Part CXXIII: What Are The Odds?
"The map says that we should be coming up to the first of the towns that are in this part of Kalos." May said looking at the map as they walked. "There's a Pokémon Center there so we can take a break for a bit, restock our supplies, and see if there is anything interesting the area before we move on."
"Sounds like a plan." Ash said with a nod. "How far are we from Laverre?"
"At most a week at full pace without stop so close to two because there's at least one more town between the next one and Laverre and we don't want to rush." May said looking at the map and making an estimate based on what she could see but she didn't expect to be too accurate on it. "But with the terrain here and the fact that none of us have ever been here it will probably take us longer."
"Plus, this is Ash we're traveling with." Misty said with smile from Ash's side while holding his hand, the one sign of affection they could comfortably do around May and Serena on a regular basis. "We are bound to get distracted between one and four times before we reach Laverre knowing his track record."
"True and that can also include randomly running into someone unexpected from his past that we may or may not know." May said with a laugh from ahead of them where she and Serena were walking to avoid seeing the cute couple behind them so that Ash and Misty could enjoy the moment together. "Or we see Max again, all that is possible when you travel with Ash Ketchum."
"I'm starting to understand what it's like to travel with Ash." Serena said with a shake of her head. "It's rather unpredictable what might happen."
"Not really." May said. "This is really time compared to my past travels with him. We haven't met a legendary yet so until then it's tame by my standards."
"And Ash hasn't tried to sacrifice himself either." Misty said recalling that he'd done it at least twice with May and risked his life a few times while in Sinnoh with her. "Not that I'm complaining mind you. Normal is good for me."
"Same." May agreed. "It's nice not having something crazy happening on a semi-regular basis."
Ash would have complained if it wasn't so painfully true. Still, it had been a good to not deal with something strange, unexpected, and life threatening for once. He hadn't had an incident like that since Unova, though there had been plenty of good meetings in Kanto the year before as Ash met many people from as far back as his first year as trainer. Hopefully it kept up as they made their way through the lightly wooded area to a nearby town on the way to Laverre.
It had been about a week since Misty had caught her latest Pokémon, a Skrelp. It was adjusting well at Sycamore's lab according to a message from his assistant Cosette and Misty planned on calling it back to her and sending Helioptile to the lab in return when they reached the next Pokémon Center so that she could work with it a bit.
Other than Misty's capture of Skrelp, the journey had been uneventful for the most part. They were making good time and at this rate they should reach Laverre with time to spare. That way they could have Ash's battle with Valerie, see the city for a bit, and move on to their next destination. While making it for the Contest would be good, they were ahead of schedule so it was unlikely plus it was scheduled to be held during Laverre's fashion week and that could be a little chaotic for them.
As such, they were just enjoying their walk and the woods around them as they made their way to the town that was their next destination. It was going to be a nice break and rest for them. It may be boring with nothing else going on but that was fine with them. It wasn't like today would be the day that something crazy and completely unexpected happened.
Of course, that was the moment that Pikachu suddenly came to attention on Ash's shoulder before he leapt off it and over the May and Serena's heads with a cry of happiness in his voice. He then began running along the path as he closed in on a familiar scent he had not expected to find here of all places.
"Pikachu, where are you going?" Ash asked as he let go of Misty's hand and charged after his starter, pushing past May and Serena as he ran though they did have the sense to jump out of the way to avoid being bowled over by him. "What's up there that's got you like this?"
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this." May said looking at the other girls. "Something big is coming, I just know it."
"Well, we did just challenge fate." Misty said with a sigh as she began to hurry after Ash. "Come on, let's see what is going on and the inevitable distraction that it will cause."
Meanwhile Ash was running after Pikachu focusing solely on his Pokémon and nothing else as he tried to catch up to his best friend. That is why he didn't see the small, green, bipedal Pokémon with two tusks on either side of its mouth that was running excitedly at Pikachu at the same time. Nor did Ash notice the Pokémon's trainer running after it until Ash and the other trainer collided foreheads with each other as their Pokémon embraced.
"Hey watch were you're going." An indignant female voice shouted at Ash as he lay dazed on the ground looking up at the trees and sky as he blinked away stars before just closing his eyes to ward them off. "Are you a child or something."
"What about you?" Ash asked sitting up but not opening his eyes. "You're the child. I was chasing after my Pikachu because he just ran off, you are the one who got in my way."
"And I was chasing my Axew after he did the same so it's your fault." The woman said and suddenly Ash had a feeling he knew the voice, so did the speaker as she added. "Wait, did you say Pikachu?"
"Yes and you said Axew, didn't you." Ash said as he opened his eyes at the same time to see the other girl who had done the same and was now gaping at him as they recognized each other immediately. "Iris? What the hell are you doing in Kalos."
"Never mind that for now." Iris said just as surprised at seeing Ash here. "What are the chances of seeing you while I'm briefly in this region and only in a certain area of it?"
"This is Ash we're talking about Iris." Misty said as she, May and Serena reached the scene, and she recognized her friend sitting on the road opposite her boyfriend. "Somehow the only surprise is that I'm not surprised in the slightest that something like this has happened."
Misty, May, and Serena had heard the crash and sped up to see what was going on and stumbled upon the aftermath of the encounter. Sitting in the path was Ash and Iris, both rubbing their heads while Pikachu and Axew looked on with their usual exasperation at their trainers' exploits. They'd sensed each other and had gone to say hello at the shock meeting but of course their humans had to make things much more interesting in the only way the pair knew how.
Iris herself was wearing a new, minimalistic outfit it seemed that somehow suited her. All she wore was a pair of ¾ length dark brown pants, simple slip-on shoes and a light green tube top thing around her breasts and that was it. Her wild hair was still in the same style as it always was though it was a little out of sorts after running into Ash.
"Hey Iris." Misty said with a smile as she held out a hand to help the girl up before pulling her into a hug that the Unova girl warmly reciprocated. "Great to see you again."
"You too Misty." Iris said as they broke apart. "As soon as I saw Ash I knew that you'd be nearby, you always are these days. Glad to see that you two are still together and going strong."
"Well, I have you to thank for that." Misty said with a grin. "You got through to him and I am forever in your debt for that."
"I just told him the truth; he did the rest, but I am amazing, so I accept your praise Misty." Iris said with a shrug. "It's great that you two are still together and that I could see you again. I knew you guys were in the region, but I wasn't sure if I'd see you two while here."
"I wasn't even aware you'd be here." Misty said. "Aren't you supposed to be in Alola? You said that you were going to head there after the party, so I wasn't expecting to run into you here of all places."
"Oh, I'm still there and I love it." Iris said with a grin. "It's beautiful, amazing and has almost perfect weather most of the time. I've already evolved my Exeggcute into an Alolan Exeggutor so it's now a part dragon type just like I wanted."
"I remember that you said that that was the main reason why you wanted to go there." Misty said. "I take it you've got some other dragon types as well while in the region."
"Of course, but only one so far." Iris said. "I caught a Drampa there a few weeks back and he's adorable. Drampa are a normal and dragon and the only Pokémon species I know with that kind of combination so it's really cool to have one. There are a few other dragon types in the region, and I will catch them but while I'm here I really want to catch some of the Kalos ones but haven't found any yet unfortunately."
"Oh, Ash already caught one a while back while we were making our way to Coumarine City." Misty said. "A Goomy fell on his face while we were walking through a forest in the area, and he helped it out so much that it joined him."
"That's so Ash to get lucky and catch a cute dragon type like that." Iris said jealously. "I'm hoping to find at least one of the Kalos dragon types, or potential dragon types, while here but the one that I really want is Dragalge, that's a tough one to catch here but the best of all that are here in my opinion."
"Really, why?" Misty asked curiously. "I've never heard of that Pokémon before, but I still have a large part of the region to see so there are plenty of native Pokémon I haven't seen yet."
"It's overlooked because it is one of the few Pokémon that change a type to dragon upon evolution, not add like Kingdra or Vibrava do but actually changes like Altaria does." Iris said excitedly. "So, people overlook it, but the big thing is that it replaces its water type, not it's poison type, despite being an aquatic Pokémon. The only other Pokémon I can think of that changes it's secondary type but still comes off as that type is Drapion which changes its bug to dark type upon evolution, I learned that at the Pokémon School I'm currently at."
"Wait, it goes from a poison and water to a poison and dragon type?" Misty asked her eyes wide. "And it's native to Kalos?"
"Yup and we are near the coast where it and its pre-evolved form, Skrelp, are said to be found." Iris said confirming Misty's suspicions as to what Pokémon Dragalge evolved from. "I really want one because as a poison type it is no longer weak against the world's greatest evil and can do a lot of damage to those abominations as a way of divine retribution against them."
"What is she talking about?" Serena whispered to May from behind the girls reuniting to give them space, well and to resist slapping the tanned girl as she knew that Iris was the one who'd gotten Ash to see his feelings for Misty before Serena had a chance and had decided to flaunt that fact in her reunion with Misty. "I'm lost now."
"Fairy types." May said quietly while Misty and Iris talked though she'd had the same painful reaction to Iris's rather tactless chat with Misty in their presence, but she couldn't be blamed for that. "Iris is a dragon specialist and is petrified of ice types because they're attacks are super effective against dragon types. Let's just say that she didn't handle the reveal of fairy types well. Now they are the worst thing imaginable for her because they are immune to dragon type attacks while their attacks are also super effective on dragon types."
"Was she there for the reveal?" Serena asked. "I recall meeting her briefly during the Grand Festival, but I left, and she stayed for the Indigo Conference if I recall."
"She was." May said with a shudder. "I've never heard a scream that loud in my life and I was near her when it happened. It showed how terrified she was of the type. She's never fully recovered from it I think and struggles to be around fairy types. It would be wise to keep Sylveon and Slurpuff in their balls around her. It may get ugly."
"Well, she did assist Misty in beating us, but I agree, that would be wrong to play on her fears." Serena said with a nod. "Plus, she's Ash's friend and former traveling companion so she should be our friend as well."
"I consider her one, I've met her a few times." May said. "And she stayed at my place for the last Wallace Cup, so we bonded during that. Plus, we faced off in the semifinal of the Wallace Cup that year so that helped our friendship a lot. Strangely, she's the only girl to travel with Ash to not fall for him."
"How?" Serena asked. "I still don't get that."
"No one does, it's a mystery to those of us who did fall for him." May said as Iris turned to them having finally noticed them. "But let's be nice."
Serena just nodded. It was the right thing to do to be friends with Ash's friends, they'd likely meet many more in their time with him. Best to start with the one who'd inadvertently screwed her over.
"Really." Misty said to Iris's statement on Skrelp. "Well, it just so happens that I caught a Skrelp the other day, like only a week ago that's how recently it was. I didn't know it became a dragon type upon evolution though, that is great to know. I've never had a dragon type but now I have a chance, I'll have to keep that in mind if Skrelp evolves."
"You did, you're so lucky Misty." Iris said her jealousy peaked. "And Ash, you have to show me your Goomy as soon as possible."
"I will." Ash said as he got to his feet, Pikachu and Axew returning to their trainers now that everything had been sorted out. "But you still haven't explained why you are here in Kalos and this area in particular."
"Oh yeah that, well it's a bit of a long story but I am only here for a month or so." Iris said before she noticed the other two girls. "But first introductions as you will be meeting some of my new friends soon as well as they are in the town right now, I'm just here because of Axew. Hey May, good to see you again."
"Iris, a pleasure." May said as she and Iris shook hands, they weren't close enough to hug yet, but they could have a mature and civil greeting. "I too am eager to hear why you are here. This is really a pleasant surprise as I wasn't sure when we'd next meet."
