Well, here it is, the twenty-first part of the fifth and final installment in my 'Heart' series on the right day as promised. The Kalos journey is officially over, as is the Kalos arc of Champions, so it is time to move onto the next region and for Ash and Dawn that region is one neither have been to but they have friends there so it's time to finally see the Alola region, learn about it, and for Dawn to get her next ribbon. Well that and some other adventures there because that's just what Ash does. That is all the administrative stuff I have for this Part and as there are no guest reviews to respond to or questions to answer I will leave this off here but do please keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all. That is it for this pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Heart of Champions. Part CCX: Alola Over There!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.

Part CCX: Alola Over There!

"Welcome to Melemele International Airport and the Alola region." The captain's voice said over the intercom as the plane came to a stop on the runway that it landed on for a moment before it began to taxi to the gate. "We thank you for flying with us today and hope you enjoy your time in this beautiful region."

"Well we made it." Ash said with a grin as he looked over at Dawn next to him. "Another region for us to see and learn about."

"Can't wait." Dawn said smiling back at him as the plane slowly made its way to the gate. "And Iris and her friends who we met in Kalos should be waiting for us in the arrivals area so we're going to hit the ground running which is just what we need given how little time we'll have in Alola compared to how long you usually spend in a region."

Dawn was right of course, they had to get off to a strong start in Alola after taking a little too long to wrap up things in Kalos regarding Dawn's path to the Majestic Festival but she'd managed it on the third attempt at getting the Kalos Ribbon that she needed as part of the qualification requirement. After two disappointing losses, the first being a major upset to a performer who if she focused would be a truly talented coordinator, Dawn finally won and over her fellow Master Class finalist and friend Kaleigh.

That Contest had really helped Kayleigh as much as it had Dawn as the Kalos woman was now committed to them for the year and Dawn was certain Kayleigh could do well. In fact Dawn had spent the evening with Kayleigh giving her tips and left her with her contact information so that she could advice Kayleigh if she wanted it. Kayleigh promised she'd contact Dawn and Dawn was looking forward to keeping an eye on Kayleigh's Kalos Contest journey this year as she felt that her friend could go far as a coordinator.

However, that was going to be in the background as Dawn focused on her own journey to the Majestic Festival. She was one step towards it and now it was time to get that next one as she and Ash left Kalos, officially ending their journey there with no fanfare after the Conflagration Contest as the trip to Coumarine City and the airport there was uneventful, and coming to Alola for the next ribbon that Dawn needed. In that vein it was finally time for new outfits to signal the official start of their new journey and Dawn loved her new outfit.

Like before she'd stuck to a similar style but changed it up just enough to be new and different to signal her latest journey as a coordinator. As such, she'd gone for a white vest over a simple black, strapless top that was done up over her midriff and high enough to not show any cleavage while leaving her locked on clear display.

For bottoms she'd switching back to a skirt from the shorts she'd worn in Kalos. This time though it was a slightly longer skirt, though still pink, with a black crosshatch pattern on it to add some color to it, while also giving it a school girl flare, while also going with the black tights that she was wearing under it.

To complete the look she was wearing pink hiking boots with white soles and laces, a black scarf and a pink beanie with a black Poke Ball design on it that matched her skirt. She also opted to keep the half sleeve over her left forearm to hide the scar there but had added one on her right arm as well for symmetry and to match her top she'd opted for white half sleeves.

It was a whole new look but Dawn wanted it for her upcoming new journey now that Kalos was behind her. The one thing she didn't change though was her hair, she kept that as it was though that was also in part because she was going to change it up for Contests when she could so it was easier to keep her usual style there for day to day activities than go for a whole new style.

Naturally Dawn wasn't the only one going for a new outfit as Ash too was going for a new one now that he was the Champion of Kalos and representing the region as he traveled the world with Dawn and supported her as she worked to secure her place in the Majestic Festival. Thus, and to show how far he'd come, Ash had opted for an outfit that had something from each of his journeys that he'd undertaken as a trainer and which had led him to this position.

