Alola, everyone! And Happy New Year's eve! We've already gotten so much done this year, I can't even believe it! I wonder if I'll ever give myself another break from all these stories…
Nah, of course I won't! I love writing too much! Anyways, we've got a lot to get into this chapter! Battles, character developments, and funny moments galore! Welcome back to the last chapter of 2021 for "The Challenge of a Lifetime"!
POKÉMON SUN & MOON
THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME
"Man… it's boring to just wait here…" Paige admitted, letting the seawater wash over her feet as she dangled them over the edge of the boardwalk.
"Yeah, but we already asked around the whole island about the Legendary Pokémon," Trent pointed out, seating himself down next to her, "If Hapu knows something, then the others'll find out from her," he noted assuredly.
"Right…" the silvery-haired girl agreed as she nodded. She glanced down at her reflection in the water, giving off a sad expression. "You think… we're getting in over our heads?" she asked after another moment, causing her fellow trial-goer to perk up in surprise.
"What do you mean?" he questioned back, raising an eyebrow.
"Team Skull, the Aether Foundation, the Ultra Beasts…" Paige listed off in response, "There's so much we've had to deal with, and it… can be overwhelming…" she admitted with a frustrated look on her face. Trent took a moment to think about what she was saying, noticing the sun starting to set over the horizon. He then exhaled a sigh.
"I think the worst thing I had to deal with was myself," he confessed to his fellow trial-goer's surprise, "After losing to both Guzma and Gladion, I thought I could only rely on my own strength and no one else's…" he noted while looking down at the water, "And I was so focused on trying to be stronger that I lost sight of the people who cared about me…" he mentioned, "especially Erika…" he added sadly. Paige blinked in surprise before giving off her own upset look.
"I guess… I'm in the same boat…" she realized, "There were times when I felt so confused about my feelings and started having doubts…" she remembered, thinking back to when she had run away during Calvin's trial at the Abandoned Megamart, "But then I remembered the people who encouraged me to push past myself and be stronger," she pointed out, "Calvin happened to be the biggest one…" she mentioned sheepishly as she blushed with a cute smile. Hearing that, Trent blinked in surprise before he chuckled.
"Those two…" he muttered out, "They're both really amazing, aren't they?" he guessed.
"Yeah…" Paige agreed with a simple nod. Meanwhile, the Ketchum twins were alongside Lillie and Pyrrha, following Hapu and her Mudsdale down the coastline.
"The Ruinzzz of Hope are down here, zzt?" Rotom asked as it floated beside the farm girl.
"Yep," she replied with a nod, "Unlike the others I've heard about, this one's a lot closer to water," she pointed out to the group.
"Yeah, good point…" Calvin concurred, seeing the small geysers spouting nearby, along with the rough waves coming in thanks to the raging winds.
"The ground's really wet…" Erika noted as she could hear the squeaks of her shoes with each step.
"High tide's not friendly to this part of the island," Hapu told the group as they perked up in surprise, "In fact, you usually can't get into these here ruins because of it," she mentioned, "So we better get a move on," she advised seriously.
"Or… we'll drown…?!" Pyrrha guessed, paling in fright.
"It's gonna be okay, Pyrrha," Erika assured, getting her attention as she gave off a reassuring smile.
"Yeah," her brother agreed, "And we're gonna help Nebby out, too," he confirmed confidently to Lillie, who nodded back while clutching the straps of her backpack tightly. She was determined to see her objectives through to the very end…
OPENING
Insert "Merry-Go-Round" by Man with a Mission
Opens with a black background slowly becoming brighter as Calvin, Erika, Hau, Lillie, Pyrrha, Paige and Trent walk forward. The camera pans to show that they're approaching the Ultra Wormhole. The Ketchum twins come to a stop, both taking deep breaths as they're prepared to see their new mission through.
Continues with a shot of Calvin reflecting on his past failures: losing to Team Skull in the Verdant Cavern, getting defeated by Hau, and failing to beat Olivia. However, he turns and smiles to find all of his Pokémon there behind him, letting out encouraging shouts. Mimi wraps her appendages around everyone for a big hug as Togedemaru cringes.
The scene changes to a shot of Erika also reflecting somberly on her recent losses to Guzma, Plumeria, and Nanu. She looks at her Z-Power Ring in deep thought for a moment, but is snapped away from any negative feelings as Primarina and Lycanroc wrap their arms around her. She laughs happily as the rest of her Pokémon join in.
We cut to a shot of Lillie lamenting on how to save Cosmoem before giving off a determined look. The scene shifts over to Gladion, who stands alongside Silvally in the conservation area of Aether Paradise. He seems a bit troubled about the situation himself before finally taking on a firm expression, ready to see things through.
We see Hau with his Decidueye, Pyrrha with her Typhlosion, Paige with her Blaziken, and Trent with his Greninja. All the Pokémon perform moves of their own before we shift over to Lusamine, who grins eerily while in the Ultra Deep Sea. Meanwhile, Guzma is trembling nearby.
The scene changes to Hau commanding his Noivern to use Boomburst to take down a wild Machoke, followed by Pyrrha instructing her Lapras to defeat a wild Boldore with Surf. Trent pumps his right fist forward before his Mightyena races ahead of him and takes out a Haunter with a Crunch. Finally, Paige's Medicham defeats a Lycanroc by using a High Jump Kick.
We cut to Calvin facing a Totem Kommo-o, who roars out angrily as his aura flares up. Calvin sends out Mimi as she charges forward. In the meantime, Erika has Sandslash use Icicle Crash against an Alolan Exeggutor, who swings its long neck to shatter the incoming icicles. What follows is the two of them arriving at the Altar of the Sunne alongside Lillie. They play the Sun and Moon Flutes together, causing the glyph to unleash a beam of multicolored light down onto the altar.
The last scene of the opening is Calvin and Erika in the Ultra Deep Sea with Lillie and Gladion. They all look up in horror to see the combined form of Lusamine and Nihilego. She stares at them with crazed, widened eyes before readying her tentacles…
END OPENING
Eggs-cellent Adventure!
"Well, here we are…" Hapu said as she and others had arrived at the entrance to the Ruins of Hope. Calvin stepped forward and touched the wooden archway, blinking in surprise.
"It's dry…" he noted.
"What? How?" Pyrrha inquired, "The ruins had to have been here for hundreds of years, right?" she inferred as she approached and placed her hand upon the wood.
"Don't underestimate the guardian deities," Hapu advised, getting her attention, "They can do a lot with their powers," she pointed out.
"That reminds me…" Erika uttered as she glanced down in thought, "what can Tapu Fini do to help us again?" she inquired, arching an eyebrow.
"You really can be forgetful, Erika…" Rotom noted blankly out of annoyance.
"Sh-Shut up!" the Ketchum girl stuttered back angrily in response, puffing out her cheeks. Meanwhile, Lillie took Nebby out from her bag, holding it in her hands.
"It's said that Tapu Fini's water is able to purify anything that it touches," she told her friends, "So in theory…" she continued, "it should be able to alleviate whatever ailment Nebby is under," she concluded.
