"So, this is Alola, huh?"
Ash Ketchum stepped off of the cruise ship, stretching his neck a little bit. He glanced over at his shoulder, where Pikachu sat, and he smiled.
"Its pretty warm here, huh Pikachu?" He asked his starter, who nodded.
"Pika!" The electric-type agreed before pointing down at one of the Pokeballs on Ash's belt.
"Huh?" Ash questioned, before looking down at the one Pikachu was gesturing at. "Oh! Yeah, Magmortar probably would like this weather!"
Ash grabbed the ball before pressing down on the circle to release the giant fire-type. Magmortar emerged, ready for battle, before he looked around a little bit.
"Mortar?" He questioned, looking at Ash.
"Pikachu thought you'd like the weather here," Ash explained before exhaling loudly.
"Whew, it is really hot here, isn't it? I may need some new clothes..." Ash trailed off, looking down at his vest and jeans.
"Woo! Is that a Magmortar?" A voice called out, startling Ash. He looked up to see a shirtless man in a lab coat. He wore a white hat and glasses, and had a broad smile on his face.
"Does it know Fire Blast, yeah?" The man followed up.
Ash nodded.
"Yeah, he sure does!" He confirmed.
"Thats amazing!" He grinned largely at Ash before snapping his fingers, seemingly remembering something.
"Oh, I totally forgot! I'm Professor Kukui, yeah, and I study Pokemon moves here on Alola!" He said, holding his hand out for Ash to shake.
Ash grinned, taking the hand and returning the handshake.
"Nice to meet'cha! I'm Ash Ketchum, from Kanto!"
Kukui's eyes widened.
"You're Ash Ketchum, yeah? As in, Hoopa League Ash Ketchum?" Ash nodded.
"Yep, thats me!"
Professor Kukui nodded, but his eyes were shut and he was clearly thinking about something else. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and looked directly at Ash with a seriousness that wasn't present before then.
"Well, Ash, can I ask you a favor?"
Ash looked at Pikachu, a bit unnerved at the change in attitude, but when Pikachu shrugged at him he nodded.
"Sure, what do you need?" He asked.
"So you know how you started a League? Well, here in Alola, we don't have one, yeah?" Kukui started. Ash nodded, confirming that he was following the professor before Kukui continued.
"Well, I was thinking - its about time that Alola has a League too, yeah, so I figured, why don't I make one? We certainly have trainers that are powerful enough, yeah - One of the Kahuna's grandson - Hau - and a promising trainer named Sun who just moved here this morning, yeah, not even mentioning the Kahunas and Captains..." He explained.
"Anyway, we have the manpower, we just have never set up a League. Once our children finish the island challenge, they usually go to Kanto, yeah, where they start a more traditional journey - Gym Leaders and Pokemon League Tournaments. I think its time that we Alolans show the rest of the world that we're no pushovers, yeah!" Kukui finished, pumping his fist.
"So, what'dya say? Will you help me?" Kukui asked.
Ash didn't even think two seconds before nodding.
"Of course!" He responded. Kukui grinned hugely, before jumping up and pumping his fist again.
"And, yeah, I totally have a reward for you! Follow me!" Kukui dashed off across the beach towards a tattered-looking house. Ash glanced at Pikachu before smiling and running after the good-natured professor, Magmortar at his heels.
As Ash recalled Magmortar and entered the house, it quickly became apparent that he was incorrect about the building being a house.
"Welcome to my lab!" Professor Kukui exclaimed, "So about that award. You know how regional professors give out starter Pokemon each year?"
When Ash nodded he continued.
"Well, whenever a starter Pokemon isn't given away, the regional professor generally trains it themselves. Over the years, I've amassed a rather large collection of these Pokemon. So your reward is... A complete set of three fully-evolved Alolan Starters!"
Ash's jaw dropped. He had been expecting a baby starter, not a full set of well-trained Pokemon!"
While Ash stared at the Professor, Kukui opened a glass display case and removed three Pokeballs.
"Well Ash, they're all yours! All I ask is that you contact Mr. Goodsho for me soon."
