Welp, I'm back. Who knew senior year could get so hectic.
Also a few things before you read this chapter. Yes I know where the Ruin Conflicts are, and yes I planned for this chapter's main setting. I'll explain in the A/N at the end of the chapter.
(Edit: 4-26-22)
Disclaimer: I'm a broke college student, how the hell would I own Pokemon Franchise
"Awesome battle Gladion! I see you stayed in top shape since the Alolan League." Kukui complimented him after the battle. He had to jog to catch up to the teen trainer who immediately left, following the victory of the 3v3 battle. Once the battle was concluded, there wasn't much else Samson Oak had to say before things wrapped up. Kukui figured Gladion was heading toward the Pokemon Center to have Type: Null fully recover.
Gladion didn't he turn his head to acknowledge him whatsoever. Kukui sweat dropped at his usual attitude but didn't pay it extra mind. He knew that Gladion wasn't the most friendly or talkative person.
"Man Type: Null really is powerful!" He patted his back, hoping to get a response from the teen. He did. Gladion twitched a slight bit at the contact.
"Thanks." He muttered. While Kukui expected this behavior, today Gladion was being extra untalkative with him.
"It really was an awesome battle but..," Complimenting Gladion for his impressive battle, but that wasn't the main reason as to why he was talking to the blonde teen, "... you should be less "frosty" with the other battlers." Kukui air quoted with his fingers when he said frosty. To Kukui's surprise, Gladion started to laugh.
"You really think I don't know what you're doing, what your plan is for this academy." Gladion sneered and questioning him, though the way Gladion said that sentence, it sounded very rhetorical, as if he knew.
"Wait… you can't possibly know… how do you know?" Kukui asked him, astonished. Kukui didn't see it but Gladion smirked.
"I pay attention to things… And I'm not going to do it." He quipped. Kukui frowned at him. He couldn't believe Gladion knew already. The committee tried its best to keep it a secret, only teasing that there will be intense battles, and they thought they kept it a secret from everyone but Gladion was a lot smarter than he thought. He had to give the teen credit, but that doesn't mean he is pleased with his answer.
"And why not?" Kukui sternly asked.
Gladion chucked, "They can't stand on my level."
"So where do I get a Z-ring?"
Ash, Hau and Moon were walking out of the Pokemon Center when Ash asked the question. Z-moves and Z-rings and Z-everything was on his mind ever since his battle with Hau earlier that day. Moon explained the basics of Z-moves, which in turn, made him more excited about the idea. The only problem, he didn't have the capabilities to perform Z-moves, so that led him to ask Hau.
"Hmm… I really don't know." Hau took a moment to think before answering. Ash looked at him with slight disbelief cocking his head slightly left. Rowlet copied his movements on top of Ash's head.
"Then how did you get yours?" Moon asked before Ash. Hau shrugged before replying.
"Well I got it from my gramps. At the start of my journey, after I beat my gramps' Grand Trial, he said I earned my Z-ring and that I will be needing it for the rest of my journey. I have no idea where my gramps got it from though." Hau casually explained, shrugging his shoulders and giving Ash an apologetic look. Moon stared at Hau in confusion for a second, before she slapped her forehead.
"Oh yeah that makes sense, you are the grandson of Kahuna Hala." Moon remarked. Ash stared at Moon and Hau perplexed.
"What's a Grand Trial? Who's Kahuna Hala? And what's a Kahuna?" Ash spewed out. Hau struggled to figure out where to start the answering.
"Well a… wait… when you… hmm… you see…"
"Pikachu." Even Pikachu looked confused. Luckily Moon was more rational and able to intervene.
"Before you learn about all of that stuff, you need to know what a typical Alolan Pokemon journey looks like because it differs from the rest of the regions you'd traveled in." Moon began, but Ash cut her off.
"How is it different? Are there no gyms?" Ash asked, still very much confused. Moon gave him a slight annoying stare at him cutting her off.
"Well I'm going to get to that if you'll allow me to speak first mister." Moon answered calmly, but there was an undertone of aggressiveness, Ash picked it up but Hau didn't. As Moon was about to speak, Hau spoke first.
"Is that..?" Hau squinted. The people he was squinting out noticed him too.
