Izzy's Alola Journey

The Leader Pokemon is Ursaring

Izzy and Sylveon are sleeping in Professor Sequoia's house when Izzy wakes up, looks at her Z-Ring, and remembers her battle with Tapu Koko, where her Fairium Z shattered. Rotom goes to wake him up but notices in surprise that Izzy is already awake. During breakfast, Izzy explains to Professor Sequoia that ahe wants to have a rematch with Tapu Koko and try Z-Moves again. Izzy remembers that she could obtain Z-Crystals by going through the island challenge which Professor Sequoia confirms is one way but the most certain way. Izzy gets excited when Rotom explains that she will have to defeat the Kahuna in a grand trial, after clearing smaller trials first. Seeing Izzy's determination, Professor Sequoia suggests they first pay Qiao a visit as Kahuna of Melemele Island.

Elsewhere, a large group of Alolan Rattata and Alolan Raticate are eating fruit in a field, until they get confronted by the owner. However as they run off, they end up startling three Tauros pulling a cart of timber, sending the timber flying. Along the road, Professor Sequoia, Izzy and Rotom are walking when they spot several villagers in a hurry, and then notice the accident that had occurred with the Tauros. Officer Jenny informs the villagers that the road has been closed until the timber can be cleared. A man and his Kommo-o then arrive and start picking up the timber. Izzy notes that the man is strong as Professor Sequoia introduces Izzy to Qiao. Izzy also goes to help pick up the logs of wood, but finds it too heavy to lift. Four Machamp arrive on scene as part of the clean up crew and work together to quickly clear the timber. After it has all been cleared, Izzy tells Qiao that she is here for the Island Challenge, though Qiao mentions that he had already known, and invites Izzy and Professor Sequoia to his house.

The next day, Professor Sequoia, Izzy and Rotom are at Qiao's house and Izzy notices a room full of Z-Rings. Qiao explains that Izzy's Z-Ring is one that he made which surprises Izzy as he received it from Tapu Koko. Qiao thought this had been the case and explains that he had noticed a Z-Ring was missing and realized it was the work of Tapu Koko. Qiao notes that this was the first time it had ever happened and that Tapu Koko appears to have a strange interest in Izzy. Noticing Izzy's desire to obtain a Z-Crystal, Qiao decides to set Izzy a question, and asks Izzy what she would do to drive out the group of wild Rattata and Raticate causing trouble on the island. Izzy responds by saying she would use Sylveon and Pikipek and battle them, but Qiao interrupts him by asking if she is curious to know why the island challenge had started. Qiao goes on to explain that they hadn't been formed to make trainers stronger, but to raise them in a way to protect and love the islands of Alola as well as the people and Pokémon who inhabit them. He then tasks Izzy with looking for an answer that won't just lead to battle and gives Izzy plenty of time to think of an answer.

The next day at school, Uma notes that Sun is now handling the egg with confidence. Izzy is visibly mulling over Qiao's question in frustration, when the others offer to help him out. Izzy thanks them and restates the question, noting that she has to think of answer without using her Pokémon. Sun suggests if they learn more about Rattata and Raticate, they could come up with an answer. Rotom then brings up an image of Rattata and Raticate and Izzy is surprised that they are different from the Rattata and Raticate she had seen before. Rotom continues and mentions that groups of Ursaring and Teddiursa had been brought in chase them off after their numbers grew. The group then exclaim that they had just found the answer.

In a clearing, Team Forest have escaped from Hariyama and are pleased at finally getting away, though Vila can't help but think of all the food that Hariyama had provided. At that moment, the Rattata and Raticate cross their path and send them flying. They are delighted to be blasting off for once, only to be caught mid-air by Hariyama who carries them back to its den.

Meanwhile, Izzy has suggested her idea to Qiao who agrees with Izzy and tells Izzy that his question had been to actually test Izzy to see if she had what it needed to go through the trial. Later, Izzy and Qiao arrive at Verdant Cavern, and Qiao explains that there are several Ursaring and Teddiursa living in the cave who are very strong but there is one Ursaring who is very strong, called a Totem Pokémon. Qiao informs Izzy her challenge is to take on the Totem Pokémon in a battle and be victorious. Then, with the aid of the Totem Pokémon, Izzy is to chase away the Rattata and Raticate on the island.