"Y-yeah, I can do that now if you want?" Ash mumbled, looking down at the three Pokeballs in his hand.
Professor Kukui grinned.
"If you can, yeah, do it!" Kukui exclaimed.
Ash shook himself out of his funk and smiled back.
"Alright, I'll do it now!"
Ash grabbed a Master Ball from his belt and tossed it into the air.
"Mewtwo, can you teleport Professor Kukui and I back to my video phone in the Hoopa League?"
"Sure thing, Ash."
The next thing the two knew, they were standing on the side of one of Ash's training fields, next to the video phone. Before long, Ash had dialed in Goodsho's number and was patiently waiting for the president of the Pokemon League to answer the phone.
"Hello?" Came Goodsho's voice after a few rings.
"Hey President Goodsho! This is Ash Ketchum," Ash started. Suddenly, the black screen clicked to life and displayed the Santa Claus-esque face of President Goodsho.
"Ash, m'boy! How are you?" Goodshow asked, smiling.
"I'm doing quite well, how about yourself?" Ash responded, returning the smile.
"Life is good, than-" Goodsho cut himself off, "Sorry, but did I just see a Fire Blast fly through the background?"
Ash turned around.
Sure enough, standing by his Entei was an ecstatic Professor Kukui, who, after noticing that Ash was looking at him, smiled and pumped a fist.
"...Yeah, that was a Fire Blast. Sorry about that. Anyways, I'm calling on behalf of Alola's regional professor - Professor Kukui. He wanted to get in contact with you about the formation of an Alolan Pokemon League."
President Goodsho nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"I see. Does he have people in mind for an Elite Four? What about the Champion? And where would he put the League? There needs to be enough room for several stadiums, a village, and the main League itself you know," President Goodsho explained.
Ash shrugged.
"I'm not sure... I'll call hi-"
"I have an Elite Four already planned out. Alola already has captains, yeah, so I figured I'd take the most powerful of them and turn them into our Elite. As for the Champion... Well, I'm not completely sure, but I have my eye on this young trainer - Sun is his name - who I'd say could turn out to be like Gold or even Red, yeah?"
Professor Kukui stopped to take a breath.
"As for location, well, I was thinking that Mount Lanakila would be the best spot. Highest peak in Alola, yeah, and I already own it - it used to be the trial site for the Sky Trial back before our Flying-type captain left to go tour the world, train, and play golf. When she left she gave the deed to me, yeah, so I can do whatever I want there!" Kukui explained.
Goodsho nodded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. After a few minutes of hopeful silence, Goodsho suddenly nodded.
"Alright. You may build your League there, Professor.
Two jaws dropped.
"No way!" Ash gasped.
"Really?" Professor Kukui exclaimed, "Thats amazing, yeah! I'll get right to work on the League! Thank you so much, yeah, President Goodsho!"
"You're quite welcome," Goodshow smiled, before clicking off the call.
Professor Kukui turned to Ash.
"And thank you, yeah, for calling on my behalf. He never did give me his number..." Professor Kukui trailed off.
Ash grinned.
"Of course! I can't wait to see the League - if there is anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to call! I'll be around Alola for a while," Ash offered.
Kukui smiled and nodded.
"I may take you up on that, yeah, your Pokemon could potentially be a huge help to us. Can you warp us back now? I bet Lillie is wondering where I am, and I have to feed Rockruff, and I have..." He trailed off, clearly lost in thought.
"Mewtwo, if you would, please?" Ash requested, and the next thing he knew he was standing on the beach outside Professor Kukui's lab.
"W-What was that?" Someone shrieked behind them.
Ash quickly turned around, startled by the loud noise, and came face-to-face with a girl a few years younger than him.
"Oh, sorry about that. I had one of my Pokemon teleport the two of us here. We didn't mean to startle you," Ash explained, rubbing the back of his head.
"T-thats okay, I guess..." The girl responded, clutching her bag. She looked past Ash for a second before she smiled.
"Hey Professor! I fed Rockruff!" She announced brightly.
"Thanks Lillie! I meant to do it myself, yeah, but then something else came up." The Professor said.
"Its no problem! What came up?" Lillie asked.
