Juliasimon, thanks for the review!
Hope everyone's having a good week and welcome back to the regularly scheduled program, the Alola arc continues and Ash, May, and Red continue to lead the search for the plate and Professor Kukui.
Question of the Week: How would Ash propose to May?
I know we addressed this in an earlier chapter, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. Anyway, leave your feedback and answer in a review. See you in the next one!
Chapter 18: Holding Out for a Hero
Red walked alongside Gladion through the silent Vast Poni Canyon. As they traveled to the Altar of the Sunne, Gladion looked at the quiet trainer from the future. "You may be Ash and May's son, but you're less talkative than they are," Gladion's remark startled Red.
"I'm just thinking," Red pulled down the brim of his hat.
Gladion eyed him. He knew what that look and attitude meant. "You blame yourself, don't you? For Professor Kukui's kidnapping," Lillie's brother empathized.
"It was my fault we weren't there when they needed us. We should've stayed," Red felt the weight on his shoulders. The sound of Lei's cries and Professor Burnet's whimpering filled his mind.
"Don't!" Gladion scowled at him.
Red backed away, "Don't what?" He was surprised by Gladion's sudden aggression.
Gladion raised his fist, "Don't blame yourself. If you're busy blaming yourself, you can't help anyone. Believe me when I say that I've been there." Red listened to the hotheaded trainer. "I have a tendency to blame myself, and it's never worked well for me in the past. Lillie is the one that keeps me grounded, so I've gotten better at it. The fact is that you're helping no one by being hard on yourself. You have to move past what happened if you want to get better," Gladion thought of his beloved sister.
Gladion's words anchored Red. He knew that Gladion was right. He heard the advice often, but to hear it come from someone like Gladion gave it more credibility. Red knew he had to get over the incident at Kukui's house. Otherwise, he risked failing. "You've been through a lot too, haven't you?" Red crossed his arms.
Gladion nodded, "More than anyone should. There was a time when I pushed myself away from everyone because I thought I'd be better off. Looking back on it, I appreciate that I'm here thanks to my family. When I first met Ash and May, I didn't expect to become as close to them as I did. However, because they were friends with Lillie, we naturally grew closer. I became friends with the others too. With their help, Lillie and I were able to move past our trauma. If Lillie didn't insist on reconnecting, I don't think I'd have the friends I do now. If not for Lillie, I wouldn't be as strong as I'm now. That's why I'm grateful to her."
Red agreed, "It's hard to open up, but I know what you mean. My friends, who I consider family, were my compass when I lost my parents and my sister. They were even willing to get stronger alongside me. I can never repay them for that."
"By the look in your eye I can tell that you've survived things that most wouldn't. It's good that you had friends to rely on when things got difficult. You can't make it far in life without connecting to the people who care about you," Gladion admitted.
"The people we care about are the people who make life worth living. I thought I was alone for a long time until I noticed that I wasn't. Even if my parents were gone, my loved ones were there all along," Red remembered.
"You opened up, and that's always the hardest part. Before we went to search for our missing father, it took some adventures and danger to unite my mother, Lillie, and me for the voyage. I don't think we would've found our father if we hadn't learned to rely on each other again," Gladion commented. Red saw Gladion's passion surface. "We don't need to be perfect. We're allowed to make mistakes as long as we learn to do the right thing," Gladion looked to the Alolan sunrise over the canyon.
Red mustered a soft smile, "Ever since I decided to join Ash and May on their journey to find the plates, I've gotten to know sides of them that I never thought I'd see. The same goes for their friends."
Gladion chuckled, "You're Ash and May's son. As far as I'm concerned, that makes us family." Red got caught off guard by Gladion's declaration. The stern trainer turned away, "Don't tell Lillie I said that. I'd never hear the end of it."
"Sure," An amused Red scratched his cheek.
"To think there was a time when I refused to let Ash and May be a part of my family," Gladion clenched his fist.
"Care to elaborate," Red raised an eyebrow.
