Chapter 27
Upon returning to Konikoni City, we decide to train all three Rockruff, and we notice that the other two are on the brink of evolving. As we continue our training, one of the Rockruff evolves first and transforms into a Midday Form Lycanroc.
Lycanroc (Midday Form): The Wolf Pokemon: Rock Type. Evolve from Rockruff at LV:25 during daytime. Its quick movements confuse its enemies. Well equipped with claws and fangs, it also uses the sharp rocks in its mane as weapons.
Later that night, the second Rockruff evolves, transitioning into a Midnight Form Lycanroc.
Lycanroc (Midnight Form): The Wolf Pokemon: Rock Type. Evolve from Rockruff at LV:25 during nighttime. It has no problem ignoring orders it doesn't like. It doesn't seem to mind getting hurt at all—as long as it can finish off its opponent.
The last Rockruff, the one I used during the trial, appears to be deeply despondent. Not only does it miss out on evolving, but it also feels remorseful for what happened with Dartrix. Even though Dartrix has forgiven it, a sense of guilt persists. Realizing that it's missing, we decide to embark on a search to find it.
"Rockruff!" Lillie and I exclaim upon finding him lying on the ground, appearing injured. Concerned, Lillie asks, "Rockruff! Are you okay? You're scratched all over!"
However, Rockruff just growls in response. I intervene, saying, "Rockruff, you need to go to the Pokémon Center immediately. Nurse Joy can help you."
Ignoring our pleas, Rockruff continues barking and howling, and then something unexpected happens—the scales from the sky begin to fall... Tapu Lele's scales. "Wait, could this be..."
Amidst the confusion, Lillie notices Rockruff leaving and shouts, "Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
Unexpectedly, Rockruff tackles Lillie to the ground and bites her. Shocked, I gasp, "Lillie!"
Realizing his actions, Rockruff suddenly shows remorse. "I'm sorry..." It expresses before swiftly darting off.
The following day, both of us struggle with drowsiness as we make our way back to the Pokémon Center. Professor Kukui scolds us sternly, "Look! Wandering off in the middle of the night is inexcusable!"
"We're sorry, Professor. But Rockruff disappeared, and we were really worried, so we went after it," I explain.
"We found it again, but it ran away," Lillie adds with a frown. "That's when we decided to let our Lycanroc continue searching while we returned. Could this be related to Rockruff's evolution?"
"You know, it's possible. My Lycanroc disappeared just before evolving," Olivia suggests. "It eventually returned, but only after completing its evolution."
"It was all scratched up and unconscious," I describe, and the others express concern as they join in the search for Rockruff.
As we persist in our search for Rockruff, accompanied by our other Pokémon, Professor Kukui, and Olivia, she inquires, "So Ash, Lillie, any inkling where Rockruff might be?"
Lillie shakes her head. "No clue..." Her expression turns troubled. Suddenly, a Yungoos rushes past us, shedding scales along its path. I gasp, "Hold on... the scales... Tapu Lele! It must be nearby."
"Tapu Lele? Why do you think that?" questions Professor Kukui.
"Professor, I believe Rockruff may have gone to seek Tapu Lele," I assert.
"That's concerning," Olivia remarks, displaying worry. "Tapu Lele's shimmering scales possess healing abilities for Pokémon, but Tapu Lele can also act inadvertently harsh. It perceives its actions as playful, not realizing the potential harm it might cause."
"Seriously?" questions Lillie, taken aback.
"It's true. Tapu Lele enjoys engaging in Pokémon battles playfully. However, its strength is immense, often resulting in unintentional injuries during what it considers playful encounters," Olivia explains further.
We are consumed by worry as we hastily depart from Konikoni City. Olivia urgently shouts, "Ash, Lillie, Tapu Lele has been sighted around the Ruins of Life!"
Racing towards the Ruins of Life, dusk begins to settle in. Upon arrival, we discover Rockruff lying on the ground, flanked by my other Lycanroc, both fixated on Tapu that moment, Tapu Lele unexpectedly bestows a Draining Kiss upon both of my Lycanroc, followed by Lillie and me. As we collapse, Tapu Lele utilizes the gathered energy to try and heal Rockruff.
Gradually awakening, Rockruff appears concerned about our well-being. I reassure it, saying, "Hey, Rockruff. You're okay..."
Struggling to our feet, we witness Tapu Lele swirling in circles before departing. Rockruff gazes intensely at the sunset, observing its orange hue transition into a radiant green glow.
"Could that be the Green Flash?" Professor Kukui gasps in astonishment.
Rockruff, accompanied by both of my Lycanroc, begins to howl at the sun, culminating in Rockruff's evolution into the Dusk Form Lycanroc.
"The Dusk Form Lycanroc... Incredible..." Lillie expresses in awe.
"The evolution possibly being tied to the Green Flash... It's a rare natural occurrence observed only during sunrise or sunset," I explain.
Olivia adds, "The green flash is exceedingly rare. Legend has it that those who witness it are blessed with extraordinary good luck. And now, with your Lycanroc..."
We notice that the Lycanroc's eyes have turned green, leaving us utterly amazed and in awe of this extraordinary event.
Lycanroc (Dusk Form): The Wolf Pokemon: Rock Type. Evolve from Own Tempo Rockruff at LV:25 during the evening. Bathed in the setting sun of evening, Lycanroc has undergone a special kind of evolution. An intense fighting spirit underlies its calmness.
As we're about to depart, we encounter Hau approaching us enthusiastically. "Aue! You're Kahuna Olivia! I'm Hau from Iki Town! You've gotta let me battle you!" His attention then shifts to us. "Oh, hey, Ash and Lillie! Whoa, is that a Lycanroc? I've never seen one like that before!"