"You really think it'll work?" Pyrrha inquired from nearby.
"We wouldn't be trying if we had a better idea for the moment," Erika retorted as a reply.
"Follow me, everyone," Hapu suddenly requested, enticing the group to head on inside with her. They made their way through the long hallway before arriving at the shrine room. Looking around, Calvin didn't see a sign of the Land Spirit Pokémon. Neither did anyone else.
"What do we do now?" the Ketchum boy asked of the farm girl. She didn't answer, merely walking up the steps to the statue. "Uh, hey!" Calvin yelped out. The others watched as Hapu went up to the totem shrine, dropping onto her knees and removing her bonnet. She then clasped her hands together in prayer.
"Oh beautiful and powerful Tapu Fini…" she began, "I humbly request that you answer my call to help us in our endeavor," she said, "May your water purify our hearts and minds of any ill thoughts," she added. She stood up and opened her eyes, seeing that nothing had happened. But all of a sudden, a fog erupted and shrouded the entire area.
"Ah!" Erika yelped as she and the others braced themselves.
"Everyone!" Calvin cried out, enduring the force of wind washing over him. After a few moments, it calmed down, allowing him to look ahead and spot a golden glow coming from where he assumed Hapu was. The fog started to subside, allowing everyone to see what was happening as they widened their eyes. In front of the farm girl was the floating form of Tapu Fini. Along with it, there was a sparkling stone that hovered between them. Both of the Ketchum twins blinked in surprise upon recognizing it. Its engraving matched their Z-Rings.
"Thank you, Tapu Fini," Hapu said in gratitude, taking hold of the sparkling stone and holding it gently in her hands, "I humbly accept your gift," she added with a polite bow of her head.
"Fee!" the Land Spirit Pokémon responded, giving off a content expression. The others watching on all smiled.
"That must be how a kahuna gets officially selected…" Pyrrha realized.
"And that means she can tell us about the Legendary Pokémon now!" Erika concluded excitedly.
"That'zzz right!" Rotom buzzed in remembrance.
"Now that's two problems solved at once," Calvin noted with a grin.
"Well, we'll see…" Lillie responded seriously to his surprise. She walked over as Tapu Fini came down alongside Hapu. "Tapu Fini…" the ponytailed girl began, holding the Cosmoem out in her hands to the Land Spirit Pokémon, "would you please help cure Nebby?" she requested. Pyrrha looked on with a flabbergasted expression.
'How is she even holding it up like that…?!' she questioned inwardly. The guardian deity of Poni floated around, curiously staring at the Protostar Pokémon. It then came to a stop, extending its arms out to their respective sides. Water suddenly streamed over from beyond the ledges of the shrine room, swirling about Tapu Fini.
It made the water envelop its hand before placing it upon the Cosmoem. A bright blue glow emitted from the point of contact as everyone watched on in awe. Once it subsided… they blinked in surprise to find that nothing had changed. Nebby still lied in Lillie's hands.
"It… didn't work?" Erika inquired out of shock.
"But… why?" Pyrrha asked as she sauntered over.
"Mmm…" Lillie hummed dejectedly while looking down at the Cosmoem, "It would hardly sit still normally whenever we ventured to the ruins on the other islands," she pointed out, "But in this state… it's still not moving an inch…" she noted sadly, "If Tapu Fini can't cure it—"
"Feefee, nee!" the Land Spirit Pokémon suddenly interjected firmly, shaking its head.
"Wh-What is it?" the ponytailed girl questioned.
"Hmm…" Hapu hummed, putting a gloved hand onto her chin while narrowing her eyes, "I think Tapu Fini here's saying that the little one's not sick at all," she told the group.
"Wait, what?" Calvin uttered in confusion.
"But Nebby still isn't moving!" Erika pointed out, "I don't think that's normal!" she added emphatically.
"Maybe it is…" Pyrrha suggested, chiming into the conversation as everyone looked over at her, "What if Nebby didn't just change forms?" she inferred to them, "What if instead…" she kept going, "it evolved?" she guessed.
"Evolved?" Erika repeated. Meanwhile, Lillie stared down at the Cosmoem in curiosity. What if Pyrrha was right?
"Wait a second…" Calvin said, holding his hands up, "If it evolved, wouldn't it be stronger than before?" he inquired.
"Ah, I think I get where you're comin' from…" Hapu realized, giving off a smile, "This little one's like a Metapod that's only a ways away from becomin' a Butterfree!" she concluded while pointing at the Cosmoem.
"Then that would mean it could evolve again?" the Ketchum boy guessed.
"But how would we do that?" Erika asked as she blinked twice in confusion.
"Well, we can figure that out when the time comes," Lillie insisted as both of the twins looked to her in surprise, "Hapu…" she began to the new kahuna, getting her attention as she was tying her bonnet back up on her head, "you're able to tell us about the Legendary Pokémon now, right?" she inquired. The farm girl grinned.
"Naturally, Lillie!" she assured in response with a thumbs up, "Though we better take this conversation back to somewhere we won't get sunk in water…" she insisted with a sheepish smile.
"Mm-hmm," the ponytailed girl agreed with a nod.
X
That evening, Paige and Trent met back up with the group at the farm near the coastline, joining them for dinner. They sat at the table, discussing the current situation as both Hapu and Pyrrha were in the kitchen, getting bowls of ramen ready for dinner. Rotom was taking pictures of Nebby as the others watched on.
"So it's an evolved form?" the dark green-haired boy of the group inquired.
"That's what Pyrrha thinks…" Erika replied, scratching at her right cheek.
"It makes sense, especially considering that Tapu Fini's water didn't help heal Nebby," Calvin pointed out.
"Right, because it's not sick at all," Paige mentioned.
"But that does beg another question…" Lillie admitted, getting everyone's attention, "How do we get Nebby to evolve again?" she wondered aloud.
"No idea…" Erika answered after a moment. Everyone glanced down, trying to think of a solution.
"Soup's on, everyone!" Hapu exclaimed, getting their attentions as they saw her approach alongside Pyrrha with trays that carried the bowls of ramen. Moments later, everyone partook in the food, as Calvin contently slurped on the noodles.
"Wow, this is incredible!" he complimented with an excited smile.
"Heh!" the new kahuna chuckled, "You can thank your friend for the flavors," she commented, motioning toward Pyrrha, who blinked in surprise, "She seasoned pretty aggressively…" she pointed out.
"It's delicious!" Paige mentioned.
"Yeah, thanks Pyrrha!" Erika exclaimed with gratitude. The red-and-yellow-haired girl blinked in surprise before blushing sheepishly, giggling a little.
"So now that you're the kahuna, you can tell us everything about the Legendary Pokémon, right?" Trent asked of Hapu as she ate a fishcake off of her chopsticks.
"Mm-hmm," she confirmed in response while chewing, "So which one did you wanna ask about?" she inquired.
"Uh…" the dark green-haired teen uttered out, looking over to Calvin, who seemed to be just as unsure as to how to answer. Erika took a moment to think, recalling when she and Lillie had visited the Malie Library and learned more about the legends of Alola. And then she gasped in realization.