As they ventured deeper into the canyon, Gladion recounted the past. "There was a time when Lillie and I almost lost our mother to an Ultra Beast. I remember I took it upon myself to get her back, but Ash and May wanted to help. It angered me that they wanted to. Back then, I didn't want anyone to get involved in our family matters, especially them. They were persistent with their go-lucky attitudes. The fact that they were willing to share the burden of family changed my perspective forever. Funny enough, it all happened here. Every time I come to the canyon, I remember how Ash's Nebby evolved into Solgaleo and led us into Ultra Space to save our mother. They helped my family then, and I regret not being there when Pikachu fell. Nonetheless, I'm here now, and I will do everything within my power to help. Mark my words, Red," Gladion gritted his teeth.
"I believe it, Gladion," Red appreciated him.
Gladion smirked at him, "I'm grateful that you chose to accompany me. I'm eager to see how strong you are. I'm even tempted to ask for a battle once this over."
"I'll accept that challenge," Red looked forward to the day he'd face Gladion. The pair hurried to the Altar of the Sunne when they saw it in the distance. They were determined to turn the tide of the crisis.
Not too far from them, Ash and May wandered through the forest that led to Vast Poni Canyon. When they reached the forest clearing, they saw the rugged landscape before them. "Maybe we got off course?" May rubbed her head.
"I don't think so. Witnesses said they spotted Iris going in this direction," Ash recalled.
"Do you wonder if Professor Kukui managed to escape on his own?" May followed Ash as they descended upon the canyon.
Ash considered it, "I haven't ruled it out, but they aren't Team Rocket. I don't think Sapphire would've allowed him to slip from them."
"Makes you wonder why they took him in the first place," May worried.
Her husband reflected on it. "Professor Kukui is a smart guy. If anyone could help them locate the plate at the Altar of the Sunne, it would be him," Ash stopped once he realized where they were headed.
"Wait, but the Altar of the Sunne is in Vast Poni Canyon," May gulped.
"We've been heading toward the plate all along," Ash miscalculated. "They wanted us to split up," the trainer worried for Gladion and Red.
The canyon wall next to them burst when a Haxorus sprung out. "Haxorus!" the Pokémon swung its tusk at Ash. Ash backed away, but he slipped from the edge and fell.
"Ash!" May yelled. She ran forward, but a red tail wrapped itself around her. "No!" the girl squealed as it squeezed her.
"May!" Ash barely hung from the edge. He looked up to see a Gyarados lift May into the air.
The Monarch heard footsteps walking toward him. His anxious eyes met his fallen friend's. "What a kid," Iris crossed her arms. "I can't believe you fell for that," Iris smirked.
"Iris, I won't let you get away with this!" Ash roared as he tried to pull himself up with one arm.
Iris was entertained by his struggle, "And here you thought that they saw through our plan." The Unova Champion turned to Lance, who appeared behind Gyarados.
Lance flung his cape to the side, "Hm, I guess they aren't such a threat without Red after all."
"Where's Professor Kukui?!" Ash growled. He saw no remorse in Iris or Lance for their actions.
"Alain is seeing that he gets the proper treatment. A renowned Pokémon Professor deserves the best," Lance kneeled near Ash. The Dragon Master took joy in his suffering.
"Aaaaash!" May screeched when Gyarados tightened its grip around her.
Ash lost his patience, "Let her go!"
Lance waved his finger back and forth, "Sorry, not when we're so close. Your wife's life belongs to us now."
The veins on Ash's arm became more pronounced as his forearm started to burn. He felt tears of frustration swell in his eyes. "You hurt our friends. You broke up my family. You took my wife as a hostage. The Iris and Lance I know would never do that."
"We're no longer those people," Iris glared at him. Her Haxorus towered over Ash, releasing a low bellow as he eyed him.
"Haxorus," Ash lamented that even the innocent Axew was far gone. He took a deep breath when he looked down. "I guess this is it," he let his grip slip. Iris and Lance's eyes widened when they saw him surrender to his fate.
May held her arm out. "No, Ash!" The coordinator's tears flew in the air when she tried to squirm out of Gyarados's grip.
Iris and Lance ran over to the edge to confirm his death, but they pulled away in fear when they saw a Flamethrower fire toward them. Ash soared into the air on Charizard, but he wasn't alone. May's sapphire eyes shined with awe when she saw who was with him.
"Bulu," Tapu Bulu grunted.
"Lele," Tapu Lele twirled.
"Fini!" Tapu Fini cried.
Iris groaned. "The Island Guardians."
