Chapter 47
While exploring Seafolk Village in search of Hapu, we encounter a Trainer eager to witness an Alolan Raichu. We showcase our Alolan Raichu, impressing the Trainer, who rewards us generously with the Aloraichium Z, a valuable Z-Crystal.
Continuing our exploration, we seize the opportunity to do some fishing. Our efforts pay off as we manage to reel in a Dhelmise, a Ghost and Grass-type Pokémon known for its affinity towards Steel-type moves. With its eerie and unique characteristics, Dhelmise has become a valuable addition to our team.
Dhelmise: The Sea Creeper Pokemon: Ghost and Grass Type. Swinging its massive anchor, it can KO Wailord in a single blow. What appears to be green seaweed is actually its body.
As we reach Poni Wilds, we locate Poni Beach, excited to try out Mantine Surfing. However, our journey takes an unexpected turn as we head east and engage in battles against various trainers in the area.
During these intense battles, our Poison-type Pokémon, Grimer and Mareanie, gain enough experience and finally reach their ultimate evolutions. Grimer evolves into Muk, while Mareanie evolves into Toxapex, showcasing their newfound strength and power as they ascend to their final forms.
Muk (Alolan Form): The Sludge Pokemon: Poison and Dark Type. Evolve from Alolan Grimer at LV:38. While it's unexpectedly quiet and friendly, if it's not fed any trash for a while, it will smash its Trainer's furnishings and eat up the fragments.
Toxapex: The Brutal Star Pokemon: Poison and Water Type. Evolve from Mareanie at LV:38. Those attacked by Toxapex's poison will suffer intense pain for three days and three nights. Post-recovery, there will be some aftereffects.
Arriving at Ancient Poni Path, we come across Hapu's Mudsdale, prompting Trenor to express his joy, saying, "It's good to see you again, too, Mudsdale! You look to be in fine form."
Mudsdale responds with a hearty neigh, and right then, Hapu appears, exclaiming, "Oh! Been a while, guys."
"Yes, it's good to see you, Hapu!" Lillie greets her warmly.
"Lillie, you look different... like you're ready to go all out in something now," Hapu observes with surprise.
"Thank you, Hapu. I've finally discovered what I need to do. So this is my Z-Powered form!" Lillie beams with newfound confidence.
"Ho! Then you do your best, Lillie," Hapu encourages with a smile. "No one could call you lily-livered!"
I say, "Um, so, Hapu...do you know where we can find the kahuna?"
"The kahuna? Hrmm. Don't have one here on Poni," Hapu responds with a slight frown.
We're taken aback by the news, and Selene voices our concern, asking, "Now what do we do?"
Hapu reassures us, saying, "Well, do not be distressed. I wouldn't say that I know nothing of this. All right. Let us all proceed to the ruins. You stick with me."
As we prepare to follow Hapu, our path is intercepted by an elderly woman. Nate politely queries, "Sorry to be rude, but who are you?"
"Ho ho ho! I'm Hap's old gran. Are you friends with my girl?" the grandma responds cheerfully.
"Of course," I reply.
"Ho ho! So she has friends now. Traveling around the islands... making new friends... You kids are luckier than you know," the grandma remarks. Suddenly, a Machamp approaches us, and the grandma proposes, "If you want to head for the Poni Island ruins, how about a bit of help from this old gran? Here. Hand over your Ride Pager a moment."
We gratefully receive our final Riding Pokémon in Alola, the Machamp Shove, thanks to the generous offer from Hapu's grandmother. This new addition to our Ride Pager promises to be a valuable aid on our journey through Poni Island's ruins.
"You'll need to move some big obstacles to make it down the path that you two hope to travel. I wish both a brilliant future. My Hapu was heading for the Ruins of Hope, wasn't she? Go after her. First, you'll come to Poni Breaker Coast. You'll know it by the soil - it's black as pitch. Go through there, and you'll find the ruins," the grandmother advises us.
"Thank you very much, ma'am! You have been a great help!" Lillie smiles gratefully as we bid farewell to her. "The Ruins of Hope... that is where the guardian of Poni Island will be. That is where Tapu Fini lives. Let's go!"
Empowered by the newfound guidance, we embark towards the Ruins of Hope in search of Tapu Fini, the guardian deity of Poni Island.
After passing through the renowned black sand of the Poni Breaker Coast, we finally arrive at the Ruins of Hope, where Hapu's Mudsdale awaits our arrival.
"The Ruins of Hope... What is this place...? The air feels so oppressive..." Lillie expresses, pondering the solemn ambiance. "The people believe that the guardian deity of these ruins, Tapu Fini, can wash away any impurities with its mystic water..."
