Alola readers! Brav is back! And also 24! Yup, today was my 24th birthday. Was fairly interesting. Saw Incredibles 2 (fantastic movie) had dinner at one of my favorite sushi bars and got to spend time with both my immediate and extended family.

Plus there's an update for this story! Who doesn't love that?

Going back to last chapter, I'm gonna be honest and say that reading some of the feedback I got had me grinning like a total dipshit. Because I can be that sadistic at times. And it's not just here on this site, almost all the places where this story is up had similar reactions. Like I said, this is not necessarily dark, but I do think it to be one of the story's more dramatic points and have a good standing of Elio's own moral compass and the defining of his relationship with his own father. And a fair warning, this is not the last time something dark and/or dramatic is going to occur. Those of you that know how the game goes and how I go will likely know what I am talking about.

Fortunately I do believe that having darker dramatic moments should be counterbalanced by lighter ones with more humor and action. As of now, we're going to be stepping away from the angst/family drama for a while and get back on track with the main story! There's a trial, Dimensional Research Lab, Konikoni City, kahuna battle and a lot more happening very soon! And Elio's reunion with Lillie! Can you believe the last time I wrote the two of them together was last year?! I upload at a painfully slow pace I know...but nevertheless, I've got their reunion and time together on Akala Island to be very sweet, so those who are waiting for more Elio X Lillie moments won't have to wait much longer!

Let's get on to the chapter. Enjoy everyone.

I just hope that Elio doesn't let the thoughts of his father get to his head while he's on the trial. Just hurry back…that call made me especially worried about him and I feel like if I give him a hug or talk in person might be able to help him relax. I'll show him how to relax when this part is all over. At least the letters are still being written again. That's a huge relief.

Professor Burnet had to take today off work. She still isn't feeling well. Is there something going around?

Dear Lillie,

Thank you so much for that talk. I know you were probably tired and sleepy, but I just needed to hear your voice.

I guess I inherited my father's angry traits. Must be a Northstar thing… It takes a lot to get us riled up or aggravated, but we get completely pissed off with blown tops once we're at that breaking point. I kind of smashed up the room I was staying at by accident. Yeah…I guess I have some anger issues and it just has to be about family. You didn't deserve any of that tongue lashing I gave you, so I'm very very sorry about that. I promise it won't happen again.

Negative stuff aside, I'm ready for this trial. I'll try my best to heed your warning about Mallow and her flirting. I ran into her back at Kahananui Ranch where she showed me how to use a ride stoutland…and yeah…definitely an outgoing person for sure. She's cute for sure…but I know at least one girl who's far cuter. Don't tell her that though and I'm not divulging no matter hard you try to get it outta me!

And no it's not Leilani. She's seems more into Hau anyway and we've got an operation to plan on how to get those two to confess! Am I right?

I miss you a lot. I can't stop thinking about coming to see you again!

Sincerely,

Elio

Situated on the northwestern part of Akala Island, the Lush Jungle was one of the few final places where intervention by man was minimal. It was many, many square miles of constant dense overgrowth of massive trees, sinewy vines and steep grooves that were based around small creeks. It was a sacred place, home to many resources the Alolans relied on for food as well as being the grounds for Akala Island's oldest trial site.

Elio could see the big thicket of trees that stretched up to a height equal of some mid-sized buildings. As he got closer, the chirps, screeches and cries of many exotic pokemon species could be heard within its depths. As far as he could see, there were no pathways leading in or trails marked anywhere leading inside.

The Lush Jungle. Where the final trial of this island awaits. Mallow is the captain if I remember right. So I wonder what we'll have to do?

It began to get less dense as he moved closer to the ocean, to a point where the roads ended and left a quarter mile span between the brush and the rocky coastline. Elio could see a large group of hills off to his right and there were shouts coming from the other side.

We've got all day. Might as well take a look see.

Scaling the top of a mound, he was greeted with an unusual sight.

Waves curled beautifully as they crashed against the sandbar, dissipating in a foamy white spray. Further out, he could see more of them starting to form as they advanced towards the shoreline.

The voices he had heard came from the couple dozen beach-goers. Some were sitting underneath umbrellas in the sand, shielding themselves from the harsh Alolan sun. One little kid was flying a tailow kite that had caught the winds, flying freely above.

Most of the action however was out in the ocean. As another wave picked up velocity, Elio saw one of the riders quickly zoom out in front while lying on their front. To his amazement, the wall of water had grown substantially in a matter of seconds before the rider's "board" suddenly changed directions and moved rapidly lengthwise.

The surfer guided the "board" up at the crest of the wave and he could now see that it was a pokemon of some sort. It had lengthy "wings" on either side with a dark blue back and grayish front. A long swishing tail trailed at its end.

Elio saw the synchronization perfectly in what he had guessed was some sort of ride pokemon. The creature spun around in midair three times before its rider jumped off in a well-timed flip. They stuck the landing with a big splash and rode its gradual descent right back to the shore.

People applauded as the surfer came closer to shore and dismounted the ride. They waved to the crowd as the pokemon was pet on the head before being returned to their ball and heading up the beach.

Elio would have loved to stay and watch more of the surfing spectacle, but he had a trial to catch.

And we best get going.

Striding down the hill, he now noticed that a section of the jungle had been opened apart, flanked by a pair of the multicolored trial gates he had grown accustomed to seeing whenever one was nearby.

The boy reached down to make sure all six of his pokemon were ready to roll. All items accounted for. His mind? Not in the right place.

But the sooner I finish this. The sooner I can see Lillie again.

"The Lush Jungle. Bzzt." Rotom glanced at their surroundings. "A zacred place for Alolanzzz and home to zo many pokemon zpeciez! Alzo the place where we're gonna rock this trial!"

