Toa Solaric: I don't own Pokemon or any of its franchise as they belong to Nintendo. Welcome back to another chapter of Pokemon Sun and Moon: Michael's Journey.
Pokemon Sun and Moon: Michael's Journey
Ch3: The Challenge of Tapu Koko!
It was another normal day in the Pokemon School for Lillie and her classmates. Suiren is helping her Popplio with her bubble while Lillie giving a recommend recipe for Mao before she got scared by Bounsweets. Kiawe got in class on time after the latest delivering to a distant island and got back on his Charizard.
Suddenly everyone turns around to see their teacher— Professor Kukui coming into the room, but surprising Michael and Espeon following behind him.
Lillie's classmates are surprised to see Michael who came to their school yesterday… but even more surprised that they all saw the guardian deity of Akala Island, Tapu Lele on that day as well.
Lillie wasn't surprise by his appearance since she know already that Michael told her about his decision of joining her school and she glad help him to get the papers he need to signed before sent them to Principal Oak. Hopefully, Michael will become more accustom to being with others and start opened up.
"Starting today, Michael will also be a student here at Pokemon School." Kukui explained. "If there something he doesn't understand, help him out."
Michael didn't say anything as he stares at Lillie and her classmates. Though he notice some have neutral expression, except for Mao who have a frown on her face. He didn't have intent on being friends with Lillie's classmates.
He decide to stay at this place until he gain enough knowledge about Alola region and learning more about the Z-crystals. He still find it shocking that he ends up obtaining one along with a Z-Ring to use, but there still a lot he doesn't understand.
"You can choose where you like to sit, Michael." Kukui said.
Michael glance around the room and noted the empty table at the end of the classroom. He soon take up the table at there with Espeon sitting beside him.
It wasn't long until he was soon confront by Kiawe and the orange hair boy known as Mamane involving his Psychium-Z.
"So that is the Psychium-Z…" Mamane stares at Michael's Z-Ring. "But why would Tapu Lele give to him? Isn't it supposed to known for healing injuries by offering its shells?" he asked.
"That is right… Tapu Lele is one of the Island's guardian deities and known for healing by scatter glowing scales regardless who they are." Lillie injected before her expression become serious. "But it also too dangerous if someone have too many of them at once."
(Hmm… that sound bad.) Espeon comment.
Mamane then looks at Kiawe. "You received your Z-Ring from the Island Kahuna of Akala Island, right, Kiawe?"
Kiawe looks at the Z-Ring on his wrist. "Yeah, after completing her Grand Trial. Though I never seen Tapu Lele there." He said. This made Michael stares at him.
"So completing a Trial allow you gain the Z-crystals and used their power?" Michael asked.
"Don't think that a Z-move can be use easily!" Kiawe snapped with serious expression before going into explanation. "With a Z-Ring, the feelings of a pokemon and its trainer must first become one. Only then can it take that feeling and change it into power. It should hold dignity."
(There have to be purpose behind the power?) Espeon muttered.
"It should be for the island, for the pokemon, or for someone else's sake." Kiawe continued. "Only those who are considerate of everything in the world are allowed to use Z-move."
Kiawe stares hard at the redhead. "I don't know what Tapu Lele sees in you, but since you now have a Z-Ring, you need that type of conviction."
Michael then looks at the Z-Ring on his arm. It still a mystery to him as for why Tapu Lele giving these to him. But he will find out the reason if he encounter that mystery pokemon once again.
"I don't have one now. But I will seek these trials to obtain the Z-Crystals and mastered their powers." Michael stated serious before looking back at Kiawe. "I won't hesitate to fight you after I learn the power."
Despite his declaration of challenging seem cold, Kiawe can't help but smirk. "…Very well. I can't wait to fight you." He said.
Unknown to them, Kukui watching things with interesting. It seem that Michael wants to challenge against Kiawe, the most experience student in Pokemon School and Z-Ring user.
Though he sense there are still some distrust and warily around Michael since he come into the class from Mao and Suiren. But unlike them, the professor can tell how broken Michael was despite his serious and quiet nature when they first meet. Michael may have impress aura of a strong trainer but seem to lose the sparks as a Pokemon trainer due to unknown circumstances.
"I heard that you're from an unknown region… Orre, is it?" Mamane inquired. He never heard of any regions like that before.
"What about it?" Michael asked.
"I never heard of it. What is it like over there?" Kiawe asked.
Michael was silent when Kiawe asking him the question and no doubt that others are staring at him. It won't easy for him to trust people in this world. The more he become silent, the more suspicious of them become around him. He isn't sure how to description Orre when it does not exist in this world and the harshness natures there could scared these children.
