//------------------------------// // Ch.3 - Chaotic Team Up - Pt.2 // Story: A Little Adventure in Alola // by CommanderX5 //------------------------------// Lost Little Ace - Chapter 3 - Chaotic Team Up - Pt.2 “Did you hear that?” asked a girl with long golden hair cascading down her back. She was adorned in a pure white dress and boots, as though made from freshly fallen snow. “Sounded like breaking glass, did someone… yik!” “What’s wrong Lillie? Raichu! Wait, is that blood? Who did this to you?” “It looks horribly beaten up. Nurse Joy? Nurse Joy!” Nica could only pick up yells of panic from the two worried trainers. One, the voice of a panicked girl, another of a concerned trainer. Simply too exhausted to open her eyes, she felt the hands of a trainer pick her up into a gentle embrace and pull her away from the shards of broken glass that were sprinkled beside her. What happened after she didn’t know as her consciousness faded away, escaping from the extreme agony into a blissful dream. “Are you sure she fell here?” Starlight asked. Twilight nodded while holding her student between her forehooves. Her wings flapped firmly while a large bag filled with precious equipment levitated at her side. “She has to be. We both saw her being launched in this direction.” “And what if she flew over this city and crashed into the sea?” Starlight asked. “Considering the trajectory of Nica’s flight, it would require a lot of force to fly this far. For now let’s keep our eye at this city. If we won’t find any–” Twilight paused upon seeing a pillar of flames heading in her direction. In a flash of teleportation, she and her student appeared further to the left, evading the attack. Even then, they could still feel the heat of the flames, causing them both to wince and jerk back. The large bag shifted and slid of Twilight’s magical aura, before collapsing to the ground. Twilight groaned before descending towards the ground while catching her equipment with her magic. Starlight pushed herself free from the alicorn’s hold, landing on the ground with a weak thud. She took a fighting stance, aiming her horn at the attacker. Twilight landed next to her student while perching her precious equipment behind a nearby building. A quick look at the area told her it was an open marked with numerous stands on both sides of the road. The city as whole lacked any damage and seemed overall not affected by the invasion. If only the others were this lucky as well, she thought grimly, observing her surroundings for movement. The sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention and she turned to spot her so-called aggressors. Looking ahead, she examined them. One pokemon looked very fat, but also had big muscular legs and hands. He wore white shorts, a blue undershirt, as well as white belt and yellow coat. A big, white rope was tied around his belly, his hair and mustache a similar tone. Another one looked like a large, fat pokemon, one she remembered as Hariyama that Lily Longsock’s family took under their care. In comparison, both pokemon looked very similar. The other aggressor wore a white lab coat which revealed his torso, grey undershirt, white hat and green boots. Upon a closer examination this creature also wore glasses. Next to him stood a big red/black creature with sharp claws and fangs. His face similar to Litten in a way, but way more ferocious and angry. He wore some sort of championship belt, one that seemed much too big to be carried around practically. All four creatures were standing on two legs, yet only two of them wore clothes. She could consider the one wearing belt to be the third, but most of his body was exposed and covered by fur. “You already caused havoc on island that was under my protection, and now you dare to attack Akala? I, the Kahuna of Melemele, Hala, shall stop you!” Hala shouted while stomping with great force. “Prepare to fight, Hariyama!” Hariyama stomped twice as earth trembled, taking a fighting stance. Hala looked at the creature which was wearing glasses. “Ready to assist me in this fight, Kukui?” “I must say, you both look quite cute for Ultra Beasts, but looks can be deceiving.” Kukui pointed at the ponies. “Cuties or not, you’re still a threat. Prepare to fight them, Incineroar!” Incineroar roared, the earth shaking alongside his bellow. Though only one pokemon present, it seemed as though a pride of lions roared beside him, and it was enough to make Twilight falter before she straightened up and marched forward. Stalking closer, she narrowed her eyes and closed her wings, holding her head high. If what she learned from Nica was accurate, this situation looked like interaction between two human trainers and two pokemon. “First off, we’re not Ultra Beasts!” She stomped. “I understand your situation is dire, but it’s not an excuse to try to burn us. Apologize immediately!” Incineroar roared at the princess while showing his claws aggressively. “Calm down Incineroar,” Kukui said before taking off his glasses, now looking at the alicorn in