Wednesday, June 9th, 24 hours before the moment of truth; the Alola Pokemon League, Kukui's greatest dream, was finally complete and will soon make its grand debut the following day. Across the islands of Alola, Pokemon Trainers are undergoing rigorous training sessions by themselves and their Pokemon or with each other as Kukui and Sarah's grandparents have everything ready for the big day. Soon, once the curtain lifts and the show begins, the best trainers in all of Alola will gather together, all sharing a single desire.
Speaking of which, one trainer in particalur is reaching the end of his Island Challenge at Poni Island as he and his Midnight Form Lycanroc face off against the Poni Island Kahuna, Hapu, and her Golurk.
This is Poni Island, the home of Hapu, the Island Kahuna
"Lycanroc, use Stone Edge!"
"Golurk, use High Horsepower!"
It appears Hapu is right in the middle of a battle
The trainer battling Hapu was none other than Lillie's brother and the son of Mohn, Gladion, as he and Hapu were at the tail end of his Grand Trial with Lycanroc and Golurk countering each other with High Horsepower and Stone Edge. Deciding to end the Grand Trial with a bang, Gladion activated his Z-Power Ring so he and Lycanroc could use a Z-Move which is Devastating Drake as he had a Dragonium Z on it.
"Here it comes, Golurk! Use Flash Cannon!" called Hapu to her Ghost/Ground Type partner, allowing him to power up Flash Cannon.
"Now, use Devastating Drake!" Gladion called out as he and his Lycanroc performed the exact poses for said Z-Move, their attack taking the form of an energy dragon that roared just as Golurk fired Flash Cannon.
The two attacks met each other in the middle of the Grand Trial battlefield as they pushed against each other in a short stalemate before they exploded in a cloud of smoke. When the smoke finally cleared, Lycanroc was still standing on his feet but Golurk was down for the count as Devastating Drake managed to hit him.
Lycanroc panted as he and Gladion watched and waited for Hapu's response, the new Poni Island Kahuna remaining silent for a few seconds before she nodded and smiled in approval, "That was an excellent battle, Gladion. As Poni Island Kahuna, I acknowledge your strength and hereby declare that you've successfully passed the Poni Island Grand Trial!"
Gladion returned Hapu's smile as the wind blew (as Hapu's grandfather made his own approval in spirit) and the Poni Island Kahuna recalled Golurk, satisfied with how they battled, "You battled valiantly, Golurk, I thank you."
"Thank you, M'Lady," Golurk replied warmly as he was returned to his Pokeball while Gladion recalled Lycanroc in his own.
"Question, Young Gladion. Is this your final Grand Trial of the Island Challenge?" Hapu inquired, wondering if her challenger passed the other Grand Trials.
"Yes."
"Then, the Pokemon League; are you planning on entering tomorrow?"
Gladion nodded in confirmation and told her as he looked to the heavens, "But, first...… There is something I must do."
Hapu remained silent as she looked at the heavens as well; she knew exactly what Gladion meant given what he went through and what he had in mind.
Meanwhile, at her family's Melemele estate, Lillie, Snowy, and her Magearna were showing Mohn his old room, her father getting lost in his memories of the time he spent with his family before the incident that led him to Nihilego Lillie and his time with her in the Crown Tundra. As he looked all over his books, examined his journal entries, and looked at the empty cabinet and the hidden chamber where he kept his daughter and Sarah's Magearna safe, Mohn couldn't help but feel happy and content with how things looked in his room. Everything was just as he left it and it felt like nothing's changed since he was gone.
"Still looks and feels the same," he smiled.
"It sure does," Lillie agreed, smiling.
"Master, Ms. Lillie, your friends have arrived," Hobbes called as he entered.
"Thank you, Hobbes," Lillie grinned as she took Snowy in her arms, knowing she and her friends would need to train for the Pokemon League soon as she told her father, "The girls and I are going to practice our Z-Moves today for the Pokemon League."
Exiting his room, Lillie, Mohn, Magearna, and Snowy joined Hobbes in the living room where Ash, the others, Asha, and Race were, waiting for them while the Pokemon with them were playing together and the rest of Sarah's family watched from outside.
"Alola, Everyone!" Lillie greeted them warmly as they entered.
"Alola, Lillie!"
"Lillie, Alola!"
"Hey, there."
"Alola!"
"Alola!"
"Alola!" the others greeted back, feeling happy for Lillie now that her father's back with them and her life's back to normal.
"The boys are our cheerleaders for the day, they volunteered," Lana replied, beaming.
"We want to help you make sure your Z-Moves are a success!"
"The Alola Pokemon League is finally finished and right around the corner."
"No time like the present!" Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles said to Lillie.
"Since we heard about how you mastered Subzero Slammer when you, Gladion, Snowy, and Umbreon went up against those Poachers that were after Noivern and Bones, we want to see how you and Snowy would fare using your Z-Moves including that one for the Pokemon League," Race concurred.
"Granny, Gramps, and Prof. Kukui have just finished the stadium and all of Alola's top trainers will be coming soon."
"There's going to be a lot of competition tomorrow and we need to make sure you're in top form," Sarah and Asha finished.
Lillie could only grin as Mohn smiled proudly at his daughter, "That would be an honor!"
[New Theme Song - Drunken Lives (Young Hero Fong Sai Yuk - ft. Johnny Ip) {Roughly Translated Ver.} (Updated Ver.))]
(The opening begins when we see legions of Pokemon trainers and their Pokemon training in a giant stadium and amongst them, Sarah, Ash, and the Pokemon School gang are training with their own Pokemon now with the addition of (Asha, Race, Proud, Ziracon, Robbie, and Bella), preparing for the most important chapter of their lives before the trainers and their Pokemon stood at attention and the gang got into a group fighting pose as the song begins. They will eventually take part in the finalized Alola League to determine who is the top Pokemon Trainer in the entire Alola region)
When life is rough and too dark to see, my regrets wash over all of me~
Pain is immense but don't you cry or pout, you'll very soon find your way out~
(In small recap snippets and previews of what's to come or will be happening now, we see Pokemon Trainers and their Pokemon registered for the Pokemon League running to the stadium including Sarah, her friends, Asha, and Race before we see a brief recap of Sarah, Silvally, Dia, and his Zeraora blasting Guzzlord with Shiny Tapu Koko's help and sending him through an Ultra Wormhole after beating him. Sarah and the gang continue training for the Alola League with the boys prepping at Kiawe's training camp and the girls with Tsukumaro at Lillie's mansion before we see Lillie and Nihilego Lillie standing together as the latter was accepted as part of her family in gratitude for saving her father, Mohn)
Live a life worth living, make it beautiful, and work hard to be strong and happy~
In the mortal world, your life is so meaningful, so go and prove your own mettle~
(Lillie, Sarah, and their families search the Crown Tundra before finally locating Mohn and helping him overcome his amnesia before the scene changes to the two of them and their friends and Race and Asha learning some Pokemon Baseball as part of a school assignment with help from a world-class baseball player and coach)
So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~
Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shines at its best~
(Sarah and her friends, Race, and Asha make their entrance at the Alola League as either she or Ash prepare to battle against Guzma, Sarah and Poipole (now evolved into a Naganadel) briefly reunite in the midst of fireworks and the closing ceremonies after Guzzlord somehow enters the former's world and they and their Alola family and friends defeat him, and they and everybody in Alola send off lantern boats with their prayers and happy thoughts for the future. Delilah and Doug dance happily together, Tsukumaro and Sarah continue training together in swordsmanship while her family watches on, and she and the gang try to help a golf player and her Toucannon out of a slump they're in)
So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~
Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shows me your love I can't detest~
(Sarah and the gang wrap up a few final Ultra Beast/Ultra Pillar encounters before Guzzlord eventually comes into the picture, take part in the Alola Pancake Race against Nina's Alolan Raichu with her and Pikachu sparking a short-lived rivalry between them, and Sarah spending some time alone with Link, Zelda, Chien-Pao, and Muffin so as to get to know them and their old home region further before coming face to face with a weakened Koraidon and Miraidon before the princess fed them some sandwiches and they powered up)
(In a short instrumental, the heroes' Pokemon are then shown getting themselves into crazy situations such as Meltan, Mallow's Shaymin and her brother, Seth, Sandy, Sho, Breezeon, and Donka exploring Malie City unsupervised as they tried to get Mallow's hair ornament back before meeting Team Rocket and Pikachu (with his team) and Blitz (joined by some of his brothers and sisters and his mate, Curly) go on an adventure to find Ash, Silvally, Sarah, and Torracat who have traveled back in time and met Kid Kukui as he prepares to go on his Pokemon journey that'll lead him to become a Pokemon Professor specializing in Pokemon moves)
So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~
Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shines at its best~
(Some of the heroes' Pokemon (in a new Pikachu Short) traveling with Klefki, Meloetta, and Hoopa across time and dimensions to 1997 at Walt Disney World to see the Happy Easter and Remember The Magic parades as Turtonator tried to enter one of the shops with the others but couldn't because of his size as he got stuck in an opening as they had fun with Kommo-o eventually crossing paths with Minnie Mouse (in a royal gown) in the midst of the excitement as they were then seen together with the former holding a parasol above him to shield him from the sun's rays)
So, who would you connect with to meet up with me as friendly voices cut through the peaceful sunny crest~
Your heart is now mine forevermore, your sincerity shows me your love I can't detest~
(The Power Rangers Ultra Rescue face off against Evox and his forces in both their and the Power Rangers Beast Morphers' final missions against him, Guzma faces off against either Ash or Sarah as one of them tries to pry into what Kukui knows about him, and one of them facing off against Kukui and Tapu Koko in a full Pokemon battle. The opening ends with Sarah, in human form, unsheathing her family's Sun Sword and holding it high above her before she is joined by Link, Zelda, Blitz, Curly, and Silvally along with Cresselia, Xerneas, Zygarde (10% Forme), Zacian, Zamazenta, Rayquaza, and Giratina on a mountain cliff and the main titles appeared below them)
Pokemon Sun & Moon - The Warrior Princess
At a completed stadium where the Alola Pokemon League will take place somewhere in Alola's seas, everything was ready; hut-like buildings were finished, the trainer complex was done, the decorations were up, and at the newly-finished Pokemon Center, Kukui was overseeing the completed battlefield with content.
