Chapter 25

During the nighttime, we decided to engage in some training sessions, and it was during one of these sessions that our Alolan Rattata evolved into Raticate.

Raticate (Alolan Form): The Mouse Pokemon: Dark and Normal Type. Evolve from Alolan Rattata LV:20 during nighttime. This gourmet Pokémon is particular about the taste and freshness of its food. Restaurants where Raticate live have a good reputation.

The following morning, we arrive at Diglett's Tunnel to find Olivia engaged in conversation with two Aether Foundation workers. As they depart, Olivia remarks, "This cave really is something, y'know? It's overflowing with these Pokémon called Diglett, and they are getting really out of hand. Mediocre Trainers can't even get through! But if you are as strong as you appear, you should be able to make it through this cave."

"That's no problem for us," Lillie says confidently.

"At the opposite end lies Konikoni City, where my shop is located. I'll meet you there!" With a cheerful farewell, she strides ahead, prompting us to quickly follow in pursuit. On our way, we encounter the previous Aether Foundation workers.

"Phew... With Olivia taking charge, we've finally made progress against those Diglett," one of them exclaims.

Spotting us, they extend greetings. "Alola! We're members of the Aether Foundation, dedicated to supporting Pokémon conservation," one of the workers explains.

"It turns out that Team Skull was responsible for stirring up the Diglett in this cave, bringing them all to the surface," another worker adds.

"Ah, Team Skull—they're a group of troublemakers who seem to take pleasure in disrupting Trainers and their Pokémon."

"Diglett typically reside in complex underground tunnel systems they've spent years digging. Our goal is to ensure they return to these tunnels, allowing people to pass through without encountering so many Pokémon."

"However, some Diglett remain on or near the surface, so please be cautious!" warns the worker.

"We will," we assure them as they bid farewell and depart. At the exit, we encounter some Team Skull grunts attempting to obstruct our path.

"Ahh, no way...just when things were startin' to heat up, yo, I got surrounded by Diglett and beat up, yo!" complains the male grunt.

"Yo, since when can Diglett use Beat up?!" the female grunt questions. "I am so mad that now I want to beat up on some fools!"

"Don't be mad 'cause you were the fools who were dumb enough to be here right now," the male grunt chimes in.

"Hey, guys!" Hau arrives and exclaims, "Aue! I was wondering who you were playing around with without me, and it's Team Skull!"

The male grunt retorts, "You want some? That's how we say hello! Nice knowing you, punks!"

Subsequently, they engage us in battle, and their Ekans and Salandit are swiftly defeated by our team.

After their defeat, the female grunt muses, "Are we headed to the grave, yo? Will our bones be laid bare, yo?" Her companion adds, "The gloom that enfolds us like fog...we can't seem to shake it off."

Recalling their Pokémon, the female grunt snaps, "Yo, step off! Enough with the beating up, yo!"

"We may not be trying to take over the world or nothing, but we're still hard as a bone out here!" asserts the male grunt before they depart. Hau waves cheerfully at them and says, "See you on the flip side!"

Turning back to us, Hau remarks, "Man, Ash, when I fight with you... It's like even my Pokémon feel more at ease! You really are some kind of Trainer. That's it! I've just gotta give you something!" He hands over some Max Ethers. "Max Ethers will restore all the PP to one of your moves, you know? Pretty great, right? It's pretty much like those Roto PP Restores you can get from the Roto Loto, yeah!"

"Uh, thanks?" I respond, slightly puzzled.

"Now I'm gonna go have some more fun with those Diglett! See ya!" Hau says as he departs.

Once he leaves, we proceed to exit the cave, making our way toward Konikoni City.

Exiting the Diglett's Tunnel, we're taken aback to see a familiar figure emerging from the Police Station. Lillie quickly acknowledges, "Agent Looker!"

Spotting us, Looker exclaims, "Oh, Ash and Lillie! It's been three years since our last encounter in the Sinnoh Region."

"It's wonderful to see you again, Mr. Looker. Are you back to work already?" I inquire.

Mallow, curious, asks, "Ash and Lillie, who is he?"

