Chapter 8 Revelations

  Ian followed Plumeria down The Spine on another bright, sunny morning on Ula'Ula Island. "So I hear you had a little falling out with Tupp yesterday," Plumeria stated once they were far enough away from the walls.

  Ian sighed, remembering Tupp giving him the silent treatment in the bunkhouse the night before. Plus Tupp was out of his bunk when Ian woke up a half hour ago or so. "Yeah."

  "What'd you do?" Plumeria asked, turning around.

  "He sent his Golbat out in a double battle, and had it charge head first into the opponents," Ian said. "He was mad I didn't have his back."

  "So you and Sawsbuck left him out to dry?" Plumeria asked.

  "Kind of, but I was being strategic," Ian said.

  Plumeria gave him the look a teacher gives a student after messing up something they've done a dozen times. "First rule of Team Skull...'

  "I know, 'always look out for each other,'" Ian said.

  "So, Golbat gets knocked out like it always does, you're down two verses one against the Backstreet Boys..."

  "I had Sawsbuck use Leech Seed on both the opponents. If Golbat just stayed back and used Air Cutter, our opponents would've been screwed," Ian asked.

  "Well you gotta commit with your teammate, that's why you lost-"

  Ian cleared his throat, shaking his head as a sassy smirk emerged on his face. "We didn't lose. Sawsbuck's Leech Seed ground the last bit out of Scrafty to give us the win."

  Plumeria's eyebrows rose. "Wait, you're serious?"

  Ian nodded. "Sawsbuck damn near lost, but we took it. Leech Seed's OP."

  "OP?" Plumeria asked in bewilderment.

  "Overpowered," Ian replied. "Slang from... not here."

  "I see... So was it just dumb luck or is Sawsbuck being 'overpowered' why you won?" Plumeria asked mockingly.

  "Sawsbuck, but some luck's gotta be involved, it was my first double battle-" Ian froze as he realized what he was admitting.

  "First double battle?" Plumeria said, a knowing look in her eye.

  "Well, since the-"

  Plumeria folded her arms, clearly holding back anger. "I didn't say anything in front of Guzma, but I didn't think you were a trainer back home either," Plumeria said accusingly.

  "You didn't? Then why'd you vouch for me to Guzma?" Ian asked.

  "You're on the bunk below Tupp, right?" Plumeria asked, her tone noticeably softer.

  "Yeah..."

  "That used to be Isaac's bunk," Plumeria said. "He's been gone for a month, and when you popped up in that Ultra Storm and started buddying up with Tupp right off the bat, it was the happiest I've seen him since."

  "Oh..." Ian said, the revelation washing over him and symbolically knocking him back like a wave. "When he brought that guy up, he seemed so nonchalant..."

  "Didn't say his name, did he?" Plumeria asked.

  "No..." Ian said, realizing what Plumeria meant.

  "And don't worry, I won't tell Guzma about you not being a trainer," Plumeria said. "Beating Freddy and Disnthorpe one verses two isn't too shabby either."

  "Freddy and Disenthorpe?" Ian asked.

  "The Backstreet Boys' pre-Team Skull names," Plumeria said with a smile.

  "Disnethorpe? Lil' Dizz-" Ian said, the realization hitting him.

  "Yup," Plumeria said, a rare giggle escaping her lips. "Don't go telling Lil' Dizz I told you though."

  "Your secret's safe with me," Ian said. "Why are you so sensitive about it? You got a little crush-"

  "If you finish that sentence I'm dipping you in Salazzle acid," Plumeria said dismissively, upping her pace as the duo came upon Po Town's gate.

  "Hey Plumeria!" Rook's familiar voice called out. "Where you going? Surge's guy is supposed to be here soon."

  "Just taking Ian to the grove," Plumeria said. "I'll see them when they come up."

  "Okay," Rook said, a hint of disapproval in his voice.

  Once outside of the gate, Ian scurried to catch up with Plumeria. "So what's the game plan here?" Ian asked.

  "We find where boss's Ariados is and go exactly where it's not," Plumeria said. "Get your Sawsbuck out here."

