"I know your all eager to get to saving the world!" Professor Kukui broke the silence, earning an eye roll from Ash, "For like, the millionth time you mean..." He thought as he looked away from the three, still speechless trainers and towards the professor, "But there are things that need to happen in order for you to prove to the totem pokemon that you are worthy of protecting the island" Kukui continued, making Ash's eye twitch slightly - Tapu Koko hadn't mentioned anything about having to "prove" himself, he just said he needed his help.
"How do we prove ourselves professor?" Zack chipped in after shaking away his previous shock, looking away from Ash and towards the professor, "Why, quiet easily my boy! As everyone in Alola knows, we don't have a proper pokemon league, but we do have the island challenges" Ash raised a brow in confusion, catching the professor's attention as he grinned and looked at the raven-haired boy, "Of course Ash! I'm guessing this is your first visit to Alola, correct?" Ash just nodded silently, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he looked at the visor-wearing man.
"Then allow me to explain! Zack, Darwin and Nicole already know this, but here in Alola we have what is known as the island challenge, its similar to how a pokemon league would work, were you have to go to each island and beat what is known as the kahuna's of the islands" Kukui explained, making Ash frown slowly, cursing Tapu Koko for not explaining all the crap he would have to do before he would be left alone.
"Here in Alola - it's sort of like a right of passage for every trainer" Zack chipped in with a smile, "Its a long standing tradition here in Alola - and it's a lot of fun!" Kukuie continued after Zack, making Ash grunt as he rolled his eyes once more, "Define fun..." He thought as he sighed and looked at the three trainers slowly before looking back at the professor.
"So, why do we need to do this island challenge? From the sounds of it, every trainer in this region does this challenge. What will it prove?" Ash questioned, making Kukui grin as a glint entered his eyes, "Why, thats simple my boy! Because this will be no ordinary island challenge!" Zack, Nicole and Darwin looked intrigued at the professor's claim - all three of them had completed the challenge years ago, and they were curious as to what would make this time different. Ash on the other hand couldn't care less. In reality, he just wanted to get it all over with so he could leave and not be bothered again.
"How will this one be different?" Nicole asked softly, glancing at Ash with a pink blush on her face before swiftly looking back at the professor. If anyone noticed her look at Ash, they didn't say anything as Zack and Darwin nodded in agreement with Nicole and the professor grinned mischievously, "All in due time cousin! But for now! It must have been a long journey getting here, so let's hit the hay and we can start fresh in the morning!"
"No" Kukui and the three trainers blinked in confusion at Ash's words, turning to look at the boy curiously, "As you can tell i am not really keen on being here" Ash continued, earning bewildered looks from the others at his bluntness, "And i do not wish to stay longer than i need to. I assume i need to go to all the islands in order to complete this "Island Challenge"? So tell me where the first kahuna is so i can complete this thing and get home as soon as possible" Ash finished, crossing his arms slowly as Pikachu nodded in agreement, the first action the yellow pokemon had taken during the whole exchange - the yellow electric pokemon didn't like the Alola region, it was to bright and sunny, and he wanted to leave just as bad as his trainer did.
"W-well the first kahuna is named Hala - but in order to fight the kahuna's, one must defeat the challenges on the island before the kahuna will recognise you as a worthy opponent" Ash sighed in irritation - this stupid, "save the world" thing was becoming more complicated than he would have liked. He honestly thought it would be straight forward, but this was just getting down right irritating.
"Fine then. Where is the island challenge? And is there more than one?" Kukui raised a brow, shrugging Ash's attitude off with a grin, "The amount of challenges varies from island to island. On this island there is only one - the captain of the challenge is called Ilima, but his challenge is at least a two day walk away, and its getting dark, so you should really hit the hay for tonight cousin" Ash grunted in irritation at the man's words, but sighed and ran a hand through his wild raven-black hair.
"Fine. But i will be leaving first thing in the morning, don't think i plan on waiting any longer than that" Ash reluctantly agreed, turning and going to walk out the building, "Where are you going? I thought you said we weren't going till tomorrow?" Darwin questioned curiously, making Ash stop as he looked at the boy with a bored look, "I'm going to bed - i don't do sleep inside. And whether you come with me tomorrow is neither here nor there" Ash stated, walking out the building before anyone could say anything else.
Watching as the door swung close, Nicole, Darwin and Zack looked at each other with bewildered looks, "My Arceus, whats that guys problem?!" Darwin said with a frown, Nicole nodding along with him in agreement. Zack and Kukui on the other hand kept their eyes on the door that Ash had left through.
"What was that i sensed when he left? it felt like betrayal...hurt, despair...what happened?" Zack thought as he moved his hands into his pockets, his eyes narrowing as he began leaving the building, "I'll be back soon, i'm going for a walk" Zack lied through his teeth, earning a nod from his siblings who continued talking about Ash's attitude whilst Kukui looked at Zack knowingly, "Don't worry professor, i will be fine" Kukui frowned but nodded slowly, watching as the black haired boy left the building, the door swinging silently behind him.