[A new member has joined. Temporal distortion will occur in ten minutes. Please prepare accordingly.]
Summer froze, mid-bite of his bread. A new member? Could it be the mushroom Pokémon from Dream Forest? But why now? They had settled there at least by yesterday.
Finishing his bread quickly, Summer pondered which Pokémon, besides Thwackey, could assist him.
Just then, a cawing noise came from outside. Perfect timing. Corviknight, it's your turn.
Opening the wooden door, Summer stepped out with his backpack and Thwackey. Corviknight, perched on the rooftop, was bragging to its newly recruited Skarmory when it noticed Summer calling.
Flying down, Corviknight cawed, "What's up, Summer?"
"Corviknight, I need your help. Let's traverse time and space together."
Corviknight paused. Did Summer eat those glowing mushrooms again and hallucinate?
"What's with that look? You've seen rapid growth before; why so surprised?" Summer sighed.
Corviknight shook its head. Time and space involve world rules. Is Summer really an emissary of some powerful figure, hiding as a forest ranger? Or maybe he did eat those hallucinogenic mushrooms; people never realize when they're hallucinating.
Ignoring Corviknight's thoughts, Summer placed his hand on its chest and said, "Don't move. You'll understand soon."
[Temporal distortion begins.]
The scene before Corviknight changed rapidly. It suddenly realized, had it been hallucinating from eating the mushrooms itself?
"A person suddenly appeared?!"
"Protect the island chief!"
"A dark bird—could it be those people again?"
Before Summer even opened his eyes, he heard chaotic voices. Did he just appear before people this time?
"Stay calm. If he's human, we can communicate. Remember, Alola welcomes all guests." The voice was steady yet oddly excited.
The speaker, a man with sky-blue hair and a body wrapped in linen bandages, crouched on the ground. A Trumbeak with bandaged wings perched on his shoulder, and he wore a colorful, tropical-themed skirt. Three guards in vine armor, holding spears, stood watchfully beside him, also bandaged.
Summer didn't respond immediately, scanning his surroundings. He seemed to be on some kind of altar with burning torches, strange sculptures, and the man mentioned Alola. Was this a shrine to an island guardian?
"My name is Summer. Don't worry, I mean no harm."
"You heard him, lower your weapons," the man said, standing up.
"But…" One guard, gripping his weapon tighter, felt an inexplicable pressure from Corviknight.
"I said, don't panic." The man extended his hand towards Summer.
"Summer, I'm Silver Birch, the island chief of Akala. Nice to meet you. Alola~"
"Alola~" Summer replied, knowing this was Alola's unique greeting.
Silver looked surprised, then apologized, "Do you know what Alola means? I'm sorry about earlier; they're tense from a recent battle."
"Battle?" Summer glanced at the bandaged guards. They were indeed injured from combat.
"Yes, we fought dangerous Pokémon that emerged from a tear in the sky. We call them Ultra Beasts. Are you like them, Summer? For Akala's safety, I must ask."
A tear in the sky and dangerous Pokémon? Ultra Beasts, undoubtedly. They had battled Ultra Beasts? These ancient people were indeed formidable.
"I can assure you, I am not," Summer said.
"Then there's no issue. Ahem, could you step down from the guardian's altar?" Silver looked awkward.
So it was an altar. Alolans deeply revered their island guardians. Standing on the altar was highly disrespectful. Realizing this, Summer quickly stepped down with Thwackey and Corviknight.
"However, your appearance on the altar might be a sign from the guardians. Summer, are you interested in the Island Trials?" Silver suddenly asked.
"Chief, isn't the trial only for islanders?!" a guard protested "Fool, who on Akala can take the trial now?" Silver knocked the guard with his fist. "Of course, I won't have you do it for free. There will be a reward."
"But we've just met," Summer pointed out.
"Because you're a guest. Guests are friends, and friends are like family. Why shouldn't you participate?" Silver's expression was earnest, then he sighed. "Most importantly, your Pokémon trust you, so you must be strong."
"Please, we need the trial to restore the guardian's power to heal our injured." His expression grew more desperate, almost kneeling.
"Why kneel suddenly?" Summer quickly helped him up.
"Call it seeking sympathy if you must, but for the people of Akala, I'll do anything. Please!"
"I understand. Can you explain the situation?" Summer asked.
Silver nodded, recounting the disaster on Akala Island.
Akala Island had four towns. Suddenly, a strange tear appeared in the sky, releasing dangerous Pokémon that wreaked havoc. The island guardian, Tapu Lele, protected the towns but soon exhausted its power and fell into a deep sleep. More tears appeared, unleashing more Ultra Beasts. Residents fought desperately, and with the help of other island guardians, the beasts were driven back.
The injured could only be healed by the sleeping Tapu Lele. Other guardians, also weakened, returned to their islands to rest. According to ancestral lore, Z-Crystals could revive Tapu Lele, but they were held by powerful island bosses, and Akala lacked the strength to challenge them.
Desperate prayers for Tapu Lele's recovery were all they had until Summer's arrival offered new hope. He was the only one capable of saving the injured, hence Silver Birch's humility.
"What about the other islands? Didn't you seek their help?" Summer asked.
"We did, but dangerous Pokémon roam there too, so they can't help." Silver looked resigned.
Seeing his downcast expression, Summer spoke up, "I'll take on the Island Trials. You called me a friend, and friends help each other."
(End of Chapter)