Therefore, Ash was wearing the hat he'd worn in Kanto, the top from Kalos, gloves from Sinnoh though the left one had been altered for his Key Stone, pants from Unova, and shoes from Hoenn. Well they were the same styles just new in some cases due to his natural growth over the last near decade he'd been a trainer. The only region not represented was Johto, well and the Orange Islands though they weren't an official region, but that was because he'd worn the same outfit he had in Kanto for it so both were still honored by his hat.

Personally Dawn loved the idea as it was still classic Ash but showed his styles through the years so it was the story of how he became who he became. Now he was almost at the top, the 6th ranked trainer in the world and a regional Champion and going for the top spot in the upcoming PWC. Of course, that made him a target and soon his first challenge would come now that they were in Alola they just didn't know when it would come. Still, they were certain that they'd find out soon enough as they came to a halt and the seatbelt signs went off.

"Well, let's see what Alola is all about." Ash said still grinning as he got up and got their backpacks from the overhead bin, passing Dawn hers, before they began to disembark the plane with the other passengers though none of them paid the young couple any heed. "And what Iris has in store for us on our first day."

"Probably just something to get settled and adjusted to the region after the flight from Kalos." Dawn said as they reached the exit and walked out into the jet bridge to the terminal, no walking onto the tarmac here it seemed, with both of them noting that the terminal was well air conditioned. "We did just arrive so we shouldn't be too busy today, especially because we will be busy soon so relaxing is a good idea today."

"True." Ash said as they exited into the terminal and headed to the arrivals area where they expected to meet Iris and the others. "So long as we can get an overview of the region and a general plan I'll be happy. We likely won't be here long after all."

"Less than a month I'd say so significantly less than the several months you usually spend in a new region." Dawn said. "Challenge wise this is considered to be the weakest Contest region but I've not really looked into the favorites here so I don't know what kind of challenge they'll be and between surprises and Top Coordinators coming here for their Alolan Ribbon I won't be arrogant enough to think that it's a done deal in my first Contest here. Still, I doubt it will be more than 2 Contests to get my Alolan Ribbon. That is the main reason for being here but I think 2 to 3 weeks is enough time to get a general understanding of the region and see at least some of it so that we can come back another time."

"Agreed." Ash said with a nod. "We need to prioritize your Contests but so long as I can see some of the region it will be nice, that and catch some Pokémon and have a good battle or two as well. I wonder…"

"Ash! Dawn! Over here!"

The new voice was one they both knew well and they turned to it and smiled as they saw a familiar, tanned girl with an absolutely massive amount of hair that had a smiling Axew sticking out of it waving at them to get their attention. Iris was here as expected and in the same outfit she'd been in the year before.

To add to it all her friends that they'd met with her were also there and wearing the same things as well so they quickly recognized Kiawe, Sophocles, Mallow, Lillie, and Lana as they made their way over. However there were two newcomers who they didn't know but it wasn't hard to see who they were there with.

That was because they looked like smaller versions of Lana only they had a simple dark yellow headband rather than the more elaborate one Lana wore and matching blue skirts with a lighter blue wave pattern on the hem. They were clearly identical twins with one wearing a pink top with a Slowbro on it and the other a yellow top with a Shelder on it so at least there was going to be a way to tell them apart.

"Alola!" The twin girls said in unison as Ash and Dawn approached them.

"Huh?" Ash asked confused. "We are in Alola, that's right but that didn't sound like you were mentioning the region."

"Alola is how we greet people here." One of the girls said.

"It's also the name of our region as you pointed out." The other said.

"Oh ok." Ash said. "Alola."

"Alola." Dawn added smiling at the young girls and their enthusiasm.

"Piplup." Piplup said from her head.

"Pikachu." Pikachu added.

