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  1. ShinigamiMiroku

    Sorceress' Knight
    (Ralts ♂)
    Level 23
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2017
    Posts:
    2,067
    PokéPoints:
    ₽3,354.4
    Red Orb ★★★★★
    Hau is such a bro. He's definitely my favorite friendly-rival. ^_^ Anyway, great job on the battles! The Grass one wasn't too difficult for me, but I just happened to be ready for Castform so I kinda lucked out. :sweat: I really loved the convo between Lillie and her mom; it really helped to flesh out Lusamine even more, and shows that even the most strained relationship can be mended if both sides are willing (or at least start the process of healing); I'm really hoping that Elio can learn this. Love the connection to Sinnoh mythology, too. A part of me wonders if there's any sort of connection between Giratina and the UBs...

    Also, BURNETT IS PREGNANT!!! :love: :love: :love:
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  2. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

    Bravo
    (Braviary)
    Level 66
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Posts:
    2,045
    PokéPoints:
    ₽2,847.3
    Crown of ValorPoké Ball ★
    Alola! Surprise! I'm back with yet another update...and with some interesting news at that.

    You all may remember a while back I was taking a business trip down to Las Vegas and helping to train others on specific tasks for my job...well I had an email from the director of the Vegas station who told me that a vacancy had opened up and they would vouch for me if I considered a transfer from Cali.

    It's a pretty big decision to make and I have until the last week of this month to decide.

    So during my said absence on this site, I took some time off my job and literally went to Vegas to scope the place out and see if it's somewhere I could imagine myself living. Las Vegas is definitely different from California...that's for sure. I'll definitely be talking with friends and family about this opportunity and this new job is a full-time commitment, so I'll have even less frequent times to sit and write.
    Big thanks to @ShinigamiMiroku for the feedback. Thanks a lot man; I appreciate it. Looking forward to writing about baby Kukui :)

    Anyways, personal life stuff aside, I know you all came for the chapter. Here it is. Enjoy.


    Professor Burnet is going to bring me over to the Ruins of Life. I just hope I can see Elio again since he went through the tunnel. Those diglett can be quite territorial and while she doesn't battle competitively, Burnet is no stranger to Pokémon fighting. We might run into a couple of Aether workers so I have to try and not get spotted or anything!

    Would Elio protect me if it came to that?


    Because Professor Kukui and Burnet had warned him that Diglett's Tunnel was home to some particularly hardy wild Pokémon; Sun and Hau decided that they would take the trip through together. It was a long section, taking almost a couple of hours to completely traverse even when guided by Rotom's GPS routing. There would be lights lining the walls alongside several stations where workers had mining carts since it was still technically a workplace where small pockets of minerals could be mined and harvested. Although it was a route for trainers and an easy way to go between Akala's two biggest cities, there were still wild Pokémon living inside and warning signs to inform travelers of venturing through to be properly prepared. Emergency services could only do so much.

    Many non-trainers had the option of the longer highway that went around the mountainside. It slid around the east coast of the island before cutting through the center. Konikoni and Heahea shared the second largest airport in Alola; King Kamehameha International situated in a narrow valley about halfway between the two cities along this road.

    Sun would've preferred the Diglett's Tunnel anyway. Going through and battling wild Pokémon and other trainers sure beat sitting in a car for a couple hours as it winded over the pathways. He also figured some of the scenery was pretty great too, but it didn't beat the opportunity to have his Pokémon gain additional strength.

    "So there's a Diglett's Tunnel in Kanto?" Hau asked as he and Elio had completed their purchase of medicine and stuffed it into the pockets of their backpacks. This Pokémon center in Heahea City was close to the entrance of the tunnel and featured an additional area where heavy duty gear such as waterproof bags, sturdy boots and bright flashlights could be purchased. The tunnel was a short stretch compared to some of the other routes in Alola and Elio had never gone caving before, but he knew that it had a completely different environment from the rest of the region. It was still going to be a lengthy trip.

    That meant extra gear was needed.

    "Yeah. It stretched between the end of Vermillion City all the way to Pewter." Elio hated that there was no nearby map of Kanto to show him. The overall distance between the two entrances to its Kanto iteration was close to four times as Alola's. "Unlike this one, they generally restrict access unless a trainer has three or more gym badges from the Indigo League. The diglett and dugtrio in there are not to be screwed with. Arena trap is a pain in the ass."

    "Arena trap?"

    "I can tell you about arena trap! Bzzt!" Rotom said as he circled Sun from behind. "Arena trap izzz an ability that allowz a Pokémon to prevent ezzzcape by zwitching out or fleeing!"

    "And I have no idea how it works. But my mother went through the tunnel once…and then she said never again."

    "That doesn't give me a lot of confidence brah." Hau rolled his eyes while zipping up the pockets.

    "We'll be fine." Elio assured him. "Diglett's a ground type. I've got Nani who should be able to deal with them easily." He held up a bluish TM. "Also thought it would be smart to give her a better water attack than water pulse. This baby teaches scald, shooting boiling hot water at a target that could burn it potentially! Hard to believe I know."

    "If I get a water type, mind if I borrow that?"

    "I don't see why not."

    "Well you know." Hau looked like he wanted to say something, but suppressed it since he didn't want anyone else to pick up on their conversation. The boys looked around, seeing most of the other trainers paying little attention or already engrossed in their own tasks. "Because we're…rivals."

    "Yeah you're my rival for sure." Elio chuckled. "But you're also my friend. We are friends first, rivals second. And I don't want you to change for me. The best kinds of rivals are those that push one another to do better. You see all those intense rivalries in the professional battling, all that trash talking and eating words…yeah I get it. It's good for competition, but you don't cross that line with bad blood."

    Hau nodded, but Sun was pretty sure what he said went right over his head. "It's all good brah. I'm all for helping a brother out."

    In more ways than one.

    "Not like Gladion right?"

    "Who? Oh…yeah. Screw him." Elio said, suddenly remembering what he was talking about in the first place. "Sidetrack aside; we'll be fine. We both have birds that make their ground attacks useless."

    "Ground is good against electric." He held out Pikachu's Poké Ball while using his other hand to stuff fresh fruit in the pocket of his backpack. "So I guess he's gonna get some rest time. My other Pokémon besides Eevee…I don't know."

    "You caught another Pokémon?"

    "Yeah I did."

    "We'll probably need all the help we can get. It'll work out really well if we run into zubat too. My mother encountered enough in the caves to make her squirm whenever she walks into the dark garage. Based on what she said, I have no doubt we'll see plenty."

    "What do you mean by plenty."

    "Plenty enough that the muddy ground in there is a thick layer of zubat guano."

    Hau looked confused at the term. "What's guano?"

    "Rotom, shut up." Elio shoved the haunted 'Dex back into his backpack before it had a chance to explain. "If I told you; you'd lose your appetite for an entire week."

    Before they set off for the tunnel, they paid Professor Kukui, Burnet and Lillie a quick visit at the entrance to her apartment. Since they were in the private parking lot of the complex, the blonde had also let out Nebby to play with the other Pokémon as the humans grouped together to talk.

    Elio stifled a laugh as Lillie threw her arms around him in a fierce hug and squeezing him tightly. She was smiling at him while he internally willed himself not to get lost in her eyes again...or her shapely figure...as he had just began to notice.

    "It's not like I'm going to be gone for months!"

    "I don't care whether you're leaving for an hour or days. I just need a hug." She smiled before resting her head on his shoulder. "And you said you wanted unlimited hugs. So I can hug you as much as I want in return."

    I did say that. And I totally meant it. A hug is enough to brighten my day.

    "So just be careful okay Elio?" She released him. "I know you will."

    "And I will. We're only being gone for a short while. I hear that Professor Burnet is going to take you to the Ruins. That's where we can meet up."

    "Wait really?" Her eyes widened. Clearly she wasn't informed of that.

    "Yeah." Burnet put a hand on Lillie's shoulder, resting the other over her stomach. "You might be able to just catch both boys' grand trials."

    "I love that!"

    "And we do too!" Hau said with Elio nodding in agreement.

    "Then you best be on your way." Kukui motioned towards the exit. "Olivia just declared the tunnel back open after those sound anomalies have vanished for the most part."

    "So did they find anything?"

    "They haven't spotted the source, so it's hard to tell whether or not these intense sound pulses are gone for good. Whatever it is, it's really disturbed the diglett in there. Akahele in there you two."

    "Thanks Professor. Alola!"

    "Oh wait." Elio stopped him just short after waving goodbye. "I didn't have this problem until recently, but Rockruff has been acting just really aggressive and strange lately."

    "Really?" The professor gave him his undivided attention. "How so?"

    "Barking and howling randomly and he's already tried to attack some of my other members of my team. I had to exclude him from Mallow's trial."

    Kukui crouched low to the ground. "May I see him?"

    "Uh sure. Might want to get a Pokémon to help guard you. He's very snappy."

    Elio hesitantly took out Rockruff's Pokéball and released him.

    A fresh wave of uncertainty flooded Lillie's body as the normally playful puppy Pokémon had vanished. In its place was narrowed piercing blue eyes, bared teeth and a hunched stance as if it was ready to pounce on anything and everything.

    She would almost call it cute the way it growled, but there was something more bestial and feral as the creature huffed and stood with its tail on end. Just underneath her, Nebby was quick to hide behind her legs and she picked it up, cradling it close to her chest like a protective mother. The cosmog thought that wasn't enough and surprised her by taking the initiative to dive back into her bag.

    Kukui smiled despite the aggressiveness by Rockruff, opening his arms as if forgiving an angry child.

    "Professor please be careful." Elio said. "He hasn't tried to bite anyone, but I don't want to take chances."

    "Hey Rockruff." He softly whispered, not showing if he heeded Sun's warning. "It's been hard trying to make adjustments right? Yeah I know."

    Taking a small step forward, prompted a sharp bark from the small Pokémon. This time around it was much more animalistic and unrestrained. Elio almost thought some other creature had possessed his Pokémon's body as a vehicle.

    "Nothing's wrong with you yeah." Kukui slowly reached out, just as Rockruff snapped his jaws together. The professor was lightning quick, yanking his limb back in time to avoid it getting bitten off. Behind him, Elio, Lillie and Burnet gasped.

    Another moment flashed by and Rockruff's aggressive demeanor faded for the quickest of seconds when his eyes went to something more pleading and apologetic.

    "Aha!" Kukui pried the ball from Elio's hand and returned the Pokémon. "That's all I needed to look at with a miracle eye! Woo!"

    He handed it back to the boy, unperturbed by the boy's mouth agape. "Rockruff is going through his adolescence phase in age. You remember like how your mother probably told you in your teenage years that your body and mind will be going through some changes?"

    Both of them nodded.

    "Well in a Pokémon's perspective, Rockruff is going through the same process yeah. It's faster than yours like a rock polish, but he is having difficulty in adjusting. During this process yeah; Rockruff is having the effects of a hormone in his body called testosterone. That's what will make him more swagger aggressive and confrontational."

    "Well is there something I can do about it? Like a medicine?"

    Kukui shook his head. "Unfortunately no. The best advice I can give you is to let him vent out that type of aggression yeah. He's going to think he can take on bigger and stronger opponents and win."

    "I don't want to do that!" Elio cried. "It would be stupid of me to let him get dragged into something that means nothing."

    Burnet spoke up. "Elio, you're absolutely right. But there are some times where you have to let your friends and family make those mistakes. It's the only way they'll learn."

    Like Dad. Sun felt another pang of regret at the venomous conversation he had with his own father just a few days ago.

    "Okay. I just have to let him vent all his aggression and all." He wasn't sure what to make of the new paradoxical information, but he hoped that it would be enough to get a better understanding of Rockruff's "condition"

    "This kind of aggressiveness also means that Rockruff might very well evolve soon."

    Does this mean he's going to be even worse once that happens?

    Though the road signs did point towards Diglett's Tunnel a ways out with arrows pointing to the branched paths, the actual entrance to the cave was rather unspectacular. It was a simple mouth inside the face of a rocky side that curved south along the side of the island with a small spit of land in between it and the water. All along the way, there were small devices spiked into the ground just before one would hit the handful of resort hotels lining the beachside. Elio would later learn that the spikes constantly sent erratic, asymmetrical vibrations through that were completely undetectable by humans and most Pokémon. Diglett and their dugtrio evolutions on the other hand; were highly sensitive to movement underground and the effects produced by those devices were unbearable to them. They had become a real pest for the resorts close to the tunnel and the countermeasure was a safe, yet effective way to keep them in check.

    Kahuna Olivia Rios was just up ahead past the first light situated at the entrance and deep in conversation with one man and one woman, both nearly identically dressed.

    They reminded Elio of that Julian person he had helped out in Brooklet Hill. Both were clad in stark white worker uniforms with cargo pants that had more pockets and fanny packs that he could count. Their hats had the same heavy duty, rugged texture and tucked the woman's loose hair inside.

    Their conversation had just concluded as he and Hau approached. Olivia turned to face them, brushing a lock of dark hair out of her eyes before smiling at the two boys approaching. Elio swore he saw that she had a much more concerned expression seconds ago.

    "Oh Alola you two!" She greeted them and placed a hand on her hip. "I see that you've both managed to defeat all three of Akala's trials and that means you're ready to take on my grand trial!"

    Olivia tipped her hand out as if to showcase the rest of the cave. "This is all really something you know? It was dug entirely by Pokémon called diglett and dugtrio. It's overflowing with these Pokémon and they are really getting out of hand. It's hard for even the average trainer to go through!"

    "We're not ordinary trainers." Elio adamantly declared with Hau nodding in agreement.

    The kahuna smiled at the display. "Considering you've defeated all of the trials, you both should have no trouble getting through the caves! You both know your path. You don't need our guidance anymore."

    "We've both got Pokémon that are strong against ground. I agree."

    "Be safe and make sure you use Rotom to call for help if you find yourself in trouble. Once you reach the end of the tunnel, you'll be close to Konikoni City. That's where my shop is located."

    "And I have the addrezzz! Bzzt! We're all zet!"

    "Just be careful you two." Olivia turned back to the cave's passageway. "You may recall there being a report on a loud sound anomaly few days back. We still haven't found anything, but it's subsided enough for me to declare it safe. Do let me know if you do encounter anything unusual."

    She looked about ready to say something else when her phone rang. It was answered by pressing a button on an earpiece.

    "This is Rios." Her expression changed to one of concern and it unnerved the two boys. "Here? On Akala? You're sure it's Raijin?" An imperceptible nod. "Of course. Alert the International Police and have law enforcement at full readiness. I want constant updates."

    Olivia dismissed the call and glanced back at the boys. "I'm sorry you two, but there's some pressing business that demands my attention. Keep on heading to Konikoni City. We'll meet there and you can have some fun with me!"

    "Uh sure." There was just something about the change in Olivia's usually cheerful demeanor that Sun didn't particularly like. She did mask it well. "We'll see you there kahuna."

    As he and Hau left the entrance to begin their long journey to their next destination, Elio couldn't stop thinking about that abrupt call.

    Raijin…that name.

    Why does that name sound familiar?

    Professor Kukui wasn't kidding when he said that the local Pokémon that inhabited the tunnel were a rough and rowdy bunch. They were first attacked by zubat, who fell quickly as victims to Pikachu's thundershock attack. After the third or so time they had to deal with a group, the electrical discharge became increasingly powerful and Rotom's diagnosis was that Pikachu had learned thunderbolt. That earned him ecstatic praise and a high-five from his trainer.

    That wasn't the only surprise after battling the wild Pokémon. Some others were trainers going through the tunnel, other trial goers and some of them miners and electricians. Most waved a friendly greeting and some even challenged either one of them to a short battle.

    There was still no sign of the odd soundwave pulses that had been described that had previously closed the tunnel down. Yet, something was still driving the local diglett crazy.

    Elio had been the first of the two to have an encounter with the local Pokémon that gave the passage its namesake. It was nearly identical, except he saw that they had taken a different form in Alola; having strands of blondish hair over their heads.

    "Rotom? What's going on with these diglett?" He asked as Nani used her new scald move to wipe out four who had decided to gang up on them at once.

    "I'm here at your zzzervice! Bzzt! Diglett. Mole Pokémon. Diglett chews on underground plant roots which makes it a pest for farmers attempting to grow crops. However there are some that exploit this trait by planting trees that this Pokémon eats to plow fields as it moves underground and its droppings can enrich the soil. Diglett is a ground type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "Wow. Hi'ona." Hau breathed as Rotom flashed his screen from the standard Kanto species to the new variant the duo had just encountered in Alola. "It's more of what you see them as…it's how."

    "Diglett found in the Alola region have much stronger digging abilities due to the need to bore through harder volcanic rocks. The hair seen at the top of their heads are actually sensory whiskers that function as sensors and communicators with the others of its kind. Alolan diglett are ground and steel type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "Hold on a second."

    It gets a STEEL typing?

    "What sorcery is this?"

    The entirety of the subterranean path was a nice contrast to the Rock Tunnel back in Kanto. East of his home in Cerulean City; the passage was pitch black being nearly twice as long in distance if he was reading Rotom's map correct. Any group of trainers going in unprepared were quite common and it made the trek ten times worse if a Pokémon in their party didn't know the move flash. Elio knew that it would be a useful thing, but he personally thought a strong headlamp would suffice just as good. Things didn't help either that there were some particularly aggressive species that resided inside the depths such as the massive onix.

    There is a reason why a Pokémon center was built close to the entrance.

    He and Hau had been going through the tunnel for almost an hour when they decided to take a short lunch break. Neither of them brought anything perishable and settled on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Akala chips. The colorful bags contained "sweet oniony heaven" in Hau's exact words which at first turned Sun off since it sounded as if he was eating a raw onion. However they reminded him of those sour cream chips except more of a sweet flavor like his friend had described. He liked it.

    While eating; Elio caught a glimpse of something green flashing deeper within the cave and recognized it as the same shade of his Zygarde Cube given to him from Sina and Dexio. He headed over, hitting a button that sucked the tiny entity right into the device as if it were a long ranged vacuum.

    "Was that Zygarde?" Hau was just finishing his own Akala chips when Elio returned and both boys stood back up to resume their walk.

    "I don't think so. Awfully small to be a legendary Pokémon."

    "Uh, is it stupid to think that this mess of strange noises in the cave are because of Zygarde?"

    "How's that possible?" Elio asked. They were now beginning to go up a slope in the cave that had handrails on the walls to assist climbers. Even for experienced spelunkers and explorers, the slickness of the muddy floor was enough for anyone to lose their footing. Unlike the outdoors, the sun and heat were notably absent, making them shiver slightly in the still humid air. However the ground remained moist and muddy, already caking the bottom of their rugged boots.

    I'm definitely glad I decided on boots over sneakers. Elio glanced down at his legs, noticing that his ankles were covered in the brownish stuff and starting to itch.

    A shower is in order once we reach the end.

    "Well you know how ferocious legendary Pokémon can be." Hau squeaked as his foot slipped. Elio was fast enough, spinning around and grabbing his rival's free arm before he could make a dirty faceplant into the mud.

    "You're welcome."

    "Yeah thanks."

    You'll thank me even more if you find out what this sand and mud is all made of.

    "So you're saying that this could be where Zygarde lives?"

    "Yeah. Maybe?"

    "I don't know. You might be right. Zygarde is a creature only of legend. Sina and Dexio said they had the means to summon it and the cube," He tugged on the tiny device attached to a strap on his backpack like a keychain. "But they were kind of skeptical of its existence. There's only the bare minimum in Kalosian libraries that say anything remotely close."

    "So why are you helping them?"

    "Nobody's been able to figure out why Zygarde disappeared thousands of years ago. They want to be the first. Most people don't even know what it looks like, with the description of it looking like a snake of sorts."

    "Guess that makes sense." Hau said. "I'm sure it's going to be an awesome Pokémon when you finish collecting it."

    Sun finally reached the top of the slope and hauled a panting Hau after him. He put his hands on his knees breathing heavily before unscrewing the cap on his bottle and taking a long thirsty gulp of water.

    "You really think I'll finish it?"

    "What can you do brah?" Hau waved his hands around. "Brah…it's more like; what CAN'T you do? You get saved by Tapu Koko of all things, play basketball like you belong in the professionals and you battle as if you've been doing this for years! Not months!"

    He had a pretty big grin on his face. The contagious kind that made its way onto Elio's as well.

    "Brah, you've been the talk of the entire Alola region! No wonder Lillie's in awe of you. I sure am!"

    "Gee, thanks Hau."

    "It's what brothers are for right?"

    Elio was about to answer when they heard…no felt it.

    The pulse came from deeper inside the passage where they were headed. It started as an odd sound barely detectable before suddenly intensifying to a rattling screech. Soundwaves bounced off the rocky walls, growing in strength. Elio and Hau both had their hands instantly fly up to cover their ears in a vain attempt to soften it to a tolerable level.

    Sun's teeth were clenched together as tightly as he could possibly do, shutting his eyes and leaning against a wall for support. More pulses of noise dilated and then dropped for just a couple of moments before it picked up again. A flutter of wings almost made him throw himself flat on the floor as a group of zubat departed from their sleeping grounds further into the depths. Something had clearly disturbed them. They were just thankful the common cave Pokémon paid them no attention as they fled.

    It only lasted for just a few seconds, but it felt like half an eternity for him and Hau. They were still having an irritating ringing sensation that reverberated inside their heads long after the abrupt screaming had died off.

    Hau turned to face him; his eyes watering and hands firmly planted to his ears and the back of his head.

    "Oh by the tapu…my head hurts."

    Elio could only muster a pained moan in reply. "Me…too."

    With the ringing still in his head, he found it almost impossible to even think straight.

    My head feels like it's gonna explode.

    "You…you okay brah?"

    "I'll…get…back…to you…on that." More groaning. Damn…it feels like I got hit in the back of my head with a sledgehammer. "I can't hear you."

    "I can't hear anything either!"

    "I can hear juzzzt fine! Bzzt!"

    "Well good for you!"

    It took them another ten minutes to recover from the assault on their senses to slowly get back up and continue on their trek. The sassy Pokédex indicated that they had roughly another kilometer of cave to cover before they reached the end with the path to Konikoni City.

    Their pace was much slower since the concussive sound waves had significantly disoriented them to the point where they stuck close to the wall, using the hand grips or outcroppings to steady themselves strenuously. Hau stuck close to Elio's side and whenever he felt dizzy again, grabbed and leaned on the other boy for support.

    Elio was still trying to blink his eyes and clear them of tears when he noticed a pair of figures up ahead that were staggering as if a pair of zombies like them.

    "Hey yo!" One of them said in his thuggish tone.

    Oh great.

    "T-Team Skull!" Hau stuttered. "T-thanks for making me feel all dizzy and…and…weird!"

    "Da hell ya talkin about homie?" The second grunt, a female retorted back. "Gotta admit dat dis feels hella good. Almost like we drank seven shots of dat whissssssskey."

    "Seven shots?" The male asked. "Brah, are ya okay?"

    "Yesssssir."

    "Then let's get to stealin Pokémon like we do! There's two trainers right in front of us. And they look just as bad!"

    Finally. Elio began to feel normal again as the ringing began to subside. His head still spun and tears still stung in his eyeballs, but at least he was beginning to recover somewhat.

    "Please don't." He said flatly. "I'm not in any condition to battle and judging how you're staggering like a drunkard, I doubt you are either. Leave me and Hau alone."

    "Oh dat name Hau rings a bell! Dat punk Gladion says he's good for nothin!"

    Elio almost had to laugh out loud as Hau grinned and gushed at the mention of his name and Gladion. "Little Gladion talks about me? Oh my goodness that's so incredibly sweet. I want to be his friend!"

    "Yeah." The female grunt agreed. "He talks all this crap nonsense about…kicking you…sorry loser ass."

    "If he says you're weak, I dunno why he put you in the hit list or nothin."

    "Enough of this talk!" She removed a Poké Ball and sent out a small fomantis. "Battle us and be scared yo!"

    "Be scared? More like be amused. You're fighting already. The Battle of the Booze." Elio muttered under his breath. He was about to bring out Rufflet when another sharp pain spiked itself into the back of his head. With a grunt, he was kneeling on the ground, grasping his neck and silently screaming for the excruciating pain to subside.

    "Brah are you alright?" He was barely hearing Hau next to him.

    "Is ya friend gonna be okay?" The male grunt asked. "Does he want some of dis whissssskey? Dat might help him feel better."

    "No!" I'm not sipping alcohol until I'm responsible! I promised Mom! "I'm not going to be like you Dad!"

    "Ya dad a drunkard too? Like father like son bro!"

    "That's not happening!" Why is my head THROBBING so much!

    "Sun, you don't look well brah." Hau said. He dropped to his knees leaning over to check his friend, making it about halfway before he felt the same spike in the back of his own head. Judging by the same pained cries from the two grunts; they were feeling it too.

    Elio continued to grimace in pain, reaching the point where he actually dropped Rufflet's ball. Through the haze of the scatterbrained thoughts, his hand snaked out to grab it before it could roll away from him.

    "I knew we should've stole all dat fruit!"

    The female grunt's fomantis looked curiously to the four humans before it deduced the reasoning behind it being brought out. Hau pulled out Pikachu's ball while on his own knees and sending him out to battle.

    "Fomantis use…I don't care what! Just make this noise go away already!"

    "You too Salandit!" The male grunt sent out his gray lizard to join the fight. "These little twerpish island challengers are making me angry!"

    The noise is gone, but my head is still ringing. I need to help Hau.

    "Rufflet!" He brought out his bird. "Help Pikachu!"

    The small featured Pokémon glanced back at him in apprehension.

    "I don't care what move you use! Just take them out!"

    Thankfully like all of Elio's Pokémon; Rufflet knew just enough to fight briefly on his own. Pikachu took a fury cutter from the fomantis, however this had backfired since the mouse Pokémon's static had come into play, effectively paralyzing it. Rufflet soared overhead before he swooped down with his wings glowing to knock it out of the fight.

    The salandit wasn't deterred by the defeat of its partner and fired an ember that caught him mid-flight. Rufflet flapped his wings furiously to beat out the flames that burned part of his feathers and dove again.

    Pikachu was ahead of him, striking the bandit lizard with a quick attack and just as he vanished back to Hau's side, the well-timed aerial ace was right there, striking home to take it out just as easily.

    "How can this be bro?" The male grunt shook his head as they recalled their Pokémon. "Just when things were startin to heat up yo. I got surrounded by these stupid diglett and beat up yo! We still headed to the grave yo?"

    "What?" The female grunt shot him an embarrassed look. "Since when can diglett use beat up?"

    These two are definitely drunk. If I haven't established that already.

    "And will our bones be laid bare, yo?"

    "You ain't getting laid at all bro!"

    Head's clearing up just a little bit.

    "Great job Hau. Did you even issue a command to Pikachu?"

    "What? No. I can't even issue a command to myself. But man, when I battle with you as a partner, it feels like even my Pokémon are more at ease! You're definitely a one of a kind trainer!"

    Elio grunted and hit his temple with his palm. The ensuing pain from that was just enough to clear the rattling fog from his head. "For what it's worth, yes. Same to you man. I've been working on instructing my Pokémon to fight by themselves."

    "Hey! Don't you dare ignore us! We may not be tryin to take over the world or nothin, but we're still hard as bone out here!"

    "And we're all here going deaf." Sun's snark was back. "So if you don't mind. I'm going to see a doctor so I don't lose my hearing once this is done."

    "Aww man. You should've stolen all the fruit from dat trainer."

    Stole fruit.

    "How was I supposed to know?"

    "We steal stuff remember?"

    "You guys stole fruit?" Elio was almost ready to laugh out loud from that. He knew that Skull liked to steal money, Pokémon and other valuables. Fruit on the other hand was trivially abundant as the rattata who were constantly trying to steal it.

    "Yeah bro. We hungry and felt like robbin some fools. Didn't have it for long though since somethin in this cave stole it from us."

    "Wait, you're telling me that something made a thief out of thieves?" Hau asked.

    "No honor among them remember?"

    "Oh yeah that's right."

    "Whatever punks." The female grunt crawled over and sat on the floor next to her partner. "We just gonna sit here and hope it goes away soon. Maybe boss or Plumes will find us."

    "Then we better finish this." The male grunt produced a half-full glass bottle that had an amber liquid inside. "Ya sure ya trainers don't want this? It'll make ya angry at da shit the island challenge makes ya go through."

    "Not touching it." Elio looked towards the far end of the cavern and pulled Hau with him. "I think it's time to take our leave. Feel free to knock yourselves out." He saw the male grunt sip and move farther away when the female one tried to lunge for the bottle. "Literally."

    "See ya on the flip side!" Hau waved.

    "See ya guys! Bottoms up!"

    "That's kind of funny and odd." Hau was just trailing behind Elio as their heads finally got even more clearer of the white noise that echoed within their head. "Those two grunts didn't seem like the normal Team Skull thugs we're used to finding. They actually seemed like actual people."

    "Two drunk people." Elio's tone made it sound as if he didn't want to talk any of it. "I'm surprised they managed to stay upright and bring out a Pokémon. That combined with whatever hell sonic soundwave we're enduring down here. I do have to give them props for that."

    "You're missing my point." The noise anomalies had finally died off and with their own thoughts able to be heard uninterrupted, they set back on their course that took them nearly out of the cave. "What if we don't finish the island challenge?"

    "Hau, don't."

    "I'm serious. A lot of those people from Team Skull didn't finish the island challenge in time. They went home as failures and their families shunned them and cast them out."

    "They did?"

    Hau gave a solemn nod. "Yeah. It's horrible. One moment, you see people sending their trainers off on a happy-go-lucky adventure and the next they're denouncing them as their kids because they came back not completing this. I was all so excited to on a journey with my Pokémon and we meet these guys, all a reminder of what could happen if we don't finish. What if I don't finish? What will gramps think of me?"

    "I'm going to stop you right there Hau." Elio said. "The island challenge is not all about being the best in the world. Professor Kukui said it himself back at his lab. It's a rite of passage that us teenagers go through in learning lessons about life once we're adults…heck, even now! And you're not a failure Hau. You're my best friend. You definitely succeeded at that!"

    "I thought Lillie was your best friend."

    "She is. But…well…it's complicated."

    "She's more than your best friend?"

    "Don't you dare put this on me brah."

    "I'm just screwing with you." Hau chuckled. "But you're right. It's still going to linger at the back of my head until I'm finally done with it."

    "Yeah." Elio laughed right back at him. "Me too. And remember, we're in this together. If I'm farther up the mountain, you bet your ass I'm helping you. I'll carry you if I have to."

    "You'd carry me?"

    "Bridal style."

    "No." A mischievous grin found its way onto Hau's soft features. "You'd carry Lillie bridal style. I'd be the fireman on the back."

    Damn you Hau. Elio thought as he felt his face heat up at the mention of that. He knows Lillie is my weakness.

    "That's because you can't help it."

    "Shut up Hau."

    "Oh yeah? I think I got you good! You totally have a crush on Lillie!"

    "I thought we already established that! Shut up already!"

    "Bro, Leilani is going to have a field day when she finds out!"

    "Hau!" Elio lunged over, clamping a firm hand over the other boy's mouth in an attempt to quiet his teasing. "Stop it!"

    He only got muffled chuckles in response, leading him to realize that vehemently denying it even more made it clear that it was that much truer.

    "Stop!" Elio hissed through his teeth. "Listen!"

    Hau finally quieted down, but still shot him a knowing smirk, telegraphing that the discussion was far from over. He knew it too.

    It was there. Barely perceptible, but there nonetheless. A wailing cry that echoed off the cave's walls

    "What is that?"

    "I don't know. But I've been hearing enough weird stuff lately. Let's get out of here."

    "Could it be a Pokémon?" Hau cocked his head as they strained to listen further.

    "Maybe." Elio had a feeling if they tried to hear it even more; they'd get that strange concussion sensation again and make it feel ten times worse.

    The wail came again and since both boys were expectant of the noise, they were able to get a better bearing on where it originated. Hau's gaze drifted to one of the sides. "There."

    The passageway he was referring to was much narrower than the ones they had been going down recently. Parts of it were only small enough to fit through if the boys turned sideways and squeezed into the gaps. More diglett inhabited these areas and they were the usual hostile, considering that this part of the tunnel didn't get much human interaction unlike the more traversed paths. Now that he knew of its steel typing; Elio gave Torracat some work, sending most of them packing with flame charges and fire fangs while leading the way. Hau and his Pikachu took care of the few zubat who tried to harass them.

    Eventually, the winding path began to slope up until it reached an abrupt end where the two boys had to crawl on their hands and knees up to the uppermost spot. The chamber after that was incredibly small and neither of them could stand up to their full height due to the low proximity of the ceiling.

    Hau noticed something different along the floor of the cave and shined his light over what looked to be the remains of a berry seed and tiny bits of its reddish flesh.

    "Look." Elio pointed.

    It was a tiny Pokémon in the corner glancing apprehensively at them through fearful golden eyes. Batlike in appearance, the purplish fur was matted in some spots and it spread its wings out, shaking.

    "Woah."

    "I got thizzz boyzz!" Rotom popped out of Elio's bag and nearly hit itself on the low ceiling. "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Noibat. Sound wave Pokémon. Noibat's favorite food is fruit and it uses ultrasonic waves to determine only the ripest ones that it eats. Noibat is a flying and dragon type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "A noibat?" Hau looked over at it again. "That's awesome. I had no idea that you could find one in Alola!"

    Rotom swiveled to face him before looking back at the creature. "Actually, noibat are native to the Kalos region! Bzzt! However recordzzz do zhow zpecimenzzz have appeared in the Verdant Cavern of Melemele Island in very tiny numberzzz."

    How come I didn't see one? I could've gotten a dragon…and I still don't have one. Maybe this one will want to join my team? But I already have a flying type.

    "Hi noibat." Elio inched forward, trying to look as nonthreatening as he possibly could. The tiny Pokémon merely cowered even further away.

    It's not working.

    "Elio wait." Hau stopped him. "Look, he's scared. If noibat are on Melemele Island, what is this one doing here on Akala?"

    "Maybe he got lost?"

    "Beats me. But look at him. He's hungry and afraid. I bet this is why we felt bad earlier. This guy's supersonic waves."

    "What can we do? I've got medicine, but that's about it."

    "I have fruit."

    Wait a second. It loves fruit!

    "Heh," Elio noticed the bits of eaten berries in the alcove. "I guess we found our thief from the thieves. Did an interesting job against those numskulls. But it's not that hard to swipe food from two drunkards."

    "I still have some berries with me." Hau rifled through the pockets in his backpack, finally showing some of the golden sitrus fruits. Opposite him, the bat perked up at the sight of the food, but kept to itself.

    "It's all good hoa." He slowly inched his hands forward with the berries. Noibat looked at it with wide eyes and an eagerness he hadn't seen before. Slowly it stepped with prudence, wiggling its ears while remaining to stare intently at the food presented to it.

    It timidly nudged the berry and at Elio's insistence; Hau set it on the ground. Uncertainty was still in its demeanor as it glanced furtively at the two humans and offering. Thus far, neither of them had made any move to hurt or injure it. Just something about them seemed trustworthy.

    Noibat nibbled the berry's side before taking a firmer bite after it deemed it satisfactory for its tastes.

    "Tasty huh?" The darker skinned boy asked with a cheeky grin.

    "Guess he likes it."

    The noibat let out a cry of approval before biting off more chunks of the fruit. They watched it in silence as it finished off the food, settling back down and moving over to them.

    "Are you lost buddy?" Hau asked. He hesitantly reached out; knowing at any moment the creature could do something to hurt him. Beside him, Elio silently watched.

    Fortunately enough, it seemed comfortable and allowed him to wrap his hands around its body and bring it close to his chest. He cradled it as if it were a small child. Noibat was sniffing around and curled up, bringing its eyes slowly closed to fall asleep.

    "If we weren't caked in guano right now," Sun began. "I'd call that cute."

    "He is so cute though!" Hau laughed. "Maybe he does need some help."

    "For a Pokémon that appeared malnourished, I'm surprised he was restrained when eating. If I was that hungry, I'd be inhaling my food like a vacuum."

    "Me too. I did that with malasadas once and then I felt sick."

    Big surprise. Elio smirked back at him. "So how many did you stomach?"

    "Eight in five minutes."

    "Thinking about that that is enough to make me feel sick already."

    "I know right?" Hau tucked the noibat under his arm as he was helped down from the upper ledge. "Come on, let's get going."

    Sure enough, the end of the cave was within sight. They knew it too, sensing that the elevation of the cave was beginning to rise again after their initial descent into its depths. The cold dank air was beginning to give way to the familiar humidity that permeated even this far down.

    Strangely Elio had paid the steamy heat no heed prior to entering the tunnels. He figured he was fully adjusted to the humid hot weather if he didn't feel uncomfortable. Now having it absent for several hours was noticeable enough for him. The caked mud on his legs itched like crazy and he forcibly resisted the urge to scratch them off. He didn't want any marks or welts on his legs if he could help it.

    Noibat was sleeping soundly in Hau's arms as he trudged behind Elio. He gently pat its head to keep it calm in its slumber, assuring it that a Pokémon center in Konikoni City could help it out and give it a proper checkup before letting it back into the wilds.

    Along another slope where a pinprick of daylight shed onto the glossy rocks, they had heard some more voices talking amongst themselves. Silently, both boys wielded another Poké Ball in case of the need to battle again. Both of their parties had seen plenty of action thanks to both the restlessness of the locals in the cave and other battle-mongering trainers. Elio was thankful initially that they didn't sound like the Team Skull grunts they ran off earlier, but smoother voices that talked with much more prominent civility than the villainous lingo that made zero sense.

    There were two of them, clad in matching white uniforms with big utility belts and fanny packs around their waists. Parts of gold metal trimmed the straps and buckles that seemed to somehow shine in the dark confines. One of them; the woman with close cropped dark hair held a big tablet that lit up their faces from the glow in the dark confines.

    "Phew. With Olivia in charge, we've finally managed to make some headway against those diglett."

    "Yeah," Her partner said, "We'll keep you monitored on their activity, but we have not detected any difference for at least a half hour. That's the longest it's gone."

    Elio deduced that they were speaking to someone on the screen and listening through something like earpieces that kept him from hearing the other side of the discussion. Both remained silent before the man spoke again, "No. We've got no update on that front. We haven't found either of the escapee or the asset. Of course. We'll keep looking. Expedition Team Castle out."

    The boys had thought nothing of the discussion and decided to keep on going since they appeared to be no major threat.

    What were they talking about? Escapee and asset?

    At his insistence, they moved to make some noise and announce their presence; rounding the corner and attracting the attention of both uniformed adults.

    "Oh Alola!" The woman waved her hands out in the traditional greeting. Almost sighing out loud in relief since they didn't want to battle, Sun gave a polite smile before returning the gesture.

    "We're members of the Aether Foundation. We work to support Pokémon conservation."

    "Oh cool," Sun remembered running into a small building on the island's northern part, "I helped some of you guys up north who were collecting data on feebas." He patted Nani's Poké Ball, "In fact, you guys indirectly helped me catch one!"

    "Well thank you for your help and glad we could help in return! That's what trainers do!" The woman happily said, "It seems like Team Skull was responsible for agitating all these diglett and bringing them up to the surface! They're this group of troublemakers and they seem to delight in interfering with trainers and their Pokémon."

    "I ran into a couple of them a ways back. They were pretty easy to beat."

    The male employee nodded, "The diglett seem to have settled down then, thanks to your effort. They normally live in elaborate systems of underground passageways that can take years to dig out. We're here to help ensure that they return to their homes and let people pass through here without having to fight so many big masses of Pokémon. It doesn't just mess up diglett's habitat, it can interfere with other species as well."

    "Maybe it was because of this guy." Hau pulled his arm to show the sleeping Pokémon in his arms.

    "Oh my!" The woman exclaimed. "A noibat?! I've never seen one on Akala!"

    "We found him in a small area just off the path back there." Elio pointed back. "He looked like he was hungry and scared. Gave him some fruit."

    "That actually explains the strange soundwave anomalies we've been experiencing for the past days."

    "Right." The man nodded in agreement. "And the same thing that's been riling up these diglett. We thought it was Team Skull."

    "You mean the two farther in the cave? They're way too hammered now to cause any more ruckus."

    "This is great news! Now we can finally and hopefully monitor the cave in case this happens again. You kids did us and the Aether Foundation a huge favor in helping out!" The man took the pad and typed a few things on the screen. "I'll be sure to put in a good word for you both to our administrators!"

    "Some of the diglett are still wandering around on the surface, so be careful!" The woman said, "If you're heading for Konikoni City, then head down this way," She pointed to the lit corridor with the sunlight visible on the roads ahead. "It's about another ten minute walk to the route that leads to its front."

    "Yeah take care of that noibat kid." The man said, gesturing to the peacefully sleeping creature in Hau's arms. "I think that one's comfortable around you."

    Sun nodded, "Will do. Thanks!"

    "Alola!" They waved before beginning to head down a separate way.

    "Alola!"

    "Pretty noble people." Elio admitted after they headed further back into the tunnel when they were out of earshot. They seemed nice. Sun thought as he saw the light of the tunnel's exit approaching as they parted ways from the Aether associates. It's good to hear that there are people who are trying to undo all the chaos Team Skull is wrecking. I still feel like they were not just in here for the diglett's disturbances. Are they looking for something? Someone?

    "Yeah I agree." Their musings were interrupted when the noibat flapped its wings and opened its eyes. They grew wide with excitement at finally seeing the exit. "Hey buddy. Must be great finally seeing you're almost out!"

    Noibat chirped happily and nuzzled Hau's arm, making the boy laugh.

    "Yeah you've been a great friend. A great, needy friend."

    "That noibat really likes you Hau." Sun pointed out. "Maybe you should catch it."

    "Catch it?" He looked back at the little Pokémon. It flapped its wings and took off to stand in front, looking first to Elio and then to Hau. As if it was making a lifelong decision, it made its way over to him.

    The two of them stared at one another for what seemed to be an eternity. At the same time, Elio felt the dried mud on his shins itch again.

    Argh! STOP it!

    "Are you gonna catch the damn thing or not?"

    "What do I do? Battle it?"

    "Isn't that what Kukui taught us to do?!" I feel like gouging that itch out with my Ranger knife!

    "I'll just throw a ball." Hau grumbled while taking an empty Poké Ball from his pack. Activating the capture matrix inside, he flung it squarely ahead, hitting his target directly. The device recognized the noibat's signature, activating and sucking the creature in before settling on the ground. It wobbled once, twice and then a third time before settling. An audible snap came from the button to signify a successful capture.

    "Yes! Aww yeah baby!" Hau made a fist and jumped up and down while raising his newest teammate into the air. "I caught me a noibat!"

    "Wooo!" Rotom waved his arms around to join in the celebration with an imitation of Professor Kukui. "Analyzing! Bzzt! Your noibat is a male and knows the moves; gust, supersonic, agility and air cutter. Its ability is infiltrator, which allows it to attack through protective barriers such as substitute, light screen and reflect!"

    "Congrats brah. Now can we get to a shower before I ask Torracat and Rufflet to scratch my legs raw?"

    "Way to be a party-pooper. Why don't you just use your fingernails like ordinary people."

    "In that? Hell no."

    "Why is it so bad?" Hau asked. "It's guano right?"

    "Do you even know what guano is?"

    "No."

    "I'll show you." Elio squatted down and made the motion as if he was pulling down his shorts. Part of him got amused when Hau made a disgusted face as he put two and two together.

    "And this is all that?"

    "Yes."

    "Okay, I didn't need to know that. Now I'm going to lose my appetite for a whole week!"

    "You were the one who asked about it. And we're still standing in who-knows how much feet of it solidified. So I think it's best we get out of here."

    Hau rolled his eyes, smiling but also slightly irritated at his best friend ruining the moment he had at catching a new partner. "I swear you lost your manners while in the womb."

    This was sure a fun and interesting chapter to write. Konikoni City is right around the corner! The name Raijin has appeared for the second consecutive chapter and we get a glimpse at the Aether Foundation, a group dedicated to Pokémon conservation and the welfare of their relationship with trainers! Of course we'll be seeing them much more as the game goes on!

    Translations:

    • Akahele - Watch out/Be careful
    • Hi'ona - Fascinating
    • Hoa - Friend

    As always; mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose. See you all next time.

    Brav
     
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    #62 Oct 11, 2018
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  3. ShinigamiMiroku

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    I should've realized that it had to be a Pokémon causing those soundwave disturbances (especially since, in the game, Skull didn't have any sort of applicable tech); it had to either be Noibat or Whismur, given the type of disturbance. It's definitely a nice 'breather' chapter, despite some of the small moments of drama.

    Hope they're able to wash that guano off soon; the last thing they need is a possible parasitic infection... :sweat:

    Also, a random thought occurred to me - if you add an 'h' to the beginning of Elio's name, it spells 'helio', which is Greek for the sun (actually, come to think of it, I think you also need an 's' at the end... I think). :sweat: :sweat: :sweat:
     
    #63 Oct 12, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2018
  4. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

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    Alola readers! I'm back with another chapter of A Hui Hou Kakou! It's been a busy month. You may all recall the transfer request I got from Las Vegas. After a long time of debating and deciding, I've gone to accept it. I'll be starting it the middle of this month in time for the Thanksgiving rush and the holiday season as a whole. It's a pretty big move and really the first time I won't have any close friends or family within driving distance.

    It's exciting and scary at the same time! I'm definitely looking forward to what my new job is going to entail plus having the chance to finally live and do things on my own.

    So onto the story, we're getting closer and closer to the battle against the kahuna! In fact, it will be next chapter! There's still a lot to see in Konikoni City and the Memorial Hill.
    Thanks to @ShinigamiMiroku for reviewing. You are exactly right in the fact that Elio is named after the Greek god of the sun. That was the motif there.

    Happy early Veterans day as well. If there are any servicemen or servicewomen reading this, I sincerely appreciate your service to this country.

    Enjoy the chapter everyone.



    Elio said he finally met people from the Aether Foundation while going through Diglett's Tunnel. He also said that it was quite a muddy trip. I'm hoping I don't get my dress dirty or anything. Professor Burnet is going to make sure I wear something to protect myself with long pants and waterproof boots.

    Anyway, I'm curious to know what his reaction was when he met them. Do you think he has run into one of the higher ups like Miss Wicke or Mister Faba?


    Konikoni was a smaller city than its northerly neighbor Heahea with a population of about forty five thousand in the area. It was situated along the narrow coastline of the southern tip of Akala, providing less room to really expand. A few taller buildings were clustered around the front road that branched out into the smaller caplets of the town, giving way to residences that were on the mountainside. A massive white and red colored lighthouse was at the end and currently off, but Sun imagined it would be a sight to behold when night fell and it cast its beacon out to seafaring vessels. The edge of the urbanized area ended at a sacred place called the Akala Outskirts; a tiny trail off the beaten path that preceded the Ruins of Life.

    Still; the place was known for being a huge hub for shipping and had a market that sold exotic goods from faraway lands that were unavailable anywhere else in Alola.

    Sun and Hau paid it little attention at first, hurrying along the main street into the city's main Pokémon center. Luckily for them, there was already many rooms open and they each opted to have one to themselves. The moment the receptionist had dropped the keys in their hands and took their Pokémon for checkup; they had bolted up to their rooms, practically sprinting to the shower stalls.

    Elio's legs had been itching nonstop like crazy and he let out a moan of relief as the water lashed at his shins, effortlessly cutting through the layer of mud and washing it down the drain. The streams of water turned murky gray and frothy as he scrubbed his own body vigorously with soap.

    He slipped a towel over his waist, tying it in the same manner his parents taught so that he didn't have to hold it to avoid being undone. Hau had yet to text his plan for the rest of the day.

    Looking at Rotom's clock that read five thirty in the afternoon, Elio did figure it was just enough time to explore a couple of parts in the city. Maybe even kahuna Olivia would make time for a challenge.

    Still no reply from Hau. He thought to himself as he slipped on a fresh set of cargo shorts and a blue tanktop. His favorite white and blue striped shirt was caked in the same mud as was his dark gray and red shorts. That plus a handful of other clothes were in desperate need of a wash and dry.

    Should I see if he's even awake? Elio looked at the shut door of Hau's room. He had thought he heard his shower on earlier, but he wasn't completely sure. The normally energetic boy looked pretty weary when they came out of the other end of Diglett's Tunnel.

    Nah, this is my chance to get ahead of the game.

    The center's interior was rather spacious. While each of the trainer-centric buildings looked rather uniform on the outside; their inside had many different appearances.

    Konikoni's had an eastern vibe, red and gold trim on the walls with a softer lighting that reminded him of classic Johtoan restaurants. Like always, there was a healing station, although there was a bit of a line when he walked out. The nurse and a plump pink Pokémon were tirelessly working to keep up with the mini rush that was happening at the time. To the right were the mart and a café to the left. There were two corridors behind the station that led to the Pokémon center's lodging area.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Chansey. Egg Pokémon. The eggs they carry in their pouches are incredibly dense in nutrients and a favorite food of many Pokémon and humans. They are also incredibly rare and it is considered extremely lucky if one is spotted in the wild. Chansey is a normal type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    Elio was pleased to see that his six Pokémon were already in a delivery dispensing tray in the holding area. He slipped his trainer card in this case; his passport into the reader slot and the chansey that was on duty there hit another button that slid the tray out for him to retrieve his Pokémon. The receipt indicated that none of them had any abnormalities and they all had been restored to full health. He didn't see Hau's party, but it could mean he either had left or they were still in the process of treating them.

    "And everyone will need to break out their swimsuits and plan trips to the beach!"

    The television caught Elio's attention and he stopped in the lobby to look at the upcoming weather report. Like always, it usually consisted of warm sunny days with possible chances of rain. The winter months cooled down a bit, but this was still one of the only places in the world where one could spend December through February in shorts and a tanktop.

    This time though, the reporter was highlighting a red band that played and accelerated towards Alola from the southwest. Numbers indicating Fahrenheit temperatures were said to be in the triple digits for the next few days.

    "That's right my fellow Alolans! We could be seeing record temperatures this entire week from the heat wave and hot front headed our way!" The weatherman exclaimed. "The city council and the kahunas have confirmed that we will likely be in a heat advisory level one from the start with the possibility of two and three if things worsen. Please refer to Alola's official weather station website for measures you can take to stay cool in the blaze!"

    As if it couldn't get hot enough. Elio grumbled to himself.

    "Wow." The news cut back to the two anchors, both young Alolans; a man and a woman. "I'll be definitely finding ways to beat the heat. I've already got a plan to take my husband and the boys to my favorite beach! I already have pecha berry and cream pops in the freezer!"

    "And I'll be making my famous aguave-hibiscus lemonade. You all watching can get the recipe yourselves online and even add a nice flair to it! Crush some ice."

    "Now you're talking!" The female anchor agreed. "And the region's not the only thing heating up! We're just days away from the Surf Association's World Surfing Tour which will kick off right here at Hano Beach. This is the first time in the Association's history that the World Surfing Circuit will begin in Alola. There's a lot going on as aspiring surfers will get their first taste of the big leagues. Lots of familiar favorites, but one of them has already captured the pu'wai of the region with her alluring passionate style! We go live to Alola's Hano Grand Resort to meet up with Alola's own darling Leilani Taula. Jessie?"

    The screen switched over to where he could see the strong body of a surfer atop a longboard cresting a wave and riding it to shore before balance overcame him and he toppled into the water.

    "In just a few days, the Hano Grand Resort is going to be all sorts of busy when the Kumu Reed Triple Crown tournament begins the World Surfing Tour over the next three months. We all remember last year where Leilani Taula delivered a stunning performance on her mantine known as Hana. While she did win that category with flying colors, her most notable performance was on the longboard where it was widely thought she could be the first Alolan to win the final tournament at the Oblivia archipelago to propel her to the championship."

    Elio watched as the news anchor switched to a rather grand ceremony and his face fell when he saw that she was standing atop the column in second place. Leilani looked a couple of years younger and was still smiling in that flashback shot.

    "Her overall point total through the tour was second only to Kalosian Sabine Joyeux. It was then afterwards during a press conference did she verbally lash out at Joyeux for gloating the win. Rather unusual."

    After the overview, he saw it shifted to the reporter on site who stood in front of a massive pastel colored building with a lot of luxurious décor in front.

    "Leilani was also passed over as the cover model for the Alola Tropic lotion brand for Joyeux. She would later reveal her mother's unexpected disappearance at the time had fueled her anger and frustration. Since then, she and Joyeux have developed a rivalry. Unusual since the competitiveness had long been between Alolan and Hoenn surfers."

    "So what's changed between this year and last? Everyone's heart went out to you after the loss and you pouring those emotions out." The reporter, Jessie asked Leilani. She was wearing her signature black bodysuit, standing in front of a board that he could see a lot of logos of sponsoring companies. Her hair waved in the wind, wet clumps of it clinging together.

    If only Hau was here. This would be payback for him nagging at me for Lillie.

    "It was a time I was really frustrated with myself." The surfer girl answered with a nod. "I wasn't sure what I was thinking, but I took it way too personally. Maybe it was meant to be personal. I don't know, but I'm just ready to start this new season. Wherever my mother is, here on this earth or lani, I know she'll be supporting and have my back the whole way. She won't be the only one either. I have lots of friends and family that will be coming."

    "Did your mother drive you to train harder?"

    Leilani nodded again. "My mother used to be my biggest fan when my father took me to surfing when I was a kid. Her support only got bigger when I found myself getting really good at it."

    "You've heard the weather reports of the heat wave that's going to hit the islands during the tournament. What are your thoughts and how it will affect the competition?"

    "Honestly I'll be in the water." The answer made both her and the reporter laugh. "So I won't feel much of a difference, but that doesn't mean it's not a factor. Would it add to the intensity? Absolutely it would."

    "Well said Leilani. One last question before we go. So entering the competition puts you up against a familiar face; Sabine Joyeux, who said that she was rather unconcerned about your abilities and hometown hero status. Has she been a factor of your drive to come back and win?"

    Elio's gaze hardened at the reporter's question. Don't take the bait Leilani. She's trying to make you say something nasty on television that will make headlines.

    Fortunately it seemed the surfer was expectant of the question to surface sooner or later. She took a deep breath, "Sabine's a good surfer and it's definitely motivated me to step up my game. Stuff like this keeps the competition fresh and pushes us all to be better surfers. I know she'll be bringing her A-game, so I will have to as well, especially in front of my home region and ohana."

