Chapter 17
When we arrive at Route 5, we notice that there are two directions, one to Lush Jungle and the other to Brooklet Hill. Since Brooklet Hill is our destination, we head west in that direction first.
We find Hau, who seems to be losing his battle against... Gladion? What is he doing here? His appearance shocks some of us.
"Ha ha ha! Man, I lost again!" Hau says, putting his hands behind his head.
Gladion seems annoyed as he asks, "Are you even taking this seriously?"
"I am! So seriously! I'm seriously enjoying it!" Hau insists.
"...Enjoying it?" He raises an eyebrow. "You can enjoy Pokémon battling when you put everything you have into it... which clearly you haven't."
"Gladion?" Lillie calls out, and Gladion flinches in surprise upon seeing us. Hau says, "Whoa! Hey, guys! This guy is plenny scary!"
"Ash? Lillie? What are you doing here?" Gladion asks, surprised to see us.
Lillie responds, "What do you think? We're doing the Island Challenge and heading to Brooklet Hill. What about you? You argued with my Mom and then left with Type: Null without saying anything to me!"
Mallow inquires, "Who's that guy?"
Nate responds, "He's Lillie's older brother Gladion; he's been our friend for a long time. He even traveled with Ash and Lillie in the Sinnoh Region."
Gladion questions, "You? Doing the Island Challenge?"
Lillie responds, "What do you think? I even managed to beat Kahuna Hala and get my own Fightinium Z." She displays the Z Crystal. "You don't know how things have been difficult since you left."
"What do you mean, what happened?" Gladion asks.
I interject, "Let's say that Lillie also ran away from her mother and was stuck at the Ultra Metropolis for half a year. It's a good thing that we came back safely."
Gladion flinches in surprise upon hearing that and remarks, "Me and my partner, Type: Null, are training to get stronger... We have to get stronger! Though most of our time these days goes to working for Team Skull as their muscle."
"Yeah, we heard about that before. I still think it's wrong to work with Team Skull," Lillie says.
"Battle me. I won't take no for an answer," Gladion suddenly insists to Lillie, who is the one flinching this time.
Lillie confidently readies herself for the challenge. "Sure, three-on-three," she asserts.
The battle commences with Snowy stepping onto the field against Gladion's Crobat. Snowy launches a barrage of icy attacks, using moves like Ice Beam and Blizzard. Crobat counters with swift aerial maneuvers, employing moves like Air Slash and Poison Fang. The clash culminates in a dazzling display, both Pokémon succumbing to each other's powerful attacks, resulting in a double knockout with the Blizzard and Poison Fang hitting at the same time.
"Whoa, that was intense!" Selene says.
"Both of them are equally strong..." Kiawe adds.
Next up, Togekiss takes the stage, facing Gladion's Zoroark. Lillie's surprise is evident as she asks, "Wait, is this Dad's Zoroark? Where did you find it?" "It ran away after Dad left... I stumbled upon it; it seems to have been following me this whole time," Gladion explains.
Togekiss gracefully navigates the battlefield, using moves such as Air Slash and Aura Sphere, while Zoroark utilizes its illusions, employing Night Daze and Shadow Claw. After an intense exchange, Togekiss manages to outmaneuver Zoroark and emerges victorious, signaling the end of their match.
"Nice work, Togekiss!" Lillie cheers, smiling proudly.
Gladion sighs, "Looks like your Togekiss is still strong. Silvally, you're up next."
As Type: Null steps onto the field to face Togekiss, Lillie looks determined. "Alright, Togekiss, let's give it our all!"
Togekiss nods in agreement, but some spectators unfamiliar with Pokémon are taken aback. "What's that Pokémon? I've never seen it before..."
"That's Silvally, or formerly known as Type: Null," I explain. "It's an artificial Pokémon created by my Dad and the Aether Foundation."
Trenor adds, "It's a formidable Pokémon, though the reason behind the helmet it wears remains unknown to us..."
Togekiss valiantly engages Type: Null, unleashing a flurry of powerful moves like Dazzling Gleam and Air Slash. Type: Null retaliates fiercely with Crush Claw and X-Scissor, eventually overpowering Togekiss with its sheer strength.
Finally, it's Lucario's turn to step up against Type: Null. "Lucario, let's show them what we're made of!" Lillie exclaims with determination. Lucario enters the battle with an array of moves such as Aura Sphere, Close Combat, and Bone Rush. Type: Null counters with Iron Head and Tri Attack, but Lucario's tenacity and strategic prowess prevail, ultimately defeating Type: Null in an intense showdown.
"We did it, Lucario! Great job!" Lillie cheers, relieved and elated by the hard-earned victory.
"Hmph... It's not like me to slip up like that. I've got to keep facing stronger opponents. Looks like I'm still not ready..." Gladion sighs in frustration.
"What do you mean by stronger opponents?" Rosa inquires.
"That kid there. His Pokémon aren't weak," Gladion points out, referring to Hau. "And sure, it's fine to enjoy battling... But this brat... he's just using that as an excuse not to try hard because he can't beat the kahuna. Because he can't beat Hala when he's serious!" Gladion remarks, expressing his discontent.
"You know my gramps? Wait. So you think I'm strong?" Hau remarks, maintaining his laid-back attitude.
"Awww, look at you, little Gladion! Aren't you just a real cool guy? Heh heh heh..." Just then, we turn around and notice Team Skull grunts approaching us—the same individuals who were harassing the Vulpix a few days ago.
"Great, as if our problems aren't enough..." I mutter with a frustrated sigh, obscuring a curse under my breath.