  Ian did so, with Sawsbuck prancing about for a moment before it realized where Ian and Plumeria were heading, quickly giving a distressed call and freezing in place, eyes fixated on the grove of trees in front of it. "Sawsbuck chill out, we're just checking something."

  Sawsbuck eyed Ian suspiciously.

  "I don't want to be here either," Ian said, the memory of being pulled up by Ariados' webbing from his lower back still fresh in his mind.

  Plumeria took out a Poke Ball and released a floating, dark purple form with a head and disjointed hands, which Ian recognized as a Haunter. He felt a sudden chill as he realized how large the Ghost Pokemon in front of him was and noticed Sawsbuck was none too happy about Haunter's presence. For being blessed by Tapu Bulu, you sure are timid, Sawsbuck.

  "Haunter, go find Guzma's Ariados and tell me which side of the creek it's on," Plumeria ordered. Haunter bowed submissively before de-manifesting its form.

  "That's a neat trick," Ian commented. Might have to get me a Ghost Type if they can do that. The two waited in silence until Haunter's return, one of its floating hands pointing to the ground.

  "Must be on this side, let's go to the other side then," Plumeria said, leading Ian to the small bridge going over the creek leading under Po Town's wall. A few Team Skull grunts rode by on bikes, greeting Plumeria with a "Big Sis" as they blew by, fishing poles in tow. Plumeria led Ian around the edge of the grove, sticking closely to the road as Sawsbuck and Haunter accompanied them.

  "Alright, let's have a look at this," Plumeria said, taking the lead and heading into the grove. Ian followed right behind, spotting a Spinarak crawling up a tree trunk and instinctively looked to the tree tops, seeing nothing but sunshine coming down. With each step Sawsbuck made, trees rustled and the breeze started to be felt as the random shrubs, grasses, and branches began shifting as sudden, rapid growth began to come over everything within ten to fifteen feet of Sawsbuck. Even the branches in the air way above them began surging with growth. Whatever effect Sawsbuck has must be traveling through the whole tree.

  "Look at that!" Plumeria said in surprise, pointing at a tree that had just entered Sawsbuck's range as fruits expanded from green into a bright yellow, looking like a pear with skin like an orange. "They were maybe halfway mature..." Plumeria remarked. "If Sawsbuck's growing Sitrus Berries that fast, this could damn near be a gold mine."

  "What, really?" Ian asked.

  "Fully ripened Sitrus Berries are used in the top potions and revives," Plumeria said. "I'm sure Doc could get the juicing machine in the Pokemon Center working if we had a reason to actually use it and start making a bunch of these."

  "Nice..." Ian said, watching carefully, still on guard. Seeing all of the plants move so rapidly like this is really freaky. It's like my mind has been trained to be put on guard for any sudden movements, and there's so much going on I'm feeling overstimulated.

  Plumeria gasped. "Look at those Lum Berries!" Plumeria dashed over to a tree Ian couldn't tell was all that special with green, un-ripened fruit. Oh wait, Lum Berries are green aren't they? Plumeria broke one off from a low branch and opened it. "My goodness..." Plumeria said, turning back to Sawsbuck. "This is incredible."

  "But how far along in the growing process were these?" Ian asked.

  "I saw the Sitrus Berry tree was like a third of the way through its growth cycle?" Plumeria said. "Stay here, let me find something at the very beginning of the growth cycle." Plumeria headed off closer to the creek, and Ian turned to Sawsbuck with a big grin.

  "If we can pull this off, Guzma's gonna have to stop calling me 'pizza boy,'" Ian said, giving Sawsbuck an affectionate scratch behind the neck, causing Sawsbuck to mewl happily. This could also be our ticket to getting off the island. A pang of guilt hit him, but he tried to brush it off. Who knows if Tupp ever gets over this tantrum, and the prospect of being at Guzma's whim doesn't seem too great of a long term play. I'm in the Pokemon world, the possibilities are endless-

  "Okay, found one!" Plumeria said, beckoning Ian and Sawsbuck over.

  "Let's see..." Ian said as he tried to put those thoughts to the back of his mind, leading Sawsbuck to the origin of Plumeria's voice. Trees along the periphery began shifting as fruit developed almost instantly, causing branches to creak with extra weight as the breeze danced through the grove.

