The next day, the group decided to do some exploring in Hau'oli City. Olivia happened to be free that day, and volunteered to babysit Lei. Somewhere near the airport, Ash heard a familiar clicking sound. He spun around on his heels to see a familiar face, "Oh! Hey Trip! Welcome to Melemele Island in Alola."

The dirty blond haired trainer turned and glanced at him disdainfully, "Oh, it's you. Figured you'd be here."

Ash ignored the insult, "So what are you doing here? Vacation?"

Trip scoffed, "As if! I heard rumours of powerful moves called Z-Moves. Did a little bit of research and found out that they can only be used through Z-Crystals, which are found here. Heard a lot of people gushing about Alola, so I decided to check out the place… I have to say, I'm disappointed."

Kiawe's expression grew sour, and even Ash was looking pissed. Mallow raised an eyebrow and flatly said, "Excuse me? Disappointed?"

He sneered, "For a place that supposedly boasts of powerful moves. This place looks like the boonies. Actually, I take that back, it looks downright primitive. Maybe you'll fit right in, Ketchum."

Kiawe lunged, and had to be restrained by Jessie and Brock. Ash snapped, "Right, so if you hate it here, why don't you leave?"

"Are you thick? I'm not leaving until I get some of those Z-Crystals. Maybe I'll find some in the local Poke Mart and get out of this primitive place."

Ash actually laughed scornfully, "You seriously think you'll find them in a Poke Mart? It doesn't work that way. Besides, I think a Z-Crystal will be wasted on you. To unlock your Pokémon's true power, you need to be one with your Pokémon. To get the Z-Crystals and a Z-Ring like I have, you need to complete the various Island Trials. They're not necessarily going to be a battle, but you'll have to perform different tasks."

Trip scoffed again, "Sounds exhausting. Whatever… This is a waste of my time. I'll be fine without these stupid gimmicks."

As he walked back to the airport, Kiawe snarled, "Don't let the door hit you on your way out! Disrespectful piece of-"

Lana quickly covered his mouth before the inevitable swear word could escape his mouth.

After Trip left, Brock spoke up, "Hey Ash, I've been thinking. Is there any way that WE can do some Island trials? Not the whole Island challenge, but specific trials? I would love to get my hands on a Rock-Type Z-Crystal, especially for Forrest."

Ash frowned, "I'll talk to Hau and Kahuna Hala. Usually, you'll have to complete all trials in a specific order. Forrest might have to come himself, to challenge for a Rock-Type Z-Crystal. However, I only got a few Z-Crystals when I did it. Also, the League season is over, so I'm not sure."

Kiawe spoke up, "If I'm not mistaken, in the off-season, people can take on individual trials, including the Grand Trial. Brock, you might have to challenge Kahuna Olivia for the Rockium Z at Akala Island. Lana, you're going to have to prepare a trial for Misty to get the Waterium Z at Akala as well. May, which Pokémon are you prioritising?"

She put a finger to her lower lip in thought, "Blaziken."

"Right, so you'll be facing me for the Firium Z at Akala Island."

Max raised his hand, "My ace Pokémon is Marshtomp."

Ash spoke, "Okay, so Max has a choice. Either attempt Lana's trial with Misty, or challenge Hapu on Poni Island for the Groundium Z. Dawn, you can join Misty, cause I'm sure Piplup would love to try a Z move. Iris, you're going to have to go to Vast Poni Canyon for that trial to obtain a Dragonium Z. Cilan, you can take on Mallow's trial on Akala Island for the Grassium Z. If you want, you can tell Chili and Cress to get the Firium Z and Waterium Z."

Serena spoke up, "I was thinking, I would like to get the Fairy-Type Z Crystal. Aria also wanted one too."

Ash rubbed his chin, "For the Fairium Z, you two can visit Mina at Seafolk Village for her trial. Bonnie, you can either join them or visit Sophocles' trial at Hokulani Observatory in Ula'ula Island for the Electrium Z."

Bonnie chirped, "Clemont and I will take on the Electric trial."

Ash continued, "Risa, I'd recommend Ilima's trial at Verdant Cavern here on Melemele Island. You'll get the Normalium Z for Eevee. Salvia, you can challenge Kahili on this island for the Flyinium Z. You just have to head to Ten Carat Hill. Chloe, you can challenge Sophocles for the Electrium Z. Goh can challenge Kiawe for the Firium Z and Horace can take Mallow's trial for the Grassium Z."