"Solgaleo!" she exclaimed, causing everyone to perk up in surprise.
"Oh, that's right!" Lillie yelped out, "From 'The Light of Alola'!" she remembered.
"What's that?" Paige asked, arching an eyebrow.
"It's a book that we looked into while we were researching the legends of Alola," the ponytailed girl explained in reply, "Solgaleo was the name of the Pokémon mentioned in the tale…" she mentioned.
"Solgaleo, huh?" Hapu repeated, getting everyone's attention, "That's right, we pay tribute to it at the Altar of the Sunne," she told the group.
"The Altar of the Sunne?" Trent repeated in confusion.
"I don't know much from what my grandfather told me…" the new kahuna admitted, "but there is a ceremony held up there for the Legendary Pokémon," she explained, "And that ceremony involves a pair of flutes that give Solgaleo power," she mentioned.
"Flutes…?" Calvin uttered out, arching an eyebrow. He then blinked upon remembering something. "Wait a second!" he yelped, causing everyone to look over at him as he reached for his backpack, unzipping it.
"Cal?" Paige uttered. She and the others watched him pull out the Moon Flute.
"Is this one of the flutes you're talking about?" he asked Hapu, who blinked in surprise with a light gasp.
"Yeah, that's the one!" she answered with a nod, "So that's the Moon Flute from that lake on Ula'ula, huh?" she noted, staring at the ancient instrument curiously.
"From Ula'ula?" Erika repeated, sounding perplexed.
"Oh, that's right!" Lillie exclaimed in realization, "In those old books I'd been reading at the library, I learned about the Lake of the Moone, which is another altar like the one Hapu's talking about," she explained, "That must be where the flute's from…" she concluded.
"And no wonder the Aether Foundation had it," Paige chimed in, "They were stationed on Ula'ula," she remembered.
"Yeah…" Calvin responded with a nod, "Anyways, there's another one, right?" he inquired to Hapu, getting her attention, "Do you know where it is?" he asked.
"That'd be the Sun Flute y'all are talkin' about, right?" Hapu guessed, receiving a nod in reply from the Ketchum boy, "I think I know where it is…" she confirmed, "but let's save that answer for tomorrow," she decided to everyone's surprise, "You're all tuckered out from the day's journey, right?" she inquired of the group, "Better to rest your laurels now for what's lookin' like a big day tomorrow…" she advised while slurping up the last of her noodles before downing the warm soup left behind in her bowl. No one felt inclined to argue any differently if they knew tomorrow was going to be a big day. They individually washed their dishes before gathering their sleeping bags and gathering out in the backyard.
"Been a while since we actually camped out for a change…" Trent noted as he lied down on his sleeping bag tiredly.
"It feels kinda nice…" Pyrrha admitted as the cool breeze of the night air washed over her and the others.
"Not too cold and not too hot…" Paige mentioned with a content sigh, folding her arms behind her head, "That's just the way I like it," she pointed out.
"Me too!" Pyrrha agreed, giggling a little. In the meantime, Erika sat upon her sleeping bag before looking over at Lillie. She had a somewhat despondent expression upon her face as she glanced back at her pink backpack, knowing that she had put Nebby inside of it.
"You gonna be okay, Lillie?" the Ketchum girl asked, getting her attention.
"Oh, I will be…" she assured in response, lowering her head a little, "…I told you that I wanted to save Nebby and get it back home…" she mentioned as tears started to prick her eyes, "but I still feel like I'm not strong enough to see things through…" she admitted sadly before whimpering a little.
"Lillie…" Erika uttered worriedly. She then reached over and wrapped her left arm around the ponytailed girl's shoulders. "You're one of strongest girls I know," she affirmed confidently to her surprise, "You've got the will to see this through," she assured as she held up her right fist, "And we'll help you no matter what," she promised.
"Erika…" Lillie whimpered out, giving off a small smile, "Thank you…" she said in gratitude. The two of them shared a giggle before going ahead and staring up at the stars above.
X
"Huh…" Leslie exhaled, lying down upon her bed with her arms folded behind her head. Returning to Alola had actually been crazier than she imagined it would've been. Whatever that effeminate creature was that she, her father and Hala had fought was far stronger than any normal Pokémon she remembered facing. And that hole in the sky was even more concerning to think about.
"An Ultra Wormhole?" Ash inquired as his eyebrow was raised. He was sitting at the dinner table with his wife, talking to Kukui and Burnet.
"Yeah," the latter of the group responded with a nod, "Today, it and others showed up all across Alola, at least according to the readings we got at the lab," she told them.
"So what Leslie and Ash were fighting…" Mirajane began to say.
"Was definitely an Ultra Beast," Kukui finished for her, "Much like the one I mentioned that your kids faced back on Aether Paradise," he added. The Take-Over wizard tensed up, evidently worried for her children. Her husband put a reassuring hand onto her shoulder.
"Do you have any idea why all those Ultra Wormholes suddenly appeared around the region?" he asked the two professors, who shared a glance.
"We're not entirely sure…" Burnet admitted in response, "but it might have something to do with Cosmog," she said.
"Cosmog?" Ash repeated as he blinked, "Is it an Ultra Beast?" he questioned, remembering how Lillie had the Nebula Pokémon in her care.
"Like Burnet said, we're not sure…" Kukui answered honestly, rubbing the back of his head, "In spite of all this, I hope you're not getting too worried about your kids," he mentioned to Ash and Mirajane's surprise, "They're strong, you know?" he noted assuredly.
"Right…" the Take-Over wizard agreed, though she still seemed concerned. Overhearing from her room, Leslie exhaled a frustrated sigh. She pulled over her phone and quickly typed a text message. A few seconds later, she got a response. She looked at it before getting up from her bed, putting on her sneakers, and opening her window. She leapt out and snuck around to the front porch before heading down the street toward the beach.
"Ah…" Erika yawned out the next morning as she and the others were being led by Hapu, who was riding aboard her Mudsdale as they returned to the Seafolk Village. After their stay at her home, they woke up and discussed a brand new plan.
FLASHBACK
"Exeggutor Island?" Calvin questioned, being gathered amongst his friends outside the farm on the pathway alongside Hapu.
"Yep!" the new kahuna responded with a nod, "That's where the other flute would be," she pointed out, "It hasn't been taken from its pedestal," she mentioned, "but I'm betting you're gonna need it goin' forward," she noted.
"So we're just gonna grab a ride there?" Trent guessed, raising an eyebrow.
"Not exactly," Hapu answered as she shook her head, "Only the kahuna and the Chief of the Seafolk can access transport to the island themselves, since it's usually just a spot for grand trial matches," she explained.
"Then we're going to visit the Chief of the Seafolk," Lillie assumed, "Is that right?" she inquired.
"Mm-hmm," Hapu confirmed, "You're as keen as a Pokémon with Keen Eye!" she complimented, causing the ponytailed girl to sheepishly blush.
"And we'll go get that flute," Calvin added confidently.
END FLASHBACK
"Huh…" Erika yawned again.