    "And all of Alola will be pulling for you out there Leilani. Thanks again."

    "Thank you Jessie."

    "Leilani will compete in the highly touted women's championship race and attempt to become the first Alolan to be crowned as the Association's Apex Surfer, the highest honor in the World Surfing League. Jessie Nomora, NNA."

    News Network of Alola. I remember seeing their headquarters right by the Hau'oli Star Advertiser.

    Elio took out his cell phone, looking up the schedule and surprised to see so many places on the list through the time.

    Lot of big names on the list. Lilycove City, Dewford in Hoenn. Sunnyshore in Sinnoh. Undella Town in Unova. Kalos has Cyllage City. I see some other places I'm less familiar with like the Sevii Islands, Sophian Island, Arbol.

    He just hope that he would have enough time to complete the grand trial and show up wherever the Kumu Reef Triple Crown was taking place. There was no way he and Hau were missing this at all.

    A lot of the locals encouraged Elio to try out the bustling city market that was located at the center of downtown just a few blocks away from the Pokémon center he and Hau were staying at. It was known as kahi eʻohi ai, or the Gathering Place.

    Elio was definitely floored at its massive size; as well as the huge crowds even now in the late afternoon. That was a huge difference he noticed right away about Konikoni. Pedestrians and people walking were much more common than cars, a five to one ratio. He noticed a lot of similarities back to the time his family took the vacation to Unova. One of their days went through Driftveil City where the Northstar family stopped for their famous pizza in a parlor and visited the enormous dome that housed one of the biggest plazas and venues in that part of the world.

    And that's where Mom's designer table and chairs set came from. I was laughing when I saw Dad's expression at the bill for the shipping fee.

    It was right along the main street, a series of buildings erected to serve as shelter from the weather as well as shielding goods that were sensitive to the elements through canopies erected on their sides. Steam rose from some of the places as hot food was being served. There was a decent crowd out, but he imagined he was coming during a downtime, likely packing the place right before dinner and on the weekends.

    He headed into the buzz, which was full of people talking to one another in numbers that seemed to rival that of Celadon City's. Vendors had kept their shops open with different colored signs and exaggerated letters describing what was being sold. The smell of exotic food at many stands teased his nose. As he walked along; multiple hawkers beckoned him and other passerbys for their interest. He had to admit that they were good and persuasive. To most foreigners in the marketplace like this, the practice seemed incredibly deceitful and greedy.

    However it was more of a test of one another's character. Often times, the street markets sold merchandise atypical of the normal retail stores found throughout the city. Konikoni had its own share, but this market was just like Driftveil's where one could often go and negotiate to possibly buy a fraction of the marked price. Elio noticed almost right away that it was the case here; each stand or shop had either a red or a green card beside the register or card reader where transactions could be made.

    The red cards meant all sales and prices were final, essentially indicating a take it or leave it. The green cards indicated that the vendor was willing to negotiate a bargain. Often times, the discussion over the pricing of something could go on for a half hour, even longer!

    The market seemed to stretch for miles, but all stands and crowds began to give way to the residential homes and apartments. Elio made his way through the crowd, keeping his hands in his pockets where his wallet was located.

    Sun had picked up the habitual practice from the same trip in Driftveil where two female thieves attempted to pickpocket his father's wallet and very nearly succeeded. Thankfully Blu who was traveling with them had intervened unexpectedly, swinging his tail out to trip one of the girls as she attempted to hastily escape while her partner kept Calvera's attention away.

    Since then Elio didn't avoid crowds because of that, but he kept himself with plenty of situational awareness. Even someone simply brushing past him could be enough time for a hand to filch inside his pocket and pull his wallet free without him even noticing.

    As the stands grew fewer in number, they gave way to some permanent shops in smaller buildings alongside the street. Amazingly it was still a concrete base, an indication that it was once a busy road at a time. Now there were permanent barriers erected at the ends to prevent car traffic from turning in.

    One of the shops took his interest and he walked through the door. As he entered, a tiny chimecho bell fixture softly dinged to announce his presence.

    The shop was tidy with neatly kept floors, well-dusted shelves and jars everywhere. Rows and rows upon those shelves were jars filled with dried plants, seeds and powder.

    "Ah good afternoon young trainer." The owner of the place was an elderly man whose eyes sparkled with a bit of youth. "What brings you into my medicine herbal shop today yes?"

    Ah this is one of those natural remedy shops. Elio thought. There were some back in Kanto. Often times, medicine made in hospitals and prescribed by doctors could be quite expensive. Alternatively, there were specialty shops such as the one he was in that offered different options. Some herbs and plants, even parts of Pokémon could be crushed, ground, steeped or prepared a certain way to cure common to previously incurable illnesses as well as promote good health. Each little jar and bin held something else and everything for the most part would be bought in bulk by weight.

    "I'm just looking around that's all."

    "I see. What do you have in interest? Pokémon battle? Performance yes?"

    "Uh performance."

    "Interesting." The man got up from his seat and made his way over to Elio's side. "I agree indeed! Someone like you attract many females yes?"

    "Um." Elio felt just a little uneasy. "Sure. I was actually looking for Pokémon performance."

    "We have that too yes." He followed the strange shopkeeper closer to the back of the store where he bent down to look through bins. Elio caught a whiff of a rather pungent smell emanating from something close by.

    "Aha! Here we are! You will like this one yes." The man shoveled a few spoonfuls of a dark gray substance that looked like coarse sand into a plastic bag. Elio caught another whiff of the fumes from the open container, almost braining himself from the rather intoxicating scent. "You can brew this with tea or I can put it into capsule pills. Young strapping man like yourself usually go with pills yes?"

    Huh, it's so weird that I can walk in and someone who knows this stuff in their sleep immediately knows a good cure!

    "Yeah, I can take pills. My mom had a hard time making me adjust that way." I better find out what this is? "So what are you selling me?"

    "Dried male salandit tail. Increases man potency, stamina and performance. Even in battle. Very popular with young men like you yes." A cheeky smile tugged at the shopkeeper's face as he gestured at his chest. "I take it myself yes. And trust me; she will like it too."

    Potency, stamina and performance. Heh, I could use that kind of stuff in a battle for sure.

    "You will buy yes?"

    Interesting place. Elio turned and gave the shopkeeper one last wave before heading back into the market. The powder was ground more finely and then fitted into capsules, giving him about thirty pills in a bottle that he stowed inside his backpack. One a day meant a month's supply.

    Take this and be even stronger in a Pokémon battle! If this works out, you bet I'm coming back to this place! And to think the guy was nice enough to give me that as complimentary on the house! You don't find that often anywhere!

    With that out of the way, he decided it was time to catch Olivia in her own jewelry shop that she owned just off the end of the market. The building it was situated inside doubled as her own residence on the second floor.

    Her place wasn't far from the center, although a little ways down the street where the automobiles were more prevalent. He saw that the lights had been turned off and nobody was inside. The store was closed for the day. Looking at Rotom's clock, it was already past ten in the evening.

    His heart sank.

    I guess I have to try catching her tomorrow.


    Sun woke early the next morning and grabbed a quick breakfast at the café before heading right back to the store. The crowds hadn't diminished, almost as if nobody had gone home for the night.

    "Olivia's store is way more chic than I expected!" He overheard a pair of women say as they exited the place once he approached, "I know she's the kahuna and all, but she seems like a normal person, y'know?"

    "Yeah! I totally get what you mean! Some of the stuff in there is for trainers too, but those earrings were just too cute! Totally worth every penny!"

    At least the place is open for a change. Sun thought while holding the door for them to exit. Neither of the ladies paid him any attention or seemed to notice his chivalric gesture. They continued to talk amongst one another without giving him a second glance. He dismissed it and walked inside.

    The store's interior was quite tidy, with warm carpeting surrounding a dozen display cases. The desk at the front entrance was backed by several sophisticated looking machines, no doubt crafted for the delicate and precise fabrication of the valuable merchandise.

    "Hi can I help you?" The young clerk asked sweetly.

    "Yeah…uh I'm here to see Olivia. She told me to meet her here."

    "Oh you must be Elio!"

    "Yeah that's me."

    "Axis!" She went over to the stairs and called up, "He's here!"

    "Robo!" A synthetic voice crackled, followed by a large blue and red Pokémon floating down the flight effortlessly. It had a red top and a long nose that had a bush of some sort under the nostrils like a moustache.

    "Nopass!" Axis the probopass had a folded white piece of paper attached to its side.

    Sun gently reached out and took it, glancing down at Olivia's neat handwriting.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt!" Rotom was right on cue, floating above the boy while displaying a still image of the new find. "Probopass. Compass Pokémon. The main body controls three units called mini noses to battle while it gives orders. Probopass can radiate magnetic fields powerful enough that nearby electrical appliances become unusuable. Probopass is a rock and steel type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    Elio,

    Olivia here. This is Axis, my probopass. He watches the shop while I'm away. I know I asked you to meet me here back in Diglett's Tunnel, but there's been a change of plans. You can use the time to further train your Pokémon. If you're ready to have your grand trial; meet me at the Ruins of Life. They're east of Konikoni City on the other side of Memorial Hill when you can.

    -Kahuna Olivia Rios

    "Huh…" He mused. "I'm guessing that's why she isn't here now?"

    "Pass!" The big Pokémon's eyes lit up as if it just remembered something. It vanished up the stairs again and came back down; this time holding something else. It looked like…

    "Medicine?"

    "Pass!" Axis allowed Sun to take the max potion before retreating to the stairs to keep watch.

    "Thanks Axis!"

    "Pass-robo!" The Pokémon called back.

    The clerk laughed. "Wow! Axis really likes you! Don't be fooled by his friendly nature, he's one of Olivia's strongest Pokémon!"

    "Then I'm glad I'm on his good side." He was already wondering if he was going to be used in their battle.

    Although he didn't want to keep the kahuna waiting; Sun decided to take a look around while he was here. There were a lot of rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets. All of it looked very nice, although his eyes almost popped out of his sockets when he saw the prices next to them.

    The clerk chuckled again. "You'd be surprised at how many people come in here trying to buy something and don't realize how pricey some of this can be. We do a lot of negotiating depend on its value. No worries though," She gestured to another section of the store, "Olivia also gets a lot of stones that are tailored to trainers as well. If you need to evolve a Pokémon by an evolutionary stone; she's got most of them here!"

    "Awesome!" Sun knew for a fact that the only Pokémon he wasn't sure about on evolving was Charjabug and an attempt with the found thunderstone didn't work. But he already had at least one of each stone that was on sale already inside his bag that were found somewhere on his travels.

    One caught his eye; it was large, almost the size of a baseball with a purple and gray colors in the marblelike center.

    "That's an aerodactylite. If you have an aerodactyl, you can use it to make it grow stronger!"

    Elio shook his head, "Unfortunately, I don't have one, although I've read that you can revive one if you find an old amber."

    "Sadly, I don't have any of those."

    "Don't sweat it. I guess I'll head on out now. Thanks for your help."

    "Of course. Have a good day and good luck on your grand trial!"

    Sun began to make his way out of Konikoni City, stopping at the market again when he heard of a sale on TMs from another passing trainer. Looking at the selection when he found the stands; he decided on the one with the move Overheat, figuring that Torracat would like to learn a powerful fire move. His starter was more than happy to be taught the move briefly before they continued on their journey.

    Elio was expectant of a mass graveyard like Pokémon Tower in Lavender town when he heard that Memorial Hill was a place to bury and honor the departed Pokémon, but he was pleasantly surprised at this not being the case.

    The place was hilly for sure, but instead of the lines of constant gravestones; he was greeted with winding paths that offered scenic views at the top of the multiple hillcrests. Some of them looked out over the expanses of the island while others could watch over the ocean that stretched beyond the edges of the horizon.

    He did see some ghost Pokémon roaming about. Gastly, misdreavus and another that looked like a living trunk of a tree that a group were situated at the top. Even as it wound to the later part of the day and evening, most of them didn't bother him or any of the other trainers and vanished upon sensing their presence. He used Rufflet to dispatch any that tried to challenge him, taking a little bit of amusement at the ghosts' surprise of their spooky moves having no effect whatsoever on his half-normal type battler.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Phantump. Stump Pokémon. According to legend, medicine to cure any illness can be made by plucking the leaves on its head, brewing them and boiling down the liquid. Their cries sound like eerie screams. Phantump is a ghost and grass type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    A few trainers at Memorial Hill stopped Sun for a battle, although he got his entire team involved in different battles to handle them. Some vowed to battle him later, aware that doing so here would be rather disrespectful to those wanting to pay their respects to the departed. Unfortunately; Torracat still had a little bit of difficulty mastering his newly learned move, which often missed since its power seemed to be uncontrollable. He wanted to stop and see if they could improve it, but he didn't want to keep Olivia waiting.

    "This sacred place is where we can visit and honor those that their work has done. They may not be with us now, but they are always with us in spirit, watching over us and our families with the akua."

    "How?" Elio asked one of the elderly trainers as they looked out over the ocean. The sun was beginning to set once more, putting on yet another spectacular display that illuminated the borders of the darkened clouds in between. Rays of golden light kissed the edges of the ocean, glowing off of his alabaster skin.

    "In our own ways. Some of us still do the same as our ancestors in cremating the remains of our loved ones and scattering their ashes into the seas. They and their Pokémon had first come to Alola from the sea, so it is therefore proper that we return once we have left this world. And there are others who cope with death in their own spiritual ways. This Memorial Hill is a place where everyone can pay their respects to the departed in their own ways."

    The elderly woman looked at him when he didn't respond. Elio just stared out towards the ocean, deep in thought.

    "You know someone who was close and left you."

    Blu. "Yeah. He was my best friend. And I lost him."

    "You won't lose him." She slipped a hand on his shoulder. "He is watching over you and providing guidance to your journey, wherever that takes you."

    "Mahalo."

    "The native word for this place is hoʻomanaʻo. A site for remembrance. Some of us come here for a quiet place to meditate and commune with those gone. Others come to mourn or cope with however we process death. It's one thing that binds us together. Everyone, including you and I will one day leave this world. It is inevitable. But this is not just a place of sadness and grief. It's a place to celebrate the gift of living and the memories we share together."

    "Thank you ma'am."

    "You are most welcome keiki. I will let you have this spot to yourself."

    Elio sighed and willfully relaxed as the elderly woman stepped away, her footfalls growing softer and softer on the ground.

    I wish we would've brought Blu's ashes here so he could go back to the sea. This place is just so peaceful and serene, it's almost surprising that it's a memorial to all those we've lost.

    I'll see you again one day buddy. Then we can play battle again like we used to, only this time we'll do it for real since I'm an actual trainer. Moe I ka maluhia. I miss you.

    Elio had lost track of time while sitting at that special spot and thinking deeply about his old friend. When he looked back at Rotom's clock, he realized that he had been there for almost an hour. The sun was just beginning to dip underneath the horizon with night starting its takeover of the sky.

    As he approached the exit, Sun saw the familiar white uniforms of more Aether personnel up on the path that winded further away from the city. This was one less traveled since the signs pointed the only landmark it led to was the Ruins of Life.

    There was one employee standing alongside an older man with long green gloves and a strange set of sunglasses that were the same hue, but bulged out like a butterfree's eyes, covering virtually his entire face.

    "Team Skull!" He heard the lady shouting. "Give that slowpoke back!"

    "Don't ya give me trouble!" He heard the familiar snide talking of a member of Skull. "I'll reduce ya to rubble!"

    For some reason, he found the boisterous lingo of the thugs to be even more irritating this close to a place that demanded respect for the fallen and taken.

    "Dat's right!" Another grunt chimed in. "We gonna sell this Pokémon to get rich and we won't make no bones about it! Ya want slowpoke back? Ya gonna have to take it!"

    "Stand firm!" The goggle-eyed man said to his associate in a rather irascible tone of voice. "Think of what the president would have to say!"

    That guys sounds like he's very full of himself. Must be one of the Foundation's higher-ups.

    "You say that Chief!" The employee protested. "But you don't even lift a finger!"

    So he is an important person. As if the voice didn't give enough away. Not the leader though; since he mentioned a president.

    "I am the Aether Foundation's last line of defense! What would become of it if something were to happen to me now?"

    At this rate, you're not even going to have anything to defend if you don't act!

    Looking back at the situation; there were two Skull grunts and the Aether woman seemed to be outnumbered.

    I guess we can use a bit more battling. He reached down to his right side, fingering Torracat's Poké Ball. Ready for more practice on that overheat?

    All four noticed him approaching and he saw a look of relief quickly spread on the face of the "Chief" He smiled at this, likely seeing that someone else here could be duped into doing some "dirty work"

    "Ah! Here, a promising young trainer! Fight in my place, child and rout those Team Skull ruffians! I shall bestow honor and prestige upon you if you do!"

    "Yo! It's one of those kids who messed up our bros in Diglett's Tunnel!" One of the grunts said to his partner.

    "Hey kid!" The other one gestured to the slowpoke, "I'll sell ya dis slowpoke for some cash and we can all just walk away!"

    Sun shot him a dirty look, "In what world would I buy something from you?"

    His retort clearly irritated both thugs, "Ya just sayin that to get into Aether's good graces bro! They ain't the good guys ya think they are! Whatever, I guess I can't drill dat into ya skull! Ya ready? Cuz I was born ready yo!"

    Elio wasn't sure on why this "Chief" didn't want to battle, but couldn't help thinking that he was saving his Pokémon's strengths for something else. If he had any, that is.

    Next to him; the Aether employee called out a small pink balloon Pokémon to battle the other grunt's mareanie. The one facing Sun was beckoning with a taunting gesture. A large angry looking raticate stood in front of him with fangs bared.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Jigglypuff. Balloon Pokémon. Jigglypuff possess a vocal range that exceeds twelve octaves. Recordings of jigglypuff's strange sleep-inducing lullabies can be purchased from department stores. These tracks can be located near the bedding area. Jigglypuff is a normal and fairy type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "Let's go Torracat!" His fire starter appeared in a flash of light, staring down his opponent intently.

    "This is gonna be too easy. Raticate, use sucker punch!"

    "Overheat!"

    Like they had done many times earlier that day, Torracat charged up the ball of fiery energy in his mouth, but the normal and dark type suddenly darted in front, smashing its small forelegs into his side. Not expecting to be hit so quickly; he released his attack, which zoomed straight into the sky and disappeared. He could feel the intensity from the blast prick his skin.

    "Hyper fang!"

    "Bite!"

    Raticate's incisors gleamed as it charged towards Torracat. Likewise; the cat opened his mouth, exposing rows of sharp teeth. He dodged the attack nimbly before chomping down on the raticate's tail.

    "Toss it in the air!" He turned back before swinging it around, sending it somersaulting through the air.

    "Overheat again!"

    "Caaaat!" Torracat once again gathered the energy in his mouth before unleashing it in a devastating stream. The firepower again pricked Sun's skin from the intense heat as his Pokémon aimed and fired, striking his target dead center. The overwhelming force of the superheated attack was too much for the rodent to take and it fainted almost instantly. It left a strong acrid smell of smoke around the area that continued to linger as the aghast grunt recalled his Pokémon.

    The two reckless skull grunts looked in disbelief as the Aether employee commanded her jigglypuff to finally finish the mareanie with a charge beam attack just a few seconds after the Alolan raticate had fallen back to the ground.

    "You're no joke! That loss was so pathetic! Those moves were so kinetic bro!"

    Sun shrugged, cringing at their attempts to rhyme and sound tough, "For all the talk you and your buddy thugs do…I have to say one good thing; you guys make good target practice."

    "Whatever bro!" The other grunt said, recalling his Pokémon, "Here! Take it. We don't need this Pokémon anyway! Good riddance!"

    With that; they ran right through Sun and the Aether person, heading back towards the hill, likely to cause trouble somewhere else.

    I kind of hope that they don't rile up all the ghosts that live in that area. It would still be kind of amusing though.

    "Phew," The woman wiped her brow, "Thanks Jigglypuff!"

    Her small Pokémon gave a cry of acknowledgement and puffed itself proudly before she returned it to its Pokéball.

    "Cat…" Sun glanced down to see his Torracat looking at him. He crossed his arms and smiled, "Of course. You did good Torracat. Good to see that you've improved on your overheat, although I should've known it gets weaker every time you use it. I blame Rotom." He felt a sharp shock come from his backpack, but ignored it aside from a brief grimace of pain. "Take a good rest. Ya earned it!" He scratched his chin, earning a purr of approval before taking him back inside.

    "Thanks kid!" The Aether lady slowly escorted the slowpoke back over to where they had been standing.

    "Indeed," Green Goggles added, having observed the battle with unbridled curiosity. "You're a trial goer aren't you?"

    "Yes sir." Sun nodded.

    "You're a quite a talented and splendid trainer. I am deeply impressed! I'd like to reward you by showing you something truly astounding!"

    "Just doing what any other trainer should do." Although he reveled in the praise given; Elio felt as if it was every trainers' duty to keep Team Skull from causing havoc everywhere, not solely on his shoulders.

    "Well once you've completed your grand trial. Come and find me at the Hano Grand Resort where I shall take you to a wondrous place!"

    "Thanks for helping us!" The lady added. "I'm glad there are nice young and promising trainers like you around! Good luck on your island challenge! Alola!"

    "Alola!" Sun waved, as they collected the slowpoke and went on their way back to Konikoni City.

    Everyone at the Aether Foundation seems nice. He thought to himself, smiling at their politeness and well-intentions. Maybe I ought to see if I can work for them one day when I've done my island challenge.


    The totems flanking either side of another narrow pathway indicated that Sun was close to the Ruins of Life. Even though Olivia had told him to meet her there; he saw no sign of the female kahuna anywhere.

    Is she in the ruins? I guess we can look there…if we're allowed to. He didn't know if either of the Tapus mentioned; Tapu Koko or Tapu Lele were lenient on having outsiders walk inside their lairs. It had been an old legend that most non-natives to go inside the ruins where the tapu lurked would never come out.

    At least Lillie wanted to meet him here since this was where Nebby kind of wanted to go.

    "So…you're the one Gladion won't shut up about."

    It was a woman's voice and it was dry and cold enough to stop Elio right in his tracks as he was about to step between the first set of totems.

    He stood still for a moment and slowly turned around; coming face to face with her. She had been so silent, or he had been so preoccupied with his thoughts to notice the other presence.

    She looked to be in her mid-twenties, dressed in a black tanktop with long ripped pants. Her hair was divided into four strands, two of them yellow and two pinkish purple. He noticed a Team Skull emblem tattooed on her midriff as she put a hand on her hip, looking relatively unimpressed. "You don't look like anything special to me."

    "Do I have to look special to be special?" Sun said, finding sarcasm getting the better of him.

    "Oh and capable of talking back. No wonder you've gotten into his head."

    Although she couldn't see it; Sun felt satisfied that even his words were having an effect on Gladion. According to her; the edgy boy had been annoyed by it.

    "I'm Plumeria." She took out a Poké Ball. "I help keep Team Skull together; like their big sister. You have realized what idiots all these guys are right?"

    That irked him that she was standing up for the scoundrel group of thieves and troublemakers. "Can you tell them to at least make their battles a little more challenging? No wonder everyone laughs at you guys; you're complete jokes! You all talk this trash and then run away once people stand up for themselves." He looked back at the entrance to the ruins, starting to get even more annoyed that this little piddled bickering was delaying and wasting potential time with Lillie and the kahuna awaiting his arrival.

    "Well you've been picking on my cute, dumb brothers and sisters!"

    "I step in to help people who can't help themselves. Which just happens to be dealing with the trash you call your cute, dumb brothers and sisters. Picking on them is an understatement because I hate bullying with a passion. But you people do just that to others. Taking their Pokémon and selling it! Really?"

    "It really annoys me!" Plumeria retorted, hardening her gaze at his remark and throwing out her first battler. It was a rather menacing golbat, fluttering its wings and waiting anxiously for an opponent to hit.

    Elio had known about golbat for some time, being a rather nuisance sight in caves. Nevertheless, 'Dex was already out spouting new information that he had no idea about.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Golbat. Its thick fangs are hollow like straws, making them unexpectedly fragile. Every once in a while you'll see a golbat that's missing some fangs. This happens when hunger drives it to biting a steel type Pokémon. Golbat is a poison and flying type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "Do you want me to say I'm sorry?" Sun put the infor dump at the back of his mind. He knew the drill and made his move by throwing out Rufflet, the flier of his own.

    "No. I'm going to teach you not to screw with Team Skull again."

    "Fat chance I'll change. Wing attack!"

    Rufflet obeyed, spreading his wings broadly and diving at a rapid pace, set on smashing the golbat's body.

    "Dodge." Plumeria's expression didn't change much as she uttered the command. Golbat smoothly drifted out of the way, causing Rufflet to miss big time. "Now air cutter!"

    The bat whipped its wings up, sending a sharp current of air that whipped Rufflet back up into the air. He lost some feathers drifting and took a bit of damage as some of the currents slashed at him like scythes.

    Elio had Rufflet spread his wings out to catch the currents and minimize resistance. Plumeria whipped up another air cutter as he went for an aerial ace attack. Rufflet's ability of hustle had previously been a gamble with his other moves in hindering accuracy by hastily timed attacks, however they were much greater in strength. With aerial ace never missing, he was able to overcome that crutch. Golbat was unable to dodge, despite Plumeria's call and took the hit, coming back out of the smoke twitching as it convulsed.

    "All right," Sun raised the fist in triumph, "Good shot."

    On the other side; Plumeria was getting frustrated. "Air cutter again!"

    Golbat hissed, flapping its wings together to send another wave.

    "Aerial ace it again!"

    Rufflet vanished at an incredible speed, cawing bloody murder as he reappeared again to strike.

    "Hmph," Plumeria huffed as he saw part of her lip curl upwards in a knowing smirk. "You're in trouble now! Confuse ray!"

    Aww crap.

    As Rufflet was about to hit the Golbat, its eyes glowed a sinister yellow stopping his bird in his tracks. He screeched in frustration as the confusion status took effect. The Skull admin was quick to take advantage of the momentum shift with a poison fang. Rufflet had taken serious damage, but thankfully he was neither fainted nor poisoned.

    I hate confusion.

    "Try to snap out of it buddy!"

    Angered caws were the only reply he got.

    At least try something! Elio commanded for another aerial ace, however his Pokémon seemed to completely ignore his order and attack himself.

    "I think it's best I end this here. Air cutter."

    Golbat obeyed, flapping its wings yet again and shooting out a pair of sickle shaped currents that struck Rufflet mid-flight. With a caw of pain, he crashed back to the ground, struggling to get back up before succumbing to his injuries.

    Plumeria gave an umimpressed huff and studied him closely, even as she complimented her Pokémon on a job well done.

    Golbat was faster, plus she used its confuse ray to her advantage. Charjabug is too slow. I could do poison against poison?

    "Okay," He was aware of the risks involved with his next choice. But he still needed to show himself that he could control Rockruff's rather volatile temperament. "I need your help Rockruff!"

    He appeared in front with a flash of light, already growling at the golbat across from him.

    "This one doesn't even listen to you?" Plumeria said. "Hmph. Again, I don't see how you're so special."

    "I'm not special. Why does everyone keep thinking that?"

    Rockruff seemed to ignore their jabbing and took off on all fours, racing rapidly to the golbat. Plumeria commanded yet another confuse ray. Sun could see now that its eyes would glow and a small spark of light would float lazily in the air before moving towards its foe.

    "Rockruff use-"

    He didn't have enough time to shout a command of his own. The puppy nimbly dodged the sinister attack with a quick jump, taking off with a rabid abandonment. His fangs glowed white as he jumped up with a deft quickness. The bite attack chomped down right on the golbat's wing, making it flail about while hissing wildly. Rockruff's weight was enough to bring it right to the ground despite weighing one fifth of its foe. The final attack had been just enough to finish the bloodsucking Pokémon off for good.

    Plumeria gave another unimpressed huff and returned her Pokémon, replacing it with a new combatant. The violet serpentine creature uncoiled itself, towering over Rockruff and leering down with menacing narrowed eyes. It had an enormous hood curled around, with a pattern etched on its front that made Elio very uneasy.

    It's almost like I'm looking at a face on that thing. Definitely not a sight you want to think about while sleeping.

    Rotom was right on cue to spew out more information. "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Arbok. Cobra Pokémon. After stunning its foe with the pattern on its stomach, it constricts them with its strong body and waits for them to stop moving. Arbok is a poison type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "Still think I'm going to be easy like all my brothers and sisters?"

    She's no laughing matter. I lost Rufflet and I might lose Rockruff if I'm not careful.

    Elio balled his hands into a fist. "We'll see about that."

    "Yes. I suppose we shall." Plumeria thrust a hand out. "Use aqua tail!"

    The massive snake started to gain its momentum, swinging the gigantic tail behind it at an increasing speed.

    Elio had Rockruff launch a sucker punch attack that seemed to do a small bit of damage and he jumped over the sweeping tail just in time to avoid being taken out. His own tail glowed as they followed their first successful hit with a rock throw. The arbok was pelted from the stomach down, hissing in protest, however neither attack seemed to fell it just yet.

    Across from him, Plumeria smirked yet again. "You're wasting your efforts. Use glare."

    Arbok hissed compliantly and raised itself up, puffing its chest out. Rockruff was looking directly at his foe when he stopped. Elio had called out to inquire what was wrong, however it seemed to evoke an unnoticeable quaking from his battler.

    "Arbok's glare paralyzes its foes. You really think that paralysis comes from just electric attacks? Your rockruff is at my mercy kid."

    Sun said nothing, fuming silently that he had been just gotten bested in this part.

    Whatever!

    "I doubt that."

    "Hmph." Plumeria flicked her hand and just as quickly, the creature whipped up another vicious aqua tail that slammed into Rockruff's side, catapulting him up into the air where he crashed to the ground and tumbled over and over in a haze of dust.

    From his own position, he could already tell that Rockruff wouldn't be coming back to battle. Not this one anyway.

    Elio felt more frustration directed towards not being able to help or control Rockruff's untampered aggression. Like Kukui said, it was just a thing that would eventually pass. There was no item or practice available to accelerate or completely stop that kind of behavior outside of not using him in battle at all. The latter was a choice he didn't want to make. Rockruff was one of his strongest and most proficient battlers.

    "Like I said. Not special at all."

    Elio felt another ripple of anger. Not at the fact that he was not deemed special, but instead because she seemed to overemphasize the title. "Why do you keep on insisting I'm not a special case? I agree with you. I'm a nobody. What's your point?"

    "Because you act like it."

    "And you've known me for what? Five minutes and knocked out two of my Pokémon. You're basing it off that?"

    When he saw the older girl look away, he figured it was just an opportunity to throw out his next battler.

    "Let's go Torracat. I need to beat something ugly right about now."

    "Glare."

    "Shoot back with ember!" Sun countered. As the arbok puffed out its chest once again, Torracat used the opportunity to spit a dart of flame at the pattern's center. As soon as it was fired; he closed his eyes and nimbly landed next to his trainer to be ready again.

    The flames splashed over the snake's scaly skin, causing it to recoil from a nasty burn that smoldered on its side.

    Elio watched as a paperlike substance peeled out from the creature's side. Arbok's tail wiggled within the older patches of skin before it slid completely out of the old layer. There was no trace at all of the burn Torracat had inflicted on its side.

    Damn shed skin ability.

    "Use crunch!"

    "Take it easy buddy." Elio said calmly. Maintaining control of the battle helped his Pokémon too. "Double kick and get away from it. Remember what we practiced?"

    Or at least looking like you've got control. I have no idea what to do.

    Torracat nodded, springing up to meet his foe. The arbok opened its mouth as he struck fiercely right in the jaw, snapping its head sideways. It hissed at Elio's starter just as he delivered the second kick to knock it down again.

    "Here we go buddy! Overheat!"

    "Tor!"

    He took just a little bit of time to gather the immense amount of energy inside his mouth. It was still enough for the arbok to coil back up and lunge forward in a desperate crunch attack.

    Torracat was more than ready though and he launched the overheat; a massive beam of white hot fire that quickly expanded in size the farther it traveled. Since the serpent Pokémon was already in midair, it was unable to adjust its trajectory heading and was met by the superheated beam head on.

    Elio was ecstatic that even after a while of practice battles against the other trainers, Torracat had mastered the technique of the overheat move thus far.

    In midair, the arbok crashed to the ground in a giant cloud of dust and tangled body. It wasn't getting up.

    Sun noticed that the Team Skull admin was now a bit more surprised at the loss of her Pokémon. The way she looked at him conveyed that the arbok had been one of her strongest battlers and didn't lose often.

    "Now I'm beginning to see why you are infamous with Team Skull." She returned her defeated snake and held a third Poké Ball in her hand. "You'd definitely win in our Huntdown matches. Well, as long as the boss and I aren't playing."

    "Huntdown?"

    "A little free for all and last man standing we like to play in our crib. Arbok is one of my stronger battlers and defeating him is no easy thing. I'm guessing your Torracat is your first partner on the island challenge?"

    Sun was definitely not anticipating having a conversation with a Team Skull member that would almost be considered civil. Nevertheless, he nodded slowly and answered. "Yes. The kahuna gave it to me."

    "You would be surprised at how many of us were just like you. Hopefuls who were ready to climb to the end of the island challenge, only to fall short from all the pressure on their shoulders."

    This fact was a big surprise for the boy. "A lot of Team Skull tried the island challenge?"

    "Tried and failed. Could you possibly fathom the fact that your parents could disown you if you don't come back as an adult?" Plumeria's eyes narrowed as she bitterly spoke. "And I mean not just kicked out of the house. I'm talking about being ex-communicated entirely. Parents won't even look at or acknowledge their sons or daughters."

    Elio swallowed, finally taking in her words. Team Skull was exactly what they were, a group of misfits, pariahs and outcasts.

    "I've seen it too. One girl who joined us took up a job at a Cutter's. Her parents went in for lunch one day and promptly walked out when they realized she was the one manning the register and taking orders. It's that bad."

    "Wow." Sun only said.

    I need to be even more grateful now that my mother wouldn't do such a thing. Would she? If I came back as a failure, would my family and friends turn their backs on me?

    "That still doesn't justify your actions of stealing and mugging people." He continued. "And not everyone in there is a pariah of their family."

    "They're still people."

    Elio said nothing as she threw her final Pokémon onto the field; a familiar black and gray salandit. "Dragon rage!"

    Salandit formed a ball of glowing verdant energy in its mouth and fired it at Torracat.

    "Counter it with ember!" Although he obeyed; Sun could tell his Pokémon was still tired from the previous battle. The bit of weaker flame was not enough to stop the salandit's orb and it overpowered it, slamming into Torracat's chest. He flew through the air, but managed to land on his feet and dig his claws into the dirt to slow himself down. Running out of the smoky explosion that ensued, he launched back with a nasty bite attack and flung the smaller lizard down.

    "Overheat again!"

    "Use captivate." Plumeria's expression didn't change as the salandit came by her side. It stuck a hand up to its face and winked cutely.

    Torracat launched the beam of his own, colliding with his foe, but unlike the mega power from before; its intensity had alarmingly diminished to a point where one of his ember attacks would commit equal damage.

    How? Overheat was so powerful!

    "What's wrong with your overheat?" Elio asked. Across the field, Torracat looked at him and gave a confused shrug.

    "Bzzt! I can tell you! Bzzt!" Rotom piped up from his side. "Overheat izzz a move that getzzz weaker every time it izzz uzzed! Bzzt! Salandit alzo uzzzed captivate that reducezzz Torracat'z special attack stat! Bzzt!"

    So it does get weaker the more he fires it. Okay, I'll note to launch it sparingly, especially if it ends up reducing the power of Torracat's other special moves.

    Plumeria commanded her salandit to use smog and Torracat responded by shooting another ember. Elio had remembered the battle against the totem salazzle; salandit's evolution that the fumes from its toxic gases and liquids were incredibly flammable. The tiny bit of flame was enough to light the area into a glowing inferno that sharply illuminated the darkening sky.

    However he was still engulfed from the clouds of noxious gas and his heart sank when he saw the familiar oily film of constant damaging poison coating his fur.

    "Use venoshock!"

    Torracat narrowly dodged the stream of strange purplish liquid that followed and closed the gap again, lashing out with his forelegs in another devastating double kick. Salandit was less viable at close range and its attempt to slink away was foiled when the larger Pokémon clamped down on its tail in a bite attack.

    "That wazzz a good idea to dodge that! Bzzt!" Rotom said. "Venoshock doezzz more damage if the target Pokémon izzz already poizzzoned! Bzzt!"

    The lizard Pokémon hissed before coughing out another virulent dark cloud of gas. The cloud also doubled as a mask to conceal the salandit's movements as it swiftly moved positions, using the momentary distraction to escape.

    "Oh no,"

    "It's over." Plumeria declared. "Use flame burst and venoshock."

    "Actually," Sun interrupted, "No…it isn't!"

    Salandit fired the larger ball of flame that arced in the air before it hit another pool of fumes and igniting it into a lake of fire. Torracat though had used the fiery display as a mask of his own, slinking around so that he could get in close range again.

    Lunging out of seemingly nowhere, Elio commanded him to bite and finish off Plumeria's final Pokémon. His jaws snapped shut, providing just enough power to knock the cunning lizard Pokémon. Her salandit laid prone on the ground when the smog and smoke had cleared out, putting the Team Skull admin in quite a disbelieving look. She glanced back at his unchanged expression before returning the gaze to her defeated battler.

    "How?! You're pretty strong…I'll give you that." She said while recalling her Pokémon and uttering a few words to it. Her yellow eyes glared at him again. "But you better heed this warning kid. You screw with Team Skull again and I'll show you how serious I can get."

    Sun said nothing, but watched as Plumeria turned to walk away.

    He glanced down at Torracat as he applied an antidote to wash away the toxins. The medicine he sprayed on smelled faintly sweet of pecha berries; one of the natural remedies to the condition. "You did amazing buddy! I'm glad we learned and mastered overheat!"

    "Tor."

    "I can tell you mazzter!" Rotom buzzed in his backpack before flying out again. "Torracat'zz battling morale hazzz increazzed by thirty two percent! Congratulationzzz!"

    That was…interesting. Elio had thought to himself after he deduced he was alone after a few minutes of silence. The only sound other than his own was the waves crashing against the unseen shore nearby. His confidence soared, he had just defeated one of the higher members of Team Skull. Knowing that, he knew that Plumeria had proven to be more difficult to defeat than the other grunts and until this point; he hadn't had a single Pokémon fall in battle against Team Skull's group. He had a feeling that they were only going to get tougher in trying to stop him and Hau.

    She said something about a boss. She's not the kingpin. I need to get stronger if I want to hope to win against tougher trainers. He thought to himself. The grand trial is where my path continues.

    Taking a deep breath; Elio stepped into the grounds that would lead to the Ruins of Life…and his next trial.

    Okay! Grand trial battle up next! Who's ready?
    Translations:

    • kahi eʻohi ai - Gathering place
    • lani - Heaven
    • hoʻomanaʻo - Remembrance
    Mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.
    Brav
     
  5. ShinigamiMiroku

    Sorceress' Knight
    (Ralts ♂)
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    Red Orb ★★★★★
    I must've overlooked something, because I thought that Blu was only released; I hadn't realized that he had died as well.

    And so we meet Mr. Fava Bean. I swear, that guy gives me the creeps... Y'know, a part of me does feel bad for the Skulls; getting kicked out of your family - especially at that age - is pretty much mental abuse; few, if any, could come back from such a blow.
     
  6. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

    Bravo
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    Crown of ValorPoké Ball ★
    Alola readers! Brav is back with another chapter of A Hui Hou Kakou!
    I've settled into my new home in Las Vegas and it's been interesting. There's a lot to see here besides the Strip and the climate isn't much different than my old home in California.
    I'll try and get the next update out before Christmas hits since I'll be going back to the Golden State on a week long vacation from work to spend time with family. In the meantime, we'll get to the kahuna battle and even more fun stuff down the road!

    Thanks to @ShinigamiMiroku for the feedback. Yep, Blu sadly passed away. More details on that soon. And Faba is going to be a mix of his usual prick self and funny. Can't wait to write more on him.

    Enjoy the chapter everyone. Happy Holidays.


    The weather people already say that it is going to get unbearably hot for these next few days. I hope it's not too bad because if it's hot by Alolan standards…

    Should I meet Elio and Hau by the beach when they go see Leilani compete? I'll look out of place unless I'm in a swimsuit or something. I did think one time about asking Professor Burnet to take me bikini shopping.

    Olivia accepted Elio's challenge for the grand trial! Unlike Hala's, which was in front of a crowd, I was the only one to witness it and they both put on a show! She specialized in rock types, but I know Elio is resourceful, he will find a way to win!

    I can't believe if he wins he's halfway done through the island challenge! You can do it Sun! Nebby and I believe in you!


    The Ruins of Life was a rather unspectacular big mouth of a cave that was carved into the side of an even larger plateau. The only indication of the place's significance was a pattern of ornate carvings around the lip that looked like wooden trim on a house that was pink at the top and their bases.

    It was more of the atmosphere added to the vibe that this was a holy, sacred place. Elio felt as if his presence was somehow desecrating it, but he couldn't help but wonder that if the kahuna gave him permission to enter that it would spare his forced removal.

    It was the first Ruins he had actually stepped foot on. Lillie had told him that there was one on each of the four islands, home to the guardian deity that watched over and sustained it.

    "Elio!"

    He turned around at yet another woman's voice and to his relief, found both Professor Burnet and Lillie coming up at the top of the hill behind him. Next to the blonde; Nebby trailed behind, looking up in awe at the totems, offerings and artifacts that glorified Tapu Lele. For a moment, he thought that it was Plumeria again or some other Skull grunt trying to pick him into another battle.

    I hope neither of them ran into her while coming this way.

    Lillie paused just at the two totem entrance before hesitantly stepping forward. As soon as she passed through those gates, she almost took off on a sprint headed right for him.

    Without even thinking, Elio opened his arms and she ran right into them, throwing her own around his back and softly humming in content at his touch. His hands lowered to the middle of her back and he felt her warm skin that was amazingly silky smooth through the strands of her luscious hair. She lowered her head until it rested on his left shoulder, closing her eyes.

    This just feels…right. I love this feeling of hugging, embracing or just having her in my arms. We're friends, but I can't help but feel like we could be so much more.

    "I missed you." Lillie softly whispered.

    "I missed you too Lillie." I never want this moment to end.

    "Can…can we do that thing you did back at the lab?"

    Oh that thing.

    "Sure." He gently pulled her head close and their hats aside, leaning forward to that their foreheads and noses made gentle contact. At the same time, both breathed in softly, as if feeling the currents of life flow between them from within.

    So many strange and wild emotions swirled inside Lillie's head. Her imagination took off like a running arcanine using extremespeed, seeing herself sitting at the end of a sandy beach with soft white hands of foam washing against the shore in front. A strong and powerful presence kept a feeling of protectiveness and safety. Looking up, she could see Elio carefully leaning his head on hers as they watched the sunset on the beach together.

    "Pew!"

    "My my," Burnet chuckled from behind them, putting a hand to her mouth to hide a smirk threatening to take over. "You two haven't even been apart for a day and now you're squeezing the living daylights out of each other!"

    "Heh." Fighting the embarrassment and heat rising out of their cheeks, the two teens parted. Elio knelt down to scoop up Nebby at his feet and cradled him in his arms while stroking the top to its delight.

    "Lillie got lost again, so I brought her here to you. She couldn't even find her way to the Tide Song Hotel on her own! She said she saw Team Skull and tried to avoid them, which is why she had gotten lost and I escorted her through Diglett's Tunnel here!"

    "I hate to be so needy all the time." She gave a sigh, inwardly cursing her own fantasy that caused her to space off.

    "There's sometimes I have no clue where I'm going either." Sun reassured her, glad to see them again, "The Team Skull part I get, but you'll eventually learn to find your way about."

    "Anyways, I gotta go. Take care of these two." Burnet jerked a thumb back towards Memorial Hill. "The Masked Royal has a match tonight and there's no way I'm missing it!"

    "Awesome!" Sun had encountered the famous Alolan ring fighter at the Battle Royale dome where he took on Hau, Hala and a reluctant Gladion in a four-way free for all match. The man was also known for his boxing prowess and many compared him to the Sinnohan favorite Crasher Wake.

    "That Masked Royal…what do you think he looks like under that mask?"

    There was Elio's other speculation…the Royal also looked and talked a lot like Professor Kukui. Sun didn't see his face and couldn't make a confirmation, but the resemblance was undeniable. Back at the dome; he even blurted out "Professor?" when they first met, only to be swatted aside with a repeat of the famous fighter's name.

    It helped his case that the fact his wife seemed to be quite the fan.

    Why don't you ask Professor Kukui?

    "It's good to see you again Elio." Lillie said, rather timidly after Burnet had left. "I came here for Nebby."

    "You did say we should meet up at the Ruins of Life." Sun said, "And I'm psyched for our snorkeling trip we're going to do together! From what the weathermen said; it's going to get super hot around the time of the surfing competition!"

    "Yeah. I thought the best way of staying cool is to go swimming with the Pokémon at the beach or on the professor's boat."

    "Sadly I have no boating license and the only Pokémon that can swim really good is Nani. But it's definitely great that you still managed to come here!" His smile made her heart flutter again.

    Stop it. He's so handsome and brave. We've already established that.

    "As you saw…I didn't come here myself so much as I was brought here with the professor's help. She certainly knows how to deal with Diglett!"

    "Yeah. They're different all right!" The boy scratched the back of his head. "Did you know that those strange sounds in the tunnel were all caused by a distraught noibat? It's a tiny little Pokémon, but it makes a ton of noise! Hau actually managed to calm it down and ended up catching it! Although I ran into a couple of Aether guys in the cave. They said it was a lot worse before I went though. They seemed nice guys…maybe I can try and see if I can work for them one day…that'd be awesome."

    Lillie's smile faded and she nodded. Normally, she was quite ecstatic at one of his ambitions, but he found it just a tad atypical for some reason that she didn't radiate any positivity on that note.

    "Oh…look at your Pokémon. They worked so hard and got so hurt. How about I heal them up for you?"

    "You'd do that?" Elio handed over his entire party Pokémon, which she got to work completing the recovery process in just a few seconds. He watched her use the medicine slots as if she had done it many times before.

    Figures since she can't stand Pokémon being hurt. Best way to be around them in that is to help them recover from illnesses and injuries.

    Lillie let out a cute gasp as she handed them all back to him. Through the process, their hands and fingers briefly touched and intertwined. When he looked at her for an explanation, she only looked away averting her gaze.

    "Within these ruins waits the guardian deity of Akala Island. This is where Tapu Lele lives."

    "Pew!"

    "Oh Nebby," Both her and Sun's gazes drifted down to the cosmog, "I know you tried to drag me along to the Ruins of Conflict on Melemele Island and I don't mind it and all. But…why? Why are these ruins important to you? What do the guardians mean to you?"

    Nebby's expression didn't change, even as both humans in front stared at it even more closely; prying for an answer that wouldn't come soon enough.

    "Just think what would've happened if Sun hadn't been there back then."

    "Yeah." He replied, "You would've lost Nebby to those spearow and I wouldn't be able to meet either it or the beautiful girl accompanying."

    Sun's face immediately went red as both of the teens began to process what he had said. Before either of them could utter anything else to diffuse or make the situation worse; little Nebby's cry alerted them to someone else approaching.

    "Pew!"

    Nebby's cry made Elio's senses immediately snap on guard as Lillie squeaked; moving close to the boy and grabbing his hand for comfort. As he squeezed it to let her know she was going to be alright; Charjabug's Pokéball was in the other hand, ready to protect both of his companions.

    Both humans let out a sigh of relief when they saw the familiar shapely figure of Olivia emerging from the cave's entrance. She was carrying a small lillipup in her hands and set it down on the ground just as she reached the clearing. Whispering a few words in its ear, the small dog happily took off into the brush to return back to its old home.

    "Alola Elio!" She saved with both her arms. "Thanks for meeting me here!"

    Elio beamed at the gratitude. "Thanks for making time for me Kahuna Rios."

    "I will make time for all trial-goers. And please call me Olivia. We are ohana right?"

    "Right."

    "Oh," She looked over and addressed Lillie next to him. "Hello there. Haven't I seen you with Kukui before?"

    "Oh!" The blonde suddenly saw the kahuna glancing at the pair holding hands and quickly retracted hers. Sun felt a little sad from that, but remained silent, listening intently. "Yes! My name's Lillie. I stay with Professor Kukui and help him out best I can! And this is Sun, but he likes to be called Elio!"

    "Oh how rude of me!" Olivia said, "I was too busy noticing your hands entwined with one another that I neglected to even ask your name! You two are so incredibly cute you know!" At the mention of that, Sun and Lillie blushed again, quickly letting go and stared back at the ground while refusing to look at any other eyes.

    "I'm sorry I took so long Sun. Tapu Lele summoned me here to help clean up the ruins." Her expression turned serious. "The protecting goddess of Akala Island is mysterious in her own ways. Each island of Alola celebrates something about life and the way we live. All life is sacred in some way or another and here, Akala Island teaches us to remember our beginnings and cherish the priceless gift of life that we are given."

    Neither of them said anything, but knew the meaning behind it.

    "So I uh, got some of the famous Akala curry." She lifted up a bag that had two plastic cups as well as empty dishes and disposable spoons. "Are you hungry?"

    Curry sounds divine right about now. "Starving! Thanks for getting it."

    "All right! Let's eat!" He took the two disposable bowls, gave her one along with a spoon in the bag. Elio was about to open one of the cups when he stopped short.

    Lillie noticed his hesitation. "What's wrong?"

    "Don't you think it's a little disrespectful to eat on sacred grounds?"

    "Maybe."

    She stopped short when she saw the takeout logo of a restaurant in the plastic bag that he had in his hands. "Is that the Dragonbreath from Ke Komo?"

    "Um yes." Elio looked at the curried goodness in the large cups. He was hungry for sure, but the two of them would likely not be able to finish it all. One of the containers had the curry while the other had steamed rice. He had a spare titanium spork, a lightweight spoon and fork hybrid. "You are more than welcome to have some as well. I just don't have another bowl."

    "Yes that would be great. I'm ravenously hungry."

    "Sounds good." Elio remembered their hesitancy from earlier. "But will Tapu Lele be angry if we eat at the Ruins?"

    "Don't worry about it. It is always important to spend time with your friends and family. Meals do that, wherever it may be."

    And so the three of them spent part of their evening, enjoying a meal under the stars and keeping the conversation fresh as they talked. Elio was a big fan of Kantoan curry and found out that Ke Komo was a famous curry house in Konikoni City for its iconic Akala style of slightly savory and spicy flavor. People called it the Dragonbreath. A meat or vegetarian option could be picked and then it was cooked and infused with a medley of sauces, spices and simmered down for explosions of flavor. The bland fluffy rice counteracted its intense flavor and he had to force himself from eating it all at once.

    Elio had a rather sensitive tongue when it came to spicy stuff, so he had to occasionally stop eating so the heat would cool down. Looking over, he was surprised that Lillie didn't seem to be affected by its burning at all and kept eating away as if eating any other mild food.

    Fantastic. I might as well learn how to use flamethrower since my mouth is burning. He reached up and touched his brow that was slick with sweat.

    They later stuffed the empty trash into the bag, putting it aside to be taken away when they vacated the vicinity.

    "That certainly hit the spot." Olivia said, sated from the meal and stood up. "Now I believe you know what is about to happen yes?"

    "I do." Elio followed her cue and rolled back onto his feet as well.

    "All right then!" As if on cue, the kahuna put her hands on her hips again as Lillie pulled Nebby aside. She knew that this was going to be Sun's toughest trial yet, but wanted to see him through it all. Rotom was activated out of Elio's bag, floating between the two of them and playing a soft island tune.

    Don't sweat it. The young boy told himself. You've got this.

    "You've completed all the trials here on Akala Island! Now you are about to face the grand trail of the kahuna…AKA me! Get ready for the hardest Pokémon battle yet on this island and prove to me you're worthy to clear it!" She paused, letting her words sink into the boy. "Are you ready?"

    "I'm ready." Sun said, focusing again. He had subconsciously straightened his posture as he said that.

    "Great! We're gonna give you guys everything we got! My partners are all adorable, rugged little rock types! Elio! Your grand trial starts now!"

    "And that'zzz my cue to act azzz your rezident referee! Bzzt!"

    "Wait, you can be a referee?" Lillie asked. "I never knew a Rotom 'Dex could do that."

    "You were never here when I uzzed that feature. Zubmit a complaint to the editorzzz for that one! Now! Each participant can uze up to zix Pokémon in the battle and it will conclude when one zide hazzz no more able to continue! There will be no time limit and both zidez will be able to switch Pokémon at any given time! Bzzt! Kahuna Olivia, do you accept theze termzzz?"

    "I accept."

    "Elio, do you accept theze termz?"

    "Yes."

    "That izzz juzzzt zplendid! Bzzt!" Rotom buzzed, shuffling his main screen off to the side and replacing it with six dotted slots and a headshot picture of both trainers. "Then zend out your Pokémon and battle begin! Bzzt! Elio! Let'zzz show the kahuna what we've learned! Bzzt!"

    "I'm afraid I can't go easy on you just because you are ohana. You'll get the same treatment as any other challenger for the grand trial!" Olivia pulled a Pokéball from her side and threw her first battler onto the field. Sun was expecting something along the lines of a geodude, which seemed to be a staple for rock type specialists due to its commonsight and sturdy defensive attributes. "You're up first Amaura!"

    Instead, the creature was bigger, a quadruped with scaly light blue reptilian skin. Two large eyes looked around with curiosity atop a lengthened neck. On either of its side were flared finlike features that waved lazily in the light breeze.

    At a distance, both Elio, Lillie and Nebby felt a frosted chill permeate the humid Alolan air.

    "Wow," she softly whispered. "That's cold."

    "Pew." Nebby gave off a shiver and burrowed itself closer to her in order to seek warmth.

    "That's amazing." The blond whispered in awe, almost squealing in excitement as it emanated a wailing coo that sounded incredibly cute. "And it's so cute!"

