A/N: Congratulations, Ash! It took you 20 years, but you finally won a Pokémon League Conference! About time the writers let you win.

Chapter 13: On the Hunt

While Heahea City wasn't as expansive as Hau'oli City, it was still a fairly large city. Small shops and restaurants lined the street, with people and Pokémon alike mingling. A few advertisements for other major island attractions were posted around.

"Hey, Professor! Over here!"

The quartet turned to see a green haired teenager and a dark skinned woman waving them over. Professor Kukui waved back enthusiastically.

"Hey, Mallow, Olivia! Good to see ya."

The two groups met at the Pokémon center, sitting down at the café.

"So, you're taking the Island Challenge, Ash?"

"Not only am I taking it, I'm gonna crush it! Right, Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

Olivia chuckled at Ash's enthusiasm.

"Well, its good to be confident. But I promise you it wont be that easy. After all, you'll have to get past me, and I'm no pushover."

Ash's eyes went wide in surprise.

"Wait, you mean you're-"

"The Kahuna? Yes, yes I am, chosen by Tapu Lele herself."

"Wow, that's so cool."

Ilima then turned to Olivia's companion.

"Long time no see, Mallow. How's the family restaurant?"

"Its going great. Good thing too, because being a Trial Captain sure doesn't pay the bills."

"Wait you're a trial captain?"

Mallow giggled at Lillie's surprise.

"Yep, one of three. But don't get any ideas, Ash. I still have quite some work to set up for my trial."

Ash's face deflated almost instantly.

"Awwwwww."

"Pikaaa."

Mallow giggled.

"Aw, don't get down, there's still a lot to do on Akala. I have an idea, why don't you take part in the Heahea City scavenger hunt?"

"Scavenger Hunt?"

Olivia spoke up next.

"You see, I'm not just the Island Kahuna, I'm also have an eye for jewelry and crystals. So every year, I hold a city wide scavenger hunt. Whomever can get the most items in one hour will win a Z Crystal currently not offered as a trial reward. This year is the Buginium Z.

"So, what do you guys say, you guys up for the challenge?"

"Oh yeah, lets do this!"

"Pika!"

"Oh, um, I guess it might be fun. Sure, I'll do it."

Ilima shook his head.

"Seems like fun, but I already have one from I completed my journey. Perhaps another time."

Kukui also shook his head.

"Nah, but you two have fun. I want to go surprise Burnie at the lab. She's gonna be more lovestruck than a Pikachu under Attract, Woo!"

Everyone watched as Kukui skipped off to see his wife.

"Well, that was something."

"Come on, lets get you two signed up."

By twilight, everyone was signed up and was getting ready for the competition. To Ash's surprise, everyone was mounting Stoutlands.

"Hey, what are those Stoutland's for?"

"For the competition, of course. How else are you supposed to find the hidden items?"

After seeing Ash's confused face, Mallow sighed.

"You're not from around here, are you?"

"No, I'm visiting from Kanto."

"Wow, that's pretty far. Well, over here in Alola we have a special way of getting around Ride Pokémon. They offer various ways to get around, from surfing on a Lapras to gliding on a Charizard. With Stoutland here, there great noses and super digging paws allow you to find all kinds of things lying around."

"Wow, that's so cool!"

"Out of the way, all of you! Future owner of a Buginium Z, coming through!"

Ash and Lillie turned to see a purple haired girl stride her way smugly to the front. Ash recognized her almost immediately.

"Burgundy?"

The Purple haired girl sniffed at Ash.

"Oh, its you. Finally got rid of that low class Connoisseur Cilan, I see?"

"Ash, you two know each other."

Ash, annoyed by Burgundy's comment, turned to Lillie.

"This is Burgundy. I met her during my trip through Unova. She hate smy friend Cilan because he's a higher ranked Connoisseur than she is."

"Rank means nothing! I'm a higher class than he can ever hope to be, and I'll do anything to prove it!"

"Um, what's a Pokémon Connoisseur?"

Burgundy's eye twitched as Ash explained.

