Chapter 102: Island Challenge! [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Alola Region, Next Day, Melemele Island, Iki Town – Hala's Home]
The Island Kahuna sipped calmly from a cup of steaming tea, studying the visitor across the table as he said curiously, "So… you want to take the island challenge of Alola, do you?"
Azure nodded his head, holding the Challenge Certificate in a proud tone, "Yes. And here's my Official Challenge Certificate."
He placed the document on the polished wooden table between them. Hala leaned forward, picking it up with a practical hand.
After examining the seal and signature, he gave a slow nod of approval. It was genuine as these kinds of certificates were special, usually issued to foreign trainers under special circumstances.
In Alola, there were a few ways to receive one. A visiting trainer could be granted the right to participate if they were personally recognized by a Kahuna or Island Monarch. Alternatively, the certificate could be awarded to someone who has rendered exceptional service to the region.
Such as the Full Power Tournament, whereby battling would help make an offering to the Island Monarch Tapu Koko. Local Trainers in Alola were different. Unlike visitors from other regions, they were considered eligible to take on the Island Challenge from birth.
Hala let out a hearty laugh, his eyes gleaming with interest as he stood formally introducing himself proudly, "I see! Looks like we've got another promising challenger! My name is Hala, Kahuna of Melemele Island. Since you've chosen to begin your Island Challenge here, I'll be the one to give you your trial!"
Azure stood up excited, along with Pikachu over his shoulder and Eevee on top of his head. It was when Hala said about his first trial in a cheerful tone, "Glad to see you this excited! Now there's something that came up in Hau'oli Cemetery. They're been some disturbances around people making it difficult for them to pay their respects. It's caused quite a stir. So I'd like you to go investigate and see if you can help solve the issue. This will be your island trial."
Azure, hearing this, his expression shifted slightly as he thought, 'Something related to a Graveyard, huh?'
Having a moment of thought, he smirked as he nodded, agreeing, "Alright, Hala. I'll go check it out."
Hala's eyes crinkled with approval as he said, "Then I'm counting on you."
Azure soon turned and left for Hau'oli Cemetery as he thought with a confident smirk, 'To deal with a Ghost issue, one needs to fight fire with fire. Better to get Gengar to help me out here.'
/////
[Alola Region, Later, Melemele Island, Hau'oli City – Pokémon Center]
Azure decided to visit the Pokémon Center and retrieve Gengar from Professor Oak's lab in Kanto. While his young team was growing stronger, the task ahead seemed best suited for a seasoned Pokémon familiar with the spectral realm.
He stepped into the pristine Pokémon Center, the familiar scent of antiseptic and healing herbs filling his nostrils. Nurse Joy greeted him with her ever-present smile, accompanied by her Chansey, who offered a cheerful wave, "Welcome back to the Pokémon Center, Azure! How can I help you today?"
Azure replied, returning her smile as he requested in a respectful tone, "Hi, Nurse Joy. I need to use the Transporter to retrieve a Pokémon from Professor Oak's lab. If you please..."
Nurse Joy nodded, her eyes twinkling with recognition. She bowed her head lightly as she said, "Of course, Azure. Right this way."
She led him to the Transporter, a device that could instantly transfer Pokémon across vast distances. He input the necessary codes and waited with bated breath.
*Beep*
The computer on the screen turned on, showing Prof. Oak as he greeted Azure warmly from his call, "Ah! Azure pleasure to meet you again. I take it you managed to get the Island Trials and need one of your Pokémon to help?"
Azure chuckled as he nodded his head, agreeing as he asked about his team in the Kanto Region, "Yeah. Got a ghost situation here for my Trial. Gengar would be perfect for her help in this. But how's the rest of my Pokémon doing? Hopefully nothing too troubling."
Prof. Oak chuckled as he shook his head, revealing some news, as Azure took an interest in listening, "They've been quite helpful. Your Scizor has been sparing with Charcadet and Larvitar to prepare them, and Arcanine is helping the rowdy Pokémon in check. Even Yellow comes around to help and learn more about Pokémon. Although she's here to make friends with them. She seems rather fond of your Alakazam in cooking."
Azure chuckled, hearing this, but he mentally thought in a serious tone, 'Right, I almost forgot that Yellow has the Rainbow Feather and Silver Wing. I'll get them when we meet, but first the trials.'
Finishing their pleasantries with each other, Prof. Oak prepared to send Azure's Gengar through the Transfer Machine. A beam of light materialized in the center of the platform, showing Gengar's Poke Ball.
*Click*
Grinning, he clenched its Poke Ball, opening it up. A slick shadow sleeked out, taking on a solidifying form into the grinning form of Gengar.
Azure exclaimed, a wave of relief washing over him, "Gengar! Been a while!"
The Shadow Pokémon floated lazily in the air, its mischievous eyes gleaming with anticipation. Gengar crooned, a low rumble resonating in its throat, "Gen-gar! (Sup! Great seeing ya again, Sky!)"
Gengar seemed eager for action. Azure said, turning back to the nurse, "Thanks, Nurse Joy. I appreciate it."
Nurse Joy called as he left the center, Gengar hovering beside him, "Anytime, Azure! Be careful out there!"
