Chapter 23
With the morning rays lighting up the sky, my friends and I are all set for a brand-new adventure! While scouting for Pokémon nearby, we spot a Stufful that totally steals our hearts. Lillie's practically swooning over its cuteness, and honestly, I can't blame her! It's absolutely adorable! We quickly decide that this Pokémon is a must-have for our team. So, we gear up, psyched, and determined to catch this awesome Stufful and make it a part of our crew.
Stufful: The Flailing Pokemon: Normal and Fighting Type. Despite its adorable appearance, when it gets angry and flails about, its arms and legs could knock a pro wrestler sprawling.
As we press on our journey, unexpectedly stumbling upon Dulse and Zossie, we're taken aback to find them in conversation with someone quite unexpected. Lillie's gasp rings out, "Uncle Colress!"
Nate and Rosa share our surprise at his presence here. Colress, with his characteristic calm, acknowledges us, saying, "Ah, it's good to see familiar faces and to meet those I don't recognize. I'm Colress, a scientist. My research revolves around a fascinating theme: 'Bringing out the potential of Pokémon.'"
Rosa's curiosity prompts her to ask, "What brings you to this place? Weren't you in Alola?"
Nate chimes in, "Yeah, we heard you were striving to guide Team Plasma toward a brighter future."
Colress nods thoughtfully. "Indeed, Team Plasma's mission continues to thrive. I'm here for a meeting today," he explains. Then, with a gleam in his eye, he delves into his beliefs, stating, "What brings out the power of Pokémon is... I believe that is—the bond they share with their Trainers! And thus my attention is drawn to Trainers like yourself... Trainers bound to their Pokémon through the power of the Z-Power Ring!"
As Colress prepares to depart, a contemplative expression crosses his face. "Z-Power... Is it the true potential that I seek? Does it surpass the Mega Ring? Apparently, there are uninhabited islands for Pokémon called Poké Pelago here in Alola. Alola is fascinating! I believe that I will stay in Alola for some time!"
Before leaving, he bids us farewell, saying, "Well then. I hope you will excuse me. I've had quite the curious request made to me by a couple of most oddly dressed strangers." With a mysterious yet intrigued air about him, Colress sets off, Kiawe remarks, "Your uncle has quite the unique vibe."
Lillie ponders for a moment before replying, "Yeah... I can't help but wonder what kind of meeting he's attending..."
Sophocles, intrigued by the concept, asks, "Hey, what exactly is a Mega Evolution?"
I say with a smile, "Mega Evolution is a super cool phenomenon where certain Pokémon when holding a specific Mega Stone unique to their species, can temporarily evolve during battles. They transform into an even stronger form, boosting their stats and gaining new abilities. It's like a power-up that lasts until the battle ends!"
Lillie adds, "Yes, and the bond between the Pokémon and their Trainer plays a crucial role in Mega Evolution. It's not something every Pokémon can do, and it requires a strong connection between Trainer and Pokémon, along with the special Mega Stones. It's a remarkable way for Pokémon to unleash incredible strength and abilities in battles!"
"Well said!" Professor Kukui chimes in with a wide grin, nodding in approval at our comprehensive explanation. "You guys nailed it. Mega Evolution is truly something special, a testament to the incredible bond between Trainers and their Pokémon. It's amazing to witness how that connection can bring out such immense power and potential in battle. You all have a good grasp of the essence of Mega Evolution!"
Mallow's curiosity shines through as she asks, "So, if we get our hands on the right stones, could we give Mega Evolution a shot?"
Kiawe, intrigued by the prospect, adds, "It'd be fascinating to learn how to do it ourselves."
Continuing our journey, we reach the Pokemon Center and spot a nearby Roadside motel on the island. Our attention is drawn to Gladion, whom we notice is staying at the motel. However, despite our presence, he seems to deliberately ignore us, a situation that leaves us feeling disheartened and puzzled by his aloofness.
Now we're having our alone time, Lillie and I decide to explore by ourselves. We hear an odd sound, and Pikachu immediately senses its source, guiding us to a crevasse where a Wimpod is trapped. Trying to help, our Pokemon attempt to squeeze through the hole, but it's too tight for each of them. I spot a towering cliff nearby and think of climbing it to reach the Wimpod from above. However, my attempts to scale the cliff repeatedly end in frustration.
As I struggle, Lillie suddenly dashes off, distracting me. Then, out of nowhere, Exeggutor arrives, with Lillie rushing behind it. "Lillie? What are you..." I mutter, surprised by their unexpected arrival.