(Just give them the basic about the environment, but not on the war.) Espeon advice. The redhead soon make his decision.
"It's a desert region. But it wasn't always desert." Michael answer, caught their attention. This was something he heard before he was born. "Tell me, does anyone known the legendary pokemon Groudon?" he asked.
"Groudon is the pokemon that created land whenever it goes while Kyogre brought the sea." Suiren answers. But she wonder what is this boy's reason of bring a legendary pokemon in?
"Groudon used to sleep in the tallest mountain in Orre known as Mt. Battle for long time. There were people reside on that mountain supposed to make sure Groudon stay asleep or the pokemon cause a massive eruption. But the pokemon eventually ends up causing eruptions in it's awaken and left destruction to Orre's western side of the environment that result the desert." Michael explains grimace.
"When was this exactly?" Mamane asked, curious.
"It happens long before I was born." Michael answers.
"So did anyone do anything about the damage?" Kukui inject into the conversation. This is the first time the pokemon professor even hear a region that is mostly desert.
"No one knows about the ecosystem to repair the damage quickly." Michael response. "But it make it hard for wild pokemons to live in the desert and climax. Most people have to keep their pokemon in their pokeballs to keep them away from the intense heat when traveling across Orre."
"W-Why were you living in such hard environment?" Lillie asked, a bit disturbed.
"I was born there." Michael answers. Unlike most people who were migrated to Orre from other regions, he and his sister were few children born in Orre.
This made the students looks a bit shock. It sound like the Orre region is the opposite of Alola with dry weather years round. But they were also shock of how exactly someone like Michael live there.
"But why we never hear of it?" Mao asked suspicious.
"That is something for another time." Michael concluded, making the green hair girl look irritation at him.
Before Mao could get an answer, Professor Kukui intervene. As much he want to know a bit more about the unknown region Orre, there is matter of class.
"Okay, everyone! It's time for Pokemon Science! Today's lecture is going to by Principal Oak!" Professor Kukui said.
(After school)
Michael was seeing in the courtyard in the back of Lillie's mansion. He finds this place calmer than the room and observing the wild pokemon he never encounter before. The redhead is currently jolting down notes about the new wild pokemon he doesn't recognized as he watching Espeon interact with them. Though he tempt to catch a new pokemon, but it will disrupt the purpose of this playground Lillie built for them. So Michael choose to take his time jolt down notes about pokemons never encounter before.
Rufflet the Eaglet Pokemon, normal and flying types. A small avian pokemon with large white plume of feathers covers its head and three tail feathers extend from its lower back and have quite sharp talons.
Roggenrola the Mantle Pokemon. Rock type. A roughly spherical pokemon with blue body and brown rocks on its head and serves as feet. Michael was curious how a pokemon can see without an actually eye.
Petilil the Bulb Pokemon. Grass type. A plant-like pokemon resembles a plant blub with light green color and three oblong leaves on top of their heads. Espeon made a comment that the leaves on their heads are bitter which he added to his observation notes.
Its evolved form was none other than Lilligant the Flowering Pokemon. This surprised Michael as he remember the pokemon in the small photo of Lillie with her family. It's scarlet flower with white spotted petals upon its head resembled a crown and wears a leaves like dress.
Cottonee the Cotton Puff Pokemon. It's both grass and fairy type. A white, circular pokemon. It has white, puffy sections on the top of its head and its underside. Behind it is a green, star shaped section similar to the area where a plant connects to its produce. It has orange, oval-shaped eyes, and furled, notched leaves on the sides of its body.
And Whimscott the Windveiled Pokémon is the evolved form of Cottonee. It a small, brown bipedal pokemon with cotton-like substance for hair and green star shaped ears. Michael finds Cottonee and Whimscott are surprisingly soft after petting the cotton part of their hair.
Apparently they migrated from the region Unova. Unova was a name Michael is familiar with. Michael only hear a bit about Unova back in his world when he hears rumor of two new Eeveelutions beside the original five from an ship captain, but didn't know much about the region itself.
But there is one pokemon Michael never thought to see appeared in the playground and caught his attention. After all, this pokemon was on the abandoned ship that Shadow Lugia brought into Orre and hide itself well from Cipher.
So Bonsly is actually pre-evolved form of Sudowoodo… Michael thought fascinating. He remembered meeting the unique rock pokemon back in the ship. He never know it true origin until now.
As for the lecture by Principal Oak today was intrigue for Michael than he originally thought about the Pokemon School which meant for newbies. Especially he learns the grass and psychic type pokemon like Exeggutor have an Alola form who is both grass and dragon type in Alola. How is it possible for a pokemon like Exeggutor loss it's psychic type and gain dragon type? He and Espeon were shocked to learn that Alola Exeggutor could have longer neck due to expose to Alola's climate!