"Hau is that you? Come here and join us!" A group of teens their age asked and beckoned over. Their hands waving at them.
The group of three had walked off campus, knowing they had some time to walk around town. They were passing the beach when a group of teens playing beach volleyball called out to Hau, seeming to recognize the dark green haired teen.
"Hell yeah I'm coming! Let's tear it up!" He shouted excitedly, already starting to run before realizing that he was leaving Moon and Ash. They both looked at him deadpanned, even Pikachu and Rowlet before Moon then looked at him with a bit of irritation.
"Should we follow him?" Ash asked Moon and Pikachu.
"Nah, you'll see him again soon anyways."
Hau had turned around to look at them from a far before yelling at them
"Oh yeah, uh… Moon you can explain all the Z-ring shzzz to Ash right, yeah! See you two in a bit!" And just like that, Hau kept running to the group of beach volleyball teens, leaving Ash and Moon.
"The guy is very impulsive!" Ash chuckled.
"Pika…" Ash knew what Pikachu meant. He was also impulsive, but Hau was on another level compared to him. Moon rolled her eyes but she giggled. They continued to walk, leaving Hau behind with his friends. The sky was starting to a tad bit darker but the hot temperature persisted.
"Anyways… there are no gyms in Alola, instead there are Island Trials." Moon started to explain as her and Ash continued walking.
"The Trials are kind of like gyms, but with a more unique twist that challenges you differently than a typical gym battle."
"So is there no battling?" Ash asked.
"There is battling, as much as a gym battle, so don't worry about that." Moon smirked at him, rolling her eyes mentally that the only thing he thinks about is gym battles.
"And the leaders of these trials are called Trial Captains. When you win a Trial, you earn yourself a Z-crystal." Moon further explained. Ash nodded slightly, not wanting to shake Rowlet off. He looked at her eagerly, wanting to know more. He knew that Z-crystals depend on the type of Z-crystal.
"Row.. let…" Moon looked up to see Rowlet closing its eyes. Her eyes widened when she saw Rowlet start to fall over. She moved around Ash to catch Rowlet in her arms.
"Wait huh? What happened to…" Based off the fact that Rowlet eyes were closed, they guessed he wasn't awake anymore and simply fell off.
"Wow, can't believe Rowlet fell asleep like that. Here." Moon put her arms out to Ash, signally for him to take Rowlet. "Rowlet is pretty much your Pokemon."
"Yeah… he pretty much is." Ash pondered on a idea, but couldn't think about it long as Moon started talking.
"Could I actually ever explain it to you on the Island Trials." Moon said exasperatedly. Ash lightly laughed at her, to which Moon glared at him and hit it him in the arm.
"Hmph, meanie!" She stomped ahead, making Ash laugh at her silliness. He jogged to catch up to her.
"C'mon Moon, quit being ridiculous." Ash jested. Moon only turned her head away from him. She did look away from Ash and seem that she was angry at him, but something caught her eye across the street. She tapped Ash's shoulder rapidly, who was still snickering a bit but Moon ignored that.
"Huh what Moon?" Ash asked, she looked at him intensely, up and down, making him gulp. "Uh…"
"Yep, you need some new clothes!" She exclaimed. She looked both ways before grabbing his arm and quickly dragging him across the street. He made sure not to drop Rowlet when Moon grabbed him, carrying Rowlet kind of like a football. Why are people in Alola so impulsive! Ash thought. Oh the irony. They crossed the street and was in front of what appeared to be a clothes shop.
"Uh wait, why do I need new clothes?" Ash asked her, confused yet again that day. Pikachu also seemed confused over the black haired girl. Moon looked him up again and sighed disappointedly.
"One, I can tell those clothes are worn out. Two, that style doesn't fit Alola at all. And three, I bet being in that jacket and jeans are hot." Moon listed out. Ash did have to admit, those were some good points. He hadn't changed out of his Kalos clothes, and now he was finally noticing just how hot and sweaty he was. The Alola heat kills.
Still he didn't really want to go clothes shopping. In fact he didn't know how to really shop at all. His mom always picked the outfits, suitable for the region, but he didn't want to tell that to Moon. He was slightly embarrassed that his mom has always picked his outfits, even in his part of his teen years.