"Not much sleep, Erika?" Hapu guessed upon overhearing, "I did make a brew of coffee for you and the others…" she noted in remembrance.
"I don't drink coffee…" the Ketchum girl groaned.
"You're really lazzzy, Erika…" Rotom buzzed out bluntly.
"Hey!" its user shouted. Just then, Calvin spotted something up ahead. It was a middle-aged, dark-haired, bearded man with tan cargo shorts, a black-and-blue buttoned-up shirt, and a necklace with a piece of coral upon it. Beside him was a vessel on the water in the shape of a Magikarp.
"Hey there, Martin!" Hapu greeted, getting his attention.
"Oh, hey!" he yelled back with a wave, "It's been a while, Hapu!" he noted in greeting as she and the others approached, "You been well?" he asked.
"Yep!" the new kahuna replied with a nod, "Got a few kids here who wanna head on up to Exeggutor Island," she told him.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, considering you're not the island's kahuna…" he answered.
"Well, does this prove I am?" Hapu inquired, holding up the sparkling stone she received from Tapu Fini. Martin widened his eyes in surprise before smiling.
"How about that?!" he exclaimed excitedly, "I had a feeling the Tapu would choose you eventually!" he pointed out, "It must've been after you battled that monster that came outta the hole in the sky, right?" he guessed, causing the trial-goers and Lillie to blink in surprise.
"A monster?" Trent repeated in confusion.
"Oh, that's right," Paige recalled, getting his attention, "Miss Lusamine mentioned that Ultra Wormholes opened up around each of Alola's islands…" she pointed out.
"And you fought one of the Ultra Beasts?!" Erika inquired in shock.
"Yeah…" Hapu confirmed, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head, "Me and Tapu Fini were pretty trounced by the thing…" she admitted while hopping off of Mudsdale.
"Brrfff…" he huffed out in frustration.
"Well, you protected the island and sent that beast running," Martin noted as he placed his right hand atop the new kahuna's head, "If anything, I think that's what made the Tapu decide to make you a kahuna!" he mentioned with a laugh. Blushing, Hapu smiled. "So, you all wanna take the trip over to the island for that Sun Flute, right?" the Seafolk Chief inquired of the group, "My boat's not exactly sturdy enough to carry seven or eight others…" he admitted as he scratched at his right cheek.
"Oh, some of us'll stay behind," Pyrrha assured in reply.
"Yeah," Trent chimed in with a nod.
"Are you guys really okay with that?" Erika wondered out of concern.
"You did get left out yesterday…" Calvin noted.
"Yeah, but you two are definitely the ones who can handle this job best," Paige retorted, referring to her crush and his sister, "Lillie, too," she added over to the ponytailed girl, who blinked in surprise.
"Besides, we might as well start training if we're gonna battle the new kahuna at some point…" Trent mentioned as he glanced over to Hapu, who smirked.
"Then I suppose it's settled!" Martin realized, putting his hands onto his hips. Moments later, Calvin offered Lillie his hand, which she took gratefully as he helped her board the boat with him and Erika. "Alright!" the Seafolk Chief exclaimed, "Next stop, Exeggutor Island!" he declared, starting the vessel's engine before it sailed out into the distance.
"We'll be back soon, guys!" the Ketchum girl called out to her fellow trial-goers as she waved, "Don't get too bored!" she insisted jokingly.
"Heheheheh!" Hapu chuckled, "That Erika's a real feisty one, isn't she?" she guessed with a bright grin.
"She sure is…" Trent answered in agreement, smiling as well. Now it seemed like things were looking up. But none of them realized that there was trouble lurking around the corner…
X
"Huh…" Mirajane sighed as she finished making the scrambled eggs in the pan, sliding them off onto a plate.
"You okay, Mira?" her husband asked, sitting at the kitchen table as he watched her come over and set down the trio of breakfast plates.
"I'm just… a little worried about how things are going…" she admitted, sitting down next to him, "With these Ultra Beasts running rampant all over Alola, I don't know if Calvin and Erika are going to be okay…" she noted, balling her hands into fists over her knees, "It's not like the dangers you went through when you started your journey either…" she mentioned.
"Peekah…" Pikachu squeaked in concern as his ears flopped down.
"Hmm…" Ash hummed. He placed his right hand onto his wife's left. "If you're that worried, then I think we should go see them," he advised to her surprise as she looked over to see the reassuring smile on his face, "I think it's about time we got to see them both in person, don't you?" he inquired on with a chuckle. Mirajane blinked before smiling herself.
"I think that's a good idea, Ash," she agreed, granting him a thankful kiss to his cheek, "But first, let's have some breakfast," she insisted, earning a nod of agreement from her husband, "Leslie!" she called out, "We've got scrambled eggs and toast!" she yelled. To her surprise, her eldest daughter didn't respond. The Pokémon Master next to her was somewhat confused.
"That's weird…" he uttered out, getting up from his seat to approach the bedroom door, "She'd normally be up and about by now…" he noted aloud, about to knock on the door. However, it opened.
"H-Hi, Dad!" Leslie stuttered in greeting to her surprise, "Sorry, kinda stayed up late…" she apologized while sheepishly rubbing the back of her head.
"That so?" her father inquired, crossing his arms over his chest, "You normally get up before us…" he pointed out as he arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah, got kinda sidetracked and didn't sleep 'til midnight…" she admitted, scratching at her right cheek.
"Well, breakfast is fresh and ready!" Mirajane pointed out with a bright smile, "Help yourself!" she insisted.
"Don't mind if I do, Mom!" her daughter replied, about to close her bedroom door in the process. However, a curious Pikachu wandered in as he was sniffing at the air. "Ah!" Leslie gasped out.
"Pikachu?" Ash uttered in confusion, wondering what his partner was up to. The Mouse Pokémon headed over to the bed, where there was a significant lump under the covers. And it wasn't made up of pillows.
"Pika?!" Pikachu yelped out, "Pee, peekah pi!" he exclaimed frantically, pointing toward the bed.
"What's going on?" Mirajane inquired as she sauntered over. Leslie trembled frantically, blushing a mad red.
"I think there's something under the covers…" Ash said as he went over and lifted them up from the bed to see what was underneath. He blinked to find a sleeping Dylan there. "Oh, it's just Dylan," he realized, "I guess that's not anything to worry abou—" The actual realization of the situation dawned on him at that very moment. He, Mirajane and Pikachu turned to Leslie, who was beet red in the face. She… had a boy in her room.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" the Take-Over Wizard shrieked out.
"Brrr…!" Erika yelped as she suddenly shivered, still aboard the Magikarp-shaped vessel.
"Are you okay?" Lillie asked in concern upon noticing.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" the Ketchum girl assured as a response, "Just got a bit of a chill up my spine for some reason…" she admitted sheepishly.
"Are we getting close, sir?" Calvin questioned to Martin, getting his attention.
"Yep!" he responded, "Welcome to Exeggutor Island!" he introduced. The trio of passengers along with Rotom peered out the window to see the small island in the near distance. Moments later, they docked the boat and disembarked from it.
