What up! I'm here with another chapter for you all to enjoy! For a while I was debating weather to follow the layout of the anime or the games or even try to do something original. In the end, I decided to try all of those things. So this is basically what I'm thinking: Ash and Serena will travel to each island and Ash will do the trials and Grand Trials, then they'll take a short break after each island is done and spend a little time at the Pokemon School before moving on to the next island. I finally had an idea for what Serena could do during Alola other than just be Ash's cheerleader, but I'm not gonna spoil too much. I also have other huge plans for Serena's character, one I've already set up in a previous chapter, and another that I'm super excited to write about, but that won't be happening for a while. However, one thing I might spoil, is there will be chapters in this story that deal with very serious issues, which I want to do to further Ash's and Serena's development in life. But for the time being, this will still be a more upbeat story with some drama and humor mixed in...and swearing but you know what's a good story without a little bit of that right? Anyway, sorry for the long A/N intro, onto the next chapter!
The sun was slowly making its presence known over Alola. The Kukui household was slowly getting brighter, thanks to the open windows. To make matters worse, one window just happened to be right above a loft containing a few couples still asleep. Ash and Serena were still asleep, Serena practically clinging to Ash, the latter lightly snoring. Over in the corner Pikachu and Sylveon were sound asleep, Pikachu laying on his back with his body completely stretched out, Sylveon practically laying on top of him. Delphox was hugging Greninja as they both slept soundly. Rotom was still motionless on the surface it was laying on. Rowlet was snoring with the same air bubble escaping his nostril. Popplio's eyes started to twitch, and she slowly started to open them. She started to move her head but stopped when she felt something soft against her. She looked up and saw Rowlet practically snuggled up against her. Her hold body started to shake and grow red. She suddenly lost her balance and accidentally landed on Pikachu. Upon contact, Pikachu let out a Thunderbolt that enveloped the whole loft area, waking everyone up as they all cried out at the sudden pain. Once the smoke cleared, everyone was covered in soot.
"Pikachu...why'd you do that..." Ash asked weakly.
Pikachu tried to say it wasn't on purpose and that something hit him, the last part catching Sylveon's attention. She of course went on high alert but knew she could crush who ever would dare hit her boyfriend.
"I guess we should...get up now..." Serena said.
The others groaned but agreed. Popplio was feeling really guilty, which Rowlet of all of them picked up on. As everyone started to get ready, Kukui had already left and Burnet was in the kitchen making her guests breakfast. They all sat down and ate their food. Popplio, while still eating, still had that sad look on her face from earlier. Rowlet had already finished his breakfast and decided to approach her.
"Hey Popplio, what's wrong?" Rowlet asked.
Popplio looked up and saw Rowlet looking at her. She blushed hard and looked away.
"N-N-Nothing! Nothing's w-wrong!" She said.
Rowlet titled his head in confusion, but just decided to leave it be for now. He flew away and landed on Ash's head. Popplio exhaled as he flew away, unaware that Delphox had watched the whole exchange, a smirk plastered on her face. Greninja looked at her with interest.
"What's wrong?"
Delphox turned to her mate. "Oh nothing" she said with a smile.
As the humans finished up eating, Ash stood up and stretched his arms out.
"Man that was good! You're a good cook Professor Burnet."
Burnet was a little surprised at first, but smiled joyfully.
"Why thank you Ash, that's so sweet of you to say."
Serena wiped any stuff from her mouth that might still be there with her napkin. She looked at Ash as she spoke up.
"So Ash, what do you want to do today?"
Ash paused as he took that question in. 'Hmm...what do I want to do today? Maybe I could do a little training...' he thought to himself. Burnet decided to speak up.
"Why don't you guys check out Iki Town today?"
"Iki Town?" Ash asked.
"Iki Town is a little town not too far from here. Its where the Kahuna of Melemele Island lives and its also where the Island Challenge ceremony is located" She explained.
"Ceremony?" Serena asked.
Burnet nodded. "The Island Challenge always beginnings with a little ceremony held in Iki Town, where newcomers who wish to partake in the Island Challenge will battle as a way to pay tribute to Tapu Koko. It also doesn't matter if a person wins or loses, as long as its fun" Burnet explained.
