Next Stop: Verdant Cavern
My first island trial awaits—and with it, my very first Z-Crystal.
📓 Evan's Journal
Month 1, Day 28
Location: Route 3
Time: 12:00 PM
Today's personal goal is clear: earn my first Z-Crystal. In both the anime and the game, Ash battled a Totem Gumshoos here to earn the Normalium Z. If my memory serves me right, I'll be doing something similar.
I followed the directions on my Pokédex and made my way to Verdant Cavern. The entrance was thick with vines and moss. The air inside was cool, quiet, and oddly calming.
Just a few steps in, a man stepped into my path.
"Ah, a trainer with a Z-Ring. You must be here for the island trial," he said, eyeing my wrist. "I'm the one in charge of this trial. Once you enter, you can't leave until it's complete—so I hope you have potions."
He paused, then asked, "Are you prepared?"
"I am," I nodded.
He smiled. "Good. Then let me formally introduce myself—I'm Captain Ilima."
He explained the trial: defeat three Yungoos scattered in the cavern. After that, challenge the Totem Pokémon. Only by defeating it would I earn the Z-Crystal.
"Also," he added, "you're not allowed to catch Pokémon here until the trial is cleared."
"Understood," I replied.
"Then off you go," he said, stepping aside.
🌿 Verdant Cavern – Trial Begins
As I ventured deeper, the light dimmed, the moss-covered walls absorbing sound. From one of the side dens, a growl echoed—then a Yungoos leapt out.
"Thorn, you're up!" I called, tossing out the Poké Ball.
In a flash, my Alolan Beedrill emerged—sleek and shadowy, his wings humming low. His dark/bug form shimmered with danger.
Battle Start: Thorn vs. Yungoos
The Yungoos lunged with a wild Tackle. Thorn sidestepped and countered with Fury Cutter, slashing clean across the Yungoos's flank.
Yungoos growled, using Leer, its eyes glowing sharply—but Thorn wasn't fazed. I called, "Pursuit, now!"
Dark energy surged around Thorn's stingers as he darted forward, striking clean. The Yungoos staggered back, breathing heavily.
"One more Fury Cutter!"
Thorn finished it off with a precise slash. Yungoos collapsed.
✅ Pokémon Defeated: 1/3
Not long after, another rustle from above signaled our next opponent.
"Alright, Trixie," I said quietly, tapping her Poké Ball. A soft flash revealed my Alolan Butterfree, her pastel wings glowing in the cavern's dim light.
Battle Start: Trixie vs. Yungoos
The second Yungoos charged in with Tackle, but Trixie gracefully floated upward, dodging with ease.
"Fairy Wind!"
She spun midair, releasing a swirl of sparkles that blasted the Yungoos back. It recovered quickly and leapt with Bite, catching the edge of her wing.
"Draining Kiss!"
A glowing aura wrapped around Trixie as she zipped forward, landing a kiss on Yungoos's head. It staggered, visibly drained, while Trixie regained her strength.
"Stun Spore!"
Gold dust showered down as Trixie beat her wings. The Yungoos twitched—paralyzed.
"Now—Fairy Wind!"
With a final elegant spin, Trixie sent another burst of sparkling air that sent the Yungoos tumbling.
✅ Pokémon Defeated: 2/3
Trixie landed beside me. I gave her a soft pat, and she chirped happily.
Two down. One more Yungoos to go.