Scattered Light
"Bing…bing…bing"
Hesitantly Karma clicked on the flashing video icon.
The window that popped up showed a ceiling with brown rafters. "Whoops! Hang on a sec…" A voice came over the other end just slightly too loud. The video blurred for a moment as a camera was manually adjusted. Finally a video of a well-tanned man wearing a lab coat came up on the screen. Oiled, bulking biceps could be seen underneath. Karma would have blushed if this had been the first time. She had blushed the first time she saw Professor Kukui on video. At least this time he was wearing the labcoat over his taunt bulging shoulders.
"Hey there! Good evening!" He waved, there was glint of silver around his ring finger. "So the day has finally come! You're moving to Aloha!"
Karma glanced behind her. Boxes were stacked. Even her bed had been dismantled. All that were left were tan walls and a tatami floor.
"Yeah." She said. As turned back to the computer, her eyes only briefly tracing the dent in the blue base board where Bulba had tackled the wall when she first brought him home. The sweet memory was laced with guilt. Everything had been going so well back then…
"There's no shortage of rare creatures out here in Aloha! I'm guessing most of them will be totally new for you."
Karma snapped back to attention. Luckily Professor Kukui hadn't noticed. He pulled out a pokeball, tossing it in the air. A tan growlithe like Pokémon appeared next to him. It stuck its pink nose in the camera.
"Rockruff cool your jets!" The professor laughed. Rockruff pulled back. It's eyes were a brilliant blue. It cuddled up next to the professor and Karma couldn't help but notice that the brown patches in its fluff dug into the professor rather than bending to his strokes. After a moment the Professor Kukui continued, "I got the photo for your passport." He said stroking his suspicious goatee. "10-4 good buddy. I'll let everyone out here know you'll be on your way."
Karma was quiet. She must've flinched or something because Professor Kukui added,
"It'll be fine. Only me and Kahuna Hala know about your past. It'll be a fresh start! You'll like Alola."
Karma nodded. At least it'll only be those two.
"Can't wait to see you in person then, cousin!"
"Thank-" Karma didn't finish before the video collapsed. "-you."
"You're not really my Uncle." Karma muttered. She was about to shut her laptop when another alert popped on the screen next to the email icon. Her mouth went dry.
She carefully scanned the room. Mom wasn't there, of course. She would be busy packing the living room.
Karma opened the email. "We are pleased to accept your request. Meet us behind the Iki town Pokémon center at 4am the night after your welcome festival arrive. Bring what is required and you'll be initiated.
Karma trembled slightly as she deleted the email. "It'll be fine." She said to herself. "It'll be fine." She closed the laptop, blinking out its bright screen. She slipped the sleek stainless laptop into her bag. "Good bye Kanto, Goodbye bloody Pokémon league." She took a deep breath. "Hello Alola."
A careful pawstep. Then another. The wood floor was quiet under carefully placed weight. The predator sensed his target. He crouched keeping his eyes locked on the defenseless pink skin before him. Carefully he readjusted his feet, carefully he swished his tail placement hard to right. He pounced!
His claws sank into a soft cottony target. Yellow fabric interrupted his view. Must abort, must abort! "Mroooow!"
Karma pushed the Pikachu pokedoll to the foot of her bed. Mr. Yow jumped off redrawing his claws with a hiss. "Hiss all you want. I'm not letting you claw my faceagain." Karma said. She hit the light and pulled herself out of bed. The meowth shot her a glare before waltzing out of the room, the stub of his front right paw never quite touching the ground.
The new room was spacious. A jigglypuff shaped carpet bigger then her was spread in the middle of the floor with room to spare. Her new desk was several times larger, now taking up an entire wall. As she got dressed she nearly tripped over the Nintendo Switch her mother had bought. She wasn't entirely sure why her mother bought it, she wasn't going to be spending that much time at home. And she certainly didn't plan on taking it with her.
Karma stepped out into the combined kitchen living room.
"Karma, come out here." Mother called from the balcony.
Karma stepped outside. Warm humid air pushed against her face. Everything outside was bathed in the silvery light of the moon. The moon was huge, its light bright enough that Karma could see clearly, even though it was night.
"Everything out here happens at night." Mother giggled. She was wearing the bright floral skirt she had bought at the docks. "It's completely the opposite of Kanto, isn't it? So Karma, are you excited to meet some Alolan Pokémon?"
"I guess…" Karma said staring down at the moon cloaked grass.
Mother smiled softly. Her enthusiasm fading like the sun being passed over by a cloud. "It'll be fine, Karma. Things will go much better here, I promise. The rules for battle are different here, they don't fight to the death. Not like in Kanto."
"That's not the only thing to go wrong in Kanto." Karma said looking down at her sneakers.
Mother brushed her fingers through Karma's faded pink hair. "You're older and wiser now. I believe in you, Karma. Remember, no matter how dark things seem-"
"-there is light ahead." Karma recited.
"Now let's go!" Mother said brightly. "I hear the Pokémon living in these islands are very friendly. You should go out and explore. Leave the unpacking to me." She flexed her arm.
Karma grabbed her bag and headed outside. "Don't head into the tall grass!" Mother called after her.
White papery flowers were blooming in the front yard. Everywhere she looked there were rich greenery and flowers, all of it blooming under the moonlight. She wandered up the hill. The sky was full of scattered stars, each contributing its own small light to the glowing sky. She could even see shooting stars streaking through the sky.