The professor winked at her.
"Its a surprise, yeah, but you'll find out sometime soon!" He turned to Ash. "So don't you go telling anyone either, yeah?"
Ash smiled and nodded.
"Hey Professor, I'm going to go look at the Ruins of Conflict, okay? I'll be back soon!"
Ash looked over, eyebrows raised.
"Ruins of Conflict? What's that?" He asked Lillie.
"Oh, its a just some old ruins... Theres not much there." Lillie answered, suddenly looking at her bag. Before Ash could press further, though, she quickly added, "I'll see you later, professor!" before dashing off.
Ash looked at Professor Kukui and raised an eyebrow in question.
"What is her problem?" He asked. Kukui smiled.
"The Ruins of Conflict are right past Iki Town, yeah? Head up there and ask her yourself."
Ash walked through the wide forest trail that started north of Iki Town in amazement. Just by looking around, he could see so many Pokemon that he had never seen before! Pikachu was in amazement too. His starter had his head on a swivel, taking in everything he could. Occasionally he'd let out a little squeak or a "Pika!" when he saw something he especially found interesting.
Ash's thoughts were promptly cut short by Pikachu calling out to him loudly.
"Chu-Pika!" His starter warned, and Ash barely had time to duck before a large parrot-like Pokemon swooped over his head.
"Whoa! I think I found my first capture!" Ash exclaimed. "I like this one's spunk!"
Pikachu grinned, ready to take down the Pokemon, but Ash held him back.
"Lets let one of our new Pokemon take this one!" Ash said, grabbing a Pokeball.
"I choose you!" He said, tossing the Pokeball onto the dirt.
It popped open to reveal the grass-type starter, who shook his wings out before rotating his head around to look at Ash.
"Hold on a second, let me scan that Pokemon." Ash told his new Pokemon before pulling out his Pokedex and pointing it at the flying-type.
Toucannon, the Cannon Pokemon
When it battles, its beak heats up. The temperature can easily exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit, causing severe burns when it hits. Within its beak, its internal gas ignites, explosively launching seeds with enough power to pulverize boulders.
And then he pointed the Dex at his own Pokemon.
Decidueye, the Arrow Quill Pokemon
Decidueye is able to move about while completely hiding its presence from others. Once its opponent has lost sight of it, Decidueye seizes the chance to attack. It can pluck an arrow quill from within its wing and fire it in less that a tenth of a second. However, when Decidueye is caught by surprise, it is seized by panic.
"Huh. Lets not surprise you then, huh?" Ash said. "Use Leaf Blade!"
Decidueye shot forward, wing glowing before he reared back and slammed it into Toucannon with a powerful thrust.
Toucannon was quick to retaliate though, sending a powerful Air Cutter flying towards Decidueye.
"Strafe left!" Ash yelled. Decidueye complied, flapping his wings quickly and darting to the left. Some of the Air Cutter still caught the grass-type, though, leaving him a little worse for wear.
And then the Toucannon squawked into the air.
And then another Toucannon descended from the sky.
Ash blinked.
"Well shi-"
"Du-eye!" Decidueye cried out as it was simotaneously struck with two streams of Bullet Seeds.
"Ah! Decidueye, return!" Ash called, whipping out the starter's Pokeball.
He thought for a second about who to release.
He contemplated letting Pikachu loose, but ultimately deemed it overkill.
But... These Toucannon knew Bullet Seed.
Flying-types that knew Bullet Seed...
"Braviary! I choose you! Bullet Seed!"
Ash's patriotic flying-type erupted from his Pokeball, trumpeting his name before letting loose a barrage of black seeds from both wings at the two Toucannon.
The attack immediately downed the weakened Toucannon, leaving Ash with only one to focus on.
"Braviary! Use Giga Impact!"
Braviary's body suddenly erupted with red, white, and blue energy before the avaian carreened towards Toucannon and slammed into it.
Knowing that the stupidly-overpowered attack was more than enough to knock out the Toucannon, Ash didn't even wait for confirmation that it was downed before he lobbed a Pokeball at it.