"Thanks for the ride, Mister Seafolk Chief!" Erika said in gratitude as she bowed to him politely.
"No problem, kiddo!" he assured in reply, "Remember, if you need to head on back, I'll be here!" he promised with a wink and a thumbs up.
"We really appreciate it!" Lillie responded while smiling.
"Now where do we start looking?" Calvin wondered as he and the two girls gathered amongst each other, glancing about their surroundings. Erika took notice of a gateway they passed with a familiar-looking pattern. Though she couldn't place where she had seen it before.
"Maybe we zzzhould zzzearch the island altogether so we don't get lost, zzt," Rotom advised, getting their attentions.
"Good idea, Rotodex," Erika replied with a nod, "Let's go!" she insisted with a pump of her left fist.
"Right!" Lillie agreed as she and the others went on their way. There were plenty of palm trees scattered about the island itself, along with tall mounds of grass. Another thing that was seemingly noticeable was the multitude of Exeggcute roaming around.
"I guess considering this is Exeggutor Island, there'd be Exeggcute here…" Calvin noted aloud.
"But where are the Exeggutor?" his sister asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Zegggg…" a voice buzzed out from above, getting their attentions as they noticed a shadow starting to loom over them. They looked up and gasped in shock. In front of them was an Exeggutor, though largely different from his Kantonian counterpart. For one, he was about five times taller, having a very long and thin neck, causing it to resemble a palm tree. He also had a long, tapering tail with two leaves, and a fourth light green head on the tip.
"What the heck?!" Erika exclaimed in disbelief.
"So that's an Alolan Exeggutor…" Lillie realized as her eyes shook.
"It's so tall…!" Calvin gasped out. Meanwhile, Rotom brought up an image of the Alolan Coconut Pokémon upon its screen.
"Exeggutor, the Coconut Pokémon, Alolan Form," it began, "Alola is the best environment for this Pokémon. Local people take pride in his appearance, saying this is how Exeggutor ought to look. He swings his long neck like a whip and smacks his opponents. This makes Exeggutor himself dizzy, too," it explained thoroughly.
"I've seen crazy kinds of Alolan Forms before…" Erika admitted as she gulped a little, "but this one tops 'em all!" she admitted, "Literally!" she added, stepping back nervously.
"As long as we don't wind up bothering him, I'm sure things'll be fine…" Calvin pointed out.
"ZEGGGGGGGGGGGG!" the Alolan Coconut Pokémon suddenly screeched out, causing those around him to wince as they covered their ears. He started to flail about wildly, swinging his tall neck around back and forth.
"What's… happening?!" Lillie managed to ask over the screeching.
"It lookzzz like he'zzz in pain!" Rotom buzzed out in reply. Erika glanced up and spotted something upon the Exeggutor's neck. It was a Pinsir, who appeared to be biting into the Alolan Coconut Pokémon.
"There!" the Ketchum girl exclaimed, pointing up at the Stag Beetle Pokémon while grabbing a Poké Ball off from her belt. She enlarged it with a press of its button, rearing her arm back. "Oricorio, go!" she called out, throwing the spherical container forward. It popped open, with its light spilling onto the grass and quickly dissipating to reveal the Dancing Pokémon.
"Ree!" she chirped.
"Use Air Slash on that Pinsir!" her trainer instructed in command.
"Koree!" Oricorio responded, leaping up. Her wings shined a bright blue before she swung them forwards to unleash several shuriken-like blades of air. The Stag Beetle Pokémon wasn't aware of them coming until it was too late, being struck as he cried out in pain. He fell down onto the ground back first, having swirls in his eyes.
"Nice!" Erika exclaimed with a pump of her right fist.
"Well done, Erika!" Lillie complimented.
"Yeah, that was great!" Calvin added in agreement. The Ketchum girl sheepishly blushed, rubbing the back of her head. Oricorio seemed just as modest.
"Zeg u torrr!" Exeggutor echoed gratefully, catching Erika's attention as she looked up at the Alolan Coconut Pokémon.
"You're okay now, right?" she called out in question to him.
"Eck zegg!" he responded with a nod, "Zeg, zeg u torrr!" he mentioned before starting to wander off.
"Huh?" Erika uttered in confusion as she blinked.
"I… think he wants us to follow him…" Lillie noted aloud. She and the others shared confused looks, but decided to ultimately go along after the Exeggutor. A while passed as dark clouds were starting to form on the horizon. Rotom noticed.
"It lookzzz like it might rain zzzoon, zzt," it buzzed, getting the others' attention.
"Then we better hurry and find wherever that flute is…" Calvin responded.
"Are we sure we should be following Exeggutor?" Erika asked of Lillie, getting her attention.
"I'm not sure, but…" she started to reply, "we don't have anywhere to start searching in full," she pointed out, "This could be the best method we have to finding the flute," she mentioned.
"Plus, I bet Exeggutor would know where the flute is since he lives on the island," Calvin chimed in additionally.
"Zegggg…" the Alolan Coconut Pokémon echoed out as he and those following him reached a clearing. There were several other Exeggutor scattered about the area, drinking water to replenish their health. They perked up once they noticed their brethren arrive with the visitors.
"Hello!" Lillie greeted with a wave. Rotom floated about and took several pictures of the Alolan Coconut Pokémon, while the others ventured onward. At that point, Calvin took notice of a plateau nearby that had a pedestal upon it. He noticed the orange shine coming from the instrument upon it, which was none other than a flute.
"There it is!" he called out, causing Erika and Lillie to look over and smile excitedly.
"Mission accomplished!" the former of the two girls exclaimed as she pumped her right fist. Just then, the sound of a loud stomp, causing the ground to rumble. The three children looked ahead and widened their eyes to see an even larger Exeggutor marching up to them.
"Zegggg…" he voiced out, narrowing the eyes of his three heads onto the people below.
"That one's huge!" Calvin yelped in surprise.
"Yeah…" his sister agreed with shaking eyes, "He kinda reminds me of a—" She stopped talking as she blinked in realization.
"Erika?" Lillie uttered worriedly upon hearing her friend go silent.
"Guys…" she began, recalling the gateway they passed through once they arrived on the island, "I think this place is a trial site!" she pointed out in a panic. Calvin and Lillie gasped.
"Then that means that Exeggutor is…!" the former started to realize with a grimace. The tall Alolan Coconut Pokémon smirked before a yellow aura flared up around his entire body. He and his brethren all loomed over the visitors as they grimaced in fright. Nevertheless, they were determined to get to the flute by whatever means they needed to…
X
"So…" Mirajane began with an ominously scary smile as both her daughter and Dylan were knelt down in front of her on the carpet in the living room, "would either of you care to tell me what you were both doing in there?" she inquired sweetly, yet venomously.
"M-Mira…" Ash stuttered out as Pikachu cowered behind his right foot, holding up his hands in a placating manner, "maybe this is just a big misunderstanding…" he inferred. His wife giggled, though not in a cute way.
