NegaiFreak: Alola again, everyone! How are you all doing?
Calvin Ketchum: We're finally back for a couple chapters to kick off our journey to Akala Island!
Erika Ketchum: And before we hit our break as of next chapter, NegaiFreak has a couple of special announcements regarding Pokémon-related content!
NegaiFreak: But let's save that for later! Right now, it's time to start this chapter!
POKÉMON SUN & MOON
THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME
"Trumbeak, Pluck!" Calvin ordered.
"Brionne, Bubble Beam!" Erika commanded. What once would've been a normal quiet morning had now become filled with the sound of bubbles popping as Trumbeak's sharp, glowing blue beak thrusted through all of the bubbles shot his way from Brionne's nostrils. The Ketchum twins were having their first official battle with their only evolved Pokémon so far. Litten, Yungoos, Rockruff, and Oricorio watched on excitedly, each hoping their respective trainer would win the match. Pikachu was also there, acting as a referee.
"Why are they battling so early?" a yawning Ash asked as Mirajane slid a mug of warm coffee down to him across the counter.
"They wanted to see who was stronger to face the next island kahuna," she replied with a smile. She looked outside to see Brionne immerse herself within a torrent of water, rocketing after Trumbeak as he fired off sound waves from his glowing white, bent beak. "It's so amazing how those two are finally becoming trainers like you…" she noted, catching her husband's attention as he sipped his coffee.
"Yeah, you're right," he agreed with a grin.
"TRRRRUUMMM!" Trumbeak screeched loudly as he unleashed another soundwave from his beak towards the Pop Star Pokémon. She dodged it though, slamming into him head on before the water around her broke apart into droplets.
"Now use Disarming Voice!" Erika cried out.
"Breeeaaaaahhh!" Brionne sang, unleashing pink-purple hearts from her mouth that struck the Bugle Beak Pokémon, knocking him back in midair.
"Hang in there, Trumbeak!" Calvin called out, "Rock Smash!" he ordered as he pumped his fist. Trumbeak's beak glowed a reddish-orange as he glided towards his falling foe.
"Dodge it with Aqua Jet!" Erika exclaimed. Immersing herself in water once more, Brionne zoomed upwards and away from the Bugle Beak Pokémon once more, causing him to rapidly flap his wings in order to stop himself. "Now Bubble Beam!" Erika commanded as she pumped her right fist. Throwing her head back as the water around her splashed apart, Brionne fired off a rapid flurry of bubbles from her nostrils that struck Trumbeak, making him fall to the ground in a burst of dirt and dust.
"Trumbeak!" Calvin cried out.
"Looks like Erika's got this match in the bag, zzt…" Rotom noted from the porch.
"Mrrraaaah!" Litten roared to Trumbeak.
"Yung goo!" Yungoos shouted. As the dust settled, the Bugle Beak Pokémon shook his head, standing back up as Brionne landed down on the ground.
"All right, Supersonic!" Calvin yelled as he threw out his right arm. Bending his beak slightly, Trumbeak unleashed a powerful sonic wave towards Brionne.
"Counter with Disarming Voice!" Erika called out.
"Breeeaaaahhh!" Brionne sang again, firing off more purple-pink hearts towards the oncoming sonic wave, countering it in a fierce burst of wind that blew by everyone.
"Ah… darn it…" Calvin grumbled in frustration. Even with Trumbeak evolved, he was still struggling. First Crabrawler… and now this!
"All right, Calvin!" Erika exclaimed as she suddenly crossed her arms over her chest. The Normalium Z fitted onto her Z-Ring glowed brightly.
"A Z-Move?!" Rotom exclaimed in surprise. Calvin's eyes widened. But he shook his head, crossing his own arms as his Normalium Z flashed brightly.
"Trumbeak, get ready!" he called out, swinging his arms around like his twin sister so that his left was over his right as he extended them out in front of himself. The two trainers made the same poses, creating a z-like shape with their arms before a light orange aura flew out in streaks from them to their respective Pokémon.
"Who's Z-Move's stronger, zzt?!" Rotom excitedly wondered as the Pokémon on the porch cheered wildly.
"BREAKNECK BLITZ!" the twins exclaimed after the Z-Move symbols flashed in front of their respective Pokémon, followed by them dashing out at each other instantaneously. They zoomed at full-speed before slamming into each other in a fiercely explosion of dirt, dust, and smoke. Ash and Mirajane gasped in surprise to see the blast from inside.
"And they're as destructive as you, too…" Mirajane noted with a sheepish giggle. Ash just sighed as a blush streaked across his cheeks. Back outside, the dust settled, revealing a dazed Trumbeak lying upon the ground with swirls in his eyes.
"Pika pi, pika!" Pikachu cried out, gesturing towards Erika and the Pop Star Pokémon, "Chu, pika!" he announced.
"Breeaah!" Brionne exclaimed delightedly as she clapped her flippers.
"Way to go, Brionne!" Erika cheered as she pumped her right fist up.
"Rah, rahk ruff!" Rockruff yipped.
"Koree ree~!" Oricorio sang while waving her pom-pom-like feathers. Litten and Yungoos just sighed in defeat.
"Trrumm…" Trumbeak moaned as he managed to get up onto his feet. Calvin went over to him, kneeling down and placing his hand atop the Bugle Beak Pokémon's head.
"Hey, don't worry about it so much…" he reassured, "We'll keep training and get stronger than her someday," he promised as he clenched his right fist.
"Beek!" Trumbeak chirped in agreement with a nod.
"You're getting better, Cal!" Erika pointed out, catching his as he saw her walk over with Brionne hoping onto her back and holding on by her shoulders, "But a deal's a deal!" she mentioned proudly.
"Guess you're right…" her brother muttered in admittance, scratching his head sheepishly before standing up, "You'll battle the kahuna first, Erika," he said, taking her hand and shaking it firmly. Their parents looked on with happy smiles, excited for their futures. Elsewhere in the house, Leslie was getting her Poké Balls fitted onto her belt, while her Serperior slinked around and grabbed her backpack with his tail.
"Serrr…" he hissed, catching her attention as he hung the bag in front of her like it was on a coatrack.
"Thanks, Serpence," she said in gratitude, giving off a giggle as she took her backpack, putting it on as the straps went over her shoulders, "I hear going back in time makes you feel old…" she mentioned while tying her shoes.
"Serr?" Serpence uttered in confusion and concern.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Leslie assured as she stood back up, "Just a little nervous about all this…" she admitted, "It's our first time actually working with the Omni Force…" she noted. She was definitely nervous about making a good impression.
"Sir, serr peer," Serpence said as he held out his tail to her. She blinked in surprise, but then took her Serperior's tail into her hand with a grin.
"Yeah, we've faced lots of tough challenges before," she realized, "This'll just be another one we have to beat!" she declared firmly.
"Serr!" Serpence hissed in agreement. Just like her twin siblings, Leslie was also about to embark on a new adventure. A possibly perilous one…
To Akala We Go!
"…And that's how it works," Lillie finished explaining as Calvin was holding the Ride Pager in his hands.
"Whoa…" he uttered in surprise. Standing in front of him was a Tauros with a forest green harness upon it that included handles.
"Is this one of dad's?" Erika wondered as she tilted her head to the side.
"The Ride Pager can register several different Ride Pokémon for you to use," Lillie explained, "Professor Kukui said there's about twenty different ones that have been established before," she mentioned as she reached into her bag for something, "He also wanted me to make sure you both had sets of rider gear…" added, squatting down as she tried looking for what she needed to.
"Pew!" Nebby squeaked as it hopped out of the bag suddenly, causing Potions and Repels to spill all over the ground.
"Ah, Nebby!" Lillie yelled. The Cosmog didn't seem to care however, floating over to Oricorio and dancing with her.
"Hey, are those the gear sets?" Calvin guessed as he pointed towards the two bags with yellow and pink outfits in them just beside Tauros. Moments later, he and Erika were dressed in the gear, donning knee and elbow pads, fingerless gloves, white chest guards with the Poké Ball symbol upon it, and red helmets decorated like the head of a Hawlucha.
"How come the professor got me one?" Erika wondered as she made sure her gloves were on tight.
"He said you two could share the Ride Pager for trials around the other islands," Lillie replied, "Anyways, he's waiting down at the Marina with Hau if you want to head over to Akala Island," she mentioned.
"Awesome!" Erika exclaimed excitedly, "Come on, Cal! Let's go!" she beckoned impatiently as she returned her Pokémon to their respective Poké Balls in beams of red light. Nebby frowned as Oricorio was recalled, only for Lillie to pick it up in her arms. Calvin had picked up her things, placing them neatly back into her bag, while his twin sister climbed aboard the Tauros. The front door then opened, catching their attentions as they saw Ash and Mirajane there with smiles on their faces.
"Take care, you two!" the twins' mother advised as she waved goodbye, "Call us if something happens!" she added sternly.
"Good luck in the challenge ahead!" Ash mentioned, folding his arms over his chest, while Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder.
"Pika, pika!" he squeaked to the twins. Calvin smiled, nodding at his parents.
"I'll do my best," he promised.