With a final look, she pulled Ash into the shop.
Ash's saw a flurry of shoppers, most of them looked like tourists who were wearing bright flower shirts and leis on their neck. Even Ash, who had barely any fashion sense knew that they looked ridiculous. Moon cringed before dragging him away from the tourist.
"Yeah you are not going to dress like that." Moon stated, dragging him to the men's aisle.
The next few hour they spend going through dozens of outfits and, and during those hours they had decided that most didn't appear right… well Moon decided that. Ash just grumbled to himself about how long it was taking and that a simple shirt and shorts were fine. Moon completely disagreed. At the umpteenth outfit, Ash frustrations started to spill over.
"Hmm… mmm… eh… yeah no." Moon finally judged.
"Pika." Sighed a very bored Pikachu.
"Aw c'mon Moon. We're going to be here all day! Actually... we've been here all day!" Whined Ash letting out a sigh of exasperation, it's been hours since they got into the store. He couldn't really tell if any outfit looked good on him or not. Moon glowered at him before turning and throwing him some more clothes.
"It's not like I'm going to wear it often. There's a school uniform remember." He reminded her. Moon stopped looking through clothes for a moment before responding.
"But you will wear it when we're outside of class and when we go on trips outside Melemele Academy. Plus wearing horrible outfits won't impress any girls." Moon explained to him factually. Ash paused at her words.
"We take trips outside the academy?" He asked, not even registering the last reason she told. She rolled her eyes at him, but he could see a small smile on her lips. It seemed she was enjoying playing dress up with him. He didn't know whether to feel frustrated or not.
"Yeah, didn't you read anything about the academy?" She knew what his answer was going to be before he even answered. He shook his head and she giggled.
"Well apparently we'll take frequent trips outside the academy. At least that's what the pamphlets said. Of course you didn't ready anything about the academy dummy." She scolded and teased him, giggling to herself.
"Hey! I ain't no dummy!" He defended, scowling at her. That only made her giggle louder at the double negative, which confirmed her statement.
It took another hour before Moon decided that the outfit looked good on him. It was a simple outfit. Black cargo pants that stopped at his knees and a blue and white striped shirt with blue shoes. Before they checked out, Ash grabbed himself a simple red hat with tiny bits of white (Ash's Alola outfit), and they picked up a bookbag.
"You most definitely need this." Moon declared, finding one that matched his look. Rowlet stirred upon her words. He flew up and around him for a bit before seeing the bookbag and diving into. Nestled in that bag, he fell asleep. Ash and Moon sweat dropped at Rowlet's actions, but they didn't want to wake the sleeping Rowlet.
"Let's just hope that Rowlet doesn't think he can sleep all the time in there, though at least he won't be falling off my head randomly." Ash said, Moon nodded. They paid for their stuff, well Ash did, may or may not have caused a small argument since Ash argued it was her idea - he lost, and they exited the store.
"Doesn't that feel good to get yourself some brand new clothes!" Moon pepped as she skipped lightly, her bubbly attitude returning. He shrugged, not feeling better but only bored that they, well her, took that long.
"I could have been training!" He pointed out. Pikachu also shouted in agreement. Moon shrugged and rolled her eyes at him. Is that all she ever does, he thought.
"Training training training blah blah training. All you ever think about is-" Moon halted at her words when an Ember flew past her face.
She stumbled backwards falling and, luckily because she was skipping and was ahead of Ash, he was able to catch her and get her back onto her feet. They saw a Litten run pass them. Moon was able to yell at the fire cat Pokemon, but then she saw three Spearows flying towards Litten, aiming at it using Peck.
Litten rolled out of the way from one of the Spearows, then used Ember on another, disrupting its attack, but the third Spearow slammed its peak directly into Litten, making Litten skirt away. Ash and Moon got a better look at the Litten and saw that bruises and cuts were marking its body. It was panting in exhaustion and they saw a piece of food, possibly a part of Malasada under its paw.
"Litten!" It screeched before running away, the Spearow weren't fazed by the screech and chased after Litten.
No words had to be exchanged for them as they ran after Litten and the Spearows. They followed the Litten and Spearow out of the city and into some jungle. Ash and Moon had to dodge branches from trees and trudge through difficult terrain.