"Well, that sounds promising," Rosa remarks, sharing Lillie's hopefulness.
"That's right it does! I'm going to give it my all so that we can try to evolve Nebby," Lillie declares resolutely. "So just you wait, Nebby! This time I'm going to be the one who saves you! Come on, guys! Let's go!"
As we delve deeper into the ruins, we encounter numerous intricate puzzles. Trenor observes, "If we're going to break a path, we'll need to move these huge rocks! That's what Hapu's grandmother said, isn't it?"
Despite our combined efforts, the immense boulders remain stubbornly unmoved. Nate comments, "Wow... it's heavier than words can even express..."
"We'll have to borrow Machamp's formidable strength for this task. I read about it once in a book. If I remember right, it said... 'When getting a ride from a powerful Machamp, Trainers can activate Machamp's Shove by standing before a rock and pressing Ⓑ!' And if we find ourselves getting frustrated, we should probably remember to step outside again for a bit of perspective," Lillie recalls from her knowledge.
Equipped with this information, we decide to utilize Machamp's Shove to overcome these obstacles in the Ruins of Hope, knowing that patience and a different approach might help us progress through the intricate puzzles laid out before us.
As we approach Hapu in front of the Tapu statue, I comment, "Alola's sacred ruins hold the guardian deities, revered and worshipped. They're elusive beings, wandering as they please, making meeting them a challenge. Even here at the ruins, their appearances are unpredictable. Perhaps that's why... even in this sacred place, Nebby hasn't stirred."
Hapu then begins the ritual, offering a dance to Tapu Fini, whose presence emerges from the nearby waters, gracefully joining her in the dance.
"Remarkable..." Selene breathes in awe.
Hapu displays a sparkling stone, speaking with reverence, "I beseech you. Bestow upon me the duty of safeguarding Poni Island and its surrounding seas." With the mystical energies of Tapu Fini, the stone ascends, transforming into a Z Ring, while the water around us elevates in pillars. After this profound display, the Z Ring materializes.
"I am grateful for your immense blessing. As the kahuna, I pledge to protect the people and Pokémon of Alola to the best of my abilities," Hapu declares, and with that, the water pillars subside, and Tapu Fini departs.
After completing the ritual, Hapu acknowledges our presence, remarking, "Oh! So you were watching? The kahunas are chosen by the Pokémon we worship here in Alola—our sacred guardians. They are chosen from among the people living on the island each guardian watches over. Ash and Lillie. You came to Alola from far off? You must really be something then. I heard how you were given a sparkling stone by the tapu, even as a stranger to our shores."
Gazing back at the statue, Hapu continues, "My grandfather... My grandfather was also chosen for this honor. The honor of being our island's kahuna. But he died suddenly some years back, and we were left without a kahuna on Poni. I tried to follow in his footsteps, but I was not chosen by the tapu back then. So I set out on my own sort of island challenge, traveling Alola and trying to grow stronger."
Returning her attention to us, Hapu addresses Lillie, "Lillie. The kahuna you wished to meet is right here."
"O-oh! Of course! Then please, Kahuna Hapu! Tell me about the Legendary Pokémon!" Lillie says.
"So you want to know about Solgaleo, who we pay tribute to at the Altar of the Sunne?" Hapu inquires.
Lillie shares her concerns, "I must go after my mother! She disappeared off into some far-off world... And a fearsome creature lives in that world. A Pokémon called Necrozma... That's why I want to ask the Legendary Pokémon for its help... The Legendary Pokémon is the only one who can go back and forth between worlds!"
Acknowledging the context, Hapu nods, "A world where beasts reside, eh... I reckon that must be the kind of world you find at the other end of those holes that open up in the sky, just as my grandfather once described." Hapu says. "All right. I will tell you what I know."
"Oh, thank you, Hapu!" Lillie cheers.
"But what I know is not much. Just that there is a ceremony held for the Legendary Pokémon at the altar. A ceremony that uses two particular flutes to somehow give the Legendary Pokémon power."
I show the Moon Flute and say, "This is the Moon Flute. My Dad found it and give it to me."
"Ho! That looks to be the flute that used to reside at the lake on Ula'ula. The other is said to be held on Exeggutor Island. I do not know why there of all places, but it has been passed down that that's where it belongs," Hapu explains.
"Exeggutor Island... It's an uninhabited island off the coast of Poni, isn't that right?" Selene asks.
"Yes. And no reason to dally here. Let us go and speak with Mina. We proceed to Seafolk Village!" Hapu declares.
