Chapter 34:
Marshadow of a Doubt
Location: Malie City
"So, Elliott, Roto. What do ya wanna do today? Zzt!"
"Same thing we always do Rotom," I said. "Try to take over the Alola region! Or at least conquer the Trials." Rotom Dex opened up a map on its screen. "Looks like the next Trial site is located on the summit of Mt. Hokulani." I looked up to see the mountain towering over us.
"It'zz the second biggezzt mountain in Alola! Roto! The only way up there izz by the Exeggutor Buzz. They run every hour, so we have plenty of time."
"Elliott!" Lillie came running up to us.
"Oh, hey!" I said. "Professor Kukui give you a ride?"
"Yeah," she replied. "I only arrived today, but I was told about a library here. You want to visit with me?"
I decided it would be fun.
We walked into the library where books lined the shelves. A lot of the books were about Johtinian and Alolan history, with some Kalosian history scattered here and there.
"You must read a lot," I said.
"I do!" Lillie replied. "Especially about history! I love finding out about the legends of different regions."
"Oh, do you now."
A girl appeared from behind us. She looked about my age and was wearing a ragged-purple dress. She had purple hair and a gold band on her right arm.
"Wah!" we both shouted.
"Quiet!" the Librarian whispered, or at least a whisper so loud that anymore decibel it would have been normal talking. "This is a library!"
The girl smiled. "Did I scare you?"
"You bet," I said. "Who are you?"
"Acerola," she replied. "A Trial Captain."
Rotom Dex got excited. "Are you the Captain of the one at Mount Hokulani?"
"Nope!" she said. "But I can see you there if you want!"
"I'll stay behind here and read a bit," Lillie said. "That's what I came to do but I don't want to let that distract you from your dreams."
I understood completely. After what went down two days ago, I was feeling a bit protective of Lillie.
Location: Route 10
Route 10 was a simple path making its way around the base of the mountain. Me and Acerola walked on. As we did, I noticed something a bit weird with Acerola's shadow. Additionally, I noticed that she didn't like to be in the shade (which, without sun cream in the Alola heat, is not a good idea). I didn't bring it up though.
"Hey," I said. "That tree is shaking! Maybe there is a Pokémon in there!" I went over to is and sure enough, something jumped out! It was a Flying Type that was made out of metal with red wings.
Skarmory (エアームド)
#270
Steel/Flying Type
Armor Bird Pokémon
5'07" (1.7 m)
111.3 lbs (50.5 kg)
Its feathers, which fall off as they grow, are thin and sharp. In times long past, warriors used them as swords.
Skarmory has no known evolutions.
"Go Torracat!" I shouted. "Fire Fang!" Torracat chomped down on Skarmory with fiery fangs. However, it didn't do as much as I thought.
"Skarmory'zz Defenzze izz out of thizz world! Roto!" Skarmory then fired stars at Torracat.
"That's Swift!" Acerola shouted.
"Use another Fire Fang!" Torracat chomped down on Skarmory again, this time landing a Critical Hit! Skarmory was also burned. Then, Skarmory fired streaks of air at Torracat.
"And that move is Air Cutter!" said Acerola.
"One more Fire Fang!" Torracat did just that, this time knocking out Skarmory.
"That was some cool battling!" Acerola said. "So, what's your story?"
I told Acerola all about when I moved to Alola from Kanto. I also told her about Tapu Koko, Team Skull and a bit about Lillie but not about the Aether Foundation.
"Wow," she said. "My story is that I'm an orphan who hangs out in the Library."
"Do you have any friends?" I asked.
"Well, I have one…" she said.
Just then, I was noticed by a Firefighter. "I'm on duty just in case a heatwave sends things ablaze!"
Elliott Vs. Firefighter Alex
"Go Octillery!" Alex shouted, sending out a red Pokémon with some tentacles. On the tentacles were yellow suckers.
Octillery (オクタン)
#144
Water Type
Jet Pokémon
2'11" (0.9 m)
62.8 lbs (28.5 kg)
It usually sleeps in caves. The pitch-black ink Octillery spits is also used for cooking.
Remoraid -Lv 25- Octillery
"And I'm using Snorlax!" I replied.
"Use Octazooka!" Octillery fired some black ink at Snorlax.
"Snorlax, Body Slam!" Snorlax landed on Octillery. One more would do it.
"Now use Aurora Beam!" Octillery then fired a colourful beam at Snorlax.
"One more Body Slam!" Snorlax jumped onto Octillery once more, knocking it out.
"Thanks for the training! Now fires can be put out more easily!"
"So," I said. "What are you the Trail Captain of?"