He looked at the battlefield and the audience barracks waiting for Pokemon trainers and people and Pokemon to flood in the following day, satisfied to see that his dream of having a Pokemon League in Alola for the first time ever was about to become a reality. And, he had to thank his long years of hard work in studying Pokemon moves as well as the partnership he had with Sarah's bloody family and their own efforts and the assistance of Alola's people who have been in the know with making his dream come true.
"Finally, it's all coming true! And, it's all thanks to the people of Alola Ever since I was a child, the dream of this day has been burning in my heart, like a Magma Storm... The creation of the Alola Pokemon League!" he thought as a bright smile came to his face.
Then, with a contented yell and feeling charged up for the big day, all he could do was pump his arms and let out a victory yell, "ALRIGHT, YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
Meanwhile, at one corner of the new stadium of the Alola Pokemon League, a disguised Team Rocket was selling some new Masaladas from their Masalada truck for some guests that have already arrived to check out the place. The days that led up to the stadium's completion and the Alola Pokemon League were part of a preview for a lucky selection of Alola's citizens to get a taste of the stadium that Kukui, the workers that joined him to help accomplish his dream, and the Alolan Royal Family (particularly David and Donna (former queen)) had just completed and already, everybody was having a ball with it.
With their Masalada business, Team Rocket was invited to help provide for the catering. And, this time, to their great turn of fortune, they were able to draw customers in with the people invited for the preview before the Pokemon League and the stadium's grand opening.
"Alright, folks, come and get it! We've got the yummiest honey Masaladas you've ever wrapped your mouth around!" smiled Meowth, advertising their new treats.
"And, in honor of the grand opening of Manalo Stadium, we're the first ever to offer these newly-made Manalo Masaladas anywhere!"
"Due to the nature of these tummy-tickling treats, supplies are limited!" Jessie and James added with a grin, showing everybody a new Masalada treat shaped like the stadium with vanilla and strawberry frosting on both of the lower corners with a honey filling.
"Get while they're hot and supplies last! Hurry, hurry!" Wobbuffet hollered.
Their new Masaladas got the people interested as they soon filled in their orders, allowing Team Rocket to serve them as expected. Amazingly, Team Rocket immediately sold out all of their stock for the day as the guests bought each and every last Manalo Masalada they had and enjoyed them. Soon, they all dispersed to enjoy their treats while continuing to check out the stadium which made Team Rocket happy even though they had ulterior motives with what they had planned with their sales and new products and the money they earned.
"Come again soon!" they grinned before they gave off sly smirks.
"We love it when you stop by and give us your money!"
"That's right!"
"We've made plenty, fellas! Enough for us to buy some equipment for one of our latest creations!"
"Just perfect! Success, we did it!"
"Operation 'Make-Tons-of-Cash-on-the-Occasion-of the-Opening-of-Manalo-Stadium' is rockin' the house!"
"We will not just simply become Champions of the Alola Pokemon League! With our finances, we will rule all of Alola!"
"And, that's a blast!"
"That's right!" Team Rocket cheered as they gave off evil laughs.
On the northern side of the newly-christened Manalo Stadium, an Aether Paradise helicopter had touched down on a helipad. Amongst its passengers were Faba, Sarah's blood family, Lusamine, and Wicke with Faba helping Lusamine off the aircraft and Tsukumaro helping his old friends disembark (who both were suffering from jetlag given it was their first time ever riding on a helicopter).
"Oh, Ms. Lusamine... Mmph, I don't feel so good," Doug admitted, rubbing his eyes as he tried to stay awake.
"I didn't think flying in these strangely-propelled crafts can cause you to feel sleepy," agreed Delilah, doing her best not to fall asleep.
Lusamine just giggled as she reassured them, "A good little power nap and a hot drink after will help relieve the jetlag, Your Majesties."
"This is the most exciting day of our lives, Ms. Lusamine! The moment when our first-ever league and regional champion(s) are decided will be truly magical!" Faba beamed, unable to control his excitement for the competition and what will ensue.
"For a second there, I thought you were going to be one of the challengers including the kids," the Aether Foundation president laughed.
"Not me, I'm honestly at home for being a spectator rather than a participant."
"Where is Professor Kukui, isn't he supposed to be here with us?" Wicke pondered, looking around for Kukui just as Burnet, Donna (former queen), and David disembarked the helicopter.
Burnet chuckled as she told her fellow scientist, "I'm sure he got to the stadium hours before we arrived."
"He's here already?!" Wicke balked, making Burnet laugh.
"'My dream is coming true!' is what he's been saying for some time. These last few days leading to the grand opening coming up, he's been acting as excited as a little boy on Christmas morning!"
"Aww, that's so sweet!"
Meanwhile, returning to Lillie's family's estate, the Ice Type student and all of her friends along with Hobbes, Bones, and Mohn were at the battlefield grounds in the backyard. While she, the gang, Asha, Race, and Sarah were practicing getting their Z-Moves and the poses with them in perfect coordination with their chosen Pokemon, the rest of Sarah's family was either relaxing to be up bright and early for the competition the following day or continuing their training under Mew's wing.
This now included the Sky Torchers whom Sarah named Neema and Tumaini (who agreed to join her and her family for a new home despite knowing they would miss Mount Pulanana) while Spherialla, Pathangle, Angietus, Mizuara, Tschowl, and Houratta opted to watch the entire competition given their lack of knowledge regarding the Alola Pokemon League (along with the need to understand what Pokemon battles in modern society are about) and the Vitality Spirit Pokemon's sons still feeling antsy about using their powers again no matter what the purpose.
The first ones to give a shot at practicing Z-Moves were Mallow and Tsareena as they took their positions and prepared to use Bloom Doom with Kiawe acting as her tutor. Sophocles is paired with Lana so they can learn to harness and improve themselves on Oceanic Operetta or Hydro Vortex and Savage Spin-Out, Ash is with Lillie to help her harness and use Subzero Slammer again while she assists him and Pikachu with Gigavolt Havoc (as the Kanto Trainer doesn't have the Z-Power Crystal that allowed them to use 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt), and Sarah and Race were helping Asha learn how to use Z-Moves for the first time.
In Asha's case, during the day of Rotom-Dex's little predicament with his jumping about between electrical appliances, Asha had undergone a Grand Trial with Hala with only her parents and their Pokemon joining her to see how she's faring with Proud, Ziracon, and Tyranitar. It was by a personal request from Hala to see if she could prove herself worthy of undertaking the Island Challenge and understand what it truly meant to even learn how to use a Z-Move.
Between his Machop and Hariyama, Asha went with Ziracon and Proud (on account of their loyalty and trust in each other) for the Grand Trial battle. They were cutting it close despite proving themselves to be worthy challengers and by the time Hala and Hariyama used All-Out Pummeling in the third round again Ziracon, Proud was the last one standing against them.