"That doesn't mean we should let this go unpunished, dear…" she insisted firmly, "Who knows what Dylan could've done to our eldest daughter while in her bedroom…" she pointed out, still smiling with anger building in her demeanor.
"I was the one who invited him!" Leslie suddenly exclaimed, much to her parents' surprise as they could see the redness upon her face, "When I heard you talking last night about those Ultra Beast things like the one we fought, I needed someone to talk to myself…" she confessed in explanation, "And… I figured my boyfriend was the perfect person for that…" she mentioned sheepishly.
"Mister and Missus Ketchum, I didn't mean to stay over…" Dylan added, bowing his head, "It just got so late, and Leslie thought it'd be weird if I tried to head back in the middle of the night to my house," he told them.
"I… guess that makes sense…" Ash concluded, crossing his arms over his chest.
"So nothing happened between you two?" Mirajane guessed.
"No, Mom…" Leslie assured in response, evidently embarrassed, "Anyways, I think I should take Dylan back home and explain things to his parents, too…" she decided, standing up.
"Hold on," the Take-Over wizard said, causing her to blink in surprise. Her mother then walked up to her. "You said you overheard our conversation last night?" she inquired. Leslie widened her eyes before glancing away ashamedly.
"Sorry…" she apologized.
"No, it's okay," Mirajane assured, embracing her in a warm hug, "But… I think I should know…" she continued, pulling herself back, "how do you feel about the situation your brother and sister might be in?" she inquired curiously.
"…Honestly, I'm just as worried as you are," Leslie confessed in response, "But at the same time, I remember seeing those two battling with all they had in the finals of the Aether Tournament," she recalled, remembering the excitement she felt from watching the recording, "They're strong," she added confidently. Her mother found herself smiling afterwards.
"I know…" she concluded with a nod of her head, sharing a giggle with her daughter. Back on Exeggutor Island, the Ketchum twins both grimaced as they saw the horde of Alolan Coconut Pokémon led by the totem stomping towards them.
"There's four normal ones and the Totem Pokémon…" Erika counted, trembling a little, "We're in a really bad position, Cal…" she noted while stepping back.
"Yeah, but it's two of us taking this trial," her brother pointed out, readying a Poké Ball in his right hand as he pressed its center button, "Lillie, you should probably stay back," he advised of the ponytailed girl.
"Okay!" she responded, hurrying off to hide behind another palm tree nearby.
"Let's go, Toucannon!" Calvin exclaimed, firing his Poké Ball forward. It popped open, with its light coming out and dissipating to reveal the Cannon Pokémon.
"Kah!" he squawked, flying over and landing beside Oricorio, folding his wings in.
"Rotodex, is there a big difference between a regular Exeggutor and these ones?" Erika asked her Pokédex, getting its attention.
"The Alolan Formzzz are Grazzz-and-Dragon-typezzz!" it answered quickly.
"If they're still Grass-types, then Flying-type attacks are our best bet!" the Ketchum girl decided after a moment, "Oricorio, Air Slash!" she commanded.
"Ree!" the Dancing Pokémon responded, making her wings shine a bright blue before swinging them around to unleash shuriken-like discs of air that were heading towards the horde of Exeggutor. The smaller ones took it upon themselves to defend the totem, taking the blades to their heads as they stumbled back upon being struck.
"Toucannon, Echoed Voice!" Calvin ordered. The Cannon Pokémon had the tip of his beak glow white before opening it to unleash a powerful sound wave, striking the Exeggutor as they grimaced. The Ketchum boy blinked in surprise, noticing how powerful the attack was.
"That'zzz Hyper Voice, zzt!" Rotom buzzed out as it floated over.
"Awesome!" Calvin exclaimed excitedly, "That's a really great move for you, Toucannon!" he pointed out to the Cannon Pokémon.
"Too kah!" he squawked in response. The Exeggutor growled, readying their mouths before firing off barrages of green-glowing seeds from them.
"Dodge!" both of the Ketchum twins called out. Oricorio and Toucannon were quick to evade the seeds as they struck the ground in fierce blasts. Watching from afar, Lillie was amazed at how coordinated Calvin and Erika were being in their commands. The latter had the Dancing Pokémon use Teeter Dance on two of the Exeggutor, confusing them long enough for her colleague to land another Hyper Voice onto them. One toppled over, having swirls in his eyes.
"Nice going!" the Ketchum boy yelled as he pumped his fists. However, his excitement was halted the moment he saw one of the Alolan Coconut Pokémon make a light green aura in the shape of a tree trunk appear over his head, ending halfway down his neck.
"Zeg u… TORRRRRRRRRRR!" he exclaimed, swinging down towards Oricorio.
"Watch out!" Erika screamed. The Dancing Pokémon leapt back in the nick of time to avoid getting smashed against the ground by her foe, who slammed down against it hard in a flurry of dust. "Now Revelation Dance!" the Ketchum girl commanded, sticking her right hand out.
"Koreee!" Oricorio chirped in reply, spinning around as flames flickered off of the tips of her feathers. She then unleashed a searing fireball that shot through the dust, striking the Exeggutor that attempted to attack her in a powerful blast.
"Zeggg…" he groaned out, toppling back over onto the ground like the one before him, having swirls in his eyes.
"Nice hit, Oricorio!" Erika complimented.
"Ree~!" the Dancing Pokémon sang excitedly in response. Lillie smiled, glad to see that the trial-goers were doing well in their bout. But at that moment, she took notice of something. The Totem Exeggutor had the leaves upon his head glowing a bright yellow and sparkling with small yellow and green balls of energy. The ponytailed girl narrowed her eyes in suspicion before gasping in realization.
"Now we just gotta deal with the other two before the totem…" Calvin noted.
"Yeah, we'll get it done!" Erika declared as she pumped her fist.
"Watch out!" Lillie suddenly exclaimed, causing the two to perk up in surprise. Before they could ask their friend what was wrong, they were suddenly ambushed by a bright golden beam of light that struck in a powerful blast between them, veiling the area in smoke.
"What the heck was that?!" the Ketchum girl yelped in question, coughing a little.
"I think that was Solar Beam…!" her brother answered, quite surprised as well. As the smoke cleared, it revealed that the other two normal-sized Exeggutor had multicolored auras shrouding their heads in the shape of dragons. Both twins gasped.
"That'zzz Dragon Hammer, zzt!" Rotom buzzed in a panic. The Alolan Coconut Pokémon swung their heads down, striking both Oricorio and Toucannon fiercely as they tumbled back along the grass. They came to a stop in front of their two trainers, grimacing in agony.
"Guys!" Erika exclaimed, while Calvin gritted his teeth in frustration. He noticed the leaves upon the Totem Exeggutor's head glowing a bright yellow again.
'Solar Beam again, huh?' he inferred through his thoughts, 'I guess the Totem's strategy is to catch us off guard and then have the others attack…' he realized, 'If they repeat that plan again…' he started to assume, gasping a little.
