Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter Two-hundred and four: Totem Trouble
Two trainers were having a battle with one another outside of the Marina in Hau'oli City on Melemele Island of the Alola region. The battle was a three on three affair, single style. That wasn't what made the battle notable. No, what made the battle notable was who it was that was battling, as well as who it was that was serving as a referee for the battle.
A Kantonian Persian rushed forward and used Slash on an Umbreon, knocking it out. "Umbreon is unable to battle!" Reggie, a Pokémon Breeder from Veilstone City, Sinnoh, announced, "The winner is Persian! Victory of this battle goes to Ideku!"
Persian's trainer, Ideku Badorigo, a wandering trainer from the Johto region, let out a relieved breath as he had won the battle. Ideku's opponent, who is Reggie's younger brother Paul, similarly let out a sigh as he recalled his fainted Umbreon. "You really are a good trainer," Paul said to Ideku, "And I can clearly see it that you raise your Pokémon with the love and respect trainers need to show their Pokémon to help them reach their greatest potential."
Ideku recalled his Persian, turned his attention to Paul. "I noticed that all of the Pokémon that you used evolve only if they feel cared for enough by trainers. Umbreon, Blissey, and Crobat. You have a thing for raising Pokémon that need love to evolve."
"It's also training for myself," Paul admitted, drawing Ideku's piqued attention. "I... have a less that pleasent track record, I will admit," Paul said, "I had been rather harsh, had done things I've long since come to regret. It wasn't until I suffered a harsh defeat in my home region of Sinnoh that I had been shown, that I had learned, the error of the ways I was working with. Now I'm trying to better myself, make up for what al I had done. But I fear it's a rather tall order."
Ideku considered Paul for a moment, giving him a firm, apprasing look. After a few seconds, Ideku's expression softened. "...I'd say you're on the right track." Stretching his arms into the air, Ideku said, "So, umm... Paul, was it?" After Paul nodded in the affirmative, Ideku went on, "What brings you and your brother here to Alola?"
Pointing to Reggie, Paul said, "Reggie was asked by a farm here in Alola to come by and help out with working with their Pokémon. I came along because I felt working on improving myself in Alola would help me redeem myself." Gesturing to Ideku, Paul asked, "Now same question to you."
"I'm aiming to take part in the Pokémon League that's going to be established here in Alola soon," Ideku admitted, "I got it that the person who wins Alola's first league conference will be Alola's first ever region Champion."
"I'm still amazed that Alola didn't get a Pokémon League up until now," Reggie spoke up, "You'd figure they'd get cracking on it a heck of a lot sooner."
Paul closed his eyes, wore a contemplative look on his face. "...Alola's first Champion. Now accomplishing that would be a feat worthy of some bragging rights. I just hope that the trainer who achieves it proves to be strong enough and good enough of a trainer to deserve it." Ideku then said his good byes to the two brothers before parting ways with them. Wanting to get his Pokémon treated aside, Ideku had a few things he wanted to take care of while he was in the Alola region.
Such as becoming the region's first ever league Champion.
Meanwhile, Ash, the reborn trainers, and Kukui were at Hala's house. "Hmm, yes," Hala said as he looked at Ash's Z-Ring, "This is one that I had made. I did notice a Z-Ring missing a short while ago, and instantly realized that it was the work of Tapu Koko. You saying that Tapu Koko gave the Z-Ring to you helps to support that theory."
Ash nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I'm still wanting to learn more about what Tapu Koko was thinking. I'm also wanting to get more Z-Crystals."
"Then allow me to pose a question to you," Hala said, "A group of wild Rattata and Raticate are causing trouble on the island. How would you drive them out?"
Ash mulled the question over in his head for a bit before he gave an answer. "...Well first," Ash began, "I would look into finding out why the Rattata and Raticate are causing trouble in the first place. Did they come in looking for food because food at their usual grounds had grown scarce? Were they chased out to the island by another group of Pokémon? If I tried solving the problem of the Rattata and Raticate before learning why the problem cropped up in the first place, I might end up doing more harm than what I'm trying to fix."
