Chapter 40: Missing Spark
Ash could only sit anxiously in the waiting room, Acerola sitting beside him doing her best to comfort him.
"Please be alright, Pikachu. If anything happened to you, I'd never forgive myself."
"There, there, Ash. Nurse Joy is the best there is. Pikachu's in good hands."
"Ash!"
Ash looked up to see Lillie, Illima, and the children Acerola was looking after burst into the Pokemon Center, Nanu trudging behind them with his hands in his pockets.
"Figured you might want them to know what's going on. Any news?"
"No. He's been in surgery for a whole hour. I'm starting to get worried."
A small ding indicated the operating room doors opening, and Nurse Joy stepped out. Ash ran over to her so fast he almost knocked her over.
"Well? Will Pikachu be alright?"
Nurse Joy gave a kind smile, knowing Ash could use some good news.
"Pikachu will be just fine. You got him here just in time."
Everyone, including Nanu, breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"That's a relief. Can we see him?"
"Of course, I just gave him some dinner. Follow me."
After a few minutes of walking, they made their way to the long term recovery area, where Pikachu was happily munching on his dinner. A large bandage was wrapped around his abdomen. He perked up when Ash and his friends came over.
"Hey buddy, how you feeling?"
"Chu."
Ash smiled, gently petting his partner's head, which made him happy. Nurse Joy walked over with Pikachu's charts on a clipboard.
"He'll need to stay here for the next couple of days so I can make sure all of his injuries have healed."
"Alright. Thanks, Nurse Joy."
"Of course, Ash."
Ash then turned to Pikachu.
"I've got to go now, buddy. You be good for Nurse Joy, alright?"
"Pikachu."
After everyone petted him goodbye, the gang headed back to the Aether House. As they were walking, Nanu spoke to Ash.
"So Ash, all that's left for you now is the Grand Trial, right?"
"Yep. It sucks Pikachu can't be on my side, but that just means I'll have to work even harder just for him!"
Nanu smirked mischievously.
"Well then, looks like you're my next opponent."
Ash's jaw dropped.
"You're the Kahuna?"
Acerola laughed.
"He sure is! Uncle Nanu is the best Kahuna there is!"
"For the last time, I'm not your uncle. Besides, I'm only the Kahuna because Tapu Bulu forced it on me. Anyway, you've been through a lot today, so I'll wait until tomorrow for our battle."
"I look forward to it, Nanu."
"Well, that makes one of us. Here you kids are, you know my number if something happens."
With that, Nanu sauntered off. Seeing that it was too late to do anything else, everyone decided to get some sleep for the next day.
Ash was up bright and early the next day training, much to the annoyance of Tyler and Grace. Lycanroc and Shelgon were sparring, Ash giving directions as needed.
"Shelgon, use Dragon Claw! Lycanroc, use Counter!"
Shelgon oblidged, using one of its feet to slaw at his opponent. Lycanroc reeled, before using the tip of its fur to fling Shelgon back, who recovered without much issue.
"Great work, guys! Nanu doesn't stand a chance!"
Lycanroc wagged his tail happily at the praise, and even Shelgon seemed to perk up a bit.
"Do you know who you're third Pokemon will be yet?"
"Sure do, Lillie! I'll keep Incineroar as backup."
"Cocky, aren't we?"
Everyone turned to see Nanu walking down the path, hands in his pockets as usual.
"Lets see if you have the skill to back it up. Oh, and I brought some friends to watch, if you don't mind."
From behind him, Nurse Joy rolled forth a stretcher, with a still weak but improving Pikachu resting a top it. A few other Pokemon from the center also came along, wanting to see the fight. Ash walked over to his Pikachu, gently ruffling his fur.
"Hey buddy, good to see you recovering. Don't worry, you'll be on your feet in no time."
"Chu."
After making sure his partner was comfortable, Ash turned to Nanu.
"Alright, you ready for this?"
"I guess."
After making enough room for the battle, Nurse Joy stepped forward to act as referee.
"This grand trial between the Kahuna Nanu and challenger Ash of Pallet Town will now begin. Each trainer will use three Pokemon, and the battle will conclude when all Pokemon on either side has been declared unable to battle. Are the trainers ready?"