"Ah! It's a Pikachu! The Pikachu!" The twin girls said in unison jumping up and down as they spoke.

"The one who Iris told us about, who she traveled with in Unova." One of them said. "The one with the really dense trainer who Iris had to help set up with his girlfriend."

"The one who we watched on TV with everyone when Iris's friend won that big battle." The other said. "Well I guess he's Lana's friend too as she did meet him when she visited Kalos last year."

"And the others." The first twin said.

"So can we see Pikachu?" The second added before they both said at the same time. "Please."

"I'm sorry for my sisters' over enthusiastic greeting." Lana said with a slight bow of apology as she put her arms around them. "They're starting at the Pokémon School soon, the class for new trainers as they're going to get their starters next month so they need to be prepared for that. I brought them with me to greet you as we are all going to the school now so it's easier this way. You don't mind if they greet Pikachu, do you Ash?"

"I did tell them all about Pikachu when they asked about my adventures in Unova." Iris added as the twin girls seemed to bounce on their feet. "They especially liked the stories of Pikachu because it is a popular Pokémon in Alola and yours is arguably the most famous in the world after your win over Diantha."

"Well it's up to Pikachu." Ash said looking to Pikachu on his shoulder. "What do you say, Pikachu?"

"Pi, Pikachu." Pikachu said with a smile as he leapt off Ash's shoulder and onto the ground and quickly the twins were on their knees next to him to play while the older teens chatted above them.

"Now be careful Harper, Sarah, Pikachu is a Pokémon so you can't be rough with him." Lana said as they all gathered around. "Just remember that."

"Ok." The twins said in unison.

"Sorry for the disruption." Lana said looking up as the girls began to play with Pikachu's face and commenting on how soft his fur was and were stretching it a little too much. "It's good to see you again, Ash, Dawn. Been awhile since we bumped into you in Kalos, that was a lot of fun and we learned so much from you two as well as your friends May and Serena."

"Yeah as soon as Iris said you were coming we all wanted to be here to welcome you." Mallow said smiling at them. "We had a great time with you guys in Kalos so we couldn't wait to see you again. Though I must ask, where are May and Serena? I was hoping to see them as well."

"They've gone on their own journeys just as we are on our next one." Dawn answered. "Serena didn't win the Kalos Grand Festival so she went to Unova to compete there and grow some more as she still has some growing to do before she can challenge Aria for her crown again. May, like me, is a Top Coordinator so she's also going for the Majestic Festival but after she beat me in a recent Contest in Kalos she too went on her own journey so as to reach it her own way, which I respect and it works better that way as now we can both work hard and surprise each other when we meet up in Unova for the Wallace Cup. I'm sure she'll be in Alola later in the year."

"May's already messaged me, she's got her Hoenn Contest later this week and then is planning on heading to Sinnoh for a Contest there before the end of the month and then she's either coming here or going to Galar depending on what is more convenient." Iris said. "So we'll see her later in the year, I'm sure of it and we'll give her the same greeting we gave you."

"Oh yes we will, that is good to hear." Mallow said happily. "You've got to teach me some moves Dawn. We're all trying for the Alola Grand Festival this year, well all us girls that is, so we could use some pointers for how to smooth out our Contest styles."

"Yeah the boys want another crack at the Conference, as does Iris though she's doing both." Lillie said. "But we decided to go for the Grand Festival instead, though we can reenter the Conference if we want as there are still no gyms in Alola though they are coming, so any tips will be nice."

"But don't expect us to enter a Contest with you." Lana added. "We're no fools to think we're at the point where we can go up against the Prodigy of Sinnoh in a Contest, especially when she really has to win as soon as possible. Well, most of us aren't."