Back at Seafolk Village, Hapu advises, "To journey to Exeggutor Island, you should speak with Mina. She can help arrange a boat for you. I shall be wishing for your safety!"
So she's not coming with us, and that's fine for us. We seek out Mina and she asks, "Did you find out anything useful?"
"Yes! And Hapu was made the new kahuna!" Trenor excitedly reveals.
Mina is taken aback. "Little Hapu was? We've been having old man Nanu look after our grand trials up until now. Heh! Now we've got our own little kahuna! That's great!"
"Yes. Hapu will do her best for her late grandfather... as I must do my best for my mother's sake. And for Nebby, as well. A-and so! There's a place that we need to go." Lillie explains.
"We're headed to Exeggutor Island," I confirm.
"Exeggutor Island? Oh, where the flute is... Right!" Mina exclaims. "Well, in that case, we'd better get the chief!"
"Did you call me?" The chief of the seafolk appears on the deck after climbing down from the roof. "Nice to meet you. I'm the chief of the seafolk. I couldn't help overhearing what you said. So why don't I get you to Exeggutor Island?"
"Thank you!" Lillie expresses her gratitude.
"Exeggutor Island is a pretty wild place..." The chief warns. "There are some peculiar creatures on that island!"
"That's okay, we can handle them," I assure, as we all board the ship headed to Exeggutor Island.
Upon arriving at Exeggutor Island, we notice a peculiar sight—several Alolan Exeggutors are shaking uncontrollably. The island appears to be quite chaotic. The chief accompanying us remarks, "Here we are. This is Exeggutor Island. I heard that this place used to be a trial site, though that was a long time ago now." He observes the Exeggutors' erratic behavior and adds, "Hm? Looks like the fellows are even more worked up than usual. Eh. But they're always a noisy bunch. It's probably fine. You go on, good luck!"
As we venture forth, we encounter a distressing scene: several Pinsirs are seen atop the Exeggutors' backs, causing them to writhe and shake wildly. It's evident that the Pinsirs are the source of the commotion, causing chaos among the gentle giant Exeggutors. We manage to deal with them and also capture an Alolan Exeggutor of our own.
Exeggutor (Alolan Form): The Cocount Pokemon: Grass and Dragon Type. Evolve from Exeggcute with Leaf Stone in Alola Region. As it grew taller and taller, it outgrew its reliance on psychic powers, while within it awakened the power of the sleeping dragon.
With the Pinsir finally defeated, the Exeggutors are relieved and show their gratitude by assisting us in reaching the top of the cliff. At the summit, we discover a pedestal upon which the Sun Flute rests. Nate exclaims, "So this is the Sun Flute..."
Lillie nods in confirmation, picking up the flute and expressing, "Now we can head back."
As we prepare to depart, the rain unexpectedly ceases, unveiling a vivid rainbow in front of us. Captivated by the sight, we make our way back to Seafolk Village, eager to share the news of obtaining the flute with Mina.
"Now you've got to play those flutes up at the altar, I guess. The altar can be found in the deepest part of the Vast Poni Canyon," Mina explains.
"The Exeggutors seem to have taken a liking to you. You've definitely made an impression on them. It's clear that you've got something special in you, as Trainers, if Pokémon like you that much," the chief remarks. With gratitude, we bid them farewell and embark toward Vast Poni Canyon.
Here is a new chapter, and we're done with the first part of the Poni Island. The next chapter will be heading to the Vast Poni Canyon and get the Dragon Trial.
Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:
Charizard x2, Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Raticate (Alolan), Pikachu, Raichu (Alolan), Sandshrew (Alolan), Vulpix (Alolan), Dugtrio (Alolan), Persian (Alolan), Golem (Alolan), Muk (Alolan), Exeggutor (Alolan), Marowak (Alolan), Lapras, Meganium, Typhlosion (Hisuian), Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Infernape, Lucario, Togekiss, Gallade, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Greninja, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Hawlucha, Zygarde, Decidueye, Incineroar, Primarina, Toucannon, Gumshoos, Charjabug, Crabrawler, Oricorio, Ribombee, Lycanroc x3 (Midday/Midnight/Dusk), Wishiwashi, Toxapex, Mudsdale, Araquanid, Lurantis, Shiinotic, Salazzle (Shiny), Bewear, Tsareena, Comfey, Oranguru, Passimian, Golisopod, Sandygast, Pyukumuku, Minior, Komala, Turtonator, Togedemaru, Mimikyu (Shiny), Bruxish, Dhelmise, Magearna (Shiny), Marshadow, Kleavor