12 Chapter 12 : Acknowledgment

A/N: Aht here. Here is the next chapter.

Bit of a special chapter, and is longer than usual. Won't say much, but Itsuki's background may have something more to do with Alola than we originally thought, hehe~

Don't forget to drop those power stones and leave comments below! We reached 500 last week so let's aim for 600!

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It really is the Z Move! I inwardly thought to myself, unable to contain my excitement.

Z-Moves were unique to that of the Alola region. And they couldn't be used without the appropriate elemental crystal and the bracelet which activates said crystal. It allows a trainer to sync up with their Pokemon, letting them power up a single move of theirs, and evolving it entirely into a stronger move.

The only downside is it can only be used once per battle. It is the so called trump card that can change the tide of a battle completely with a single move, and achieve victory.

Despite that, it powers up a move greatly, completely evolving it into a new move. For ice types, that new move is called Subzero Slammer, as Professor Kukui just stated a moment ago.

In sun and moon, Subzero Slammer was actually shown in the anime. As one of its main characters, Lillie, who also owned an Alolan Vulpix, showed it off more than once. However her Alolan Vulpix was not shiny, while mine was.

Lillie's Vulpix was even shown getting a bit drunk off on how powerful the move was when her Vulpix unleashed it for the first time too. And with the size of our backyard...The whole place could get covered in a giant ice crystal formation, let alone the battle field. That is definitely a worry, but I won't know how it will turn out until I use it.

Seeing the Professor reveal the ring, I hesitated once more, before becoming resolute. As if it was calling out to me, the moment I reached my left hand for the bracelet, it actually activated on its own. Not only that, it even lifted itself up into the air, and the Icium Z started to radiate a crystal light blue light. It floated on toward the empty socket of the ring by itself too.

With a click, it latched on, fitting right into the empty socket. The light then got brighter, before it changed course, causing the ring to automatic open itself, and latched onto my left arm. Not only did this light cover me, it also covered Vulpix!

Everyone was shocked seeing this light cover Vulpix and I. Extending my arms out, I looked around myself to see if anything was wrong on my body. All I could feel was this strange sense of warmth spread out. The light continued to brighten and didn't seem to stop. Even Lance had a serious look in his eyes, seeing this happen. Was this another phenomenon that wasn't supposed to happen?

But watching this happen before my eyes...seems oddly familiar. This is just like when Ash got acknowledged by Tapu Koko, one of the Alolan Island's Guardian Deities...Haha, there is no way that's happening now, right?

"Uhh, is this supposed to happen, Professor Kukui?", unable to hide my surprise any longer, I decided ask.

Yet all I saw Professor Kukui do was bring his hat down, obscuring his upper face from our vision.

"No.", Professor Kukui said, looking down at the grass.

I only got more confused by that vague response from his. Yet someone didn't appear to like that answer. Mom did an immediate 180, and darted straight for him. When she arrived, she raised her arms, and grabbed a hold of his chest, and actually lifted him off the ground a bit. She appeared pretty angry now.

"What do you mean, "No"? I swear if something bad happens to Itsuki I won't forgive you, even if you are a good friend of Dad's!", Mom said, yelling at Kukui.

"It's alright, Mom! Look, I'm fine. This light hasn't disappeared yet but it's giving me a warm feeling. I find it strangely familiar too...", I said, trying to calm mom down.

"Familiar?", Mom asked, before setting Kukui back down, letting out a sigh of relief. Kukui remained calm, and even had a smile appear on his face.

"I always had an inkling that this could be a possibility, but I didn't it would actually happen, since this Z-Ring was created by our lab.", Kukui started to say.

"You know why it's doing this to me?", I asked him.

"Yeah. While this Z-Ring is our first creation, it actually isn't the first ever Z-Ring. They can be found naturally on our Alolan Islands as well. Each Island is protected by what we call Guardian Deities, who can also give Z-Rings to trainers. While the Elite Four may be new, our island kahunas and trial givers mostly have one too, for being acknowledged by them. Itsuki, the phenomenon you are experiencing right now does not happen to just anyone on our island...", Kukui continued to say.

"Guardian Deities...Are they like legendary Pokemon?"

"You can see them as such. The light you are seeing now is likely that one of the Guardian Deities is currently acknowledging you!", Professor Kukui responded with a firm tone, raising his head again. He had a smile.

"Acknowledging...", I began to say.