Hariyama still proved to be a match for the Haxorus even after using up All-Out Pummeling (the fully-evolved Tusks Pokemon being too stubborn to throw in the towel even after he was given a harsh beating) but just when he was about to clinch the Grand Trial for Hala, Proud eventually came up on top after his human master and mother figure reached out to him with her heart. The Melemele Island Kahuna was amazed by this and he was left satisfied with what he saw from his latest challenger with Tapu Koko giving a shrill of approval for Asha, Zircon, and Proud's performance in the Grand Trial.
In honor of her victory and newfound understanding of the Island Challenge, not only did Hala reward Asha with her very own Z-Ring, she was also given a Normalium Z, a Fightinuim Z, a Dragonium Z, and a Groundnium Z for her three Pokemon on the condition that should she complete the Island Challenge in her own time, she'll remember the lessons she'll learn about its true meaning (which she graciously accepted).
Now, James and Nikki's birth daughter was preparing for the greatest test of her reincarnated life as she would be up against Alola's finest including her friends and her own sister for the upcoming Pokemon League and she prepared to take the battle to them, all while having fun and learning so much more about her fatherland.
Going back to her and the gang's training, they were going pretty well from the start but some of them were having a little trouble trying to execute their Z-Moves perfectly with Mallow and Tsareena stumbling a little bit on how to perfectly execute Bloom Doom, being carefully guided by Kiawe and encouraged by Pyroar, Turtonator, and Shaymin.
"You almost got it, Mallow!"
"Go, Ms. Tsareena!"
"You're doing great!" the three aforementioned Pokemon cheered on.
"Try again and start with the pose," Kiawe smiled encouragingly, seeing where Mallow and her partner flubbed up on their last attempt.
"Right!" Mallow nodded in agreement.
"Yes!" agreed Tsareena.
"Ready to go again, Tsareena?"
"On your command, Mallow, dear!"
Sharing a high-five and taking their positions again, the Grass Type student and Fruit Pokemon repeated the poses for Bloom Doom after Mallow activated her Z-Ring, bending their knees and then shooting up like a tree with their arms stretched out. But, just as they were able to unleash its power, it suddenly canceled out, much to their surprise and dismay.
"Huh?" Mallow blinked, bewildered.
"Rats..."
"Aw, man, it canceled out just as they got it!" Snivy and Leafeon (who were watching the pair from the sidelines) groaned.
"Oh, dear, I'm afraid we missed something on that," Tsareena frowned, she and Mallow deflating in disappointment from their latest attempt.
But, Kiawe smiled brightly as he knew they were getting close to using Bloom Doom perfectly as he told Mallow, "That was excellent! You just took a big step forward, you're almost there!"
"He's right, Mallow! You're doing great with Bloom Doom; keep practicing and stay focused. Before you know it, you and Tsareena will learn to use Bloom Doom in time for the Pokemon League," agreed Virizion as she and Keldeo watched from their spot on the field.
This brightened up Mallow's spirits as she nodded and she and Tsareena shared a hug, "You're right! No matter what, we'll do it!"
"Without a doubt!"
With Lana and Sophocles, they were having a practice match with the former going with her main partner and Sophocles tagging in with Vikavolt while Togedemaru and Sandy watched their training round from the beach.
"Go get her, Vikey, Sophy!"
"Soak 'im up, dudette, Primarina!"
"This is gonna be...perfect! Primarina, use Sparkling Aria!" Lana began, allowing Primarina to use her species' signature attack as she stood on her tailfins and sang, the water orb she generated becoming multiple bubbles that she fired at Vikavolt.
"Now, it's our turn! Vikavolt, Zap Cannon!" Sophocles countered.
In response, Vikavolt powered up his Zap Cannon and fired back at Primarina's Sparkling Aria with the two attacks canceling each other out as they met in mid-air, their power frightening Togedemaru and Sandy from their spot as they held each other tightly.
"SUPER SCARY!" they shrieked together.
"Look at that, Sophocles! Vikavolt's attack is amazing, you're both getting so much better now!"
"You and Primarina aren't so bad yourselves so thanks for your kind words, Lana. That Sparkling Aria you did was pretty good."
"Yes, more power for our Z-Move!" Lana and Sophocles praised each other and their Pokemon.
Nearby, Danny and Danielle were teaching Aqua how to use Light Screen and Reflect to give her a better chance at defense in battle, especially with what she'll have to go against in the Pokemon League with the rest of Alola's finest trainers.
Ash and Pikachu were helping Lillie and Snowy with harnessing Subzero Slammer as Rotom-Dex joined them to provide his own input. But, the Kanto Trainer and his Mouse Pokemon were not being clear in their instructions to their fellow student and Pokémon so needless to say, everything they saying got completely lost on them.
"You got it now?" Pikachu smiled.
"Um, I guess..." Snowy admitted, unsure if she was following what Pikachu told her.
"You see, Ash, I know Snowy and I mastered Subzero Slammer before against those poachers but that was merely a spur of the moment when we and our family and friends with us at Pine Ridge were all in danger. When I tried to concentrate my Z-Power before then, I didn't know how to transfer that feeling I had to Snowy," Lillie explained.
"That part is easy; first, you get heated up and then, you get buzzed up with power," Ash explained but in a dubious way as he unknowingly smacked Rotom-Dex in his screen, sending him flying. "And, then, I go 'ROAR!' to Pikachu. Right, Pikachu?"
But, even Pikachu didn't know what he was saying as he could only ask, "…..Uh, what?"
"Uh-huh... 'Ah?', then, 'roar'?" Lillie echoed, stumped as an incredulous Rotom-Dex floated back to them with a bandage on his screen.
"Yep. 'AHHHH!' and 'RAWR!', that's it," Ash nodded, only for Lillie to not get what he was saying at all.
"Hate to break ya, Ashy-boy, but your teaching and understanding of Z-Moves are a bumbling 23%. Poor cat's not following your every word," Rotoscope remarked as he came over and added his own two cents to Ash on his way of using Z-Moves.
"My thoughts, exactly," nodded Rotom-Dex, making Ash fall over.
"Maybe it's best if Island Girl or I take over to help Lillie with her Z-Move training in a language she actually understands, doofus," Race sighed as he and Asha approached their fellow students, unimpressed by Ash's lackluster Z-Move training.
Lillie blinked in surprise as she looked around for her best friend, "Uh, Race, where is Sarah? Wasn't she supposed to be training with us?"
"She's over there with those Pokeballs from Corviknight, she's still trying to figure out what Pokemon Professor Sada and Professor Toro sent her back at Hanahuna," Asha replied, pointing to her sister who was now with Shadow, Winter, and their children along with Cobalion, Terrakion, Blitz, Curly, Umbreon, Guardeon, Xena, and Tai Lung, sitting on the beach as she looked over the Premier Balls she was given.
"Ms. Lillie, children! It's all about to begin!" Hobbes interrupted, telling everybody that the announcement for the Pokemon League and what's in store for everyone in Alola at Manalo Stadium was about to premiere on television.
"Okay!" Lillie replied.
Moments later, the heroes regrouped inside the living room with their Pokemon and Sarah's medium-sized and small Pokemon crowding around them along with the dragons while the larger dragons and Pokemon belonging to the princess watched from the windows. Even Eterantus decided to come out of snoozing inside of his napping place and take a peek through one of the other windows.
The announcement for the Pokemon League finally began as the symbol for the Alola League appeared and Kukui himself appeared soon after on the screen to deliver the news himself, much to the amazement and delight of his students as Ash beamed, "Look, it's Professor Kukui!"
The news program transitions to the dedication ceremony of Manalo Stadium as Kukui (flanked by Lusamine, Wicke, and Burnet (who looked at him from their spot) on the right and Sarah's blood family joining him on stage) announced to everyone gathered, "Greetings! I'm thrilled to welcome all of you to this inspiring event of a lifetime! The dedication of the home to the newly-formed Alola Pokemon League, Manalo Stadium! Generously hosted by our fair King Doug, Queen Delilah, and their parents, former king and queen, David and Donna Tomoe, of the Alola Royal Family! The Alola Pokemon League is an open competition which means anyone can compete, no matter what your rank, who you are, or how many Pokemon you have! Everyone, on behalf of our royal friends, I invite you all to come over and please light up your hearts like a Sacred Fire and join in!"
This got Ash and Kiawe fired up as they bantered with each other, "We're feeling the heat! Right, Kiawe?!"
"Right, with just one goal!"
"ETERNAL GLORY, YEAH!"
