Chapter 10 Start of the Trials
Ash wakes up in his room after the sun's rays shine from the window. Ash does a stretch until he notices the Z Ring in his hand. He remembers how his Z Crystal shattered after doing Gigavolt Havoc with Pikachu. His thoughts are interrupted by Rotom.
"Why? You're awake now! Has something happened?"
Ash says, "I want to be able to use Z-Moves again. I think today is the day that we do our Island Challenge."
While having breakfast, Aurora says, "So you want to have the Island challenge, right?"
"Yeah, I want to get stronger." Ash says
"Sounds fun, I mean, I want to try using other types of Z Moves as well." Golly says.
They hear a doorbell, and Ash opens the door to find Lillie. Ash asks, "Lillie?"
"Good morning Ash." Lillie bows. "I hope I didn't interrupt you at a bad time."
"Not at all, we just finished breakfast." Ash says. "So what are you doing here?"
Lillie says, "I was wondering about the Z Crystals. Maybe we should try out the Island Challenge."
Golly says, "Looks like we all are thinking the same thing, huh?"
"So I was wondering if you want to come with us to Iki Town?" Lillie asks. "We can have our Grand Trial there."
"Grand Trial?" Golly asks.
"Leave the explanation to me." Rotom says. "A grand trial is a Pokemon battle against an Island Kahuna. You will be recognized as completing the trial if you win the Pokemon battle."
"That sounds fun." Ash says.
"But according to my research, only those who have first passed one or more Trials can take on the Grand Trial." Rotom says.
"That's right." Lillie says. "And we are going to meet the Melemele Island's Kahuna, Hala."
"Hala, huh?" Ash says.
After bidding farewell to Aurora, Ash, Lillie, and Golly are walking towards Iki Town. But they find two people with white skins and some sort of protection suit standing in front of them.
"You don't have to try so hard to act like you're not interested, you know?" The orange-haired female says. "The aura measurements in this area are pretty high!"
"Are they? It's only thanks to the Blinding One that Alola is overflowing with such brilliance." The man replies. "Though the Blinding One is left in such a state now, so dark and enfeebled..."
"We've just gotta make sure the Blinding One can shine like it used to again, right?" The female asks. "So let's get started by having a look around!"
Then they notice Ash, Golly, and Lillie. "You...are likewise new to the shores of Alola. Fellow travelers from a distant land..."
After they leave, Ash, Golly, and Lillie wonder what their deal is, but they continue forward and arrive at Iki Town. They notice some people running and they are confused.
"Attention, please! This road will be closed to traffic until the lumber has been removed! Please use another road as a detour." Officer Jenny says.
"It's Officer Jenny..." Ash says. "What's going on?"
As they decide to ask what happened, Officer Jenny replies, "A pack of wild Rattata and Raticate were destroying the field, and as they were running away, they jumped out onto the road causing this."
They notice the logs blocking the way, and Ash says, "Rattata and Raticate..."
"Are you three students from the Pokemon School?" Officer Jenny asks.
"Yes, my name is Ash Ketchum and this is my partner Pikachu and Rotom." "I'm Golly, his sister." "And I'm Lillie. Nice to meet you."
"You know what, I'm a graduate of the Pokemon School as well." Jenny smiles.
"Really?" Golly asks. And their conversation is interrupted when a man and his Hariayam picked up the logs with ease.
"That's Hala. The Island Kahuna." Lillie says.
"He's so strong, but I think we need to help out as well." Ash says as he rushes towards the Kahuna. "Excuse me, we'll give you a hand."
"Oh, thanks a lot." Hala says as they notice the three people having Z Rings, he raises an eyebrow while saying nothing.
"Thank you for helping us, Kahuna Hala." Officer Jenny says.
"Don't worry about it! It's my job to solve any problems that arise on this island." Hala says.
After everyone helps out, they are invited to Hala's place. Ash says, "Mr. Hala, you see, we're here because we want to challenge the Island Challenge."
"I know." Hala says.
Rotom is taking pictures of Hariyama, while Golly notices the Z Rings on the table. Hala asks, "I made those Z-Rings you're wearing, right?"
"Well, we are not sure about that, since Tapu Koko is the one who gave us these..." Golly says.
"So that's what happened." Hala says. "One day, I found that three of my Rings had gone missing, I knew it must've been Tapu Koko."
"So that happened a lot?" Lillie asks.
"This is the first time it's taken a Z-Ring, let alone three of them." Hala says "It seems like Tapu Koko must have taken great likings to you."
"What?" Ash asks.
"Don't worry about it, it's nothing important." Hala replies.
"So Mr. Hala. I want to get a Z Crystal. It'll help us become stronger." Ash says.
"Before that, I want to ask you three a question. Are you aware of the problem that the islanders are currently facing with the wild Rattata and Raticate? If you were tasked with solving the problem, how would you do it? Hala asks.
"Can't we just battle them?" Golly asks.
"Long ago, do you know what they said it meant to do the Island Challenge here in the Alola Region? It wasn't simply about being strong in battles. Its purpose is said to teach young people how to love and protect everything. The Alola Islands, Pokemon, and of course, mankind, as well."
"Love and protect everything, huh..." Ash says.
"Try looking for an answer that doesn't include battling." Hala says. "We can talk about Z Crystals after I hear your answer."
Lillie says, "Is it possible that we can discuss before we give you an answer?"