James piped up, "Hey Ash, where can Jessie get the Poison Type Z Crystal? I've already got the Darkium Z for my Mareanie. And I'm sure there are other Z Crystals out there."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Poisonium Z, you're going to have to ask Guzma and Plumeria. Also, you're right! I'm thinking of getting the Fightinium Z from Kahuna Hala. Would be great for Riolu and my other Fighting Types. For the Buginium Z, I'll probably challenge Guzma. Ghostium and Psychium, I'll challenge Acerola again, for them."

Just then, Lillie had a brainwave, "Wait! Risa, I have a better idea! Find this guy called Kagetora, and when you beat him, he'll give you an Eevium Z. I completely forgot that there are special Pokémon-specific Z Crystals! Horace, you have a Snorlax, right? You can find the Snorlium Z at the Tide Song hotel in Heahea City on Akala Island."

Jessie started, "Arceus above! I forgot that I have a Mimikium Z, as well!"

Lillie nodded excitedly, "Iris, if you can catch a Jangmo-o and train it up to a Kommo-o, you can get a Kommonium Z. From what I read, they can be found in a grotto in the Poni Plains. Then again, you're probably going to have to challenge the Totem Pokémon."

Ash then said, "Also, once you all get your Z Crystals, you will have to strike specific poses. I'll teach you all when you guys come back."

With that, everyone split up, while Ash went back to Kukui's cabin to spend time with Lei. Several hours later, he and Pikachu were just feeding Lei, when there was a knock on the door. He opened it to see a happy Salvia. She held out her left arm to display a Z-Ring and a Flyinium Z Crystal on her wrist. Carefully moving a slightly fussy Lei to one side, Ash carefully hugged his newest girlfriend.

He motioned with his head, "Come on, I'll show you the Flyinium Z pose. The move is called Supersonic Skystrike."

She followed him out and he placed a giggling Lei on a deck chair on the beach. They stood facing each other and he called out, "Okay! Start off by crossing your arms in front of your face. Then bring them down to your sides. No, not like that… Yes, like that. Now, extend your arms forward and cross them in front of you. The arm with the Z-Ring should be above. Now, raise your hands towards the sky and make a gentle flapping motion. Just one flap. Now, crouch and jump up with your left hand up in the air, like you're punching the sky."

She mimicked his actions, with Ash gently correcting any mistakes. Finally, when she felt like she got it right, she let out a shiny Togekiss and proceeded to teach it the move. All the while, Ash sat back on the deckchair with Lei on his lap, both of them watching her.

Slowly, the others started returning. Few were without Z Crystals because Kiawe, Lana, Mallow and Sophocles were only taking one challenger a day. The next day, Ash went out and challenged Hala for a Fightinium Z, eventually winning it with Riolu.

The next few days were filled with the group hard at work, training. Ash, Kiawe, Lana, Mallow and Sophocles taught them the various poses, as did Lillie. Ash and Gladion even squeezed in a few training sessions with Hau. Salvia also caught a Pikipek and an Oricorio. Mallow even pointed her to various flowers where she could get Red Nectar, Yellow Nectar, Pink Nectar and Purple Nectar.

Bonnie also caught a Grubbin, Yungoos, Cutiefly and a Morelull. Max caught a Passimian, Sandygast and a Komala. Aria added a Ribombee and a Shiinotic to her growing Pokemon team. Misty caught her desired Wimpod and Pyukumuku.

At the end of the week, Kukui and Burnet returned. Kukui revealed that a few months ago, husband-wife duo, Professors Sada and Turo had mysteriously disappeared from their lab in Paldea. A colleague of theirs, Professor Jacq had called all the other professors to help him find them. Apparently, the only evidence was a strange machine in their lab.

According to Professor Sycamore, the device was a time machine. So the running theory was that Sada and Turo were trying to research about Pokémon from the past or the future. Eventually, Professors Oak and Juniper managed to calibrate the time machine and pull the couple back from where they were. Turns out, Sada was sent to the past and Turo to the future. The couple acquired plenty of data, but it would be a while before they could compile it all.

Finally, it was time to go back to Kanto. Lei almost didn't want to let go of his big brother, but was eventually convinced to let go. Kukui and Burnet even promised to drop by Cerise Labs, one of these days.

Back in Cerise Labs, the professor and his assistants were really excited by the new acquisitions. One fine day about a week later, there was a knock on the door. Ash opened it to find a smiling Cynthia in front of him. She waved, "Hello Ash!"

His face lit up, "Cynthia! This is a surprise! What are you doing here? Come in."

She swept in and sat on a couch. Minutes later, everyone was gathered in the living room. Chryssa was nearly catatonic at the sight of the Sinnoh champion. Cynthia spoke, "Hello professor. I'm really sorry for this, but I might need to borrow this lot for some time. As you know, I am passionate about archaeology. I recently received word about some excavations in the Galar region."

