The Alola region does not have Gyms. Instead, it follows a traditional ritual known as the Island Challenge.
The Island Challenge involves challengers traveling across four islands, overcoming various trials led by Captains, and finally facing the Island King or Island Queen in a decisive Grand Trial. Once they pass, the challenge for that island is considered complete. Of course, it is also understood that the Island Kings and Queens hold back their full strength—this is a test, not an execution.
Iki Town is known as a place where people give thanks to Pokémon. It is a town that strictly observes ancient traditions, and its residents are closely tied to Tapu Koko. It is also where Hala, the Island King of Melemele Island, conducts his Grand Trials.
Today, Iki Town was exceptionally lively. After a long wait, a challenger had finally arrived to face Hala's Grand Trial!
A massive crowd of townspeople gathered around the festival stage in the center of town, all eager to witness whether this Grand Trial would end in success. The stage was normally used for ceremonies honoring Tapu Koko, but it served as the battleground for Grand Trials as well.
Hala—a stout man with snow-white hair and beard, wearing a large yellow coat—stood on the stage. He watched the girl walking up to face him.
"Selene, are you ready?"
"Of course! Come on, old man! I'm going to win!"
Adjusting her precious flowered straw hat, the bright-eyed girl flashed a wide smile. Her expression was a mix of excitement and sharp focus.
"Hehehe… What a marvelous look."
Feeling the girl's overflowing fighting spirit, Hala chuckled under his breath. As the Island King of Melemele—and the eldest Island King in Alola—he was delighted to see a trainer like Selene: talented, straightforward, and fearless. This child… was far more impressive than his own grandson.
"Then let me, Island King Hala, guide you personally! Challenger!"
Hala's aura shifted in an instant. He raised his right hand toward Selene, his presence suddenly dignified and solemn. Even if she was talented, she would still have to defeat him here to continue her journey.
The Grand Trial against Island King Hala of Melemele Island had officially begun!
Hala was naturally holding back. After all, he was a veteran trainer at an Elite Four level. In official records, he would eventually be recognized as one of Alola's Elite Four members—proof enough of his strength. This was only a Grand Trial; he had no intention of going all-out against a rookie who had only recently begun her travels.
Even so, defeating Hala was no simple task.
However, Selene was no ordinary trainer.
The surrounding crowd watched the fierce battle on the stage with growing excitement. When Selene's Dragonair defeated Hala's Makuhita, the town erupted into thunderous cheers.
"Selene really is… monstrous."
In the crowd, Kukui stood with his arms crossed, unable to hide his admiration. "Monstrous" was, of course, a compliment. No matter how he looked at it, this girl who had moved from Kanto was simply stunning.
Her battle experience grew at an unbelievable pace. Her talent for nurturing Pokémon was exceptional. And her instincts in a fight were sharp—almost animal-like. It made Kukui feel strangely humble. He had considered himself a genius trainer in his youth, but compared to Selene now, he couldn't help feeling he'd been fairly average back then.
Just look at her—how long has it even been? And she's already reached this level.
"Yes, Selene is truly amazing," Lillie said softly beside him, her face carrying a gentle smile.
"With juniors like this," Kukui said, voice full of pride and hope, "Alola is destined to rise!"
Selene was originally from Kanto—so what? She had moved to Alola; that meant she was Alolan now. Kukui was confident that once Selene fully matured, this "monster" would make the whole world take notice.
It was said that in the Galar region, the Unbeatable Champion Leon was at his peak from the moment he debuted, defeating every opponent to become Champion. But now Alola had its own rising talent, Selene—and she would certainly be no less than Leon.
"Huh? Nebby! Don't run off, Nebby!"
Lillie had been watching the battle intently when she suddenly noticed her bag moving. The mischievous Nebby had crawled out again. After looking left and right, it seemed to spot something interesting and began drifting away unsteadily.
Panicking, Lillie immediately chased after it. Because of the Grand Trial, there were far too many people around, and she was terrified Nebby would get lost.
"Excuse me—sorry—please let me through! Nebby! Nebby, where are you?"
By the time Lillie squeezed through the crowd, she realized she'd lost sight of the little Pokémon. She let out a tired sigh—she was, unfortunately, used to this by now—and began searching nearby. Based on Nebby's habits, it wouldn't go too far.
Usually.
Lillie scanned the area. Then her eyes landed on a tree not far away—and she froze.
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell across Damian standing beneath them. He was focused on something in front of him, and the warm light softened his profile. His dark eyes caught the glow of the late day, and the smile on his lips made the scene feel strangely quiet.
He lifted his hand, a pink piece of candy between his fingers, feeding the small creature hovering in front of him.
Lillie stared—at Damian, and at Nebby.
Even though the crowd behind her was loud, she felt as if the noise had faded away for a moment. The scene was so calm, so natural, it left her slightly dazed.
"What a coincidence. We meet again."
Damian noticed the girl in white standing nearby. He straightened and greeted her with an easy smile.
"Mo~ Mo~"
Seeing Damian's attention shift away, Nebby floated in front of him and acted spoiled, as if dissatisfied.
"Alright, alright. A little scratch for you."
Damian's smile deepened as he gently pinched Nebby's small face and fed it another piece of candy.
"Beautiful young lady," he added, an eyebrow lifting, "do you not recognize me?"
Seeing Lillie's blank expression, Damian couldn't help teasing her lightly.
"Ah… I'm sorry. I just got lost in thought," Lillie said as she snapped back to reality. Her cheeks flushed as she lowered her head in embarrassment. She'd been so rude—staring like that. And for him to call her beautiful…
"It's fine." Damian's tone stayed relaxed. "I didn't expect such a coincidence either. I came to watch the Grand Trial and ended up running into you again." He glanced back at Nebby, amusement returning. "This little one is just as energetic as last time."
"Yes… Nebby has a lot of energy." Lillie steadied herself, her composure returning. She looked at Nebby clinging to him, her expression turning slightly strange. "But it seems it really likes you."
Come to think of it, Damian had mentioned last time that his "ability" made him quite popular with Pokémon.