She was so distracted she almost missed the pricking brush of grass against her ankle. "Crap!" She jumped back.
"Yaaaaaaahhh!" A thin brown Pokémon shot out of the grass. It launched at her leg with razor sharp teeth. Karma pulled back reflexively. She reached to her belt.
And felt nothing.
The Pokémon lunged again with the fury of a spearow. It narrowly missed her legs with its teeth.
As Karma dodged a third time she stumbled landing hard on her butt. "Nyahh!" A black meowth like Pokémon lunged at her attacker. It landed dainty on red paws. A dark blue seel and a round flying Pokémon rushed to support the first Pokémon. Outnumbered the tan Pokémon slunk into the grass with an angry hiss.
"Hey there, cousin!"
Karma looked up to see Professor Kukui walking up the hill. Still no shirt.
"You ok? I saw you get attacked like that!"
"Yeah." Karma said trying to focus elsewhere. "I kind of forgot about the whole grass thing. Luckily I had some help." She knelt down next to the little Pokémon. "Are these yours?" She asked stroking the black one. It was warm to the touch.
"Not quite. But I'm in charge of them for now." Kukui said. "Pokemon are great, aren't they? You can go anywhere as long as you've got Pokémon in your corner. But without them even tall grass can be a danger." The professor plopped down to lie in the grass next to her. "These guys seem to have taken a liking to you though. I never expected them to charge off on their own like that." He sat back up. "Works out nicely though. After all, one of these Pokémon will become your first partner here in the Alola region."
"Oh." Karma swallowed.
The black Pokémon clawed at her leg. "Mrow."
"Seems Litten's already chosen you, huh cousin?" Professor Kukui handed her a pokeball. It was light and smooth.
"You should give it a name."
Karma picked up the Litten. It kicked in her hands. "Alright…Kitkat."
"Woo! Time to meet the Island Kahuna!" Professor Kukui grabbed her hand, towing her along.
"W-wait! I-Island Kawhona? But why?!" Kitkat trotted along beside them, unfazed by this new development. Or maybe it had just come to expect this sort of behavior from humans.
"Truth is, Litten is a gift from the Kahuna, not me." Professor Kukui explained. "The Kahuna are crazy strong trainers, be careful about getting into battle with one."
"Like gym leaders?" Karma asked her heart pounding.
"You could say that." Kukui seemed to notice her panic and stopped a moment to stroke his goatee. "Well not exactly. I keep forgetting Kanto gym leaders battle to the death, don't they? The Kahuna are powerful trainers, and they can use some pretty strong moves. But they aren't trying to kill your Pokémon. No one here really is."
"Hey Professor Kukui!" An excited ball of energy came rushing down the hill at them. The kid stopped just short of bowling over the professor. His green hair was pinned up so it looked like a strange pineapple. His skin was the color of a young palm tree that had been baking in the sun.
"Hey who's this?" He asked resting his arms behind his head.
"My name is Karma I'm from-"
"Hey, Professor Kukui and my Grandpa told me about you! I'm Hau! Alola!" He moved his hands as if spreading an invisible fan.
"Hi?"
"It's so great that we'll be setting off on the island trial at the same time! Don't worry, I can teach you anything you need to know about the island trial. Wow is that a Litten!?"
Hau turned back to Professor Kukui, "Did you bring the Pokémon? Can I pick one now?"
"Sure thing, cousin." Professor Kukui said. He brought out the other two Pokémon.
"I'll take this one! I already decided I wanted a Rowlet!" Hau lifted up the owl.
"Hoo!"
"I'm going to name you Malasada, Sada for short." Hau said. "How about that?"
"Hoo!" The Pokémon replied, apparently oblivious that it had just been named after food.
"Hey, Karma! Litten! Be our opponents in our first ever Pokémon battle together!"
"What! No!" Karma gasped grabbing Kitkat.
Hau shrugged. "Okay. Then I'm going to wait for you, so you had better come battle me some time! Thanks Professor!" He waved before charging back up the hill.
"He's a great kid, isn't he?" Professor Kukui said with a chuckle. He withdrew the last Pokémon into its ball. "Don't be afraid to have a battle with him. He's a good kid, he won't let the Pokémon get too hurt. You don't have to worry about that, cousin."
Karma nodded shyly. "Sorry. I just…overreacted." The Litten was still dangling from her arms, he gave her a strange judging look.
Professor Kukui shrugged. "Anyhoo, welcome to Iki town!"
Iki town was a collection of cabins with wood titled roofs. In the center of the town was a wooden stage with fresh white paint that seemed to glow in the moonlight. Even though it was night, people were going about their business. Kids were running around with their Pokemon, playing in the moonlight.
"I'll find Kahuna Hala." Professor Kukui said slapping her on the back. It stung. "Why don't you visit Tapu Koko's shrine? It's just up the hill."
"Tapu Koko?"
"That's our island's guardian deity, yeah. Why don't you go introduce yourself? Maybe if you're real lucky you'll get a glimpse of Tapu Koko!" Professor Kukui headed off towards the village stage. He stopped to wave, "I'll find the Kahuna, he probably wandered off to take care of island business."
With little else to do Karma stood at the entrance to the path up the hill. It was edged with tall cliffs that threw the path into shadow. On either side of the trail opening were carved stone tikis of a bird like Pokémon. The path was a well worn dirt trail. Kitkat trotted up the path climbing the wooden stairs with focus.