"In a moment." Iris said as she turned to the last girl, a honey blonde in sleeveless pink and red thing with a feminine air to her that surpassed even Misty's femininity that Iris knew she'd met before but couldn't put a name to. "We've met before, haven't we?"
"Yup, at the Kanto Grand Festival." Serena said holding out her hand to shake with Iris while keeping her desire to slap the girl in a way that would make Misty's Malamar proud in check. "Serena."
"Iris." Iris said. "I take it you're the new girl that Ash always travels with. It seems tradition that he travels with a regional girl whenever he's in a new region, except Johto but as that is attached to Kanto I can understand that."
"I am and I'm just like May, Misty, and Dawn." Serena said with a smile that didn't meet her eyes. "Not you if you know what I mean."
"I do but I know that Ash doesn't know." Iris said letting go of Serena's hand and smiling at her while Ash looked confused at what was going on. "So, I won't say anymore, and I suggest we avoid it."
"Good idea because I may want to battle you." Serena said honestly. "And I don't know if I can resist using a particular Pokémon against you of all people."
"You have one, don't you." Iris said with a shudder and Serena nodded to that. "I get it, keep that thing away from me and we'll be good."
"I can so long as you behave yourself." Serena said. "We're all friends here."
"Um, what is going on?" Ash asked completely confused by the conversation though the others knew exactly what was going on.
"Nothing, just girl stuff." Serena said as the tension eased between her and Iris. "So, Iris, what are you doing in my home region?"
"Oh that." Iris said. "Well…"
"Iris, where did you go?" An upbeat, friendly, female voice called out from behind her and off to the side where the path bent out of sight through the trees. "You just ran off and we are almost ready for the presentation. We could use your help with it."
A second later three girls, a greenette, a bluenette, and a pale blonde, rounded the bend in the path and come upon the sight before them. All three were unknown to Ash, Misty, May, and Serena, as were 2 of the 3 Pokémon that were with them, though the third was only familiar due to its general appearance, but they all seemed to know Iris.
Iris herself turned to them and smiled at them though she pointedly made sure she was as far away from the only familiar Pokémon to them for some reason. If Iris was wary of it then there were two guesses to what type it was.
"Mallow, Lana, Lillie." Iris said to the other girls as they arrived. "Sorry, Axew ran off and when I caught up to him I found out why, and you won't believe it, I ran into Ash! Yes, the Ash Ketchum who I've told you all about."
"Oh, so this is the legendary Ash Ketchum." The green haired girl who'd seemed to be the one that had called out to Iris said as she looked over to them. "I take it he's the guy, right? You did say he was one and there's only one here."
"Obviously he is Mallow." Iris said to the girl who she identified as Mallow. "Anyway, everyone, these are my friends new and old. Ash, Misty, May, Serena, these are Mallow, Lana, and Lillie, three of the 5 Alolans I go to school with there."
They all responded to their names so that they all knew who was who. There were a lot of questions that Ash and his friends had for Iris but first they looked at the new girls and their Pokémon. As much as Ash wanted to scan them he had a feeling his Pokedex wouldn't work on them as they were Alolan Pokémon and his was calibrated to Pokémon found in the regions he'd been to and not the ones he had yet to visit.
Mallow was the one who'd spoken first so she was the first-person Ash noticed. She was a pretty, tanned, green haired girl that was done in a set of twin tails with matching green eyes. She wore a simple light gray overall thing with matching short shorts that had white cuffs in a jagged cut pattern over what looked like a pink undershirt and simple green shoes.
She accessorized her look with a dark green headband a shade or two darker than her hair with a large pink flower on the right side and a four-point clip on her waist at her right hip where the top point was green. It was a looked that seemed to suit her friendly personality as she smiled at them.
By Mallow's side was her Pokémon and it was one of the two that the Kalos lot hadn't seen before. Mallow's Pokémon was a bipedal white, green and pink thing that stood on the tips of its narrow, dark pink legs. It's had a white face, arms and base above its legs while its midsection was dark pink with a lighter pink thing at its neck. Instead of hair, it seemed to have two large leaf like things and a stem indicating that it was at least part grass type.
As for the others, the bluenette was Lana. In addition, her hair was short, it didn't even reach her neck in a bob-like cut with a large V shaped fringe that fell between her blue eyes and a set of thick bangs framing her face well. She held it back with a gold-colored headband that looked a bit like a gate for some reason. Then there was her outfit.
It was clear that Lana's favorite color was blue as she wore a pair of baggy blue ¾ pants with a light blue wave pattern around the cuff, blue flip flops and a short blue cape thing around her neck. The only non-blue item was the white tank top that she wore. All this was over what looked like a dark blue one-piece swim suit of all things. She also had a charm thing at her waist on her left hip that was like Mallow's only the top of the four-point charm was dark blue, not green.
In her arms was a small, blue, seal-like Pokémon with a light blue-collar thing, bright pink nose and white muzzle. It was clearly a water type and there was no doubt that the girl favored that type, especially as she was now staring in amazement at Piplup on Misty's head, something Piplup noticed causing him to stand on Misty's head began to show off his awesomeness for her to bask in.
The last of the three was the blonde girl Lillie who was a little more fancily dressed than the others. She wore a simple, sleeveless, white dress that fell to the mid-thigh with a light blue cuff and collar with matching light blue shoes and white knee-high stockings that had a light blue ruffle thing on the top. To add to it she wore a massive white sun hat with a light blue band and bow on it.
All this worked with her waist length pale blonde hair that fell straight with a pair of braids that were draped over her shoulders and a square fringe and bangs combo that framed her face well. Unlike the other two though, her eyes were not the same color as her hair being bright green though they were lighter than Mallow's.
Lillie was also the only one with a Pokémon that they could identify, even if it was not the appearance they were used to seeing. In the girl's arms was a Vulpix though hers was bright white with light blue feet rather than the orange and brown one that Misty had. Instantly Ash and Misty knew what it was, it was a regional variant of Vulpix that had to be unique to Alola.
"So, you are the famous Ash Ketchum that I've heard so much about." Mallow said getting up and close to Ash, invading his private space as she did causing him to take a step back that she followed up. "You're not what I was imagining based on Iris's stories."
"What, what were you expecting?" Ash asked backing up more as Misty began to get a little annoyed at another girl in Ash's personal space, that belonged to her. "I have no idea what she's been telling you about me."
"Someone more childish." Mallow said bluntly. "Though strong and a determined trainer as well. We've heard of your travels with Iris in Unova and she's told us of the Indigo Conference last year and how you almost won it. We all covered that because of what you did with that Mr. Mime of yours. You were instrumental in the reveal of fairy types, both in starting the research that led to their discovery, as well as providing the Pokémon that confirmed it, and in their reveal to the world in rather spectacular fashion."
"Please don't remind me of that day Mallow." Iris said with a shudder at the horror she'd witnessed Ash commit all those months back. "I still have nightmares from what Mimey did to that poor, innocent, sweet, Hydreigon. Also, you may want to back up before Misty attacks you, she's a little protective of her boyfriend."
"Huh, oh right I forgot you told us the story of how you got him to notice her, it was so sweet and romantic." Mallow said as she backed up a bit and turned to Misty not noticing the effect her words had on May and Serena. "So, you're the Misty I've heard a bit about. Not as much as Ash but still a bit."
"Yes though I can't say that I've had the same pleasure." Misty said holding out her hand. "But it's a pleasure to meet you now."
"Likewise." Mallow said with a smile as she took Misty's hand and shook it. "All I've heard about is what Iris knows, well that and how it was your Togekiss that set the research in motion that led to the discovery of fairy types."
"You know about that?" Misty asked surprised letting go of Mallow's hand. "Most just remember what Ash did, not my role in starting it. Not that that was planned mind you, it was completely unexpected during a battle I was having with a rival and her Gyarados."
"We are at a Pokémon School that is run by Samson Oak, Samuel Oak's cousin." Lillie said as Mallow stepped back so that they could all talk as a group. "We had a whole lesson on it and the history as it was the Kanto Oak that discovered them, thanks in no small part to you two. I also read the paper as I love learning more about Pokémon, plus it was recently discovered that Snowy here will add a fairy type when she evolves."
"Please don't." Iris said as she began to shake while Lillie gestured at the Pokémon in her arms. "I had hoped that such an unholy type combo would never exist."
"Ninetales is the only one with it." Lillie said. "Well, the Alolan regional form is. Apparently the normal form is a fire type like the regular Vulpix though I've never seen a regular Vulpix."
"It is, I've seen a Kantonian Ninetales once and can't wait for mine to evolve." Misty said with a smile as she pulled out a Poke Ball and opened it. "I even have my Vulpix on me as he hatched towards the end of last, so I decided to bring him with me to Kalos along with Piplup."
Misty's Kantonian Vulpix appeared before her and mewled once he formed. He was surprised that he was out, but he wasn't complaining as he stretched his body after getting out of his Poke Bakk. That was when he noticed that he wasn't alone but in a group of people, many new to him for some reason. However, that wasn't the biggest surprise. No that was reserved for the pure white Vulpix a girl he'd never seen before was holding.
"Wow, it's so strange to see a red one to me." Lillie said as she crouched down and put her Vulpix on the ground so that they could interact with each other. "But it's what the normal form is, the Alolan ones are only found there but until recently I wasn't aware that Kanto had different forms for some of the Pokémon back home. Kiawe will love it, he's a fire type specialist."
"What type is the Alolan Vulpix?" Misty asked as their Vulpixes interacted with a mix of confusion and interest though the white one was already wary of the red given its type. "I think I know but I don't want to presume."
"Ice." Iris said with a shudder that confirmed Misty's suspicions on the type. "And a few weeks ago, thanks to me annoyingly, it was discovered that it adds that abominable new type upon evolution."
"Wait, an Alolan Ninetales is a dual ice and fairy type." Misty asked surprised. "I thought those didn't exist."
"We hoped they didn't." Iris said causing the other girls from Alola to look at her. "Fine, I hoped that they didn't exist, but we found out at a Contest the other day. I was in it and facing an Alolan Ninetales in the final with my Altaria and hit it with beautiful Dragon Breath. It shrugged it off as if it was nothing and then downed my poor baby with an Ice Beam to win. There was no damage on it at all, but we know from when Axew and Snowy have sparred that his dragon type attacks work on her, so it had to add get worse upon evolution. After the Contest the winning trainer agreed to run some tests and Professor Kukui confirmed it."
"Alolan Ninetales is only the second Pokémon confirmed to add the type upon evolution." Lana said joining in for the first time. "The first is Primarina, Popplio's final form and the water type starter in Alola."
"So don't tell Georgia that about Alolan Ninetales." Iris said seriously while glaring at Misty. "She's bad enough as she is, she'd be infinitely worse if she learned that one ice type actually added the type that shouldn't exist upon evolution."
"Why are you looking at me?" Misty asked. "I barely know Georgia."
"True but her girlfriend is your best friend." Iris said. "So don't tell her either."
"Fine but I am sure that Georgia will know as soon as it is announced." Misty pointed out. "She is really interested in fairy types after seeing what Mimey did. She'll know of her ultimate dragon buster in time."
"I'm sure she will but I hope she never finds one." Iris said. "She'd be even more insufferable if she got one."
"Probably." Misty admitted before looking at the seal-like Pokémon Lana had in her arms and recalling what she'd said about it. "I take it that the Pokémon you have is a Popplio, Lana."
"It is, I really like water types." Lana said with a smile as Popplio smiled in her arms. "I've never seen a Piplup before though, that's the Sinnoh water starter, isn't it? Your home region if I recall what Iris has said about you."
"He is." Misty said as she felt Piplup continue to pose on her head for some reason. "Mine's a bit of a character as you can tell but he's my starter and I love him."
