Ash and his classmates make their way towards the ferry bound for Melemele Island after finishing their stayover tour of the Hokulani Observatory. Poipole flies ahead and notices a shortcut sign.
"Whats this?" wonders Ash.
"A sign." says Goten.
"He knows that! He wants to know what's written on it." says Trunks looking at Goten unamused.
Goten shrugs.
"It says 'Shortcut to ferry terminal.'" says Lana.
"Did you know about this Sophocles?" wonders Mallow looking at Sophocles.
"Yeah. There's a route through these caves that goes straight to the port." says Sophocles.
"Sounds kinda fun. Wanna go through it?" says Ash.
"Yeah!" say the others.
"Don't we need a light?" wonders Trunks.
"We will manage." says Ash.
Convinced, the group venture into the cave system.
"Someone should've brought a flashlight." says Trunks.
"Togedemaru can illuminate the cave...right?" wonders Goten.
"By the way, Sophocles, with how dark it is-"
"You are gonna be ok roaming the dark cave, aren't you?" wonders Lillie.
"Well, yeah." says Sophocles.
The others were stunned by the illuminating walls of the cave.
"Awesome! The walls are glowing!" say everyone except Sophocles as amazed as they were surprised.
"Its covered in luminous moss! That's why its bright in here." says Sophocles.
The pokemon were also curious about the peculiar moss glowing in the cave.
"We wont need an electric pokemon then." says Hazzel.
"Yeah, you don't need a lamp or electric pokemon. How convenient.' says Mallow.
"And its a bit chilly in here." says Lana.
"Apparently one of the routes in this cave leads to Lanakila mountain." says Sophocles.
"This must be an incredibly big cave." says Lillie looking around.
"We'd be in serious trouble if we got lost..." says Kiawe.
"We'll be fine! We just have to walk straight forward and we will reach the port just-"
Suddenly, Marowak begins chasing the other Pokémon with its luminous moss-covered bone. Turtonator attempts to intervene, but it is knocked onto its shell causing an explosion which sends the group and their Pokémon flying in multiple directions.
Hazzel, Trunks, Goten, Lycanroc, Torrocat, Pikachu, poipole and tutinator….
All of Ash's Pokémon, including Hazzel Trunks and Goten, end up together. Soon they end up getting flattened by Turtonator.
"Next time we take a detour, everyone needs to have their pokemon in their pokeballs." says Trunks.
"We can turn this isn't something fun." says Goten looking at Trunks.
"What fun are you suggesting?" wonders Trunks.
"How long will it take for everyone to get back together?" wonders Hazzel.
"It may take a while even with lit up paths." says Trunks.
Hazzel frowned watching Lycanroc sniffing around for any leads of who could be closest to them. Lycanroc barked at the others to follow it, taking the lead.
Sophocles, Mallow and Lillie...
Sophocles, Lillie, and Mallow have all of their Pokémon with them.
"Ow..are you alright?" wonders Sophocles looking at Lillie.
"We're fine." says Lillie holding Snowy close.
"Steenee and I are ok too." says Mallow standing up.
"That's good." says Sophocles standing up.
Lillie stood up looking around at their current surrounding.
"But what about the others?" wonders Sophocles.
"They don't seem to be nearby." says Lillie worried.
"Which means..." says Mallow looking around.
Lana, her poplio, rotom dex, and marowak….
"We got separated." says Lana.
Lana and her Popplio find Rotom and Marowak nearby. Marowak was freaking out at their surrounding while Rotom dex was relieved to be out of Marowaks mouth.
"Its alright. Lets look for them together." says Lana smiling at the duo.
"Leave that to me. I'll navigate us to the others." says Rotom dex levitating into the air.
"Sure. Im counting on you." says Lana looking at Rotom dex.
Ash, Rowlet and Kiawe...
Ash and Kiawe were heading down the path that was closest to where they landed in an attempt to find everyone else.
"Hey Pikachu, Torrocat, Lycanroc! Anyone close to us, shout back!" says Ash.