(Still can't believe that head on the tail is alive… would it be strange if I have a head on my tail?) Espeon asked to Michael. He regret of even trying to play with that 'head' before sending flying backward!
"I like the way you are." Michael said cool. "Now then… how we supposed to use this?" he asked, looking at the Z-Ring on his arm.
After getting his own Z-Ring and Z-Crystal, he still doesn't know how to uses the power of Z-Move. No doubt that he never face these Trials that Kiawe and Kukui told him. Not to mention that they don't have any duty to Alola when they aren't from around here. Except they somehow gain the attention of Tapu Lele.
(So what are you going to do if they didn't find any information on Orre?) Espeon asked, making Michael think about the conversation in class. But he is also concern about the two girls Mao and Suiren. There is no mistaken that the two girls are suspicious of them after looking into their mind.
It will be like the same before in our world… Michael thought when thinking about his old world.
Though he didn't know what Orre was like before Mt. Battle eruption, but it place where outcasts from other regions never fit and went there to not be disturb the laws. But Cipher take advantage of that place to creates Shadow Pokemons.
Michael shakes his head out of the dark thoughts. He didn't need to deal with Cipher anymore and focus on his new goal that on his arm now.
"So what do you think our Z-Move will be?" Michael asked.
(I bet you that our Z-Move will be super powerful!) Espeon said excited in the power of Psychium-Z possessed. Not to mention he wants to fight against Kiawe's pokemon who can also performed Z-Move.
Michael looks around the courtyard before noticing the battlefield he remember seen early. It will be a useful place when he can train in peace.
"Let's practice on that field." Michael said. Beside he doesn't want to cause trouble for Lillie and her servants when staying here.
Espeon nodded before they moved to the battlefield as they began to figure out how to release their Z-move. Unknown to them, James was watching the duo making used of the battlefield.
Lillie is on the computer in her room before Kukui was the one who made the call to her and her classmates on an online chat screen.
"Hey, Professor Kukui? What is the emergency about the call?" Mao asked.
"Yeah! So what's with the sudden call, Professor Kukui? Is something up?" Mamane asked curious about the call to them.
"You see… it about our new member Michael. I think we should give him a welcome party." Kukui said with his usual smile. This making Lillie and others look surprised.
"A party?" Lillie asked, surprised.
"Eh? A party for that guy?" Mamane asked, slight surprise.
"Yes, a party." Kukui repeated. "Though I know that you guys still felt odd against him... So I believe we should give him a proper welcome and… that is with a party!" he said with a snap of his fingers.
"Are you sure about it?" Mao asked with concern. Though she doesn't have problem with her teacher's idea… but she is warily around the new kid especially for Lillie's sake.
Being like that against someone else wasn't something that Mao liked to do, but with Michael the case was different since he appeared from nowhere and started to live with Lillie, and even if her house was filled with Servants the green haired girl still felt worried for her friend.
Maybe if Michael had a more open personality... but with his serious personality he wasn't making a good impression on her.
In the end Mao was worried about her friend, so her distrust was born from that worry.
"Well, I guess I won't mind much." Kiawe shrugged. Beside he is curious about how strong Michael and that they will be in the same class.
"Me too." Said Suiren as she nodded, "If Professor Kukui believes it can be done then I will help." She also felt distrust towards Michael for the same reasons as Mao, but she was more willing to give him a chance even if he still acted like that.
"Lillie, what exactly is Michael doing right now?" Mamane asked, curious about the redhead. Even Mao and Suiren want to know if the redhead is causing any troubles for Lillie.
"Even since we got back… he and Espeon been in the courtyard watching the wild pokemon playing together for a while and they haven't move much." Lillie recalled. She didn't bother him much when she thought he wants to be alone... But one thing she noticed was... a longing look in those eyes, like if seeing wild pokemon happily playing was something very rare for him, that was the kind of sensation he transmitted.
This made them look surprised. They all remember what Michael tells them about Orre and the fact there were lack of wild pokemon. It means that this could be his first time seen wild pokemon out here…
"So do you guys find anything about Orre?" Mamane asked. "I came up with zero results on the search."
"Same here…" Mao said.
Both Kiawe and Suiren nodded.
"But do you think such place actually exist…?" Mao asked.
"I don't think Michael is lying, Mao. He told me the same thing and Nurse Joy does not know if there such a place." Lillie said. After all, she was there when he regain conscious and told her and Nurse Joy about Orre.
"I think the same. There is no doubt that the Pokemon Association will never work in a place that too harsh an environment for pokemon to exist." Kukui said. It just an idea, but he is going to look into it more in order to understand Michael's background.