"Me too!" Erika exclaimed, "Tell Leslie we said goodbye!" she added with a wave. Calvin handed Lillie her bag, allowing her to place Nebby back inside.
"So…" he began, making her perk up, "are you coming with us?" he offered to her surprise as she blinked. But she then smiled. After Calvin had returned his Pokémon to their Poké Balls in beams of red light, he and Lillie boarded the Tauros. He held onto Erika, while Lillie held onto him.
"All right, giddy up, Tauros!" Erika exclaimed as she pointed out towards Hau'oli City.
"MOOOOAAAAAAAARRRR!" the Tauros mooed as he galloped off into the distance.
"Bye!" Calvin called out to his parents, "We'll try to stay in touch!" he added in promise. Just then, he noticed a familiar figure floating after them.
"HEY, WAIT FOR ME, ZZT!" Rotom buzzed frantically as it tried to catch up. Ash and Mirajane just looked on with smiles, excited for their children. However, the Take-Over wizard had a look of guilt come across her face.
"Shouldn't we have let Leslie say goodbye?" she inquired to her husband, catching his attention. He closed his eyes in thought, giving off a nervous grimace. However, it turned into a confident grin.
"She'll be back before you know it," he promised, looking over at her, "She's our daughter, after all," he mentioned. His wife smiled at him, leaning in and giving him a warm, tender kiss to his lips, which he returned passionately.
Down at the marina, Kukui was undoing the ropes tying his boat down, while Hau and Pyrrha were waiting at the dock. The blonde haired girl had been offered to join them after she had cleared her grand trial just this morning.
"Hey everyone!" a familiar voice cried out, catching their attentions as they looked to see the Tauros galloping in with Erika, Calvin, and Lillie aboard.
"Hey guys!" Hau yelled back, waving towards them. His expression changed from delight to fright the moment he saw the Tauros they were riding.
"Erika! Calvin!" Pyrrha exclaimed. The Wild Bull Pokémon came to a stop, allowing his passengers to disembark. Calvin helped Lillie get down by taking her hand into his own. They stood just a foot apart from each other on the ground, much to their embarrassment as they blushed.
"Glad you could all make it today!" Kukui called out as he jumped back onto the dock as there was one rope still holding down his boat.
"Hi professor!" Erika greeted as she took off her helmet, "You got enough room for three more?" she asked jokingly. Kukui smirked, placing his hands at his hips.
"Got more than enough room for the five of you," he replied. Erika blinked in confusion. She then noticed Pyrrha standing there.
"Hey, Pyrrha!" she exclaimed in surprise as she went over to her, "Did you beat Hala's grand trial, too?" she inquired.
"Mm-hmm!" she replied with a nod, "I would've lost if it hadn't been for Miss Magic…" she mentioned sheepishly. Erika arched an eyebrow.
"Miss Magic, zzt?" Rotom buzzed in confusion.
"U-Uh…" Hau stammered, shaking as his eyes were locked onto the Tauros.
"Moar?" he mooed, tilting his head to the side.
"Congrats again on beating your grandpa, Hau!" Calvin complimented, "Bet you had an easier time than I did…" he pointed out with a sheepish grin.
"Uh, th-thanks!" his cousin stuttered with a nervous chuckle. Lillie blinked in surprise.
"What's the matter, Hau?" she asked worriedly.
"Huh…" Calvin sighed in realization, "It's because of the Tauros…" he noted while scratching his head.
"Tauros?" Lillie uttered. Hau gave off an embarrassed blush.
"A few years ago, Hau and his parents came down to Kanto to vacation with us for a couple weeks," Calvin recalled, "One time, all my dad's Tauros were stampeding around so much, Hau got scared and thought there was an earthquake," he explained.
"HEY!" his cousin yelled angrily, "I'm not afraid of Tauros!" he claimed with a reddening face, "I just… can't see myself ever riding one…" he admitted ashamedly as he fidgeted with his fingers.
"Ha, ha!" Kukui laughed, "Nothin' wrong with that, cuz!" he reassured to him, "Anyways, it's gonna be a bit before I can get this old boat up and running…" he confessed as he checked the engine.
"Really?" Erika said as she put on her hat.
"Well, I don't mind waiting…" Calvin added, prepared to take off his own helmet. Hau then blinked as he remembered something.
"I know another way we can get to Akala!" he suddenly exclaimed, catching their attentions, "Cal, let's hit the beach!" he recommended.
"The… beach?" his cousin uttered in confusion, tilting his head to the side.
"Oh, that's what you're thinking!" Kukui realized as he smiled, "Well, you can leave your bags with us," he recommended, "Wouldn't want them getting wet now, right?" he inquired. Calvin blinked in confusion. What exactly was Hau thinking of doing?
"All right then…" he concurred, taking off his bag and setting it on the ground. Hau did so as well with his backpack. "What's at the beach?" he wondered aloud.
"Only the coolest ride ever between the islands!" Hau exclaimed excitedly, "Come on, let's go!" he beckoned, running in place as he was more than ready to take off.
"Okay, let's take Tauros," Calvin offered, mounting the Wild Bull Pokémon.
"T-Tauros?" Hau stuttered. His eye twitched nervously as he looked at Tauros, gulping. Moments later, he was tightly holding onto his cousin with his eyes shut aboard the Normal type.
"We'll see you guys at Akala!" Calvin called out before Tauros galloped off with them.
"So now what?" Erika questioned, having put on her regular clothes.
"Why don't we battle to pass the time?" Pyrrha suggested, "That way, the professor can get the boat ready, and we can get some training in before Akala!" she pointed out excitedly.
"Yeah, let's do it!" Erika agreed with a pump of her fist. A few minutes later, the two trial-goers were standing on opposite sides of the marina.
"Okay…" Pyrrha began as she enlarged a shrunken Poké Ball by pressing its center button, "let's go, Miss Magic!" she exclaimed, throwing the ball up into the air. It popped open, with the light from it forming in midair before dissipating to reveal a Misdreavus.
"Dree!" she screeched excitedly.
"A Misdreavus?" Erika uttered. Rotom floated beside her, pulling up an image of the Screech Pokémon on its screen.
"Misdreavus, the Screech Pokémon," it began, "If you hear a sobbing sound emanating from a vacant room, it's undoubtedly a bit of mischief from Misdreavus. What makes her happy is imitating the voices of weeping people and scaring everyone. She doesn't deal well with folks who aren't easily frightened," it explained thoroughly.
"Miss Magic here really gave me a good scare when we met at the cemetery a couple nights ago…" Pyrrha sheepishly admitted with a blush streaked across her cheeks.
"Miss, dree!" her Misdreavus exclaimed as it flew about excitedly.
"A Ghost type, huh?" Erika said, letting off a grin. She reached down to her belt, pulling out a Poké Ball and enlarging it. "Rockruff, go!" she called out, throwing the container into the air. The light that spilled out once it opened formed upon the ground. It dissipated to reveal Rockruff there.
"Rah!" he yipped excitedly.
"Rockruff versus Misdreavus, zzt!" Rotom exclaimed as it floated in between the two eventual fighters, "You may start the battle!" it declared, swinging down its right arm.
"Rockruff, Bite!" Erika commanded quickly. Making his teeth glow a bright white, the Puppy Pokémon jumped out and bit Misdreavus' neck before she could react.
"DRREEEEEEEEEE!" she screeched in agony.
"It's okay, Miss Magic!" Pyrrha called out reassuringly, "Use Spite!" she ordered. The Screech Pokémon's eyes flashed a bright purple. An outline of the same color appeared over Rockruff for a moment before it vanished almost instantaneously.
"Huh?" Erika uttered in confusion. Did the move fail? She shook her head. "Bite again!" she yelled.
"Spite again!" Pyrrha exclaimed. Miss Magic's eyes flashed purple as Rockruff bit her again. Another purple outline came over his form.
"What the heck is she doing?" Erika wondered, "Rockruff, toss her!" she ordered.
"Ruff!" he yipped, spinning around and chucking the Misdreavus away. She regained herself in midair, managing to float down a little as she grimaced in agony. Taking two Bites wasn't something she could normally handle…
"Spite one more time!" Pyrrha commanded.
"Miss dree!" Miss Magic exclaimed as her eyes flashed purple again, making another outline of the same color shroud Rockruff.
"Why does she keep going for Spite?" Erika asked quietly as she arched an eyebrow, "Oh well…" she mumbled with a shrug, "Guess this means it'll be a quick match!" she realized as she balled her fists excitedly, "Rockruff, Bite!" she yelled.
"Rah!" Rockruff barked. But his teeth didn't glow. "Rahk?" he uttered in confusion.
"What the?" Erika said, completely befuddled.
"You finally ran out…" Pyrrha realized with a grin, "Miss Magic, Astonish!" she shouted. The Screech Pokémon flew out towards Rockruff, making a black, ghost-like apparition appear in the shape of its face with bright purple eyes and a menacing smile. It suddenly zoomed out and struck the Puppy Pokémon in the face, causing him to tumble back.
"Rah…" he whimpered as his eyes were clenched shut.
