Chapter 1 – Arrival


When Kiawe woke up, it was to the memory of the Hau'oli City attack. The images of smoking buildings, Lillie and Lana's Ride Pokemon crumpled on the ground, and chaos in the skies forced his eyes open, and he sat up all at once. His friends still needed him! Where was the Ultra Beast?! Melemele Island was in danger, and he'd sooner spit on the Ruins of Conflict than let an Ultra Beast run –

He froze, all thoughts of action and battle momentarily ceased. Instead, only a single thought coursed through his head, sending a chill down his back – This isn't Melemele Island.

Only now recalling being flung from Charizard and into the Ultra Wormhole, Kiawe examined his surroundings with wide-eyed horror. From patches of strange ferns rose equally unfamiliar trees, their leafy crowns spreading out high, high above him to block out all except ever-changing shafts of sunlight. He glanced at the ground to see he was sitting on crumpled, wet leaf litter, even as a breeze shook the distant treetops and made him shiver. The sudden gust seemed to stir the quiet woods into action, as the faraway calls of some unknown creature resonated from the forest depths and, closer to Kiawe, the bushes thrashed as spiny, long-legged Bug-types sprang out of hiding to be lost amongst the trees. Everything, from the flora to the strange Pokemon to the very climate, screamed to him "not Alola", and a profound sense of terror seized his heart.

Ash?! Mallow?! Sophocles?! Kiawe thought desperately, scrambling to his feet. He glanced this way and that, seeing nothing but more trees no matter where he looked, and his breaths came faster as panic set in. He was in Ultra Space. He was in Ultra Space and all alone and with no way to go back to Alo–

A dazzling red twinkle shone from out of the corner of Kiawe's eye. Again, he froze, and with a great degree of trepidation he lowered his head to examine the object. A stray beam of sunlight illuminated the shining, crimson surface of a gemstone set into the bone-white bracelet that cradled his left wrist. He stared at the gleaming crystal, focusing on it, letting his breathing slow and his muscles relax as it filled his eyes with its comforting glow.

My Z-Ring, Kiawe realized, lifting his arm to examine it closely. More memories came back to him – these more distant, showing him the trials he'd surpassed to inherit his greatest treasure, the battles he'd fought with it, how he and Turtonator had forged their bond to better harness its power.

Wait… Turtonator. He lowered his arm to feel in his pocket, and the rest of his tension evaporated with a deep, shuddering sigh. His fingers closed around smooth, curved metal, and from his uniform he pulled the red-and-white sphere that contained his Pokemon. He tossed the Poke Ball and watched with growing excitement as the released light coalesced into the form of his closest companion.

"Turta!" Turtonator bellowed upon locking watery eyes with his Trainer. Kiawe rushed forward to fling his arms around the Pokemon's neck and felt Turtonator's own stubby forelimbs clutch at his back. The two companions held their embrace, trembling with joy at finding each other safe and uninjured.

"It's good to see you, partner," Kiawe smiled, and raised a fist, which Turtonator met with a delighted cry. "I think being thrown into the Wormhole all at once must have separated us from our friends. But… we're still together, and that's a start. As one, we can find a way home, no problem."

"Nator," Turtonator agreed, and lumbered away to investigate the new scenery. Nodding in satisfaction, Kiawe turned around to do the same, and his brow furrowed in concentration.

I'm a Pokemon Trainer, he told himself. I've completed the Grand Trial of Akala Island, tested myself in many battles, lived under the watchful eye of our Wela Volcano. I've learned so much – from my grandfather, our Kahuna, and my friends. What I need to do now is assess the situation, see what I'm up against. I can use what I've learned to get out of here.

His fellow Ultra Guardians had somehow gotten separated from him, as had Charizard. Pikachu's powerful electricity would've come in handy, as would Mallow's foraging skills and Sophocles' know-how. There was no hope of simply flying out of here without his Ride Pokemon, either. But Kiawe didn't fret, despite how much he'd lost. He had Turtonator, and he had his Z-Ring. He'd overcome so much with his Pokemon partner, and the power of Alola itself magnified their bond tenfold. Wela Volcano still watched over him, he was certain – it would guide him straight and true.