"I on the other hand am strong enough to try it." Iris said boldly, which was to be expected and as she'd actually beaten Dawn in a battle she could back that up even if it wasn't a Contest style battle and her recently caught Dragonite wasn't being the most responsive Pokémon at the time. "I even made it to Manalo Conference final last year but I lost it so I feel Contests can help a lot for my second crack at it and I want to face you Dawn. There are a few favorites, one I expect to show up in the next Contest, which is coming up soon I think, but for this I'm your main rival."

"Bring it on then." Dawn said with a grin. "I enjoy it when I have a rival who can push me in a Contest and I know you can do that Iris. I had a bit of a rocky start to my return to the circuit back in Kalos so I fully intend to rectify that here but I want a challenge."

"Oh I intend to challenge you." Iris said. "Don't worry about that. I've gotten a lot stronger since you and I last battled in Unova."

"And Sophocles and I want another round with Ash." Kiawe said as the rotund boy nodded next to him. "You showed us just how good you were last time, and it was so much fun to face two of the Pokémon you used against Diantha, so we can learn even more from a second battle with Ash."

"As the girls said we are both going for Conference again so this will help." Sophocles said. "Any help will…"

"Pikachu!"

"Piplup!" Piplup yelled at almost the exact same time as he leapt off Dawn's head and at Ash his wings flapping in the air even though they wouldn't do a thing. "Pip, Piplup!"

The yells from Ash and Dawn's starters got everyone's attention but before they could do anything Piplup slammed beak first into Ash's face and clung on for dear life right before Pikachu unleashed a massive blast of electricity. Said electricity fried Harper and Sarah, who were the intended targets as they'd been playing with Pikachu's face too roughly, before spreading out around him as he'd just discharged it without thinking of who else might be hit.

As it did it branched off into 5 streams that slammed home at nearly the same time, each striking its target cleanly in the chest. Those hit were Lana, who was nearest her sisters, Mallow, Lillie, Iris, and Dawn who had let go of Ash's hand at the yell from her starter so that she could try and catch him and which had inadvertently saved Ash. However, only Piplup had had the sense as Axew, who was still in Iris's hair, and Lillie's Alolan Vulpix Snowy, who was in her arms, were caught up in the blast as well.

The girls all screamed as they were fried for a few seconds while the electricity ran its course through them before it ended and they fell back to lie singed on the ground, their bodies smoking and hair all puffy as they twitched and groaned in pain. It took a few moments for Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles to process it, and for Ash to pull a now smug Piplup off his face, but finally they did and the important thing was addressed.

"I gotta ask." Kiawe said as he looked around the arrivals area and the twitching girls on the floor as Pikachu sat up and looked around with confusion as he'd only meant to fry the two small humans, not all the human females though he was more confused by how Ash and the other two males hadn't been hit by the blast than by anything else. "Why is it only the girls who were effected?"

"It was almost like it went right for them." Sophocles said as he thought on it. "A most unusual phenomenon."

"It's kinda what happens with Pikachu." Ash said with a sigh as the girls began to come around. "Every time Pikachu and I visit a new region he always fries at least one girl on the first day there, or if not her then her bike. This actually started in Kanto on my first day as a trainer and has affected all new regions I've been to other than Johto but that might be because I went to Johto with Misty and Brock and didn't meet a new companion there."

"Yeah I can attest to that." Iris said with a cough that expelled a bit of soot as she sat up. "I kinda did the same thing with Pikachu when I first met him in Unova. I'd never seen one before so I got a little too excited when I got to hold him."

"Axew." Axew said with a nod remembering that well and was annoyed at himself for getting caught up in the blast again. "Ax, Axew."

"I had my bike destroyed but I did think Pikachu was wild and tried to catch him." Dawn said as she sat up. "Guess I should have seen this coming though. Bonnie did the same thing in Kalos and when I was a kid I was just like that with a Plusle and Minun."

"Harper, Sarah, what did you learn?" Lana said as she sat up and looked at her still downed twin sisters.

"That electricity hurts." One of the twins said.

"And to avoid it." The other added as the girls lay there.