  Plumeria had her back to Ian and Sawsbuck as they approached, and Ian fixed his attention on the tree Plumeria observed. The fruit suddenly began expanding, turning from a budding green to a hint of yellow as what looked to be a developing lemon with a leaf on top took shape. "Wow, that's impressive..." Plumeria said.

  Ian and Sawsbuck stopped at Plumeria's side. "So how far along would you say that is?"

  "Probably two-thirds," Plumeria said. "If it's possible to get berry harvests done every two days, I think the food problem will fix itself."

  "You think it can keep up like this? Aren't there nutrients needed in the soil for this growth?" Ian asked.

  Plumeria stifled a laugh. "I think Tapu Bulu's blessing is more than enough for whatever's in the ground."

  "I hope so..." Ian said.

  "Let's spread the effect around this side of the creek until Ariados gets here," Plumeria said.

  "Okay..."

  Ian led Sawsbuck around their side of the grove for the next five minutes or so, watching with fascination as Tapu Bulu's blessing worked its wonders on the berry grove.

  "Ian, we gotta go," Plumeria whispered. "Ariados..." Plumeria pointed to the canopy in the direction of the creek, and sure enough, there was the massive spider with red eyes hurrying across branches.

  Sawsbuck gave a panicked cry and began dashing the opposite way, with Ian and Plumeria breaking into a light jog, passing through most of what had already been touched by Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge ability. Upon reaching the road, Sawsbuck still looked very on guard as it scanned the grove's trees.

  "Proof of concept," Plumeria said as she turned back to the grove. "We may have just lucked out after all."

  "Yeah," Ian said, feeling more guilt about his ambition to leave.

  "Oh, there they are," Plumeria said, pointing up the road to an oncoming white van. "Recall Sawsbuck for me, it'll look threatening."

  Ian nodded, seeing Sawsbuck didn't seem too upset about getting protection from Alpha Ariados. Oh yeah, Surge's side has cars. "Why don't we use cars?" Ian asked.

  "No gas for 'em," Plumeria said. "One of Breon's guys infiltrated Po Town and blew up the gas station pretty early on."

  "Where's that?" Ian asked.

  "Next to the water treatment building," Plumeria said, pointing at the wall. "Right on the other side of the wall here actually. No fuel, no cars."

  "Is it weird I haven't seen it?"

  "You've been here, what, five days?" Plumeria asked.

  "Yeah..."

  "In your defense, you've been pretty busy, nearly dying every other day," Plumeria teased.

  "You're not wrong," Ian said, noticing the white van coming to a halt not too far off from them as a feminine figure in khaki short-shorts, a green shirt, and a brown vest got out of the side door. "What's going on there?" Ian asked.

  Plumeria grimaced. "Letting out the Driftwood Guild member, they can't seem too partial." The van pulled up to Ian and Plumeria, stopping and opening the sliding door. "Plumeria?" The driver's masculine voice asked.

  "That's me," Plumeria said joylessly as she hopped into the side of the van. "Head to the other side of the creek Ian," Plumeria ordered before shutting the van's sliding door and the van accelerated down the road.

  She really just got in with the enemy? Must be some diplomatic procedure or something. Ian eyed the creek, remembering Plumeria's order, then eyed the feminine Driftwood Guild member up the road. Maybe I can make a little stop first though. Ian made his way up the road, the driftwood guild member's pink hair becoming visible to him underneath her baseball cap. She gave a wave and a big grin as Ian neared.

  "Hey there random Team Skull guy!" The woman who didn't look much older than Ian said gleefully.

  "Hey there!" Ian called back, giving her a wave as his eyes were drawn to her exposed legs. "You're part of the Driftwood Guild, right?" Ian asked as he got close enough to not have to yell.

  "Yup!" She said energetically before putting her hand over her heart and saying: "'No oaths above the island,' and all that."

  Is that the weird motto Plumeria mentioned they all say? Ian eyed her curiously, seeing her pretty face along with her matching bubble gum pink eyes that would normally weird him out, but something about them seemed so natural compared to the jarring look colored contact lenses gave to people back home. Ian also noticed just above the woman's chest was a twisted badge of intertwined pale wood. Interesting.

