Chapter 34
Ash and Lillie are back at Malie City, Lillie says, "Ash? Would you mind if I asked you something?"
"What is it, Lillie?" Ash asks.
Just then, Nebby is shaking in Lillie's bag, and Ash asks, "Let me guess, Nebby?"
"Yes. I want to take Nebby to visit Ula'ula's ruins, but they are located deep in a large desert. I don't want to ask that much of you." Lillie frowns. "I want to visit Malie Library. There's a book that I want to look for there. Maybe you'd even be willing to help me?"
"Of course." Ash smiles.
"I know that Malie Library is here within the city of Malie somewhere... Even I should be able to find it. I can do this!" Lillie says as they are finding the library. But just as they are about to move forward, they are stopped as Rotom Dex says, "Professor."
The person is no other than Samson Oak, the principal of the Pokemon Trainer's School. "Why, hello there, Rotom! Are you feeling nice and comfy there in that Pokedex of yours?"
"Never better! Zz-zz-zz!" Rotom says.
"Professor Samson Oak, it is so great to see you again." Ash says.
"Indeed, how is the Alolan Vulpix doing? Ash and Lillie?" The Professor asks, and the white Vulpix just barks behind Pikachu, and Lillie says, "Snowy is doing great with Pikachu helping her out.
"I see." Samson Oak says. "You see, I'm a Pokemon researcher, and I'm looking into the regional variants around here. Rotom, you be sure to help these find young trainrs on their trip around the islands, all right?"
"Who d'you think you're talking to? Zzt! Of courzzze I'm doing that!" Rotom says.
"And you two, Ash and Lillie! I'll be trusting you to keep Rotom safe, as well!" Samson adds. "The young fellow from Kalos who helped invent that Pokedex put a lot of work into it. And as much love and care as any parent!"
"Hold on...are you talking about our friend Clemont?" Ash asks, and Lillie gasps, "Wow...I can't believe he is the one that made this."
"Sounds like you have been friends with him all right." Samson smiles, "I'll be in the Malie Library if you ever need me. Feel free to stop by and chat anytime. If you're having trouble finding the library, just follow the black-brick road! Meaning the patterns on these paths, of course. Black circle, black triangle, black square. Follow that pattern and it'll get you there!"
After that, he leaves as they follow his trail to find Malie Library, but on the way, Lillie decides to check out the apparel shop. They notice a white shirt with white skirt on the hanger and the staff tells them that it is the last one they had in stock.
"Ash, can I buy this outfit?" Lillie asks, "Please?"
"Of course, anything will be great on you, Lillie." Ash smiles as Lillie buys this outfit, but she frowns, "But...I don't think I'd ever had the guts to wear an outfit like it..."
"If you think so, I'm not forcing you to make this decision, just so you know." Ash adds.
After arriving at the Malie Library, they are in awe at the sight until they hear large footsteps behind them. As they turn around, a Mudsdale comes to a halt just in front of them as both Ash and Lillie are a little scared. And then Hapu walks behind the Mudsdale as she greets them.
"Ash and Lillie. Been a while, friends." Hapu says. "Looks like your island challenge is coming along favorably. That must be pleasing to the tapu."
"Your Mudsdale really scared the heck of us..." Ash says.
"My apologies if Mudsdale spooked you just now. So, what are you up to?" Hapu asks.
"Oh, we're actually, um, studying the tapu's ruins. For...various reasons of our own." Lillie says.
"Well, that's some fine initiative. I'd be happy to show you the way whenever you'd like to go. My Mudsdale here is as sturdy as all get-out. She can easily carry two." Hapu says.
"But we have three people, and we decided to check out the library first." Ash says.
Hapu nods as she leaves with Mudsdale. Lillie turns to Ash and says, "Shall we check out Malie Library first though, since we're here?"
"You bet." Ash says as they enter the building. When they get inside, they can see a lot of people who are reading a lot of books. Ash asks, "So Lillie, what kind of book are you finding?"
"The book that I'm looking for is a very old one. It's a book that contains old myths and legends that Professor Burnet told me about... Those tales seem to suggest that Alola's Legendary Pokémon came from another world." Lillie says.
"Came from another world...that's unusual..." Ash says.
Before they get upstairs, they find Samson Oak, he says, "Alola, young Ash and Lillie! Since you're out and about exploring on your island challenge, you must already know about regional variants, don't you?"
"We have a couple of these." Ash says. "Snowy is also one."
"Just as I would have expected! Yes, regional variants... They arise when the influences of a particular region cause a Pokémon's physical aspect and even type to change. If you have caught one of the local Persians—the regional variants—I would quite like to see it!"
"An Alolan Persian?" Lillie is confused as she sends out the Pokemon to the Professor. "Oh! That's a local Alolan Persian, all right! I've heard that having a round face can be considered quite cute here in Alola! Maybe that explains the Alolan regional variant? And since Persians are so smart even before they evolve, it may be that they use the extra energy born during Evolution to instead help strengthen and bulk up their bodies... How very fascinating and alluring! And since this regional variant Persian evolves only with high friendship, I know what kind of wonderful Trainer you must be, my young friend!"
And he just gives them a Love Ball, after that, he adds, "Oh, that cousin of mine in Kanto... He and I look remarkably alike, or so everyone always says. He's Professor Oak, though. He actually is the one who gave me this Kanto region Pokédex that I carry with me now for comparison as I look into things here in Alola."