"I can, he's pretty impressive." Lana said. "And he looks strong."
"He is but please don't say it out loud, his ego is large enough already." Misty said with a nod that sent Piplup tumbling from her head, but she caught him and held him in her arms as he squawked in protest. "I got him shortly before I met Ash when he came to Sinnoh traveled with him and Brock there. May met Ash in Hoenn and traveled that region and Kanto with him before she met Serena here in Kalos last year."
"I'm from Hoenn originally." May said helpfully. "But been in Kalos for over a year now setting up the Contest circuit that started this year which I am now an alternative judge for. Serena and I traveled together last year and this year she's in the Contests."
"Yes I'm the only actual Kalos native here." Serena said with a smile. "I'm actually a performer though, not a coordinator but doing the later this year to help grow as a performer."
"On that, Iris, did you say that you were doing Contests?" Misty asked recalling what Iris had said about the Alolan Ninetales she'd run into. "I didn't know that you'd started competing in them."
"I am but only part time when I have the chance to do so." Iris said with a nod. "Alola has a circuit this year with four Top Coordinators helping out but it's the furthest behind of the four in terms of competitiveness. All of us at the school have entered at least one Contest but only me, Lana, and Mallow have won one, and only I have won two. The second one was against some really obnoxious child from Sinnoh actually. He was really pissed I won but it was his fault for using a Breloom against my Dragonite."
"Kenny." Misty growled knowing exactly who Iris was talking about. "I'm sorry you have to deal with him. I should probably warn you about him as it is kinda our fault that he's in Alola right now, though all we did was send him away from Kalos, his master sent him to Alola."
"Yeah that's the guy." Iris said recalling the name now that Misty said it. "He's familiar to me for some reason but I can't place him."
"You would have seen him lose to me last year in the Grand Festival final." Misty said. "Though as you weren't at the reception before the Grand Festival you wouldn't have properly met him."
"Oh, now I remember." Iris said as it all clicked. "Yeah he was ranting about how he got forced out of his righteous mission to reclaim his wayward love from the clutches of some backwoods, inbred, Kanto bastard that was currently in Kalos and was now out to win in Alola to prove to her that he was the best man for her. Sounded really creepy actually, and very childish but he is a skilled coordinator. He already has 4 ribbons there, all by Battle Off as he's really aggressive, and there's no real competition in Alola. I stopped him from going 5 and 0 though which made me happy."
"That sounds like Kenny." Misty said with a sigh. "I'm so sorry for that, it's kinda our fault you lot have to deal with him."
"It is?" Lana asked. "He's a really bad guy and isn't too kind to his Pokémon when they mess up, even after they win like when he beat my Popplio with his Ampharos in the semis and was upset it wasn't faster. I wanted to punch him, but Mallow restrained me."
"He's not worth it or the suspension from the circuit that you'd get for assaulting him after a battle." Mallow said simply. "He's got something up his ass and is on a really dark path, he'll end up going too far one day and be arrested I think."
"Yeah all that comes from what happens when love turns into obsession, and you don't handle that love rejecting you well." Misty said causing all them to look at her. "Yup, he's obsessed with me. Started as a crush but I never reciprocated it, or even knew about it, and when I ended up with Ash he kinda snapped. I put him in his place in Kanto when I beat him in the Grand Festival final there, but he showed up in Kalos a few months back along with some other assholes who we won't go into as they aren't relevant to you. In the ensuing chat we had he challenged Ash to a full battle."
"That guy, a coordinator who is at best above average in battle but relies on overwhelming power and type advantages too much to be really good at it, challenged Ash Ketchum?" Iris asked her eyes wide. "Is he a moron? Does he not know how good Ash's record is?"
"Oh, he knew, and Ash even reminded him of it given how it was Kenny's first ever full battle." Misty said. "He just ignored the warnings. Brought his best team and Ash beat him 6-0 while using his new Kalos Pokémon and Riolu who was new after the Indigo Conference."
"It was a sight to behold." May said with a grin at the good memory and ignoring the bad stuff associated with Drew. "And right after Serena lost to one of Kenny's angry comrades in the first battle of the war that that lot started with us as well, so it was a bit of justice for us as well as for Misty."
"It wasn't hard, Kenny had no idea how to plan for a full battle and I predicted his Pokémon with ease, so I knew how to counter them." Ash said with a shrug. "With expulsion for Kalos on the line for the loser it was a battle that I couldn't afford to lose so I made sure to fully prepare for him. Well, that and I had to defend Misty's honor."
"Boy did he." Misty said with a smile as she held up her left arm and pulled back the sleeve she'd taken to wearing on it since the incident to reveal the scar that was there. "This is a reminder of that battle. Ash kinda went overboard in the end but I don't mind it, it reminds me of how far he'll go to protect those he loves."
"How on earth did that happen?" Iris said in shock as she looked at the scar on Misty's arm. "I did not expect you to have something like that."
"Misty's not the only one with scars." May said shocking Iris further. "Serena and I have them as well and I'm sure that some of Kenny's new friends have a few too. I just can't show mine in public as it is runs along my left side starting in a private area."
"Mine are all on my back." Serena said. "So same as with May while I am wearing a dress like this. It will be interesting whenever I next wear a bikini though, I don't think people will expect the sight."
"Yeah I'm still sorry for all that." Ash said still full of remorse for what he did. "Kenny pushed me to the limit at the end when he Mega Evolved his Alakazam, so I countered by Mega Evolving my Charizard who I'd brought in to counter his Mega Evolution when he revealed that he had a Key Stone. Do you remember what I did to Brendan's Sceptile in the Indigo final?"
"Of course, that was a huge Seismic Toss." Iris said with a nod at the memory of the climatic climax of Ash's final in the Indigo Conference. "It rocked the whole stadium."
"Ok imagine that but with Mega Evolution and a Dragon Tail to speed up Mega Alakazam's descent to the ground, a combo I'd once used on a Magmortar the first time I Mega Evolved Charizard." Ash said. "And that's how I ended the battle with Kenny."
"Oh." Iris said with a gasp at that. "So higher, faster, and stronger than what you did to that Sceptile."
"The shockwave sent us all flying." Ash said. "Me, Kenny, and the ref had walls to stop us and prevent anything worse than a bruise but everyone else was facing the Pokémon Center, so they went through the windows, after the glass had been broken. It wasn't my finest moment, but I got too into it in the end to stop myself."
"Somehow I don't see a problem with it." Lana said. "Someone who treats his Pokémon like that deserves a punishment like that, shame there was a wall to prevent more damage."
"Yeah that guy really did deserve it." Iris said. "Plus, it showed off dragon type power so I can't complain."
"It slowed us down as we recovered, and Ash is effectively banned from Geosenge Town for it, but it was totally worth it." Misty said. "And it got Kenny away for a full year, but I am sorry he's causing problems for you."
"Not really." Mallow said with a shrug. "For the most part we're at school and doing things there and Kenny isn't part of the school, not that we'd let him join now that we know the full story as to why he's in Alola this year. He's just one of the many coordinators there this year who's going from Contest to Contest. No one really cares for him, but it seems like he's not there to make friends, so it all works out for everyone."
"Ok good." Misty said with a sigh of relief. "I am glad that he's not causing a problem but don't mention that you know me, and Iris should defiantly not say that she's traveled with Ash, that might set him off."
"We won't, thanks for the heads up." Lillie said. "He's not worth our time and we won't add fuel to his fire."
"Well now that that is sorted, can you please explain why you are here." May said. "You keep mentioning a school, but we still have no idea why you are even in Kalos right now."
"Oh, right we do keep doing that." Mallow said with a slight flush of embarrassment. "Yeah, we all go to a Pokémon School on Melemele Island in the Alola region were all of us, but Iris are from, though Kiawe isn't from Melemele Island but Akala Island. It's run by Samson Oak and Professor Kukui, the Alola Pokémon Professor, is part of the staff there."
"I never intended on studying there but I couldn't say no when I found out about it." Iris said. "I just went there to talk to Kukui about where I could get a Leaf Stone to evolve my Exeggcute and where I could find the Alola dragon types when I met this lot. We just clicked and I realized that I could learn so much from them while there and that they could learn from me as the rest of the class have never been to another region until now but now I've been to as many as Ash has as Kalos is my 6th region."
"Iris is great, she's helped us understand so much more about Pokémon, especially dragon types." Lillie said with a smile. "I didn't even know about the other forms for some of our Pokémon until she explained her reason for coming. I always thought that Exeggutor was a grass and dragon type but that's only in Alola because Iris had come there specially to evolve hers."
"She isn't the first person I've met who's done that." Ash said surprising them. "I actually knew of the oddity that some Pokémon evolved differently in Alola compared to elsewhere in the world. Though I haven't seen it, I know that Pikachu is one but the one that I met was an Alolan Marowak who's trainer had hatched it in Kanto and taken it to Alola to evolve. That was actually my first time ever seeing a regional variant and when I learned of them. Now I've seen three with your Vulpix, Lillie."
"Really, that is interesting." Mallow said. "Normally people don't know of our variants outside of the islands and even we normally don't know that they're unique to Alola until we're told about it."
"Which other variant of ours have you met?" Lillie asked curiously. "And what is the Kanto equivalent?"
"Actually, it wasn't an Alolan but a Galarian one." Ash said. "I met a guy from Galar a few months back here in Kanto and faced his Galarian Linoone in a training battle with my Hawlucha."
"A regular Linoone is a Hoenn native Pokémon that is a pure normal type actually." May added helpfully. "Apparently Galar has variants from more than just Kanto. According to my brother they actually have regional variants from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Unova there. Alola is only Kanto though for some reason."
"That's what Kukui told us." Lana said. "Though I am surprised that you guys know about them at all."
"Ash has a habit of finding this out." May said. "I wasn't there for it though; I was here as it was last year while they were in Kanto, and I was here in Kalos. Ash and Misty learned this from a Kanto Gym Leader in fact."
"I was training to reenter the Indigo Conference last year by having full battles with 7 of the 8 main gym leaders in my home region of Kanto." Ash explained. "In the last of those battles against the Cinnabar Island Gym Leader Blaine, who's a fire type master, he produced an Alolan Marowak and explained it's strange and unique evolutionary change and how things are different in Alola. He traveled there a while back to evolve a Cubone that he had there to get the variant as it had a fire type."
"It was really cool to learn about them in the middle of a battle, same battle where I saw a Kantonian Ninetales actually." Misty said. "Made us consider Alola but as there are not gyms there from what we understand and May already knew Kalos we decided here after I won the Grand Festival and was given the offer to judge and help out in general this year as this was the best place for Ash should he lose in the Indigo Conference, which unfortunately he did. I have judged yet, but I've helped with the Contests as best I can and am doing some Showcases when I come across them though they aren't a high priority for us."
"Those do look cool but alas we won't be able to see or participate in one." Mallow said with a sigh. "We're only here for a month as part of a school trip to promote the Alola region in Kalos. There is also a trip to Kanto in the works so we can see their versions of our Pokémon but that's not for some time I think."
"Yeah we are running a traveling fair to highlight why Alola is an up-and-coming region to come and visit." Lana said. "A Pokémon School grad called Ilima spent some time here and even entered the Kalos League while he was here and suggested it for us and Kukui thought it was a good idea as he hadn't been here in a while and wanted to see Professor Sycamore again."
"Yup so that is why we are here." Iris said with a smile. "We landed in Laverre two weeks ago as it is the best place for understanding the type that shouldn't be and left that cursed city quickly thank Arceus to hit this area on our way to Coumarine. We are leaving there in 2 days and then from there it is to Lumiose to see the largest city in the world and reconvene with Kukui who went straight there through the Wetlands before returning to Alola."
