Happy Friday! We're back, you know the drill fam. If you have any thoughts or feedback, feel free to leave a review. Appreciate ya.
Question of the Week: What type should the next Eeveelution be?
Random but I'm hoping we get a new one soon.
Chapter 19: Cultivating Madness
"Tapu Koko, use Discharge!" Professor Kukui attacked.
"Lucario, use Aura Sphere!" Red's Lucario fired the attack.
"Lycanroc, use Stone Edge!" Gladion joined the fray.
The Aura Sphere and Stone Edge canceled out Discharge, but Tapu Koko was only getting warmed up. The Fairy-type burst out of the smoke using Steel Wing to strike both Pokémon. Lycanroc and Lucario guarded against the move but slid back. They grunted at the Island Guardian. "Keep them pressured, Tapu Koko!" Professor Kukui enjoyed the rush of battle. Tapu Koko used Steel Wing, but it concentrated electricity on the technique as it closed in to attack.
Gladion clenched his fists, "Lycanroc, use Counter!"
"Sorry to disappoint," Kukui smirked. Tapu Koko changed from a physical attack and swung Steel Wing to unleash the electricity as a projectile.
Red came to their aid, "Lucario, get in there!"
"I'm coming," Lucario used Extreme Speed to arrive at Lycanroc's position. It used Aura Sphere to destroy the attack.
"Nice speed," the Professor acknowledged. Red and Gladion didn't respond. They focused on Tapu Koko to read its next move. Kukui pointed at the field, "Shock them!"
Gladion's eyes widened, "He's going to use Discharge!"
"Both of you, dodge!" Red commanded.
"Koko!" Tapu Koko let out a menacing bellow when it released a variation of Discharge. The move fired in all directions like a lightning storm and reduced everything around it to rubble. Lucario and Lycanroc avoided the lightning strikes, but Tapu Koko used the chaos as cover to sneak up on them using Dazzling Gleam. The Legendary Pokémon bashed Lucario while Lycanroc used Stone Edge, but Tapu Koko used Steel Wing to defend against the Rock-type technique.
"We're not even making a dent," Gladion heard Tapu Koko cackle at their misfortune.
"Then let's power up," Red looked at his partner. Gladion agreed. Lucario and Lycanroc used Calm Mind and Swords Dance, respectively.
Kukui nodded sideways, "Do you think I'll allow you to power up just like that?" He had Tapu Koko use Discharge again while they increased their attack. As the electricity threatened them, Lucario used Extreme Speed while using Calm Mind. It raised its arms and shielded Lycanroc from Discharge. Thanks to Calm Mind, Lucario withstood the Discharge's shock.
Gladion was impressed, "I've never seen someone do that. How did you get Lucario to use Calm Mind and Extreme Speed?"
"Focus and years of practice," Red gave a sly smile.
Lillie's brother chuckled. "Works for me. Let's give them everything we've got," Gladion received a nod from Red. "Stone Edge!" Gladion's Lycanroc fired a barrage of the jagged stones.
"Flash Cannon!" Red's Lucario used both paws to fire a dual Flash Cannon. Kukui's Pokémon used Dazzling Gleam to shield itself from the combination, but it proved overwhelming. The Land Spirit Pokémon winced when it endured the attack.
Professor Kukui glared, "Alright, you got me. It's far from over though." Red and Gladion awaited his next move. "Nature's Madness!" Kukui raised his fist. Tapu Koko slammed one of its claws on the ground to generate a shock wave of pink energy and blue wisps that targeted Lycanroc and Lucario. Lucario fired Flash Cannon to annihilate them, but Tapu Koko wasn't done yet.
"Jump!" Gladion panicked. Lucario and Lycanroc were too slow to move when pink bolts appeared between them and an energy erupted underneath them.
Red yelled, "Lucario!" He saw his friend fly in the air alongside Lycanroc.
"Send them packing," Kukui pointed at their Pokémon. Tapu Koko used Steel Wing to knock Lycanroc and Lucario off their trainers. Red and Gladion caught them in their arms and watched them struggle to get on their feet. Professor Kukui had a smug grin, "It seems your Pokémon can't keep up."
"We can't, but they can," Red signaled behind them. A relieved Gladion turned around.
