Chapter 50:

Lillie's Decision

Location: Aether House

I woke up in what was essentially a spare room of the Aether Mansion I was staying in. The bed was very comfy and plush Pokémon were in a corner. They included Teddiursa, Clefairy and Audino. The fact that Lillie use to live here was fascinating. The only reason you would leave a life like this is if you had a Pokémon on you to be used for horrific experiments.

"Come down for breakfast!" Wicke said, peeping her head through the door. "There is something we want to show you! And it's good!"

I headed downstairs to the kitchen where I saw… I think it was Lillie. However, instead of her duffle bag, she now had a pink backpack. Her hair was in a Ponyta tail and she was wearing a jumper and short skirt. Instead of heels, she wore trainers.

"What do you think?!" she said, spinning round to give me a view from all angles. For the first time since I had met her on Melemele Island, she wasn't shy or to herself. No. She was confident and optimistic. "I call it… my Z-Powered Form!"

"I love it!" I said.

"Come out Clefairy!" Lillie said, throwing a Pokéball and sent out her partner. "I've decided; I want to go on a journey! My mind has changed about battles to!"

"Really? Roto?"

Lillie nodded. "Well, we need to save mother, don't we?"

I smiled. "Yeah! Which means our next stop is… Poni Island!"

"Great idea!" Hau said.

"You coming?" I asked. "The three amigos! What do you say?"

Hau smiled and looked at his feet. "Yeah… about that. I want to help gramps in protecting my hometown from Ultra Beasts. You two go on ahead."

"I understand," I replied.

"Great!" said Wicke. "Have your breakfast and I will get a boat ready for you. Should be about an hour so get prepared!"

Aether Paradise – Poni Island

Location: Seafolk Village

We got off the boat to find ourselves in the Seafolk Village, a small commune made up of house boats and shops. There was a boat that looked like a Steelix, another a Wailord and another a Whiscash. The path was on a wooden dock. The only place not a boat was the Pokémon Center. People were all talking carefree.

"Weird," I said. "Seems like there has been no Ultra Beast activity here. Wonder why?"

"We should take this opportunity," Lillie said. "We need to find the Kahuna. They will know what to do."

"Good luck with that," replied a female voice behind what looked like an art canvas on an easel. She peered her head round. Her hair was blonde, and her shirt was covered in dry paint. Actually, so was her face.

"Hey," I said. "Do you need like… a flannel or something? Not to be rude but you're a bit… messy…"

"I'm fine," she replied in her deadpan manner. "I've finished anyway." She turned her canvas round to show a picture of what looked like a bunch of Wailmer in the sea.

"That'zz amazzzing! Roto!"

The woman smiled vaguely. "My name is Mina, and before you ask, no. I am not the Kahuna of Poni Island. That would go to… a ghost probably."

"So, I guess Poni Island is still Kahunaless," I said.

"Not for long," Mina said. "The Kahuna's granddaughter is going to see Tapu Fini now to ask permission to take up the late Kahuna's role. She was short, black hair, had a Mudsdale…"

I looked at Lillie was excitement and hope, as did she. "That's Hapu!" we said in unison.

"Don't interrupt her though," Mina replied.

"But we have to tell her about the threat of the Ultra Beasts," I replied. "At least let us go to wherever Hapu is now. Ultra Wormholes have been opening up everywhere except this island here in Alola and Lusamine, the crazy lady who ran the Aether Foundation, has been taken into an Ultra Wormhole. We need to save her."

Mina just stood there. "Hey, I wasn't stopping you. But please try not to disturb her. The Ruins of Hope are just through the Poni Wilds and Ancient Poni Path. From there, it's through the Poni Breaker Coast to where the Ruins of Hope are."

"Hope is what we need!" Lillie said. "Okay, let's do it!"

Location: Poni Wilds

Poni Wilds was a coastal route with some trees and tall grass. People were fishing around the bank as waves crashed onto the shore.

"So… this is what a journey feels like," Lillie said.

"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet!" I said. "Hey, why not have a battle with a wild Pokémon?"

Lillie picked up Clefairy's Pokéball. "I… don't know. I've been against battles for so long, what if I screw it up?"

"Don't know until you try!" I said. "Walk into the tall grass and see what you can find!"

Lillie took a deep breath and ran into some tall grass. Then, something popped out. It was blue with a pink head and flashing lights.