"We can use Exeggutor." Lillie explains. Both of us climb aboard Exeggutor, which lifts us up to the top of the cliff. "Thanks, Exeggutor! You're a lifesaver!" I call out before rushing to where the Wimpod is stuck.
Startled, the Wimpod tries to flee through a gap in the crevasse, revealing that a large rock blocks its way out. Despite my efforts, the rock won't budge. Lillie, observing the situation, offers a suggestion, "Ash, maybe Pikachu can use its Iron Tail to break the rock!"
"That's a great idea!" I exclaim, thankful for Lillie's quick thinking. "Let's do this together," I say, encouraging Pikachu to lend a hand.
With Pikachu using its Iron Tail, the rock shatters, freeing the Wimpod. "Great job, Pikachu! Now let's get it out," Lillie exclaims, relieved as the obstacle is removed.
After we escape, Wimpod decides to join our team, so we throw the Poke Ball and capture the Pokemon.
Wimpod: The Turn Tail Pokemon: Bug and Water Type. Its habitat varies from beaches to seabeds. A natural scavenger, it will gleefully chow down on anything edible, no matter how rotten.
Continuing our journey, we stumble upon a remarkable Fossil Restoration Center, a site where ancient Fossils can be revived in Alola. We press on, retracing our steps back to Route 5 until we finally arrive at Lush Jungle, our next destination and the site for our upcoming trial.
"Alright, everyone, gather around," Olivia announces cheerfully. "Today's adventure involves preparing Akala Curry, the renowned dish of Akala Island!"
"I've always wanted to try making that!" Mallow exclaims with enthusiasm. "I'm sure there are some unique ingredients in the Akala Curry recipe that I've never seen before."
Kukui interjects, "Exactly! Today's lesson goes beyond just cooking. It's about the thrill of the hunt for ingredients."
Olivia continues, "To make this more exciting, we'll divide you into three teams. Are you all set?"
"Here are the ingredients each team needs to find," Kukui explains, assigning Nate, Rosa, Trenor, and Lana to one group, Kiawe, Sophocles, and Selene to the second, and finally, Mallow, Lillie, and myself to the last group.
After receiving our individual ingredient cards, I notice the assortment laid out before us – a Mago Berry, Tiny Mushroom, Revival Herb, Miracle Seed, Honey, and a Big Root. "Wow, that's quite the selection," I remark, slightly surprised by the variety and quantity.
"Looking at all this stuff... that sure is a lot," Lillie echoes my sentiment, eyeing the array of ingredients with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. As the other two groups depart on their ingredient-gathering missions, Olivia turns her attention towards us. "The reason I've handed you all these ingredients is that this is going to be the Grass Trial," she explains. "Mallow, you'll be their Trial Captain for this one."
"You can count on me," Mallow responds confidently, ready to take on the responsibility entrusted to her. As we step into the verdant embrace of the Lush Jungle, Mallow steps forward, holding out a Forage Bag. "I brought you a Forage Bag to hold all the ingredients you'll gather for your trial," she offers with a warm smile.
As we receive the bag, Lillie voices a concern, "Are you sure we can just toss the ingredients inside without any issues?"
Mallow chuckles at Lillie's query. "If you threw all the trial ingredients in your own Bag, it would create something unique... like a Mallow Mess, I suppose!" she jests, lightening the moment as we share a collective sweatdrop.
"Let's focus and find the first ingredient right away!" Mallow swiftly redirects our attention, ready to embark on our quest amidst the jungle's lush greenery.
Mallow cautions us about the area as we reach the spot for the Mago Berry. "Geez, those Fomantis...I wonder if they could tell how strong you are? You can find Mago Berries around here. But you'll also find Fomantis living here, 'cause they love Mago Berries, too. If you take a Mago Berry that the Fomantis had their eyes on, they might not take it too kindly!" she warns, emphasizing the territorial nature of the Pokémon in the area.
To avoid any confrontation, we decide to have Dartrix, known for its agility and finesse, gather the Mago Berry while being cautious not to disturb the Fomantis. With a careful approach, we manage to collect the berry without causing any disturbance to the local Pokémon.
Once we secure the Mago Berry, we swiftly move on to the next location. As we venture deeper into the Lush Jungle, we stumble upon an area abundant with mushrooms, specifically the Tiny Mushroom we seek for the trial. However, a group of vigilant Parasect seem to be guarding the prized Tiny Mushroom.
