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

Chapter 25: Brooklet Hill Trial

The Pokémon Center on Route 5 felt calmer than the road outside, but Lana had turned one corner table into a careful fishing station. Several Super Rods lay across a towel, their reels open while she checked the line, adjusted hooks, and worked with the patience of someone who treated fishing equipment like trusted partners.

I leaned closer, watching her tighten one piece with careful fingers. "Lana, what are you doing with that rod?"

"Just a little maintenance," Lana said, not looking up. "If we are going to Brooklet Hill, I want the rods ready. I may reel in something amazing."

"Something amazing?" Trenor asked from beside me.

Lana's eyes gleamed with perfect seriousness. "Maybe even a Mega Gyarados."

"A Mega Gyarados?" I blurted in surprise.

Trenor stared at the rod like it had become a Legendary lure. "I did not know you could catch one like that."

Lillie gave Lana a knowing look. "You cannot find a wild Mega Gyarados by fishing."

Lana smiled faintly, her calm face making the joke even worse. "Just kidding, probably."

Nate closed his notebook halfway, as if deciding whether the joke deserved documentation. "Brooklet Hill is a good fishing spot, though. If someone wanted to tell impossible fishing stories, this would be the place."

Olivia entered before Lana could invent a second one. She looked between the rods, Lana's calm expression, and the rest of us gathered nearby. Her smile carried the same weight it had during the Paniola treasure hunt, the kind that usually meant Akala was about to ask something serious.

"So you are planning to fish at Brooklet Hill," Olivia said. "There are rumors of enormous Totem Pokémon dwelling in the lake there. Lana, would you be interested in becoming the Trial Captain for that place?"

Lana's eyes widened, and for once her quiet calm cracked into open excitement. "Totem Pokémon? Absolutely."

Olivia nodded. "You discovered your Sparkling Stone yesterday, and I promised to help shape your Z-Ring. If you step into this role well, I will also give you a Z-Crystal worthy of that new path."

Popplio bounced beside Lana's feet, its eyes shining with pride, its meaning clear, "The water is calling us forward."

Lana had always loved the sea, but this was different from a fishing trip or a school lesson. Trial Captain was a title that carried responsibility. It meant guiding challengers, protecting the Pokémon of the trial site, and proving that her quiet jokes did not hide uncertainty when a real test began.

Lana looked down at Popplio and smiled. "Then we will answer it."

Mallow stretched her arms and looked toward Kiawe. "I promised to test some Paniola ingredients while we are nearby, so I am heading back to Kiawe's place."

Sophocles lifted one hand. "I will go too. Someone needs to measure whether the food testing becomes scientifically dangerous."

Selene glanced between Lana and Mallow before choosing with a thoughtful nod. "I will help with the food testing today. Lana, good luck with your first trial."

Lana gave her a calm wave. "I will try not to summon Kyogre by accident."

"Please do not," Lillie said quickly.

We left the Pokémon Center with Lana, Olivia, Kiawe, Trenor, Nate, Rosa, Lillie, Professor Kukui, and our Pokémon. The path toward Brooklet Hill grew wetter as we moved, the air carrying the scent of rain even before clouds gathered. Water ran in thin lines along stones, and every pool seemed to be listening.