But, their mutual feelings soon gave way to bickering as they squabbled about who was going to win the Alola League, "That's eternal glory for me!"
"No, for me!"
"No, me!"
"No, me, me, me!"
Sophocles just sighed with embarrassment as he didn't want to get caught in the middle while Pikachu, Torracat, and Lycanroc groaned at the two of them. But, Meltan and Rowlet looked at them as they woke up, wondering what Ash and Kiawe were fighting about.
But, Ash and Kiawe stopped fighting as everybody listened to what Kukui said next, "Alright! And, for the Champion of this inaugural Alola Pokemon League competition, there will be an extra-special exhibition battle to look forward to!"
"Extra-special?"
"Exhibition?"
"Battle?" Kiawe, Sophocles, and Ash echoed, blinking in surprised confusion while everyone else gave small gasps.
The news program on the TV screen zoomed in on the competition screen on the battlefield as Kukui revealed who the eventual champion would be battling against at the end of the Pokemon League, "And, the champion's opponent will be...….!"
A familiar masked Pokemon Trainer and Incineroar were shown, greatly shocking the heroes as they recognized the trainer to be the Masked Royal. But, while the Pokemon and dragons were also shocked, Aqua, Torracat, and Goodra, in particular, were flabbergasted as they realized any one of them would have the chance to battle the Masked Royal if either Sarah or Ash would win the Alola League.
"WHOA, IT'S THE MASKED ROYAL!"
"And, Incineroar!" the younger boys and Lana gawked, awestruck.
"NO WAY!"
"IT IS!"
"IT'S THEM!" Aqua, Goodra, and Torracat shouted, all three of them completely floored by the reveal.
"It is my distinct honor to have a battle with the very first Alola Pokemon League champion!"
"That's right! And, we'll be ready for you!" the Masked Royal and Incineroar announced.
As expected, Burnet suddenly fawned over her idol as hearts fluttered around her and Faba looked on in shock and disbelief (both of them realizing that the Masked Royal and his Incineroar would be upon them and everyone else in the competition), "Did-did-did-did I just hear that right?!"
"Oh, what a wonderful idea!"
"I want you all to join me as we watch the Alola Pokemon League, and enjoy!"
"En-joy/En-joy!"
"En-joy!" the now-excited crowd cheered with Incineroar before Burnet and Faba followed, both of them gasping as they realized what they did and quickly recomposed themselves (despite Wicke, Lusmaine, and Sarah's blood family snickering quietly as they found the display hilarious and cute).
The news that the Masked Royal and Incineroar would also be presiding over the Pokemon League and battling the eventual champion got everyone excited and even Lana couldn't help but feel energized as a result, her eyes sparkling as she realized she would have a chance to battle the Masked Royal herself if she wins.
"You just wait, Masked Royal... Soon, I will be...the true champion! Mark my words!" she vowed proudly with the flames of victory in her eyes until...…
"NO WAY!" Pikachu screamed, not wanting his and Ash's chance to pass which spurred an argument between Ash, Kiawe, and Lana over who will eventually battle the Masked Royal and Incineroar.
"NO, I WILL!"
"LIKE I SAID, IT'LL ALL MINE!"
"I WILL!"
"I WILL!"
"I WILL!"
"I'LL CRUSH YOU ALL, HE'S MINE!" Torracat roared with flames in his eyes, eying yet another chance to prove himself to his greatest rival.
"Here we go again..."
"Oh, boy," Sophocles and Mallow winced sheepishly, seeing how fired up their friends were.
"Yikes! I never thought I'd see Lana act like Ash and Kiawe!"
"Me, either, nya!"
"Remind me not to make her mad," gulped Eevee, Skitty, and Salamence, sweating with fear at Lana.
"When put in the right circumstances, she can get competitive," Primarina laughed, smiling sheepishly at her partner.
But, Ash, Lana, and Kiawe's rivalry was immediately quelled and their determination to battle the Masked Royal was snuffed out immediately as Aqua and Goodra butted in and pushed the anime scene of flames they, Pikachu, and Torracat were in aside. They were just as fired up, if not, more so than any of them were because what they really wanted was to prove themselves to the Masked Royal and Incineroar and finally beat him (even if there was a little part in Primarina that wanted her to avenge Raine and her Primarina's honor and that of her species).
"Get in line when we and Mom finally win the Pokemon League, boys and girls!"
"The Pokemon League will be a synch but our true match will be against the Masked Royal and Incineroar...AND WE'RE THE ONES WHO ARE GONNA TAKE THEM DOWN!"
"DO YOU HEAR US, INCINEROAR?" "YA HEAR US, MASKED ROYAL!?"
"YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" the royal Soloist and Dragon Pokemon roared proudly while coated in blue flames and with a vigorous energy that startled everybody around them and even Ash, Kiawe, Pikachu, Lana, and Torracat let out frightened yelps as they flinched away from them.
"HEY, HOLD IT DOWN!" Umbreon spluttered frantically as his daughters hid behind him in fright.
"Like, barbecued Masaladas, anybody?!"
"They're gonna burn the entire house down!?" Sarah and Asha screamed in panic at Aqua and Goodra.
"Help me!"
"…...Mommy," Hashimoto and Scorch whimpered as they held onto Wang Lun tightly, remembering when they were the recipients of one of Aqua's training sessions with a Substitute doll.
"Damn! I heard from Island Girl she got a Masked Royal fanboy in her Goodra and a rival for life in her little mermaid but I didn't think they'd take the chance of actually squaring off against the guy and his big bad cat that personally!"
"Never thought the Masked Royal and Incineroar being at the Pokemon League would make them like this, though!" Houndoom admitted with a nervous laugh.
"I totally see the Viking Teens and Hiccup in them," sighed Mulan, sweatdropping at the pair.
Making her mind up, Lillie got up from the couch and addressed everybody, "What do you think, should I concentrate on perfecting my Z-Move?"
"Yeah!" her friends agreed.
"If it ain't broke."
"No time like the present but at least we'll clear it up for ya," Race and Asha nodded.
"It'd do you some good. You now have a new reason to be a trainer and that's your father, right?" Sarah replied, getting a giggle and a happy nod from her best friend.
At the stadium, the news of the Masked Royal and Incineroar presiding over the Pokemon League and waiting to see who will take them on as the champion prompted a change in Faba as he turned to everyone and puffed up his coat, "Excuse my, friends! I hereby request a leave of absence!"
His turnabout from spectator to competitor surprised his friends and Sarah's blood family as they looked at him and questioned, "Huh?!"
"I require special training prior to my entry into the league!" he explained, further shocking them.
"But, Faba, dear! Didn't you mention earlier that you were more of a spectator than a participant?" Delilah puzzled.
"Oh, pish-posh, who told you such a silly idea?" he denied, making the others either groan or chuckle sheepishly at him.
After the Pokemon League announcement and fueled by the chance to battle the Masked Royal as the champion between them, Lillie and the others committed themselves more and more to their training as they and the Pokemon returned to the battlefield in her backyard and resumed their practice rounds, hoping to perfect their Z-Moves in time before the grand opening and the main event.
This time, Ash partnered up with Lana and Sophocles while Sarah, Asha, Kiawe, Race, and Mallow remained in their normal groups. Lillie, on the other hand, was by herself with Snowy as she decided to concentrate on finding what allowed them to use Subzero Slammer alone.
With Kiawe, Mallow, and their Pokemon, the Grass Type student and Tsareena were still trying to execute Bloom Doom with the Fire Type student's help as Mallow's Z-Ring glowed faintly when they did the appropriate poses but it shut down soon after, leaving the two worried over their latest failed attempt.
"Oh, I wish I could come up with more Z-Power somehow," Mallow fretted.
"We'll get it," encouraged Tsareena. However, their worries were soon washed away as they, Shaymin, Kiawe, Pyroar, and Turtonator, noticed a small faint plume of white mist coming towards them.
They looked over to the source and Mallow and Tsareena couldn't believe their eyes; the source behind the mist was none other than Lillie as she closed her eyes and concentrated her heart, mind, body, and spirit (her entire being and Snowy caught up in an arctic blue aura that generated the mist).
As she quietly meditated, she thought back to the times when she and Gladion were told about Mohn before his disappearance, when they discovered that he was not dead but alive somewhere in their world, finding her Magearna along with Sarah's guardian in his study along with his Z-Ring and his notes on her Artificial Pokemon, finding Mohn alive in the Crown Tundra with the help of her best friend and her family thanks to Nihilego Lillie, and the memories they had following the reunion and his return home...…
She even thought about Mohn's words regarding her Magearna in his journal when he voiced his vow to activate her somehow for his daughter, "There's no giving up on it now, this is for my little princess: Lillie...…!"