Inkay (マーイーカ)

#026

Dark/Psychic Type

Revolving Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)

When exchanging information with others of its kind, it flashes the light-emitting spots on its body in a complex rhythm.

"Okay Clefairy, give it a go!" Lillie threw her Pokéball and Clefairy popped out.

"You got thizz Lillie! Roto! With Inkay being a Dark Type, Clefairy'zz Fairy Type attackzz will be Super Effective! Zzt zzt!"

Inkay started off with Psycho Cut, hitting Clefairy. "Try Disarming Voice!" Clefairy shouted at Inkay and the soundwaves hit it for Super Effective damage. Inkay then tried Psycho Cut again, but it missed. "And now try Metronome!" Clefairy waggled its fingers.

"As someone with experience with Metronome," I said. "I say Lillie is taking a risk."

The move Clefairy ended up using was Bug Buzz! The move finished off Inkay!

"I… no. We did it Clefairy! We won our first battle! Elliott was right! There is nothing to worry about!"

"I never said that," I replied. "There is plenty to worry about in a Pokémon battle. You need to be ready for any kind of strategy."

Before I could walk on, I was spotted by an Ace Trainer. "Teaching a newbie aye? Nice one!"

Elliott Vs. Ace Trainer Kekoa

"Okay Skarmory, go!" Kekoa shouted.

"To counter a Steel Type, I'll use a Fire Type! I choose Incineroar!" Out came my Starter.

"Skarmory, Slash!" Skarmory slashed at Incineroar with its metal wing.

"Now use Flamethrower!" Flamethrower was in fact a massive hit, but Skarmory had Sturdy so it barely survived.

"And now use Slash again!" Skarmory once again sliced at Incineroar.

"Flamethrower!" One more below of flames and Skarmory was finished.

"So that's how you wanna play it? Okay! Sharpedo, go!"

A Water Type would wash away Incineroar, so I decided to switch. "Go Hariyama!" I shouted. "Use Fake Out!" Hariyama clapped in front of Sharpedo. It caught a bit of Sharpedo's skin doing so, and it took damage.

"That muzzt be Rough Skin! Roto! It dealzz a bit of damage to the oppozzing Pokémon if a move makezz contact! Zzt!"

"Sharpedo, use Poison Fang!" Sharpedo chomped down on Hariyama.

"Let's do this!" We put our hands in front of each other. "Rough Skin won't be an issue here. ALL OUT PUMMELING!" We did a punching motion and then Hariyama punched Sharpedo multiple times. It was the final blow needed to knock it out.

"You're a great teacher!"

With that out the way, we continued to walk down the path.

"So…" Lillie asked. "A journey. What is it like? I know we've had plenty of adventures, but I haven't seen myself as part of a journey. I feel like I've just been a hindrance."

"Lillie," I said. "You've been such a help! If it wasn't for you, the Aether Foundation would have got their hands on Nebby a long time ago. You have not been a hindrance; we've been your ally! And you've been ours!"

Lillie needed to stop and think about that for a moment. "Elliott… should I… go… on… a personal journey?"

"Huh?" I asked. "Lillie, absolutely! If you're brave enough to protect a Pokémon from experimentation and stand up to that whacko mother of yours, then go for it! You will be a great Trainer! All I want you to do is to not let anyone tell you otherwise."

Lillie nodded. "Okay. Hey, what's that?"

Lillie pointed to the ground. I went over to where she was pointing; something black and round was sticking out.

"Elliott!" Rotom Dex said. "Thizz izz a Duzzk Stone! It can evolve certain Pokémon! Zzt zzt!"

"You know who can evolve with this?" Lillie said. "Misdreavus! It can evolve into Mismagius! Mother actually had a Mismiagius before… well she froze it. Why not use it?"

"Great idea!" I said. "Come out Misdreavus!" For the last time, I sent out my Ghost Type. "Are you ready to evolve?" Misdreavus got excited. "Okay, let's do it!"

I gave Misdreavus the Dusk Stone. Misdreavus started glowing and getting bigger. The glowing died down to reveal a black Pokémon with a head that looked like a witch's hat.

Mismagius (ムウマージ)

#373

Ghost Type

Magical Pokémon

2'11" (0.9 m)

9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)

Mismagius has been known to cast spells to make people fall in love, so some people search for this Pokémon as if their life depended on it.

Misdreavus -Dusk Stone- Mismagius

"Nice!" I said. "And with that, our team is fully evolved!"