    "Taking a break from the uzual writing for more entriezz of Pokémon! Courtezzy of yourzzz truly! Bzzt! New Pokémon detected! Amaura. Tundra Pokémon. It lived in cold areas during ancient times. It is said whenever Amaura whinnies, auroras will appear in the night sky. Amaura is a rock and ice type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "You were expecting a geodude or onix?" Olivia enjoyed the brief look of surprise on Elio's face, chuckling. "Sorry to disappoint."

    "I'm not disappointed at all." Elio said. "I'll take down whatever you throw at me."

    He fingered Charjabug's Poké Ball and threw her out. "Charjabug let's go girl!"

    Elio's battery Pokémon sprang out in front and readied herself for the battle. A few sparks danced across her sleek body.

    Starting off with a disadvantage again. This time it's going to be even more difficult. I have three Pokémon weak to rock types.

    "Suppose we'll start this off. Use charge beam!"

    She hissed in compliance, gathering a stream of electrical energy to build up. After a few moments, it accelerated downrange towards the foe.

    Amaura seemed to react quickly, shaking its head from side to side. The fins on its head glowed bright yellow before they flashed like a camera. A small series of arc electricity came right to life, leaping gracefully towards the oncoming attack. The two lances connected, quickly reaching a stalemate and shattering. Both canceled attacks showered bright sparks all over the place.

    Charjabug wasn't finished. She powered up herself and fired a nasty mud shot that hit home. Knowing ground type moves were super effective against rocks, he had elected to use her first to give that sort of surprise despite the bug type being horribly disadvantageous.

    Amaura didn't seem to take much damage from the strong move as it shook off the excess mud coating its body. Elio watched closer as the moisture mixed with the dirt rapidly crystallized when it hit the creature's subzero body, flaking off as if it were shedding scales.

    "Ancientpower."

    With another otherworldly wail, the creature formed a series of glowing rocks in front before hurling them at Charjabug. She nimbly jumped about, managing to evade a handful, but one had homed in on her general location and adjusted its trajectory. It struck her, shattering into tiny fragments followed by the rest of the volley.

    Elio was definitely surprised to see how much damage she had taken from it. Even worse was that he saw a faint orange aura flicker around the amaura just briefly.

    Ancientpower is also a move that can boost a Pokémon's stats. The more it's used, the more of a chance all of its stats can grow. Attacks, defense, special stats, speed…things could get out of hand quickly.

    Amaura already had shown that it was capable of defending itself from Charjabug's main electric attacks with some of its own. All Olivia really had to do was keep him at bay and retaliate with ancientpower, potentially boosting its stats even more.

    It's not necessarily a fast Pokémon. We could try to paralyze it, but that means using spark and I don't want to risk her getting close. Not if it has close range rock moves.

    Ah screw it. We're doing that.

    "Get up close and use spark!"

    Hissing in compliance again, Charjabug covered herself in electrical energy, launching skyward. Amaura attempted another ancientpower attack just a moment too late and was knocked down with a loud crash. As they separated, the prehistoric Pokémon twitched when a couple of electrical arcs surged on its side. They faded quickly however when it slowly got back to its feet. He did some damage, but had failed to paralyze it.

    "We're not out of this yet!" Olivia smirked. "Powder snow!"

    Her Pokémon launched a flurry of frigid energy from its mouth. The moist air quickly added to the increased mass, blowing harshly against Charjabug. She grunted in protest, barely hearing Elio's shout to retaliate with a charge beam to give it off. That arc of electricity went against the strong current of the oce, but hit the amaura, halting the attack enough for her to fire off another odd rainbow ray of light. Olivia was ready for it like last time; having her Pokémon jump out of its way.

    "That iz awezome! Bzzt! Charjabug learned signal beam!"

    "Anything helps girl. Signal beam it again!"

    Charjabug fired another as the amaura countered with an ancientpower. To his surprise, the front of the ray blasted right through some of the rocks, though it missed others.

    The two attacks continued their way towards both combatants, smashing into their targets at nearly the same exact moment. Everyone watching had to shield their eyes from the bright exploding displays that threw up a considerable amount of dust.

    Elio held his breath and covered his nose and mouth with his hands until he could feel that the fallout was beginning to settle. As it did clear up, he saw that Charjabug had fallen. She was unable to endure two super effective attacks, one of increasing power than the previous.

    But there was some good news out of her defeat too. Olivia's amaura laid on its side, unmoving.

    It felt like an eternity before Rotom-ref spoke up. "Both Pokémon are unable to continue battling! Bzzt! Thiz match izzz a draw!"

    Elio pulled out Charjabug's nest ball and returned her inside, slipping it on the clips attached to his left side. One defeated and five still battle ready. "You did amazing girl. I'm sorry I have to keep using you as a sacrifice pawn. There's gonna be a time where you'll kill this."

    "You're doing great Elio!" Lillie raised a fist and smiled his way. "Charjabug did amazing too!"

    "Thanks." Elio beamed at her. Unseen to him across the field, Olivia's closed mouth twitched upward in a knowing smirk.

    "That was impressive Elio. I still have three Pokémon left." Olivia returned her defeated amaura and slipped it back on her thigh holster. She reached down and pulled out another. "Let's see how what you'll do against Tyrunt!"

    Olivia's second Pokémon was smaller than Amaura. It was brown and white in color with a saurian appearance, hunching over on two strong legs. The arms were quite stubby, but its most defining feature was the large head. Its snout was elongated and it growled almost cutely.

    Elio was about to crack a joke at its attempt at being tough, but quickly stowed it once he saw the rows of razor sharp teeth that lined its mouth.

    "Another new Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Tyrunt. Royal Heir Pokémon. Its jaws have incredible destructive power. Some theories suggest that its restored form is different from its form of long ago. Tyrunt is a rock and dragon type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "A rock and dragon type huh?" Elio examined it closely. "I'll choose Nani!"

    Olivia was very surprised to see his milotic uncoil herself and slide up, towering over the smaller tyrunt and glaring down at it.

    "Wow." She said after just a moment of admiration. "I'm assuming this is the same one you used to beat Kiawe's totem salazzle?"

    Sun nodded with pride at her recognition. "She's special. And it was purely by luck."

    "Luck?" The kahuna chuckled softly. "Makemake au e hoʻokaʻawale. Shall we see how much you've grown since?"

    "Of course." Elio straightened his hat and pointed at the tyrunt. "Start this with dragon pulse!"

    As Nani gathered energy together, Olivia made her own move. "Counter with zen headbutt!"

    Tyrunt's eyes narrowed and it jumped forward, running on its two legs with astounding speed. Lowering its head, it charged straight into the oncoming orb of greenish energy, smashing through without even flinching.

    Oh no.

    It kept its sprinting pace and despite Elio's efforts to fire off a water pulse to keep it away, the dinosaur smashed into Nani's side with incredible force and enough to knock her down.

    "We're not out of this girl!" Elio encouraged. "Iron tail!"

    Nani's four tail fins locked together, glowing white and made the metallic sound akin to a blade being unsheathed. She swung it the moment it was complete, catching the tyrunt in the head and sending it tumbling to the ground. She swung again, but this time her opponent was ready for it.

    Tyrunt's big jaws clamped down in a bite attack just as her bladed tail struck. Surprisingly, it held on with remarkable tenacity. Nani narrowed her eyes as she tried to shake it off to no avail.

    "Perfect." Olivia said. "Now use poison fang!"

    The milotic let out a sharp cry of pain as the smaller creature bit down again on her tail. Its teeth were infused with a noxious venom that spread the moment it had hit her scaly skin. With another thrash, she was able to get it off and was subsequently battered by a rock tomb attack. As the fragments cleared away, Elio could tell that this battle wasn't really going in his favor. Milotic was his only Pokémon with a direct advantage over rock types and he'd already be in a bit of trouble if he lost her.

    Just as he reached over her Poké Ball to switch out his Pokémon, she turned her head towards him and stared at her trainer with narrowed eyes. Elio got the message loud and clear; she wanted to continue battling.

    Nani cooed softly before she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

    Sun saw her entire serpentine body glow a vivid emerald green. She pulsed multiple times with the aura seeming to rapidly erase any visible body damage she may have suffered.

    "Amazing." Elio whispered. "Did she?"

    "That'zzz correct! Bzzt! Nani has learned recover, a zzzelf healing move that restorezzz energy! Bzzt!"

    "How deliciously unexpected." Olivia too, was clearly moved by the tender Pokémon's raw beauty as she performed her latest trick. "You're most certainly a fool if you think that's going to save your hide. Tyrunt, use rock tomb!"

    With another growl, the little dinosaur Pokémon hurled another barrage of large boulders. Nani made to dodge, but the previous rock tomb had reduced her speed enough that even more this time hit their mark and sent her tumbling. Elio also realized that they were deliberately thrown to funnel her into a narrow choke point. She got up, but moved even slower.

    "Get up top and use poison fang!"

    The tyrunt was much smaller than its opponent and was able to squeeze through the rocky formation with little trouble as he closed the gap, sinking his venom-infused teeth into her scaly hide. Elio countered with an iron tail that flung the royal heir Pokémon up into the air.

    "Use dragon pulse!"

    Nani formed the orb of raw energy and fired quickly, hitting in midair to cause the signature triple explosion that lit up the night sky with brilliant light.

    All three humans and Nebby shielded their eyes from the harshness, hearing a loud thud as Tyrunt impacted the field and landed in a heap of limbs.

    Rotom flew over to examine what was clearly obvious. However he was already sure of the outcome.

    "Tyrunt izzz incapable of battling further! Bzzt! Nani iz the winner!"

    "Yes!" Elio made a fist and jumped into the air. "Way to go Nani!" He stopped when he didn't hear her normal coo of approval. Glancing back, he saw that the blue scales close to the end of her tail looked flaky and fell off as if they were some sort of shedding dandruff.

    Nani winced as she felt a familiar filmy substance spread across her skin.

    "Oh no." Elio was too into defeating Tyrunt to notice that Olivia had used her second poison fang and successfully inflicted the respective status condition.

    But something's wrong. This poison, it seems like it's even worse than normal. Is it severe?

    Whatever it was, Elio knew that it was only a matter of time before she got her own defeat.

    I have to maximize her use.

    "You're two Pokémon down Sun." Olivia called from across the field. "But this isn't over. Not yet. I have two of my most trusted partners left and they're not going to go as quietly."

    She returned Tyrunt and threw out a third Pokémon.

    This one was even smaller than the other two, having a pair of flat feet and a rounded body of dark stone. Elio couldn't tell if the massive eye in the center was actually its eye…

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Roggenrola. Mantle Pokémon. Born deep within the ground, it compares itself with similar species, such as Geodude and Carbink, to settle which has the hardest body. Roggenrola is a rock type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "He may be small and slow." The kahuna smirked, "But he's definitely a fighter."

    "Time to test that out." Elio ordered a scald attack.

    "Protect." Just moments before the blast of hot water struck; Roggenrola stamped its feet on the ground to form a green bubble field around its entire body. The entirety of her scald hadn't even come close to penetrating the barrier, leaving the rock type completely undamaged. As Nani's eyes widened at her attacks having no effect; she visibly flinched from another bit of the poison whittling away at her energy.

    We're not out of this yet. I can't keep her in there much longer.

    "Iron tail!"

    Elio should've been a bit worried when Olivia smirked upon hearing that. Nani lunged forward, swiping her sharpened scaly sword downwards.

    And he didn't expect the Roggenrola to jump up. It was a display of disbelief since the Pokémon didn't exactly look light for such an acrobatic display. As it vaulted through the air, it flung a spray of mud that Nani had literally no time to evade. It splashed over her poisoned skin and her trainer could tell from a protesting hiss of pain that her vision was impaired.

    Another scald attack was easily evaded by another vault. She could only shoot it in the general direction unless her eyes were cleansed.

    "Rock blast."

    Roggenrola jumped up again, forming a rock in its eye core and firing it at incredible velocity. Nani was stuck in her midsection with enough force to send her tumbling to the ground. As she slithered up to a ready position, it fired again.

    The third time, she was ready though. Her fins came together and glowed in another iron tail to slash upwards, shattering the third and fourth shots.

    "Now use-"

    "Nani return!" Olivia's eyebrow arched in surprise as Elio suddenly recalled his water type from the field. He slipped her back onto his right side and took out a substitute. "Go Rockruff!"

    Her curiosity increased even more as the normally mellow Rockruff landed crouched on all fours and growled with unbridled tenacity.

    Elio knew this was a bad idea thanks to the puppy's recent volatile behavior, but there was nobody else he had to seriously counter such a hardened Pokémon. Torracat had double kick, but he was worried that one misstep from the faster speed could leave him vulnerable to super effective rock blasts. He had no doubt that Nani had survived that one thanks to his quick thinking of using iron tail to deflect the last of it.

    "The aggressive one I see?" Olivia mused to herself. It was definitely an advantage she was going to exploit.

    "Rockruff use-" Elio was cut off as he charged forward, fangs open for a bite attack.

    Roggenrola effortlessly moved out of the way, spraying another mud-slap attack. While dealing increased damage against rock types, the real viability was in impairing vision and reducing the Pokémon's overall accuracy.

    Rockruff shook himself free and growled again.

    "Rockruff will you just listen for once! We're so close right now!" Elio shouted, but his cries went on deaf ears. His normally playful and helpful Pokémon was just being far too headstrong, cutting out his trainer's orders for his own primal instincts of fighting.

    Olivia had Roggenrola use another mud-slap as Rockruff rushed it again. Elio was glad this time around when he obeyed a rock throw attack that struck home. The mantle Pokémon came out relatively unscathed, but suddenly its entire body pulsed white to illuminate the entire field. It glowed a second time before the harshness of its glare caused everyone to shield their eyes again.

    Everyone heard the heavy sound of rocks cracking and breaking apart, it was almost as if the ground shook as three pointed limbs planted into the soil.

    Elio and Lillie gasped as the glow began to fade, revealing a different Pokémon from where Roggenrola once stood.

    The new sight was more squat and tripedal in appearance. That single eye was gone and replaced by two small gold ones at the center. All along the top and sides of its body were fist-sized orange crystals that glowed with a warm aura.

    "That thing continues to surprise." Elio whispered to himself. First it jumps like a spoink and now it evolves into something more powerful. "Rotom, you're up!"

    "Oh right! Bzzt! New Pokémon detected! Boldore. Ore Pokémon. The orange crystals on its body are full of powerful energy. Just one of those can provide enough fuel for a hundred dump trucks. Boldore is a rock type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "I'm not giving up!" Elio yelled at Olivia. Fist clenched and Rockruff ready again, he wanted to show that just because her Pokémon had evolved didn't give her an advantage. He wasn't going to give the advantage of thinking he was beat from this. "This changes nothing!"

    "Such an incredible fiery uhane you have!" She exclaimed while smiling. "I can see why Lillie is drawn to you."

    Neither of them noticed since they resumed the battle. But Lillie had heard the statement loud and clear, turning immediately away to hide the redness creeping up her cheeks. In her arms, little Nebby looked up at the human, curious to know why she had decided to look away from the action going on.

    "Pew."

    She giggled as it squirmed in her grip to get comfortable again. "No I'm okay Nebby. It's just….just…Olivia is right! Elio has a fiery spirit for sure!"

    "Pew."

    Boldore made it tough for Rockruff to find an opening to attack as Olivia used a move called iron defense to pump up its strength to withstand physical moves. Offensively, it launched more volleys of rock blasts that countered his own rock throws and any time he attempted to get in close for a bite, it fired a mud-slap that was barely dodged in time.

    "Sucker punch!" He had discovered it was a rare instance of him learning it as a child, passed down from one of its parents. The dark-type move allowed him to get an attack in quickly before its opponent could make its own move.

    Rockruff dashed right in between Boldore's two front legs and rammed it while cloaked in dark energy. Again it did some damage.

    But not enough! That iron defense is making it even tougher and tougher!

    "Sucker punch it again! Let's find its weak point!"

    Olivia shook her head. "That wasn't much of a wise move Sun. Boldore, use mud-slap!"

    With a growl of compliance, the ore Pokémon flung another wave of muddy earth that caught Rockruff in mid-charge. The mud was sticky and heavy, weighing him down in addition to reducing his accuracy.

    No!

    "You're not the first trainer to have a rowdy Rockruff by the time you get to me." Olivia said. "And you won't be the last. Now it's time to end this. Boldore, headbutt!"

    Rockruff had only picked himself back up when the larger Pokémon jammed its head forward, easily hurling him back onto the ground. His body shook as he struggled to get up. The eyes were determined, blazing with fury and the tenacious resolve. However exhaustion was beginning to catch up with him.

    She followed it up with a rock blast, each one smashing itself to powder on impact. Each one making Elio more and more nervous.

    He was about to substitute Grimer when Rockruff let out a high-pitched howl that pierced the tranquil night. The howling stopped after what seemed like an eternity as the dog paused to catch his breath before staggering slowly back to his feet, wobbling a couple of times.

    "Rockruff!"

    Rockruff turned to look back at him before he walked calmly over, standing up on his hind legs and licking Elio's face as he knelt down.

    Olivia's heart began to melt as she watched the young trial-goer embrace his Pokémon. Boldore rumbled, readying another rock blast attack; however she raised her hand with a simple, "Wait."

    Her Pokémon stood down with that simple command.

    Rockruff yipped happily as he nuzzled Elio's side again. The boy glanced at his eyes, now seeing his posture as one of playful and happy once again.

    Did he overcome those…feral instincts that he had? Does this mean he's back to normal?

    "How are you doing buddy?" He hugged his Pokémon again. "You look good."

    Rockruff barked happily and wagged his tail.

    "See, I told you we'd get through this. Just time, patience and practice."

    He was about to nudge him back to resume the battle when Rockruff pulsed white.

    Wait.

    The pulse came again before he was enveloped in the same brilliant white light that Boldore had when it began as a roggenrola. He felt waves of heat on his exposed skin and took a step back, almost feeling like he was beside a campfire.

    "Rockruff! You're evolving!" He was pretty sure that the noise from the radiance drowned out his shouts of excitement. Light washed over everything, overpowering the orange flames of the lit torches and bathing the completely dark sky for just a few seconds before fading away.

    Elio opened his eyes, still with rushes of adrenaline pumping through his blood, finding Rockruff staring right back at him at eye level.

    What? Rockruff isn't this tall!

    Blinking to clear the tears away from his eyes, he saw that the lupine creature in front stood on its hind legs. Its fur was a reddish maroon color with patches of white and a large mane flowed up the back of its head that almost resembled a Mohawk. Its claws were dark gray colored and the forelegs moved as if they were actual arms of a normal bipedal Pokémon.

    Rockruff's evolved form bared its teeth; larger fangs and he saw that same ferocity and desire to fight in its reddish eyes. This time it was controlled, focused, but also holding a passion of a thrill of the battle.

    "Lycanroc." Lillie whispered from the sideline.

    "Wowee Bzzt!" Rotom flew over. "Rockruff evolved into Lycanroc! Bzzt! Time for the new dex entry! Lycanroc. Wolf Pokémon. Midnight form. It goads its enemies into attacking, withstands the hits and then strikes back a knockout blow with its rocky mane! The Midnight form is a rock type! Yourz has the movezzz sucker punch, rock throw, bite and reversal! Bzzt!"

    "Reversal?"

    "A fighting type move! Bzzt! It izzz an all out attack that gainzzz more power the lezzz energy the Pokémon haz! Bzzt!"

    Lycanroc growled at Elio, giving a slow nod of confidence.

    Now he has control over himself. We can finally go back to being best friends and best battlers!

    "Well congratulations Elio." Olivia spoke up. "I guess I'm not the only one lucky to have an evolution in this battle. The midnight form is among the most difficult to tame and control in battle since they seek the thrill of it, however yours respects you so much that I don't see you two having a problem in the slightest."

    "Thanks kahuna. It was a hard road for sure, but we'll make it there."

    "Indeed you will. And I'll reiterate your own words, just because you have an evolution on your team doesn't necessarily give you the edge."

    Elio looked back at Lycanroc. Like most other evolutions that occurred mid-battle, exerting so much energy to change its form had taxed him. He still sported some wounds and injuries as Rockruff from their previous fight, but the raw power and determination he had told him that there was no way he was going to lose.

    "It could go both ways." With a nod, both sides made to resume the battle.

    "Use reversal!" Elio wanted to try out the move first, but still didn't waste an opportunity to exploit a type advantage from the start.

    Instead of all fours; Lycanroc sprinted on his hind legs to close the gap within seconds. Olivia looked just a little concerned at the speed differential, but ordered a mud-slap. Lycanroc saw it coming, deftly planting his feet on the ground and spinning mid-run. His paw closed into a fist with white wisps of energy coalescing around and he slammed it straight into Boldore's center with a loud clang.

    The ore Pokémon had to weigh multiple times that of its predecessor, but Elio was surprised to see that Lycanroc's reversal attack knocked it back almost right in front of Olivia. It dug its front legs into the ground, carving twin cuts into the earth to slow its motion.

    "WHAT?!" Elio's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw that the creature was still standing, albeit weakly. "Even through iron defense, how did it survive that?!"

    "That'zzz becauzzze boldore hazzz an ability called sturdy! It allowzzz it to endure ztrong one hit movezzz!"

    "Well that's lame."

    Lycanroc moved for another reversal as Olivia called another mud-slap. However as the two sides prepared to converge, Elio's made a little bit of a mistake.

    The wolf Pokémon was ready for the mud again and spun to avoid it.

    Except Boldore never did. At least not immediately.

    Moments after he had tried to evade, Boldore calmly aimed to where he would be in a moment and sprayed the mud in that direction.

    Lycanroc saw it coming too late and was caught in another one. It coated his fur again and he lost his balance, slipping right beside his foe.

    "Quick!" Elio immediately said the first thing in mind. "Akela sucker punch it!"

    Olivia was in the middle of shouting headbutt when Lycanroc used the slide as momentum. He lunged forward, striking at the closest of the three of Boldore's forelegs with a fistful of dark energy. Without that third one to keep his balance, the large rock buckled, toppling over to its side. Its rumbling ceased upon fainting.

    "Bzzt! Boldore iz unable to continue battling! Akela iz the winner!"

    Did Elio just call his lycanroc Akela?

    "Yeah!" Elio made a fist and jumped into the air. "That's how we do it!"

    "Boldore, return." Olivia kept smiling as she recalled her fallen Pokémon. "Well done. We will have to work on other strategies now that you've evolved."

    "That was a great job Akela!" Elio reached out, wrapping his arms around his newly evolved lycanroc. "You did amazing out there and learned a new move in reversal! You bet we're gonna use that a lot!"

    Lillie timidly stepped out. "Wow, it's amazing such a wild looking lycanroc still remains loyal to you! Did you call it Akela or something?"

    He nodded, stroking his mane. "Yeah. I think it was associated with someone or something wise, cunning, strong and honorable."

    "I like that name."

    "Me too." As if to agree, the wolf howled in reply. "How about we figure out a handshake? Something about honor."

    Elio reached out with a fist. "A fist bump?"

    Akela cocked his head, slowly reaching out with his own right arm. They touched at the wrists before the wolf snapped it back, pounding the left side of his chest.

    "That's it! Again!" Both Pokémon and trainer gently bumped one another at their wrists and struck their own left breast with their enclosed fists. "You are already an amazing Pokémon. You know that? I agree right?"

    "Me too." Both teens looked over at Olivia who was casually tossing another Poké Ball in her free hand. "You've shown an incredible amount of progress since you came over to my island Elio. Ambitious, eager and open-minded. Maybe even a little timid. I'm sure being away from home a lot makes you miss what family you left behind. Nevertheless, they are all wonderful traits of what I see in a trial goer. Your grand trial is nearly over and the only thing that stands in between you and triumph is my longtime partner Pokémon."

    As Elio and Akela moved back to the main field; Olivia tossed her final Pokémon. With a flash of light,

    Another lycanroc?!

    "Meet Fenris." The other midnight lycanroc stood a full head taller than Akela, staring back with an equally fierce gaze. Both wolves growled lowly at one another. "He's my strongest Pokémon."

    That doesn't mean we're going to give in.

    "Then we'll have to bring our strongest too." Elio knew that Akela wanted to battle and prove that he could defeat the other lycanroc. No way was he going to deny him that chance.

    Fenris snarled again, throwing his arms upward and launching a volley of large rock tomb attacks. Akela's eyes narrowed and he stood his ground, evading two, but taking a hit from the third one.

    "Close in and use reversal!"

    Akela's suffered even more damage, let's see if we can knock Fenris out in one go!

    He grinned and rushed forward, scaling one of the larger rocks to attack from above.

    It was a plan and open advantage that any battler worth their salt would jump at. Elio liked to think that he was starting to become more seasoned and experienced now that winning this battle would be the halfway mark of his island challenge.

    Sometimes the advantageous opportunities were real. Some of them however, were ruses that made more reckless trainers and their Pokémon pay a grave price. Elio and Akela were so focused on taking his energy down further to increase the power of reversal that neither paid attention to Olivia's gambit.

    Despite her confident smirk in suckering both of them, she did feel a sense of pity that it would end this way. At least for Akela. He may be a the type of lycanroc who gets excited to face stronger opponents in a battle, but Fenris had been a midnight form for much longer and knew his strengths…and his weaknesses.

    You may be an experienced trainer, but there is a lot you still have to learn. I still am learning new things about battling each and every day. Some we learn the easy way. Others the more difficult.

    "Counter." The moment Akela threw his fist in a strike; Fenris had brought his own arms up to guard himself. In a drastic comparison to Boldore, his opponent merely staggered back two paces. Strangely, Akela remained in his position.

    Elio saw something like a wave of energy travel along Fenris' free arm down to his front paw. His eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen.

    "Akela get out of-"

    With a loud bang, Fenris' other paw lashed forward, almost looking as if he merely slapped Akela. All the energy he had been struck with in the reversal was rechanneled towards the counter-strike, which the move derived its name from. It was done with such a powerful amount of force that the smaller wolf was sent flying back, smashing into the ground and bouncing up again to land with a crunching sound that sent all three humans' teeth on edge.

    Elio felt a pang of fear spike into his body. "Akela!"

    "Akela izzz incapable of battling! Bzzt! Fenris izz the winner!"

    Without evening thinking that he could get himself hurt, Elio sprinted out onto the field of where Akela lay prone. He weakly stirred, unable to overcome his protesting body.

    "Are you alright buddy?" He pet the wolf's mane in concern.

    He got a growl in reply as it tried in vain to stand up again. But the competitive look in its eyes was replaced by disappointment. For some reason, Sun knew that it wasn't directed at him, rather towards himself.

    "You did awesome out there Akela. I'm proud of your efforts."

    Akela tilted his head and looked away.

    "Hey, don't worry about it. Remember we win and we lose as a team. You've still got teammates who are going to finish the job." Elio smiled, knowing this would perk him up from being so down about losing. "Take it easy. You deserve it."

    "Counter?" Lillie asked on the sideline. "That's the move that deals double damage against a physical move!"

    She squeezed Nebby tighter, wondering how her crush was going to get past this obstacle.

    Now I have to worry about that counter move. Elio picked himself up off the ground after slipping Akela's Poké Ball onto his left side. Nani's back up.

    "I was wondering when I'd see her again." Olivia called when he threw his water type again onto the field. "Smart move saving her for Fenris, but he's dealt with water types before."

    "We'll see about that." Elio pointed. "Use iron tail!"

    Nani cooed before sharping her fins into the sword and swinging it.

    Olivia stared at his concentrated face, trying to understand what he was up to. What kind of game are you playing Elio? You know about counter, yet you go for a physical move right off the start. You're unpredictable, that's for sure.

    Deciding to test his skill, she had Fenris counter him again. However at the last moment; she fired a water pulse. Fenris saw it coming just in time, rolling out of the way onto all fours, snarling at the surprise attack and hurling a rock tomb to cover its tracks. Nani slithered right in between two, using the slight elevation to give her an edge. She had coiled right around a couple stones to aid in traction.

    Elio saw her wince from the poison again. "Don't worry about it girl. Use recover!"

    She bathed herself in the familiar healing green, looking just a bit better.

    However he still saw the oily toxins present on her scaly hide.

    Recover doesn't cure poisoning! Gah!

    He didn't have much time to waste since Fenris used the brief recovery period to perch itself among the remaining rock tomb boulders. An exploding dragon pulse destroyed the cover he had used before Nani blasted a scald attack. Although she missed again, it slicked the side of the final intact rock and as the wolf climbed it to retaliate with a brick break, he lost his footing and fell back down.

    "Scald one more time!"

    Nani again fired the stream of steaming hot water.

    Elio had anticipated that Fenris would be a little bit exhausted from their earlier battle. He suffered some damage from Akela's reversal attack, but he couldn't help but gasp in surprise seeing it already back to its feet.

    Olivia's smirk grew.

    Fenris coated his fist in sparks of electrifying energy and he threw it out in a haymaker at the same time he lunged for Nani's side. She was completely exposed and flinched from the poison, giving him just the moment he needed to avoid being struck by the water type attack.

    The thunderpunch collided with her side, harshly shoving her lithe serpentine body against another boulder from the rock tomb, shattering it and kicking up dust everywhere.

    Elio covered his eyes while Lillie turned away as the front approached, crouching low while doing her best to shield Nebby.

    Nani was gone.

    "Nani izzz unable to continue battling! Bzzt! Fenris izzz the winner!"

    Well…what do I do now? He had Rufflet, Torracat and Grimer, none of them sound and optimal choices against a rock type. Plus Fenris seemed to have multiple tricks up his sleeve.

    I guess that's why Olivia stated he dealt with water types before. The fact he knows thunderpunch already puts them in danger of losing.

    "Rest easy Nani." He whispered as he recalled her back into her ball and slipping it onto a hook at his left side. "We've got this."

    "The Shirona Effect." Olivia simply said. "Yes, I'm well aware of it."

    There had been often times in battle where many Pokémon learned a multitude of moves that weren't the same type as the Pokémon itself. The practice of teaching moves to cover the respective type's weaknesses was not a new thing.

    However it was popularized by the former champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia Shirona who often taught her Pokémon moves that would cause type advantage damage if her opponent was using a Pokémon with advantages over her own. Her signature ace Pokémon was a garchomp, probably the most powerful of its entire species as a whole. Garchomp's ground and dragon typing had three weaknesses; dragon, ice and fairy. In a battle, if one were to use one of those three types while facing garchomp, she could unleash a dragon rush, brick break or iron head at will for whatever the situation demanded in the adversary's type.

    Cynthia had used this to her advantage over many other overconfident trainers who felt they had the edge with one of such Pokémon. This was also one of the reasons why she had been able to hold her title as Champion of the Sinnoh region for more than a decade.

    It was only recently that she actually lost the position to the trainer prodigy and incumbent champion Lucas Drake in one of the most intense battles ever televised.

    The effectiveness of her strategy became popular during her lengthy tenure at the top and it didn't take long for other trainers to see the benefits and put them to use.

    Which gave rise to the principle known as the Shirona Effect.

    I've got one too. Torracat knows double kick that's strong against rock, but I have to worry about that counter.

    He fingered the fightinium Z on his ring.

    Maybe….

    "Torracat, let's go!"

    "Tor!"

    "I'm gonna need all the toughness you can bring outta you for this one!" Elio pumped a fist. "You ready partner?"

    "Tor!"

    I've got a plan…and it might just be crazy enough to work.

    "Your partner?" Olivia asked. "I can see the strong bond you two have together. It's just like Fenris and myself."

    The wolf growled in agreement. His eyes began to glow with a strong intensity, knowing that he was facing a tough opponent. Similarly, Torracat's bell at his chest heated up. Both of them knew the stakes and what was at risk here.

    Elio knew that at this current rate, Torracat was slower than Fenris. He had him flame charge up, which was subsequently countered by a brick break. The flame charge staggered the werewolf back several paces. Even though he had defeated two other Pokémon, the exhaustion from the battles was beginning to catch up. Olivia seemed aware of it too.

    "Use overheat!"

    "Don't let it get that chance Fenris!" He shot forward with a thunderpunch.

    Torracat saw him coming, using his increased speed in another flame charge to dodge the swing. In the process, his trainer saw that the bell at his chest had now changed from an orange-yellow to a shimmering white hot.

    Fire's not good against rock, but we're about to show that it doesn't matter.

    She placed a finger on the Z-ring at her wrist. "I'm sorry Elio, but this is where I'm going to wrap this up."

    Elio cursed to himself. He had to wrap it up himself before she could.

    "Oh no you're not! Double kick!"

    Torracat exploded forward, a few sparking embers flowing off his fur as he rushed. Fenris made to dodge just a little too early as both strong legs delivered a super effective kick to his chest. Sure enough, Fenris' paw lashed out again in a counter that sent Torracat flying back onto the ground, tumbling like a ragdoll.

    "And this is where it ends. Fenris!" The kahuna twisted her Z-ring and activated it in a flash. "Bring forth the potential of your Z-power through those that walked before you, walk with you and walk after you!"

    She's charging it up!

    "Come one Torracat! Get up! We can do this!" Elio yelled, suddenly finding his throat raw from shouting commands this entire time. The feline groaned in protest from the rather strong counter it received, but he slowly and surely rose up on all fours. Across the way, he could see the Z-power beginning its final manifestation. Olivia bent down, raising her arms up before twisting to the side and performing a half crouch. If Fenris managed to unleash it, Torracat would be done and he wasn't sure of a plan after that.

    Come on Elio. Lillie began to feel even more nervous now. You can win this! I believe in you!

    "Quite the resilient one!" Olivia said. "Z-move unleash! Now channel Rock Tomb into CONTINENTAL CRUSH!"

    The wolf howled, jumping up as waves of Z-power formed into massive rocks that slowly began pulling themselves up to his body.

    Torracat looked up at the raw display of power before him. As he did, another aura of fiery orange surrounded him.

    Yes! Just what we needed! Blaze ability! We only have one shot at this!

    "Okay partner, use overheat! Full power! Hold nothing back!"

    "TORRRR!" He opened his mouth, firing a huge wide blast of searing hot fire that accelerated rapidly upwards towards Fenris.

    His own eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the powerful move coming his way as both him and his trainer attempted to cancel out the Z-move in a vain attempt to avoid it.

    Elio clenched a fist, eyes intent on hoping that he could score the knockout and win the match right here. His hand drifted down to finger the pendant around his neck.

    "Boom." He softly whispered.

    Fenris was enveloped in the white beam which stuck him head on. Sheer heat waves struck all three of them and they could smell the smoky acrid scent of something being singed to a crisp. Some of the rocks surrounding Fenris were starting to soften and break off, falling down to the ground in fiery embers.

    The lycanroc's exhaustion caused it to ready the Z-move at a slower rate and Elio saw the opportunity to score massive damage, augmented further by using its counter move to bring Torracat down enough to activate his blaze for an extra kick.

    Smoke billowed out of the center as he fell to the ground. Elio and his Pokémon waited with baited breath and hoping for the best. Torracat's energy had been sapped and he was visibly panting while leaning against the ground.

    Dust began to clear, showing Fenris sprawled on the ground unmoving.

    "Bzzt! Fenris izzz unable to continue battling!" Rotom waved a hand towards Elio's side. "Torracat izz the winner and the grand trial victor izzz Elio Northstar! Bzzt!"

    "YEEEEAAAAH!" Sun let out a loud whoop and cheer as he ran down the battlefield, nearly tackling his starter Pokémon in a gigantic hug. "We did it! Woohoo!"

    "Tor!"

    "I know, it's crazy, but we did it!" Laughter came from the center. "What? You don't like the praise I give you? You're acting spoiled right now!"

    "Tor!"

    "Hell yeah we'll enjoy this victory. The battle was anything but easy!"

    He purred again before nuzzling his face.

    His trainer stifled another laugh. "I know you want to rest up buddy. No arguments here." He took out his ball and sucked him back inside. "Take a good rest. You've earned every bit of it."

    "How lovely."

    Elio glanced back as Olivia whispered something into Fenris' Poké Ball and strode towards him. "That was a battle truly befitting of a trial-goer in the presence of the tapu's sacred grounds.

    She stopped short in front of him. "Diamonds only sparkle their brightest after the coal is pushed to its absolute limit. You know…you guys are the best! You definitely gave me a fun and intense battle! The first one in a long time!"

    "Thank you kahuna." Sun said. "My team did the hard worked their tails off."

    "They may have done the laboring part, but you have the innate qualities of an alaka'i. I can see that you have all of their full loyalty as both friends and partners." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a dark brown crystal in the same shape as the others that he had gathered so far on his island challenge. "Here. The rock-type Z-crystal. This Rockium Z is all yours now!"

    "Aww yeah!" Elio let it fall into his hands before spinning around, holding it close to his chest and striking a pose with a fist pumped skyward, "Grand trial….complete!"

    On such normal circumstances, he would have kept his enthusiasm in check, but suspected that being around Hau so much, it had started to rub off on him. Plus he found that the island challenge had been just as enjoyable as it was difficult.

    "Now the rock type Z-Power…you have to pose like this to draw it out. Watch carefully, because the hip movement is crucial!"

    It doesn't help that she has a model's body. Elio dryly thought, but kept his attention on her intently.

    Olivia formed the standard "X" with her arms before crouching down and springing back up with her arms flexed upwards. She then turned to her right, maintaining the pose, but now facing sideways, bending both her knees.

    "Wow," He said, rather amazed. "That has to be the most complicated pose I've seen."

    Olivia chuckled, "It does take some practice yes…but I trust you will use it well. The rock type is hard…it's sturdy…rugged and quite strong. So it's nothing like me at all!" She gave a warm smile at him, "I suppose opposites really do attract!"

    "In some cases yes," Sun agreed, "Thank you again Kahuna Rios."

    "You are most welcome."

    Lillie stepped forward with a warm smile of her own, proud that the boy she had guided through Hau'oli City on the basics of battling had just finished his second grand trial. "Congratulations Elio! You were awesome and amazing out there!"

    "Thanks Lillie." Elio's returned smile made her blush slightly again and look away.

    She glanced down at Nebby instead, "You look very pleased…don't you?"

    "By the way Lillie," The kahuna continued. "This may come as a strange question but, why would you come to the Ruins of Life if you're not a trainer yourself?"

    "Oh…well it's because of Nebby." All three of them drifted their gazes down to the tiny Pokémon floating between them, "It's not originally from here and I want to help it get back to its own home. I don't have any idea how to do that. It seems fond of the ruins for some reason, so I keep visiting them and hoping that maybe I will find a clue that could help it."

    Olivia nodded, seeming relatively satisfied with the answer. "You certainly don't see a Pokémon like that every day. Tapu Lele may be the guardian of our island, but it can also run wild at times to do whatever it pleases. Most regular Pokémon prefer to avoid their attention at all costs, unless they are strong enough to face the tapu themselves and even those that can, usually still avoid them."

    As she said that, something must've been put together in the kahuna's mind because her eyes briefly widened and she shook her head. Lillie never noticed it…but Sun did.

    "Wait a moment…a'ole hiki. That can't be right."

    Before either teen could ask further, she decided to change the subject, the kind smile returning to her petite youthful features. "I think your journey will hold many surprises down the road and I hope it holds many joys. How about I take you back to town Lillie? You're doing everything you can for your partner, despite not being a trainer yourself. I like that kind of person and would be more than happy to lend you a hand wherever needed!"

    "Sounds good!" Lillie cheerfully said, "C'mon Elio!"

    The three exited the Ruins' grounds just in time for a familiar brown shirted boy to come bounding up the hill. He stopped just in front of them, resting his hands on his knees and panting heavily. Most likely because he was out of breath.

    "Hey! Alola! If it isn't Elio and Lillie!" Hau greeted after a few moments with his hand held up to keep them from saying anything.

    "Hey Hau," Sun playfully bumped fists with his friend, "What's up?"

    "I'm here to battle kahuna Olivia! I'm Hau from Iki Town!" He stopped, suddenly remembering something as well and perked up. "Oh yeah Sun! Guess what? There was this weird green glasses guy from the Aether Foundation who told me to come to Hano Grand Resort when I finish my grand trial! I think he said he'd be back after the Triple Crown!"

    You're wanting to battle this late?

    "You got an invitation too? That's awesome."

    "Yeah! We should go and see it together if we both got invited! I can't wait to see this special Aether place!"

    "The Aether Foundation?" Olivia asked, clearly intrigued by the news. "I'm not sure what they want with you two, but why not go find out? They're good people! If he comes back tomorrow night after the tournament is done! The Hano Grand Resort lies just over the Alahaka Bridge on the east side of Heahea City. Rest up good and stay cool because I'm pretty sure the heat wave is going to hit Alola tomorrow!"

    "Sounds like a good idea," Sun said. Now that he had visited Konikoni City; a ride charizard would be able to take him back whenever he wanted. Flying out to Heahea would only take about ten minutes.

    He turned to Lillie, figuring an invitation might be extended to her as well since she was guarding cosmog. Maybe the Foundation would be able to help her get Nebby back home.

    "Lillie, you want to come with me to meet this guy?"

    She visibly paled at the question. "The…Aether Foundation…well…um," Emerald green eyes looked down nervously at her feet, looking a bit wanting to avoid the matter. "I…I think I'll stay…stay here. I'd like to see how Hau's battle goes too."

    "You sure?" Sun asked, oblivious to her uneasiness, "They're pretty awesome people who help Pokémon!"

    "No, but thank you again Sun," She felt really bad at turning down an opportunity to spend more time with him, "But I promise to catch up to you when you get back!"

    "Okay, sure." He didn't really want to leave Lillie, but his limbs were heavy, he felt the seductive pull of sleep on his eyelids. "I need a shower and sleep though. So I'll see you both at the resort tomorrow?"

    "Yeah!"

    Hau looked back at Olivia, "I may not be as strong as my gramps Hala, but I can still raise up Dartrix and my awesome team to do their best!"

    The dark-skinned lady nodded and closed her eyes. "You're just Hau right? What's wrong with that? Who cares if you're the grandson of Melemele's great kahuna Hala? Show me what Hau can do!"

    "Yeah!" As Elio left them to their battle, everyone waved farewell to him, "Alola Sun!"

    "Alola guys! We'll catch up later!"

    And we'll stop it there! Elio has defeated Olivia in his second grand trial, finally evolving Rockruff into Lycanroc! We've got more things on the way including the surfing competition with things heating up in a literal heat wave! A scuba expedition with Lillie and the Aether Foundation inviting him to a special place! The Akala arc is almost over.

    It's almost over...

    Wow...I've been working on this island for what seems like forever. Funny how I used to do weekly updates, which turned into biweekly, which turned into monthly...now it's whenever the hell I finish it; if it be a week, month, or half a year XD

    Translations:

    • Makemake au e hoʻokaʻawale - I beg to differ
    • Uhane - Spirit
    • Alaka'i - Leader
    • A'ole hiki - Impossible
    Akela is derived from the leader of the wolfpack that raised Mowgli in the Jungle Book. The title is frequently used in Cub Scouting as well, referring to the Cubmaster...the leader of that specific pack.
    Mahalo for reading and reviewing everyone. You give my writing purpose. I'll see you all for the next chapter.

    Brav
     
  7. ShinigamiMiroku

    Sorceress' Knight
    (Ralts ♂)
    Level 23
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2017
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    ₽3,354.4
    Red Orb ★★★★★
    Another great battle! I knew the pupper was gonna evolve soon. An interesting time for it to evolve, too, given it happened almost right after Olivia's Roggenrola's evolution. Thought for sure Elio was done for when Roggenrola evolved, but then his number of retries would have increased to what would feel like an unexpected amount (as he is the protagonist and all, and with that comes certain expectations when it comes to writing his battles).

    As a side-note, Toxic is a pain in the backside (though not nearly as much as Stealth Rock; that move can go back to the Distortion World from when it came).
     
  8. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

    Bravo
    (Braviary)
    Level 66
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Posts:
    2,045
    PokéPoints:
    ₽2,847.3
    Crown of ValorPoké Ball ★
    Alola readers! Brav is back with an update that got done within the formerly normal two week interval! I hope everyone is doing well!

    Last time we finished the kahuna battle and we're onto the Hano Grand Resort with the Kumu Reef Triple Crown and more things that our heroes will have to experience! This was a fun chapter to write!

    A little explanation before I begin about my decision to evolve Akela into the midnight form. Yes, I'm well aware that the midnight is arguably the least popular of the three, however I find that it is the polar opposite of the midday form with the dusk being a hybrid of the two. The midnight is the way it chooses to embrace its bestial instincts, opting to use fighting as a thrill and how those instincts make it grow excited for battle. The midday form emphasizes loyalty and calmness, the contrast to the midnight while the dusk form incorporates a medium between the two sides. I wanted to keep things as vague as possible, trying to convince all of you that he could be any of the three.

    Even though Akela is the midnight form, he's a bit of the abnormal within the subspecies, exhibiting calmness and a bit of the leader of their team as we go on. We're going to delve a little more in his backstory the closer we get to the Aether Foundation.
    Thanks to @ShinigamiMiroku for the feedback! It was an intense battle! That's for sure!

    Anyways, I'm off to spend Christmas with my family back in California, so this could very well be the final update of the year. Happy holidays everyone!


    The news people didn't exaggerate on the heat that came to Alola.

    It. Was. Hot!

    Let me start by saying that I love the Alola warm weather. Lots of wonderful Sun-shine…yes, pun fully intended! Elio is the Sun after all and he shines bright and hopeful! The people are nice and I love the big diversity of Pokémon here. You almost can't find an ecosystem like this anywhere else in the world!

    But it's soooo hot. Sure enough, Kahuna Olivia had the weather station put the entire island on a heat advisory! They almost were going to cancel the surfing competition, but whatever officials were running that didn't see it as a reason to postpone any activities!

    I know Burnet took me out shopping for a swimsuit. The color is nice I guess. White. But almost everything else I wear is white, so maybe it won't be as bad? I don't know. I'm just worried that people will look at me differently. People can see a lot of my skin.

    But I'll admit that going to the beach in this is much better than sweating it out in my dress. Don't want it to get all stuck to me.

    Today's the day that I finally get to go and take Elio snorkeling! I admit I don't know that much, but it's definitely something to do while we wait to cheer Leilani on. I'm sure Hau is going to be super excited for that!

    The first thing that registered in Elio's mind was the slick layer of sweat on his arms and legs.

    He awoke with a start, slowly sitting up and rubbing his eyes. The action had the blanket fall down from his broad shouldered and well-muscled frame. His chest visibly rose and fell with each breath while he stopped rubbing his eyes and went to fix his hair, which was tousled wildly with the crisp pillow being the special stylist.

    Ugh, I feel nasty right now. What gives? I took a shower before I went to bed.

    Throwing the covers off, he glanced at the clock as he rolled out of the bed. Nine twenty-six in the morning.

    Shit! He was supposed to meet Lillie and Professor Kukui at the Heahea City Marina by ten thirty!

    I did it again! Didn't leave enough time! Go go go! Hurry!

    Elio hadn't registered in his mind that taking the blanket off his body didn't make things any cooler.

    He was in and out of the shower, grabbing a change of clothes this time around. His favorite shirt and shorts needed to go into the wash along with other garments, so he opted for the Maple Apparel tanktop he had bought at Royal Avenue titled "Become Legend" and silver basketball shorts from his high school. Underneath those shorts were his swim trunks, colored dark amber orange with white Alolan style flower pattern all along the sides.

    Lillie told him to meet up with her and Professor Kukui and bring nothing except for himself and some swimwear. Although she seemed rather reluctant to have him tag along, they were still minors and neither had a boating license.

    Or maybe she wants a different boat? Elio asked himself, remembering her uneasiness when they made the trip on his vessel from Melemele Island.

    I guess we can now take the ferry since my trainer passport does allow me to escort a guest on my behalf. Or we fly by charizard. But that means she'll have to ride behind and hold onto…me.

    The thought made him blush as he quickly dried himself off and went back into the stuffy bedroom.

    Geez, I thought it'd cool off from the shower.

    He moved over to the large metal air conditioning unit at the end of the room while pulling on his shorts and tanktop. It actually felt extremely comfortable with the sleeveless top, allowing for even more ventilation. He had sizeable deltoid muscles thanks to both his athletic regimen and the inheritance from his father's similar lean figure.

    Waving his hand in front of the dusty vents that looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in weeks, Elio frowned when he didn't feel the rush of cool air coming from it.

    Glancing down, the thermostat built into the machine was already indicating an error of some kind since it was set to sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. It was at least ten higher.

    He was no expert on heating and cooling, but he knew that keeping the system on would simply overwork and possibly break it even further. So he disengaged the automatic setting and made a mental note to put a ticket into the Pokémon center for a maintenance request. Not that it mattered much anyway, since he was set to check out in the morning anyways.

    "Rotom, how hot is it outside?" He groaned.

    "Bzzt! Temperature izzzz too hot! Bzzt!" The haunted 'dex stuttered. "Pleazzze cool down your Roto dexxxxxx before azzzzking any more questionzzzz! Bzzzt!"

    Too hot.

    Elio wondered if it was wrong that he was happy his room wasn't the only one affected.

    By news from another trainer spending the night in another room, nearly the entire residential ward of the center had overworked air conditioners. He was just another person to put a ticket in for a maintenance request. Of course the nurse and receptionist had assured them that they'd get repairmen on the job as soon as possible, but things may take a while.

    Many trainers had the same idea as him in vacating the residential halls.

    The main area seemed a little warmer than when he arrived and it remained its usual busy state. Trainers were still coming and going like usual and it seemed that not a single trainer that came in from the outside wasn't sweating. Out through the glass doors, Elio could see heat shimmering in waves on the concrete paths and even more so on the cars moving on the main street.

    Over at the lounge area, he could see sets of televisions all with the news or projections of the latest weather. Judging by the weatherwoman's analysis, the heat wave was set to peter our close to the beginning of the next day.

    The island challenge was also put on hold. Kahuna Olivia Rios had met with the others in Hau'oli City on Melemele Island where they made a unanimous decision to suspend all trials and grand trials until the worst of it had passed.

    Elio saw that the news outlet was now switching over to some of the other methods the news anchors were using to stay cool and beat the heat. Overall, activity on the outside was to be kept to a minimum, everyone was to stay indoors.

    However for some reason, the Kumu Reef Triple Crown surfing competition had yet to say anything about whether or not the event was going to be postponed or canceled.

    It's at a beach after all.

    His thoughts were interrupted when his phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Ed.

    Oh crap! I totally forgot today is draft day too! AHHH!

    Despite kicking himself in his head for forgetting so soon, he couldn't help smile at the uplifting words his friend had said.

    Ed: You staying frosty out there bro?

    "Ed you snarky bastard."

    Elio: Heh, yeah. The air conditioning in my room at the Pokémon center broke. I'm moving out already.

    Ed: Lmao. You're too hot for that room! Or was it the fact gorgeous was in there too?

    Elio: Shut up.

    Ed: Funny you say that. Excessive heat often makes people even more angry.

    Elio: Maybe. Actually I'm meeting up with Lillie and Professor Kukui later today. We're beating the heat by going scuba diving at the Kumu Reef.

    Ed: Oh that's awesome. Isn't that also where your surfer friend who has a crush on your island friend is participating?

    Elio: Yeah it is. You should totally watch it, she's been practicing hard!

    Ed: I'm about to get drafted in like six hours though.

    Elio: Oh right. My bad. Excited to go pro?

    Ed: Hell yeah I am. I'm just wondering what team I'll go to.

    Sun had thought about it too. He enjoyed listening to the FBC's podcasts where "experts" debated on who teams would pick and how they'd be utilized. He grinned as he typed yet another reply.

    Elio: All these people say you're a top 5 pick and arguably the best small forward coming into this draft. I can name TEN teams who are thin and desperate for that position. The ones that have it as their utmost priority? Chargers, Drapions, Stantlers, Rhyperiors, Marksmen.

    Ed: How about our 'Canes?

    Elio: Yes, them too. But they're picking ninth this season, no way they can reach you.

    Ed: Trade?

    Elio: We don't have anything to trade! We give up who? Our point guard is a rookie and might break out this year, the shooter? Maybe, but I thought we were going to give him an extension. All we need is a small forward to make a big three if everything falls into place!

    Ed: Damn bro, you fired up. That Alolan heat sure makes you hella competitive!

    Elio: You bet it does. I'll try and sneak a look at the draft as it happens. We'll either be still playing in the water or watching Leilani outsurf everyone else.

    Ed: That's all good man. We can celebrate later. I'll talk to you later, they've got guys out here to interview me…you know…pre-ceremony stuff.

    Elio: I get it. Knock them dead bro. And congrats.

    Hau said he was busy with Leilani and getting ready for her big day to accompany Elio. He did say to be at the Kumu Beach where the competition would take place in the afternoon. That left them with two or so hours to snorkel or scuba dive or whatever.

    Getting to Heahea was easy thanks to a ride charizard cutting the long trip through Diglett's Tunnel down to mere minutes. He had to hit the page button before even stepping out.

    When he did step out from the parting glass doors, the heat instantly invaded the cooler area, bathing him in an invisible wall of steam. He felt it envelope his entire body and his skin pricked from the sudden temperature spike.

    Feels like I'm standing inside a rice cooker.

    He checked his water bottle, knowing that it should be full before he left the city.

    Charizard's flight path was lower than the higher altitudes it normally took for inter-island travel. There was not a cloud in the sky and he found his namesake mercilessly glaring at him through intense rays as the lone item in an otherwise unblemished blue.

    Even though it was still quite hot, he found himself not even requiring the insulated layer to protect him from the cold wind drafts while airborne. The visor he flipped over his eyes, nose and mouth was a necessity to prevent his skin from getting red from the abrasive winds as well as regulate his oxygen. He may not be at an altitude where planes flew, but there were many reasons in the past where charizards had carried unconscious riders to their destinations. Although the winged flame Pokémon was in control of the flight, it was also the rider's responsibility to assist if it came to such a drastic measure.

    Elio pointed to the long wooden marina as soon as he saw the familiar skyline of Heahea City come into view. Across the long roads that began to wind into Akala's backcountry he could see the line of a dozen or so resorts that were beside the long creamy white sandbar of the beach. Tiny little dots of people the size of his fingernail could be seen moving close by.

    Gazing out, he saw the water was a deep sapphire blue with patches of dark and turquoise. Some boats were even further away from land, skimming long cones of foamy wake as they sped on the waves. He could even see an even larger narrow dark gray ship heading along the west coast of the island. Getting a closer look, there was the familiar red winged alpha dragon insignia of the Hoenn division of the Navy.

