Chapter 12
"Since we are done with Generation 6, it is time for Alola," Alice says while showing four boxes. I immediately recognize the covers featuring Solgaleo, Lunala, and the two forms of Necrozma.
"These four games are Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. It's similar to how Platinum was with Diamond and Pearl; the plot is 90% the same," Golly explains, pointing to the distinctive box art.
"I see... though seeing this made me remember Nebby..." I say, my eyes lingering on the cover of the Sun Version, filled with nostalgia for the little Pokémon that caused so much chaos and adventure.
"For the male character, it's Elio, and the female is Selene. Just like in X and Y, you can customize your character," Alice explains, a smile playing on her lips. "And the story is definitely not the same as your journey."
"How different is it? Considering that every game is about journeying, I assume it's because I stayed in school instead of traveling this time?" I ask, curiosity piqued.
"Exactly," Golly confirms with a nod. "Instead of diving into version exclusives or Pokémon, let's focus on the plot first."
Alice nods, "The main story is centered around the girl Lillie, your friend from the Aether Foundation and classmate."
"Lillie? I assume she plays a huge role in the games?" I ask, a hint of confusion in my voice.
"At the beginning of the game, you'll see a cutscene where Lillie is trying to escape the Aether Foundation, with workers surrounding her. That's when Nebby, who is Cosmog at that time, uses Teleport to get them out of there. Since then, Lillie has been staying with Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet, and the attic you stayed in belonged to Lillie in the games," Alice points out.
"Oh, so Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet are already married, but Lillie escaping the Aether Foundation? Why?" I ask, trying to piece together the story.
"Relax, Brother," Golly sighs, trying to keep the conversation on track. "We'll get to it later. Anyway, after moving, Professor Kukui brings you to Hala so you can pick your Starter Pokémon. However, since Hala hasn't returned yet, you find Lillie, who is heading to Tapu Koko's shrine with Nebby."
Golly continues, "As you follow Lillie, you witness a cutscene where Nebby gets into trouble, and you step in to save it. Just as the bridge collapses, Tapu Koko swoops in and saves both you and Nebby. This heroic encounter sets the stage for your adventure."
"Oh my... and I assume that's when Tapu Koko gives you the Z Ring or the Z Power Ring?" I ask, intrigued by the events.
"In Sun and Moon, it's the Z Ring, while in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, it's the Z Power Ring," Alice explains. "Though you don't get them right away. You receive a stone from Tapu Koko, which you have to give to Hala so he can make the ring for you. In the games, your rival is obviously Hau, Hala's grandson."
"I guess it makes sense to pick him as my rival," I nod, recalling Hau's cheerful demeanor. "I remember Alola doesn't have any gyms, so I guess it's the island challenge?"
"Exactly," Golly smiles. "Facing the four Kahunas and finding Z Crystals are a lot of fun. Each island has its own unique trials, making the journey diverse and exciting."
Alice adds, "The island challenge really sets Alola apart from other regions. Instead of gym badges, you earn stamps on your passport after completing each trial and defeating each Kahuna. It's a refreshing take on the traditional Pokémon journey."
"So what are the Island Trials? Are they the same ones that I faced?" I ask, curious about the differences.
"Well, let's start with Melemele Island," Alice begins. "To battle Hala, you will need to complete the Trial in Verdant Cavern. However, in the games, we have Trial Captains, and most of them you know very well." She smiles, clearly excited to share.
"For the Normal Type trial, it's obviously Ilima," Golly adds with a grin. "But before reaching Verdant Cavern, don't forget the routes and even the famous Hau'oli City. In Sun and Moon versions, time works differently... in Moon and Ultra Moon, the time is set 12 hours ahead, so when you play during the day, it's always night. This makes it easier to encounter nocturnal Pokémon like Alolan Rattata and Spinarak."
"That sounds interesting," I nod, appreciating the unique mechanics.
"Of course, you also get to battle some Team Skull thugs along the way. They might cause some trouble, but it's all part of the adventure. In the Ultra versions, you will also meet a strange group of people known as the Ultra Recon Squad," Alice continues.
"Ultra Recon Squad? Who are they?" I ask, intrigued by this new element.
"They are mysterious characters from another world," Golly explains. "Their goal is to investigate and prevent the appearance of Ultra Beasts in Alola. They have a unique connection to the story, adding another layer of intrigue and challenge to your journey."
"Now let's talk about the trials," Alice says. "In Sun and Ultra Sun, your Totem Pokémon is Gumshoos, just like you faced. However, in Moon and Ultra Moon, the Totem Pokémon is Alolan Raticate."
