Hau'oli City, Pokémon Center.
After getting their Pokémon treated together, Ash was about to part ways with Kiawe and the others.
"I still have something to do. You guys go on ahead."
After waving goodbye to them,
Ash hurried off.
Ash had checked the time at the Pokémon Center and realized he might not make it if he didn't hurry.
"He's being so secretive."
"Should we follow him quietly?"
"That wouldn't be right, would it?"
"We're only going to take a look."
Naturally, there was a reason Ash was rushing around in such a frantic scramble.
Gladion had issued him a challenge.
Yesterday, Ash had met Lillie's older brother, Gladion, at Fountain Plaza in Hau'oli City.
Naturally, Ash had challenged Gladion to a battle.
Knowing how strong Ash was, and learning that he had earned Tapu Koko's recognition, Gladion was interested.
Gladion also wanted to know just how much he had grown over the past six months of training.
A battle against Ash was the perfect opportunity to test the results.
Last night, while Ash was still sound asleep,
"Pika..."
Pikachu's ears twitched gently.
A sleek black figure slipped silently past the skylight overhead, seeming to blend into the night.
It moved lightly, making almost no sound-it was Gladion's Umbreon.
The golden rings on Umbreon's body glimmered faintly in the dim moonlight.
Then a neatly folded note sailed precisely into the room, drifting gently down onto Ash.
Naturally, Ash didn't notice.
"Pika..."
Pikachu gently nudged Ash,
but Ash didn't react at all.
"Pika~chu!"
Pikachu had no choice but to use the ultimate Ash-waking method.
Namely-Thunderbolt!
"What are you doing, Pikachu?!"
Numb from the shock, Ash finally woke up.
"Pika!"
Following the direction of Pikachu's insistently pointing little paw, Ash finally spotted Umbreon at the skylight.
"That's..."
Ash quickly remembered.
"You're