Before long, they came upon a bridge crossing a river that rushing aggressively with water. The bridge barely looked to be supporting itself, boards were missing, the rope tying the whole thing together looked hundreds of years old. They caught up to Litten and the Spearows, as they were surrounding Litten, trapping it at the middle of the bridge. Litten growled at them, pulling back the food to itself, willing to protect what it got.
"Ash do something!" Ash almost called out Pikachu but hesitated. He knew Pikachu could easily take down all three of the Spearows with one Thunderbolt. In fact at the start of their journey, Pikachu took down hundreds of Spearows with just one Thunderbolt and he definitely has improved since. He was worried that Pikachu's Thunderbolt could possibly make the bridge snap.
"Row?" Rowlet chirped. He had woken up from Moon. Ash's eyes widened, an idea came to him. He took off the backpack and got Rowlet out of it.
"Rowlet I need you right now! That Pokemon is in danger!" He proclaimed, pointing at the Litten who was still growling, trying to scare away the Spearows. Rowlet flew up from his hands and towards the bridge. Ash also stepped a few feet forward, ready to battle. Ash smiled in relief that Rowlet listened and wanted to battle. At that moment, the Spearows dived, having enough of the Litten growling. Their peaks grew white, signally Peck.
"Uh Rowlet use Vine Whip!" Ash called out, but Rowlet didn't respond. Ash stared in confusion and dread.
"Ash, tell Rowlet to use Leafage!" Moon told him in desperation. He looked at her in confusion but didn't have time to question the move he never heard of.
"Rowlet, use Leafage!" This time, Rowlet did respond, firing leaves toward the Spearow. Just in the nick of time as the Spearow almost reached Litten before being pelted by the leaves.
"Spearow! Spear!" They flew back up and looked angrily toward Rowlet. Moon noticing the Spearow focused on Ash and Rowlet, headed onto the bridge to pick up the injured Litten.
"Be careful Moon!" Ash shouted in worry.
Litten hissed at the trainer in weariness. Moon slowed down and slowly moved toward Litten, holding out her hands in front of her to not frighten it or make her seem like a threat. She gave Litten a soft smile
"Hey, I'm not going to hurt you." She assured the injured Litten. She tried to speak calmly to Litten but there was a hint of urgentness in her voice. She didn't know how long she had to get off this bridge. She heard one of the Spearow squawked loudly over the others.
"Is that the Spearow from before?" Ash pondered but didn't have much time to think as the Spearow dove toward Rowlet.
"Rowlet fly toward them and dodge!" Rowlet flapped its tiny wings and headed straight for the Spearow. Rowlet moved out of the way, barely getting hit and flew above them.
"Use Leafage!" Rowlet looked down and fired the Leafage toward the Spearow. The Spearows got hit by the attack and two of them flew away. The only one that was left was the one who looked the most upset.
"SpeaROW!" The Spearow flew toward Rowlet in anger.
"Rowlet fly away from the Spearow!" He formed a plan quickly, ready to put the simple plan in action. Rowlet soared through the air easily even though it was windy. Spearow was right behind Rowlet, slowly gaining. Ash knew he had to be patient.
"Pikachu!" Cried Pikachu in concern, the Spearow was almost at Rowlet. Spearow's eyes narrowed and its peak grew white, even brighter than before zooming toward Rowlet, trying to hit him.
"Rowlet spread your wings and let the wind pull you back! Then use Leafage!" Ash yelled out. Rowlet did exactly that. Using his wings, the wind pulled him back quickly, flying past Spearow who couldn't react quick enough to hit Rowlet. Rowlet then used Leafage on Spearow. Spearow after being bombarded with leaves, flew away from Rowlet in defeat, but it will remember that Rowlet.
"Nice job Rowlet! You did amazing!" Ash congratulated. Rowlet flew down and back onto Ash's head with pride. Ash turned toward Moon holding Litten who was finally able to convince Litten that she wasn't dangerous and that she wanted to help. She gave him a big smile and started to slowly walk across the bridge, back to Ash with Litten in her arms.
Unfortunately, Moon and Litten were seconds too late, as the bridge finally collapsed.
"MOON!"
"PIKA!"
