One day, Caleb arrived in the Alola region, a land of palm trees and seas, with Mimikyu perched on his shoulder.
As a specially invited trainer, he was set to join trainers from various regions in Alola's Island Challenge; a rite of passage unique to this tropical paradise.
"So many people!" Caleb marveled, Mimikyu perched on his shoulder as he fed her bites of ice cream while surveying the crowd.
The Island Challenge was a ceremony passed down in Alola, designed to help children grow into skilled Pokémon trainers. At age 11, they were expected to take on the challenge.
In the games, the Island Challenge effectively replaced the traditional Gym circuit.
Caleb felt a little out of place standing among a crowd of eleven-year-olds. A twenty-something young man standing among them was, to put it mildly, rather conspicuous.
It was actually quite funny. He had been under the impression he was just here to observe the Island Challenge as a guest, but as soon as he arrived, the four Island Kahunas had practically shoved him into the competitor's slot, citing a 'vision' from the island guardian, Tapu Koko, as their reasoning...
Caleb was mortified, especially when the kids started staring at him with looks of fervent admiration.
'It's fine, it's fine. This is nothing, I'm very thick skinned,' he kept repeating in his head.
News of his participation had drawn a massive influx of tourists and reporters from every region to swarm the event.
Cameras clicked nonstop around him.
"Kyuu…" Mimikyu sighed. Suddenly, she noticed a strange figure in the distance, "Kyuu?"
"Hm?" Caleb turned to look, spotting a distinctive figure with green hair and a white cap moving through the crowd and entering the competitor zone.
'Isn't that… N? What's he doing in Alola?' he wondered.
N felt Caleb's gaze and looked over. Their eyes met across the crowd.
N tipped his cap slightly and nodded in Caleb's direction.
Just then, a sharp whistle blew.
A dark-skinned man with pink hair stepped forward with a warm smile and introduced himself: "Greetings, trainers taking on the Island Challenge! I'm Ilima, the captain leading the trial-goers on Melemele Island."
After the introduction, he explained the trial, "The Melemele Trial is simple: Head to Verdant Cavern, defeat the Pokémon within, and retrieve the Z-Crystals located deep inside the cave. Please note, there are only sixteen Z-Crystals! Trainers who fail to obtain one will be eliminated!" he added, "Only after completing this trial can you proceed to the next island. Also, you are permitted to use only one Pokémon during this trial. Using any other will be considered a violation resulting in disqualification!"
"And with that… the challenge begins!" Another whistle sounded, and the Island Challenge officially kicked off.
Verdant Cavern lay on the far side of Melemele Island. Getting there meant crossing a mountain first.
Caleb and Mimikyu exchanged glances...
Around them, Trainers were already sprinting. Some had flying Pokémon that could carry them.
Mimikyu could technically fly… but carrying a full-grown human was another story.
"Oh well." Caleb shrugged, then scooped Mimikyu up and took off running after the crowd.
Overhead, Fearow with cameras mounted on them filmed the entire event.
After running five kilometers, Caleb was seriously considering pulling a small off-road vehicle out of his inventory for transport, but spotting the Fearow, he quickly abandoned the idea.
There were only sixteen Z-Crystals, which meant latecomers would be eliminated.
'Oh, come on!' Caleb cursed inwardly.
Alola's relentless heat was brutal. For a guy who'd spent years in Sinnoh where the temperature rarely topped 32°C, it was roasting him alive.
Feeling worried and helpless at her partner's situation, Mimikyu chirped: "Kyuu…" (Maybe we should just quit?)
"We're being filmed, girl." Caleb reminded.
Ever since becoming famous, he'd grown increasingly mindful of his public image. Being caught on camera quitting the Island Challenge just because of a little heat would ruin his reputation as a national idol.
Mimikyu shifted into Armored Forme, extending two tiny mechanical arms to hoist her trainer into the air. After much struggling… Caleb didn't budge an inch.
Mimikyu let go, blinked, then poked Caleb's stomach accusingly: "Kyuu!"
"Haha," Caleb laughed nervously, "I've been working out! I'm just a bit… denser now."
He'd never admit he'd gained weight from couch-potatoing!
At that moment, a shadow swept over them.
Caleb and Mimikyu looked up to see a majestic, flowing white dragon descending gracefully.
It was Reshiram...
'Why–'
Before Caleb could puzzle further, Reshiram touched down a short distance away.
N leaned out from atop it, his green hair tousled by the wind. He looked at Caleb and asked, "Need a ride?"
Caleb snapped out of his shock, "You… know me?"
N arched an elegant eyebrow and countered, "Is there anyone who doesn't?"
'Fair point. My brutal beatdown in Ultra Space had been broadcast live across every region by Giovanni.' Caleb smiled sheepishly.
An opportunity to ride Reshiram was not something to pass up. "Thank you," he said politely, climbing on with Mimikyu in his arms.
Reshiram dipped its head slightly, its beautiful blue eyes brimming with friendliness.
N stroked his companion's white mane. The legendary dragon spread its snowy wings and soared into the sky...
...
High above the island, N gazed ahead while Caleb studied him and the legendary dragon beneath them.
He had met N briefly in Lacunosa Town. At that time, N must have probably watched him battle Kyurem.
Just as Caleb was about to speak, N broke the silence, "Thank you for what you did back then."
Caleb grinned, "I just did what felt right."
N also grinned, giving him a thumbs up.
Reshiram was swift. Within minutes, they landed at the entrance to Verdant Cavern.
N seemed ready to leave.
Caleb blinked, "You're not competing in the Island Challenge?"
Standing beside Reshiram, N turned his gaze toward the clear blue sky, "I simply wanted to explore this world which is different now."
'Cap.' Caleb thought, speechless, 'So this basically signed up… just to give me a lift?'
N's gaze dropped to Mimikyu on Caleb's shoulder, a silent exchange passed between them.
After a moment, N's lips curved into a tender smile. In a voice barely above a whisper, he said, "She says she really likes you and wants to stay with you forever."
Caleb froze. By the time he registered the words, N was already riding Reshiram into the clouds.
He looked down at Mimikyu and ruffled her little head, saying, "I like you too, Mimikyu. I also want to stay with you forever."
Mimikyu blushed: "Kyuu..."
Just then, a voice called out nearby, "Goodluck, Caleb onii-san!"
Caleb turned to see Lillie waving at him, little Nebby cradled in her other arm.
Behind her, Lusamine rested her hands on Lillie's shoulders, nodding at Caleb with a warm smile.
And in that moment, a weight lifted from Caleb's heart.
He glanced toward the horizon where N had vanished.
It seemed that apart from him and N; Lillie, and even Ash, who at this very moment was fighting his way through the Kalos League, were all on their own journeys, moving forward.
So until Ash arrived with Greninja and Incineroar to challenge him… Caleb would claim Alola's first League Championship in his place.
"Let's go!" Caleb said to Mimikyu.
"Kyuu!" Mimikyu chirped, brimming with fighting spirit.