"You got that right buddy. Hope Mallow's here though."

As he wandered deeper on the dirt path that was set in the middle, the overhanging branches and leaves became thicker, blocking out all but a few patches of sunlight that filtered down from above like beams. The entire surroundings seemed to get darker and Elio found himself just a little bit outside his comfort zone from hearing all the otherworldly sounds.

The steamy heat didn't help either.

Humidity was one of his least favorite things about Alola. Like being right in the middle of a damn rice cooker.

Up ahead, he spotted a clearing where a large section where it was decidedly brighter but still shaded. The familiar figure in overalls turned upon hearing his approach and waved, smiling broadly.

"Thanks for stopping by!" Mallow chirped as he hustled over. "It's definitely good to see you again Elio! You're going right through these trials like they're nothing huh? I knew it when I first saw you and your team! You bested the diabolo ke kai with Lana! Showed the mo'owahine who's the boss! I have to say that you looked good in all that ink and wearing nothing but that loincloth dancing around!"

Here comes the flirting. Do I just activate a flirtation device of some kind whenever I'm around pretty girls?

He wasn't lying when he silently admitted to himself that the trial captain was beautiful in his own opinion. She had a slender figure with long bright green hair that looked strikingly fitting, even as a grass-type specialist. He did notice that her shorts were definitely on the short side and if she were to bend over…

I'd get a helluva fantastic look. Will she do that voluntarily?

"Out of curiosity," Sun pointed to the pink and white flower that was sticking out of her hair's headband on the right side. "What is that flower for? I've seen girls wear it from time to time around here. Hardly anyone else outside Alola that I know of does that."

"Oh this?" She involuntarily reached up to touch it. "This is a hibiscus; the official flower of the Alola region. It's often a tradition for Alolan women and girls to wear one during ceremonies and formal events. The flower's placement on my head indicates my status…if you can call it that. Wearing it behind my right ear or right side indicates that I am single, as you can see. A girl or woman who places it behind her left ear or side means that she is either married or seeing someone. Kind of neat if you ask me. Makes trying to pick up girls a lot easier. You know what I mean right?"

Uh…yeah I do. But what's THAT supposed to mean?

"So you're single?"

"Yup! Why, you need a date?"

"Maybe. Maybe not."

"So now you will face the glamorous trial and totem of the one and only Mallow! Allow me to welcome my fine trial goer here to the Lush Jungle's trial grounds! This is a special place, home to many different pokemon species found nowhere else in the world and special ingredients can be found here for delicious recipes and region renowned restaurants such as mine!"

Here we go.

"Yeah. I'm ready."

"Well I knew it the first time I saw you and your team!" She stepped forward. First, the traditional Alolan blessing."

Elio fought the blush that came to his face when Mallow gently wrapped her arm around the back of his head and brought him close, placing her free hand on his shoulder muscle. He felt her give it a squeeze and caused a little smile to grace her lips. Knowing what was about to happen, he took his own arms, placing one on her opposite shoulder and the other on the back of her own head.

Their foreheads and noses made contact and he immediately felt as if a vibrant rejuvenation of life energy surged through him just by touching the other person. Both trial captain and trial goer inhaled simultaneously, like having done it before and then breathed out at the same time…sharing the breath of life with one another.

To anyone else, the longtime trial practice appeared to be the prelude to some intimate foreplay and even though he still thought of it in that aspect, there was no denying the friendship and shared part that he was now one of the Alolan people.

"E mālama ka tapu mai ka lani mai. A alakaʻi iāʻoe i loko o ka hoʻokolokoloʻaneʻane e kokokeʻoe e piʻi." Mallow softly whispered, while closing her eyes. Sun actually found himself reciting a part of it without having to follow the lead of the captain. Speaking so much Alolan at once was sure to get his tongue twisted around.

At least I think I'm starting to understand parts of it now. It sounds more like a language than just gibberish that the locals do to screw with haoles.

Mallow finally let go of their embrace and smiled back at him.

"You ready to get in some hot water?" She asked with a growing grin plastered on her delicate features. "Because my trial is ready for you if you're ready for it!"

"Okay yes. I am ready."

"Splendid! Now as always, your pokemon are only the finest ingredients."

Ingredients for what? Are we going to have to do a sacrifice here? I hope not.

"And thus, while they can be effective on their own, they can make something more together! We'll just have to do the Mallow Special!"

"The Mallow Special?" Elio asked.

"Yup! It's the best and you'll soon see why! So…for my trial; I'm going to ask you to find four ingredients for me! They can all be found somewhere in the Lush Jungle! Best way to find them is to use the stoutland search I gave you back at the ranch. One should be available for you to call."

"Okay." Sun dug into his backpack and thumbed on the pager's screen. Within just a few seconds, the dispatch already was sending a ride stoutland his way from the closest station.

"And I'll give you this!" She handed him a small yellow canvas sack with a twine drawstring at the top. "This forage bag will hold all of the ingredients I'll ask without bruising or damaging them! Better there than in your backpack. Another cool thing too! Bring that into a Thrifty Megamart or Tanaka's here in Alola and you can get a little bit of money back for groceries! Helps reduce the use of plastic bags!"

That's actually a good point and good use. Elio thought to himself, feeling his backpack. It was all subtle changes, but as he went further on his island challenge, his bag slowly by slowly had been increasing in weight. Mom would love to hear that discount part.

"All right then!" Mallow said, turning to walk back towards the jungle's entrance. "Wow, this trial stuff is pretty darn exciting! While you're going to get the stuff, I gotta make a phone call, we're gonna need some help! Laki maika'i!"

That means something like good luck if I can translate right.