Moon felt her body become weightless as she felt the bridge gave way. She tightened her arms around the Litten and prayed for the best. She closed her eyes, awaiting impact and hoping that this wouldn't be her last moments when she felt her hairs stand up.
She realized that she wasn't falling anymore and before she could open her eyes she was put on the ground. Still clutching to Litten, she looked to her savior and gasped, stumbling backwards again and landing on her butt. This time Ash wasn't there to catch her as he was looking shocked at what just happened. One moment he watched as Moon fell from the bridge collapse, and the next I yellow blur caught her and dropped her down.
"Tapu Koko." Moon murmured in astonishment. Ash had never seen that Pokemon but it turned toward him. The Pokemon was unique and he could feel the mythic and legendary power the Pokemon omitted. The Pokemon's eyes narrowed, Ash and Pikachu froze.
The Pokemon was judging him.
Then the Pokemon threw out of his shell something toward him. He was able to catch it before it took off in electrical energy into the sky and quickly disappeared. He looked at the weird stone bracelet curiously.
"What just happened..?" Moon asked aloud, looking even more shocked than he was. She was the first to break out of the shock, getting up with Litten still in her arms, but she was still in surprise about the events that just took place.
"Pi pika."
"Are you okay? I also thought I heard you say a name. Who was that Pokemon?" He asked. She ignored him and looked at the stone that the Pokemon gave him, before she jolted in realization.
"That's a Z-ring!" She exclaimed with shock, pointing at the stone. Ash looked at the stone amazed. Even Pikachu looked dazzled.
"Pika!"
"Really?!" Moon nodded, walking closer to inspect the stone.
"Yeah. It looks old and rustic, but that's a Z-ring. You can tell by the markings." She pointed out the sharp markings. He stared at it in wonder and slight bewilderment.
"Why did that Pokemon give it to me?" He asked, although he suspected that she didn't know, which he was correct.
"No idea… and that Pokemon was Tapu Koko. He's the guardian deity of this island." She clarified shaking her head in amazement.
"Wow." He murmured. He felt Rowlet fly off his head and landed on the ground in front of him, cocking his head at him.
"Row row!"
"Huh." Right now his brain could barely function with what just happened.
"I think he wants to join you." Moon guessed. Ash looked down at the Pokemon, still taking a few moments to register Moon's words in his head. Finally he beamed at the Pokemon, pulling a Pokeball out of his pocket.
"So you want to join me in my journey?" He asked the grass quill Pokemon.
"Pikachu!" Rowlet looked at Pikachu before looking back at Ash and then flying toward the Pokeball in his hand. The ball wobbled a few times, Moon and Ash anxiously waiting, before the ball ringed. He picked up the Pokeball and grinned. Another Ash signature, he thrusted his hand gripping the Pokeball into the sky.
"Alriiight! I caught a Rowlet!" He exclaimed.
"Pi pikachu!"
"Dummy." She whispered to herself, her lips forming a smile.
"Litten." She looked down at the Pokemon still in her arms. She sighed, lowering herself to her knees and placing it on the ground.
"I guess it's time to say goodbye. Who knew trying to save you would be so eventful." She smiled at Litten.
"You enjoy your treat, yeah." Litten looked at her curiously before scampering along. Ash stared at her, a coy look on his face.
"What?" She asked him, putting her hands on her hips. He smirked in reply, he could already guess that Moon was going to get a surprised visitor in a little bit.
"C'mon, let's go back to the Academy."
"What a crazy day." Moon entered her residency and looked behind her to see the dark sky. From getting back from the jungle to the academy the sky got dark really quick. She split off with Ash a few minutes ago, as he had to head to his residency.
She found her room and pulled out her card, entering her room. One side of the room was already decorated, although the decoration was a bit too boring in her opinion. On the bed she saw a blonde girl looking at a tablet. Either her new roommate was ignoring her or didn't hear her enter.
"Hey-" Moon began, trying to introduce herself
"WAHHHH!" The girl screamed, her tablet flying in the air. Moon was able to catch it before it dropped to the floor. The girl was shocked that someone entered the room this late. Although she should have figured that her roommate would come eventually, but she got lost on her tablet, reading an article.
"Uh… oh… sorry." The girl meekly said. Moon giggled lightly, not that annoyed over the girl's reaction.
