Meanwhile on Poni Island

"What do you mean we can't travel to the battle island? I'm registered to take on the battle frontier." One trainer protests as a mob of displeased trainer argue with a sailor. "I keep telling you. Something is wrong with the pokemon near all the facilities. They aren't letting anyone through." The sailor says causing even more protests as the traitors visiting Poni Island stand back and observe.

"What should we do, Iris?" Sawyer asks. "There's nothing we can do about the frontier facilities. Wild pokemon acting up makes it too dangerous to get near. We don't know how aggressive they'll be let alone how to deal with them." Iris says before noticing a Kingdra and three Tentacruel watching them from the water.

"Something wrong?" Tierno asks. "Those four water types have been watching us for several minutes now." Iris says.

"What water types?" Trevor asks looking around until he sees them.

"Come here, Kingdra. Don't you want a nice strong trainer to help you?" Iris says kneeling on the boardwalk.

The water/dragon type swims a little closer but when it gets within arms reach a sailor says, "Watch out." And puts himself between her and the water type just in time to block a signal beam but Kingdra uses smokescreen to block the visual so the Tentacruel can grab the traitors and split up taking each to a different battle facility.

Kingdra takes hold of Iris allowing Tentacruel to take Sawyer towards the Poni gauntlet.

Iris screams as Kingdra swims at an amazing speed out to sea.

It isn't long before they pass a blockade of pokemon and the Unova champion is deposited on an island.

Before she can yell at the water/dragon type she hears soft violin music in the distance.

Completely forgetting the pokemon she follows the music until she reaches a cliff surrounded by various pokemon. Atop the cliff is Dawn who serenades her audience with a sweet melody on her instrument.

The pokemon seem totally at peace as they sway in harmony with the music and each other.

The tune has Iris enraptured.

"Welcome to the battle island, Iris. I'm sorry for the suddenness of my Kingdra grabbing you. He tends to lead a group of Tentacruel around and does as he pleases sometimes." Dawn says as she finishes her show and set the violin down.

"That was your Kingdra?" Iris asks gaining everyone's attention. "Yes. He can be unruly at times.

"I'm assuming you were on Poni Island to challenge the battle frontier facilities." Dawn says as she makes her way down and through the crowd of adoring pokemon.

"How did you come by that guess?" Iris asks. "Well you not wearing a z-ring tells me you've yet to sign up for the island challenges and people only come to Poni Island for two reasons. The island trial and the frontier facilities. It's a no brainer." Dawn says. "Well you're right. I was originally going to go after the battle cave first but this is fine too." Iris says with a smirk. "Then follow me and I'll take you to the battlefield." Dawn says.

"Don't we need to get to the facility first?" Iris asks confused. "The whole island is the facility. It's an artificial island created by Gladion and the aether foundation." Dawn says as she leads the way to the beach on the far end of the island.

As they arrive Iris sees Brock and Cynthia standing by the water.

"Hey, Brock Cynthia, you missed the show." Dawn says. "We were listening. Your performances always have a fantastic impact on the pokemon listening. We're sorry for not being present but Brock had something I'm to tell me." Cynthia says.

"Did he finally do it?" Dawn asks as Iris stands astonished at the presence and the casualness of the conversation. "He did." Cynthia confirms.

"Did what? And how did you get here with all the pokemon acting aggressive?" Iris asks. "Oh. Iris, I see that you made it.

"Brock finally proposed to me after five years of dating. As for how I got past the pokemon I have been to this battle facility on more than one occasion. The pokemon know me." Cynthia says as a Cutiefly lands on her shoulder and nuzzles her face.

"Shall we get to the battle?" Dawn asks. "Yeah." Iris says stepping into the trainer's box.

"This is a one on one battle between the island melody Dawn and the challenger champion of Unova Iris. Both trainers will be allowed the use of three pokemon and only the challenger will be allowed substitutions. The battle will be over when all of one side's pokemon are unable to battle. Trainers, send out your pokemon." Brock says.

Meanwhile near the vast Poni canyon

Tentacruel passes Sawyer off to a team of Skarmory that carry him into the canyon area. They deposit him just outside of a cave with the league symbol above the entry way.

"A gym symbol?" Sawyer asks confused. "Don't you worry about that. It was Kazuki's idea so challengers can pick out the facility from the rest of the caves here." Acerola says coming out of the cave wearing a purple dress.

"Which brain are you?" Sawyer asks. "Acerola. The Phantom cave captain." Acerola says with a languid smile.

