Island Challenge[553]

"What?" Iono blinked in surprise.

Naoki gave a gentle smile and continued.

"When I first saw you, I thought you were really cute, and beautiful."

"But honestly, I wasn't thinking about relationships at all back then. Then you started showing up at the ranch from time to time, just to chat. I think, maybe that's when something began to change."

"Indeedee, even told me you had feelings for me. But I didn't believe her—not at all."

"Then, out of nowhere, you confessed to me. I wasn't ready then…"

"What about now?" Iono suddenly interrupted, her voice soft.

Naoki's cheeks flushed red. "It's kind of embarrassing to say."

His expression grew serious.

"But you were the first person to ever give me flowers. I never imagined I'd get something like that from a girl in my life. And you even learned how to cook—just for me."

He turned to face her directly. The girl beside him looked stunned, eyes wide with emotion.

And then, for the first time in his life, Naoki confessed—with a bright red face and a heart full of honesty.

"So… I want to say it clearly. I like you. I really, really like you. And… I want to be with you forever."

Iono's cheeks turned pink. "Are you… are you proposing?"

Naoki was caught off guard. "Wha—wait, isn't that a little soon?!"

"Then you don't want to live with me?" Iono said, her expression falling into something sad and pouty.

Naoki blinked—then immediately realized what she meant.

He chuckled and asked, "Wait a minute… do you want to marry me?"

Iono's face turned crimson, but she nodded eagerly. "Then I'd get to see you every day!"

Naoki laughed softly. "It's not that I don't want to live with you. I just thought it might feel sudden. I didn't want you to feel rushed."

"Hmph! Too early?" Iono crossed her arms. "But we've known each other for years!"

Naoki: "…"

Right. He had nearly forgotten—this wasn't his old world. In the Pokémon world, things were different.

People here didn't always wait around. Love moved fast.

Just like Champion Mustard and his wife, Honey. They met during their travels, fell in love almost instantly, got married on the spot, bought their own island, and started a martial arts dojo together.

They even had a kid—Hyde.

Naoki sighed internally. Maybe it was okay to go with the flow of this world's customs. But then again, did getting married here require some kind of dowry or gift for the bride's family?

He was, after all, a visitor from another world—and stuff like that? He had no clue.

It gave him a bit of a headache just thinking about it.

Unfortunately, his brief moment of silence made Iono misinterpret the situation.

She lowered her head slightly. "It's okay… I get it if you don't want to get married right now."

Naoki: "…"

He immediately realized she'd misunderstood him again.

With a sigh, he reached out and gently held her hand. "That's not what I meant at all. I was just thinking, if I really want to propose to you, then I should prepare something special."

"You know, my parents have been gone for a long time. So I've never had anyone to guide me through these things."

He paused, then added with heartfelt clarity:

"But yes. I do want to live with you. I want to build a life together with you."

"We'll run the ranch together, raise Pokémon together. Every morning, I'll have Dragonite fly you to work. Every evening, he'll pick you up and bring you home."

"I'll manage the ranch while you're out, and I'll be there waiting for you when you return."

A warm smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"I've already thought about it. When the time comes, we'll change the name of the ranch."

"Let's call it 'Tree's House.' A home we'll share with all our Pokémon."

Iono listened intently, and before she realized it, Naoki's words had completely pulled her into his dreamlike fantasy.

It sounded so warm. So happy.

But now that she understood Naoki's hesitation, Iono no longer felt sad. Instead, she smiled reassuringly. "Leave that to me!"

Naoki blinked. "What are you going to do?"

"Hehe, I'm going to ask my parents, of course!" she said cheerfully. "You haven't even met them yet. Want to come home with me for dinner tonight?"

Naoki immediately stiffened. The sudden prospect of meeting his potential in-laws made him nervous.

Showing up empty-handed would be way too rude, right?

He quickly shook his head and voiced his concern. "No, no, that's too abrupt. Give me a little time. I'll visit them properly—with gifts."

Iono nodded, seeing his point. "Right, right!" Then she added with a giggle, "But don't worry, my parents are super kind! I'm sure they'll love you."

"Yeah…" Naoki nodded slowly, though his thoughts were already drifting.

He had something important to deal with first.

Meeting Iono's parents would have to wait until he resolved the matter of Arceus's awakening.

This meant that, soon enough, he would need to don the Cyclizar Mask once more.

To prepare, he'd have to gather the strongest Pokémon under the World Tree: Giratina, Calyrex, Mewtwo, Rayquaza, Ho-Oh, Groudon, Kyogre, and even Dialga and Palkia.

Calyrex, Mewtwo, Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre would serve as the main offensive core.

Giratina, Dialga, and Palkia would focus on interference and containment.

Ho-Oh would provide support with Sacred Fire and Sacred Ash, restoring those who had fallen and purifying status conditions.

An all-star lineup like that just might be enough to stand against Arceus.

But therein lay the real problem.

They couldn't truly defeat Arceus.

Not permanently.

The ideal resolution, Naoki recalled, was to use Dialga's power to send Ash and his companions back in time—to the moment in history when Arceus had been betrayed—so they could right that wrong and prevent His rage in the present.

Only by doing so could the modern Arceus awaken peacefully and without vengeance.

But it wasn't time yet.

According to the timeline, two key events still needed to happen before that.

The first: a clash between Dialga and Palkia due to the tremors caused by Arceus's impending awakening. Their dimensions would intersect, causing a tear in reality that affects the real-world city of Alamos Town. That's when Darkrai—who protected the town—would fight fiercely to repel the gods of Time and Space.

The second event would come afterward.

Giratina, enraged by the damage Dialga and Palkia caused to the Reverse World, would strike back, dragging Dialga into its realm and launching a desperate counterattack.