"It's basically an educational experience with a practical element for us as we are on our own, just the 6 of us." Lillie said. "It's really interesting if a bit nerve wracking as we show off what Alola has to offer in every place we visit, and we even have a prize for someone later so you should come to the fair."
"We'd love to." Misty said with a smile as the others nodded. "I know Ash and I are hoping to visit Alola someday so it would be nice to learn more about it before visiting it."
"Yeah it would be great to see this fair you have." Ash said. "We saw a Johto Festival in Sinnoh once and made some friends there so this will be just like that. I'd already been to Johto by that point, but it was nice to be reminded of it."
"Though I am confused as to why your Professor isn't with you." May said. "That is an awful lot of trust he's placing in you to run it without him."
"It's a good test for us." Mallow said with a shrug. "It will help us show we can make it in on our own should we ever leave Alola and with Iris it's easy."
"I do have travel experience both with Ash and Cilan, on my own, and with just Cilan." Iris said with a shrug. "Though it was a surprise as Kukui was supposed to be with us but as soon as we landed, and he contacted Professor Sycamore to let him know that we were here, and the Kalos Professor demanded he come to him right away because he had something he wanted to show him."
"Likely to do with Mega Evolution." May said. "That is what Professor Sycamore is researching so he'd certainly want to talk to a colleague about it."
"I'm not sure, though on that front I am hoping to get a Key Stone and a Mega Stone for my Altaria here as that would be so cool." Iris said. "Kukui said nothing about Mega Evolution beyond the basics of it on the way here as Kalos is the region that it's considered to have originated in."
"It's not for research, at least not mainly as far as I am away." Mallow said shaking her head. "And besides Kukui's research is Z-Moves so they aren't similar."
"Z-Moves?" Ash asked interested. "What are those?"
"Ask Kiawe, he's the expert amongst us." Mallow said. "He even has a Z-Ring, we don't have those yet."
"Will do." Ash said already looking forward to finding out what these Z-Moves were.
"So why is he going to see Professor Sycamore then?" Misty asked warily. "If it's not research based why go straight there."
"All Kukui said was that Sycamore has a Pokémon in his lab that is exceptionally rare and that Kukui can't not come see it while he's here." Lana said. "Like borderline legendary with only 3 known in the world and it's never been recorded in Alola apparently."
"I asked more because this is something that interests me." Lillie said as Misty had a gut feeling she knew where this was going and would have words with Professor Sycamore about not informing her before showing him off to his friends. "And it really is something special apparently."
"What is it?" Ash asked a little confused. "I haven't heard of Sycamore having a Pokémon like that at the lab and I didn't see any that were not native to Kalos that I'd call rare when I was last there."
"Likely because it's not his." Misty said looking at Lillie. "Right? It belongs to a trainer who's storing Pokémon with him."
"Correct." Lillie said surprised. "How'd you know?"
"Lucky guess." Misty said evasively. "Tell me more about this Pokémon though, I'm sure it's something we'd like to see next time we're in Lumiose City. If it is really rare then we should check it out."
"Oh ok, I know it's something I'm looking forward to seeing when we visit Professor Sycamore's lab." Lillie said with a smile. "And it's apparently a Pokémon that has a weird formation which is why it's so rare, well that and it's typing is really hard to fight against as well. It's so rare that only 2 trainers are known to have ever caught one according to Kukui, via Sycamore though. I can't remember the name though but I'm sure I'd know it if I heard it as I did look it up briefly."
"Was it this Pokémon?" Misty asked having already pulled out her Pokedex and prepared the entry as she held it up for the three Alolan girls to see it.
"Spiritomb, the Forbidden Pokémon." The Pokedex chimed as it showed a picture of what a Spiritomb was to the girls. "A Pokémon that was formed by 108 spirits. It is bound to a fissure in an odd keystone."
"Yeah that's it." Lillie said with a little shudder as Misty put the Pokedex away. "It's really freaky in pictures and is a ghost and dark type so only fairy type attacks work on it which finally gave it a weakness after not having one until the new type appeared. Sycamore said that one of the two that has been caught is at his lab now as its trainer is in Kalos and suggested Kukui come check it out as pictures don't do it justice. He said he'd message the owner for permission though he did say that she was out of town at the moment so Kukui couldn't battle it."
"He did, did he." Misty said as Ash, May, Serena, and Iris who'd now remembered where she'd seen that Pokémon before all looked at her. "That's news to me."
"Why would it be news to you?" Mallow asked. "It's not like…"
"Yup, that cutie is mine." Misty said with a grin as the trio looked at her in shock having realized why it was news to her. "Surprised?"
"Um yes." Mallow said looking the girly girl up and down and noting that even her pink combat boots helped show of her femininity. "You aren't the type I'd expect to have a Pokémon like that at all."
"Trust me, that's one of the best parts of when I produce my Spiritomb in battle." Misty said still grinning. "No one expects him to begin with because, so few have ever even heard of a Spiritomb, let alone seen one, but as a friend once said, it's even less likely that a girly girl in hot pink miniskirt is the one commanding it."
"Iris, did you know?" Lana asked her friend. "Who had the Spiritomb that had Kukui all excited that is?"
"I knew I'd seen one before and pretty recently, but I couldn't place it until now." Iris said. "Been too busy to remember that Misty for some reason has one even though I've seen her use it at least twice."
"It was unexpected and unplanned." Misty said with a shrug. "Ash and I were on a cruise from Fuchsia City to Cinnabar Island last year and the cruise hit several islands for Contests and sightseeing along the way hence why we went on it. One of those places was some small, barely inhabited island that had a forested hill on it with an off feeling about it. Ash and I climbed it to find an abandoned and desecrated shrine to Pokémon that had passed with Spiritomb's keystone on it. Naturally, Ash accidentally set it off, but I was the one left to fight him when Pikachu rolled down the hill, but Piplup lost."
"Piplup." Piplup said embarrassed at that.
"Pikachu." Pikachu added his own embarrassment to the mix.
"Piplup, few can handle Spiritomb." Misty said kindly to her starter in her arms. "Spiritomb only lost because he used Curse on you and then a wild Shuppet appeared and used Dazzling Gleam. That knocked Spiritomb out and on a whim I caught him. Still can't explain why I threw that Poke Ball, but I did, and I've never regretted it."
"Wait, you have a Banette as well, don't you Misty." Iris said looking at her remembering how Misty had surprised her by producing two ghost types in the Grand Festival final. "And if I recall Banette evolves from Shuppet."
"Correct, that was actually the second time I'd met that Shuppet, the first time was at Lavender Town in the Pokémon Tower there." Misty said with a nod. "I gave him a poffin and we played together there while Ash helped a Gengar out, but we left Shuppet there, or so I thought. Turned out that he followed me after that, including all the way to Hoenn and back, for months until he saved me when I needed it. I caught him as well that day and he would evolve when I battled Anabel in Cremini Town. That's how I have a Banette as well. He's also in Lumiose City at the moment."
"So that explains how you obtained two ghost types." Iris said with a nod. "Yeah, you guys are in for it when you meet Misty's Spiritomb. Sycamore is right, pictures don't do it justice."
"Agreed." Serena said while May nodded in agreement. "I saw it once from the stands when Misty used it and Banette to win the Grand Festival in Kanto last year but when I saw him up close and personal back in Lumiose City after Misty had had him sent there, it was something else."
"He's harmless and adores me." Misty said with a smile. "He just needed to be freed from his point of creation. You see, Spiritombs are created in places where shrines to Pokémon who have passed on have been neglected or desecrated by humans, at least that's the theory I've heard as to how the 108 spirits come together. I know of the other two in fact though I've only seen one of them."
"You do?" Lillie asked. "Where are they?"
"One is wild, and I've met it as it is in Sinnoh where the species is considered to have originated." Misty said. "It's at some old tower there and is harmless so long as the tower stays intact but will attack if the tower is broken. Ash and I set it off on his journey there when we accidentally broke it in a practice battle so that's how I knew of it. The third known Spiritomb I have not met but I know who has it. It belongs to Cynthia, my region's Champion, she told me as much when she visited Ash to give him the egg that hatched into his Riolu."
"Wait, the other Spiritomb owned by a trainer is hers?" Iris asked and Misty nodded in confirmation. "Damn, that is some high company you're in with her."
"What can I say." Misty said with a smile. "It was pure luck for me to catch mine."
"And on that note we really should get back." Mallow said realizing how long they'd been standing there. "Sophocles is distracted by some guy from Hoenn who is as geeky as he is it seems though favors a different type and Kiawe is doing something with some fire types to show off his Marowak, but we should get back for my presentation and the selection. Steenee here wants to fight and it's her turn to be the Pokémon that shows off our region at the fair."
"Steenee." Steenee, the name of the Pokémon that was with Mallow, said with a nod confirming what it was at least though they'd have to get the Alolans to show them its Pokedex entry later, same with Popplio's for that matter.
"Lead the way." Ash said as Pikachu leapt up to his usual perch on Ash's shoulder now that they were moving.
Iris just nodded, picked up Axew, and turned to lead them all to the town. There was a bend in the road and after it they came to a large, open area that was clearly a man-made clearing in the forest where a decent sized town was. It was about average to what Ash was used to running into on his journeys, just another one of the many nameless towns he'd visited over the years.
The only difference with this town was that there was a lot more people in it it seemed, and they all seemed to be congregating towards the center of square of the town. As the group approached they saw why that was. There was a large stage set up with special screens that were likely kept in the town hall or similar building so that a presentation could be done.
Around the stage were all the people who'd gathered for the fair. There were temporary stalls set up around the fair with displays of locations around Alola that showed the various activities that could be done there though no one was manning them at the moment. Ash recalled the Johto Festival he'd been to in Sinnoh, and this was small compared to it. However, if it was just 6 kids with the oldest appearing to be around Ash's age running it then it made sense that it would be smaller.
"Mallow, Lana, Lillie, there you lot are." A voice called out from the crowd. "We're almost ready to start, Kiawe has finished his show with his Turtonator and Marowak so it's time to talk about Alola as a class."
"Aren't you joining in Iris?" Ash asked confused as a figure began to approach them. "You're part of the class to, aren't' you?"
"I'm Unovan, not Alolan." Iris reminded him. "I don't know the region like they do so I help out with the stalls, and show off my Drampa and Exeggutor, but the presentation is all them."
"Ah makes sense." Ash said as the new figure reached them, and he took a moment to look at the guy.
The newcomer was the first Alolan male that Ash had seen so far, and he was a little out of breath as he reached them having jogged over to get to them. The boy looked like he was a year or so younger than Ash and was a rotund guy with short orange hair wearing a simple white shirt with a gaming device design on it, brown shorts with orange cuffs, and green sneakers with yellow lighting bolts on them.
To accessorize, the boy was wearing a collar thing that had what looked like a Pikachu tail coming from its left side around his neck and he word a metal belt with the buckle visible to see. The buckle had the same 4-point design in it that Mallow and Lana had on them only his color was orange which continued the trend of the different colors between the Alolans. Ash wasn't sure what the 4-point symbol was, but he guessed it was special to Alola if three of them were wearing it.
On the boy's right shoulder was an odd-looking Pokémon. It was small, almost perfectly round, gray ball like Pokémon with a gray tail that had a yellow tip and a white face and chest. It had two small white ears, small stubby arms and feet. On its sides were 3 diamonds of different colored fur, two yellow patches with a dark brown one in the middle. The pattern was on both sides. Finally, it had a set of yellow cheek sacks.
Ash instantly knew that it was an electric type and therefore the Alolan one. For some reason, each region seemed to have at least one electric type that was small, rodent-like, and had cheek sacks.
