Pokemon Ascendance: Origins of Holon

15

After resting for a bit, Elsie starts making her way towards Route 5, following Rotom's directions for Brooklet Hill. As she and Prism traversed through the route, she couldn't help but think about everything that had happened up until this point. Specifically, all the criticism that she's faced.

'I know I told Prism that we would use our not really intimidating appearance to our advantage in battle but...am I really going to be able to handle everything that people who judge a book by its cover are going to say about and at me? I know for pretty much everything in life you can't let things get to you that easy but still...that's easier said than done.'

"Vee?"

It was only until Prism made that little noise that Elsie realized that she had stopped walking, with Prism not realizing it herself until she looked to see Elsie not at her side.

"O-Oh, I'm sorry Prism. Guess I just got lost in my thoughts again." she said.

Prism gave her a concerned look.

"I'm fine really. Let's just keep moving alright?"

It was then that Sapphire popped out of her pokeball, immediately perching herself onto Elsie's shoulder and nuzzling her. Elsie couldn't help but smile as she gently scratched the Swablu's head.

"Thanks Sapphire. Your cuddles always put me in a better mood."

Elsie began walking once more, Prism waiting until her trainer was at her side again before continuing as well.

'I'm not sure where I'd be without Prism and Sapphire around. Getting to the point where I can just ignore the bad things directed at me isn't going to be easy but I can manage as long as I have them.' she thought. 'Nothing changes overnight. As long as I remember that, then I shouldn't get too discouraged when I find myself reverting back to old habits sometimes.'

Suddenly Rotom flew in front of her, catching her off guard. "Brooklet Hill is just up ahead. You're almost there."

Elsie nodded in thanks before looking at her two partners. "Well...we're pretty close to our next trial. Let's do our best out there okay?"

"Eee!"

"Blu!"

The girl smiled brightly and lead the Eevee and Swablu into Brooklet Hill. All three of them looked around in curiosity.

"I'm guessing that the Totem Pokemon here is going to be a water type." Elsie noted. "If that's the case then Ico is probably our best bet to face it."

As they neared the water, Swablu saw something sparkling in the water. Curiously, she flew over, Elsie and Prism watching the moment she went off on her own.

"What's up Sapphire?" Elsie asked.

Sapphire dunked her head into the water, coming up just moments later with something in her beak. Sapphire flew back to Elsie, holding up what she had found to her.

Confused, Elsie took what her pokemon found in her hand and examined it.

"It's a Dragon Scale." she commented. "Seadra use this to evolve into Kingdra."

"Blu, blu. Swablu!" Sapphire chirped.

"Sapphire said she wants you to keep it as a good luck charm." Rotom said, translating what the Cotton Bird Pokemon had said. "You could probably make it into a necklace whenever you get the chance."

At first Elsie was surprised that Rotom was able to translate what Sapphire had said but immediately realized that its still a pokemon. Rotom just has the ability to speak as long as it stayed inside the Pokedex.

"A good luck charm could be just what I need for this journey. Thanks Sapphire."

Sapphire beamed, happy that her trainer was no longer stuck in her negative thoughts.

Elsie put the Dragon Scale in her pocket before standing up and looking around. "I guess our next step is to find the trial captain. I don't think there's any way that we can just swim out in that water. Plus I don't think Lucien and Skye would appreciate that too much if we tried anyway. Maybe we should just wait here for a bit to see if anyone comes up."

Thinking that was their safest bet, Elsie sat on the edge of the wooden dock, releasing all her pokemon and taking in the sight of the water. Ico and Sapphire flew around, wanting to get a better look at other areas while Prism leaned over the edge watching the pokemon underwater swim by. Skye joined Prism in watching the pokemon swim by while Lucien sat on Elsie's lap, not wanting to risk being splashed.

"Looks like the most common pokemon around here are Wishiwashi." Rotom commented.

"You mean those little white and blue pokemon?" Elsie asked. "W-Why do they look like they're on the verge of tears? Nothing is scaring them right?"

"They're just kinda like that." Rotom explained. "When threatened, they can call upon allies and they use their ability to become a bigger and more fearsome pokemon. That's why they're often feared by the people of Alola."

'Something like that sounds like it would be a Totem Pokemon.' Elsie thought. 'Lillie did say that Akala Island is the point where most trial goers struggle with. I wonder if she ever faced a Wishiwashi when she was going through the challenges here.'

"Oh Elsie, there you are."

Turning around she saw Lillie. Walking beside her was a blue-haired girl with a large mermaid-like pokemon.

"I was hoping to catch up to you before you got here. Anyway, this is one of my friends Lana, and her partner Primarina."

"Primarina...that's the final evolved form of Popplio right?" Elsie asked.

"Yep."

Elsie nodded and then stood up. "W-Well...it's nice to meet you Lana. And your Primarina."

"It's nice to meet you too, Elsie. By the way, did you know that Brooklet Hill is the home of the legendary Kyogre?"

At that, Elsie tilted her head in confusion. "But I thought that Kyogre was from the Hoenn Region. Did Groudon somehow managed to kick it out of Hoenn and it fled here? Wait that wouldn't make any sense cause every time there's a battle between Kyogre and Groudon, Rayquaza is said to come in and stop them. Is this Kyogre's vacation home then?"

Lillie sighed while Lana stifled a giggle.

"She's just messing with you Elsie. Kyogre doesn't actually live in Brooklet Hill."

"Oh..."

"Anyway since you're here that means that you'll be starting this trial. Good luck out there."