Episode 1: Alola!

"Niko! You need to wear something!" Charlotte said as she pointed to the apparel shop across the street.

"What? Jeans and a t-shirt don't work?" Niko said, looking down at himself. He brought the kind of clothes he normally wears—a plain t-shirt, standard jeans, and some tennis shoes. Around his neck was his pendant holding his Key Stone, a necessary item for mega evolution, which was odd since he didn't have any of his Pokémon with him at the moment.

"Well, it's a nicer climate…" Charlotte said, moving some of her brown hair behind her ear. She has abandoned the normal t-shirt/forest green sweater and fitted jeans for a light-colored (and light weight) shirt with pale orange shorts and sandals. She looked far more "Alolan" than some tourist like Niko.

They had arrived in the Alola region several days prior, but it only then dawned on Charlotte then that her boyfriend needed to change his attire a little more, especially if they were going to travel to meet JJ, Niko's old friend and current Pokémon daycare owner. They had noticed that, primarily due to the temperate climate of the island there were on—Melemele Island—that the clothes they were so used to wearing in Unova and Kalos (and for Niko four other regions before that) weren't going to fly, or even feel comfortable. During those few days on Melemele Island, Niko complained—albeit sparingly—about how hot he felt. After a while, Charlotte decided it was time for a wardrobe change, even if it was temporary.

And so, the young couple found themselves in Hau'oli City's main apparel store. Niko didn't quite remember the last time he shopped for clothes—Kalos, maybe? Right before their journey really took off? —but nevertheless he had Charlotte, who knew slightly more about clothes than he, to help him out.

It wasn't hard, either. Niko just needed new shirts, shorts, and probably a pair of sandals, since they were on a coastal city, and found themselves spending an inordinate amount of time at the beach. After spending nearly a minute choosing a color, Niko settled on a pale blue shirt and black, loose-fitting shorts with a simple pair of sandals. He also bought a pair of sunglasses, and Charlotte found herself a light green cap. As he was paying, he thought of something.

"Hey, Charlotte," Niko said, turning to his girlfriend. "Where's Warren?"

"Oh, uh…" Charlotte said, looking around as if she had lost a child. "I—I don't know, actually."

"Maybe we should go looking for him, then," Niko said as he finished paying. The couple left the apparel shop, Niko found a place to change, and they were on their way.

On their way, Charlotte saw what looked like a photo studio. Peering in, she looked and saw that, indeed, it was some sort of photo-related service. Turning to Niko and pointing to it, he shrugged and nodded. "Do you want to take a picture together?"

"I mean…we don't have any…" she said, shrugging. "But if you don't want to, I'd like to with Noibat," Charlotte said, pulling out a small pokéball from her pocket containing the Sound Wave Pokémon. She took a page from Niko's book and decided to take along her least experienced Pokémon so that they could see the world. In this case, it was the small, dragon-type bat with massive ears. This is where Charlotte, after owning the bat for a few months, discovered that Noibat had a voracious appetite, eating its weight in malasadas, one of the signature foods in Alola. She—Noibat—enjoyed the sweet malasadas made of pecha berries. "Noibat, come on out," she said. Amidst the chittering sound it made, Charlotte kindly asked. "Would you like to take a picture with me?"

Noibat tilted its head in confusion, as she clearly had no idea what it was. Charlotte led her inside, with Niko following closely behind, and showed Noibat example of pictures.

"They just capture a moment in time—memories," she said, "family, friends, trainers and their Pokémon," she turned to Niko, "couples…they all take them."

Noibat chittered quickly, indicating a rush of energy, usually either joy or excitement of some sorts. Charlotte, understanding this, nodded happily, and walked over to the woman at the counter—a tall, dark-skinned, dark-haired woman with light purple earrings, and requested a photo. The woman nodded and showed Charlotte and Noibat to the studio and, within minutes, they took a slate of pictures. Then Charlotte waved over to Niko.

"Niko? C'mon! Let's take one together!" Charlotte said.

Niko waved it off. "I'd prefer not to, actually," Niko said with a nervous smile. He wasn't one for pictures. Charlotte, not seeming to understand this, frowned slightly, but quickly hid it as she showed Noibat their picture.

"With a portable camera, you could take pictures anywhere!" she said, which seemed to really excite the Sound Wave Pokémon. Another few minutes later, and the couple—and Noibat—continued their search for Warren.