"Have you been here before?" Karma asked.
Kitkat stopped at the last step and stared at her. His narrowed red eyes seemed to be judging her. But maybe he always looked like that.
They continued up the mountainous path Kitkat watching her with red and yellow eyes.
"Sorry. I'm not a very good trainer." Karma admitted.
No response.
They came to a cliff that hung out over a dark river. Mist collapsed on Karma's skin from the nearby waterfall. A large wooden bridge stretched across the river.
"Kya!"
Karma looked up to see a Spearow glaring down the cliff at her. Kitkat stood next to her, his fur prickling. Karma crossed the bridge carefully, keeping an ear out for the sweep of wings behind her. Luckily they made it across the bridge safely. You never knew with Spearow.
At the other side of the bridge was, more tiki statues and an archway built into the cliff side itself.
Karma went inside. The floor was stone, surrounded by tall trees that grew inside the stone walls. There was no roof, instead the moonlight filtered through the canopy of trees and vines. Karma passed through the archway at the end of the room. Inside was more of the stone walls and floor. In the center was a stone altar adorned with fresh leaves and a statue of human like Pokémon with bird like shields for hands.
"I guess that's the Tapu Koko." Karma said. "What do I do, pray for luck with the journey?"
Kitkat stared at her.
"Do you say anything, or do you just like to stare judgingly at people?"
"Mrow." Kitkat sneered.
"Sorry I asked." Karma muttered. There were people in Kanto who prayed to the legendary birds. "Well, if you're there. Um, thank you for this opportunity I guess. Please don't let me mess it up this time."
There was no response.
Karma turned to exit. In the hallway outside the altar room her foot hit a small rock in the path. A glint on the rock caught her attention. She picked it up, turning it over in her hands.
It was a dark stone with a strange oddly angular white pattern like an hourglass. There were small flecks of color surrounding the pattern. She held it out to toss it away.
Instead she found her fingers closing around it. She slipped it into her bag.
Karma headed back out into the moonlight.
A white figure radiated moonlight from the other side of the bridge. A girl about her age stood on the other side of the bridge. A large white sunhat blew gently in the peaceful wind. She spotted Karma, her blond hair pushed backwards as she cried out, "Please save Nebby!"
Karma's attention snapped to the bridge. The Spearow were mobbing something in the center of the bridge. She heard a desperate cry.
Karma charged forward. Her foot collided with one of the Spearow. The Spearow temporarily let go of their prey fluttering away to regroup. Kitkat rushed to her side.
"Hiss!"
One of the Spearow swooped, hitting the Litten across the forehead, throwing him to the bridge. Karma grabbed Kitkat, pulling him under her body with the other Pokemon. She could hear the screeches in her ear. She felt a beak hit her shoulder.
Come on, give up already!
She looked up to see a pair of talons swooping in for her face. Before she could react a burst of blue light surrounded her. The Spearow pulled away clumsily.
There was a horrible lack of sound followed by a popping that might've originated in her eardrums. Karma looked down to find the nothingness of the chasm underneath.
"Aaiiee!" Karma acted on pure instinct. She flailed out grabbing for something, anything.
Her hand caught something. With her other hand she grabbed indiscriminately. Kitkat let out an indignant screech as Karma grabbed him by the tail.
She hurled the Litten onto the bridge.
The bridge creaked. Karma grabbed the bridge plank with her other hand, her body swinging dangerously. She wouldn't be able to pull herself up.
A pair of hands grabbed her wrist. "I-I got you!"
With the girl's assistance, Karma managed to climb up onto the remnant of the bridge.
"Mrow?" Kitkat pawed at her hands. Karma turned them over to reveal hands covered in splinters. She pulled out the largest ones.
"Thanks for helping me up-" Karma looked up to find the girl walking away. The Pokémon Karma had rescued was floating by the girl's blond hair. The girl spun around. She grabbed the Pokémon, shoving it into the duffel bag she carried. "Please, don't tell anyone about Nebby." She said panicked.
Before Karma could answer the girl broke into a run. "Wait! Are you alright?"
The girl vanished down the trail without an answer.
Karma stumbled to her feet, rushing down the path after the girl. She emerged out into the village.
"There you are, cous'!" Professor Kukui called out. Karma quickly scanned the village square. There was no trace of the girl in white.
"Hey, everything alright?"
Karma shook her head. "No, the bridge-"
"Come on and meet the Kahuna!" Professor Kukui said grabbing her hand and pulling her along. He brought her to a rather pudgy man with a blue shirt overlapped by a loose yellow kimono. Not a real kimono, but rather the kind of thing they called a kimono in the Unova region. His hair was tied up above his head like white radish leaves.
"Hello Kukui, my boy and this child is?"
"I'm Karma." Karma introduced herself bowing slightly.
"Ah! I remember hearing about you, and there's Litten I see. I am Hala, the kahuna of Melemele Island. I'm glad we got the chance to meet today. So you're taking the island challenge?"
Karma nodded. "That's the plan."
"Good for you." Hala said approvingly, his mustache quivering in a wide grin.
"All right!" Professor Kukui said with a grin. "Here's a lovely gift to help make today special, Karma!" He handed over a star shaped pokedex.
Karma took it, angling it so she could see the moon in the black screen.
