Alola Region, Melemele Island, Iki Town.
This is a small town nestled within the vast tropical rainforest. The town is tiny, with scattered households connected by winding country paths, lined with decorative palm trees.
In the center of the town stands a stage made of wooden boards, adorned with primitive-looking white totemic patterns.
Beside the stage are large bonfire stands, with dancing flames burning brightly on them.
If it weren't for the people around wearing modern attire, Naoki would feel like he had stepped into a primitive tribe.
"So this is Iki Town, huh?"
Naoki walked around the town with Koraidon, surrounded by many Trainers with Pokemon such as Lycanroc, Oricorio, Mareanie, and even a Turtonator.
Because of this, he and Koraidon did not stand out much in the crowd.
The time had come to dusk, and instead of returning home to start cooking dinner, the residents of Iki Town and the trainers were gathering towards the town center.
Huh? What are they going to do?
"Koraidon, let's follow and take a look!"
"Aga-shi!"
Naoki and his Pokemon mixed into the crowd and soon arrived below the stage.
Gradually, more and more people gathered, and as dusk spread over the land, some people wearing strange masks, primitive attire, and necklaces of teeth suddenly appeared on the stage, dancing a peculiar and intense dance in the glow of dusk and bonfire.
At first, Naoki didn't understand what was happening.
But when he saw the patterns on their masks, a name immediately surfaced in his mind.
—Tapu Koko!
He realized what this place was!
This was Iki Town's celebration stage, also the stage to worship the Island Guardian of Melemele Island!
In the game, the people of Iki Town will hold a full-powered celebration at dusk on certain days to worship Tapu Koko.
To pray for Tapu Koko to continue to bless the island's people and foster mutual help among them.
Soon, the dance ended, and an elderly woman with traditional attire, white hair, and a cane slowly stepped onto the celebration stage.
She began to hum an ancient and melodious tune, officially starting the ritual.
"Island Guardian! Please continue to bless the humans living in this place as you've always done! Please accept the gifts we have prepared for you, Guardian! Come and see the Pokemon battle we've dedicated to you!"
As her words fell, two Trainers stepped onto the stage, guiding their Pokemon to engage in a fierce battle against each other.
Arriving at the right place at the right time, Naoki watched the Tapu Koko worship ritual with great interest.
"I wonder if Tapu Koko is around watching." Naoki thought to himself.
He looked around, trying to find Tapu Koko in some hidden spots, but unfortunately, he saw nothing.
Compared to other regions, the Alola Region has many Legendary Pokemon.
Besides Solgaleo, Lunala, and Necrozma, there are the Tapu family who rule the four islands.
Tapu Koko of Melemele Island, Tapu Lele of Akala Island, Tapu Bulu of Ula'ula Island, and Tapu Fini of Poni Island.
Among them, the Tapu family has significant differences from other Legendary Pokemon in some ways.
For instance, they have always lived on the islands with humans and will even appear before some people, choosing them.
In the Alola Region, those chosen by the Guardian God become the King or Queen of the Island.
They cannot refuse the selection; otherwise, the Guardian God will become angry.
Naoki's destination this time is precisely the King of the Island of Melemele Island, Hala.
Only the King of the Island has the qualification to start the Island Pilgrimage. After passing their trials, one can obtain the Z-ring and Z-crystals.
At this moment, the battle on the celebration stage was coming to an end.
Accompanied by a Pokemon falling, this fierce battle formally concluded.
A slightly overweight, elderly man with dark skin and full white hair smiled and walked onto the stage.
"That was a fantastic battle, I'm sure the Guardian God will be very pleased!"
Hala applauded, praising the two Trainers in front of him.
The two young Trainers touched their heads sheepishly, yet their expressions displayed excitement.
As the night gradually enveloped the entire Alola Region, Hala, along with the two Trainers, addressed the numerous townspeople: "Alright, today's celebration has come to a successful conclusion, it's getting late, everyone please go and rest!"
Throughout, Tapu Koko did not appear, and though people watching showed regret, they had no choice but to disperse gradually.
Hala waved farewell with a smile, and just as he turned to go home to rest, he suddenly heard someone calling him.