"Anyway, be ready for the tomorrow party." Professor Kukui said to his students who nodded.
The next day, Michael walking calm to the Pokemon School with Espeon beside him. But he finds it a bit strange that Lillie went to school earlier than him without any reason.
Michael is still a little frustrated. He still haven't figure out on how to awaken the power of Psychium-Z. He even try to imitate the moves Kiawe did before and nothing seem to work.
Maybe he talk with Kiawe again about how to uses Z-Move even if it means to challenging him to understand the power of Z-Move.
As they enter the school gate, the redhead suddenly jumps back before a large growing bubble grow larger and larger right in front of him!
Suddenly the bubble soon popped away as he see Professor Kukui and others before him.
"Alola! Surprise!" Lillie, Mao, and Suiren said.
"What is the meaning of this?" Michael questioned cold.
"Did we surprised you?" Kiawe asked.
"What is this about?" Michael asked, wanting to know their purpose for surprised him.
"I am sure that after a rough start yesterday… we should celebrated you joining our class and you're new to Alola." Lillie explains before apologized nervously. "Sorry."
Michael stares at Lillie's apologize without saying anything before Mao intervene for her friend's sake.
"Anyway…! Come and enjoy what we have for you today!" Mao said with a pretended smile, trying hard for everyone here.
"I guess I have no choice…" Michael said.
Soon Mamane step up. "Togedemaru and I want to challenge you! I'm sure you must know what I mean by that." Mamane explained, pointing his finger at Michael blink.
"A battle…?" Michael blinks. He isn't sure what is Mamane thinking or even aware that he can take down his pokemon without a problem.
"No!" Mamane answer with a smirk before pointed to the stacks of balloon pits.
"Right! Balloons! Which team pops the most balloon first wins the game." Mao explained and this doesn't seem to suite someone like Michael.
Michael can't help have a frown after hearing the explanation about the balloons.
Seriously…? Balloon popping? Michael thought and can't tempt to facepalm now.
(But I want to!) Espeon said excited to the redhead who looks up at Michael.
"Are you seriously…?" Michael asked with deadpan expression to his friend.
(Just hold a bit longer. Beside we can ask Kiawe later about Z-Crystals and Z-Moves.) Espeon reasoned to his trainer.
"Fine." Michael response. "I accept the challenge." The soon they can finished, they will get their answers soon enough.
Kiawe refereed as he gave the start of the game. "Ready… GO!" he cried as Mamane ran ahead of the Orre native to the balloon pit.
Michael simple walk there and looking at the multiply balloons around him. He grabbed one and trying to pop it with his hands, but notices that it more difficult to break than simple balloon. He is curious what they filled in these balls? He then looks at his friend to see how he is going with the game.
Espeon was trying to bite the balloon before noticed that it too difficult to break with his teeth. (What in Arceus's name is this made of!?) He complained.
There are too many to pop around them. As of now, Mamane and Togedemaru are popping balloons now. He notices how it easy for Mamane especially his pokemon Togedemaru due to the spikes on the small pokemon's back.
He then looks at Lillie. "Are there any rules about this game?" the redhead asked to Lillie.
"Yes… you can uses Pokemon moves." Lillie said. Not that he is pleased, but Michael wish they could mention the rules much earlier.
"Espeon, we're finishing this with one blow…" Michael answers.
"Espe!" (About time!) Espeon said before his eyes glowing immediately.
Soon every balloons in their balloon pit starting glowing before lift into the air before everyone's eyes and they blow up easily.
"W-Wait, what?" Mamane gasped in shock. Togedemaru shared the same shock expression as her trainer.
"Whoa! Espeon just break all of the balloon like that easily?" Mao asked in surprised.
Michael stares at Mamane who look shock. He should be surprised that it could happen. Espeon have perfected his psychic power after fought an army of pokemons… strong enough to lifting up a Wailord.
"…" Mamane can't help for losing the balloon contest. If Michael's pokemon was a Jolteon and using electric attack, it will be an easy for Togedemaru especially her ability of Lighting Rod.
Espeon notices Togedemaru looks a little depressed about the balloon popping before approaching her.
"Esp! Esp! Esp!" Espeon said.
"Toge! Maru!" The steel and electric pokemon said with a pout.
"Then the winner of the balloon popping is Espeon and Michael!" Mao said, holding back her warily around the redhead.
Espeon soon return to Michael side as he snuggled against his legs before receiving a pet on his head by him.
"Now we're going for the next event." Kiawe said.
Soon Michael and others head for another area in the Pokemon School.