"A Pokedex is a real high-tech kinda tool, yeah! This one's extra special, you'll see why once I finish it. Your new partner Litten is already registered, oh yeah, so check it out!"
Karma booted up the pokedex. Sure enough there was an entry for Litten. "Its coat regrows twice a year. When the time comes, Litten sets its own body on fire and burns away the old fur."
Well at least I won't have to worry about that. Karma instantly regretted the thought.
"Young Kukui already told me about your 'circumstances'." Hala said putting one of his heavy hands on her head. "It will be alright. The people on these islands are very friendly, and I know they'll be willing to help. You'll do fine, even if you can't catch Pokémon."
Karma nodded. "Thanks. Oh! I found this rock at the shrine. I thought maybe someone lost it." Karma pulled the strange rock out of her bag.
Hala took the stone examining it closely. "It seems you've been chosen by the Tapu Koko." He said with a grin.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Hala smiled. "Perhaps you are here in Alola, Karma, because this is where you're meant to be. I'm going to borrow this stone for a little while, fret not, I'll return it to you tomorrow evening."
Professor Kukui put a hand on her shoulder. The people here are very touchy, aren't they? "Well you got to meet the Kahuna at least. It's almost dawn though. Ready to head home Karma?"
"I guess. It feels kind of weird to be going home before the sunrises though." Karma said scooping Kitkat up in her arms.
"Ha! I guess it would feel odd to someone from Kanto." Professor Kukui laughed. "But you have a festival to attend in the evening tomorrow. Besides," He spread his arms wide, "This is Alola! Yeah! The party happens at night here."
"I guess." Karma said. He's certainly enthusiastic. But Karma still found herself smiling as she arrived home. She stopped on the porch to wave professor Kukui goodbye. The sky had just taken on an orange hue. It was a vibrant orange, like Charmander fire.
She stepped inside, "Mom, I'm back!"
Karma woke with a warm pressure on her chest. She felt around eventually lifted up the offending weight.
Kitkat stared down at her indignantly. "Mrow."
"Sorry, thought you were Yow." Karma said setting the Litten down. She stretched. The room was barely visible in the moonlight. Karma turned on her light and got dressed. Black t-shirt. Blue jeans. White sneakers.
"This is it. First day as a trainer in Alola. Or night, I guess." Kitkat approached from behind her reflection to stand beside her.
Karma passed Mr. Yow in the living room. The meowth rubbed against her, before stopping in front of Kitkat. Both Pokemon's back fur began to rise up.
"Oh come on. We did this yesterday already." Karma said scooping up Mr. Yow. She deposited the Meowth on the countertop.
"Good morning, Karma!" Mom said. She had a new floral skirt, blue this time. Along with her white shirt she was wearing a necklace that looked to more or less consist of some string and the flowers from the front yard. "Did you and Litten get a good sleep? It's kind of hard to sleep when the sun is up, isn't it?"
"It does take a while." Karma admitted. "Maybe we should get some curtains or something to help block out the light?"
"Good idea." Mom hummed. She set a plate of eggs over rice with sausage down on the counter. "Here you go. You have to eat a good breakfast the day before starting a journey!"
"Thanks!" Karma finished breakfast and gathered her things in her bag.
She stepped outside into the night. The edges of the sky were still dyed crimson with the last traces of dawn.
"Woo hoo! Karma!" Professor Kukui waved to her.
"Good mor-night, Professor?" Karma said running over to meet him. "Why are you here so late."
"I thought I'd swing by early." He said. "Normally I'd teach you how to catch wild Pokémon." He scratched his head, just under the rim of his baseball cap. "I guess there isn't a need for that though, huh?"
"Right." Karma said.
"You remember the restrictions you have to follow, right? Wouldn't want you to get in trouble, cousin."
Karma nodded. "I'm not to catch any Pokémon. I can only use Pokémon others catch for me."
"You got it!" Professor Kukui gave her a thumbs up. "Now trainers like Hau are allowed to catch one pokemon per route, so they'll hopefully have some extras they can share with you. Basically the police will check your Pokémon to make sure that the ID's recorded by the pokeballs don't match your trainer ID. So as long as other people catch them, you'll be a-ok!"
Karma nodded. "Right."
"Of course, your Litten will be the exception. They know it's one of the starters for the island trial. So even though Litten is registered to you, everything will work out. Also I got you these, cousin." He held out a small bag.
Karma took it, inside were a handful of potions. "Oh! Thanks!"
"Figured you'd find those useful. I have to head off to help prepare. Why don't you explore and get to know Litten better?"
With little more than a wave he was off.
"Alright then." Karma said waving him off. As soon as he was gone she set out to explore the route. It was on the side of a gentle hill. The sides rimmed with bushes full of blooming flowers.
There were a few youngsters on the hill. Kids not yet old enough for the gym challenge but who were raising Pokémon anyway. Karma came across a pile of bags left behind by the battling youngsters. She glanced around, her heart beating in her chest.
As soon as she was sure no one was looking she opened the nearest bag. The pokeball pocket was filled with pokeballs. She quickly grabbed five and closed the bag. She hurried down the route, stashing the balls in her own bag's pocket.
Her heart pounded. The youngsters finished their battle and grabbed their bags.
Karma let out the breath she'd been holding.
"Hey Miss!"
Karma froze. A young kid with curly Sentret brown hair was staring up at her. He proudly shoved a pokeball in her face. "Are you a trainer? You have to battle!"