    Hala said that seeing warships of other navies isn't uncommon here. There's a huge harbor base by Hau'oli City.

    Elio had to guess it was a frigate or destroyer.

    Yeah I paid attention in history during the naval warfare tests. I know my ships. Corvettes, frigates and destroyers are light escort vessels. Cruisers and battlecruisers are heavier warships and can be used as a flotilla. Carriers are the biggest ones, capable of carrying all sorts of war machines long distances. Those are the flagships and command vessels. Lastly, we've got the submarines, huge ships that can go entirely underwater to stealth their way around without being noticed.

    The warship disappeared over the ocean's horizon as Elio lowered their ride to a hundred feet off the ground. Charizard moved to the designated landing zone where he could see Kukui and Lillie's white apparel stand out against the salt-stained piers.

    They both waved as Elio planted the beast's feet into a sturdier looking part of the marina. He quickly undid the straps, freeing himself and sent the massive flier on its way with a poke bean and tap of his ride pager.

    Lillie was first to greet him, bounding down the side and throwing her arms around his entire body in another hug.

    "Hiiii." Elio stopped mid-greeting to return the embrace, again savoring the feeling of his crush in his arms.

    "Hi Elio!" She broke the hug and then wiped some sweat off her brow. "It's hot out here isn't it?"

    "Not as hot as you."

    The words were blurted out of his mouth before his mind even registered what he had just said. Lillie was about to ask him when Professor Kukui stepped forward, inadvertently breaking up the awkwardness.

    "Wow cousin! It sure is overheat out here! Woo!" He raised a fist. "Are you ready to go soak up and have some fun?!"

    "Yeah," Elio grunted. "Let's do it. I'm burning up already!"

    "What are you so down about? This is nothing! Nothing compared to the fire blast of a match I've been through."

    "Professor, I just won one of the hardest battles ever fought in my career as a trainer. Can we just relax for a little bit?"

    "Well of course we can! Where's Hau at?"

    "Hau's busy."

    "So that means it'll be just me and Elio!" Lillie said. "Can we go now professor?"

    "I don't see why we can't put a hustle on it. Hopefully our boat won't have that slow start like last time."

    "Last time?"

    "Don't worry about nothing! I've got it all under control!"


    Thankfully it didn't take long before all three of them were on his catamaran. Kukui yanked on several ropes that held the massive rigged sail, spiraling it out where the wind easily caught on, spreading it to its fullest. As soon as they went to open water, the winds took the boat to an incredible speed.

    Elio admired the sail design, a different one than the time they all took his boat over to Akala for the first time. It was a special silver and gray trimmed design with a small logo at the bottom of twin gold olive branches just behind the black anchor.

    "You like my new sail yeah?" Kukui asked as he steered the helm to turn the ship down the island's east coast. "Just came in a couple of days ago from a master sailsmith in Canalave City. We ride these tailwinds to wherever we want and they have a lot of defense curls! Enough to withstand an aeroblast! Woo!"

    "That's awesome."

    The wind began to pick up as they moved out from the cover of the land. Elio felt it tug on his hat and reached up just in time to prevent it from being snatched away. He thought it was best if all his Pokémon were there to enjoy the fun as well. Even grimer remained still as he had instructed to enjoy the breeze.

    Nani dove into the water after glancing at him, Torracat and Akela played a loose game of tag. Charjabug saw the abundance of wingull and pelipper flying close by and opted to shrink into the helm. Kukui glanced down to the scared bug and could only chuckle.

    Lillie was less fortunate.

    He saw the wide brims on her signature headwear flap mercilessly at her side before a particularly strong gust ripped it right off her head.

    Elio was already in motion before she could even say something. Rufflet was tossed out and he pointed at the flying hat the moment Pokémon and trainer locked eyes. He got the message and quickly flapped his wings to gain altitude.

    His weight was simply not enough to take full control of the winds coming his way, but he let himself drift with the currents, spreading them out to maintain balance and streamline to increase his speed.

    Elio smiled as Rufflet closed in on the runaway apparel.

    Right before he could outstretch his talons, a dart seemingly out of nowhere snatched the hat out of the air. Rufflet stopped, spinning around to look at who had stolen his target.

    A flock of wingull were flying at a perpendicular angle away from the boat, one of them with Lillie's white hat in its beak.

    "My hat! I lost my hat!"

    "Don't worry, we'll get it back!"

    "But that wingull took it!"

    "I know!" Elio had to almost yell over the rushing wind. It rippled mercilessly at their clothes, "Rufflet and I are working on it!"

    In the sky, the eaglet knew he was outmatched against an entire flock. The wingull who had taken Lillie's hat had the smart idea to fly close to the flock's center. There was no way he could intercept it without possibly angering the entire colony.

    He had to try; his trainer and his mate were counting on him.

    Rufflet vanished in a burst of speed, reappearing to strike at the center with a perfectly timed aerial ace. His attack took out several of them, their fainted forms plummeting into the waves with a splash. Off to the side of his vision, he saw a lance of electric energy. Looking closer, Charjabug had come out of her hiding spot to briefly try and shoot down some of the thieves. She didn't succeed, but the colony scattered, leaving a group exposed for his attack.

    He spread his wings out in a wing attack, but this time they flashed a metallic white to cut another swath through the colony. As the wingull scattered, he surprised the one holding the hat. The moment its expression turned to anger and it opened its beak to shoot a water gun in defense, the hat dropped.

    As much as Rufflet wanted to continue battling, its mission was the hat, so he took off after it, swooping down and grabbing it in its claws just moments before it hit the water's surface.

    Another thirty seconds and he made it back to the boat, gently setting the hat down on the deck before perching himself on the starboard gunwale.

    Lillie looked wide-eyed at her article. "You…you got it back?!"

    The eaglet had heard her words, puffing up his chest in pride with a smug expression.

    Elio shook his head and scratched him just at the top of the bonnet of feathers, the bird's favorite little spot. "You're just so full of yourself aren't you?" He heard no reply other than a caw of delight as he savored the massaging feeling. The bird looked around, wanting to thank Charjabug, but she was nowhere to be seen after briefly helping him.

    "And Rufflet hazzz learned steel wing againzzzt thozze wingull! Bzzt!"

    "Steel wing?! How come you couldn't have learned that when I battled Olivia yesterday?"

    "It's all right." Lillie said, trying to calm the situation down. She didn't know Elio was messing around with his Pokémon though. "Thank you Rufflet. Thank you so much."

    "Yeah thanks buddy. Maybe next time I lose something in the wind you get off your lazy butt and go get it."

    Professor Kukui sailed their catamaran close to the edge of the seabed, reading the depth of roughly twenty feet above where the colorful reefs lay. At the back; Elio slid off his shorts, tossing them into a trunk inside one of the seats to keep dry. Lillie had gone into one of the covered sections in front of the pilothouse to change.

    As he finished pulling the tanktop off, he saw Lillie emerging back outside and he literally lost his breath.

    Lillie glanced around apprehensively as she slowly uncovered the white bikini with both her arms that she was wearing.

    Damn you Ed. Elio couldn't tear his eyes off her. Her figure was petite, but quite shapely for someone his age. She had undone the two long braids in her blonde hair, causing it to blow perfectly in the wind. His gaze lingered on her endowed chest and he quickly averted it as soon as it registered in his mind. She wouldn't even know it but he was more than certain if they were in a crowd, she'd be a definite head turner…especially with other boys.

    For some reason he hated that thought.

    "Elio?"

    "Y-yeah?" Ah she caught me staring! Act cool!

    "Are you okay?" She bent down to meet his gaze. Elio had been drawn to her perfectly curved midriff and his mind raced at that thought. Just to reach out and…

    "Elio?"

    "What? Oh sorry." He couldn't shake the rising heat in his cheeks after being caught red handed.

    "I went shopping with Professor Burnet for a swimsuit since it'd be hard to swim in a…dress."

    "Yeah." He covered his face, feigning heat exhaustion. "That's great."

    "How do I look?"

    Oh hell no. I see a trap coming miles away! What do I say? If I say she looks beautiful…which she does, she's going to think I'm a creep or pervert. If I say the opposite, she'll think she's ugly. I hate these damn catch 22s, it's a no win for the guy in this scenario.

    "Um…good. I guess?"

    "Oh really. I guess it's better than looking really bad right?"

    Oh you don't look bad at all. In fact, that bikini looks amazing. What would Ed say?

    Oh right. He'd hate it; take it off!

    Little did he know, Lillie was having the same breathlessness upon seeing Elio like that. Sure, she knew he never slept without a shirt on, but she found herself staring dreamily at his bare chest an instinct surfacing that made her want to reach out…and touch.

    Her eyes widened as she saw small hints of defined abdominal muscles.

    Wow. He's just like Professor Kukui.

    "All right! Woo!" The man in question interrupted both their staring contests as he pulled on some other ropes to slow down the boat. Looking around, the teens could see that they were just off the island's coast with the rows of beautiful resorts preceding the valleys behind. Mauna Wela could be seen even further away, its peak visible from nearly the entire island.

    "This is the perfect spot to go dive and swift swim around."

    "You seem to know a lot about these areas!"

    "I certainly do! My old man used to threaten to take me out here all the time yeah! It's an absolute captivate! Oh yeah! But the reefs here in the Akala Sea are second to none! Woo!"

    "Then what are we waiting for?" Elio asked as he fitted on his mask. The snorkel mouthpiece dangled just beside his lips. He glanced over at Lillie. "I'm ready whenever you are."

    "No go ahead."

    "I can't." Elio shook his head. "I gotta play the chivalry card."

    "I don't know about that." Lillie was still flattered he was letting her first.

    "Pew."

    "I don't know Nebby." He put a hand in front of his face to shield his eyes. "Not sure what's gotten into Lillie, so waiiiiiiit!" His words had been abruptly cut off as he sat down on the boat's gunwale when Lillie moved forward with a devious smirk on her features. Her hands shoved Elio over the side and his scream of surprise ended with a splash that sprayed white foam everywhere.

    Even though she was worried he would end up hurt, part of it was just so immensely amusing. Professor Kukui thought so, since he was the one to suggest the idea before he had even arrived. According to him, he had taken Burnet out on a similar trip of snorkeling. He tried being chivalrous since they weren't married at the time and it ended up with her shoving him playfully overboard.

    Elio surface, spitting out seawater as if it were a water gun. He shot her an irritated look as soon as he heard their laughter at his expense from above. The one thing he was grateful for was the soothing cool feeling of the ocean that slowly erased the heat buildup within his body.

    "Lillie!"

    "I'm sorry! It was just too irresistible."

    "Oh so I AM irresistible." Elio's eye rolling gave way to a smirk of his own. "For that I'll forgive you."

    "Aww thanks. Give me a second to put my mask on and I'll be in!"

    Elio swam to the side of the boat, just in the shadows.

    "I'm so sorry about that." Lillie apologized again. "Are you okay?"

    Oh I'm fine. But you're not playing all innocent so you can get away with that!

    "Elio?" Her tone got a hint of worry in it.

    "Apology accepted." As soon as her head turned to see him lurking right underneath the curve of the hull, he lunged out, using the rail at the side of the gunwale to help propel himself upward. With impressive speed, he had an arm around Lillie's left side, using gravity to pull her with him into the drink.

    "Elioooooo!" She loudly shrieked before both humans vanished under the waves in an even bigger splash than before. Neither of them had noticed Professor Kukui's expression as he was beginning to mirror the comparisons of the two of them to him and his own wife.

    Elio was still in a laughing fit as Lillie surfaced. Strands of her long blonde hair fell in her face and she had to repeatedly wipe them towards her back.

    "That wasn't funny!" His giggles were cut short as she swept her arm across the ocean's surface, splashing him.

    "Oh you want a splash fight huh?" His smirk grew again. "You just started a war you can't win."

    "Oh yeah? Try me."

    Lillie was good with her splashes, but every time she tried to get him again, he'd sweep his arms forward in a little wave to catch her by surprise. It was a heartwarming display of laughter, squeals of joy and shouting as they continued to cool off in the hot sun's gaze.

    Professor Kukui leaned over the gunwale, "Okay that's enough you two. Don't want to attract any aggressive sharpedo."

    Both teens nodded in agreement. Elio spoke first as they treaded water. "Okay, ready to see the Pokémon?"

    Lillie nodded back at him and together they disappeared under the waves.

    "I guezzz I better tag along. My caze izzz waterproof right? Bzzt!"

    Surprising the two, Rotom Dex was able to move effortlessly underwater, tagging alongside Elio's left as Lillie kept a short distance to his right.

    It took a couple minutes for him to adjust to the unusual sort of breathing through the snorkel's tube. The long top had a small mechanism that covered the hole allowing air through if it were to ever submerge.

    Like any other day, the water was crystal clear and a deep blue, allowing the two to see a wide rainbow of colors down below.

    The coral reefs had many colors, yellow, red, blue, green, orange and they could see multiple species of fish Pokémon swimming about all at a depth of maybe ten feet down. Elio pointed out some of the species he knew and encountered since the start of his journey.

    Lillie liked the school of finneon that swam just below them. Their rear fins fluttered together beautifully as they chased one another in schools flashing in various neon colors when they hit the sun's rays. At the front, there was an even larger fish with similar fins to the finneon and a more distinct black trim across its body.

    Rotom floated in front of them. Since it was unable to properly distribute sound waves through the water, he had switched to a previously unknown text feature akin to a dive board.

    Lumineon. Neon Pokémon. It is the evolved form of finneon. They traverse dark deep waters as if crawling over the seafloor. Their fantastic lights of its fins shine like stars in the night sky. Lumineon is a water type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon.

    Lillie tapped his side and pointed at the lumineon. She then curled her index fingers and put her thumbs together in a heart shape.

    Glad she loves them.

    Parts of the coral moved and the teens could see that they were actually a colony of Pokémon. They were mostly pink in color with white bellies, but he could see that several of their thorny protrusions were actually long branches of the naturally formed coral.

    That looks like corsola!

    Corsola. Coral Pokémon. The pink color of corsola living in Alola is deep and vibrant, thanks to the seas filled with nutrition. Pursued by mareanie for the coral thorns atop its head, this Pokémon can voluntarily snap them off to distract the predator for it to escape. Corsola is a water and rock type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon.

    Elio was amazed at seeing the diversity of the marine life just underneath the mask of the water. He saw Nani slither at the surface, sliding effortlessly past a school of magikarp. Just like how he could see beautiful women in a crowd, it seemed as if many other Pokémon subtly turned to eye her as she passed.

    It's like a completely different world down here. Maybe we'll find a mermaid?

    He saw two closed shells of shellder resting on the edge of an outcropping. A long snakelike Pokémon approached one of the shells, tapping it with its long finned tail. It had bits of orange around its body and a pair of strong looking jaws that had some nasty teeth.

    Lillie seemed a little uneasy with a Pokémon this terrifying close up, but she remained calm since she knew that Elio was ready to have Nani come to their aid at a moment's notice.

    Huntail. Deep sea Pokémon. It is a final form of clamperl. It's not the strongest swimmer. It will wag its fishlike tail to lure its prey close enough and then gulps them down. There is an old legend that says if huntail wash ashore, then something bad will happen. Huntail is a water type. Additional information is available upon capturing this Pokémon.

    Elio had to guess that it was going to try and make a meal out of the shellder. They watched as it wagged its tail in front of the bivalve Pokémon in an attempt to get it to open its shell.

    It did, just not in a way the creature expected.

    The shellder opened itself and clamped the two halves down right on top of the end. Neither of the humans could hear anything over the water, but it was a frenzied display as the huntail threw itself into a mass panic, flailing about wildly in a vain attempt to dislodge its intended prey. The entire commotion caused much of the nearby fish population to scatter.

    A flash of light caught their eye as Nani swam rapidly up, igniting her iron tail and slicing right through. The shellder, still closed tightly was now free of the huntail's rear and floated back down right beside its partner.

    The huntail looked rather annoyed that he had proverbially bitten off more than he could chew as Nani came face to face with it. After a couple of moments, the creature found another hole in the side of the reef to slither into and start recovering its bruised pride.

    Wow. Was the only thing either teen could say as they swam further, careful not to go too far from the boat.

    More species could be seen as they ventured closer to the edge of the shelf. It was like looking into a void abyss with the water quickly turning dark over the sheer drop not a hundred feet away. Aside from a school of large amomomola that moved towards it, he saw nothing else. But apparently that was where even larger water types lived such as the massive wailmer and wailord.

    Another flash of movement caught their eye as he saw a brownish fish, even larger than the lumineon lurking at the edge. It swam upwards before disappearing, but not before Rotom detected the presence of the new Pokémon.

    That's a relicanth! They're incredibly rare!

    Relicanth. Longevity Pokémon. Its form has remained the same for nearly one hundred million years. Its body is filled with fat to withstand the water pressure of deeper seas. Relicanth is a water and rock type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon.

    Elio was wondering what a relicanth was doing this far up. Either way, the species had originally been rediscovered in Hoenn and he read that its name came from a variation of the person who had made the extraordinary find. He admittedly didn't know much about the large region to the south of Kanto and Johto other than the fanboyish admiration for its champion.

    Rotom was back again, floating with a message from Professor Kukui saying that they needed to surface and return to shore if they were to catch Leilani's surfing tournament.

    Sun spun around in the water to see Lillie next to him. He slowly approached, ecstatic to see her normally somber green eyes filled with joy and happiness. It didn't occur to him much that it was merely the activity as the person she was doing it with.

    She couldn't smile without taking off the mouthpiece, but her heart only hammered even more in her chest as he moved even closer to the point where the visors of their masks touched.

    He's so close…I could…kiss him. I want to…kiss him.

    Elio was glad the water cooled his face and hid the blush that was threatening to overtake his cheeks.

    From her perch beneath her trainer and his mate, Nani watched with curiosity. She was well aware of the affection towards the young female her trainer often traveled with. Judging by the other members of her team, they all agreed that the two were very much a mated pair. Even the little one they called "Nebby" had grown to see Lillie as a mother.

    And they all agreed that their own trainer had seemed to take on a role of a father.

    She wanted them to have the very best. Looking around, Nani had conveniently spotted her target and swam forward to make haste and not waste the opportunity.

    Elio pointed up to indicate they should surface. He grabbed Lillie's hand to help her first as they neared the boat.

    Nani swam behind to greet them, bringing her trainer a sigh of relief from wondering where she had wandered off.

    Lillie tapped Elio's shoulder and pointed behind them. As he turned, he was greeted with one of the biggest schools of fish he had ever seen.

    The Pokémon were all of varying sizes, some the size of his palm and others nearly equal to them. But each one was the same, flat with tiny fins and a bright pink in color.

    They swam past Elio and Lillie as Nani shepherded them in their direction. Neither teen could say anything, bewildered by the spectacle. Each one was in the shape of a perfect heart making their way past the boat towards the open water. The larger ones moved about outside while the smaller ones darted in between the two. Elio felt more than one brush against his side and suppressed a giggle from the ticklish feeling of their smooth scales. He could see several of them going face to face with one another and engaging in a strange fight of their lips sealing over one another.

    Luvdisc kiss each other?

    Rotom 'Dex saw this coming, looking over to Nani. Her expression didn't change, but the device was far too smart to know the affection between the two humans and the sudden release of the rendezvous Pokémon was intentionally done. If it had feelings; the device would have the biggest shit-eating grin on its face as it displayed the new information about the new discovery, making sure that both of them saw it.

    Luvdisc. Rendezvous Pokémon. It has been long said that any soulmates who encounter a school of this Pokémon will be blessed with unbreakable eternal love. Loving couples always have a soft spot for this Pokémon, so honeymoon hotels often release it into their pools. Luvdisc is a water type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon.

    Elio looked at Lillie, who glanced back at him with uncertainty after reading the newest bit of information.

    Are we really soulmates? I mean…it doesn't sound bad. I like her…I know that. But how do I know she doesn't feel the same way? What if I do something too early and she sees it as being pushy?

    Neither of them could really find the words to say to one another as they grabbed the side of the boat to finally surface after nearly two hours of snorkeling.

    "Well?" Kukui asked with a big smile as they took of their masks, leaving a distinctive red mark around their eyes and nose where the hard rubber had dug into their skin. He leaned over the gunwale and the teens could see a half drunk beer bottle in his hand. "How did it go?"

    I hope this comes off fast. No way I'm walking around looking like a half zigzagoon.

    "It was really fun." Elio was a little bit saddened to know he was going right back into the steamy heat. "I saw a lot of Pokémon I've never seen before."

    "Well that's wonder room full! Oh yeah! I got my research done?"

    "What research?" Lillie asked as she brushed more wet hair that had fallen front again. "How much fish Pokémon can drink beer without getting drunk?"

    "Drunk fish." The two teens shared a laugh at that.

    "Well I may be a professor yeah, but that doesn't mean I can't have a rock blast of fun oh yeah! And a mix of pleasure in it too. Akala Brewing makes the best stuff in Alola!"

    "I bet."

    "Oh!" Kukui waved to Rotom. "Before I forget; your mother would want to see some pictures of the things you're doing while on your island challenge! So stay there and I'll take a snapshot of you two!"

    "Sure!" Lillie treaded water by Elio as he wrapped an arm around her waist to steady them. She put one around his shoulder, a particular part of her endowed chest brushing against Elio's that caused yet another blush. With their spare arms, they extended their thumbs and pinkies out in a "hang loose" gesture, iconic of Alola's slow paced, carefree lifestyle. "Alola!"

    Kukui snapped the pictures, sending one to Elaine at the Northstar residence. Unbeknownst to them, he had sent a second one to his own wife, pointing out the striking similarities during the date of their own at this location.

    "That was so much fun!" Lillie exclaimed, nearly wanting to bounce up and down in the ocean with excitement. "So many new amazing Pokémon species! It was crazy! And FUN!" Her jubilant shout surprised both males, neither having seen Lillie this happy in their lives.

    "Then I guess we'll do it again sometime?" Elio asked. They were done for the day, as he saw that his bare hands and feet had shriveled up to resemble the surface of a prune.

    "You bet!"

    After drying off with a towel, Elio and Lillie gathered all his Pokémon together as Professor Kukui adjusted the sails and set a course right back to the Heahea City harbor. As they passed the long sandbar, they could see even in midday that there had been plenty of beachgoers despite the sweltering heat. Children splashed around, playing tag in the shallows. Others swam and snorkeled closer to shore and they could see a few surfers, some on their own and others receiving lessons from paid instructors.

    The two teens sat by one another in silence, a bit stunned over the revelation of the luvdisc entry.

    Elio probably just thought of me as the friend. I knew he had a crush on Leilani, but me? How? I'm not that good looking? My mother always told me it was every bit to make me beautiful. How can you love something or someone who isn't beautiful?

    What do I do? Should I tell him how I feel? Say something about the fluttering in my heart whenever he looks at me and smiles? I hope he doesn't take it the wrong way.

    She glanced at Elio, who had closed his eyes and leaned back into the seat. His mouth remained closed and his hat shifted slightly in the breeze. Her own eyes drifted down to his core muscles, taut and the hints of abs just barely visible underneath his skin. His complexion on his face and arms were just slightly darker than his stomach, indicating that he had gotten just a little bit of a tan.

    Lillie couldn't do that as well. Not without using an entire bottle of suntan lotion or a bed. The spray option didn't really sound appealing. Tanning shouldn't be artificial.

    But it didn't matter to her, even though her skin was an alabaster white and nothing like Hau's, Kukui's, Leilani's or any other native Alolan's.

    Even Elio is starting to look like them…He walks like them as a trainer going on the island challenge, he's learned some of their language. He's really gotten to love his new home. I remember he said he hated it and wanted to go back to Kanto all the time.

    Look how far he's come.

    Kukui maneuvered the sailboat into the inlet of the harbor and hopped off. Elio had awakened and together the two boys began to tie up the vessel, mooring it on the pier.

    Lillie was about to climb out when she saw her crush reach out with a hand. Although she was hesitant, thinking that he was tricking her again, she was genuinely surprised as she took it and he helped her onto the higher level of the pier.

    He showed the pass to the harbormaster in the office before turning back to the teens. "Why don't you kids go ahead to the Hano Grand Resort? I should be there later today to see you and Hau off."

    "Yeah sounds good." Elio had still been holding Lillie's hand as they walked down the Heahea streets.

    Great. I'm already hot as hell again. Elio grumbled to himself as they walked along the street. Most passerbys stayed in the shade, by misting fans, drinking cool refreshments. More than once, they saw traffic build up at stoplights with the orchestra of horns blaring without pause. All along their right side were the towering buildings of the resorts they had spotted earlier while at sea, but their destination was the furthest one away as well as the most luxurious and famous of Akala's vacationing scene.

    I guess people do get angrier when it's hot outside.

    It was a walk just over the Alahaka Bridge when the two gaped at the building before them.

    The Hano Grand Resort was a beautiful building, painted in a creamy peach color that would've made it glow brightly in the signature Alolan sunset. Its trim was a whiter tint and as they got closer, each section was ornately carved with indigenous Alolan art giving off an incredibly subtle meaning.

    The carvings varied slightly on a quarter of the building, each one done by different artists as mentioned by the plaque at the entrance.

    Elio began to hear the sounds of pop music drifting from the resort's far side and they did see a lot of people in swimsuits heading in that direction.

    That must be where the surf tournament is going on.

    Event staff were directing people around and he rushed to the balcony of the greeting courtyard to witness the spectacle.

    Hano Grand Resort had an entire beach as their property with creamy sand stretching almost half a mile where there were beach chairs, towels, sticking umbrellas, a pair of lifeguard towers close to the water. Closer to the actual resort's floor area were a bunch of the facility's bars, restaurants and rentals. In the latter, he could see everything in storage from volleyball nets to jet skis.

    To his right was a long private marina with boats of various sizes, from small speedboats to the enormous three story yacht at the very end.

    That's a party boat.

    But a big portion at the beach was cleared away, replaced by a stage where a band was playing the music heard over the speakers. Elio smiled at the crowd raising their hands and jumping around all carefree, enjoying themselves.

    That looks like a lot of fun.

    "Hey, you guys made it!"

    Both of them turned to see Hau bounding up to greet them. Unlike before, he had undid his hair so it fell loosely around his back nearly to the top of his shoulder blades. Elio had to blink once, not used o seeing him like that. Lillie was the first to really notice he wasn't wearing his shirt either, but unlike Elio; he didn't have any sign of ab muscles on his sleek stomach.

    Hau does eat malasadas every day.

    "Hey there Hau." The boys bumped fists and gave each other their ritualistic slap on the back as their personal greeting. "What's happening brah?"

    "Just finding ways to beat the heat man." Hau frowned when he raised his drink. "But the Pelipper Pool Bar just ran out of things for their smoothies. I'd get back in line, but it's like crazy long!"

    "Yeah this heat's no joke."

    "Soooo," The kahuna's grandson took both his friends in for a crushing grip, much to their protests. "How did your snorkeling trip go? You know Professor Kukui took you both to the same spot where he took his wife?"

    Him revealing that elicited another furious blush on Elio's and Lillie's faces.

    "Uh," Lillie muttered. "Yeah…it was really cool."

    "Then did you and Elio…you know…do anything?"

    "What do you mean?"

    C'mon man, I'm trying to help a brother out here. I'm trying to make you profess your undying love to Lillie! Do I need to slap you in the face with a magikarp to get the point across?

    "Have fun, maybe tell each other how you feel?"

    "Feel what Hau?"

    "Oh never mind! I'm wasting my breath here!" Hau dismissed them with a wave of his hand. "Then are you guys coming? The Kumu Reef Triple Crown is about to start!"

    "Leilani is in it right?"

    "Yep!"

    Lillie stopped short of the sand as Hau led them towards the gathering on the beach. "Um…I'm kind of thirsty…and hot again. I think I might go and see if there's a cool drink somewhere around. A smoothie perhaps?"

    "Yeah about that." Hau jerked his head to the growing line of irritated patrons at the bar.

    Guess we can't go there.

    "They're out of supplies to make drinks…at least the cold kind. But they did say that you're more than welcome to buy ingredients at the shops in the resort or outside…honestly I dunno."

    Isn't bringing in outside sources of food for resort refreshments against policy?

    Elio looked back at the road again. "So you're saying that we could go and buy some frozen fruit and yogurt and they'll blend it into a smoothie for us?" He glanced at Lillie. "Now that you mention it, I'm kind of hot too. I could use something to cool me down."

    "That's what the people at the bar said. I say we go do it before everyone else gets the same idea." Hau looked at his phone. "The tournament starts in an hour, so I don't think you'll get to see the first part of it…but you'll still catch Leilani if you hurry!"

    "Okay, let's get going!" Not wanting to miss their friend compete, Elio briskly walked towards the exit with Lillie following close behind.

    There was a lone car driving up the roundabout that circled the courtyard. As they were about to leave, both teens were swarmed by a mass of cameras, reporters and journalists.

    Elio was about to protest they were simply going for refreshments off the resort grounds when he realized that their attention was not directed at him, instead on the car that approached. Lillie saw the logo on the front, quickly knowing the reputable brand for having among the most expensive in the world.

    "Look!" One reporter exclaimed excitedly.

    "She's here!"

    "I can't believe this!"

    "Sabine Joyeux has arrived!"

    So, we've got our favorite couple going for smoothies and a surf tournament is going on! And a ship sailing!

    Surprisingly, I have no translations this chapter!

    Although it doesn't say it in its own lore, I decided to make Luvdisc with the kissing habit since it's sorta fitting. I used to own a pair of kissing gouramis when I had a little aquarium as a kid. Kissing gouramis were pink in color, but their most distinctive trait was their habit of trying to close one another's mouths with their own in an intraspecific aggressive behavior known as a mouth fight, but it resembles kissing on the lips. I figure a Pokémon associated with love and affection could adopt this kind of behavior perceived by everyone else as nothing of what it really us.

    As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose. Happy Holidays everyone.

    Brav
     
  9. ShinigamiMiroku

    Sorceress' Knight
    (Ralts ♂)
    Level 23
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    Red Orb ★★★★★
    It was cool to see a reference to the U.S. naval base. Will there be a version of the Arizona memorial there? That's one of my bucket-list places to visit...

    Man, the ship-teasing is getting as intense as the upcoming surfing competition promises to be. The sheer torture that these two are putting themselves through... :D
     
  10. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

    Bravo
    (Braviary)
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    Crown of ValorPoké Ball ★
    Greetings, salutations and happy 2019 everyone! Here's the first chapter of this fic for the new year. Hope everyone had a good holiday. I'm definitely glad the last chapter got a lot of good feedback that I was hoping for. This one is one I've had to do a bit of editing on since there are things I'm unfamiliar with. I apologize in advance if things aren't accurate.

    Thanks to @ShinigamiMiroku for the feedback. It's much appreciated man as always. I haven't decided on whether I'll do an Arizona memorial counterpart. It's definitely worth a visit if you ever go out there, even if you're not a military person.

    You know the old saying that even close friends still continue to reveal new secrets? Yeah, I kind of found that out.

    It truly is amazing how much Elio wants to help people. And he's really good at it! He stayed calm, didn't panic even though I would've already been freaking out.

    The story's long and we ended up missing a lot of the surfing tournament, but when I did get back, something really horrible happened!


    From even where Lillie and Elio stood among the stampeding crowds, it was obvious.

    Sabine was a complete stunner.

    High cheekbones, wavy golden blonde hair and mesmerizing blue eyes were enough to do more than allure any male watching. She was dressed simply, with a no-frills tropical orange dress that accented her very…curvy frame.

    Lillie lightly tugged Elio's arm to guide them past the crowds, only he didn't move. Looking over at him, she could see a bit of a dreamy infatuated look plastered on his features. Her heart sank thinking he already had an instant crush on the other surfer girl.

    Why does Elio have to hit on every girl that likes to surf?

    "Sorry." He suddenly said next to her. "Spacing off there for a sec."

    "It's okay." Lillie lied. "Did you put in the directions to the mart?"

    "Yeah I did." Elio brushed past some more of the camera people trying to get a shot of the starlit. "It's only a few minutes down the road in the city. The sooner we get going," He stopped to wipe beads of sweat off his brow. "The sooner we can get out of this crazy heat."

    "My thoughts exactly."

    As they made their way through the throng of people, Elio could see that they were going to walk right past Sabine as she made her way over towards the private area where the surfers and their coaches would crash. The people following, cameramen, reporters and rabid fans followed, all clamoring for the gorgeous surfer's attention.

    Sabine paid them little attention, almost ignorant of the flashes from the cameras and eyes pointed in her direction, only brushing a strand of rogue hair that blew in her face from the hot breeze.

    Elio was glancing at her again when some higher power must've tipped her off. She turned her head in his direction and stared directly into his eyes. Blue on gray.

    He felt as if his insides had frozen even in this hot weather as their gazes locked. Elio stared harder, as if he was trying to memorize her features in a more…intimate fantasy.

    Then it was over as she gave him a curtsy seductive smile and turning to continue down away from them. A lovestruck Elio had to shake his head and clear his thoughts.

    What was that all about?

    All along the side of the beach close to the Hano Grand Resorts were some of the lesser known ones, yet still expensive nonetheless. Each one had a unique building design that held different attractions from lazyboy pools to pleasure gardens. They were all full of happy tourists, but most were flocking away from their own resorts to Hano to watch one of Alola's biggest events.

    Elio let Torracat and Akela out to walk beside them and his attempt at making them behave themselves ended up with the two Pokémon playfully engaged in a game of tag just ahead of the humans as they walked.

    "Pew." A muffled cry came from Lillie's bag. She stopped, slowly zipping it open to see a rather distressed Nebby.

    "I'm sorry it has to be even hotter today." She said. "But we can go for the famous pinap ice cream once we get back to Hano Grand Resort."

    "Pew!"

    "Famous pinap?"

    "Yeah Hau said it was the best on the island. You know, the punch you in the face it's so good?"

    "Not really." Elio shook his head. "I guess I'll have to take his word for it."

    Other than the oppressive heat assailing the air, the day was rather pleasant. The wind blew the top of the palm trees lazily and they could see the sloped side of Mauna Wela that had a rich earthy green, turning the characteristic ashy brown as it neared the peak. Some clouds hung low around the peak.

    After he had finished the fire trial, Kiawe made Elio promise to come back up to the top before sunrise. He showed him a picture on his phone where there was nothing to block its way and the orange light would radiate onto the clouds to create a spectacular scene.

    "It's incredibly beautiful." He had said. "Makoa and I get to watch something like that almost every morning when I open the trial grounds. Nothing like it anywhere else."

    Surprisingly, the streets were still full of people going about their daily business either on foot or in a vehicle. Much of the roads by the resorts branched off towards the valleys where they could see many neighborhoods clinging to the slopes. He had to bet that each one would fetch a fortune on the real estate market due to the limited space to build homes and the view of the boundless ocean from the windows and porches they provided.

    Pricing is probably about the same back in Kanto. Cerulean City is the fastest growing in the region since it's close to Saffron and Celadon with a lot more room to expand. Vermillion is right in between them and the ocean and it's already costing an arm and a leg to afford a single studio apartment.

    "Hey Lillie?"

    "Yeah?"

    "Um…what's your dream house?"

    "Dream house?"

    "Well dream home I should say."

    "I-I don't know." Truthfully, she hadn't really put much thought into a future home for herself. Her parents already had that enormous house that sat at the Paradise's rear. Looking up at the homes on the mountainside, the foyer in their mansion alone could fit one of those houses inside.

    "I've never really thought about it. It's just been so much lately."

    "So much?"

    "Well, keeping Nebby safe, helping it find a way back home and then needing to keep you boys from drooling all the time over girls." She playfully punched his shoulder upon saying that. "What? Someone has to keep you and Hau in line."

    "I don't drool over girls."

    "You did over Sabine."

    "Yeah but-" He stopped short, realizing that Lillie had verbally funneled him into a trap.

    Crap. She's almost as good as Ed.

    "Okay, I kind of did look at her like that." Her gaze turned to her pouty one that Elio secretly found the most adorable. He made himself find more ways to get that expression. "What? I can't look at girls anymore?"

    "Well I don't look at guys." Except for the one in front of me.

    "Well I'm sure you'd probably see a lot more. Everywhere I go there are a lot of guys our age that look at you. You'd be surprised."

    Should I say thanks?

    "Elio?"

    "Hmm?"

    "Um….have you ever….you know."

    "I don't." He looked over at her as Akela and Torracat were finally exhausted from their game.

    "Have you ever had a girlfriend?"

    He immediately felt his cheeks heat up from that question. The weather had nothing to do with it. "A g-girlfriend?"

    Woah! Did his voice just squeak?

    "I…I've…no! I've never had a girlfriend! Why do you ask?"

    "I don't know." She timidly said, suddenly regretting it from his outraged look. "I just wanted to know if you've had that experience."

    "I haven't had one." Elio said, much calmer this time around. "But I kinda did have a crush on this girl back in Kanto when I was in school."

    "Ooh, Elio had a crush! That's so cute!"

    "Pew!"

    The boy rolled his eyes. "Both of you are funny. Her name is Jadyn. She had red hair, green eyes and a really cute smile."

    "It sounds like she was really pretty."

    "Yeah she was. A lot of boys considered her the prettiest girl in school. Lot of us even made a list and rated them. Jadyn was usually at the top."

    Lillie gasped and put a hand over her mouth. "Elio! That's so bad! You're such a naughty boy!"

    He couldn't stop laughing at those memories. "It's bad, but it's boys. What do you expect? Girls did it too, only difference was that the boys kept it to themselves."

    "I…I've never had a boyfriend. I never thought I'd have the time or need to find one."

    Seeing her slightly upset and sad made him feel a little concerned especially when the topic of their conversation was about relationships.

    "Why the sudden question? Is something wrong?"

    "No. I just…wasn't sure. It seems like everyone our age is already out there in the world, happy with someone they love and are going to marry. It feels like everyone except me."

    "I'm going to stop you right there." Elio held up his hands. "I never knew there was some law that mandated you find a significant other at our age."

    "But everyone looks so happy!"

    "Nobody said you have to be in a relationship in order to be happy." Elio countered. "Stop thinking what everyone else sees you and do what Lillie wants. I don't want you to change who you are as a person…ever. You'll be sacrificing what makes you special for someone or something that probably won't be significant later. Don't do it. It's not worth the effort. If that means you have to wait to find a boyfriend or whatever makes you happy, then so be it!"

    He saw that his words didn't do much to console her.

    Taking a deep breath, he continued. "I'm sure you can probably imagine, but you've heard of that perfect family scenario. Mommy meets Daddy, they fall in love, get married and have kids right? Well my family…it wasn't like that. It's complicated…my father got my mother pregnant from a one-night stand. They hadn't even known each other for two weeks at that time Can you imagine how freaked out she was about this? And then him too?"

    Lillie stayed silent, but nodded at him to go on.

    "Yeah, two weeks of seeing this person and they're already sleeping together. Mom finds out she's having his baby. Dad finds out the baby's mother happens to be the daughter of his boss."

    Lillie put her hands over her open mouth. "Your grandfather was a chief of your dad's fire station?"

    Elio nodded. "So he was in a boatload of trouble for that, but somehow it worked. They moved in together in an apartment before I was born and when she finished school, he got promoted to Lieutenant. More money meant that they could move into a house, right at the same time he proposed."

    "You were really happy huh?"

    "Yeah. It's crazy the time I remembered meeting up with them after they came back from their honeymoon. My grandfather put me on Dad's shoulders for a piggyback while he carried Mom inside their new house for the first time."

    Lillie felt happy hearing that and smiled imagining a toddler Elio in that scenario.

    "The point is that you don't have to have a boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband or partner to be happy. If being around your friends make you happy or having the things you want, then go for it! Don't let anyone judge you at all."

    "Okay…I won't. But what about you Elio? Have you ever thought of having a girlfriend?"

    The question stopped him in his tracks, just as they finished traversing yet another crosswalk at intersection. Throughout grade school in Kanto, he had paid scant attention to the dating scene.

    Gossip spread around the student body like wildfire, catching wind the slightest notion someone had a crush on someone. People would try to predict who someone would ask out.

    Everything was overdramatized. Not my thing.

    "No. I've never really thought about having a girlfriend." He could almost see her face fall at that. "But that doesn't mean I won't ever."

    "What about Sabine? Would you ask her to be your girlfriend?"

    "I don't know." He whispered softly. "Just because I find a girl attractive doesn't mean I'm going to date her. Yes, Sabine's really pretty, but I don't know her as a person. I'd rather do that before I ask for date. Doubt I'll have much success, she probably has guys lined up like a graph."

    She couldn't help but find a bit of relief at that. At first it was apprehensive from his "attractive" statement, but some fluttering in her chest seemed to keep her hopes alive…for everything.

    "You remember when you asked me what I'd like in my dream house?" Elio nodded.

    "Well it doesn't matter if it has tons of fancy decorations or something simple. It's the people that make it a dream home. I want to have times where all of our friends and family can come together, laugh, enjoy ourselves and be a true ohana."

    The store was on the corner of another street. Elio didn't recognize the name of the place and the interior seemed more like a local mom and pop joint.

    As soon as they entered, they noticed the single clerk at the register was quite busy. Nearly half a dozen shoppers were in line to checkout; all with something cold; ice cream, soda from the fridge or bags of ice cubes.

    That's in pretty high demand right now. I imagine the stock is pretty low. We better go find that frozen fruit fast.

    "You go and find the yogurt, I'll get the fruit." Lillie agreed to that and they split up.

    Elio had Torracat and Akela in tow as he browsed up and down the aisles stocked with various goods. Nearby, he could see a couple other patrons with trailing Pokémon of their own. One was a cinnamon colored bunny with cream patches of fur around its waist and ears.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Buneary. Rabbit Pokémon. The reason it keeps one ear rolled up is so it can launch a swift counterattack to an enemy. Buneary is a normal type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    With his duties done temporarily, the 'Dex dove back into Sun's backpack.

    "This isn't really what I was looking for."

    Pork, beef, sawsbuck sausage…oh goodness that's tasty. Ribs. Hell yes.

    Elio realized he had been holding the door to the refrigeration open, allowing the dry cool air to embrace him heavenly. He quickly shut it the moment the clerk at the register shot him a dirty glance, well aware of what he was doing.

    Whoops.

    Lillie approached him from the side, holding up a tub of chilled vanilla yogurt. "I got it. Vanilla okay?"

    Elio nodded. "That should do. All we need is frozen fruit and we should be good to go."

    "Elio this is the meat section. Where were you expecting to find fruit here?"

    I'm kind of craving barbecue ribs. I wonder how Alolans smoke them?

    "Oh shoot." He grinned sheepishly, not knowing Akela and Torracat snickering behind them. "Sorry."

    It didn't take long for them to pick out mago and passho berry bags and make their way over the register. There were far fewer shoppers than when they entered. One was finished paying and on his way out the door. As they moved next in line, Elio was nearly shoved aside by a rather large muscled man wearing dark shorts and a tanktop that barged right in front. Lillie looked completely stunned and shocked that the man had rudely done such a thing.

    Sun was smarter; keeping his own mouth shut, since picking an argument over manners wasn't worth it.

    "I need to get some ice." The man said breathlessly to the store owner at the counter. "Now!"

    "I'm sorry," He pointed to the chest behind, completely devoid of any bags. "Machine's broken. I just sold the last two bags to that guy over there." A thumb towards the other man walking right out of the store.

    This guy cut us off for ICE? Are you kidding?

    Before anyone could react, the man made an immediate beeline for the ice, stopping him right at the door. Both Elio and Lillie were next in line and he stepped forward to make their payment.

    He practically thrust a couple of bills in the older man's face. "I'll give you twenty for that ice!"

    The other one was unperturbed. "That's not happening."

    "But I need it!"

    "So do I!" He was starting to get quickly irritated with his upfront behavior. "Too bad so sad!"

    Okay. That last part was kind of uncalled for.

    He wasn't about to be dissuaded, even though he had been turned down three times.

    "I'll give you forty! Please!"

    "Listen." The older man sized him up and got right in his face with the confrontation drawing the attention of Elio, Lillie and the store owner. "I already said no, you can't have the ice! Go find it somewhere else!"

    The tanktop looked at him in disbelief as he left. Elio could see the beginnings of desperation forming in his eyes.

    What do you need ice so badly that you're willing to cough up forty dollars?

    He stepped forward, striding out the door briskly towards the older man who was nearly to his car in the parking lot. Elio's inner alarms were already going off in that he was going to do something bad.

    His intuition was spot on when the tanktop lunged out, snatching one of the bags of ice, he made a move to take the second, but the other was now aware of his intentions, holding it away.

    Tanktop was pretty muscular, so the older man's shoves did little to stop him from trying.

    Lillie gasped and held a hand to her mouth, terrified of seeing a mugging just down the street. Elio was already out the door, sprinting across the pavement with Akela and Torracat right on his heels.

    The grunts and growls of struggle barely reached his ears as he leaned down, lowering his shoulder. Even though tanktop was bigger and probably stronger than him, Elio had the element of surprise on his side.

    He collided into his back, using his shoulder and knocking all three of them away. With the other two stunned, he rolled right back onto his feet, pressing his weight onto tanktop's torso and using the shock of the intervention to pin his hands behind his back. The struggle was over in moments. Even though the larger man tried to get up and face his new attacker, a low growl from Akela to the side was an unspoken warning not to provoke him or his trainer.

    "Oh thank you!" The older man exclaimed before walking in front of them and leaning down.

    Elio wasn't a fan of this type of gloating, but he wasn't going to just stand by and watch someone get mugged. Still, there was something gnawing and nagging to tell him there was more to this than just ice.

    "What did I tell you kid? You're not getting the ice! I don't care what you say!"

    "I need it!" Tanktop's voice cracked a little. "Please! You don't understand!"

    "I think we understand pretty well!" Elio was referring to the suffocating heat around them. "Look bro, we're just as hot as you are, yet something like ice isn't worth it to fight and mug someone over!"

    "You don't understand! The ice isn't for me!"

    "What?"

    "I don't need the ice! It's for my girlfriend! She's pregnant!"

    Elio's heart skipped a beat. Oh shoot.

    While he was no doctor, he had been taught many things about emergency preparedness by his own father in case he had to administer first aid himself or help someone in need.

    Tanktop continued reasoning. "The air conditioning in our house just stopped working and I need the ice to keep her cool!"

    Elio was now beginning to understand why he had been so desperate to get hold of the ice. The excess heat in the air combined with a second life would increase her internal body temperature to dangerous levels. "What's your name?"

    "Adam."

    "He's lying!" The older man pointed down at him angrily. "How do we know you're not making up some story so you could take it from us?"

    On the contrary; Elio was buying his story. Most of the other signs of Adam's anxiousness were genuine. Plus he knew that the heat could cause the mother of the baby to stress out, which could lead to many consequences including premature delivery.

    "My right pocket. My phone's in there. The picture on the front."

    Elio reached down, fingers finding the device and opening it to the lock screen. Besides the time at the top, he could see the image of Adam on his knees, kissing the stomach of a woman that he assumed was the girlfriend. Both looked local. However her swollen belly was a dead giveaway that she was pregnant with a baby.

    He glanced up at the older man, curious to see if he was still stubborn to hold onto his ice bags despite the revelation. "So what did you need the ice for?"

    He was given a bit of an embarrassed look in return, likely realizing Adam's need outweighed his by a ton. "Mai Tais."

    "Do you think-"

    "Yeah." The older man nodded, already knowing what Elio was going to ask. "I'm sorry about that."

    Sun helped Adam back onto his feet. "Now let's get that ice to her."

    Oh crap. Now looking back at the bags on the hot ground, there were only a few cubes left swimming in a puddle of water that drained onto the pavement.

    "No! This can't happen!" Adam put his head into his hands. "What am I going to do?"

    "Stop!" Elio stepped right in front and put his hands on his shoulders. He never expected himself at sixteen years of age to be consoling a soon-to-be-father. Then again, he didn't seem that much older. "The worst thing you can do is panic. That makes you stressed, which in turn stresses her out and makes things even worse for the baby."

    "Okay." He breathed. "But the ice was a last minute option."

    "I understand."

    "Elio?" Lillie timidly approached from behind. She had witnessed the entire thing with mixed feelings of both scared, yet impressed. She immediately became concerned with his stressed behavior. "Is everything okay?"

    Just the person I needed to see.

    "Lillie, listen to me." He didn't want her to panic, so he kept himself to at least appear calm. "Go back to the store, tell the owner what happened. You saw everything. Emergency services are going to be very busy today, so see how long it's going to take to get an ambulance here."

    "Why what's going on?"

    "Adam," He jerked a thumb to the man, "Has a girlfriend who is pregnant and in an extremely hot room. We need to move her somewhere cooler."

    "But where?"

    Elio was already in motion, grabbing his ride pager. Maybe the emergency services wouldn't make it in time, but he knew that the Alola Transit system could get him a ride quicker.

    Kind of strange how the tauros pizza delivery can get to your house quicker than an ambulance.

    He looked at the older man, gesturing for his attention.

    "Adam, take me to your place. This is what we're going to do."

    Lillie and the other man had done just as he had asked while Elio and Rex left on a pair of ride tauros to his house down a couple of blocks. As he had entered the house, it was like going through the front of an oven with the temperature significantly higher. The vents blew in no air, all the windows had been opened fully and he saw the woman resting on a sofa desperately fanning herself with a folded newspaper.

    It was sweltering outside and just as bad inside. They had to move quickly.

    He swapped the ride tauros out with a stoutland, sacrificing the speed for comfort. It wasn't ideal, but they needed the ride to be as smooth as possible for Meghan the mother, whom Sun had learned the name from along the way. She moved slowly while he and Adam gently helped her onto the saddle. To make the ride less stressful, Elio wadded up some of his clothes in his backpack for her to use as a pillow before turning her around so that she lay facing backwards.

    They took the trip slow, sticking to the shaded areas of trees and other buildings even though it did little good. The sun was beginning to move westward, but remained high overhead, cooking the land well done. Concrete and asphalt roads were already searing hot for bare skin to touch.

    Previously taking ten minutes from the store to Adam's house, the return was nearly twice as long. However the traffic had died down just as they arrived and quickly crossing the lot.

    The store owner had posted up the closed sign and they held the door open as Elio dismounted, helping Adam get Meghan off the mount and gently, but quickly escorted her inside.

    In the meantime, Lillie had explained to the store owner about Elio's idea to use the store's refrigeration area to help cool her off since there was no other source to do such a thing quickly. It needed to be done to keep both the mother and baby comfortable and stress-free. Both the other man and the store's owner immediately agreed, now understanding why Adam had been so desperate to obtain the ice. He was telling the truth; it wasn't for him.

    Meghan was breathing more heavily as both Adam and Elio carried her inside, taking the cleared pathway straight to the beverage section, where Lillie held the door open for their entry.

    "It's okay Meghan." Adam soothed as the next door to the refrigerated part was opened by the owner. "We're nearly there."

    Settling in, they had made a small bedding area where she could lay down. Gently putting her down onto the soft part of the floor, she was still heavily breathing, but the coolness was beginning to overpower the strong heat.

    Elio, Adam and Lillie took bottles of drinks, putting them against her neck, arms and legs to accelerate the cooling. Her breaths became less labored and she smiled, laughing silently while crying with relief for both herself and her unborn child.

    "Thank you." Adam quietly said. "Thank you all for understanding. I didn't want to hurt anyone."

    "It's okay." Elio replied. "I'm glad we were there to do the right thing."

    "I called the hospital." The store owner said as he walked back into the fridge area. "They are sending an ambulance to help stabilize her. It should be here in about ten minutes."

    "Mahalo." Adam breathed a sigh of relief, leaning over to kiss Meghan's belly. "Mahalo. All of you."

    The ambulance arrived right as the owner had said, nearly coming to the ten minute mark. A pair of paramedics got Meghan onto a stretcher and helped her inside. Elio and Lillie still didn't get their ingredients, but the owner immediately put in a request for maintenance to repair their ice machine as soon as possible. The teens did get bottles of cold lemonade for their efforts.

    As the vehicle was about to leave, Adam pulled Elio over for a private conversation.

    "Meghan wants to thank you again for both you and your friend's help in keeping her and our child safe."

    "I'm glad I could help."

    "She insists and I can't say much when it came to naming him. We found out just a few days ago that it was going to be a boy." Adam chuckled. "But with your permission…both of us want to make Elio as our child's middle name…named after the smart, quick thinking boy that saved us in a pinch."

    That's…amazing and a huge honor! I've never had anyone named after me.

    "Yes." He nodded. "Yes I'd like that."

    "Mahalo Elio." Adam stepped inside the ambulance. "For everything."

    The doors shut and it took off down the road, blaring its sirens on the way towards the hospital.

    Sun blew out a sigh of relief, shaking his head and meeting back up with Lillie on the sidewalk. She looked tired and still a little shaken from everything.

    "You okay?" She asked worriedly. "That was really brave of you Elio. You're an amazing person and it seems like you touch lives wherever you go."

    "Pew!" Nebby agreed from inside her bag.

    "Yeah thanks. I'm all good. Ready to head back?"

    Much to their dismay, the Kumu Reef Triple Crown competition was already underway when Elio and Lillie finally returned from the store. Neither had their original drinks they sought after in the first place and they did not want to miss seeing their friend compete.

    Elio could see the swells as they approached, rising up before crashing down in a spray of white foam. In front of its curl, lithe figures atop their boards skated effortlessly over the water, maneuvering with skill. Every time one did a spectacular trick such as a flip, it elicited a roar of applause from the audience sitting at the end of the beach behind the border.

    It made Elio just stop and gaze up at the Hano Grand Resort to finally see people were even crowding the balconies atop their rooms and the building's roof to watch the competition. People on their ride Pokémon flew up above everyone, getting a bird's eye view. He saw the street had multiple media vans parked curbside and long antennas attached to broadcast the event to viewers far away.

    Surfing really is super big around here.

    It seemed that the first events were for the men's competition since the center pedestal stood three surfers, all with large boards planted in the sand behind and holding up different colored medals proudly. This was followed by an announcement that the women's competition was going to begin shortly after a twenty minute intermission. The crowds began to break up, headed back inside to escape the heat and find any refreshments.

    They're about to be disappointed with the shortage of ice.

    Elio's mind wandered back to Adam and Meghan, silently thanking anyone watching from above that he was in the right place at the right time to help what could've been a disastrous predicament.