As Ash continued walking, the trees started to thin and he came to the bottom of a great, winding hill. Shrugging, he shifted Pikachu around on his shoulder and started walking. Someone had been nice enough to outfit the hill with giant wooden planks in the place of stairs, which made the trek up the sizable hill fairly easy.
Besides, Ash had hiked up mountains before. A little hill wasn't gonna wind him.
Once Ash reached the top, he was met with a breathtaking sight.
A lone, rickety bridge spanned across a massive, deep ravine. To Ash's left he could see a towering waterfall, and to his right he could see the water meeting the ocean.
And then Ash saw Lillie, who was frantically shouting out to a hunched figure on the bridge.
And then Ash saw the Spearow that were attacking the boy hunched over the Pokemon.
And then, Ash saw the tiny, blue, gaseous Pokemon that the boy was protecting erupt with blue energy, driving away the Spearow but shattering the bridge below the pair, dooming the two to a potentially fatal fall.
Ash watched in horror for a fraction of a second before reacting, unclipping a Pokeball from his belt.
"Alakazam! Psychic - Save those two!"
Alakazam nodded briskly and crossed his spoons, but before his attack could reach the two, Ash watched in amazement as a golden Pokemon swooped out from across the bridge and catch the falling pair.
"Alakazam," Ash commanded, "Cancel the attack but be ready in case that Pokemon drops them."
"Kazam!" Alakazam agreed and uncrossed his spoons.
As it would turn out, though, the Pokemon brought the duo safely back to their side of the cliff before dropping the two softly on the ground. The Pokemon then opened it's yellow mask-like exterior to reveal a thin, orange body with a head that housed a full plume of hair.
The Pokemon looked at Ash, then Pikachu, then roared loudly at the two before soaring back to its side of the ravine. Ash looked at Pikachu and grinned before the duo sobered up and turned towards the pair of trainers and the Pokemon.
"Hey, are you okay?" Ash leaned over and placed a hand on the shoulder of the boy, who had his hands on his knees and was breathing heavily.
The kid took a moment to collect himself before nodding.
"Yeah, I'm fine, but that was a bit intense," The boy explained before standing up and stretching out.
"Is that an Alakazam?" The boy suddenly asked.
Ash smiled and nodded.
"Yep!" Ash confirmed.
"That's awesome! They had a lot of those back in Kanto... Thats where I'm from, by the way." The boy explained before blinking.
"Oh! Where are my manners! The name is Sun!" Sun introduced, extending a hand for Ash to shake.
"I take it you're from Kanto too? Judging by the Pikachu and Alakazam." Sun asked.
"You know it! I'm actually from Pallet Town." Ash replied. "Where are you from?"
"Saffron!" Sun answered. "I just moved here the other day."
Ash laughed.
"Perfect! So we're both new to Alola then!"
Sun grinned and nodded.
"Yeah! Just out of curiosity, by the way, what Pokemon did you choose for your starter?" Sun asked.
Ash sheepishly rubbed the back of his hair before gesturing to Pikachu with his head.
"I actually started with Pikachu here... You see, I overslept, and by the time I got to Professor Oak's lab, all the other starters were already taken by other trainers." Ash explained. "Though, that turned out to be a really good thing," Ash added, rubbing Pikachu's head.
The electric-type allowed a satisfied "chaa" and nuzzled his head against Ash's hand.
Sun smiled.
"Thats awesome! I started out with Rowlett here," Sun told Ash, grabbing a Pokeball from his backpack and pressing the button. The Pokeball released a tiny, spherical tan owl with large eyes and a leaf bow tie.
The Rowlett cocked his head - a full ninety degrees, mind you - and stared unblinkingly at Ash, who was unfazed by the act.
Ash reached over and took Rowlett from Sun's arms and held him above his head.
"My Arceus, Sun, this guy is adorable!"
Sun chuckled. "Careful! He has a lot of power for just a tiny 'Mon, and I hear his final evolution - Decidueye - is a powerhouse!" Sun exclaimed.
Ash did a double-take.
"This little guy evolves into Decidueye?" Ash asked, then thought a moment before answering his own question.