"Right." Karma said forcing a smile.
The kid ran back about a meter before releasing his Pokémon. The Buneary trilled, it hopped from foot to foot excitedly.
Kitkat stepped up in front of her. He looked bored.
"Alright, Kitkat, Ember!" Kitkat sprang to action. He pounced in front of the Buneary, letting out a weak stream of flame.
"Time for our finishing combo!" The kid yelled excitedly. "Tackle!"
The Buneary ran into Kitkat, tripped and the two of them tumbled to the ground.
"Kitkat, use scratch."
Kitkat lashed out with sharp claws. The weak blow barely made it past the Buneary's fur. Still the Buneary backed off. It ran to its trainer.
"Ah, is that it?" The kid picked up the Buneary. He fished in his pocket and brought out a few crumpled pokedollars. "Here you go. We'll train up and come beat you though!"
Karma took the money watching as the kid ran off, carrying his Buneary.
"It wasn't hurt that bad, was it?" She asked Kitkat. The Litten stared at her, then went to work cleaning the dirt from the tumble out of his fur.
Karma continued walking down the route. Kitkat trotted to keep up. "Its good that he knows his pokemon's limits, huh." Karma said with a smile. "Not a lot of young trainers know how to do that." Kitkat stopped as a strange larvae crossed their path.
It looked up at them spinning mandibles the size of its body.
Karma chucked a pokeball at it. The ball bounced off its rubbery skin, sucking it in.
"Mrow?" Kitkat placed a small black paw on the ball.
Karma scooped it up, hiding it in her bag. "Don't judge me, or I'll make you go back in your ball."
Kitkat yawned. He batted at a fallen flower, his claw going through the flower's foamy petals. Karma scooped him up and he lay calmly in her arms. His fur was warm, like holding a bundle of laundry from straight out of the dryer.
As they approached the hill up to the Iki town Karma stopped. There were two people standing at the base of the stairs. A man and a woman, dressed in white and teal suits, the kind that an astronaut or a scientist that works with radiation might wear. The hair coming out from under the woman's helmet was a deep blue like surfable ocean. As they came closer Karma realized with a start that their skins were an ashen blue that glowed slightly in the moonlight. The man moved forward to tower over her. He pulled at his equally blue mustache his face coming well within her space bubble. His eyes were hidden behind a visor with two slits over the eyes.
"You. Are not from here." He said tilting is head in away that made Karma's neck ache. Kitkat let out a hiss from Karma's arms.
And with that, the strange blue man walked off, the strange woman following behind him. Karma gripped Kitkat in her arms. Strange people with matching hair, coordinated outfits and strange behaviors? If reading the news from other regions had taught her anything, it was that that meant someone was trying to destroy something that was best left undestroyed. Like the universe, for example.
Karma climbed the steps to Iki town.
The town that had been so quiet and still before was alive with activity. Children jumped and ran around, adults were talking loudly and joyously.
"There you are!"
Karma looked to see Hala waddling up to her. "Each of the four islands in the Alola region has its own guardian Pokémon. This festival is in honor of Tapu Koko, the guardian who's shrine you visited the other day."
Karma nodded. It must be the bird like thing from the statues. She thought. "Ah! I forgot to tell you, last night on the bridge- the bridge is destroyed I'm not sure what happened exactly there was kind of-"
Hala let out a deep laugh. "Ah, you were there when it broke? No worries. You're unharmed, that's all that matters. Maybe the Tapu protected you, hmm?"
He placed a ginormous hand on Karma's back. "Go have fun! This may be small for a festival, but we all go all out."
Karma nodded. She only made it a few steps before Hau pounced.
"Hey Karma!" He ran up, doing a small spin as he stopped. "Wow! I thought you'd never make it! Me and Malasada have been waiting for ages!"
The rowlet fluttered onto his shoulder. "Hoo." It said bashfully.
"Hi!" Karma said. "I thought you left already for your island challenge."
"Well I can't leave yet." Hau chuckled. "I mean it doesn't make sense for us to leave at different times. Besides how are we supposed to battle if me and Malasada aren't here?"
"I-what?"
Hau's eyes went wide. "Hold on, didn't anyone explain to you about tonight?"
"OH YEAH! RIGHT ON TIME!"
Karma jumped slightly as Professor Kukui appeared suddenly. "Time for a battle in the name of Tapu Koko! Woo! You ready Karma?"
"For what?"
"A battle in the name of Tapu Koko! Come on!"
Karma found herself standing on the wood platform in the middle of the town. She could hear the townspeople whispering. The kind of wordless murmur that was swept with positive notes and dark rumors. Karma gripped Kitkat tighter.
"You ready Karma?" Hau had walked up on the other end of the stage. He gave her a bright smile. He was so relaxed, like a growlithe puppy.
Karma took a deep breath. "Y-yeah." She set Kitkat down. Just a small battle. It's not to the death. Even if it is, we have type advantage. Kitkat will be fine.
The torches on the sides of the stage were set alight. They cast red light on the stage.
Hala stood in front of an open braiser. The flame light cast his face into sharp shadows.
"For all the life on our islands!" He declared, "And for those who take the island challenge with joy in their hearts! We pray for your protection! For them and all of Melemele! May this Pokemon battle be an offering to Tapu Koko!
"Before you stands Hau- Grandson to the Kahuna.