Kukui became alarmed, "Who?" The other Island Guardians appeared behind Red with different attacks charged. When Red moved out of the way, they fired at Tapu Koko. Tapu Koko used Steel Wing to block, but it was still pushed back by the combination.
"We made it!" May ran up to Gladion and Red with relief.
"Our search led us here," Ash also joined them.
Red closed his eyes, "Well, you've found him."
Ash and May looked behind Red and saw the professor fighting alongside Tapu Koko. "No, Professor Kukui, Tapu Koko. Not you too," a shaken Ash saw the sinister look in their eyes.
"How?" May was also at a loss for words when she saw the corrupted professor and Legendary Pokémon.
"We don't know. We found him like this, and look what he's carrying," Gladion crossed his arms. The couple was alarmed when they saw the Fist Plate in his possession. "I don't know what they did to the professor, but we'll bring him back and get that plate!"
"Lucario," May helped Red carry the injured Aura Pokémon to the side.
Red warned Ash and Gladion, "Careful. Whatever they've done to Tapu Koko is more effective than Shadow Energy."
"You're joking," Ash saw Tapu Koko shake off the triple attack from the Tapus.
Lucario groaned, "I can still fight. It just caught me by surprise. I refuse to be on the sidelines."
May put her hand on his chest, "No, you rest. We might need you later, but you can't help if you don't let yourself recover." The Aura Pokémon grumbled. He knew May made a valid point. They watched the other Island Guardians fight Tapu Koko in an effort to free it from whatever trance it was under.
"Gladion, let's help them!" Ash brought out Sceptile for assistance.
"Lycanroc, let's go!" Gladion saw Lycanroc had enough stamina for a second round. The Rock-type wolf howled when it used Stone Edge.
"Professor Kukui, I will save you. I don't know how, but I will. I'll save all of my friends!" Ash reminded himself of his vow. "Sceptile, use Leaf Blade!"
"Sceptile!" Sceptile saw Lycanroc's Stone Edge burst from the ground and leaped from pillar to pillar to get within range of the Electric-type Island Guardian. Tapu Lele, Tapu Fini, and Tapu Bulu used Psybeam, Hydro Pump, and Solar Beam to prevent Tapu Koko from countering.
Kukui refused to let the heroes have their way, "Tapu Koko, use Discharge and Nature's Madness!" The Islands Guardians and the heroes' Pokémon braced themselves for a combination attack that caused the earth to shake.
"What power!" May leaned on a rock for support as she nursed Lucario's injuries with Red.
Tapu Koko fired electricity into the air, then let it rain down. "Tapu Koko," Tapu Koko hissed as it slammed its claw into the ground. The lightning bolts from Discharge were used to block against the other Tapus' combination attack while Nature's Madness readied to erupt under Sceptile and Lycanroc.
"Stone Edge!" Gladion had Lycanroc summon a pillar beneath it to avoid the eruption of energy.
Ash threw his arm in the air, "Get the plate, Sceptile!" Professor Kukui and Tapu Koko got caught off guard by the sudden change in tactics. Ash's Sceptile switched targets when it swung its blade. With one swift strike, he knocked Kukui back and retrieved the Fist Plate. "Great work, Sceptile!" Ash praised his efforts.
"Tile!" Sceptile raised its blades at Tapu Koko in anticipation of retaliation.
To their surprise, Kukui and Tapu Koko refrained from attacking. "Kukui, pull back. Adjust the plan," a voice communicated to the professor through an earbud.
Professor Kukui nodded, "Very well." He returned Tapu Koko, confusing the other Tapus before they could attack again. "Don't take this the wrong way. You're not in the clear," Kukui threatened them. Suddenly, they heard an explosion from far away.
Gladion looked back, "What was that?"
"It sounded like it came from Seafolk Village," May determined the direction of the sound.
Ash shifted his attention back to Kukui and Tapu Koko, but they were gone. "Something tells me they're somehow involved."
"Then we must hurry," Lucario rose. Red and the others agreed with the Aura Pokémon and followed him out of Vast Poni Canyon alongside the remaining Island Guardians. When they reached Seafolk Village, they found their other friends on the outskirts of town.
Lana freaked out when she saw Ash and May, "You're here, thank goodness!"
"It's awful. They've taken the entire village hostage!" Sophocles flailed his arms.
"Hostage?!" Red froze.
"We were on our way to the Altar of the Sunne," Mallow recounted.