  "So what brings you my way, stranger?" She asked.

  "I'm Ian."

  "I'm Neroli," she said, extending her hand, which he shook. "Ian what?" She asked casually.

  "Ian Derry- er... Cougar now, I guess," Ian said. "Guzma gave me a new last name when I joined Team Skull officially."

  "I take it you're new around here?" Neroli asked.

  "Yeah... Plumeria found me outside an Ultra Storm, what, five days ago now I think?" Ian said aloud.

  "You're lucky," Neroli said. "Plumeria's not the biggest fan of the Guild, but the Guild really likes her."

  "Why's that, Neroli?" Ian asked, feeling himself drawn to her.

  "We hold no oaths above the island," Neroli repeated. "We care for the island and its people who are caught up in the crossfire between the factions, which means we have to be truly neutral between each side. Plumeria understandably doesn't like that."

  Ian shrugged. "Fair enough..."

  "So what brings you drifting my way, Ian Cougar?" Neroli asked, almost flirtatiously.

  Ian felt blood rushing to his cheeks. She's true neutral, remember that, this is all a ploy. "I was interested in getting a Poke Ball for a good friend of mine," Ian explained.

  "Hmm, I could do this. Do you have anything to exchange?" Neroli asked.

  "Well, I could give you some berries..." Ian said, remembering Sawsbuck had just made hundreds of berries ripen in the grove right next to them.

  "We're not really looking for those right now. Anything else of value to trade?" Neroli said.

  Ian opened his mouth to speak, but had no words. "Uh... I could get something. What would you want?"

  "Something equivalent to four hundred Pokedollars," Neroli said.

  Aren't they normally two hundred in the games? Oh right, supply and demand, plus delivery logistics. "I don't have anything on me right now, but next time you come by..."

  Neroli shrugged. "Well, you're in luck actually. I'd be willing to trade it for some information..."

  "Strategic?" Ian asked, realizing the implications.

  "We don't want you to betray Po Town or Team Skull," Neroli said with an overly sweet smile. Neroli then leaned in and began to whisper. "This may sound a bit off the wall, but we heard a rumor that a Team Skull member had a Pokemon blessed by Tapu Bulu recently. Any truth to that?"

  Well that sure is lucky. Ian tried to keep a straight face as the decision to reveal himself to someone outside swirled around his mind. My name can't hurt too much, plus they'll probably find out eventually anyways. I owe Tupp too much to get cold feet about this now.

  "Looks like you know something about it," Neroli teased.

  Ian smiled. "Yeah, I'm in luck..." Ian took a slight breath then pointed to himself. "It's me."

  "Really? A Faller like you got Tapu Bulu's blessing?" Neroli asked, not quite believing him.

  "Yeah..."

  Neroli then reached into one of her vest's many pockets and pulled out a Poke Ball in its shrunken state. "Prove it and this Poke Ball is yours, Ian."

  Ian nodded, reaching for Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and pressed the button releasing it, revealing his blessed Sawsbuck to what Ian realized was much more than just the two of them. The grass at the side of the road began shifting upwards as it grew suddenly, with dandelions and other weeds sprouting up as well.

  "?Ike nā maka i ka hana kupanaha a ka kia?i," Neroli speaking quickly in native Alolan, almost in disbelief. "So it's true."

  Ian folded his arms and pointed at the Poke Ball. "So..."

  Neroli smiled. "More than enough proof for me." She presented it to him, and Ian took it, attaching it to one of the grooves in his belt. "A deal well struck, Ian Cougar."

  Ian shook the offered hand once more. "Thank you, Neroli. So if I ever need more stuff in the future, how do I get in contact with you guys?"

  "We'll find you," Neroli said. "When the time is right."

  Something tells me that's a bit more sinister than she's letting on. "Thanks, I hope to see you in the future."

  "Something tells me we will, trainer of the blessed one," Neroli said, her eyes fixating on him.