"Before him stands Karma, one who is chosen of Tapu Koko!"
C-chosen? Karma looked out into the crowd. The towns folk smiled back at her. There were gasps of awe.
"You can do it Karma!" Karma heard her mother cheer from behind.
Hau grinned. "Don't worry! As long as we both have a good time then it'll be a great battle."
Karma nodded.
Hau tossed a pokeball up in the air, a Pichu bursting from it. "Go Mochi!"
Kitkat kicked out of her arms, landing sturdily on his paws.
"Okay, Kitkat use Ember!" Kitkat dove forward letting out a little spurt of flame.
The Pichu squeaked. Karma spotted a patch of fur that was obviously singed. Faint red embers glowed in the yellow fur around its shoulder.
The Pichu lashed out, its weak claws batting at Kitkat's face. Kitkat used ember again, and this time the Pichu collapsed face first on the stage, panting.
Hau withdrew the defeated Pichu. He set the ball back in its belt slot and pulled out a second Pokeball. "You can do it Masalda!"
The Rowlet fluttered down to the stage.
"Kitkat, Ember."
Rowlet's feather's fluffed up and it let out a panicked hoot as it recognized Kitkat.
One small flame from the Litten and Hau drew it back into its Pokeball.
"Ha! Over already?" Hau asked. "Still, that was fun." He shook Karma's hand before depositing a few pokedollars.
The crowd chattered happily.
They went silent as a staticy Pokémon cry rang out through the clearing.
"It seems Tapu Koko is pleased with this battle!" Hala said joyfully. "Here…"
Hala slipped a rigid cuff like bracelet onto Karma's arm. In the center of it was a dais with a diamond indent.
"I took the sparkling stone that Tapu Koko gave you and made this Z ring with it."
"Tapu Koko didn't g-give it to me, I just found-"
"Ha! Don't be so modest." Hala said. "This z-ring will allow you to unlock the potential of your Pokemon's moves. As you complete the island challenge you will gain z-crystals. But you'll learn more when the time is right." Hala grinned.
Hau's grin took up half his face. "We'll be trial buddies! Or rivals! Or something! Aw man this is going to be so fun!"
Hala chuckled at his grandson's enthusiasm. "Here, you'll need this." He said holding out a small charm for Karma. It was a piece of wood with four triangles carved into it, one pink, one red, one blue and one yellow. The rope cord that held it went through the amulet ending at two knots at the bottom. The cord also held a bead, one for each of the colored triangles.
"This is an island challenge amulet." Hala explained. "Attach it to your bag, yes just like that. This will let everyone know you are on the island challenge. There will be places you can't enter without it, so keep it safe."
Karma nodded. She ran her fingers over the amulet, the edges were just a little rough as if it had been carved by hand.
Hala smiled. "Tapu Koko saw fit to save you at the bridge, and to leave you this sparkling stone. We'll expect great things from you. But for now, enjoy the festival!"
Karma spent the rest of the festival milling about. Strangers would come up and congratulate her. Tell her she was going to be a great trainer. Karma would nod and smile.
I'm really doing it. I'm really going out on a Pokémon journey. Karma's insides squirmed like Tangela at the thought.
"Um…uh…excuse me?" A quiet voice asked.
Karma turned around to find the blonde girl from the bridge. Her hat covered her eyes with its large brim. "I wanted to thank you. For rescuing Nebby."
"Oh! Uh, yeah sure."
"Please don't tell anyone about Nebby though, please?"
"What is-" Karma was cut off by a bellow from Professor Kukui.
"Hey Karma! Come over here! We're gonna take a picture woo!"
"Just a second!" Karma called out. But as she turned back the girl in white was gone.
The festival went on long after the sun had started to rise in the sky. Karma collapsed on her bed, drained like an Oddish in a cave of Zubats.
"Mrow." Kitkat commented placing a paw on Karma's cheek. It burned.
"Ow! No fire in the house!" Karma gasped. But as she looked in the mirror she realized the burning sensation was hardly unique to that area. He entire visible body was a shade redder then it was last night. "Ow… How did I even burn that fast?"
Kitkat curled up on her pillow without a comment. "No point worrying about it." Karma sighed. She tucked into bed carefully.
Sleep did not come quickly. Excitement and fear filled Karma with energy, leaving her tossing all day. Just as sleep finally made a surprise appearance Karma woke to two Pokemon paws pushing on her face.
"Gaah! Why?" Karma sat up and pulled the switch on her lamp.
Kitkat and Mr. Yow stared back at her.
"Karma? You have a visitor." Mom's voice came from the living room.
Karma quickly dressed. She entered the front room to find the strange disappearing girl sitting at the kitchen table drinking a glass of milk.
"It's you!" Karma may have spoken too enthusiastically as the girl jumped.
"Uh, sorry." Karma said taking a seat. Mom put down a plate of eggs, fuzzing her hair. Ack! "Mom!"
Mom giggled as she turned back to her cooking.
"Um, I never got your name?"
"O-oh. I'm Lillie." The girl said. Her bag shook slightly and she immediately put a hand on it. "Um I was sent here by Professor Kukui. He um…he said 'Bring me the new trainer! Woo!'" Lillie squeezed her eyes shut as she forced out the 'woo!'. "So…uh, I'll take you to his lab. When you're ready."