"I guess it's no surprise a homeless kid would turn out spineless, too, huh?" The female grunt taunts. "No worries! We've got enough backbone to cover for you!"
As they advance, preparing to engage in battle, we ready our Pokémon to confront them. Gladion steps forward and asserts, "Just give it up already."
"Huh?" The grunt turns to face Gladion, curious about his statement.
"You know you can't beat me. You'll just get your Pokémon hurt for no reason. They're good Pokémon," Gladion states firmly.
The female grunt seems to lose interest, voicing her frustration, "We came all this way, and for what? For a big fast waste of our time, thanks to you. If you hadn't gotten in our way, we could've stolen the Totem Pokémon from Brooklet Hill! Let's get out of here. Look, the Murkrow are crying, and it's time we should be flying."
As the female grunt departs, the male grunt directs a final message to Gladion, "Listen up good, Gladion... the boss does like you. That's true. But you're just some hired help we keep around for when we need you. You aren't part of Team Skull, not really. And you never will be. Got it? You better get it."
After the grunts hastily depart, Gladion's anger remains palpable, causing the remaining grunt to flee in fear of potential confrontation.
Once the area clears, Lillie turns to Gladion, concern etched on her face. "Gladion, what is Father going to think if he finds out that you are working with Team Skull?"
"Father is dead, and Mother is going crazy. Right now, this is the only way I can get stronger," Gladion responds, his tone carrying a mixture of determination and sorrow.
"That's where you're mistaken! Father has returned to us!" Lillie exclaims with tears welling up in her eyes. "He wasn't dead. Kartana stabbed him and dragged him into the Ultra Space, but he was saved! We managed to bring him back! But..."
"Father has returned?" Gladion responds, stunned. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why? Why didn't you answer the phone then?" Lillie demands, her frustration evident, as Gladion looks at the Rotom Phone and notices the numerous missed calls.
"Where is Father now?" Gladion inquires, his concern evident in his voice.
"Other than working to develop islands near Alola, he has been staying at our mansion in Melemele Island. He... he lost his memories of us... Ash and I have been working hard to restore them, and only bits are coming back to him..." Lillie explains with a hint of sadness. "So please, Gladion... if you have time, visit him. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you. And if possible... stop working with Team Skull..."
"I can't do that. First of all, I have to get stronger, and second of all, I'm also spying on Team Skull since what they're doing now might be related to her," Gladion explains resolutely. "As for visiting Dad, I'll do it."
As Gladion departs, Nate expresses his confusion, "What is going on here... is this the same Gladion that we know of? He seems like a changed person..."
Trenor adds his thoughts, "Our family has been delving into this problem as well; we're also pondering the change. Both in Gladion and their mother..."
Hau expresses his gratitude, saying, "Thanks, Lillie. And Lucario, Snowy, and Togekiss, too. You all gave it your all. Phew... Looks like I've gotta train up my team if I'm gonna take on the trial at Brooklet Hill next! Here, guys, take these with you. We're gonna beat this island challenge!"
He hands us three revives once more, and then he heads towards the Pokémon Center located in front of us before taking his leave. Venturing forward, we encounter a slumbering group of Fomantis blocking our path. Determined to continue without disturbance, we cautiously plan to quietly navigate around the sleeping leafy Pokémon.
However, our progress is disrupted when Parasect, concealed among the greenery, releases a cloud of Stun Spore, causing Pikachu to sneeze uncontrollably. The unexpected sneeze triggers laughter among our group, with smiles and giggles echoing through the air. Amidst the amusement, the previously peaceful Fomantis become increasingly agitated by the laughter, their demeanor shifting.
Suddenly, the previously tranquil Fomantis grow irate, unleashing a flurry of Leafage and Solar Beam attacks at our group.
"We've got to stop these Fomantis before things escalate!" I urgently call upon Rowlet and Popplio. "Rowlet, counter their attacks with Leafage! Popplio, use Water Gun to shield us!"
Swiftly coordinating their moves, Rowlet counters the incoming Leafage with its own, while Popplio generates a protective shield of water, deflecting the Solar Beams and safeguarding our group from harm.
"Stay calm, everyone! Let's not escalate this further," Lillie urges, trying to defuse the tension.
Utilizing the diversion created by our defensive actions, I take the opportunity to aim a Poké Ball towards one of the agitated Fomantis, successfully capturing it.
Fomantis: The Sickle Grass Pokemon: Grass Type. When the sun rises, Fomantis spreads its four leaves and bathes in the sunlight. The tip of its head has a pleasant aroma.
As the battle subsides, the enraged Fomantis begin to relax, their anger slowly fading away. "Phew, that was a close call," Kiawe sighs in relief.
"It seems laughter didn't exactly help in this situation," Sophocles remarks, trying to lighten the mood.
"Definitely a lesson learned," Nate adds, grateful that the situation didn't spiral out of control.
Here is a new chapter, and we're finished with the Gladion part. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the Water Trial.
Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:
Charizard, Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Rattata (Alolan), Pikachu, Raichu (Alolan), Vulpix (Alolan), Meowth (Alolan), Grimer (Alolan), Lapras, Meganium, Typhlosion (Hisuian), Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Infernape, Lucario, Togekiss, Gallade, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Hawlucha, Rowlet, Litten, Popplio, Pikipek, Yungoos, Grubbin, Crabrawler, Oricorio, Cutiefly, Rockruff x3, Wishiwashi, Mareanie, Magearna (Shiny), Kleavor