Chapter 52:

Canyon Crave

Location: Seafolk Village Pokémon Center

"Do not worry," said Captain Phyco through the Pokémon Center PC. "We are at the Alter of the Moone waiting for both of you. We could transport you, but we know that there is a trial site at the end of the canyon so might as well take that on whilst your there. It will give you another Z-Crystal."

"We don't have time!" I said. "Forget the trial now, this should be the priority!"

"Oh, don't worry," said Lillie. "It gives us another adventure and shows your potential; Vast Poni Canyon is amazing. Lots of Pokémon to find there to."

"Got it," I said. "Are you sure you won't get bored?"

"Not at all!" said Phyco. Wicke held up a box of playing cards. "Wicke gave these to us. Apparently, they are called a suit. She taught us how to play this earth game called rummy. We'll just kill the time with this. Oh, and by the way. The Flutes will only work at night, so we'll see you at the end of tomorrow."

"Thanks," I said. "We should get going. It's going to be a long trek. Oh, and learn Knockout Whist. That's my favourite card game." With that, I signed off. "Okay. We ready?"

Lillie nodded. "Let's do it!"

"Let'zz go stop the Ultra Beazztzz! Roto!"

Location: Vast Poni Canyon

Around us, the giant rock walls pierced the sky. A dead tree was in the middle of the path, and we saw a large bridge in the distance that went to both sides.

"Wow," I said. "They don't have anything like this in Kanto."

I saw Lillie looking up at the bridge. She was trembling a bit, the first time I had seen her like this since changing clothes. "Yeah…" she replied.

"What'zz wrong? Roto? If something izz bothering you, you have to tell uzz."

Lillie patted her face twice with her hands. "It's fine. Just thinking about mother. Come on, we need to get through here so you can do your Trial."

We walked into a cave with slopes that went upwards. It was clear that this would take is outside again at a higher level.

"You okay with heights?" I asked Lillie.

"Let's just go!" she said. "I just want to get through here!"

We continued walking through the cave when suddenly, a Golbat appeared. "I've got this!" I shouted. "Go Mismagius!" Out came my Ghost Type. "Psybeam!" Mismagius fired a pink beam at Golbat. However, it only did about half. Golbat then came back with Mean Look, preventing escape. "Use Psybeam again!" Mismagius shot another attack at Golbat, this time finishing it off.

"Hmm…" I said. "Psybeam doesn't seem to be punching as much as it use to."

"Well Pokémon are getting stronger," said Lillie.

"Wait…" I said. "I know! Wicke gave me the TM for Psychic! I'll teach it to Mismagius!" So I went ahead and did it. Psybeam was no more… Psychic was here! "Alright! Nice one!"

It wasn't long before we came across a Veteran Trainer. "It's quite a climb!"

Elliott Vs. Veteran Harry

"Go Beheeyem!" Harry shouted, sending out an orange Pokémon with glowing fingertips.

Beheeyem (オーベム)

#276

Psychic Type

Cerebral Pokémon

3'03" (1 m)

76.1 lbs (34.5 kg)

With its Psychic powers, it rewrites its opponent's memories. You, too, may have already had your memories rewritten.

Elgyem -Lv 42- Beheeyem

"Now Mismagius, give it a dose of Shadow Ball!" Mismagius fired a dark ball at Beheeyem for lots of damage.

"Now use Psychic!" Beheeyem blasted Mismagius with Psychic power.

"It's almost down! Give it a Psychic of your own!" Mismagius gave Beheeyem a taste of its own Psychic medicine, knocking it out.

"Okay Arcanine, you're next!" Out came the fluffy orange Pokémon with black stripes.

Arcanine (ウインディ)

#065

Fire Type

Legendary Pokémon

6'03" (1.9 m)

341.7 lbs (155 kg)

There are so many old takes about them that they're called Legendary Pokémon, but there are way more of them around than you'd expect.

Growlithe -Fire Stone- Arcanine

"Slowbro, go!" I shouted.

