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

Chapter 14: Meadow Nectar

Aina's Kitchen smelled like herbs, broth, and something that made Pikachu's fur prickle before the stew even reached the table. Mallow stood beside the pot with a proud smile, while her father watched from near the counter with the careful expression of someone who loved his daughter enough to fear her confidence.

Mallow clasped her hands. "Everyone, thank you for coming. Today, Aina's Kitchen is testing a forgotten recipe that I want to make into our new signature dish."

Kiawe leaned closer to the bowl in front of him. "It smells strong."

Lana tilted her head. "Strong can be good."

I noticed Pikachu sitting very straight beside me. He looked at the pot, then at Mallow, then at me, and his cheeks gave one nervous spark.

Pikachu pressed his paws together. "The food remembers electricity, and I do not trust that memory."

Lillie heard the meaning and slowly lowered her spoon. "Mallow, did Pikachu help with this recipe?"

Mallow laughed a little too brightly. "Only as a finishing touch."

Everyone took a careful bite. A second later, sparks jumped through the table, and nearly everyone jolted in their seats. Trenor and I managed to stay steady because of the Earth Plate's protection, but even Trenor looked concerned when he tried the stew after setting the plate aside.

I leaned toward Lillie. "Are you okay?"

Lillie's hair was slightly puffed from the shock. "I believe the aftertaste is still happening."

Lana blinked slowly and set her spoon down. "That was definitely shocking."

Nate stared at his spoon. "That tasted almost exactly like being hit by Pikachu's Thunderbolt."

Pikachu looked wounded by the comparison. "My Thunderbolt has better aim."

Mallow winced, then bowed her head. "I tried adding Thunderbolt to the stew because the cookbook said Yellow Nectar gave it a tingling aftertaste. Maybe that was a bit too much."

Rosa set down her spoon with great care. "What exactly is this stew supposed to be?"

Mallow's father stepped forward, wiping his hands on his apron. "Mystical Alola Stew was once prepared for festivals and ceremonies. Over time, the dish was forgotten, but Mallow's brother found old notes and wrote a cookbook before leaving on his own culinary journey."

Mallow held the worn cookbook close. "The recipe says Yellow Nectar from Melemele Meadow is the key. There is not much nectar available this season, so I tried to finish the flavor another way."

Kiawe folded his arms. "With Thunderbolt."

Mallow sighed. "I know. It sounded better before everyone tasted it."

Lillie smiled gently despite her still-tingling fingers. "Then we should help you find the real Yellow Nectar."

Mallow looked up quickly. "You would do that?"

"Of course," I said. "A recipe about Alola should taste like Alola, not like Pikachu was asked to season it."

Pikachu nodded with serious dignity. "I prefer not being used as soup spice."

Mallow opened the cookbook to the recipe page while her father described the stew's history. The writing looked old even though the book itself was newer, as if her brother had copied notes from something older and then added his own careful explanations in the margins.

"There are comments here about the nectar's strength," Lillie said, reading over Mallow's shoulder. "It says the flavor should be bright, not painful."

Mallow covered her face with both hands. "That means I did the exact opposite."