Chapter 54: Heading to Alola, Battle against Olivia
After two days in Pallet Town, Ryan and his companions boarded a charter flight and arrived at Alola's Aether Paradise.
Lusamine personally served as their tour guide, showing them around the massive Aether Paradise facility. It truly was impressive—an entire artificial island dedicated to the Aether Foundation, demonstrating the immense wealth of Lillie's family.
It was already late autumn, and Ryan planned to spend the entire winter in Alola. Next spring, he and Ash would challenge the Johto League Silver Conference together.
This would give Ryan plenty of time to train his Charizard and potentially encounter Tapu Bulu, the Guardian Deity of Ula'ula Island.
After a day at Aether Paradise, Ryan asked his future mother-in-law for some Ultra Balls. While he could purchase them elsewhere, why not accept them as a gift? Rare Pokémon still occasionally appeared throughout the Alola region, and Ryan was interested in capturing a few for his research.
Besides, Lusamine was deeply invested in Pokémon conservation herself, so even if he didn't encounter any rare species, he could still contribute to her foundation's efforts. Lusamine had great confidence in Ryan's abilities, so she provided him with thirty high-quality Ultra Balls.
After saying farewell to Lusamine and Gladion, Ryan and the others returned to the Pokémon School, accompanied by Principal Oak and Professor Kukui. Lillie had taken extended leave to travel, and now needed to catch up on her studies. Fortunately, her true passion was research, and she was a genuine academic prodigy, so there was no concern about her academic performance.
However, Lillie still had another year before graduating from the Pokémon School, so she couldn't accompany Ryan on his upcoming journey to Johto.
Ryan understood completely. After staying at Professor Samson Oak's residence for several days, he caught various regional Pokémon and sent them back to Professor Oak in Kanto. Then he took a ferry to Akala Island.
This time, Ryan had left most of his main team at the Oak Laboratory, bringing only 3 pokemon with him.
Mewtwo, for reasons unknown, had decided to remain behind for some personal project. He didn't explain his intentions to Ryan, and Ryan didn't press the issue. He simply told Mewtwo to contact him if any trouble arose, and that he could bring Ryan's full team if necessary. Mewtwo agreed.
The ferry bypassed Heahea City and sailed directly to Konikoni City. From the deck, Ryan could see Konikoni's iconic lighthouse gleaming in the distance—a landmark visible from throughout the area.
After all, the two cities were separated only by water and connected by underground tunnels, making transportation very convenient. Ryan had come to Konikoni City specifically to find Olivia. As the Island Kahuna, if he wanted to challenge Tapu Bulu, he needed her permission first. Otherwise, if he attempted it without authorization, Olivia would likely pursue him relentlessly, and there was a good chance the other three Guardian Deities would join her.
After all, the four Tapu were the sacred protectors of Alola's four islands, and they weren't just individual entities—they were likely the only four of their kind. Unlike legendary birds like Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, or forest guardians like Celebi, who existed in multiple numbers across different regions, challenging just one Tapu could provoke them all.
"Absolutely not! How could you possibly consider challenging Tapu Bulu? Even if you had the strength to face Tapu Bulu, do you think the other Guardian Deities would allow it?" Olivia shouted.
"Okay, okay, I get it. I won't try to catch it, but I can at least battle it, right?" Ryan said, rubbing his ear.
On his way to Konikoni City, Ryan had asked locals for directions to Olivia's jewelry shop. With their enthusiastic guidance, he found her without difficulty.
Olivia was delighted to see Ryan and overjoyed to hear he'd won the Indigo League Championship. But when she learned that Ryan was planning to challenge Tapu Bulu, her expression immediately darkened. She poked Ryan's forehead with her finger and began lecturing him sternly.
"Really?" Olivia looked skeptical. She found it hard to believe Ryan was serious about battling a Guardian Deity.
"I'm completely serious," Ryan said earnestly. While it was disappointing he couldn't attempt to capture Tapu Bulu, Charizard's need for a rematch was still valid. At the very least, Tapu Bulu needed to learn that strength shouldn't be used to bully the weak.
"Fine. Battle me first. If you win, I'll take you to the Ruins of Abundance and give you the Rockium Z-Crystal. If you lose, you need to seriously reconsider your decision," Olivia declared. "Even if you want to challenge Tapu Bulu, I'll be supervising the entire time."
"Alright. Where should we battle?" Ryan asked casually.
Honestly, this was his first time facing an Island Kahuna, so it was difficult to predict the outcome. While he talked confidently about challenging a Guardian Deity, part of it was just self-motivation to build his confidence.
"Let's go to the Ruins of Abundance," Olivia said. "Tapu Bulu won't always be there, but battling nearby will definitely attract its attention."
That made perfect sense. No wonder the Alolan people traditionally offered Pokémon battles as tributes to these guardians. These four deities were, honestly speaking, battle enthusiasts with an intense interest in combat.
Olivia instructed her shop assistant to mind the store while she led Ryan through dense jungle paths to the entrance of the Ruins of Abundance. However, Olivia didn't take Ryan inside the actual ruins. According to her explanation, entering the ruins was a sacred trial for those seeking to become Island Kahunas. Only those who entered the ruins and gained the Guardian Deity's approval could assume this position. Simply put, Ryan was an outsider with no right to enter unless he established permanent residence in Alola.
Ryan said nothing and released his Charizard.
Olivia glanced at Charizard approvingly and said, "You've trained it well. No wonder you won the championship. But don't underestimate me—I'm an Island Kahuna! Probopass, let's go!"
"Probopass, Thunder Wave!" Olivia commanded.
"End this quickly! Mega Charizard X!" Ryan called out as he and Charizard initiated Mega Evolution just as Olivia sent out her Probopass.
"So this is Charizard's Mega Evolution? It looks incredibly powerful," Olivia observed. "But don't underestimate my Probopass! Use Discharge!"
After Mega Evolution, Mega Charizard X's ability became Tough Claws, enhancing all contact-based moves. Mega Charizard X converted its Fire Punch into devastating flame-enhanced claws—equally powerful, just in a different form.
The black-scaled dragon became a blur of dark motion, its brilliant blue flame claws instantly striking Probopass and sending it crashing to the ground, though it remained conscious.
"Sturdy ability? That won't help you. Mega Charizard X, Dragon Claw!" Ryan declared.
As Ryan predicted, the follow-up Dragon Claw connected solidly, knocking Probopass out of the battle.
Olivia reluctantly recalled Probopass and admitted, "You're truly formidable! No wonder you won the championship."
Ryan scratched his chin modestly, unable to deny the compliment.
New Technique Acquired: Blaze Claw Combo A rapid-fire series of flame-enhanced claw attacks inspired by fighting game mechanics. Creates a continuous barrage that leaves opponents unable to counterattack. Cost: 100,000 Battle Points
(End of Chapter)
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