Cerise shook his head with a smile, "It's no problem, Champion Cynthia! I'm sure that the data that the youngsters gather will benefit us all."

She turned to the assembled group, "I have a private plane waiting. I'd suggest you all pack your-"

The next moment, her long black cloak fluttered by a large gust of wind. There was also a giant dust cloud where the group had been standing. Ren laughed, "I guess the kids are VERY eager."

An hour later, the group was flying to Galar. In the plane, Cynthia sat across from Ash, "I've been thinking. I've been monitoring your performances over the years, since you came to Sinnoh. Even did a bit of research on your previous performances. What I'm trying to say is, I would like to mentor you."

Ash was taken aback, "Are you serious?! You want to mentor ME? Why me? There are so many other strong trainers out there. You remember Paul, right? He was strong. Or what about Max and Bonnie? They're just starting out their journeys."

Cynthia leaned back in her seat, "Why not you? One thing I really admire about you is that you are unpredictable. So many trainers come in with specific strategies, which are all rigid. The moment something unexpected happens, they flounder around. You? You have the ability to adapt on the fly. Believe me, Diantha and I were arguing between us on who should mentor you. I won…"

Ash leaned forward, "How is this going to work? Are you going to train me? Like one-on-one sessions?"

She shook her head, "I'm afraid not. As a champion, I barely have time for myself. I was thinking more along the lines of you carrying on your normal routine of training. However, you can call me at any time, for advice. How's that sound."

He grinned, "Works for me!"

Eventually, the plane landed in Galar. Cynthia took the large group with her for a massive trek. A few days later, they reached the Wild Area, and later on they stumbled upon a dig site. Enamoured, they all got to work with the other archaeologists.

A couple of hours later, the dug up fossils were ready to be processed. However, Brock asked, "So, what's going to happen now? To me, they look like these fossils are different. I've spent enough time in the Pewter Museum to recognise them. That's a Fossilized Bird, that is a Fossilized Drake, that's a Fossilized Dino and that's a Fossilized Fish."

One of the researchers, Cara Liss, nodded, "Indeed. What we found was that if any two of these fossils were combined, we get four Fossil Pokémon. There's Dracozolt, a Dragon and Electric Type. Arctozolt, an Electric and Ice Type. Dracovish, Water and Dragon, and Arctovish, a Water and Ice."

Iris squealed, "Bagsy the Dracozolt!"

Misty also squealed, "Dibs on Arctovish!"

Ash calmly said, "My gut's telling me to go for Dracovish."

Goh grinned, "I'll take Arctozolt, then."

Cara Liss proudly said, "That's precisely what's so odd about Galarian fossils. The possibilities are endless! Anyway, the restoration should take a couple of hours, so why don't you explore the dig site. Maybe there's some hidden gems that we may have overlooked."

Excitedly, the group scattered in different directions. Cynthia also chose a random direction and walked at a more sedate pace. Some time passed and a few of the friends took a break for lunch. Suddenly, there was a loud rumble and a crash. In alarm, everyone rushed off to a far corner of the dig site.

Sure enough, there was a large gaping hole in the area. James, Meowth and Horace were missing from the group. So it was relatively obvious that they were the ones who fell in. Ash carefully leaned over the hole, "HORACE?! JAMES?! MEOWTH?! ARE YOU GUYS OKAY?"

James' voice called out, "We're fine! If Jessie, Meowth and I can survive constant Blast Offs, this is nothing!"

Just then, Meowth's voice shakily called out, "Y-y-you guys?... You got to come see this! There's a bunch of strange Pokémon here, and a bunch of them look mad!"

Ash grabbed a Pokeball from his belt, "Ivysaur! I choose you!"

The Pokémon popped out and gazed inquisitively. Ash said, "Hey buddy, could you lower us down into this hole, one-by-one?"

"Saur!"

Slowly, Ash and the rest of the group were reunited with Horace, James and Meowth. The trio were trembling a little, and sure enough, there were a bunch of strange Pokémon. The underground cave looked positively ancient. Cynthia's one visible grey eye widened, "It can't be!"

She slowly knelt and opened her backpack. The Pokémon clustered in front of them, all tensed. Ash turned to Ivysaur, "Hey buddy, I'm going to need you to do your thing."

He nodded and ambled forward. The Pokémon tensed, before Ivysaur approached and began talking. Ash grinned proudly, "There's a reason why Ivysaur's the best peace-keeper in my Pokémon family."