"But I didn't even know this could even happen outside of Alola! Then again, your parents did come from Alola as well, so maybe the Guardians made an exception for you. I haven't found out who did that to your parents but it seems I'll have to prioritize it.", Kukui continued to say. But even then, Ash was from outside of Alola, and he got approved too, so maybe something else his happening?

Yet all of a sudden before anyone could do anything else, something unexpected happen. As the light persisted on, the bird Pokemon in the air started to stir, rapidly flying away in several directions. Four large shadows swiftly swooshed in from the south entrance of Pallet Town. Whoosh!

These four shadows flew very quickly, heading right toward our backyard. We suddenly heard four individual sounds echo in our ears as well. Even Kukui suddenly became very stiff and went wide eyed in shock. It looks like we got some uninvited guests. Or maybe they were invited thanks to this phenomenon?

"Kokoooo!"

"Lelee!"

"Buluuu!"

"Finiiii!"

Four individual voices called out to us, swiftly heading our way, yet the shadows suddenly disappeared. I then saw shock appear in the adults' eyes. Their eyes started to wander, as if they were looking at something around me.

"Uhh, guys?", I called out to them once more as they did this.

But all I saw was that Kukui raised his arm, and pointed his finger, telling me to look behind me. There's something back there, isn't there?

As soon as I started to turn my body around, I saw a large shadow actually get right up into my face, revealing a head of sorts, no more than a foot or two apart. This figure let out another sound, as if it called out to me.

"Kokooo!", the creature said. It appeared to be of that of a rooster of sorts with a large cup like shell sporting on each of its hands, and its outer body was mostly yellow while its inside was mostly orange.

I too became startled from this sudden intrusion, and stumbled back a bit, only to fall onto my butt.

"W-Woah there!" I exclaimed in surprise too, landing a couple feet backward, falling onto the grass.

And once I was able to look back up, I saw the creature continuously swerve back and forth in front of me. It then looked at my Z Ring out of curiosity, as did the other three.

I'm shocked that these four creatures suddenly appeared behind us. Wait, calling them creatures is wrong. They are actually Pokemon. I didn't even know they could leave the Alola Islands. They were none other than the four deities we had just mentioned. With the one in front, it was Tapu Koko. Behind it was Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu and Tapu Fini. All four of them were looking we me, Vulpix, and the Z-Ring. Well more specifically, the Z-Ring itself.

"Did...you guys come here for this?", Unable to hide my curiosity, Tapu Koko nodded its head. Wait, did it seriously just answer me by nodding its head?

So it did come for the Z-Ring, huh?

Knowing that, I decided to set Vulpix down, who had stars in her eyes seeing all of these Pokemon arrive.

The light split off, to where it both covered me and Vulpix separately. I then raised my arm, letting the Z-Ring display itself in front of the four.

Seeing me offer the ring to them, Tapu Koko turned around to the other three, only to let out another sound. It appeared happy this time.

"Koo!", It yelled to the other three, who also responded happily.

All of a sudden the four suddenly got very close to me. Tapu Koko placed its hand on the ring. Tapu Lele followed placing its hand on the ring. Tapu Bulu and Tapu Fini also touched the ring.

Immediately after, the light became blinding, but I didn't look away. The light started to swirl down into the ring itself, and it finally vanished. The light also swirled into Vulpix, and a phantom of a peculiar crest appeared over her body, before it vanished as well. The light over us was gone now and the four parted their hands away from it.

"The four Guardians actually left Alola to come for this...", Kukui uttered in amazement. "And he isn't getting acknowledged by just one, but all four of them!"

"Is this something you've seen before, Professor Kukui?", Professor Oak also asked while marveling at the ongoing scene

"The acknowledgment, yes. But it's unheard of for all four to acknowledge a person. Even just being acknowledged by one that trainer turns out to become someone great. Just take our trial givers for example."

"Indeed. It's been a while since I've gone to Alola, maybe I should pay everyone a visit soon.", Professor Oak replied.

"Haha, I'm sure they'd like that. But this is strange, the Guardians would normally leave by now, but why are they still here?", Professor Kukui asked doubtfully.

As for Itsuki, he spoke out to the four, thanking them.

"I don't know why you guys came here, or heck, I don't even know how you guys came here. But to acknowledge me like this and the Z-Ring, I give you guys my thanks.', I said with a smile.

"Kokooo!", Tapu Koko replied with another nod. However, it still swerved left to right while the other three remained around it.

The acknowledgment should have ended by now, so why? I also thought to myself.