"Well yes that is true but what else." Lana said as the others got up and Lillie made sure that Snowy was ok. "What important lesson did you learn."

"Er…" The twins said.

"Be gentle with a Pokémon." Lana said though not unkindly as she bent down to make sure her sisters were ok and help them up. "You'll learn more in school."

"Ok." The girls said in unison. "We can't wait to start."

"And you will soon." Lana said as she helped her sisters up while the other girls brushed themselves off or in Lillie's case picked Snowy up. "After that I think that now is as good a time as ever to head there."

"How are we going to get there?" Ash asked as he handed Piplup to Dawn who took the still smug Penguin Pokémon and put him on her head though she couldn't begrudge him this time as he had had the sense to leap to safety unlike her. "This is a large group and neither Dawn nor I know the region at all. We're hoping to learn more about it actually."

"And you will, Professors Kukui and Samson are there waiting for you so I'm sure they will give you an overview as soon as you ask." Iris said as she began to lead the group out while Mallow and Lillie grumbled at how the boys were unaffected. "They can answer any questions that you may have, we all can actually."

"And as for getting there don't worry about that." Lana said as Ash and Dawn were led out of the airport and suddenly blasted by the heat as they left the air conditioned airport. "They booked a minibus for us. You are a regional Champion, Ash, you do get some privileges and Kukui really wants to meet you so he made sure you can come to the school as soon as possible."

"Perks of all that hard work, Champion." Dawn said taking Ash's hand as they walked to an unassuming white minibus that was clearly for them. "Though damn is it hot here."

"Alola is a tropical region." Mallow explained as they reached the minibus and got in with the boys taking the back row, Lana and her sisters the next, then Lillie and Mallow and finally Ash and Dawn in the row behind the driver while Iris got in the front and the doors closed. "It's the hottest region on average."

"There are only 4 islands here so it's also the smallest region in terms of landmass." Kiawe said. "However we do have a good range of climates. That said there is only one place where there's snow or ice year round and that's Mount Lanakila on Ula'ula Island. It's also where the Alola Pokémon League's headquarters are though the Contest Committee opted not to join them there when it was set up. That said it's not where the Conference is held though it was considered as the location for it."

"That's in Manalo Stadium, a large floating structure near Aether Paradise." Sophocles explained as the bus pulled away, the AC mercifully blasting, and they were driven away from the airport that Ash and Dawn noted wasn't in a city but rather on the outskirts of it which given the size of Alola made sense. "That's a large floating structure that's a research lab here in Alola and an unofficial 5th island, albeit an artificial one."

"Well all regions have places for research and a floating, artificial, island is a good place for a facility." Dawn said. "We learned a little about your region when you were in Kalos and we saw your presentation so I recall that you have island deities and we know about regional forms but we do want to learn, and see, more now that we are actually in Alola."

"That you will Dawn, don't worry." Iris said as the bus continued on getting further from the city showing that the school was its own campus. "And soon. Today you just need to recover from the plane ride which is a good time to learn a bit about the region in general and besides there is no Contest today on any island, so it all works out. Tomorrow we can go to Hau'oli City, that's the main city here on Melemele and there's a lot of fun stuff to do there to relax that you should enjoy while you're in the region. It will also be the best place to figure out which Contest to hit as there should be one on Melemele Island next week."

"Each island tends to have at least one per month and never the same week as another island so that there is time to hit as many as needed." Mallow said. "Alola Contests aren't as big as the other regions but they are still popular and with the weather they're all outdoors, even the one on Mount Lanakila. That's actually the unique feature of our Contests."

"Yup no fancy dress, no Pokémon limits or registration requirements or team numbers needed." Lana said. "Just fun in the sun, or snow, or whatever the climate is at the time and place of the Contest. They're a little more laid back."