Acerola smiled. "The Abandoned Site. It was originally called the Thrifty Megamart, but it was built of the grounds of the Island Guardian, Tapu Bulu. Understandably, it threw a rage and destroyed the Megamart. It's now an abandoned wreck."
"I can understand," I said. "Imagine building something like that on sacred grounds. It makes me kind of angry. But at least we got a Trial Site out of it!"
As I said this, I saw a bamboo tree. On it was a black and white Pokémon with paws and a leaf in its mouth. It jumped at me, and I had to battle it.
Pancham (ヤンチャム)
#284
Fighting Type
Playful Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
17.6 lbs (8 kg)
There's no point to the leaf in its mouth, aside from an effort to look cool. It's mischievous, so it's not well suited to inexperienced Trainers.
"I'm using Misdreavus!" I shouted.
"Oh wow!" Acerola said. "A Ghost Type!"
Pancham started with Comet Punch, but it did nothing. "Misdreavus, Psybeam!" Misdreavus fired a beam of Psychic energy at Pancham for lots of damage. "And again!" Misdreavus did the same thing, knocking out Pancham.
"Amazing!" said Acerola.
"So, you like Ghozzt Typezz? Roto?"
"Love em!" said Acerola. "See, when the Thrifty Megamart was wrecked, many Ghost Types started appearing there. Those Ghost Types are also my friends, and I also use them a lot!"
"Oh no," I said, looking into the distance. It was the bus stop and waiting there was Team Skull. "Hey!" I shouted as I ran in front in front of a Beauty. "Oh great."
"Get ready to be SHOCKED at my beauty!"
Elliott Vs. Beauty Andrea
"I choose Torracat!" I shouted.
"And I'm using Flaaffy!" Andrea replied, sending out a Pokémon that was pink with white wool.
Flaaffy (モココ)
#163
Electric Type
Wool Pokémon
2'07" (0.8 m)
29.3 lbs (13.3 kg)
In the places on its body where fleece doesn't grow, its skin is rubbery and doesn't conduct electricity. Those spots are safe to touch.
Mareep -Lv 15- Flaaffy
Torracat started off by scratching Flaaffy repeatedly. "Hey that's Fury Swipes!" I shouted. "Not bad!" However, things went haywire when Flaaffy's Static caused Torracat to become paralyzed. "Oh great," I said.
"Flaaffy, use Electro Ball!" Flaaffy fired a ball of electricity at Torracat.
"Come back," I told it. "Come on out Snorlax!" Snorlax came out and took another Electro Ball. "And now Body Slam!" Snorlax landed on Flaaffy. It was a Critical Hit and knocked out Flaaffy.
"Oh, well I guess I'm not shining as much anymore."
With that out the way, I ran over to Team Skull.
"He he, now no one will be able to ascend!"
"We'll make this Team Skull turf!"
"In your dreams!" I said.
Both Grunts, who were both male, looked at me. "Well, if it isn't the kid that Plumeria told us about yo."
"Why must you always mess with us?"
"It's for the greater good of the Alola region!" I said.
"We'll show you greater good, by being bad!"
Elliott Vs. Team Skull Grunt A
"Golbat, it's your turn yo!" shouted the Grunt, sending out the Flying Type.
"Slowpoke, go yo! That doesn't work." Slowpoke came out.
"Use Bite!" Golbat darted down but missed.
"Use Confusion!" Slowpoke sent a small mind blast towards Golbat, confusing it. Golbat hurt itself the next turn. "Use Confusion again!" Slowpoke attacked Golbat with another Super Effective move. It was almost down.
"Golbat, use Bite again yo!" Golbat flew down and bit Slowpoke, causing it to flinch that turn. Additionally, Golbat snapped out of its confusion. "Now use Swift!" Golbat shot some stars at Slowpoke.
"Come back with Confusion!" One last Psychic Type move and Golbat was down.
"You're strong yo!"
"Fool!" Grunt B said. "How were you taken out by a kid and his Slowpoke? I'll show him real stuff!"
"No, you won't," said Acerola. "Because… you'll be facing me!"
Well, it was a bit out of the blue. If she had maybe asked first… what the heck. I let her. "Can't wait to see what kind of Pokémon you have!" I said.
Team Skull Grunt B Vs. Trial Captain Acerola
"Houndour, go!" The Pokémon sent out was black with orange parts all over it.
Houndour (デルビル)
#289
Dark/Fire Type
Dark Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
23.8 lbs (10.8 kg)
It cooperates with others skilfully. When it becomes your partner, it's very loyal to you as its Trainer and will obey your orders.