Gengar levitated above as it greeted Pikachu and Eevee again. The group discussed how things were in Kanto as they discussed Azure's actions in the Alola Region.
/////
[Alola Region, Melemele Island, Route 2 – Hau'oli Cemetery]
Together, they made their way towards Hau'oli Cemetery. The bustling streets of Hau'oli City slowly faded behind them, replaced by a quiet, somber atmosphere.
The air grew heavy, laden with the scent of earth and decaying leaves. The entrance to the cemetery was marked by a stone archway overgrown with vines.
*Wooosh*
Azure paused at the threshold, a sense of unease prickling at the back of his neck. Even Pikachu seemed to sense the energy shift, its usually bright eyes narrowed with caution, sparks of electricity on its cheeks.
Eevee, nestled in Azure's arms, whimpered softly. Azure said, his voice low and determined, feeling his instincts kick in, "Alright, team. Let's be respectful and find out what's causing this disturbance."
He stepped through the archway, Gengar floating silently beside him. The cemetery stretched before them, a landscape of weathered tombstones, mausoleums draped in shadow, and gnarled trees that reached towards the sky like skeletal fingers.
The air was thick with an unnatural stillness. Not a single Pokémon could be heard, no Pidgey cooing in the trees, no Rattata scurrying amongst the graves.
The silence was deafening, amplifying the feeling of unease. Azure asked, his eyes scanning the surroundings, "Gengar, can you sense anything?"
Gengar closed its eyes for a moment, its body emitting a faint purple glow. It murmured, its voice taking on a serious tone with Azure using Viridian Force to translate, "Gen-gar. Gen. Gengar. (I sense a strong presence…a chilling aura. It is emanating from the center of the cemetery.)"
Azure responded, gripping his cap with determination, "Okay, lead the way."
They proceeded deeper into the cemetery, their footsteps echoing eerily on the gravel paths. The tombstones grew older and more elaborate, their inscriptions faded and obscured by moss.
Azure took a moment to read some of the names, wondering about the lives of those buried beneath the ground. As they approached the center of the cemetery, the temperature dropped noticeably.
*Wooosh*
A frigid wind swept through the trees, causing the branches to creak and groan. The unsettling aura grew stronger, making Azure's skin crawl.
Finally, they reached their destination: a large, ancient mausoleum, its stone facade cracked and crumbling. The entrance was sealed shut by a heavy iron gate, adorned with intricate carvings of Pokémon skulls.
A palpable sense of dread emanated from within. Gengar whispered, its eyes glowing with an eerie light, informing Azure, "Gengar. Gen-gar. (This is it. The source of the disturbance… It's inside.)"
He nodded as his Pokémon were prepared. Azure approached the gate cautiously, peering through the bars.
He could see nothing but darkness within, the shadows swirling and dancing like restless spirits. Gengar said, nudging Azure's arm, "Gen-gar. Gen. (I can feel the presence growing stronger. It's… angry.)"
Azure knew he had to act quickly. Whatever was inside the mausoleum was causing immense distress, and he couldn't allow it to continue. Azure said, steeling his resolve, "Alright, Gengar. We're going in. Use Shadow Ball to break the gate."
Gengar nodded, its grin widening. It gathered energy in its hands, forming a swirling orb of dark energy. With a flick of its wrist, it launched the Shadow Ball at the gate.
*BOOOM*
The impact was deafening. The iron gate shattered into pieces, sending shards of metal flying in all directions.
The mausoleum entrance was now open, revealing the inky blackness within. Azure took a deep breath and stepped inside, Pikachu and Eevee close behind.
Gengar floated ahead, its glowing eyes cutting through the darkness. The air inside the mausoleum was thick with a musty odor, the smell of decay and forgotten memories.
The walls were lined with stone coffins, their lids sealed with strange symbols. In the center of the room, a spectral figure hovered in the air, its form shimmering and indistinct.
It was a Ghost-type Pokémon, unlike any Azure had ever seen. Its eyes burned with an intense, malevolent energy.
The rock is trapezoidal and has two small dots. There is a fissure running down the middle, splitting in two near the bottom. The crack, in combination with the two dots, appears to form a frowning face. Its projected appearance is an ethereal composition of swirling purple energy of an unknown kind.
Its face is set in the middle of the purple, and contains green, crescent eyes that are connected to its jagged mouth. Its pupils are composed of a spiral, and it is sometimes only seen with one. Swirling around its face are green orbs with yellow centers.
When it came to view, Azure's expression shifted as he hissed, recognizing the Pokémon in an alarmed tone, "That's a Spiritomb! It's formed from the spirits of 108 different Pokémon and humans!"
*SWOOOSH*
The Spiritomb let out a chilling wail, its voice echoing through the mausoleum. The coffins began to shake, their lids rattling ominously.
Azure said, his voice firm despite the fear gnawing at his insides as he demanded, "So, you're the source of the disturbance. Why are you doing this? Why are you upsetting the peace of this cemetery?"
The Spiritomb did not respond, its eyes fixed on Azure with a hateful glare. It launched a volley of Shadow Balls at him, each one crackling with dark energy.