"Crunch!" Arcanine chomped down on Slowbro.

"Let's wash it away." Me and Slowbro put our arms out in front, then did a wave motion with our hands. "HYDRO VORTEX!" The whole place was suddenly swamped in water. Then, Slowbro swam round and round Arcanine creating a whirlpool that washed away its HP in one shot.

"Battle like that and this climb will be alright!"

We kept walking up and found some rocks in the way.

"Allow me," I said. "Come out Tauros!" Tauros appeared and me and Lillie ended up on its back with gear. "Hang on tight!"

"Wha- woooaah!" Tauros charged through the rocks, turning them to gravel. I sent Tauros back afterwards. "Well… that was kinda fun."

"You know what else is kinda fun?" asked an Ace Trainer. He was part of a duo with a female Ace Trainer.

"A battle!" said the female one. "A Double Battle! You two Vs. Us two!"

"Err…" Lillie said.

"We accept!" I said. "Lillie, just follow my lead!"

Elliott and Lillie Vs. Ace Duo Kent and Aimee

"Go Sandslash!" So, if Sandshrew has an Alolan form, it was a given that Sandslash would have one to. The spikes found on the Kantonian variety's back were instead icicles and the Pokémon was blueish white instead of yellow and brown.

Sandslash (Alolan Form) (サンドパン)

#329

Ice/Steel Type

Mouse Pokémon

3'11" (1.2 m)

121.3 lbs (55 kg)

This Pokémon's steel spikes are sheathed in ice. Stabs from these spikes cause deep wounds and severe frostbite as well.

Sandshrew -Ice Stone- Sandslash

"Ninetales, go!" Out came a Ninetales that was a similar colour to Sandslash. Its tails were much wavier than the Fire Type version.

Ninetales (キュゥコン) (Alola Form)

#331

Ice/Fairy Type

Fox Pokémon

3'07" (1.1 m)

43.9 lbs (19.9 kg)

It creates drops of ice in its coat and showers them over its enemies. Anyone who angers it will be frozen stiff in an instant.

Vulpix -Ice Stone- Ninetales

"Go Hariyama!" I shouted as my Fighting Type entered. "Lillie, don't worry! Just send out Clefairy!" I looked at both Trainers and mouthed "she's new" at them.

"Okay. Clefairy, give it a try!" Out came Lillie's Partner.

"Ninetales, Dazzling Gleam on Hariyama!" Ninetales let out a blinding light that did lots of damage to Hariyama and also hit Clefairy.

"Now use Metal Claw!" Sandslash swiped at Clefairy with its claw, almost finishing it.

Hariyama, seeing Clefairy in distress, ran over to Sandslash and punched it multiple times. Sandslash was down in one.

"Roto! Hariyama learned Close Combat!"

"Nice!" I told Hariyama.

"Be careful though," said Kent. "Yes, Close Combat is one of the strongest Fighting Type attacks, but it come at a price." I noticed Hariyama was a bit worn out.

"It's Defense and Sp. Defense fell," I said. "It certainly can't take another Dazzling Gleam."

"Clefairy!" Lillie said. "It's all or nothing! Use Body Slam!" Clefairy jumped onto Ninetales. In the process, Ninetales became paralyzed!

"No!" shouted Aimee.

"Nice one!" I told Lillie as we hi-fived. "Now, let's finish this! Hariyama, Close Combat again!" Hariyama punched Ninetales multiple times, almost downing it.

"And Clefairy, you use Disarming Voice!" Clefairy shouted and the soundwave hit Ninetales. It was finished.

"Not a bad tag team."

"Wait, SHE'S new?!"

"You did great!" I said as the two of us ran up to the next floor.

"Hold on! Roto!"

"That Body Slam was such a risk," Lillie said. "But I did it! I won my… no. I helped win the first Tag Battle that I was apart of! Clefairy! Well done!" Clefairy jumped into Lillie's arms.