"Erika, get ready!" he called out to his twin sister, getting her attention as she blinked in surprise, "They're gonna do the same thing they tried before!" he noted aloud. At that moment, the Totem Exeggutor fired off a golden beam of light down at them again. It struck the ground in a powerful blast, veiling the area in smoke. "Ergh…" Calvin growled out, "Toucannon, get in front of Oricorio and use Beak Blast!" he quickly instructed.
"Kah!" the Cannon Pokémon responded, hopping out in front of his teammate and heating his beak up as it burned a bright orange. Meanwhile, the regular-sized Exeggutor had multicolored auras in the shape of dragon shroud their heads again, swinging them down towards their target. They struck in a powerful blast of dust, which rushed by Lillie as she flinched.
"Erika… Calvin…" she uttered worriedly. The dust was slow to clear. But as it did, both normal-sized Exeggutor came up from the ground, suddenly finding themselves engulfed in plumes of flames. "Ah!" Lillie gasped in surprise.
"They both got burned, zzt!" Rotom realized, blinking rapidly.
"Oh, that's right!" Erika yelped out, remembering when her Lycanroc battled Kahili's Toucannon, "When Toucannon uses Beak Blast, anyone that touches him gets burned!" she noted aloud excitedly, "But… wait…" she uttered upon noticing something. The dust settled finally, revealing what had happened. Oricorio widened her eyes to find the Cannon Pokémon lying in front of her with swirls in his eyes, indicating that he was no longer able to battle.
"Toucannon…" Calvin uttered in frustration, gritting his teeth together.
"Reee…" Oricorio chirped sadly. Seeing the whole ordeal, Erika balled her hands into fists before taking a deep breath. She then pulled out the Dancing Pokémon's Poké Ball.
"Oricorio, thanks for your help," she said with gratitude, getting her attention, "Take a nice long rest," she insisted, returning her partner to the spherical container in a beam of red light.
"Erika… what are you doing?" her brother asked as he cradled the defeated Toucannon in his arms. She took out her Heavy Ball from her belt and enlarged it with a press of its button.
"I think we can handle the rest from here, Calvin," she assured in response, "Besides," she continued with a smile to his surprise, "I owe you one too many for saving my butt…" she remarked, giggling cheekily. She then reared her arm back. "Come on out, Sandslash!" she exclaimed, firing the Heavy Ball forward. It popped open, and its light spilled out onto the grass. Taking shape, it dissipated to reveal the Alolan Mouse Pokémon.
"San!" he exclaimed, readying his claws.
"Zegggg…" the Totem Exeggutor growled out. The tips of the leaves atop his head glowed a bright purple before they unleashed beams of light down toward his new foe.
"He'zzz using Psyshock!" Rotom buzzed.
"Sandslash, dodge and use Iron Head!" Erika instructed. The Alolan Mouse Pokémon adhered to the command, leaping back to evade the beams as they struck the ground in small bursts of dust. He then shrouded himself in a whitish aura in order to appear black and white. He lunged forward and slammed into one of the normal-sized Exeggutor's lower body, knocking him down onto the ground.
"Uuu… torrr…" he groaned in agony as there were swirls in his eyes. His brethren growled angrily, firing off several green-glowing seeds from his mouth down toward Sandslash.
"Iron Defense!" Erika called out.
"Slah!" the Alolan Mouse Pokémon responded, coating himself in a metallic shine as the seeds exploded upon contact with his body. However, the smoke cleared to reveal that he was seemingly unharmed from the attack. The normal-sized Exeggutor then engulfed his head in a multicolored aura in the shape of a dragon, swinging it down at his foe.
"Counter with Iron Head!" the Ketchum girl yelled quickly. Enveloping himself within a whitish light once more, Sandslash leapt up and slammed into his opponent's head. They gnashed their teeth as they tried to push each other back with all their might. Ultimately, it seemed as if Exeggutor would win. But thanks to using his momentum against him, the Alolan Mouse Pokémon was able to flip above his opponent before slamming him down against the ground hard in a flurry of dust.
"Oh my…" Lillie gasped out, blinking rapidly. The dust settled to reveal that the Alolan Coconut Pokémon had been defeated as swirls were in his eyes. He and his normal-sized brethren were all knocked out. That left the totem, who seemed very displeased.
"ZEGGGGGGGGGGGGG!" he echoed angrily.
"Sah!" Sandslash exclaimed, readying his claws. Meanwhile, Erika cracked a grin.
'Grass-and-Dragon, right?' she noted inwardly, 'Sorry, but you're not gonna stand a chance!' she declared through her thoughts.
"Icicle Crash!" she commanded. Taking a deep breath, the Alolan Mouse Pokémon exhaled an icy breath of air that sparkled. Small clumps of ice started to form in the wind, shaping into large icicles. Noticing, the Totem Exeggutor engulfed his head in a multicolored aura in the shape of a dragon. He swung it around, shattering the incoming icicles with ease.
"Ah!" Calvin gasped.
"That didn't work, zzt?!" Rotom buzzed out of shock. However, Erika wasn't deterred.
"Sandslash, use Icicle Crash again!" she ordered, sticking her right hand out. The Alolan Mouse Pokémon formed exhaled a more powerful breath of icy air, forming a multitude of icicles that rained out towards his foe. He swung his head around to bash them all into pieces, not letting a single one strike him.
"It's not working!" Calvin pointed out.
"No, it is…" his sister assured as she grinned, "Rotodex, you said they get dizzy when they swing their heads around to attack, right?" she inquired of her Pokédex, causing it to blink in surprise. They then took notice of the Totem Exeggutor stumbling about, quite dizzied. "Now Ice Ball!" she commanded. A blue light shined upon Sandslash before he leapt out, rolling up into a ball and slamming into the Alolan Coconut Pokémon's torso. In that instant, he toppled over onto the ground, having swirls in his eyes.
"Whoa…" Lillie uttered in amazement. Calvin smiled after a moment, proud of how his sister had prevailed. She was back to her confident self at last.
"Way to go, Sandslash!" she complimented to the Alolan Mouse Pokémon.
"San, slah!" he exclaimed with delight.
"Now we have a clear path to the flute, zzt!" Rotom excitedly pointed out.
"Mm-hmm!" Lillie affirmed with a smile as she nodded. However, they then heard the Totem Exeggutor groan as he got back onto his feet, looming over his foes.
"Sann…" Sandslash hissed, narrowing his eyes onto the Alolan Coconut Pokémon. Erika took on a determined expression, ready to start another battle. However, she blinked in surprise to find the Exeggutor arching his head down.
"Zeggg…" he uttered out, opening the mouth of his center head. The Ketchum girl looked to see a Z-Crystal upon his tongue, which was a dark blue in color with a black symbol in the shape of a dragon's head.
"A Z-Crystal?" Calvin noted as he approached, having returned Toucannon to his Poké Ball.
"This… is for me?" Erika guessed, pointing to herself.
"Zegg," the other two heads of the Totem Exeggutor responded as he nodded.
"I mean, you were the one who cleared the trial…" the Ketchum boy pointed out to her, causing her to sheepishly chuckled. She took the Z-Crystal gratefully. And with that, the trial to get to the flute was cleared.