  Ian nodded, recalling Sawsbuck quickly and walking closer to the grove, debating whether the butterflies in his stomach were from the cute girl who's gaze was now replaying in his mind, or that he essentially made himself known to the island if the Driftwood Guild found the information worth valuable enough. This is for Tupp, remember that. He dismissed his doubts with a sigh and remembered Plumeria's orders from before, heading over to the other side of grove.

  If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  ***

  After an hour of circling through the other bank of the creek, picking some Oran Berries before Alpha Ariados chased them off once more. Ian made his way back to Po Town, going up the road passing the apartments where the Dirtbags mostly lived, and saw the charred remains of Po Town's gas station. He made it in time for lunch, even spotting Tupp ahead in line at The Grill. Now's probably as good a time as any.

  After getting his questionable bowl of mystery meat stew, Ian found Tupp sitting alone.

  "I owe you an apology dude, I left you hanging out to dry in that match," Ian said as he took a seat and put a handful of Oran Berries in front of the grunt.

  Tupp gave Ian an annoyed look and returned to his stew.

  "That's not even saying I owe my life, twice," Ian continued.

  "Nah, just once, and Plumeria was there anyways," Tupp said dejectedly.

  "You tried to play decoy against Surge's goon, just because he didn't take your bait doesn't diminish what you intended," Ian said.

  Tupp loudly slurped the broth from his spoon and returned it to the bowl for more.

  "So, don't ask how I got this, but I got something for you," Ian said, reaching for his belt and grabbing the empty Poke Ball, rolling it to Tupp's bowl and bouncing it off. "That's yours."

  Tupp grimaced, flicking the Poke Ball back to Ian. "It ain't even about that, yo."

  "Then what's it about? Me being an obnoxious prick?" Ian asked. "Cuz I definitely have been recently."

  Tupp rolled his eyes. "Nah, we all are here. Even if I had another Pokemon, it wouldn't matter. Guzma ain't letting me get more Pokemon cuz I ain't strong enough."

  "If anything, getting another Pokemon can help you learn to get stronger," Ian said, trying to not talk about himself.

  "It'll just get the shit beat out of it like Golbat in our double battle," Tupp said. "Like what always happens with Golbat."

  Gotta tread lightly here. "Golbat is pretty fragile, it's not supposed to get in close like that," Ian explained.

  "Then what's it supposed to do?" Tupp questioned.

  "Confuse and poison the opponent from range, and use its speed to whittle the opponent down, then go in for the final blow with its fangs," Ian said.

  "That sounds like the way a lil' bitch fights," Tupp said. "Guzma ain't about that shit."

  "Do you think Guzma uses his Ariados to tackle its opponents right off the bat?" Ian asked. "He probably uses webs and poison to debilitate the enemy-"

  "You ain't even know how Guzma fights, yo," Tupp said.

  "Golbats usually are out at night and in caves, their enemies are in the dark while it can see. It's fast and just harasses from range..." Ian explained.

  Tupp shook his head. "I ain't fighting like no lil' bitch yo," Tupp said, taking his bowl and leaving the table.

  Ian sighed in frustration and returned to his lukewarm stew, making sure to keep the Poke Ball with him. Great job.

  When Ian finished up and started making his way to Backstreet to do some training, he heard Plumeria's familiar scream. "Hey dumbass, Ultra Storm's forming! Get Rapp from the Pokemon Center and get to the gate in five minutes!"

  Ian gave Plumeria a thumbs up and turned to the entrance. He strolled down The Spine, entering the Pokemon Center and seeing Rapp helping someone behind the counter. "Hey Rapp, Ultra Storm's forming! Plumeria wants us at the gate in like three minutes!" Ian called as he got closer.

  Rapp groaned, trying to flag someone else down and giving them what appeared to be instructions before hopping onto the counter top and sliding across, making her way to Ian holding a Poke Ball up. "Plumeria got me this today."

  "Nice!" Ian said, not sure if he should present his own Poke Ball. Maybe I can just say I got it in the Ultra Storm. If a Star Piece and a potted plant can appear in one, why can't a Poke Ball?

