Final Trial of the Island! Woo! Also we'll meet another character from Collin's past...not one he'd like to meet again though but hey, what can you do? Enjoy!
Chapter 9-Rumble in the Jungle
Making his way along Route 8, Collin trained up his newly caught Salandit for the next Trial knowing it was Grass. Challenging trainers and Pokemon a like, he managed to get Salandit to a level that he felt was comfortable. By the time he was finished, it was night time and he camped out for the night. As he woke up, washed, dressed and about to make his way to the Trial, he heard something like a keyboard being pressed contently by someone. Stopping to look behind him, he couldn't believe who it was.
"YOU!" he said with venom in his voice. "What the hell are you doing here Colress?!" Colress got closer to Collin, showing a smile and half closed eyes.
"Ah, Collin Clarkson. I remember you from Unova from the whole Team Plasma take over, right?"
"Yeah. And I remember you worked for them, captured Kyurem which by the way, almost froze me to death!" shouted Collin at the top of his voice.
"Yes I do remember that. You must understand that I wished no harm to anyone. I was blinded by research, rather than think about what was going on outside of it. While I don't expect to be forgiven anytime soon, I do apologize to what my actions may have caused in the past for you and the whole of Unova." Collin didn't really know how to feel about this.
"I supposed I can let it go for now. But if I find out that you are doing anything similar, you're dead buddy. And I mean it." Collin's voice was deep and slow when he said that, showing he really did mean it.
"I highly doubt I'd try to let myself fall into that trap again. I've actually been researching Z-Crystals and their power to unlock special moves for Pokemon. It seems that these Z-Crystals aren't from this world."
"So...alien? How can Pokemon use them if they are alien?" asked Collin.
"It's not too farfetched to think that. Many Pokemon on earth have ties with outer space. You of all people should know that."
"True. Still the idea of something that small having a powerful affect on a Pokemon. It's kinda scary when you think about it." Collin felt a shiver go down his spine.
"Yes well that's what my research is all about. I also have to wonder which one is more powerful. Mega Stones, or Z-Crystals. The world is truly a mystery. I need to report my findings to the Aether Foundation." This peaked Collin's interest.
"Aether Foundation? What's that?"
"Ah yes. The Aether Foundation is made up of some of the best scientist in all of Alola and is an organization that helps protect the Pokemon of the region." said Colress.
"Sounds like Team Plasma again."
"Far from it. They don't take Pokemon off people, they just look after ones that have been abandoned."
"If you say so." said Collin, not fully convinced.
"Well I best get back to my research. I believe I've taken up enough of your time. Take this TM for Flame Charge, that should help you in your next Trial, wouldn't you say?" Colress handed the TM to Collin, which he took hesitantly.
"I guess. See ya. Remember, if I find out you're doing anything similar to Team Plasma, I'm coming after you." Collin walked away from Colress and to the Trail. Of all the people he thought he'd meet again, Colress was the last one he expected. Colress was walking back to the foot of the volcano, lost in thought.
Hmm. I can't get involved. But I hope he finds out what's going on soon, or the whole of Alola, no, the world is doomed.
Battling more trainers, Collin finally made his way to the Lush Jungle. The humid air hit him like a truck and he was panting like crazy. Before he could pass out, a splash of water covered his body.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" shouted Collin. He turned around and saw Lana and Kiawe walking behind him.
"Haha. We thought you needed a cool down. The jungle can kill a man."said Lana Collin honestly couldn't tell if it was a joke or not.
"Also we are here for Mallow's food. She's a cook after all." said Kiawe.
"That's right! And that's your Trial!" said a new voice behind Collin.
"Oh hey Mallow. You never told me you're a cook."
"Yep and like I said, that's apart of your Trial. I'll need ingredients to make my Mallow's Special. I need a Mago Berry, a Tiny Mushroom, a Revival Herb and a Miracle Seed. After that, we'll have a Mallow Special ready to eat!" The idea alone made Collin hungry.
"Are you sure this is apart of the Trial? I mean it sounds like I'm on one of those celebrity cooking challenges on TV."
"That's because it is." said Lana.
"What?" said Collin. "You are joking right?"