Niko and Charlotte didn't say much during the remainder of their expedition to find their friend. Niko was lost in thought regarding how his girlfriend felt about his actions—was he too harsh? Dismissive? Why did she care so much about a photo? They saw each other all the time, why would she need one?

It sounded like a silly question to ask in his head, and he felt stupider for even considering it. Of course there's a reason to take pictures! Niko distinctly remember the one he, Fay, Brittany, and JJ took back when they visited Cianwood Island in Johto. He's taken a couple with his Pokémon since, but far and few between. Coming to a conclusion, Niko felt better. He figured Charlotte was going to come to the same realization that he did—that they didn't have to take one then, and maybe they would in the future.

Eventually, the couple found Warren standing at the Marina—the harbor in Hau'oli City—leaning over the railing and talking with a man neither Niko nor Charlotte recognized. When Niko slapped him on the shoulder, Warren turned to see them.

"Niko!" Warren said, checking his friend out briefly. He was wearing athletic shorts and a floral buttoned shirt that covered his broader build. A cap turned backwards sat lazily atop his straight, brown hair. "Wow, you changed."

"Blame Charlotte," Niko said. "Where've you been? We've been looking all over for you!"

Warren pointed to the man standing next to him. "Been talking with Professor Kukui."

"Alola cousin," Kukui said, holding out his hand. He had a fit, muscular physique with dark eyes, black hair, a man-bun and a long goatee. He wore a white hat with a rainbow decoration on it. He wore glasses with a teal frame, a white lab coat with rolled up sleeves, grey baggy pants with a teal stripe down the sides and at the top, and teal sandals with a white outline. He wore a white ring on his left wrist, and a grey ring on his left ring finger. "That's how you say 'hello' here in Alola! I'm Professor Kukui, expert in Pokémon moves. And you two are?"

"I'm Niko, err…Alola."

"Charlotte, Alola. This is Noibat."

"Niko, Charlotte…got it. And Alola, Noibat! Sweet, bros. So you two know Warren?"

"Yeah, we've been travelling together for a while now," Niko said, throwing his hands in his pocket instinctively.

"Travelling, eh? Where've you been?" Kukui asked. Niko looked to Warren and Charlotte first—he'd rather not answer.

"We've been to Unova and Kalos," Warren interjected, "And Niko's been to a few more places."

"Unova, Kalos…wonderful places, not like Alola, though. What brings you here?"

"I have a close friend of mine living on Akala Island," Niko said. "He runs a daycare."

"Ah…that's right, about a year or so ago we got a new dude out there. Olivia, the Kahuna of Akala Island, mentioned it to be briefly, but I didn't snag much of the details."

"Kahuna…?" Charlotte asked. At the hearing of the word, as if he could recite everything there was to know about a Kahuna, Kukui perked up and smirked, flashing his pearly white teeth.

"Neither of you are from around here, so makes sense you've never heard of Kahunas or the Island Trials," Kukui said. Before Niko or Charlotte could further question him, he smirked and began walking off of the Marina. "Follow me, dudes. I'll explain more on the way."

"Where're we going?" Niko asked.

"My place. It's just outside of Hau'oli City, near the Melemele Sea," Kukui said. Warren started speed-walking to catch up to the Professor, and Niko and Charlotte followed. As they walked through the streets of Hau'oli City, Kukui continued. "The Island Challenge is, essentially, what Alola has in place of Pokémon Gyms. Have you competed in gyms before?"

"Yes, both of us," Charlotte said, "Niko actually won the Lumiose Conference in Kalos."

"Oh?" Kukui said, eyes wide, "Then this is just the thing for you, cousin. The Island Challenge requires trainers—as the minimum age of 11—to travel across all four islands of Alola and complete various trials on each.

"Each trial is now headed by a trial captain. That hasn't always been the case, but in the past few years or so I've worked with the Kahunas to find capable captains to manage and operate each trial."

"Are they Pokémon battles?" Niko asked.

"Yes, but not entirely. Some will have other tasks, like searching for something. But in order to complete every trial, the challenger must challenge and defeat what's called a Totem Pokémon. They're larger forms of specific Pokémon that guard a special item that challengers may use when they complete the trial. Once you've completed every trial on an island, you may challenge the Kahuna in the Grand Trial. Defeat the Kahuna, and you can continue on to another island."

"Wow…" Charlotte said. She, clearly, had no idea that there were other types of challenges outside of Pokémon Gyms or Contests.

