1. Ash's Story (Part 9: Alola)

Chapter 13: Verdant Trial

Verdant Cavern waited beyond the Pokémon Center like a dark mouth in the cliff, and the air around it felt cooler than the Route 2 sunlight behind us. Ilima stood near the entrance with his hands folded neatly, looking calm enough to make the cave seem even more serious.

Ilima bowed with elegant precision. "Greetings. Captain Ilima here. My trial begins mere steps from here in Verdant Cavern."

Lillie held Nebby's bag closer, though Nebby stayed still for once. Pikachu's tail brushed my shoulder, and I felt his steady excitement through the small spark that ran along his fur.

Ilima gestured toward the cavern. "The Pokémon living within Verdant Cavern are quite fierce. I would not venture in unless you have prepared Potions and other supplies. Through trials, one can exceed one's own limits. That is what the people of Alola believe."

I looked at Lillie, and she nodded. We had faced danger before, but this was Alola's road. If we treated it like only another battle, we would miss what the island was asking from us.

Ilima's smile became firmer. "Once you enter Verdant Cavern, you will not be able to leave until you have completed the trial. Are you prepared?"

"We are ready," I said.

Lillie took a breath. "We will do our best."

Ilima stepped aside. "Then allow me to formally welcome you to Verdant Cavern."

Ilima gave us one final chance to check our supplies. Lillie counted Potions with careful fingers, while I checked the Poké Balls I would not be allowed to use until the trial ended. The rule felt unusual after so many journeys, yet I respected it. Verdant Cavern was not a normal route, and the Pokémon inside were part of the test.

Crabrawler's Poké Ball shook once at my belt, impatient even before the trial began. I rested a hand against it. "Not every challenge starts with punching. Watch first, then we decide."

The ball settled, but I could almost feel its stubborn answer. "Watching counts only if someone is ready to act."

That sounded like Crabrawler already understood Alola better than most people would expect. The Berry Fields had taught it to stand guard, and Verdant Cavern was about to teach all of us how easily protection could turn into pressure if we moved without listening.

The cave swallowed the sunlight slowly as we entered. Pale stone walls curved around us, marked by holes, roots, and den openings. The air carried dust, mineral scent, and the restless scrape of Pokémon moving deeper inside.

Ilima stood where the path widened. "Your goal is to defeat four Pokémon that lurk in their dens. After that, you must reach the pedestal deep within the cave and collect the Z-Crystal there. To succeed, you must be completely in sync with your Pokémon."

A Yungoos darted across the path chasing an Alolan Rattata into a den, and both vanished before anyone could react. From another hole, a tiny shape with three shining hairs popped up, stared at us, and disappeared again.

Selene blinked. "Was that a Diglett?"

Before I could answer, the ground beside my foot trembled. The same Alolan Diglett popped up again, its metallic whiskers wobbling sharply before it ducked away into another hole.

Pikachu crouched lower. "The ground is talking, and that little one keeps answering."

Ilima noticed my expression. "By the way, there is one more important rule. Until you clear the trial, you will not be able to catch Pokémon in Verdant Cavern."

I nodded, keeping my hand away from my Poké Balls. "Then we will only observe for now."

Ilima's tone turned solemn. "One more thing. A Totem Pokémon resides here, stronger than the others. It will be the greatest obstacle you face in this trial."