Wait…she didn't even tell me what ingredients I'm supposed to find. Am I supposed to guess what they are on my own?

"Mallow!" Sun yelled, just as he was nearly bowled over by a rushing blur of brown fur. The ride stoutland halted by his side and curiously licked the drivesuit lying prone in front. "What am I supposed to look for?!"

"What?!"

"What am I supposed to look for?" Elio shouted again, gently shoving the furry face out of the way. It seemed like he didn't have to do the bonding thing he had done with most rides since it seemed to like him from the start.

He hadn't really noticed it before, but the constant noise of the jungle from various pokemon species were at a volume high enough that he had to basically scream out loud to ask the question. Mallow was thirty or so feet away and her back was to him, but the ambient sound levels made his normal voice volume virtually inaudible.

"Oh right! I totally forgot!" Mallow giggled to herself and cupped her hands to her mouth. "Silly me! The four ingredients you need to find! A mago berry, tiny mushroom, revival herb and a miracle seed! You got that?"

"Elio hazzz it and I've recorded it in caze we forget!" Rotom buzzed from Sun's side. "Here'zz your shopping lizt!"

"Okay then! Here in the Lush Jungle it's time for Mallow's trial to begin! Elio, your trial starts now!"

"And we all know what that meanz!" 'Dex hovered to his front and played the similar catchy tune he heard from egressing over the water at Brooklet Hill. "Trial ztart!"

Elio grunted as he pulled himself onto the saddle and hooked the straps into his drivesuit. "Hey buddy." He whispered, petting the thick fur. "Let's get this done quick yeah?"

"Laki maika'i!" Mallow called out as he guided his ride out onto one of the makeshift paths to begin his search.

Elio decided on the leftmost "path" to start, slowly moving the stoutland along. The grass grew taller with a single way cut through that was wide enough for one single person to traverse. The long blades danced lazily in the weak breeze and he saw flashes of motion inside as pokemon moved about in the thicket.

"I'm totally not a big fan of junglezz." Rotom grumbled. "Thiz zteam is mezzing up my zervomotorzz. Bzzt!"

"Servomotors?"

"Yeah. You know…droid ztuff."

"Isn't that made up?"

"Maybe. Bzzt!"

Rotom's GPS kept them from getting lost, but seeing a thousand trees that looked identical and the tall grass blades that stretched over his head made it very easy to lose the sense of direction. The sun was directly above them, shining in its noon blaze, but with patches streaming down in fine beams.

It took about another five minutes to reach the next clearing when the stoutland huffed and growled again, putting his nose close to the ground and sniffing eagerly.

"What is it boy?" Elio asked. "You smell something?"

He barked again and Sun let the pokemon take control, slowly moving to the clearing's left. As they crossed over, he heard the chirping of birds rise in alarm. Without warning, a flock of red and black pikipek erupted from within the three, scattering into the sky.

Elio had to struggle to keep his breathing under control and gripped the handlebars with white knuckles.

It's okay. Just a flock of pikipek. Nothing to shit yourself over.

Then why do I have the sense we're being watched?

Elio glanced at his surroundings, but seeing nothing but a few other aloof pikipek sitting on nearby branches. A squeak had them alerted and they too had taken off, intent on chasing a bounsweet deeper into the brush.

He didn't see anything else out of the ordinary. Yet the weighted gaze didn't take itself off him.

I feel like we're sitting duckletts out here. Let's just get this done quick.

He let stoutland keep on moving towards whatever had him excited and he abruptly stopped, barking out loud while pawing at a small green stalk that had a pair of leaves drooping out from its side.

Elio was again nearly thrown off from the excited ride and he dismounted with shaking limbs, nearly falling over.

I don't know if I'll ever get used to something like that.

Stoutland moved aside as he gripped the bottom of the stalk and pulled. The plant was rooted into the ground firmly moving just slightly. He readjusted his hold and tried again.

It took a couple of seconds, but his strength was beginning to overpower the roots and it jerked free from the ground in a plume of dirt that rained down on him.

"Ugh." He wiped it off his clothes and arms with a flick of his hand. The object was a little bigger than his fist with a bright pink color and brown tip. The end was cutely curled like a spoink's tail.

This is a mago berry!

"Well, that'z one mago berry zecure!" Rotom didn't stop his catchy musical tune playing off his speakers. "You know what they always zay! Bzzt! The more curvy the berry, the zweeter and taztier it becomezz! Bzzt!"

"Just like a good woman."

Wait, did I just say that out loud?!

"Mallow would be very proud if zhe wazz here to hear you zay that! Bzzt!"

"Say that?" Both Elio and Rotom glanced up to see Mallow walking towards them with a hand on her hip and an inquisitive expression. "I'm already proud of you, mister handsome and sexy trainer! Don't tell anyone I said that okay? But we got the mago berry! The curvier it is; the sweeter it tastes! Just like a good woman!"

The trial captain just spouted off how they needed three more ingredients and wishing them luck before happily skipping off and humming to herself. Both Elio and his Rotom 'Dex watched her go before looking back at each other with a half perplexed and half awed expression.

"Let'z juzt get going. Bzzt."

"Don't need to tell me twice."

Good idea. He stuffed the berry into the forage bag and climbed back on the stoutland. With a gentle tug on the right handlebar, they were off to find the next item.

So damn hot…okay it's not that hot, but the humidity is killer. Ever wonder what standing in a rice cooker feels like?

Elio twisted the cap off his water bottle and took a swig. The outside was covered in condensation that slicked on his drivesuit. It was at that precise moment when the stoutland rocked forward, causing Elio to lurch forward himself and launch a spray of water from the bottle right in his face.