Ash took a minute to take all that in. He had been on the fence about the Island Challenge, but after an internal battle last night he made up his mind.
"Well then, let's go to Iki Town!" He said as he made a fist.
"Yeah!" Serena cheered.
"Hold on you two" Burnet said.
Ash and Serena looked at her with confusion.
"Before you go, why don't you explore around Hau'oli City a little? You can save Iki Town, for later. Besides, it can be like a date" She said, winking at the end.
Ash and Serena blushed, causing Burnet to laugh. But Ash and Serena decided to take her advice. After breakfast, the couples headed outside. They walked towards Hau'oli City and did a little sightseeing, this time without any weirdo trainers to bug them. As they walked, Ash spotted a store that had something in the window that he knew would be perfect for Serena. He looked at Serena.
"Hey Serena, I'll be right back, there's something I want to get."
"Huh? Oh. Okay."
Ash then ran off with Pikachu on his shoulder and Greninja to his side, and Rowlet in his backpack. Serena watched him run off with a little bit of confusion.
"Wonder what he wants to get without me."
Serena suddenly noticed something splashing in some nearby water. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a Pokemon, and it didn't look like a water type. She acted fast and reached for a Poke Ball.
"Popplio! Help out that Pokemon!" She said as she threw the ball.
Popplio appeared and dove into the water. It grabbed the struggling Pokemon and made it back to dry land. Serena ran over to check to see if it was ok. When she got close enough to it, she somewhat recognized it. It looked like a Vulpix, but it was white instead of red. Serena picked it up and held it in her arms. The Pokemon slowly started to open its eyes. It looked up and saw Serena looking at it with worry.
"Hey, are you alright?"
The Pokemon looked at her with confusion. It started to move but suddenly felt a surge of pain. It yelped and started to tear up. Serena looked and saw that its back leg was red, with a little blood still visible.
"Oh no! We need to find a Pokemon Center right now!"
Serena thanked Popplio and recalled her. She then took off towards a Pokemon Center, Delphox and Sylveon following her. She eventually made it to one and burst through the door. She saw nurse joy and ran up to her.
"Nurse Joy! Please help!"
Nurse Joy shot her head towards Serena and gasped once she saw the state of the Pokemon she was holding.
"Oh my goodness! What happened?!"
Serena explained what happened while Nurse Joy began to treat the Pokemon. She eventually patched up the Pokemon and made her way out to Serena who was in the waiting room. Serena shot up from her seat.
"How is it?" She asked with her hands clasped together.
Nurse Joy smiled. "Don't worry, Vulpix is going to be just fine."
Serena sighed in relief, but turned to confusion.
"That's a Vulpix?"
Nurse Joy nodded. "It's an Alolan Vulpix."
Serena was surprised at that. Nurse Joy then gave her a serious look.
"Actually, its a miracle you found it when you did."
Serena looked at her with confusion. "How come?"
Nurse Joy turned to the still sleeping Vulpix. "That Vulpix...its just a baby...so it doesn't know how to swim. And because its leg was still bleeding, if it was in the water for any longer, it could've gotten an infection. Either way..." Nurse joy turned her head back towards Serena and finished her explanation. "...if you hadn't found it, it would have died."
Serena gasped in horror. She felt her whole tremble. She looked back at Vulpix, who was still sleeping. She looked at Nurse Joy again.
"C-Can I...can I see it?"
Nurse Joy nodded and let Serena and her Pokemon in.
Meanwhile, Ash and his Pokemon had finally left the store he wanted to go to.
"Phew, that took forever" Ash said.
"Pika Pika."
"Gren."
Rowlet was still sleeping.
"Alright then, that's go find Serena and the others."
The Pokemon nodded in response. They all made their way back towards where they last saw Serena and the others, but they weren't there anymore.
"Hm? I thought Serena would still be here." Ash looked around but couldn't spot her. He started to walk around, but suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Greninja had done that.
"What's up Greninja?"
Greninja pointed towards a building. Ash looked and saw it was most likely a Pokemon Center.