"Michael? Ready for your third surprise? It's a challenge against us!" Suiren asked with a smile on her face. Though she knows that Michael haven't change his expression on his face after the surprise challenge from Mamane.
"What is it?" Michael asked. He suspect that it can't be a pokemon battle after noticing a nearby pool.
"Popplio and Espeon will race against each other." Suiren said.
Mamane have a small frown on his face. "That Espeon is really strong." He said as Kiawe understood with a nod.
"Yeah… I hear you." Kiawe said silently until Mao interrupted the two with a small glare.
"Are you having doubt about your friend that bad?" Mao said, angrily, causing both Kiawe and Mamane sweatdropped at her.
"No, Mao." Kiawe said.
Michael glance quiet the three while Lillie only shrugged and giving him a nervous smile on her face. He then looks at Espeon. 'Espeon… are you sure that you can handle this?' he thought.
(This might be a problem…) Espeon ponder about the challenging in the large pool. It true that he is the unstoppable force when fighting Shadow Pokemon and sending any Cipher grunts flying. But swimming was another story since there were lack of water where they come from. If only Walrein was here, then they won't have no problem in this water…
(If I drowned, then get me out of there…) Michael nodded to his friend's mental request.
"A Pokemon Aquathlon is a competitive sport where you run and swim! Now, let's see which of the two wins!" Mao cried out as the students all began to cheer for the two pokemon. Espeon barked encouraging to the sea weasel pokemon. Popplio make a cheerful chirp to the psychic pokemon.
Soon the two pokemon start running for the water before dove into the water.
"Good luck to all of you, Espeon and Popplio!" Mamane cried out as he couldn't cheer for just one of them, making him to cheer for all of them.
Espeon at first seem to be fine before he shows some struggle when it comes to swimming in the water itself.
"Is it me or Espeon… have trouble swimming?" Lillie asked with concern.
Michael have his calm expression. Though he is a bit worry. If Espeon really did have trouble, then he will come down to rescue his own friend from the water.
(I am fine! I got hang of it!) Espeon snapped before continued moving forward in the water. He will not disappointed his friend. But he remind himself that he needed more swimming lesson now.
The lavender feline starting to catch up with Popplio. But Popplio suddenly swam past Espeon under the water. This made the lavender cat looks slight surprised.
"You're almost there, Popplio!" Suiren cried as the Water Type swimming before jump out of the water.
Soon Popplio lands on the ground before break the white line. This is the first victory for Suiren and Popplio when Michael and Espeon won against Mamane and Togedemaru.
Michael was focus more on Espeon who manages get himself out of the water after the race is over.
"You're alright?"
"Espe…" Espeon bark affirmation before he shakes the water out of his fur. (I seriously thought I won't make it…)
Soon Michael looks back at Suiren and her Popplio. He have to admit that Popplio is a lot faster in the water than on land.
"Popplio can swim at the speed for about 25 miles per hours! Quite impressive." Lillie injected as she explains to the redhead's thought.
(I have to admit that is quite impressive for someone young as Popplio.) Espeon remarked. Though this might be his first loss, but it was still fun.
Soon the redhead boy notices Kiawe approaching him.
"Your fourth surprise will be competing against me! One and one! What do you say?" Kiawe asked.
"What is it?" Michael asked unnerved tone.
Kukui was the one who answer the question. "His surprise is to race you with Tauros." He revealed.
When the professor mention Tauros, Michael start have a brief flashback of a monstrosity wild bull pokemon with glowing sinister red eyes and dark purplish aura.
(Michael, I am sure there is no harm from these Tauros. Beside I doubt they would let the Tauros to harm people.) Espeon said, feeling Michael's flashback. The lavender cat brought out a point since this place is far different from Orre.
"Very well." Michael said. He remember once watch a video about people riding Tauros for sport, but he never thought to be invited in one.
Though he never rode a Tauros before. Whether he win or lost, the skill might come useful like riding Flygon.
Soon they borrowed the school's Tauros and Michael learns how to mount from watching Kiawe before began the race. The redhead let out a sighed, but he held the rein tightly so he won't accident fall from the Wild Bull Pokemon.
Soon Mao gave the word for them to start, the two boys went off. Kiawe being the most experienced was in the lead. Mao, Suiren, Lillie, and Mamane all cheered for the two.
Espeon was watching the Tauros race nearby. His friend was having a little time adjusting to riding Tauros, but surprisingly he wasn't far behind Kiawe.
Soon enough he made to the finish line after Kiawe come first as everyone cheered for him winning the challenge.
Michael then get off of Tauros and focused his attention on Espeon who come toward him.