  "So keep an eye out for any Pokemon that can do some healing," Rapp said. "Doc wants me to get another healer besides Comfey, speaking of..." Rapp released her floating flower necklace Pokemon and it twirled in midair, coming to a rest on Rapp's shoulders like a lei.

  "What about what you want?" Ian asked.

  Rapp shrugged. "You know, I like working here when I'm not with Plumeria's squad."

  "That's cool..."

  "When I was going to school in Tapu Village..." Rapp began.

  Tapu Village? That was like a Pokemon Center at the base of Mount Lanakila was, right? Kind of where Haina Town is here?

  "...we'd do career day every year, but cuz we were Tapu Village kids, the only person who'd show up was the nurse from the local Pokemon Center. She'd always bring a cute lil' Pokemon too, I looked forward to it every year..." Rapp explained.

  "What's wrong about Tapu Village?" Ian asked.

  Rapp snorted. "That part of Haina Town's only got trailer parks and apartment complexes. Don't even got a grocery store cuz everything'd get stolen."

  I guess even Alola has to have ghetto neighborhoods. "It's still cool she'd do that every year."

  Rapp nodded. "Yup. When I was in first grade and I saw her for the first time, I told her I wanted to be a nurse just like her. My teacher got in the way saying there was no way I'd do that, way I was acting, but the nurse found me after class and asked me my name and told me: 'Seraphina, you can do anything you put your mind to,'" Rapp said, fading her rough accent for a higher class one.

  Rapp's real name is Seraphina? Never would have guessed that. "That's awfully sweet of her," Ian said.

  "Yup! Tupp and I didn't stop being troublemakers cuz like, fuck them teachers, but the nurse would come in every year on career day and would remember my name," Rapp explained.

  "I take it you want to be a nurse one day?" Ian asked.

  "Hell nah, you know how much school I gotta go through for that shit?" Rapp said in frustration before giving out a sigh. "Working the Pokemon Center's on the days off is cool though. Plus if someone ever gets hurt while we out, I can help. Ain't no one like Doc, but I can keep a Pokemon going long enough to get to her... I think."

  "That's a good way of looking at it," Ian said, the duo coming upon the gate, seeing Hyde and Selene chit-chatting casually sitting on bikes.

  "Rapp, I see you're getting the newbie all hyped up for the Ultra Storm," Selene greeted.

  "Nah, it's really only interesting when we go peek inside. Even then we never do shit in them," Rapp said.

  "Mine was pretty chaotic, probably best to keep a safe distance," Ian added.

  "Pussy," Hyde sneered.

  "Thanks Hyde, very helpful," Ian fired back, to which Hyde wrinkled his nose.

  "Alright listen up!" Plumeria barked from behind the group. "Our resident newbie who's got a death wish sold Guzma on the idea of there being treasure or some shit in the Ultra Storms, so for this one we have to go inside and stay inside, looking for stuff as long as we can," Plumeria said, looking at Ian with her arms folded. "Everyone say 'thanks Ian.'"

  "Thanks Ian!" Rapp and Selene chorused together sarcastically, going into a fit of giggles.

  "Ian, we need to pick up some berries on the way so we can pass through the meadow. I take it Sawsbuck's good to go?" Plumeria explained.

  "Yeah, Sawsbuck's fine-"

  "Good. It looks like it's just south of the Akua Jungle so we got some riding to do," Plumeria said, turning to leave but hesitated and turned back to Ian. "Remember, no funny business or you're off my squad, got it?"

  Ian gulped out of fear involuntarily. "No funny business..."

  ***

  The ride down The Straightaway dragged on for what felt like forever. Selene and Rapp led the way, chatting about whatever, with Hyde and Plumeria in the talking somewhat seriously at times, and Tupp managed to always trail Ian no matter how much Ian tried to slow down to talk. Well this sucks.

  When trees started emerging on the horizon Ian figured they were close. The Akua Jungle? That was never in the games... But there were a bunch of tropical trees around the Ula'Ula Meadow, this might be that.

  Looking beyond the trees, Ian noticed a shimmering white substance well in this distance. "What's that?" Ian asked.

  "That's where we're headed, the Ultra Storm," Plumeria said. "It's still forming."

