As the kids walked into the school grounds, Professor Kukui noticed them.
"Hey there cousins! I must've passed you two somehow, yeah? But welcome to the school, the place to learn how to be a Pokemon trainer!" Ash had to admit, the school looked nice and everyone looked like it was fun here.
"Professor Kukui, are these the children you were telling me about?" A female faculty employee asked.
"Yeah. Ash here is going to learn what I just said, though he's learning real fast to be a tough trainer, so he probably won't be here long. And Misty came with him to teach him as well since she's more experienced. Be sure to put Ash through the wringer!"
"Don't worry, I've got that handled." The teacher pointed behind her that there was an actual wringer with spikes! Ash paled and Misty was wondering why that was there until the teacher giggled. "Just kidding. We do that just to mess with new students. It's foam we put shiny coating on. But since I know that you're a fast learner, I won't go easy on you Ash." The teen was both relieved and worried now at the same time. Misty giggled from how easily he fell for it.
"Now, there are four trainers! Four trainers you have to beat here at the school! The experience will surly help you and your Pokemon grow stronger, yeah."
"That trainers that you're looking for may be in or out of the school. Be sure to visit the classrooms." The teacher suggested. "You'll learn things there that will help on your journey, I'd say. Why don't you also participate Misty? It's never a bad time to re-learn the basics."
"Alright." The redhead nodded.
"Okay, let the lesson begin!" She then walked back into the school.
"She may not look all that tough, but that teach trains her students right! One of her students is even a Captain!"
"Captain? I'm not assuming you mean a military officer, right?" Ash inquired, to which the professor laughed.
"Hahaha, definitely not! Trial Captains are people who designs and presides over certain sections over a certain Island Challenge Trial and give guidance to participating trainers. They have also completed their own trial though. Unlike the Kahuna which is a life time job however, Trial Captains retire once they reach 20 to allow the next generation a chance at it. Consider them in a sense gym leaders in other regions."
"Ooooh, okay then." Ash nodded.
"Alright, go get them." Waving the others bye, Ash went on his own.
"You have to beat four other trainerzzz? Good luck my beautiful honey sweet, I bet you can do it! Zz-zz-zz!"
"Yeah, thanks." The trainer replied, hoping nobody hears it say those adjectives of love to him. Luckily, Ash was able to find and beat the four trainers needed. Even a rising star with an Ekans. He also learned how some berries can be used to heal Pokemon and Pokemon abilities contributing to the battle with the right Pokemon and the various TMs. Ash was even able to catch an alolan Meowth, Magnemite and Zoroa. He even decided to not only catch, but keep on his team switching out his Yungoos for an Alolan Grimer. Catching up to Ash, Lillie walked to him just as the bell rang.
"Oh, the school bell." She said. A loudspeaker system spoke up.
"Attention, attention, would Ash Ketchum and Misty come to second floor please?"
"Now what terrible thing did you do to get called to the office so early?" Lillie accused worriedly which made Ash raise his hands.
"Wha-nothing!"
"He probably asked for the kids' lunch money when he won." Misty snickered as she passed by.
"I did not!" He yelled back.
"Don't worry Zzzweatheart, I'll be there for you the whole time! I'm a witness!" Rotom declared.
"Uh... alright. Just act professional. I might get in more trouble if you openly flirt with me in front of them."
"A-alright, I'll keep our love a zzzecret!" It responded before going back into his bag. Ash sighed in exasperation. Going into the building and going to the second floor, he found the teacher from earlier along with Misty and the former looked displeased.
"Ash, I can't believe you beat so many students."
"Wait, no! That's not what-" He was interrupted in his defense when she laughed.
"Don't worry, I know you didn't beat anyone up. You and Misty actually here to be congratulated for a fantastic job of doing so much in such a short amount of time! After seeing such a performance, I'd like to battle you myself! Now the only issue is which one I wish to battle." Looking towards Misty, knowing she has her super strong Staryu, Ash cleverly said,
"Why don't you battle, Misty? Your Staryu was able to beat my whole team. She would be most impressed by your strength." Misty was surprised by the compliment, but then took it in stride as she crossed her arms and smiled.
"Well, it's good to see my talent finally being recognized. Alright, I'll take the teacher."
"Good. Since I'm supposed to challenge you, I'll be using a Pokemon with a type advantage against your Staryu."
"That's alright. A proper trainer should be able to battle against advantages when they need to."
"Great. Follow me outside then." Going to the battle fields, Misty and the teacher which they would learn is called Emily, were about to face off. "Go, Rowlet!"
"Go Staryu, my steady!" Misty sent out her ace water Pokemon while Emily sent out the grass/flying type owl.
