To be frank—
Aiden had long felt the characters in the Sun/Moon series leaned notably youthful.
Not just Ash's sudden art-style shift in the anime—even in-game, the effect was stark.
Take the girl before him now: seemingly twelve or thirteen, radiating delicate grace, with impeccably ladylike manners—Lillie.
He'd only observed her for a few seconds when Lillie—mid-conversation with Professor Kukui—suddenly sensed his gaze. She turned… and froze.
Silence thickened the lab air.
Noticing Lillie's abrupt stillness, Professor Kukui swiveled—and spotted Aiden at the doorway.
"Oh! Aiden, you're here!"
Kukui beamed, waving warmly. He'd been expecting him.
"Professor Kukui."
Aiden nodded, stepping inside at the professor's gesture.
As he drew nearer, Lillie—still dazed—instinctively ducked behind Kukui.
Yet to Aiden… she didn't seem afraid of this stranger.
Even half-hidden, her vivid emerald eyes quietly tracked him.
"Oh! I nearly forgot to introduce you!"
Seeing Aiden's curious glance toward Lillie, Kukui slapped his forehead.
"This is Lillie. Looks young, but she's incredibly reliable~"
"She's staying at the lab temporarily—assisting me with research."
"Hello, Lillie."
Aiden smiled, offering a friendly wave.
Mentally, he added:
Professor Kukui… isn't this basically child labor?!
But in the Pokémon world? Ten-year-olds could go on journeys solo. Paldea nearly had a nine-year-old Elite Four member——
Compromise is human nature. Suddenly… it felt reasonable.
"H-he… hello, Teacher Azure!"
Unlike Aiden's calm, Lillie stammered shyly—cheeks flushing.
But Aiden's eyebrow lifted. He caught the key detail:
Kukui never mentioned me… so how does she know "Teacher Azure"?
Only one answer!
Lillie's one of my fans too!
"Do you know me, Lillie?"
Aiden's smile widened as he asked.
Lillie didn't reply—just nodded mutely… then vanished behind Kukui again.
Kukui chuckled helplessly.
"Lillie's been a bit shy lately due to… circumstances."
"But she does watch your tactic streams regularly."
Aiden nodded.
Curious about her situation… but pressing any further feels intrusive.
Best to pivot.
"Professor Kukui—about the upcoming Ice-type Master Tournament——"
"Ah! Almost forgot!"
Jolted by the reminder, Kukui straightened.
"As mentioned on the call: the tournament begins in a week. I'd be honored if Teacher Azure served as commentator."
"And as compensation—" he grinned—"the Alola League will provide a full set of Type Z-Crystals… plus a matching Z-Ring."
This newly met Alolan professor struck Aiden as refreshingly boisterous—hardly the stereotypical scholar.
But those familiar with his background knew: beyond being Alola's local celebrity the "Masked Royal," Kukui's life story was even more legendary.
In his youth, he'd left Alola as a formidable Trainer—reportedly challenged the Kanto League, defeated three Elite Four members consecutively… and narrowly lost to Lance.
Damn you, Lance!
Having seen the wider world, he returned to Alola—steadfastly championing regional League formation.
Last year, Alola finally joined the Pokémon League as an independent region.
With no Champion yet crowned, Kukui likely served dual roles: Acting Champion and Pokémon Professor.
A true workhorse—even Champion Geeta would tear up.
Yet mere League membership meant little. Alola's global recognition remained low.
Hence Kukui's urgency: leveraging the Attribute Master Tournament to boost visibility… and fast-track regional development.
Even recruiting this "mega-streamer" as commentator.
Aiden understood perfectly.
Riding hype? No shame!
And Alola's sincerity shone: offering a full Z-set upfront. Nothing more fitting as "local specialty."
"Teacher Azure must be familiar with Z-Moves, right?"
Seeing Aiden hesitate, Kukui elaborated:
"Z-Moves are Alola's unique battle technique. By channeling Alola's native Ultra Aura, concentrated power erupts instantly—unleashing moves surpassing conventional limits."
"I know."
Aiden nodded—then lifted his wrist, revealing a gleaming gem-embedded ring.
"I've actually used Z-Moves before."
Back when Eevee hadn't evolved into Sylveon, the system granted him a "Z-Power Ring" and matching Eevium Z-Crystal.
Post-evolution? He'd never used it again——
"Hm?"
Both Kukui and the peeking Lillie behind him froze at the sight of the Z-Ring.
"So Teacher Azure has already mastered Z-Moves?"