Yet it seems our doubt was soon answered. Tapu Koko pointed at my Z-Ring once more, causing me to become surprised again. Seeing this happen, it reminded me of another scene from sun and moon, when the four customized Ash's Z-Ring to allow him to use the unique Z-Crystal tied to Solgaleo, one of mythical Alola Pokemon.

Wait, don't tell me it wants to customize my Z-Ring as well!? A lot of surprises are happening ton this day.

First Mom randomly decided to show off her Pokemon, which was one of the legendary birds, Articuno. Now it turns out I have Blue as a father, and Professor Kukui and Champion Lance decided to pay a visit cause they know Professor Oak. Red exists too, let's not forget that.

Will I ever have my battle with Mom? Haha! I said, inwardly laughing to myself.

Then again I had absolutely zero idea Professor Kukui would bring out a Z-Ring, or let alone the four Guardians would make their appearance here of all places.

I swear, if they decide to bring in a Nebby here, I'm going to start flipping tables.

But seeing Tapu Koko point at my ring, it does indeed want to do something else to it, which caused more surprise to those here as well.

"Do you...want this?, I asked to Tapu Koko revealing the acknowledged ring before it. It didn't have any visible changes, except it felt as if the ring was a part of me. It was as if something that was missing was finally put in its place. It was a weird feeling, but I could feel my connection with Vulpix even closer than before.

After I asked that, Tapu Koko nodded yet again. It then saw the firm look in my eyes, and knew my answer.

Tapu Koko raised its hand again, which caused a rainbow light to emanate from the ring. Everyone saw this as the ring started to float up, removing itself from my arm. The crystal also detached itself from the ring, causing it to float next to i, and both slowly headed toward Tapu Koko.

As it did the four flew up and away a bit, evenly setting them apart, entering a formation of sorts.

It does look like I'll be getting a custom Z Crystal...Would it be for Vulpix? Full of curiosity seeing this play out, I continued to watch.

The shock on Professor Kukui's continued on too. Professor Oak was confused as this was still new to him.

"Do you know what's going on now, Kukui?", Oak asked.

"I've only heard stories from the Kahunas, and I've yet to personally witness this...You see, their are very few of them, but those few individuals were lucky enough to receive specialized Z-Crystals. And those are the Kahunas we know today."

"Specialized Z-Crystals? Do they perform moves not used by the normal ones?"

"Yeah. Though I don't know how the Guardians do it to evolve them in such a way. This will be the first time seeing it."

"Even a first time for you eh? Guess we'll just sit back and watch--!?",Professor Oak started to reply, before his eyes turned wide.

All of a sudden, Tapu Koko clamped down on the ring and the crystal, even causing to hide its face away. This gave everyone a stir.

"Did it...just eat them?", Professor Oak asked.

Yet no one answered him. In the next moment, Tapu Koko entered a ritual dance of sorts, letting out more sounds. Volts of electricity escaped from each side.

This lasted a few seconds before Tapu Koko spat out the ring and the crystal, shooting it right at Tapu Lele. The ring and crystal actually changed colors, become yellow like pure electricity.

Tapu Lele entered a dance of its own next, moving its feelers up and down in the process after it shut its own clamps onto the ring and crystal. Sparkles of purple light appeared as it danced. A few seconds later, Tapu Lele spat it out, causing them to change color yet again, it was pink-purple this time. Tapu Lele sent it toward Tapu Bulu, who opened up its clamps.

After biting down, Tapu Bulu danced, and did several flipping motions. It then spun a few times, leaving behind green sparkles of light trailing from its tail. Tapu Bulu then dud a twist, spitting the two out. They now appeared green as grass.

And finally, the two were caught by Tapu Fini. Dancing around, it started to swerve in several directions, as if it was swimming in the ocean. Droplets of water splattered around it, before it came to a halt, letting its horn point upward. It then started to spin, letting out small water geysers around it.

It then opened up, spitting out the the Z-Ring and Z-Crystal o e last time. Only this time, both of them were now shining rainbow. The four Tapus ceased their dancing, and grouped back together, watching on in curiosity.

The two of them slowly floated back toward Itsuki. The Z Ring snuggly fitted onto his left arm again, while the new Z-Crystal floated into his other palm.

After they did, the rainbow light vanished and the Z-Ring had a complete makeover. It wasn't silver-white anymore. It was pitch black obsidian now. The Z-Crystal wasn't light blue anymore either, it became pale purple, as if it matched Vulpix's.

"Vulpix!", she yelled out happily, letting her tails sway around. She was staring right at the crystal in my hand.