"Rockruff, hang in there!" Erika called out. The bravado and confidence she had earlier was completely gone.
"Now Psywave!" Pyrrha ordered. The Misdreavus' eyes glowed a bright white before she fired off a multicolored, wavy beam of light from them. It struck Rockruff in a fierce explosion, blowing him back as he tumbled across the ground, lying on his side as he stopped.
"Rah…" he groaned, standing up and shaking his head to regain himself.
"Rotodex, what the heck's going on?!" Erika asked frantically. The advantage she had in the battle was completely gone.
"Misdreavus' Spite is a move that makes her opponent lose the ability to use the move it used last, zzt," Rotom explained in reply, "She was using it so much because Rockruff could use Bite a lot of times," it pointed out.
"I didn't know Pokémon couldn't use their moves like that…" Erika admitted out of shock, "Guess it makes sense since they can't battle forever…" she noted, clenching her fists, "Rockruff, you okay?" she called out in question.
"Rahk!" he replied as he took a ready stance.
'Since we can't use Bite anymore, I guess that leaves us with only one option!' his trainer realized as she swung her left arm out.
"Use Howl!" she cried out.
"RAAAAHHHHOOOOOO!" Rockruff howled loudly, causing a reddish aura to flow up his body.
"So since she can't rely on Bite anymore, she's raising Rockruff's attack and special attack so that another move can be just as powerful…" Lillie noted, amazed by how quick Erika was at thinking. She certainly changed for the better.
"Miss Magic, Confuse Ray!" Pyrrha commanded.
"Dreee vaaaass!" the Screech Pokémon shrieked as she formed multiple brown-gold balls of light around herself, firing them off towards Rockruff.
"Rock Throw, quick!" Erika yelled. The rocks around the Puppy Pokémon's neck glowed white as a multicolored orb of energy shrouded his tail. It then dissolved into multiple sparkles, turning into rocks with whitish outlines before being launched at the Misdreavus, just as the brown-gold energy orbs burst around Rockruff.
"Dree?!" the Screech Pokémon yelped in surprise. She didn't even have time to react as she was struck over and over again by the oncoming rocks, becoming enveloped in an explosion of white smoke.
"Miss Magic!" Pyrrha cried out. The Misdreavus fell out of the smoke cloud, hitting the floor with swirls in her eyes as she groaned. In the meantime, the light subsided around Rockruff, revealing him stumbling around crazily.
"Misdreavus is unable to battle, zzt!" Rotom buzzed, gesturing towards the Puppy Pokémon, "Rockruff wins!" it declared.
"Huh…" Erika sighed in relief. The battle had actually made her more nervous than she thought it would…
"Raaaaahhhh…" Rockruff uttered out as he stumbled around, almost falling over if it wasn't for his trainer catching him.
"Nice going there, Rockruff," she complimented, taking out the Puppy Pokémon's Poké Ball, "Take a good long rest," she recommended, returning him to the containment in a beam of red light.
"Dree…" Miss Magic moaned, disappointed that she lost as Pyrrha picked her up.
"Don't feel bad, Miss Magic," she advised reassuringly to her as she smiled, "Erika's really strong now…" she pointed out, "But we'll get stronger, too!" she declared as she pumped her right fist.
"Dree!" her Misdreavus agreed gleefully.
"That was a great battle, Erika," Lillie complimented, catching her attention.
"Pew!" Nebby squeaked as it poked out of her bag again.
"Ah, Nebby!" Lillie gasped, "Not where Pyrrha can see…!" she whispered loudly. Kukui noticed and chuckled.
"Don't worry, Lillie," he assured, getting her attention as she blinked in surprise, "Pyrrha's mom told her all about Nebby there," he explained to her.
"I know it's really important to keep secret, so I'll stay quiet about it," Pyrrha promised with a smile, "You'll keep it secret, too, right Miss Magic?" she asked of her Misdreavus.
"Dree!" she squeaked in promise. Lillie just laughed in relief. She really didn't want anyone she couldn't trust to know about the Cosmog travelling in her bag.
"So are you ladies ready to hit the water?" Kukui asked, catching their attentions.
"Yeah!" the three girls exclaimed simultaneously. The boat's motor started to rev as Kukui untied the last rope. As the mainsail went up, the girls boarded the boat, hanging onto the railings.
"And here we… go!" Kukui exclaimed as he pushed the throttle forward, allowing the boat to zoom off into the distance.
"Woohoo!" Erika yelled in delight as she pumped her left fist, "Hey pick it up, grandma!" she shouted to Kukui, "We gotta beat Cal and Hau there!" she pointed out excitedly as the wind rushed by her hair.
"If we push this boat any more, we might as well be at the bottom of the ocean!" Lillie reprimanded sternly, holding onto her hat.
"Ah, don't worry so much, Lillie!" Erika retorted reassuringly, "You're probably thinking your hat's gonna fall off!" she pointed out with a laugh, causing the professor's assistant to puff out her cheeks in embarrassment and frustration, "Still, I can't wait to see what Akala Island's like…" Erika admitted with sparkling eyes of anticipation, "I wonder what kind of Pokémon we'll find!" she exclaimed, "And I wonder what the kahuna's like!" she added excitedly. Pyrrha nodded in agreement. She too was excited about traveling to the next island. Meanwhile, Lillie had her own concerns. She clutched the strap of her duffel bag tightly.
'I hope you're not getting yourself into too much trouble…' she inwardly said as the ship sailed on over the ocean.
X
"Hau… you can… let go of me now…" Calvin managed to breathe out as he felt his chest being crushed by his cousin's strong grip. Hau opened his eyes to see the sand beneath the Tauros' feet. He looked out to see that they had arrived at the beach.
"Alright!" he exclaimed happily as he let go of his cousin and hopped down from the Tauros, "Terra firma under foot again!" he yelled with arms outstretched up into the air.
"Moarr…" Tauros groaned out of annoyance.
"Thanks for the ride, Tauros," Calvin said in gratitude as he disembarked the Wild Bull Pokémon, "And don't mind Hau…" he added, "He'll get used to riding you eventually…" he promised with a grin.
"Mooaaaar!" Tauros mooed happily. Calvin then returned him to the Ride Pager Poké Ball in a beam of red light, clicking it back into the device.
"Cal, check this out!" Hau yelled, catching his attention as he looked to see his cousin take off his sandals and run out towards a signboard beside the water. Calvin blinked as he saw that it was a Mantine with writing on its underbelly that read 'Big Wave Beach Mantine Surfing'.
"Mantine Surfing?" he uttered in confusion, walking over to his excited cousin, "Is it like a way to get across the ocean?" he guessed.
"Oh yeah!" Hau replied, "And it'll be much faster than Kukui's old boat…" he mentioned, crossing his arms with confidence. Calvin just chuckled. Moments later, the two boys were shirtless, donning black and yellow life vests over their chests while each wearing helmets.
"Maaaauuu!" one of the Mantine bellowed eagerly as an attendant fastened his harness. He was excited to carry new surfers.
"All right, all right…" the attendant repeated to calm him down, "You'll get to take one of those boys soon enough," he promised. A female attendant in a yellow bikini trotted over to Calvin and Hau.
"So are you two ready to get surfin'?" she asked them.
"Yeah!" they replied simultaneously, laughing afterwards.
"Yo, outta the way!" someone suddenly shouted, "We're ridin' those Mantine first!" he declared. Calvin's eyes widened as he recognized the voice.
'It can't be…' he muttered inwardly, turning around with Hau to see who it was. To their misfortune, it turned out to be both A and B from Team Skull.
"Yo, yo, check it!" B rapped, "We're gonna surf way better than you newbies!" he declared as he waved his hands around. Calvin and Hau just sighed as they slouched their shoulders. They knew Team Skull wasn't worth bothering with, even with their recent confrontations. However, the attendant didn't seem to share that view.
"I thought we already told you Team Skull people that you're banned from Mantine Surfing!" she emphasized angrily to the boys' surprise, "Your dumb tricks hurt the Mantine!" she pointed out.
"Muu…" one of the Mantine moaned as he sunk into the water out of fright.
"Hey, that's discrimination, yo!" A shouted.
"And who says we're doin' the tricks?" B questioned with his hands at his hips as he narrowed his eyes onto the bikini clad woman, "As far as y'all know, we ain't doin' that!" he exclaimed before he and B ran towards the pair of Mantine.
"Ah, hey!" the attendant gasped, but they didn't stop.
"HOLD IT!" Calvin suddenly yelled, causing the Team Skull members to come to a screeching halt. They turned to see the angered look in his eyes, not noticing the electricity crackling around his hand.
"C-Cal…" Hau stammered in concern.
"Hey… isn't that the crybaby from the trial site?" A wondered as he pointed at Calvin.
"Yeah… it is!" B realized with widened eyes, "Hey, crybaby!" he yelled mockingly, "Did ya find your way back to mommy?!" he asked, cackling with his comrade. Calvin gritted his teeth. Remembering how embarrassed he and his Pokémon were back then… He took out one of his Poké Balls and enlarged it.
"Leave or else," he demanded passive-aggressively. The Team Skull members perked up in surprise.