"Though they do allow Mega Evolution, that's universal it seems, while double appeals and battles are an option but only if the Contest in question wants it though the latter does happen in the Grand Festival." Iris said. "However, the one thing that is not allowed are Z-Moves. The Contest Committee is still deciding on how to deal with that as they are quite different to Mega Evolution and the power of them makes them a bit tricky to find a place for them in Contests."

"Makes sense." Dawn said as they pulled up a red road alongside a river and towards a series of circular buildings with a large tree near it and a building on the other side of the river accessible by three bridges while a small oblong of grass in the middle of the red rad and surrounded by palm trees was to the other side while more trees seemed to border the area. "I know they're still considering whether or not to all that unique Galarian thing as well though I'll learn more when we get there as it can only be accomplished in Galar."

"I'm hoping to visit Galar later this year, maybe persuade Kukui to take us there as the class field trip, they do have regional forms as well so it would make sense." Iris said as the bus pulled to a stop outside the circular building that Ash and Dawn noted that it was actually 4 building together, one without a roof and connected to a small tower off to the side by a bridge. "But that is later in the year. For now we're here and it's time to meet the Professors and get situated in Alola."

"Looks like they're already waiting for us." Kiawe said as the sliding door opened and Ash and Dawn looked over to see two men standing just outside the entrance to the building with no roof. "Should have expected that seeing as we did have the flight schedule for you guys."

Ash and Dawn just looked at each other and shrugged as they got out of the bus at the same time as Iris and walked towards the two men as the others got off behind them with Lana taking her sisters to where the younger students would be before returning to join their group. As they walked they looked over the men who'd greeted them and sorted all this out to make sure that their arrival in Alola was a smooth and simple one, which by Ash's standards was a rarity for when he visited a new region.

The older of the men looked very relaxed in a teal short sleeved shirt with silhouettes of fish or whales on it, white cargo shorts and flipflops. His skin was deeply tanned shoulder length gray hair swept back. There was something familiar about him to Ash but he couldn't place it though he was certain that it was the hair that was familiar.

As for the other man, he was clearly younger but somehow even more relaxed looking as all he wore was a pair of gray shorts with a black under short thing, green croc-like shoes with no socks, and a white lab coat over it. He also had a white hat with a semicircular design on it and a short goatee though he wasn't as tanned as the older man. However the coat showed that he was the regional Professor, Ash had seen enough to know that it was basically a uniform for them though some like Sycamore did take their coats off from time to time.

"Ash, Dawn, welcome to Alola, I hope the trip was a good one." The younger man said as he walked up to them smiling and holding his hand out to Ash. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last after all the stories I've heard from Iris about you two, as well as the others regarding your meeting in Kalos while we were there. A shame I couldn't meet you there but I had to see Augustine while there. I'm Professor Kukui, by the way, the Alola regional Professor and this is my colleague Professor Samson Oak."

"A pleasure to meet you and the trip was uneventful which I'm not going to complain about." Ash said shaking Kukui's hand before blinking and looking at the older man who had joined him and shaking his hand as well as Dawn shook hands with Kukui. "Oak? Are you related to the Professor Oak out in Kanto."

"Samuel? Yes he's my cousin." The older man, Samson, said with a smile. "And let me tell you I've heard countless stories of both of you from him over the years so it's a pleasure to meet you two at last. You must tell me the story behind fairy types one day. I hear that you two were instrumental in that."

"Dawn was the one who first brought it to light." Ash said as Dawn shook hands with Samson as well. "I helped a bit mainly with my Porygon2 but that was at the end when it had the right move to confirm that the change was the emergence of a new type. Dawn's Togekiss kickstarted the whole thing when she faced Misty and her Gyarados in battle and showed the immunity for the first time, at least to us, which was what peaked Professor Oak's interest."

"Well still the story would be great." Samson said. "And I am sure that there is a lot you two want to learn about in Alola."