Kukui blinked, incredulous.
Z-Move execution relied on oral tradition: beyond Z-Crystals and Rings, each move required a unique dance to maximize Ultra Aura absorption.
If Aiden never visited Alola… how could he know?
But Kukui dismissed the doubt. The more Aiden knows, the better.
Had he known earlier, he'd have insisted Aiden compete—perfect showcase for Alola's charm!
Alas… Aiden showed no interest in competing.
"Actually," Aiden continued, "I have a question about Z-Moves."
"Ask away. I'll answer to the best of my ability."
Kukui's posture shifted—scholar-mode activated.
Aiden retrieved two similarly shaped but differently colored Z-Crystals.
"This is——"
Kukui examined one: brownish, vaguely Ground-type… yet distinct.
"It's the Eevium Z!"
Lillie's voice cut through—firm, certain.
"Correct. The Eevium Z."
Kukui's eyes lit up. "With this Eevee-exclusive Z-Crystal, a Trainer channels Ultra Aura to transform Last Resort into 'Extreme Evoboost'—borrowing power from Eevees worldwide."
As a Z-Move specialist, he knew exclusive techniques intimately.
Aiden nodded. "My Eevee used it once."
"But——after evolving into Sylveon… this Z-Crystal became unusable."
Kukui sighed in agreement.
Beyond Z-Moves, many phenomena fade post-evolution.
Classic example: Everstone loses effect once Pokémon reach final evolution.
Exclusive Z-Moves, Dynamaxing, Mega Evolution—all follow similar rules.
Only Pokémon at specific stages can unleash corresponding power.
Scholars researched endlessly… yet no unified theory emerged.
Kukui now grasped Aiden's query.
His focus shifted to the second crystal: colorless, utterly inert.
Ah—a raw Z-Crystal base. No power infused.
No wonder Aiden wondered——
"Theoretically… it's possible."
Kukui's verdict came after a thoughtful pause.
But before Aiden could brighten—he shook his head.
"However, practically? We understand little about Z-Crystal formation."
He elaborated:
"Z-Crystals were first unearthed millennia ago by ancient Alolan royalty. They discovered the immense power within."
"This power stems from Alola's unique Ultra Aura—gathered through ley lines to form elemental Z-Crystals."
"Their creation process… like ancient Mega Stones… remains a mystery."
"Thus—humans cannot yet replicate this power."
Disappointment flickered in Aiden.
Got a system-granted base crystal capable of forging any exclusive Z… but without a craftsman? Pointless.
Yet—he caught Kukui's implication. Eyes gleamed.
"So… non-human entities can create Z-Crystals?"
Instantly, he pictured Alola's four Island Guardians.
"Mm. Certain… special beings might."
Kukui nodded. "The four deities guarding each island wield Ultra Aura freely—even unleashing unique Z-Moves themselves."
"If they intervene… perhaps."
"Though——even Island Kahunas rarely contact the Guardian Deities."
"It doesn't matter. As long as the possibility exists."
Aiden smiled, unfazed by the caveat.
Having hope is enough. Dealing with Legendaries? I've got experience!
Strictly speaking, the four Island Guardians' combat prowess paled beside true deities.
Sun/Moon's true legends were:
The "Beast that Devours the Sun" Solgaleo, "Beast that Calls the Moon" Lunala, and the "Radiant One" Necrozma.
"Ah—Teacher Azure."
Kukui's tone turned cheerful.
"Earlier I mentioned that the day after tomorrow, Melemele Island hosts the Grand Trial Festival."
"A grand annual celebration honoring Tapu Koko, the island's guardian deity."
"That day… Tapu Koko usually appears in Iki Town. A perfect chance to connect with it."
"I'll be there."
Aiden considered—then agreed.
Unlike the trio of cosmic deities, the four "Tapu Family" guardians were native Pokémon. Legends spoke of a great battle 500 years ago against Solgaleo and Lunala.
Perhaps that forged their relatively harmonious bond with humans—each residing in ancient ruins across the islands, jointly protecting Alola.
The Alolans, deeply grateful, hold annual festivals per island to honor them.
Melemele's Grand Trial Festival is the most renowned——
(Mainly because Tapu Koko alone reliably responds to humans—it has the highest tourist ROI.)
Having secured his answer, Aiden exchanged brief pleasantries—then bid farewell to Kukui and Lillie.
Unlike his Sinnoh "business trip," this visit was pure vacation.
Time to truly… enjoy the holiday!
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