confusion. “You can speak? I’ve never seen a pokemon like you before.” “I am not a pokemon either, I am a pony,” Twilight said before taking more steps. Starlight followed her example. Kukui placed hands on his hips and smirked. “And what region are you from, Miss Pony?” “I come from Equestria, and it’s not a region but a place in a different world altogether,” the alicorn answered, copying Kukui’s confident attitude. “And my name is Twilight.” “So you’ve come from a different world.” Kukui lowered himself slightly and rubbed the top of Twilight’s head. “Those creatures who come from different world, we call them Ultra Beasts. So in a sense calling you both Ultra Beasts isn’t inaccurate. You’re the first visitor from another world that’s corrected us.” “Hey, stop that,” Twilight said before pushing the hand away and giving an annoyed snort. She poked Kukui’s chest with tip of her forehoof. “And I’m… I mean… I don’t come from this world, but I’m not like those creatures who invaded you.” Starlight spoke up, “We prefer to be called ponies.” She raised forehoof up to her chest. “My name’s Starlight and I’m a unicorn.” She pointed at the alicorn. “I’m Princess Twilight’s protege.” “Ohoho… royalty,” Hala said with a cheerful laugh. “Alola sure starts to attract a lot of interesting visitors lately. It’s nice to meet someone who isn’t hostile for a change.” He raised his pokeball, recalling his pokemon. “The name’s Hala. I’m a Kahuna of Melemele, chosen by Tapu Koko. Allow me to personally welcome you to Alola.” He paused, quickly adding, “Well, maybe now’s not the best time, considering Alola isn’t in the best condition, but… oh well.” Chuckling, he raised his hand for a handshake. Both ponies shook the muscular hand respectively, their heads reaching Hala’s chest. Twilight asked, “Tapu Koko? You mean that guardian we met at... Melemele was it?” “You met the mighty Tapu Koko? Is he safe?” Hala asked, his forehead wrinkling in concern. Twilight smiled and nodded. “He is. Together with Nica, Ace and Pikachu, we helped him defeat the gigantic Ultra Beast.” Kukui gasped. Hala took a step back, raising his left hand as if taking a defensive stance, shock clear on his face. “You… you bested the giant? The one who’s been destroying my home? The one who overpowered the might of four guardians and three kahuna working together?” He made a confused face. “Are we talking about the same giant?” Starlight raised her head proudly as her horn lit. A beast ball levitated from the large bag as she presented it as a trophy. “We sure did, though Nica and her team deserve most of the credit for taking this baddie down. We boosted their power with our magic to make them stronger, but they did all the fighting.” “Magic? Boosted pokemon enough so they could defeat the titanic invader?” Hala grabbed his belly with both of his hands and laughed. “You make the old Hala laugh?” Starlight narrowed her eyes. “You don’t believe me? How about I show you that we did indeed capture the Big Buzz.” She raised her forehoof, ready to press a button which was supposed to release a pokemon. “Nooo!” Hala shouted before slamming Starlight, pressing his weight against her before she could release the gigantic beast. “Hey, get off! What were you thinking?” Starlight complained as she pressed her forehooves against the ground. Her forelegs trembled as she lifted and pushed away the fat kahuna, freeing herself. Twilight facehooved. “Starlight… you almost flattened us all alongside with part of the city.” Starlight’s eyes became wide from realization. “Oh… oh…hehe.” She gulped as a few drops of sweat fell down her face. “S-sorry,” she said in a squeaky voice, ducking her head down. “Excuse me, Princess Twilight.” The alicorn looked at Kukui, who looked back at her curiously. “Yes?” “You mentioned that a Pikachu helped you defeat the gigantic Ultra Beast.” Kukui rubbed the back of his neck. “Well… I was thinking. Could this Pikachu belong to Ash? He kind of vanished one day with other of Ash’s pokemon and the kid has been going crazy worried ever since. Besides, I can’t think of another Pikachu that would be strong enough to even attempt taking down an Ultra Beast as strong as that.” Twilight nodded. “He’s Ash’s Pikachu alright. He and his pokemon friends one day appeared in Equestria.” She sat and tapped her forehooves together. “It’s… a long story involving a failed attempt to get Nica back home.” Seeing Twilight at a loss to describe it, Starlight quickly stepped in. “We tried to fix this and return all the missing pokemon home, so we opened portal into this world, only to end up fighting some Ultra Beasts,” Starlight commented. Kukui showed his teeth in a wide smile, swung his hand and snapped his fingers. “That’s great. Ash will be overjoyed!” He knelt on one knee and asked, “Where is he?” “He’s together with Rainbow Dash, searching for Nica.” Twilight pointed at the sky. “You didn’t happen to see a Raichu crashing into this city of flying over it?” “Since when can Raichu learn fly?” Kukui asked, receiving serious unamused glares in response. He stood up and shook his head. “Nope, sorry.