"Oh, you're askin' for it…" A remarked as he and B readied their own Poké Balls.
"Zubat, let's teach this crybaby a lesson!" his partner yelled, throwing his ball into the air with A's. They popped open, with the light spilling out in midair, forming into both Drowzee and Zubat.
"Drow!" the Hypnosis Pokémon exclaimed as he landed upon the sandy earth, while Zubat flew beside him.
"Trumbeak, go!" Calvin cried out, throwing his Poké Ball out. It popped open, with the light from it forming and then dissipating to reveal the Bugle Beak Pokémon.
"Trrummm!" he squawked. He widened his eyes upon seeing his opponents.
"Hey, that used to be the Pikipek he had!" B realized as he blinked rapidly. A scoffed.
"Bet it's still just as weak as last time…" he remarked, "Now let's-!"
"Trumbeak, Pluck!" Calvin commanded, interrupting the Team Skull member. The Bugle Beak Pokémon's beak glowed a bright blue before it lengthened, followed by him dashing out and pecking at Drowzee rapidly. He didn't even have a chance to react as he was blown back to his trainer in an instant, knocking him down with him.
"Drrrowwww…" he groaned in agony with swirls in his eyes.
"Ugh…" A groaned as well, also dizzied. B began sweating bullets. His partner and his Pokémon were defeated that quickly?!
"Z-Zubat!" he stammered, "Get him with Supersonic!" he demanded in a panicked tone. The Bat Pokémon flew out and unleashed a high-pitched wail from his mouth towards Trumbeak.
"Dodge and use Echoed Voice!" Calvin called out. Trumbeak flew up to evade the sound waves, followed by bending his now glowing white beak to fire off a powerful blast of sound onto the Zubat, knocking him back in midair. "One more time!" Calvin ordered. Trumbeak fired off a more powerful sonic blast, sending Zubat crashing into the ground upon being hit in a flurry of dust. When the dust cleared, it revealed that the Bat Pokémon wasn't moving, completely knocked out.
"A-Ah…" B stuttered with shaking legs. Trumbeak flew over and perched himself onto Calvin's shoulder as they stared down the frightened Team Skull member.
"Don't bother these people again," the trial-goer advised sternly. B blinked in surprise, but quickly responded by returning his Zubat to his Poké Ball in a beam of red light, getting a hold of A and Drowzee in his hands, and scurrying off with them as fast as he could.
"We'll get you back for this!" he declared while dragging his comrades away.
"Wow…" Hau uttered in amazement, "That was awesome, Cal!" he complimented as he pumped his fists.
"Thank you so much for that," the attendant said in gratitude, catching Calvin's attention, "Those Team Skull thugs act like they own the place sometimes…" she muttered with a roll of her eyes.
"Ah, it's no big deal," Calvin replied, "We kinda wanted to get even with 'em for a while now anyway," he mentioned as he glanced over at Trumbeak.
"Trrummm!" he happily squawked.
"Well, you ready to get surfin'?" the attendant asked. After returning Trumbeak to his Poké Ball, Calvin took to the water and got aboard the Mantine.
"Mah!" he cried out excitedly.
"Looks like he's set to go!" the bikini clad attendant realized, "Have fun at Akala!" she exclaimed in farewell with a wave. Mantine swam off quickly, with Calvin holding onto the handles of his harness.
"Meetcha' there, cuz!" Hau cried out, getting aboard his own Mantine. Calvin's swam towards an oncoming wave, appearing to smirk excitedly.
"Whoa!" the trial-goer yelped as Mantine leapt off the wave's crest, spinning around twice before landing back onto the wave, going down it to gain more speed. "Ha, ha!" Calvin laughed, standing up, "Let's try something else, Mantine!" he suggested loudly.
"Maaauu!" the Kite Pokémon agreed, heading back up the wave. He leapt off it, spinning around rapidly before somersaulting. Unfortunately, Calvin couldn't keep his balance, falling off as he splashed down into the ocean water. "M-Mah!" Mantine yelped worriedly, quickly diving into the water to pick up the trial-goer on his back before returning to the surface.
"Pah!" Calvin exhaled out, managing to chuckle, "That was fun…" he admitted with a nervous laugh.
"Maaauuu!" Mantine agreed, glad his rider enjoyed it. However, he had the feeling it'd be better to get the boy to his destination rather than dillydally. So he swam away from the waves, instead letting them crash down and help push him and his rider towards the island far in the distance. Calvin's expression was now a wide grin as he saw the landmass. Though he didn't know it, his sister was smiling, too.
'Akala Island… here I come!' they both declared simultaneously through their thoughts, excited to start the next stage of their island challenge.
X
Kukui's boat finally docked at the port as Rotom floated out towards the station nearby.
"A whole new island means a whole new slew of Pokémon for us to find, zzt!" it buzzed excitedly, "Come on, Erika!" he beckoned. The Ketchum girl's feet touched the stone-plated dock as she hopped off of the deck with Pyrrha and Lillie.
"We finally made it!" she exclaimed with outstretched arms.
"Thank you for the ride, professor!" Pyrrha said in gratitude as she bowed towards Kukui, who was tying down his boat.
"Don't mention it, ladies!" he responded with a smile, "Besides, I was plannin' on visiting Heahea City anyway to see someone," he mentioned after tightly fastening the rope.
"Heahea City?" Erika uttered in confusion, arching an eyebrow.
"That'zzz the city we're in right now!" Rotom responded for the professor, "Akala's a much bigger island than Melemele, so you better be ready for anything!" it pointed out to Erika. She just cracked a smirk, pumping her fist.
"Don't worry, I'm more than ready," she declared confidently. Pyrrha giggled at her confidence, while Lillie just smiled. The once aloof girl was now a well-defined trainer.
"I thought I recognized those well-toned abs…" a feminine, almost seductive sounding voice chimed in, catching the girls' attentions, "Still haven't found a shirt for your lab coat, Kukui?" she guessed. Erika looked ahead and widened her eyes. Standing there was a dark-skinned woman with dark brown eyes and black hair that reached to her shoulders. She had pink crystal earrings, a crystal necklace and a crystal ring on her right hip. She also wore light pink lipstick. A light pink midriff top and dark pink shorts with light pink sandal heels made up her outfit. She bore many anklets around both ankles and equal amounts of bracelets on her left arm. She also had a Z-Ring around her left arm and has a teal nail polish.
Next to her was a girl with tanned skin, who had a pink flower in her green hair and had green eyes. She wore a salmon colored sleeveless shirt with light teal overalls. She also had light teal cut-off denim shorts and green shoes with small dark green bows. Erika noticed a rather familiar golden clover-shaped badge on her waist. Though hers had a green part as opposed to the white one Ilima had.
"Olivia! Mallow!" Kukui exclaimed as he went over to the two women, "Good to see you!" he said happily.
"You as well," the woman known as Olivia replied, "I take it you're here to see Burnet?" she guessed cleverly. Kukui blushed as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"You know me…" he muttered out in embarrassment, "It's hard to see her when she's so busy with her research," he pointed out. As their conversation continued, the three girls from afar looked on in confusion.
"Pew?" Nebby squeaked as it poked its head out of Lillie's bag slightly.
"Who's the lady?" Erika wondered aloud.
"I dunno…" Pyrrha responded with a shrug, "Seems like the professor does though…" she noted.
"Then let's ask!" Erika decided eagerly, suddenly jogging over to the group of three.
"Ah, Erika!" Lillie gasped.
"I couldn't help but notice you brought some company along…" Olivia pointed out to the professor, not noticing Erika coming over, "Trial-goers?" she guessed.
"Yep," Kukui replied with a nod, "And one of 'em's really lookin' to take you on…" he mentioned. Erika came to a complete stop upon hearing his words. Her eyes slowly started to widen in realization.
"YOU'RE THE KAHUNA?!" she shrieked out of complete shock, pointing at Olivia. She blinked in surprise. And then she giggled.
"I take it that she's the eager one?" she inquired.
"You got it," Kukui replied, putting his hands at his hips, "Erika here's really lookin' to beat ya someday," he introduced. The young trial-goer stared in awe at the apparent kahuna of Akala. She shook her head to regain herself though, pulling out a Poké Ball from her belt.
"And that day's today!" she declared, "I challenge you to a battle, Miss… uh… whatever your name was…" she sheepishly said aloud. An awkward moment of silence passed.
"Oh, Erika…" Pyrrha muttered, smacking herself in the face. Lillie sighed deeply.
"You're really impatient, zzt…" Rotom bluntly buzzed beside its user.
"Huh?" she uttered in confusion. Olivia giggled again, catching her attention.
"While I admire your compassion, I don't think you're ready to take on my grand trial just yet," she noted to her, "After all, there are trials on this island you have to complete before mine," she mentioned, placing her hands at her hips. Erika blinked in surprise.
"Here on Akala, there's three trials!" Mallow chimed in suddenly, "Nice to meetcha' by the way!" she greeted excitedly, "The name's Mallow!" she introduced.
"And I'm Olivia," the apparent kahuna chimed in, "I'll accept your challenge once you've collected the three Z-Crystals from the trials you'll be facing," she promised to Erika.