"Wait, nevermind. Duh!" Ash exclaimed, "Kukui told me that Decidueye was the final evolution of the Alolan grass starter. Rowlett," Ash addressed the tiny Pokemon, "Do you wanna see what you can become?"
In response, Rowlett bounced happily in Ash's arms.
Ash laughed and moved Rowlett to be perching on Ash's hat.
"Okay little guy, check this out!" Ash smiled, unclipping a Pokeball from his belt and releasing Decidueye onto the cliffside.
"Dueye?" Decidueye queried, looking around for an opponent for a bit before its eyes landed on Rowlett. Without warning, Decidueye darted up to Ash's head, snatched Rowlett up, and placed him on his own hooded head, much to the enjoyment of the little Pokemon.
Suddenly, the blue Pokemon that Lillie was holding decided that it wanted to be a part of the fun too.
"Mog! Cosmog!" The Pokemon cried out before struggling to break free of Lillie's hold and join the other Pokemon.
"W-Whoa! Cosmog, calm down!" Lillie exclaimed, tightening her grip on the Pokemon.
Unbeknownst to the three trainers, a lone blonde figure stood high above them in the treetops.
"Cosmog..." The woman muttered. "I've finally found you again."
"Pokemon!" Ash called out awkwardly into the empty cavern, not sure of what to expect.
"I challenge you to a battle!" He yelled, looking around. There wasn't much in the cavern, just a raised, wooden platform with a stone statue. Shrugging, Ash walked up the stairs to the platform, Pikachu confidently riding on his shoulder.
He got to the top and looked around from the higher ground to see if he had missed anything, but he couldn't see anything he hadn't already noticed.
"Well shoot, Pikachu, I guess this is a dead end," Ash sighed, sitting down with his back against the statue. "Its a shame, too. I really was looking forward to a battle."
"Then you'll get one, Chosen One."
Ash smiled, not even looking towards the voice that came from behind him.
"Legendary?" Ash calmly asked, still looking straight forwards.
"Guardian," The Pokemon retorted.
"That sounds swell. Well!" Ash finally stood up and turned around, clapping his hands once, "Shall we get on with the battle?"
The Pokemon responded by unleashing a massive squawk, electricity flooding out of its body and covering the battlefield.
"Electric?" Ash asked to himself. "Gotcha! Rhyperior, you're up!"
Rhyperior burst from his Pokeball with a roar that shook the heavens before turning to face the Guardian Pokemon.
"Rock Blast!" Ash yelled, thrusting a finger forwards.
Rhyperior was only too happy to comply, sending a barrage of stones flying at the Pokemon. The attack connected, sending the Guardian back a few yards through the air.
"Keep it up!" Ash cheered, "Occupy him for a bit - I'm gonna scan him with my Pokedex!"
With that preface, Ash pulled out his Pokedex and pointed it at the battle.
Rhyperior, the Drill Pokemon.
Rhyperior fires Geodude from the holes in its palms forcibly at opponents who wander into its territory -
"Wha...?" Ash stuttered. "No! Scan the other Pokemon, Dexter!" Ash cried.
Tapu Koko, the Land Spirit Pokemon.
Known as the guardian spirit of Melemele Island, Tapu Koko fiercely protects its home. However, Tapu Koko is said to be a suprisingly fickle Pokemon, and will not necessarily come to one's aid. Angering it is often the last mistake people will make; however, Tapu Koko often forgets what made it angry an instant later. Despite this, though, Tapu Koko is immensely curious. If it becomes interested in a person or battle, it will often intervene and play. Tapu Koko is said to have the ability to summon thunderclouds and store their lightning inside of its body.
This Pokemon is a Legendary Pokemon!
"Tapu Koko..." Ash said thoughtfully, trying out the name.
"Okay, Rhyperior, Stone Edge!" Ash commanded, getting back into the battle. Rhyperior quickly complied, summoning jagged rocks from the ground under Tapu Koko. However, the Land Spirit Pokemon was quick to counter, shattering the rocks with a well-placed Steel Wing before nailing Rhyperior with a Grass Knot, dealing heavy damage to the Rhyperior.