"Doesn't seem like they are nearby." says Kiawe.
"How far have they landed? They might have gotten blasted pretty far. We have to find them quickly." says Ash.
"I understand how you feel but you need to stay calm. There are all sorts of dangerous pokemon lurking around this cave." says Kiawe.
Ash ends up stepping on a sleeping Boldore then lifts his leg up hoping the Boldore was still asleep as he hesitatingly looked back at Kiawe.
"Would a dangerous pokemon be like the one I stepped on?" wonders Ash sweat dropping.
Boldore woke up and turned to face the duo, angered that one of them disturbed its sleep.
"This is why I told you to calm down!" says Kiawe stepping back.
Ash tries to send Rowlet to fight, but it won't wake up, forcing Ash and Kiawe to flee.
Sophocles, Mallow and Lillie...
"It doesn't seem like we'll find the others." says Sophocles.
"Indeed...maybe we should try using logic to find the exit!" says Lillie.
"How?" wonders Sophocles.
"I read about this in a book!" says Lillie.
Lillie puts her finger in the air in an attempt to find a wind current that could lead to an exit.
"By doing this, you can find the exit by going in the direction of the wind current." says Lillie.
'I get it!" says Sophocles.
"Lets all try!" says Mallow.
Sophocles and Mallow do the same. The three feel a breeze coming their way, but it turns out to be a rabid Alolan Raticate, that is rampaging towards them.
"AHHHHHH! Its a Ratticate!" say the trio freaked out.
The trio was forced to run from the pokemon. Soon the trio escape but are exhausted. Fortunately Mallow has some supplies on hand.
"In times like these, we can all have some sweets." says Mallow.
Sophocles, Lillie, and the Pokémon enjoy the homemade cookies. Lillie then notices Mallow isn't eating.
"Mallow?" wonders Lillie.
"Sorry!" says Mallow trying to put on a smile.
"Sorry for what?" wonders Sophocles looking at Mallow.
"I just thought...it seemed nice to watch all of you enjoy the cookies." says Mallow awkwardly.
"Hmmmm?" wonder Sophocles and Lillie.
"I love the happy expressions of people when they eat something tasty. I want to keep living by making my customers look like that too!" says Mallow looking away.
"Are we talking forever?" wonders Lillie.
"That's so like you." says Sophocles.
"This is kinda embarrassing...but Sophocles, you have a dream too, right?" says Mallow happily.
"Heh? Oh right...guess I can tell you." says Sophocles rubbing the back of his head.
"Judging by how it went with your cousin, we kinda have an idea of what you want to be but we want to be sure." says Mallow.
"Well, truth is, I want to be an astronaut when I grow up." says Sophocles.
"Astronaut? You don't wanna be an astronomer like your cousin?" wonders Mallow.
"Yeah! I want to go out into the sea of stars and learn all the secrets of the universe." says Sophocles.
"That sounds wonderful!" says Lillie.
"If you wanna fly in the stars, go for it!" says Mallow.
"We...well...I mean..." says Sophocles putting his hand on the back of his head.
"Then how about you Lillie?" wonders Mallow.
"Me?" wonders Lillie.
"Yeah, what do you see yourself being? If Sophocles ends up an astronaut what do you see yourself as while he checks out the stars?" wonders Mallow.
"Oh...uhhhhh…...im not really sure." says Lillie looking down.
"There must be something you've always wanted to be." says Mallow.
"Right now, I simply enjoy the fact I get to be close to pokemon. I suppose, if I get lucky enough to find something, it will probably the best dream job I ever had." says Lillie petting Snowy.
"I see." says Mallow.
"I guess that works too." says Sophocles.
Snowy's ears switch, and the group soon notice a group of Alolan Sandshrew in the midst of training.
"Those are sandshrew, aren't they?" wonders Lillie.
"Are they fighting?" wonders Mallow.
"It looks more like they are training." says Sophocles.