    That bordered on theft, regardless of what he needed the ice for. I did the right thing…I solved the problem and saved the lives. Can't believe I did that. I saved a mother and her baby and they're going to name it after me.

    Dad would be proud…

    Well…the Dad I loved.

    Setting his backpack down, he took out the small capsule that held the egg given to him by Dallas Kahananui. It remained intact, but he swore that he saw a tiny bit of movement swaying the shell sideways.

    Thank goodness this one already has a mini temperature regulation built inside the incubator. I wonder when it's going to hatch and what it will be?

    He led Lillie towards the last area where he had seen Hau before they left to get their things, however the amount of people moving to and fro was still enough that he couldn't pinpoint the exact place where they parted ways.

    One thing that he particularly hated was when someone relocated without telling him and amused themselves watching him from a hidden spot while he spent so much time searching and confused about their whereabouts.

    "Hey look." Lillie said, nudging his side. "I've seen that guy before on a surfing movie."

    Elio followed her gaze to a rather tall, lean man that looked to be in his late twenties surrounded by a group of kids that were asking for an autograph. He gave a laugh and took out a marker to oblige, much to their delight.

    She's right. I've seen him before. Where?

    He had a wild untamed mane of sky blue hair with orange polarized goggles atop his forehead. While not in complete surfing gear, he had a similar rashguard that had orange trim that matched the goggles and boardshorts that matched his hair. It was hard not to think of the fashion as coincidental. The curved sword logo of Sabre Athletics was on the back.

    Elio sorted out the different gym leaders in his head, trying to find him. He had no idea why, but that was the first place he looked in his mental album.

    "Brawly." He said, matter-of-factly.

    Although it wasn't his actual name; Erik Miller was a small town boy from the coastal island of Dewford in southern Hoenn. Growing up with the beach just a block down and his own father's old surfboard, he became a natural while balancing a second hobby of battling finding a niche as a scrappy, physical battler that earned him the moniker "Brawly" that eventually took over as his better known name. His skills got him entry into the World Surfing League being one of the youngest upon his debut. He had quickly made a name for himself, catching a lot of attention with the young people after one interview, saying to "the world awaits you as the next big wave" pushing that philosophy in not just surfing, but to tackle challenges in everyday life.

    Brawly went on to earn more accolades, earning the championship of the Men's World Surfing League a total of three times, two of those in consecutive seasons. He was nominated part of the Pokémon League's best gym as well as Male Athlete of the Year, coming just short of the win.

    Losing in either of those didn't matter, considering the high honor it was to be nominated in the first place.

    "It's like everywhere we run into celebrities." Elio quietly said. "You should see some of the highlight clips of his hariyama Aries against challengers. It's basically immovable."

    "That's amazing. I wonder who would win though, Aries or Kazuhiro?"

    "Hala's hariyama? That's a good question." He waved his hand as Brawly sent the kids on their way and managed to get his attention.

    "Mister Brawly!"

    "Hey there!" The Dewford Gym Leader sauntered over with an undeniable swagger, but smiled warmly at the two teens. "Ya got me for sure! Enjoying the hot action out here?"

    "Uh yeah." Elio felt his face heat up, the same way on meeting other famous people.

    Say something!

    "Imahugefan."

    He almost saw Lillie facepalm, but she squeezed his hand to let him know to stay calm.

    "Well that's awesome. Ya got good taste for sure kid!"

    "I'm honestly a big fan of you as a trainer Mister Brawly." Elio said, finally getting his nervousness under control. "You're an awesome gym leader!"

    "Well I guess so. It pays the bills, so there's that. These challengers are all getting gnarly and tougher by the day! Best to keep on your toes and hang ten!"

    Both Sun and Lillie were amazed at his demeanor, he spoke so relaxed and carefree yet it ignited a wonderful urge to have another thrilling battle. But as much as he wanted to challenge him, he knew he was here for other business and they still had to locate Hau.

    "But actually I've decided to hang up the board. Made the announcement just before the competition started on Festival Plaza."

    Elio wasn't subscribed to him, not that he would say anything, but he took out his phone and looked it up under his name "BigWaveBrawly"

    Sure enough, he saw the latest post just a couple hours back, depicting him in a silhouette on the pristine Akala beach with a hand on the tall surfboard.

    "I'll stop riding the waves now. Wasn't an easy decision, but I don't regret a single moment. Ready for the next big wave!"

    "You retired?" Lillie asked.

    Brawly nodded, his expression softening. Even as he spoke, the teens could tell he was still struggling to come to terms with it. "At least from competitive. It was a long and difficult decision to make for sure. I used to be the hip and happening thing when I came to the spotlight and now all these new fads, trends and things people consider popular now look to me as something more dated. Strange people calling me old when I'm only twenty-nine."

    "You can always go with the flow, like you've said before." Elio suggested.

    Another nod. "That's true. I guess I kind of mulled going to help other people live the way they want to by being a gym leader and a surfer. Will I stop surfing? Of course not! But I've had my fun with the titles and awards I've won. It's time to pass the torch onto others. Could I change and conform? Absolutely. But that's not who I am as a person. Instead, I'll encourage others who are like that to not change."

    Lillie giggled at that remark. "That almost sounds contradictory."

    "You're right. It felt like I was on top of the world not too long ago and sometimes your moment to shine can last for many years or simply an hour. However long it is, make sure you seize and make the most of it!"

    "Thanks Brawly."

    "All of this means I have to step my game up." He looked over at Elio. "What's your name son?"

    "Elio."

    "I can tell by the fierce look in you that you're one with fire and heart. Don't ever lose that. I may not be the ones who can read your mind like those sharp twins who run the gym in Mossdeep, but I've seen only one other trainer with that same determination, only he kept his Pokémon beside him."

    "Who?" Lillie asked, curious.

    "His name was Brendan. You know him better as the Champion of the Hoenn League."

    Sun's eyes lit up in recognition of a trainer he had idolized growing up. Brendan Maple had only recently rose to stardom just a few years ago taking the Hoenn League by storm. He had unexpectedly come back into the spotlight again when the news had broken out that he had stopped a catastrophic level meteor from hitting the earth AND his wife May was expecting their first child together.

    Brawly chuckled, thinking back to the lopsided memorable matchup against Brendan. "I'm a fully qualified gym leader, surfer, but that kid is something else. That was the start that maybe everything was beginning to catch up." He put a hand on Elio's shoulder. "Piece of advice. You ever come across him; watch out for that Gardevoir of his. In all my gym battles of battling psychic types and fairies, Gwen was only a kirlia back then and one of the scariest Pokémon I've battled since."

    "That's my intent." Elio said firmly. "I'm going to get stronger and stronger so I can be Brendan's equal in a battle."

    "Best of luck kid." The famous surfer turned away. "Well, I've got to get back to the judge's booth since the women's is about to start. That Leilani girl is something else to watch." He leaned close to whisper. "You both may be Alolans and have a heated rivalry with Hoennites, but she's my favorite to win today. It's a long time coming."

    Elio and Lillie's eyes went wide with excitement. "Leilani's our friend!"

    And soon to be Hau's girlfriend. We just have to get them to confess.

    "Then you best cheer for her! This is her moment!" Brawly said as he bid his farewell.

    "Nice to meet you Mister Brawly!" He waved in return as he walked back towards the crowds, already others wanting to get attention from the starlit.

    The two teens watched him go back, amazed that such a famous person could talk so down-to-earth to normal people like themselves.

    "He was really nice." Lillie said quietly. "I like him."

    "Me too. We'll do exactly what he says. Follow our dreams! Fly high!"

    The blonde smiled at her crush's enthusiasm. Not too long ago, her confidence had taken a steep dive as every bit of hope plummeted around her. She shuddered at the memory.

    But when Elio was thrown into her life, it seemed that everything changed. Things that seemed impossible like visiting the Tapu ruins were done with him. She stayed by his side as he bravely fought off many grunts of Team Skull and did exactly what he had instructed; to stay calm.

    And not even thirty minutes ago, he resolved a situation where a mother and her unborn baby's life were on the line.

    And none of that was even taking his battling skills into account. He had a natural talent for finding a way to win that was intensive to watch as it was thrilling.

    Elio's rubbing his confidence on me.

    She felt so at ease around him almost as if it was a norm and for the first time in quite a while, began to believe that the goal of getting Nebby back to its original home was doable.

    "Hey guys!" Leilani gushed as Elio and Lillie finally found Hau nowhere close to where they left him on the beach. He had gone to Leilani's canopy, a long line of multicolored tents raised on tall poles where the sidewalks met the beach to provide shade from the relentless sun beating down. He discovered this was a place where the surfers would spend their breaks, relaxing, stretching or listening to their advisors and coaches for when they would go back out. The mezzanine above them was just as crowded with people coming by to watch the competition.

    She had her shiny black bodysuit on, which had the logo of Sabre Athletics on the left side of her chest. All along her shoulders were small logos of other sponsorship companies that likely contributed to the tournament for revenue and publicity.

    "Hey Leilani!" Elio waved back. "I was looking for this loser," He pointed at Hau. "And someone never told me where he went afterwards."

    "Sorry."

    "Whatever." He noticed Leilani's Pokémon playing around with Hau's from brionne, steenee and a large muscled machoke.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt!" Rotom buzzed, popping out of Elio's backpack. "Machoke. Muscle Pokémon. It is the evolved form of machop. It willingly assists with hard labor because it knows the work is good training for its strong muscles. Machoke is a fighting type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "You've been busy." Elio said. "Got him to evolve huh?"

    "Part time surfer and part time trainer." She bounded over, opening her arms up for a hug.

    Elio was halfway ready to return it when he realized he was still wearing his shirt. "Hang on."

    Lillie's eyes shifted over to him as he pulled it off, wiggling his head and arms through the sleeves. Almost automatically, she found herself staring at his well-defined body and his

    Were his shoulders always that big?!

    "Okay, now I'm ready for a hug!" Elio said cheerfully. Leilani just laughed and almost swamped the boy, considering she was just a little taller than him. As they hugged, she noticed Lillie's expression fall flat and the shy blonde turned away.

    A smirk grew across her features.

    Similarly, Elio was looking at the same thing with Hau. He was hard at work, waxing her signature black and orange surfboard, but the moment he heard that Leilani had wanted a hug from Elio, he had stopped what he was doing, staring longingly at the sign of affection from his own crush.

    Elio had to forcefully look away, knowing that it pained his friend.

    That means he hasn't confessed yet. Lillie and I need to step up our game.

    "Mahalo you guys for coming! It's so good to see you! Feel free to let out your Pokémon to relax too!"

    "We wouldn't miss it for anything." Elio activated all his Pokémon with Torracat, Akela, Rufflet and Nani going to play with Hau's and Leilani's team. Charjabug stayed by his side and he obliged in returning her. She had seen Hau's dartrix and Rufflet, deciding against going to hang out with the others since it included the birds.

    Grimer glared at him as the sand stuck to his sludgy features.

    "Sorry buddy."

    "Grime."

    "Don't give me that look. I don't decide there's sand here."

    "Grime!"

    "You want to play or something?" He pointed over to an area where a group of other grimer had congregated, eager to feed off trash others were bringing over. "Go have a snack. Play nice."

    "Grime!" He minimized, zoning out to join the others of his kind.

    "You were a little late and missed the men's." Leilani pointed out.

    "We hit a few snags. Nothing we couldn't handle." And it was probably better we did run into Adam and Meghan.

    "I'm actually glad you were there Elio." Lillie added. "You stayed really calm when everything was going nuts."

    "Why? What happened?" Hau asked.

    "You want the TLDR?"

    "What?"

    "Nevermind. In short, we were at the store when this guy jumped another guy for the last two bags of ice."

    "What? He wanted to steal it?" Leilani exclaimed. "I can't believe people."

    "Except he didn't want it for himself. It was for his pregnant wife. She was overheating."

    "And it could make her uncomfortable." Lillie added.

    "So then what did you guys do?"

    "I went over to his place and we slowly carried her back to the store's big fridge where we cooled her off. An ambulance had just arrived when we started to make our way back."

    Leilani's face broke out into a smile. "That's amazing Elio. You're so brave doing that."

    I said that!

    "Eh thanks. I'm just glad it was good timing. Lillie did a good job too." At the mention of her name, she perked up but looked shyly away.

    "I'm not kidding." Elio went on. "She kept calm, did everything I needed her to do. The situation was definitely scary, but she pulled through remarkably."

    You really think so?

    "Yeah I do." Him answering her out loud made her suddenly realize she had unconsciously spoken her thoughts. "You were amazing out there. Huge props. The Lillie I met a couple months ago would've been too timid to move."

    Lillie blushed at his response, feeling a little hurt until he placed a hand on her shoulder. Her own gaze looked into his softened gray eyes as he smiled yet again. It was suddenly exponentially difficult as she felt her own heart rate increase as their eyes locked.

    "Hey, I'm really proud of you."

    "Mahalo Elio."

    Neither had noticed the amount of time passing by, nor the knowing smirks Hau and Leilani exchanged from across the room. It was the surfer who broke the silence by clearing her throat.

    "You know, I can get you two a private part of my booth."

    "Uh…I…uh." Elio snapped out of his daydreaming and looked down, too sheepish and embarrassed he had been caught yet again staring at a girl. "No."

    "You sure? Us surfers got a lot of pull."

    "It's alright." He said. "I'll manage."

    "To be honest, I kind of like it." Hau had agreed with her. "Lillio! That's a perfect name for you two! I'll ship it all the way to Driftveil!"

    "That's an awesome idea name Hau! I second that ship!"

    "Well look what we have here." A smooth female voice interrupted their conversation, turning all heads. Sabine stood with a casual smile and a hand on her hip. She had changed out of that rather revealing dress for a gray bodysuit emblazoned with other logos and sponsors. Elio couldn't really understand much of them, but the names sounded Kalosian.

    "Hi Sabine." Leilani's voice turned just a tinge of ice. "You're here."

    "Yeah. For as long as this hot island can tolerate me…or vice versa." Her tone took a more snarky one as she shook her head. "I'm surprised they're not canceling it or anything. Not surprising that the opening ceremony for this was those topless guys waving a stick around on fire. Seriously…anyone can do that."

    Elio wasn't sure about the frosty exchange going on, but he instantly took a dislike to Sabine.

    "Kiawe is the best at what he does." Leilani said, speaking quickly so that nobody else could join in. "It's who we are as a culture."

    "This place hasn't changed and I'm sure the outcome won't change either." Sabine huffed. She turned her head looking at Hau and Elio. "Oh…that's new. You've got some boys in your area. Which one of you has first dibs?"

    Sabine's eyes looked over, finally noticing Lillie timidly hiding behind Elio and Hau.

    "And another one too? What's that all about?"

    "I'm going to get ready so I can start my heats." Leilani said matter-of-factly. Both boys nodded, hoping the disaster at the end would leave. "You best do it too…especially if you hope to win today."

    "They might as well hand it to me right here. And you can watch the whole thing. The sooner I win, the sooner I can leave this godforsaken place."

    "Hey!" Elio stepped up, not even bothering to let Leilani reply first. "What you call a godforsaken place has been my home, same with everyone else in this tent. Show some respect."

    The blonde gave an indifferent huff, dismissing him with a wave of her hand. "It's just a place where I can ride waves to leave everyone else behind. Other than that, it's full of strange people who cling to moldy old traditions. Nothing more. Wish this place would get with the program already."

    "Just leave Sabine." Leilani hissed, finding any more of this blatant spouting and she would start to consider decking the arrogant blonde worth the risk.

    Hau was quick to be the rational one of the group, sensing that his best friend and crush were on the verge of snapping and probably doing something regretful. He stepped forward, putting a hand on both their shoulders. While he took her satiric jabs as an insult to his own heritage, he kept silent.

    "Wow…it IS true that heat makes people argumentative. This sounds like something that needs to be settled on the waves and scoreboards."

    Sabine seemed to back down from that answer, but radiated disappointment. Elio knew right then and there that she was trying to provoke a reaction…one that could make headlines and ruin Leilani's chances.

    "Actions do speak louder than words." She turned away. "We'll see about that."

    Leilani's glare continued to manifest until she had gone back towards her canopy a ways down from their own. She breathed a sigh of relief out and shook her head.

    "Sorry about that guys. As you can tell…she's full of hot air."

    "Sounds like the two of you have a history." Elio said. "Is that true?"

    "Sabine…doesn't really take the time to appreciate the cultures and other places than her own native Kalos."

    "I don't mean to say she's wrong, but it's commonplace that Kalosians believe they're above everyone else."

    "There are a few exceptions." Lillie said, adding into the conversation. "Sina and Dexio don't fit that at all."

    "She did the same thing in Kanto, Hoenn, Unova…everywhere else. I've learned to take it with a grain of salt." Leilani put a hand on Hau's shoulder. "Thanks for reeling me in. I was pretty close to hitting her in the jaw and my career could've been over."

    He smiled at her appreciation. "I know. You're welcome. Now go and kick some tail. Show her that Alolans are the best surfers in the world."

    A half hour later when the waves began to pick up for ideal surfing conditions, they had a surprise guest make his way over towards their canopy. Elio noticed him first with the distinctive dark tattoos over his tanned skin peeking out from underneath the sleeves of his T-shirt.

    Is that?

    "Hey there ipo." Makoa smiled warmly and letting out a grunt of protest as Leilani practically threw herself into his arms. "I missed you."

    "I missed you too father." She whispered. "Thank you so much for coming."

    "I wouldn't miss this for anything."

    Elio and Lillie watched the exchange with confused expressions.

    Wait a second, THIS guy is her father? He looked at the two of them, noticing their high cheekbones and jawline were nearly identical. They had the same shade of amber brown eyes that sparkled with love and adoration.

    It was strange seeing Makoa again and even stranger in a much softer mellow mood than his hard-nosed self he had encountered back on Mauna Wela with trial captain Kiawe.

    "I'm sorry, I haven't made proper introductions yet." Leilani said, turning to Lillie and Elio. "This is Elio and Lillie. Elio's a trainer going on the island challenge and Lillie is one of his best friends. You guys…this is my father."

    He didn't tell many people this, but a little part of him inside would get rife with envy whenever someone introduced their father or father figure to him. Elio wasn't sure why exactly, but a likely cause was the absence of his own.

    Like showing off a one-of-a-kind Pokémon.

    Stop. She's extremely proud of her father. At one point, I was too.

    "Ke kaikamahine maemae 'a'ahu." Lillie wasn't sure what he meant by that, but still had a bit of red tint to her cheeks. "Nani."

    "I koa."

    Makoa nodded and then turned to Elio, who tried his best again not to yield to the weighted stare.

    "I must say it's not much of a surprise you're here." His expression softened when he stuck his hand out for a shake. Elio was hesitant at first, but then firmly grasped it.

    Just like Dad taught. Look him in the eye.

    "It's very good to see you again. I know my daughter likes to make friends wherever she goes. Just like Hau."

    "Thank you sir. I guess?"

    "And that's my cue." Leilani hopped off. "I better get going."

    "Good luck out there ipo." Makoa embraced his daughter. "We will be cheering for you all the way."

    "Thanks Dad. Love ya." A swipe of grabbing her surfboard, returning her Pokémon and she was out the door.

    They waited in silence, enjoying the soft breeze that gently blew throughout the canopy. Off in the distance, they could see Leilani walk down the ramp and onto the beach. As she appeared, a big majority of the fans lining the balcony on the Hano Resort had started cheering loudly.

    She turned around, waving with a huge grin on her fine features before casting her board out and diving headfirst into the closest breaker to paddle out.

    Makoa watched her go with an expression of pride before addressing Elio and Hau beside him. "Well boys, how has your island challenge been going?!"

    "It's great Mister Taula!" Hau jumped up and down on his other side. "Me and Elio have already beaten Olivia and gotten the Akala Stamp and Rockinium Z!"

    "That's wonderful news. Keep the mokupuni alive you two."

    "I wanted to keep on going." Elio added. "But why not stop and see what else our friends are up to in the meantime? I mean it's always important to stop and enjoy those we have around us."

    "That's correct. Just like surfing. It's always been a favorite of my pastimes."

    "You used to surf?"

    Makoa nodded, looking back out at the waves. "Back in my youth. I still think I can catch a wave or two. It was my life."

    He reached into the pocket of his shorts and produced his phone. Unlocking it, he scrolled through a series of photos in his gallery before showing Elio one particular image.

    It was clear that the phone hadn't taken it specifically, more photocopied digitally. The picture was in black and white coloring as a young man with long wild hair was cutting a swath across a massive wave on a thin board.

    "That's you."

    "Mhmm." He scrolled through some more pictures, showing him with a young island woman who had a white flower on her left side. He noted the resemblance between her and Leilani. Behind them was a massive mantine that had a pair of straps along its back.

    Mantine surfing went that far back?

    "Surfing on a mantine was just as thrilling as on a board." Makoa said. "They are kaikane…born from the sea and naturally drawn to the thrill of catching big waves to impress females for mating."

    "That's incredible."

    "Alola is the birthplace of Mantine Surfing, which is why many come to our islands to try it for themselves." A chuckle escaped his lips. "It is much pilikia than people anticipate."

    "Just like everything else." Elio noted. "Pokémon battling is the same way. People look at the leagues on television, making the moves and matchups and think they can be just as good. Lots of times they forget these guys are professionals…best of the best. Cream of the crop. Same thing with surfing, cooking, dancing…probably even being a pro video game player."

    "Every expert was a beginner at some point. You wouldn't believe how many times I've wiped back then. And even the best still do."

    Elio looked back at the picture, suddenly curious about the woman he was with.

    "Who is that next to you?"

    "That's Leilani's mother. She taught me the most valuable lesson of all." There was the unmistakable tone of longing and sadness.

    I'm almost afraid to ask.

    "What…what happened to her?"

    Makoa looked back out to the sea.

    "Her name was Leilani as well…that picture." He pointed to a pair of small palm trees and then gestured just down the beach.

    Elio followed his finger, finally seeing two trees in that exact identical placement just beside the canopies that was the "crash area" for the surfers. It was straight out of the picture with the exception of them having grown almost twice their height since.

    "It was taken right there by Hala…Hau's grandfather. Leilani and I fell in love thanks to surfing and we had her." He sighed. "I still remember the day she held my little kaikamahine in her arms in the hospital bed. Ten months later, she just disappeared. Gone…went to circumnavigate the Alola region to honor her ancestors and she never came back. I put a report into the police and Alolan Coast Guard, but they never found a trace of her. They think she was last seen at the Cenobia Shoals northwest of Poni Island."

    "I'm sorry." Elio said. "I should've had pried."

    "Me too. I never even got the chance to ask her to marry me. I never looked at another woman since, except for my own."

    "What lesson did she teach you?" Elio asked, mildly curious.

    "Leilani taught me to always love and cherish your family and friends. You never know if tomorrow will steal them away from you."

    "I promise."

    "Good. You have a good heart. As does Hau."

    "What's happening in the hizzhouse Akala Island!" The tanktop long-haired host asked into the microphone over the loudspeakers. He was greeted with a chorus of wild cheers from the fans watching and strutted across the stage in a pair of baggy shorts. "How about some more wild action with your very own Willie!" He gestured to the pelipper flying beside him; there was black straps attaching a camera to the bird's body. "And Drewski here is ready to shoot some more hot action on the waves! What about you Akala Island? Staying icy chill out there?!"

    Elio could barely hear himself over the screaming of everyone else. Lillie wanted to desperately cover her ears from the volume and Hau was enjoying every second. She made sure to keep Nebby inside the bag, unsure if the intensive noise would hurt its hearing. However it seemed inert, so it was either sleeping or didn't mind.

    "We've finished with the men's part of our very own Kumu Reef Triple Crown and move on to the women's! This is but the beginning of the long journey to the World Surfing League Finals that will be held this year at Suicide Gulch!"

    Suicide Gulch? That sounds remotely terrifying.

    "We've got a whopping fifty surfers who had qualified for today's tournaments! Without further ado! She hails from Cocona Village in the Oblivia Archipelago with swift moves and placing in the top fifteen last season in just her second professional year…give it up for Alexandria Aiman!"

    The crowds erupted into more cheers as Drewski the pelipper flew close to her canopy where a black haired girl no older than them gave a cute smile and wave to the camera.

    Willie went down the list for introductions which Makoa pointed out was normal for such a thing. He had joked that this took longer than the actual competition.

    An hour passed by and he was on the final ten contestants. Makoa left about halfway through and returned with four chilled drinks with a tan liquid and ice cubes inside.

    Elio sipped the straw, his eyes brightening at the familiar taste.

    "You can drink Tapu Cocoa cold?"

    "Yeah. It's one of my favorite drinks ever."

    "You have good taste."

    "I know I do." He handed one to Lillie who had stuck the straw over to Nebby. The tiny cloud Pokémon happily sipped away at some of it while nuzzling into the crook of her arm.

    "Man I wish I could get to know some of these girls better. They seem like cool people." Hau said while sipping. Lillie was just silent beside them, but had her eyes closed and lips curled up in a calm smile. She seemed to be happy just simply being around her friends.

    "Really?" Elio shot him a look of disbelief.

    "They're just girls."

    "Girls who happen to be insanely hot and probably make a ton of money."

    "Contestant number forty nine! From right here in the Alola region!" At this the cheers and screams seemed to increase even higher than before. "A two time finalist returning for yet another shot at the title! Give it up for Leilani Taula!"

    The crowds went wild as Drewski approached her in the surf. She had a foot on her board, smiling into the lens and blowing a kiss while the wind whipped at her hair. Her curvy body was snug in the suit, accenting her well-toned stomach, eye-catching breasts and shapely legs. It seemed the volume of their cheers doubled at that gesture. Elio kept his thoughts to himself…especially with her father right next to him.

    Oh my goodness. She…is…just…gorgeous. If only Hau wasn't…and Lillie wasn't…ah…nevermind.

    "Hau!" He had looked to his right and saw his friend with a goofy looking expression on his face. An elbow to his ribs snapped him out of his fantasy.

    "What?!"

    "Dude, you were about to drool." Sun hissed, trying to keep it between them. It was difficult with the crowds cheering. "Don't do that with her father around!"

    "Oh right. Sorry." Hau mouthed a silent thanks for his best friend in avoiding a potential disaster.

    "Last but not least!" Willie started. The crowd's cheering grew even before he formally introduced the final surfer. "The defending champion of the Women's World Surfing League Tour! Surfing since she was five at the coasts of Cyllage City! Sabine Joyeux!"

    As the cheers rang out, just as loud for Leilani; the camera had panned out to Sabine on the beach just down a ways from her.

    Elio didn't see her as much as the sexy appealing superstar from when she had first emerged from the limousine at the resort. Upon her visit and heated exchange with Leilani, she had shown her true colors as an arrogant, narsisstic…

    She's way too full of herself. I hope Leilani makes her eat her words.

    "Let's go Leilani! You can do this!" Hau shouted, earning a few surprised looks from the other canopies.

    And then the tournament began. Elio watched with amazement as the surfers effortlessly rode the waves, cresting white contrails behind and even performing tricks.

    Brawly and the two other judges were offering their own intakes, however none of the surfers would be made aware of their performances until it was the end of the particular heat event. Everyone else could see it through a scoreboard at all times.

    Some were impressive and others couldn't stand up to the power of some of the oncoming waves and wiped before making a closure. The audience was cheering and "awwws" of shock and disappointment whenever a surfer finished.

    Then it was Leilani's first heat in the longboard surfing. As soon as she spotted her wave, she started paddling and picked up speed.

    Elio felt his heart race while looking at the screen coming from Drewski's feed as she finally stood up, navigating the board right into the tunnel of the wave, going up the rising side. The audio speakers was having the entirety of it as a roar of the water wall, drowning out the sound of her steady breathing.

    She's so calm.

    He felt relief as she ended her run onto the shore by falling off in shallower water and saw that her score from that particular heat had placed her in first overall by a large margin.

    She might actually win this!

    "You go Leilani! This is all you!"

    "Yeah knock them dead!"

    Following Sabine's own performance, complete with tricks, the judges had pointed out that she mistimed and nearly fell off balance on her run back, which placed her in second. The screen had shown that her look was one of contempt when she stormed back to her booth.

    She ain't happy about that. Elio thought. Good. Leilani's gonna put you in your place and make you eat your words.

    Another two hours went by as the rest of the competition dragged on. Alexandria Aiman had nearly stolen second from Sabine, however the latter was able to reclaim it in the final heat, which would allow the surfers to present their most difficult route and tricks to the judges. Another surfer named Carla de la Barerra had wormed her way into fourth and judging by the analysts, had a chance to make a run for at least second overall, but the highlight for first seemed to be between Leilani and Sabine. Aiman had a chance, but it was doubtful.

    Elio, Lillie and Hau watched with disbelief as Sabine went on her first run. She navigated easily through, dropping as the wave began to curl before emerging out the end of the tunnel. Her stance was wide as she sharply turned back up, riding so that she was nearly vertical. It was executed perfectly before she exited at the swell's base before it crashed down on her. She emerged, holding her hands up high as the crowds cheered and applauded.

    "Now it's Leilani's turn." She had a tall order to go up against. Sabine had jumped far ahead, requiring her to have a near perfect score to edge past her rival.

    Leilani saw Drewski circle above with the camera automatically pivoting as he flew. She had stopped to pick her wave, knowing that everyone else was waiting with bated breath to see if the competition would swing in her favor.

    Dad, Hau, Elio, Lillie, Rey…Mom…this is where I start…where I'll crush this competition.

    The wave approached. She knew it. It carried a mix of elegance, danger, speed and power in equal from a storm that was likely raging far away from the islands changing the rhythm like a conductor. She paid the heat little mind, moving in perfect timing that caught the swell.

    Just ahead, the pipeline was forming the signature curling top with a glassy smooth surface. Her board left a trail of white in her wake as she zoomed forward as if powered by a jet. She made her move; shifting back to the board, twisting around and going right up vertically.

    The audience gasped in amazement. Nobody other than Makoa was more impressed…and surprised when she finished her maneuver that seemed practically impossible.

    "How? An Over-the-Gyarados? I…I've done that once and nobody's been able to pull it off since."

    "You did that?" Elio asked.

    Leilani felt a surge of adrenaline and relief flood her body as she finished her final trick. She knew that without a doubt, this would put her in the front runner to gain an early lead in the tour.

    A bit of regret filled her mind even as she raced along the waves. Going on this tour meant yet again, she was going to have to leave Hau and Elio and Lillie behind.

    Her father understood it. She was going against the best in the world. But there was just a saddening feeling that months could pass before she could see her ohana again.

    With thoughts occupying her head, she never saw the dark shape underwater that accelerated towards her position.

    The creature rose rapidly and ominously out of the water, brandishing deadly looking tentacles. As the flash of motion caught her eye, she turned face to face with a massive Pokémon.

    Its eyes blazed with malice as the pair of longest sinewy stingers jabbed towards her. One of them caught her right inner thigh, slicing right through the bodysuit's thin lining and sending her off balance, inadvertently causing her to flip. A second set of tentacles cleaved effortlessly right through her board, sending fragments of fiberglass everywhere with the force of a hand grenade.

    Leilani Taula never even had time to scream at sensing the unbearable searing pain in her leg before crashing harshly into the rough sea.

    This wraps this chapter up with more twists and turns coming! I'm evilly excited for this next arc, now if I can just get the drive to sit and power through these chapters...heh. It'll come in time.

    Translations:

    • Ipo - Sweetheart
    • Ke kaikamahine maemae 'a'ahu - Pure-dressed girl
    • Nani - Pretty
    • Pilikia - Difficult/Problem
    • Kaikamahine - Child girl
    • Kaikane - Born from the sea (often refers to people who spend a lot of time by the ocean)

    Not a translation, but Sabine's last name Joyeux comes from the French Polynesian surfer Malik Joyeux who died back in 2005 at the Pipeline in Oahu. He is known for having caught one of the biggest waves in surfing history.

    As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose. See you all next time.

    Brav
     
  11. ShinigamiMiroku

    Sorceress' Knight
    (Ralts ♂)
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    Red Orb ★★★★★
    Oh no... an injury like that could permanently put Leilani out of commission permanently, depending on how deep the shards go and how invasive the doctors have to be in order to remove them. Not to mention the danger of drowning from an accident like that, combined with the culprit being... Tentacruel... x_x

    I actually remember hearing about Malik Joyeux's death, albeit vaguely. Interesting shoutout, there.

    It was cool seeing Elio being a hero outside of something Pokémon-related. If there was one thing he picked up from his father, it was definitely the courage to do the right thing. Although I doubt he'd be pleased to hear me say that... :sweat:

    One thing I did notice is that there were a few typos (kinda forgot where they were, though... :sweat: ), as well as a few words that, to my knowledge, mean something different than what you were going for (or otherwise were just missing a comma), such as the 'curtsy' - a type of bow-style greeting used by females.
     
    #71 Jan 14, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2019
    Rezna likes this.
  12. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

    Bravo
    (Braviary)
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    Crown of ValorPoké Ball ★
    Alola readers! Brav is back with another chapter!

    We were at the cliffhanger of the last one and I have to admit that I'm rubbing my hands together with an evil smirk. All of you are absolutely right in that this can turn bad really fast! Time to see what does end up happening and how this will affect our lovable cast.
    Special thanks to @ShinigamiMiroku for the feedback! Much appreciated man! I do like what I have in store for Leilani. She's one of my favorite characters I've made myself.

    This chapter does contain violence turned up a little more than usual. A friendly warning of course.

    Enjoy everyone.


    I can't believe this is the second time I've seen something life threatening happen. I've always believed surfing to be a fun sport, but there are risks…Pokémon hazards, drowning and all of these can get the best of even the best surfers out there.

    My heart stopped as soon as that…monster attacked her. How awful!

    Elio was just as terrified, but I think everyone was just about surprised when he jumped right into action.

    Calvera Northstar gave another sigh as he rolled his truck into the parking lot just behind the fire station.

    It was still early in the morning and Cerulean City still had its usual overcast weather with a low mist hanging overhead. The wind was a slight breeze, ripping away at his windbreaker as he parked and exited before moving to the rear doors.

    His seven year old son Elio rubbed his eyes, awakening after falling back asleep after putting on his seatbelt.

    "Hey buddy." His father ruffled him on the head. "We're here."

    "Already?"

    "Yes. Come on, Blu's waiting for you."

    Hearing the name of his best friend, the boy's eyes shot open and he frantically undid his seatbelt, jumping right down from the truck's higher railing to the ground. Elio stumbled, but he was already shouting out loud to the vaporeon about challenging him to a race inside.

    Elaine had the weekend off, but she had begun to develop soreness in her throat which had fully escalated into strep by the time Calvera had woken up. He too had the day off, however it was the time he had to renew his own cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate, which Kanto firehouses mandated twice a year.

    With his mother bedridden, he had little choice but to take the boy along while retaking the course necessary for his job. He wasn't bothered by any of it, despite Elaine's worries that his session might bore him.

    Elio was too preoccupied with Blu to really care. The two of them were already running around in the front yard as Calvera grabbed the duffel of his gear from the trunk and carried it inside.

    He was rather touched by the close bond his own son had with his partner Pokémon. Blu had already long been accepted into the family, forming a mate in Elaine's Jolteon Amp. Aside from playing "pretend battle" with Elio in the backyard, he was like a second pair of eyes when the boy wandered off or appeared to get into trouble. One of his favorite things in seeing his son and Pokémon do was find them cuddled up together and sleeping soundly. He and Elaine had compiled several pictures already of the two and knew more would follow soon enough.

    The session went smoothly with the trainer already being quite familiar with the station. He had come biannually to issue the renewals and having such acquaintance meant the class could be done faster. It was one of those things that nobody wanted to stay for, but had to since their jobs and lives of others depended on it.

    Calvera made sure Elio was comfortable in the firehouse's living room where there was plenty of space before he turned on the TV to some footage of the Indigo League tournaments. Elio had sat down on the couch with Blu bounding right up to curl next to him. His eyes were already glued to the intense battling going on between a huge arcanine against a smaller marowak.

    That would be enough to keep him occupied.

    As Calvera sat with the others from his station, listening carefully to their instructor, he began to hear giggling come right from the living room. Footsteps rapidly beat on the floor growing louder.

    The instructor paused mid-lecture and stared in that direction right as Elio and Blu playfully ran alongside one another. The boy tackled the bubble jet Pokémon onto the ground, still giggling even as he tried to free himself.

    "Aww." A couple of the other firefighters said. They had known Elio since he was a baby and loved the kid as if he was one of their own children.

    The instructor looked a little embarrassed or irked that he had been rudely interrupted. Before he could say anything else, Calvera had stood up, scooping up his son before using his free hand to tickle Elio's open ribcage. The amount of laughter doubled.

    "Dad! That tickles Dad! Stop it!"

    "You think you're such a smart boy! Huh?"

    "You should have seen this battle going on!" Elio was out of breath and he spread his hands wide. "This marowak jumped right on top of the arcanine and hit him with his bone! It knocked him out! That was soooooo amazing!"

    Calvera laughed. "Already studying to be a trainer and appreciating the fine awesomeness of battle. I like it son! But Dad's busy right now and Mom is sick."

    "I hope she feels better. Then we can play some more, eat dinner and watch TV together again."

    "I hope your mother gets better too. But I'm trying to learn something really important right now. To do what we do best okay? Do you remember? We always what?"

    "We…we always help anyone we can."

    "That's right."

    Elio looked over at everyone staring at him before back up to his father. Admiration shined in his gray eyes. "I want to learn too."

    Back onshore, everyone was watching with wide frightened eyes at the massive screen.

    The kraken of a pokemonhad rose up from the hellish depths ominously and straight out of a horror movie.

    "What wazzz that?!" Rotom screeched, just as surprised and aghast as his human compatriots. "That was a new Pokémon! Bzzt! Tentacruel. Jellyfish Pokémon. It is the evolved form of tentacool. Normally it has eighty poisonous tentacles. The longer one has been alive, the fewer tentacles it will have. Tentacruel's stingers contain a neurotoxin that can lead to fatal cardiac arrest in humans. Tentacruel is a water and poison type. Additional information is available upon catching the Pokémon."

    Elio had seen the infamous flick Tentacruel, where an entire gang of the man o' war Pokémon had been in the area of a lab waste accident, growing to immense sizes and terrorizing beachgoers. The movie was far older, having come out when his parents were in their teens.

    They were looked as merely a bother, just a nuisance that often drifted about in the sea searching for food. Unprovoked attacks on humans were actually rare and overlooked by the more dangerous sharpedo.

    In truth, sharpedo attacks on humans were indeed gruesome, but they were even more rare since the majority were either desperate for food or sensed blood in the water…something they were the most adept at.

    More people died annually from tentacool and tentacruel stings than sharpedo attacks. Virbank's PokeStar Studios made the cult film Tentacruel, causing the entire world to wake up and fear a marine creature far more dangerous than the razor toothed bully.

    Elio was among those. He hated tentacruel.

    And he was front seat to watching someone he cared about die to one.

    Again.

    Shouts of panic snapped him out of his trance. Willie the announcer had reacted with visible shock. Around their own booth, Lillie's face went sheet white as she gasped and cupped her mouth with her hand. Instantly, she stuffed Nebby back inside her duffel, completely ignoring the cloud Pokémon's protests.

    Makoa couldn't tear his eyes away as the huge wave she had been riding crashed right to shore. People even remotely close screamed and ran for cover, in fear that the gigantic tentacruel would come ashore to claim another victim. "By the tapu." He whispered, barely able to believe what just happened. "No. Leilani."

    "NO!"

    Elio saw Hau fall to his knees as tears welled up in his eyes. "NO! Leilani!"

    "That…that thing." Lillie stammered. "It just attacked her and broke her board…she's…she's gone."

    "I can't believe the size of that thing!" Fear gripped Elio icily, him knowing that stings could be incredibly painful at the least. One survivor described it akin to having a red hot nail slowly grinding into his ribs and then pouring acid over.

    Please let this be fake and staged! Please!

    But Elio and Hau both knew that it was no hoax. Eyes glued to the screen, they watched Drewski the pelipper make another low pass over what looked to be several small fragments of her surfboard.

    Willie had come back on to try and calm everyone down, yet the fans were still in a panic, the media was in a frenzy of questions and the other contestants had huddled together. Some people even knelt with their heads down, silently praying that she could be saved or if not…died quickly in a painless manner.

    Hau felt helpless.

    One moment he was cheering on for the girl he had grown up with as kids in Iki Town. The same girl he loved going for malasadas with after watching her practice with her board. She'd constantly decline for him to go, citing that she needed to watch her figure.

    It was such an appreciative thing, that she wanted to keep herself fit and he hadn't known that she felt bad every time turning down his offer.

    A strained cry of pain barely escaped his parted lips as his heart beat to the rate of automatic gunfire. Sweat ran down his limbs and he felt his stomach knot itself into lashings that would make a scoutmaster proud. A chill crept up his spine, despite the heat still being in full effect.

    "I'm going to find her." He had said, barely registering the words in his mind.

    Elio didn't want to disagree with him, but he was pretty sure some authorities would handle the rescuing.

    "She'll be fine." Right?

    Hau didn't feel the same way. "She's in trouble. I know it."

    "I feel it too." Makoa added softly.

    "But what can we do? We're only trainers. This is what professionals are for!"

    "But look! Nobody's acting! What if we're the first ones to come to her aid?!" Hau looked hurt at his unwillingness. "I'm going to help her! If you're coming, fine, but don't try to stop me."

    He called over his small eevee, smiling sadly as it bounded over. Elio admired the little Pokémon's excitement, even though it likely had little idea of what is going on.

    "Hey Eevee." Hau knelt down in front of it while digging around in his backpack. He saw a flash of a blue rounded stone in his palm. The small brown fox Pokémon stared at it curiously.

    Is that a water stone?

    "Someone I really care about is in danger right now. I need your help." He paused. "I know I wanted to wait and have you choose which evolution you wanted, but I need all the help I can get. I'll understand if you don't want this though."

    "Eevee."

    "If I may butt in Bzzt!" Rotom hovered next to Eevee. "The water ztone izzz an item that can be uzzzed to evolve eevee into the water type vaporeon!"

    "Eevee!" He stamped the ground and stared adamantly at Hau and Elio.

    "My zugesstionzzz zuggezt that Eevee hazzz already zet hizzz heart on becoming a vaporeon! Bzzt! He juzt wanted to wait for the right time!"

    "No time like the present huh?"

    "Eevee!"

    Hau reached the stone out as the evolution Pokémon stepped forward, placing one of his paws on the stone in front of the other.

    The moment they made contact; everyone saw the water stone glow a florescent blue and swirl with mysterious energy that almost looked liquid. It flowed directly into Eevee's paws, glowing as it coursed upwards into his chest and beyond.

    He let out a loud cry before the glow began to intensify, enveloping his body.

    Everyone was putting a hand over their eyes to shield them from the harsh glare. However curiosity was getting the better of them as they kept their attention at the evolving Pokémon.

    Even Nebby had poked its head out of the bag to investigate. Lillie was too entranced by what was happening to shove it back inside.

    The Pokémon had changed forms.

    All traces of the glow vanished with a small pulse of radiating sparkles that dissolved shortly thereafter.

    Eevee's brown fur was now gone, replaced by an aquamarine skin that shimmered in the sunlight. Three long blue fins adorned its head with a white frilly collar rung around in a perfect circumference. A long jagged blue fin ran along the back of its spine and despite its mammalian appearance; the creature's most distinctive feature was the split tail of a mermaid waving lazily from side to side.

    "Thiz izzzz my queue! Bzzt! Vaporeon. Bubble jet Pokémon. It is an evolved form of eevee. Blending in with its surroundings in any body of water and erasing any signs of its presence; it waits patiently for prey, fish Pokémon. Vaporeon can detect nearby moisture with its fin. If it trembles rapidly, that means rain will fall in a few hours. Vaporeon is a water type. Your vaporeon is a male and knows the moves; swift, water pulse, quick attack and acid armor. It's ability is water absorb, which allows it to heal itself upon being attacked with water type moves!"

    Normally Hau would've been his usual ecstatic self and embraced his newly evolved Pokémon, but both boys wanted to get going quickly knowing the rather grim situation.

    "I liked how Sun named his Pokémon after they evolved and I guess I'll do that too. Acheron?"

    The creature nodded, seeming to like his chosen nickname.

    "Good." Makoa stepped behind. "I may have a Pokémon that can help."

    He threw a Pokéball out to sea, expanding the shape into a marine creature with a wide wingspan that curled up at the tips. Two small antennae came out from its head and the tail resembled a long white ribbon, matching the color of its ventral side. On the top was a dark blue with black patterns. Part of it was hidden by a large strapped saddle lashed to its back.

    "Another new Pokémon! Bzzt! Mantine. Kite Pokémon. It is the evolved form of mantyke. Postcards and posters featuring mantine leaping elegantly above the waves are popular souvenirs in Alola. Many people have taken up surfing on its back because they admire how magnificently it swims. Mantine is a water and flying type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "This is Leilani's mantine, Hana. She can help."

    "Okay."

    Nobody was taking any action, so neither of them paid attention to any reactions as they sprinted across the sand. Hau was already clinging onto Acheron's back as they dove right into the oncoming wave. In front, Nani slithered right in front and he grabbed her fins, arms nearly yanked out of his sockets from her quicker speed as she followed suit. Hana was already ahead, very concerned about her rider's well-being.

    Elio held onto Nani as best he could while she made top speed right to the area where Leilani had disappeared. The breakers were getting even larger as they ventured further out to sea and it came to the point where he couldn't even tell the depth of the water. Maybe twelve feet, but anything out could double in a matter of meters.

    Hau was right behind him with Acheron, deftly surprised that his newly evolved Pokémon was able to swim so well even after attaining the form mere minutes ago. Up above them, Rufflet and Dartrix flew to assist in the search from the air.

    Elio had seen no sign of her floating in the ocean as far as she should see. Each surfer featured a series of reflective strips in their suit that would catch the sun's rays. Many others featured glowing parts for nighttime and the glare from them would be distinct from the actual sun when it reflected off the ocean waves.

    Hau and Elio looked around as they approached the area where they found a handful of surfboard fragments. Sun grabbed one about the size of his head, still disbelieving that such a creature could be so destructive.

    It's dawned on me that Pokémon are not to be taken lightly. They are dangerous in their own right.

    "I don't see her!" He shouted, noting the wind was beginning to pick up. From what Leilani had explained in her short attempts to get him knowledgeable about her favorite sport, stronger winds often meant bigger waves. Soon enough it would be even more difficult to get everyone back to shore.

    "She's here!" Hau said back. It almost sounded more that he was convincing himself on the fact.

    Elio didn't want to think about the possibility or disagree with him, but they could be searching for her while she had already been dead. If she hadn't drowned, the deadly neurotoxin would've stopped her heart in minutes.

    "I'll look underwater."

    "Be careful," He warned, "That thing is still out there."

    Hau nodded, quickly taking a deep breath and submerging, disappearing under the rolling waves.

    Opening his eyes underwater greeted him with the harsh sting of the abundant salt. It was ripping mercilessly and raw at his delicate ocular tissues. The currents tugged at his body, threatening to drift him even further away. Flashes of movement darted below, he could recognize several species of marine Pokémon, magikarp, finneon, corsola, carvanha. He only saw two of the latter, which was relieving as an entire school could erupt into a feeding frenzy on others, including humans.

    However Leilani had seemed to disappear in the chaos leaving only the fragments of her surfboard as a reminder.

    She couldn't have just disappeared! She has to be somewhere close by!

    Back on the surface, Elio noticed the waves were starting to get choppier and dark gray clouds began to gather over the horizon moving rapidly in their direction. The heat was beginning to dissipate, but his body was already hot enough with nervousness of not being in time to rescue his friend.

    Hana faithfully kept herself as steady as she possibly could, something Elio appreciated. To his left, Hau had resurfaced, clinging to the mantine's fin to catch his breath.

    "I can't find her!"

    "Keep looking!" Elio didn't have a watch on him, but a few minutes had to have passed since she had gone under. That was more than enough time for an eighteen year old woman to have drowned. "I'm with you! But this weather is starting to turn really bad!"

    "We can't stop!" Hau pleaded. "Not now!"

    Before he could take another dive into the water, a large section of it bubbled and frothed as the massive crown of the tentacruel surfaced in a dramatic evil entrance. Its true eyes glared daggers at the two humans while the massive crimson orbs flashed angrily.

    "I don't think that thing is going to let us dive freely."

    "You think?" Both boys immediately formed a plan. "I'll hold it off with Nani, Acheron, Dartrix and Rufflet. You find her! Go!" At his command, Hau had dove underwater again, renewed efforts and doubling his search.

    He turned back to face the tentacruel. It hissed angrily and waved its long tentacles about. Elio saw textured cnidocytes within, stinging cells the size of his thumb.

    Tentacruel's ancestors were previously far less aggressive than its current descendant, often simply drifting about lazily in the ocean currents and filter feeding tiny microorganisms that came across their path. They were in a mixed myriad of colors ranging from bright yellow to dark purple and considered beautiful yet deadly marine life.

    Its sting was feared by both ancient and modern societies, with the widespread fear of the creature's titular movie from PokeStar Studios. As the tentacle stinger even brushed briefly against human skin, cynidocytes which contained its venom glands called nematocysts would trigger and attach by contact, shooting tiny barbs akin to a harpoon or speargun. Skin would easily be penetrated by these barbs with the venom already injected before the victim's brain could even register the pain of being stung.

    It made him extremely nervous. Not just because Leilani's life was in danger.

    "Okay prick." Elio snarled through clenched teeth. "I'm not losing another friend to you."

    The tentacruel made the first move, slamming its tendrils into the water to create a gap that exposed a long delta-shaped appendage. A flurry of bubbles sprayed out at an incredible velocity, narrowly missing him.

    He had four Pokémon to use, Nani, Rufflet, Dartrix and Acheron. The first three, he knew that he could send into battle against this monster without a problem.

    Elio just couldn't get over the fact he was about to witness a second bout of these two water types go at it again. The first one was brutal enough and traumatized him with the subsequent death of his best friend.

    If they didn't succeed this time, a tentacruel would do the same thing a second time. Only it would be a human life that was lost.

    Okay. Focus. He's gone…and there's no bringing him back. So let's show this thing it picked on the wrong surfer!

    "Dartrix, razor leaf!" Elio called out. He was a little bit worried that Hau's Pokémon wouldn't listen to another trainer. To his relief, he saw the owl swoop overhead and flick one of his wings to throw a fan of leaf knives. They sailed through the air, pelting the creature and causing it to break off its bubblebeam attack.

    With its focus changed, Elio's strategy was to have it get hit with enough attacks to either put it down or flee from the beach for good. Either way, he felt that it was a good chance one of those would occur.

    Four against one.

    The odds were in his favor, but this tentacruel was battling as if it had belonged to a trainer…or was just abnormally strong and smart.

    Rufflet closed from the other side, slashing at its crown with a wing attack and swiftly barrel rolling out of the way as it tried to retaliate with its glowing purple tentacles in a poison jab attack. At his command, Nani fired a dragon pulse that caught it in its successive explosions to toss it around. The blast crashed into the sea, however it was quick to recover.

    Acheron charged forward, timing his own attack alongside Dartrix's and Rufflet's. The tentacruel saw it coming and sprayed an oily clear liquid catching him straight in the middle of it. Elio nearly cringed seeing that, wondering when they could end this battle so that he wouldn't have to relieve a similar experience again.

    The tentacruel targeted the vaporeon this time, shooting out a wave of noxious sludge that struck and sent him tumbling into the waves.

    "No Blu!" Elio cried, almost feeling his heart try to thump out of his ribcage. He had no recollection of saying the incorrect name.

    This is too much!

    Rufflet swooped down for another wing attack although the man-o-war Pokémon saw it coming. It twisted in the water before raising its mouthpart again and blasting out a beam of frigid white energy. The ice beam collided with his wings that both knocked him out and added nearly double his weight, causing him to plummet down.

    Acheron had beaten him as he rushed forward in the water, erupting out in a wild spray to catch the falling bird. He could see that they were underwater from the impact, but the vaporeon rushed to his side, gently depositing Rufflet onto Leila's wing. Elio scooped him up immediately before a wave washed over the side.

    "You did good out there buddy." He held him in one hand, cursing himself again for the tenth time that he had forgotten their poke balls. "We'll finish this."

    As he was recovering his fallen Pokémon, the tentacruel must've known it had tipped its hand on having the ice type attack. It fired wildly at Dartrix, keeping the owl from attacking, but engrossed enough to leave it exposed.

    "Acheron, Nani! Both of you water pulse!"

    The two water types in perfect synchronization began to gather water energy into spheres. As the tentacruel sensed an impending attack, both launched at the same time.

    Acheron's pulse hit just a millisecond before Nani's, slamming into the beast's side and forcing it back to create a ten foot crater in the middle of the ocean. Gravity overtook its walls and it collided back together leaving bubbles as the only reminder of its presence moments prior.

    Nani's water pulse created a second one doing just as much damage, but the stinging jellyfish was quick to shake off the effects. To Elio's dismay, neither of them had induced the added effect of confusion.

    Elio paid scant attention to the battle as Nani, Acheron, Dartrix and the tentacruel went at one another as Hau finally surfaced once again in an explosive exhale from holding his breath underwater for so long. His dark hair clung to his back and he looked even worse for the wear.

    "I found her!"

    Elio's heart skipped a beat. They had a chance.

    "I hold it off! Get back to shore!"

    "Without you?" Hau asked incredulously.

    "Every second we spend not back on solid ground could mean another second she's closer to death!" Elio yelled back. He glanced towards the shoreline, finding it extremely odd that nobody was coming to their rescue. "At least we can get someone to call emergency to get her to the hospital!"

    Hau made to protest, but was cut off when the tentacruel had leapt out of the water right in front of the sun. Fear shot through the veins of both boys as its shadow had almost completely darkened the sun.

    In another blur of motion, Acheron exploded out of the waves, rushing forward as if powered by rockets to intercept the tentacle monster. The Pokémon's quick attack knocked it back into the waters flailing its stingers madly in desperation to retaliate.

    Nani sensed the opportunity and rose up, gathering another sphere of emerald power from her maw to add to the mix. Overhead, Dartrix spun again, flinging both his wings for another barrage of razor leaves. All three combined attacks hit their mark as Acheron dove into the water to avoid the blasts. The tentacruel had been tossed around like a toy again from the dragon pulse, but it waved its own tentacles to deflect several of the leaf knives thrown at it while firing an ice beam.