"Of course, take the time that you need." Hala says.
Ash turns to Lillie and asks, "Lillie, have you found an answer from the books in your house?"
"If that's easy, I would have answered it a few seconds ago." Lillie sighs. "If only we know more about the Rattata and Raticate, we might have a clue of how to solve the problem."
Rotom says, "And this is where I come in! Rattata and its evolved form, Raticate. The Mouse Pokémon. A Dark and Normal type. When they band together, they steal food from people's homes. Long ago, they came here to the Alolan islands aboard cargo ships, and eventually grew into the Pokémon we see today. The numbers of Rattata and Raticate eventually grew so large that Yungoos and Gumshoos were brought in from a different region to chase them off."
"Yungoos and Gumshoos? I think that's it..." Ash says.
Golly says, "Yeah...I guess that is the answer. Good thing Rotom can be useful sometimes."
"Looks like you all have an answer." Hala says.
"Yes, we think that we can chase the Rattata and Raticate off by using Yungoos and Gumshoos." Lillie says.
"To be honest, this question was meant to test you guys to see if you were qualified to undergo a Trial." Hala says.
"Even if we have discussed together first?" Ash asks.
"Of course. When you're unsure about something, you ask for help and never worry about it alone. That is very important." He takes out three Trial Amulets and gives each of them one. "These are the Trial Amulets. Bring them and find me at the Verdant Cavern tomorrow, and we'll begin your trials."
"Okay!" Ash, Golly, and Lillie nod as they take the trial amulet and head back home.
While walking to the Verdant Cavern, Ash, Lillie, and Golly are walking on the road, Ash notices the egg on Lillie's hand and he asks, "Are you sure you're going to carry it when we're doing the trials?"
"I feel bad after leaving Snowy in the house yesterday, so I want to take it with me." Lillie says. "Though I was worried if it breaks."
"Don't worry, I'm sure that Snowy will be fine." Golly says. "Speaking of which, how about we try to capture some Pokemon? I saw something interesting in front us."
Ash and Lillie look in the direction Golly is looking, and they are surprised to see a green-colored Grimer. Ash says, "A Grimer? Is that also an Alolan Form?"
"Let me help you with it! Grimer, Alolan Form. The Sludge Pokemon. A Poison and Dark Type. They are brought to Alola to solve the garbage problem, Grimer seems to relish any and all kinds of trash."
"I just hope that this Grimer is not going to hug me after it evolves into Muk." Ash says as he has Pikachu battle the Pokemon, after dealing some damage, Ash captures it with a Poke Ball.
After arriving at Route 2, they notice a pile of berries shaking, after checking it out it turns out to be a Crabrawler.
"Crabrawler, the Boxing Pokémon. A Fighting type. Crabrawler is always aiming to be number one. Crabrawler will guard its weak spots with its claws in battle and throw punches, looking for an opening."
"That also sounds like a tough Pokemon." Ash says as he sends out his own Sylveon to battle, Sylveon uses the Fairy Wind, but the Crabrawler dodges it and then uses Rock Smash, but Sylveon uses the feelers to block it.
"Use Moonblast." Ash yells as Sylveon fires the pink ball and then it hits the Crabrawler, causing it to faint in the end. Ash also tosses the Pokeball and then captures the Pokemon.
"I think we should head to the Verdant Cavern now...I mean, we have been wasting for some time..." Lillie says.
"You're right about it. But Lillie, do you think you should capture a Normal Type Pokemon so that you can do the Normal Type Trial?" Golly asks.
"But...I still can't touch the other Pokemon...and I thought I would use Sylveon to finish the trial..." Lillie adds.
"Don't worry, you can do the old fashion way of capturing Pokemon." Ash says as they decide to help Lillie for the Normal Type Pokemon.
Back in Route 1's Ash's Mansion, Aurora is now training her Pokemon alone as both Ash and Golly are on their journey. Just then, Aurora looks up to the sky and sees that the Helicopter is about to land at the place. Aurora notices the helicopter as she steps aside, giving the space for the helicopter to land.
Out of the helicopter is a grey-haired woman and Aurora rushes to hug her. "Mother, what are you doing here?"
The grey-haired woman smiles and says, "Hello, dear Aurora. I see you are still the childish girl I have met before."
Aurora pouts and she says, "Just because I have children doesn't mean I can be childish, but what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be training Aria to keep her title as the Kalos Queen?"
The woman, finally known as Palermo, says, "A lot of things have happened, and I need to take a break because of it. By the way, how are your children doing? I didn't see them with you."
"They are on their journey to gather the Z Crystals." Aurora says, "Taking the Island Challenge might be able to help them relax."
"Those Z moves, I remember back when you were the Kalos Queen, you manage to use those moves into a spectacular performance. It is quite a shame that you retired in order to become the Champion of the Kanto Region."
"Can't blame me. I like performances, but I also like to use them in battles, that's why I develop the Contests. But anyway, this isn't a place to talk, Mother. Please come inside the house and we can talk some more."
Palermo nods as Aurora helps her get into the house.
And here is the new chapter, I am going to let Ash, Lillie, and Golly get all the Z Crystals, and Lillie will be having more Pokemon than she will be in the anime. And even though it takes 2 episodes for Ash to finish the Melemele trials, I am going to make it longer since I want them to explore and capture more Pokemon as well.