Now that Kiawe really looked at his surroundings, he could see that the plant life all around him wasn't quite as strange as he'd first thought. Rather, he remembered seeing trees and bushes just like them in one of Kukui's classes – they resembled ones that grew away from Alola, out of the tropical climate he was used to. And the hopping things he'd seen earlier… those didn't look too different from what he knew of Bug Pokemon back home. Wherever he was in Ultra Space, it wasn't as surreal as the warped void in which the Nihilego had held Lillie's mother. Perhaps he could make educated guesses about how this world worked, based on the similarities it shared with his own.

The forest seemed to grow thinner in one direction, with larger gaps between the trees allowing more sunlight to touch the ground. Hopeful, Kiawe headed toward it, beckoning for Turtonator to follow. As his feet picked up speed, his mind similarly raced. If this was the edge of the forest, then whatever terrain lay beyond would provide better visibility. Once he got the lay of the land, he could figure out from there where the Ultra Wormhole was.

And maybe my friends will be nearby, Kiawe thought, just before he burst out of the trees and into the open.

A flood of sunlight overwhelmed his eyes, forcing Kiawe to shield his face. He adjusted in a few seconds, finding himself at the top of a grassy slope that overlooked a vast, flat plain dotted with small groves. A strong breeze blew over the grassland, making the bright yellow blades move in hypnotic waves. But it wasn't the natural features of this landscape that drew Kiawe's attention: rather, it was the unnatural ones that struck him. To his great surprise, a dirt pathway wound across the grassland, passing the base of his hill and stretching out toward the horizon, where a flat, rectangular patch of dark brown dirt blemished the otherwise untouched plain. And next to it stood a recognizable structure, too angular to be a mere rock formation. Surely, the combination of these three things could only mean…

People? Here? Kiawe wondered, confused. He'd never considered the possibility of… well, anything other than Ultra Beasts living in Ultra Space. But here there were buildings, and what looked like farmland. Had they become trapped here, too? Were they actual aliens, like those in the movies Sophocles liked to watch? Did they know anything about the Wormholes? How to get home?

"Tur?" Turtonator asked, tilting its head at its Trainer.

Kiawe shook his head, dispelling his thoughts. Such speculation was Sophocles' thing, after all. He smiled at his Pokemon and assured, "No, I'm fine. I was just thinking… we should go down there and ask for help. Maybe whoever lives here will know where to find Ash and the rest…"

He trailed off, coming to a sudden realization. "Oh, uh, Turtonator…" he began, looking his Pokemon up and down. "Come to think of it… I think you should go back in your Poke Ball for now. These people probably won't know what a Pokemon is, and –"

"Nator!" the Fire-and-Dragon-type insisted, flexing his arms to show he was ready for anything. He seemed adamant about remaining outside, by Kiawe's side. Though Kiawe at first blinked in confusion, an earnest smile spread over his face as he regarded his partner. Turtonator was trying to protect him, as always.

"Well, alright," he allowed. "It should be easy to convince them that you're friendly, at least."

Sliding down the slope, Kiawe took off down the path as soon as his feet struck dirt. The tall grass on either side of the path blurred into a yellow mass as he ran, keeping a steady pace. When the roof of a barn finally became visible over the grass, he doubled his pace, the sound of Turtonator's heavy footfalls fading behind him. A sense of urgency took hold of him, fueling him forward even as his lungs started to burn. Whatever apprehension he'd felt had been left behind in the forest, overtaken by a need for answers.

Surely, they could tell him something. Anything.

The tall grass fell away, and Kiawe found himself taking his first steps toward a large white fence that marked the edge of the farmland. Behind was an achingly nostalgic sight, that of rustic buildings and tilled soil and pastures that stretched out for acres before his eyes. For a moment, he was transported back to his family's farm – he could imagine his parents and his dearest sister beaming merrily at him and the many Pokemon roaming in peace, all under the protective shadow of Wela Volcano. He relaxed, tension in his shoulders and back melting away.

A piercing shriek startled Kiawe, his vision shattering as he whipped his head toward the nearby tree. He'd never noticed until now the beasts perched on its branches, winged with Seviper-like heads and their black hides shadowed by the leaves. As they beat their wings and reacted noisily to his arrival, the barn doors opened in response to the racket.

Kiawe swallowed thickly, trembling with nerves. Any lingering sentiments of home had evaporated with the emergence of the farm's owners. A trio consisting of a father, mother, and daughter reminded Kiawe of his family, and yet they could not have been more different. It wasn't only their weathered, weary appearance, but the shared look in their eyes – the confusion and suspicion where there should have been the signature warmth and hospitality of the Alolans. He must have looked quite a sight to them, in his skin-tight Ultra Guardian uniform and accompanied by an imposing Pokemon. Their caution brought him pause, doubt creeping into his heart.