"Aw, man…" she groaned. She really wanted to battle her right away…
"Are you two also here on the island challenge?" Mallow asked of Pyrrha and Lillie, who approached the group.
"I am!" Pyrrha responded, "Lillie here is…" she began to say, unsure of how to put an explanation together.
"I'm traveling as the professor's assistant," Lillie said as she clutched the strap of her duffel bag tightly, "I'm… also here to meet with someone," she added in confession. Erika turned and blinked in surprise. This was the first she heard of that… In the meantime, Olivia noticed Nebby's eyes blinking inside Lillie's bag.
"Kukui…" she whispered, catching his attention, "isn't that…?" she started to ask.
"Yeah, it's the Cosmog all right…" he quietly responded, "We haven't figured out much about it, but we're makin' sure Lillie here's got all the protection she needs," he assured.
"I hope so…" Olivia said, "If that Pokémon is really what the legends say it is…" she continued, folding her arms underneath her chest.
"So where are you meeting this person?" Pyrrha asked Lillie curiously.
"A-At the Tide Song Hotel…" she stuttered while answering, "Although, I won't be visiting for about an hour…" she mentioned.
"Then let's chill out and do some shopping!" Pyrrha suggested excitedly, "I kinda need a break from all this island challenge stuff…" she admitted sheepishly.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a break…" Lillie noted with a smile.
"Pew!" Nebby squeaked, hopping out of the duffel bag as Potions and Repels scattered on the ground.
"Ah, Nebby!" Lillie gasped, seeing it float to Erika. It grabbed her left hand with its gaseous ones, catching her attention as she looked to see it there.
"Pewpew!" it squeaked, trying to pull her back towards the two girls. Kukui chuckled.
"Why don't you go with 'em, Erika?" he suggested, causing her to perk up in surprise, "You could use a break yourself after all your hard work," he pointed out. Erika's eyes widened.
"But… what about the trials?" she asked, sounding impatient.
"The nearest trial site is at Brooklet Hill up north," Olivia chimed in, "You should take this chance to catch your breath before trying to challenge anyone else," she advised with a smile.
"But-!"
"Then it's settled!" Pyrrha exclaimed, interjecting Erika as she suddenly grabbed her arm and dragged her off, "Let's go!" she beckoned.
"Hey!" Erika screamed, trying to pry herself free to no avail.
"She's always impatient…" Rotom noted out of exasperation. As the three girls went off on their way to a nearby clothing store, Mallow took notice of the pair of backpacks sitting upon Kukui's boat.
"Professor, are those yours?" she asked, pointing towards the bags. Kukui saw them and gasped.
"Ah, I almost forgot!" he realized, jogging over to grab them, "There's two other island challengers coming here by Mantine…" he told them, hoisting both backpacks and putting them over his shoulders.
"Two more?" Olivia uttered in surprise as she blinked, "Well, I'd love to meet them…" she said, giving off a grin.
"Me too!" Mallow exclaimed excitedly.
"Well, let's hit the beach!" Kukui declared as they headed off.
X
The two Mantine carrying Calvin and Hau slowly floated over to the beach, allowing them to disembark before they reached the sand. Calvin took off his helmet and awed the resort hotel building just beside them, decorated with wave-like art on its walls.
"We made it!" Hau suddenly exclaimed, catching his attention as he saw him remove his helmet and shake his head to remove any excess water from the ride, "Those Mantine really know how to surf, don't they?" he inquired.
"Yeah, they do," his cousin agreed with a laugh.
"Enjoy the waves, boys?" a voice guessed, coming from a white skinned man in navy blue swim trunks with honey brown hair and a beard, "The Mantine here are the best ones to get people from island to island, aside from the usual boat ride," he explained to them. He then noticed the Ride Pager latched onto Calvin's right hip. "Oh, you've got one of those new Ride Pagers!" he noted, causing the trial-goer to perk up.
"Uh, yeah," he replied, unlatching it from the plastic hook, "How do you know about it though?" he wondered, "I thought this was a brand new thing…" he recalled, remembering what Lillie had told him earlier on Melemele.
"They are new, kid," the swimmer replied with a chuckle, "These babies are rolling off the market faster than a Quick Attack!" he mentioned while pointing at the Ride Pager, "Here, can I see that for a sec?" he asked. Calvin blinked in confusion… but did give the man the device. He fiddled with it for a few moments before handing it back. "I just got Mantine registered in your pager," he told him, "Now you can swim anywhere you want with him!" he said, placing his hands at his hips.
"Awesome!" Hau exclaimed. Calvin just grinned, looking back at the Kite Pokémon.
"Maaauuu!" he cried out excitedly.
"See you again soon, Mantine!" Calvin promised as he waved to him. A few minutes later, he and Hau had taken off their life vests and set them onto a rack. "So where's the professor?" he asked, knowing that Kukui had their bags.
"Probably at the dock," Hau replied as he rubbed the sand off of his feet, "Knowing him, he's on his way here to find us now!" he noted with a chuckle, causing his cousin to do the same. The two then looked out towards the ocean. They were pretty far from Melemele now. Far from their parents. But they were still excited for what was likely ahead.
"So do you know who the island's kahuna is?" Calvin asked, catching his cousin's attention.
"No, but Tutu says she's really strong!" Hau responded, "She almost beat him once!" he mentioned as his eyes sparkled with excitement. Calvin blinked.
'So this island's kahuna is a woman, huh?' he inwardly noted, 'I wonder what she's like…' he said through his thoughts.
"Hey there!" a voice suddenly called out, causing him and Hau to perk up in surprise. Coming down the steps from the hotel resort were two people. One was a dark skinned woman with dark blue hair that only reached down to her neck, but seemed long as it was curved around her. She wore a black cap with sunglasses that had pink lenses, a white tank top over a black sports bra, ripped jean shorts, and black sandals that had pink straps, including pink leather anklets buckled upon her.
The other was a light skinned man with dirty blonde hair underneath a tan brown fedora, wearing a pair of reflective shades. He also wore a yellow shirt with a picture of what looked like a palm tree kind of Pokémon with a pink sandwich off to the side. The cuffs and collar of the shirt were green, and he also wore ripped jeans over his legs with a pair of scaly green penny loafers upon his feet.
"You two are island challengers, right?" the woman guessed.
"Uh… yeah…" Calvin answered rather nervously. Who were these people?
"We just happened to be coming down to the beach to try some Mantine Surfing today," the man of the pair pointed out.
"But now that you're here, we've got another fun idea!" the woman exclaimed excitedly.
"You mean you have a fun idea, Sina," the man grumbled, "You don't need to go bothering island challengers who want to take a break…" he pointed out while pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
"Oh, come on Dexio!" the woman apparently known as Sina complained, "You and I both know we need to get stronger if we're gonna do this island challenge, too!" she told him sternly. Calvin and Hau stared blankly at the pair.
"Uh… excuse me…" the Ketchum boy chimed in, catching their attentions, "What exactly do you want from us?" he asked curiously.
"Oh, duh!" Sina exclaimed in realization, bonking herself lightly on the head with her left fist, "We wanna have a battle!" she declared, pulling out a Poké Ball from her belt.
"Well, I didn't want to battle…" Dexio admitted, though he took out his own Poké Ball, "but if you insist…" he grumbled despite grinning.
"Then let's make it a tag battle!" Hau recommended as he jumped up onto his feet excitedly, "Me and Cal versus you two!" he declared while pointing at them. Sina and Dexio blinked in surprise before pulling off wide grins.
"Now we like the sound of that!" the former agreed eagerly.
"Yeah, we do," Dexio concurred with a nod.
"Cal, you in?" Hau asked of his cousin, getting his attention.
"I guess it's a good way to warm up for the stuff ahead…" he admitted with a shrug. He and his cousin then took out their own Poké Balls, enlarging them.
"Let's go, Rowlet!" Hau cried out, tossing his ball up into the air.
"Litten, you're up!" Calvin yelled while throwing his container. Both popped open, with the light from them forming onto the ground, dissipating to reveal the Grass Quill Pokémon and the Fire Cat Pokémon.
"Mrraaw!" Litten roared excitedly.
"Koo!" Rowlet chirped. The two of them looked over at each other in surprise before looking back at their respective trainers.
"You two are gonna be battling together today!" Hau told them, "So watch out for each other!" he advised with a pump of his fist.
"Rowwl!" Rowlet exclaimed as he nodded. Calvin just gave Litten a grin, which she returned with her own nod.
"Okay, go Glaceon!" Sina yelled as she fired her Poké Ball.
"Espeon, come on out!" Dexio shouted while throwing his ball. Both containers popped open, with the light from each of them spilling out onto the ground, forming and then dissipating to reveal a Glaceon and an Espeon.
"Glay!" the Fresh Snow Pokémon exclaimed.
"Espee," the Sun Pokémon uttered, taking a ready stance with his partner.
"Glaceon and Espeon, huh?" Calvin noted as he gained a serious expression upon his face.
"Your Litten's a good match against an Ice type!" Hau exclaimed in a whisper.