"Don't listen to Lana! The reason why you need to do this, aside from cooking and eating, it should attract the Totem Pokemon, who only comes out from the scent of my food. Trust me."
"Well you are the Captain after all. So, Mago Berry, Tiny Mushroom, Revival Herb and Miracle Seed. They all in the Jungle?" asked Collin.
"Yep. You can use my Stoutland to help you search. You'll might run into some Pokemon that have those ingredients so prepare to fight."
"Okay. That shouldn't be a problem." said Collin as Stoutland came towards him. "So I just get on him right?"
"That's the idea." said Mallow. "Okay, you ready? Your Trial starts...NOW!" Like a bullet, Collin shot off into the Jungle to find the ingredients. He found the first ingredient and came back to the pot that was beginning to boil with water and Mallow, Lana and Kiawe around it.
"Found the Mago Berry."
"Great! Pop it into the pot." Collin did just that and the smell began to fill the area. "Mmm, smells good, but we'll need the rest." Collin set off again to find more ingredients. As he came back, the three friends were talking about something.
"What's going on here?" asked Collin, putting two ingredients into the pot.
"Oh we were just talking about something years ago." said Mallow.
"While you're here, tell us about yourself." said Kiawe.
"Yeah, what secrets do you have?" asked Lana, smirking.
"Not much to tell really. Born in Kanto and traveled most of the regions. My life isn't special." he said.
"I beg to differ. Your eyes tell a lot you know. You look like you've seen a lot of things on your travels." said Lana. Collin looked away from the group.
"Sometimes you have to grow up fast. A lot of things happened, I don't feel comfortable telling people I don't really know. I hope you understand."
"That's fine, we understand." said Kiawe. "Hopefully one day you'll tell us. If you stay in Alola that is."
"Well that's the plan. After the Island Challenge, I'm done traveling." said Collin.
"WHAT?!" they all cried.
"But you're only, what, eighteen? That's way too young to stop traveling!" said Mallow.
"Like I said, I had to grow up fast."
"Yeah but-"
"I made my choice long before coming here. I just got roped into doing the Island Challenge. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to get that last ingredient." said Collin, cutting off Lana and walking back into the forest. When he came back, the others were still around the pot, waiting for the last ingredient. When they saw Collin, they stopped talking until Mallow was the first to speak up.
"Collin, sorry about earlier. We shouldn't have judged your choice."
"Yeah, it was very uncalled for." said Lana
"We just didn't expect that." said Kiawe.
"It's okay guys. I have my reasons and I understand it's odd. But my made my choice and I'm sticking with it. Anyway, here's the last ingredient." Collin put the final ingredient into the pot. "So now what?"
"Well now, if Lana adds her Rock Salt in and Kiawe hands over his Rare Bone, you can start mixing!" The Rock Salt was added and Collin took the Rare Bone and began to mix. "Great! Now pound it!" Collin did exactly what Mallow told him. "CRUSH IT AND TURN IT TO GOO!" Mallow really go into the cooking mood. Suddenly a strong smell began to come from the food.
"Man, that's strong!" shouted Lana.
"Yep! That Totem Pokemon should be close by." said Mallow.
A low rumble was heard in the distance that caught everyone off guard. Collin began to look everywhere in front of him but there was no sign of the Totem Pokemon. He noticed Lana, Kiawe and Mallow looking behind him and he felt a chill down his spine.
"It's right behind me, isn't it." he said. The three nodded and he turned around slowly. The Totem Pokemon was larger than him by a long shot and let out a cry. "Mallow! What's that Pokemon?!" he asked, walking backwards to cover ground.
"That's Totem Lurantis! You better be careful! Even with the Firium Z, she's a tough cookie!" said Mallow.
"Gotcha! Okay, GO SALANDIT!" Out came the lizard Pokemon, ready to battle. "Okay, this is your first major battle. No pressure okay girl?" Salandit nodded in response. "Good! Now, use Flame Charge to increase your speed!" Salandit was surrounded by flames and rushed forward to the Totem Pokemon, hitting it square in the chest. "NICE!"
"LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" it cried, sending out a Razor Leaf, which Salandit dodged. It let out another cry, making a Castform come to it's side.