"You two share such a bond," I said.

"Yep!" Lillie said. "I met Clefairy at Mt. Coronet when on holiday to the Sinnoh region and it's been my best friend ever since. Sadly, I had to leave it back at the Aether Foundation when I ran away. Thankfully, mother didn't freeze it."

"Maybe she does love you a bit if she didn't do that," I told her.

"Maybe…" Lillie replied. "Hey, I want to do some more training. Mind if I go into the grass?"

"Go ahead!" I said, noticing the grass that was growing thanks to the small sunlight coming through the cave. "I'll be watching!"

Lillie ran into the tall grass and sure enough, a Pokémon appeared. It was grey and scaly with a yellow crest on its head and another yellow crest at the end of its tail.

Jangmo-o (ジャラコ)

#361

Dragon Type

Scaly Pokémon

2'00" (0.6 m)

65.5 lbs (29.7 kg)

It expresses its feeling by smacking its scaled. Metallic sounds echo through the tall mountains where Jangmo-o lives.

"That's a Dragon Type!" I said. "It's a Fairy Type's specialty!"

"You heard him Clefairy!" she said, sending out her Fairy Type. Jangmo-o started with Iron Defense, raising its Defense stat. "Now Disarming Voice!" Cleafiry shouted and the soundwave hit Jangmo-o for a third damage. Then, Jangmo-o used Screech, hurting Clefairy's ears and lowering its Defense. "Disarming Voice again!" Clefairy shouted once again, almost knocking out Jangmo-o. It tried a Dragon Claw, but it had no effect.

"Lillie!" I said. "Try this." I handed Lillie a Pokéball.

"Huh?!" Lillie said. "You want me to… catch it?!"

"It's weak now!" I said. "You can't pass over this opportunity!"

Lillie nodded. "Okay then! Jangmo-o, you're mine!" Lillie threw the Pokéball at Jangmo-o and it went inside. We watched the Pokéball shake… and click shut!

"Nice one!" I said. "You caught your first Pokémon!"

"Hooray! Roto!"

Lillie looked at Jangmo-o's Pokéball. "We are going to go to Kanto together, and that goes for you to Clefairy! Now, can we do another one?"

"We'll do it on the way," I said. "I know we need to reach there by tomorrow evening, but we also can't dilly dally."

Lillie put Jangmo-o's Pokéball away. "Okay," she replied.

It wasn't long before I across another Trainer, this time a Backpacker.

"Fear my Fossils!"

Elliott Vs. Hiker Zachary

"You're up Archeops!" Out came a yellow-feathered Pokémon with red and blue plumes.

Archeops (アーケオス)

#073

Rock/Flying Type

First Bird Pokémon

4'07" (1.4 m)

70.5 lbs (32 kg)

They hunted in flocks. When on Archeops had the prey cornered, another would swoop on it.

Archen -Lv 37- Archeops

Revived from a Plume Fossil.

"I choose Slowbro!" I replied.

"Crunch!" Archeops chomped down on Slowbro for Super Effective damage.

"Now use Water Pulse!" Slowbro fired a ball of water at Archeops, confusing it on impact.

"Now Archeops, Acrobatics!" However, Archeops hurt itself instead.

"One more Water Pulse!" Slowbro did just that, fainting Archeops.

"Okay then, fear Tyrantrum!" The other Pokémon was a beast with large jaws.

Tyrantrum (ガチゴラス)

#244

Rock/Dragon Type

Despot Pokémon

8'02" (2.5 m)

595.2 lbs (270 kg)

Complete restoration is impossible, allowing room for theories that its entire body was once covered in a feather-like coat.

Tyrunt -Lv 39 Daytime- Tyrantrum

"Thanks," I told Slowbro. "Go Hariyama!" I shouted. "Use Fake Out!" Hariyama clapped on Tyrantrum, making it flinch.

"Now Tyrantrum, use Dragon Tail!" Tyrantrum hit Hariyama with its tail, forcing it to be recalled in favor of Mismagius.