Considering our options, we opt to utilize Dartrix's prowess and command it to use its Flying-type attacks. The swift and super-effective maneuvers of Dartrix enable us to secure the Tiny Mushroom without causing any disturbance among the Parasect. With strategic precision and swift actions, we manage to obtain the crucial ingredient without any confrontation, respecting the natural habitat of the Pokémon in the area.
As we progress through the verdant expanse of the jungle, our quest for the Revival Herb leads us to a nearby rocky mound. Initially, the task seems daunting due to the challenging terrain. However, Pikachu, with its remarkable sense of smell, swiftly pinpoints the location of the Revival Herbs.
Despite the narrow and confined space of the grotto where the herbs are hidden, Lillie and I muster our determination. With a combined effort, we manage to squeeze ourselves inside the tight space, carefully navigating the rocky interior to collect the valuable Revival Herbs.
As we progress further into the depths of the Lush Jungle, Mallow enlightens us about the Honey retrieval process. "You can harvest Honey from the flowers that bloom here in the jungle! But where there are plenty of flowers, there are also plenty of Pokémon," she explains, hinting at the possible presence of Pokémon like Comfey and Fomantis.
Mindful of not disturbing the local Pokémon, especially the Comfey and Fomantis, we cautiously approach the blooming flowers. With careful precision, we gather the Honey without causing any disruption or alarm among the nearby Pokémon. Our focused and considerate approach allows us to obtain the Honey, an essential ingredient for the curry, while maintaining harmony within the jungle's delicate ecosystem.
As we venture deeper into the heart of the jungle, Mallow informs us about the Big Root's whereabouts. "A Big Root, huh? They're usually found near the trees that resemble Sudowoodo. But here's the catch – some of those tree-like figures are actually Sudowoodo themselves! Watch out and good luck!" she cautions, emphasizing the challenge of distinguishing between the actual Sudowoodo and mere tree-like imitations.
Considering Mallow's advice, we tread cautiously, scanning the area to identify the trees that aren't Sudowoodo in disguise. With careful observation and a keen eye, we spot a tree that doesn't mimic Sudowoodo's appearance. Without disturbing the disguised Pokémon, we approach and collect the Big Root, swiftly completing our task.
With the acquisition of the Big Root, we rejoice at having secured the fifth ingredient for Mallow's Grass Trial, leaving us with only one remaining item to gather. Amidst the vibrant colors of blooming flowers and lush greenery, our search for the final ingredient, the Miracle Seed, leads us to a serene setting. Amongst the beauty of the landscape, we come across a hollow tree stump adorned with a variety of berries neatly stacked within. Delving into the pile, my search yields the sought-after Miracle Seed nestled among the berries.
"Great job, everyone. We've gathered all the ingredients," Lillie congratulates with a smile, acknowledging our successful collection.
"Absolutely, let's head back to the entrance," I affirm, satisfied with our accomplishment. As we retrace our steps through the jungle, we reach the entrance where the rest of our group awaits.
"We've got everything we need for the trial!" I announce as we all head back to the entrance. Now Olivia is checking our ingredients, and we start to cook. We begin preparing by placing the Mago Berry and the Tiny Mushroom into the pot. Lana's group provides the Fresh Water, which we pour into the mix. Next come the Honey and the Revival Herb, combining the ingredients carefully.
Kiawe's group contributes the Rare Bone and Thick Club, which we use to stir and mix the concoction. Finally, we add the Big Root and the Miracle Seed, completing the list of ingredients.
With the preparation done, we collectively engage in the process, giving it a thorough smack, crush, grind, and turn until the ingredients amalgamate into a gooey mixture. Each step is performed diligently, ensuring the perfect blend of all the components within the pot, Olivia says, "That smells great! You've done it!"
As we're engrossed in the preparation for the trial, Lillie and I suddenly sense an eerie shift in the atmosphere. Our friends' expressions pale, and an unsettling sensation creeps up our spines. Sensing something amiss, Lillie questions, "What's wrong?"
"B-b-behind you..." Selene stutters, her voice quivering with apprehension. With a sense of foreboding, we turn around only to be taken aback by the sight of a colossal Lurantis and Tsareena standing ominously in front of us.
"Two Totem Pokemon..." I gasp. Then both of them are glowing with orange aura, raising their Speed Stats.
In the heat of the unexpected battle against the colossal Tsareena and Lurantis, Lillie takes charge, sending out Cutiefly and Snowy to confront the Tsareena. Cutiefly initiates the battle by setting up a Sticky Web, attempting to ensnare Tsareena, but it swiftly breaks free and counters with a Trop Kick, sending Cutiefly soaring through the trees. Snowy retaliates with an Ice Beam, only to face a Pluck attack from Tsareena's Trumbeak.
