Chapter 74:

The Monster of Poni Island

Location: Poni Plains

Me and Hau got out of our tent and had a look around the grasslands.

"We're not too far from the Battle Tree," I said. "They promised that they wouldn't start without me; gives whoever these hosts are more of a chance to set up."

"I know," Hau said, munching on some Malasadas. "We, and I'm talking about the people who helped us a few days ago, can't be the only people participating right?"

At that point, we heard noises. "What's that?" I asked.

I looked round the corner to see two Trainers. One was a boy with an Eevee on his shoulder, another a girl with a Pikachu. The boy was toe to toe with a wild Gumshoos but wasn't using any Pokémon.

"Try again!" the girl said.

"Okay!" said the boy. "Ultra Ball, go!" The boy threw an Ultra Ball in a spinning formation, and it hit Gumshoos. It went inside and the Pokéball clicked shut.

"We did it!" the girl shouted. She opened what looked like a tablet, and Gumshoos' data appeared on it.


Gumshoos (デクグース)

#735 (National)

Normal Type

Stakeout Pokémon

2'04" (0.7 m)

31.3 lbs (14.2 kg)

When it finds a trace of its prey, it patiently stakes out the location…but it's always snoozing by nightfall.

Yungoos -Lv 20 at Daytime- Gumshoos


"Nice one!" I said. "But… wouldn't it be easier to battle it?"

"Nah," said the girl. "We have our own way of doing… things… are you the Champion of Alola?"

"That I am!" I said. "I'm Elliott, nice to meet you!"

"I'm Chase," said the boy. "This is my sister Elaine. We want to catch all the Pokémon of the world. We've done most of Kanto, where we come from, and we were asked to come to Alola on… business so we thought we would also catch Pokémon here. Gumshoos is our first one."

"Wow, Roto. Travelling the world."

Hau caught up. "Hey Elliott, I see you've made some new friends?"

"Yep!" I said. "And we would be happy to help! Shall we help you catch some more Pokémon?"

"Great!" Chase said. "There is a meadow just down that path." He pointed to a small passage going through some trees. "There is also a cave in there. That's where we will head next, and then we're off to the Battle Tree!"

I looked out Hau. "Yeah, I think we can let them tag along."

Hau put his thumb up. "Okay! Let's finish breakfast and head to Poni Meadow!"

After eating up and taking down the tent, we headed off.


Location: Poni Meadow

It was amazing how secluded this place seemed. There was light coming through and purple flowers blooming. There was a slope leading up to a cave.

"Here we are," I said. "So, what are you going to catch first?"

"Let's find out!" said Elaine, running into the flowers.

"They sure are ambitiouzz. Roto."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Oh, it'zz nothing. Zzt zzt."

"I found something!" Elaine shouted. We saw what she had encountered; an Oricorio. This was purple and had what looked like fans on the end of its wings.


Oricorio (オドリドリ)

Ghost/Flying Type (Sense Style)

Dancing Pokémon

2'00" (0.6 m)

7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)

This Oricorio has sipped purple nectar. Some dancers use its graceful, elegant dancing as inspiration.

Oricorio has no known evolutions but changes form based on what nectar it has sipped.


"Let's try this!" Elaine shouted. "Ultra Ball!" Elaine did a curveball throw at Oricorio and it hit. Oricorio went inside but, after three shakes, it broke free. It then escaped.

"Aw, too bad," I said.

"They'll always be another one," Hau assured.

I looked up to the cave. "Mind if I go check up there?" I asked.

"Sure!" said Elaine. "Just don't go too far in."

I walked up the slope to the cave. I clapped, and an echo rang through. "Cool!" I said, as an echo rang back. Just then, I saw some Zubat fly out. "Sorry!" I said, worried I had disturbed them.

"I don't think they're flying out because of you," said Hau, who had come up to join me. We heard a scream from inside the cave, as well as stomping. "Something else is inside there."

From the shadows came a terrifying Pokémon. It was large and black, but its most noticeable feature was its large, white mouth. It gave out a terrifying scream.

"What is that thing?!" I shouted.

"I don't know but it doezzn't look happy!"

We both ran for it. Noticing the commotion and seeing what we were running from, Chase and Elaine joined us.


Location: Poni Plains

When we got back to the Plains, we saw Wicke.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"It was big… and black… and very scary!" I said. "I don't know what it was!"

Wicke put her finger to her chin. "Maybe its… it could just be…"

"What?" I said. "Wait, you don't think that could be… an Ultra Beast?"

"Not just any Ultra Beast," Wicke said. "I fear this could be the most dangerous Ultra Beast of all. We call it UB-05 Glutton, otherwise known as Guzzlord. It has an insatiable appetite, and I have reason to believe the world where it has come from… it has eaten everything. Even other people and Pokémon fear it."