"Great job!" Lillie said, hugging me. Embarrassed, she let go. "Oh, sorry about that. Got a little excited. Come on, Ancient Poni Path isn't too far off."

Location: Ancient Poni Path

Ancient Poni Path was at one point a village. Not sure how it was destroyed. Maybe an earthquake or a tidal wave. Nevertheless, the only things remaining were some destroyed houses and walls.

"That's Poni Breaker Coast over there." Lillie pointed to a section of beach. It was noticeable because of the geysers. If you don't know, a geyser is boiling hot water that shoots up from holes in the ground. They are mainly caused by volcanic activity.

"That water muzzt be hot! Roto! It'zz like they're uzzing Scald!"

"Ah! I was waiting for you!" Trotting up on her Mudsdale was Hapu!

"Hey!" Lillie said. Hapu hopped off and the two hugged.

"Lillie!" Hapu replied. "You look… different."

"I'm on a journey now!" she said. "But I'm not starting my personal one until Lusamine has been saved. I'm sure you've heard?"

"Everyone knows," Hapu replied. "Even if Ultra Beasts haven't attacked here yet, and we don't know why that is, word spread around quick. This island needs a Kahuna now in order to protect it with Tapu Fini, and that's where I come in. The Kahuna was my grandfather. It's not uncommon for Kahuna's to be generational unless they do something horrible in which case the family is stripped of that honor by the Island Guardian, but it had to be me. My mother, and my grandfather's daughter, died when I was a baby. And since I'm an only child, the duty now falls upon me. I need to go and see Tapu Fini, but I knew you would be coming Elliott. Want to come as well Lillie?"

Lillie smiled. "I'll wait outside the temple to battle any Ultra Beasts, just in case they turn up!"

"Sounds great!" said Hapu. "Come on! To the Temple of Hope!"

Location: Poni Breaker Coast

Along the rocky beach we walked. Well, Hapu rode on Mudsdale. Every so often, a geyser would shoot up and almost dowse us with boiling water. When we walked, Wimpod would scuttle out of sight.

"Let's talk about something positive," Hapu said. "Elliott, how are the Trials going?"

"I beat the Ula'ula Trial!" I said.

"Wow, Nanu actually fought you? He's such a lazy bones. Can see why Tapu Bulu saw potential in him then. As for me, don't worry! As soon as you beat the two Totem Pokémon on this island, and after this Ultra Beast problem is sorted, I'll be ready and waiting!"

Eventually, we got just outside the Ruins of Hope. It was very wet, and seaweed seemed almost flung over the rocks.

"Okay, we're almost ready to go in. Before that though, may I see your Ride Pager?"

I got it out and gave it to Hapu. She started typing some stuff in then inserted a chip. "Well? Give it a go!"

I held it up to see what my next Pokémon was. I felt my feet taken off the ground; I was being carried by a Machamp!

Machamp (カイリキー)

#119

Fighting Type

Superpower Pokémon

5'03" (1.6 m)

286.6 lbs (130 kg)

It grasps its opponents with its four arms and twists them up in an intricate hold. People call it "the Machamp special."

Machop -Lv 28- Machoke -Trade- Machamp

"What's going on?" I asked.

"It's called Machamp Shove!" Hapu replied. "It can help push large boulders by using the move Strength! You'll need it; come on in!"

Location: Ruins of Hope

Inside the ruins were what looked like large-square blocks. There were holes in front of them to.

"So…" Hapu said. "I don't have Machamp Shove so-"

"YOU JUST REGISTERED MINE!" I shouted. "HOW CAN YOU NOT HAVE MACHAMP?!"

"What? I only had one and as far as I'm concerned, you will need it more than I do in the future. I just need your help with getting to Tapu Fini's shrine, okay?"

I summoned Machamp and got to pushing. I managed to push the blocks into the holes which allowed us to get across. "Every puzzle has answer!" I said. "Hey…" I remembered back on Melemele Island… this might be what we need!

"Thanks!" said Hapu. "Now, I need some private time with Tapu Fini if that's fine with you."

"I understand," I replied. "It's a Kahuna's duty." We both fist bumped, and I went outside.

Location: Poni Breaker Coast

"Venoshock!" A Salandit fired pink gunk at Clefairy. It knocked it out.

"No!" Lillie shouted.

"What's goign on?" I shouted.

"You're done for yo!" the Team Skull Grunt said.

"You guys?!" I said. "Didn't Guzma tell you?"