Naturally Ash knew about Pikachu being the Kanto one, Pichu was technically the Johto one though Ash didn't really count it as it was the baby Pokémon to Pikachu, but it was first bred in Johto so it kinda counted. Hoenn had Plusle and Minun, Sinnoh had Pachirisu, Unova had Emolga and Kalos had Dedenne so this one, whatever it was called, had to be the Alolan one. Now all he had to do was find out what the Galarian one was, and he'd have seen the set.
"Where did you go?" The boy asked breaking Ash from his thoughts. "You guys just ran off as if something was wrong without a word."
"Sorry it was my fault Sophocles." Iris said to the boy. "Axew ran off without warning, so I followed him. Turned out he'd done that because Ash was around, and he'd gone to see Pikachu who in turn had run to Axew which is what let to me running into Ash and his friends. The girls came to find me chatting with my old friends and we got distracted talking about a lot of stuff. Turns out the reason why Kukui ran off to Lumiose City is connected to Misty here."
"Wait, did you say Ash." Sophocles said as he looked, and his eyes bulged when he saw Ash and more importantly his Pikachu as he ignored everything else that Iris said upon seeing the Pokémon he'd heard so much about. "Wow, it really is you. Iris described your powerful Pikachu, and how it really is one of a kind."
"Um thanks." Ash said a little taken aback by the boy and holding out his hand to greet. "Pleasure to meet one of Iris's friends. I'm the Ash you've apparently heard about."
"Sophocles." Sophocles said shaking Ash's hand warmly. "It's an honor to meet you and when there is time I'd like to have a look at your Pikachu, and if possible battle it, if that's ok with you. I'm an electric specialist and I love all electric types. They're so cool."
"Sure, we're going to be around for a bit, so I don't mind chatting a bit when there's time." Ash said letting go of the younger boy's hand. "We were passing through on the way to Laverre, but we have time to spare, right?"
"Of course, we're well ahead of schedule." May said with a nod. "And overdue an Ash adventure which this most certainly is."
"Then we will be around once you're done." Ash said with a smile. "You can look at Pikachu then if Pikachu wants."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a nod from Ash's shoulder. "Pi, Pikachu."
"Great, I got some inventions I've made that can really assess an electric type." Sophocles said excitedly. "So, I'd like to see how your Pikachu stacks up on the scale compared to the average of his kind, as well as any other electric types you lot may have."
"I have a Helioptile but he's the only other electric type on us." Misty said helpfully. "And I'm Misty by the way."
"Sophocles." Sophocles said shaking her hand as well. "Electric specialist, Pokémon fan, and inventor of gadgets."
"You remind me a lot like Clemont." May said to the boy. "He's a good friend of mine and the current Lumiose City Gym Leader."
"You know Clemont?" Sophocles said turning to May his eyes wide. "He's someone I admire a lot both for his skill with electric types and his inventing prowess. I'm really looking forward to meeting him when we reach Lumiose City."
"Yeah me and Serena traveled with him last year." May said shaking his hand. "Just say that you know us, and he'll warmly greet you."
"He's a great guy." Serena added as she shook his hand after May. "You will get on well with him, I can already tell that."
"I can't wait." Sophocles said before he turned to the others from his class. "However, we have to set up. Kiawe can't do it all himself."
"Alright, we're coming." Mallow said with a nod. "Iris, you can stay with your friends as you haven't seen them in a while but the rest of us will go up the presentation up and running. Did you find someone for the battle Sophocles? I know we are in Kalos, but a Kantonian would be best given the connected natures of our variants and we haven't run into one yet. Well Ash is one but if there is another that would be good as I think we'll have time to see Ash in battle with us later."
"Actually, yes I found a Kantonian girl in the crowd." Sophocles said. "She's traveling Kalos as a coordinator, there are a few from other regions on their circuit apparently, with some guy from Hoenn who's really smart with Pokémon though he favors fighting types. Would she do?"
"Perfectly, just make sure you point her out when the time comes." Mallow said. "Now let's go before Kiawe starts crying at all the work he's doing alone. Alright, we will see you guys afterwards, but we have to set up now."
The others nodded leaving Iris with her old friends as they went to prepare the stage for their presentation. As soon as they were gone Misty turned to the others.
"Any chances that those two they mentioned aren't Emily and Adam?" Misty asked them. "Based off that description they have to be, right?"
"None." May said with a chuckle. "That fits those two to a tee."
"Who are Emily and Adam?" Iris asked confused.
"Emily is a friend of mine I made on the Kanto Contest Circuit last year." Misty explained. "I gave her some advice throughout the year and faced her 3 times in Contest battles. Twice in regular Contest finals and lastly in the Grand Festival semis after she upset Nando. I beat her each time, but she got better as the year got on and gave me a good challenge in the semis. Adam is a guy she met at the Grand Festival who's an aspiring fighting specialist from Hoenn. He was coming here after Kanto, so Emily joined him."
"We've met them a few times this year." Serena said. "Emily is a nice girl and a bit of a rival for me. I've faced her on the circuit once in the first ever Kalos Contest final and lost but she's considered one of the 3 major favorites this year, so it makes sense. I don't know Adam well though, he's more like Ash from what I've gathered."
"We've battled once and chatted a bit but that's it so far." Ash said with a shrug. "Seems like a decent guy, kinda like Morrison or Stephan for reference in terms for how I'd see him compared to past rivals I've had. Someone who's a fellow trainer that I will meet a few times this year and become a rival of. He's challenging gyms for the first time after I suggested it to him, but I don't know how many badges he has now. He had two I think when we last saw those two in Geosenge Town but that was a while back."
"I remember the girl who Misty beat in the Grand Festival though I never spoke to her." Iris said with a vague recollection of a brunette who'd surprised everyone by reaching the Kanto Grand Festival semifinals similar to Iris's own Wallace Cup semifinal appearance. "Not the other guy, haven't met him yet."
"Well let's go and find them." Misty said heading into the crowd. "It's been a while since I saw Emily, so I want to see how she's doing now."
It didn't take long to find the pair. All they had to do was follow the mumbling to where there was a small clearing of people who'd given the strange green haired boy with scars on his right arm that was currently mumbling and scribbling in a notebook at a fast pace. Next to him was a brunette girl who didn't seem bothered by it in the slightest.
"I thought the description we got was you." Misty called out to her friend. "Hey Emily, strange to run into you here."
Misty watched as the girl turned and her brown eyes went wide when she saw Misty and the others standing there. She instantly slapped Adam's chest so that he got attention, and stop him mumbling it seemed, causing him to turn to see them as well, stopping his writing as Misty saw the recognition hit his green eyes.
"Misty, what are you doing here?" Emily asked as she and Adam headed over to Misty. "I wasn't expecting this."
"Neither was I." Misty said. "We were on the way from Coumarine to Laverre and ran into Iris out of the blue."
"Hello." Iris said helpfully with a small wave. "Good to formally meet you, I'm Iris, Ash's companion in Unova and currently studying in Alola. I'm part of this school that is putting this fair on, but we didn't expect to run into Ash and this lot. However, Axew helped there."
"Ax, Axew." Axew said with a nod at doing his job to bring them all together when he realized Pikachu was near.
"Woah an Axew, cool." Adam said looking down at it. "From the Village of Dragons, right? You said you are from Unova, so it has to be from that area, they specialize in breeding Axew and Deino."
"You know of my home?" Iris asked surprised. "Few in my own region know of it, let alone someone not from Unova."
"Of it yes though I've never been." Adam said with a nod. "I spent a year in Unova a couple years back, same year as Ash in fact as I saw him in the Vertress Conference, but my focus was the fighting types, so I never made it out to the Village of Dragons as the only known dual dragon and fighting types are Alolan. At least based on my current research that is."
"That's correct." Iris said excitedly. "Of all the dragon types in Alola that's the one I want the most because of how unique and powerful it is. Jangmo-o gains the type when it evolves into Hakamo-o and it's final form, Kommo-o, is considered on par with Hydreigon, Dragonite, Salamence, Goodra, Garchomp, and Dragapult showing that the most powerful and amazing non-legendary Pokémon are dragons and many of the legendaries are also dragon types."
"Well, Metagross and Tyranitar are also put on the same plain as the ones that you have mentioned and aren't dragon types." Adam said. "But yes those are the 9 powerhouses that are known though with the advent of this new fairy type only one of those 9 isn't weak against a fairy type move."
"It has to be Metagross then as that is a steel type." Ash said recalling the ones he'd met and faced. "Which means that it's resistant to fairy type attacks as its other type is psychic which has a neutral relationship with fairy type moves if I recall correctly."
"Do not mention that accursed abomination to the Pokémon world." Iris said shuddering. "That type is the worst thing that has ever happened to the world."
"Um Iris, best to keep that down." Misty said as Emily looked a little taken aback by the forcefulness of Iris's words. "Emily here is a fairy type trainer."
"Yeah she has an affinity for the type according to Professor Oak, it's amazing." Adam said causing Emily to suddenly blush and that wasn't missed by Misty. "She really understands the type similar to how I understand fighting types, and few really understand fairy types at the moment."
"I can't explain it." Emily admitted with a shrug. "But I'm drawn to the type and vice-versa it seems. All the Pokémon I've caught have either become, added, or can evolve into a fairy type. Maybe growing up on the slopes of Mt. Moon with all the Cleffa, Clefairy, and Clefables there helped but I'm not complaining and with Adam's help I can counter my weaknesses pretty well."
"It's not hard, the type is surprisingly versatile." Adam said simply. "Though it is a good balance as it checks dragon type moves by being immune to them while boosting poison types by giving them a second type the move is super effective against."
"Please don't." Iris said still shuddering. "I haven't recovered from what Ash did in the Indigo quarterfinals. A type that is immune to the beauty of dragon type moves shouldn't exist in my book."
"Oh yeah that, that was amazing when Ash pulled that off against Cameron, sweet justice for Vertress where Ash lost to him." Adam said looking to Ash. "You still have to tell me more about that and how you figured it all out."
"It was more a series of strange events over the course of the year, one of which we didn't even realize was connected and that was the one that turned out to be key to everything." Ash said with a shrug. "So, when I knew that I would likely face a Hydreigon as it's Cameron's secret weapon I wanted a trump card against it and asked Professor Oak if I had a Pokémon that had the strange dragon type immunity we'd noted in a few Pokémon up to that point. Turns out I did just not the one I was expecting or had any battle experience with as Mimey is a special case with my Pokémon, but I used him regardless. Never expected to change the world with it."
"And next up for us is Laverre where the only known fairy type gym." May said. "Valerie will be interesting for sure if our past encounters with gym leaders here is anything to go by."
"I can't wait to meet her." Emily said excitedly. "She's the only fairy specialist in the world so I can really learn a lot from her."
"I avoided her when we landed and spent some time in Laverre." Iris said. "And we left quickly thankfully. I want to see some of the dragon types here, Ash that's your hint to show me your newest dragon type."
"Huh, oh right." Ash said pulling out a Poke Ball and opening it. "Goomy, come on out."
A second later Goomy materialized in front of Ash with a smile as he sat on the ground looking around at where he was. Instantly Iris was bending down smiling at it with stars in her eyes.
"It's so adorable." Iris almost squealed in joy at finally seeing a Goomy in person. "And strong, I don't care what they say about it. How are you Goomy?"
"Goomy?" Goomy asked looking at the strange woman with an oddly soothing presence to him before him before looking at Pikachu and a small green Pokémon that he somehow knew was the same type as he was. "Goomy?"
"Pikachu." Pikachu said explaining who this was and that he was in for a pampering and proper treatment as she was a human who specialized in training dragon types. "Pika, Pikachu."
"Axew." Axew said smiling as he went to meet the new dragon type he'd never met before. "Ax, Axew."