Sophocles jumps to stop his Togedemaru from disrupting the group.
"Togedemaru! What are you thinking!? STOP!" says Sophocles freaking out.
His landing alerts the wild Pokémon to the trio's presence, causing the alolan Sandshrew to surround them. Mallow notices one of the alolan Sandshrew sniffing the air around her, so she gives it one of her remaining cookies. It quickly grabs the treat and eats it.
"Good huh?" wonders Mallow.
Lana, Marowak and Rotom dex….
"Theres a fork in the road..." says Lana.
"Leave it to me! According to my calculations, theres a 50% chance we'll meet them by going this way and 50% chance they will be in the other..." says Rotom dex.
"This way! Lets go!" says Lana pointing to the path to the right.
"Wait, you already decided!?" wonders Rotom dex.
Lana and Marowak head into the right with with Rotom dex following behind.
Ash, Rowlet and Kiawe...
"First you stepped on a Buldore...then you managed to step on a diglet and gumshoos." says Kiawe.
"Im sorry..." says Ash.
"Turtinator! Marowak! I wanna see you!" says Kiawe gloomy and frustrated.
"Hey Kiawe! Is that the exit?" wonders Ash pointing at the light.
"What!?" wonders Kiawe in disbelief.
The duo run out directly into the blizzard conditions, shivering from how cold it was.
"Its cold!" says Ash.
"Which means..." says Kiawe.
They quickly realize they have made gone the wrong direction and ended up at Mount Lanakila.
"We found our way to mount Lanakila!" says Ash.
Sophocles, Mallow and Lillie...
The alolan Sandshrew have begun to calm down after a small snack, much to Sophocles, Lillie and Mallow's relief.
"It must be super good." says Mallow.
"They are are eating a lot." says Sophocles.
"What a relief. They seem to have calmed down." says Lillie.
"How reckless of them to keep training until they are worn out." says Sophocles.
"Indeed." says Lillie.
An unusually large alolan Sandshrew approaches Lillie for a pat. Its ears twitch, and the alolan Sandshrew begin fleeing and the trio follow suit at Snowy's insistence.
"Its getting colder and colder." says Sophocles.
"The ground beneath our feet is frozen. Be careful." says Lillie.
They soon reach their destination, a large ice structure that resembles a castle.
"Amazing! This is like..." says Mallow.
"A castle of ice!" says Lillie.
"AH! There they are!" says Sophocles noticing some alolan sandshrew.
They watch on as the alolan Sandshrew confront an intimidating Tyranitar.
"Oh no! Tyranitar!" says Sophocles.
"They started fighting." says Mallow.
"Against something that big?" wonders Sophocles.
Lillie notices the claw marks across the cavern's ceiling and walls.
"Look you two!" says Lillie.
"Arent these…." says Mallow.
"Theyre probably Sandshrews claw marks. It isn't just the pillars either. The same scratches are also on the walls and floor too. Its even possible the Sandshrew carved the castle out of ice!" says Lillie.
"No such small group of sandshrew could ever build a castle like that." says Sophocles.
"I don't know why but it looks as if this might be a place where large groups of sandshrew, not just those ones, gather." says Lillie.
"And then Tyranitar came wandering in?" wonders Mallow.
"Does this mean the sandshrew were training to take back this place?" wonders Sophocles.
"Hang in there!" says Mallow.
Snowy is blown away by Tyranitar's Sandstorm and another attack causes the cavern to become unstable. Lillie and Snowy become separated by the debris.
"Lillie!" say Mallow and Sophocles worried.
Lana, Rotom dex and Marowak...
"Now its four paths..." says Lana looking at the paths.
"This time, my precise analysis is sure to come on handy! The probability of the others heading down these paths is 25..." says Rotom dex.
"This way!" says Lana pointing to the farthest to the left." says Lana.
"Don't you wanna hear what I have to say!?" wonders Rotom dex.
Lana lead Marowak and Rotom dex down the farthest left path.
Sophocles, Mallow and Lillie...