I looked at Hau with worry. "Maybe that's why no Ultra Beasts came to Poni Island. They must have feared Guzzlord's presence and stayed away. As for why it's in the cave… I don't know. It might have been chased in there by strong Trainers. We should leave it be for now. Come on, to the Battle Tree."


Location: Poni Coast

"Sorry," said a Young Athlete. "But I'm beat. I had a match against the Champion of Sinnoh, I didn't stand a chance."

"Fair enough," I said. I saw the Battle Tree in the distance; it was massive!

Hau sat by the sea as Elaine caught a Wingull; you don't get those in Kanto. That being said, they sometimes they swarm at the Vermillion City harbour.

"All the Trainers here have been totalled," I said. "Let's just continue."


Location: Poni Gauntlet

We came to a small area with a waterfall. It created a rainbow in the sky.

"That's refreshing!" I said.

"We won't be able to relax for long," said Hau. "Because I feel like some big battles will be coming up for us."

"Yeah," I said. "You two coming?"

Chase and Elaine caught up. "Sorry," Chase said. "I was busy catching a Bewear."

Me and Rotom looked at each other. "Keep that away from uzz. Roto."


Eventually, we got to the entrance of the Battle Tree.

"Finally here," I told Hau. We saw our friends, consisting mainly of former Champions in the distance. I waved, and was about to walk in when…

"Hold on!"

From a tree, I saw Blue! He jumped onto the ground. "Now now, from what I've heard you are the first Champion of the region. So- what's wrong with him?"

I saw Hau smiling. "You're… Blue?! The shortest reigning Champion in Kanto?!"

Blue fell down embarrassed. "I guess you could say that. Hey, Chase and Elaine! It's you!"

Chase waved. "Yeah we know each other," he told us. "He's related to a friend back home. To tell the truth, we came to Alola together."

"Though I've been here for sometime for a reason," Blue said. "To create the Battle Tree! A facility where some of the toughest Trainers in the world come together to show their strength! 16 are here, including Champions and previous Champions! And now, Champion of Alola, I want to see what you are like if that is fine with you! I haven't done this with the others because they've had some experience of Championsy, if that is even a word."

That didn't seem entirely fair. I had been Champion for just over a month at this point. "So… I'm new and that's why you want to battle? Sounds good!"

"Hah!" Blue said. "Once I'm done with you, I think I'll smell ya later!"


Elliott Vs. Blue

"Alakazam, you're up first!" Blue shouted, sending out his two spooned Psychic Type.

"And I choose Incineroar!" I replied.

"Alakazam, use Charge Beam!" Alakazam fired a beam of electricity at Incineroar. Its Sp. Attack rose in the process.

"Darkest Lariat!" Incineroar span into Alakazam for a Super Effective hit that was so strong it ended Alakazam in one go.

"Impressive, very good. Now Rhyperior, you're next!" Next was a brown and orange behemoth. I knew about Rhyperior; it's evolved from Rhyhorn and Rhydon, found in Kanto. I decided to switch.

"Go Slowbro!" I shouted. "Ready?" I raised up my hand. "May the power of Mega Evolution help us win!" Energy surrounded Slowbro, and it became Mega Slowbro!

"Nice try! Rhyperior, Megahorn!" Rhyperior's horn went green and it jabbed Mega Slowbro. Thankfully, the Shellder encasing it sponged a lot of damage.

"Water Pulse!" Slowbro fired a ball of water at Rhyperior. What should have knocked it out though… didn't. "But it was a clean shot with a huge Type advantage!"

"Not with Solid Rock!" Blue said. "It halves damage from Super Effective hits! Now, use Megahorn again!" Rhyperior hit Mega Slowbro again with its horn, not quite knocking it out.

"Water Pulse once more!" Mega Slowbro finished Rhyperior with one last water blast.

"So that's how you're gonna be! Go Exeggutor!" Out came Exeggutor of the Kantonian variety.


Exeggutor (ナッシー)

#356

Grass/Psychic Type

Coconut Pokémon

6'07" (2 m)

264.6 lbs (120 kg)

Each of its heads has its own will. They use telepathy to discuss their plans before coming to a joint decision.

Exeggcute -Leaf Stone- Exeggutor


"Use Energy Ball!" Exeggutor fired a green ball at Mega Slowbro, defeating it.

"You defeated my Mega!" I said. "Fair enough! Incineroar, come back out!" My Starter was sent out again. "Use Flare Blitz!" Incineroar covered itself in fire and charged into Exeggutor. This did lots of damage that knocked out the walking jungle.

"Well, I can see why you're the Champion! And you will keep on fighting to the end, like against my Pidgeot!" Next up was a Flying Type.

"Thanks," I told Incineroar. "Next up, I'm using Mismagius!" Ghost Type against a Normal Type!

"Pidgeot, Heat Wave!" Pidgeot flapped its wings, blowing hot air at Mismagius.

"Come back with Shock Wave!" Mismagius then fired electricity at Pidgeot for Super Effective damage.