*Pew*
Azure gritted his teeth as he ordered, "Gengar! Shadow Punch!"
*SMASH*
Gengar lunged forward, its claws glowing with shadowy energy, forming a fist. It smashed through the Shadow Balls, dissipating them before they could reach Azure.
The battle raged on, the mausoleum filled with the clash of spectral attacks and the cries of Pokémon. Azure strategized, utilizing Gengar's strengths and exploiting Spiritomb's weaknesses.
Pikachu and Eevee eventually joined the fray, bullying the Spiritomb at this point. Point-blank Thunderbolts and Disarming Voice were enough to weaken the Spiritomb.
Despite the power of the Spiritomb, Azure knew he had to resolve this. The peace of the Cemetery was at stake, and he wouldn't let this entity ruin it.
Finally, after a grueling battle, Azure managed to weaken the Spiritomb. It hovered in the air, its form flickering and unstable. Azure said, his voice filled with empathy, "Spiritomb. I understand you're in pain. You're made up of so many conflicting spirits, it must be overwhelming. But you can't take out your anger on others. You need to find peace."
To Azure's surprise, the Spiritomb seemed to hesitate, its malevolent energy slightly diminished. It looked at Azure, a flicker of something akin to understanding in its eyes. Azure offered, holding out his hand, "I can help you. I can help you find peace. Let me help you."
The Spiritomb remained suspended in the air motionless. Waiting a few minutes before slowly moving up to Azure, as it began to slowly touch Azure.
But then Azure felt a shiver down his spine as Spiritomb's expression shifted to a malicious grin as he thought, 'Aw, crab baskets.'
It stopped inches away before going inside Azure, making the boy fall to his knees as he began to feel a wave of emotions come into his body. Azure felt the Spiritomb or its spirits try to take control of his body.
*Shiii*
Azure, struggling, was able to use his Viridian Force. As its power began to surge within him, the Spiritomb felt the warmth and began to find peace. A surge of power emitted from Azure's body that was able to purge away the mausoleum as the Spiritomb, now cleansed, began to separate and move on to the afterlife.
As this process was going on, his inner strength began to grow as his Viridian Force pushed back the malicious souls of Spiritomb…
[Ding!]
[The [Protector] has blocked the ghostly possession!]
[Cleansing of corrupted human soul with Viridian Force completed!]
[Pure residue added to Aura/Psychic Energy reserves!]
[Cleansing of corrupted human soul with Viridian Force completed!]
[Pure residue added to Aura/Psychic Energy reserves!]
The screen continued to pop up as Azure attempted to control the foreign emotions. And at the same time, his Viridian Force [Protector] made sure his mind was intact till the final pop screen said…
[Ding!]
[Due to cleansing and absorbing human soul residues of 108, your Psychic/Aura Reserves increased drastically!]
*Thud*
Azure passed out from the surge of power, as Pikachu and Eevee tried to wake him up, but to no avail. As the sun began to rise, Hala appeared, his expression looking concerned.
He saw the graveyard and mausoleum destroyed. Seeing Pikachu and Eevee nudging Azure, he picks up the boy as he heads back to his home with Gengar now actively hiding in his shadow, protecting him from other Ghosts.
/////
[Alola Region, Next Day, Melemele Island, Iki Town – Hala's Home]
Azure awakens to find himself in Hala's home, bandages wrapped around him. Hala watched over him with his Pokémon beside him, awaiting his awakening as he said calmly, "You're awake, glad to see you made it out. I saw the graveyard in shambles and was worried. I assume you were able to complete the task."
Azure nodded, chuckling lightly, but flinched, feeling the pain in his body as he said, "Yes, I was able to help the Spiritomb move on. However, I don't remember what happened after I tried to help it."
Hala smiled. He didn't detect any lie from him as he said happily, seeing he completed the trial, "Your heart is strong. To be able to empathize and help a Spiritomb move on is a miracle. The disturbance has indeed ended, so I thank you. You defeated the totem Pokémon and completed the Trial."
Azure, relieved, smiled as he thanked the Kahuna, "Thank you, Hala. I'm glad I was able to help."
He smirked as he placed down two key items for himself. Azure turned his head, eyes widening to see a Z-Power Ring and Z-Crystal. He used [Observe] to check them out.
[Item: Z-Ring
Rarity Item: -
Type: Key Item
Description: A mysterious ring that enables Pokémon to use Z-Power. It requires both the willpower and the physical power of the Trainer wearing it.]
[Item: Fightinium-Z
Rarity Item: -
Type: Key Item
Description: It converts Z-Power into crystals that upgrade Fighting-type moves to Fighting-type Z-Moves [All-Out Pummeling].]
Azure smirked but flinched from his body as his Pokémon came close, concerned. He sighed, reassuring them not to move, allowing himself to rest. Azure stayed at Hala's for the day, recovering under his care.
But he had a distinct feeling that his trial runs would last a lot longer to collect the other Z-Crystals… or perhaps be over with his Pokémon's worried expressions halting him. He could only sigh as he focused on his recovery.
/////
A/N: Next goal of 100PS to get an extra chapter!