"Lillie!" cry out Mallow and Sophocles worried as they ran toward the stone edge barrier.
Lillie turned her heads to see a small hole where she saw Sophocles looking in.
"Snowy and I are alright! But the sandshrew are..." says Lilie looking at the collapsed alolan sandshrew.
The large alolan Sandshrew continues to battle on and evades another Stone Edge from Tyranitar, but the attack does more damage to the cave.
"Lillie! Its firing attacks all over the place!" says Sophocles.
"If we don't do something, this place will collapse!" says Mallow.
"What can we do?" wonders Lillie.
Lillie rushes into the conflict while Sophocles enlists his Togedemaru and Charjabug, Mallow and her Steenee to help dig a path to reach her.
Lillie reaches the battle as the alolan Sandshrew is winded by another Stone Edge.
"Snowy! Hail!" says Lillie.
Snowy launches a Hail, and as predicted the change of conditions give the Sandshrew favorable hope.
"Sandshrew! This should be much better for you ice types! Please allow me to fight alongside you! Let us protect this place together!" says Lillie looking at the alolan sandshrew.
Snowy agrees as the alolan Sandshrew stands back up ready to continue.
"Thank you." says Lillie.
Lillie attempts to speak to Tyranitar.
"Tyranitar! This isn't your home! You shouldn't be wrecking the place like its your stomping ground! The sandshrew simply want to live here in peace! Snowy! Sandshrew! Please assist me in a double battle!" says Lillie annoyed.
Lillie remembers back to how Ashs battle against Kahuna Olivia went and nods to the idea of a double battle being the best way to go about this.
"Whats best is to have both offense and support." says Lillie.
Lillie looked at Snowy and the alolan sandshrew who nodded back to her then got ready to attack.
"Here we go! Snowy! Aurora veil!" says Lillie.
Snowy uses Aurora Veil which protect it and alolan Sandshrew from Tyranitar's attack.
"Aurora veil is protecting us!" says Lillie happily.
Lillie smiled down at the two pokemon before her then stared annoyed at Tyranitar.
"Now! Snowy powder snow! Sandshrew continuously use rapid spin!" says Lillie.
Snowy follows up with a Powder Snow and at Lillies command alolan Sandshrew unleashes several Rapid Spins.
Mallow and Sophocles are glad she has Tyranitar cornered and cheer Lillie on.
"All right Lillie!" say Sophocles and Mallow happily.
"They got Tyranitar cornered!" says Sophocles happily.
"Go Lillie!" says Mallow.
"Now metal claw!" says Lillie.
Alolan Sandshrew uses Metal Claw which topples Tyranitar to the ground.
"We did it?" wionders Lillie unsure of the outcome.
When Tyranitar didn't budge, Lillies frown turned to a rising widening smile.
"We did it!" says Lillie happily.
Tyranitar tries to get up, but flees the cavern after Sandshrew roars. Sophocles and Mallow are amazed by Lillie's command of the wild Pokémon and her victory.
"Tyranitar you mustn't come back here." says Lillie.
"Lillie!" says Mallow worried.
"Mallow..." says Lillie turning her head to see Mallow and Sophocles behind her.
"Im sorry we didn't get to come sooner!" says Mallow.
"Its ok! We had help from the sandshrew and won the match!" says Lillie.
"But you were amazing!" says Mallow excitedly.
"I cant believe you tag teamed with a wild pokemon and did a double battle! It sent chills down m spine!" says Sophocles.
"I was the spur of the moment. It was all thanks to the pokemon that were working hard!" says Lillie.
The trio watch on as the alolan Sandshrew get back to constructing their nest.
The others….
Ash and Kiawe emerge from the cave system and encounter Lana there. Kiawe is overjoyed to be reunited with his Marowak, while his Pokémon is overwhelmed and begins to tear up. Rotom floats into Ash's arms.
"I missed you so much!" says Kiawe.
"Rotom were you alright?" wonders Ash.