    Elio knew that if he saw any more of Hau's vaporeon go up against the gigantic tentacruel, he'd be having flashbacks to that fateful day again.

    Willing his muscles to move, he waved Nani over as the creature was distracted by Dartrix and Acheron again.

    "Keep it busy. I won't be long."

    She cooed softly before slithering rapidly over to join the fight.

    Elio unstrapped himself from Hana's back and hung over her side with the water dipped up to his chest. Flipping so that he could push off the ride Pokémon's wing-flipper, he took as deep of a breath as he could before diving into the depths.

    The water cocooned itself around him, effortlessly sizzling away at the heat that continued to emanate from his body from both the outside temperature and the rush of fright.

    Opening his eyes, he was greeted with a burning sting of the salty seawater, causing him to flinch and wipe his eyes to no avail.

    And I didn't even bring goggles. This is way worse than trying to open your eyes in a pool.

    Although they weren't close to any currents, he could feel the tide tugging at him slightly back towards shore. He couldn't tell whether it was going to stop or continue, but either way…they had to go fast.

    Hau was straight below him at the bottom, holding part of a rocky stalagmite to keep himself from floating up. Elio saw a dark figure beside him with a flashing white light as the sunlight reflected off Leilani's signal strip that was on her collar.

    She looked suspended in midair with her feet not even touching the ground and hands outstretched in a starfish pose. He never saw her move as he swam down.

    What's the problem? Why isn't she floating up?

    While he would never openly admit that she was in far better shape than him or Hau; Leilani had an adequate amount of body fat on her shapely figure to keep her afloat in the ocean.

    A crash of water interrupted them as they saw the azure shape of Acheron tossed onto the seabed next to them. The tentacruel pounced on it, flaring out four long tentacles with glowing purple poison at the tips.

    Panic filled their bodies as it lunged forward towards the defenseless Pokémon.

    In the blink of an eye, Acheron seemed to blend invisibly within the depths and they heard the impact along its body. Elio was trying not to think of the worst possible scenario at that moment. His heartbeat was starting to ring in his head, overpowering the roar of rushing water and his own thoughts.

    Acheron was quick to recover to their surprise, phasing out of the acid armor move and shooting forward, using its powerful flipper tail to reach a speed Elio didn't think was possible. His quick attack slammed into its side, knocking it over. As it attempted to attack again with poison jab, Nani had swam up to cover her ally, slashing at the tentacles with her bladed iron tail. Even Elio found himself cringing as it effortlessly sliced off the tips of some longer tendrils, sending them drifting in the dark eddies.

    Knowing that he didn't have much of either time or air, he descended down to Leilani until he was facing her back.

    Up closer, he didn't see her convulsing in breathing, which either meant she was dead or her vocal cords had sealed off her airway to both conserve what little oxygen it held and prevent more water from entering.

    He wrapped his arms around her stomach, the slimmest part of her body and kicked, using his own buoyancy to help try and raise her up.

    Knowing she was capable of floating on her own, it never crossed his mind on why the surfer was suspended unconscious underneath the surface.

    She's not moving. Why?

    Elio frantically looked around, wondering if something had her tied. She wouldn't have been weighted down since surfboards were extremely buoyant and even a fragment the size of a kickboard would still be able to support her weight.

    Hau's hand snaked around his wrist and he tugged sharply. Through the painful gaze, he followed his friend down to her feet where a long black cord was snugly tied around her ankle.

    The leash! That specific cord tied around a surfer's ankle was designed to keep both surfer and board together upon wiping out. It was argued that if the board or leash itself got snagged on the seabed, it could lead to drowning. Each one though had a clip that kept it wrapped around her ankles which could be easily undone if such a situation arose.

    Either Leilani didn't have time to free herself or she was just unable to. Either way, they had to get her to the surface and the shore.

    He felt his own breath starting to run thin and needed to go up for air.

    Pushing off, he rapidly ascended while feeling an odd sensation in his ears from the rapid decompression.

    I hope this doesn't give me the bends.

    His arms stroked out in front of him, bringing the sun-rayed top of the water closer with every stroke. He aimed for Hana's massive spread form as she glided on the waves.

    Elio broke the surface with an explosive exhale, latching onto Hana's fin before executing a perfect flip turn and diving back under.

    His eyes felt as if an entire bottle of shampoo had been poured into each as the relentless assault of saltwater burned his vision. Hau hadn't left her side and was probably running out of air himself having gone down at the same time as him.

    Elio appreciated his friend's dedication and would've done the same.

    He pulled himself lower towards the leash, now seeing that it was indeed snagged in two places on the rocky seabed. Tugging at it indicated whatever it was had her pinned pretty good.

    Sun was certain that no amount of him exerting any effort was going to free her. And he knew for certain that going up for air a second time could cost her life.

    Nani.

    As if she could read his thoughts, he heard something dive back into the depths. The tender Pokémon quickly swam at his side.

    Elio couldn't speak, pointing to the taut leash. Even though Hau was trying to work on taking the clasp on her ankle apart, the tension was too much for him to succeed.

    Iron tail! Slice that leash!

    Nani swayed her rear fins in front, sharpening them into her signature blade. With less light coming from above, her iron tail gave off an eerie illumination, showing different coral polyps growing from the surrounding rocks. A few small wishiwashi minnows scattered and he saw two star-shaped Pokémon lying at the very bottom.

    Her tail swung around, easily cutting through the thin cord as she circled Elio, allowing him to grab her red fin to surface once more. Leilani's body, now free from its tether to the seafloor began to drift lazily upward. Hau was behind her with an arm around the waist and kicking to speed up their ascent.

    Nani moved at the same pace and Elio exhaled just before they broke above.

    "Hurry!" Hau shouted. He was treading water while holding Leilani's limp body up above the choppy waves, waving to Hana just a few meters away. The mantine sensed the urgency and sped right over, coming to a swift halt right beside them.

    Elio hauled himself up on the side of her wing, going back down on his knees. Hau had reached her side, rotating himself around so that he faced his best friend. Had it not been such a dire situation, he would've voiced openly how impressed he was with his knowledge of water rescue techniques.

    "Give me her arms. On three you, push and I pull!"

    Hau nodded, freeing one of his arms and using it to feed hers to Elio. Her dark suit made his grip a little slippery and he lost one during his first try, but the second time around he had intertwined his thumbs around hers, hooking it in the exact spot where one would perform a handshake.

    "One, two, three!"

    Hau scissor kicked at the same time Elio pulled on her arms. The trick worked. Leilani's lifeless body slowly rose out of the ocean, falling forward as Elio leaned backwards onto the mantine. From the waves, Hau gave her a second push, finally easing her onto the ride Pokémon entirely.

    Elio would've blushed any other time a girl lay on top of him like this, but he was fast to get out from underneath and roll her on her back.

    Oh no. Leilani's eyes were still shut and she showed no signs of stirring or waking up. The content look on her face was almost...peaceful. Her normally warm, tanned complexion had taken a paler look and he saw a tinge of blue…which was a sign of asphyxiation. Never a good one.

    What was even more alarming was the laceration on her left thigh, only an inch wide, but he could see that it had drawn blood. The bleeding had ceased a while ago and he saw droplets of a thicker clear iridescent liquid that almost oozed out the open wound.

    She's been stung!

    "We need to get back to shore right now!" Elio knelt back down, putting his arm around her waist once more. "Hold onto her as we go."

    Hau nodded, closing his eyes and holding her by her shoulders. He could see that he was starting to shake from a fearful nervousness.

    It was beginning to rub off on him too. What if they were too late to save her life? He tried not to think of the worst, telling himself that they were going to succeed and they could see and laugh with their friend again.

    As Hau looked down at her fragile form while the mantine sped back towards shore, he felt the reality of the chance to finally tell her the thing he had been harboring since they started on the island challenge.

    That reality was beginning to slip away.

    Trouble struck about halfway. The waves began growing even larger than what they were during the actual competition, rising up and swelling to massive proportions that left the crowd's wide eyed. Its power finally became unstable enough and the wave broke off, crashing loudly into the sandbar and throwing up foam and sand before receding out for the next big volley.

    Elio wasn't even sure if the competition was still going at this point. What was worth even more questioning at this point was the fact that no lifeguards or the Alola Coast Guard had come to even start a search. Had the two of them not boldly ran across the beach and dove in to start, she may have never been found.

    However the waves were the least of their problems. Up ahead, a large spot churned and Elio felt the hair on his arms stand up again as the same gigantic tentacruel from before ascended out of the depths, glaring at the two with hate piercing eyes. It hissed loudly and flayed its whiplike tentacles in the air. He could see that it had a handful less than the last time he had seen it, thanks to Nani's sword iron tail cleaving through.

    You again.

    Elio had never felt a gaze of such malice from a Pokémon ever. The movie starring the same creature had legitimized its reasoning for attacking due to human factors destroying its home and brethren. This one had attacked completely unprovoked and wasn't giving up until it had finished the job.

    The fact that it knew many powerful moves suggested that it was not a wild Pokémon at one point.

    With large splashes, both Acheron and Nani flanked Hana, narrowing their eyes at the adversary and unwilling to budge.

    Tentacruel hissed loudly as it gathered some energy in its mouth ready to fire. A wave to their right began to grow in size.

    And that's when all hell broke loose.

    The bubblebeam shot towards them with the rate and velocity of automatic gunfire. As it did, Acheron leapt in front of them to intercept the attack. All of the bubbles had harmlessly impacted his bluish skin and he glowed slightly as if feeling rejuvenated.

    Water absorb! Vaporeon's ability makes water attacks useless and recovering health!

    "Iron tail Nani!"

    She formed her blade; however the tentacruel seemed to anticipate this move. A few of its longer tentacles lashed out, wrapping around her sword and flinging her into the oncoming wave that seemed to instantly swallow her into its depths.

    That left Acheron to face it alone. The tentacruel sensed its advantage, lunging forward with even more poison jabs at the ready.

    Elio's face visibly paled.

    No no nononono! This is NOT happening!

    However Hau was watched in disbelief as his vaporeon seemed to modify its cellular structure and become translucent. It flinched from the first tentacle seeped in poison, however the others glanced harmlessly off its body and doing no visible damage.

    It gave off a frustrated hiss as Acheron reverted back to his form again from the acid armor.

    "Water pulse!" Hau shouted from his side. Judging by the uncertainty in his voice, Elio assumed he wasn't sure if his new evolution had learned the move just yet.

    To his surprise the bubble jet Pokémon pulled water into a large sphere before shooting it straight at the beast. It looked like he DID know water pulse!

    The attack slammed into his target just as they felt Hana tilt downwards as the wave began to overtake them. Elio craned his head up to look at the shore rapidly approaching to greet them and the multiple blurs of colors that were bystanders watching the entire spectacle.

    Tentacruel was just ahead, waving its crown from side to side and blinking its reddish orbs in a staccato fashion.

    "Nani!"

    His milotic was quick to respond to his call, emerging from the crest of the wave with a lethal grace that made him immensely proud.

    That's my girl.

    "Iron tail! Let him have it!"

    She narrowed her eyes and swung another sword with unrestrained fury. It slammed into the tougher front, staggering the jellyfish Pokémon back. Not waiting for a second opportunity in the lull, she gathered a dragon pulse in her maw and launched it. Even as the first one struck, she fired a second and a third. Off to his left; Acheron added a second water pulse to the mix, a series of whumping sounds battling the roar of the wave as they descended.

    The combined explosions suddenly split the entire thing in half, collapsing in a slide of blue and white foam that washed over them in an earsplitting roar. Sun saw a flash of the tentacruel as it crashed violently into the waves, bouncing up as if a skipped rock before its long stingers fell limp into the ocean and it slowly sank out of sight.

    Hana the mantine was only slightly moved by the sudden change, but Elio felt himself starting to slide from the sea's torrential pull. Leilani's body shifted in his grip and he forced himself to quickly adjust his grip, sliding so that he kept her hips pinned between himself and the harness. In doing so, he almost let the sea drag her back. However their precious cargo remained with them.

    Lillie and Makoa were already running to the part of the beach where they were going to step off. Hana hadn't stopped when Elio jumped into the knee-deep water and grabbed her arms. Hau got her legs and together they hauled the unconscious surfer off the mount.

    "Move!" Elio shouted from the urgency building up. Another wave was going to crash ashore any moment and it could drag them all back into the surf.

    Not caring at the growing crowd that was witnessing everything, Elio looked right at Lillie. He didn't want to put her through another panic situation. Another life was on the line. It would've been bad for him to prioritize Leilani's life over Meghan's unborn, but he was rushing too fast to really gauge the severity.

    "E-Elio?" Her voice quavered and she quickly stuffed Nebby back into her duffel. Normally she would be admiring his glistening chest and shoulders.

    Stop thinking that!

    It pained him to see her all worried sick like this. Her pale complexion was even more ashen, but he saw something in her emerald eyes that told him she wanted to do her part in helping regardless. He wasn't sure if it was just trying to become more confident or the thought of being needed for help a second time in the day with someone's life in the balance.

    He felt a ripple of anger that no help had arrived since he and Hau braved the tentacruel and the water to rescue their friend. Time to take matters into our hands.

    "Listen to me carefully. Call emergency and tell them a surfer was attacked and stung by a large tentacruel off Hano Grand Resort. She looks to be in deep shock and possibly cardiac arrest. Give them your name and exact location and what I described word for wod."

    "Okay." She nodded, repeating that to herself before hurrying off.

    Elio trusted her enough to do what he had said. But now it left a more pressing matter. An ambulance dispatched from a hospital on average took roughly eight minutes to arrive.

    Cardiac arrest could kill in a fraction of that.

    I have to keep her alive.

    His father's training kicked in, with him silently thanking for having a little bit of knowledge retained in emergency preparedness.

    He shook her shoulder. "Leilani! Are you okay? Say something!"

    "Elio are you nuts?" Hau asked, flabbergasted. "She's not okay!"

    I know! He wanted to argue, but quickly moved to the next step. She was clearly unconscious and he needed to see if she was breathing.

    Lowering his head to stare at her chest…

    Oh great. I have to do this in front of Hau AND her father!

    He checked to see if it rose and fell from steady breathing. It wasn't.

    "Makoa," Elio started. "Go and get an AED from the resort! They gotta have one somewhere!"

    "You think she needs-"

    "Maybe. I don't know! GO!" He was surprised at the authority in his own voice and it looked like Makoa was too. He sprinted away towards the building with earnest, knowing that he could help contribute to saving his daughter.

    She needs air as soon as possible.

    Hau looked at him with trusting eyes as he moved around. Leilani was larger than him slightly, so he opted for the straddling position, positioning his legs by her stomach, going on his knees spread apart on each side of her hips.

    "Keep her steady!" He yelled to Hau, who automatically nodded.

    I'm sorry Hau. I hope this works.

    Before anyone could react, he opened her mouth checking for obstructions and sealing it completely with his own. His face immediately heated up far more than what the heat wave was doing and he was completely unaware of Hau's mouth hanging agape at his actions. The mouth to mouth contact was done three times in rapid succession. Her lips felt cold and lifeless even though the hot sun had warmed him up slightly.

    And now right after it looks like I kissed her, I have to grope. This is turning out great.

    None of the consequences of this mattered to him. All that did matter was keeping her alive.

    With two fingers, he gently pressed down on her upper chest, trying not to think about where he was touching. Just below her well-developed breasts; her ribcage curved upwards as his fingers moved along the edge, finally locating her diaphragm.

    Placing both hands curled left over right, he pushed up going from her belly to her lungs in three successive repetitions. As soon as that was done, three more breaths. Then three more compressions.

    It kept going for him. Three more. Then three more. Then three more. Then three more.

    "Leilani!" Hau yelled, shaking her shoulders and arms as if it would be an attempt to rouse her. She stayed silent and unresponsive despite both boys' efforts.

    Elio was starting to wonder if it was a lost cause. Despite the differences from his father, the skillset of this was undeniable. Yet the entire attempt to force the water out of her lungs that she inevitably ingested did nothing to surface.

    There was also the neurotoxin from her leg wound he had to worry about.

    "Come on Leilani!" Hau shouted again. Through it all, he never stopped at Elio's instructions to keep calling her name in hopes she would awaken.

    Through it all, it felt like she was fading.

    "Come on!" Elio snarled through gritted teeth. His brows furrowed in frustration. "I had to brave a damn tentacruel to get back here. Don't you dare die on me! Breathe!"

    He resumed his task without a second thought. Three compressions, three breaths and then three more compressions. Breaths again.

    I'll stay at this. I'm not giving up on you. Hau's not either and you better come back from this! I'm not letting you go without him telling you how he feels!

    Elio felt the next set of compressions with an audible popping sound somewhere inside her chest. If she was going to awaken after this, the injury…most likely a fractured rib would result.

    "Come on!"

    Where are the damn paramedics?!

    He did three more breaths and back to compressions.

    At the second one, his own heart skipped a beat.

    Upon thrusting, her mouth involuntarily twitched as a few droplets of water splashed out onto the sand. He pushed again and it sprayed this time around.

    Leilani's eyes snapped open, filled with panic and she made a gargled gagging sound as she rolled onto her side with Hau's help, coughing up a storm. Seawater gushed into her mouth as if it were a hydro pump attack while her body convulsed from shock and the lack of oxygen.

    Her arms swung out, grabbing Elio and Hau, pulling them close together.

    "Easy!" The dark haired boy said, trying his best to console her panic. Her mouth hung open, still in a coughing fit as she still tried to purge what remained from her inflamed airway. Hau wrapped his arm around her head, tilting it so that any additional water would spill out of the corner of her mouth.

    They heard the sirens of an approaching ambulance begin to grow in volume. Finally.

    "Leilani." The kahuna's grandson whispered as both Nani and Acheron emerged from the water to make their way over. "You're okay. K'ou alola."

    "Deep breaths." Elio added. "We're here."

    "Hau?"

    He put a finger to her lips and they supported her as she slowly sat up. She was still shaking in their arms and breathing heavily as if she had run an entire marathon. "It's alright. You're alright."

    "Elio!"

    He looked up to see Lillie running back down towards him as best she could in her dress clothes. Right behind her were two red collar-shirted men bearing patches of a medical insignia on their left breast.

    "We'll take her from here." One of them said, already beginning to strap an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth. "Lean back please."

    It all seemed to hit them like a train upon the realization of how close they were to losing her. Elio and Hau knew she wasn't in the clear yet, but bringing her back to consciousness would give her a fighting chance. They still had to deal with the toxin in her body as well as other possible harmful effects. Hau felt himself starting to calm a little as he saw his own crush talking to the two EMT paramedics that were crouched over her. After a few seconds, they helped move her onto a stretcher brought by a third man before carrying her back to the ambulance, which was parked right at the resort's entrance.

    "I'm going with her." Hau insisted.

    "Me too." Makoa added.

    "Okay." Elio drew in a deep breath, finally casting a gaze at all the onlookers as they were trying to be discreet in talking amongst themselves. His mind was still reeling from the experience, his lips over her mouth, providing breaths of life that could've stolen her away from them.

    "Elio?"

    He barely registered Lillie's concerned expression. Across from him, she was bewildered to see that her crush had such a defeated expression on his face.

    He's exhausted from the whole thing.

    Stepping forward, she offered her arms for comfort.

    Elio nearly collapsed into them, regaining just enough energy to wrap them gently around her back, but squeezed tight. Lillie didn't care that his body and hair were dripping wet onto her warm skin, she wanted to communicate to him that she was there.

    He seemed to be trembling slightly as she held him and leaned into her shoulder. Neither was able to register the blushing on each other's face as they felt skin on skin contact. A lot more of it than normal.

    She feels so soft.

    I feel so safe in Elio's arms right now. It's almost like nothing dangerous can even touch me.

    "Thank you Lillie." He shuddered slightly, feeling a soothing relief at her familiar embrace. "Mahalo for being here for me."

    She wasn't sure if he had felt her heart flutter at those words and she wasn't sure if she remembered herself talking quietly to further keep him calmed down.

    Elio finally pulled away, much to her own reluctance, however he didn't want to make things any more awkward. Nani took that opportunity to slither quietly onto the sand from behind and gently nudge him with her snout.

    He grinned and stroked it, earning a coo of happiness from her. "Mahalo nui loa. Nani."

    She kept prodding him, eventually raising her head up and leaning it right on his shoulder.

    His smile didn't fade, but he brushed her away. "I'm okay. I promise."

    That seemed to satisfy her and she trailed behind as they made their way back to Leilani's canopy. Instead of the entire place being rife with activity and vibrant conversations, it was full of murmurs as people continued to discuss the unexpected events. A few pointed at them as they walked inside the empty area.

    Elio quickly returned all his Pokémon, going out to where Grimer was still devouring the waste scraps of other beachgoers. He had been so carefree and absentminded that he hadn't noticed anything unusual that transpired since his trainer left him with his fellow sludge blobs. He was quickly returned to his Poké Ball as the others were slipped back inside his backpack.

    Between them news reporters had spawned right out of nowhere including the reporter from the News Network of Alola he recognized that interviewed Leilani just a couple of days ago. Jessie was her name. He thought to himself.

    A barrage of questions were hurtled his way and a half dozen handheld microphones thrust into his face.

    Lillie felt her own head spin from everything, but gasped as Elio grabbed her hand a little too firmly and pressed on, ignoring the press badgering them both.

    I don't want to talk! His brows furrowed at the thought they could make money and publicity out of this life threatening event. This never affected them.

    As they walked out, Elio just happened to see Sabine Joyeux in her canopy a ways over towards the resort's entrance. She was talking to another pair of women who were in simpler clothing, but likely close.

    Maybe her coach or trainer.

    He stole a glance every now and then as they approached them on the way to the exit, intent on heading to the hospital to join Hau and Makoa. Lillie tagged along, really without a choice as he had yet to let go of her hand.

    Sabine was laughing at something her trainers were saying and he could finally hear bits and pieces of their conversation. Something was gnawing at his inside that it wasn't good, considering her haughty attitude towards Leilani prior. It felt like she was actually celebrating that she was clearly out of the competition.

    She crossed the line when he heard "out of the picture."

    Elio wasn't going to lie to himself. When he was in basketball, the coach and some other players would be a bit more cheerful if an opposing player would be unable to participate, especially a starter they would have to deal with in order to win.

    He never willingly wished injury for anyone like that, regardless of their skill.

    So when Sabine Joyeux had smugly declared that the competition was no contest, he knew that it delighted her that her biggest rival and contender for the win was "out of the picture."

    Leilani's not even here to say anything. You're not getting the last word out of this.

    Still dripping wet from the ocean, Elio took a brisk step and fell right into stride towards Sabine's canopy.

    "Elio?"

    He ignored Lillie behind him, finally letting go of her hand and kept going. He never took his eyes off the blonde surfer except for the moment to look behind, seeing multiple cameras from different press stations still trained on them as they left.

    Sabine smiled again and sensed someone approaching from the side.

    She met a pair of steel gray eyes that were narrowed and glaring coupled with the permanent grimace chiseled onto Elio's face.

    "If you're here for an auto-"

    He promptly cut her off by taking three long steps right to the rack where her towels were hung.

    They were the expensive kind, at least judging from the tiny logo in the corner of a black outlying circle with the scaly wings of a butterfly Pokémon in the center. Each one was different in patterns, shapes and colors.

    Autograph this. Elio's eyes never lost their piercing stare as he reached up, grabbing one of the towels and swiftly yanking it off its rung. It flowed freely in the air before he tossed it behind his back, wrapping it around his chest and wiping off the droplets of water clinging to his skin. Once he had finished drying himself in the five seconds, he folded it right over his waist, tucking an end in so that it would hang on and not fall off as he walked.

    This towel seems so amazingly soft. Elio thought to himself, taking a moment off his preoccupation to admire the cloth's elegant design. High maintenance expensive towel for a high maintenance, expensive and uptight girl.

    Sabine's jaw literally dropped open in shock at his bold move and he had to almost clench his own teeth to keep himself from laughing and ruining the moment.

    Elio exhaled sharply through his nostrils as if in disappointment and turned away, gently taking Lillie's hand and leading her out of the resort. He never bothered to return the towel.

    You want it back? Come get it.

    "Let's go."

    Back in the canopy, Sabine Joyeux still had her mouth agape even as eager reporters swarmed towards her area, ready to pepper the surfer with questions about what more drama had just happened.

    Heh, what an ending right? Tried to make this as thrilling yet realistic as possible. I am CPR certified from Scout training, although I've never had to use the practice on anyone and hope I never do in the future. Big thanks to my mother who works in the medical field, even though her particular job doesn't require it as heavily, she still needs to be trained if the unthinkable occurred.

    Finally reaching the end stretches of the Akala act and getting to the spot where the story gets really interesting. I'll admit that my idea for Ula'ula stuff may not be as well done as it is here, but there's plenty of time to brainstorm on top of the other ideas.

    Translations:

    • Mahalo nui loa - Thank you very much.
    • K'ou Alola - My love.
    As always, a big mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.

    Brav
     
  13. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

    Bravo
    (Braviary)
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    Crown of ValorPoké Ball ★
    Alola my awesome readers! I'm actually quite surprised that this update came out right around my usual biweekly interval! I particularly love this little section of the story since it's where stuff really kicks off.

    Originally there was supposed to be a lot more that happens in this chapter including stuff for the Hano Grand Resort and the Aether Foundation. When I was done with what you see here, it's already the regular length of an average chapter...maybe more actually. I don't know.
    Either way, the Hano Grand Resort and Aether Foundation stuff has been pushed back for the next update. And why not have a little more time to add stuff in there that makes it even better right?

    And now here we are. Be ready for a sappy chapter full of angst, family and a lot of shippy moments...right after Valentine's Day. :P

    It's strange how things change.

    I didn't really know what to expect from Leilani when I first met her. She was nice and all, but I never thought we would get along.

    Turns out it was not as bad as I was expecting. She's an incredibly sweet person and it has been so cute in seeing how much Hau likes her. It's almost like watching two best friends fall in love without them knowing it.

    And now she's fighting for her life. I never knew something like this could hit so close to home.

    Either way, I saw Mister Brawly at the hospital here and he doesn't look too excited. Is she disqualified? Will she even heal in time to go wherever the next spot is?

    Professor Kukui told me that the heat wave is finally going away! What a relief! Now I won't sweat so much anymore! He also said that Mister Faba is coming to the Hano Grand Resort to take Elio and Hau to the Aether Paradise. I wish I could go, but…I can't. I can't let him or Mother get their hands on Nebby again.

    And why does Hau not seem like himself?

    Leilani was falling.

    The abyss stretched beneath her, swallowing anything within its pitch black void pull. Continuing her descent, she could only look with her arms outstretched and elbows bent as if free skydiving.

    Wind rushed violently against her cheeks and she felt like her hair was going to rip out of her scalp. She tried to say anything, shout, scream...however her voice never spoke no matter how hard she tried.

    A light suddenly spawned from the bottom, glowing brighter as she fell closer. She reached out, at least tried in an attempt to touch it, however her limbs never moved and mouth couldn't muster the strength to speak.

    As she came closer, she could see the light wasn't just a single one. It was a rainbow of colors that almost felt as if they were eyes.

    And then the body materialized. It had long limbs in perfect lines that moved sporadically. She barely saw the thing's outline of a ebony obsidian that glistened off the soft glow.

    Something about this radiated an aura made of pure evil.

    She felt fear icily grip her veins even as she free fell towards the pit of this thing's resting place.

    The sky began to brighten before a loud clap exploded into a flash of radiant light. Leilani could see the thing fully now.

    It was a creature, but unlike anything she had ever seen before. All of its body looked like an shadowed crystalline prism, with jagged spikes and spines lining on its entire body. The arms were wire thin, fattening out into obelisk gauntlets and razor sharp claws that looked as if they could literally split air. The entirety of its body was large in proportion to the much smaller legs, which almost looked as if they would fail to carry all of its immense weight.

    The "head" of the creature turned up, gazing up at her with no visible sign of its soulless eyes. If there was such a thing, its face was a long white strip softly glowing triangular shapes in a rainbow of colors scattered randomly about.

    It reached up.

    Leilani still couldn't move in falling. She was completely defenseless.

    The obsidian hand passed her and she finally turned her head to glance at a truly horrifying sight.

    Four digits of ebony fingers stretched up towards the vast expanse of the brightness. As the longest finger barely touched its wispy surface, tendrils of black shadowy webs shot across in a nexus of fragments. It was as if the touch poisoned and tainted the light surface's purity.

    Four sparks lashed out from the depths of the light, one of each color; yellow, pink, red and purple. They sped downwards on passing the shadows and attacking the obelisk-like beast. It snarled in response, swiping at the darting flicks as if they were gnats refusing to leave its head.

    The creature seemed to have enough of its annoyances before it crossed its arms and unleashed four blasts of perfectly aimed laser beams that intercepted and snuffed out all four of the sparks. They lazily sputtered as if clinging to the last bit of life as the long arms gathered them all in its palm, bringing them together .

    Leilani could see its eyes glow with a sort of wicked glee, as if wanting to devour and drown out the annoyances.

    Its hands closed together, ready to squish the four sparks.

    Only for them to shoot out from in between its fingers at the last possible moment, rocketing back upwards into the light to disappear. The creature snarled in frustration; an eerie earsplitting sound that resonated like machinery at its failure.

    The Leilani saw it.

    Another translucent being descended from above the light, gliding down with its arms and legs outstretched in a star formation to greet the shadowy being. Sensing the new presence in its domain; it shifted to face the new threat, as the four dimly lit sparks converged towards the arms.

    They swirled together, forming a solid ring of light around the figure's wrist. She could now see its head slowly rise up before it opened two glowing white eyes. It spread its arms apart and focused them together again; unleashing a torrent of blue-yellow light.

    The shadowed entity raised its own hands, shooting blackish lasers to intercept.
    The two attacks rapidly approached one another, radiating unfathomable power. Leilani couldn't find it in herself to look away, just shuddering at the catalyst that would soon come to pass.

    The aftermath of the "incident" was colorful to say the least.

    Media were still peppering the Surf Association with questions that couldn't be answered. As the hours passed with no further news of Leilani's condition, people began to fear for the worst.

    The intense heat from the wave was beginning to die out, much to a relief of Alola. Temperatures were still quite hot, however it gave the region a chance to breathe and return back to normal. The kahunas and weather station in Hau'oli City had dropped the risk of a Heat Alert, allowing activity to resume. The forecast was projecting it to end in the beginning of the next day.

    Leilani was moved as soon as possible to the Heahea City General Hospital right in the heart of the locale's downtown. The EMTs had whisked her straight up to intensive care where nurses and ER doctors were more than ready with equipment.

    That was six hours ago. The sun had already taken its leave from the sky and the streets were already packed with cars and ride Pokémon as people left their places of employment to head home for the day.

    All Elio could do was follow Lillie, Hau and Makoa into the waiting room and…wait.

    The boy stared at his arms as if they were alien in origin as his mind swirled with the magnitude of his actions.

    He remembered hearing his own heartbeat ringing in his ears to cancel out all other sound as he leaned down, covering Leilani's cold, salty mouth with his own warm lips. Deadly looking venom that dripped out from the cut in her left thigh.

    The surfer's life was in his hands and he kept his head down, staring at the purple and white pattern on the room's carpet.

    What if he failed? What if neither of them had gotten to her in time?

    All over the news and television, the incident was competing for the top headlines of the current events. All titled about the monster tentacruel attacking unprovoked the highly touted surfer that Alola prided itself on. Alola's sweetheart was what she was affectionately called.

    Theories were everywhere from foul play to the wrong place…at the wrong time.

    Elio wasn't sure to believe and he knew that trying to find the motive now would likely turn up empty.

    Professor Kukui and Burnet showed up after they had sat in the waiting room for at least a couple of hours. They had brought sandwiches and chili from the popular Cutter's chain for everyone, but nobody was in much of a mood to eat. Lillie took a couple bites of her own wrap before she stuffed it back into the sack, insisting that the professors take it back to the apartment to eat for later.

    Neither Elio nor Hau had taken a bite of their food and it quickly got cold. They didn't even bother to acknowledge the blonde when she wrapped it away.

    "I feel so awful." She whispered while sitting in the chair between Burnet and Kukui. Looking over at the boys, Lillie wished she could do something to brighten up the mood. However nothing came to mind. They were hanging onto a thin thread of hope that Leilani would come out of this unscathed…if she came out of it at all.

    "I know." Professor Kukui also had his own head bowed down and eyes closed. "It's such a hard feeling."

    "Being powerless." Lillie whispered. Looking over at Nebby, who had nestled along with several of the boy's Pokémon in the corner for a nap. "I've felt powerless before. But I want to help!"

    "That's very admirable of you." Burnet spoke quietly so she didn't disturb the others. "But it's out of our hands. The only thing we can do is wait and see what the doctors will do. Believe me when I say they don't accept defeat."

    "Elio looked so bad."

    "He's been an influence on you. Hmm?" The woman leaned forward, putting a hand over Lillie's back. She couldn't help but nod and agree.

    "I knew there was something up when you spoke so admirably about him. Almost reminds me of myself after I met Emilio."

    "Really?"

    Burnet nodded, leaning across to give her husband a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Yes. Back when the two of us were just friends…I introduced him to some of my college roommates who immediately took a liking and even secretly made bets that we would one day be married. How crazy to think they were right." She sighed. "It was just the way I loved his spirit and presence. He would always turn a head whether it was because of his charming good looks…or his one-of-a-kind personality. I can see almost the same thing with the two of you."

    Lillie wasn't sure why, but her pale skin did little to hide the growing rosy blush tinting her cheeks.

    Me and Elio? Married eventually? What if Kukui and Burnet already made that same bet? Could I see myself being married to him for the rest of my life?

    "But the thing is that, I've had some harder moments too. Where times get tough and frustrating. That's when Emilio was there to rub my back, take care of me and give a shoulder to cry on."

    She leaned forward, looking over at Elio sitting a few chairs down. "Go and be that person for him. It's times like this where someone needs a shoulder the most."

    Lillie nodded. "Okay. I'll try."

    Both of them must be going through a hard time right now. I didn't even do anything to help and even I feel bad.

    She stood up, wondering if a simple talk would get Elio to open up about everything.

    It's the least I could do as a friend.

    "Elio?" She cautiously approached him from the side. By now, Hau had finally perked his own head up, mustering enough strength to make his way right over to the television and flip it on. The first channel was already covering the surfing incident with a reporter already on scene, having probably been there already to cover the event.

    He paused, finally tilting his own head up and glancing her way.

    She nearly froze at the weight from his drilling stare. His normally cheerful eyes seemed icy cold and distant and his mouth often possessed a quick smile was now pressed in a thin line that wasn't showing if he was happy or sad.

    "Hey." He whispered. She thought she could see a smile flicker across his handsome features and it filled her heart with hope that it did.

    "I thought you might want some company. Or maybe someone to talk about everything." She sat next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder.

    I still can't believe how big and broad his shoulders are. If this was any other time…I'd just want to…touch them all day long.

    Dare I say I want to see him shirtless again? I sort of found that…kind of attractive.

    "Thanks." Her eyes full of concern, leaned closer. "It's nuts how much stuff flies through your mind when you're trying to keep a person alive. I didn't know what else to do…but I wasn't going to just stand by if it meant I could make a difference."

    "You've saved two lives today." She pointed out. "Meghan's baby and Leilani. I'm just…so amazed that you knew exactly what to do in both those situations. Who…who taught you to do those things?"

    Elio's eyes darkened. "My father." His lips parted in a humorless chuckle. "Yeah. My scumbag of a father taught me a lot of emergency preparedness stuff. Always said that it's one of the most useful skills to have. CPR especially."

    "CPR?"

    "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. What I did to Leilani."

    "I felt so bad."

    "I felt so exhausted." Elio said. "It just had to be done."

    "She'll get better."

    "Will she?"

    Lillie didn't have an answer. None of them did.

    "Elio, you got points for bravery so many times with what you did today. I wish I was half as brave as you."

    "You already are." She looked up in surprise at that.

    "Yeah." He went on. "When we were at the store and I ran out to confront Adam about trying to steal the ice and we came back, you did exactly what I told, even though most other people would balk away from something like that. Then you went to meet the EMTs, leading them here right away. With those crowds at the beaches, it could've taken them ten minutes or even more to find us. You played a part in getting her this far too, whether you like it or not."

    Lillie was surprised at how much he was praising her, even though she had hardly done anything. The way he had worded it suggested that she played the most crucial parts of both when he had done the heroics himself.

    "You're an amazing person. No matter what people say or where you came from. You know what…you're just like that knight in shiny armor I used to read about in books who slays dragons, helps those in need and all while saving the beautiful princess."

    "And you would be the princess?" A smirk tugged at Elio's mouth.

    Lillie couldn't help the teasing giggle.

    "Nah, I'm more like the wisecracking renegade who will irritate his foes with words and then dupe them with tricks. Then I rescue the princess, arguing with her all the way back to the castle where I go to expect a huge amount of gold and on my way."

    "Stop that." She playfully pushed his shoulder. "I can't dream right?"

    "Okay, I'll let you dream. Only if it's about me."

    I dream about you a lot more than you think.

    "Hey Lillie."

    "Yeah?"

    Elio gently moved her hands so that both of them rested on his shoulders. He leaned his head forward, gently touching their foreheads together. The exchange of honi seemed to erase the stress of the recent events as his own hands found themselves wrapped around her waist. Eyes closed, there were two distinct tones humming softly as they savoring the tender moment.

    Neither of them noticed Kukui and Burnet watching them with unsurprised expressions.

    He initiated leaning away, reluctantly at first, but he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. His eyes drifted down to her shapely body that looked even more amazing with a t-shirt.

    I want to see her in that white bikini again.

    "I want to thank you." Elio forced himself to banish that thought yet again from his perverted mind. He had to say something.

    At first, the panic from nearly losing a friend gave way to a boiling anger at the authorities for not responding timely. He was pretty sure she could've died if left out there within several minutes.

    But looking at Lillie, seeing her…her beautiful face, with eyes full of concern seemed to quench the rage fires that blazed in his own heart. He couldn't find a reason to further be angry; not with someone like her around.

    "Thank me?"

    "Yes. You've done so much for me…more than I've realized. You're…my right arm. My rock."

    "I…I."

    "There's no use denying it because I'm not taking no for an answer."

    "Elio." She reached up, cupping the side of his cheek and tracing her fingers along his jaw. He had closed his own eyes, savoring the contact.

    He began to lean forward, centering his trajectory on her lips as his own drew closer.

    Is he going to?

    Mere moments before anything else could happen, they heard the door to the medical offices unlock and quickly pulled away in embarrassment that they'd be caught doing something they shouldn't. Lillie felt her own heart drop inside her stomach, feeling disappointed at such an interruption.

    Was Elio going to kiss me?

    He averted his own eyes, still holding her close in his arms as they looked at the new presence in the room.

    A man with a white lab coat and nametag of a doctor stepped in. He had a graying hairline going in a full retreat with well-maintained and groomed appearance that betrayed his older age. A pair of weathered hands were together and Elio couldn't really pin down whether the expression on his face was optimistic or grim. As if sensing the inevitable; the rest in the lobby had stood up as well to await the news. If he had to guess, the man appeared to have mostly Unovan features.

    "Family of Leilani Taula?" He asked in a deeper masculine voice. Still there was little inflection of emotion.

    "I'm her father." Makoa stepped forward. His eyes widened with anticipation. "These are her friends."

    The ER doctor nodded, forgoing the rest of the introduction formalities and breaking the news straightaway, which was typical for such a position. "I'm Doctor Luther Hansen."

    He launched straight into his report. "Leilani is currently out of the surgery ward and in recovery, but still in critical condition. The tentacruel attack had punctured her left thigh and she did receive a significant dosage of its venom that pierced her skin and entered her bloodstream."

    Elio's breath stopped short.

    "Now from what I understood, she had been pulled into the water after the attack and she has severe inflammation in both her lungs, augmented by the overabundance of salt in ocean water. They had spasms in water after not receiving oxygen for a long period. Much of it has been extracted, but we are still monitoring her breathing in case it acts up again."

    "The venom." Makoa said. "It can cause heart attacks if it reaches the heart."

    Doctor Hansen nodded. "No traces of it appear to have left her leg to other parts of her body. It was incredible. We also ran an X-Ray and MRI, finding out that she had a fractured sternum caused by a caving of the ribs when cardiopulmonary resuscitation had been applied. We managed to resume its normal heart rate and stabilize it."

    Elio's own heart soared with hope and he suddenly felt incredible that he had done something right.

    He turned right to him. "I hear you are the one who performed CPR on Miss Taula?"

    Immediately all eyes fell on him and he almost shrunk back. Lillie sensed her friend's discomfort and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

    Sun felt his mouth go dry, but he willed himself to be brave at being the center of attention. "Yes sir. After I found no other resources or means to help; Hau and I administered CPR on her until the EMTs had arrived."

    He saw a spark flicker behind Hansen's blue eyes. "That's quite impressive. Whoever trained you on that did it well."

    "Can we see her?" Makoa asked.

    "Of course. She is still sedated and will likely wake up around midday tomorrow."

    "Thank you Doctor." He said breathlessly.

    "You should thank her two friends for everything. I wouldn't have had anything to work with had it not been for them."

    Doctor Hansen motioned for a nurse to escort them to Leilani's room before insisting he would be back the next day to see her off if everything progressed as intended.

    Elio kept a slight pace behind Makoa and Hau as Lillie stuck to his own side. Professor Kukui and Burnet had already stated they were going to see her briefly and make sleeping arrangements for Lillie and the boys at her apartment.

    The nurse led them past several closed rooms until she stopped at number fifteen.

    "If any of you need anything, Madison and I are here for the night shift. Doctor Hansen will be back tomorrow, but Doctor Austin is here. Come and get us."

    The group murmured their thanks as she took her leave before opening the door quietly out of courtesy rather than waking her up.

    Leilani lay in the wide hospital bed with her eyes closed and chest rising and falling peacefully.

    It hit Elio like a sledgehammer at how helpless she looked. A breathing tube was stuck in her mouth similar to an athlete's with the rest going over the side to the ventilator. Beside an IV bag, he could also see a second smaller one that had a few drops of an ominous yellowish liquid. The red biohazard symbol was enough to tell him that it was what venom had been extracted.

    Hau looked completely crushed while Makoa seemed more relieved.

    Either way, it was hard seeing their friend like this.

    "She'll be okay." Hau said quietly, almost as if he was telling that to himself. "She will."

    Elio had a rather fitful sleep, even though Professor Burnet had fashioned what she could out of her comfortable front couch.

    Despite Lillie's consoling yesterday, he was tormented with the evasion of rest since much of his body was still wearing off the shock and adrenaline.

    Willing his body to fall asleep was useless until it finally did at two thirty in the morning. He didn't awaken until it was almost eleven. However it was interrupted by the catchy ringtone on his phone.

    "Ugh." Grumbling as if he experienced a hangover, his hand groped the nightstand, trying to find the annoying device.

    His fingers brushed the front screen and brought it up to his eyes, seeing a picture of his mother's smiling face which was an indication of whom was calling.

    "Hi Mom." He said, trying to push the tiredness out of his voice.

    "Elio." His mother had that stern edge to her voice that pierced the airways like a knife.

    He knew he was in deep trouble.

    "I just saw the news. Your face is all over it."

    "What?"

    "Oh you didn't know?" Elaine questioned. "Really? You do something like that and not even tell your own mother?!"

    "Mom?" That particular despairing sensation began to resettle in Elio's stomach. He was sleeping in Burnet's living room, so he grabbed the remote, turning her older television on and flipping through the channels finally coming to the News Network of Alola.

    "Authorities are still investigating the lack of rescue personnel on station during the incident at the Kumu Reef Triple Crown Surfing Tournament yesterday. A massive tentacruel attacked competitor Leilani Taula during the final heat of her performance. Leilani had disappeared in the attack and had not been seen for almost five minutes."

    The anchors went back to a reporter standing on the grounds of the Hano Grand Resort. Elio recognized her again, Jessie.

    "Right on this beach, thousands stood in complete disbelief. The Surf Association has never lost a surfer to unprovoked Pokémon attacks, but that reality almost came true yesterday. Witnesses said that nobody was willing to go to her rescue, no lifeguards, no fellow surfers. Until two young men and a group of their Pokémon had dashed straight into the surf. The massive tentacruel confronted them and the two trainers battled and fended it off while pulling Leilani out from underwater. Her surfboard's leash had snagged on rocks when she had been dragged under and she was unable to remove it before losing consciousness. The two trainers even had their Pokémon battle the beast as they rode a ride lapras to shore."

    Elio could still hear his own mother talking in his phone, but kept his eyes on the television as it played the final moments of the battle against the monster while riding the wave to shore. There were screams of onlookers and exclamations of what was happening, but the footage was so distorted with the camera phone shaking that it was impossible to tell.

    Is this camera guy treating it like it's a rattle or something?

    "Oh my gosh!"

    "Did you see that?"

    At that moment, he could make out Nani uncoiling her serpentine form and unleashing a devastating dragon pulse at the tentacruel. Three booming explosions rang out, bringing a fresh wave of gasps and shrieks.

    Jessie pulled the footage away and walked down one of the promenades by the beach.

    "The two trainers have been identified as Elio Northstar, an island challenger that had completed the Mauna Wela trial just weeks ago and Hau Kealoha, the grandson of the kahuna of Melemele Island. Kahuna Hala has stated that Leilani and the two boys were close friends and that their acts were of no surprise. Elio has even been stated by him as encountering the guardian deity Tapu Koko of Melemele Island early in his travels as the waeia kekahi."

    "Mom…I."

    Elaine wasn't having any of it. "I'm speechless right now. What you did was incredibly dangerous."

    Elio felt anger erupt within him. He had never seriously lashed out at his mother for anything, but here he was willing to defend his own actions, fully convincing himself he was righteous and only trying to help.

    "Mom, I thought it's us as a family to help anyone we can." He quickly felt the stress building up. "Nobody was out there to help. No lifeguards, no rescue people. What am I supposed to do sit out there and do nothing? People's worlds could've been destroyed. Mine partially. Leilani is my friend and I'm not going to stand by while there was still a chance to save her. I understand you weren't happy with me and Hau putting our lives at risk…but I'm adamant I made the right choice. I'm ready to accept whatever to have to say."

    For what seemed like an eternity, he heard no response. And then there was a muffled sound from the other end.

    Almost like a sniffle.

    Elio's heart stopped and his defiance quickly gave way to regret. Did I just make my own mother cry?

    "Mom, I'm sorry."

    Another sniffle. He wasn't just imagining things.

    "I'm so proud of you."

    What?!

    "Mom?"

    "Elio, you are becoming so much more of a man every time I see and talk to you. It makes me happy to hear you become more and more confident and assertive with your decisions."

    Hold up, I thought I was getting chewed out here.

    "I didn't know what to say or think that entire time." Elio quietly confessed. "I saw that thing attack her and I just acted."

    "You did the right thing." His mother assured him. "That was the right thing to do and I'm glad you took that initiative. You're right in that she may not have had the same fighting chance if nobody did anything."

    "I'm sorry if I scared you."

    "I was so scared. I could've lost my own whole world."

    Please not now! Her words began to bring tears to his eyes.

    "It's my job as a mother to worry about you. I think about you every minute of every day and wonder if you're alright. No matter how much I try and think about it; you're just a Pokémon trainer on a journey…just like I was. I can't help but miss you all the time. That's all."

    "Mom...thank you."

    "K'ou wahi anela. That's what you are." Elio's mouth curled up in a smile at hearing the Alolan term for the nickname she had often given him.

    "You be safe out there okay. You're my hero, day in and day out."

    "I'll be safe Mom. No more risks."

    "I know. And tell Hau the same. His grandfather was very worried about both of you too."

    Leilani's face stirred as Elio and Lillie were entering her ward again. At her side was Hau and Makoa, silently sitting and waiting for the same opportune time she would awaken.

    Even though the heat from the wave had cooled off, Elio borrowed a hoodie from Professor Burnet to use while they walked to Heahea General Hospital. News broke out of their heroics overnight practically all around the world about the two boys who fearlessly dove into the choppy waters to save a girl. Clips of their battle and frantic practice of performing CPR had surfaced all over news stations, Festival Plaza and PokeTube.

    Elio thought it was pretty cool to be famous, but the actions he had done for that status had been out of necessity. He wasn't seeking out the spotlight.

    Even if he was being paranoid, he kept a low profile and tried to be as incognito as possible. They had set out when traffic was among the lowest and kept to a less traveled route. It took them a little longer to reach the medical facility after a stop at a grocery store for a small breakfast, but nobody was fawning or gushing. He didn't even get a second glance to his knowledge from anyone. They kept to their own business which both teens appreciated.

    Hau had left Burnet's apartment even earlier in the morning to see Leilani, which was an oddity considering that he often woke up late for things. Elio saw his hand down in his lap, cradling hers.

    Makoa's head leaned against the wall and he stirred when Lillie opened the door. Elio realized he was asleep.

    "Hey. We brought breakfast since you both were already here." They had both perked up at the mention of food while he walked over to place a bag of takeout from Tanaka's. "She waking up?"

    "I think so." Hau rasped. "The doctors said the sedative was starting to wear off."

    It crushed him to see how devastated his best friend looked. Hau's long hair had that greasy appearance as if he hadn't showered. His eyes were sunken and there were wrinkles just underneath his eyelids. His movements were sluggish; as if a zombie trying to revive itself.

    Hau must've had just as bad of a night as me.

    He crossed over to his best friend, who didn't even look up at his approach.

    Geez.

    "You hungry?"

    Hau shook his head.

    It's strange seeing him not cheerful. Unsettling even.

    "Have you eaten since yesterday?"

    Another head shake.

    "I think you should." Lillie agreed with Sun, holding out one of the bags from Tanaka's. "We got some fresh malasadas."

    Elio held it open for Hau to see the confections, still feeling the heat coming from inside. "Hurry and eat them before they get cold."

    "I'm actually hungry." Makoa said, grabbing one of the bags. "Better eat outside. Nurses can throw fits if someone eats in the same room as a patient."

    Leilani's father was already having the appetite getting the best of him, but he was already out the door, nibbling on a malasada and heading straight for the coffee vending machine.

    "Come on Hau." Elio put a hand on his shoulder. "Lillie and I will keep her company."

    "You promise?" Hau broke his silence rather abruptly and glanced somberly up at his best friend.

    "Promise?"

    "Promise you'll tell me first if she wakes up?"

    Of course I will.

    "Yeah. I promise you."

    "Actually Elio, I think I'll go and eat with Hau." Lillie said, standing up. As he slipped by her, grabbing the bag and walking out the door, she leaned back down to whisper in his ear.

    "I have to make sure he actually eats. Plus I think Nebby is hungry too."

    "Pretty sure malasadas will wake his stomach up." Elio joked, causing the blonde to giggle. "That's fine. I'll text him if anything happens."

    As she left the door; Elio reached over and took Leilani's hand in both his. It had that similar warmth when she had hugged him several times already, but it was limp and unresponsive.

    It didn't seem to matter that she was just in an enormous traumatic ordeal…her skin remained as soft and heavenly smooth as ever.

    "Leilani." He began, not even sure she was going to hear him. "I didn't know what to expect when we first met after I moved here. Things were so unfamiliar and I kind of came from a bad situation in Kanto. Hearing the things about Alola…I hated this place to start."

    A humorless laugh, more aimed at himself followed. "But you, Lillie, Hau, Professor Kukui and a ton of other people showed me that it doesn't matter my background or a haole. You showed me the spirit of the islands and how passionate you were about surfing."

    "You're someone who lives life on the edge…to the fullest."

    Elio turned her hand around in his palms. "I was so scared…we'd lose you. Hau was so scared…he was the one who convinced me to go out to sea to look around…I didn't even want to. Now I feel like an idiot for thinking that."

    His thoughts drifted to his best friend and how he was worried sick for her. "Hau though. He saved your life. He persisted to think you were still out there, fighting. I'm…sorry for not thinking the same and giving up so easily."

    Was that a twitching of her eyelid? Could she be hearing anything he said? It didn't matter; he was going to say it regardless.

    "Hau cares a lot about you Leilani. He's liked you for a long time, probably before I even got here. Heh…I'd even go as far to say in love. So you better wake up from this and come back strong. I didn't pull you out of the drink just for you to go like this. And I'll be damned if Hau doesn't get an opportunity to tell you that you're the one he loves so much. The way he talks about you all the time is so fluffy and gooey that it makes me extremely happy. I didn't think he could get any happier as a trainer, but with you? His positivity is so infectious that it hurts seeing him like this!"

    Elio wasn't sure if anyone was watching, but he got up, leaning close and gently putting his forehead against hers. He felt her breath go unchanged from the contact, but knew that this was the way to exchange the breath of life between individuals.

    "You're strong. You made it through that and you'll make it through this."

    Hau, Makoa and Lillie returned almost an hour later when the clock hit noon. It was almost right on the dot when Leilani weakly opened her eyes.

    Elio saw her first; gently squeezing her hand and motioning to the others as she finally began to awake from the effects of the anesthetic.

    "Hi there, my heavenly star." Makoa used her name's meaning which actually brought her lips upward in a smile as she still tried to get her bearings. "You've been out for a while."

    "Wha-" Leilani tried to question, but she found her throat parched like sandpaper. All that came out was a muted croak. The breathing tube hindered part of her speech, so she pulled it out, letting it dangle at her bedside.

    "Here." Lillie was quick to act, grabbing a cup and pouring some water from her bottle. She handed it to Makoa, who gently tilted it. She sipped slowly as he fed her the rest and gave her a moment to catch her breath.

    "Thank you Lillie." The blonde smiled and nodded at the sign of appreciation. She then looked over at her father. "What…happened?"

    "You were attacked." He said quietly. "A tentacruel just came out from the wave."

    "And?"

    This is the hardest part of telling what happened to someone who has no idea.

    "It stung you and you fell underwater. Elio and Hau ran out to sea to get you."

    Elio wasn't sure if he was going to go into specifics of the CPR. He had put his mouth over hers and touched her in a place…where no man should without proper consent.

    Stop it. You saved her life. You're not a pervert.

    That was right at the time where Leilani had felt a sharp pain right at the center of her chest. She winced, clenching her teeth together and arching her body, rolling her head back onto her pillow.

