Malie City was the largest settlement on Ula'ula Island.
Peter and Whitney wandered through Malie Garden. The takoyaki here was famous throughout the island, so the two naturally stopped to enjoy a delicious snack before heading toward Malie Library.
According to Peter's memories from his previous life's anime, the Island Kahuna of Ula'ula Island, Molayne, had once been an International Police officer. He was also notoriously lazy and hated troublesome things.
Back when Ash first challenged the Ula'ula Island trial, Molayne had outright lied and claimed he wasn't the Island Kahuna just to avoid battling.
In the end, it was only because Acerola intervened that he reluctantly accepted the challenge.
As for Acerola—
she was one of Alola's future Elite Four members in the games and also served as the librarian of Malie Library.
Because she and Molayne had become close despite their age difference and even lived together, she understood him extremely well. Molayne, in turn, spoiled the adorable little girl far more than he admitted.
So Peter's plan was simple.
Find Acerola first—
then use her to drag Molayne into properly starting the Island Trial.
The moment they stepped into the quiet library, an atmosphere of calm washed over them.
Towering bookshelves rose more than ten meters high, connected by spiraling staircases that climbed endlessly upward.
Somewhere deeper inside, a soft, ethereal voice echoed gently through the library.
"Long ago… an empty sky suddenly split open, and two great beasts descended from the heavens. One radiated dazzling light, while the other commanded endless night. The people called them the Beast That Devours the Sun and the Beast That Beckons the Moon…"
"The two great beasts illuminated the Alolan kingdom and brought blessings of nature to the islands. Together, they created new life, while the guardian deities protected the peaceful land…"
"And so, at the sacred altar, the people performed songs and rituals to express their gratitude to Solgaleo, the Beast of the Sun, and Lunala, the Beast of the Moon…"
"Alright~ that's the end of today's story! Come back tomorrow for the next one!"
"Okayyy~!"
Several elementary school children answered in drawn-out voices before rushing out in a noisy swarm.
Sitting atop a pile of books was a small girl with purple hair and matching purple eyes. She wore a ragged dress and simple sandals, smiling softly as she watched the children leave.
Floating behind her was a shiny Mimikyu adorned with flower decorations.
"Rotom Dex reporting! Mimikyu, the Disguise Pokémon! A Ghost- and Fairy-type Pokémon! Other than knowing it hides beneath a rag resembling Pikachu, almost everything about it remains a mystery! It's said that scholars who saw its true form all died, Rotom~!"
Just as the girl bent down to organize the scattered books, Rotom's announcement made her look up.
A teenage boy and girl had entered the library.
"Um… can I help you two with something?"
"Alola~ Acerola, we're here to challenge the Ula'ula Island Trial. We were hoping you could help us find Island Kahuna Molayne."
Peter quickly explained their purpose.
At the same time, he handed Mimikyu a snack that Zoroark usually liked.
"Mimi~"
The little Pokémon happily accepted it.
Seeing that, Acerola immediately brightened.
"So you really do know Uncle Molayne pretty well… That guy is definitely slacking off again…"
She sighed dramatically before patting her chest confidently.
"Don't worry! Leave it to me~"
Since Acerola still had work at the library, the three of them didn't leave until close to noon.
Their destination was the local police station where Molayne usually stayed.
Not only was he Ula'ula Island's Kahuna—
he also continued serving as a police officer.
"We've gotta hurry," Acerola said while jogging ahead. "Uncle Molayne loves afternoon naps and absolutely hates being disturbed…"
Before long, they arrived at a quiet little police station tucked away from the busy streets.
Quite a few blue-gray Alolan Meowth wandered in and out around the building.
"Don't worry, those are all stray Meowth Uncle Molayne took in," Acerola explained cheerfully. "He's surprisingly popular with them~"
She led Peter and Whitney inside.
The moment they entered, they saw a middle-aged man leaning back in a chair with his feet propped up on the desk, seemingly asleep.
Judging by his scruffy appearance, he clearly hadn't shaved in quite some time.
Even with his eyes closed, however, he skillfully played with a kendama in one hand. The rhythmic clicking sounds echoed crisply through the room in an oddly mesmerizing pattern.
"Uncle Molayne, you've got work~! Two trainers came to challenge the Island Trial today!"
"Hm?"
Molayne lazily opened one eye and glanced at Peter and Whitney.
"Molayne? Who's that? Never heard of him. I'm Zhang San. Temporary security guard."
"Huh? But you are Molayne," Whitney said innocently while pointing at the nameplate on his uniform. "It says so right there."
"Uncle Molayne, if you keep running away from your responsibilities, I'm gonna tell the other Kahunas~"
Acerola planted her hands on her hips and snatched the kendama away from him.
Molayne sighed helplessly.
"You little brat…"
He lowered his feet, stood up slowly, and was immediately surrounded by several Meowth rubbing against his legs.
"Fine then…"
He checked the time on his watch before looking meaningfully at Peter.
"It's 11:35 right now. If you can defeat the island's three Totem Pokémon before 4 PM, then I'll allow you to challenge the Island Trial."
"Otherwise…"
"Don't interrupt my nap."
"What?! That's impossible! Uncle Molayne, you're obviously making things difficult on purpose!"
Acerola puffed out her cheeks in protest.
Molayne ignored her completely and kept staring at Peter.
"Well? As a trainer… you've gotta challenge your limits eventually, right?"
Peter's lips curved upward.
"That's actually more time than I expected."
He casually tossed out a Poké Ball.
In the next moment, Braviary emerged with a powerful cry, and Peter pulled Whitney up onto its back.
"We'll be back soon, Molayne."
He smirked faintly.
"Just make sure you don't mysteriously disappear before then."
With that, Braviary soared into the sky.
Acerola watched them leave before turning back toward Molayne.
"They seem like really nice people though… They even gave Mimi snacks…"
She wanted to say more, but Molayne simply placed a large hand on her head.
"Kid, trials should vary depending on the person."
"Since I agreed to it, then naturally the challenge has to deserve being called a trial. Otherwise…"
He yawned lazily.
"It's just going through the motions, isn't it?"
"Mm…"
Acerola blinked thoughtfully.
Today's Uncle Molayne felt strangely profound.
…
High above the island, Peter patted his backpack, and Rotom flew out.
"Roto, scan for Totem Aura locations on the island."
"Roger, Rotom~! Beginning search…"
This was a brand-new function Peter had asked Professor Burnet to install into Rotom yesterday.
Its main purpose was detecting and locating Totem auras and Ultra Beast energy signatures.
Peter had already collected eight different Z-Crystals, but he was still missing quite a few if he wanted the full set of eighteen.
While Island Kahunas provided certain Z-Crystals consistently, those only covered specific types.
So during his stay in Alola, Peter planned to challenge as many Totem Pokémon as possible and earn the remaining Z-Crystals through their recognition.
Now—
that feature was finally proving useful.
"Beep beep… Nearest Totem Aura located northwest at Hokulani Observatory, Rotom~!"
"Good."
Peter patted Braviary's neck.
"Braviary, head northwest!"
"Skreeee—!!!"
With a sharp cry, Braviary accelerated toward Mount Hokulani in the distance.