"How did you catch it Ash?" Iris asked not looking up from the Goomy. "I am hoping to find one but they're really rare apparently, so I want the full story of how you ended up with one."
"Oh, it happened like this." Ash began as he crouched down with them to talk about how he and Goomy became friends. "We were walking through a forest…"
"Leave them." Misty said turning to the two younger kids. "Anyway, you're going to Laverre Emily?"
"In time yes." Emily said with a nod. "Though we aren't sure when as Adam has our plans for the near future, after that it is a bit more up in the air depending on how a Contest I am planning on entering goes."
"We're doing so well and there is a Kalos exclusive tournament coming up that I want to partake in as it is for fighting types that is near here and soon so that's our next stop." Adam said enthusiastically. "It's an annual fighting type tournament in the next town over that starts in a fortnight. We saw that there was a fair here promoting Alola here, so we stopped as there are some Alolan Pokémon I want to learn about as that region has the only known fighting and ice type, as well as the only fighting and dragon types, and then we are onto the next town."
"We have the time to spare as I have 3 ribbons already and Adam has 4 badges now." Emily said. "We've done all we need to in the coastal area, but this is something that Adam really wants to do, and I can't say no to it. Afterwards we are heading to a Contest to the east so I can try and get my fourth ribbon nice and early but that is where things may change."
"What do you mean?" Misty asked confused.
"It all has to do with how that Contest pans out." Adam said. "If Emily wins then she will have 4 ribbons so can take a break while I train and earn my last 4 badges, 2 of which will be against gym leaders who have Pokémon that are strong against fighting types though I have a perfect team to counter Olympia's psychic types, so I'm not worried about that battle. Then we can focus on the Wallace Cup for her 5th ribbon."
"But if I lose and that is a possibility as there are rummers that Jessilina will be in that Contest due to a surprise loss recently." Emily said. "I don't know about that part, but I haven't faced her and she's a favorite with some skill in poison types from what I've heard, so I have to be ready for that. If she beats me then we are going to Laverre for the Contest there to go for my 4th ribbon in that city before I talk to Valarie about raising fairy types. We have no idea where Brianna is though."
"She has 3 ribbons and no losses as far as I know, but I wouldn't be surprised if she shows up at our next one just to notch another victory over Serena." May said with annoyance in her voice. "We all know of the Wallace Cup and how the three favorites will almost certainly enter it with 4 ribbons for sure, but Brianna has 3 and only one win over Serena. It wouldn't surprise me if she's biding her time for the 4th until a time she can beat Serena again, and you for that matter."
"Well, I beat Jessilina, I can beat her." Serena said seriously. "It may have been luck, type and a surprise evolution, but I won the Coumarine Contest against her."
"Wait you did?" Emily asked her eyes wide. "That's amazing, congrats."
"It showed I can do it, but it wasn't due to skill as without that evolution I would have lost despite a type advantage, so I need to get better." Serena said. "If things happen, we might be able to hit the Laverre Contest depending on the time it takes to reach Laverre."
"Enter the fighting competition with me then." Adam said seriously. "At least Ash, you should."
"What?" Ash asked getting up to join the group as Iris continued to play with Goomy, Pikachu, and Axew. "Did you say a fighting competition? As in something that only fighting types can enter?"
"Yeah there's a special annual competition that Kalos holds every year." Adam said as she suddenly began to ruffle in his bag for something. "On sec, I have a flyer for it somewhere. It was being advertised in the Pokémon Center, so I grabbed one to look at when I had a moment."
The Hoenn boy then produced a small, crumpled flyer from the bag. He handed it to Ash and Ash looked at it to see a picture of a purple, black, and red Hawlucha posing in victory in the middle of a ring with he lights on it. Curious, Ash opened the flyer to see more about it.
"That's has to be shiny Hawlucha." Misty noted as Ash began to read it. "Because it doesn't look like yours and yours is the normal variant."
"Yes, that's actually the best Pokémon in the history of the tournament." Adam said excitedly. "It won 5 years in a row but had to retire due to an injury it suffered a few years ago and is now an actor with its trainer or something, I'm hoping to meet it one day while we are here but it's a traveling show at the moment so hard to pin down. This year the tournament is open it seems and it is a special kinda competition."
"No kidding." Ash said his eyes wide as he skimmed the rules in the flyer. "So long as you have a fighting type you can enter but the rules are simple, only raw strength, no moves can be used or else the Pokémon is disqualified. The Pokémon fight with their raw power and general fighting skills to display their type in the purest expression of fighting type Pokémon according to this flyer."
"What about the trainers?" May asked curious. "What do they do?"
"They serve as coaches apparently." Adam said. "So, encouragement and recommended technique if they know it, though a lot does rest on the Pokémon's own skills beyond what a trainer can teach it. Plus, you can enter as many as possible so I'm entering all 6 that I currently have one me."
"In that case then I can't say no to this." Ash said closing the flyer and handing it back to Adam, he'd get his own at the Pokémon Center later. "I have 3 fighting types now so all will enter it."
"Really, you have more than that just that Riolu you brought to Kalos?" Adam asked. "Which other ones did you catch? I heard Misty say that you had a Hawlucha so that has to be the second one but what's the third?"
"Well, Riolu evolved into Lucario against Korrina." Adam said with a grin. "And I caught a Conkeldurr on the same day I befriended and caught Hawlucha while walking through a forest after Geosenge. Both have fought with me already and this could be a great bonding experience to deepen our bonds further."
"Man, that is so cool." Adam said clearly a little jealous at the Pokémon Ash had caught. "Korrina was an amazing gym leader, so fluid and mobile in her style when I faced her. I learned so much from my two battles with her. She's a lot like Brawly in that way. I'm more raw power like Chuck and Marshal but I am always looking for new techniques to incorporate into my training. Plus, some fighting types like Mienshao are better suited to a more fluid approach while raw powerhouses like Machamp work better with the direct one."
"She really is something." Ash agreed. "Our battle was really fun. She pushed me hard, but I won first time and against her Mega Lucario, so she really brought it to me in that battle."
Misty noticed that Emily looked oddly uncomfortable at the mention of Korrina and smirked at that. Things were starting to line up for the girl from Kanto, but this wasn't the time to talk to her, Misty would find a moment soon to talk to her friend about this and with this fighting tournament it seemed that she would have a chance to do so around it.
"We should all enter it." Misty said getting their attention. "Ash isn't the only one with a fighting type, all 3 of us have at least one fighting type, right?"
"Yeah this will be a great chance for Blaziken." May said with a nod. "It will be good for us to really show off our bond as he's my starter and always by my side."
"And Pancham could learn some more moves from this while showing off how a Showcase Pokémon does uses his training in conjunction with his type." Serena said. "Plus, we have the time so why not."
"The tournament lasts a week and there's a special prize for the winner apparently." Adam said clearly really hyped for the tournament. "I'm hoping one of my 6 can win it."
"Who are you entering?" Ash asked. "I remember you have a Makuhita and that it was your starter but that's it."
"I also have Scrafty, Poliwrath, Pangoro, Hitmonlee, and Medicham on me." Adam said almost instantly. "So, I'll be using those ones when the time comes. I'm trying to find a Croagunk or Toxicroak here though, that would give me the best counter to a fairy type other than against a Mawile or Klefki but their steel types mean they aren't resistant to fighting type attacks so I can handle them fine. My Mienshao is back home helping my mom, so I won't bring it in."
"Same with my other fighting types, well at the ranch not with my mom as that is Mimey's job." Ash said. "Heracross, Emboar, Primeape, Scraggy, and Infernape won't come in for this."
"Wait, Misty you have a fighting type now?" Emily asked surprised. "I wasn't expecting that."
"Yup, I caught a Machamp the same time Ash caught his Hawlucha, as well as an Ursaring but that's a long story." Misty said with a nod. "I've also caught a Skrelp and Litleo since we last met."
"Wow, you really do like to branch out, well other than Litleo, that is a Pokémon I can totally see you having." Emily said. "Machamp and Ursaring are ones I can't imagine you having though and I have no idea what a Skrelp looks like."
"Emily, I also have a Mamoswine, Typhlosion, Pinsir, Banette, Malamar, and of all things a Spiritomb." Misty remined her friend. "I branched out a long time ago and it has made me a better trainer because of it."
"Plus, Machamp is a really cool Pokémon and you're so lucky to have one." Adam said enviously. "I can't wait to see it. It's one I really want but the trade evolution issue is annoying to deal with. How'd you get around it?"
"Trade evolution?" Misty asked confused. "I caught mine as is."
"Ah that is how you got around it, that is super lucky to find one in the wild." Adam said. "And yes, Machamp is one of several Pokémon that requires trade energy to evolve for some reason. As you know, Emily has one in Spritzee so I'm hoping to find a Machoke or a Gurdurr that way we can trade, evolve them, and then trade back."
"If they want it of course, I will never force a Pokémon to evolve if it didn't want to." Emily said. "But that is still cool Misty. So, all of you will enter it then?"
"I see no reason not to." Misty said with a shrug. "Sounds fun and we could use some distractions on the way to Laverre."
"If we had one more we might actually be able to fit in the Laverre Contest in as well." May said thinking about everything. "It's in what, 6 weeks' time and we have 3 weeks sorted now with this fighting tournament we're going to enter. Add in a week to travel, we just need a week or so to be distracted long enough to reach Laverre around their fashion week which is when the Contest is being held."
"Then why don't you hit the Fire Festival." Adam said surprising them. "There's one near Laverre and it's after the fighting tournament."
"Fire Festival?" Ash asked. "What's that?"
"Oh yeah, I heard of that." Iris said not looking up from where she was playing. "It's a special festival in the village nearest Laverre that is set for about a month's time or so I think. We heard about it as we passed through. Kiawe loves fire types, has 3 himself in fact, and he really wanted to hit the festival but alas we can't as we will be back in Alola by then."
"What is it?" Misty asked interested. "Sounds interesting at least."
"Basically, it is a week of celebrating fire types and other things related to fire or hotness according to the locals who told us about it when we passed through the village." Iris said. "Events, competitions, tests of firepower, probably battles, hot food, the whole lot. Not sure why they have it, but they do, and it is a yearly thing. They even have fire related items for Pokémon there that are usually hard to find. I heard that they were even requesting a special-order form Geosenge for something but that's all."
"We all have fire types as well as fighting type, May's is actually a dual type with both in fact." Ash said looking around. "Fletchinder, Litleo, Vulpix, Blaziken, Braixen, they'd all love it, I'm sure of it. I may even bring in Charizard for it if it is a celebration of fire types."
"That does sound fun." Serena said. "And if it is a festival it will be different from a usual battle tournament or the other things we are used to so we should do it."
"It will keep the distractions up and ensure we hit Laverre around the right time even if we have to hang around for a bit." May said with a nod. "I don't see why not; we have plenty of time so let's do it."
"What about you two." Misty asked. "Will you be there as well?"
"No fire types, no reason to go." Emily said shaking her head. "There isn't a fire and fairy type apparently while Adam doesn't have any of the dual fire and fighting types."
"They're all starter options for some reason, well evolved from starters that is." Adam said. "If I didn't have Makuhita then I would have gone with Torchic for that reason, but I will one day get one of the fire and fighting types."
"Plus, the Contest I want to hit is during that week, so we need to be at that." Emily said. "As such we will be missing it."
"That is strange, I'd never realized that all the fire and fighting types were evolved from the fire type starter options in Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova but they are." Ash said thinking on what Adam had said. "Oh well, I have two of them and they're great so I'm not going to question it and it looks like we have a plan now."