"Are you okay?" Sawyer asks. "Of course. Why do you ask?" Acerola asks making a curious face before a commotion is heard below. "You seem kinda sleepy." Sawyer says. "No need to worry. I'm usually like this. I assure you that I'm one hundred percent okay." Acerola says before turning her curious look to one of puzzlement.

"What is it?" Sawyer asks concerned. "You seem familiar. Have we met somewhere before?" Acerola asks. "I don't think so." Sawyer asks as he starts thinking.

"Did you attend the banquet last night?" Acerola asks. "Yeah." Sawyer says. "That must be it then." Acerola says before the commotion gets louder.

Both trainers look down to see a group of people attempting to get past a rock slide topped with Kommo-o who are using focus blast and dragon pulse to fend them off.

"Those poor trainers." Acerola absently says. "Why the trainers? Shouldn't you be worried about the pokemon?" Sawyer asks. "Not at all. Do you see those two pokemon that are larger than the rest?" Acerola says pointing to a Ribombee and Kommo-o that are much larger than the other pokemon. "Yeah." Sawyer says.

"That's what we alolans call a totem pokemon. They guard the z-crystals for the island trials and are quite strong. I worry about those trainers because the totem Kommo-o is quite aggressive right now.

"Well come on. I'll show you in so we can battle." Acerola says as she moves away from the ledge and into her facility. Without so much as a glance of concern Sawyer follows and sees a battlefield in a room filled with willow trees. By the battlefield is an aether foundation employee sitting on a bench with a Mimikyu.

Meanwhile with Tierno

Tierno swims to land while his Blastoise battles the Tentacruel.

"Tentacruel, that's enough. You've caused quite enough trouble for one day." Gladion calls out from the island causing Tentacruel to submerge and quickly retreat. As Blastoise tries to follow its path is blocked by a school of Bruxish.

"Who are you?" Tierno asks as he's helped out of the water. "Gladion. I'm a frontier brain here on Poni Island. Tierno right?" Gladion says. "Yeah. Pleasure to meet ya.

"What was with that Tentacruel?" Tierno asks. "She's one of the battle island's inhabitants. To be honest she's a trickster. In all likelihood she was simply playing with you." Gladion says before looking back to see the Poni plains with a building near the center.

"If you're a frontier brain I'd like to battle you." Tierno says. "Fine by me but we should get you dry first the Poni plains are known to be windy." Gladion say before letting a Silvally out who uses a weak heat wave to dry the portly trainer off. After returning his Blastoise Tierno follows the frontier brain to a rectangular building covered in vegetation.

As they enter the heat is sweltering though Gladion seems wholly unaffected despite his dark clothes.

"Damn it's hot in here. How can you stand it. It's kinda hard to breathe." Tierno complains. "That's the humidity from all the plants. Once we reach the battlefield you should feel better." Gladion says as he takes a deep breath and walking a little faster with Silvally by his side.

"What pokemon is that?" Tierno asks. "Silvally. One of seven in the world." Gladion says as his Silvally glares at the challenger.

As they arrive at the battlefield the humidity decreases drastically sending a shiver down the traitor's spine at the sudden drop in temperature.

The battlefield looks like an oasis in the middle of a desert with a small pool in the center surrounded by sand. At the edges of the room are marble statues of Buzzwole and Pheromosa.

Meanwhile with Trevor

Trevor doesn't struggle in Tentacruel's loose grip as it cuts through the water like a knife through butter.

It isn't long before he's deposited on the land with a meadow of night-blooming flowers and willow trees in the distance. Flying around the entrance is a flock of Sensu Oricorio which seem to be guarding it.

Just as Trevor pulls a pokeball off his belt the flock flies into the meadow as if in invitation.

Proceeding with caution Trevor walks into the meadow which turns out to be a forest of willow trees and night blooming flora. In the trees are the Oricorio who watch his passing.

With a sudden cacophony of wing beats the Oricorio fly back to their guard posts outside blinding the traitor on the way out.

Like a ghost Sophocles appears with a smile on his face.

"Hey. You're that guy from the observatory." Trevor says. "That's right. My names Sophocles. In addition to being the shadow wild brain I'm also a trial captain for Ula'Ula island so I split my time between here and there.

"If I'm not mistaken you're Trevor." Sophocles introduces. "That's right. I want to challenge you for the lightning symbol." Trevor says. "Sounds good. Follow me. I'll show you to the battlefield." Sophocles says doing well to hide his knowledge of the challenger.

The two walk in silence for several minutes before arriving at a bright stadium near the back of the forest. By the door are a pair of Xurkitee.

"You won't find any information on them with a kalos pokedex. You need a Rotom dex to scan them." Sophocles says as Trevor tries to scan the ultra beast.