"Castform? Why would a Castform...wait a second!" His might put two and two together. "Okay Salandit, go for a Flame Burst!" A fireball shot from Salandit's mouth and hitting the Totem Lurantis, with the splash damage hitting the Castform. Lurantis used it's vines to heal itself from the damage dealt while Castform used Sunny Day to turn it into a fire type and help Lurantis, just like Collin predicted. "Salandit, return for now! Go Prinplup!" shouted Collin,
"PRINPLUP!" shouted the Pokemon, coming out of the ball.
"Use Bubble Beam on the Castform!" shouted Collin. The beam shot at Castform, knocking it out cold. Lurantis took this advantage to charge up a Solar Beam, which due to Sunny Day managed to charge up fully right away. The Solar Beam hit Prinplup, knocking him down clean. "Good job Prinplup!" he said, returning him to his ball. "Go Salandit!"
"Hiss!" cried Salandit.
"Okay! Use Flame Charge to get the speed you lost!" The flames surrounded Salandit just as Lurantis charged another Solar Beam. "DODGE!" shouted Collin. In the last second possible, Salandit jumped into the air and cleanly dodged the Solar Beam, hitting Lurantis with Flame Charge.
"Laaaaaaaa!" it cried in pain. The hit was enough to weaken it by a good margin.
"Okay! Let's take this home! UNLEASH Z-MOVE!" shouted Collin, showing his Z-Ring and twisting the Firium Z. He preformed the dance that Kiawe showed him. A strong aura now surrounded Salandit and was ready to unleash it's Z-Move. "NOW! USE INFERNO OVERDRIVE!" A large ball of flame surrounded Salandit and she raced towards the Totem Pokemon. A massive explosion covered the whole area and when the smoke cleared, the Totem Lurantis was out cold. "YES! WELL DONE SALANDIT!" Salandit returned to it's ball, victorious.
"That was amazing! You knew what the Castform was gonna do and, while you didn't defeat it right away, managed to stop it from doing more harm to your Pokemon. For that, you get the Grassium Z!" said Mallow, handing over the Z-Crystal.
"Woo! So that was the last Trial right?" asked Collin.
"Yep! All that is left now is the Kahuna. But that's then, this is now. We still have the Mallow Special to eat!" Everyone gathered around the pot and began to eat the stew. While Collin was enjoying the blend of spices, he noticed something was wrong with with Lana and Kiawe.
"It's..."
"So..."
"SPICY!" the two shouted, running out of the Jungle.
"HEY! IS MY COOKING HORRIBLE TO YOU TWO?!" shouted Mallow, running after them. Collin was alone, eating in silence now till someone came from behind him.
"Mmm! That the Mallow Special? Man that girl can cook the tastes buds off you." said the man. Collin turned to see who it was.
"Oh hey Kukui." he said, finishing his bowl of Mallow Special. "I just finished the last Trial on the Island. So where is the Kahuna? Olivia right?" asked Collin.
"Yes and unfortunately you won't be battling her for a while." confessed Kukui.
"WHAT?!" shouted Collin, causing some bird Pokemon to become restless.
"Some business has come up that she needs to attend to...aka she's trying to get a boyfriend. She won't be taking any challenges for at least a week."
"Damn. Oh well, guess I could take some time off." said Collin, sighing heavily.
"That's the way to look at it. Come back to Heahea City and spend the week there. I'm sure Lillie will be grateful. Also, while you're in Heahea City, meet me in the Dimensional Research Lab. There is someone I'd like to introduce to you." said Kukui.
"Sure. I'll make my way to the City once I'm done a little more training for the day."
"Okay cousin. I'll see you there!" said Kukui walking off. Collin let out another long sigh.
"Great. So much for getting this over quickly." he said to himself. "At least I get to spend time with Lillie." This made him blush, something he hasn't done thinking about a girl since Hoenn. Maybe things won't be so bad in the end.
The next two chapters will be a break in the story to let the characters flesh out. They might not be too big but we'll see how it goes. Reviews and comments of any nature are welcomed and as always, I'll see you in the next chapter. Cheerio!