"And now Air Slash!" Pidgeot fired a slice of air at Mismagius. This caused it to flinch. "And now do it again!" Another Air Slash was fired, almost defeating Mismagius.

"Use Shock Wave again!" Mismagius fired more electricity at Pidgeot, but it wasn't quite finished.

"Air Slash!" Pidgeot defeated Mismagius.

"Thanks," I told it. "Hariyama, I choose you!"

"What? Roto? It'zz a Fighting Type!"

"Fake Out!" Hariyama clapped in front of Pidgeot, knocking it out.

"Okay okay, you are pretty good. Go Arcanine!" Next up was a Fire Type. "Use Extreme Speed!" Arcanine dashed into Hariyama.

"Now use Close Combat!" Hariyama punched Arcanine to the point of almost knocking it out.

"Reversal!" Arcanine covered itself in blue energy then jumped into Hariyama for quite a lot of damage.

"Knock Off!" Hariyama brought its fist down onto Arcanine, defeating it.

"Okay then," Blue said. "Time for my last Pokémon. Go Blastoise!" Finally, was Blue's partner, the mighty Water Type Blastoise. "Use Ice Beam!" Blastoise shot a cold beam at Hariyama, finishing it off.

"Okay then!" I shouted. "Go Incineroar!" Yes it was at a Type disadvantage, but I wanted to show Blue some true power. We put our hands in front, then put them up. "Kanto Trainer, let us show you the power of Alola! MALICUOUS MOONSAULT!" Incineroar jumped up and formed a wrestling ring around Blastoise. It then jumped down onto Blastoise. It did about half.

"Use Hydro Cannon!" Blastoise fired a powerful ball of water at Incineroar. The hit was so massive that Incineroar was finished.

"No!" I shouted. "Thanks a lot, Incineroar, you did your best. Okay Lunala, come on out!" My Legendary was sent into the fray. Of course, Blastoise couldn't move after Hydro Cannon, so I seized my moment. "Moongeist Beam!" Lunala fired a powerful beam at Blastoise. It was finished.

"Hmm. Yeah, I'll let you keep your title."


All around me, I saw my friends cheering. I didn't even know they were watching!

From then, we heard clapping, and from the crowd, came someone that made my jaw drop. He was a tall man wearing a number 96 on his shirt. "So, this is Alola's first Champion."

"Oh my," I said. "It's… Red…"

Red smiled. "Come on in. Let me show you the ropes."


Location: Battle Tree

Me and the Team Rainbow Rocket Defense Force (as I call it) plus Chase and Elaine walked with Red to the Battle Tree.

"Wait," I said. "If there are 16 participating…"

"Hey," said Elaine. "We aren't participating."

"Oh," I said. "Okay." I counted heads. Red and Blue were the hosts, so they weren't competing. That meant there were 16. Who were the others?

"Allow me." Grismley appeared. "Well well, how have you been using Sharpedo?"

"Very well!" I said.

"Well look at this," said Colress. "Another Trainer from Unova? Yes, I believe this will help me bring out some full potential."

"Yo!" Guzma shouted. "Yeah… my community service is finished!"

Well, that meant there were eleven. Who else?

"Sorry I'm late." Running onto the scene was Cynthia! The previous Champion of Sinnoh. "Wow, such an ensemble!"

"Time to rumble!" Professor Kukui… sorry I meant the Masked Royale jumped in from out of nowhere. "Let's get this party started!" With him he had a new Lycanroc. It was orange in colour and on all fours.


Lycanroc (ルガルガン) (Dusk Form)

#127

Rock Type

Wolf Pokémon

2'07" (0.8 m)

55.1 lbs (25 kg)

Bathed in the setting sun of evening, Lycanroc has undergone a special kind of evolution. It's very rare in Alola. An intense fighting spirit underlies its calmness.

Rockruff -Lv 25 at dusk with the Ability Own Tempo- Lycanroc (Dusk Form)


Mina came trudging in. "I just came here to paint, but I suppose I can battle to."

Anabel joined to. "Maybe this will help me get back into battling."

So… who was the final one?

"That would be…" Red said.

"Hey!" We saw a Youngster. "My name is Tristan! Trust me, I'm very strong!"

"Sure you are," I said.

"Okay!" Blue said. "Matchups will be shown tomorrow! Now let's get some rest!"


Rotom's Move Dex!

New companionzz? Dangerouzz Ultra Beazzt in a cave? Roto? A battle againzzt Blue?! So much happened today, so let'zz go with… up bah bah… Water? Becauzze we battled Blastoise? Zzt zzt.

Withdraw.

Withdraw izz a move that raizzezz the uzzerzz Defenzze by one stage. Roto. It hazz the uzzer go into itzz shell, so naturally, Pokémon with shellzz can learn it. Zzt.

Pokémon that can learn Withdraw include Cloyster, Torkoal and Carracosta.

No withdrawing now though; it'zz time for the Battle Tree!