“ Twilight lowered her head as her ears drooped. “Great… just great…” Hala turned around, now facing the group. “With the giant gone, we can retake Melemele from the beasts. To arms, Professor Kukui! We have a battle ahead of us.” “Wait Hala, first we should probably find Pikachu, ummm… why are you looking at me like that?” Kukui asked. Twilight kept staring at the human with wide curious-hungry eyes. “Did he call you a professor? Are you a scholar?” “I am.” With a firm jump, Twilight pinned the human to the ground as a big stack of notepads, one scroll filled with questions, feather pen, and ink levitated towards her. “I have sooo many questions!” Her tail flapped left and right. “Why can tiny pokemon be as strong as the large ones? What are the properties of all pokemon types? Your government structure? Books about pokemon…” Starlight approached Hala, stood up on her rear hooves, and then whispered, “Let’s go. They’re going to be at it for a long time.” “Are you sure she flew this way?” Dash asked as she flew next to an inactive volcano as bits of steam were visible at the top. “Of course… I mean… maybe. The explosion blinded me for a moment,” Pikachu commented from Dash’s back as his forepaws were wrapped around the pegasus’ neck. His tiny legs sank into her fur, keeping him grounded against the wind streaming across his back. “Just keep your eyes open, we have to save Nica!” “Did you say Nica?!” Dash and Pikachu looked around for the source of voice, only for a silvery beam to catch their attention. Their eyes now rested upon two humans standing on top of the volcano, at the very spot where trainers come to challenge the fire-trial. “Hey, watch it! You almost hit us!” Dash cried indignantly as she spread and waved her forehooves in aggravation, forcing her passenger to tighten his grip of her neck. “I wasn’t aiming for you, I just tried to get your attention! If you know anything about Nica, please come closer. It’s important to me!” “Ugh… fine, but don’t try anything funny,” Dash muttered before descending towards the volcano, landing at the very top in front of the two humans. Her wings were ready at her side, able to take off in a moments notice if needed. The girl observed the pegasus before her. “You don’t look like any pokemon I’ve ever seen,” she murmured, stepping closer. Mumbling to herself, she added, “Though, I doubt you’re a pokemon at all. If you know Nica’s name you must have had some interactions with her, but where…?" She snapped her fingers. “That’s it! You must be a resident from that world that my trusty partner was sent to protect.” The woman at her side remained silent, studying Dash’s features from top to bottom. “I am. The name’s Rainbow Dash and I’m the fastest pegasus in Equestria. So, you’re that badass awesome trainer who made Nica into a super cool heroine… aside from her low self-esteem.” She grimaced. “That part is kind of a screw up.” “I… I didn’t do that much. She reached where she is with hard work on her own free will.” She claimed, looking slightly offended. Shaking it off, she reached her hand out and exclaimed, “My name’s Astra. Nice to meet you.” Dash shook it energetically before displaying a wide grin and hastily flapping her wings. “I get to shake hooves with the best pokemon trainer in the world. That’s so cool!” Astra withdrew her hand and scratched the back of her head. “I think you got the wrong person. I’m not Ash Ketchum. I may have the strongest team and most respected title, but he’s the best trainer in the world.” She smiled at the pegasus. “I see your kind is capable of communicating in our language. I hope you don't mind answering a few questions about your world’s culture.” Dash frowned. “Questions about our culture. Great… Where’s Twilight where we need her?” After gathering his courage, Pikachu peeked from behind the pegasus’ neck, examining features of both female humans. One seemed young with orange hair partially standing out from under a helmet equipped with protective goggles. Upon closer inspection, both humans were wearing body armor, had crowd-control shields and some sort device attached to their gloves. Two types of pokeballs were present on their belts. “Forget the questions about their culture, there are more pressing matters,” the woman beside Astra spoke up, shooting the Pokemon Master a disapproving glare. She looked at Dash and said, “My name is Emily, but now is not the time for introductions or casual chat.” Dash glanced to the side, now seeing a sea of trees and some settlements, not noticing anywhere near as much damage that Melemele endured. “Nice view. Were you scouting those ultra’s or something?” Astra nodded before looking the pegasus in the eyes. “I was observing the area with my binoculars, gathering intel, before noticing explosions coming from the titanic Ultra Beast on Melemele. I tried to figure out who challenged the unstoppable giant, but we were attacked.” She pointed at her belt, which had a few black