Hala gave a sincerely amused, booming belly laugh in response. "I see that you won't resort to battling right away! The Island Challenge was first formed not to make trainers stronger, but to help trainers, raise them to help them love and protect the islands of Alola, as well as the people and Pokémon that inhabit said islands. You are on the right track with your reasoning, Ash. I will be requiring a more specific answer, but if you continue down the path of reasoning you're on now, you'll find the true answer in no time."
Ash, as well as the others, nodded in thanks before the trainers were led out by Kukui. Ash had to find the right answer to Hala's question, but he felt confident that he could get it in due time.
...
The next day at school, Ash was mulling over Hala's question. As Ash thought about Hala's question, the reborn trainers looked over to where Lillie was now confidently handling the egg. "So Lillie can confidently handle the egg now," Trip remarked.
"She's also chill with my cat Pokémon," Kenny remarked. As the students in class relaxed and did whatever, Kukui came in with Mr. Steinburg, who was followed by a young boy wearing a baggy hockey jersey, baggy shorts held up with a belt, white shoes, and white socks. The boy was fair skinned and had shiny black hair like Steinburg, but the boy's hair was messy and reached where his collarbone. The boy also shyly hid behind Steinburg while an oddly relaxed looking Yungoos stood next to the boy, its brows not as furrowed and sticking a bit of its tongue out in a blep manner.
"Students, let's try to keep it calm and quiet here," Kukui said, "Mr. Steinburg brought his nephew Donny over, partly because Donny's parents were desperate for Steinburg to watch Donny while they were at work and there was no alternative sitter."
Steinburg nodded in the affirmative. "Indeed, Class 1-A. Please do be calm, patient, and understanding with little Donny here."
Kukui's students, already knowing that little Donny has autism and knowing what that means, all nodded in agreement. Some of the Pokémon that were out, such as Ash's Pikachu and Serena's Sylveon, wandered over to Donny and gave him and his Yungoos friendly greetings. Donny flinched back a bit at first, but he soon relaxed as he realized the Pokémon were just being friendly. Donny looked around at the students, but stopped short when he saw that Ash was deep in thought. Donny pointed right at Ash, drawing the attention of the others to the boy from Pallet Town, Kanto.
"The smart looking boy is thinking hard," Donny said while pointing at Ash.
"Oh, our classmate Ash there is thinking about a question posed to him by Kahuna Hala," Kiawe explained, "About what to do if a bunch of Rattata and Raticate were causing trouble on the island. Just battling the problem won't cut it, but Ash already is on the right track by asking if there was a food shortage for the Rattata and Raticate, or if they were chased out by another group of Pokémon."
"They probably were chased out by other Pokémon," Donny said, "And I bet it was Yungooses and Gumshooses that did it. They were brought into Alola to help control the local populations of Rattata and Raticate when their populations grew too big."
Lana looked surprised that Donny knew something like that. "I... did hear about that, yes," Lana said, "But how did you know?"
"Oh, it's probably partly my doing," Steinburg admitted, "After I gave little Donny here his Yungoos that's with him now as you can see, he got super excited and wanted to learn what all he could about Yungoos. That's how he learned about the relationship between the Yungoose line and the local population of-"
"Hey!" Sophocles exclaimed loudly, cutting Steinburg off and making Donny flinch out of fright. Pointing at where the bags of the students were at, Sophocles said, "A wild Rattata is getting into my backpack!"
Looking over, the class saw that the hind feet of an Alolan Rattata were sticking out of Sohpocles's backpack, then a few moments later it popped out, carrying an individually wrapped pack of frosted smores flavored toaster treats. "That doesn't look like the Rattata that I'm used to seeing," Ash admitted.
"That's how Rattata in Alola had developed," Rotom Dex said, "Also, Alolan Rattata are supposed to be mostly black furred, but that one is mostly reddish furred."
"It's a shiny Alolan Rattata!" Sophocles exclaimed loudly again, "Quickly, we need to-" Sophocles was cut off when Donny's Yungoos, spotting the shiny Alolan Rattata, finally furrowed its brows and withdrew its tongue blep. Donny's Yungoos, now looking like how its species normally looks, hissed angrily at the shiny Alolan Rattata, getting its attention and making it drop Sophocles's toaster treats. Donny's Yungoos then scampered right up to the shiny alolan Rattata and jumped onto it, biting it and making it squeal in pain. The shiny Alolan Rattata got loose and ran out of the classroom through an open window.