"Turta…" he heard Turtonator moan, sadly.

Kiawe took a long breath and let it out again, steadying himself. He sent a silent prayer up to the tapu, wishing for luck. Then, steeling his resolve, he stepped forth and opened his mouth to speak.


It was a calm morning, and all was quiet in the alpine forest. The sun's gentle dawn rays washed over sheer cliffs and ancient trees and babbling streams, and climbed the sheer cliffs in order to creep into the hidden crevasses that riddled the mountain. The deepest of these canyons had not yet awoken, still steeped in shadow as the sun took its time to rise, and so a precious few minutes remained for the life within its walls to continue their sleep. Yes, deep inside the rock-hewn corridors of this hidden sanctuary, the flora had yet to take their first morning breath and insects had yet to flex their wings in song, all peaceful in their shared slumber.

Until…

"TOGEDEMARUUUUUU!"

Terror and joy and relief and despair all blasted through the stillness with the utterance of a single deafening sound. As the din echoed through the mountain halls, it drowned out the stampede of just-wakened wildlife – the desperate skittering of many crawling things and the scolding caws of birds went unheard under this wailing cacophony.

Sophocles was not taking his involuntary trip into Ultra Space well.

The boy had awoken in the bend of a narrow, curving canyon, nestled within a nook in the wall and surrounded by protective bushes. Waking up with a yawn, he'd reacted with groggy confusion when he reached down to scratch his tummy and made contact with a smooth, hard surface. That didn't compute. Why was he wearing his Ultra Guardian armor? He should've been in class… no, now he remembered. The Ultra Guardians had been sent out on that urgent mission. He'd been knocked unconscious during the fight, right?

Sophocles rubbed at his eyes, clearing out the gunk before giving them a fresh blink. Instantly, he stiffened, his blood turning to ice and his throat locking up despite the scream for help that begged to be let loose. He was surrounded by high rock walls, his only view of the sky a narrow, distant window. Bushes and small trees grew from ledges all along the canyon, their branches blotting out much of the view. Terrified of the dark, Sophocles could do nothing except sit rigid, beginning to hyperventilate the longer he stared at the faraway glimpse of light. The shadows seemed to close in, trapping him in his own skin, squeezing him on all sides, forcing the air from his lungs, suffocating him –

And then through the bushes burst a deliverer of salvation, her cheeks and spikes banishing the shadows with their soft glow. The sight of his dear Pokemon companion inspired an emotional outburst that now rang through the mountains.

"Togedemaru!" Sophocles cried, scooping up the Electric-and-Steel-type and hugging her close to his chest. Fat tears rolled down his cheeks and pattered against Togedemaru's fur while sobs wracked his body. "I-I-I c-can't b-believe you're h-here w-with me right n-n-now! Th-The l-last thing I-I remember is b-being th-thrown off M-Metang a-and f-falling through th-the air! A-And n-now I-I'm all a-alone and n-n-no-one e-else is h-here and it's all d-dark and –"

"Toge, togede!" Togedemaru squeaked, wriggling from his grip and hopping up and down. Sophocles quieted down, sniffling, and saw the urgency and concern shining through his Pokemon's eyes. She stopped jumping as Sophocles made to rub his face clear of tears and sat up straighter, attempting a wobbly smile.

"I-I th-think… I'm o-okay now, Togedemaru," he assured her. He closed his eyes and took the deepest, longest breath in his life, letting the cool air fill him with calm. "A-Alright," he thought aloud, "I n-need to examine the problem and assess what I k-know. Like we always do!

"S-So, uh, first thing," he began, "none of the other Ultra Guardians are here. Second… I only have you, Togedemaru, not my Ride Pokemon, but I'm still in my costume. Um, third…"

Sophocles reached into his pockets, and a crushing disappointment made his shoulders sag when his worst fear was confirmed. "… I d-don't have any of my data," he mumbled, crushed by the loss of his Pikachu-shaped computer. "I-If I'd brought it with me, I'd be able to calculate the best way out of this place. Oh no, I can't believe it! We're totally lost!"