Izzy is surprised at how huge it is inside the cavern, as Qiao calls out to the Totem Pokémon. A Teddiursa and a Ursaring then appear, and Izzy learns that they are the Totem Pokémon's allies and that she has to battle them first. Izzy asks Rotom for data on Teddiursa and Ursaring, and learns that they are both Normal-types. Izzy sends Sylveon to battle and brings out a sleeping Pikipdk to assist. After waking Pikipek up quickly, the battle begins with Izzy ordering Sylveon to use Fairy Wind and Pikipek to use Tackle. However, Teddiursa blinds them with Sand Attack, preventing their attacks from hitting before launching another attack. After Teddiursa and Ursaring finish their first attack on Pikipek and Sylveon, they immediately follow up with another. Izzy commands the two to dodge, and then commands Pikipek to use Mirror Move, which creates a storm of leaves that not only surround Teddiursa and Ursaring, but also provide Sylveon and Pikipek some cover. Izzy commands Sylveon to use Iron Tail and is about to give Pikipek a command before noticing that Pikipek is gone. Both Izzy and Qiao then notice Pikipek behind Teddiursa and Ursaring, and Qiao notes that Pikipek is able to fly silently. Seeing Pikipek in a favourable position, Izzy commands Pilipek to use Tackle on Teddiursa while Sylveon uses Iron Tail on Ursaring. Both attacks hit their target and manage to knock out the two Pokémon with Qiao officially declaring the two Ally Pokémon unable to battle.

Izzy and her Pokémon celebrate their victory, but their victory is short lived as they hear heavy footsteps from the deeper parts of the cavern. The footsteps reveal to be the Totem Pokémon Ursaring, and Izzy is shocked at how big it is. Rotom notes that it is three times the size of a normal Ursaring. The Totem Ursaring lets out a loud roar and as this happens, Tapu Koko flies past to observe the battle, unnoticed by those in the cavern. The Totem Ursaring leaps into the air towards Sylveon to which Izzy responds by ordering Sylveon to use Fairy Wind. But before Sylveon attacks, the Totem Ursaring uses Frustration at Sylveon. However the Intertwining Pokémon dodges the attack, albeit barely and counterattacks with a Fairy Wind which successfully hits Ursaring. But Ursaring manages to shrug off the attack and attacks again with Frustration, but this time it manages to hit Sylveon. This sends Sylveon flying and Ursaring immediately appears behind Sylveon preparing for another attack.

Izzy then notices Pikipek flying behind Ursaring and commands Pikipek to use Tackle from behind. But just as Pikipek is about to hit the Totem Pokémon, it picks up a nearby rock and throws it at Pikipek, sending it flying at Izzy who barely manages to catch Pikipek in time. It is then shown that Pikipdk has been knocked out unable to battle. Izzy then commands Sylveon to use Echoed while the Totem Ursaring uses Sand Attack in response to intercept the attack. Sylveon watches in shock as her attack gets deflected, allowing Ursaring to hit Sylveon from behind and send him flying across the battlefield. Izzy then orders Sylveon to use a Quick Attack, but as Sylveon begins to charge towards Ursaring, Ursaring responds with Sand Attack. However, Izzy tells Sylveon to use the sand as its own cover. Sylveon runs directly into the sand and then begins circling around Ursaring, spreading the sand to create a thick dust cloud which disorientates the Totem Ursaring. Sylveon then strikes the Totem Pokémon with a barrage of Quick Attacks. This causes Ursaring to fall to the ground, and Izzy commands Sylveon to finish it off with a Fairy Wind. However, Ursaring manages to break out of the Fairy Wind, and appears to be about to continue battling. But instead, the Totem Pokémon collapses to the ground unable to battle. Qiao announces that the trial has finished and that the official winner is Izzy. Izzy runs up to Ursaring to see if it is okay. The Totem Ursaring brushes Izzy off, but at the same time shows her a white Z-Crystal. Izzy asks if it is for her but the Totem Ursaring thrusts its paw towards Izzy to reply affirmative. Qiao then expresses surprise that Izzy has received a Z-Crystal directly from a Totem Pokémon; something that is a very rare occurrence. As this is all happening, Tapu Koko flies away. Izzy then asks the Totem Ursaring if it could help him with the problem involving Alolan Rattata and Raticate, and the Totem Ursaring grins in response.

Later in a supermarket storage room, a large group of Rattata and Raticate burst out of boxes containing fruit and begin eating all the food inside. Outside the room, Izzy, Professor Sequoia, Qiao, Officer Jenny and the Totem Ursaring and ally Ursaring and Teddiursa all prepare to ambush the Alolan pests. Professor Sequoia alerts everyone that he and Officer Jenny are opening the doors and the moment they do, the Rattata and Raticate stop eating to stare in surprise at seeing the Pokémon they fear the most. The group of Alolan Rattata and Raticate then charge at the two Ursaring and Teddiursa. However their efforts of fighting are in vain as the Rattata and Raticate were sent flying in large numbers as the Ursaring and Teddiursa unleash their attacks. The Alolan Rattata and Raticate then flee back into the wild as the two Ursaring and Teddiursa cry out in victory. Qiao then approaches Izzy and as Island Kahuna, officially recognizes Izzy as having completed the trial. Qiao says that Izzy has the Grand Trial up next for her and says that he is excited to battle Izzy.