"Until Mega Charizard arrived and attacked the village," Kiawe gritted his teeth.
Gladion stepped forward, "Lillie, are you alright?!"
Lillie trembled, "Professor Kukui and Tapu Koko appeared. They helped attack the village and took everyone hostage. We tried to stop them, but we couldn't. They were too strong, so we were forced to retreat. I'm sorry, Gladion. I'm sorry to all of you!" The sibling threw herself at her brother to cry.
"You did your best. Don't worry, we'll stop them," Gladion hugged his sister. Her tears soaked his chest.
"My sister was in Seafolk Village," Kiawe's fists shook from fear and anger. He looked at Ash and May. "Please, you have to help me save her."
"You don't even have to ask, c'mon!" Ash motioned them to follow him.
Sophocles sighed, "It won't be easy."
"Why's that?" May asked.
"It's better to see for yourself," Lana sweated as they ran back toward the village.
Mallow bit her lip, "It was bad enough that they turned Professor Kukui into one of them, but to make him do such horrible things is just cruel." Ash, May, Red, and Gladion feared what waited for them when Seafolk Village was in sight.
When they arrived, they were appalled by what they found. The Island Guardians were also aghast by Tapu Koko's cruelty. "He used Electric Terrain to electrify the whole village," Ash didn't take a step further when he saw the village pavements generating static.
"How cautious. That's very unlike you, Ash," Professor Kukui hovered down on an electric disc formed by Tapu Koko. The Land Spirit Pokémon hovered down beside him.
"Professor Kukui, stop this madness!" Ash pleaded.
"Enough is enough!" May begged.
Red roared, "You can fight us, but involving innocent people is a new low. You'll regret that!"
"Speaking of," Professor Kukui chuckled. He looked down when he saw a dozen hostages walk out of a corner. "I rounded up a few selected by yours truly so they can witness your utter defeat."
Kiawe almost stepped on the electric terrain when he saw his sister, "Mimo!"
"Kiawe!" Mimo cried to him.
"Kiawe, no!" Ash pulled him back.
"Let go of me, Ash!" Kiawe resisted.
May shook him, "Are you nuts?! If you step in there, you'll get caught in the electricity, too. We'll help Mimo, but we can't be rash!" Kiawe froze when May temporarily brought him to his senses. The Island Kahuna stood still as they tried to come up with a game plan.
Kukui smirked, "I'll make you a deal. We'll release the hostages in exchange for the Fist Plate. Simple as that." Ash's Alolan friends were surprised to hear.
"The plate for the villagers?!" Gladion found it despicable.
"Forget it!" Red snapped.
Professor Kukui sighed, "Have it your way." Tapu Koko shocked the hostages, horrifying Ash and the gang.
The suffering was too much for any of them to bear. "Please, fight it. You're not the Professor Kukui who believed in me and taught me to lead!" Lana had tears in her eyes. She remembered when Kukui encouraged her to do her best as an instructor during a fishing field trip with her classmates.
"Professor Kukui, it was thanks to you that Tsareena and I became as close as we are!" Mallow wept when she remembered Kukui's dancing assignment that led to Tsareena's evolution.
"You always believed in how smart I was. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have learned to treasure good memories in my heart," Sophocles's tears fell when he thought of the beloved Minior from his childhood.
Even Kiawe fought tears, "When I told you it was my dream for my grandpa to crown my Pokémon at the Wela Fire Festival, you supported me. After we retrieved the crown from Marowak, you were there for the moment. The man who was there that day isn't the man I'm looking at!"
Lillie clenched her eyes shut, "The day that Snowy hatched and you handed me a Pokéball to catch it, you told me that there were many ways to become a Pokémon trainer. I never forgot what you said. To figure out what kind of trainer I wanted to be, I had to figure out what worked best for me. I've lived by those words since then, and I live by them as I stand before you! Professor, come back to us!"
"Professor, you said we were family. You said you'd always be there, but you're not! I thought you were the strongest man ever. Nothing could scare you, and nothing could beat you, but I was wrong. Our family is broken," Ash's eyes swelled with tears. He remembered the hug that Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet gave him before they departed from Alola.
May saw Ash's anguish. She was wrestling with the pain in her heart as the man she admired was reduced to a puppet. "Ash," May placed her fist over her heart.