"We can still do this! Shadow Ball!" Mismagius fired a shadowy ball at Tyrantrum. It took quite a bit.

"Use Crunch!" Tyrantrum then chomped down on Mismagius. It was a Critical Hit that ended Mismagius in one.

"Tyrantrum hazz the Ability Strong Jaw! Roto! It powerzz up biting-focuzzed movezz!"

"Not gonna stop me! Go Toucannon!" I yelled. "Bullet Seed!" Toucannon fired seeds at Tyrantrum which knocked it out.

"Fear… my Fossils…"

We were on a roll! I did put some Repel so that we don't have many wild encounters though.

Before we went down a narrow path, I was once again spotted by a Veteran.

"I like Pokémon!"

Elliott Vs. Veteran Lynn

"Go Xatu!" Lynn shouted. Out came a green Psychic and Flying Type.

Xatu (ネイチィオ)

#253

Psychic/Flying Type

Mystic Pokémon

4'11" (1.5 m)

33.1 lbs (15 kg)

Whilst it can see the future, it has no desire to change it, which is probably why it remains motionless at all times.

Natu -Lv 25- Xatu

"Mismagius!" I shouted. "Shadow Ball!" Mismagius fired the dark ball at Xatu, doing lots to it. It was Super Effective after all.

"Ominous Wind!" Xatu flapped its wings and shot dark wind at Mismagius.

"Come back with another Shadow Ball!" Mismagius fired another one at Xatu. It was down.

"Dewgong, come out next!" The Water and Ice Type was next.

Dewgong (ジュゴン)

#116

Water/Ice Type

Sea Lion Pokémon

5'07" (1.7 m)

264.6 lbs (120 kg)

It swims through the ocean at a speed of eight knots, searching for Pokémon that will become its prey. It's especially fond of Wishiwashi.

Seel -Lv 34- Dewgong

"Good job," I told Mismagius. "Now Incineroar, it's your turn!"

"What?! Roto? But Dewgong izz a Water Type!"

"It's also Ice!" I said. "Trust me!"

"Aqua Jet!" Dewgong darted forward covered in water, making the first strike.

"Now use Flamethrower!" Incineroar shot fire at Dewgong. Dewgong was burned as well.

"Use Aqua Jet again!" Dewgong once again darted forward to Incineroar.

"Now use Darkest Lariat!" Incineroar span round and round and hit Dewgong. It was finished.

"Final Pokémon time! Go Talonflame!" Out came a Pokémon with orange feathers. It was flapping its large wings to keep itself aloft.

Talonflame (フアイロー)

#194

Fire/Flying Type

Scorching Pokémon

3'11" (1.2 m)

54 lbs (24.5 kg)

It zooms directly at its prey at flight speeds of close to 310 mph (499 kmh), while fiery embers scatter from gaps in its feathers.

Fletchling -Lv 17- Fletchinder -Lv 35- Talonflame

"Slowbro time!" I shouted.

"Talonflame, Acrobatics!" Talonflame tossed and turned everywhere before it kicked Slowbro.

It was time. We surrounded ourselves with Z-energy. "Let's put this Fire Type out Slowbro. HYDRO VORTEX!" The area was drenched in an ocean. Slowbro swam round Talonflame to create a whirlpool that bashed it about before knocking it out in one fell swoop.

"I still like them, even when we've lost…"

With another victory out the way, we turned a corner and saw light. "That must be a way out!" I said. "Come on!"

We got out and saw the bridge from earlier. It hung over the canyon, the floor a life sentence drop.

"You ready?" I asked Lillie. I saw Lillie tremble in her place. "What's wrong?"

"I… I can't do it!" she said.

I suddenly remembered back to my first day as a Trainer, and how Nebby ran onto the bridge. If it wasn't for me... Lillie wouldn't be here right now.

"Lillie," I said. "I'm here for you. I was there for you back then and I'll be here with you now. Shall we go together?"

