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

Chapter 28: Royal Fire

The Sudowoodo wall stood in our way like a stubborn row of trees that had forgotten they were not trees at all. After Brooklet Hill, the path back toward Route 6 felt brighter, but the road itself refused to open. The Sudowoodo trembled whenever we came near, pretending to be plants with all the determination of Pokémon who knew exactly what Water-type power meant.

Milotic rested beside me, elegant even on the dusty road. The Waterium Z in my Z-Power Ring caught the sunlight, and I felt the memory of Brooklet Hill's rain, Lapras's shell, and Lana's wave-like pose settle into my body.

"Milotic, let's do this!"

Milotic lifted its head, its meaning calm and flowing, "The road is blocked. The water will guide it open."

I performed the Water-type pose, letting my arms move like a rising current. Waterium Z shone, and Milotic answered with a spiral of blue energy that turned the air damp around us.

"Witness our true power! Hydro Vortex!"

A massive wave rose behind Milotic, curving around us without touching the group. The water spun tighter and tighter, becoming a roaring vortex that surged toward the Sudowoodo wall. The Sudowoodo shrieked in panic, their disguise collapsing as they scattered down the road and leapt away from the water with surprising speed.

Nate stared at the fading spray. "So that is the Water-type Z-Move."

Lillie looked at the Waterium Z with thoughtful pride. "Hydro Vortex is finally part of our record."

The Sudowoodo did not flee in a single direction. Some hopped behind rocks, some vanished down the road, and one froze in place again as if returning to being a plant would erase what had just happened. Milotic only watched with patient dignity, letting the last water spiral fall harmlessly into the dirt.

Lana looked impressed, but also a little pleased that the Z-Crystal from her trial had already helped open a road. "Waterium Z suits Milotic very well."

"It felt different from Flying or Fighting power," I said. "More like guiding a current than forcing it."

Lillie nodded. "And now Hydro Vortex has a real first use in our Alola record."

Move Dex Entry Updated — Ash and Lillie's Shared Alola Record

Hydro Vortex — Water. The user traps the target in a powerful swirling vortex of water and crashes into it with full force.

The road opened, but before we could celebrate properly, two familiar figures approached from the side path. Their suits and strange movements made them stand out immediately, even after all the unusual people Alola had introduced to us.

"Wait, those were Pokémon?" Zossie exclaimed, looking after the fleeing Sudowoodo. "I totally thought they were just plants!"

"Dulse and Zossie," I said.

Dulse gave a polite Alolan greeting. "Calm yourself, Zossie. Those must have been Pokémon known as Sudowoodo. A most interesting species. They appear to mimic plant life, perhaps despite their weakness to water."

Zossie leaned around him, eyes shining with curiosity. "Alolan Pokémon are so weird in the best way."

Dulse nodded seriously. "They are unique, and that uniqueness makes understanding battle here difficult. Therefore, I challenge you with a Pokémon we are accustomed to."

Zossie spun toward him. "Dulse! You cannot just challenge people like that!"

Dulse seemed genuinely puzzled by the objection. "Is that not how one researches battle?"