"Seriously? I never faced a Totem Raticate before..." I say, a bit taken aback.
"Yeah, that's because Team Rocket were the ones who faced it," Alice explains, surprising me even more. "Anyway, after you get your Normalium-Z, you can face Hala in Iki Town. Defeating him earns you the Fightinium-Z and completes the Melemele Island trials."
"And I assume that once that's done, you get to go to Akala Island next, and then challenge Olivia?" I ask, eager to know more.
"Yep. But before challenging Olivia, you will have to complete three Akala Island trials," Golly says. "The Water Trial in Brooklet Hill, the Fire Trial in Wela Volcano Park, and the Grass Trial in Lush Jungle."
"Oh, so I guess the trial captains are Lana, Kiawe, and Mallow?" I ask, piecing it together. "Considering they use those types."
"Exactly," Golly confirms. "Brooklet Hill trial is the first. You know the Totem is Wishiwashi, but that's only in Sun and Moon. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Totem is Araquanid instead."
"That sounds crazy," I remark, remembering the challenge. "I mean, Totem Wishiwashi was really huge back then..."
"But before going there, there are some characters that you might need to know," Alice adds. "Professor Oak's assistants, Sina and Dexio, will show up in Heahea City. In Sun and Moon, you can embark on a quest to gather Zygarde's 100 cells."
"Zygarde? So this is where Squishy shows up? In Alola?" I ask, confused by this new twist.
"Yeah," Alice nods. "After what we went through after Anistar Gym, our dads decided to bring Zygarde's forms and Ash-Greninja into the games as well. Ash-Greninja can be received as a gift after you play the demo version."
"It's a good thing you won't feel the pain when you activate that in-game, huh?" I chuckle a little, remembering the intense moments.
"Yeah, but in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, instead of collecting Zygarde's cells, you will have to gather 100 Totem Stickers. Samson Oak will then give you the Totem Pokémon," Alice explains.
"Okay..." I nod, trying to keep up with all the differences.
"And there is also Gladion, who works part-time with Team Skull," Golly says, surprising me.
"Gladion working with Team Skull? Why? What is actually going on?" I ask, bewildered by this revelation.
"He has been trying to figure out a way to evolve Type: Null into Silvally, breaking the cage around its head," Alice says. "Though the reason will be explained later. Initially, Gladion is a bit irritated by Hau's laid-back behavior and his tendency not to take things seriously. You also get to battle him again in the Battle Royale, along with Hau and the Royal Mask, who, as you know, is actually Professor Kukui."
"Yeah, that was really shocking to discover that he is the Royal Mask himself," I say, shrugging at the memory.
"For the Wela Volcano trial, Kiawe will ask you to observe the dances of his Marowaks until a hiker shows up in the picture. Then the Totem Pokémon appears, either Salazzle or Marowak, depending on the game version," Alice explains.
"Observing dances? That is weird..." I mutter, trying to picture the trial in my mind.
"Sina and Dexio aren't the only returning characters in the game; Dr. Colress also makes an appearance," Golly adds.
"Colress? What is he doing in Alola?" I ask, confusion evident in my voice.
"He's continuing his research on bringing out the best in Pokémon. Don't worry, he's not evil in the games," Alice reassures me. "Anyway, we don't need to explain the Lush Jungle Trial again since it's the same as what you faced. However, Lush Jungle features the first version exclusives: Oranguru in Moon and Passimian in Sun. Once you're done with the trial, you'll be taken to Professor Burnet's research lab, where you'll learn more about Lillie's past with Nebby."
"By going to Konikoni City for Olivia's Grand Trial, you'll also encounter Plumeria, the Team Skull 'big sister,' and Faba, who works with the Aether Foundation. Faba will ask you to come with him to the Aether Paradise after defeating Olivia," Alice continues.
"So we get to visit the Aether Foundation, but I guess it's only me and not Lillie?" I ask, trying to piece together the events.
"Well, there's a reason why Lillie is uncomfortable around them..." Golly frowns, hinting at deeper issues to be revealed later.
"But anyway, when you go to the Aether Foundation with Hau, you get to meet Lusamine. However, you'll also face a Nihilego while you're there," Golly explains.
"A Nihilego?" I ask, surprised. "The Aether Foundation summoned it?"
"Well, kinda... but after defeating it, you're taken to Ula'ula Island courtesy of Lusamine, where you get to continue your trials," Golly says.