  "Gotcha..." Ian said.

  Plumeria and the group continued on until they got a fork in the road, with the paved road continuing on while a dirt road led into a scattering of trees with the jungle looming in the background. Plumeria took a dirt road splitting off, seemingly going deeper into the trees. When they came upon what Ian realized was a dirt parking lot that hadn't been used in months, Plumeria put her hand up, signaling them to dismount and put their bikes in hiding places. Once Ian put his in a bush close to Plumeria's, Ian noticed a wooden cabin on the other side of the parking lot sheltered underneath the trees around it. "What's that?"

  "Old ranger office," Plumeria said. "Hasn't been used since the ASF pulled out of most of the island."

  "Alolan Security Forces," Ian repeated to himself, remembering what the acronym stood for. If for some reason I ever need to dip from Po Town, this seems like a good first stop.

  "See any berry trees around here?" Plumeria called to the rest of the team.

  "I think I got one here," Rapp said, pointing to a tree off to the side by the cabin.

  "Get Sawsbuck out, we're going to need those berries as tribute," Plumeria ordered quickly.

  Tribute? Ian grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released his majestic stag, still in its spring form with pink cherry blossom on its antlers. The greenery surrounding them shifted ever so slightly as plants began flowering, and berry trees surged with growth, the branches becoming adorned with color as they creaked and expanded suddenly as Ian got around the corner of the rangers' cabin.

  "I know I've seen it already, but it sure is amazing," Selene said in awe.

  Ian caught Tupp glaring at him and grimaced. C'mon man, you know I'm not trying to go after your crush.

  "A'ight, these should be good," Rapp said, picking a few ripened Leppa Berries from a low hanging branch and presenting them to Plumeria.

  "The Oricorio should be okay with that tribute," Plumeria said.

  Oricorio? Tribute? Ian shook his head as he figured he'd learn the answer soon enough. He noticed a metal gate covering a dirt path coming from behind the cabin and got closer to examine it.

  "Hey Ian, don't go down there!" Plumeria barked harshly. "That way leads to the Lake of the Sunne."

  Oh yeah, the Lake of the Sunne was accessible from one side of the meadow. "Gotcha," Ian said, stepping away from the gate.

  Plumeria led the way along a hiking path to a good half mile into the now very dense jungle. Ian heard the sounds of wildlife, even the distinct call of a Yungoos or song of a Pikipek from time to time as the group made their way through. After coming around a bend in the trail, a tall wooden structure loomed up ahead. So this must be the Ula'Ula Meadow. The raised, wooden walkway from the games came to his mind, along with the dark green of the tall grass the walkway towered over. As the group got a couple dozen feet from the stairway, Plumeria held up her hand.

  "You got those berries, Rapp?" Plumeria asked.

  Plumeria led the group carefully to the wooden stair to the raised walkway platform and held her hand up to signal the group to stop, then lowered her hand slowly, making the rest of the group kneel. Ian joined in and looked over the group, seeing everyone had their eyes on the meadow's tall grass intensely, an eerie calm coming over the party. Suddenly a sound like a crackling flame broke the serenity of the meadow, then it repeated, this time far louder, and seconds later louder still. The tall grass rustled as the crackling sound became like a rhythmic beat, and a sound like the cross between a small bird's morning song and a flute pierced the air. The rhythm of crackling fire alternated with the song in what Ian could tell was an important chant. He looked around to see what the rest of the party was doing, and everyone had their heads lowered, except for Hyde who just continued glaring at Ian, like he must have been doing for some time. This guy better have some deep ass trauma with Unovans to be this much of a prick.

  The chant picked up as multiple small red birds shot up from the tall grass, which Ian recalled were Oricorio. Some Oricorio got on the stairs and took positions while others floated without flapping their wings around the tips of the top of the tall grass in complete opposition to Ian's concept of gravity. Remember, they're pokemon. Physics don't really apply to them. A larger Oricorio, this one's feathers a slightly more vibrant red than the others, took center position atop the wooden stair as it inspected the group with eyes, Ian noted, that weren't glowing red like the Alpha Nidoking from the Ultra Storm or Ariados in the grove.