"Maru!" Togedemaru squeaked more sharply at the sound of panic in her Trainer's voice. Sophocles, who'd begun grabbing fistfuls of his hair, lowered his hands and put them shamefully in his lap. Togedemaru was right – now wasn't the time for panic. Fortunately, there was a Plan B. He'd been trained for just this sort of situation at the Pokemon School. All the field classes his teacher had put them through were finally paying off. Knowing exactly what he had to do, Sophocles took another deep breath, and…

…relaxed against the cliff wall, folding one leg over the other and crossing his hands behind his head.

"Demaru?" Togedemaru tilted her head, wondering why her Trainer looked ready to go to sleep.

"Don't worry," Sophocles smiled, a little of his confidence returning. "According to Professor Kukui, if we ever get lost, all we have to do is wait in one spot and don't move until help arrives!"

After a moment of shocked silence, Togedemaru exploded with a frustrated squeak and proceeded to roll around, impatience fueling her speed. Startled, Sophocles climbed to his feet and approached the energetic Electric-and-Steel-type, mussing his hair anxiously.

"Look, I'm sorry! Don't get all upset, Togedemaru!" he begged. "I know you don't wanna sit here and do nothing, but what else can we do?"

"Togede, maru toge maru!" she insisted, popping out of her ball and pointing frantically down the canyon path, which disappeared around a bend and led to parts unknown.

"N-No way!" Sophocles protested. "Think about it! Even if Pikachu and the others are out there somewhere, how are we gonna find them? And i-it's not safe to go wandering in the wilderness alone… and th-this is U-Ultra Space, for goodness' sake! It's super d-dangerous!"

His words brought Togedemaru to a standstill, her round form shrinking in defeat. Sophocles sighed in relief – he'd been half-expecting his Pokemon to work herself up enough to go speeding off on her own. He crouched over her with a sympathetic smile, not wanting her to feel so down… but then she perked up again, her face transforming to fit her usual exuberance. Mystified, Sophocles turned around to see what she was looking at. That was when he realized that they were being watched.

On a rock ledge only a short way down the canyon, a strange creature sat in wary observation. It bore an uncanny resemblance to a Ninetales, but possessed bushier fur and a narrower snout. The creature – No, an Ultra Beast, Sophocles realized with a shiver – was dark blue instead of a Ninetales' usual ice-blue, with a cream-colored face and underside. Even its distinctive tail was different, beige stripes streaking through the blue to give only the impression that there were nine.

For a moment, Sophocles held the Ultra Beast's gaze, too nervous to move a muscle in case it attacked him. Then Togedemaru squeaked with excitement and ran forward to greet the Ultra Beast, to which it yipped in fright and leapt off its ledge, dancing further down the canyon and out of sight. To Sophocles' horror, Togedemaru gave chase.

"N-No!" he yelped upon seeing his Pokemon disappear, and then cried out in fear as the shadows closed in again. Not wanting to be left alone in the dark, he forced his legs to move and sprinted after Togedemaru as fast as he could. He turned the bend in the canyon, and only more rock and darkness lay ahead of him. But he could still see the faint yellow glow of Togedemaru's spines, and the sight of this guiding beacon spurred him onward, giving him a destination to chase after. His feet were already aching, and his lungs had started to burn, reminding him of his pitiful weakness in athletics. But his fear was greater than his hatred of physical activity, and so he stumbled and gasped his way along the path, frantic to keep Togedemaru's glow in sight.

Finally, after what felt like hours of stumbling on tired legs, Sophocles turned a corner and met sunlight. The canyon ended abruptly, its terminus marked by high walls falling away on either side of him and the ground giving way to empty air. Sophocles screamed as the soil collapsed under his foot, and he ended up on the ground a couple of meters below, rubbing his bruised backside. He got to his feet, still wincing in pain from the tumble, and immediately spotted Togedemaru staring up at a nearby tree. A blue tail vanished up the tree, disappearing amongst the leaves: the Ultra Beast was gone.

"Togedemaru," Sophocles whined, "don't go wandering off like that again, o… kay?"

His voice trailed off as he diverted his focus away from his sore rump and to his surroundings. He was standing in a wide clearing of sorts, framed on one side by the vast, imposing cliffs he had just crawled out from. On the other side, just a short distance away, a grove of trees indicated the beginnings of a forest. Sophocles started when he realized he could only see the tops, and soon came to notice the clearing's most unusual feature – the trees were growing behind a wall of pale stone.