"You think they went in there?"
Greninja nodded. Ash, seeing no objection, started to walk towards the Pokemon Center. Upon entering, he looked around for Serena, but couldn't find her. He noticed Nurse Joy at the counter and walked up to her.
"Excuse me" he said.
Nurse Joy looked at him and smiled.
"Oh hello, how can I help you?"
"Have you seen a girl with a Delphox and Sylveon? She's also wearing a red beanie" Ash asked.
"Why yes I have. She's actually in with another Pokemon right now."
Ash was a little surprised, but happy that Serena was here.
"Can I see her?"
Nurse Joy nodded and led Ash and his Pokemon to the back. Upon seeing him, Serena shot up from her seat and hugged Ash tightly. Ash was a little caught off guard but hugged her back. After a little while they separated.
"Are you alright Serena? I wasn't gone that long."
Serena looked at Vulpix, still asleep. "I'm fine, just...got a little sidetracked."
Ash looked in her direction and saw the sleeping Vulpix.
"Is that a...Vulpix?"
"An Alolan Vulpix is what Nurse Joy said" Serena answered.
Serena explained what happened, Ash holding her when she started to get emotional. The group stayed at the Pokemon Center for a little while, Serena wanting to make sure Vulpix was okay. As the afternoon rolled around, Vulpix finally started to open its eyes again. When its vision became clear, it saw Serena sleeping next to it. Vulpix's eyes widened in shock. It started to grow tears as it made its way over to her. It started to lick her cheek. Serena started to stir and soon saw Vulpix looking at her. Serena started to tear up as she gently picked it up.
"Vulpix! Thank goodness you're ok! I was so worried!"
Vulpix started to cry, overwhelmed with how much Serena was worried about it. Ash had been off to the side, smiling warmly at seeing his girlfriend comforting the baby Pokemon. He slowly walked up to her.
"Serena..."
Serena looked at her boyfriend. Ash then flashed his toothy grin.
"You're acting just like a mother."
Serena blushed madly at that statement. Vulpix however, took that comment seriously. It looked up at Serena and snuggled in closer. Serena looked down at Vulpix again. She suddenly smiled. She then decided to offer that suggestion.
"Hey Vulpix?"
Vulpix looked up to her with interest.
"I know we only met a few hours ago but...I don't want to lose you again. Do you...wanna come with me?"
Vulpix started to cry again, but also started to nuzzle against her. Serena took this as a yes. She took out a Poke Ball and lightly tapped it against Vulpix. Once inside, it dinged instantly. Serena let Vulpix out afterwards. Serena and Vulpix hugged each other with smiles plastered on both their faces.
"Thank you Vulpix" Serena said.
"Thank you...mommy" Vulpix said, which translated to "Vul!"
After a little bit longer, The group left the Pokemon Center. The sun was slowly starting to make its decent. Ash and Serena saw this as a sign to start heading towards Iki Town.
"I guess once we get there we're supposed to find the Kahuna" Serena said.
"That's what the professors said" Ash answered.
They finally found the path they needed. As they walked, Ash started to get another weird feeling. He stopped.
"What's wrong Ash?" Serena said.
Ash said nothing. He suddenly ran towards a clearing, Serena and the others shouting behind him to slow down. Once in the clearing, Ash stopped and stared in disbelief at what was facing him. Eventually, Serena and the others caught up. Once adjusting, they too stared in shock. On the opposite side, looking at Ash with eyes so intense it almost sent daggers through them. All Ash could do was say its name.
"Tapu Koko..."
Tapu Koko was floating on the opposite side of the clearing. It then let out a battle cry as lightning started to surround the area. It took a stance that Ash picked up on.
"You...wanna battle?" Ash asked.
Tapu Koko said nothing, but still gave Ash an answer. Ash smiled.
"Alright then! Let's go Pikachu!" Ash said as he pointed at Tapu Koko.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he leaped in front of Ash with sparks coming out of his cheeks.
"Here we come Tapu Koko!"
And that's that! Sorry, cliffhanger. But you know, that's a great way to keep readers invested in stories. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. See ya in the next one!
JohtoAmour64 out!