With the Rattata gone now, Donny's Yungoos returned to its normal disposition, unfurrowed brows and tongue blep sticking out, as it scampered back over to Donny. "Kid, what is wrong with you?!" Sophocles scolded, "You let a wild shiny Pokémon get away!"
"Sophocles!" Kukui cut in, his firm expression and scolding tone making it clear he was unamused, "There's no need for that tone toward's Steinburg's nephew! Now apologize!" Seeing that the other students in class, the girls especially, were all looking at Sophocles in disappointment, the plump boy relented and apologized to the young autistic boy, who was still apprehensive towards Sophocles.
Donny did relax a bit when Ash kindly approached him and held a hand out to him in offering a handshake. "...Thank you," Ash said, "I believe you've helped me find the answer that I was looking for." Donny smiled appreciatively as he smacked his hand into Ash's; Steinburg explained that Donny doesn't know hand shaking, but he does do high fives.
...
"Seriously, Sophocles!" Mallow scolded Sophocles after classes were done for the day, "How could you yell at Mr. Steinburg's four year old nephew like that?! He's a small and adorable kid who's as sweet as can be! You ought to be ashamed of yourself for yelling at him!"
"Not to mention the fact that we were told that Donny is autistic," Serena added, "So you yelled at a special needs kid."
"He let a wild shiny Pokémon get away!" Sophocles defended, "How would you guys react if you were in my shoes?"
"You know Sophocles," Kenny said, "Dawn and I had tangoed with a Team Scorn Admin who literally murdered a woman because said woman had bullied autistic kids. If he were here and he saw what you did, I wouldn't be able to guarantee your safety."
"Yeah Kenny, I got those details from the first major attack on Blackthorn City," the familiar voice of Ideku spoke up, making Kenny and the rest of the group all turn to see Ideku sitting on a bench near a door leading into the school. The shiny Alolan Rattata from earlier was asleep on Ideku's lap, crumbs on its face.
"Ideku!" Ash said, "You're in Alola now?"
Ideku nodded in the affirmative. "Yeah, I'm looking to inquire about the Pokémon League that's going to be set up here. Maybe I'll become a League Champion again by winning Alola's first League Conference."
Gesturing to Ideku, Ash said, "I suggest you also look into the Island Challenge. Dawn, Kenny, Trip, and I are all taking it to learn more about our Z-Rings, the Z-Crystals that go with them, and the Z-Moves that can be used as a result."
Right away, Ideku's interest was piqued. First, Ideku aimed a poké ball at the shiny Alolan Rattata while saying, "Rattikarl, return." After he recalled what is now confirmed to be his shiny Alolan Rattata, Ideku got up and walked up to the heroes.
"You caught the shiny Rattata?" Sophocles said, looking surprised.
Shrugging, Ideku said, "I saw it run out of the school, looking like it was chased out. One of my goals here in Alola, aside from looking into becoming the first League Champion, was to get a Pokémon of a regional variant found here in Alola. I saw the Alolan Rattata and caught it after Meganie put it to sleep with Sleep Powder. I was taken by surprise to see that it was a shiny Alolan Rattata, I thought all Alolan Rattata were reddish like that."
"So you wanted an Alolan regional variant Pokémon," Trip said, "And lucked out by catching a shiny Alolan Rattata."
Ideku nodded in the affirmative before turning to look at Ash. "Now, what all are you talking about with this business of Z-Rings, Z-Crystals, and Z-Moves?" Ash then proceeded to tell Ideku what all he knew on the subject, backed up by the reborn trainers and Kiawe. After he got everything down, Ideku nodded a few times as he got all of the info. "...Yes, I'm totally going to have to get in on all of that," Ideku said, "I need to look into getting a Z-Ring first, then look into taking the Island Challenge."
"I'm planning to see Hala so I can give him my answer to the question he posed to me," Ash said, "You can come along and ask about taking the Island Challenge." Ideku nodded in agreement and, after the rest of the students parted ways, Ash, Dawn, Kenny, Trip, and Ideku all went to see Hala.