  "Rapp, now," Plumeria hissed under her breath.

  Rapp kept her head lowered, and as Ian followed her, he noticed her pants fit perfectly on her rear, his gaze lingering longer than he thought. He averted his eyes, and out of his peripheral vision, Ian saw Rapp darting back to the group, head still lowered. The crackling rhythm increased in speed with the Oricorios' song becoming louder, more ominous.

  Ian felt his own heartbeat matching pace with the crackling beat and gulped nervously once more. The seeming head Oricorio atop the wooden stairway cried out a shrill, piercing note, silencing the rest of the sound. It floated weightlessly down to the ground in front of the steps and gave the pile of Leppa Berries a curious glance. It dipped its beak into the pile and withdrew, turning around to its fellow Oricorio. It gave a short shrill and took off quickly, this time flapping its wings. This set off a frenzy where more red Oricorio darted out of the brush, taking portions of the berry pile before there was nothing left.

  Plumeria gave a relieved sigh and Ian's shoulders relaxed. Plumeria was the first to get off her knees, and the rest of the party quickly followed suit. "That was gnarly," Ian said as he stepped onto the raised, wooden walkway.

  "Right?" Selene asked. "Once things broke down and people stopped coming here, the Oricorio got all protective and stuff. We have to do this offering thing whenever we cross the meadow to get to Ultra Storms now."

  "I see..." Ian said. Wait, if they don't really look into the Ultra Storms and just go to them, why are we doing this in the first place? Ian debated speaking up, but the happy songs of the Oricorio chirping deterred him as they crossed. It was a good half a mile before the raised platform ended and they returned to thick jungle encroaching upon their walking trail.

  The trees finally started to give way, and Ian gazed upon a dome of sparkling, translucent white. "Wow..." Ian said in amazement. There were a few trees and a boulder scattered throughout the burgeoning Ultra Storm's borders, but it was mostly flat with grass.

  "Hey asshole, maybe you can go back where you came from if you get in there," Hyde taunted.

  "Nah, I'd rather stay here and annoy the fuck out of you," Ian retorted. "You're making it too fun, dude."

  Hyde snorted but remained silent.

  "Alright, here's the game plan," Plumeria announced loudly. "Ian and Selene, you two and your Sawsbuck and Arcanine go around the perimeter and look for anything valuable that gets dropped. Go out of the barrier if something too dangerous is in your path."

  "The Alpha, you mean?" Ian asked.

  "Shush, Death Wish," Selene teased as Ian realized her new nickname for him.

  "So once you two have gone around the perimeter, we'll all march in closer to the center. We should have some time to poke around," Plumeria said. "If we do it quickly enough, we can bounce before the Alpha shows up, that's the goal. Got it?"

  "Yes indeed," Ian said with a nod as the rest of the group responded in their own way.

  "Let's get our Pokemon out, Ultra Storm should be popping soon," Plumeria said, reaching for her Poke Ball and sending out a huge, multi-colored, sludgy form with teeth. Ian crinkled his nose as he watched the constant flowing of the multi-colored blob of sludge caught his eye. Alolan Muk smells just like I figured it would.

  Next came Selene's Arcanine, a majestic bright orange and black striped fur coat with cream colored tufts of fur coating its tail, also serving as a mane. It gave a playful howl and began licking Selene affectionately.

  "Ian..." Plumeria said expectantly.

  "Right," Ian said, grabbing Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and releasing his blessed stag. Upon manifesting, Sawsbuck yelped in a panic at the sight of Arcanine, dashing away from the group. "Sawsbuck, come on, chill out..." Ian started.

  Selene's Arcanine gave another playful yelp and leapt in front of Ian with ease before pursuing Sawsbuck. "Arcanine, no! No play right now!" Selene called back.

  Sawsbuck gave another panicked cry as the fire breathing tiger chased after it for a moment before Arcanine turned around dashed elegantly back to Selene. Ian sighed, realizing he'd have to go comfort his skittish Pokemon.

  "Wow, some blessed Pokemon that is," Hyde chimed.

  Ian rolled his eyes and jogged to Sawsbuck, cursing Hyde as he did.