you won it."

"And I won it through cheating." Alain says with a frown, this causes them to get shocked. Ash asks, "Cheated? What do you mean by that?"

Marin says, "Ash, when we searched for the Team Flare's Base ever since they are disbanded, we found a video footage, it was the Kalos League and when Greninja was about to fire that giant Shuriken while Alain is about to firing the Blast Burn, we saw a member of the Team Flare has used some kind of weapon that fires a needle on Greninja's leg, causing the attack to hit on the ground in front of Charizard."

This causes Ash to be conflicted, Alain says, "Please, Ash. You have to trust me, I didn't know anything until we saw the footage. That is why I ask the PLA to make you the winner of the Kalos League."

Ash thinks for a while and he asks, "Can you give us some time alone with Lillie?"

They nod as Ash turns to Lillie, he asks, "So what do you think about that?"

Lillie says, "Why are you asking me? I mean, it was your battle..."

Ash says, "Well, you were there as Serena. So I think it would be better if I hear your opinion before I made rash decisions."

Lillie sighs and says, "Well, if he told you that he was used by this Team Flare, then I think you should forgive him."

Ash thinks for a while and then he remembers about how Alain feels regret to help Team Flare, then he smiles, "Okay, I accept the title and I forgive you."

Alain smiles as they give a bro hug. And Alain says, "Maybe I will try out the Island Challenge that you speak highly off. But anyways, when we met Diantha, she said that she has a request for you."

"Diantha has a request for me?" Ash asks in confusion. "Why?"

"Well, it is actually this Pokemon that wants you to help him out." Marin says as a Zygarde Core appears on her shoulder. Ash widens his eyes and says, "Squishy? What the..."

Squishy says, "Ash, long time no see. Ever since what happened to Team Flare and about what happened to Serena, I have been doing a lot of thinking, I think it will be better if I join your team."

"Wait, are you serious about that? I thought you were going to find Bonnie..." Ash says, "And more importantly, how were you with Alain and Marin?"

Squishy says, "Ever since we heard the news, Greninja feels the same sorrow in your heart, so that he asks me to search for you to make sure you are okay, since he has to continue helping my brother with the vines. I found Diantha on the way and she takes me to Alain and Marin, knowing that they are heading to Alola for a vacation and I have a feeling that we might find you here."

"Okay." Ash says with a little sad. "Though I supposed that Greninja is still cleaning the vines with Z2..."

Squishy says, "I am sorry about that, but we promise that once the vines are cleared, he will be returned."

Ash nods and he takes out the Pokeball and capture the Zygarde, after that, they decide to bid farewell to Alain and Marin as they enter the Tide Song Hotel for the check in.

Surprise, Alain and Marin have replaced Sina and Dexio in this story, and Ash is capable of using Mega Evolution, and now he also has a Zygarde in his team. The next chapter will be Route 4 and the time in Tide Song Hotel.

Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:

Alola Dex: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio, 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, Diglett, Noivern, Spearow, Rufflet, Vullaby, Primeape, Delibird, Hawlucha, Oricorio, Cutiefly, Cottonee, Petilil, Psyduck, Gyarados, Barboach, Machop, Gigalith, Carbink, Rockruff, Tentacool, Finneon, Wishiwashi, Corsola, Mareanie, Shellder, Bagon, Sylveon, Tauros, Milotic, Talonflame, Noctowl, Goodra, Tyranitar, Trevenant, Zygarde, Metagross, Pangoro, Torkoal, Krookodile, Garchomp, Glalie, Vulpix (A), 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