    "What…it hurts."

    Better just come clean.

    "Leilani." Elio began, catching the girl's attention. "You weren't breathing or conscious when I used Hana to bring you back to shore." He held up his hands. "I…happen to know CPR, so Hau and I administered that to you to keep you alive while the paramedics got to the beach."

    She wrinkled her forehead in confusion before it dawned on her. "So?"

    He nodded. "While doing that, I cracked your sternum. It often happens when CPR is being applied."

    "How long?"

    "Your sternum will fully heal within five to six weeks." Doctor Hansen said as he strode through the door with a clipboard and took off the stethoscope around his neck. "Glad to see you're finally awake Leilani. I'm Doctor Luther Hansen, I was in charge of your operation and recovery."

    "I…hello Doctor."

    "Hello." He allowed himself an easygoing grin. "You're definitely lucky to have such loyal friends who stuck by your side during the whole thing in Elio and Hau."

    She stopped, glancing over at Elio and then Hau, her gaze lingering on the kahuna's grandson before looking shamefully away.

    "You've got a visitor as well, so I'll let him in after I'm done here."

    Doctor Hansen checked her breathing on her back with the stethoscope before nodding with satisfaction and jotting down notes on his clipboard. He ran a few more simple tests and judging by his pleased behavior, things were looking optimistic.

    "Everything checks out to my optimal satisfaction, you are clinically recovered enough to be discharged from the hospital, but I need to discuss some things with you."

    "Okay?" Leilani had agreed, but Elio caught her tone in that she did not like where this was going.

    "You suffered a significant sting on your left thigh from the tentacruel that attacked you." Hansen began. "Tentacruel stings can range from being mild to deadly and it's been nothing short of tapu intervention you survived the dosage you received."

    Leilani remained silent, but Makoa had let his head down again, trying to process everything.

    "We've managed to extract nearly the entirety of the venom injection from your body, however there are going to be some aftereffects."

    "How long?" She asked breathlessly.

    "I do not know." Doctor Hansen shook his head and took a set by her bedside. He sized her up behind his glasses and took another deep breath. "Some victims have scars that heal in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I think yours is going to last significantly longer."

    "My leg hurts." Leilani said. "I know I can't walk right away."

    "That's right. The venom is a neurotoxin that can disrupt the nerves inside your leg muscles, causing them to be contracted and cramp up. The majority of it will wear off within a few days and I'll set you up with some sessions with a therapist so you can practice walking again." He raised a curious eyebrow on her rather surprised and horrified face. "Trust me. Learning to walk again after being stung by a tentacruel is not easy. I've treated dozens of victims like yourself."

    "So you're saying?"

    Doctor Hansen knew that the revelation was coming and he did feel pained to tell her. Fortunately, he didn't have to.

    Leilani's eyes widened at the new person who had walked in, she recognized the silvery blue hair and the brawny frame anywhere. "Brawly."

    The former surfing legend gave her a thin smile. "Hello Leilani. Glad to see you are recovering."

    "As soon as I can walk again, I'm going out there. I can still catch up." She declared, looking at him dead in the eye.

    "But you can't." Hau revealed. "They won't let you."

    "What do you mean?"

    "There's no easy way to say this." Brawly started. "But with your long recovery ahead, I'm afraid we are going have to disqualify you for the Apex Championship title."

    Elio was pretty sure she would've fainted had nobody else been there.

    "What? What do you mean?" She looked at them in disbelief.

    "Your recovery." Doctor Hansen said. "The tentacruel venom's lasting effects include intensive pain and involuntary muscle spasms and weakness in your leg. While you may be clear to be discharged from the hospital, which we will do later today, you are not medically cleared to resume your physical activity until the therapist and I both are satisfied with your recovery."

    "Weakness?"

    "Imagine walking and suddenly your leg stops responding to your brain signals. The venom acts as an inhibitor to the neurons in your muscles, canceling them out. You could buckle and collapse on that leg with little to no warning."

    "You're saying I can't walk?"

    "You'll be able to walk again within a week. I estimate the inhibitor phase to last somewhere within three to four weeks, but not for now. The venom may be gone, but you will need to deal with its lingering aftereffects." The doctor pointed down to her leg. "You probably haven't felt much since you woke up. We've put an antivenom injector band on your thigh with a strong cocktail drug to mitigate your stinging pain."

    Leilani pulled back the blanket over her legs, finally revealing to her and everyone else the device affixed to her left leg.

    It was smooth and glossy black, with delta striations fanning out from a circular button. There was a small reservoir located beside it on the edge, filled with a clear gel liquid.

    "Press that button and the injector will release the cocktail to suppress the pain. I'll prescribe you with three months' worth and you'll come in to get the band changed after that. A nurse will also be by with instructions on how to care for it."

    "Hold on, what does this mean for competing at the next tournament in Oblivia?"

    "I'm afraid you'll have to cancel those." Brawly said solemnly. "With the long amount of time in recovery, there's no way you'll be able to stay in the race for the championship."

    "So that's it?" Leilani's brow furrowed and her dark eyes glared at all of them. None wanted to meet her gaze and Doctor Hansen quickly excused himself to attend to the drug's administration. He was sensing some drama and tension building up.

    "My surfing career is done?"

    "Judging by what the doctor had said," Brawly began. "No. Injuries like this is going to mean you'll be missing the rest of this season. Take your time with therapy and recovery. We'll be expecting you back."

    "The season just started!" Leilani protested. "I can compete at the end! I don't care if I win…my mother."

    Hau's breath stopped. As did Makoa's.

    "I understand how big this was for you Leilani." Brawly said, sympathetically but firm on his decision. "I really do." He put his left foot on her bedside and rolled his pant leg.

    Nobody said anything, but Elio was a little unnerved by the long scarred line along the back of his calf.

    "I wiped in the first heat and with my luck…split my leg open. A sharp corsola branch cut it deep and I missed the rest of my season. The whole thing horrified my own family." He pulled the pant back down and refocused his gaze on the young surfer. "I've been hit worse. I've come back. You can too."

    "This was my moment. This was where I was going to show the world how great surfers from Alola would be."

    "Brawly, if I may?" Elio interrupted. "I don't mean to play the devil's advocate here; but prior to the competition we got a visit from Sabine Joyeux. I know she and Leilani have that rivalry going on and she tried to get under her skin…well all of ours to be precise with some not so nice words. I have to say that the exchange wasn't exactly the most pleasant and as we left, I wasn't particularly happy with what she was saying afterwards."

    "So you're suspecting Sabine was in on the incident?" His normally carefree expression turned serious. "That's a big accusation you're throwing out there."

    "I know. I can't shake the feeling that something like this could've happened. Sabine and Leilani have been longtime rivals…bitter ones too and while I never met Sabine in person until today, judging by her attitude I wouldn't put this past her."

    I could ruin an innocent career with something like that…

    "I see."

    Elio wasn't done though. "But I really want to know was where the rescue teams were? I've always seen lifeguards on station at the beach, ready to spring into action."

    Brawly closed his eyes, knowing the answer. "The two lifeguards covering the event were seen on camera flirting with a group of partygoers when the incident happened. They are no longer employed there as of today."

    Sun felt his own anger boil over quickly at knowing that, but he refrained from saying anything. It wouldn't help or change anything that was already done.

    Did the resort hire a bunch of negligent kids for that?

    "We will be investigating all possible avenues for motives and causes. The Alolan Coast Guard did manage to recover the remains of the tentacruel that attacked and a further autopsy should provide us with more information. Thank you for giving me that piece of information Elio. Sabine is now a possible person of interest."

    Brawly's cell phone began to ring with a catchy surf theme and he excused himself, walking out of the door to answer.

    "That doesn't help me though."

    "Maybe not," Makoa leaned down to give his daughter a kiss on the cheek. "But they're going to look into every possibility that this wasn't just an accident."

    "But I want it to just be an accident. This doesn't need to blow up into something super dramatic. I just want to compete again."

    "I know."

    "Besides," Elio added. "If Sabine was behind it or backed whoever did; she's gonna face disciplinary action…maybe even attempted manslaughter. If she paid someone off; I'm pretty sure they won't hesitate to turn on her for a lighter sentence if they're caught." A grin came to his face. "Either way…she's not getting out of a scandal like this without having to look over her shoulder all the time."

    Brawly had come back into the room looking much happier than before. "Well I got good news for you. The commissioner of the World Surfing League has agreed to give you a file for reinstatement at the beginning of next season once the Association is satisfied with you being back in surfing condition. You'll receive the invitation three months out from next season to come in for a performance test before qualifying just like you did recently." He glanced back at his phone. "I need to get going. I hope you have a quick and healthy recovery. Shock the League, just like I know you will."

    "Mahalo." He gave a hang-loose sign with his thumb and pinkie finger before bidding everyone farewell.

    As he left; Leilani sighed and seemed to sag even more into her bed, further depressed about her condition.

    "You heard him." Makoa said, trying his best to keep her spirits up. "You've got an entire year to rest up, get stronger and recover. I'll help you through it…as always."

    "So will I." Hau added almost instantly.

    Elio nodded. "I'm not letting you sit and mope…not after you dragged me out of my home to enjoy Alola."

    "Me too." Lillie said.

    "See? Look at all the support you have."

    She nodded, almost looking as if she was going to the brink of tears. "Mahalo…all of you."

    "That's what we do." Hau assured her. "We are ohana."

    Leilani smiled at his words. "Elio, Lillie, Dad…do you mind if I…talk to Hau? Alone?"

    Sun thought Makoa would have a much bigger reaction than he did. He gave Hau a trusting look that didn't go unnoticed before standing up and kissing her forehead again.

    "Of course, k'ou alola." He stood up and made his way out the door. Elio was right behind him, taking one of Lillie's arms to guide her out the door.

    Hau smiled at her again as the others had ushered themselves out of the room. Leilani couldn't help finding it incredible cute the way he tried to steal looks at her. He was clearly nervous about something, fidgeting with his hands and looking everywhere except for directly at her.

    "I'm glad you're alright." He finally said after a while. The fidgeting was still here and she could tell he was forcing himself to relax.

    Why is he so jittery?

    "Thank you." She whispered. "Thank you for saving my life. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

    "Heh…well actually it was Elio who did CPR on you until the paramedics got there."

    "But he still credited you for a lot of it. I'll thank him later, but you were in on it just as much as he was."

    "Knowing Elio," Hau chuckled. "He's way to humble to take all the credit, even though I was just moral support."

    Moral support.

    The teenage boy took a deep breath. "Now you can just relax, take things easy and rest up. Maybe even continue on your journey as a trainer during the offseason!"

    "I'd like to. I'd like to go back out there on a board next week."

    "Next week? You'll still be in crutches!"

    "I'm not letting that stop me." Leilani said with a fierce determination surfacing. "This is only a minor setback."

    Hau couldn't believe his ears. "Leilani…you almost died out there. Shouldn't you…you know?"

    "Know what?"

    "Maybe stop putting yourself at risk until you can handle it again?"

    Leilani gave him a dismissive eye roll, "I'm eighteen years old. In a year, I can legally drink and marry. I've surfed more than half my age. There's no way a little sting is going to stop me."

    "That's not a little sting." Hau argued. "The doctor said you may not be able to walk properly for weeks and that band."

    "I don't need this band. It's done nothing."

    The kahuna's grandson rolled his eyes, still wondering why she was so stubbornly arguing back.

    Can't she see that I'm trying to help and protect her?

    "What are you getting at Hau?" She sat up, narrowing her eyes at him. "Why are you all of a sudden my parent?"

    Both of them had sensed an argument brewing, but neither really had the initiative to stop the runaway train. "What?! No! I'm just saying that I'd lay off the surfing for a while."

    "I can't lay it off!" Leilani hissed back. "Surfing is my life! I don't get why you're trying to make me stop doing something I love!"

    "Because you almost died!"

    "So?"

    "What are you trying to prove by going out…against doctor's orders I might add?!" He waved a hand at the door. "I heard it loud and clear that you were not to take rigorous physical activity until he and the therapist deemed it satisfactory! Did you hear that? Or do you still have ocean water in your ears?!"

    "I heard him…I don't care!"

    "I do."

    "Well I appreciate your support Hau." Her tone started to become even bitterer with sarcasm dripping like grease. "You're a true friend."

    That felt like a nail straight through his heart. But he shook off the condescending remark as best he could. "I guess you'll understand when you're in my shoes. I don't want to lose you!"

    "You're not going to lose me! You were so supportive all those years! What happened to that?! Huh?! Hau!"

    He took a deep breath, dropping his voice that was barely heard over the beeping of the heart monitor. Neither had noticed her rate had increased.

    "Because…makemake au iāʻoe."

    Leilani had almost no time to act before Hau leaned forward, using his fingers to brush stray locks of her dark hair away from her face. She opened her mouth to say something.

    Before he smashed his lips on hers.

    Sparks of emotion danced among both of their senses as they experienced the phenomenon for the very first time. It was rough…unpracticed and neither of them had any prior knowledge.

    At first, she tried to pull and struggle away, but he held her relentlessly with desperation. Her next attempt to free herself only ended up emitting a muffled moan. Ironically, it had encouraged Hau even more as he leaned forward, deepening the kiss between them. The boy was already in the thick of bliss that he had no idea she was attempting to fight him off.

    Holy…freaking…by the tapu! Leilani was upset at the fact her body was betraying her by actually enjoying her first. I never knew Hau could kiss this good! I mean I've never seen him kiss someone else before…

    Her own mind hit a euphoria that was more powerful than she imagined from the newly discovered intimacy that the rest of her body lay still, refusing to make any actions to push him away. A powerful flame had ignited from within and as Hau poured all of his emotions into the kiss; the flame only grew bigger and richer.

    Hau finally left her having a need for air, parting their lips and staggering back with an equally shocked look on his face.

    Several seconds passing felt like hours as they both felt the same feelings…yet neither had the brevity to declare or confess anything. She knew that somewhere inside her were those dormant feelings for him…and it was all so sudden she could barely process it all from almost dying, then fighting to survive and finally sharing a kiss with him.

    My first…kiss…was Hau.

    "That's fine." He quietly said, once again awkwardly averting his gaze elsewhere. "I just wanted a say in that you mean a lot to me…I care about you…a lot. A lot more than you think. Now that I've said what I wanted…go and do what you so wanted to do. "

    The look on her face crushed his heart.

    "Hau."

    He had to get out of that room.

    Before he further damaged anything else left between them.

    Hau Kealoha's apologetic look didn't change as he turned on his heel and briskly walked out, not noticing her own conflicted expression.

    "HAU!" The moment she said that, a sharp searing pain lanced around her left thigh, causing her to wince. It increased in intensity before a muted cry escaped her lips, coming to a sensation of a red hot knife gouging itself inside. She paid little attention to the rapidly beeping heart monitor.

    "The band!" Her hands flew to blankets, flinging them away and pressing her thumb on the circular button in the center. The moment she hit it, a white light glowed from the striations as she felt streams of a cold fluid enter and spread around her leg. Counteracting the heat from the sting's pain, it quickly numbed momentarily before it dulled and finally subsided after about fifteen seconds.

    She sat up, breathing heavily and whimpering from the pain's traumatic effects. The allure of sleep was tugging at her again when the nurses came back in after seeing the abnormality in her heart rate.

    The pain was gone temporarily, thanks to the injector.

    So why did she still feel like a knife was still there?

    Elio, Lillie and Makoa were sitting in the lobby once again when Hau had walked through. Tears were threatening to fall from his eyes and he shook his head constantly as if to berate himself. He gave them a smile, but offered no greeting and headed straight for the doors which parted at his approach.

    "Hau?" Elio asked, getting up.

    "Hey." It was a little too late for him to wipe his tears away, but he had one of those forced smiles.

    "What's going on?" He had a sneaking feeling of what happened, but didn't want to jump to conclusions right away.

    "I…I just need some time alone. I'll tell you everything. I promise."

    "Um…okay."

    "Thanks for understanding."

    "I get it. Go do what you need to do."

    Elio just wanted to get his mind off Leilani for the rest of the day, so he and Lillie had gotten some extra food after Makoa went to check on his daughter, telling him they were going to spend the rest of the day at the beach.

    They found a more secluded spot in a public area and laid their towels next to one another, lying down on their backs. Elio bought them both a pair of sunglasses to use while out there since he found himself squinting off the bright sand and reflection of the water. Lillie's pair were white rimmed with dark lenses while Elio's had a black and gray digital style camouflage and the lenses were a bright blue.

    He opened up an umbrella, sticking it in the sand and raising it up so it shielded them from the rays of the sun. Sure enough, the heat wave had passed by, still giving it a welcoming warmth, but he was no longer sweating to death.

    I hope Adam and Meghan got their conditioning repaired.

    "This feels nice." Lillie was wearing the same bikini from before, a satin white that had a gold ring clasping the front and back together. Another one connected the cups of her breasts.

    Elio found himself staring at her again…not at eye level either. And he did it probably even more than he should've.

    For some reason, it drove him mad that there was a part where he could see an entire uncovered side of her skin.

    "This is wonderful." Lillie said. "I'm so happy you've been so brave and considerate out there. I say we go and see her once she's out of the hospital."

    "I'd like that."

    They spent a couple more hours, laying around and chatting about other things. She didn't seem to want to go into the water, but he didn't mind either.

    "Would you…do the same to me?"

    "What do you mean?" He asked.

    "If I was drowning."

    "Geez Lillie, don't say that."

    "But I want to know." She pleaded. "If I was drowning…would you come and save me?"

    He had no hesitation in his answer. "Yes. Without a doubt."

    "Thank you."

    "I'd take a bullet for any of my friends." Elio said.

    "And you would make an excellent lifeguard." Lillie agreed. "Maybe the resort should hire you instead of whoever was on duty."

    "Maybe."

    "If you weren't a trainer or an aspiring basketball player…what kind of job would you have?"

    Elio hadn't really thought about that. His dreams were always one or the other of being a professional Pokémon trainer or basketball superstar.

    He had so many skills to use beyond that, emergency preparedness, video games…cooking was out of the question. There was also the small-time hobby of carpentry where he would help his father build things like hooks or mounted shelves to display decorations easier.

    "I think I'd be a paramedic." He finally said.

    "A paramedic?"

    "Even though they cover a lot of generic stuff in emergencies," Sun explained. "We're also specialized. Give diagnosis of patients, keep them alive while they're whisked to the hospital. Basically Mom's job, except we have less time and more things to worry about. Training for an EMT is rigorous too."

    "Sounds stressful."

    "It is. I'd go as far to say it's one of the most intense and difficult jobs to do since every case is different."

    Lillie turned to face him, leaning her head on her arm. "So why would you do it?"

    "Well…considering it's a job that's always going to be in demand. And it's challenging. They're not doctors and hardly get recognition from others. Someone has to do it. They don't go "Oh doctor, thank you so much for saving his or her life!" You go from one job…onto the next and the next until your shift is done."

    "That's really commendable Elio."

    "Thank you."

    Something hit the sand close to them as he moved automatically to find and assess the threat. Lillie jumped in surprise, but as soon as he saw the foam football, they both visibly relaxed.

    "Sorry!" The high squeaky voice of a young kid came from further down the beach. "I'm sorry!"

    "It's all right!" Elio shouted back. "Here, I'll throw it back."

    He picked up the football, tossing it in his hand before slipping his fingers on the laces and throwing.

    Lillie was amazed at the accuracy and the lean muscles that rippled in his body as he moved; the boy hardly even had to move before reaching out with both hands to grab the ball.

    "Wow! You're really good! Are you a quarterback?"

    Elio shook his head and smiled. "When I was a kid. I played catch with my father and friends a lot."

    "That's awesome! Do you want to play catch with us?"

    He looked over at her, "You want to play?"

    "I don't know how to play." Lillie looked away dejectedly.

    "We're not going by any rules. Just tossing it back and forth. I'll teach you how to throw and catch."

    "I'm alright. I want to watch you." She shifted to lie on her stomach, propping her head up dreamily with both her elbows.

    Lillie couldn't help but smile as Elio laughed, threw and caught the football with the group of younger boys. That faded when she realized that the number of times she had experienced something this fun before meeting him were minimal.

    It's almost like I can count them on one hand. But Elio…Elio makes even throwing a football look so entertaining.

    A buzzing sound and catchy ringtone broke the tranquility and she rolled over on her back, finding that it was Elio's phone that was getting a call.

    She almost had to laugh at the goofy picture of Hau smiling rather smugly that came up on the caller ID. Lillie wondered if he had a picture of her when she would call him.

    Elio was too engrossed in the game still, so she answered the phone. "Hello?"

    "Hi El…wait…Lillie?" Hau was probably looking at his own phone to make sure he had dialed the right number. His voice was also a lot more monotonous. "Lillie hi."

    "Hi Hau. Elio and I are at the beach just relaxing. He's playing catch with a bunch of kids."

    "That's awesome. Hey, tell him that I'm at the Hano Grand Resort right now. The weird glasses guy from the Aether Foundation sent me a message that he'll take us to see that awesome place now that the heat wave is gone!"

    "Um…okay." Faba is coming here? I need to hide Nebby!

    "You're more than welcome to come! I'll even ask him!"

    Fear shot up Lillie's veins. "No! Don't do that!"

    "Wait…why?"

    "I…I have other things to do. Professor Kukui wanted my help on his research." Truth was that he was planning to have a date night with Burnet, but he didn't need to know that.

    I need to call Professor Kukui and have him make a story up. Anything that doesn't make it sound like I can't go!

    "Oh okay. I swear he was going to go to dinner with Professor Burnet. But okay, you'll miss out!"

    "I know. I'm sorry. We are about to head back over, so I'll make sure to tell him."

    "Thanks Lillie."

    "So…is everything okay?"

    "Okay?" Hau tried to laugh it off. "Um…heh…yeah, everything's fine. Not to worry."

    That didn't put Lillie at ease and she genuinely felt bad for her friend, especially if he was acting odd like this. No point in pressing the issue.

    "Okay if you say so. I'll see you later then."

    "Yeah. See ya."

    "So what was that all about?" Elio asked, right on time as she slipped his phone back into his pack.

    "Hau just called. He says someone from the Aether Foundation is going to come and take you to see something later today."

    "Oh that's awesome! But did Hau sound…you know. Off?"

    Lillie nodded, now realizing it wasn't just her. "Yeah he did. I wonder what's wrong."

    "Not sure. I'm going to find out. Hopefully it isn't serious. As much as I love his bubbly self, seeing him all like this is starting to be very unusual." He reached out to help her up as they started packing their things. "Do you want to come with me? Maybe the Aether Foundation can help answer some questions about Nebby."

    Lillie's insides went into ice again, but she put on her sunglasses quickly enough that he wasn't able to see the fear in her eyes.

    "Well…it would be great. But I have to go with Professor Kukui tonight on assignment. Nebby and I will be safe right here."

    Her brain went into a full on panic at the last sentence, realizing she had unknowingly slipped out her reasoning.

    But thanks to the tapu's intervention…Elio didn't seem to catch on.

    "Okay." He smiled again to make Lillie's insides melt like candle wax. "Suit yourself. Come on, I'll walk you back to Burnet's apartment before I go over. I need to change anyway."

    Phew. This one was fun and exhausting to write. I hope everyone enjoyed it. Will Hau's confession be in vain if Leilani doesn't reciprocate his feelings? Or could we see the first blossoms of love between these two?

    I feel like should add that for cliffhanger stuff!

    Translations:

    • K'ou wahi anela - My little angel
    • Waeia kekahi - Chosen one
    • Haole - Haole literally means "no breath" in pidgin. Native Hawaiians use the term in a derogatory manner towards people not native to the islands (mainly towards those of Caucasian descent) It is a similar racial slur to gringo which in some Latin American countries, is geared towards Americans...particularly Caucasians.
    • K'ou alola - My love
    • Makemake au iāʻoe - I am in love with you

    As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.

    Brav
     
  14. ShinigamiMiroku

    Sorceress' Knight
    (Ralts ♂)
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    Red Orb ★★★★★
    Stop making me cry, darn it! T_T

    Okay, since it took me too long to review the last chapter, let's see if I can do both in a single posting...

    I'm actually kind of surprised that Elio was so hesitant at first. Not that I blame him; in this world authorities actually exist and are (usually) competent, and Tentacruel are scary as all-get-out... but it really goes to show how much Hau loves her. The battle was especially intense, and really goes to show how dangerous aquatic combat really is - and how in shape both Hau and Elio are. Underwater rescues, even in shallow waters, are quite harrowing because, without an external air supply, there's a limit to how long a breath can be held, especially when physically exerting oneself. At this point, I actually expect Elio to know pretty much anything an EMT knows...

    Okay, I'm honestly surprised that Leilani didn't suffer worse effects than she did, but at the same time I'm glad. That said, she's going to need to find a stronger basis for her life, because as Wake pointed out it's not going to be there forever. The conversation between her and Hau went about as well as I'd expected - which is to say, just shy of a total disaster. It's going to be a bit before things smooth over (especially since the both of them need to cool their heads).

    ... Did Leilani dream of the Ultra Beasts, or just Necrozma?
     
  15. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

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    Crown of ValorPoké Ball ★
    Alola readers! Brav is back with another chapter!

    A little special commencement before I start; today is actually the two year anniversary of this fic! I'm amazed at how big this project has gotten and am proud of myself for still sticking to it. Nothing else I've written has been this long with this amount of effort.

    Big thanks to @ShinigamiMiroku for the feedback. You pretty much nailed everything I was going for. As for what Leilani saw, it's for a later time. That's all I can say for right now. Congrats on getting MotM by the way.

    Now we are finally getting to the Hano Grand Resort and starting the point where the Aether Foundation comes in. So without further ado...


    It's been years since I've been to the Hano Grand Resort, but I imagine a lot has been changed.

    The most famous resort on Akala Island, we used to stay on family vacations for a few days when work got too hard for Mother and Father at the Paradise. It's one of my favorite places in Alola. All of my vacations, she would take me and my brother to the pools…a different one every day!

    But judging how the Hano Grand Resort cordoned a big portion of it off for construction…that means new exciting stuff is coming! I wonder what it could be!

    Elio and Hau went off to meet Faba. I hope they don't mention me because that would make things really bad. But I couldn't tell either of them why I couldn't go…so…

    So I'll have to pray that they don't and nothing happens.

    Elio hadn't been inside the most famous hotel and resort in the Alola region before, but he had heard the stories.

    Even if a tourist wasn't staying at the epitome of Alolan luxury, it was often quoted that no trip to the island chain was complete without a visit to the Hano Grand Resort. Akala Island had many well-known resorts that served as ideal getaway destinations that lined its bigger populated centers on the southwest coast. Some were located even further away, using the expanse of land to their advantage in hosting differing activities.

    However none were able to compete with the Hano's rise up as the elite among the industry. The demand was continuing to rise with no signs of slowing down or stopping and the hotels and resorts of the three primary islands were constantly updating to keep up with the booming trends.

    The biggest attraction to Hano's obscene amount of success was its publicity. Famous actors, actresses, politicians, singers and celebrities of all kinds had booked their stay here. Most notably was the Kalosian Grand Duchess Diantha, a lifelong career actress and trainer who starred in multiple critically acclaimed motion pictures for her wide variety of characters and voice roles. Diantha was also at one point, the champion of the Kalos region. Having been the host to arguably the region's most iconic individual; the increase in revenue and spotlight in the Alola tourist scene increased dramatically.

    The actual resort itself was not just the tall peach-colored tower sitting majestic in its spot between a set of beautiful mountains and the sapphire blue ocean. He could see that its color was accented by the sun as it began to settle into the end of afternoon and the beginning of evening. By now, the sky was beginning to set and create its picturesque orange glow over the horizon.

    Elio sighed in relief, enjoying the view. The sunset was one of his favorite things since moving here. Since finally listening to everyone's advice on embracing Alola as his new home; he slowly began to admit that the island region had burrowed its way into a special place within his heart. The weather, the scenery, such welcoming people… It was absolutely beautiful.

    That sunset is something I'll never get tired of.

    The resort's entrance was two separate roads split by a well-maintained garden of multicolored hibiscus flowers. Sidewalks led right up to two elongated granite fountains on either end of the entrance that gushed water into a pebble base and pool just in front. There were four statues of two men and two women. Elio knew they represented something, but he was unable to tell.

    "Welcome to the Hano Grand Resort!"

    "Welcome and please, feel at home! Experience the premium of luxury, the Alolan way!"

    The price to get both those fountains and stone slabs is probably more than what I'll end up making in a year.

    Both the roads and flanking sidewalks were close to neatly trimmed grass and swaying palm trees that towered overhead. They led the way into a metal bridge that made Elio realize that not only did it isolate the resort from the others, but the entirety of the property was on an island within proverbial spitting distance. It was almost as if none of the competitors

    Crossing the bridge to its entrance after touching down by the city's main street; the resort had to go up at least thirty five stories as the tallest building on the island. No doubt that it gave a breathtaking view of a large portion of Akala from the panoramic top floor. The beginning courtyard had multiple pools and fountains with a school of fish Pokémon swimming inside. Their fins were elegantly gold and orange and each had a sharp horn on their foreheads.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt!" Rotom said, flying over to Elio's side to show him the image. "Goldeen. Goldfish Pokémon. When the weather grows warm, they form groups and swim upriver. This sight serves as a poetic reminder that spring has arrived. Goldeen is a water type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    Elio stuffed his talkative Pokédex back into his pack and crossed the courtyard. Over on the far fountains, he noticed more schools of goldeen and a pelipper flying close to the ground. A pair of kids were laughing and tossing up bits of bread that the bird was more than happy to eat. He even heard one say they wanted to fly inside the Pokémon's large bill.

    A roundabout was under one of the roofs where a pair of limousines awaited arrival from guests coming or going from the world famous hotel. He couldn't see them, but heard the soft tunes of a plucking from a musical instrument in a calming tune that seemed to melt right into the island breeze.

    Staff had already cleared all of the canopies and tents from the Kumu Reef Triple Crown and the news of the incident was coupled with Sabine Joyeux earning herself the most points and a comfortable lead in the women's.

    Elio felt quite bitter at hearing that over the news. He was still mad as well at missing the FBC draft.

    What did make him excited about that was Edmund Dahm was selected fourth overall…by his hometown Hurricanes. They had traded up one slot with the Blackthorn Highlanders to select the best player available to help their struggling team.

    And I'm so busy; I can't even send him a stupid text of congratulations! Why?!

    There was a flight of stairs to his right; leading down to the pristine sandy beach that stretched around the bend of the shore. Waves gently crashed upon the sandbar which was covered by chairs and multicolored umbrellas to shield beachgoers from the harsh rays. Further up, he saw a big patio with beach chairs that had easy access to some awesome looking pools. There were several bars and standing restaurants all along as it curved around with the beach. Extending a ways over the side over the beach was a large sail-like object that was held in place by cables, providing a huge amount of shade over a part of the beach.

    A mezzanine promenade hugged the side of the building where the sunroof cover extended from. He could see gaslights lit up and laughter coming from an occupying group.

    One of them had a little pikachu snoozing soundly and Sun found himself blocked off by a man who must've been his accomplice as he tried to approach. He learned that that was Mister Chuuster…apparently a television star in many cute commercials as well as the hit series Detective Pikachu.

    Okay…now I know Mister Chuuster…seen him in some ads while we were watching Five-0.

    Hau texted him a few minutes ago, saying he was at one of the restaurants by the pools on the far side of the resort and gave him general directions. It was a better option to go straight through on the many promenades that started on the mezzanine.

    But he wanted to help relieve some of the stress. Even if that meant walking on the beach where he had done CPR on Leilani.

    His thoughts drifted to the surfer. Lillie texted him that she was formally discharged from the hospital a couple of hours and taken back home to Melemele Island with Makoa.

    She was far from happy, having to leave in crutches and an appointment in several weeks to renew her prescription for the antivenom formula.

    He was pretty sure he knew why Hau was upset over her, but he still wanted to confirm those suspicions first.

    His bare feet touched the warm sand and he let out a content sigh, feeling its silkiness and parting on his touch. Sun always loved the fact that beaches in Alola were always the best, but there was just something about how well maintained Hano Grand Resort kept it that set it on an entirely new level.

    It's almost like I'm walking on a cloud.

    Elio made note of the board displaying the rules while on the beach, finding out several ones that were surprising.

    Glass is prohibited at all times on the beach. Plastic and cans only.

    No littering. Go figure.

    Pokémon battles aren't allowed?! What kind of insensitive prick wrote that?! What if I'm just chilling on the beach with my girl and some other douche trainer starts hitting on her?

    I guess I could understand it. Kind of a disturbance to other people who want to relax.

    It made more sense when he further read that there were complete courts for Pokémon battles located close to the resort's golf course.

    Please be aware that wild Pokémon do inhabit the beach. Catching Pokémon is allowed provided you adhere to the Universal Trainer Rules & Guidelines.

    "Wait, a second. You can't battle, but can catch wild Pokémon? Alright then."

    He took steps forward, going closer and closer to the ocean. It beckoned him, caressing the shore with soft white hands before pulling away.

    Touching the wet sand caused him to involuntarily shiver before his body adjusted and he let the next wave rush past, feeling it erode away surrounding his ankles.

    A bump in the sand a little off to his right caught his attention and he cautiously approached, likely knowing a Pokémon was hiding right there.

    His intuition was right as he cleared the sand away and saw the creature move slightly underneath. A brown spoke popped out and the Pokémon slowly shook itself free.

    A staryu!

    "Look! It'zzzz a new Pokémon!" Rotom half sung and declared, floating closer for analysis. "Staryu. Starshape Pokémon. No number of injuries can bother staryu. Its amazing regenerative powers return it to its previous state in half a day. There are folktales in many places of stardust falling into the ocean and becoming staryu. Staryu is a water type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    Elio guessed it was just best that he left the Pokémon alone. Staryu was one of Cerulean City gym leader Misty's strongest Pokémon and he knew that it could learn some very powerful water type attacks and even a variety of others as well.

    As much as I'd love to have one, I can't replace Nani. She's already the water type cornerstone on my team.

    Continuing on, he headed back up the stairs to another big dining area, but this one was far busier and less formal. People were eating more casual food, dressed in touristy clothing and even swimsuits. It was almost like a U-shaped dining area with a bar situated opposite. As he passed, he watched with amazement at the bartender as he flashily flipped bottles of different colored liquids to put on a show as he mixed a customer's drink. Next to him, a small pink and blue humanoid Pokémon was waving its hands around, using a psychic attack to move bottles into his trainer's hand.

    "Oh wow! Bzzt!" Rotom buzzed aloud while they walked. "A Mime Jr. bartending? Bzzt! Thizzz callz for a new entry again! Bzzt! Mime Jr. Mime Pokémon. When this gifted mimic surprises an opponent, Mime Jr. feels so happy that it ends up forgetting it was imitating something. Mime Jr. is a psychic and fairy type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    He could see so many different restaurants; a sushi bar, Kantoan café, another restaurant that had soups, salads and sandwiches and an outdoor grill. The sound and smell of sizzling of meat made his mouth water.

    Elio had forgotten how hungry he was and doubled his search for Hau. He found the island boy sitting at a table for two, slightly isolated from everyone else. There was a plate of a burger and fries in front of him with a glass of water that sat in a puddle of condensation.

    He was making no effort to eat or drink, just staring forlorn at the ocean and beachgoers below.

    As Sun approached, he could tell that Hau was trying to hide his sadness. Sensing him nearby, he put on a fake smile. Elio smiled back, now seeing that he was relaxing a bit.

    "Hey."

    "Alola Elio!" Hau's enthusiasm was a bit forced, something he had found rather unusual. "You made it!"

    "Hey brah." The two exchanged their signature handshake before he sat down across from him. "How's it going?"

    Hau smiled again. "You know, same old stuff."

    Elio pointed to the half-eaten burger. "Where'd you get that from? I'm starving and that looks super appetizing."

    "Oh, the place is right up there. You still have to pay though."

    "Why do you say that?"

    "Because when you go there, most people won't be paying. They did the all-inclusive. You know," he spread his hands out to the entire building. "Paying a higher price, but it's basically unlimited food, drinks and passes for all of the resort's activities."

    "Sounds really cool." Elio stood up. "I'll be back."

    The burger stand was right in between the taco grill and a chocolatier on the other end of the restaurant line on the promenade. Sun was sure that there were even more options on the inside, having heard from a passerby that there were more than fifteen different places to eat while staying on the grounds.

    He paid for his meal and took a stand with a number on it, being informed that his food would be brought out to him. By the time he arrived back, Hau had gotten him a glass of water.

    "Thanks." Elio sat back down and sipped thoughtfully. "I'm thirsty like crazy."

    He decided to address the overhanging elephant in the room. "Soooo…are you wanting to talk about it?"

    "Talk about what?"

    "Back at the hospital," he pointed out. "You looked to be in distress."

    "It was nothing. I got it handled."

    "Right." Elio rolled his eyes. "I believe you."

    Hau looked hurt when he said that.

    I didn't mean that to be hurtful. I'm just trying to figure out what's going on.

    "I'll handle it okay?" That came out a little less friendly, almost shocking him with that statement. His mouth turned into a mumble. "Girls can be so clueless."

    Sun nodded in agreement. "Sometimes they can be. Did something happen between you and Leilani?"

    Hau nodded absently. "Yeah…I sort of…kissed her."

    "Oh." The two fell into awkward silence at that revelation. He finally knew why Hau's own reaction was the way it was.

    "She didn't take it that well."

    "I guess you could say that. It kind of spiraled out of control. She wanted to go back to surfing."

    "Can you blame her?" Elio asked him. "Everyone here loved her and wanted her to succeed. Having the support of an entire region mounts a lot of pressure on your shoulders."

    "I just don't understand why she had to be so stubborn. I told her to take things easy after everything, so did the doctor. She didn't want to listen."

    Well girls can be just as stubborn as boys sometimes.

    Elio remained silent.

    "So I tried to tell her that she needed time to recover, reload and come back next season. Even if she was able to compete later on, there would be no chance for her in contention for the championship. There was no point. She didn't listen."

    "Well sometimes, people don't like to be told they're wrong. In fact, I'm sure everyone in the world is like that. The difference is whether you choose to sit and let things fester, or mount a comeback."

    Hau looked at him. "I think she had thought I was trying to get her to give up."

    "Were you?"

    "What?! No!" He looked bewildered at that allegation. "I would never tell her to give up on her dreams!"

    "Okay calm down there." Sun flashed him a knowing grin. "I just wanted to make sure."

    "But I would want to maybe take a step back and appreciate how lucky I was. Because in all other situations; Leilani could've…died."

    A heavy silence followed between the two boys. Even with the chatting and laughter of tourists around them, they were quietly reminiscing the magnitude of the life or death situation. Neither wanted to dwell on it, but the memory wouldn't just leave willingly.

    "But what do I do?" Hau bemoaned, putting his face in his hands. "I felt like I just screwed up all those years of friendship with her over her favorite sport! Oh, by the tapu! She might not even speak to me again!"

    "I'm afraid that's out of your hands Hau."

    Elio sipped his water. "I'm not saying I disagreed with what you did…hell…probably would've done the same thing if it were me and Lillie in your place." Upon saying that, he immediately felt a heat sensation rise in his cheeks.

    Crap! Keep going! Say something!

    "So good job."

    AAARGH! Seriously brain! What the hell?!

    "Wait really?" Hau stared at him as if he had grown more heads than a dodrio.

    "Well…um…no." Elio was trying to find a way to recover. "But you basically put the ball on her side of the court. So it's all out of your hands. If she wanted something like that from you, she will tell you." He knew that Hau hated doing nothing about it.

    "Don't assume everything is lost though." He assured him. "I think Leilani does like you too and you'd be an amazing match, but she's going through a lot of rough patches right now. The best thing to do…is to give her some space. You're not going anywhere," his stomach took the opportunity to rumble. "She isn't going anywhere either."

    "Okay." Hau looked a little better at that statement. "Thanks Elio. Thanks for being a best friend."

    "It's what we do right?" They bumped fists. "You're a brother…not just a best friend."

    Elio looked around, still seeing his order number stand unmoved and nobody seemed to have the urgency to head in their direction.

    They did say they would bring the food out to me.

    "Where is my burger?" He demanded. "I'm starving!"

    As if on cue one of the employees had made his way over and set a tray in front of him before taking the order number back to the kitchen area.

    Elio stared at the sandwich and metal container of fries.

    "I thought you were hungry."

    Oh yeah right.

    He picked it up by the wrapper that had the Hano Grand Resort logo and cautiously took a bite. Hau was watching him with amusement when he stopped.

    "So?" He asked. "How is the burger?"

    Elio stared at him. "This is the best burger I've ever eaten in my whole life."

    "Right? It's definitely worth the thirty dollars."

    This food is THIRTY dollars?!

    Elio shrugged and took another bite, popping a fry in his mouth afterwards. Heh, it's totally worth it.

    Even though it was going into the evening, activity at the resort was still present as Elio separated from Hau to relax at the beach and wait for their tour from the Aether Foundation to arrive. A group of tourists were out on an open space, all with waiting cameras watching the daylight fade away to catch the iconic sunset. Further up on the mezzanine, away from the casual dining area were several dinner tables full of couples dining on something elegant with uniformed garcons tending to their needs. In front of him; a pair of honeymooners laughed as they ran through the surf, holding hands without a care in the world.

    Elio noticed a shovel that appeared to be left behind at a less people-dense section of the beach up close to the treeline and a black fence. He reached out to pick it up, intent on sending it to lost and found.

    "Woah there hotshot! Bzzt!" Rotom floated close by and scanned the shovel. "Be careful about shovelzzzz zitting on the beach! Bzzt!"

    "What's the matter?" Elio asked. "Is it like possessed or something!"

    "Precizzzely! Bzzt! Often timezzz abandoned shovelzzz are uzzzed as bait by the Pokémon sandygast. Even the zign for the rulezzz and guidelinezzz explained to deztroy all zandcazzztlezzz and leave unattended shovelzzz alone. Bzzt!"

    Armed with that new piece of knowledge, he still cautiously approached, wanting to know anyway. For safe measures, he sent out Akela to help guard him. The werewolf sniffed the ground around the shovel, prowling in circled around it as if daring for the sandygast Pokémon to make a move.

    Sure enough, it sensed the two presences and emerged from the sandbar, swiveling around to face them in a dark mask that covered its tan eyes.

    The sandygast's main body was simply a moving mound of sand that almost looked liquid in appearance. Its maw was wide open in a tunnel that ended in a hole on its back. Elio could see no other internal organs or features without getting close.

    Always approach wild ghost Pokémon with caution. He reminded himself from the studies back in school.

    "And here'zz my analyziz! Bzzt! Sandygast. Sand heap Pokémon. It likes the shovel on its head, so sandygast will get serious and fight any children who come to take it back. Sandygast is a ghost and ground type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    Well then let's catch it. I don't have either a ghost or ground type on my team and I want to try out this new bulldoze TM I got from the Konikoni marketplace.

    "Akela!" At the mention of his name, his faithful wolf leapt forward, extending his front paws and baring his teeth in a low growl.

    The sandygast hissed loudly before launching a trio of green glowing tendrils. Akela saw this coming, deftly using his hind legs to dodge the attack. As it readied another mega drain; Elio went right on the offensive, ordering a sucker punch. The lycanroc dashed forward, swinging a fist coated with black wisps of energy. It took a significant portion of the sandygast's energy down and he was afraid he'd take it out before he had the opportunity to catch it.

    "Use bite!"

    Akela snarled again, lunging forward and ferociously snapping his jaws open to reveal four long fangs. The sandygast didn't seem to show either fear or anger…or anything for that matter. Instead, it widened its own mouth and shot out a swirling spiral of sand that caught the werewolf in mid-lunge. It struck with enough force to send him tumbling back, however he was quick to recover and stand on his legs again to flex his arms. Smaller grains of sand pelted his body, causing him to growl in annoyance.

    Even though it was a ground move; Elio was somewhat relieved to see that it didn't do as much damage as he believed.

    That was a sand tomb attack. It's keeping him trapped and consistently damaged…plus it was a super effective move. Now that I think about it…Rufflet would've been the far better choice since his normal and flying typing makes the ghost and ground moves useless.

    The wild Pokémon used the brief opportunity to use harden to boost its physical defenses before launching another mega drain. This one hit right on target, thanks to Akela ensnared inside the tomb. Some of his energy was drained to replenish sandygast's own.

    "Get out of that sand tomb!" Elio said. "Sucker punch once you do!"

    Akela's eyes flashed with determination and he finally managed to use a clawed hand to swat away the irritating particles. Elio knew the sandygast was trying to keep the sand tomb up and sucker punch had its highest power when the opponent was readying an attack themselves. He dodged the next swirl of sand to clock the ghost atop the head.

    As soon as he leapt to the side again; Elio pulled a Poké Ball from his backpack, clicking open the capture matrix and tossing it out. The device opened, its targeting system locating the Pokémon's signature to capture and suck it inside in a flash of light.

    The Poké Ball settled onto the sand as the trainer and his own Pokémon watched. It shook once.

    It shook twice.

    Sun was expecting a third shake when the ball burst open unexpectedly. The sandygast was now much angrier than before, kicking up another sand tomb.

    He was in the middle of yelling at Akela to dodge the move when the werewolf seemed to take the brunt of the attack. A wave flash washed its way over his body before coalescing into an energy form in his hand.

    Akela swung back, passing straight through the ghost.

    "Woah there! Bzzt! That wazzzz counter!"

    Akela learned counter?

    "Amazing work buddy." Elio reached back in his backpack for another Pokéball. Just as he did, the sandygast sensed its moment and vanished into the ground. Akela jumped forward in an attempt to foil it; however he had missed and skidded across the beach with a grinding halt.

    "Where did it go?" Sun looked around, wondering if it maybe used something like dig to escape. A sinking feeling in his gut told him it had fled for good.

    The lycanroc picked itself up from the ground and slowly made his way over, head drooped in disappointment.

    Elio sensed it too and gave him a friendly hug on the shoulder. "Don't get too upset about it. I'm not."

    He got a low growl in return and a friendly nuzzle on his chin.

    "Heh. I know right?"

    Akela sniffed the ground before poking through the boy's bag. It puzzled him for a moment before he realized what his Pokémon was doing.

    The egg.

    Elio hadn't neglected the gift egg from Dallas Kahananui back at the ranch. There was no timetable of when it was going to hatch or anything else other than the fact Akela's former trainer was protecting it and got lost in a nasty storm. Dallas had found him as a rockruff defending it from salandit thieves.

    It was only natural that when he added him to his team that he take the egg as well.

    And he still had no clue on what Pokémon was inside.

    Whatever it was, it was important to Akela and his old trainer.

    The werewolf seemed to be relieved as he took the incubation chamber out and the egg continued to sit inside perfectly centered on top of the small cushion. A quick look at the temperature control put it at slightly warm, which was ideal for a baby Pokémon's development.

    I wonder what kind of Pokémon it is. And why was it so important?

    Elio continued his walk along the beach when he was pulled aside again for one of the most unusual tasks he had even heard of.

    "Excuse me young man, but do you happen to be a trainer?"

    Sun turned to the man standing at the lifeguard post wearing a resort uniform waving politely at him. Looking around, he saw nobody else exactly close by. He must be an employee.

    "Um yes. Why you ask?"

    "I was wondering if you would like to do a little work for me."

    We still haven't heard from this Aether guy. I guess we got time. "Uh…okay sure. What you got?"

    "We're short on pyukumuku chuckers right now! Would you like to become one?"

    The title caught his attention. "Pyukumuku chucker? What's that?"

    "I'm one of the staff responsible for keeping Hano Beach clear for our guests. Since they do pay top dollar to stay here; it's an utmost priority that we maintain such a pristine image for them. The Pokémon pyukumuku sometimes wriggle up on our beach from the sea. We can't just leave them there! They shrivel up in the sun while on dry land and our guests often get grossed out seeing them! They're also quite easy to step on and when you have bare feet, it's a painful experience!"

    "Ouch." Sun winced at that. He had an incident similar to that once when he was a child, so he could correlate fairly well.

    "So we end up with no choice but to chuck the pyukumuku back into the sea!" He looked at the trainer again. "It's pretty easy and the beach seems clear, but we haven't swept it for a few hours so some are bound to have wriggled back onto shore! It shouldn't take that long!"

    "Alright," Sun was pretty sure Hau was just about finishing up with his grand trial if he hadn't won already and figured he had some time to kill. "I'll do it!"

    "Muku?" He heard the tiny squishy Pokémon squeal before whipping his hand up and throwing it back into the ocean as hard as he could.

    So while the sea cucumber Pokémon known as pyukumuku chucking was a good way to exercise his arm and earn a sum of easy money, they weren't the most competent Pokémon. They hated being picked up or touched by a human and tried wriggling around. The Pokémon's slimy body made it quite an uncomfortable experience and one of them even spat out a nasty greenish goo that splattered all over his arm. They were incredibly slick and any mishap in handling them could cause him to get quilled by the razor spines that adorned the top of its body.

    "Pyukumuku." The Rotom-Dex had echoed in his head upon the first encounter with the unique Pokémon. "Sea cucumber Pokémon. Its entire body is covered in its own slime. If you accidentally step on one, you'll slip, and it will get mad and smack you! These Pokémon line the beaches. The sticky mucous that covers their bodies can be used to soothe sunburned skin. Pyukumuku is a water type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "Ugh," He wiped it off in disgust before dipping his arm underneath the ocean's waterline, cleaning it off as best he could. Despite its nasty texture, people said that the pyukumuku gunk over their bodies was also a good moisturizer and used in soothing sunburn relief. That was something he was susceptible too if he neglected to regularly apply sunscreen.

    "Okay," Sun went back to the staff member after throwing the last one he could find back, "I've combed the beach and tossed quite a few back to the water. I don't see anymore."

    "Great! The beach is safe once again for our guests! You're a hard worker on that too! I know you're a trainer and all, but you throw like a pro!"

    He gave off a sheepish smile, remembering all too well what it used to be. "Yeah so in addition to battling; I used to play basketball and football in school. We'd play catch after practice a lot, so I developed a good throwing technique."

    That statement was quite true and ironically; he was unable to throw pokeballs properly right at the start of his island challenge. Now it was like second nature.

    "I see. Those pyukumuku are one of Alola's most famous Pokémon! Sadly, most tourists don't understand their appeal. No matter how many times we toss them back into the sea, they come right back up in a couple days like clockwork. If you have some free time, we'll pay handsomely for another sweep of the beach for pyukumuku chucking!" He paused, "Oh I forgot…here's your pay. You've earned it!"

    Elio stared wide-eyed at the big packet of bills, "Holy…you pay that much to for someone to throw pyukumuku?"

    "Pyukumuku chuckers are always in demand kid! Alola! See ya around!"

    "Alola!" Sun bade goodbye and started up the ramp to the resort's entrance. He stared at the fat payment he had gotten from a rather easy job.

    If mastering the island challenge doesn't work out, I might consider a career change to a professional pyukumuku thrower.

    Elio waited until the last of the daylight slipped over the ocean's horizon and the warm temperature in the air began to drop. Wind started picking up and he was beginning to consider putting on a light jacket.

    The change didn't seem to deter many, but a lot of the guests had gone inside to retire for the night. Yet the outside was still lively as he began to notice fewer children out and about. If he had to guess, families put their kids to bed before enjoying an evening out with the older and more mature crowds.

    Elio was already amazed at the grand spectacle of the resort and he knew he would be floored by the interior. The inside of the Hano's lobby was absolutely indeed grand. It stretched several stories up with dark rich wooden walls, showing multiple balconies of the first few floors before the rest disappeared behind the ever tall ceiling. At the back were six big glass elevators, three on each side showing their cars full of people moving up or down on various points. To either side were entrances to pools, restaurants and enormous fountains, including one at the far end. There was an array of brochures tailored to tourists on the different things to do while on Akala from shopping to cruise charters to tickets for battles at the Royal Dome.

    The floor was well maintained, with fancy tiling and opulent carpets. A pair of valets, bellhops and girls dressed in traditional Alolan garb all greeted him warmly as he walked through the entrance. Overhead, there was relaxing beach music played in speakers overhead, giving it a paradise vibe.

    Elio couldn't help but grin at one of the girls greeting him in the lobby as she sat on one of the chairs to play a tiny instrument that looked like a guitar.

    That's a…uku…lele? An ukulele right?

    She smiled back at him, strumming her fingers across the strings to create a beautiful tune that immediately soothed just about every bit tension inside his body from the other day. Her mouth opened and she began to softly sing.

    "I don't wear shoes upon my feet."

    "To be at ease is such a treat."

    "I smile at everyone I meet!"

    "That's the Alolan in me!"

    Browsing around further, he came across another walkway that led out to the big building he had seen on the right of the big promenade behind the mezzanine he was previously at. The concrete structure was still being built, evidenced by the large machines parked and few toolboxes scattered about, but there was a stand depicting what Elio could only describe as an open-faced three story building with twenty little "cells" or units on each floor. A massive tall net surrounded the open side with colored squares and circles that looked like pits in the ground.

    "Stunning isn't it?" A woman's voice said from behind.

    Elio turned to see her. She didn't look much older than him, perhaps in her late twenties, but her figure was graceful and athletic. Her outfit was a sky blue with a collar peeled open and a similar colored visor that kept her silvery hair away from her eyes.

    "Um…yeah. It is."

    The woman laughed. "Of course my father has to keep on top of the game here."

    Sun looked back at the expanse of the resort. "Your dad did this?"

    "My father is the founder and chairman of the Hano Grand Resort." She replied. "It was his dream to have tourists and people from all around the world to experience Alolan paradise and hospitality. Now this golf driving range is but another fantastic addition I'm excited to unveil when it finally opens!"

    "I feel like I've seen you before."

    "Perhaps you do. The winds often favor the grateful."

    The woman chuckled at Sun's confused expression. "I use that term whenever I'm out there golfing or battling. Your accent tells me you too are a visitor." She stuck out her hand. "My name is Kahili Driver. I compete in the Women's Masters Cup of Golfing."

    Sun noticed the pokeballs on her hip belt. "And I'm guessing a trainer too."

    "It's always a pleasure to meet another island challenger."

    "You did the island challenge?" His eyes went wide with admiration. "That's amazing!"

    "It feels like yesterday too and it's not an easy task. But yes, I was once a trial captain and eventually the island challenge champion of Alola and it's one of my proudest accomplishments."

