Chapter 22: Sugar and Spice Aren't So Nice

The next morning, Ash and Mallow were up bright and early heading to Lush Jungle for Ash's trial. Ilima and Kiawe had decided to stay back in town, Ilima deciding to do some shopping while Kiawe had to take care of something on Wela Volcano.

"You ready for our fifth Z Crystal, Pikachu?'

"Pika Pika!"

"Yeah, me too."

Mallow laughed at the two's enthusiasm.

"That's the spirit! You're going to need it if you want to clear my trial."

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

And before Mallow could say anything else, Ash zoomed off on the path, leaving her to choke on his dust.

"Well, you can't say he isn't determined."

Ash found the Lush Jungle rather quickly and couldn't help but look on in awe at the beautiful flora all around him.

"Woah, I don't think I've ever seen something so beautiful. Have you, Pikachu?"

"Pika."

"Oh good, you made it here safely."

Ash turned to see Mallow walking up to him, a small bag in her hands.

"Alright, here's how my trial works. I need you to bring me everything on this list. We'll proceed from there."

Ash's jaw dropped at these instructions.

"But this forest is huge! It'll take me ages to find these four."

"Don't worry, I've accounted for that."

She took out her ride pager, scrolling through the options before selecting her option.

"Now we just wait, and…"

Her explanation was cut short as a Stoutland burst out of the underbrush before tackling Ash, licking his face enthusiastically. Ash couldn't help but laugh at its antics.

"Heh Heh, down boy."

"This here is Ranger, my personal ride Pokémon. Now Ranger, you be a good boy and help Ash, alright."

"Land Stoutland!"

Ranger smiled broadly as Mallow stroked his fur soothingly. More determined than ever, Ash took Mallow's list and foraging bag and climbed onto Ranger's back.

"Alright Ranger, YA!"

With a slight kick, Ranger hurried off, Ash keeping a keen eye out for what they needed as Mallow watched them go.

"Good luck, Ash. You're going to need it."

It wasn't long before Ash found his first item, which was a Tiny Mushroom.

"Alright, first catch of the day! This might be easier than I thought."

"Paraseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeect."

"Huh?'

Ash turned to see the glowing white eyes of a Parasect glaring menacingly at him from the underbrush, claws snapping the air ready to snap him in half.

"Then again, maybe nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot!"

After an hour of searching, battling an running, Ash finally made his way back to Mallow at the entrance. Mallow stared at his disheveled look.

"What-"

"Don't. Ask."

"Well, I see you managed to find everything. Good job, Ranger."

The Stoutland smiled as Mallow lovingly stroked his head while looking towards the entrance.

Ash turned to see Lana and kiawe entering the forest.

Lana, Kiawe, what's up?"

"Hey Ash!"

"Mallow asked us to bring some things to help with the trial."

"Oh good, now that everything is set up the final part of the trial can begin."

After a moments set up, the four of them sat in a circle with the ingredients laid out in front.

"Alright Mallow, pass me the fresh water."

"Here you go."

"Thank you, and Kiawe pass me the Rare Bone."

"All yours."

"Now Ash, I need you to pour in the Mago Berry, Tiny Mushroom, Revival Herb, and Miracle Seed into the bowl."

After Ash did so, Mallow began mashing the ingredients into a paste, producing a sweet odor that filled the air. Ash sniffed the air in delight.

"MMM, that smells good."

Once the odor had died down, Ash noticed that his friends were staring behind him in fear.

"Uh, you guys alright?"

Kiawe shakily pointed his finger behind him, Ash turned only to come face to face with a large Lurantis, blade arms ready to strike.

"LURANTIS!"

"Be careful, Ash! That's the Totem Pokémon!"

"Really? Then I better learn what I'm getting into. Rotom…"

"What ahead of you, Ash! Zzzzt, ah here we go! Lurantis, the Bloom Sickle Pokémon. A grass type, and the evolved form of Formantis. It fires beams from its sickle-shaped petals. These beams are powerful enough to cut through thick metal platezzzt."

"A Grass type, huh? Then I'll go with my Torracat!"

"Torra Torracat!"

Ash's fire type eyed his opponent, scratching the earth ready for battle. The Lurantis growled menacingly.

"Alright Torracat, use Flame Charge!"

With a mighty battle cry, Torracat shot out in a burst of flames, ramming his opponent right in the gut. The Lurantis was winded, but quick to recover and retaliated with a Leaf Blade, knocking his opponent off him.

"Flamethrower, Torrcat!"

Seeing the huge wall of flame approaching, Lurantis acted fast, launching a Petal Blizzard. Although the heat evaporated most of the leaves, some still hit Torracat, scratching him while the flamethrower left Lurantis scorched but not out.

"Fire Fang, Torracat!"

Torracat leapt up, teeth bursting with fire ready to bite…

Only to be hit by a Hyper Beam right to the face, landing painfully on the forest ground.

"Torracat, are you alright?"

With a weak "Torr" his Pokemon stood up, shaking off the attack. Looking at his Z Ring, Ash got an idea.

"Alright, lets show this Totem Pokémon that it cant mess with us. Lets go for a full force Z Move, Inferno Overdrive!"

After doing a small series of poses, energy shot into Torracat, boosting its fire power up as it built up energy around it, becoming a large ball of fire before launching itself at its foe. Lurantis, still reeling from the Hyper Beam, could do nothing more than watch in horror before being slammed into, causing a huge explosion. When the flames died down, Torrcat stood wearily over his fallen foe.

"Alright, way to go Torrcat!"

Although exhausted, Torrcat purred happily as Ash scratched his chin before returning him to his Pokeball.

"Way to go, Ash! The Grassium Z is yours."

Ash smiled cheerily as Mallow handed him his reward.

"Alright, I just got a Grassium Z!"

"Pika Pi!"

"And since that was the last trial, you're all set to take on Olivia."

"Sweet! I can't wait."

Kiawe and Lana, feeling hungry, poured themselves some of the dish. Mallow, seeing what they were doing, became worried.

"Wait, don't! It may smell sweet, but its really…"

Her cries were drowned out as the two howled in pain, dashing out of the forest.

"Spicy."