(Even if you didn't win, you still do great when riding Tauros.) Espeon said with an encouraging smile. (Aren't you going to join them? They will be your friends for next few years.)
Michael turns and watched them cheering for Kiawe. Compared to him and Espeon, these students never have to face harshness of Orre or fought in war like them. They have families and better law enforcers than Orre region. 'Even if they know about our past, they won't accept me due to being an outcast and thief.' He thought.
(I still don't think that is a problem. Beside don't you remember what your sister once say that we can't let the bad guys get away? The ones who are to blames are those who close their hearts and those who can't see them.) Espeon retort serious. He blamed those who never notices what happens to those pokemon as they're more heartless. If people were more aware of what happens to pokemon, then they won't blame Michael for what happens.
"Michael, is everything alright?" A familiar voice asked. Michael looks and seeing Lillie in front of him.
"It's nothing." Michael replied.
"I see. Are you enjoying yourself so far?" Lillie asked.
"Not much…" Michael said.
Unknown to him, this seem to made Lillie a bit sad for the fact he doesn't seem to be enjoying himself. She trying to come up with something that can change the mood. Her friends aren't sure what to say to the quiet redhead.
"I know! Why don't we get something to eat?" Lillie suggested.
This draw Espeon's attention as he barked excited when Lillie mention foods.
"I have to agree." Kiawe said, rubbing his stomach. Mamane nodded in agreement.
"I guess that couldn't be a problem. Beside it onto my surprise… Lunch!" Mao said.
Unknown to them, someone was watching the event from the tree and their attention focused on the redhead. 'I will know why she choose you…' The unknown entity from before thought serious.
Everyone sitting on the outside cafeteria able, Mallow brought out the dishes that she have made.
"Lunch is served!" Mao cried out as she passed the dishes to the students and Professor Kukui.
Once everyone had their lunch, Mao took out a large bowl of Pokemon food from the recipe that she made thanks to Lillie's help.
"Here! Eat up, everyone!" Mao said as the pokemons were ecstatic to see food right in front of them. Once they took a second to sniff the food, they began to munch on their lunch.
Michael eaten the food and his eyes blink in surprise. He never imagine the food was actually good.
(Wow! This so good!) Espeon said happily. (I wished that we have stuffs like this back when we were traveling, Michael!)
When he saw Espeon bark happily and eating foods, Michael can't help let out a small smile because he seen his friend happy and made this lonely life in this world more bearable.
But this didn't go unnoticed by Suiren who looks a bit surprise. 'Did he just smile…?' she thought before watching him eating quietly.
Meanwhile Kiawe, Lillie, Mao, Mamane, and Kukui watching Michael eating. But they can't help notices though out their surprise party for him, the redhead didn't seem to enjoy it one bit.
"He doesn't look like he is having fun." Kiawe said.
"But I can tell one thing about him. He does well in caring for his Espeon." Kukui pointed out about one thing. "They're really hard to obtain in the wild and can only evolved by raising Eevee with pure friendship." He added.
This made others except Lillie looks surprised. Eevee can only be raised to an Espeon if they are raised by the strong friendship with their trainer. But they still find it hard to believe someone like Michael can raise such a kind pokemon.
"Now I think about it… he does really care about his Espeon through the events." Mao said.
Suiren remember that Michael smile at Espeon brief when the psychic pokemon looks really happy about the food. Though he seem cold, he shows a strong care for Espeon.
"Yeah, I am surprised someone like him didn't voice his dislike." Kiawe added.
Before they can continued the conversation, a loud cry caught everyone's attention, made Michael and Espeon stop eating their foods. They looking around for where the source of the loud cry was coming from. But they find nothing to show where it from.
(Michael… I sense a powerful presence close.) Espeon said, scanning around the room and ready to attack for an unknown attacker.
"What was that sound?" Lillie asked, confused.
The redhead looks around the room careful before a pokemon he never seen before appeared in front of him. Michael jumps back after Tapu koko appears in front of him before Espeon stands in front of his friend. But one thing he can tell about this pokemon and that it really is fast.
"Espe! Espeon!" Espeon growl as he want to know what this pokemon want.
Everyone else gasped and widened their eyes to see something though to be out of myth. They never would guess of seeing two guardian deities now.
"Melemele Island's Guardian… Tapu Koko!" Lillie gasped in amazement and surprised.
"My first time seeing it…" Mao said breathlessly.
"Me too…" Suiren added.
Kukui, Mamane, and Professor Kukui are stunned to see the Guardian of the island right in front of their eyes. Seem that their pokemons are happy that their guardian is here.
"What are you doing here?" Michael asked quietly.
The guardian of Melemele Island stares back at Michael's emerald green eyes before let out a cried and vanished.