"That's a problem," Lance remarked.
Tapu Lele used Dazzling Gleam on Haxorus. The Land Spirit Pokémon bashed the Dragon-type against the wall so hard that the wall fell on him. Haxorus cried as it fell forward. "Haxorus!" Iris ran to her injured Pokémon.
With Lance and Iris distracted by Haxorus's sudden defeat, Tapu Fini fired Moonblast at Gyarados. The red serpent squealed as it fell back and dropped May over the canyon. "Heeeelp!" May closed her eyes, bracing for impact.
"We've got you!" Ash arrived with Charizard. She opened her eyes to find herself lying stomach first on Charizard. "Ash!" May sat up to hug him. The coordinator discovered that he was wearing his indigo Ultra Guardian suit. She giggled, "I forgot how good you look in that suit."
Ash chuckled, "You should put yours on, too. It's about to get hectic."
"Right," May tapped on her ring. The girl felt the suit's nanotechnology encase her body until she fully sported her white Ultra Guardian suit. The Contest Master saw a desperate Iris and Lance cornered by the Tapus. May stuck her tongue out and pulled down on her eye, "How do you like that?!"
Lance grumbled, "That brat." He saw Haxorus and Gyarados tremble as they tried to regain strength.
"Time for Plan B," Iris commanded.
Lance smirked when Iris pulled her sleeve back. "Right," the champion recalled Gyarados to its ball. He also pulled his sleeve back. The Tapus backed away out of caution when they saw what the champions resorted to.
Ash had Charizard fly closer to get a good look, "What are they up to?"
"Witness the true power of a champion!" Lance revealed his Dynamax band. Ash and May's hearts raced when they saw Lance's ball multiply in size.
"How can he Dynamax here?!" May shrieked.
Iris took delight in their fear. She showed her Z-Ring when it started to glow. "It will take more than a trio of island fairies to stop us. Haxorus, ready up!" The Unova Champion raised her wrist.
"Hax!" Haxorus caught a second wind. The Axe Jaw Pokémon howled at Ash and May.
"Show us the ultimate strength!" Iris and Haxorus pulled their arms back. The Dragon-type trainer lunged her arms forward with Haxorus and struck a Z-Move pose. A dark blue energy encompassed Iris and Haxorus when they posed. Iris took a deep breath, "Carve the greatest name into this battlefield. Use Devastating Drake!" Haxorus launched a ball of dark pink energy that took the shape of a dragon.
Charizard stopped when it saw that the Z-Move targeted them. The Tapus moved to intervene, but Lance had other plans in mind. "Gyarados, use Max Hailstorm!" Lance brought his Dynamaxed Gyarados out. The gigantic serpent rumbled back to the battlefield, conjuring a massive hailstorm that rained down on the Island Guardians. Tapu Fini tried to counter with Hydro Pump, but the hailstorm proved to be overwhelming and knocked the Legendary Pokémon down.
"Charizard, dodge!" Ash saw that they were on their own against Devastating Drake. Simultaneously, the Flame Pokémon had to avoid the hailstorm.
May looked back and saw Devastating Drake following them, "It can follow us!" May panicked.
"You won't get away that easily," Iris smirked.
"We can't dodge forever," Ash realized. They were sandwiched between a Z-Move and a Max Move. As they swerved from side to side, he recognized he could use the hail to their advantage. His face brightened. "That's it!" Ash held on tight. "Charizard, head straight toward the hail!" the Monarch pointed up.
"Ash!" May yelled when Charizard jetted upward. Ash assured her that he had a viable plan, which May placed her trust in. "I swear, you're insane!" May complained, making Ash snicker.
"What's he doing?" Lance looked concerned. His eyes followed Charizard's trajectory. "Wait?!"
Iris clenched her teeth. "Would he?!"
Charizard growled as he came within range of hitting the hail. "Drop May!" Ash let go of Charizard.
"I hope these suits hold up!" May followed his call. The pair dived down as Charizard spun toward the hail using Dragon Tail and shattered the ice. Ash's Pokémon crushed the attack into smaller chunks that collided with Devastating Drake, eliminating the Z-Move.
"Alright, Charizard!" Ash pumped his fist in midair.
"Here we come!" May saw that they were about to land.
