Risen from Betrayal

Chapter 19 - Melemele Island Grand Trial

A few days after returning back to the cottage at Ten Carat Hill upon completing the first Island Trial Challenge, Ash and his Pokemon were ready to challenge the Island Kahuna, Hala, and complete their first Grand Trial.

Not long after making their way through Route 1 and arriving at Iki Town, a large, formidable dark-skinned man, wearing white mid-length pants, a blue inside shirt and a yellow outer shirt approached Ash and his Pokemon. 

"Excuse me, are you the trainer who has completed the Melemele Island Trial Challenge a few days ago with just Bulbasaur and Kingler," asked the figure. "Yes I am. How do you know about that?" replied Ash.

"Ilima told me about it. He said your battle with the Yungoos and Gumshoos was amazing," said the figure. "Oh, by the way. Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Hala, the Island Kahuna of Melemele Island. What is your name?" Hala asked, causing Ash to hesitate like what he did to Ilima.

"Um, can we go somewhere quiet and abandoned so I can explain?" requested Ash. Hala, noticing how uncomfortable Ash was, nodded and led him and his Pokemon to his house. A few minutes after entering the house, Hala motioned for Ash to continue. 

"Alright, here goes nothing," Ash said as he took off his mask. "Am I dreaming?" Hala said shocked after seeing his true identity. "No you're not," said Ash. "And there is a reason why I chose to disguise myself," he continued.

"Which is?" inquired Hala, who was completely confused. After being given a detailed explanation of the incident with the traitors and the aftermath, Hala was left speechless for a short while.

"You know, there is something I want you to do," Ash said. "And what might that be?" asked Hala. "Instead of keeping my identity a secret to the other Island Kahunas and Trial Captains, could you tell them about my identity and the story behind my disappearance. That way I won't have to tell them about my identity one at a time, which will be too tiring. Already, only Professor Kukui and Principal Oak knows about my true identity as well as my mother, Professor Oak, his grandson Gary, Charles Goodshow and Scott," Ash explained.

"But why do you want me to tell them about my identity and not the other people of Alola?" asked Hala. "Well, as for the others, there will be an Annual Global Pokemon Tournament held in this island in about 2 years from now, and I plan to expose my true identity after the first few matches."

"I see. So would you like to battle now or tomorrow?" inquired Hala. "Well, I'd like to battle tomorrow, so you can absorb what I told you and contact your fellow Island Trial Challenge & Grand Trial Captains and tell them about my true identity. Ilima already knows about my true identity since I had told him earlier," replied Ash.

"Alright, fair enough. I look forward to our battle tomorrow," stated Hala as Ash walked out of his house and made his way towards the Pokemon Centre.

The next morning, after a good breakfast at the Pokemon Centre, Ash and his Pokemon made his way towards the battlefield that was specifically only for Grand Trial battles, where Hala was already waiting for him.

"Ready, Ash?" asked Hala. "Ready than ever," came the reply from the raven-haired trainer. "This will be a 3 on 3 official battle between the Island Kahuna Hala and the challenger Ash. Only the challenger is allowed to substitute his Pokemon and the battle will be over when neither side's Pokemon are unable to battle. Are both trainers ready?" asked the referee.

"Ready!" said Hala and Ash. "Alright, battle begin!" declared the referee.

"Mankey, come on out," said Hala as the Pig Monkey appeared out of its PokeBall. "Pikachu, wanna battle," asked Ash. "Pika!" came the reply of determination as Pikachu entered the edges of the battlefield.