"Our time is limited here, at least this time around, unfortunately but we do want to learn as much as we can about Alola while we are here." Dawn said with a nod as the others joined them. "And see a bit of it as well but we can only stay 3 weeks or so, especially if I win my first Contest, as I am on a tight schedule what with the Majestic Festival at the end of the year and still needing 7 ribbons for it. It's my fault for this briefness, not Ash's."

"We understand." Kukui said. "The Majestic Festival has actually brought a lot of people to Alola and boosted the popularity of Contests here so we know the time crunch the Top Coordinators are on though I do try to meet any who want to see me while they are in the region as there is a lot they can teach us about given their experience. We just made an exception for you two when it came to sending a minibus for you and not just because you're good friends with Iris."

"You did?" Ash asked confused. "Why?"

"Well isn't it obvious?" Kukui said with a smile. "You, Ash. You're the Kalos Champion, your arrival here is big and already there are whispers of it amongst the strongest trainers Kalos has to offer."

"There are?" Ash asked now even more confused. "But I didn't say I was coming here."

"You didn't need to." Iris said. "The moment it was revealed that Dawn was traveling to Alola, the Top Coordinators' travel plans tend to come out given how the Contest Committee pays for their flights so it's public knowledge where Top Coordinators are going if you know where to look, it was known you'd be here. After all you are her fiancé."

"Oh right." Ash said. "Yeah that would reveal it."

"I've got to ask about that." Iris said looking to Dawn. "How did that happen? I know that it took a lot to break through Ash's thick skull but this is a step above that. I never thought he'd manage that."

"Well he did and I'll tell you all the details later." Dawn said. "After all the help you gave me you deserve them. Plus when the time comes I want you, along with Misty, May, and Serena, to be my bridesmaids so we have a lot to discuss. My best friend Zoey will be my Maid of Honor so she'll coordinate things nearer the time but it's still over a year off I'd say."

"Can't wait." Iris said beaming at that. "And I want all the details of your time in Kalos after I left as well. We know of the win over Diantha but anything new since then? Come on, this is Ash so you've got to have had some fun adventures."

"Well there is this." Ash said with a grin as he pulled out a Poke Ball, the only with a Pokémon in it on him as he was only here with two Pokémon though if he got a battle challenge he'd bring in more for that depending on the parameters of the battle. "I caught her on the way to May and Dawn's first Contest in Kalos, long story and I released Goodra right before due to the circumstances of what was going on where we were, so she's with me for the year and training hard."

"Oh a new Pokémon, shame about Goodra but what…" Iris said as the red light appeared before it formed and Florges stood before Ash and Iris's eyes went wide with fear and she exclaimed. "Fairy!"

At that she leapt behind the Professors and cowered, Axew burying himself in her hair as well for good measure as he shared his trainer's rightful fear of the newly emerged type. Florges just looked confused and a bit hurt at that before turning to Ash.

"Florges?" Florges asked her trainer as she pointed at the scared human seeking answers on the strange reaction that seemed to have no reason behind it as far as she knew. "Flor, Florges?"

"Sorry, Iris is a dragon trainer so she's afraid of ice and fairy types because of their strengths against dragon types but she's especially afraid of fairy types because you lot are immune to dragon type attacks." Ash said. "I thought she'd be over this but I guess not. Don't worry, we'll get some training in soon and we'll win Iris over, she'll be fine once she gets to know you, but for now return."

At that Ash recalled Florges though she was still confused as to why a human wouldn't like her type. True she had a checkered past but there was no way that this human could know about that and besides she was making up for that now that she was with Ash. As such she swore that she'd continue to do that by making this human like her, she had a feeling that she was important to her trainer and his mate so she should be friends with her as well.

"A Florges, interesting, I too am curious as to how you got her." Kukui said rubbing his goatee. "And you will get a chance to use her in battle Ash, if you want."

"I will?" Ash asked.