"Please, Father, give me your strength through our love for each other," Lillie prayed as she and Snowy continued to meditate, their eyes closed as they drew the strength they needed from their family love.
Watching their daughter, sister, and charge and her friends outside from inside their house, Mohn, Nihilego Lillie, and the Shiny Magearna smiled and beeped happily for Lillie until they looked on in awe and wonder at the sight of Lillie drawing on the power, feelings, and the strength she and Snowy had when they finally used Subzero Slammer for the first time.
In fact, the Shiny Magearna beeped in surprise as her eyes glowed and her Soul Heart glowed, her power reaching out to her charge while she tapped into her love for Mohn.
Nihilego Lillie and Mohn were amazed when they saw this and could only breathe out, "Ooooh.../Ah...…."
"Whoa/Lillie," Ash and Lana gasped as the others all watched on in amazement at Snowy and her human mother.
"Look at that!" Mallow grinned, happy for her best friend.
Seeing what was about to happen, Mohn couldn't help but smile proudly for his daughter as he thought, "That's my princess..."
Then, after drawing from her love for and thoughts on Mohn, her relationship with Snowy and her Magearna, the friendships she made with everybody in her class, Professors Burnet and Kukui, and all the fun times they shared, Lillie became certain that she and Snowy were ready.
She activated her and Mohn's Z-Ring as she and Snowy performed the poses for Subzero Slammer as she recited, "The quiet falling snow from the sky... Crystals of water constantly shimmering, blanketing the world in its frosty Z-Power... Together, with my fiery spirit, rise up into the vast sky once again!"
This time, and with much more control compared to how they handled it in the spur of the moment during their and everyone else's escapades with the Quest Team, Lillie transferred her Z-Power to Snowy which meant they got the green light to perform Subzero Slammer with greater control and precision with their Z-Power as intended.
"Ready!" the Alolan Fox Pokemon confirmed.
"Use Subzero Slammer!"
Then, it happened; as before, Snowy was lifted up into the air atop a large pillar of ice and she charged up a sphere of ice that she prepared to fire her power from into the garden.
"Target, locked...…! ….FIRE!" Snowy screamed, firing a massive ice beam that coated the field and bush garden in front of them, the frozen tree in the middle spreading itself into a speared ice sculpture before it and the other frozen trees making up the smaller ice spears exploded.
Lillie and Snowy gasped and laughed in delight at the results of their successful second execution of the Ice Type Z-Move before the latter turned and slipped on the ice that disappeared, prompting Lillie to go after her.
"Snowy!" Lillie called as they shared a happy nuzzle. "Thank you, Snowy, you were great!"
"Yeah!"
Lana, Mallow, and Sarah couldn't help but join in as they congratulated their best friend for executing her chosen Z-Move so perfectly the second time around while Snowflake and Tundra along with Glastrier and Frosmoth came over to offer their congratulations to Snowy as well, feeling she did them and their species as well as Ice Types proud.
"Congrats, Lillie!"
"You were great!"
"If Mohn was watching just now, I'm sure he's proud of you just as we were!" the three girls congratulated, laughing and smiling happily for her with Mallow giving a hug.
"You did it, Snowy!"
"Way to go, Foxie!"
"That was fantastic, the best I've ever seen out of a fellow Ice Type!"
"You did well, Young Snowy. You've done us Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Ninetales proud," Snowflake, Frosmoth, Glastrier, and Tundra replied proudly to Snowy.
"Thank you, all of you!" chirped Snowy excitedly.
"Thank you so very much! Ash, Race, Asha, everybody! I did it, I finally remembered my true strength and I did it! The love I get from my father, the memories, everything we did leading up to our finding him, Snowy and I get our strength from him and our love for him! And, Snowy and I finally did the 'Aha!' and 'Rawr!' as mentioned!" Lillie thanked, telling everybody of her success.
"Sure did! That was the best 'Aha!' and 'Rawr!' I ever saw!" Ash grinned, pumping a congratulatory fist out.
"What do you know? Ash's clunky Z-Move advice does come in handy sometimes!" Race snorted, making Ash falter until he warmly smiled at Lillie. "But, seriously, you did well, Lillie. You and Snowy now have greater control over Subzero Slammer with your and your father's love for each other."
"Never let that go, Lillie. Your father and your love for each other is your greatest treasure and it'll serve you well in the competition," agreed Asha, grinning proudly.
"I'd say your Z-Move learner's permit has expired."
"Hala will thrilled when he hears about this!" Kiawe and Sophocles happily agreed.
Lillie gasped as her eyes brightened before she noticed Mohn, Nihilego Lillie, her Magearna, and Gladion (along with his Umbreon, Silvally, and his Lycanroc) appearing before her, "Father, Gladion!"
"Well done, Lillie, I couldn't be more proud of you than I am now," Mohn smiled.
"Looks like you've got your Z-Move perfected in time for the Pokemon League, Lillie," agreed a proud Gladion.
"Nice going, Snow!" Gladion's Umbreon praised Snowy.
"You rocked out on the ice, kid!"
"Congratulations, you earned it." agreed Lycanroc and Silvally as they nodded proudly.
"Thanks, you guys!" Snowy grinned.
Lillie then remembered the Premier Balls her best friend had gotten and she looked at the little princess, asking her, "Oh, yeah! Sarah, did you find out what's in the Pokeballs Professor Toro and Professor Sada sent you from Corviknight?"
"...To be honest, I don't know. I've tried to wrap my head around their message and figure out what they were trying to tell me but I can't tell what Pokemon from the Paldea Region they are," Sarah admitted as she went over to the Premier Balls on a nearby tea table she was sitting in prior.
"So, they could be wild cards like Chien-Pao?" Race guessed, getting a confirming nod from his girlfriend.
"Well, we won't know until they're opened and we find out what's inside."
"Must be some kind of rare Pokemon in them if they're that important according to their note."
"It sure is a mystery," Kiawe, Lillie, and Lana commented.
"So, why not open them and find out?" Ash suggested.
"...Well, okay."
With no other choice, Sarah took the three Premier Balls and gently tossed them before they opened, revealing three Pokemon that were nothing like what the heroes had seen before as they bellowed, hissed, and gurgled upon appearing.
The first of the three new Pokemon was one that resembled a cloven-hoofed mammal such as a deer or moose with its body being composed of layered rock that ranged in color from dark brown to a light tan. Its head had several red markings and small red eyes along with what looked like a dewlap on its chin. To top it off, it also had a large ritual vessel based on a Din in Chinese culture cracked down the middle which had an ornate rectangular pattern resembling its eyes at the front and several antler-like spikes jutting out from the rim.
The second of the bunch was a snail-like Pokemon comprised of a dark-green moss-like form covered in dead greens and yellow leaves, having two pairs of long curling vines forming its eyestalks that had eyes with green eyelids, orange sclerae, and pale-green pupils. In addition, a long row of wooden tablets that resembled bamboo strips used by the Chinese during the 1st and 2nd centuries (between the Warring States Period and the Qin Dynasty) curled around its backside, making up its tail.
The final Pokemon was more fish-like with its body formed by a dark red and yellow flame, comprised of two pairs of curved jade beads that were once sacred and commonly worn for religious ceremonies/rituals (each pair circling a black orb coated by white around the sides) that make up the eyes. Instead of being based on something from Chinese culture, the beads resembled Magatama (which are the curve-shaped beads made out of jade and used in Japan as religious and ceremonial objects).
Everyone was shocked by the three Pokemon before them and even Sarah was forced to backpedal away from them and rejoin her friends at a safe distance.
But, when they and Chien-Pao looked at each other, their eyes widened as if they knew each other somehow. However, all three of them either snorted, snarled, or looked away in disgust as if they didn't want anything to do with them despite the fact that they were meeting the humans before them for the first time.
"Huh?!"
"What the-!?"
"Whoa!"
"What are they?"
"Who are they?!"
"Ah!"
"What in the world-!?"
"Urgh!"
"Are they Pokemon?"
"Unreal!"
"They can't be!" Ash, the gang, Mohn, Gladion, Sarah, Race, and Asha balked in total shock.
"EEK!"
"Holy Arceus!"
"They can't be Pokemon!"
"But, they are!"
"Hey, who's the moose-moose?"
"Urgh, is that a snail?"
"Oh, man, what's with those fish?" Eevee, Hydreigon, Dusk, Luna, Silvally, Tou-Tou, and Jolteon balked.