Hala was amused with Ash's answer, saying he asked the question to see if Ash had what it took to go through the trial. Hala was likewise amused to see another person aiming to take the Island Challenge, and supplied Ideku with a Z-Ring. After that, Hala led Ash, Ideku, and the reborn trainers to Verdant Cavern. "Many Yungoos and Gumshoos live in there," Hala explained, "But there's a particularly strong Gumshoos that's bigger than normal. It's what we in Alola refer to as a Totem Pokémon."
"A Totem Pokémon, huh?" Ideku said.
Hala nodded in confirmation. "The challenge here is to take on the totem Gumshoos and best it, then lead it to help chase away the Rattata and Raticate that are causing problems here on the island. The totem Gumshoos is bound to be backed up by many other Gumshoos and Yungoos, so it's alright if Ash goes in with the rest of you backing him up. It also has the benefit of letting you all clear this trial all at once, rather than have you all wait to do it one at a time."
The five trainers all nodded in understanding before heading into Verdant Cavern. When the trainers entered the cavern, Hala called out into the cavern, and two Yungoos and three Gumshoos all popped up. "Those are some of the Totem Gumshoos's allies," Hala called to the trainers, "You must best them first in order to proceed to face the Totem Gumshoos itself."
"Ready, Pikachu?" Ash asked as he sent his Pikachu in to help confront the Yungoos and Gumshoos. Similarly, Kenny sent in Hovernyan, Trip sent in Myde, Dawn sent in Lincoln, and Ideku sent in Meganie. The battle was off to a start, with Ideku's call for Meganie to use Reflect giving cover to the other Pokémon by dampening the impact of the physical moves the wild normal Pokémon were bound to be packing.
Pikachu took out one of the Yungooses with a Thunderbolt, while Hovernyan, Mude, and Lincoln took out a Gumshoos each with Power-up Punch, Flash Cannon, and Aura Sphere respectively. "How did your Latios pick up how to use Aura Sphere?" Trip asked as he looked at his sister in amazement.
"Lincoln learned it from working with Leni, surprisingly enough," Dawn replied. Another Aura Sphere from Dawn's named Latios took out the remaining Yungoos,
After the trainers were victorious against the allies of the Totem Gumshoos, they all heard heavy, stomping footsteps. Suddenly, they heard a loud roar which made them all turn to see the Totem Gumshoos as it had just arrived. "Wowzers!" Rotom Dex exclaimed, "That Gumshoos is three times as big as a normal Gumshoos!" Four more Gumshoos, all regular sized, appeared to back up the Totem Gumshoos, showing that the trainers taking the trial were going to be put in for round two.
Not, of course, did that deter them. Ideku had Meganie set up Reflect again, while Ash, Dawn, Kenny, and Trip all focused on fighting the Gumshoos. In particular, the reborn trainers all decided to have their Pokémon attack the Totem Gumshoos, with Lincoln's Aura Sphere and Hovernyan's Power-Up Punch taking it out while Myde's Ice Beam hit and took out one of the normal Gumshoos. Ash's Pikachu paralyzed one of the regular Gumshoos and as such it didn't attack, but the other two both used Frustration on Myde, not that it did much due to Myde being part steel type.
The remaining Gumshoos were soon defeated when Pikachu finished off the paralyzed Gumshoos, Lincoln one-shot one of the fresh Gumshoos, and Hovernyan slugged the other fresh Gumshoos in the face really really hard with Power-Up Punch. With the Gumshoos and the Totem Gumshoos defeated, the trainers had cleared their first trial in the Island Challenge. Unbeknownst to them, Tapu Koko had watched their efforts, nodded once in approval, and flew off, all without ever beeing seen.
After Tapu Koko's unnoticed departure, Ash went up to the Totem Gumshoos and said, "Hey Gumshoos, are you ok-" Ash was cut off when the Totem Gumshoos held out its front right paw, where it held five white Z-Crystals. Ash understood that they were for him, Dawn, Kenny, Trip, and Ideku, and as such they each got their respective first Z-Crystals, a Normalium Z each. Ash then said, "Thank you, and there's one last thing I need to ask of you. We need help driving off some Rattatas and Raticates that are causing trouble here on the island." The Totem Gumshoos gave only an amused grin in response.