"Espeon, what is going on?" Michael asked to his partner for answer.
(I am not sure... but keep your guard up, Michael!) Espeon reported, making Michael look serious.
Suddenly everyone hears Lillie's scream before they notices Tapu Koko was carried the young girl in his arms as it causing the poor girl to panic and screaming in the guardian deity's arms, making everyone become shocked.
"Lillie!" Mao cried out in shocked.
"SAVE ME!" Lillie cried as Tapu Koko soon flew straight into the forest.
Suddenly Michael and Espeon start giving the chase before anyone could realize and ran straight into the forest. When there was a large log in front of them, but Michael and Espeon leap high over it before continued making their way through the forest. As they're running, they still can hearing Lillie's screaming.
(This is bad! If she continued panic and struggle, Tapu Koko might accidently dropped her!) Espeon said serious.
Michael have the same thought about Lillie's unknown trauma. There is no doubt she will accident made the guardian deity dropped her above the air and that is really bad!
"I know that!" Michael said with a serious expression. But he won't forgive himself if he let anything bad happens to Lillie when he still haven't repay his debts yet!
As they get deeper into the forest, they can still see Lillie panic about being held captive by the guardian deity above them. But surprisingly that the guardian deity's grip was really strong to hold someone who have fear of pokemon without dropped them.
(Whoever this Tapu Koko is… there is no doubt he is a legendary pokemon.) Espeon said.
Tapu Koko vanished into thin air once again and they stop in shocked immediately. They were unaware that Mao and others were catching up from behind him as they didn't seen their blonde hair classmate.
"Lillie! Where are you?" Michael asked.
Michael suddenly hears a scream before he looks up to see Lillie falling from the sky after Tapu Koko dropped her.
The redhead charge forward as he caught the blonde girl with his two arms despite collapsed straight to the ground from the momentum. It take a while before Lillie realized that she wasn't with Tapu Koko and seeing Michael caught her.
"M-Michael…" Lillie whimpered with tears in her eyes. It looks like she was still scared after Tapu Koko kidnaps her. The redhead can't bear seeing her being like this and won't blame her.
"Don't worry. You're safe now." Michael said quiet and soft before released her from his grip. He soon got himself up from the ground.
Soon Tapu Koko flew down from above and goes into what looks like a battle stance. Michael notices that Lillie was still afraid of what happens when Tapu Koko takes her.
"I see… so this is what you want. A battle." Michael said before silent gesturing Lillie to hurry toward her friends and Kukui.
(There is no doubt that why he takes Lillie in the first place.) Espeon said, standing beside his human partner.
"Tapu Koko want a battle with Michael?" Kiawe asked surprise.
"Rather my surprise, Tapu Koko want to show his surprise…" Professor Kukui mutters. It possible to see if he is worthy of the gifts from Tapu Lele.
"Could it do with why Tapu Lele appears on Melemele Island?" Mamane asked.
"Very well…" Michael response with serious expression as he stares hard at Guardian Deity of Melemele Island.
Tapu Koko let out a loud battle cry as he causing an electric field to appear.
Both Espeon and Michael are surprised by the area changing immediately. They never seen anything like this before in their life.
"What is this?" Michael asked, confused at the field.
"That's Electric Terrain…" Professor Kukui recognized.
"Wait. Does Michael not know what Electric Terrain is?" Mamane noted from his expression. Lillie suddenly shakes out her fear before she realized that Michael didn't know about field change either.
"Michael…! Electric Types will be more powerful as long as Electric Terrain is in effect!" Lillie cried out as Michael narrowed his eyes.
So this is similar to what happens in weather moves boost certain elements! But what is type is Tapu Koko? Is it an electric type? Michael thought serious.
"Michael, be careful! Tapu Koko is both Electric and Fairy Type!" Lillie warned to help the redhead out of confusion.
This certainly useful for him as he knows that he can't make Espeon relied on Iron Tail since it steel type. Steel moves are ineffective against electric. Sadly, Espeon doesn't know any poison type moves to counter against Fairy.
Tapu Koko made the first move by charging straight at Espeon, but Michael was prepared to counter against the Guardian deity.
"Dodge quickly!" Michael ordered.
Espeon suddenly move in flash and avoided the incoming tackle from Tapu Koko and watched the guardian deity more carefully. Espeon was trying to hit him in the back, but Tapu Koko soon high flying into the air and avoided it.
Suddenly the Guardian deity starting to glow in different colors, Michael sense there was something bad going to happens. 'Espeon, try to use Psychic to stop him!' After picking up Michael's thought, Espeon's eyes glowing bright as psychic energy gathering around to alter the direction of Tapu Koko's attack and sending it straight to dozen of trees.