"Ash," Professor Kukui's face softened. The Alolan friends didn't expect Kukui's abrupt change. The professor shed a tear, "Please protect Lei." Kukui took a good look at his former students, focusing on Ash most of all. His eyes flashed red, and the evil within Kukui returned.
"Professor!" Ash and his friends tried to bring him back.
Kukui nodded sideways, "How pitiful." He pointed at his former students, "Tapu Koko, finish them."
"Koko," Tapu Koko used Discharge to attack Ash, May, and the others.
"If we can't beat him in a regular battle, then we'll have to do a raid battle. Go!" Red proclaimed. Each of Ash's friends brought out their strongest Pokémon to battle against the formidable Tapu Koko. Tapu Koko's fellow guardians also aided them against the Electric-type Pokémon. Unfortunately, Tapu Koko used the electric terrain to form a barrier around itself that protected against any attacks. With a resounding swing of Steel Wing, the Land Spirit Pokémon sent a shockwave that struck all of the Pokémon.
To make matters worse, the Island Guardians became paralyzed by Tapu Koko's attacks. "Damn it. I understand now. That's how it draws so much power," Red cursed their luck.
"What are you talking about?" Gladion helped Lycanroc stand.
"Kukui and Tapu Koko already had a strong bond before they were corrupted. The powers over them are drawing from that bond. That's why we can't do a damn thing against that Legendary Pokémon," a frustrated Red punched the wall. Professor Kukui laughed, taking delight in his anger.
"We can't give up. We'll fight till the end, Red. Don't you dare throw in the towel!" Ash scolded him.
"Hit 'em again, everyone!" May directed everyone except for the guardians.
"You heard her!" Lucario nodded at Red. His trainer recomposed himself and obeyed May. Primarina, Turtonator, Vikavolt, Primarina, Snowy, Lycanroc, Tsareena, Blaziken, and Sceptile attacked alongside Red's Lucario.
"How stubborn," Kukui became unamused. Instead of using a barrier, Tapu Koko used Nature's Madness to cause fairy energy to erupt. The eruptions shielded it from the attacks, but they also threatened to erupt under their Pokémon.
Lucario panicked, "Not again!" As the fairy energy threatened to erupt, Solgaleo appeared beside them.
"Nebby!" a relieved Ash called out. Solgaleo roared and teleported them away from the blast radius. They reappeared some distance away but still within range of Kukui and Tapu Koko. "It is you!" Ash hugged the Legendary Pokémon. Lunala also hovered above them, crying at Tapu Koko.
"They're both here!" May's eyes shimmered when she saw them.
Red let out a sigh of relief, "They sensed what was happening."
"Thank you, Nebby," Lillie wiped her tears away.
"I never would've thought," Gladion was grateful for their appearance.
Sophocles sniffled, "It still remembers us."
"And it still cares about us," Lana rubbed her tears away.
"Nebby, Lunala, we need you," Mallow hoped they could turn the tide.
Kiawe raised his fist, "Help us save them." The fiery trainer collapsed.
"Kiawe," his Alolan companions kneeled beside him.
Ash pulled down the brim of his hat, "We can't do this with you."
"The Island Guardians need you too," May looked to the wounded and paralyzed Tapus.
Nebby and Lunala looked back and forth between their desperate friends and the enemy. They knew the lives of people and Pokémon were at stake. They couldn't stand by and do nothing. Lunala shrieked, and Solgaleo growled. They fired Moongeist Beam and Sunsteel Strike at the corrupted Tapu Koko. Tapu Koko used Nature's Madness to counter, but the Fairy-type Pokémon was overwhelmed. Kukui glared when he saw his injured Pokémon. Professor Kukui raised his fist at the legendary duo. "Solgaleo, Lunala, intervene all you want. You're too late. Tapu Koko, do it!" The injured Tapu Koko used its electric powers to single out Mimo from the crowd.
"Kiaweeeee!" Mimo squealed as she got zapped.
Kiawe barked, "Mimo!" His cheeks were stained with tears. "I couldn't protect her," Kiawe muttered. He felt the knot in his throat as he heard Mimo cry. The kahuna grabbed Ash by the collar and begged, "Ash, please make him stop. My sister won't survive. Give him the Fist Plate!"
Ash and the others empathized. Even with Nebby and Lunala, they knew saving Mimo would be a challenge as long as she remained in the electric terrain. "Kiawe," Ash considered his request.
