Ace Student Ilima

After a quick stop at the house, the group set off for Hau'oli City, strolling through Route 1.

"Look out, Alola! Future Pokemon Master, coming through!"

"Pika Pi!"

"Zzzt, yeah, let's do it."

Lillie smiled at the three's enthusiasm.

"You sure are confident. I wish I had your level of confidence. Then I would always be able to protect Nebby, no matter what."

"Pew!"

Nebby rustled in Lillie's bag, as if to voice it's disagreement, but to no avail.

"TAUROS!"

Ash and Lille straightened up in fear. There, blocking their path, was a large, angry Tauros ready to charge. Before either of them could react, the beast charged, horns ready to pierce, when suddenly...

"Eevee, use Double Kick."

An Eevee sprinted out of nowhere, catching up to Tauros before delivering two swift kicks to his hind leg, tripping it up and causing it to kneel.

"Iron Tail, Eevee!"

As the Tauros struggled to stand, Eevee hit it with it's glowing tail once more. Realizing it was beaten, the Tauros ran off into the forest.

"Ash, Lillie? Are you two okay?"

"Good job, Eevee! Return."

Running down the road was Hala, followed by a young dark skinned man with pink hair. Eevee ran over to it's trainer, running up his arm to nuzzle his cheek.

"That Tauros was on a rampage in Hau'oli. Ilima and I managed to calm it down, but something scared it off and sent it running.

The younger man, now identified as Ilima, frowned slightly.

"Such a shame, really. I was hoping to catch it and add him to my team. Oh well, maybe next time."

He then turned to Ash and Lillie.

"Are you two alright? Tauros can be quite troublesome."

"We're alright. Thank you, Mr. Ilima."

"Just Ilima is fine."

"I'm Ash, that's my older brother Drake and that's Lillie."

Ilima then turned to Hala.

"If everything is under control, then I must be going. I have a demonstration to teach at the Trainer School, and I do not wish to be late."

He then turned to the three.

"Tell me Ash, are you a Pokemon trainer as well?"

"Sure am."

Ilima smiled.

"Excellent. My demonstration requires a partner, and I was wondering if you would be willing to help me out. It shouldn't take long, an hour at most I'd reckon."

Ash smiled brightly, before nodding.

"Sure! After all, it's the least that I could do since you saved us."

"Excellent! It's just up the road there."

Hala stepped forward.

"I wish you both the best of luck, but I regrettably must leave as well. I need to make sure Tauros didn't do any damage in the city."

"Bye Hala!"

"Farewell."

"Alola!"

Hala then gave them a quick wave before vanishing into the distance. Ilima then turned to his new friends.

"Come on, the school is this way."

True to his word, they were on the campus within minutes. A few youngsters and preschoolers lined the courtyard, playing with their Pokemon.

"Hey guys, Ilima's back!"

Almost instantly they were swarmed by little kids, hugging Ilima and petting Eevee, who ate up the attention. Their teacher then approached them.

"Ah Ilima, right on time as usual. And who might they be?"

"This is Ash, Drake and Lillie. Ash will be helping me with our demonstration."

At this, Ash became confused.

"Say, that reminds me. What kind of demonstration is this?"

"Why, a battle demonstration, of course. These trainers will be going on their own journey one day and we want to do everything we can to prepare them."

Ash became pumped up at this.

"Now you're speaking my language! You're on!"

"Typical Ash."

Lillie became flustered at this.

"Um, are you sure it'll be alright? I just don't like to see Pokemon getting hurt, is all."

The teacher laughed heartedly.

"Don't worry, it's perfectly fine. You see, trained Pokemon don't really care if they lose, as long as they give it their all."

"That's right, Lillie. So, are you ready Ash?"

"You know it!"

After a few minutes of preparation, Ash and Ilima stood facing each other on the center battlefield, with the teacher acting as referee.

"This one on one battle between Ash and Ilima will now begin. Ash will make the first move."

"Alright, Pikachu. Ready?"

"Chu."

"Show them your stuff, Eevee."

"Vee!"

Both Pokemon jumped down from their trainer's shoulders, ready and raring to fight.

"Begin!"

"Alright Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

"Dodge it and use Tackle, Eevee!"

Pikachu ran at Eevee at super fast speeds, trying to hit it, but Eevee jumped out of the way, evading the attack before ramming Pikachu head on. Neither one was ready to give up.

Suddenly, though, Eevee began to slow down, sparks flying from it's fur as it gave a pained grunt. This caused Lillie to become confused.

"What's wrong with Eevee?"

"He's been paralyzed."

The teacher turned around to face her students.

"You see class, when a Pokemon is paralyzed, it may not be able to move at all. There are several ways this can happen, normally through electric type moves like Thunderbolt or Thunder Wave."

"In this case however, Eevee was paralyzed by the Static ability. When Pokemon with this ability are hit by a physical attack, there's a 30% chance for the attacking Pokemon to become paralyzed." Drake explained.

The class oohed and aahed, some even jotting down notes.

"Hang in there, Eevee! Swift!"

"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!"

Managing to fight off it's condition, Eevee swung it's tail back and forth, sending stars flying at Pikachu. Pikachu was ready, however, and sent several bolts of lightning flying at Eevee, dispersing the Swift and hitting him dead on.

"Eevee, Iron Tail!"

"You too, Pikachu!"

The two Pokemon clashed in the center, glowing tails clashing as they fought for supremacy. At first they were evenly matched, but over time Pikachu began to win out, slowly pushing Eevee back before managing to land the finishing blow, pushing Eevee into the ground.

"Eevee is unable to battle! Pikachu is the winner, and the victory goes to Ash!"

"Way to go, Pikachu!"

"Pika Pika!"

Ilima smiled, walking over to his defeated Pokemon and cradling it as it came around.

"Vee..."

Ilima then turned to Ash.

"That was a good battle. Thank you, Ash."

The two shook hands as the class clapped for them. Lillie walked over to them.

"Congratulations, Ash. That was a hard fought battle."

"Pika Pika!"

Lillie smiled as Pikachu pouted.

"You did great as well, Pikachu."

Pikachu smiled at it's recognition. Ilima then spoke up again.

"Ash, are you by chance taking the Island Trial?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

Ilima smiled.

"Because I am the first trial captain you'll face."

Ash's jaw dropped.

"Really?"

The teacher nodded.

"Yes, our very own Ilima is now a trial captain. We couldn't be prouder!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name, Miss..."

"Please, call me Emily."

Ilima turned towards them.

"Tell you what? Since we'll be going the same way anyway, why don't we travel together? Until my trial place, at least."

"Hey, the more the merrier, right Pikachu?"

"Pika!"

"I don't have a problem with it."

"Well uh, I suppose it'd be alright."

Ilima smiled.

"It's settled, then. Come on, I'll give you a tour of Hau'oli City."

With a quick goodbye to the trainer school, the four friends set off for their next destination.