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

Chapter 90: Rift Feast

We were already moving toward Verdant Cavern when Professor Mohn's call cut through the morning. His face appeared on Lillie's screen with the tense focus he used when research had stopped being only research and become a warning.

"I assume you encountered Buzzwole," Mohn said. "I need you to examine this."

The first images were blurred streaks around terrified Trainers. Serena leaned closer, trying to make sense of the shapes. "What exactly are we supposed to be seeing?"

"Professor Burnet helped enhance the data," Mohn said. "Look again."

The footage sharpened. A white, elegant Ultra Beast flashed through a crowd, too fast for most cameras to follow. Each victim had carried a Z-Crystal, and each Z-Crystal vanished after the strike. Mohn's expression darkened.

The strange part was that Pheromosa did not seem interested in hurting them after the theft. It struck, took the crystal, and fled, as if the Z-Crystals were the only clean objects worth touching in our world.

"We have named it Pheromosa," he said. "The International Police code name is UB Beauty. Its typing matches Buzzwole, but its speed is far more dangerous."

"Pheromosa," I murmured, feeling the name settle like a warning.

Lillie checked the Beast Balls at her belt, then checked the pouch holding her Z-Crystals. After losing Team Rainbow Rocket's mansion to twisted ambition, none of us liked seeing another power aimed at the symbols that connected Trainers and Pokémon.

By the time we reached Verdant Cavern, our classmates were already gathered outside, upset and frustrated. Lana held an empty Z-Crystal pouch, Mallow looked furious, and Sophocles kept replaying a shaky clip on his device without finding a clear frame.

Kiawe kept touching the place where his Firium Z should have rested, his face tight with helpless anger. Sophocles looked less angry and more violated, like losing the Buginium Z had stolen the bravery he had just earned.

"Our Z-Crystals were stolen," Lana said.

"The culprit was so fast that we couldn't even see it," Mallow added.

"It's an Ultra Beast," I explained. "There are supposed to be four. We are trying to capture them safely and send them home if that is what they need."

Sophocles looked worried, but also fascinated. "Four Ultra Beasts stealing Z-Crystals. That is terrifying data."

Alice looked toward the cave entrance. "Then how do we trap something faster than people can see?"

Serena lifted a Poké Ball. "I have Electrode. It may help."

Alice nodded, already studying the shadows near the cavern mouth. "And if speed alone is not enough, we use pressure and prediction."

"We will not know unless we try," I said.

A white shadow flashed past me, and my hand snapped over my Z-Ring just in time. The air where my crystal had been shimmered, and Pikachu's fur sparked in alarm. Snowy stepped closer to Lillie, and Silvally lowered its head, ready to guard the pouch at her side.

"That was fast," Lillie whispered, her voice tight because speed like that made even preparation feel late.

Serena released Electrode at once. "Use Rollout!"

Electrode shot forward like a living cannonball, forcing the first Pheromosa to show itself for half a second. It almost worked. Then Pheromosa twisted aside and struck Electrode with Triple Kick, sending it skidding across the rocky ground.

"Electrode is not fast enough?" Lillie gasped.

Alice's answer was another Poké Ball. "Then Ninjask."