    "I'd like to battle you. Care for a one on one in the trainer arena?" Elio stated firmly. He knew that just by conquering the island challenge alone meant he wouldn't stand a chance at this state. It mattered little; he wanted to see how strong someone could get and how much he could fare.

    Kahili's own blue eyes lit up with a fire seen in trainers when the excitement of a battle was talked. "I'd take you up on that, however I must soon be going. Who knows," she gave him a wink, "Perhaps the winds will have us testing our strength against one another on a higher scale."

    Aww, that's disappointing.

    "I understand," he finally said. "I do too. Maybe next time?"

    "Maybe next time." She stopped and reached down into her pocket. "Here. A little gift from one island challenge to another."

    Elio reached out to catch a tiny object that she had tossed his way. It was another sky blue object the same shape as the other Z-crystals he collected.

    He quizzically glanced at her after seeing the feather emblem in the center. "I didn't do any trial."

    "There is no flying type trial anymore…unless one is created. But that is the Flyinium Z, the crystal that will correspond to flying types and convert them into Supersonic Skystrike. I'll teach you the pose."

    Kahili formed her X with her arms before spreading them out as if wings. She squatted down, throwing her left fist skyward and her right fist tucked by her chest.

    "Easy enough."

    "There is nothing like having complete control, domination and superiority of the skies. Use it well, island challenger."

    "Welcome to the Hano Grand Resort." The receptionist greeted him as he approached the counter after parting ways with Kahili. "Unfortunately, we are quite tight on available lodging. Would you still like to request a room?"

    "No," Sun said, looking around the lobby for the green goggled man, "I'm actually waiting for this guy from the Aether Foundation. He wore a labcoat with these big green sunglasses or goggles whatnot."

    "Oh yes," the woman said and pulled up a datapad. "He called earlier today saying he would be picking up a couple trainers from here."

    "Okay, thanks." Elio paused, "Oh…and just out of curiosity…how much does it cost to spend a night here?"

    The receptionist stared at him. "Which suite? Standard, Deluxe or Kahuna?"

    "Um…standard?"

    "Well on occasion, we do have standard rooms open for walk-ins and quick reservations, but we often get booked several months in advance. Depending on the floor and other amenities such as the all-inclusive package…our standard suite can go from a minimum of four thousand up starting from the lowest floor."

    "WHAT?!"

    "Ah…there you are child." That similar voice said as the strange green goggled man approached Sun from behind. "I was hoping you would take up my invitation. Again, I do have to apologize for the delay. The blasted heat and lots of people were making any travel to and from difficult around these parts."

    "I tried to bring a couple friends, but not sure if they're going to show up."

    "If you're talking about your boardshorts friend, I extended an invitation to him as well once he finished his Akala Island grand trial!" He paused, putting a gloved hand to his gray bearded chin. "Ah forgive me child. I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Leon. You may call me Faba."

    "Well it's nice to meet you Faba." Although the boy was put a bit off by the slight pompous attitude the Aether person gave off; from the narrowed eyes, puffed chest and a habit of raising his head so that he looked down at the other person. Yet he had been polite if cordial thus far, which prompted a slight bit of respect from the younger one.

    "I told you that I would show you someplace astounding yes? Well, that would be Aether Paradise! Just as its name suggests; Aether Paradise is a veritable utopia for Pokémon that floats far out into the sea surrounding Alola. It is completely artificial, made entirely by human technology for the preservation and protection of endangered Pokémon species!"

    "Sounds incredible,"

    "It quite is child. Of course I'm a grown educated adult who keeps his promises. So I'll prove to you that everything I just described is very real with a tour of our facility! You'll come, won't you?"

    "Yeah sure." Elio agreed, "Maybe when I finish my island challenge, I could find some way to work for you guys?"

    "I shall definitely put in a good word for you!" Faba beamed at him. "After all, you've done much to assist us when you rescued that slowpoke from Team Skull."

    "Wait!" Both Sun and Faba turned to see Hau bounding into the resort's atrium. His boisterous entrance earned him a few looks of ire from the other guests and hotel staff, but he seemed to ignore them. "You gotta take me too!" Behind him, they saw Professor Kukui and even Kahuna Olivia follow in closely.

    Elio raised an eyebrow at Hau as he entered. It's like he flipped a switch and he's back to his normal cheerful self. You can't just make something like that up.

    "Oh?" The Aether "Chief" seemed to be surprised at the gathering that was escorting the trial-goers. "Even Kahuna Olivia has come to see you off?"

    "Of course! As kahuna, I look after all the trialgoers who come to my island. It's almost like I'm a mother lycanroc looking after all my own little rockruff pups! Not that I've got any…I'm not even married." She looked at the two boys, putting her hands on her hips. " Now listen up you two. Your greatest opponent will always be yourself. Your greatest allies are always the Pokémon at your side. I wish you the best of luck on the remainder of your island challenge and you are more than welcome to come back to Akala whenever you wish!"

    "Thanks kahuna!" They both said in unison. Hau regarded the professor. "What about you Professor? You coming along too? The more the merrier right?"

    "Yes of course." Faba agreed. "I don't even remember if the renowned Professor Emilio Kukui has seen our extraordinary Paradise! These islands aren't the only paradise around here in Alola!"

    Kukui shook his head, "Sorry cousin. Wish I could but I've got my own business to attend to. You go and see all the amazing things and tell me all about it some other time! I'll see you guys later on Ula'ula Island!"

    After waving goodbye to Kukui and Olivia, Faba led the two out of the resort on the other side down past an enormous golf course to a long pier with many different boats tied up at the docks. They ranged from small sailboats to the huge megayacht that likely belonged to one of the billionaires that was staying at the Kahuna suites.

    "You brought your own boat Mister Faba?" Hau asked.

    The older man chuckled, "Our grand vessel that will take us to Aether Paradise is the ferry. Don't worry about paying for a ticket; I'll handle that. Did you know your trainer passports will grant you unlimited free passage to any of the respective terminals? Provided of course that you've completed the appropriate trials required."

    Honestly I don't see the point in all that. I mean…I suppose riding the ferry is great and all, but why do that when I can just call a charizard at almost any time?

    The sun had finally slipped over the horizon entirely and the overhanging sky had now been overtaken by the dark blue night. A few clouds hung overhead, but like a normal Alolan evening, many shimmering stars could be seen dotting in a fantastic cosmic display. A ferry terminal conveniently located at the marina close to the resort to provide guests with instantaneous access to the other islands. Faba slid a badge around his neck into a kiosk and handed both boys tickets that were verified just as a vessel was pulling into port. The crew was fast, extending the gangplank, holding the boarding passengers briefly to let the arriving ones disembark before quickly checking everyone on and casting off.

    A safety announcement came over the screens close to the lounges in the interior before the ferry began to pull away. Elio and Hau stood at the window, seeing Professor Kukui waving frantically.

    "Bye Professor!"

    "See you on Ula'ula Island!"

    Ula'ula is the name of the next island? I wonder what trials there will be…what kind of interesting stuff we'll find. Only time would tell.

    Faba was all deep in conversation to Hau, chatting away almost without a limitation on how important he was for the Foundation. Elio believed that the green goggled man had finally met his match in the talkative department when Hau was constantly talking to him about non-Pokémon topics. He had already told three stories about comical attempts in buying and eating malasadas. Although he saw that Faba seemed rather uninterested by that, yet he kept a smile and a presence that portrayed someone quite intrigued.

    It was a bit deceptive, but in his shoes, he would've done the same thing.

    Sun scratched his head and breathed deeply, leaning over the rail and taking an odd curiosity to look out at the froth that the ship churned in its wake from the stern. Ten minutes elapsing into the ferry ride; Akala Island had disappeared over the ocean's horizon and there wasn't much else to see in the dark sky. Even the resident wingull and pellipper were absent, likely taking residence in their nests to sleep.

    There was a monitor that projected the ferry's location in between the destinations and Elio could see that the place of Aether Paradise was situated roughly in the center of the four main islands of Alola. They were heading on a southwest course, already nearly to their destination. He could see a little timer bar on the bottom, indicating they would be arriving in roughly ten minutes.

    Elio passed Hau sitting on a seat and looking outside. Faba took one an aisle behind and he could hear the older man mumble something about Hau talking too much.

    Depends on how you see it. Should've seen him earlier where I only got a peep out of him.

    "You good brah?"

    "Yeah." Hau nodded and smiled again. "I'm fine."

    "You don't have to hide it Hau. We're all feeling for Leilani."

    He realized the other boy was seeing right through his mask and sighed. "I guess so. I'm feeling really bad for yelling at her."

    "I know you do. But like I said, best way to be supportive is to give her some space and time before being ready to help her recover. While I've never seen tentacruel stings on humans, I've seen other bad injuries and the victims often need a lot more support than they think."

    "Okay. I promise."

    "She's in good hands and I know you'll be back by her side the moment she wants you. In the meantime," he clapped his friend on the back. "What do you say we enjoy ourselves with this tour and the next island? We've been overdue a battle for quite a while huh?"

    "Huh," Hau realized they hadn't faced off since Paniola Town. "You're right. We should do that at the Paradise or when we get to Ula'ula. I've got some new Pokémon I want to show you. How does a five on five battle sound?"

    "I'm down for it. You're going down though."

    "No I'm not!"

    "We'll save this for later." Elio said, noticing a lighted structure approaching in the distance. "Looks like we're here."

    Alright. Time to see what this Aether Foundation is all about.

    And that is where I will close the page on this chapter! We're finally here the Aether Foundation part! It's funny to think this story has come so far...and it has so far left to go.

    No translations this chapter, but the ukulele is an instrument in the guitar family made by Hawaiians that was adapted from the Portuguese machete (a small guitar-like instrument) which greatly influenced Hawaiian culture due to Portuguese immigrants from Madiera & the Azores. Its popularity today is primarily due to native Hawaiian songwriter Israel Kamakawiwo'ole who is influential in traditional and modern Hawaiian music. His famous song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" is sung with an ukulele.

    As always, thank you for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.
    Brav
     
  16. Rezna

    Rezna Every Day's Great at Your Junes!

    Why do eggs break ffree
    (Groudon Egg)
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    Thunder Stone ★★★Water Stone ★★★Dawn Stone ★★★★Cooler Gary Oak ★★★★★Legendary Triforce ★★
    Just want to point out the dragon ball reference. Come on, Brav. King Kame? Or Kamehameha, the move that most people who don't watch dragOn ball could at least most likely associate with Goku. Smh,
    King Kamehameha... now we need Gwen from Brendan's Journey/Into the Storm to yell "Ka-Me-Ha-Me-Haaa!!!" In a Battle
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  17. ShinigamiMiroku

    Sorceress' Knight
    (Ralts ♂)
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    Red Orb ★★★★★
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamehameha_I
     
  18. Rezna

    Rezna Every Day's Great at Your Junes!

    Why do eggs break ffree
    (Groudon Egg)
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    Thunder Stone ★★★Water Stone ★★★Dawn Stone ★★★★Cooler Gary Oak ★★★★★Legendary Triforce ★★
    I'll be sure to check out that later! And now that I finished reading, I'll be able to start putting in my own reviews too! Anyways, really loved the story. Those 4th wall breaks and references were really funny, too! Just make sure to correct the grammatical errors and you're gonna impress ever more people outside of LV's community.
    (If you don't recognize me yet, then you'll know me by 2 names. Team Mystic/Trap Nation6652)

    Edit:
    Can you start putting the date you added a chapter in the top too? I hate having to scroll to the bottom to find out when you added a new chapter. It's not necessary but it would help me keep track of things, although I don't need to.
     
    #78 Mar 5, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2019
  19. BraviaryScout

    BraviaryScout Way of the Wind

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    Crown of ValorPoké Ball ★
    Alola readers! Brav is back with another new chapter for A Hui Hou Kakou! This was supposed to be out in my two week interval, however the original chapter ended up getting lost. My apartment area had a power outage from high winds last week and I ended up losing a huge chunk of the draft. So I had to do some recreating on my part best I could with a thing or two added in.
    Thanks to @ShinigamiMiroku for the feedback. Appreciate you explaining stuff out.
    And also thanks to @Majora's Incarnate for the feedback as well. I certainly can add the date of adding new chapters from here on out. Unfortunately, I don't remember any of the others since I can't access an editing log/history of the page to do so. Glad you're liking the story man.

    I got this finished over the week, so I used the extra time to try and iron stuff out since this chapter is pretty important.
    Especially since Elio now formally meets the major bae of Alola. Without further ado...


    I'm not surprised to hear that Elio was amazed at Aether Paradise. Mister Faba likes to make everything seem way more interesting than it actually is.

    But I can't deny that it is a huge achievement in engineering, grandeur, inspiration and a haven for Pokémon conservation. Also the place where I was born and lived all of my sixteen years until I ran away several months ago. That's the part most people see. Not a lot of others see its true colors.

    It's good to hear that Elio likes Wicke. She's caring and compassionate to most people. She is the closest thing I have to a mother besides Burnet …

    Speaking of mothers, they also met her and it was funny and cute when he said that Hau thought he embarrassed her, only to make their conversation even awkward. I have a feeling he's going to ask me if I know her. What do I say if I have to deny it? I think he won't believe me there. I hate to lie to him.

    It had been cut off when Sun said something like an Ultra Beast invaded the conservation area and he was forced to hold it off. How did mother manage to open a wormhole without Nebby?

    It took another twenty five minutes of a calm ride before Faba had brought him out of his thoughts to point to a glow of lights ahead, citing it as their destination. The winds had picked up in speed just a tad bit, making the waves a little choppier, but the big structured ferry continued its journey seemingly into the open ocean, ignoring the relentless waves pounding on its hull. As far as he knew, they were heading south and slightly west which was actually going away from the island chain.

    Onboard, they could feel the ship begin to steadily rock. It was almost unnoticeable at first, but Elio felt it dip before rising again and repeating the process every few seconds.

    He was one to never get seasick, but the signs pointing to bags to contain passengers' vomit was well placed.

    Just breathe if you get seasick.

    Darkness of night surrounded them, only broken by a pinprick of a glow in the direction the boat was heading.

    "So what are ya thinking about? Bzzt!"

    Elio turned to see his Rotom Dex floating in front of his face, staring as curiously as a device possibly could.

    "I thought I put you away."

    "You know you can't get rid of me that eazzzily! Bzzt! My trainer alwayzzz lookz like he izzz deep in thought. Perhapzzz you are thinking about the rezzzort?"

    "Yeah we didn't really get to explore much of it." He said. "Kind of a shame. I was hoping to maybe meet some other celebrities there."

    "We met Mizz Kahili Driver! Bzzt! Doesn't that count?"

    Actually yes it does. "I never would've thought of that. You're right."

    "Who elzzze were you expecting? Bzzt!"

    "I dunno. Brendan Maple maybe? Lucas Drake?"

    "Well Brendan juzzzt had hiz wedding!"

    "Yeah I know. Leilani was just giddy at that. She likes weddings and stuff."

    "That izzz women for you!"

    Elio shook his head. "How do you know so much about women anyway? You're a Dex."

    "Apparently I know more than you! Bzzt! Did you know that eighty nine percent of unmarried women who vizzzit the Hano Grand Rezort and Beach immediately picture themzelvezzz being married there?! Bzzt!"

    Elio shook his head at the rather random fact, but he didn't find himself disagreeing from the analysis. "I could see that. Amazing views, top notch staff and food. Probably not in the affordability department."

    "You are correct! Bzzt! Provided they have an opening, the average cost of an entire wedding at the Hano Grand resort izzz sixty two thousand, five hundred and thirty five dollarzzz! Bzzt!"

    "No way." Elio's eyes bulged at that number. "That's like almost as much Mom makes in a year!"

    "Very expenzzive! Bzzt! Best be winning more and more trainer battlez! Hotshot!"

    Hold up. "Why do you think I'm going to get married?"

    "Becauzzze you're brave…dashingly handzzzome and you love to have fun right! Chickzzzz would be lining up to date you! I can zign you up to that zwiping dating app! Bzzt!"

    "Oh that one? I'm pretty sure you have to be eighteen years old to legally use that without getting into trouble." Elio said, hoping to finally drop the conversation.

    "That hazzz been noted. I will officially zign you on once your eighteenth birthday haz pazzed! Bzzt! I am a genuizzzz!"

    Elio rolled his eyes at that.

    "Hey, when you plan your wedding at the rezort, would you alzo put a rezzervation for the hot tubzzz? Bzzt!"

    "If I do; I'm going to drown you in it."

    "Ah yes boy." Faba greeted him curtly and puffed his lanky chest out. "Your loquacious friend Hau has told me that you are fairly new to the Alola region."

    "Yeah. I've been here for what, a few months by now."

    "Well you seem to be quite familiar with the island challenge and halfway through, judging by how I found you on Akala Island. Both of you do accept my congratulations for achieving such a feat."

    "Thank you." Hau beamed with Elio nodding in agreement.

    "And I imagine you will be deciding on your career choices very soon. The Aether Foundation is always ready to accept the next generation of the brightest minds and elite trainers! We have a leading work culture and drive to be the spearhead to the effort of Pokémon conservation and balance for tomorrow!" Faba adjusted his glasses again. "Applications are thoroughly vetted for their accomplishments with only the best and most dedicated being handpicked for our line of work. Minimum requirements are a four year college degree with six additional years of experience of extensive working alongside a majority of Pokémon species. Internships with other Pokémon focused businesses is a must and letters of recommendation from professors and doctors certified by me and our president. Without the latter, I will personally throw your resume into the incinerator in my office and not bother to open them."

    He beamed at his exclusivity towards the two boys, who had that "deerling in the headlights look"

    "So what do you think? Are you boys interested? There is still time you can be highly educated enough to maybe even become my own personal interns. Once you finish your island challenges, I can have a contract waiver for both of you to sign and begin immediately. We will accomplish much together."

    A contract? Yeah sure, sign my life away.

    Of course Elio wasn't going to say this out loud to him, even though the principles and drive that the Aether Foundation stood for.

    I want to work for them. But having to report to his guy? He's smart for sure, but also really full of himself.

    "We'll think about it." He finally said, giving a hard glare at Hau who was moments away from opening his mouth, likely to accept the deal. "It sounds like it will be a rewarding line of work."

    Faba narrowed his eyes. "We will discuss pay once you've signed the contract."

    Okay. Is that the reason why you're probably understaffed?

    Elio's head snapped up as people began to excitedly chatter to one another, all migrating to the windows on the far end of the ferry. He could see lights being cast from that direction in a beautiful reflection in the surrounding waters. Normally he would see the water beside the boat's lights a turquoise green, yet here they remained that same deep azure. There was no sign of anything unusual; no bits of debris or pollutants. Water was almost crystal clear.

    That's amazing. Wish Kanto's oceans would be like this, but the only good place to go to the beach is on Cinnabar Island and Vermillion City; those places have really cracked down on pollution big time.

    He saw Faba stand up, gesturing for him and Hau to accompany him to the window.

    It didn't take long for them to marvel at their destination.

    Oh my goodness. THAT. IS. HUGE!

    Sun wasn't even sure there was a way to describe it. Aether Paradise was a massive platform in the center of the ocean that only got bigger as the boat approached. The lights beckoned all in a uniform gold color from the outer edges of the platforms and he could see that it was primarily white in color. The entire structure looked completely futuristic; sleek, modern and it was unlike anything Sun had seen before.

    There were buildings erected all along its surface, some of them just a couple of stories tall, however they were all dwarfed by the massive center building. It had tall glass windows in a cube shape with a longer platform on top like a crown.

    To the sides, the structure curved upwards, showing small buoys close by bobbing up and down from the waves.

    He saw an outer barrier wall that was being lowered underneath the ocean's surface to allow access through. Up in the pilothouse above their deck, the driver was likely communicating with a designated harbormaster on arrival and docking procedures.

    "Well, what do you think?" Faba beamed when he saw the blank awed expressions on both trainers' faces. "It is grand yes?"

    "Ho!" Hau jumped up in joy. "It's even better looking than I imagined!"

    There was a growing sound of jet engines as they neared and people immediately pointed to a light in the sky approaching them.

    Elio saw it as it was illuminated by the Paradise's own lighting. It was a wide aircraft that looked roughly his size. The center was a bulbous section with two fan duct engines on its side for propulsion. Strange pair of devices was mounted to its chin on ball rotary sockets that looked to be retracted into its main chassis. As it lowered closer to the water, Elio could see the waves begin to ripple from the engine wash.

    Faba let out a prideful chuckle. "Skydrop unmanned drones mark seven. Developed by the Galactic Corporation's Aerospace in Sinnoh for their military projects. They serve as our secure entry and exterior security. Highly maneuverable and can observe anything approaching for miles. We take our security seriously." He narrowed his eyes.

    "Very seriously."

    They watched as the drone hovered right alongside the ferry, matching its speed, but doing nothing out of the ordinary. A moment later, he saw a gold symbol flash twice on the center of body before it raised itself up in altitude and quickly flew back towards the Paradise.

    "That's some serious hardware." Elio remembered hearing about the Sinnoh based company and their cutting edge unmanned aircraft industry. He had even watched a documentary on how some models could maintain high altitudes and use guided missiles to destroy faraway targets.

    "Indeed. Before their introduction, we often had a lot of looters and pirates attempt to board and hijack our Paradise."

    "Really?" Hau asked.

    "Quite." Faba answered. "Being in an isolated location with either air or water being the only means of transportation makes us a target for people wishing to take what is not theirs."

    A certain group came right to Elio's mind. "Team Skull."

    "They used to have a boat and would harass us with distress calls, pretending to be stranded people. Common ploy to do that and then hold the rescuers hostage for ransom or pillage what they find. However the way those incompetent fools speak is often a dead giveaway to their intentions. So we went out our new fleet of Skydrop drones and the raid attempts had disappeared entirely. If I only could convince the President to use more than just nonlethal weaponry."

    So they're armed with nonlethal weapons? That's good…I guess. But if they need more firepower, what is powerful enough to go after them? And why is he wanting things more powerful?

    "Ah that slipped my mind!" Faba said. "The Skydrops are also armed with stun cannons that fire a paralyzing particle that can incapacitate even a massive wailord, aggressive gyarados or an approaching ship's engine. However I will state again that they are for security and safety purposes and not to deter visitors."

    This place does not mess around.

    A few minutes later, the ferry approached, changing its vector to a large wide door at its front and he could see a team of waiting workers around them with ropes in hand on raised platforms, ready to moor and handle the vessel. It appeared the ferry was ready to take another load of passengers leaving the station, judging by the crowd of waiting onlookers just behind them. At the far end of the wall were collapsible gangplanks that could be raised to meet the standards of a taller vessel.

    "This is your captain speaking." A male voice spoke over the ship's PA. "We are now docked at the Aether Paradise. Please watch your step when disembarking and we thank you for sailing with the Alola Transit Ferry Service. Keeping you hoʻopiliʻia to all of Alola!"

    Sun and Hau accompanied Faba, waiting until most of the others had left before taking a series of shallow ramps going back and forth onto a platform above the other ships. The air had the faint smell of seawater and he found himself looking up to a high ceiling stretched far above. No wind buffeted them since they appeared to now be indoors.

    As they reached the top, their eyes widened and mouths fell open at the sight before them.

    All around was a hive of activity. He could see dozens of people in stark white uniform shirts and baggy cargo pants rush around, moving pallets of cargo while some supervised the offload of another small boat that was bringing onboard freight of some kind. A couple other staff members were directing the other passengers off the boat towards an area that was a little more fashionable for guests. He could see a lit sign indicating a reception area that was…

    Holographic?! No way!

    Yes…holographic in bright gold lettering alongside another similar sign over a dark board with a directory from their present location. They pointed to various locations such as the research laboratories, arcology promenades and conservation sectors.

    The entire area was surreal, as if he had entered a similar but unfamiliar world.

    "This is so cool!" Hau practically screamed out loud. "I've never seen anything like this before!"

    Sun was amused at his friend's excitement. At least the thoughts of Leilani's condition had been pushed to the back of his mind for now.

    "Aether Paradise is a facility created for the conservation of Pokémon." Faba started, leading them into the main area. Here they could see much of the shipping and logistics happening. Some employees walked around with datapads while Elio found himself dodging an incoming mobile cart that had big bright green shipping containers headed for a light freighter that was moored opposite their ferry. As it passed by, he saw four machoke accompanying the driver at the front and he even took a double take after looking and suddenly realizing that it possessed no wheels.

    "You like our superior ground handling child?" That similar prideful beam was on Faba's demeanor again. "It is done by anti-gravity engines thanks to yours truly with a specialization the combination of repulsor technology and psychic-type telekinesis."

    "What?"

    "Those vehicles are powered by repulsorlifts." His tone grew slightly irritated and forceful as if he was explaining how to do something for the umpteenth time. "They use up to eighty-five percent less energy than traditional moving vehicles and have a far greater efficiency rate."

    "Nice." Elio complimented. "I've never seen a hover thingy before in real life!"

    "That's not a!" The scientist stopped himself from rebuking Sun before he likely was going to say something regrettable down the line. "Well yes. Thanks to my driving aspirations; the Paradise has been outfitted with both the latest and next generation technology for this purpose to lead the way forward. Here at the Aether Foundation; we want more than to lead the way forward, we want to surpass it. That is our motto here, sworn by all staff members upon the beginning of their employment."

    Elio looked around. "So I take it this is sort of an import and export area?"

    "Yes. It is very important we perform searches and proper inspections on every single shipment coming in. Our docks can hold everything including a monster Wayfarer-class containership where they are thoroughly inspected by our logistics staff. Back in Kanto, a single grimer stowaway could lead to an outbreak among the sewage system due to how rapidly they can multiply in sludge. Our procedures are of the highest priority."

    "So you're super careful huh?" Hau asked. Elio listened closely too, knowing the invasive nature of the grimer and muk species in Kanto.

    Faba nodded. "Like I said. We take our security very seriously." The boys saw a light flash on the device attached to his wrist and he frowned upon seeing that.

    "Of course some incompetent thing requires my attention. Can't people see I'm trying to reach out and educate the youth for once?" Faba rolled his eyes at the "inconvenience" and tapped a couple of icons before turning back to face them.

    "Beneath us are the laboratories where our elite team of scientists led by yours truly are creating advancements in poke balls and other technology to improve things for trainers of tomorrow."

    "Oh cool." Sun said. "Maybe you'd do something like invent the next awesome Pokédex. My Rotom here is supposed to be the newest type."

    "We've probably done some research and assistance. Since we are a facility with wild Pokémon; you will not be able to catch any of the wild Pokémon within this facility. We have a jamming signal broadcast throughout to prevent this. Please respect that even though they are wild, they are protected under us and violating these rules can result in dire consequences. Understood?"

    "Of course Mister Faba!" Hau said with Sun nodding in agreement.

    "Excellent. This way."

    The branch chief led them across the docks and Sun even had to do a double take at seeing his reflection off the floor's smooth surface that looked dutifully polished even in a high traffic and dirtier area by any other standards. There wasn't even as much as a gum wrapper left out. The place felt…sterile…spotless, even in an area where the labor demanding jobs of logistics could get dirty.

    One of the employees passing by even told them that the reason it was so spick and span was that they took invasive species very seriously like rattata and spearow. Grimer and muk were another nuisance although the Alolan subspecies was generally less harmful than the virulent variant on Kanto, other than what was in the conservation area or with a trainer were forbidden to enter the grounds of the facility.

    Personnel approached them, conversing with Faba who looked a little bit irritated that he was being stopped by a "lesser class" as they discussed some information. Elio saw that each individual had a clear plastic screen just above their left breast that held a badge with the person's name, an ID number with a photo and a date which the badge would expire. He also noticed a category of differing colors on certain employees with numbered levels on them.

    Apparently the expiration date was irrelevant to the exact one, as Faba chastised one of them for not renewing it yet. Elio saw that the date compared to today was more than a week out.

    Unless the badge takes like a long time to get renewed, it shouldn't be anything you need to condemn this guy to the "biological waste disposal" department. I've never heard that title before, but it literally sounds like a shit job.

    Someone's gotta do it though.

    The only time Faba sounded even remotely polite was when he interacted with him and Hau and the other was when a fellow scientist or researcher discussed data findings with him. Sun was kind of easily able to tell who they were since they wore long white lab coats and obscured their faces by large rounded gold visors.

    He couldn't help but imagining an army of them with laser guns and marching in synchronization as if they were some empire on a conquest.

    Elio saw at the main section that had all areas branching out was a massive triangular elevator that was guided by three long metal beams that extended into the ceiling. As they got closer, he realized that it could stay as one whole platform or unlock to use one or two sections. The one closest to them just appeared from the top, descending down.

    The elevator's barriers lowered as it came from above. Its lone occupant; a woman strode off in front of the three and briskly turned to address them. She had long dark hair that looked purple as she stepped into the lights with horn rimmed glasses and wore a rather stylish white and pink long sleeved dress. Her face broke into a quick smile at seeing the three.

    "Excuse me Mister Faba." The newcomer addressed him.

    Faba's expression turned into one of scorn. "Yes, excuse you!" He haughtily replied, putting his arms on his hips. "What is the meaning of that form of address? I have a title of Branch Chief for a reason! How else will anyone know how important I am?"

    Maybe they'll know by the way you strut around like you've got a golf club shoved up your ass.

    The woman nodded in agreement, but the gesture seemed more passive than anything. "Yes of course. Branch Chief…or Lord Faba."

    Faba smirked back, triumphantly after asserting his dominance. "I like that title. Now I must go and speak with the president about our progress on the conservation projects on Akala. She will be most pleased with our efforts." He gestured to Elio and Hau behind him. "Please show these two children trainers around and then take them to meet the president as well."

    Faba looked back as he stepped onto the elevator platform. "Hau and Elio, regretfully I have some pressing business to attend to. Please enjoy your stay here at Aether!"

    "Actually Mister Faba. Since you're going down to the labs," Sun found the egg and incubator case, presenting it out to him. "This egg moves on occasion, it was given to me at Kahananui Ranch. I was wondering if you would be able to tell me when it's hatching and what it will hatch into?"

    "Could it be?" The Branch Chief murmured, "We've been looking for this since...I mean...of course. I can run some small tests on it. Do you happen to know what the parents are or were?"

    Elio shook his head. "I don't. The family gave it to me for safekeeping and maybe even raise it when it finally hatches. I just know that Akela, my lycanroc is very protective of it since it used to belong to his trainer before he disappeared."

    "I will have someone run some tests and give my own analysis before you leave."

    "Thanks." He got a nod in return.

    "Mahalo!" Hau and Elio cheerfully waved, him goodbye. "Nice to meet you Mister Faba!"

    He waved over his shoulder before hitting a couple buttons, flashing a card at the panel before the protective barriers folded up and he rose back into the ceiling.

    "Phew," the woman breathed out a sigh of relief. Elio immediately suspected that those two crossed swords often. The tension between them was undeniable right there.

    I would breathe out a sigh of relief as soon as that guy leaves. Having to deal with that all the time? How about no?

    She smiled again, a much warmer greeting than Faba's straightforward one. "Let me join our Branch Manager Faba in extending a warm welcome to the one and only Aether Paradise. My name is Naomi Wicke. I am the Assistant Branch Chief here. You must be Sun and Hau yes?"

    "Hello Miss Wicke!" Hau greeted. Sun opened his hands and waved them in greeting. Assistant huh? No wonder Faba acts all like you're subservient to him.

    "Alola!"

    "I'm Hau Kealoha!"

    "And I'm Elio Northstar! Lot of people call me Sun though."

    He saw Wicke's expression change to that of surprise the moment he spoke his own name. She stared at him as if he was a recognizable face from long ago.

    "Northstar?" She started like she didn't believe him. "Is that what you said?"

    "Yeah." He realized it was a little too casual for a place like this and straightened. "Yes ma'am."

    "Well pardon me for saying this, but you're Cal's boy…aren't you?"

    Elio raised an eyebrow. How does she know Dad? He had no memory of nodding an affirmative either.

    "You look just like him."

    "Hang on a second," beside him, the kahuna's grandson took a shocked step back in apprehension. Sun was silently thankful for the interruption too, since he didn't really want to discuss his father right now. "You know who we are? How?"

    "One of my staff members told me about your meeting on Akala Island and I heard how you both helped protect the Pokémon there Mister Hau. Thank you so much for your assistance! The foundation extends its gratitude to both of you!"

    "Although it should be the duty of every trainer." Sun said, as if it was any other thing. "You're welcome."

    "Allow me to show you two around." Wicke smiled and gave a short bow. "The main entrance is a floor above us."

    As if on cue, a section of the triangular platform descended back down, slowing to a stop when it was flush with the floor before lowering the barriers again and beeping musically.

    "Shall we zip right up there?" Wicke waited until both boys were aboard before doing the same as Faba; punching in a code on the panel at the platform's front before scanning her own badge on the reader. A moment later, the rails came right back up surrounding the section.

    "Please keep all limbs inside the confines of the elevator safety barriers while it is in operation," A smooth female voice came from the panel. "Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death."

    Like that's preventable. Sun thought, seeing nothing except the handrails between them and the open air. All you have to do is stick your arm out just before it reaches the ceiling to get it cut right off.

    The elevator's ascent was quick, but he didn't feel anything unusual as it carried them to a big atrium that was the same sterile white ambiance as the docks. There were more trainers here, accompanied by many different Pokémon following close behind.

    "This is the main entrance to the archology where the staff resides." Wicke said. "You can have your Pokémon examined and restored to full health at the reception desk if necessary. We have the latest medical equipment as any Pokémon center to treat even the worst of any wounds suffered."

    "I wish I came here first!" Hau shouted excitedly as he ran from the elevator to the main atrium. Just between the main entrance and the elevator was a large gold forked logo which Sun guessed to be the Aether Foundation's. "This is so cool! I'm going to bring Leilani here when she gets better!"

    As Elio continued looking around, he approached one of the directories in another holographic panel. There was an advertisement of a rather high-end Galarian fashion brand with the image of a handsome man with his arms wrapped intimately around the waist of an equally beautiful brunette woman.

    He thought nothing of it until he looked closer to see the tiny gold text at the bottom out of curiosity. His eyes went wide as the man's face started to blur indiscriminately and form into something else.

    "Woah!" Elio had to take a step back, staring at a perfect image of his own face in place of the male model's. The strangest part was that the model's tanned skin tone changed to match his own. "How the?"

    "Some of our generous donors," Wicke explained. "Of course this floor is open to the public and is grounds for advertisement at our president's choosing. These holo technology is tuned to facial recognition and reconfigured to your specific bio-metric signature. Fascinating right?"

    She stepped forward next to him and the woman's face now blurred before reconstructing to an identical appearance to Wicke's. Hau had been too busy looking at something else to notice how entranced he was with the unique feature.

    More like freaky. It sure was a step forward into making a fantasy that much closer to seeming like reality.

    She continued as they kept looking around after checking out the advertisement pillar. "Sun, you and Hau are both trial-goers on the island challenge aren't you? Are you hoping to become champions? I suppose you may be, that must mean you're somewhere in your teens then?"

    "I'm sixteen," Sun said, "And you can also call me Sun. That or Elio is fine."

    "Yeah same here, I took the first chance I had to join the island challenge once I turned sixteen too!" Hau beamed. "'Cause someday I want to be able to beat my gramps and become the island challenge champion, but he's way too strong! So for now, I'll just enjoy my island challenge!"

    "How lovely for you," Wicke said, smiling at their aspirations. "I suppose all wonderful children must yearn to take a journey of their own calling when they get to be about your age. Though you're almost adults! Trainers are like parents to their Pokémon!"

    "I can see that!" Hau said.

    Sun nodded in agreement. "I see my Pokémon as a family. We're all ohana."

    "Truly heartwarming. Now would you two like to see the conservation area upstairs?"

    "I'd love to!"

    "We'll zip right up then!" Wicke hit a few more buttons and scanned her badge.

    "Please keep all limbs inside the confines of the elevator safety barriers while it is in operation. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death."

    That would get annoying, having to listen to that all day. Sun thought. Although it was; the fact that it had to be spoken out loud meant that something happened to prompt the safety measure to be inputted.

    The elevator came right up to a lush green appearance of trees. Sun also heard the sound of running water and a chorus of different Pokémon cries as if he was right in the middle of the wilds. Some he recognized right off the bat and others sounded quite foreign.

    Aether's main conservation area was enormous, with a ceiling stretching up even farther than the other structures as the habitats differed from every angle of a vivid jungle to a sandy desert and rugged rocky sections. Although he could see the ceiling, he couldn't tell how far the building stretched in any direction.

    "You are entering the Aether Foundation's Pokémon conservation area. This is a safe haven for all Pokémon inhabiting. For this reason, the use of pokeballs to catch the Pokémon residing within the conservation habitat is strictly prohibited." The elevator's monotone said as they came to a stop.

    "Wow!" Hau and Sun said at the same time coming to the top, amazed yet again. The lights were dimmed somewhat to simulate the day or night cycle and allow some species of Pokémon to sleep. Nevertheless, they saw many different kinds behind the protective barriers eating food, playing around or being tended to by the staff members working. The floor looked to be made of a tile with patterns of white and gold. He could see more holographic signs that pointed towards different sections of the conservation area.

    "Wow! Izzz it my birthday?! Bzzt!" Rotom buzzed as he flew over to the closest section with a dense jungle. He gazed eagerly at a trio of gooey slug Pokémon that were a light lilac in color sitting in the shade of a tree.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Goomy. Soft tissue Pokémon. The weakest of all dragon type Pokémon, it's unable to breathe if its skin dries out so it sticks to shady places. It uses the horns atop its head to check it surroundings. They're very sensitive so if you grab them, it will feel a strong shock and be unable to move. Goomy is a dragon type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "This is the jungle biome." Wicke explained. "We divide the Pokémon inhabiting each to their home environment to make it as comfortable to them as possible. Temperature and climate regulators attached to each one closely monitor the Pokémon and can summon our staff to a specific specimen based on their serial number for attendance. We keep a very close log on each and every specific Pokémon that comes and leaves here."

    Elio saw that it was all clear between him on the walkway and the habitat itself.

    "You are actually able to feel the humidity in the jungle biome. Each one keeps its specific conditions within by the Ward technology, allowing large physical objects to effortlessly pass through."

    She nodded at him to give it a try, so he put out his hand. At first, he felt nothing, but it seemed that a slight purple tint of light responded to his touch. It shimmered and rippled as if his hand was making contact with the surface of water.

    He pushed farther and to his surprise, his hand entered through the Ward barrier. He could immediately feel a more drastic change in temperature and the spike in humidity caused it to almost sweat.

    Elio glanced at the rustling of leaves to his right as a pair of mankey and an even larger version of them were jumping from the treetops, munching on gold bananas.

    "Oh wow! New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Primeape. Pig monkey Pokémon. It is the evolved form of mankey. Some researchers theorize a primeape remains angry even in its Poké Ball. It has been known to become so angry that it dies as a result. Its face looks peaceful in death however. Primeape is a fighting type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "Primeape huh?" Elio smiled at that. They weren't his favorite Pokémon, not even close, but they did have a special meaning to him since that had been the mascot of his school. "Fighting primeapes."

    Further perched on top of another branch opposite the mankey and primeape was a small green bird with gold and reddish feathers. Its eyes stared intently at the simians before darting down towards him.

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Natu. Little bird Pokémon. Although it still can't fly, its jumping power is outstanding. It jumps its way into trees and plucks buds from the branches for food. A shy Pokémon; if you approach it, natu will hop away. Natu is a psychic and flying type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "The jungle biome is one of our largest ones since the majority of Alola is humid with dense growth. A lot of species that come to the Paradise are put inside this one. Some of the other larger ones include woodland, grassland and desert." Wicke explained. "It's truly amazing at the diversity."

    "How many Pokémon do you treat here at the Foundation?" Hau asked.

    "I'm honestly not quite sure. It all depends on what purpose. Some are here because they are lost from their trainers or abandoned. Others have sickness or conditions that need extensive care. We try to make sure that every Pokémon we release back into the wild is properly nurtured so that it can conform back into either its native environment or however we found it."

    "It's like my own dad used to say." Elio added on. "We always help anyone we can."

    He even sounds just like his father. "We do keep Pokémon that are targeted and harassed by Team Skull here." Wicke said. "And we also try to support Pokémon that need a little extra protection, although it is best not to interfere with their natural balance. Take corsola for example."

    Both boys looked up at her again before Hau spoke up. "Corsola needs protection?"

    "Yes." Wicke nodded. "Corsola has many predators, both natural and can be endangered if pollution is rampant. They are quite terribly overhunted by a Pokémon called toxapex."

    "I've never heard of a toxapex before,"

    "I hope you don't mind if I read a passage from my old Pokédex." Wicke said, pulling a rather worn red device out of her coat pocket. Elio recognized it as a much older model with the only feature being able to catalogue Pokémon species preprogrammed into its databanks. All the Rotom Dex needs to do is access the cloud database and then add new species as they are discovered. Plus he can make calls, take pictures, access the internet, annoy people and most importantly make memes.

    "I traveled through Kanto before when I was younger, you see."

    Makes sense. She could've run into Dad somewhere.

    "A passage from my Pokédex says that toxapex crawls along the ocean floor on its twelve legs. It leaves a trail of corsola bits scattered in its wake. Anyone who is attacked by toxapex's poison will suffer intensive pain for three days and nights. Even after recovery, there can be some painful aftereffects."

    "Ouch," Sun made a nervous face. Suddenly the monster tentacruel that was killed just days ago seemed like merely another abomination that lurked in the ocean waiting to murder something. "Toxapex sounds like a Pokémon you don't want to screw with."

    "Yeah," Hau agreed. "Although it's sad; my gramps is always saying that nature has got its cruel side sure as it gives us blessings. Still, can the Aether Foundation really protect all the Pokémon that are out there?"

    "Mhmm," Wicke nodded again, "nature does have its own balance of course. It can be difficult to judge just how much we as humans should meddle with it."

    "That's pretty amazing!" He took a look around again, "I love it here already! The Aether Foundation is awesome! But why did you bother setting up in a place like Alola?"

    "It's hard to say. We don't always know what our president is thinking sometimes. Speaking of which; if you would like to meet President Lusamine, she should be here in the conservation area now."

    "Okay!" Hau said, running up to the edge of the mountain habitat to look at a boldore and a second boulder Pokémon that had a particularly large nose that was pink in color. "Hey Sun, I'll catch up with ya! Go find the President and say hi!"

    "Before ya go, it's time to show the new database with a new Pokémon! Bzzt! Nosepass. Compass Pokémon. The magnet in nosepass' nose provides an unerring compass, making it an excellent partner for trainers going on a journey. It moves an average of less than an inch a year, but when it's in a jam, it can spin and drill into the ground in a split second. Nosepass is a rock type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    "Sure…" Elio sighed to himself and headed down one of the pathways.

    Lusamine. So that's the name of the president. I'm guessing it's a woman…since I've never heard that name for a man. It's the first time I've heard the name said at all anywhere.

    Elio didn't really receive any helpful hints or description on finding this president. He passed many employees who warmly greeted him before returning to their tasks, but most were engrossed in their work. He didn't want to be a distraction or pass off as another tourist asking for directions. Still taking in the atmosphere, the conservation area was unlike anything he had ever seen and it felt so soothing.

    Kind of hard to believe that this is all indoors.

    Sun continued to wander down the walkways as they winded across various points of the conservation area. He was in between the mountain biome and another he had identified as more of a beach. The latter was much more open than the others with cresting sand dunes. At the center was a lake of water where several Pokémon species gathered close by.

    He could see slowpoke wading in the shallows while larger lumineon jumped gracefully from the surface. The pink quadrupedal Pokémon were accompanied by one that stood on its two hind legs.

    A slowbro!

    "New Pokémon detected! Bzzt! Slowbro. Hermit crab Pokémon. It is the evolved form of slowpoke. Whenever the shellder on its tail bites down hard, it gives slowbro a flash of inspiration that is forgotten a moment later. It becomes a slowpoke again if the shellder on its tail ever comes off. Slowbro is a water and psychic type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    Okay, how EXACTLY do you de-evolve like that? Is it even possible?

    Nearby, a starshape Pokémon was resting on top of the sand.

    "And here'zzz another new Pokémon! Bzzt! Starmie. Starshape Pokémon. It is the evolved form of staryu. Its unusual body shape, reminiscent of abstract art, led local people to spread rumors that this Pokémon came from outer space. It is known as hoku umi in Alolan and giving a core to someone intends good fortune in long term. Starmie is a water and psychic type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    Rotom moved to another part of the beach, observing a tiny green and blue slug-like Pokémon in the sand as it slithered back towards the water. It was noteworthy of the little "wings" that were on its back as if it could fly.

    "Shellos. Sea slug Pokémon. Shellos lives in the seas and feasts on microscopic plankton. The lovelier the ocean, the more vibrant the shellos' color becomes. Its color and form differ according to studies on its habitat and food quality. Shellos is a water type. Additional information is available upon catching this Pokémon."

    Elio had to admire the diversity of species all under one roof. It got him wondering about their upbringing too. Some were just endangered in the wild, others harassed by Team Skull. The one thing every Pokémon there had in common was that they were cared for in some way led to this haven. They seem all happy. It's good to see that the ones targeted by Team Skull don't have to go through that terrible thing again.

    The fact that Team Skull was willingly doing those kinds of things like to that unfortunate slowpoke with a dismembered tail he had rescued back at Memorial Hill made him clench his fists in anger.

    I know there's twisted people like that in the world. There always has been and there always will be. But it makes me happy to know that people are actively fighting it like everyone here at the Aether Foundation.

    "My sweet Pokémon." He heard a woman's voice up ahead. Walking across to the big intersection, he saw one with incredibly long pale blonde hair leaning down to pet a group of happy looking buneary, meowth and grimer. Beside her were three of the Aether staff members. "I promise I'll keep you safe. I'll protect you with my love!"

    Sun walked into the area and was immediately noticed by all of the humans and Pokémon and he finally got a look at the woman.

    "Ah." The blonde said, turning around to face him. The first thing he noticed about her was the bright green emerald eyes that sparkled in the light and then her long pale blonde hair that went almost to her thighs. It was perfectly combed without a single strand tangled or out of place. Her body shape was tall and fit, just like the models he saw on advertisements and magazine covers. Her attire fit right into the Paradise's motif wore a long white satin sleeveless dress with trim of black and gold around the edges. There was a rather expensive looking long green diamond in front that covered her breasts that matched the shade of her eyes. Her skin looked vivid and healthy, almost seeming to glow.

    Sun couldn't quite pin down her age as there wasn't any evidence of cosmetic work, but at the same time; she didn't seem to be much older than him with a complexion that was the closest thing he had seen to being flawless. He wasn't an expert on fashion and easily could tell that her attire was worth several grand. Even the white leggings had a design pattern and high heeled shoes that she wore looked gilded.

    And uncomfortable. He thought to himself. How women were able to wear those were a mystery to him.

    Still, her reaction at his arrival and appearance were just…familiar. Blonde hair, green eyes. I've seen them before! Just where?!

    "Hi," Sun snapped out of his daydreaming and suddenly felt a little hot from being the center of attention waving nervously to calm his own nerves. "I'm uh…looking for President Lusamine. Miss Wicke kinda sent me on a mission to go and find her or him…whoever they are."

    "Of course." The woman said in her silky smooth voice. She turned to the employees around her. "Please take the Pokémon back to their habitats and get the reports in to the supervisors as soon as possible."

    "At once," one of them whistled, prompting the group to follow closely behind her.

    "Hey Sun! Wicke said that the President should still be here!" Hau shouted somewhere behind as he bounded up with her in tow. "Oh…" His cheeks flushed, and he flashed a smitten goofy grin. "Hi there!"

    The woman exchanged some words with Wicke before turning to address the two boys. "You must be Elio and Hau. Welcome to Aether Paradise; the Aether Foundation's own private island. I hope you have been enjoying your tour so far."

    Her gaze immediately felt like a weight had been pressed into them. Sun felt as if he was being examined, but the woman's eyes radiated warmth and compassion that put him more at ease.

    "Yeah that's us." Hau beat him to meeting her outstretched hand and shook it enthusiastically. Elio was next, a bit surprised by her gingerly squeezing. Her skin was warm and incredibly soft to the touch.

    "I am the president of this foundation, but please just call me Lusamine." She put a hand on her hip after sauntering over. Elio was caught between a rock and a hard place as he tried to do anything to avoid staring creepily. Her eyes were such a rich green color he could've gotten lost on them. Her dress accented her curvy hourglass frame that he knew would probably turn the heads of both sexes. Not to mention those slender legs and hips. It's like hypnotic.

    "I'm so glad that we got to meet. It makes me joyful to hear that there are people like you who travel the islands to learn more about the amazing creatures we call Pokémon. But there are those who harm and exploit Pokémon for their own selfish reasons and for profit."

    Having confirmed that she was indeed the Foundation's president, it immediately commanded respect from him. He subconsciously stood up just a little taller.

    "Like Team Skull?" Sun asked.

    "Yes," The Aether President cringed slightly at the mention of the well-known group of thugs. "They are but one of the many people."

    "They're not the first unfortunately." He said, reminding the obvious. "And they certainly won't be the last."

    Lusamine made to reply, but they were abruptly cut off by a catchy ringtone from a device on her. Elio recognized it as the Five-0 theme.

    She has good taste in TV.

    "Oh pardon my rudeness. People seem to call me at the most odd of times!" She pulled a rather modern-looking phone out of her dress pocket on her side and turned away. She spoke to whomever was on the other side for roughly a minute before turning back to the boys.

    "I apologize for that. Where were we? Oh yes! And that is the reason why I am here." Lusamine spread her long arms out after slipping her phone away. "I shall be like a mother to all those poor Pokémon and shower them with love and care! Even Pokémon from distant worlds, far from the Alola region are worthy of my love!"

    Distant worlds? Sun thought. Are there even Pokémon on other planets?

    There were Pokémon like deoxys that seemed to have extraterrestrial origins. The discovery of it in a potentially catastrophic disaster was actually in recent news. And his Rotom Dex had actually given some information on the belief that starmie came from outer space due to its odd characteristics.

    "Wow Miss Lusamine!" Hau brought him out of his thoughts again. "I don't know how you do all this! You're like not even that much older than either of us!"

    Lusamine laughed sweetly at his words; not too loud and nasally, more like fine china clinking together, but the compliment made both boys glance at one another.

    Sorry, Hau mouthed wordlessly. Just came out.

    "Oh you sweet boy!" She gushed, at the praise "I'm already forty one!"

    Well…this should be good.

    "Wait, you are?" He paused again, recoiling back with wide eyes. Sweat was already starting to form at his brow despite the cool air conditioning. "Wait a second…WHAT?!"

    "Oh you!" Lusamine repeated, "The right style does wonders, you know. Hau…your style is a bit…wanting yes?"

    Next to a perplexed boy; Sun stared at this woman, still trying to figure out where this conversation had started and where it was going.

    "I will have to take you out sometime and help you pick a smashing outfit!"

    "What?" Hau glanced over at him again in a desperate plea to get out, only to receive a shrug of helplessness from his friend. On the inside; Elio was about to bust up laughing as he imagined Hau in that type of designer regal clothing. It was the fact that he couldn't see it happening that made it amusing.

    Sorry Hau; you're on your own on this one.

    "Like-like what you wear?!" Just as Sun had thought; Hau looked a little scared at having to change out of his very casual Alolan attire of shorts and a T-shirt. "I don't think anyone else could pull off that kind of look! Well…except maybe Lillie, but…you never know."

    The change was just ever so subtle and nobody else appeared to notice it.

    But Sun did.

    Upon mentioning the name of their pretty blonde friend, Lusamine's demeanor darkened almost immediately. "Oh don't you worry," he felt the warmth in her voice vanish and the President put her hands on her hips. Her easygoing smile had also faded away. "You just leave everything up to me."

    "Um…okay?"

    "Trust me Hau." She assured him. "Children would be so much happier if they'd only listen to the adults around them."

    What? First we were talking about Pokémon conservation, then outfits and suddenly the subject changes to obedience when Hau mentions Lillie?

    Sun was about to question that when a low rumble struck the conservation area. He had barely heard it at first before it began to grow louder. It started to become more noticeable as Hau, Wicke and Lusamine abruptly terminated their conversation.

    "What was that?" The dark haired woman asked.

    Whatever it was, I just know it's not good.

    Sun felt the rumbling grow even louder and intensify. The ground began to tremble underneath his feet, immediately making his stomach do backflips inside his body.

    The next thing he knew; Elio stumbled right towards the handrail of the walkway. Reaching out just in time, he steadied just inches away from giving himself a contusion. The rumbling still kept on.

    Earthquake?!

    Another violent tremor struck the Paradise; this time in the opposite direction. Elio was practically flung to the floor, head smacking into one of the metal poles holding the rails.

    Pain flared right into his temple and he clutched it while staying low to the ground.

    "What is going on?" Lusamine asked, a slight hint of uncertainty weaved into her voice.

    Elio was just hoping something like this was going to stop soon enough. He felt a bit of relief as the vibrations began to reverberate through the structure less so.

    Still dazed, he grabbed the rail and began to pull himself to his feet. Already moving to help Hau; Sun couldn't help but flinch as the Ward barriers around each biome flashed a bright purple and solidified into massive domes, concealing each one and their Pokémon out of sight.

    An unseen earsplitting klaxon alarm began its shrilly howl overhead, causing adrenaline to pump its way into the boy's frame.

    And this chapter is done! Wow! I must say that it's been one I've been looking forward to doing for a long time! I'm definitely excited for the grimmer and more dark turns the next parts involving the Aether Foundation will be bringing! Those of you who've played the story definitely know what's about to happen and those that don't are in for a big cliffhanger ending for sure!
    And no I haven't forgot about the egg. Next chapter is a big hint at what it's going to be!

    Translations:

    • Hoʻopiliʻia - Connected

    As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose. I'll see you all for the next chapter.

    Brav
     
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  20. Rezna

    Rezna Every Day's Great at Your Junes!

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    Wow! That was great! :love:Me, not having any part of my brain used for creative writing, would've had absolutely no idea what to write for this segment of the game, but you pulled it off so beautifully! I hope you don't get a power outage again, though, because I was bored out of my mind waiting for this to come out, especially after that two week period, lol!
    :D:3
     

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