Chapter 131: A Challenge From Tapu Koko

Ash sat at the edge of Mahalo Trail, staring at the bridge ahead of him. He had no intention of crossing it, though, for he was lost in thought.

"This is it, buddy. Where it all began…"

"Pi."

"I thought I'd find you here."

Lillie came up behind him, joining him at the edge.

"Hard to believe it's been two years, huh?"

"Has it really been that long?" Lillie pondered. "It feels like just yesterday you were saving Nebby from this bridge…now look at us."

"Yeah…"

Ash smiled, pulling Lillie closer.

"You know, if we didn't meet that day, I don't think I'd be where I am today."

"Oh, stop it!"

"No, I mean it! Ever since I met you, I've grown so much as a person, especially after we started dating. I've never felt this way about someone until I met you, but with you by my side I feel like I can do anything!"

Lillie smiled, her heart soaring as Ash spoke.

"Well, you're not the only one who's grown. If it weren't for you, I'd never have found my father, or left Alola!"

"Then I guess it's perfect that we found each other," Ash said, making Lillie smile. But before they could kiss, Ash stopped midair.

"Ash? What's wrong?"

"Sorry, I just felt something. Almost as if someone was calling me…"

The sensation came again.

"It's coming from the ruins."

Then, almost as if in a trance, Ash began crossing the bridge towards it.

"Ash, what're you doing?"

"Pika Pi!"

Ash didn't respond, he just kept moving forward.

"I don't like this. Come on, Pikachu!"

"Pi!"

Ash walked into the ruins, still in a trance. Through the halls he walked, until he came to a room containing a strange object sitting on a pedestal.

"Ash! What's gotten into you?"

Ash finally snapped out of his trance as Lillie came running up.

"I'm sorry, I just…I felt like Tapu Koko was calling out to me."

"Calling out to you? Why?"

"I don't know, but it seemed to be coming from this stone here."

Suddenly, the stone began to glow brightly, blinding the two of them. When the light died down, they were no longer in the ruins, but in a misty battlefield surrounded by a pink aura.

"Where are we?"

"I don't know, but this looks like Misty Terrain."

"KOKO!"

Suddenly, Tapu Koko landed in front of them, nodding to Ash and Pikachu. Somehow, without any words being exchanged, Ash could sense what Tapu Koko wanted.

"I get it. You want a battle, is that it?"

Tapu Koko nodded.

"Alright then, let's do this!"

"Pika Pika!"

"KOKO!"

"Alright then, use Iron Tail!'

Pikachu charged, Tapu Koko bracing themselves just in time for Pikachu to land a hit. Tapu Koko cringed, but recovered quickly and fired back with Discharge, throwing Pikachu back to Ash's side of the field.

"You alright, buddy?"

"Pi!"

"Ok, then use Volt Tackle!"

Pikachu charged forward once more, electricity building up around him as he raced towards Tapu Koko. The deity tried to slow him down with Fairy Wind, but Pikachu would not be deterred, ramming right into Tapu Koko. The guardian grunted, but quickly threw Pikachu off of him. Pikachu wasn't afraid, though, easily landing on his feet.

"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!"

Pikachu grunted, firing off a huge bolt of electricity from his body. The attack hit its mark, but Tapu Koko responded with his own Thunderbolt that was even bigger. The two of them went back and forth like this for a while, the two being evenly matched.

"Man, Tapu Koko isn't a slouch! We're going to need to kick it up a notch if we want to win."

Suddenly, his Dynamax Band began to glow, indicating there were Galar Particles in the area.

"Here? Really?"

But after a moment, he shrugged, and grabbed Pikachu's Pokeball.

"Hey buddy, why don't we show Tapu Koko our new trick?"

Pikachu gave him a thumbs up, letting himself be temporarily returned to his Pokeball so that Ash could Gigantamax him. Tapu Kokoo was momentarily taken aback, but didn't back down.

"Alright buddy, use Max Steelspike!"

Pikachu slammed his tail into the ground, creating huge pillars of steel from the ground to surround and attack Tapu Koko. The deity managed to avoid some of them, but eventually they became too numerous and he got struck, throwing him back towards another one.

"Max Guard, buddy!"

Tapu Koko recovered quickly and fired off a Shock Wave, but thanks to Pikachu using Max Guard it had no effect on him.

"Alright, G-Max Volt Crash!"

Before Tapu Koko could attack again, Pikachu summoned a massive Thunderbolt from the sky, crashing down on top of him, giving Tapu Koko a massive shock. But as Pikachu returned to normal size and the dust cleared, they saw Tapu Koko was still standing, frazzled but still kicking.

"Man, this is intense!"

Suddenly, Tapu Koko began to glow brightly, putting Ash and Pikachu on edge. Energy began to build up around Tapu Koko until it formed into a giant humanoid body, with Tapu Koko as the head.

"What is that?"

"Guardian of Alola," Lillie gasped breathlessly. "It's a Z-Move only the guardian deities can use. If it's using this, then you must really have Tapu Koko on the ropes."

Ash grinned madly, turning his cap around.

"Then let's show him our full power! Ready, buddy?"

"Pi!""

"Then let's do this! 10,000 Volt Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu leapt into the air, Ash throwing his hat onto him as electricity began shooting off all around him. At last, Pikachu and Tapu Koko clashed in the middle, the sheer force of their power creating a massive explosion that rocked the battlefield.

When the dust settled, they were back in the ruins. Pikachu was on the ground, panting heavily but still standing, while Tapu Koko was on the ground, defeated.

"Ash…you…you won."

"We did it! Way to go, buddy!"

Despite how tired he was, Pikachu happily jumped into Ash's arms and nuzzled him, just as proud as his trainer.

With a grunt, Tapu Koko pushed themselves to their feet and turned to Ash and Pikachu. Ash smiled, and bowed in respect.

"Thank you, Tapu Koko."

Tapu Koko smiled, and bowed in return before vanishing.

The next day, it was time for Ash and his friends to return home. The Professors, Lei, and Lillie's family all came to see them off.

"Oh Lillie, be sure to write!"

Lillie chuckled as she tried to wrestle out of her mother's vice-like grip.

"I will, mom. Take care of Nihilego!"

"Of course, dear!"

Mohn stepped up next, giving her a much gentler hug.

"Take care, sweetheart."

"I will, dad."
Gladion's words were short, but no less touching.

"If Ash hurts you, just call and he'll regret it."

Lillie laughed, but nodded.

"I will."

Meanwhile, Lei was fussing, not wanting Ash to leave. Ash smiled, and tickled his chin.

"Don't worry, Lei! I'll be back, and when I am, I'll have defeated Leon!"

Lei smiled, clapping happily as his parents smiled.

"Good luck, Ash. We know you'll do Alola proud!"

"I always do!"

With that, the four friends boarded the ship for home. Ash wasn't sure what trials awaited him, but he knew that with his friends backing him up there was nothing that he couldn't do.