"Gah!" He wiped it off and stowed it on his backpack. Stoutland was now moving up multiple rocks that were clumped together. Bright green moss covered their surface and he deftly leapt from the top of one to another, avoiding the narrow crevices that stretched underneath. While slipping on the moss wouldn't put him in a deep pit, the steepness of the curves and slippery moss would mean climbing out to be an ordeal of a task. Not to mention if he had broken a bone too.

Stoutland's long claws found purchase easily on the sides and going up a bit had saved them some time from being in the grass.

This is technically trailblazing. But I don't care. It's a jungle. There are no trails!

Sun could see that the next part where the trees had separated were around another rock. What made it different from the ones they were standing on and the others around it was the more bright vivid green coloring. A patch of sunlight filtered from above, giving it a glowing appearance.

Even as he guided the ride to approach it, he felt as if some strange hidden power was radiating out from its surface.

"Thiz rock izz giving off ztrange readingz! Bzzt!" Rotom commented from his side. "Amazzzzing!"

It is amazing. But how? How is this rock different from the others? The boy brought stoutland to its side and he ran his left hand over its surface after stripping his glove. The moss made it feel incredibly soft and despite the oppressive heat in the air; the entirety of the rock had a pleasant coolness to it.

"Analyzing! Bzzt! This mossy rock haz zimilar propertiezz to one found in Eterna Forest in the Sinnoh region! There are more being dizcovered such as one in Unova'z Pinwheel Forest!"

"Properties? What kind?"

"I can't zay for zertain! Bzzt! But trainerzz zeem to be able to evolve an eevee into leafeon while near rockz zuch azzz theze! Bzzt!"

So this is where I'd come with an eevee to get a leafeon?

"Interesting."

With the short break out of the way, he continued on, having to blaze another trail through the trees and circumnavigating around plants of all kinds.

Some of the trees had among the thickest trunks he had seen, with gnarled roots that crisscrossed into the marshy ground. As he approached some of the little pits in between the trees, he could see grubbin crawling around. They quickly burrowed into the soil as the big dog padded over their area.

Let's see…we need a tiny mushroom, a revival herb and miracle seed. Hmm.

I bet we can find the revival herb somewhere around here.

He signaled stoutland to search and the canine got right to work, putting his head close to the ground and moving from side to side as if indecisive. It barked again, moving around close to the roots and homing in on the blades of grass surrounding a particularly large trunk that had been completely cut down. All that remained was a stump that was almost as long in diameter as Elio's own height.

The cut that had felled the tree seemed to singe it slightly, evidenced by dark burn marks at the edges. What was more interesting…or rather disturbing was the clean cut as if someone had cleaved it right through with a giant razor sharp sword.

Elio was no forensic expert, but a normal person would have to angle something like a chainsaw multiple times, causing the aftermath to be serrated and uneven. The stump's top was incredibly smooth with no signs of resistance or interference. The felled tree itself was also nowhere to be found.

What in the world could have caused this?

And it came back. That feeling of being watched. Sun swore he was getting paranoid, even while glancing around to see nothing out of the ordinary.

Did it do this? Is there something out there like the totem pokemon?

Dismounting stoutland once again, he noticed that several of those green blades spun together similar to the mago berry, being the outside of the plant concealed underneath the soil. A rather pleasant aroma was wafting in this part of the air.

"Be careful! Bzzt!" Rotom warned him just as he was about to reach for one of the plants. "You don't want a revival herb that'zz too young!"

Right.

Most of the plants looked identical, with three or four spindling blades sticking out from the soil.

Do four mean it's a mature one?

With only one way to find out, he gripped it at its base and pulled. This time, it came out much easier than the mago berry and the dirt clinging at the hairy roots was much drier.

That's right. These revival herbs prefer warm drier climates and grow closer to trees where the soil doesn't have as much water.

"One revival herb! Bzzt! Check!" Rotom pulled the screen back up and added a green strikethrough of the ingredient on the list.

"Yes! We got this!" As Elio moved his arm to place the herb into the forage bag, his elbow bumped a second plant, causing it to stir.

"What?"

The plant popped out from the soil and glared at Elio with two red eyes. It was small with the leaves on its head sticking out from the surface. The remainder of its body was red and pink with two tiny scythelike appendages for arms.

"New pokemon detected! I get to do my job on your job! Bzzt!" Rotom happily said. "Fomantis. Sickle grass pokemon. The top of its head gives off a pleasant aroma that attracts cutiefly. A fomantis who soaks up more sunshine will grow with a more vivid coloration. Fomantis is a grass type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."

"Why do they leave their headz out if they get zo angry when zomeone or something touchez them? Bzzt!"

The fomantis hissed angrily at him before spreading its tiny sickle arms apart.

"Not scared at all." Elio found his own sarcasm beginning to bubble up within him. He threw out Rockruff, who growled threateningly at his opposition. "Was that your head? I am sorry…really."

His words seemed to fall on deaf ears as the creature flicked out a flurry of leafage attacks. Rockruff was ready, using his legs to dodge the attack and retaliate with a rock throw from his tail.

The fomantis was down, but quickly got back up and lunged forward with a fury cutter that slashed the puppy's side. Rockruff growled in annoyance, recovering as Elio commanded a bite. The grass type was unable to get away as he chomped down on its torso, knocking it out.

"There." Elio finally stuffed the herb into the forage bag and climbed back on stoutland. "Now let's hurry and go before we disturb another one."

"Looks like you need just two more ingredients!" Mallow's voice said through a speaker. Elio glanced up, now seeing that her face was smiling at him through Rotom's center screen. "You found a fine looking revival herb! Its bitter bite is even a shock to a pokemon, but that bitterness is what will add depth to the flavor.

"How did you jack Rotom's facetime feature?"

"Don't worry about that! I have my resources!"