Lillie looked at the bridge again. "I'll go first. Just be a couple of steps behind me."

That sounded like a good idea. "Okay. Take seven steps."

Seven steps was not much on this large bridge, but it was a good start. Lillie took some steps forward.

"One. Two. Three. Four. Five…"

Suddenly, there was a squawking sound. Behind Lillie was a black-feathery Pokémon with a bushy tail.

Murkrow (ヤミカラス)

#078

Dark/Flying Type

Darkness Pokémon

1'08" (0.5 m)

4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)

They awaken at dusk and take wing in the twilight, leading to the expression, "Get home before the Murkrow fly."

"Lillie! Roto! Don't worry! We're come for you!"

"We are not," I said. "Lillie! Remember! You have your own Pokémon now!"

Lillie, remembering this, went into her Bag. "You're right!" she said. "Let's teach this Murkrow a lesson!" She stood her ground. "Go Clefairy!" she shouted. She made the right choice there. Murkrow started with Feint Attack, hitting Clefairy for not that much. "Disarming Voice!" Clefairy shouted at Murkrow. The soundwave hit it for about half damage. Murkrow used Feint Attack again, but it also didn't do much. "Disarming Voice again!" Clefairy shouted once again. Finally, it knocked out Murkrow!

"I did it!" Lillie said. "Okay, across we go!" Lillie quickly made haste. Thankfully, unlike the bridge on Mahalo Trail, it was well kept with little risk of breaking. Lillie made it to the end. "Hey!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the rocks. "The view is great!"

I ran across to join her. "That was amazing!" I said. At that point, we got to see the sunset. "Thankfully this was before twilight so that Murkrow can't have meant bad luck. Let's set up camp here."

"I didn't bring a tent," Lillie said.

"It's alright," I said. "We'll sleep under the stars!" I looked to see the sun setting over the sea.

That evening, we just talked.

"Lillie," I asked. "What kicked off Lusamine's Ultra Beast obsession?"

"Guilt," Lillie replied.

"Guilt?" I asked. "What guilt?"

"When I was little, I had a father. His name was Mohn. Mother and Mohn loved each other very much, and they shared a love of alternate worlds. One day, an Ultra Wormhole appeared in the sky, and a UB-01 appeared. It was like nothing we had ever seen before. Mohn immediately thought it was a threat, so tried battling it. The Pokémon he used... being this very Clefairy right here." She looked at its Ball. "It didn't stand a chance. The Ultra Beast panicked, grabbed Mohn and, just like with Mother, he was taken through an Ultra Wormhole."

"I'm so sorry," I replied.

"After that, Mother dedicated her time to trying to get him back, which meant studying Ultra Beasts. However, she realised the great power they have, and found a new goal; harness the Ultra Beast's power to use as her own. She no longer cared about saving father, and the guilt turned into... hunger. Multiple experiments caused her to look permanently young despite being only 41. All this research however meant me and Gladion were neglected. Years later, we realised the danger her experiments might entail, so we risked everything and took Nebby and Type: Null with us. But we both agreed to go to different places. Gladion decided to join Team Skull, which whilst I was against, we decided was for the best to keep us seperate. But I didn't have a plan except... run. Little did I know I was running towards my destiny."

Atfer that, we drifted off so sleep.

Rotom's Move Dex!

Lillie did some amazzzing battling today! Roto! She even caught a Jangmo-o! But today we'll be looking at a Fighting Type attack becauzze Hariyama learned Clozze Combat.

So let'zz look at Quick Guard!

Priority movezz can be a nuizzance, but Quick Guard dampenzz their annoyance! Thizz izz a move that blockzz priority movezz like Quick Attack, Aqua Jet and Shadow Sneak so your opponent can't make a firzzt strike! Roto!

Pokémon that learn Quick Guard include Mr. Mime, Archeops and Lycanroc Midday and Dusk!

Okay, tomorrow it izz it! Roto!