"Yeah, they're certainly a different concept to trainers who come from other parts of the world, but they're central to how Alola functions. Our trials are based on strengthening the bond between people and Pokémon. It's a rite of passage for most young trainers. And so, at the end of every year, we hold a tournament to see which Island Challenger is the strongest. It's sort of like a Pokémon League that you three are more familiar with."

"And you have to complete all of the trials to compete in the tournament?" Niko asked.

"Of course. There are eight trials in total, and four Kahunas on the four islands—Melemele, Akala, Ula'ula, and Poni."

"How is a Kahuna chosen?" Warren inquired.

"By the island deity. Alolan myths center around four guardians that protect the islands and the region at large. They can also be referred to as 'The Tapu.'"

Niko and Charlotte were silent for the rest of the walk to Kukui's house, which wasn't much further away. It was clear to both of them—even though they didn't express it to one another—that there was a reason why Kukui, of all people, was talking with them. Something didn't seem right.

"Professor, why are you telling us all of this?" Niko wondered.

"Because you asked, cousin!" Kukui said, flashing his teeth again. "And Warren wanted to tell you guys about it!"

"Huh?"

"I explained it to him just before you two love-birds showed up. He said it might be something you would be interested in trying out. Am I wrong?"

"N-no, you're not," Niko said, looking out onto the sea as they approached a shack a quarter of a mile from the beachfront. It was a small, seemingly single-story abode. Kukui walked them through the front door and inside.

His home wasn't extravagant, by any stretch of the imagination. But it was comfortable. A massive fish tank with luvdisc swimming around sat in the far back-right corner with a step-ladder that led to a loft that looked like it hadn't been used in ages. In the far-left part of the house was a kitchen with a spiky-haired woman cooking.

"Burnet! We have company!" Kukui said as he walked inside with the trio in tow. The woman named Burnet turned and flashed an equally radiant smile that rivalled Kukui's. Her skin, like Kukui's, was tanned. She wore a grey vest and black semi-legging pants. She wore green flat shoes and a green headband at the back of her head. On her neck was a silver necklace, with what looked like a wedding ring in the middle. "This is Niko, Charlotte, and Warren. They're from Kanto and Unova."

"Oh! Alola! Unova? I studied there. And Kanto…we used to have a boy here who was from Kanto, right Kukui?" Burnet asked in a calm tone. Kukui nodded in agreement, and she continued speaking. "What brings you three to Alola?"

"We have a close friend working on Akala Island, and figured we'd visit him. We haven't gone there yet, but the visit is doubling as a vacation of sorts," Niko replied.

"They're also interested in the Island Challenge," Kukui mentioned as he side-hugged Burnet and walked into the kitchen to grab a malasada.

"Oh! Excellent!" Burnet said, clapping her hands together. "Have they met Hala yet?"

"Not yet, I was thinking of taking them to the Trainer's School in the morning to meet Ilima," Kukui mentioned. "He's probably a better person to talk to, at least initially, and with Hala out at the moment…" Kukui stopped himself and turned to the trio. "Before we eat—you three are welcome to stay here, by the way—I'd like to show you two something else," he said, pointing two fingers at Niko and Charlotte. "Come with me, cousins."

Niko and Charlotte exchanged curious looks before following Kukui. Warren, even though he wasn't specifically requested, followed along as well.

Kukui walked into another room and came out with a small briefcase. Opening it up, he revealed three pokéballs. "I'm now responsible for handing out starter Pokémon to young kids who start their Island Challenge. There are occasions where a new trainer might not need one, but if you are both interested, you may choose one."

"You're just going to give us a Pokémon?" Niko asked. Previous professors he had met had done the same thing, and so it wasn't unusual for Niko, but it seemed to happen so fast.

"Yeah, dude. Warren told me you have a wide collection of Pokémon, but didn't bring any with you," Niko turned to Warren, surprised by the amount of detail his friend went in to explaining his life to this stranger. "If I were you, I'd bring a Pokémon to an Island Trial," he said with a flashy smirk. "Anyway, here are the Pokémon I usually give to beginning trainers. The Grass Quill Pokémon, Rowlet:"

Kukui opened the first pokéball containing a young owl with a round body and short legs. Its plumage was primarily brown with a white underside and facial disc. It had large black eyes and stubby beak. Two leaves sprouted from its chest, arranged so that they resembled a bowtie.

