#WantsToJourney2021 Ch. 4

 

The day has finally come:

my first Island Captain Challenge!!

I woke up bright and early to get some training in with my team. 

Professor Kukui told me that the first Island’s Captain was named Ilima, whose trial involves Normal Type Pokemon. I have NO idea what to expect, so I push my Pokémon as hard as they can, trying to learn their moves to try and come up with some sort of strategy. 

Whenever Professor Kukui woke up, he had gift for me. He informed me that part of the Island Challenge is being awarded Z-Crystals upon completion. Z-Crystals are objects that help unlock a Pokémon’s full power in the form of Z-Moves that are far more powerful that normal Pokémon Moves. Because they are so powerful, they can only be used once a Pokémon and their trainer have a special bond. They also use a LOT of energy, so they can’t be used all the time.

In order to use a Z-Crystal, you need a special device called a Z-Ring, which is a bracelet that helps channel the power of the Z-Crystals. Professor Kukui is researching the z-moves and has a very small number of Z-Rings but he wanted Hau and I to have one! I took it, slipped it on my wrist, and proudly raised my fist in the air!

Once everyone wakes up, Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet tell us that Ilima can typically be found in Hau’oli City close to where we attended the Trainer School. Lillie gets excited about the idea of going into the city and wants to check out the local shops. Hau gets excited, too! He not only wants to take on the challenge, but really wants to eat some Malasadas. So, we all eat breakfast and get ready to head out!

Joel, however, refuses to leave behind his Magikarp and REFUSES to put him back in his Pokéball, so Professor Kukui finds Joel a huge fish bowl and Professor Burnet pulls a small, red wagon out of storage. 

Finally, we can begin!

Along our trip to the City, I ask hear Lillie ask Professor Burnet how her friend Nebby is doing at Labratory. Professor Burnet tells Lillie that Nebby is fine, and that she and her team were researching all that they could about Nebby. Lillie looks worried at that, but Professor Burnet assures her that the team would make sure Nebby was safe, and that no one would discover them.

I go to Lillie and ask her who Nebby was, and she’s hesitant to answer, so I change the subject. 

I haven’t gotten to know Lillie very well, so I thought I would take this time to remedy that. I ask her about her family, and she tells me that she has a mother and brother, both of which she doesn’t talk to much anymore. They had had a falling out, and that the Professor’s took her and Nebby in and offered her room and board in exchange for helping with research.

I was slowly learning that Lillie had not had the easiest go at life, and had a newfound appreciation for her.

When we made it to the city, we parted ways with the Professor’s who offered us the best of luck, and to come back to the Lab when we were finished.

Lillie wants to go check out the shops so she takes off. Hau spots the sign for the Malasada Shop and sprints towards it!

Joel and his Magikarp stick by my side as we walk through the town taking in the sights. We pop into the Pokémon Center and after asking around, it would seem that Captain Ilima has a house in town just up the street.

We immediately head there and upon arriving, we see two tough looking individuals. A man and a woman dressed in tank tops, baggy shorts, and bandanas are outside of Captain Ilima’s front gate shouting and throwing garbage onto the property. As we approach, the two ruffians notice us and turn their attention our way. They deduce that we’re taking on the Island Trial Challenge from my Z-Ring and tell us not to waste our time. They reveal that they’re members of Team Skull and that they’re going to own this town, and once once they seize control they’re leader is going to do away with worthless traditions. They then notice Joel carrying his Magikarp in a wagon and start making fun of him for having such a weak Pokémon.

This upsets me, and I can’t hold it in any longer. I yell at them that they’re the ones that are weak and challenge them to a battle.

One of grunts, a girl named Rapp neon Pink hair, steps up and sends out her Zubat. I send out my Litten and the battle begins. I notice Zubat attacking from a distance, so I tell Litten to stop trying to get close and instead focus and shooting out embers. Zubat goes down, and Rapp is furious.

The other grunt, a guy named Tupp with shirt neon blue hair sticking out of his beanie, angrily walks up and says that was a fluke. He sends out his Drowzee. I swap to my Alolan Grimer.

As this battle begins, a third grunt runs up and begins yelling that their leaders are calling a meeting. He then notices the battle and yells at Tupp and Rapp were weaklings for taking so long to defeat us. 

Hypno attempts to use his psychic powers and hits Alolan Grimer. Grimer gets confused and doesn’t know what to do. Drowzee tackles him and things aren’t looking great. I yell to Grimer to calm down and breath. I tell him to focus on Drowzee’s movement, and when he gets close to strike and try to bite him. Grimer listens and connects with Drowzee and takes him down, knocking him out. 

Tupp is shocked, and the third grunt, a guy with shaggy neon green hair names Zipp, pushes Tupp out of the way and claims he’ll show everyone how it’s done. He sends out his Alolan Rattata and I send out my buddy Munchlax. Munchlax happily cries and flexes his muscles. Zipp yells for Rattata to come at Munchlax with Quick Attack. I call for Munchlax to Lick Rattata when he gets close. Munchlax does so, and Rattata gets paralyzed. Munchlax then tackles Rattata, and he is down for the count.

All three grunts are stunned and can’t believe they’ve all lost to a little kid. Suddenly, a voice from the house informs the grunts that they should run along before their bosses get angry, and everyone looks up to see Captain Ilima standing at the gate with his Yungoos by his side, bearing its teeth.

The grunts all look at each other scared and yell as they run away saying this wasn’t over and that we got lucky.

Joel and I along with Litten, Grimer, and Munchlax cheer and celebrate our victory. Captain Ilima approaches and thanks is for the help, informing us that he watched all three battles, and that it looked like my team and I could handle ourselves. He offers to heal our Pokémon and afterwards ask us if I was in town to take on the trial.

I excitedly say that I am.

Finally, it’s time for the Island Challenge to finally begin.

(Picture credit: from PokeJungle.net)

Link- https://pokejungle.net/2016/08/23/team-skull-just-delinquents-pokemon-needs/