Why does everyone tell me not to worry about things?

Whatever.

"So we got a revival herb and a mago berry. That leaves a miracle seed and tiny mushroom."

"Good luck in finding the tiny mushroom! Bzzt!"

"Why's that?"

"Becauzzze why do you think it'z called tiny?"

Elio rolled his eyes at the obvious statement. "Really?"

"Juzt trying to help. Bzzt!"

Some help. Rotom's right though. It's called the tiny mushroom for a reason.

"Just have to find a place to look."

"Can I be of azziztance? Mushroomz and other fungi are often found at the baze of treez!"

So we have to look for a tree? Shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks to the ride pager's GPS, Elio had some sense of direction, but could understand how easy it would be to get lost in the jungle.

Akala Island was the second largest island of the region, yet even after seeing it on the horizon for the first time upon approaching from Melemele, he never had understood how large it really was.

Until he had seen enough foliage, leaves and massive tree trunks to last his own personal lifetime. He was in a less dense section, but could see where thick vines cordoned off ways even deeper into the wilds. There was no way he was passing it without a tool like a machete or a pokemon with strong cutting abilities.

Could really use a pokemon with cut right about now.

Sun had a feeling that Mallow was partially responsible for the "wall" of sorts. She did claim that the wild pokemon living in the jungle were no laughing matter. It was probably the case beyond the barrier with even stronger pokemon that he would have an even more difficult time dealing with.

Maybe that's where the totem lives…or we get the ingredients to pass through. Who knows?

Through all of his inner thoughts; Elio finally spotted a rather large tree up ahead. Its thicker trunk and huge gnarled roots were good evidence that it had been growing for quite some time, possibly when his own mother and father were babies.

Maybe even longer.

What caught his attention were the red and gold colored mushrooms that sprouted up from around the giant roots. The largest one was twice the size of his own two hands, but he focused on the multitude of smaller ones that outnumbered the larger.

"Thoze look like tiny mushroomz to me! Bzzt!"

Elio looked them over. All had the same reddish-gold pattern and coloring, but many were still various sizes from golf ball to a balled fist.

"Uh…which one?"

"What do you mean which one? Bzzt! They're all tiny!"

"Yeah but they're all different sizes!"

"Zo?"

"Does that mean larger ones have a better flavor? Worse? I mean they look like tochukaso."

"Juzt pick one already!" Rotom said, glancing around nervously. "I zwear we are being watched and judged!"

"You know, you're very snippy for a pokedex."

"Juzt get the mushroom. It's hard to find more dialogue for thiz zcene. Can we get to the inevitable battle pleaze? Bzzt!

"What battle?" Elio selected one that seemed average sized…for whatever average was for a tiny mushroom.

"Elio, I'm picking up movement." Rotom warned.

He saw it too, just beside the mushroom he had uprooted from the stalk, a pair of them wiggled in the ground before a creature unearthed itself and spun around on thin insect legs. It was crablike in appearance, with an orange coloration, beady eyes and long claws. The two mushrooms were spaced evenly on its back.

The trainer recognized it nonetheless, having seen some in Kanto when he went on a field trip to the Viridian Forest.

"That's a paras."

"Correct! Here's where my newest pokemon entry beginzz! Bzzt! New pokemon detected! Paras. Mushroom pokemon. The mushrooms on its back will siphon the majority of the nutrients this pokemon eats. They can be dried and ground into a herbal medicine that can increase longevity through teas. Paras is a bug and grass type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."

"That's kinda strange." Elio said, now brought to attention that the paras spread its claws out.

He was ready, bringing rockruff out for his second battle.

"Rock throw!"

With a swish of his tail, the little puppy flung a barrage of glowing rocks. The smaller pokemon was hit directly with all of them, tumbling back into the base of the tree without being given a chance to attack on its own.

"Nice job!" Elio pumped a fist before tossing the mushroom into the forage bag. "We got this!"

"Nice!" Mallow said from Rotom's screen again. "That's a tiny mushroom for sure! There's a reason why they're so popular with people! Guess you gotta find out what it is! Heh! Just a miracle seed to go and we can start cooking! I can't wait to see the Mallow Special again!"

It took another half hour to locate the area where the miracle seeds were the most abundant. Seeds by themselves were hard to come by, as they would quickly achieve germination and begin to grow into small saplings and sprouts at an astonishing rate. Rainfall was more than plentiful and Elio was happy to see that the weather predicted just about nothing for the scope of today.

That could change. Alola weather is unpredictable.

This part of the jungle was more open, as the hills and clusters of trees began to give way to patches of dirt where plants had yet to grow. A wooden bridge was closed off with a large trial gate, a sign that this was the boundary that he was not to cross.

We'll cross it as we get stronger. Elio thought, giving a longing glance at the place across the gorge. It looked like any other part of the jungle with the same treetops and cries of hidden pokemon, save for a rocky mound in the center. Clearly, there was some more exploring of this area to do. For another time.

He would need some additional help to find the miracle seed, so he had Rockruff sniff in addition to stoutland. The massive canine was going absolutely crazy when scanning around for the buried objects and Elio suspected that the miracle seed's own location was masked by a bunch of other things buried in the ground with similar qualities. It was a seed, which all plants would sprout from.

Rockruff moved off to the left while Elio guided stoutland to the right. Neither seemed to find anything and he had to laugh while dismissing his little puppy after it had brought him a clump of bulbous roots.

"Not exactly what we're looking for buddy."

"Nope! Bzzt! That'z taro root! It'z an important ztarch for many recipez, but not the Mallow Special!"

With a low whine and dejected look, he moved off somewhere else to search.

"Rockruff." Elio called out. "Persistence…not perfection. Okay?"