Sophocles stared, dumbfounded. He approached the wall and, ignorant to how Togedemaru watched wide-eyed, ran his hands over its surface. It felt rough under his fingers, and yet the slab was too flat to have been carved naturally. He turned his head, following the wall as it stretched off to the east. It was ruined and crumbling in places and yet remained erect. Even stranger, the wall had been topped with a wooden roof, its simple beauty unmarred by the parts that had fallen off or decomposed.

"You see this, Togedemaru?" Sophocles murmured, never taking his eyes off the stone while continuing to stroke it. "I'm certain that this was built by someone. Isn't that strange? People must have lived in Ultra Space long ago. But how long?"

He stepped back, rubbing his chin. "If only I had access to my data," he mused. "I could take a stone sample and run an analysis of its isotopic structure, using that to calculate when it was first carved." He bent down to pick up a half-rotten plank that had fallen from the roof, turning it over in his hands experimentally. "Or I could simulate the rate of this wood's decay, assuming that the atmospheric composition and microbial biome is similar to Alola's. What do you think, Togedemaru?"

A startled cry answered him, causing him to drop the plank and glance around the clearing, his heart fluttering in panic. From the grass growing at the edge of the cliffs, Togedemaru burst out with a shriek and beelined straight for him in a terrible panic. When she reached him, rolling around his legs in erratic circles, she was accompanied by a horrific smell that filled Sophocles' nostrils with a headache-inducing chemical stench. He exclaimed in disgust and covered his nose, while from the grass darted a long scrap of white fur that sped across Togedemaru's path and into a crack in the artificial stone.

"I told you not to wander off again!" Sophocles complained through his plugged nose. Togedemaru took no notice, reacting to the creature's sudden appearance with a jolt of lightning from her jagged tail. The weak Discharge struck the wall and crumbled a portion of it, but the thing was already long gone.

Whining, Togedemaru rubbed at her face uncomfortably, the pitiful sight pulling on Sophocles' heartstrings. "Come here," he offered, scooping her into the crook of his arm, nose wrinkling as he took a fresh whiff of her new perfume. "I guess that thing sprayed you with something. Look, Togedemaru, you really need to stop running off…"

Then came Sophocles' turn to shriek – a scrabbling sound from inside the wall made him look up, only to see a mass of legs and antennae emerging all at once from the hole. A trio of bugs, twice the size of Wimpod, scuttled out and raced for cover, their abdomens soon disappearing into the foliage. Eyes bulging after them, Sophocles stood still for close to a minute with his hand on his chest, waiting for his pulse to slow. Once he felt calm, he let out a groan and collapsed on his rear, weakened by a combination of relief and homesickness.

"I don't think the Pokemon in this place are as friendly as the ones back home," he remarked.

"Maru…" Togedemaru whimpered, pulling at her stinking fur to no avail. She was inclined to agree.


"…all alone in the forest…"

"…better get something to…"

"…lucky we found her…"

Mallow awoke to muffled voices speaking behind a throbbing pain in her skull. She might've groaned, but the pain made it difficult to tell. Her body moved on its own, shifting over something soft as she attempted to get more comfortable, but the headache persisted, even sending a fresh jab through her head when she jostled it too hard. She groaned again, louder.

"…nee? Nee Steenee?"

The unmistakable, plaintive voice of her Pokemon partner drew Mallow's eyelids open. A fuzzy silhouette stood out against a curtain of light that seared her eyes, which came into focus rapidly the more she blinked. The light receded enough for color and form to fill the black void, morphing into a face whose sparkling eyes and wide smile she knew well.

"Steenee!" the Grass-type cheered, flinging herself on top of her Trainer and hugging her around the middle. Mallow winced, but still couldn't keep the grin off her face as she shuffled upright on what she now saw was a mattress and wrapped an arm around her Pokemon companion.

"Hi, Steenee," she said, her voice coming out raspy. Clearing her throat, she added, "I'm fine. But it's good to see you too."

"Ah, she's awake!"

A nearby exclamation inspired Mallow to sit up and greet the room beyond her bed. She was sitting on a bed, the only unoccupied one of three, inside a medium-sized room covered from floor to ceiling in the most unusual assortment of objects she'd ever seen. Cupboards and shelves lined the walls, holding a disorganized array of books and glass bottles. Dangling from any free space on the walls, and stuffed randomly in between the recognizable objects, were objects that were decidedly not, from bouquets of dried plants to scribbled diagrams to Pokemon bones. The smile faded from Mallow's face as she drank it all in, flabbergasted at finding herself in a place so bizarre.