The intense exchange of attacks ensues, and Snowy, to safeguard both Pokémon, conjures an Aurora Veil. In a coordinated effort, both Snowy and Cutiefly execute a powerful combination of Struggle Bug and Hex, dealing significant damage to the Tsareena before it finally succumbs to defeat.
Meanwhile, I enter the fray with Torracat and Salandit to face the imposing Lurantis. Lurantis casts Sunny Day, boosting the power of its Solar Blade, striking both Torracat and Salandit. Adding to the challenge, Lurantis summons Castform, which douses my Pokémon with a Water Gun attack.
Realizing the importance of neutralizing Castform's threat, I direct Salandit to employ Poison Gas, inflicting poison upon Castform. Torracat capitalizes on this, unleashing a combination of Tackle and Crunch, effectively taking down the weakened Castform.
Then, channeling our collective power, I initiate a synchronized dance routine alongside Torracat. As our dance reaches its crescendo, Torracat unleashes its Z-move, Inferno Overdrive! A massive fireball engulfs Lurantis, dealing a devastating blow and ultimately securing victory for our team in this intense and unexpected battle.
"Wow, Ash and Lillie, you're even more formidable than I anticipated! You truly brought out the best from your team! Subduing both the Lurantis and Tsareena—the Totem Pokémon of Lush Jungle—is no small feat," Mallow exclaims, impressed by our prowess.
"And let's not forget your remarkable victories at Wela Volcano Park. The Totem Marowak and Salazzle didn't stand a chance against your skills," Kiawe adds, acknowledging our previous triumphs.
"Indeed, even the carefully trained Wishiwashi and Araquanid by the Kahuna couldn't match your strength and strategy," Lana chimes in, reflecting on our accomplishments.
Olivia, with a sense of admiration, declares, "Well, it seems you've successfully cleared all three of Akala's trials! As an exceptional Trainer who even conquered my super-challenging trials, you most certainly deserve this!"
The Lurantis and Tsareena, now acknowledging our strength and determination, present us with the Grassium-Z. Grateful for their acknowledgment, we graciously accept the coveted Grass-type Z-Crystal, a testament to our triumph over the trials and Totem Pokémon of the Lush Jungle on Akala Island.
"Let me show you how to use Grass-type Z-Moves! You go, like, "Graaassss!" OK? Here, watch, me!" Mallow enthusiastically declares, taking the initiative to showcase the intricate dance associated with the powerful move. With fervor, she starts the ritual, crouching down before gracefully raising her hands and body upward, mimicking the blooming of a magnificent flower.
"Since you've cleared the trial, why don't you try raising some Pokémon from Lush Jungle? Here, have some Nest Balls!" Mallow gives us 10 Nest Balls, and we accept them. As we enjoy our delightful curry, relishing the flavors crafted from our triumphant gathering and the joined presence of the Totem Pokémon, Professor Kukui offers his congratulations. "Congratulations on clearing all three of Akala Island's trials! Well done! It's time for you to step up for Kahuna Olivia's grand trial. She's an expert in Rock-type Pokémon. Stocking up on some Grass-type Pokémon from Lush Jungle would be a smart move for your team," Kukui advises.
"That's a fantastic idea," Lillie agrees, nodding in approval at Kukui's suggestion.
Olivia, hinting at the challenge ahead, asserts, "You know I won't go easy on you."
"Exactly what I'm looking forward to," I respond with a confident smile directed at Olivia, embracing the impending challenge with eagerness and determination.
Here is a new chapter, we're done with the Grass Trial, but we're not done with Lush Jungle as there are still more Pokemon to capture. I hope you like this chapter.
Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:
Charizard, Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Rattata (Alolan), Pikachu, Raichu (Alolan), Vulpix (Alolan), Meowth (Alolan), Grimer (Alolan), Cubone, Lapras, Meganium, Typhlosion (Hisuian), Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Infernape, Lucario, Togekiss, Gallade, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Hawlucha, Dartrix, Torracat, Brionne, Trumbeak, Yungoos, Grubbin, Crabrawler, Oricorio, Cutiefly, Rockruff x3, Wishiwashi, Mareanie, Mudbray, Dewpider, Fomantis, Morelull, Salandit, Stufful, Wimpod, Magearna (Shiny), Kleavor