"Uh-oh, I don't like where this is going, everybody. It doesn't help since I don't have any data on them," gulped Rotom-Dex, frightened by the new Pokemon.
"Hold your Mudsdales there, folks! Before we all lose our heads over these bad boys, let's all chill out and live it good. I might have just the remedy for that, here's what I got," Rotoscope replied as he quickly buzzed through his databanks and found the entries he was looking for after scanning the three Pokemon.
He first starts with the moose-like Pokemon, "Ting Lu, the Ruinous Pokemon. A Ground and Dark Type, Ting Lu is described by people as being able to create fissures in the earth that are over 160 ft. deep, equating to 50 meters, by slowly putting its head down from the ground. It is known as the Vessel of Ruin."
Then, he scans and pulls out the data entry for the snail-like Pokemon, "Wo-Chen, the Ruinous Pokemon. A Grass and Dark Type, Wo-Chen is able to drain the life force of vegetation in a wide area around it, causing entire forests and fields to instantly become barren. It is known as the Tablets of Ruin."
Finally, he scans and pulls the file he has on the fish-like Pokemon, "Chi-Yu, the Ruinous Pokemon. A Fire and Dark Type, Chi-Yu's flames burn at over 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 3,000 degrees Celsius), allowing it to melt rock and sand into lava that it can swim through. Chi-Yu typically levitates and flies around in the air despite its fish-like appearance. It is known as the Beads of Ruin."
Chien-Pao blinked in shock and horror as he started to feel weak on his knees before he knelt down, hearing Rotomscope speak about the Pokemon and picking up every word that shook him to his core.
Keldeo soon thought for a moment before he began to put two and two together, looking between the three Ruinous Pokemon before them and Chien Pao, "Wait a minute, Beads of Ruin, Vessel of Ruin, Tablets of Ruin, Sword of Ruin...…..?"
"Uh, guys, are we the only ones sensing an ominous pattern going on here?" Terrakion questioned, starting to see what Keldeo was thinking.
"You're not the only one, Terra. Cobalt and I could sense it the moment they were brought out," Star admitted with Cobalt giving an agreeing nod.
"I agree; unlike with Chien-Pao, there is a foreboding and dark aura they're giving off that I can't help but feel worried about," Virizion nodded.
"I have a feeling those Pokemon Professor Sada and Professor Toro sent the princess are not to be taken lightly given what we're up against. Whatever the case, we should exercise caution at all times despite the fact that those three and Chien-Pao could be Legendaries such as us," Cobalion suggested.
"Then, why does it feel like those three are not gonna be the nicest Legendaries to be around unlike Chien-Pao?" Quilava quivered, unknowingly causing the Sword of Ruin to squirm as he felt understandably hurt yet afraid by what she said as he slowly backed off.
Immediately, Togedemaru, Vikavolt, Turtonator, Pyroar, Pikachu, Primarina, and Shaymin went up to the three Ruinous Pokemon to say 'hello' and be friends with them but when they greeted them warmly, all they got out of Chi-Yu, Wo-Chen, and Ting Lu were scoffs and angry snorts as they turned away from them.
"Um, hello? Rude, much?" Togedemaru grumbled indignantly.
"What do you want?" Ting Lu snorted indifferently.
"Nothing, we just want to know why you wouldn't say 'Hi'," Vikavolt replied.
"That's between us and us alone, buzzy."
"No need to be rude, friends," Turtonator replied, frowning.
"We're only being friendly," agreed Primarina, feeling offended and put off by Ting Lu's attitude.
"Yeah, but was that because your human masters let you live like that? You're all just a joke, siding yourselves with humans like it's the greatest thing to have ever happened to you. But, look at us, we didn't become like this going buddy-buddy with the likes of you," Wo-Chien snarled with disgust before he noticed Chien-Pao trying to slink away but turned his attention back to the Pokemon before him, Ting Lu, and Chi-Yu. "We've been through hell and back for Arceus and Qianlong know how long and even now, things haven't changed. Humans and Pokemon are a plight upon the world that shouldn't have existed given how cruel they can be and even our brother has fallen prey to their goodie-goodie-two-shoes snitch, disgusting..."
"That's not very nice..." Shaymin sighed sadly.
"What is it you three have against Pokemon like us joining forces with humans, isn't that a good thing?" Pyroar questioned, raising an incredulous eyebrow.
"You runts would never understand given you had no idea who we are before that floating robotic tofu bar clued you all in as to who we are. As Wo-Chien told you, we suffered so much under the hands of those two-legged devils and our own brother threw us out of his life to live with one of them and left us to fend for ourselves until we've been lumped in this dump!" Chi-Yu barked furiously as he, Wo-Chien, and Ting Lu began to seethe, whatever patience they had wearing thin.
"Hey, come on, I don't see any harm done to you guys. Humans aren't all bad, why don't we just take a breather and talk things out-?" Pikachu began before he was harshly cut off.
"SHUT UP!" they all bellowed, sending shockwaves of power that knocked everybody off their feet and Ting Lu stepped forward, scraping the ground as if he was preparing to charge at the heroes.
"You are the last Pokemon we'd ever expect to understand how we think! So, why don't you just do us a favor and back off?!" the Vessel of Ruin threatened.
Pikachu fumed with rage as he picked himself up; the three Ruinous Pokemon before him and everybody else including a now-terrified and ashamed Chien-Pao (who looked away in self-loathing and mental pain as his heart ached) were starting to label themselves as a threat and he realized he and his friends weren't getting anywhere by being nice.
"I tried to be nice, we tried to be friends with you...… But, if you think you're going to keep causing trouble for us and everybody here in Alola, you busters go another thing coming! EAT THUNDERBOLT!" he raged as he fired a hate-filled Thunderbolt attack at the Vessel, Tablets, and Beads of Ruin.
But, Sarah immediately remembered what Rotomscope told everybody from his data files on the three Pokemon, particularly with Ting Lu, as she tried to warn Ash's partner, "No, Pikachu! Not that, he's a-!"
Her warning came too late; as soon as Thunderbolt hit Ting Lu, it didn't do anything to him as he tanked the hit before he gave a hint of a devilishly smug smirk and narrowed his eyes, causing the Kanto Mouse Pokemon to realize his mistake as he regretted attacking.
"Oh, right... I forgot, Ground Type," he whimpered fearfully.
"You idiot," groaned Silvally before Ting Lu laughed, causing Chien-Pao to finally look fearfully at the other three Ruinous Pokemon and Pikachu.
"The way you attack, you'll easily let yourself be run over by a stampede of Tauros running a marathon to the other side of the damn planet! Being friends with humans made you weak. So, now, let my brothers and I give you a demonstration of our true power," Ting Lu retorted, coating himself with an aura of orange energy while Chi-Yu charged at Pikachu with Flame Wheel and Wo-Chien prepared to unleash Power Whip.
"BROTHERS, STOP!" Chien-Pao screamed as he got between them and Pikachu.
"YOU!?" Chi-Yu gasped in angered shock, stopping in front of Chien-Pao and Pikachu.
"Chien-Pao!" gasped Pikachu, feeling relieved.
"Chien! What are you doing?! You're with those humans!" Ting-Lu bellowed angrily, glaring daggers at the distraught Sword of Ruin as he looked back at the Pokemon he revealed as his brothers.
"Hey, what's the big idea?! You guys are the worst Pokemon ever!" Ash roared angrily at the three Pokemon before them, unknowingly causing Chien-Pao to flinch slightly as he tried to control his regret and shame. "Pikachu and the others were just trying to be friendly with you! Even if you don't want to be friends, I'm not gonna take you three going at them lying down!"
"SILENCE!" Wo-Chien screeched angrily at Ash, making him flinch as he growled furiously while he was held back by Kiawe.
"Shut your mouth, Snail Trail! That mouse may have made a mistake attacking you but he and the others with him are trying to be buddies with you! That doesn't give you the right to kill them no matter how you lugs feel!" Silvally snapped warningly.
"Would've saved them all the suffering they went through under the humans that trapped them," Wo-Chien scoffed, horrifying the Pokemon gathered as they gasped over how blunt, harsh, indifferent, and coldhearted the Tablets of Ruin was to Pikachu and his friends.
"Move, Chien!" Chi-Yu demanded to his, Ting Lu, and Wo-Chien's former brother.
"I won't! Please listen to me! This is not what you think! What you're doing is a mistake! I've seen what the humans can really do when I was brought here along with the Fidough Sisters and these humans with us are nothing like the ones that demonized us, they're truly kind-hearted creatures themselves! Why can't you see them as I do? Why would you go so far as to nearly kill my friend when he tried to be friends with you?!" Chien-Pao begged, his heart wounded and crying out in grief for his brothers.