"What are they?" Trevor asks. "These are Mal and Ben. My Xurkitree. They help me power this stadium without harming the environment." Sophocles answers.

"Mal and Ben?" Trevor asks. "Malevolent and Benevolent. They sorta keep each other in check." Sophocles says before they enter the stadium and head straight for the battlefield which is completely covered in steel plating and surrounded by a ring of electricity beneath a pane of glass. Along the edges of the room are even more Xurkitree who sway like trees in a breeze.

Meanwhile on Ula'Ula island

Ash and Lily descend from Mount Lanukila via a lift and make their way towards Mount Hokulani.

"Mr. Hitoshi, could you spare a moment if your time?" Delia asks as she and her group of traitors approach the two. "Sure I guess." Ash says with a noncommittal shrug. "Thank you.

"My name is Delia Ketchum. I came to experience the Alola region's tropical climate while watching the master's league. These are my friends Serena, Clemont, and Ritchie." Delia introduces.

"Okay. How can I help you?" Ash asks impassively. "I was hoping you could show us around Ula'Ula island." Delia says. "I'm sorry but Lillie and I have business to take care of at the Hokulani observatory." Ash declines.

"What's the issue? Maybe we can help." Serena asks. "I shouldn't say. Alolan business." Ash says before turning to leave.

"I'm a scientist. If it's a technical issue I can help." Clemont persists. "It's not." Ash says remaining calm.

"Kazuki, maybe they can help. More hands wouldn't hurt." Lillie says. "Lillie, you know how the staff at the observatory are when this happens." Ash says. "True. Let's get going before it gets any worse." Lillie says before they call for a Mudsdale and ride off for the observatory.

"I don't like that Lillie girl." Serena says angrily. "You'll get your chance, Serena. We just have to separate them." Clemont says as they follow the two alolan elite trainers.

"Time to get started. Pa'u Oricorio, do your thing." Ash says as he uses his aura abilities to track the traitors follow them. As one a flock of Pa'u Oricorio lifts off and using a group hurricane to block the traitors path and force them to take to the sky. The Oricorio disperse leaving the traitors confused.

As they reach the observatory a group of Minior and the totem Vikavolt are attacking the building which has scientists inside acting scared but knowing the attack is a ploy.

Ash and Lillie let their Lucarios out to drive off all but the Vikavolt.

As the traitors arrive they attempt to help but only draw the totem pokemon's attention.

"Snowy, use ice beam." Lillie says sending out an Alolan Ninetales who freezes the totem pokemon solid.

The scientist come rushing out to thank their champion and his girlfriend while also yelling at the traitors for interfering.

"Pikachu?" Ritchie's Pikachu sparky says coming out of its pokeball. Pikachu comes out of Ash's coat but instead of recognition simply looks at the other Pikachu confused.

"What's up, Pikachu?" Ash asks with faux confusion. "That Pikachu is looking at me weird." Pikachu says before surprising returning himself to his pokeball. With a shrug Ash frees the totem Vikavolt to check on it.

"Tell snowy to tone down the ice beam next time. That shit hurt." Vikavolt says. "Sure thing. Head home and prepare Togedemaru for stage two." Ash whispers as the traitors argue with the scientist. "Let's head off, Kazuki. We still have time to make our reservation time." Lillie advises. "Alright." Ash says before they start to leave.

Just as they begin to head down the mountain Serena's Delphox attacks them with mystical fire.

Before anyone can react the mystical fire is countered by a water shuriken from a Greninja who lands between the champion and the offending fire type.

"I didn't think you'd be back for another two or three days." Ash says casually as Serena's Delphox instantly recognizes the Greninja. "Well I finished quicker than expected and got back as quickly as I could, Kazuki." Greninja says before assuming a defensive stance.

"Greninja?" Delphox lovingly asks getting Serena to take notice. "Delphox? Hmph. Figures." Greninja aggressively says. The Delphox looks hurt by the tone.

"Geninja, I'm sure Candy will want to know you're back. She's been whining by your door everyday." Kazuki casually says. "Right. Candy comes first. Not battles." Greninja says before waving to Castiel and follows his trainer and Lillie down the mountain.

Before the traitors can follow a totem Togedemaru comes rushing up and hugs Ash. The champion hugs back and smiles causing Delia and Serena to gasp.

"What's wrong?" Clemont asks. "Kazuki looks like Ash." Serena says. "That can't be. Ash is too weak to be champion. He just bears a resemblance to him." Delia denies as Delphox looks to be either ready to weep or ready to destroy something.

Stay classy, Nightfuries