"Ula'ula Island... I remember the Kahuna is Nanu, and he gave me an unfair challenge," I recall, feeling a bit annoyed by the memory.
"Yeah, but before battling him, you have to complete two trials. One on top of Hokulani Mountain and the other in the Abandoned Thrifty Megamart. The trial on Hokulani Mountain is Sophocles' trial, and that's where you get both the Electrium-Z and the Steelium-Z," Golly continues.
"Wow, it sure is late to get Gigavolt Havoc then..." I mutter. "I mean, Tapu Koko literally just gave it to me after Hala's battle."
"Yeah, in Sun and Moon, you have to play the sound quiz and battle the Totem Vikavolt, but in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you play the Charjabug puzzle and summon the Totem Togedemaru instead," Golly explains. "And after finishing the trial, you finally meet the big bad boss of Team Skull, Guzma, in Malie Garden."
"Right, almost forgot about Guzma..." I sigh. "Considering they are Alola's main villain..."
"Well, I don't think they are the main villains..." Alice interjects, making me confused. "Anyway, after that encounter, you get to meet more version exclusives like Turtonator and Drampa, Vulpix and Sandshrew. You also meet up with Gladion again, who warns that no matter what we do, we have to protect Cosmog and Lillie."
"So you say that Team Skull is targeting Lillie and Nebby?" I ask, trying to understand the situation.
"Kinda, but it's more complicated," Alice says. "For the Ghost Trial, all you need to do is take photos of Ghost Pokémon until you're trapped in a room with a Totem Mimikyu."
"And after the trial, you are asked to go to Team Skull's base, Po Town, to retrieve a girl's Yungoos. You will also meet Grimsley of the Elite Four there, who lets you ride Sharpedo to crush rocks on the water," Golly continues.
"That sounds cool," I nod, imagining the adventure.
"After infiltrating Po Town and defeating Guzma, you can get yourself a Bugium-Z. When you return to the Aether House, you find out that Hau lost against Team Skull and that Lillie and Nebby have been kidnapped," Golly explains, his tone serious.
"Wait, what?" I ask, shocked by the turn of events.
"Yeah, and Gladion barges in, yelling at you and Hau about how angry he is. He even challenges you to a battle before insisting that you all head to the ferry. While waiting for Hau, Nanu approaches and challenges you to a grand trial," Golly says.
"Okay... that is a weird way to do a grand trial..." I mutter. "But where are we going with the ferry?"
"It turns out that Team Skull has been following orders from the Aether Foundation. The real villain in the games is the Aether Foundation," Golly reveals, causing me to feel shocked to the core.
"Lusamine is evil?" I ask, unable to hide my surprise.
"In Sun and Moon, after the loss of Professor Mohn, she starts injecting Nihilego's toxins and becomes obsessed with them. She wants to use Nebby's powers to open Ultra Wormholes and bring the Ultra Beasts to Alola. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, her personality is more similar to the one you know, but her goal is to stop Necrozma from taking away the light of Alola," Alice explains.
"Okay, the Sun and Moon storyline is crazy... why would Dad or your dad come up with such a weird thing to write..." I mutter, shaking my head.
"Yeah, it's quite intense," Alice agrees. "Anyway, after you defeat Lusamine for the first time, she and Guzma jump into the wormhole. Nebby evolves into Cosmoem, and Lillie transforms into her Z-powered form to bring her mother back."
"Okay... I know about this part... so that means we have to go to Poni Island, go to the Altar, and make Nebby evolve into Solgaleo or Lunala so they can take us to where Lusamine is?" I ask, trying to keep track of the storyline.
"In Sun and Moon, you first witness Hapu becoming the Kahuna. Then you go to Exeggutor Island to get the Sun Flute or Moon Flute. You complete the Grand Trial and the Dragon Trial, which doesn't have a trial captain, and finally reach the altar where Nebby evolves," Golly continues. "In the Nihilego place, you witness Lusamine fused with Nihilego and battling you with her powered-up Pokémon."
"As for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you do almost the same thing, except for the Grand Trial. Just after you evolve Nebby, Guzma and Lusamine fall out of the wormhole, and Necrozma shows up, trying to fuse with Nebby and take away all of Alola's light. With the help of the Ultra Recon Squad, you get to go to their living place, the Ultra Megalopolis, to battle Ultra Necrozma, which is the hardest battle so far," Alice adds.
"Ultra Necrozma does sound hard to fight," I comment, imagining the challenge.
"And Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon added the Fairy Trial with Mina as the captain. The Totem Pokémon is Ribombee," Alice says. "Once you complete it, you get to go to the first Pokémon League."