But before we can introduce Looker, he introduces himself, "Looker is my name. I travel the world, and many lands do I visit for... my own private reasons. Alola is a nice place and so very peaceful. Most ideal for a vacancy. I was just in Konikoni City, where I got a most unusual stone at Ms. Olivia's shop! No one here is so terrible as to try to create a new world...or liberate all Pokémon from their Trainers. Yes, peaceful indeed..."

"You're referring to Team Galactic and Team Plasma, right?" I interject with a sigh.

"Though concerns I have about those reported sightings of the infamous Pokémon mafia..." Looker trails off. "Ah! Forgive me for keeping you. I will give you this Thunder Stone if you forgive my rudeness. I bought three without thinking!"

Handing over the Thunder Stone, Looker bids us farewell. "Do have a good adventure, my trial-going young Trainer friends!"

As Looker departs, Trenor chimes in, "He's a member of the International Police and my mom's trusted subordinate."

"Wow..." The others nod in amazement at the revelation.

Entering the Police Station, one of the officers alerts us, "My partner at the back is acting really weird lately."

Intrigued, we investigate, only to discover that the officer is actually a Ditto in disguise. Perplexed, I inquire, "Hold on, when did Ditto gain the ability to transform into humans?"

Professor Kukui remarks, "That's quite a significant discovery."

The officer reacts, exclaiming, "A Ditto was disguised as my partner?! Are the Ditto Five responsible for this?"

"Ditto Five?" Nate inquires.

"The Ditto Five love humans so much that they transform into humans. They are very troublesome! They mean no harm, but they mess up people's relationships, so they are registered as wanted Pokemon. But where in the world did my partner go? By any chance, did Ditto...?!"

As we begin to dread the worst, the officer's missing partner suddenly enters, saying, "Sorry! I had a cold and was in bed for a while!"

Surprised by the simple explanation, I notice the officer coughing before expressing gratitude, "Thank you for finding out that a Ditto was disguised as my partner. Lately in Konikoni City, there are sightings of people who might actually be Ditto. I'm investigating these cases. You found out my partner was actually a Ditto. It would be reassuring if I could get your help."

Agreeing to assist, the officer provides us with a description, saying, "I've heard that in Konikoni City, there's a seller who interacts with customers in a bizarre way. A Ditto may be involved. Defeat or catch the Ditto. Either way, please report it to me!"

In Konikoni City, Selene participates in the third contest. During the appeal rounds, Selene showcases the talents of her Salandit, captivating the audience with its mesmerizing Flamethrower display, and igniting the stage with vibrant flames that dance in rhythm to the music.

As the judges deliberate on the performances, Selene anxiously waits for the results, hoping for a strong showing from Salandit to secure a place in the finals. The tension mounts in the air as the anticipation grows among the contestants and spectators alike. Suddenly, the announcement echoes through the venue, revealing the contenders who have advanced to the finals. Selene beams with delight as her name is called, indicating her successful passage to the final round of the contest.

In the battle round of the contest, Selene steps onto the stage with her Brionne, ready to face off against a formidable Crabrawler. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as the battle commences. The Crabrawler, known for its powerful punches and swift movements, launches a series of attacks, aiming to overwhelm Brionne. However, Selene's Brionne proves its resilience, deftly evading the opponent's strikes while countering with graceful water-based moves. With impressive agility and a strategic display of Aqua Jet and Bubble Beam, Brionne navigates the battlefield, creating dazzling aquatic patterns that captivate the audience. The Crabrawler fights valiantly, but Selene's skillful command and Brionne's graceful prowess ultimately secure the victory for them.

The spectators erupt into cheers and applause as the battle concludes, acknowledging Selene's strategic prowess and Brionne's remarkable performance. And my Mom also gives her the third Ribbon. Continuing our pursuit of the Ditto posing as humans, we spot it near the Alola Photo Club, cleverly masquerading as a hiker. Driven by resolve, we confront the Ditto, initiating a battle and ultimately emerge victorious, successfully capturing the transformed Pokémon.

Upon our triumph, the genuine herb seller returns and apologizes, "Hey, sorry for being away for a while. I was picking some herbs. I'll start selling herbs again. So come and see me!"