Even after being thrown to the trees, the Guardian deity was still standing and giving a stares say 'Is that all you got?' to them.
This cause Michael feeling slight frustration within him. "Espeon… hit him with Hyper Beam."
Orange energy gathering into the lavender cat's mouth. Espeon soon unleashed a beam of orange energy toward the guardian deity and caused an explosion.
When the smoke faded away, Tapu Koko shown standing by protecting himself with his shield like arms. Though trees around the guardian deity are destroyed by the blast.
This made Michael and a tired Espeon look shock at the guardian deity. Even after taking a Hyper Beam from Espeon, he was still standing.
"Man, even after taking Hyper Beam from Espeon… Tapu Koko is still holding its own." Mamane noted.
"Tapu Koko is just too strong…" Kiawe said as Lillie grew worried.
Before Espeon can do anything, the Guardian of Melemele Island flew straight to Espeon's trainer and friend, Michael.
(Michael!) Espeon cried out in panic.
Michael brace for a possible attack as he closed his eyes shut.
But he didn't felt anything. Only felt something tingling as he opens his eyes to see Tapu Koko tapping onto his Z-Ring. After the touch, the Psychium-Z began to glowing as the redhead boy was surprised at what just happens.
"Why…?" Michael asked, confused to the Guardian deity. But the Guardian deity didn't say anything.
Espeon looks at the event with amazement as Michael looks down to see his Psychium-Z glowing brightly, radiance like flame.
"Psychium-Z…" Michael whispered. He then looks at Espeon as both realized what this mean and the attack going to count.
Tapu Koko then floated back, ready to take the attack that came from the redhead. He wants to know if this boy have the potential that Tapu Lele seen in him.
Michael stares back at Tapu Koko with serious expression.
"I… no, we… will finished this. This will be the last." Michael said calmly as Espeon nodded.
"Wait! Does he know the moves?" Mamane asked.
Then something unexpected happens as everyone watch Michael strangely cross his arms together before moves both his first fingers to his head before move his left hand forward while Espeon straight himself forward to perform the Z-Move for the Psychic Type.
"Show it to him… Psyche Shatter!" Michael shout out. With the energy charging together, Espeon was surrounded by an energy that was borrowed from his trainer.
Soon the Electric Terrain vanished and replaces with a colorful area instead. Soon Espeon's eyes starting to glow brightly than before.
"This is the Psychium-Z move…" Kiawe said with disbelief.
"Psyche Shatter…" Kukui finished stunned.
Suddenly Tapu Koko shielded himself before felt a powerful force pushing him backward before being bounce in another direction and next then more before the entire colorful field shatter immediately, dealt some critical damages to the guardian and the forest at the same time.
Michael was catching his breath as he witness the power that the Z-Move had gave off. The one he did was different from Kiawe… But it was still incredible. The power of Psychium-Z: Psyche Shatter.
Suddenly hear something crack and look at his Z-Crystal shattered, leaving the Orre trainer with the only the Z-Ring, but with no crystal. "I see…" he grunted. 'So this is what happened if I didn't even compete in the Trials. But how did I know those movements and the name of the move?'
Espeon panted until his eyes widened to see what the attack had done. Michael also looked up to see Tapu Koko using his arms as shield to defend himself from the Z-Move. Despite that, the Psyche Shatter move that Espeon had gave off, made a huge impact on the ground.
Tapu Koko soon revealed himself before looking at the redhead in front of him. He soon let out a cry before he took off into the air and out of sight. Espeon let out a sigh of relief before looking back at his friend and his eyes wide in shock.
Michael was smile. His Michael was smile. Not the cold wick smirk or fake smile when using on a foe. But a genuine smile on his face. Something from the fight made him smile. It made him remember the young boy who was still his best friend and brother. The young boy who once dream of become a Pokemon trainer.
(Michael, are you alright?) Espeon asked.
"I am fine, Espeon." Michael said with the same smile at his confused best friend.
Although his Z-crystal was shatter he could not help, but smile. He can't recall when was the last time he have a normal battle and never enjoy them. Though he was a bit scared about what happens to Lillie, but there was no life depended on Michael's victory; the world was not ending because he lost. It felt liberating to fight normal for a change.
If I compete in the Island Trials, I can use them and I can regain what important to me… Michael thought closed his eyes as the wind run passed them.
To be continued…
AN: That is the end of this chapter. Though things are a bit different from what Ash experienced in the anime, not to mention that both Mao and Suiren are warily of him due to living in the same place as Lillie.
Anyway, be sure to review or message me for any questions, comments, or concern. And don't be afraid to look at my other stories.