X
Raindrops started to fall by the time the trio of Calvin, Erika and Lillie arrived on the plateau, approaching the pedestal where the flute was. It was a bright goldish-orange in color, having a sun-shaped marking upon it. The Ketchum boy took it into his hands, staring at it in amazement.
"Now it's mission accomplished!" his sister declared with a pump of her left fist into the air. At that very moment, thunder boomed overhead, causing her and everyone else to flinch in surprise. They looked up to see the dark cloudy sky practically break open as rain showered down onto them.
"Ah, I'm gonna get wet, zzt!" Rotom buzzed in a panic as it floated away.
"Quick, there's a cave nearby!" Calvin pointed out, running off with the others as they hurried off of a plateau. Moments later, they were in a small cavern, waiting for the weather to clear up. Erika was drying off her Pokédex with a towel, while her brother and Lillie sat down, watching the rain fall steadily.
"I shouldn't be surprised that you and Erika find yourselves in situations like these…" the latter of the group admitted with a giggle.
"Yeah…" Calvin concurred as he leaned back and continued to see the raindrops pour down outside the small cave.
"…Whenever I'd play in the rain back in the days…" Lillie began, causing him to perk up in surprise as he turned to her, "my mother would come and play with me…" she recalled, "We'd get soaked and would have to dry ourselves off together inside…" she added in remembrance, letting out a small, happy sigh, "She always let me sleep with her to help stay warm… and in case I was having any nightmares…" she mentioned.
"And that was before she lost her husband?" Erika guessed out of concern.
"…Yes," Lillie confirmed as a response, tucking her legs in as she stared out sadly at the rain, "I don't know why she changed so much…" she confessed, "why she became so obsessed with beauty and those Ultra Beasts…" she continued, "All I know is, I have so much that I need to say to her…" she confessed while staring on determinedly, "Things that I should've said, I will say," she affirmed. Hearing that, Calvin gave her a kind smile. He placed his right hand atop her left and curled his fingers in to hold it. She blinked in surprise, turning to him.
"We'll make sure you do," he promised.
"Yeah," Erika agreed as she nodded. Lillie looked back and forth at the Ketchum twins before giving off a grateful smile.
"Thank you so much…" she said in gratitude. Soon after, the rain finally settled and went away, allowing for the trio to venture back to the boat. They boarded and sailed off back to the Seafolk Village, docking at the port. As they disembarked…
"Yo," Mina greeted with a wave of her right hand.
"Mina!" Erika yelped in surprise, "Uh, what are you doing here?" she inquired curiously, arching an eyebrow.
"I'm relaying a message from Hapu," the trial captain responded, "If you found the flute, you can meet her in the Vast Poni Canyon," she told the group.
"What about the other trial-goerzzz?" Rotom asked on.
"They're actually taking my trial right now," Mina answered, "So far, it's looking pretty good," she pointed out, "They'll meet back up with you in the canyon, I think," she mentioned to the group.
"In that case, I guess we shouldn't waste any more time," Calvin insisted of those among him.
"Right!" Erika and Lillie agreed. They hurried off together, heading through the wilds and passing by Hapu's farm before seeing the large canyon in the near distance.
"So after we meet up with Hapu, we'll regroup with the others, right?" the Ketchum girl guessed.
"Yeah, I hope so…" her brother replied, "Maybe Hau and Gladion can show up, too…" he inferred, starting to walk ahead. However, Lillie gasped as she took notice of something.
"Up ahead!" she exclaimed, causing the Ketchum twins to blink in surprise. Crouched at the entrance to the canyon was a horde of Team Skull grunts. Calvin and Erika recognized many of them as their eyes widened. A, B, G, E, F and many others were there. The pink-haired woman of the group stepped forward.
"You kids are trying to find a way to get where Guzma is, right?" she inquired of them. They didn't respond, not inclined to do so. "Tch," the grunt scoffed, pulling out a Nest Ball and enlarging it with a press of its button, "If you won't talk, we'll force it outta you numbskulls!" she decided fiercely.
"Yeah!" her fellow grunts echoed in agreement. From afar atop a nearby hill, Plumeria watched on with an indifferent expression upon her face. She saw Calvin and Erika ready Poké Balls in their hands.
"Idiots…" she muttered out.
ENDING
Insert "Selfish" by Madison Beer
Opens with Lillie lying on a sleeping bag, staring up at the stars while everyone's camped out around her. She closes her eyes, thinking back to a time when she and her family were happy.
We cut to her as a little girl, sleeping in bed with her mother. She appears content as Lusamine brushes her hair back and giggles happily.
Later, we see Lillie playing with a Clefairy and a Buneary alongside Gladion as they roam about the conservation area of Aether Paradise. Wicke and Faba watch on with smiles, as do Lusamine and Mohn. A while passes before Mohn holds his daughter by her little hand, walking along with her down a pathway. She smiles and momentarily closes her eyes. But when she opens them, she finds that her father is no longer there.
She's wearing her normal white dress and sunhat as she finds herself lost amongst the sea of Aether Foundation employees. She finds herself feeling all the more trapped in a place she once called home, hearing her mother's maniacal laughter. She covers her ears, whimpering with fright. However, she spots a faint light in the near distance. She approaches it and blinks in surprise to find that it's Cosmog.
Later on, we see her running through the conservation area with Nebby in her bag, trying to flee from the Aether Foundation employees after her. She finds herself surrounded, but all of a sudden, the Cosmog emits a starry glow that envelops both of them, causing them to disappear instantaneously. When Lillie wakes up, she finds herself on a beach as she cradles a weakened Nebby in her arms. She's then approached by Kukui and Burnet, who are both quite surprised.
A while passes before Lillie starts to live with the couple, as Burnet helps her out with Nebby and acts like a mother to her. Time goes on, and Lillie heads up to the Ruins of Conflict at Nebby's behest, followed by the incident in which Calvin and Erika helped to save it from falling into in the ravine below. After meeting the twins, Lillie found herself becoming much more active.
In spite of her fears, she helped support Calvin and Erika throughout their island challenges, while they helped her with Nebby. It's come to the point that she can really think of them as true friends. The scene changes to after her mother's disappeared through the Ultra Wormhole. She drops her duffel bag and tears up in horror and anguish.
She opens her eyes and sits up on her sleeping bag, folding her arms over herself and curling her knees in. Somber for a moment, she then looks at the snoozing forms of Calvin and Erika. She smiles, looking back up at the stars. Inwardly, she vows to do whatever she can to support them and save Nebby and her mother…
END ENDING
Little bit of a cliffhanger, but I think this was the best place to leave this chapter after all of the craziness that's gone down. Anyways, hope you all have a Happy New Year! We've been through quite a bit in the last two, but we've endured. So now it's time to get through another! See you all later!
SUMMARY
Team Skull challenges Calvin and Erika to learn the whereabouts of the missing Guzma! Who will win when Plumeria decides to step in to face Calvin?!
And upon arriving to the Vast Poni Canyon, Erika is challenged to a grand trial match by Hapu! Is she really ready to take on the newest kahuna of Poni Island?!
END SUMMARY