Naoki clenched his fist.

Arceus was simply too powerful.

Even with a few of His Plates missing, Arceus was still capable of utterly overwhelming Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina without giving them a chance to retaliate.

To face Him, Naoki needed to be at his absolute best—physically, mentally, and strategically.

He had to be fully prepared.

April 16, League Calendar Year 201. Early summer.

Naoki left the ranch in the care of the Indeedee siblings. Then, with Koraidon and the others by his side, he set off for the Alola region—officially beginning his Island Challenge adventure.

Alola Region – Melemele Island – Iki Town

Iki Town was a small, tranquil village nestled in the heart of a vast tropical rainforest. The community was peaceful, with only a handful of houses scattered around and narrow dirt paths connecting them. Palm trees lined both sides of the roads, gently swaying in the warm ocean breeze.

At the very center of town stood a wooden platform—a stage used for ceremonies. It was adorned with ancient white totem patterns that carried a strong tribal aesthetic, echoing the roots of Alola's native culture. Beside it stood a massive ceremonial bonfire rack, flames crackling and leaping brightly into the dusk.

If not for the modern clothes worn by the people around him, Naoki might've thought he had wandered into a village lost in time.

"So this is Iki Town?" he murmured, taking in the view.

Naoki wandered through the crowd with Koraidon beside him. All around were Trainers and their Pokémon—Lycanroc, Oricorio, Toxtricity, and even a Hakamo-o stood proudly among them.

With so many unusual Pokémon around, Naoki and Koraidon didn't stand out at all.

It was nearing dusk. Normally, people would be heading home by now, preparing dinner after a long day. But here in Iki Town, something else was happening.

Naoki quickly noticed that both townsfolk and Trainers alike were gathering near the central stage.

"Huh? What's going on?" he wondered aloud.

"Let's go check it out, Koraidon!"

"Agash!"

Blending into the growing crowd, Naoki and Koraidon moved closer to the wooden platform.

As the golden hue of dusk spread across the town, several figures stepped onto the stage. They wore traditional masks with ancient designs, grass skirts, and necklaces made of carved teeth and seashells. Under the flickering firelight, they began to perform a vigorous, rhythmic dance that echoed with ancient tradition.

At first, Naoki wasn't quite sure what he was witnessing.

But the moment he recognized the mask patterns—angular, electric, and full of energy—he understood immediately.

Tapu Koko!

It all clicked.

This was Iki Town's festival—a ceremony to honor the guardian deity of Melemele Island.

In the games, the people of Iki Town hold a sunset festival on this very stage, offering Pokémon battles in tribute to Tapu Koko, praying for its blessing and protection.

Soon, the dance concluded.

An elderly woman with long white hair stepped onto the stage. Dressed in rich, traditional garments and leaning on a wooden staff, she began to chant in a low, melodic tone—an ancient ballad passed down through generations.

Then, she raised her voice to speak to the crowd.

"Oh great island guardian! Tapu Koko, keeper of Melemele, we offer our prayers! Please continue to watch over us and guide us, as you have done for ages. Accept this gift and witness the battle we present to you!"

As soon as she finished, two Trainers stepped onto the platform. Each called out their Pokémon, and a fierce battle began under the fading light and crackling fire.

Naoki watched with fascination.

Talk about perfect timing… he thought. I didn't expect to catch a live Tapu Koko ceremony.

He glanced around the perimeter of the square, wondering if Tapu Koko might be watching from a hidden perch nearby. The guardian deity was known to observe such ceremonies in silence, but he didn't spot any sign of it.

Alola was unique compared to other regions.

Aside from Legendary Pokémon like Solgaleo, Lunala, and Necrozma, it also had the Tapu—Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini—each ruling one of the four islands.

The Tapu guardians were quite different from most other Legendary Pokémon in many ways.

For one, they lived side by side with the people of Alola, rather than hiding in remote or mysterious places. They would even take the initiative to appear before certain individuals and choose them as worthy.

In Alola, when a person is chosen by one of the Tapu, they are given the title of Island Kahuna—the leader of their respective island.

And that choice is final. If someone dares to refuse the role, it's said the guardian deity would grow furious.

Naoki's destination was clear: he needed to meet with Hala, the Kahuna of Melemele Island.

That was because only an Island Kahuna had the authority to initiate the Island Challenge. And only after completing the Kahuna's trial would one be granted a Z-Ring and the right to use Z-Crystals.

At that moment, the battle taking place on the village celebration stage had reached its conclusion.

With one Pokémon collapsing in defeat, the fiery contest came to a close.

A middle-aged man stepped onto the wooden stage with an easygoing smile. He had white hair, a slightly stout frame, and tanned skin from years under the island sun.

"What a splendid battle!" he praised. "I'm sure the guardian deity is very pleased!"

Hala clapped heartily, his eyes twinkling as he commended the two young trainers standing across from him.

The trainers rubbed the backs of their heads bashfully but couldn't hide the joy in their eyes.

As twilight faded into night, a blanket of stars spread across the sky, and the Alolan evening settled in.

Hala turned to the townspeople with a wide grin. "Alright everyone, that concludes tonight's celebration. It's getting late—head on home and rest up!"

Tapu Koko never appeared from beginning to end. Some in the crowd looked a little disappointed, but most were used to the guardian's mysterious ways and quietly began to disperse.

Just as Hala turned to leave the stage and return home, a voice called out from the crowd.

"Please wait a moment, Master Hala!"

The old man turned, raising a bushy white eyebrow.

A tall young man was approaching, walking with steady confidence. Beside him padded a striking red Pokémon Hala didn't recognize.

The Kahuna studied them both with interest. "Who might you be?"

"I'm Naoki," the young man said. "I've come to ask your help in starting my Island Challenge."