...
Sometime shortly later in the city, Ash, Dawn, Kenny, Trip, Ideku, and a few officers including the Officer Jenny, all fought off an invading horse of Alolan Rattatas and Alolan Raticates with the help of the Yungooses and Gumshooses, including the Totem Gumshoos. Thing were sped up particularly so because Dawn had her named Latios spam Aura Sphere, and it turned out that the Alolan variety of Rattata and Raticate are dual dark normal; a times four weakness to fighting. As a side note, Dawn was glad Lincoln had picked up how to use Aura Sphere from Leni, as a fighting move covered Lincoln's weakness to dark.
With the Alolan Rattatas and Alolan Raticates chased off, the humans were able to cheer in victory, as there were no more pests getting into food stores. As Ideku marveled at the power that the Totem Gumshoos had displayed, the heroes were approached by Hala. "You all have officially cleared the trial for Melemele Island," Hala said, "Meaning now only the island's grand trial awaits you."
Turning to look at Hala, Ideku asked, "What is the grand trial?"
"You all will, one at a time mind you," Hala began, "Face me in a battle. Those of you who best me will have cleared what all Melemele Island has to offer. I urge you all to prep yourselves, not only to better your odds of victory, but to give me some amusement in our battles!" Ash, Dawn, Kenny, Trip, and Ideku all nodded, understanding that they had their Melemele Island grand trial up next. They wouldn't battle today, but tomorrow will see the first of many battles with the Kahuna of Melemele Island.
The trainers were all stoked.
The following morning, Dawn, Kenny, and Trip all flew back over to Melemele Island. They, knowing from their previous life that Hala uses fighting types, prepped their respective parties for that. They met up with Ash, Hala, Ideku, and Kukui outside of Hala's house in Iki Town. From there, they all went to the Ruins of Conflict to pray to Tapu Koko for its blessings on their upcoming battles. Kenny showed trouble sitting still for that long; Ash did as well but not as much as Kenny. When Ash wondered aloud if Tapu Koko had heard their prayers, Hala said that Tapu Koko is known to be fickle, so he can't be sure.
However, the heroes as well as Hala and Kukui all heard Tapu Koko's cry, showing that it did indeed hear their prayers. The group then left the Ruins of Conflict to head on back to Iki Town, although Ideku turned his attention back to look into the ruins, still thinking about Tapu Koko and wondering about what kind of Pokémon it is exactly. Those thoughts were on the mind of the roaming trainer from Johto clear into when the group got back to Iki Town, where it was determined that Ash would be the first to tango against Hala.
Surprisingly, Ash's first choice of Pokémon to use against Hala was Greninja which, due to being part dark type with its other type not mitigating the sting of fighting attacks, was a big gamble. Hala was curious as to see where this would go, so he sent his Crabrawler out and called for it to use Power-Up Punch. Ash called for Greninja to use Double Team, easily evading the attack from Crabrawler. Ash then called for Greninja to use Water Shuriken, and Greninja and all of its doppelgangers used Water Shuriken, sending a rain of Water Shruikens down upon Crabrawler and knocking it out.
After Hala recalled his fainted Crabrawler and sent his Hariyama out, Ash's Greninja transformed into its Ash-Greninja form, amazing Hala immensely. Ideku who was watching was similarly amazed, as was Kukui. The doppelgangers also changed form, and as such Hala's call of Fake Out from Hariyama only busted one of the doppelgangers while the real Greninja and other doppelgangers spammed Aerial Ace, pushing Hariyama to the edge. Ash then called for the use of the Normal Z-Move, having given the Normalium Z to Greninja to hold.
The use of the normal Z-Move, Breakneck Blitz, saw Greninja overwhelming Hariyama as it tried frighting back with the fighting Z-Move, All-Out Pummeling. Hariyama was sent flying from the battlefield and hit the ground outside, where it laid in defeat. Ash won against Hala, and on the first try as per what Dawn remembered from the anime in her previous life. But here, Ash did so far more easily than what Dawn remembered, and he did so with Greninja. Regardless, Hala proceeded to award Ash with a Fightinium Z, but it was quickly swapped out with an Electrium Z when Tapu Koko swooshed on past. Hala laughed it off, saying that it's rather peculiar for Tapu Koko to be so interested in a challenger to the Island Challenge like this.
