The Greninja Festival. It was something Ash had just learned had been going on when his classmates had dragged him all the way here earlier that night, the festival celebrating his Greninja of all things. But, since then, he’s ran into so many people with relevance to him and Greninja’s story. It was as if all of Kalos had flown over to Alola for this festival. All of the gym leaders, Professor Sycamore, Dianthia, and practically any other major player in his Kalos journey. Additionally, not even being from Kalos, Gary showed up, both because he was interested in the research behind the bond phenomenon, more so because his trouble magnet of a friend was involved, but also just out of worry for Ash, as it was safe to assume somehow, some way, the immortal 10 year old would end up here.

But now, Ash was about to speak, Clemont inviting him to join his allotted time slot, since obviously Ash would know even more about his own Greninja and the Bond Phenomenon than even Clemont, having been the one to experience it himself. However, as soon as he got on the stage, he saw it. A flash of bright orange hair, that after all he had been though, he couldn’t mistake it for anything else.

Lysandre.

And he knew Pikachu saw it too, with how he was pushing closer to Ash’s cheek, trying to provide any comfort he could. Ash wasn’t typically one to let anything stop him or cause him to hestitate, but in that moment, he froze. He could feel his friends’ worried eyes on him, sensing the sudden change in demeanor. Then, without warning, he ran off the stage.

Lysandre had to be defeated now.

As he ran off stage, he felt a pull towards the nearby forest, and knowing what the pull was, he ran towards it. But what _was _Greninja doing in Alola? That didn’t make any sense. Oh well, he’d have time to ponder over that later, once Lysandre was gone.

A quick reunion with Greninja later, the two powered up, and the trio of Ash, Pikachu, and Greninja resumed their search for the man who brought Kalos so much pain.