"I should say I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Moon by the way." Moon chirped, hoping the girl won't be too fret. She handed out the tablet back to Lillie.
"Oh… I'm Lillie." Lillie shyly responded, taking the tablet. Moon nodded, then looked over her side of the room.
"I see you already settled in." Moon disclosed. Lillie nodded, then seemed to realize she should add to the conversation.
"Yeah, I got here early." Lillie explained.
"Gotcha gotcha. You would not believe the crazy day I had." Moon said. She walked over to her side of the room, finding her bag not touched. She was glad that her roommate wasn't nosey. Hopping on the bed and sighing. She was tired, extremely tired.
"Oh really?" Lillie asked hesitantly.
"Yeah. Well first-" Moon started but was interrupted by a tapping noise on the window. Both of them jumped, Lillie more so. They looked over to the window, and couldn't see anything. They looked at each other with fear.
"Uh… what was that." Lillie whimpered. Moon shrugged her shoulders at her and peered at the window, while she was trying to appear brave, deep down she was terrified. Through, taking her chances, she got closer to the window. Her hand reached for something and found a hairbrush, ready to whack whatever was at the window. She opened the window, arm raised… and she saw a small cat like Pokemon.
"Litten?"
"IIEEEK!" Lillie jumped as Litten popped its head suddenly. Moon paid her no mind and looked at the Litten from before. Instantly recognizing it as the Litten from earlier.
"Hey what are you doing here." She asked. Litten ignored her and hopped into the room. Seeing Lillie on a bed it turned its head to the other bed. Litten jumped in the bed Lillie wasn't occupied in and laid down in the middle of the bed, curling up.
"I-Is that your Pokemon?" Lillie asked, getting over her scare but still a bit jumpy.
"No… it isn't." She slowly replied, putting down the hairbrush and sitting down on her bed. Out of her back pocket, something fell onto the ground. She looked down to see a Pokeball in tiny form.
"Wait what?" She thought back to when Ash looked at her with a coy smile. He gave me a Pokeball? Wait… how did he get that Pokeball there in my back pocket. His hand was near my… that bastard!
"Lit?" She broke out of her thoughts about killing Ash to see Litten looking at her with one eye. It was like Litten was telling her to capture it.
Forgetting about Ash, she picked up the Pokeball and stared at Litten. No words had to be exchanged as she tapped Litten on its forehead. It rolled, more so than Ash's capture on Rowlet, but it finally ringed
Yeah I know that the Ruins of Conflict bridge is not at Hau'oli City. This bridge isn't that bridge, it's a different one that I made up with. I needed to create the pretty much in-game scene and I could not figure out a way for Ash and Moon to go all the way to Iki town.
Another thing, about Pokemon gender. The reason I called Litten itself is because we, well you guys, don't know the gender of Litten yet. Once a Pokemon is captured, then the gender will be revealed. I think that makes sense.
This chapter was mainly building more of a bond between Ash and Moon, and also yk, Z-ring. Next chapter, Melemele Academy classes officials begin. And yeah I hinted toward the main focus of the story. I bet some of you could guess but if not, just wait and see… read… yeah
Also I appreciate constructive criticism, if I miss something or make a mistake, please correct me so I can work on a way to fix it. Thank you
Review time
Yesirsski - I understand where you're coming from. Ash has lost twice but the battle with Hau I needed to show just how powerful Z-moves are. If Ash knew about Z-moves and could use Z-moves he would win. Type: Null is Gladion's ace and is simply stronger than Pikachu. Pikachu had already battled before that day, even though he got healed up, Pikachu was still not at full strength. I may have made Type: Null a bit too powerful though. Ash will be improving and getting better.
WhiteLotus21 - That is undecided, well I think I know who I'll pair but it's not definite yet. Ash and Moon are bonding and getting a good friendship.
Galaxydragon101 - I totally forgot that he needs to have his helmet unlock. I'll just have Type: Null get something, some type of power when he does eventually get his helmet off.
NateCunningham - I believe you're right, I don't know when exactly Ash comes up with it but I do know that Ash uses the move
That's it for now
Thank you guys for the support, seeing the positivity made me come back and right this chapter
Read and Review
I'll catch ya in the next one