Karma quickly shoveled down her remaining food. Lillie led her outside. She hopped a gate to the South of the house. Karma followed. She found herself at the top of a gentle slope that led out into the sea.
""Oh! Want to know something neat?" Lillie asked excitedly. She put her foot on a small dirt ledge. "This is a ledge. You can jump off it." She took a painfully tentative little hop.
That's…common knowledge. Karma decided not to say anything. She simply rolled her eyes, jumped off the ledge and followed.
On the beach stood a beachside house that showed signs of heavy repair, despite also looking quite new. As they approached Karma could hear a voice bellow inside,
"My body is ready! Woo! Give it everything you got!"
"Maybe we should come back later." Karma whispered as Lillie stepped up to the door.
"Oh, it's fine." Lillie said. "Besides. He's always like that. He never stops."
Lillie pushed the door open. "Hello? Professor? I brought her like you asked."
Karma dared to peek in. She saw Professor Kukui getting headbutted in the stomach by the rock-Growlithe she had seen in the skype call. Even stranger, Professor Kukui didn't even flinch. The attack bounced off his rock hard abs.
"Hey there cousin!" Professor Kukui said. "I see you've met my assistant Lillie."
"I'm not much of an assistant." Lillie murmured a blush rising across her cheeks.
"I called you here so I can finish your pokedex, can I have it for a minute?"
Karma handed over the dex. "It seems like it works alrea-"
"And there we go! Whoo! It's show time!" Professor Kukui turned around. In front of him floated the odd shaped dex.
"Bzzt!" The screen of the dex now displayed a 16 bit face.
"This is Rotom-dex." Professor Kukui said. "There's a little Pokémon inside your dex called Rotom."
"It's a ghost Pokémon made up of electricity." Lillie piped up.
"So like a porygon?"
"M-maybe?"
Professor Kukui didn't seem to hear their conversation as he went on, "Some day all the island trial dex will have Rotom in it like this one. We figured you would be good as a trial run. There's only a few of these beauties out there so far! He should be quite helpful, especially since you're new to the islands. Say hello Rotom-dex."
The dex floated around Karma. "Hello! Bzzt! I'm Rotom-dex! Pleasure to meet you? What should I call you? Or should I just call you the lucky trainer that just got me as-"
"Karma." Karma said. "My name is Karma."
"A-lo-la!" Hau said opening the door and walking in. "The salty sea breeze sang to me and brought me here, to you!" He looked around. "Whoa! This place is huge inside! And nice! I thought it'd be beat up, like the outside. Is that a loft-"
"P-please don't go up t-there…oh dear!" Lillie stuttered, the bridge of her nose turning red.
"That's Lillie's room." Professor Kukui said with a grin. "You should probably ask before barging in."
"Ack!" Hau slid back down the ladder. "Sorry… Lillie, I guess? I'm Hau. Alola! I didn't know you were staying with the professor."
"I-it's well…uh…that is…"
"Lillie needed a place to stay. And I'm letting her have the loft, that's what we do after all. If you see a person or Pokemon in trouble, you go help them! Alright then Hau, Karma, time to get a move on! Look after Karma, Rotom-dex!"
Karma shouldered her bag. I'm ready. Time to start my new journey!
"Time for trainer school!" Hau cheered.
"T…what?"
"Come on!" Hau threw open the door. "I'll race you there, its by your house." Hau buzzed up the hill.
"Trainer school?"
"Yep!" Professor Kukui said cheerfully. "Everyone leaving on the island challenge has to learn the basics at trainer school. So go out there! You'll do great!"
Karma found herself practically shoved out the door. "Well then." It was pitch dark outside. Like night in Kanto. "Uh, guys? Hey professor Kukui!"
Professor Kukui stepped out onto the porch along with Lillie.
"Oh! It must be a Lunar eclipse." Lillie gasped. "There-"
The light returned, glowing silvery on the beach.
"Well well!" Professor Kukui said. "That's a great omen!"
Karma waved good bye before making her way up the hill. She let Kitkat out of the ball to walk with her. Kitkat spotted a stray Wingull pecking at the grass.
"Scratch." Karma ordered with a whisper.
Kitkat pounced raking the Wingull with his claws. The Wingull fluffed its feathers. Karma chucked a ball at it. The ball rocked and locked.
"Alright." Karma said picking up the Wingull. She quickly tucked it in her bag.
"I thought you weren't allowed to catch Pokémon, Karma."
Karma jumped. She spun around to find the possessed dex floating behind her.
"Its, its not what it-"
"I mean I'm pretty sure. Let's see… here it is." An emotionless computer voice read, "Karma Leoht. Trainer ID 406073 Class B catching restriction."
"Look Rotom-"
"Punishable by revoking your trainer lic-Rzzzt!"
Karma grabbed one of Rotom's dex-arms pulling the floating plastic down. "Rotom you can't tell anyone! If you do I'll-I'll-I'll deny it!"
"If you're running around with that many Pokémon they'll know." Rotom said. "Although I suppose I could let it slide just this once." Rotom floated back out of reach. "I can see you're a new trainer. So I'll let you off with a warning this time. As long as you- Hey! Don't forget me!" Rotom zipped after her.
"Karma! Are you sleeping?" The teacher snapped, snapping Karma awake. "You can't just sleep through class! What item do you use to cure a burn?"
"Burn heal." Karma sighed propping her head up. "Or a full heal. Or a rawst berry. Or a lum berry. Or-"
"And what is good against grass type?"