Ash still got a Z-Crystal, but the Electrium Z instead. Over the next few days, Dawn, Kenny, Trip, and Ideku (in that order) battled and defeated Hala on their respective first tries each, completing the trials of Melemele Island and earning Fightinium Z crystals as a result. Dawn used Drachen to beat Hala, Kenny used a mix of Hovernyan and Zarbon to win, and Trip used a mix of Fourze and Mr. Popo to win. Ideku won against Hala by using Cupidos, although it did earn him some confused and very mildly judgmental looks from the reborn trainers, as he used a legendary Pokémon against the Alola region equivalent of a gym leader.
Regardless, all of the heroes taking on the Island Challenge have cleared what all challenged Melemele Island had for them, meaning now they can turn their attention to the next set of challenges over on the next island of Alola. But before they could do that, there were other things that had to be addressed, with one trial proving to be quite a surprise for them.
The morning following Ideku defeating Hala, the heroes were all hanging out in class at school when Kiawe said to Ash, "Now that you've cleared the trials here on Melemele Island, the trials on Akala Island ought to be next."
Ash nodded in understanding. "Yeah, and I'm going to ace them like I did with the challenges here!"
Mallow was about to open her mouth, but was cut off by Kukui barging into the room all of a sudden, a clearly panicked look on his face. "Some majorly bogus trouble is going down right now!" Kukui called out, "Team Scorn was seen attacking Verdant Cavern!"
"Team Scorn was attacking Verdant Cavern?!" the students all exclaimed in unison.
"Yeah, it's really bad," Kukui said, "Apparently the attack was led by that Captain Konishi guy who tried leading some of his lads into harassing Kiawe for details about Alola's Ride Pokémon system, but Team Skull who was already there harassing Kiawe picked a fight with them."
"What all was Team Scorn after at Verdant Cavern?" Dawn asked, "Do you know, Kukui-sensei?"
Kukui nodded once in the affirmative. "Yeah, Officer Jenny heard Konishi say something about looking to grab a hold of the Totem Gumshoos because of orders to collect it. Luckily Team Scorn was chased off by Officer Jenny and the rest of the officers there before Team Scorn even caught sight of the Totem Gumshoos."
Folding her arms over her chest, Dawn said, "Typical of Team Scorn. They're after the Totem Gumshoos."
"They might also wanna get a hold of the means to use Z-Moves," Kiawe said, "Konishi did see me use one, after all. No doubt that Team Scorn would be interested in using the power of Z-Move themselves."
Kukui, with a curious look, said, "Actually, a helpful trainer who assisted the officers in chasing Team Scorn off said that Konishi, after he was asked about the Z-Crystals, said he was explicitly told to ignore going after the Z-Crystals and focus solely on wrangling the Totem Gumshoos. The helpful trainer did mention that Konishi also said that Team Scorn was going to see if there were other Totem Pokémon."
That revelation got confused looks out of the students. "Team Scorn's going to ignore going after the means to use Z-Moves?" Kiawe asked, looking surprised.
"From our experience," Dawn said to the rest of the class while gesturing to herself, Kenny, Trip, and Ash, "Team Scorn often is impossible to figure out when it comes to them getting what they want. They had actually actively passed on a potential money making opportunity in Johto in favor of collecting apricorn poké balls." Lowering her arms from where they were folded over her chest, Dawn said, "It shouldn't come as a surprise that their goals aren't what would be expected at first glance as they are ignoring the chance to acquire the means to use Z-Moves. But it is also not a surprise they want to collect the Totem Pokémon."
Turning to look at Kukui, Kenny asked, "Where can we find the helpful trainer who aided in chasing off Team Scorn from nabbing the Totem Gumshoos? Maybe they can give us some more details."
"He's helping his older brother with getting things set up on a farm over on Akala Island," Kukui said, "The older brother, apparently named Reggie, is a renowned breeder from the Sinnoh region. The helpful trainer, I failed to get his name sorry, said he came with his brother to Alola to... continue working towards his goal of trying to redeem himself for his past wrong doings?" Although most of the students were just as confused as Kukui, Ash, Dawn, Kenny, and Trip all realized what their teacher was talking about, or rather who their teacher was talking about.