Hastening back to the police station with the captured Ditto in our company, the Officer reacts with surprise, "What?! The herb seller was a Ditto! No wonder his interactions with customers were bizarre. Although its appearance may be exactly the same, it can't speak a word. Thank you for dealing with the Ditto."

"No problem," we assure the Officer. Sensing something amiss, the Officer adds, "Lately, the flavors at my favorite restaurant in Konikoni City seem to have changed... It my have something to do with Ditto."

We arrive at the restaurant and discover that the chef was actually the third Ditto in disguise. After apprehending it, the real chef returns in a flustered state, exclaiming, "Oh no! I'm late! I'm late! I ate too much yummy food and got stuck in the door at my home. But for some reason the restaurant is running all right... Was someone cooking?"

"Yes, it was a Ditto," I confirm while escorting the captured Ditto back to the station. "What? Ditto was disguised as a chef in the restaurant?! No wonder the flavors have been different lately. Ditto was cooking... Thank you for dealing with the Ditto."

"No problem," we assure the Officer. Sensing a pattern, the Officer remarks, "Lately, more and more people feel less stiff and tense in Konikoni City. I wonder if it has something to do with Ditto."

Once we arrive at the Message Stall, Lillie remarks, "Look, that's a message stall. The messaging service here in Konikoni City is highly recommended."

"Is it? Sounds interesting. We should definitely give it a try," I suggest as we step inside the establishment to experience the messaging service. We also encourage our Pokémon to participate, allowing them to enjoy the messaging experience as well.

We encounter the fourth Ditto in disguise and engage in a battle, ultimately defeating and apprehending it. Soon after, the genuine Iomi Iomi masseuse arrives, expressing confusion, "Hmmm... Strange... People in town are raving about their massages, saying they make them feel like they're melting. But I was closed for a while. Strange..."

Despite acknowledging the Ditto's skill in providing massages, we return to the station with the captured Ditto. The Officer reacts, "What? The massage therapist at the Iomi Iomi massage place was a Ditto?! So a Ditto was giving people Iomi Iomi massages?! Of course... If Ditto, with such a melty body, gave you a massage, the stiffness in your body would just melt away, too. Thank you for dealing with the Ditto."

"No problem," we assure the Officer. Sensing a continuing trend, the Officer adds, "This is not about Ditto, but lately Olivia often gazes at the sea alone in Konikoni City... I wish I could help her."

Really? The final Ditto among the Ditto Five was impersonating Olivia. After capturing it, we return to the station where the Officer expresses shock, "What?! The person who was gazing at the sea was actually a Ditto, not Olivia?! Watching her from behind like that, with her sadness seeming to blow in the Alolan breeze... I was certain that was Olivia. Thank you for dealing with the Ditto."

Curious about the completion of the Ditto cases, I inquire, "So, that's all five, right?" The Officer confirms, "Of course. I'll give you this gift as thanks for solving the cases!" He presents us with a Focus Band. "Ditto act weird and can't talk, so now we can tell disguised Ditto from humans. What if Ditto that can fully understand humans' minds appeared? Maybe... People near you may have been swapped with Ditto without your knowing... Haha!"

The eerie thought sends a shiver down our spines before we opt to leave the station and seek out Olivia at her jewelry store. The mysterious implications surrounding Ditto's abilities and the potential for further complications linger in our minds as we make our way to find Olivia.

As we enter Olivia's store, we're greeted by a Probopass carrying a letter addressed to us from Olivia. "Olivia here. This is Probopass. It watches the shop whenever I'm away. I know I asked you to meet me here, but there's been a change of plans. Come meet me at the Ruins of Life past Memorial Hill, when you can."

"It appears Olivia won't be meeting us here," Kiawe remarks. Suddenly, the Probopass ascends upstairs and returns, presenting us with a Max Potion. It seems to be intended for our use. "Thank you," we express our gratitude to the helpful Probopass. We also look around the shop and we find that Olivia really sells a lot of jewels. Once we're done, we head to Memorial Hill and find Olivia.

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, you can see that I include the Ditto Five quest. I hope you like this chapter and we're going into the Grand Trial in the next one.

Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:

Charizard, Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Raticate (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, Steenee, Comfey, Oranguru, Passimian, Wimpod, Magearna (Shiny), Kleavor