"Oh, you received the Rowlet from Professor Kukui?!" Ash asked the teacher.
"Oh, no. This is a Pokemon I naturally hatched from an egg from my Decidueye. Kukui's poor Rowlet was depressed upon figuring that out.
"Wow, ignored three times in a row."
"Yeah. Misty, you can go first."
"Thanks. Staryu, use Bubblebeam!" Aiming its top appendage at the the owl, it couldn't move fast enough to evade the barrage of bullbes and hooted in discomfort from the strong attack.
"Hang strong Rowlet! Use Leafage!" Flapping its small wings, the Grass Quill Pokemon send a tornado of leaves heading toward the water type, and it was picked and dealt some decent damage.
"Get out and use Swift!" It was successfully able to spin out of the grass type move and use said spinning to send a barrage of stars to beat down against the grass starter, each exploding around it. The dust cleared to show the Grass Quill Pokemon was knocked out.
"Yes! Way to go Staryu!"
"Whoa, sensational!" Emily gasped. "Rowlet, return. You did real nice! Maybe you'd like to take over as teacher for me!" She then laughed. "All joking aside though, I would like to gift these for you and Ash. A reward for doing so well." She handed 5 Great Balls to Misty.
"Thank you."
"Hey cousins!" Professor Kukui came around with a pink haired, dark skinned girl whom appeared to be 15.
"Greetings! Captain Ilima here! I couldn't help but observe your battle Misty. You looked so delightful in battle. I also know you and Ash came from the Kanto region."
"Yep." Misty nodded.
"I got a real sense these two will go far as trainers. Although Ash is the only one here taking the Island Challenge." Kukui said.
"Well then, I look forward to seeing you Ash take on my trial. We captains are the ones who conduct the trials you will face on the way to challenging the Island Kahuna. My trial is at the Verdant Cavern. The trial of me, Caption Ilima. You'll find Pokemon everywhere, so perhaps you would like to fill out your team first?"
"Well, I already have a full team, but I guess I could average it out with better Pokemon." Ash reasoned.
"Excellent. I'm looking forward to you." Captain Ilima left.
"Oh yeah, I reported that Tauros is blocking the road again." Emily mentioned.
"That guy's Tauros sure is a celebrity on Melemele Island, isn't it?" Kukui laughed.
"Well Misty and Ash, you're dismissed from school. Be good to your Pokemon, and enjoy your Island Challenge Ash, and be sure to use the skills you learned here at the school! Good luck future champion!"
"Good boy." Misty replied.
"Thanks, and I will." Ash responded as they began to leave, along with Lillie when she rejoined them.
"Well, it's time to show you around the city then. There's lots to see."
"That'd be great Lillie!" Misty said as she stretched her arms up.
"Yeah. I was rather impressed seeing you how you two battled with your Pokemon there. It feels like you're really giving it your all for your Pokemon's sake. Maybe that's why you were able to save Nebby that time Ash. Oh, I forgot about the Tauros!" Lillie gasped as she saw the Pokemon still there, only now occupied with the presence of Kahuna Hala and Hau.
"Well, if it isn't you three? It's getting around time to old Tauros back home? But first, why not give it a pat? It's welcoming of touches now."
"Um, okay." Ash gulped as he slowly walked to the Wild Bull Pokemon, and placed a hand on its head. It made a gruffing sound that indicated it liked it.
"Hahaha, you see that? This rascal already loves you! Pokemon become happier with care of course. Oh the places you'll go, child. The more people and Pokemon you meet, the more enriched your life will be. Well, farewell." Hala guided Tauros to go back home.
"Man, the Kahunas sure are something, eh?" Hau laughed. "Able to calm a raging Pokemon without even needing a battle. Now that's something! I mean, I like Tauros and all, but they're pretty scary! I don't want to ride on one! So, where are you three off to now?"
"I was thinking of showing them around Hau'oli City for a bit." Lillie responded.
"Nice! You're always on top of things!" Hau complimented the girl. "It's cool being friends with newcomers! Let me tag along too! I want to get something good to eat!"
"Alright, let's all go together."
"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go!" And so they went.
A/N: You know, I almost had them talking about Misty participating in the Island Challenge when they didn't give her a participation amulet. Good thing I caught that. Misty might work well more as a Kahuna anyway given her preference to water types like the gym leader she is. Or... sort of is since I'm giving her the background her sisters are running the place like in the anime? A champion should be well rounded like Cynthia. Oh I just realized... I didn't involve a pop culture reference so that means this chapter sucks. LOL just joking. Pop culture references should only be made when it's natural. Like Deadpool. Now that's a natural reference. What do you think readers?