"Fire. Bug. Flying. Poison-"
Alright. I see you've actually been paying attention. My apologies." The teacher went back to droning on about status ailments.
If I'd learned it from here I'd only know one word answers for those. Karma thought putting her head back on her desk. The first part of class had actually been interesting. Apparently the island challenge was a kind of reenactment of an ancient disaster. Darkness had coated the land. A brave group of trainers set out to collect shards of light to chase away the great dark. It made for a good story, anyway.
Class let out with the moon still high in the sky. That's going to take some getting used to. Karma thought as she stepped out into the dark grass. She tucked her passport back into her bag. It had a fresh stamp on the first page. Proof she had cleared her trainer certification.
"Bzzt! Congratulations on your new certification!" Rotom-dex buzzed. "Although you shouldn't have been sleeping in class! Luckily you have me! Your handy Rotom-dex."
"Yes…luckily I have you. Rotom-dex what time is it?"
"4 O'clock." Rotom-dex declared proudly. "See I can even tell time."
Karma gripped the strap on her bag. Maybe it wouldn't be that hard. The people of Alola are friendly. And Kitkat…who am I kidding. Even a good trainer loses Pokémon. And I can't rely on Kitkat to do everything.
"Aren't you glad that I-"
"Hey Rotom-dex."
"Yes? What do you need? Would you like to look at a map of-"
"I was actually wondering if you'd watch my bag for a little bit."
"Why would I need to? You can just carry it with you. You can't go anywhere without your Pokémon after all."
"Actually I was going to take them…nevermind. Do you ever get tired?"
"Nope!" Rotom-dex said cheerfully. "I'm a ghost, so I never get tired. Which is great! Since I can watch over you if you ever have to camp. And I can wake you up if-"
"You don't sleep at all?" Karma groaned. "Do you need to eat? Drink? Anything?"
"Well." Rotom-dex floated back and forth. "It does help if I can charge every once in a while. But I can do that when we stay at Pokecenters."
"And how is your charge now?" Karma asked. Maybe I can just wrap him up in one of my spare shirts or something? He'll still be listening in though. Maybe-
"You would have thought Professor Kukui would have thought of it." Rotom-dex continued its rant. "But no! He takes me right out of my ball and then shoves me in a dex that has been sitting in a drawer for weeks!"
"Wait, you don't have a full charge?"
Rotom-dex stopped. "Of course not! Have you been listening to a word I've said? If I wasn't powering this dex it would've blanked out on you by now. Of course that's what I'm here for. Wouldn't want you to have a dead dex on your first day as a trainer. Its just one of the many awesome services I-"
"Shouldn't we get you recharged then?" Karma asked. "I mean, it would be bad if you lost power before tonight, er tomorning?"
"Today is the word you are looking for." Rotom-dex corrected. "But you are right. It's just, charging is a rather…vulnerable time for me. I can't see or hear…I can't pop in and out of this body all that easily. It's a safe guard you know. After all you wouldn't want some trainer accidentally-"
"Well I can watch over you while you do it." Karma offered. "How about a quick charge at my house? Just enough to tide you over until the next town?"
"Bzzzzm…that does sound like a good idea. Thank you. You are a clever trainer. But how could the trainer I am guiding not be."
Karma walked back to the house. Luckily Mom was out shopping. Mr. Meow looked at them quizzically as Karma took the Rotom-dex back into her room. She set him down next to the outlet. "Here, you charge and I'll double check and make sure I have everything packed."
"Very well." Rotom-dex said. It stuck one of its arm-things next to the socket. The screen went blank.
"Rotom-dex? Rotom-dex do you know how much a potion costs?"
The dex was silent. Perfect.
"Mr. Yow, watch him." Karma ordered. "If he wakes up, I went to the bathroom."
Mr. Yow curled up on her pillow stretching his leg.
Karma hurried out the door as sneakily as she could. Hopefully I'm not too late!
Karma ran over to the Pokémon center. There were plenty of kids milling around. Karma slipped behind the building.
A man leaned against the building. His blond hair was styled to sweep over his eyes. He wore a dark blue vest.
"Um…uh, I was supposed to meet someone here-"
He pushed himself off the wall. "Did you bring it?"
Karma held up Kitkat's pokeball.
The stranger snatched it and scanned it with his watch.
"Oh, is that one of those watches from Shinnoh? I heard they're-"
The stranger tossed her a pokeball. Karma scrambled to catch it.
"Do you have any others you need to switch?"
Karma brought the two pokeballs out of her bag. "Y-yeah. These it's a grubbing and a-"
"Yeah, yeah whatever." The stranger took the two and handed her another pokeball. And a strange blue pokeball. Karma stored the pokeball in her bag, holding the other ball up to the moonlight. It had two thin grooves running through it, instead of just one. "What is this?"
"Rule number one. Don't ask questions." The stranger handed her a small charm. It depicted a pokeball except the top half was black with a golden sun engraved in it. The bottom half was white, with a silvery moon barely visible against it.
"Put it on your bag." The stranger ordered. "That way the others will be able to find you. If you don't have that. No one will even talk to you."
Karma obediently tied it on her bag, it hit the island challenge charm with a thud as she let it go.
"S-so that's it?"
The stranger grinned. "Welcome to the Underground Trading Ring. It was a pleasure doing business with you, kid."