"Okay..." Ash says.
"Sam has a grandson, in fact, who is a pretty astounding Trainer himself. Boy's name is Gary. I actually sent him some Z-Crystals as well, so who knows? Maybe he'll come to visit Alola, too, someday!" Samson says.
"Gary, huh? It sure has been a while since I last see him." Ash says. Lillie asks, "Gary was the one who always try to make fun of you back in the Summer Camp, right?"
"Yeah, and he still does that, but less right now since he's working as a junior Professor." Ash sighs. "Let's head upstairs."
After getting upstairs, they are finding books as Lillie says, "It must be a very valuable book, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to take it out of the library..."
Suddenly, they hear a girl's chuckle. They turn around to see a purple-haired girl standing with a book in her hand. "Is this what you're looking for, Princess? Give it a read!"
"O-oh. Of course..." Lillie says as she takes the book, then they decide to find a place to sit. "Well... It's titled The Light of Alola. I'll just...um...read it aloud, shall I?"
"The empty sky broke asuner, a hole appearing where had been none. A single beast appeared from in it: it was called the beast that devours the sun. The king of Alola bowed before it: the beast that shone so like the sun. The island guardians fought against it, but in the end the beast had won. Then did the beast that devours the sun shine its light on the line of kings. Then did the least that had won bring nature's gift to bless all things. Beast of sun and beast of moon. Through their union, they brought new life. A fragile heir in Alola born that island guardians would keep from strife. The ancient kings sang their thanks for Solgaleo with song of flute. Two tones rang out across the altar - a perfect pair, ever after mute."
"Isn't it great? My dad's books are all great!" The girl says.
"What? I mean, yes, it is. But when you say your father... Isn't this book...very old?" Lillie asks.
The girl nods, "Yeah, it belonged to my dad. I know I don't look it, but my family used to be pretty much royalty. I had to have all my dad's books moved here so they didn't get ruined by the Pokemon. I can tell you lots of other old stories about Alola, too! You interested?"
"Well...that would be wonderful! I would be delighted, if you did." Lillie says.
Ash says, "Lillie, don't forget we are still going on trials of the Ula'ula Islands. I heard that the Electric Trial towards Mt. Hokulani can only be reached by bus at Route 10."
"You're right. We should go there so that you and Pikachu can use the Electric Z Move that it wants to do." Lillie adds as they bid farewell to the girl, but then they realize they have never asked the girl's name.
Before heading to Route 10, they go to Malie Outercape as they capture a Pokemon: A Trubbish. Lillie can't stand the smell from the Pokemon, but Ash is trying to, after all, it is not nice to badmouth a Pokemon. They also notice some janitors with Grimer and Muk that are cleaning the trash, and they find an Ace trainer who was rude to them, only to be scolded by his father. Then he reveals that he did challenge the Island trials, but he just gave up. So the father asks to battle Ash, who agrees. After Ash's victory, the ace trainer is a little scared to battle Ash, even though his father asks him to. After some persuasion, the ace trainer agrees to battle Ash, and after he lost, he is accepted into the garbage disposal as a boss, much to the boy's delight.
And this will be the end of the Malie Library and Malie Outcape. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the Electric Type trial for both Ash and Lillie.
Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:
Alola Dex: Dartrix, Torracat, Brionne, Toucannon, Gumshoos, Raticate (A), Butterfree, Ledian, Ariados, Pikachu, Raichu (A), Charjabug, Sudowoodo, Blissey, Snorlax, Slowpoke, Wingull, Alakazam, Persian (A), Magnemite, Grimer (A), Arcanine, Drowzee, Hariyama, Smeargle, Crabrawler, Gengar, Mismagius, Drifblim, Crobat, Diglett (A), Noivern, Fearow, Rufflet, Vullaby, Primeape, Delibird, Hawlucha, Oricorio, Cutiefly, Whimsicott, Lilligant, Psyduck, Gyarados, Barboach, Machamp, Gigalith, Carbink, Lycanroc (Dusk), Tentacool, Finneon, Wishiwashi, Corsola, Mareanie, Cloyster, Bagon, Herdier, Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Sylveon, Mudbray, Wigglypuff, Tauros, Miltank, Masquerain, Araquanid, Fomantis, Shiinotic, Parasect, Poliwag x2, Goldeen, Milotic, Alomomola, Talonflame, Salandit, Cubone, Kangaskhan, Magby, Bewear, Steenee, Comfey, Pinsir, Oranguru, Passimian, Noctowl, Goodra, Castform, Wimpod, Starmie, Sandygast, Tyranitar, Cranidos, Shieldon, Titouga, Archen, Trevenant, Nosepass, Pyukumuku, Lanturn, Type: Null, Zygarde, Trubbish, Metagross, Pangoro, Torkoal, Krookodile, Garchomp, Glalie, Vulpix (A), Scrafty, Clawitzer, Lapras, Crawdaunt, Scizor, Heracross, Dragonite, Aerodactyl, Cosmog
Kanto Dex: Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Pidgeot, Raichu, Sandshrew, Nidoran(F), Nidoran(M), Vulpix, Oddish, Venonat, Diglett, Meowth, Geodude, Rapidash, Farfetch'd, Doduo, 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