...
Over at the one farm on Akala Island, the heroes met back up with Paul again. Paul, after expressing surprise that the heroes wanted to see him again, asked them how they were all doing. It was also Paul's first time meeting Trip, and Paul was surprised to learn that Trip is Dawn's adopted brother. "Oh, the boys and I are all taking the Island Challenge in Alola right now," Dawn explained, "We recently cleared the trials on Melemele Island." Arching a wry eyebrow, Dawn said, "Speaking of, one of our trials had us face the Totem Gumshoos we were told you helped the police save from Team Scorn."
"Ah yes, that rather large Gumshoos," Paul remarked, "I can just tell that it's very strong. That said, it's no wonder criminals like Team Scorn are after it, as well as other Totem Pokémon in Alola if what that Konishi jerk who I defeated in a battle is any indication."
"I don't suppose you have any idea as to why Team Scorn is explicitly NOT gunning for the means to use Z-Moves, do you?" Trip asked. Paul said that he wasn't quite sure, especially as he actually had no idea what a Z-Move is. Ash then demonstrated the normal Z-Move, Breakneck Blitz, by having his Rowlet use it to smash a nearby large rock into oblivion.
Paul's eyes widened out of sheer surprise by the display of power he had just seen. "That's a Z-Move?!" Paul exclaimed, then after he was told that Team Scorn was aware of what Z-Moves are he added, "Yeah, Team Scorn are idiots for explicitly not wanting to go after that power to make their own! What kind of criminals are they to willingly forgo a boon like that?"
"Team Scorn is a mystery," Kenny said, "Wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a burrito. There is just no figuring them out most of the time."
"Most of the time," Ash clarified, "Because we now got it that they're after the Totem Pokémon serving as trials in the Island Challenge. A lot of people can easily see why Team Scorn would be after the Totem Pokémon."
Paul nodded in agreement with Ash. "Yeah, that's one thing that makes sense for criminals like them." To the heroes, Paul said, "I may be busy once every so often helping Reggie with his thing here in Alola, and I'm still working to redeem myself for my past transgressions. But if I see you guys dealing with Team Scorn, you can all count on me to lend a hand."
Ash gave Paul an amused smirk. "We'll be glad to have you, Paul." The heroes were still surprised to see Paul again, but having him here in Alola as a sworn ally to help them with Team Scorn gave them that much more confidence. With how things were going here, the heroes were doubting that anything was going to be too big of an issue for them to deal with, that there would be no surprises.
...
Meanwhile over at the trainer school, Kukui was meeting with Alolan Oak in his office. Addressing Alolan Oak, Kukui asked him, "What do you mean I have to teach my students some sex education lessons?"
END, CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND FOUR
Author's notes;
This chapter opens with Ideku and Paul meeting in Alola, having a battle with one another, and parting ways on good terms, not knowing that they're connected to multiple shared acquaintances. Then Ash, the reborn trainers, and Ideku end up clearing the trial at Verdant Cavern, then after that they clear the battle with Hala, meaning they cleared the Melemele portion of things in their Island Challenge. However, they're thrown for a loop when Team Scorn begins one of their active goals in Alola; go after and get the Totem Pokémon. Luckily the heroes get surprise help from Paul, but nothing can prepare them for the surprise that Kukui has in store for his students in the next chapter. Until then, take care.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Lincoln (male Latios), Argent (male Arcanine; alpha; Hisuian), Kirara (female Litten), Tsukune (Palkia), Drachen (female Salamence)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Hovernyan (male Meowstic), Jibanyan (male Skitty; shiny), Cell Jr. (male Rowlet; shiny), Lin (female Purrloin), Darknyan (male Meowth; Alolan), Shenron (Rayquaza)
Trip's Pokémon: (on hand) Myde (male Empoleon), Fourze (male Electivire), Mr. Popo (male Magmortar), Suzaku (male Popplio), Deelia (Dialga), Tetsu (Xerneas)
Ash's Pokémon: (on hand) Pikachu (male), Greninja (male), Goodra (male), Mimikyu (female; shiny), Rowlet (male), Salandit (female)