"Before you do, you have to go through Mt. Lanakila. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, that's where you capture Necrozma. Once you capture it, Colress shows up and gives you the items to fuse either Solgaleo or Lunala, similar to the DNA Splicers," Alice continues.
"I see... and the Elite Four members? Considering I was the first Alola Champion back in my world," I ask, curious about the familiar faces.
"Oh, Molayne, Olivia, Acerola, and Kahili are the members. After you defeat them, you get to battle Professor Kukui in Sun and Moon, or Hau in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon," Golly replies.
"There are a lot of things to do in the post-game," Alice says. "You can try to find the remaining Z Crystals, like the Flying one in Ten Carat Hill, the Psychic one in Haina Desert, and the Ice one in Mt. Lanakila. You can also catch the Tapus at the ruins. But the most exciting thing is dealing with the Ultra Beasts."
"In Sun and Moon, you will be contacted by the International Police. Looker shows up again, but this time he is not alone. Anabel, the Battle Tower Maiden, will also accompany him," Golly adds.
"Looker and Anabel? That sounds weird..." I mutter, trying to imagine the pairing. "So I guess the whole quest is to deal with the Ultra Beasts roaming around Alola?"
"Exactly," Alice confirms. "The Ultra Beasts are causing chaos, and it's your job to capture them. Looker and Anabel provide the necessary tools and guidance to track them down. It's a challenging but rewarding part of the post-game content."
"The Ultra Beasts are fascinating creatures," Golly adds. "Each one has its own unique abilities and characteristics, making the quest to capture them both thrilling and strategic."
"As for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you can ride on Solgaleo or Lunala to go to their respective worlds and capture them. However, sometimes you might also end up in another dimension where you can find Legendary Pokémon," Alice explains.
"That sounds awesome," I nod, appreciating the effort to bring back Legendary Pokémon.
"However, in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, there is..." Alice hesitates, looking at me with concern.
"What's wrong?" I ask, sensing her worry.
"T-team Rainbow Rocket shows up in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon games," Alice reveals, her voice tinged with unease.
The mention of the name causes me to frown, memories of Team Rainbow Rocket flooding back. It was because of them that I ended up in this world. "Not only that, each of the bosses has Legendary Pokémon, making it the hardest fight yet," Alice continues.
The gravity of her words sinks in, and I can't help but feel a mix of dread and determination. "That sounds intense," I mutter, steeling myself for the challenges ahead.
"Team Rainbow Rocket is led by Giovanni, and he has gathered all the notorious leaders from different regions, each with their powerful Legendary Pokémon. It's a true test of your skills and strategy," Golly adds.
Alice nods, "It's a tough battle, but overcoming it is incredibly rewarding. You get to face some of the strongest trainers and Pokémon in the series."
"But anyway, I think they did add a lot of stuff in the Alola games, which is good," I say, trying to look on the bright side.
"Except for the fact that they took away the National Dex..." Golly frowns. "You can still get every Pokémon in the game, but there are no rewards for capturing all of them. Just the Alola Dex is enough."
"That's tough," I sigh, feeling the loss. Alice continues, "Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon also have some new additions like your Dusk Form Lycanroc, which can only be evolved from a Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability, an event Pokémon. There's also your own Pikachu with the Pikashinum-Z, which uses 100000000 volt Thunderbolt, and even new Ultra Beasts like Poipole, Naganadel, Stakataka, and Blacephalon."
"Oh... I guess the Ultra Beasts are also version exclusives?" I ask, curious about the specifics.
"That was a little annoying, but yeah," Alice nods. "Pheromosa, Celesteela, and Stakataka can be found in Moon or Ultra Moon, while in Sun or Ultra Sun, it's Kartana, Buzzwole, and Blacephalon."
"And what about the Mythicals?" I ask, curious to know more.
"Magearna can be found by scanning a special QR code, but only once, and Marshadow and Zeraora are event Pokémon," Alice explains. "And I guess this wraps up the Alola part."
"Well, I have to say it sounds a lot more interesting compared to my journey, but I won't choose favorites," I remark, trying to be diplomatic.
Alice smiles, "Each journey has its own unique charm and challenges. The Alola region brought a lot of new experiences and mechanics that made it stand out."
"True," Golly nods in agreement. "The introduction of Z-Moves, regional forms, and the unique island challenge format definitely made Alola special. It's good to see how much the series evolves with each generation."
Here is a new chapter, and because of too many things, I decide to make Let's Go in the next chapter. I hope you like it.