"What does it matter?" Ting Lu spat back.
"The girl who took me in, Sarah, and her family...…. They have shown me nothing but kindness ever since the professors in Paldea gave me to them in March during their trip to the Galar Region. I was prepared for the worst but I've come to understand more about them and learn something I never knew before. They're nothing like the humans back then and the ones you tried to attack, none of them meant any harm. We're amongst an entirely new generation of humans that have nothing to do with those monsters 800-500 years ago. And, the Pokemon you've demeaned are more than just tools and pets for Sarah and her entourage; they're friends, family, what we once were before I was given to the princess...…"
"And, you call yourself a brother? Your newfound humility cost you your freedom and allowed you to be controlled by royalty once more," sniffed Chi-Yu, still in disgust over Chien's defense of his new family and friends.
"If that's what you think, you've become a bigger fool than we thought, Chien," Wo-Chien snorted with disdain.
"As a miserable human once said, 10 years is a long time for someone to become rotten; but in our case, 800-500 years is an eternity for us to become the beasts those infernal louts feared. But, you...… You've become a lighthearted buffoon in the span of two short months, drowning yourself in this false sense of peace for yourself, a pussycat with a short leash attached to your life. How can the Sword of Ruin live alongside humans who were responsible for forging your swords out of the worst of themselves, have you forgotten?" Ting-Lu sneered, staring with absolute hatred at Chien-Pao.
The Sword of Ruin shook his head but did his best to remain strong, "I haven't. 仇恨 (Chóuhèn), 恐惧(kǒngjù), 嫉妒(jídù), 怨恨(yuànhèn); hatred, fear, envy, grudges...… All of us were personified by the Paldea Empire's bastard king and the people who suffered and died under his wrath. Even so, it shames me now to know of my origins in a new light...!"
Silence followed the four Ruinous Pokemon as their relationship became strained until Chien-Pao spoke up again, "Still, though, even if Sarah were to throw me out of her life should she know the truth... I know she wouldn't turn her back on me because of her compassion and capacity to love, that is why I'll forever stick by her side and welcome you back into my life again with open paws!"
"I see... Then, I will deny you your entire false existence and bring back the true Sword of Ruin to help us finish the job," Ting Lu sneered again as he prepared to charge at his own brother and attack him instead, Chien-Pao being forced to stand defiantly in defense of his new family and friends. "What's wrong, Chien? Are you going to allow this wench of yours to feel 800 years' worth of pain from humanity's negative emotions as well?"
When Ting Lu said what he said, however, Sarah gasped in horror and shock as her eyes widened. She looked between Chien-Pao and his brothers as she quietly echoed, "...….H-Humanity's, worst...…emotions?"
The four Ruinous Pokemon finally turned their attention to Sarah as they whirled at her with Ting Lu, Wo-Chien, and Chi-Yu shocked at what they just heard and Chien-Pao horrified that she was able to hear his brother's sneer at him.
"No...!" The Sword of Ruin breathed in silent horror, realizing that the truth was finally out and there was no escaping it.
Everybody else turned to Sarah in surprise and confusion as Gladion puzzled, "What did they say, Sarah?"
Sarah remained quiet for a moment until she finally croaked out, "...Chien-Pao said that, he and his brothers, were all created by the hatred, fear, envy, and grudges of an evil king from Paldea many years ago. And, Ting Lu's implying, he, Chi-Yu, Wo-Chien, and Chien-Pao were personified by humanity's worst emotions."
"Worst emotions... Hatred, fear, envy, grudges, you mean...…they're like, in Chinese mythology, the Four Perils?" Asha breathed, shocked.
"And, if they really are the Four Perils of Paldea, from the beads, the tablets, the ritual vessel and the sword on them, could they...? Ah! Of course, it all makes sense now!" Mohn gasped in realization as if he remembered something he had learned prior to meeting Nihilego Lillie but had forgotten for some time.
"Father?"
"What are you talking about?" Lillie and Gladion asked their father, a little worried.
"I've studied a little of Paldea's history during my travels before the incident with the Ultra Wormhole I went through. One of the topic I was interested in was the Treasures of Ruin; I've always thought they would be actual treasures like gold and ancient relics but I didn't think they'd actually turn into Pokemon. I learned that years ago in the Paldea Region, during the days of the Paldea Empire, an evil king was said to have claimed four treasures from the east that had been corrupted by negative human emotions. The king was greedy and wanted the treasures for himself so he bought them out of merchants who had them and his greed manifested to become the Pokemon before us today!"
Sarah went over to the distraught Chien-Pao to comfort him as Mohn continued, "Unfortunately, after being awakened, the Pokemon went berserk, creating disasters that would destroy Paldea's kingdom with their terrifying power. They were so powerful that a group of ancient Pokemon wielders were forced to rise up and fight them until they were eventually sealed away in four shrines after some firece battles. Before they became the Pokemon we now know, however, the objects they were created from by the worst of humanity and the former king acquired were a ritual vessel, wooden tablets, two beads, and a broken sword based on fear, grudges, envy, and hatred, emotions that were clearly mirrored on the king given his greed, setting his own kingdom on the path of ruin. I don't know anything else besides that but what I do know is that those Pokemon are the Four Treasures of Ruin!"
Everybody gathered all gasped in shocked horror from the realization, starting to understand why Chi-Yu, Ting Lu, and Wo-Chien would despise humans so much and why they were so hostile with them and the Pokemon upon being released from the Premier Balls they were in. Nobody knew what else to say to that...
As for Chien-Pao, when Sarah reached him, the Sword of Ruin couldn't help but feel ashamed as he started to cry before she got her attention.
"Chien-Pao," Sarah frowned sadly, stroking his head as he turned to her.
Chien-Pao purred solemnly for a few seconds before he finally croaked as he pushed against her chest, "I'm so sorry... I wanted to tell you but, I, I never...…."
Sarah just hushed him gently as she started to cry for him, only left to wonder the pain he and his brothers were feeling despite not understanding the suffering they went through. Ting Lu, Wo-Chien, and Chi-Yu, on the other hand, just remained silent before they gave gruff huffs and turned away, their opinions on humanity and everything they went through having not changed at all. What made it worse was that they still hated their brother for abandoning them as he did when there was much more to it as Chien-Pao tried to implore to them but to no avail; even for a moment or two, the excitement of the Pokemon League was snuffed out by the dark and tragic tale of the Treasures of Ruin.
Deciding to know the whole story of why Chien-Pao and his brothers hated humanity so much beyond what Mohn told them and before Chien-Pao came into their lives, the heroes decided to contact Professor Sada and Professor Toro to inquire about the Treasures of Ruin. They also managed to get the attention of Kukui, Burnet, Lusamine, Wicke, Faba, and Sarah's blood family along with Nikki and James as they and the Paldea Professors joined them in the Command Center underneath the Pokemon School via video call (but not before Sarah returned Ting Lu, Chi-Yu, and Wo-Chien to their Premier Balls for safety).
"Oh, dear... That is most unfortunate but not unexpected, thankfully," Sada said thoughtfully. "We're so glad you're all okay. I suppose from what you found out, you're on the right track to helping them," Toro replied in agreement, relieved.
"We sure are, Professors. But, apart from what Father told us and Sarah's translations when she told us what Chien-Pao and his brothers are saying, we don't have anything else to go on," Lillie replied, getting understanding nods from the two Paldea Professors.
"Sada, Toro, would you be so kind as to tell us more about Chien-Pao and his brothers' past?" Kukui asked in the video call as he, Burnet, Wicke, Lusamine, and Sarah's blood family are still at Manalo Stadium after the dedication ceremony was over.
"Please, Professors?" Ash begged.
Sada and Toro looked at each other and nodded after a few moments before the female Paldea professor began, "A long time ago, there existed a set of four ancient treasures that hailed from the east: a ritual vessel, a broken sword, a set of tablets, and a pair of beads. Throughout the centuries since they were created, they were passed down from human to human, the corrupted hands they were laid upon cursing them by the negative emotions of the sins of humanity. Eventually, they found their way to Paldea and our king back in the day, fueled by greed, purchased them from a merchant in the east to claim them for himself."
Toro continued the story as he explained, "Unfortunately, the king was not just fueled by greed but he's also susceptible to hatred, fear, grudges, and envy. His negative emotions stemming from his dark desires 'awakened' the four treasures and they transformed into the Four Treasures of Ruin you saw before you. The king was killed and his castle was reduced to rubble before they went on a rampage across the kingdom."