"They're a class of trainers that specialize in evaluating a Trainer's bond with their Pokémon. They're not well known outside of the Unova Region."

"Well, I'm here to change that! I'll spread awareness of the profession so much that they'll have to make me an A Class Connoisseur. Anyway, I heard about this little treasure hunt and decided to grace it with my presence."

"Well, good luck. May the best trainer win."

Ash held out his hand for her to shake, only for her to slap it away.

"Don't worry, I intend to."

She walked away haughtily, leaving Ash to grind his teeth in anger.

10 minutes later, All of the competitors stood at the starting line. Olivia stood off to the side, starting gun in hand.

"Okay everyone, you all know the rules. No going to another town, only routes in and on the city outskirts are allowed. No stealing from other competitors, and no searching for items once time is up. Anyone not back by 10 minutes after the hour is disqualified. Now, on your marks...get set...go!"

A loud bang exploded throughout the city, and all of the Stoutland's and their riders took off. Ash held up his list.

"Alright, first things first is a BLCk Apricorn. There it is!"

"I'll take that!"

Before Ash could grab it, Burgundy dashed out and swiped it, pushing Ash out of the way.

"Hey, that was mine!"

"Winner's keepers, loser's weepers!"

Ash growled in fury, while Pikachu's cheeks sparked.

"Grrr, come on Pikachu, we'll find some more items."

"Pika!"

While Ash and Burgundy controlled their Stoutlands with relative ease, Lillie had lost control, only being grateful she gave Ilima her egg before boarding.

"Slow down, please!"

"Pew Pew!"

The Stoutland snorted, refusing to obey such a weak trainer and sped up in defiance.

"I wish I had stayed home!"

The hour passed by quickly Ash finding items quickly.

"Quick Claw, check! Come on, Stoutland! There's only a few items left!"

"Stout Stoutland!"

Burgundy was also having luck finding items.

"That's one Gold Berry to check off! Hurry Stoutland, we need to beat Ash!"

At last, time had been reached and all of the participants returned to the center of town, dropping off their collection bags to be counted. Within a few minutes, the results had been tallied and a winner was ready to be announced. Ilima saw Lillie return to the stands, scratched up with twigs sticking out of her hair.

"Lillie, what..."

"Don't. Ask."

At last, Olivia took center stage, Mic at hand to announce the winner.

"First, I want to thank all of you for participating this year. Know that no matter what, you are all winners in my book. Now, the winner of the annual Heahea City Scavenger Hunt is...

…...

….

…...

…...

Semaj Rocket!"

Everyone clapped as a purple haired man wearing a thick beard and large glasses stepped up onto the stage, taking the Buginium Z proudly.

"So Mr. Rocket, have any words for the audience."

The man shook his head and ran off, leaving the audience to disperse. Ash, his friends, and Burgundy met up at the Pokémon Center.

"Sorry I was rude earlier. You did really well."

"You too, Burgundy."

"Well I for one never want to go through that again! Stupid Stoutland!"

Everyone but Lillie shared a laugh before Burgundy continued.

"Mark my words, one day all of Alola will know the name Burgundy! I bid you Adieu."

Everyone waved her off as Burgundy set off for the docks. Ash's face turned to one of determination.

"And I'm going to be a Pokémon Master one day. First thing tomorrow, we head North for Paniola Ranch. Right, Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

On their way back to Ula'ula Island, James, Jesse, and Meowth placed their newly acquired Buginium Z on top of their pile.

"Let's see, that's a Flyinium Z from Ten Carat Hill..."

"A Psychinium Z from the Hania Desert..."

"An Icinium Z from Mount Lanakila…"

"And a Buginium Z from Heahea City! I told you that my disguise would work, but you didn't believe me! Who's laughing now?"

BONK!

James fell silent as Jesse punched him, knocking him to the floor.

"This is a good start, but we need more than just four. Giovanni will be expecting a progress report in two weeks, so we need to get at least five more by then.

"Right!"

With that they resume pedaling, determined to get back to their base before Midnight.