He opened the second pokéball. "The Sea Lion Pokémon, Popplio:" he said, summoning a small, blue Pokémon with large eyes, a long, white snout with black whiskers, and a round, pink nose. Along its neck was a light blue ruff, which extended past its shoulder. It had four flippers, with the front ones being bigger than the hind ones.

"And, finally, the Fire Cat…Pokémon?" Kukui said, opening the pokéball. But nothing came out. "Uh…Burnet? Where's Litten?"

Burnet's head popped into the room, looking just as curious. "Oh! I think he's outside 'looking for prey,'" she said in a playful voice.

Kukui laughed. "Right. This little thing, I swear…" Kukui said, walking out of the room. By the time he had left, the rowlet was already perched on Charlotte's shoulder, for whatever reason. When Niko noticed this, and then Charlotte's expression, he realized he had never seen her happier.

"Niko…" she said silently as she heard the Grass Quill Pokémon snoring. "It…is…adorable."

"It really is. And I think it likes you," Niko said.

Charlotte quickly nodded, her eyes sparkling and her face turning light pink from the clear affection from the tiny owl. Meanwhile, Warren was sitting on the ground playing with Popplio. Realizing he had nothing else to do, and that Kukui was taking a while to return, Niko set off to find the professor just after the sun set over the sea.

After a short search, he saw Kukui and Burnet watching a small, black and red kitten crouched low to the ground, clearly peering at something through tall grass with its large, yellow eyes. Suddenly Niko heard a rustling, and the kitten leapt into action, tackling the strange Pokémon to the ground before getting stricken by what looked to be a thunderwave.

Instinctively, Niko rushed into the tall grass before Kukui and Burnet could, reaching down and picking up the red and black feline. He then noticed a pichu run out, clearly scared of Niko's intervention. Yellow sparks surrounded the cat as it struggled to move.

"Kukui, we need to help it," Niko said, turning to the professor.

"Indeed we do. Come inside. By the way, say hello to Litten, the third Pokémon I give out to trainers," Niko looked down at Litten, the Fire Cat Pokémon, and smiled. Even though it clearly looked like it was in pain, it was an adorable little Pokémon.

Once inside, Niko lay Litten down on a nearby couch while Burnet administered some sort of spray to the Fire Cat's torso. Charlotte, Warren, and the other two starter Pokémon walked out to see Niko sitting next to Litten, watching it heal up.

"Is it going to be alright?" Niko wondered.

"Of course. This Litten in particular is notorious for going out and 'hunting' other Pokémon, so we're used to taking care of it," Burnet said. "Kukui has owned a fair amount of them over the past few years, but this one especially enjoys battling. Whoever takes it as their own will already have a head start."

"Why don't you take it, Niko?" Warren said, the popplio at his side.

"Maybe," Niko said, petting the Litten as he began to move again. "Hi, Litten, I'm Niko. I'm thinking of taking on the Island Challenge, and I was wondering if you wanted to join me in it. I watched you fight that pichu—you seem to be very eager to battle. I can help with that."

Litten looked up at Niko as he lightly purred from being scratched behind his ears, clearly trying to take in everything Niko was telling him. He then turned to Kukui, and his fellow starters. Rowlet was sleeping, and the Popplio was sitting on the ground with a curious expression.

It looked back up at Niko and nodded.

"Wonderful!" Kukui said, handing Niko a pokéball. "You'll need this. Charlotte, I take it you're choosing the rowlet?"

"Yes!" Charlotte said excitedly, accidentally waking the Grass Quill Pokémon up. In its state of confusion, it accidentally smacked Charlotte's face with its talon and flew off into the air, flying around the house frantically. "Rowlet!" she shouted, holding out its pokéball and returning it. "Guess I'll need to work on that…eheh."

"And that'll leave Popplio for whichever beginning trainer comes to visit me next!" Kukui said, picking Popplio up and giving it a reassuring smile. "Now, I think it's time to eat!"

Niko, Charlotte, and Warren each looked at one another, smiling. They had just started yet another journey, due entirely to a fortuitous meeting. They did not realize, however, how trying this particular journey would be for them.

Author's Note: New season! I'm excited about this one, as usual, and I can promise it'll be a little different, but not in radical ways i'm sure. I hope you enjoy it and the next episode.

Also, I edited parts of the Kalos League to include a certain former rival. If you're interested, you can see Episodes 43-55 of Season 7 and, to save you some time, maybe search the word "Fay" to see what I edited in. ;)

Enjoy!