pokeballs in red stripes, and pokeballs similar to the one Tapu Koko shared with the group. “We caught the attacker, only to see a massive explosion coming from Melemele, as well as something tiny fly through the sky.” Her eyes became wide while tone of her voice shifted into a depressed one. “D-don’t tell me… don’t tell me that it was actually my dearest partner. Please don’t tell my dearest Nica was in my sight and I ignored her!” “It sure was,” Dash said with a nod. “And I can tell you, wow, that was an intense battle against a giant. Even Tirek wasn’t that terrifying.” Astra held hand on her chest, taking a few calming breaths before attempting to recover her composure. “Panic will get me nowhere. I have faith in my partner’s survivability.” Emily spoke up, catching master’s attention. “Was Ace or other of my pokemon among the ones who fought that massive creature?” Dash nodded energetically. “You betcha. I got in some rain for the guy while Tapu Koko gave him a lot of electricity.” She held forehooves on her cheeks in excitement. “He changed the most epic Naval-Storm-Dragon I have ever seen… Granted, I saw it only three times so far, but it was ginormous.” She stood on her rear hooves and spread her forepaws, as if trying to show the size of the attack, feeling Pikachu’s grip on her back to tighten. “I was blinded by the explosion, but I bet he’s out there searching for his sis.” She lowered herself, giving the trainers a confident stare. Astra lowered her head and sighed. Emily patted master’s shoulder before speaking up, “If that’s the case, there is nothing to fear. Ace may not be my best fighter, but he knows Alola and its waters incredibly well. He’ll find Nica for sure.” Pikachu’s ears drooped. After finally having enough courage, he jumped from Dash’s back and approached with quick steps, stopping in the shadow of the human trainer. He looked up in silence and gasped. The very trainer who raised Nica into the wonderful, brave, kind, and incredibly powerful Raichu she was today now stood before him. The Pokemon Master that Ash aspired to become had graced him with her presence. The girl lowered herself, now kneeling on one knee. “I see you have a little companion with you, Rainbow Dash. Already catching a pokemon of your own or convincing one to join you? Quite an adaptive approach.” “He’s not my pokemon actually,” Dash said. “He’s the partner of that Ash guy you admire so much, though personally, I think Raichu and Lucario are way cooler than Pikachu.” “You’re Ash’s Pikachu!” Astra shouted, looking at him as if seeing a celebrity, her cheeks growing a slight blush. “It’s an honor.” “T-the honor is all mine,” Pikachu responded with a sheepish smile before holding his forepaws together and lowering his head in respect, a gesture he remembered from his interactions with Nica. “And you can talk.” She pointed accusingly at Pikachu. “You’re not a psychic type pokemon, and yet you’re able to speak? I suppose I should expect nothing less from the brave and special partner of Ash himself.” Pikachu’s ears drooped and a sad smile appeared on his face. Not only had the Pokemon Master and her partner became too humble and developed an inferiority complex because of him and Ash, now Astra’s partner’s life was at risk because of his failure. If they knew how much suffering Nica experienced when fighting that gigantic beast, they wouldn’t be so sure of her wellbeing. It seems I’m going to be the bearer of bad news. He lowered his head and sighed, not looking forward to his discussion with the mightiest trainer in the world. Ace’s sleep was interrupted as he felt cold water splash against his bruised face. As much as he wished he could remain asleep until the pain stop shooting up and down every nerve in his body, he could tell that he wouldn’t be allowed such a luxury. The moment he opened one eye, a familiar ghostly figure caught his attention. Mimikyu asked, circling around him. Ace looked around despite feeling pain in his neck, his surroundings dark. The floor and ceiling were covered in dust, webs and cracks. Empty shelves with no products for sell, limited amount of light and creepy atmosphere of a ruined market. Ghost trial ground… the most terrifying place in the world. He gulped. Kill me now… He looked at the Team Rocket members who towered over him with smirk on their faces, watching as his attempt to move his forepaws ended in failure. Tied up by a rope to a chair, trapped in a dark abandoned market-place and kept imprisoned by criminals and their Mimikyu’s ally, truly the most horrifying scenario. I feel as if getting away from the rain, only to end up under the gutter, or as if using a lifetime supply of bad luck in one day. His attempt to move his tail failed as it seemed to be trapped under a bookshelf, keeping it immobile. Strengthening his resolve, he spat, Mimikyu moved his 'Shadow Claw' towards Ace’s neck before poking it. “Well… that was easy,” Meowth said to himself. The lower part of Mimikyu’s costume displayed a weak smile, eyes glinting devilishly.