He got a happy bark, perking up at the simple encouragement his own trainer had given him.

"Gotta be somewhere around here."

A seed out of all things! Mushrooms? Piece of cake. Herbs? Easy. Mago berry? Just gotta look in the right place. But SEEDS?! This whole place was built of seeds! Okay…grown…but you get the idea!

Well first off seeds often drop from plants to reproduce. So if we find the kind of plant it comes from that increases our chances.

Not by much, it could be under the ground and away from us even if we look in the right place.

"Rotom, what is the plant the miracle seed comes from?"

"Hmm? Analyzing! Bzzt! There are many variationz of the miracle seed per region! Bzzt! They have a strange ability to boozt the strength of grazz type movez! In Alola, the miracle seed refers to the candlenut particularly in the culinary azpect for itz highly nutritious oil. It iz multilayered with an oily consistency. Bzzt! It iz called the miracle seed in Alola because of itz many uzez from food, wood, oil, ink for tattooz and even how to keep track of time!"

"That doesn't help me. They're buried all over the place and could be far away. We have to narrow our search."

I bet this is what irritates most trial goers in this one than the actual totem itself. There's probably some buried right underneath me at this point…if this is a candlenut tree to begin with.

Wait a second. Elio stopped short. He glanced down at the soil and the small shoots and saplings growing from it.

Buried.

"Rockruff, stoutland, start digging! I've got an idea."

With complying barks, the two dogs used their front paws to scrape out parts of the earth, spraying brownish red dirt behind them in a typical digging fashion.

Elio had to lean over stoutland's front coat to look inside the larger pit. He could see the edges of the tree's roots along with some more moist dirt. There was a grubbin who glared at him angrily after unearthing its burrowing place, but it dug into the soil wall to run off.

Then he saw the mushrooms, thankfully none of them were paras. But one was much larger than the others, nearly a foot and a half in diameter.

"Wait stop!"

It was too late. The mushroom moved and as it did, Elio saw a silvery gold object slip free from its side. Glancing back at Rotom's display, it matched the exact profile as the miracle seed he was seeking.

Got it!

However the pokemon he had disturbed was unamused by his enthusiasm. It was similar in appearance to the paras he and rockruff had fought earlier, however the mushroom seemed to dominate the entirety of its back. Moving around on the same skinny insect legs, it reared its claws threateningly as they began to glow a dull purple with a noxious energy.

"Oh no! Bzzt! We dizturbed a pokemon! But it'z an entirely new one! Zo here we go! Parasect. Mushroom pokemon. It is the evolved form of paras. It will scatter toxic spores from the big mushroom cap on its back. These spores can be harvested, steeped and boiled down to prepare herbal medicines, however the spore quality of parasect found in Alola appear to be substandard. Parasect is a bug and grass type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."

"I remember seeing them back in Kanto too. This one looks fierce."

The parasect hissed, rushing forward and lunged with the claws outstretched. Stoutland stood its ground nevertheless.

It didn't have to take any evasive or defensive moves, as Rockruff had quickly changed its own directive into neutralizing the threat going right for his trainer. With a sucker punch, he knocked the larger creature off its course, growling protectively in front.

Parasect flipped onto its legs with ease, readying another slashing attack with its claws.

"Watch out for itz cross poison! Bzzt! It haz the chance to do even ztronger damage!"

Rockruff was ready as Elio commanded a rock throw. Even with the barrage of pebbles pelting its mushroom hide, it kept coming, finally slashing upwards and catching Rockruff, sending him tumbling back.

"Sucker punch it again!"

Another bark and he struck forward with his paws. The parasect fell to its side, but still remained standing.

Rockruff stood in front, triumphant before he shuddered and Elio could see the filmy coating of poison latching onto his body.

"Aw crap."

"That'z parasect's ability! Effect zpore! It haz a chance to inflict poizon, zleep or paralyziz on a pokemon that makes contact with it! Bzzt!"

"All the more reason to attack it from a distance. Thing's tough too," Elio said, admiring the bug's integrity. "Most of the trial pokemon go down at this rate."

Not all of them. They're going to steadily get more difficult as we go on.

The parasect attacked again, jamming its claws into a stunned Rockruff's side. A glowing green energy radiated from him as it began to siphon and transfer.

"Crap, that's giga drain." Elio knew of those sapping type of attacks where the attacker would steal part of its victim's energy and health to restore its own. Being a grass type move, it was going to do a lot of damage to Rockruff.

"Hang in there buddy. You good?"

He got an affirmative bark.

"Alright. Break free with bite!"

Rockruff had to wiggle around in the claws, but he wrested his own head free and found the its tip as the perfect place to chomp his jaws. The poison decided to whittle a little more of his health down, but like the parasect, Elio admired his pokemon's toughness, which rewarded him with the larger insect dropping its opponent.

"Rock throw!"

Rockruff had to dodge another cross poison attack, nimbly jumping back before he swished his tail and fired three more pebbles that spread out in a tri-shot formation. They each found their mark on the large mushroom and the pokemon disappeared in a cloud of dust and dirt.

"C'mon, Rockruff! Grab the seed and we're done!"

He heard barking in the ruckus that was abruptly cut off.

"Rockruff?"

There was no reply.

What happened?

Elio slid from the saddle back onto the ground, wobbling a bit from being off balance for so long. He waved his hand in front, clearing as much dust as possible before scanning the dirt for any signs of his puppy pokemon.

A faint whine caught his attention and he immediately took two steps towards the source, nearly running a prone Rockruff over had he not looked where he was headed. The small pokemon was still covered in the poisonous liquid that matted his fur.

"Oh no." Sun knelt down gently cradling Rockruff in his arms. "Buddy?"

