Letter 7: Just a Normalia Day!

Dear Serena,

We did it! We cleared our first trial!

The day we traveled to the Verdant Cavern dawned bright and early--Hala came with Hau and delivered us breakfast. Over breakfast, I told him about how Tapu Koko rescued me and wanted to battle me. Hala replied that if Tapu Koko had such an interest in me, it was possible he had chosen me as a hero (which if Alolan stories are any indication, is more common than you would think.)

Hala went on to tell us that he was the one that makes all the Z Rings. Misty wanted to see his workshop, and Hala agreed to let us take a tour if we defeated him in the Grand Trial--and in order to do that, we had to clear the trial in the Verdant Cavern.

On the way, Hau told us that Hala preferred Fighting types--which would not be a problem for Alegria and Kia'i. He also regaled us with a few Tapu Koko stories (there are three other Tapu--one for each island. But I don't know what the other three are yet) Misty liked the one about how Tapu Koko pulled up the Alola region's islands with his strong arms, and Brock liked the one about how he invented the kite and released the winds. I'll have to have Misty and Brock perform that one for you on my next video dispatch--Brock even sings as Tapu Koko!

Hau turned out to be a decent storyteller, and so the trip to the cavern flew by. Ilima was waiting for us at the cavern entrance, and escorted us inside. As our guides, Hikina and Mahina were not allowed to go in with us until we had cleared the trial.

Once inside, (and after letting us gawk over the mossy rocks and natural crystals in the cavern for a minute or two), Ilima gave us our challenge: collectively defeat three hiding Pokemon, then challenge the Totem Pokemon.

This was a harder task than it sounded, because there were hundreds of little holes in the rock, and every time we thought we had a Pokemon cornered, it would escape and emerge from another hole! Eventually, Misty got the idea to have someone block the Pokemon's primary and secondary exits. so we managed to corner and defeat a Rattata this way.

Brock then spotted a Zubat fluttering among the stalactites, but as we were trying to corner it, we ran into the two Team Skull grunts we defeated before. But all Brock had to do was nock an arrow to scare them away. I actually heard one say as they fled the cavern--and I quote--"If we don't get out of here, we gonna be target practice, homie!"

I can only hope Brock won't have to make a Team Skull goon target practice.

Tintri managed to shock down the Zubat, and I didn't even have to invoke the Pikapaz--you know well how far a single Thunderbolt can go.

After we cornered and defeated a Rattata for our third Pokemon, I asked Sparks what to expect for the battle with the totem. He told us that every Totem Pokemon has a status boosting aura--and the Totems of the cavern had a defense boosting aura. Misty asked him about Gumshoos, and he told us:

"When it finds a trace of its prey, it patiently stakes out the location...but it’s always snoozing by nightfall."

Even though Mahina was outside, Hekili managed to come inside and find us. She told us:

"It adores having Rattata and Raticate for dinner, but as it’s diurnal, it never encounters them. Gumshoos does, however, boast incredible patience."

Brock mused that that explained why there were two Totems of the cavern, but I was thankful to be facing the Gumshoos and not the Raticate.

With that, the three of us entered the Totem's den.

The battle with the Totem Gumshoos was somewhat easy--and not only did it have the defensive Aura, but protective barriers. Brock dispelled those with some arrows while Kia'i was on standby, Misty, Tarina, and Mele distracted all the ally Yungoos the Totem summoned, while my team and I focused on the Totem itself.

It was a longer battle than I thought it would be, but in the end, we all pulled through to win!

With the Totem defeated, we claimed our first Z Crystal from the pedestal in the den--the Normalia Crystal. When invoked, it lets any Pokemon with a Normal move use the Z Move Breakneck Blitz, which is basically a high powered Tackle attack.

Ilima congratulated us on a job well done, and invited us to come visit him after we completed the Grand Trial. We agreed, and started back to Iki Town.

But then something weird happened while we all slept--someone took the Pikapaz in the middle of the night, but left the Normalia Crystal untouched. After we turned the guest house upside down looking for it this morning, Tapu Koko appeared to me again, and told me I could only have the Pikapaz back if I could defeat Hala. I accepted his challenge, and so we all went to train near the Mahalo Trail for the battle in the morning.

I've never backed down from a challenge before, and I will not back down from this one--I will prove to Tapu Koko I am worthy of the Pikapaz, or die trying.

Popoki's pacing near the hammock again, so I'd better finish this up and get some rest for my match with Hala tomorrow.

I can only hope Tintri can do well without the Pikapaz...

Until next time,
Ash