"" - Human speech
'' - Pokémon speech (humans cannot understand it)
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon and am not in any way affiliated with it.
Hey guys, thanks so much for the support on the previous story. Hopefully once I write a few more chapters, this will get out more, and more people will read it :). I plan to write a new chapter every week, and I'm sorry the story is moving so slow! I wanted the transition to Alola to be smooth, so I hope you enjoy nevertheless!
Also, I made Ash more mature. I mean, he's 15 years old, so it only seemed fit xD.
Credit to my friend for helping me out on ideas for this chapter. Thanks!
After a few weeks, Ash was walking around the island, exercising, and training with Pikachu. Although he still needed the occasional rest every few hours, Ash was eager to catch up with his longtime rival Gary, and as a result, trained with Pikachu day and night, as he learned new moves, increased his stats, and continued to improve on his and Ash's lifetime bond of friendship.
One day, right after lunch, Professor Oak approached the garden outside of Cinnabar Hospital, looking around impatiently as he searched the expansive meadow filled with berry bushes, flowers, and trees. Ash and Pikachu looked up from their training, curious as to why he was he was here. Standing next to him, and slightly back, was a large man with dark brown skin and off-white hair that resembled a miniature cape. He was wearing a light jade-green shirt with different patterns on it in all different colors, and Ash wondered what connection he had with the renowned Professor Oak.
"Oh, hello Ash!" Professor Oak started at the sight of the young boy. "I've been looking for you!"
Before Ash could respond, the man behind the professor stepped up and whispered into his ear. Professor Oak nodded once, then twice, and the man stepped back once again, smiling with the left side of his mouth tilted slight upward. It reminded Ash of the Giovanni he had experienced in his coma-induced dreams, the leader of Team Rocket.
"Yes, yes. Well Ash, I have come here to talk to you about something."
Ash and Pikachu turned towards each other, worried about why Professor Oak had been in such a hurry to find them. Suddenly, a terrifying thought hit Ash, and he jerked his head up towards Professor Oak, dreading the question.
"Has something happened to my mom?" Ash finally managed to choke out.
Delia had left early in the morning the same day, saying she was preparing a surprise for Ash, and needed time to work on it. She had yet to return, and now Ash was starting to fear the worst.
"What?" Oak responded. "No, of course not! Your mother is perfectly fine. I'm sorry if I frightened you. My cousin and I are simply here to ask if you would like to travel to the Alola region!"
Ash gaped at the professor, startled by this new info. He tried frantically to process what the researched had just said, but failed miserably. At last he managed to calm down, and as his breathing evened, he finally realized what the professor had said.
"Wait, that man is your cousin? How come you don't look anything alike? And why is he dressed like he just stepped out from a summer vacation when it's already fall? And Alola? What in the world is that?" Ash suddenly blurted out all the questions that had bottled up in his head at Professor Oak's words.
He then brought his hand up to his mouth, realizing how much he had just offended the researcher's cousin.
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that! I just-" Ash slumped his head, utterly embarrassed, and unable to meet the two mens' eyes.
To his surprise, he heard a deep rumbling, and then laughter filling the air. It was actually quite a melodious sound, and Ash looked up, startled.
He saw the strange looking man holding his round belly as he shook with laughter. His face was tilted towards the sky, and tears were running down his face.
At last he settled down, wiping his eyes, and grinning widely.
"This lad will be fun indeed." The man said, smiling a smile that covered his entire face.
Ash looked helplessly to Professor Oak, who simply shook his head, bemused.
"Well, as I see you've noticed Ash, my cousin is very… exotic. But to answer your other question, the Alola region is four different islands that form a semicircle around the fifth, man-made island. This region, like all regions, consists of many new pokémon for you to discover. Interestingly, some original pokémon from our very own region have traveled to the Alola region, and because of the way they have adapted, have changed their types and abilities. That's why this researcher is here today; to discover what caused it." Professor Oak gestured to the man standing beside him.
Ash stared confusingly at the professor, but he continued on anyway, not noticing the lost look on the boy's face.
"On each island, there is a Trial Captain. These trainers will give you a task that you must complete in order to move onto the next island. It's quite different from what we're used to; the standard gyms and defeating the Elite Four and Champion, but I think it will be nice for you to give it a try."
Ash frowned, contemplating what Professor Oak had just said. He then nodded his head slightly, indicating for the professor to go on.
"Very well. After the end of each trial, a certain pokémon will appear, known as a totem pokémon." Professor Oak continued.
"These totem pokémon are much larger than any of its species, and when you encounter them at the end of each trial, you will notice its enveloped in a special aura. Us researchers have yet to discover the cause of this, but we believe it is the reason this pokémon is able to call upon other pokémon to aid it in its battles." Oak's cousin interrupted.
Ash listened in awe, unconsciously jumping up and down on the balls of his feet at the possibility for him to witness these mysterious pokémon firsthand.
"Exactly." Professor Oak started from where the Alolan man had left off. "As my cousin said, these pokémon are very strange indeed, and are said to be very difficult foes due to its many allies. Anyway, there are multiple trials per island, and the final one is called the Grand Trial. These are the most difficult, as they are against the kahuna of each island, and they certainly are trainers to be reckoned with."
The Professor then turned towards his cousin, motioning for him to finish.
"That's right. If you win the battle against the kahuna, then you'll be publicly recognized, and able to move on to the next island!"
Ash creased his forehead, sensing there was something wrong with this statement. Finally, he realized what it was.
"I thought Professor Oak said that you only needed to complete one trial in order to move onto the next island." Ash questioned.
Both Ash and the man looked to Professor Oak, who chuckled quietly, his hand behind his head.
"Well… I guess I need to study up more on the Alola region." Oak replied meekly.
Ash and the professor's cousin laughed, knowing they would likely never get the chance to hear that again.
As the three were standing in peaceful silence, Ash realized that he had never picked up the man's name.
"Excuse me sir, but I'm afraid I don't know your name." Ash said, almost apologetically.
"Of course you don't, my lad. How careless of me." The man boomed out.
Ash had noticed he seemed to have quite a loud voice, but he liked that about him. It showed off an easygoing and cheerful attitude, which Ash appreciated.
"Well, it's Oak-Samson Oak."
"Okay, Professor Oak-number two. I just wanted to thank you for this amazing offer. I can't wait, to get started, but would you mind if I just talk to my mom about this? She's very overprotective, and I'm not sure how she will react to this news."
"Please, call me Samson. And of course, take your time with the reply. I leave for the Alola region next week, so if you have your answer by then, I would be happy to drop you off along with me."
Ash grinned, eager to get going on his long-awaited journey.
But just as the two men started to turn away, Ash saw a figure in the distance, dashing toward them, her hair flying out behind her.
Samson, Ash, and Professor Oak had been talking for the entire afternoon, so in the setting light, it was hard to make out the woman's features. Ash finally managed to pick up red hair in a ponytail, along with a blue skirt, yellow shirt, and pink cardigan as she got closer.
The face was still obscured in shadows, but Ash realized it was his mom, Delia Ketchum.
"Mom! What happened?" He asked. Delia was not someone who was known for running unless it was urgent.
Ash waited impatiently, finally starting off towards her, wondering what in the world she was doing here.
At last she reached him, and she clutched her side, panting like a dog. She was gripping a phone in her hand tightly, but Ash didn't seem to notice it.
"Mom, are you alright? What's happened? Is everything okay? Where did you come from?"
Still gasping for air, she shoved the phone into Ash's hands.
"Se-Serena. She's on… the line."