"Yeah, but Rowlet really isn't…" his cousin noted, "Think you two can handle Espeon?" he asked of him.
"You got it, cuz!" he replied with a pump of his fist, "Rowlet, start us off with Razor Leaf!" he commanded.
"Koo!" Rowlet chirped in response as he flew up. His wings glowed a bright green before he flapped them forwards, unleashing multiple green glowing leaves clustered into three different sized arrows, all heading towards Glaceon and Espeon.
"Starting off with a Razor Leaf, huh?" Sina noted with a smirk, "Well, we've got our own wide-range moves!" she exclaimed, "Glaceon, Icy Wind!" she ordered. Taking a deep breath, the Fresh Snow Pokémon exhaled an icy burst of air from her mouth, striking the oncoming leaves in an explosion of white smoke.
"Ah!" Hau gasped.
"Espeon, Swift!" Dexio commanded.
"Esss… pee!" the Sun Pokémon exclaimed as he hopped up, making his tail glow a bright golden yellow before swinging it out to unleash multiple yellow stars with gold sparkles towards his two opponents. They both blinked in surprise before being struck by the stars, with Litten sliding back a few feet, while Rowlet lost his balance in midair for a moment before regaining it.
"Whoa…" Hau uttered out of amazement. Calvin looked out at Glaceon and Espeon. From an obvious glance, they were strong. …And it excited him.
"Let's turn the tide here, Hau!" he declared, making his cousin perk up and grin.
"Yeah!" he agreed.
"Glaceon, Quick Attack!" Sina commanded as she swung her left arm.
"You too, Espeon!" Dexio shouted. Both the Fresh Snow Pokémon and the Sun Pokémon had white outlines shrouding their forms before they dashed out at their opponents.
"Litten, Fire Fang on Glaceon!" Calvin ordered.
"Rowlet, use Peck on Espeon!" Hau exclaimed. The red tufts on Litten's back spiked up as flames within her mouth, while a reddish aura appeared over her body. Meanwhile, Rowlet dove towards the oncoming Espeon, having a light green, bird-shaped aura surround the front of his body. Litten bit down onto Glaceon as she slammed into him, while Rowlet and Espeon struck each other fiercely. The attacks resulted in a burst of dust that shrouded the four of them, while their trainers looked on anxiously.
"So those boys are the two you talked about?" Olivia asked as she, Kukui, Mallow, and Rotom had just arrived at the beach. The professor smiled.
"Yeah," he responded with a nod, "And they're only getting better…" he noted, sounding proud.
X
"I don't know about this…" Erika uttered nervously as she held onto a floral orange shirt with white spaghetti straps. After being dragged into the clothing store, Pyrrha offered to buy her a brand new outfit. Though she didn't mind her current one, Erika did have to admit that with the hat she had on now… she could use a change. Although, she didn't exactly like Pyrrha's choices…
"And here you go!" she exclaimed, tossing over a pair of puffy white shorts and a yellow pork-pie hat with a salmon pink flower upon it. Erika cringed.
"Pyrrha… are you sure you know what you're getting me?" she asked of her friend, who was picking out a pair of sandals.
"My mom's always told me I've got this great sense of fashion," she responded, putting her right hand upon her cheek, "And dad says I take so long to get ready because I love dressing up as best I can…" she admitted out of embarrassment with reddening cheeks, "I think it's because I'm always hanging out at that boutique in mom's world…" she added. As Erika listened on, she stared at the clothes Pyrrha had already picked out for her. They used to be the kind of clothes that she'd just do away with. Now she had a sense of wanting to at least try them on for her friend's sake. She then looked over to see Lillie struggling to keep her duffel bag still as she wandered about the store.
"Nebby giving you trouble again?" she guessed, catching her attention.
"Ah, yes…" she admitted ashamedly, "This little one hardly wants to sit still…" she noted as she peered into the bag to see the pleading look in Nebby's eyes, "I think it wants to head to the Ruins of Life," she pointed out. Erika blinked in surprise.
"The Ruins of Life?" she repeated in confusion, "Is that like the Ruins of Conflict back on Melemele?" she wondered aloud.
"Yes, that's right," Lillie replied as she nodded, "The islands have their own guardians known as the Tapu, like Tapu Koko," she explained, "Akala's guardian is known as Tapu Lele…" she told her.
"Tapu Lele, huh?" Erika uttered, "Hey Rotodex, can you-? Huh?" she said in surprise, seeing that her Pokédex wasn't with them.
"I guess it must've stuck around with the professor after we took you here…" Lillie realized with a giggle.
"Huh…" Erika sighed deeply, "I've been taking Rotodex for granted…" she admitted as she slouched over.
"Okay, ladies!" Pyrrha suddenly called out, catching their attentions, as they saw her with two shopping bags, "Let's pay for this stuff and hit the salon!" she declared. Erika's eye twitched.
"S-Salon?" she stuttered. Moments later, she found herself shaking in a barber's chair as a young lass with long dark hair, wearing a white shirt and green shorts, came over.
"So what would you like today?" she asked, "A cut? A new style? Maybe even a change in hair color?" she offered.
"Uh… um…" Erika stammered, unsure of how to respond.
"Why not just a new style?" Pyrrha suggested, catching their attentions as they saw her getting her hair dried, "Your hair's getting longer, so it might be good to get it styled in a way it won't bother you," she advised. Erika blinked in surprise. She did notice that her hair had reached down to her shoulders in the past couple of weeks. Haircuts were rare for her, and she never got them alone.
"How about a pair of braided pigtails?" the hairstylist suggested. Erika's eyes widened.
"P-Pigtails?!" she stuttered, imagining how dorky she thought she'd look.
"That sounds great!" Pyrrha exclaimed, "You should totally go for it!" she told Erika, who gulped. But she resigned herself to her fate, giving off an accepting sigh as she shut her eyes. Lillie looked on with a small smile. Her friend was much more outgoing now than she was when they first met. Pyrrha finally finished her drying as her hair was now wavy with red streaks on the right side. She apparently wanted to look a little more like her mother, or so she said. After about ten minutes, the hairstylist finished with Erika, allowing her to head into the salon's dressing room to change into her new clothes. She set her pork-pie hat atop her head before moving the drapes aside to reveal herself to the others.
"Wh-What do you think?" she asked with a stutter. Pyrrha and Lillie happily gasped.
"You look so cute!" the former of the two exclaimed.
"I think you've found yourself a great look!" the hairstylist chimed in, impressed with her work. Erika just chuckled nervously. However, she did happen to catch a glance of herself in the mirror. The new outfit was vibrant and bright in color, much like how she was now personally. And it fit her perfectly as she smiled.
"So I guess we oughta' find the professor and the others…" she realized.
"Ah, right!" Lillie agreed with a gasp, "If you'll excuse us…" she said politely to the hairstylist with a bow.
"Thanks for the new hairstyle!" Erika called out in gratitude as she jogged towards the door, while Pyrrha paid the cashier at the register for both of their appointments. She and Lillie then went off after the Ketchum girl, heading out towards the beach.
"Glaceon, Bite!" Sina commanded from the beach.
"Litten, Double Kick!" Calvin ordered. Glaceon's teeth glowed a bright white as she jumped out at the Fire Cat Pokémon, who spun around and readied her hind legs. Her right one was caught in the Ice type's teeth, but her left managed kick her opponent's face.
"Toss him away!" Sina called out. Glaceon spun Litten around rapidly before throwing her back towards Calvin.
"Mraaaaahh!" she shrieked before hitting the ground a couple times, regaining her footing as she growled.
"Rowlet, use Astonish!" Hau yelled. The Grass Quill Pokémon flew towards Espeon, who narrowed his eyes.
"Sand Attack!" Dexio shouted. Espeon turned around and kicked up sand towards Rowlet, appearing to hit him with it. However, he suddenly appeared in front of the Sun Pokémon to his surprise.
"KOO!" he cried as a black ghost face formed in front of him with glowing red eyes, striking Espeon as he flinched.
"All right!" Hau exclaimed excitedly, "Now Razor Leaf!" he ordered as he pumped his fist. Rowlet flew up and had his wings glow green, flapping them out to fire off three arrow-shaped clusters of leaves. They all struck Espeon in an explosion of smoke, blowing him back as he slid out, shaking his head.
"Peeeeon…" he growled angrily.
"Heehee!" Hau chuckled cheekily, thinking the upper hand was theirs.
"Icy Wind!" Sina suddenly exclaimed, causing him to gasp in surprise. Glaceon took a deep inhale before unleashing a freezing breath of air from her mouth that blew by Rowlet. Frost started to show on his wings as he fell towards the ground.
"Ah, Rowlet!" Hau gasped. Fortunately, the Grass Quill Pokémon managed to regain himself, landing on the ground safely to his trainer's relief.
"Icy Wind again!" Sina called out, throwing out her right hand.
"Glay see!" Glaceon responded before firing off another cold gust of air towards Rowlet.
"Counter it with Ember!" Calvin yelled quickly. Letting her red tufts spike up again, Litten shot out a large fireball from her mouth. Before the wind could reach Rowlet, the fireball struck it in an explosion of steam.