"Thizz will be interezzting, Roto. Acerola said she likezz Ghozzt Typezz, but they are weak to Dark attackzz."
Acerola smiled, then started laughing eerily. "It's time to meet my friend!" She put her right hand in the air and clicked. Then, from her weird looking shadow came a black Pokémon with orange eyes and wavy parts all over its body.
Marshadow (マーシャドー)
#402
Fighting/Ghost Type
Gloomdweller Pokémon
2'04" (0.7 m)
48.9 lbs (22.2 kg)
It lurks in the shadows of others, copying their movements and powers. This Pokémon is craven and cowering.
Mythical Pokémon
"So that's Acerola's friend!" I said. "A Mythical Pokémon!"
"Amazzing! Roto!"
"Use Drain Punch!" Marshadow punched Houndour for Super Effective damage.
"Use Fire Fang yo!" Houndour bit down on Marshadow with flaming teeth.
"Now use Thunder Punch!" Marshadow punched Houndour with its sparking fist, knocking it out.
"Wo! A Mythical Pokémon!"
Both Grunts looked at each other. "Okay we'll put the bus stops back." Both of them quickly did.
"But," Grunt B said. "This isn't the end. Because soon, you will have to deal with our big man Guzma."
"Guzma?" I asked. "So that's whose running this operation aye? Yeah, I'd love to meet him."
"WHAT?!" Rotom Dex and Acerola said.
"Are you inzzane? Roto? That could be dangerouzz!"
"And I'm not sure if you'll have me next time!" Acerola said.
"I'm not sure if I'll be fine," I said. "But… I would like to meet him. I want to know WHY he has been doing all this."
"Ha!" Grunt A said. "That's a death sentence yo! You won't even survive the wrath of Guzma!" With that, both Grunts ran off.
"What did I just do?" I asked.
"Hey!" Acerola said. "The way I saw you battle all those Trainers? Guzma will be crying for his mummy! Even more so because when you see him, you'll have finished your next Trial!"
"Precisely!" Professor Kukui entered the scene. "Lillie told me you would be here. Elliott, I see you've made a new friend."
"Yep," I replied. "Acerola and her partner Mars-" Marshadow had disappeared, and Acerola's weird shadow was back. "Never mind. Marshtomp. That's why I meant."
"That's not a Ghost Type," Hau replied.
"Elliott," Professor Kukui said. "There is something I want to show you. It's at the top of Mt. Hokulani."
"Enjoy," said Acerola. "I'm heading back to Malie City. And… good luck with Guzma."
"Guzma aye?" said the Professor. "Well, tell me more later. Come on, the Exeggutor Bus leaves in five minutes!"
Location: Mount Hokulani
The bus stopped at the top of the mountain which had a large observatory on the summit. Huge satellite dishes were pointing in multiple directions.
"This is my next trial site?" I asked.
"Yep!" Professor Kukui said. "Being so high up gives you a great look at the stars at night, which is what the scientists here study."
The doors to the observatory opened. Out came a man wearing a blue shirt and hoodie with grey trousers and black glasses. He had curled-up blonde hair. "Professor! What brings you here today?" With him was a Magnemite. "Professor! You made it!"
"Molayne!" said the Professor. "Nice to see you!"
"Are you the Trial Captain?" I asked.
"Nope," he said. "That's my cousin. You'll meet him tomorrow."
"Thanks," said the Professor. "Anyway, look at that over there." We got a great view of Ula'ula Island, including a large snow-topped mountain in the distance. We saw crane-works on the top.
"What's going on there?" I asked.
"Alola's first Pokémon League," said the Professor. "I'm overseeing it on that summit of Mt. Lanakila, the largest mountain in the Alola region. When it's constructed, we will get to see a huge battle to see who will become Champion."
"Wow," I said. "Will I be Champion?"
"At the rate you're going, maybe!" said the Professor. "Now, about Guzma. Really throwing yourself in there, that's what I'll say."
"Did I do the right thing?" I asked.
"Who knows?" the Professor simply replied. "But… good luck."
Rotom's Move Dex!
Roto! We were in for a real treat today, another Mythical Pokémon! Now Marshadow is a Ghozzt Type and Acerola uzzezz Ghozzt Typezz… but we did that two dayzz ago so it'zz time for a Fighting Type move!
Aura Sphere!
Not many Fighting Type movezz can say thizz; Aura Sphere is a Special attack! Roto! Additionally, it hazz a power of 80 and… never mizzezz! It'zz one of thozze reliable onezz!
Pokémon that can uzze Aura Sphere include Lucario, Mienshao and Magearna!
Okay, onto the next challenge! Roto!