"I wanted to see you too!" says Rotom dex.
Ash heard Pikachu and turned his head to see the rest of his pokemon appear with the boys and Hazzel.
"Pikachu!" says Ash happily.
Pikachu happily jumped into Ashs arms.
"Im sorry we got separated but I had it hard too!" says Ash.
Ashs Rowlet woke up to see what was going on and Ash sweat dropped noticing it look around.
"Good morning to you." says Ash.
"Sheesh...that Rowlet is too carefree." says Kiawe looking at Rowlet.
Lillie, Sphocles, Mallow...
Lillie has Snowy freeze over a cavern entrance to prevent any more intruders from entering the Sandshrews' nest.
"Now the Sandshrew will be at ease." says Lillie.
"Yeah." says Mallow.
Charjabug suddenly excavates an Ice Stone which Sophocles notices then runs up to Charjabug to get a better look.
"Guys! Guys! Look at this! Charjabug found it! This might be an ice stone mine! " says Sophocles holding the ice stone in Lillie and Mallows direction.
"Oh my! An ice stone mine?" wonders Lillie.
"Whats that supposed to mean?" wonders Mallow.
"Its a stone that can evolve alolan Vulpix and alolan Sandshrew." says Sophocles.
"So this is where alolan sandshrew go to evolve?" says Lillie curiously looking at Mallow.
"That explains why they are so protective of it." says Mallow.
The large alolan Sandshrew nudges the Ice Stone in Sophocles's hand and goes on to evolve into an Alolan Sandslash.
"It evolved into Sandslash." says Sophocles.
Lillie is glad it evolved and can now defend the alolan Sandshrew with its newfound strength.
"This one is so big! Could it be a totem pokemon?" wonders Mallow.
"What a relief! You will protect the others in this place from now on, wont you?" says Lillie.
Alolan Sandslash walks off somewhere and returns with an Icium Z.
"Isnt this...?" wonders Mallow.
"A z crystal?" wonders Lillie.
"Icium z to be exact." says Sophocles.
It presents to Lillie as gratitude for her and Snowy's assistance.
"You want me to have this? Oh no..I couldn't. I mean...I don't have a z ring." says Lillie hesitantly.
Sophocles and Mallow encourage her to take it anyway, stating that she might get a Z-Ring in the future.
"Take it! You deserve it for what you did!" says Mallow happily.
"Theres no telling when you will be able to gain a z ring." says Sophocles happily.
"Yes! Well then..." says Lillie.
With that, Lillie accepts the generous gift.
"Woohoo! I got an Icium z!" says Lillie happily.
Sophocles, Lillie and Mallow emerge from the cave happy to see the rest of the class.
"What took you so long to get out of the cave?" wonders Trunks.
"Oh us? Lets just say, us three had an amazing adventure!" says Sophocles excitedly.
The claim instantly piques the others' interests.
"Adventure? What kind?" wonders Lana.
"We found a huge ice castle! Then Lillie won a double battle and gained an icium z!" says Sophocles,
"A castle?" wonders Lana.
"Icium z?" wonders Ash.
"You have been through a lot haven't you?" wonders Kiawe.
"Well...I just went with the flow." says Lillie.
As they admire Lillie's reward, Charjabug reveals that it has found another Ice Stone. Sophocles hands it to Lillie so she can evolve Snowy. Lillie formally offers the Ice Stone to Snowy, but it cowers away from it. Seeing her Pokémon's reaction.
"It hid." says Ash.
"Seems its not time yet." says Lillie.
"But one day Snowy will become a ninetales." says Mallow.
"And we cant wait to see what kind of z move Snowy gains!" says lana starry eyed.
"W...wait! Hold on...one thing at a time." says Lillie waving her arms awkwardly.
"You can do it! The battle earlier was so cool!" says Mallow.
"That's right! You should try to get stronger! We'll be cheering you on!" says Sophocles.
"That sounds like it could be nice. Right Snowy?" says Lillie.
Snowy happily agrees.