Rockruff weakly opened his eyes, sniffing his trainer.

"The poison. I guess that and the giga drain took you out of the fight huh?"

He nodded ashamedly, looking away.

"You made me proud buddy." Elio said. "You really did. You went up against three pokemon all of whom, you had a disadvantage and still took them with you. I admire your toughness. Wish I had it to face my own things."

Rockruff slowly opened his mouth, showing Elio that he was securely carrying that miracle seed he was looking for within his jaws.

The boy plucked it from between his teeth, rubbing the head affectionately while being careful to avoid the patches of poisonous film. "Thanks for giving it your all. You deserve the rest."

Already, his mind was thinking ahead on the upcoming battle against the totem. He was one pokemon down, leaving five at his disposal.

All except Nani will be strong against grass types and she'll struggle against it. But something tells me I'm going to need everyone's help on this.

"Miracle seed acquired!" Rotom said while spinning around in midair. "Now let'z get back to the jungle entrance! Mallow iz waiting for uz! Bzzt!"

Elio quickly scrambled up stoutland's side and with a gentle nudge, the two of them were off, heading towards the newly established waypoint on their map GPS unit.

Unbeknownst to him, the weighted gaze from a pair of ruby red eyes still kept track on him as he slipped the final item into the forage bag and took off back the way he had come.

Ten minutes of shuffling through the jungle and a myriad of plants in his way, Elio finally had arrived back at where Mallow had told him to meet up once he had located all four of the ingredients she needed. He was even more surprised as he approached the clearing that two others had joined her.

Both were recognizable, even from a distance. There was no denying that it was Lana Haukea from her longer blue dyed hair and easygoing smile. Next to her was the fire trial captain, Kiawe Iokua.

"Alola Elio!" The girl waved at him while he had gotten a simple nod from Kiawe. "You're just in time."

"Alola!" He waved back and dismounted the stoutland, petting it for a thanks and terminating his usage, allowing it to run off to its next job. "Nice to see you again."

"Likewise." Kiawe nodded again. His face remained stoic, but Elio could sense the respect coming from him. "I must say, you getting to Mallow's trial this quickly after surpassing mine. ʻAʻole he mea kānalua."

He turned back to Mallow. "Again, I apologize since I was running late. Supervisor didn't let me go. But it looks like I got here just in time."

"Supervisor?" Elio asked.

"Yeah. I'm a stocker at the Thrifty Megamart in Pa'ani. Part-time job and all."

"Glad you could make it Kiawe." Elio shook his hand again. "Had I known I had an audience for my trial, I would have moved with more urgency."

"Did he get stuck on the miracle seed?" Lana asked. "Mallow, you know how hard it can be to find a seed for a candlenut tree!"

"How am I supposed to distribute them evenly? You try and hide seeds in a place that literally sprouted up from the ground on them!"

"Ladies." Kiawe looked annoyed and rolled his eyes as if this was a conversation that was hashed before. "It took a lot of ass chewing from my sup to get off work today and it's the start of my weekend. Can we do this already?"

"Oh right. Sorry." Mallow and Lana glanced away before the shorter captain produced a bottle of natural spring water as well as a helmet that had a couple of dark sharp-looking rocks protruding out of its side. "One bottle of fresh water like you requested. And the usual rocky helmet."

"And here's the thick club and rare bone." Kiawe reached into his own bag, holding both items in his hands.

"Maika'i! Thanks for your help Lana and Kiawe! We've got everything needed!" Mallow accepted the forage bag from Elio's outstretched hands and set all the items on a blanket already spread out on the grass. "I would have made you go get the other things, but we tried that once with some other trial-goers and it took them nearly eight hours to finish locating everything."

"Good thing you didn't do that with me."

"Yup! Now let's cook up a storm and lure out that totem pokemon of the lush jungle!"

Huh, that's an interesting way to do the trial. Find the ingredients that bait it out of hiding.

"Always remember Elio," Mallow began. "While all of these ingredients can do many purposes and uses on their own; they can create something more, even better and improved if they work together to compliment one another. Just like any recipe, a pokemon team that synergizes like that will accomplish much. You will need to find that type of harmony and balance if you are to win this totem battle."

"Okay." He got down on his knees and looked at the array of ingredients before him. "Where do we start?"

"Let's check everything first! One mago berry? Check! One tiny mushroom? Check! One revival herb? Check! And one miracle seed! Check! Plus the thick club, rare bone, rocky helmet and fresh water! We're all set and good to go to make the Mallow Special! The aroma of this tasty dish is going to draw the totem right to us! You beat the totem, you'll finish the trial! Ready to start cooking?"

Elio cracked an eager grin. "Hell yeah."

"Then…Allez cuisine!"

"Okay Lana! First we're flipping the rocky helmet over and pouring some of that that fresh water inside! We'll use it as the papa ku'i 'ai!" As Mallow spoke, she produced a small paring knife from her own bag, picking up the mago berry and rapidly sliding the blade underneath its leathery skin.

"Here you are." The water trial captain did as she instructed, twisting the cap off and dumping its entirety inside.

"Good." Mallow was still working, but she twisted the fruit in her hands, continuing to peel it right off cleanly. Elio was quite impressed that she managed to avoid cutting herself, working so diligently while speedy at the same time.

"And in go the mago berry." She sliced it into chunks, dropping them into the water. "The tiny mushroom. The revival herb." Those too was sliced quickly and added. "The miracle seed last! We only need the oil."

Her knife blade bit firmly into the center and Elio heard a sharp crack before she set the tool down and held the opened pit over the helmet. Her hands glistened with a clear oily substance as she held both halves as if cracking an egg.

"Kiawe, the rare bone and pōhaku ku'i 'ai thick club."