However, the weirdest part of the room was the trio that stood at the foot of her bed with welcoming expressions. Two of them were boys, the first to draw Mallow's gaze due to their choice of clothing – they looked to be wearing armor of some kind, one of metal and one of leather. The third person was a woman with a bun of black hair and a long pink robe, like the Kantonian-style wear that was popular in Malie City. Upon closer inspection, however, Mallow found that this seemingly normal person was, in fact, the strangest of the lot: her long ears ended in noticeable points, while her hands only had four fingers and no signs of scarring.

Where am I? Mallow asked herself, feeling more lost than she ever had. A strange tightness pulling at her joints caused her to look down, finally noticing the green-and-white bodysuit still clinging to her. My uniform? Why would I…?

The woman stepped forward, folding her four-fingered hands in front of her and bending at the waist in a polite bow. "Welcome to our village, stranger," she greeted kindly. "How are you feeling? You were left sleeping for some time."

Mallow felt her brow loosen, some of her apprehension fading now that she knew these people were friendly. "Well, um, my head hurts a bit," she replied with an awkward smile. "But otherwise I feel okay. Thanks for asking."

The woman nodded and turned to her two companions. "Tako, can you fetch some food and medicine for the girl?"

Neither one moved, though the door still opened as, presumably, an unseen fourth person exited to carry out the request. Apparently satisfied, the woman turned back to give Mallow a reassuring smile. "My name is Silva, Wyverian Chief of this village," she explained. "My Riders found you and your companion unconscious outside of our gates and brought you to our infirmary. I'm relieved to see that neither of you are seriously injured."

"Steenee stee!" Steenee chirped, snuggling further into Mallow's stomach. Mallow laughed and petted her Pokemon's head, understanding that Steenee must have been worried about her before she woke up.

"Your friend refused to leave your side until you woke up," one of the boys spoke up, the one in the leather armor. The curiosity in his tone was evident. "I've never seen anything like it, but it's obvious it cares a lot about you."

"You've never seen a Steenee before?" Mallow questioned, sharing a bewildered look with her Pokemon. It wasn't as if Pokemon such as Steenee, or the Bounsweet she'd evolved from, were particularly rare on Melemele Island. Maybe these were tourists, or Pokemon researchers? She thought they'd be a little more informed if they were studying Alolan Pokemon…

The door opened again before anyone could reply, and a fourth face made itself known. Barely able to look over her bedside, it was the most surprising yet – it didn't look even remotely human. Mallow was sure that the huge yellow eyes and fanged grin fringed by whiskers belonged to a Meowth, until she noticed the plain grey fur devoid of gold between its ears. The Meowth lookalike raised its paws above its head, clutching a plate upon which an assortment of random foods had been scattered. Mallow eased the plate from its grasp, her voice coming out bemused when she thanked it. With some hesitation as she eyed the unfamiliar morsels, she picked up one of the fruits and popped it in her mouth.

Her face immediately lit up in joyous surprise as a tangy flavor exploded on her tongue, unlike any berry she'd ever tasted. "Wow, this is good!" she blurted, and dug into her food with gusto, humming with delight at every new taste sensation.

Chief Silva and the others regarded her, pleased, but not surprised. "Tako's one of our best Felyne assistant chefs," the metal-clad Rider smirked. "Even for a newcomer, he can whip up an instant hit."

Mallow thanked Tako again, the Felyne responding with a flattered meow in turn, and she turned back to her food. It felt like there was so much, and at the same time not enough, to enjoy. Mallow's mind raced with every bite, sifting through every possible combination of ingredients she could use to imitate their flavors. There was potential for her father's restaurant, absolutely. Surely these people would be willing to divulge some of their recipes, and as soon as she returned to Hau'oli, she'd lock herself in the kitchen and wouldn't come out until –

Hau'oli. The Ultra Beast. The attack.

Immediately, Mallow stopped chewing, her half-eaten mouthful nothing but a flavorless lump that felt heavy on her tongue. Dread seeped in where delight had been mere moments ago as her last memories rushed back to her all at once – the crushing pressure of the draconic Ultra Beast's claws against her back, before that awful light consumed everything she knew. She'd been thrown into the Wormhole, she was certain… and that meant she was now on the other side. In Ultra Space.