"Yup, two type specific events and then we hit Laverre in time for fashion week and the Contest there." May said. "Works out perfectly just as it usually does with Ash. Plus, it slows us down enough to reach Dendemille in time for the Showcase there, so we are doing well without having to wait someplace twiddling our thumbs for a bit to force a slow down before the Wallace Cup."
The others just nodded. It looked like they had their next few adventures planned and it was certainly going to be interesting to see how they played out. However first they were at an Alolan fair and thus wanted to learn more about the region. Thankfully, just then there was a whine from a mic, and they turned to the stage to see the 4 Alolans that they'd met, along with a 5th who they hadn't met yet, standing on the stage. It looked like it was about to start.
The newest guy looked to be the oldest of the lot, or at least the one with the most experience to Ash given how he held himself on the stage. He was also the most simplistic of the lot in terms of appearance. All the man wore was a pair of red shorts with darker red waistline, cuffs and a stripe down each side and a pair of red and black sandals. He also had two dark red pouches at his hips with some sort of leaf-like design on the side.
He was also by far the most different of the lot as his skin was dark while his black hair standing up on his head and a series of red highlights in it at the base in a look that worked really well for him. Then there were what looked like, from this angle at least, tattoos on his shoulders, something Ash had never seen on anyone their age. He completed his look with a cord necklace that had some feathers or charms on it with the same four-point charm as the others at the center though his color was blood red. He also wore a strange white watch on his left wrist.
"Who's the 5th guy?" Ash asked Iris as she stood up to watch the presentation with Goomy now in her arms. "I'm sure you've mentioned him, but can you tell me a bit more about him."
"That's Kiawe." Iris said. "He's the only one not from Hau'oli City, the largest city in Alola and probably the best trainer there besides me. I'd say he's one of the favorites for the inaugural Alola Conference, but you'll learn more about that during the presentation. Course I'm entering as well, and I intend on beating him and winning it myself. Plus, he has a dragon type, so we get along well."
"The others mentioned him." Misty said recalling the name a bit of what was said. "A fire specialist, right?"
"As close as you can get in Alola yes and around my level with his type, well probably a bit below as I have more experience." Iris said with a nod. "All but Lillie has a specialty, or at least a preference, right now. Sophocles is electric as you know, Kiawe is fire, Lana is water and Mallow is grass. Now shut up and listen, they've worked hard to present this for everyone so pay attention."
They just did that as Mallow, who was standing in the center with the guys on her right and girls on her left tapped the microphone in her hand to get everyone's attention. It was time for them to learn more about Alola.
"Thank you all for coming to our little fair here in Kalos as we promote our home region of Alola and why you should definitely come visit." Mallow said into the mic as the screen behind her showed an image of 4 islands that formed an arc shape with a few special Xs in various places on the water. "As you can see, our home is a little different from other regions as Alola is the only region that is made up of four islands, Melemele, Akala, Ula'ula, and Poni, along with a 5th artificial island that is the headquarters of the Aether Foundation and is called Aether Paradise. Other regions have an island or two, or even a chain, but our region is 4 large and unique islands."
"We will get into the islands in a moment but first off, the climate of Alola is very different from other regions." Lana said taking over. "It's much warmer than others as we sit near the equator of the world though the islands themselves have varied conditions on them and Mount Lanakila is tall enough to have snow on it year-round, so we do know what that is."
"It is this climate that has led to some changes in our Pokémon." Lillie said holding up Snowy as some of the crowd chuckled at Lana's statement. "I know that Vulpixes aren't common in Kalos but in Kanto, where they are considered to be originally from, they are fire types, but they adapted differently after they came to Alola millennia ago and are actually ice types there. This is the same with several other Pokémon species that are considered Kantonian globally but in Alola have different forms due to our environment."
"The actual history and understanding of this phenomenon is still unclear beyond the theory of our different environment being the key factor to how some Pokémon adapted differently there." Sophocles added. "But we have material on all our regional forms and the oddities of them as some only change when they evolve in the Alola region. For example, if you have a Pikachu and use a Thunder Stone on it in Alola it will evolve into a Raichu that adds a psychic type upon evolution regardless of where that Pikachu is from and which looks different from a standard Raichu to everyone else, it's standard to us."
"It is both our weather and unique Pokémon that have led to Alola being a big tourist attraction from all over the world, especially my home island of Akala." Kiawe said speaking for the first time. "That is the main attraction of Alola, but we are more than a region for tourists to come and have fun in the sun, we have our own rich and unique culture that is different from other regions."
"The best example of this is that unlike all the other known regions, Alola does not have Pokémon gyms and we will continue to not have them for the foreseeable future." Mallow said which really surprised the crowd. "Rather we have what are called Island Challenges with at least one per island that has special rewards that are only given on Alola so that's another reason to come to us as we have something to offer the world that no other region has. Kiawe, if you would."
"Right." Kiawe said holding up his left wrist showing his watch thing on it. "This is my Z-Ring and I have a Z-Crystal for it that I received it from Olivia who runs the Grand Trial on Akala island and am currently the only one in the class to have one. With this and the crystal I can use a powerful Z-Move with one of my Pokémon."
"Z-Moves are powerful moves that a Pokémon can use providing that they have a move of the corresponding type." Sophocles explained. "There are 17 type Z-Crystals that are currently known though it is believed that the new fairy type has one as well but has yet to be confirmed. Using one of these Z-Crystals, such as the Firium Z that Kiawe has, and a Pokémon's known move of that type creates the Z-Move. In addition to these type-based Z-Crystals, there are Pokémon specific Z-Crystals similar to Mega Stones being specific to a certain Pokémon species that exist as well. We have the full list of currently known specific ones for those interested."
"In addition, for the Pokémon specific Z-Crystals, the move that gets powered up is specific to the Z-Crystal." Lillie added. "And it is known that there are multiple Z-Crystals for the same Pokémon as it has been confirmed that Pikachu has multiple specific Z-Crystals but those are rare case."
"However, the origins of shrouded in mystery and legend and are the ongoing source of Professor Kukui's research." Lana said. "He's the Alola region's Pokémon Professor akin to Professor Sycamore here. However, only trainers who are successful in the Island Challenges can receive a Z-Ring and Z-Crystal as of right now. Currently the rest of us are training to take on a challenge for our chosen type for this reason."
"So yes that is another reason to come and visit Alola as these things can only be obtained in Alola though they will work outside of our region." Mallow said with a grin. "And we have material on Z-Moves, Z-Crystals, and the Island Challenges if you want to learn more."
"They sound so cool." Ash said as they listened, as did Pikachu as he could get multiple of these moves if they ever spent extended time in Alola. "Why don't you have one Iris?"
"I haven't taken a challenge yet, but I will and then I'll get the dragon type Z-Crystal." Iris whispered. "Now shut up."
"In addition to this, we live in harmony in a close coexistence with our Pokémon and few of us own more than 3." Lana said continuing their presentation. "Instead, many are communal in a sense as we need them to travel from island to island which is different to other regions and seldom do we keep them in their Poke Balls when we are back home, well at least us 5 don't."
"Kinda like how I traveled the Orange Islands on Lapras." Ash said before Iris glared at him to shut up again.
"This is something that comes from the fact that each island has a guardian deity Pokémon." Lillie said as the screen changed to show 4 black Pokémon with various designs and additions that looked rather fancy. "These are our guardian deities, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini. They are connected to the Z-Moves and Z-Crystals as well, that is why they are unique to Alola."
"So, onto the islands." Mallow said as a large, shallow crescent shaped island with large tree covered mountains appeared on the screen. "This is Melemele, the island where we go to school and where all of us, but Kiawe, are from. We live in Hau'oli City, the largest city in Alola and like almost all of our cities it is on the coast as those are the best places in our region to set up a city for many reasons. That said, we do have a few inland cities as well."
"Tapu Koko is the guardian deity of Melemele." Sophocles said as the image of the legendary Pokémon with large yellow wing things and an orange plumage and base appeared. "It's an electric type and oversees the island."
"However, Professor Kukui does believe that all four of our guardian deities have added a fairy type recently as part of that new type's sudden appearance 2 years ago that led to the reclassification of over 40 Pokémon and counting." Mallow added as Iris shivered at that, she hated the new type and the fact that more were still being confirmed annoyed her even more. "But this is unconfirmed for all the guardian deities as confirmation like that is hard to conduct with them. For now, though, we will only say what their known types are."
"Continuing on, let's take a look at my own home island of Akala." Kiawe added as the picture changed to show an island that looked smaller with a smoking volcano in the center. "And as you can tell, Akala is the only island with an active volcano on it. Our guardian deity is Tapu Lele who's known type is psychic."
The image added a picture of the legendary Pokémon that looked like in was in a large, decorated, pink pot thing with a matching had and dark pink hair. It was certainly a strange one but of all of them it looked like the most likely to be a fairy type as well as its known type.
"Then we have the largest island, Ula'ula." Lillie said as the picture changed to show a vast island with forests, rocky mountains, and even a snow capped one in the center. "Of all our islands it has the most varied climate and the only place where you can find snow in Alola. The guardian deity here is Tapu Bulu which we know is at least a grass type."
The image of the legendary Pokémon what seemed to have two legs and a tail capped with golden markings, a red wing thing and gold tipped pincers appeared. Ash had no idea what he was looking at and it certainly didn't look like a grass type, rather it looked more like a bug type, but the Alolans knew best.
"Lastly we have Poni Island." Lana said as the image turned to show an island covered in trees with a rocky plateau of sorts in the center. "This is the least populous of the Alolan islands so a great place to go and train and we have done class and individual projects here in the past. Its guardian deity is Tapa Fini which is a water type."
The image of the last legendary guardian appeared and showed a Pokémon in what looked like an open purple clam thing that had a spike at the top and a dorsal fin with white markings on it. It was clearly related to the others and Ash had no problem believing it was a water type.
"That is just a general overview of Alola, if you want more specifics about each island, the Pokémon there, Island Challenges, Z-Moves, or whatever else you want to know just ask us as we are around all afternoon, but there is one more thing we have to add." Mallow said as the image changed to show a man-made stadium of sorts on the water. "For the first time ever, Alola is having a Pokémon League Conference and it will be held here at Manalo Stadium and thus is going to be called the Manalo Conference."
"Alola has for years been considering this and after the Contest Committee approached the region to include it in its expansion to new regions beyond the usual 4 it was decided that we would have a Conference as well." Kiawe said with a grin. "Which I for one am thrilled with. As it is our first, it is open to all who wish to enter, and we are expecting a good number of trainers in it though the Alola League is keeping the rules close to the vest and won't reveal them until right before the Conference starts."
"Naturally we are all entering." Lana said. "And it will be at the end of the year as part of our big year end celebrations where we crown our first Champion. It is set to be shortly after our first Grand Festival but as Kalos is expanding as well in the Contest circuit you've no doubt already heard all of that before, so we won't go into it as it is following the same rules as in Kalos regarding qualification though we do not have the 4 Pokémon requirement that Kalos has."
"So yeah that is our spiel but there is one more thing we want to do before we wrap this up." Mallow said with a grin. "We want to show off how our Pokémon perform in battle, and I'm told there's a girl here from Kanto, our sister region in a lot of ways, so could she please come up. I'd like to battle you and if you win we have a prize for you, something special we've brought from Alola."
"Go on Emily." Misty said pushing her friend a little to get her to go forward as everyone began looking at them. "It will be fun. I did one of these in Sinnoh once at a Johto Festival there and the prize was worth it."
"It will also give me a great chance to see how an Alolan Pokémon fights." Adam added and that got Emily to move as the crowd began clapping for her. "I know you can win it Emily."
Misty just smiled at her friend as she made her way to the stage looking a little embarrassed by the attention but determined regardless. As Emily was walking, all but Mallow left the stage but didn't go too far it seemed while Mallow stepped back and pulled out a Poke Ball in preparation of the coming battle.