"Here you are." He handed both items over.

Mallow cracked the rare bone in the center, throwing something in that he couldn't see while Sun was given the thick club.

"Now it's your turn Elio! Use that thick club and pound it all to a pulp!"

Okay then. Here goes.

Wielding the item wasn't as effective as he had thought. The club was as long as his arm from the wrist to the elbow and he found that he missed hitting the ingredients inside the bowl while using both hands to drive the club home.

This is embarrassing. Out of the ten times he had tried to hit the mixture, he succeeded only twice…far from enough.

Do something else.

What about when Mom makes mashed potatoes? She holds the pot with one hand and mashes with the other.

Elio tried that, cradling the helmet in his left arm as if holding a baby while using his right to wield the club. He was far more successful, losing power, but finally processed it enough to where it became a thick, sticky mess.

Looks like mashed potatoes. Green mashed potatoes. Ugh…if that's green colored, then something's clearly wrong. This is why I don't cook.

"Crush it! Keep pounding!"

Elio frantically worked, now the mixture was becoming slightly thinner, but there were still large chunks of berry and the revival herb still mixed inside.

"Grind it!" Mallow encouraged. "Come on! Pound it some more!"

"Working on it."

He kept his pace going, ignoring the burning sensation shooting up his right arm from the muscle fatigue. Lana stepped forward, pouring the remainder of the water inside. The thick mixture sucked it all in, losing its stickiness and slowly expanding outwards.

There was an odd smell that was coming from the concoction. Elio could only describe it as a mix of mago berry sweetness as well as something exotic that must've either been the tiny mushroom or the miracle seed oil.

"Turn it into goo!"

Sun set the helmet back onto the ground and now used both arms to slam the club down. The water splashed before it was blended in. Eventually it began to turn into a viscous gooey substance that was thick again, enough to stubbornly cling to the end of the thick club like Grimer.

It was starting to be more of an effort to pull the club out of the helmet than actually beat it, so Elio resorted to stirring in order to give some of his sore muscles a break.

The aroma from the Mallow Special was getting stronger and he felt himself go a little dizzy from a sudden whiff.

"There." He breathed, setting the bowl on the ground and admiring his handiwork. "Next time bring a blender."

"Next time bring a Charjabug. Then that can be arranged."

"I have one. And there better not be a next time!"

"Ssshh!" Kiawe put a finger to his lips. "You feel that? Hear that?"

"Yeah." Lana whispered and looked around at the trees that encircled them. "Like something's out there watching me."

I feel it too. The same stare from before.

"ALERT! BZZT!" Rotom screeched, playing a very creepy music piece that sounded like something horrifying was about to occur. "Totem pokemon approaching! Bzzt!"

Lana saw it first. She visibly paled, then placed a hand close to her mouth and stepped back, eyes wide with worry. Mallow and Kiawe's expressions changed shortly thereafter. A shaking finger was pointed right at him. "E-Elio."

"What?" The boy turned around.

The creature standing right behind him was massive. It was primarily pink colored with a skinny, mantis-like appearance with a skirt torso, a whitish face with stubby antennae and serrated scythe petals. It crouched low as it approached, as if trying to shorten its own size to spring a lunge attack.

With a loud earsplitting cry, the twin petals slammed into the ground, sending a clump of dirt into the air. The sound sent shivers down his spine. Sun couldn't tell if they were from fear or excitement.

The totem pokemon of the Lush Jungle.

Elio took out the first poke ball in his hand before his thumb hit the ready button, enlarging it to its original size.

Ready guys? Prepare yourselves! Here we go!

So we're onto (In my honest opinion) the most difficult totem battle in the game. I know Lurantis gave people a lotta trouble and I was no exception. It's not going to be a cakewalk for Elio either, but it wouldn't be a trial if there wasn't adversity sprinkled in there yeah?

Translations:

Diabolo ke kai - Sea demon

Mo'owahine - Literally Lizard-Woman. The mo'owahine is a mythical creature said to linger around the Nu'uanu Pali Highway pass and lure male travelers to their deaths off the cliffs when it took the form of a beautiful woman.

E mālama ka tapu mai ka lani mai. A alakaʻi iāʻoe i loko o ka hoʻokolokoloʻaneʻane e kokokeʻoe e piʻi - May the tapu watch over from the heavens and guide you through the trial you are about to surmount.

Laki maika'i - Best of luck

Maika'i - Fantastic. Maika'i is a multipurpose word, but generically means something along the lines of good/great/awesome. In this case; fantastic.

ʻAʻole he mea kānalua. - That is no surprise.

papa ku'i 'ai - Mortar

Pōhaku ku'i 'ai - Pestle

The recipe used in the Mallow Special is similar in properties to poi. Poi is a Hawaiian staple food made from boiled taro root (believed to be one of the earliest known cultivated plants) It is a thick gooey purplish substance that has a texture akin to peanut butter, but a taste that is described as anything from extremely bland to a mix of bitterness and sweetness. It is often eaten as a side dish to other Hawaiian foods.

Hibiscus flower - Not a translation, but the yellow hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. The flower is very symbolic in Hawaiian culture from being a garnish on dishes (it is edible) steeped in herbal teas. It is also notable for being a common flower used in the traditional Hawaiian leis and worn by Hawaiian and Tahitian girls. The placement of the flower on her head is an indication of her relationship status. If it is on her right side, it means that she is single/not seeing anyone and open for a relationship. If it is on her left side, it means she is either married, engaged or seeing someone.

So out of curiosity, if Elio gives Lillie a hibiscus flower later in the story to put behind on her ear, which side should he place it? Let me know in the reviews! I know which side he should!

As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing! You give my writing purpose! See you all for the totem battle next time!

Brav