Ash nodded. "Right!" Ash and May nosedived toward Iris and Lance. They landed with their fists smashing the ground. Their suits absorbed the impact and the couple landed unscathed. "We're not done," Ash stood up.
"Hope you're ready," May glared at them.
Lance admired their outfits. "Lusamine is a true visionary. A shame those suits won't protect you from what's next."
"Finish them," Iris snapped at Lance.
"Max Geyser!" Lance ordered Gyarados. Gyarados shrieked when it fired a thick stream of water at Charizard and the heroes.
Ash, May, and Charizard planted their feet on the ground. They didn't know if they'd survive, but they couldn't run. "Tapu!" Suddenly, the Island Guardians countered the Max Move. Tapu Bulu used Solar Beam, Tapu Lele used Psybeam, and Tapu Fini used Hydro Pump. Together, the three attacks countered Max Geyser.
"Blasted fairies!" Lance frowned. Gyarados felt the might of the attacks bear down on him until he reverted to his normal size. With Haxorus's power exhausted and Gyarados defeated, Iris and Lance were out of options.
Iris returned Haxorus, followed by Lance. "We've bought enough time. The plan proceeds," Iris acknowledged.
"Farewell, fools," Lance threw a smoke pellet to allow their escape.
The heroes and the Tapus failed to stop them amidst the smoke. "Bought time for what?!" May coughed. She tried to peer through the smoke. To her dismay, the champions were gone.
"Whatever it is, it can't be good," Ash muttered. Tapu Lele used its psychic energy to disperse the smoke as fast as possible. Ash reached for his Pokéball, "Charizard, you were a big help. Get some R ." Charizard grumbled when his trainer thanked him. Now that their road was cleared, the heroes knew there was only one place where they could find Professor Kukui. "To the Altar of the Sunne," Ash's auburn-colored eyes reflected the dawn.
"Gladion and Red will be there too," May also worried for them. The Island Guardians flew in the direction of the Altar, leading Ash and May to the ancient site.
Alongside the Tapus, the couple hurried through Vast Poni Canyon. However, Gladion and Red had already arrived. Gladion was surprised to find Professor Kukui standing at the center of the altar. His face was relieved, "Professor Kukui!" Gladion almost ran to the man until Red stopped him. "What gives?" The Alolan trainer looked at Red.
"Something's not right," Red uttered.
"What makes you say that?" Gladion's eyes held doubt.
Red glared at the professor, "Kukui, turn around!" Professor Kukui turned to them. They were alarmed when they saw him holding the Fist Plate. "Where'd you find that?" Red clenched his teeth.
Professor Kukui examined the Fist Plate, "A long time ago, a fierce battle raged here between the Island Deities and the Ultra Beasts. No one knew the reason for centuries until we learned the Fist Plate rested here. The Ultra Beast's hunger for Arceus's power lured them here. In an effort to stop them, the deities intervened. Like the cause of the battle, the plate was lost to time until now."
"Hand over the plate, Professor Kukui," Red said sternly.
Kukui smirked, "I'm sorry, Red. I'm afraid that I cannot do that."
"Professor!" Gladion protested.
"The plate belongs to us now," Professor Kukui's face flashed red when he drew a Pokéball.
Red pulled his arm away. "We're too late," Red was devastated by Kukui's dark turn. "He's one of them now," the trainer reached for a Pokémon.
"Fine, we'll have to knock some sense into him and get the plate by force!" Gladion argued.
Professor Kukui chuckled, "You will try." The professor pulled out his Pokéball. Gladion and Red faced another setback when they saw what Pokémon emerged.
Its eyes also flashed red when it appeared, "Koko!" Tapu Koko made its presence known.
"Not Tapu Koko, too! When did they even capture it?!" Gladion felt chills run down his spine.
Red observed the lack of shadow energy. "Something's different about it. Could it be that they're using mind control on their Pokémon now too?" He questioned. "Tapu Koko, Professor Kukui, I'm sorry we couldn't help sooner," Red lamented. "Gladion, with me!" he turned to his ally. Gladion let Red take the lead when his Lycanroc and Lucario appeared.
Kukui crossed his arms. "It will take more than that to stop us," the professor's arrogance was justified when Tapu Koko engulfed itself in violent electricity. The battle for the Fist Plate was underway.