"Yes because you're going to get a challenge as soon as it's confirmed you're in Alola." Kukui said. "After all, Alola has its first Champion and he wants to face strong opponents so the new Kalos Champion is fair game. Plus you're guaranteed a top 8 seed in the PWC, he is not due to how he became Champion and there are some strong contenders for the next Manalo Conference who might take the title from him so he'll want to face you while you're here."

"Oh right the Alola Champion, I'd love to face him." Ash said before realizing something. "Er, who is he? I've not actually been told who won the first Conference here and became Champion."

"The Alola Champion is my brother, Gladion." Lillie said. "He's a strong trainer and beat Iris in the final last year but when I said that you were going to make an appearance in Alola this year he got interested as really wants to face you. It's not just because you're now a regional Champion, though that helps, but because he too has heard many of Iris's stories so he's been wanting to see if you live up to them for a while."

"I'd say Ash winning the Lumiose Conference and then sweeping the Kalos Elite Four and beating Diantha is proof enough that he lives up to my tales." Iris said with a shrug. "But whatever, Gladion will learn the hard way that Ash is all that and more when they face off."

"I can certainly set that up." Kukui said. "And the whole region will want to see it. Just a simple battle, three on three not a full one, and it can be in Manalo Stadium if you want. It would be the best place for it really as that is the main battlefield in Alola."

"If that's where he won the Conference then it is fitting." Ash said. "I'd be more than honored to face him there and three on three is fine with me."

"He did and it was a three on three battle in the final so it is fitting to have that with him." Kukui said. "I'll contact him tomorrow and we can arrange it. He probably won't be able to face you for two weeks though as he's off on Poni Island training right now and will want some more time once this is official."

"That works good for us." Ash said looking to Dawn who nodded. "It gives us time for Dawn's Contest and to see some of the region as well as learn more about it. Plus I'd like to train as well just so that I'm in top form for a battle like this."

"Excellent and if you want to learn more about Alola, well this is a school." Kukui said gesturing to the building behind him. "If you're up for it we can give you an overview now. I know it's been a long journey and you probably want to relax but the offer is…"

"I'm down." Ash said with a grin interrupting Kukui. "We have no other plans right now and a good understanding of Alola is just what we need to take this region on."

"Same, I want to use this time to relax and learn what I can." Dawn said. "Then we can properly plan our time here once we know more about the region."

"Then follow me." Kukui said as he turned and walked into the building with Ash and Dawn following him as the other kids and Samson brought up the rear. "It's time for an overview of the Alola region."

I feel like that's a good place to leave off this Part, a little tease for what is to come next as Ash and Dawn learn more about Alola and plan their brief stay in the region. Of the arcs that I have planned for this story, the Alola arc is either the shortest or second shortest regional arc, it just worked out that way due to the constraints of the plot, but I do intend to have one of the eventual sequels set mainly in Alola to make up for it so don't worry there will be more from Sun and Moon that come in over time. As y'all can see, the fact that Ash never went to Alola, rather Iris did, means that he never faced Gladion in the final of the Manalo Conference so instead he faced Iris and won thus becoming Champion but now that sets up a battle with Ash, the Kalos Champion. Also, one of the biggest differences I've made compared to canon is that Iris's Axew hasn't evolved and he won't evolve in this series. The reason for this is that he never evolved in the main series so it felt wrong for him to suddenly be evolved when he next appeared, the same with May's Bulbasaur and Squirtle and Clemont's Bunnelby but I can't do anything about May's as that was canon pre Hearts Series so for the ones afterwards I'm keeping as is. That said Brock's Chansey will evolve because Happiny evolved in DP so there was precedent and I was a few weeks preemptive with Serena's Braixen though the same reason for that. Plus none of Dawn's Pokémon (or Brock's Croagunk for that matter) evolved between series (Cyndaquil evolved in a special so that's fair game) so it felt off for the others to do so. Anyway, that is all that I have for this Part so I will leave it off here. As always if you like my work then please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), if possible leave a review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.

Stringdog