"Stop it!" Gladion activated his Ultra Guardian suit and ran into the electrical field. Despite its features, the suit wasn't strong enough to resist the zaps from the terrain. Gladion got fired back as soon as he took a step.
"Gladion!" Lillie ran to her brother. He groaned when he saw that his suit was burned to a crisp. A weak Gladion lifted his head, "Don't give up, but whatever you do, don't give him the plate. Otherwise, it'll be the end of us all."
Lillie wiped the smoke from his face, "We won't let that happen, Gladion. Hold on!" She and the others were at a crossroads. Lunala and Nebby hesitated to attack again out of fear that more hostages would pay.
"Ash, May, please!" Kiawe still clung to Ash's collar. "Don't let my sister die." The heroes looked between Kiawe, Gladion, and Mimo. They sweated from the tension.
"We've got you now," Kukui anticipated the dilemma.
Ash lowered his backpack to take out the Fist Plate. "Ash!" Gladion protested. May and the others were stunned by his decision.
"Are you sure?" May held his hand.
"We won't let Kiawe's sister die," Ash hid his eyes under the brim of his hat.
Red and Lucario wanted to stop him, but they knew Ash would resist. Red's father always made the bold choices. He made the choices that no one else would. That made him different. When he saw that not even could Lunala or Solgaleo intervene, he allowed Ash to proceed. "I hope you know what you're doing," Red uttered.
"I do," Ash answered.
"I'll go with you," May walked beside him toward the hostages.
Lillie placed her hands over her mouth as they walked to Kukui. Mallow, Lana, and Sophocles gulped with fear while Kiawe held his breath. Gladion grunted, "Damn it all."
Kukui hovered down, "I knew you'd end up making the smart choice. Your compassion for others is your flaw." The man smirked at his hostages when he descended next to them. Tapu Koko halted Mimo's torture, and Kukui watched her fall on her knees as she panted.
When Ash and May stepped into the field, the electricity scattered away as if making a path. They walked to Kukui and handed him the plate. "Very good," Kukui revealed a case about the size of the plate that he used to store it once he received it.
May noticed that the radiation reading from the Fist Plate vanished on her Rotom Phone when Kukui stored it in the case. "It's gone," May murmured.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Kukui tipped his hat forward and ascended with Tapu Koko. They floated away from the island as the electric terrain disappeared from Seafolk Village. The hostages hugged each other and were relieved to be alive.
Kiawe ran to his sister when he saw that it was safe, "Mimo!" The Fire-type kahuna embraced her, prompting the siblings to cry together.
Lillie carried Gladion into the village. "You idiot. They'll come for all our families now," Gladion criticized him.
"Gladion," a stern Lillie addressed him. When Gladion looked at her, his sister signaled to Kiawe and Mimo. The siblings listened to Gladion's rant with hurt faces. Realizing his mistake, Gladion stayed quiet. Nebby and Lunala carried the wounded guardians and approached the couple with their other friends. Solgaleo nodded at Ash, approving of his decision.
Ash returned the nod. He wiped away any tears that were left and smiled. The Monarch placed one hand on Kiawe and the other on Gladion. "I understand where you're coming from. Both of you. I'm worried about my family, too. May is worried about her family. We all are. It wasn't an easy choice, but I think it was the right choice to keep anyone else from suffering."
"We will get the Fist Plate back, and Professor Kukui will be himself again. He's still in there. You saw it. We shouldn't let the thing that controls them make us think there's no hope. There's a way for us to win. There always is. We just have to keep working to find it," May tightened her fist. Their friends and the Pokémon listened.
Gladion turned to Kiawe, "Kiawe, Mimo, I'm sorry for what I said. Family is important to all of us, and we'll do everything to protect them."
Kiawe agreed, "We do everything we can to protect our families, but instead of doing it alone, we can do it together. Professor Burnet and Lei will definitely need it. We'll look after each other, believe it." Kiawe put his hand out.
"Yeah," a tired Gladion smiled when he shook Kiawe's hand.
Ash, May, Red, their friends, and the Pokémon were pleased their circle remained intact. They recognized the only way they could win was if they fought together. Amidst their reconciliation, May's Rotom Phone rang. "Now, who could that be?" the coordinator looked at the contact.