She swallowed and stared blankly at her plate, watching the contents grow blurry as tears filled her eyes. Her thoughts spun back to her father and the restaurant, a painful lump forming in her throat. Suddenly, she felt small and alone and wanted so much for this to be her bed, where she and Steenee would fall peacefully asleep and wake up ready to face a new day of adventure. She wanted to play with her friends at the Pokemon School before toiling in the kitchen all afternoon and worrying over homework at night. And yet her own past experiences felt like nothing but fantasies as reality set in – she was trapped in a place farther from Alola than she could fathom.

Will I ever see them again? The question that surfaced, unprompted, in her mind was what caused her building tears to spill, streaking down her face. She felt too numb to even utter a sound.

"Is everything alright?" Chief Silva's voice sounded concerned, and oddly distant. All at once, Mallow's jumbled thoughts straightened out and her body jerked as if stung. The strangers that had taken her in were watching her expectantly, some even looking frightened for her as she cried.

"I-I…" For a second, Mallow didn't know what to say. Her first impulse was to tell them everything, to ask them if there was a way home, to beg them for answers. But something stopped her, her ready response dying before she could voice it. Maybe it was a doubt that they'd believe her, or the fear they'd confirm the worst and tell her that Alola was a distant dream.

"I-I was just so moved by the wonderful food!" Mallow laughed, wiping her face clean as though embarrassed. "I've never tasted anything like it! I'm a cook myself, so I'm excited to try something so new! I'm Mallow, by the way – thanks so much for the hospitality!"

"Nee…?" Steenee saw through Mallow's lie, her sepals drooping sadly.

"You're welcome in our village for as long as you'd like, Mallow," Chief Silva offered, oblivious to the hollow ring of Mallow's false joy. "If you're feeling well enough, Teris here can give you a short tour." She gestured to the leather-clad boy, who nodded and smiled in agreement.

A visit to a new place filled with hospitable people sounded like the perfect distraction to Mallow, never one to wallow in despair if possible. She swung her legs off the bed and jumped to her feet, eager to get moving. The boy called Teris seemed pleased at her enthusiastic response and motioned for her to follow him out the door, and after giving a final thank-you to the Chief, she emerged into the open.

Even the weight from her current existential crisis felt temporarily lifted by the magical sight that met Mallow's eyes. The village consisted of a large circle of interlocking bricks carefully laid around the tallest, grandest tree Mallow had ever seen in her life. Its trunk was as vast as the skyscrapers in Hau'oli, its enormous limbs fanning out across the sky to enshroud the entire village under a green umbrella. A ring of smaller trees made up the village border, growing so close together that they functioned as a solid, wooden wall. Most incredible of all, though, were the walkways and platforms that had been built along the trunk of each tree, and the many hollows that had been fitted with functional doors they led to. Even the room Mallow had just emerged from, she noticed with awe, had been built between the gnarled roots of just such a tree.

"Wow…" Mallow breathed, craning her neck to take it all in. She might have paid more attention to Steenee's amazed reaction, had she not caught sight of the flying beasts wheeling around the central tree, each with a saddle and passenger. For a moment, she was no longer lost in Ultra Space – she was inside a fairy tale.

"Like it?" Teris asked. He approached with another beast, a strikingly odd creature with a Toucannon's beak and Fearow's head plumes that, incredibly, was being led by a set of reins and possessed its own vacant saddle. "Just as the Chief said, this will be your home for as long as you want. And I'll be the one to introduce you."

Teris stretched out his gloved hand toward Mallow, an invitation to accept. Mallow met his warm blue eyes and took it, and she was rewarded with an equally warm smile.

"Mallow, say hello to Crown Village."


AN:

And that's the first chapter! It was a little tricky to write because I wanted each character's personality to be reflected in their initial reactions to waking up in another world and their subsequent decisions. I tried to portray Kiawe as the spiritual man of action and believer in Alola that he was at the beginning of SM (which sadly became more downplayed as the series went on), and Sophocles as the nervous trainwreck that'd be rather be huddled in his workshop than out in the unknown. Mallow was harder, so I put her amongst other people in a much safer location, where she would prioritize interacting with them over facing her own circumstances. Of course, her being kept in her comfort zone will be important for later in the story.

In this chapter we see the start of the Monster Hunter elements that influenced my writing, Sophocles being dropped into the Shrine Ruins from Rise and Mallow being among Riders, a culture that features heavily in the Stories spinoffs. There'll be much more focus on the Riders and who they are in future chapters, so please stay tuned!

That's all for now! Send reviews and feedback if you wish!

Next time: Crisis