"Phoo…" Hau exhaled, "Thanks for that, cuz…" he said in gratitude.
"Don't thank me yet…" Calvin replied as he maintained a serious expression, "Litten, attack Glaceon with Fire Fang!" he commanded.
"Mrowr!" the Fire Cat Pokémon bellowed as her red tufts spiked back up, with fire billowing in her mouth as a reddish aura shrouded her form.
"Espeon, Confusion!" Dexio ordered. All of a sudden, a reddish-orange outline shrouded Litten before she was flung into the air in an instant.
"Litten!" Calvin screamed. He looked to see the reddish-orange glowing eyes of the Sun Pokémon. Litten was then slammed down onto the ground by her psychic force.
"Mraaww…" she groaned in agony, slowly managing to stand up.
"Ergh…" Calvin growled.
"Rowlet, Razor Leaf!" Hau commanded. The Grass Quill Pokémon's wings started to glow a bright green…
"Glaceon, Quick Attack!" Sina ordered. Without warning, the Fresh Snow Pokémon sped forward while cloaked in a white outline, slamming into Rowlet head on before he could even pull off his attack. "Now Ice Shard!" Sina yelled, enticing her partner to open her mouth as it glowed a bright blue, firing off several pieces of ice that zoomed with blue trails in their wake towards the Grass Quill Pokémon.
"Dodge it!" Hau screamed in a panic. But he was too late as Rowlet was repeatedly struck by the ice shards, falling to the ground.
"This match doesn't look good…" Rotom noted from afar.
"Rowlet's obviously weak to Ice types, but that Litten's trying to make sure he doesn't get hit…" Mallow pointed out as she watched on.
"And that's hard to do when Espeon keeps getting in the way…" Olivia mentioned. Kukui just looked on, having faith in the two boys. Rowlet got back up, breathing heavily as Litten jumped out in front of him.
"Mrow!" she roared angrily in challenge. Both Espeon and Glaceon maintained ready stances, prepared to keep fighting.
"What are we gonna do, cuz?" Hau asked of Calvin, who clenched his fists.
"Espeon's guarding Glaceon so that Litten can't reach her," he realized, "And with that, Glaceon can get a free hit on Rowlet…" he muttered.
"Dang…" Hau grumbled in frustration as a trickle of sweat raced down his head. He and his cousin were put into quite the unfavorable situation. It seemed like they only had so many options.
"Hau, have Rowlet catch his breath for a second," Calvin suddenly instructed, "We'll try to handle Espeon," he promised. Hau blinked in surprise. But then he gained a serious expression as he nodded.
"Do what ya gotta do, Cal," he said.
"Litten, Ember on Espeon!" his cousin commanded.
"Mrowr!" the Fire Cat Pokémon roared as the red tufts on her back spiked up, followed by her shooting out a fireball from her mouth towards Espeon.
"Block it with Sand Attack!" Dexio yelled. Espeon span around and kicked up the sand beneath his hind legs to strike the fireball and make it explode in a burst of black smoke.
"Now use Scratch!" Calvin ordered. Diving through the smoke, Litten caught Espeon off guard as he widened his eyes. However, instead of drawing her claws, the Fire Cat Pokémon's teeth glowed a bright white as she bit down on the Psychic type's right ear.
"PEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" he shrieked in agony as Litten pulled her down to the ground.
"Whoa!" Hau yelped, "Litten just learned Bite!" he noted excitedly. Calvin managed to grin.
'A Dark type move like that really helps us!' he inwardly realized, 'Now if we can just knock out Espeon, we'll be able to take down Glaceon, too!' he told himself.
"Not bad, boys," Sina commented, catching their attentions, "But I think you forgot something…" she started to point out. Calvin widened his eyes.
"Oh, crap!" he yelped. Hau blinked in realization, but he was too late.
"Glaceon, Ice Shard!" Sina commanded. The Fresh Snow Pokémon ran forward, making her mouth glow a bright blue before she fired off several pieces of ice with blue trails in their wake.
"Rowlet, dodge it!" Hau screamed. Rowlet tried to fly up, but was too slow to do so as the shards all struck him an explosion of white smoke.
"Ah!" Mallow gasped.
"Oh no!" Rotom yelped. Kukui and Olivia just kept watching.
"Rowlet…" Hau uttered with shaking fists of frustration, thinking that his partner had just been defeated. However, a certain bluish glow caught his attention as his eyes widened. The smoke was starting to stir around as the glowing mass was growing a few feet, gaining what appeared to be plumage and larger wings. As the smoke and light finally cleared, Hau gasped excitedly, while Calvin widened his eyes in shock.
In Rowlet's place was an avian Pokémon that looked more like an owl than he previously did. Most of his plumage had become white, but he now had dark brown feathers covering his head, shoulders, and back. His heart-shaped facial disc was also white, and he had closed eyes, a stubby beak that had a white upper jaw and orange-brown lower jaw, and two short tufts of feathers on the back of his head. Two green leaves curved around his face, resembling an asymmetric cut; the leaf on his right was longer than the one on the left. Under his chin were two smaller leaves that resembled a bowtie like his previous, and there were now two pointed ones on his rear that formed his tail. His wings had two tan spots on the upper side and leafy plumage close to the body on the underside. Within the leaves under its wings are two orange-brown objects. He now had orange-brown talons with two toes facing forward and one facing backward.
"TREEEEEE!" he screeched delightedly as he flew up.
"He… evolved?!" Calvin exclaimed, blinking rapidly.
"Mraaahhh…" Litten uttered in amazement.
"Yeah, he evolved into Dartrix!" Hau yelled with the biggest smile possible plastered upon his face.
"Dartrix?" Calvin repeated in confusion. Unbeknownst to them, Rotom had pulled up an image of the newly evolved Pokémon on its screen.
"Dartrix, the Blade Quill Pokémon and the evolved form of Rowlet," it began, "A bit of a dandy, he spends his free time preening his wings. His preoccupation with any dirt on his plumage can leave him unable to battle. If you don't groom him diligently, he will stop listening to you," it explained thoroughly.
"Sounds like quite the perfectionist…" Mallow joked.
"Congrats on the evolution!" Sina complimented.
"But it won't stop us from beating you!" Dexio declared, "Espeon, Confusion!" he commanded, swinging his right arm out.
"Peee!" the Sun Pokémon responded, making his eyes glow a reddish-orange. The same kind of light suddenly outlined Litten before she was flung away by his psychic power, tumbling across the sand.
"Litten!" Calvin cried out worriedly.
"Don't worry, cuz!" Hau reassured, "We'll take care of that Espeon now!" he stated firmly, now brimming with a newfound confidence, "Dartrix, Razor Leaf!" he commanded.
"Dar!" the Blade Quill Pokémon chirped, folding in his wings before spreading them out to unleash orange, dart-like feathers towards Espeon. They slashed by him in an instant, causing him to keel over as he clenched his teeth in agony.
"Espeon!" Dexio yelled.
"Whoa…" Calvin uttered in amazement. Did Dartrix's evolution really fill his trainer with so much confidence?
"Glaceon, stop him with Icy Wind!" Sina called out. The Fresh Snow Pokémon took a deep breath before exhaling a cold gust of wind from her mouth towards Dartrix.
"Litten, stop it with Ember!" Calvin quickly shouted.
"Mrrraaaahhh!" the Fire Cat Pokémon roared, letting her tufts spike up with a small flicker of fire before she launched another fireball from her mouth, intercepting the cold wind in a burst of steam. Dartrix opened his left eye a little wider to see the scene below, locking onto Espeon as he was still lying down in pain.
"Dar…" he began as he folded his wings again, with an ominous, dark purple aura shrouding his form, "TREEEE!" he screeched, flapping his wings to unleash a strong gust of wind down below. Not only did it clear away the steam, but it also blew back Glaceon and Espeon.
"Esss…" the latter of the two groaned in agony with swirls in his eyes. He was down for the count.
"Ah! Espeon!" Dexio exclaimed in shock.
"That was Ominous Wind, zzt!" Rotom noted with a smile.
"Wow!" Mallow exclaimed, "That Dartrix sure turned into a fighter, right Olivia?!" she inquired to the island kahuna.
"Yes, definitely…" she agreed with a grin. In the meantime, Espeon was returned to his Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
"Sorry, Sina," Dexio apologized as he put the container away on his belt, "Looks like you're on your own now," he pointed out to her.
"No worries!" she replied with a pump of her left fist, "We'll manage the best we can!" she promised, "Glaceon, Ice Shard!" she commanded.
"Glay!" the Fresh Snow Pokémon responded as her mouth glowed a bright blue. She leapt up, firing off several glowing pieces of ice, all heading towards Dartrix with blue trails in their wake.
"Oh, shoot!" Calvin yelped.
"No problem, cuz!" Hau assured confidently, "Dartrix, Ominous Wind!" he ordered. The ominous dark purple aura shrouded the Blade Quill Pokémon once more as he flapped his wings to unleash another powerful gust of wind. It blew the ice shards away while also making Glaceon tumble back from its force.