"I'm ready!"
"Whatever."
"Then let the battle begin!"
"Lycanroc, I choose you!"
"Sableye, go."
Lycanroc growled at the menacing ghost, who just waved his hands in a "come at me, bro" motion.
"Sand Attack, Lycanroc!"
Before Nanu could even open his mouth, Lycanroc began digging at the Earth, kicking up huge amounts of sand in his opponent's face. Every time Sableye managed to wipe off one wave, another took its place.
"Sableye, use Shadow Ball."
"Accelrock, Lycanroc!"
At last, the dirt barrage was over and Sableye could regain its composure, charging up a Shadow Ball...
Only to be rammed head first by his opponent, its attack going wild and dissipating into thin air.
"Shadow Claw, Sableye."
"Lycanroc, use Iron Tail!"
The two met in the middle, their eyes meeting as their attacks battled for supremacy. At last, Lycanroc won over, knocking Sableye to the ground and out cold.
"Sableye is unable to battle. The round goes to the challenger Ash!"
"Alright, way to go Lycanroc!"
"Roc Lycanroc!"
Nanu remained emotionless, wordlessly returning Sableye before releasing his next Pokemon, a Krookodile.
"Return, Lycanroc. Go,Shelgon!"
Nanu's Krookodile lowered his sunglasses, sniffing at its opponent indignantly, making Shelgon growl in anger.
"Shelgon, hit him with Dragon Breath!"
"Take it Krookodile, then use Power Trip."
Krookodile crossed his arms as the wave of energy hit, before retaliating with his own wave of dark energy, pushing Shelgon back.
"Use Crunch."
Krookodile ran up, teeth barred while Shelgon stood still awaiting Ash's orders. Ash allowed Krookodile to get close, then...
"Hyper Beam, Shelgon!"
Just before Krookodile could land the final blow, Shelgon released a massive beam, sending the crocodile flying. When it crashed onto the ground, it was already knocked out.
"Krookodile is unable to battle, the round goes to Shelgon!"
Once more Nanu returned his defeated Pokemon without a change in emotion.
"Go, Persian."
The Alolan version of Persian, a dark type, circled menacingly, sizing up its opponent.
"Return, Shelgon. Incineroar, you're up!"
"Persian, use Shadow Claw."
"Use Fire Punch, Incineroar!"
Fire and Purple clashed, the two using their respective limbs to strike each other with neither one backing down. Eventually though, Incineroar began to wear down.
"Persian, use Iron Tail!"
Persian leapt up, ready to bring its tail down with all his might, but...
"Use Fire Blast, Incineroar!"
Persian could only gasp in horror before a massive wave of fire struck him, sending it flying. It crashed, skidded on the ground, before stopping at Nanu's feet, down for the count. A moment of silence struck the field before Nurse Joy made the call.
"Persian is unable. The round and the match go to the challenger Ash from Pallet Town!"
"Alright! Way to go, incineroar!"
"Incineroar!"
Nanu recalled his Persian, and if one didn't know him, they might think a smile had crept onto his face.
"Good job, Persian."
He then walked over to Ash, reaching into his pocket.
"Way to go, kid. Here, the Darkinium Z is yours."
"Alright! I got a Darkinium Z!"
Pikachu wanted to jump up and celebrate, but due to his injuries he could only give a weak fist pump with a "Chu" for emphasis. Luckily, his fellow audience members were loud enough for him.
"Alright, way to go Ash!"
"You're the man!"
"All that's left is Poni Island."
Nanu smirked as Ash's friends crowded around him before walking off. Large celebrations weren't really his thing.
A week later, Pikachu was ready for travel and Ash, Illima, and Lillie were ready to move on. Acerola, Tyler, Grace, Sophocles, and Molayne came to see them off.
"Good luck, Ash. We're all rooting for you."
"Next time you're on Ula'ula, come by the observatory. I'll have plenty of new inventions to show ya."
"And I can't wait to have another battle."
"Will do! Well, there's the ferry, we better get going."
The ferry soon set off, the trio waving to their friends on land until they were nothing more than a speck in the distance. Ash then turned to the distant Poni Island
"Look out Poni, Ash Ketchum's coming to knock you down!"