"Guzma?" one Grunt said. "Nope, haven't seen him."

"Okay that's it. Let's battle. If you beat me, then at least attempt to listen to me."

"Sounds fair yo. Oh, wait. We're Team Skull! We don't fight fair!"

Elliott Vs. Team Skull Grunt

"Salandit, go!" The Salandit from before entered.

"And I choose Slowbro!" I shouted.

"Toxic!" Salandit fired a ball of grime at Slowbro, badly poisoning it.

"Come back with Water Pulse!" Slowbro fired a ball of water at Salandit. It almost knocked it out.

"Now Venoshock!" Salandit used the same move that finished off Clefairy. It did quite a bit to Slowbro.

"Now Water Pulse again!" Slowbro finished off Salandit with one last Water Type move.

"Okay yo. Mareanie!" Next was a Water and Poison Type. "Poison Jab!" Mareanie jabbed Slowbro for a Critical Hit.

"Come back with Zen Headbutt!" Slowbro's head started glowing and it hit Mareanie. Finally, Slowbro went down from the poison.

"Oh no! Roto! It muzzt be Merzzilezz! It'zz Mareanie'zz Ability that makezz every hit on a Poizzened target Critical!"

"Mismagius, it's time!" Mismagius' first battle! "Psybeam!" Mismagius fired a pink beam at Mareanie; it was finished.

"Okay yo. Haunter!" Next was another Ghost Type.

"Shadow Ball!" Mismagius fired a black ball at Haunter for massive damage. It almost went down.

"Use Shadow Ball!" Haunter fired a Shadow Ball of its own, doing at least half to Mismagius though it also lowered its Sp. Defense.

"Shadow Ball again!" Mismagius finished off Haunter.

"Mismagius izz really showing off it'zz new power! Zzt zzt!"

"Urgh. Okay Golbat, g-"

"That's enough."

At that point, Plumeria walked through the crowd. "It's you!" Lillie said, clutching her fainted Clefairy.

"What are you lot doing? Didn't Guzma tell you?"

"Actually, he didn't yo. What's happening?"

"I'll tell you," I said. "Lusamine. She's been playing with you. Guzma, and by extension Team Skull, is on our side now. Lusamine was abducted by an Ultra Beast called UB-01 and taken into Ultra Space. Me and Lillie are going to get her back. That's not all. All around Alola. Akala, Melemele, Ula'ula. Ultra Beasts are attacking. You need to trust me on this."

"Why yo? What is wrong with you? You think we should believe your propaganda?"

"He's telling the truth," Plumeria said. "I came to tell you imbeciles in the, now obvious, case that Guzma didn't tell you. I know we've been at Elliott's back this entire time, but from her on out, we need to trust him. I feel like we have caused him enough trouble."

"Apologies can come later," I said. "You need to head back to Po Town and start helping the citizens."

Plumeria looked at the Grunts. "Well? You heard him! Get the ship ready!"

"Aye aye!" All the Grunts ran off.

Plumeria took a deep breath. "You better not screw this up, okay?" She then walked off to join them.

Following that commotion, Hapu came out of the Ruins. "It's official!" she said. "Poni Island has a new Kahuna!"

"Great!" Lillie said.

"So, what can I do you for?"

"We need the Moon Flute," I replied. "Lillie, you have the Sun Flute?"

Lillie went into her Bag and got out the orange flute with the sun symbol on it. "We're looking for this, but purple."

Hapu smiled. "I know just where to find it. There is an islet about 5 miles off the coast called Exeggutor Island. That's where the flute is. A boat runs every so often, but rides will be over today. You'll have to go tomorrow."

I looked at Lillie. "Sounds good. I think we'll need our rest. Things are about to get weird."

Rotom's Move Dex!

Roto! Lillie izz starting a journey! Her partner izz Clefairy, a Fairy Type! Zzt zzt! Fun fact; Clefairy wazz at one point a Normal Type? So, let'zz look at a Normal Type move turned Fairy!

Moonlight! Roto!

Moonlight izz a healing move in a similar vein to Recover, but what differentiatezz it izz that it comezz down to the weather. Zzt zzt. In Sunny weather, it won't be healed azz much. Alzzo the cazze during sunlight. So choozze the bezzt time to uzze! Roto.

Pokémon that can learn Moonlight include Umbreon, Noivern and Shiinotic.

In the name of the Moonlight, I shall punish you! Roto!