"Seeeeonn…" she growled angrily with clenched teeth. Just then, a reddish aura started to flow up Dartrix's body.
"AWESOME!" Hau exclaimed loudly with sparkling eyes, much to his cousin's surprise.
"Wh-What just… happened?" he stuttered in question.
"When Dartrix uses Ominous Wind, he can sometimes get a boost for his attack, defense, special attack, special defense, and speed all at once!" Hau explained excitedly, "It's SO COOL!" he screamed. Calvin was just stunned.
"Ergh…" Sina growled, knowing her chances of victory had gotten slimmer.
"Cal, let's finish this fight together!" Hau instructed.
"R-Right!" Calvin stuttered in agreement, "Litten, Fire Fang!" he ordered.
"Dartrix, Peck!" Hau commanded. Litten had a reddish aura shroud her form as her mouth billowed with flames. As she ran forward, Dartrix glided down, making a bird-shaped, light green aura appear over him.
"Glaceon, use Quick Attack!" Sina yelled. A whitish outline shrouded the Fresh Snow Pokémon as she dashed out at her two foes. They collided with each other, creating a fierce blast that enveloped them as their trainers braced themselves from the impact's force. When the smoke subsided after a few moments, it revealed the three Pokémon all standing there. And then Glaceon fell over onto her side with swirls in her eyes.
"And that's the match!" Kukui suddenly announced from afar, catching everyone's attention as they looked over to see him there.
"Professor!" both Calvin and Sina exclaimed in surprise.
"Congrats on Dartrix's evolution, Hau!" Kukui complimented with a round of applause as he walked over with Olivia and Mallow in tow, "Looks like you and Cal are fitting into Akala just nicely!" he pointed out.
"Heehee!" Hau chuckled as Dartrix flew over to him, "It's all in the hard work we do!" he noted, folding his arms behind his head.
"Mrah…" Litten moaned in agony as Calvin picked her up in his arms.
"Hey, great battle," he complimented to her as she yawned, "Hopefully, you'll evolve like Dartrix did," he mentioned.
"Mrrr…" she growled quietly out of frustration. Calvin sighed, returning her to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
"Your Litten was really cookin' out there!" Mallow chimed in, catching his attention.
"Uh… thanks?" he responded, unsure of how exactly to take the compliment. She just giggled.
"Name's Mallow by the way," she introduced, "I'm one of Akala's trial captains!" she mentioned, causing him to blink in surprise.
"You're a trial captain?" he questioned.
"Oh, right," Kukui chimed in, handing off the backpacks to the two trial-goers, "Calvin, Hau," he began, "I'd like you to meet Akala Island's kahuna, Olivia," he introduced, gesturing towards the woman beside him.
"That was some impressive teamwork back there," she complimented to the two. Calvin blushed. Olivia was undeniably pretty in his eyes.
"Th-Thank you…" he stammered in gratitude, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.
"Dar, tree," Dartrix chirped as he brushed the leaves over his eyes.
"Well, isn't this quite the surprise?!" Sina suddenly exclaimed, catching everyone's attention as they looked to see her and Dexio approach, having returned her Glaceon to her Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
"Sina! Dexio!" Kukui yelped upon seeing them, "How've you been?" he asked, "And how's Augustine doing?" he questioned on. As conversations continued left and right, Calvin just grinned. He knew this was only a fraction of what he'd be experiencing on Akala. …And why he worried things wouldn't be so easy…
X
After a long while of catching up, Sina and Dexio said their farewells and headed off to explore the rest of the island. Calvin and Hau had put their clothes back on, walking back towards the city's Pokémon Center.
"So what happened to the girls?" the ponytailed boy of the group asked curiously as his Dartrix trotted beside him.
"Pyrrha took 'em out shopping," Kukui replied. Calvin arched an eyebrow.
"Erika shopping?" he uttered, chuckling a little, "Can't imagine that going well…" he noted.
"They even had to drag her off, zzt…" Rotom buzzed while floating beside him.
"Hey guys!" a familiar voice called out, catching their attentions as they looked to see Pyrrha and Lillie there.
"Hey Pyrrha!" Kukui responded with a wave, "Guess you got yourself a little makeover!" he noted, having noticed her new red and wavy streaks.
"Hee, hee…" she giggled, "I'm not the only one…" she teased with a cheeky smile, moving aside, "Say hello to Alola Erika!" she introduced, gesturing towards the now pigtailed girl.
"H-Hi…" she stuttered nervously with a wave.
"BBBZZzzzZZtt?!" Rotom buzzed in shock with widened eyes. Calvin and Hau were just as stunned.
"E-Eri?!" the latter of the two boys stuttered in disbelief.
"Heh, heh…" Erika chuckled, knowing there'd be quite the reaction.
"I like the new look, Erika," Olivia commented as she stepped forward, "And I look forward to getting the chance to battle you," she added, placing her hands at her hips, "That said, you all should aim to clear each of the island's three trials before challenging me," she instructed to the trial-goers.
"Right!" they all agreed simultaneously.
"Well then…" the kahuna began, heading off down the street, "guess I'll be seeing you!" she cried out in farewell.
"You can count on it, Olivia!" Erika declared as she waved to her. She just grinned with a light chuckle as Mallow jogged after her.
"Well, you kids can do what you want for now," Kukui told the trial-goers and Lillie, "I gotta meet up with somebody," he said, hurrying off down the street.
"Bye, professor!" Pyrrha yelled.
"So… where to next?" Hau wondered aloud, catching everyone's attention.
"The kahuna said the nearest trial site was at Brooklet Hill up north, zzt," Rotom explained with a buzz, "I suppose we'll all head there first and-"
"OH NO!" Lillie suddenly screamed, interjecting the Pokédex.
"What? What's wrong?" Erika asked of her. Lillie just ran off towards the Tide Song Hotel. "Hey, wait!" her friend cried out, chasing after her with the others. Moments later, Lillie was in the hotel lobby with them, glancing around for something.
"I missed him…" she realized with a deep, ashamed sigh.
"The person you were gonna meet?" Erika guessed, causing her to merely nod in reply, "Don't worry," she reassured, "Maybe he'll come back later," she suggested.
"Who exactly are you meeting anyway?" Calvin asked curiously.
"Someone precious to me…" Lillie answered, clutching the strap of her duffel bag tightly, "You all should go on ahead," she advised with a nervous laugh, "I wouldn't want to keep you from your trials…" she noted.
"But-"
"Sounds okay to me!" Hau exclaimed, interjecting Calvin, "Come on, Dartrix!" he beckoned to his partner.
"Treee!" Dartrix whistled, flying after him.
"Wait for me!" Pyrrha called out, running after him. Erika took a second to glance back at Lillie before hurrying off to follow her friends. Calvin was the only one left, looking back at the professor's assistant worriedly. Who was this precious person she spoke of?
"I… guess we'll see you when we see you…" he concluded with a light grin. Lillie nodded reassuringly.
"I promise I'll be fine," she stated firmly.
"Okay," Calvin replied, jogging off out the doors to head out on the next step of his adventure. Elsewhere along a dirt road, a Frogadier fell unconscious to the ground in front of a flabbergasted Trent. Paige was standing nearby, looking just as shocked. Before them was the blonde haired boy and the mysterious creature with the wooden helmet.
"Wh…What the hell?!" Trent stammered out. The strange Pokémon had defeated not only his Frogadier, but two of his other teammates as well.
"If you know what's best for you…" the boy began, "you'll stay out of Team Skull's business from now on," he advised with a menacing glare. Trent gritted his teeth.
"Yeah, right!" he shouted back, "Why are you even with them?!" he asked angrily, "You're just a kid like us!" he pointed out seriously.
"I'm nothing like you," the boy retorted, "And neither is Null here," he mentioned, glancing over to the helmeted creature beside him.
"Rrrrrr…" it growled towards Trent, who grimaced. He quickly returned his fainted Frogadier to his Poké Ball in a beam of red light.
"We'll get you back for this… Gladion!" he declared firmly before running off.
"Hey, Trent!" Paige yelled, chasing after him.
"Hmph…" the boy known as Gladion scoffed, looking up at the partly cloudy, midday sky, "Guess I'll go and visit her tonight…" he concurred, taking out a Premier Ball and returning Null to it in a beam of red light. He had his own obstacles to overcome as he stared at the container, prepared to face them no matter what…
END
NegaiFreak: And that's our introduction to Akala Island! Hope you guys enjoyed it!
Calvin Ketchum: It was fun!
Erika Ketchum: I got a new look!
Hau Hughes: My Rowlet evolved!
NegaiFreak: All right, all right… let's calm down. We've still got one more chapter for you guys before we finish this first part of the story, along with a couple of special announcements regarding Pokémon-related content for the Omni Force!
Calvin Ketchum: In the meantime, here's a preview for the next chapter!
Erika Ketchum: Enjoy!
SUMMARY
Null and Void!
As the Ketchum twins meet up with Trent and Paige in Paniola Town, they learn about the trainer known as Gladion and his partner, Null. And while continuing their trek to Brooklet Hill, they end up meeting him! Who will come out on top in a battle against such a strong trainer?!
END SUMMARY