Chapter 42: The Island With No Kahuna

After healing his Pokemon, Ash and his friends went on their way, hoping to find the Island Kahuna or a Trial Captain. Ash could hardly contain his excitement.

"Alright, last island. You ready, Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

"That's what I like to hear."

Illima and Lillie couldn't help but share his excitement.

"You sure are confident, but remember not to get cocky."

"Oh, lighten up Illima. He's just having fun. I wish I could be as confident as you are, Ash."

"Hey, you!"

Everyone jumped. Up ahead, blocking their path, were five Team Skull grunts, all looking thirsty for blood.

"You're gonna pay for what you did to the boss!"

Ash clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger.

"He deserved it for what he did to Pikachu!"

"Well, you deserve what we're going to do to you. Lets get him, boys!"

"Right!"

All five released their Pokemon, three for each, creating an army of Zubats and Salandits. Ash tensed, but was not afraid.

"You ready, Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

"15 on 1? That doesnt seem very fair, now does it?"

Everyone turned to see a very short girl come galloping in on a Mudsdale. After bringing him to a stop, she hopped down and marched over. The Skull grunts sneered at her, hardly taking notice.

"Is this supposed to be intimidating?"

"Go back to preschool, shorty."

This made the girl's blood boil, as she turned to Ash.

"Pardon me, stranger, but I hope you don't mind if I join you in this battle."

"Sure. My name's Ash."

"Hapu. Go, Mudsdale!"

"Pikachu, I choose you!"

Pikachu leapt from Ash's shoulder, while Mudsdale clopped over, the two allies nodding at eachother in acknowledgment.

"Alright boys, theres no way they can beat all of us. Zubat, use-"

"Mudsdale, use Magnitude!"

"Get in the air and Use Thundershock, Pikachu!"

Using Mudsdale as a boost, Pikachu leapt into the air before unleashing massive amounts of energy, shocking the airborn Zubats unto submission. The Salandits moved to help, only to be buffeted back and forth by the shaking Earth. By the time the two attacks had subsided, all of their opponent's Pokemon had fainted, to the grunt's surprise.

"No way! You must have cheated!"

"Lets get them and take their Pokemon!"

But before they could move, Mudsdale lowered his head and scraped the ground with his hooves, ready to charge. Seeing this, the grunts decided it would be best to flee.

"This ain't over, kid! One way or another you'll pay!"

With that the five grunts scampered off, Ash shaking head in pity.

"They never learn."

He then turned to Hapu.

"Thanks for the help. Those guys have been getting more persistent lately."

"No problem. Come on, why don't you come to my place? My grandma won't mind too much."

"Are you sure? We don't want to be a bother."

"Nonsense, we don't get too many visitors. Besides, she always makes way too much stew, and-"

The mention of food was enough to get Ash's interest, and he took off running, leaving Hapu, Lillie, and Illima to sweat drop.

"Is he always like this?"

"Afraid so."

True to Hapu's word, her grandmother was more than happy to have the company, and they all had a good lunch. Hapu and her grandmother could only laugh at Ash's eating habits.

"Slow down there, youngster. There's plenty to go around."

"Sorry, its juts SOOOO goood."

"Well, Its nice to see that you like it."

"Like it? I LOVE IT!

"Pika Pika!"

"Well, thank you. So what brings you three to Poni Island? Not a whole lot in the way of sightseeing."

"I'm here on my Island Challenge. Do either of you know where we can find The Kahuna?"

Hapu and her grandmother tensed up at this, their faces falling.

"My grandfather is the Kahuna."

"Great! Where is he?"

"He died a year ago."

Ash's face fell, sorry he had asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didin't mean-"

"No, its alright, you couldn't have known."

After that, the meal grew rather quiet, no one daring to say another word.

Later in the evening, Ash and co. followed Hapu out to the Ruins of Hope. Just outside, they found a small burial plot for Hapu's grandfather, where they placed a boquet of flowers. Hapu stayed kneeled for a minute, trying to contain her emotions.

"I miss you so much. I could really use your help now more than ever. I dont know why, but I keep getting this feeling that something horrible is coming, and Tapu Fini is still missing, and I don't know what to do."

Ash placed a comforting hand on her shoulder as she quietly sobbed. After a moment, she composed herself, wiping leftover tears from her face.

"Thanks for coming with me. I needed some friends with me."

"Its alright. Mourning the passing of a loved one is natural, especially one you were so close to."

Hapu stood up, making her way into the Ruins before turning around to wave them over.

"Come on, I want to show you guys something."

Uncertain, the three followed her into the cave.

Deep into the ruins, they found a small room. In the center was a strange statue, and the walls were covered with carvings of Pokemon. Hapu made her way over to the statue, placing a hand on it with a small smile.

"Tapu Fini and my grandfather were really close, and I practically grew up here. We could never understand what she said, but we always had fun trying to. Every carving on this wall tells the story of a Pokemon that has met Tapu Fini."

Everyone stared in awe at the mass array of carvings. Then Ash noticed a carving of a strange Pokemon he had never seen before. It appeared to be a large mosquito.

"What's this Pokemon?"

Hapu's face fell upon seeing the carving.

"That's the one that took my grandfather away. I was playing with Tapu Fini one day when a local came running over, saying an unknown Pokemon was attacking the village. My grandfather and Tapu Fini ran to stop it. I only caught a glimpse of their battle. My Grandfather and Tapu Fini hit it with their special Z Move, sending it back to where it came. But that battle cost my grandfather his life. He was very old at the time, you see, and he had to use all of his strength to use it. He gave his life to protect Alola like a true Kahuna. Afterwards, I went to the Ruins in order to find Tapu Fini, only to find the place completely abandoned. I guess Tapu Fini felt responsible for his death, but it was his choice. That was the last time I saw my friend."

Ash placed a hand on her shoulder in sympathy, knowing what it was like to lose someone close to you.

"Hey Lillie, check this one out."

Everyone walked over to find Illima pointing at a carving of what appeared to be Nebby.

"This one looks like Nebby, doesn't it?"

"Ah, Cosmog. Legend has it that this Pokemon is related to the legendary Pokemon Solgaleo and Lunala, guardians of the Sun and Moon respectively."

Ash gasped in realization.

"Cosmog? That's the Pokemon Gladion warned us about."

He then turned to Lillie.

"Lillie, is Nebby-"

Lillie hung her head in shame, but nodded.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because I was scared. When I found Nebby, he had been hurt by terrible people, and I never want him to go back to that place! I meant to tell you, but there was never a good time."

Lillie began to cry, Snowy doing her best to comfort her. Ash reached out, giving her a comforting smile.

"Hey, its alright, we won't let anything bad happen to him. Right, Ilima, Hapu?"

"Of course! We're friends, why wouldn't we?"

"Absolutely! No creature deserves to be treated like that."

Lillie sniffed, wiping the tears from her face.

"Thank you, everyone. I know now that I should never have been so foolish."

With that, everyone left the ruins, ready for what the next day would bring.

"Did you get all of that?"

"Sure did. Those twerps have the Cosmog we've been looking for. Soon, everything will fall into place."