"Rhyperior, are you okay?" Ash asked his prideful Pokemon, already knowing that he would get back up and continue fighting. Sure enough, Rhyperior got back on his feet and unleashed the fastest Rock Wrecker Ash had ever seen, scoring a direct hit on Tapu Koko.
"I'll take that as a yes then. Good job!" Ash cheered. "Now, lets tap into your elemental moves! Fire Blast!"
A groan from Rhyperior reminded Ash about the move's cool-down.
And it also alerted Tapu Koko to the cool-down too, as the Guardian Pokemon lit its wings up with metallic energy before charging at Rhyperior.
"No! Rhyperior, Self-Destruct!" Rhyperior's arms began glowing with the white energy, and Tapu Koko swerved up to avoid the deadly attack.
Only to be nailed by the Hyper Beam that Rhyperior had been charging up.
The powerful attack was more than enough to knock out the unsuspecting Land Spirit, and Ash wasted no time in chucking a Pokeball at the downed Tapu.
"Good job, Rhyperior" Ash praised, "We really got him with that one! We'll have to remember that that trick works."
Without warning, Tapu Koko popped out of the Pokeball in Ash's hands.
"I'll go back into that Pokeball in a second, but before I do, I would like to know how you pulled that off." Tapu Koko said.
"Well," Ash started, "It was actually pretty easy. When I was training my Pokemon a few months back, I noticed that the build-up for some moves looks similar to the build-up for others. Self-Destruct and Hyper Beam is probably the closest outside of the "Thunder" moves.
So later that day I told my Pokemon that if I ever called for a Self-Destruct, I wanted them to start charging a Hyper Beam instead. Rhyperior remembered.
"Huh, thats actually pretty clever. I'm looking forward to your training, Chosen One."
Well, welcome to Alola!
I honestly can say that Sun & Moon are my favorite games in this franchise. Everything about them is just... perfect!
That may be an overstatement but damn! They're so gooooood.
Anywho, welcome, again, to Alola!
Its so good to be back! Man, I missed this story. As a matter of fact, I missed this story so much that I've spent the last few months revising every chapter. The new Hoopa League, whenever I decide to finish up revisions and post the darn thing, includes every battle, new gimmicks for said battles, a few new story-lines here and there, an Alolan Exeggutor once or twice, and just general improvements, especially to the earlier chapters where I truly had no clue what the hell I was doing :)
So look forward to that!
Anywho, reviews! I'm just gonna respond to every review that I got after May 15th, which is when the last chapter went up.
AgitatedDog9288 (May 16th): I figure you've probably caught up with the rest of the story now, yeah? Thanks you, by the way, for the compliment! I smile every time I read one of those. And Ashes of the Past is still my favorite Pokemon fic on this website hands down.
TheGamingPyro (May 18th): I want my damn cookie. Peanut Butter, if you don't mind :)
Tatsumi08 (June 5th): Yeah, I missed a few on that list. Sorry mate!
aoin88 (June 13th): Thank you so, so much! And here is the sequel! Sorta. I just kinda continued here. But whatever, same thing right?
idotpart1 (September 3rd): I try to be funny on occasion :)
Was there any specific part, by the way, that you found funny?
Dragonbonded (October 3rd): Man, I love the praise. I read your review the second my email dinged with it, smiled then, and here I am two months later reading the same review and smiling again! I can't say much else other than thanks. :D
THE CREATOR: (October 28th): I missed this too :(
Theres one more thing that I want to address, and its how much I fucking love you guys. Its the craziest thing ever. I have yet to receive one mean review. ONE! Do you realize that as I'm writing this, I have 166 reviews? And not one of them is mean! That's insane! You guys are absolutely fucking awesome, and I just want to say a massive THANKS.
Merry Christmas!
This was in my notes for the chapter, specifically the part where Ash battled the Toucannon.
And then Toucannon turned its beak to the sky and let out a mighty squack, and before Ash's very eyes another Toucannon descended upon the battlefield.
"Oh no!" Ash shouted, "I can deal with one Toucannon, but TouToucannon? Nooooooo!"
I figured you guys would enjoy that