Sada then told everyone, "Their power was ruthless, all who were unfortunate enough to stand in their way or encounter them had perished."
Then, Toro told the heroes what became of the Treasures of Ruin once they became too dangerous for Paldea back them to handle, "Soon, however, a miracle happened; when all hope seemed lost, a group of ancient Pokemon wielders were called by the disgraced king to do battle with them and eventually, they were sealed away within four shrines known as Ruinous Shrines where they slept ever since until today. The Four Treasures of Ruin were once contained within those shrines, each of them sealed away by eight sacred stakes scattered across the region."
"But, if they were to be brought back, it would be made possible by only one with a pure heart and a strong bond with Pokemon would be deemed worthy enough, strong enough, to remove the stakes and free them from their sealed slumber," finished Sada.
Nobody knew what to say next after hearing the entire story; Pokemon created from treasures that had been imbued with the negative emotions of humanity's sins seemed like a stretch to anybody else but from what Sada and Toro had told the heroes, that was very much a reality.
"Interesting... Do you know exactly how Chien-Pao and his brothers were created based on what you've told us and their legend?" Lusamine asked the Paldea Professors.
Sada and Toro nodded as the latter detailed while looking between the Sword of Ruin and the Premier Balls holding his brothers, "Chien-Pao was awakened by all who perished from the broken sword he was created from, cladding himself in snow to become the snow leopard before us now. Wo-Chien was a tragic case of grudges as he was developed by the grudge of a person disgruntled by the evil king and wrote on the wooden tablets all of his evil deeds, coating himself with dead leaves. Chi-Yu came to life from the envy garnished from within his beads which sparked through multiple conflicts, cladding himself in fire. And, Ting-Lu was formed by fear poured into his vessel used for ritual purposes, cladding himself in rocks and dirt."
Sada then said to everyone, "The broken sword, the ritual vessel, the beads, and the wooden tablets Chien-Pao and his brothers once were comprise the Four Treasures of Ruin that were awakened by our region's former king and his evil desires. They're all, as you know by now, the personifications of hatred, fear, envy, and grudges respectively."
"Hate, grudges, envy, and fear, mankind's negative emotions..." Lana breathed in horror.
"Mixed with ice, leaves, fire and earth...… And, because of the king's greed, they went berserk and destroyed his castle and nearly all of Paldea," Mallow added grimly, now feeling sorry for Chien-Pao and his brothers.
"So, they were created against their wills and took out their aggression on everybody else that came into contact with them after all those years..."
"And, like Eternatus and Silvally, they were seen as monsters because of their destruction, forcing the ancient wielders to seal them away," Gladion and Lillie gasped softly, seeing the parallels between their stories and that of the Treasures of Ruin.
"No wonder Chien-Pao's brothers were so mad at our Pokemon when they tried to be friendly."
"The king made them like this and he along with the other humans that were corrupted beforehand were printed in their minds as the reason why they hated humanity and those who stick up for mankind so much including our Pokemon," Kiawe and Sophocles mused, feeling bad for Chien-Pao and his brothers.
"Aw, man...… I'm such an idiot."
"Me, too," Ash and Pikachu lamented, now regretting how harsh they had been to Chien-Pao and his brothers after hearing the truth.
The little princess was devastated by what she heard; the legend of the Treasures of Ruin was a parallel to Silvally and Eternatus' stories but by the sound of it, Chien-Pao and his brothers had it much worse compared to them because of the worst of humanity in the past and the evil king ruled by his greed, the latter being the straw that broke the camel's back.
"Now, we know why Ting Lu, Wo-Chien, and Chi-Yu wanted nothing to do with us and why they denounced Chien-Pao as their brother when they saw him with us," Asha breathed, thunderstruck.
"If they had it rough with humans beforehand and they snapped when that damn king brought them to life, who knows what they'll do to everybody else if our backs are turned and they know nothing about most humans today?" Race muttered, running his right hand through his hair with worry.
"Dark," Blitz cooed, stunned as Curly gave a solemn nod.
"...So, what'll we do now?" Tai Lung quizzed, speaking for everyone.
Nobody had any ideas for a moment until Sarah looked at the heartbroken and devastated Chien-Pao and eventually steeled herself as she addressed Professor Sada and Professor Toro, "Professors, as per your wishes and like I did with Silvally and Eternatus, I'm going to rehabilitate Chien-Pao's brothers."
"Sarah! Are you crazy?! Are you absolutely sure you want to do this? They hate royalty and humanity with a vengeance because of Paldea's former king and the corrupted humans beforehand, you know that! They could easily wreck your castle like they did with his own!" Rotom-Dex rebutted in panic as he flailed about in her face while everyone else looked on in shock and bewilderment.
"Chi-Yu, Wo-Chien, and Ting Lu made it clear that they want nothing to do with us, Sarah. I'm afraid they might be too much to deal with, even for you," Lillie reminded her best friend.
"Even if that's the case, I have to do something for them. They've suffered too much under the wrong side of humanity and Chien-Pao did everything he could while he talked to them. I may not understand how they felt all those years ago, true, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna throw the towel on them. I've already gotten through to Silvally two years ago since I met him on that uncharted island and I've managed to get Eternatus to break out of his shell after capturing him at Hammerlocke in Galar..."
"After a whole year," the boys barring Race interrupted rhetorically, getting unimpressed smacks from Wooloo, Draco, and Zorro. "OW!"
"When are you gonna learn?" Pikachu, Turtonator, and Togedemaru deadpanned at their human friends.
"Someday, Pikachu/Turtonator/Togedemaru, someday."
"What's more, Chien didn't act so aggressive when I got him. You saw how he broke down when he and his brothers found out I heard what Ting Lu told him and when Mohn told us what he found about them. The professors trusted me with them and I finally got what they wanted me to do; I need to show them that not all humans are defined by their hatred, grudges, fear, and envy. I have to get them to see that not all people are like that crazy king and those humans that mistreated them before, helping them see that they can't judge all humans today by the actions of a corrupted and misguided few."
"And, should they kill you if their opinions don't change?" Rotom-Dex remarked dully.
"Then, I'll leave them to their own devices for the time being and bend the same elements they can against them while I'm being patient."
"That's true..." Rotom-Dex concurred doubtfully.
Finally, after a few more years of silence and contemplation over the matter, Lillie became the first person to agree, "I see. In that case, I'll gladly help you with them whenever possible."
"Count me in!"
"We'll do it!"
"We'll show Chien-Pao's brothers how great humanity is today compared to back then."
"Can't argue with that."
"Yeah, we'll help you out there," the rest of the gang and Ash concurred, finally smiling in agreement.
The adults couldn't help but smile proudly as Kukui and Burnet greatly praised them and Sarah, "That's the spirit! Take the the remaining three Treasures of Ruin and the pain they went through like a Rock Slide one step at a time and go on from there!"
"With what you're all planning to do, Sarah, there's really nowhere to go but up."
"If that is what you wish," Cobalion nodded.
"I am in agreement," smiled Virizion, also voicing her approval.
"This one's for you, Chien. If you want to be called that, from now on," Sarah smiled kindly to Chien-Pao who started tearing up again, not out of grief and pain but of joy and hope.
"...Y-You, you really, mean it?" the Sword of Ruin stuttered, trying so hard not to get his hopes up too high.
"You're our friend and you're our family as you once were to your brothers, why wouldn't we?"
"You can count on us to do what we can to show your brothers the true soul of humanity and Pokemon alike!"
"Let's work together to those three brotherly Treasure Troves Gruff of yours the best of humanity!" Keldeo and Terrakion grinned at him.
Chien looked at everybody around as they all gave him warm and supportive nods, all of them in agreement to help Sarah rehabilitate his brothers and educate them as best they could on humanity in the modern age and how things had changed with humans and Pokemon today. At the knowledge of knowing he had a sliver of hope of repairing the strained bond with his brothers and showing them that humanity today is nothing like the former king of Paldea and the corrupted humans of old, he couldn't help but sob happily as the heroes shared a group hug with him while the adults through the video call and Mohn smiled warmly.
At this, Professors Sada and Toro could only give each other and the group proud and appreciative nods, knowing for sure that they made the right choice for the Treasures of Ruin. But, even though their mission for the Treasures of Ruin was set in place, there was still the matter of the Pokemon League to attend to and the heroes would need to be ready to compete in order to decide who's the greatest training in all of Alola when the curtain for the big event finally opens.
The legend of the Treasures of Ruin is told but what will come for them and what of Sarah's coming efforts to rehabilitate Chien-Pao's brothers...as the journey continues?