"That's a Dusk Form Lycanroc," I explain. "What brings you here?"
"Right. Guess what? This weird green guy from Aether told me to come to Hano Grand Resort once I finished up with my grand trial here on Akala. Crazy, right?" Hau shares.
"Ooh, the Aether Foundation? I'm not sure what he wants with you, but why not go find out? If you don't want to keep him waiting, then Charizard should get you there in no time. The Hano Grand Resort lies just over the bridge near the Dimensional Research Lab," Olivia suggests.
Lillie murmurs, "Ash, I'm sorry, but I'm not going..."
"Don't worry, Lillie. I promise we'll be back soon," I reassure her.
"Maybe I can't show off all Dartrix's and the rest of my team's strengths like my gramps... But I'm still gonna do the best that I can do!" Hau declares confidently.
"You're just you, right? Everyone is. And what's wrong with that?! Why should it matter who your family is? I want to see what it is you kids can do. So, show me your own full power!" Olivia encourages us as we leave her to conduct her Grand Trial with Hau.
At the Hano Grand Hotel on Akala Island, we decide to spend a day together before my departure to the Aether Foundation. We aim to make the most of our time together.
While strolling along Hano Beach, we encounter a surprise—Elio. Selene is taken aback and asks, "Elio? What brings you here?"
Elio greets us warmly, replying, "Oh, hey there, guys. I'm just participating in some Pyukumuku chucking. Apparently, there's a chance to earn 20,000 dollars."
"Pyukumuku chucking? Is that a real thing?" Nate questions with curiosity.
Noticing Elio about to have Torracat throw the Pyukumuku back into the water, I interject, "Hold on, Elio. How about letting us catch that Pyukumuku instead?"
"Well, sure, but Pyukumuku can't use any attacking moves," Elio warns.
"It's a cool Water-type with the ability Innards Out," I mention, pointing out the hand emerging from its body and slamming Torracat. "Just like that."
Then Pikachu decides to use Thunder Wave to immobilize the Pyukumuku, making it easier for us to capture.
Pyukumuku: The Sea Cucumber Pokemon: Water Type. Its entire body is covered in its own slime. If you accidentally step on one, you'll slip, and it will get mad and smack you!
As Elio returns to his work, we continue enjoying our time in the water. Suddenly, Pikachu and Snowy start yelping, prompting us to investigate. We spot a shovel lying on the ground.
"What's a shovel doing here?" I reach out to grab it, but Trenor intervenes, cautioning, "No, Brother! That's a Sandygast's shovel! Holding it can make people or Pokémon lose control."
"I've heard about them. They're considered the most dangerous Pokémon on the beach," Rosa adds, sounding concerned.
Suddenly, the Sandygast emerges from the sand and launches a Shadow Ball at us. Reacting quickly, I shout, "Absol! Zoroark! Dark Pulse!"
Both Pokémon unleash their Dark Pulse attacks simultaneously, resulting in overwhelming force. Realizing the situation, we opt to capture the Sandygast to prevent further harm.
Sandygast: The Sand Heap Pokemon: Ghost and Ground Type. If you build sand mounds when you're playing, destroy them before you go home, or they may get possessed and become Sandygast.
Returning to the hotel after our eventful day, we are taken aback to discover a wedding ceremony—except it's not a real one. It turns out that it's the kids playing and pretending, orchestrating a wedding for two Pikachu. Their playful imaginations had created the illusion of a Pikachu wedding, much to our surprise and amusement. In gratitude for joining in their imaginative celebration, the kids kindly gift me a Rose Incense as a token of appreciation.
We stumble upon a reporter who appears to be pestering another Pikachu, identified as the renowned star Chuuster. "Eek! You are, aren't you?! You're the famous star Chuuster! You've become a household name with the massive success of your latest film, Chuuster! So the rumors that you were here in Alola were true after all! How are you spending your time off? What brought you here to Alola, now?"
The owner of Chuuster expresses concern, saying, "I must ask that you respect Master Chuuster's privacy and let him vacation in peace. He will not be taking interviews at this time."
"What! But everyone is just dying to know more about the famous Chuuster's private life!" the reporter insists. "You've got to spill!"
"Please, miss. We've already asked once nicely..." We decide to intervene and step in. To prevent further harassment of the fellow Pikachu movie star, we propose a battle with the reporter.
"Waaaah! B-but the freedom of the press—!" The reporter scurries away, flustered, while the owner lets out a relieved sigh. "Thank you for stepping in and aiding us in that rather challenging moment."
Chuuster also expresses gratitude, and the owner adds, "Oh! It seems Master Chuuster is also very grateful for your assistance!"
Then, in a gesture of appreciation, the owner offers us a Z-Crystal—a Pikanium Z. "Please accept this as a token of our gratitude. Use it wisely."
As the Pikachu demonstrates the Pikanium Z dance, showcasing its adorable moves, the onlookers express admiration. "Oh! That's it! The Pikanium Z pose! Absolutely delightful!" the owner exclaims.
"So, you've unexpectedly got another Z-Crystal..." observes Lillie.
"Yeah..." I sigh, taking a moment to absorb the surprise, before deciding to return to the Hano Grand Resort.
Here is a new chapter, and we're done with Akala Island. The next chapter will be the Aether Paradise and I hope you like it.
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, Gumshoos, Charjabug, Crabrawler, Oricorio, Cutiefly, Rockruff x3, Wishiwashi, Mareanie, Mudbray, Dewpider, Fomantis, Morelull, Salandit, Stufful, Steenee, Comfey, Oranguru, Passimian, Wimpod, Magearna (Shiny), Kleavor