"This is something we've done in each place we've held the fair." Iris said to them as Emily made her way to the stage. "We brought the prizes with us as a way to further show off Alola to more people though we have tried to choose a different region's native each time. I wonder which one they'll give her."
"Do you think that Emily will win?" Serena asked. "She's a good coordinator but how good is Mallow in a Pokémon battle."
"Will depend on Pokémon but if Emily has the experience from a Grand Festival she'll have the edge in this one." Iris said as Emily reached the stage and climbed on it. "Her experienced Contest style battling could throw Mallow. However, she's got her own skills so let's see."
"What's your name?" Mallow asked as Emily stood before her. "I'm Mallow by the way."
"Emily and as I told the redhead I met earlier, Sophocles I think his name was, I'm from Mt. Moon in Kanto but I'm a coordinator on the Kalos circuit this year." Emily said. "So how do you want to do this?"
"Standard battle if that's ok with you, but if you have your starter on you I'd like to face it." Mallow said as she tossed out her Poke Ball. "I'm going with Steenee, my own starter so it would be better this way."
"Then I will match that with my starter who I always have on me." Emily said as she pulled out a Poke Ball while Steenee appeared before her though Misty noted that Emily didn't seem fazed by the unfamiliar Pokémon she was facing. "Clefable, fairy lights."
"You didn't go for a normal starter then either, interesting" Mallow said as Clefable appeared before Emily and caused Iris to cower behind Ash at the sight of it. "And that is a really cute Pokémon by the way."
"Thanks, I am a fairy trainer now that I know that all the Pokémon I have are either fairy types or can become one." Emily said. "Yours is a grass type right? Or at least a part grass type based on its appearance."
"Correct, second stage in fact." Mallow said with a nod. "Though this is not the grass starter in Alola, that's Rowlett. I got her as a Bounsweet from my mother."
"Her, damn there goes one of my advantages." Emily said confusing Mallow, but Misty knew what Clefable's ability was and that it was a girl, so it wasn't going to work on Steenee. "And I found Clefable as a Cleffa and nursed it until I could catch her. She's evolved twice since then so technically she's a third stage fully evolved Pokémon but as Cleffa is a baby Pokémon there is some confusion over what stage Clefable really is. Regardless, she's fully evolved and can't Mega Evolve, not that I have a Key Stone."
"There is?" Mallow asked. "Surely two evolutions makes a Pokémon a third stage?"
"According to my friend, baby Pokémon are special because some of them require specific breeding conditions to be produced and they can't reproduce themselves so there's an ongoing debate on what to classify them as." Emily said. "Some consider them stage 1, others stage 0 though I am not sure what the status of Cleffa is as I don't believe it requires a special breeding technique, so I just consider my Clefable a third stage as she's evolved twice."
"Your friend is well informed it seems." Mallow said a little taken aback by depth of the issue. "We've not really addressed breeding yet so I can't comment on it."
"He loves Pokémon so it's understandable." Emily said. "Now, shall we do this?"
"Of course." Mallow said. "Steenee, start with Magical Leaf. We can't miss with that."
"Clefable, brace for the hit and use Sing." Emily said. "Put it to sleep."
Misty watched as Steenee produced the strange leaf that Misty had seen Ash's Meganium use before and send it at Clefable. It was an attack that didn't miss except in a few very specific situations, but Misty had faced Emily's Clefable many times, that attack wouldn't bring it down. Clefable clearly knew that as well as she just closed her eyes and began to sing, notes appearing as they floated across the stage at Steenee.
"Dance and dodge it." Mallow said. "Don't let Clefable put you to sleep."
The Magical Leaf swerved around the notes and struck Clefable staggering her, but she kept the singing up as Steenee tried to avoid them. She was good for sure, and in a Contest she'd take some of Emily points with her dodges of the notes, but eventually a note struck her in the face, and she dropped like a stone snoring as she lay there.
"Sorry." Emily said. "Clefable knows this move as a counter to my mentor's Mamoswine who's beaten her multiple times now so I can't pass up this opportunity. Flamethrower."
"Steenee, wake up." Mallow pleaded but it was not going to work as the gout of flames burst from Clefable's mouth and doused Steenee where she lay.
When the fires died down Steenee was still asleep only more charred and badly damaged from the super effective move. It was surprising that she didn't wake up, but Misty already knew that it was over, she knew what Emily had in store next as it was part of Clefable's combo arsenal.
"I'm a coordinator with a Pokémon that has a sleep attack." Emily said. "This move is a must for my tactics. Clefable, Wake-up Slap."
Clefable walked forward and before Mallow could act, she slapped Steenee hard across the face as hard as she could. The fighting type attack was twice as effective with her opponent asleep, and it was too much for Steenee after the Flamethrower. Instead of waking up, her eyes just went from closed to swirls to show that she'd lost.
"Damn, that is impressive." Mallow said as she returned Steenee and thanked her quietly before adding. "I'd be honored if you could teach me some of that."
"Sure." Emily said with a smile as she recalled Clefable much to Iris's relief. "Combos like that are great in Contests, helped me beat some tough Pokémon in the past even if my mentor is still out of my reach right now."
"I bet and now for your reward." Mallow said as Lana came back onto the stage with Lillie holding a box that she put down in front of Emily. "A present from Alola for our victor."
With that Lana removed the lid of the box to reveal a Pokémon egg in an incubator. The egg was pure white with off blue splotches on it and one pale blue one in the center. Misty just saw Emily gape at the egg that was her prize.
"That's for me?" Emily asked looking at Mallow with shock in her eyes.
"Correct." Mallow said with a smile. "It contains an Alolan Pokémon and as it's the same as an egg we all looked after back at school, we know what it is. We chose it for you because it is going to be an Alolan variant of a Kanto Pokémon."
"And one that can add a fairy type upon evolution, if you can find the item you need that is." Lillie said with a smile at Emily. "So, it's fitting for you."
"Th, thank you." Emily said as she picked it up. "I should probably go get it looked at at the Pokémon Center to get a sense for when it might hatch."
"A good idea, I'll come with you." Lillie said with a smile. "I can explain what to expect from it."
Misty was confused by this, but Emily just nodded and left the stage with Lillie as Mallow and Lana moved to the center of it. It looked like they were about to wrap things up.
"I hope you all were entertained by that and enjoyed but a taste of what Alola has to offer." Mallow said with a smile. "We have stalls to explain more things in detail if you are interested and to show off all that our beautiful region has to offer so don't hesitate to ask us about whatever you want to know. We're around all afternoon at least."
"I'd better go and check up on Emily and then make plans with her regarding when we are moving on." Adam said. "See you guys at the fighting tournament."
"See you then." Ash said as Adam left while Mallow and Lana wrapped up the presentation.
"Do you know what that egg is?" Misty asked Iris. "Mallow said that your class had seen it before so you must have an idea."
"I am pretty certain I know what it is." Iris said with a nod. "It's just like one I saw hatch, so I am sure I know it and it seems fitting for your friend even if I wouldn't want to be near it, but I'll let it be a surprise. For now, let's go find Kiawe so you can meet the last of us. I have a feeling that he will get along with Ash pretty well as he loves to battle."
"Well, who doesn't, and I will take on anyone who wants to face me." Ash said with a grin. "I love a good battle."
"That's the spirit." A voice said and they turned to see Kiawe coming to them with Sophocles. "There you are Iris, Sophocles and Mallow told me about what happened right before the presentation. So, this is the famous Ash Ketchum I've heard so much about."
"Good things I hope." Ash said holding out his hand to Kiawe. "A pleasure to meet you formally, I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town in Kanto."
"Kiawe and as you heard I'm from Akala Island out in Alola." Kiawe said shaking Ash's hand and now that he was up close Ash saw that the black thing on his shoulders was a shall like item and not a tattoo as he'd initially suspected. "I've heard you're quite the battler according to Iris, runner up in the Indigo Conference in fact. That is very impressive given how competitive and challenging that Conference is. I can't say I've faced someone your kinda resume."
"I almost won it as well, came down to the last second but it's my motivation to win it all this year." Ash said with a grin. "And if you want to battle I am more than game."
"Definitely." Kiawe said. "I'd love to face a fire type of yours if possible. Iris told me of your Charizard and how powerful it is so that's the one I'd like to face if it is possible."
"My Charizard is back in Lumiose City at the moment, but I can bring him in if you really want to face him." Ash said. "Though I should warn you, he is my best."
"All the more reason to face it." Kiawe said with a grin of excitement. "I have one myself, but I mainly use him for travel plus Iris has told me of your love for Pokémon so how about facing one of my Alolan native Pokémon instead, it would be a first for you I expect. I have a Turtonator and a Marowak so take your pick."
"I've actually faced an Alolan Marowak in Kanto before, a gym leader I was having a training battle with had one that's how I learned of the regional forms that exist in Alola." Ash said surprising Kiawe. "But I'd be honored to face your Turtonator, I've never faced a Pokémon that is Alolan and not a variant of a Pokémon I already know before so that is the best one for me to battle."
"Togedemaru and I want in on this as well." Sophocles said as the small Pokémon that was on his shoulder again bobbed her body in agreement with her trainer. "And we want to face your Pikachu, we've heard so much about him and I really want to see what he can do in battle."
"Sure, I'll take you both on at the same time then." Ash said with a grin. "Pikachu, how about it? You and Charizard verses some Alolan Pokémon, sounds like a good battle for us."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a grin and a nod, he was more than down for that, and he and Charizard wouldn't lose this for Ash. "Pi, Pikachu."
"Then its settled." Ash said looking at the Alolan boys. "How about tomorrow at the Pokémon Center. I need to get Charizard in for it and we have the time to spend here so that makes the most sense time wise for me."
"Works for us as we still have the fair to attend so tomorrow is best for us as well." Sophocles said. "I'm sure the girls will want in as well."
"We can sort that out later though as much as it would be cool to see the two Vulpixes go at it, Misty's has a huge advantage there so maybe not." Iris said. "Unless Lillie agrees that is."
"I'd be fine with that but it's up to her." Misty said. "But I am sure all of us will want to have some battles to see how good your friends are Iris, and nothing helps bond people and Pokémon like battles."
"Definitely as I too want to face Ash and his Goomy with my Drampa." Iris said with a grin of her own. "But I think I actually have to go and do some work now."
"This is an assignment after all, and you do know Alola well enough to promote it Iris." Kiawe said. "So, see you later Ash, we have work to do but I can't wait to face you in battle."
"See you later." Ash said as Kiawe and Sophocles left and were almost immediately questioned by someone about their home region and the nature of Z-Moves.
"I guess that's my cue, but I will see you in the Pokémon Center later and we can properly catch up over diner if I have the energy to do so." Iris said. "I want to hear all about your adventures Ash, they're always a wild ride."
"Likewise, Iris." Ash said as Iris waved by them and went to help her new friends out.
"Pokémon Center then." May suggested once Iris was gone. "We do need to check in and it's been an eventful day so I for one could use a bit of a break."
"It's to be expected when one travels with Ash." Misty said. "But yes I could use a break as well."
"To the Pokémon Center." Ash said as his stomach roared. "And lunch."
The girls just chuckled and shook their heads at that as they followed Ash to the Pokémon Center. It had certainly been an interesting and unexpected day, but this was what they had all come to expect with Ash and now they had concrete plans for the next few months that really worked for them so they couldn't complain.
None of them could wait for those as they all knew that they were going to be interesting for sure. However, they had no idea what was facing them in the upcoming tournament and festival, but they knew that they would be fun adventures along the way to Laverre City and their next major stop on their Kalos adventure.