While the Pokémon and Ivysaur conversed, Cynthia gasped. The group gathered around her, "I recognise all these Pokémon! I can't believe these Pokémon have survived for so many centuries."

Brock turned to her, "What do you mean?"

She gestured, "Gather round everyone. Looks like their negotiations will take a while. Let me tell you a story about Sinnoh's origins. Once upon a time, Sinnoh was known as Hisui. My grandmother recently discovered some journals from my ancestor, Volo."

She made a face, "Apparently, he was a bit of a black Mareep in my family tree. His desire was to meet Arceus and reshape the Pokémon Universe."

Dawn shuddered a little, "Somehow, the idea of an evil version of Cynthia sounds terrifying."

Cynthia spoke up, "Anyway… His journals recorded tales of Pokémon existing even during his time. However, some of them took on different appearances and types. Some might call them regional variants, but then again, Hisui is Sinnoh. So my theory is that conditions back then, were much different to now. As such, Pokémon had to adapt to conditions, and continued doing that, to this day."

Ash raised a hand, "Wait… If these Pokémon come from what Sinnoh used to be, then what are they doing here in Galar?"

She put a finger under her lower lip, in thought. Then something clicked, "Ash! You're a genius! Do you know what this means?! It means that, once upon a time, all the Pokémon regions, Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, the Orange Islands, Galar and Paldea. All of them once formed one giant super continent!"

She picked up a weathered journal and began flipping the pages carefully. Cynthis said, "Let's look at it this way, in Hisui, you could find Rowlet, Cyndaquil and Oshawott. However, in the modern era, they are native to Alola, Johto and Unova, respectively."

Goh puzzled, "If that's the case, then how did this super continent beak up and form the different regions?"

Dawn piped up, "If I had to hazard a guess. It's probably the work of Groudon and Kyogre. They must have fought with each other and their battles broke up the continents."

Cynthia nodded, "That's a plausible theory. Anyway, I was thinking, maybe it's time that these hidden Pokémon start getting re-integrated to the modern age. I'll leave them in your capable hands. I'll go through each of them for you."

By the time their explanation was done, the Hisuian Pokémon were much calmer and friendlier. Cynthia pointed one of them out, "That one's a Hisuian Arcanine. Fire and Rock Type."

Brock had a glint in his eye, "Wow! I'd love to have him!"

The Arcanine slowly approached and nuzzled him. He gave it a few affectionate pats before offering an empty Pokeball. With a delighted bark, Arcanine booped the ball with his snout and was successfully caught.

Cynthia said, "That's Voltorb, he's a Grass and Electric Type."

Sophocles befriended and caught Voltorb, while Kiawe caught Hisuian Typhlosion. James took a liking to Qwilfish, who Cynthia pointed was a Dark and Poison Type. Jessie bagged Sneasel, a Fighting and Poison Type. Misty took a liking to Samurott, the Water and Dark Type. Mallow befriended the Grass and Fighting Type Lilligant. Iris also bagged the Hisuian Sliggoo. A big surprise was when Lillie opted to take Avalugg. Horace also caught the Hisuian Decidueye. Lana caught the White-Striped Basculin, and Max caught Hisuian Braviary. Tracey also caught a Kleavor, and Ash went for Zorua, the Normal and Ghost Type. Bonnie caught a Wyrdeer and Gladion caught Ursaluna.

Just then, Zorua popped out and motioned. The group followed him to a secluded section, where there were a bunch of eggs. The Zorua barked and Meowth translated, "Turns out, these eggs are all theirs. They want someone to take them somewhere where they can repopulate themselves."

Cynthia stepped forward, "I'll do it. I'll take them back home with me to Sinnoh. I'm sure my grandmother and Professor Rowan, will be eager to help."

Under the watchful eye of Zorua, who was the seemingly appointed de facto leader, she carefully scooped up the eggs and put them in her backpack. Ash and some of the others also volunteered to carry some of the eggs back to the surface. Just before she touched a pink egg, decorated with red diamonds and hearts, Zorua barked. Meowth froze, "Umm… Just so you know… That one is supposed to be the egg of the Legendary Pokémon, Enamorus."

Cynthia's hands froze briefly before she reached forward. With trembling hands, she took the pink egg and gingerly placed it in Chloe's backpack. Before long, they were all out of the underground cavern. After delivering the respective Fossil Pokemon to their new trainers, Cara Liss and her associate, Bray Zenn, were sworn into secrecy about the Hisuian Pokemon. With that, Ash and company departed, while Cynthia stayed back to find a way to transport multiple eggs to Sinnoh.