"You can feel it, cant you, Vulpix?", I asked her.

"Vul!", Vulpix said in acknowledgment.

I then slid the crystal back in place, and it latched on perfectly. I looked back up to Tapu Koko, who let out another cuckoo-like sound.

"Kokooooo!", Tapu Koko said, swerving around happily. It then briefly turned around to the other three, who nodded back at Tapu Koko. Tapu Koko then turned back, and stared back at me, as if it still had something to say.

"What is it?", I asked Tapu Koko. Yet it didn't say anything, and only started to lift its two arms, bringing them closer together in a vertical position. It was as if it was waiting to start something.

Professor Kukui snapped out of his stupor after seeing Tapu Koko initiate this and quickly spoke out to Itsuki.

"Don't look away, Itsuki! Tapu Koko is about to show you how to use your new Z-Move!", Professor Kukui yelled out to me.

"Tapu Koko...is that your name?", I asked it.

Tapu Koko nodded its head back at me.

"I see. then Tapu Koko, show me what you got!", I said, following suit. I raised my hands to match Tapu Koko's.

Sure enough Tapu Koko started to do a motion. It behaved very similar to the Icium Z's flow, except it added in an extra stance, crossing my arms over each other in the shape of a rectangle.

Even though it did not tell me the name of this new move, Tapu Koko's intent was going into me, and it felt as if I could recite the name of my new Z-Move by heart after we finished the stance. Even Vulpix went along, and actually matched mine, she could be seen with her paws outward, crouching down.

Seeing the stance done, I let it burn into my memory.

Zero Ice Prison.

That was the name of this new Z-Move that was given to me by Tapu Koko. After we finished, the four Tapus became happy once again and our stances returned to normal.

Guess this body of mine that god gave me is more part of Alola than I thought, huh? Maybe I will have to make that region higher in my list to explore.

Still, I was very grateful to the four Guardians appearing here. They were happy floating around me, appearing curious. However Tapu Koko still hovered closest to me.

I only saw it raising its hand a bit, before Tapu Koko formed a fist, and extended it out, asking for a fist pump.

"Hehe.", I let out laugh, before meeting his fist with my own.

Yet as I did, the moment ours touched, Tapu Koko's intent flowed inside me. Most of it was expressing its happiness and curious, but there was also a sense of longing and also worry.

Worry? That isn't good...

But I didn't say anything, and only looked back at it with my own eyes. Vulpix also looked up and met its eyes. Both of us didn't back down.

Seeing this Tapu Koko nodded its head one last time and parted ways.

It had a look at the other three Tapus and yelled out to them.

"Kokooo!", Tapu Koko yelled out. It then had one final look at us, and just like that, the four Tapus turned into shadows once again, and left out backyard, speeding toward the ocean.

They had left, just as quick as they had come.

With the giving of the Z-Ring, they had come and not only acknowledged us, they evolved my Z-Ring to the Z-Power Ring, just like they did with Ash in the anime, and even let me experience their feelings.

If they were feeling worry, then something was bound to happen in Alola soon, and I should probably make it my second or third region to explore after Kanto.

With that in mind, I let out a sigh of relief, and Vulpix jumped back into my arms. When I turned around, I saw everyone dazed, with expressions as if they didn't believe the scene that just happened.

But it was mom who snapped out of it the quickest and quickly approached me.

"You're not hurt, are you, Itsuki?", Mom asked with worry.

"I'm fine, Mom. See?", Showing her how I currently looked, there wasn't a single scratch on me.

Mom nodded and gave me a hug.

Well that was a lot to take in, but my future is only going to get more exciting from here, and now I have my own Z-Move!

"Good. We weren't expecting this to happen, but I can see you aren't injured. It's not every day you get to come across multiple legendary Pokemon at once, and it can take a lot out of you. Would you like to rest before we start our battle?"

I immediately shook my head.

"I feel fine to battle. In fact having that happen only excited me further. I can't wait to use this new ring during it.", I said happily.

"I'm also looking forward to it. Professor Kukui, you called them Z-Moves, right?"

After mom asked that, Kukui snapped out of his daze, as did the others. He nodded his head.

"That's right. We call them Z-Moves in Alola. Their effects can be quite devastating so we need to stay clear when Itsuki decides to use it."

"Alright, thanks for the warning. Let us go activate the field."

And just like that, it was time to battle. My first ever opponent will be against mom who has a Legendary Pokemon, Articuno!