Back with the second chapter. A warning, I'll probably will not be constent with the uploads because I may or may not loose interest as the time goes. But I will be attempting to finish this fic as soon as I can. We'll be jumping past certain moments in the game so the story can flow better. But for now, enjoy!

Chapter 2-On the Road Again I Suppose

To say Collin woke up refreshed is an understatement, he felt like a new man, despite the fact that he'd been attacked and almost died on his first day in Alola. Still, could be worse. He looked at the time to discover it was 5PM.

"ARCEUS ABOVE!" he shouted, waking up Rowlet and Piplup in the process as they are thrown off the bed.

"HOO! HOO!"

"PIP! PIPLUP!"

"Sorry guys! I only have an hour to get ready!" he said rushing into the bathroom to freshen himself up. As soon as he walked out of the shower, there was a knock on the door. He wrapped a towel around his still wet body, thinking it was Kukui. He opened the door and he couldn't be anymore wrong.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" shouted Lillie, covering her eyes avoiding contact with his developed six-pack.

"OH ARCEUS I'M SO SORRY! I-I-I'LL BE BACK IN A MINUTE!" he shouted, closing the door and running into his room. His two Pokemon looked at him confused as he threw on a blue and white striped shirt and black cargo shorts, hair still dripping wet. He went to the door again and opened it to see a still blushing Lille. "I'm really sorry about that. I thought you were Kukui."

"It's fine! Don't worry...wait why would it be better if it was Kukui?" she asked.

"Well...he's not wearing a shirt. And I mean it was just covering the lower area so...I'm digging a bigger hole aren't I?"

"Yep. Didn't he say I was coming to get you?" she said. Collin mentally slapped himself.

"Shit you're right he did! I blame the boat trip for all this!" he said in a mocking tone, making Lillie giggle.

"It's fine. You ready to go now?"

"Yeah, let me just get Piplup and Rowlet." he said walking back into the house to get the two Pokemon. "You two ready to go?"

"Piplup Piplup!"

"Koo Hoo!"

"Good lads. Piplup, you sure you don't have any moves?" Piplup looked down to the ground with a sad face. "Come on buddy, you don't know till you try. Something simple like Bubble will do. And if you don't have any moves, it's no worry, we'll work on that another day." Piplup nodded and tried it's hardest to do Bubble. After a few attempts, one bubble came out.

"PIPLUP! PIP!" he shouted in delight.

"WELL DONE PIPLUP!" said Collin, rubbing Piplup's head. Rowlet began to rub it's head on Piplup, as a sign of congratulations. "Keep it up buddy and you'll fighting in no time." The three exited the room and joined Lillie. "Sorry about the wait, Piplup just learned his first move."

"Wow. I forgot you have two Pokemon already. You really must be good." said Lillie as they walked along the dirt path to Iki Town.

"Well I actually have a number of Pokemon in Professor Oak's garden back in Kanto. They love it there. Piplup was born from an Empoleon that I had when I traveled in Sinnoh."

"That's amazing! I wish I could travel the world." Collin looked at Lillie, who seemed to be upset.

"You never know, things can change sometime in the future. Nothing is set in stone, I learned that early on." The two continued their walk and made it to Iki Town.


Iki Town was covered in decorations and the colours really popped out in the afternoon sunset. There were kids and Pokemon all over the place, chasing each other and eating food.

"Wow, this festival must be a big deal. Have you been to it before?" asked Collin, looking at Lillie.

"Actually this is my first time. I only started working for Kukui three months ago." They walked into the main square and saw Hala and Kukui. "Speaking of, there he is."

"Ah Collin! Great to see you cousin! Thanks for bringing him Lillie. I assume there was no trouble."

"Y-Y-Yeah...no trouble at all." she said, blushing and thinking back to when he opened the door.

"Well you're just in time my boy, the main event of the festival is about to start and you're involved!" said Hala walking up to the group.

"So what's the main event?" asked Collin.

"Two trainers must battle and get their blessings from Tapu Koko to go on what's called "The Island Challenge"" Collin didn't like the sound of this.

"What's the "Island Challenge"?"

"Four Islands!" said Kukui, holding up his hand with four fingers displayed. Four Kahuna's! Trials to be completed! Do all that and you'll become Island Champion!" explained Kukui. Collin, however, wasn't impressed.

"Um...didn't I already say to you that I didn't want to go on a journey?"

"Yes you very well did my boy. But you have been giving a special stone by Tapu Koko. This stone is extremely rare and those who have it are required to do the Island Challenge. If not, a curse is said to fall on Alola." said Hala

"...really?"

"Hahah! No my boy. But it is a big importance that you do the challenge. Tapu Koko saw the strength and bond you have with Pokemon by saving Nebby." Collin sat down on a stump and began to think about what he was going to do.

"It's just...I've traveled so long. I've done so many things and I thought coming here would help me relax after the death of my mom." The group was silent, listening to his words. "I never came here to travel, I needed to get away from everyone."

"I'm sorry Collin. I'm sure Tapu Koko will understand." said Lillie, placing a hand on his shoulder. He took in a deep breath and looked up.

"In my experience, it's best not to piss off a Pokemon who grants you with something this big. I'll do the Island Challenge. But after this one, I'm done. No more." said Collin with a dead serous expression on his face.

"Thank you Collin. This journey will be worth it for sure. But before you start, we'll need to have your blessings to do the challenge. And we already have someone who's willing to step up." said Hala.

"Who?" ask Collin. Right on time came Hau, bounding up to the group. Collin couldn't help but smile and the teen's energy.

"WOO BOY! I'm so pumped up for this match! Popplio and I are ready for anything!" shouted Hau at the top of his voice. "You ready for this Collin?!"

"As ready as I'll ever be." he said, smiling.

"Right you two, get on one side of the stage. We start the blessing now!" said Hala and the two boys did exactly that.


The town gathered around the stage, waiting for an announcement from Kahuna Hala. Hala took to the stage and cleared his voice.

"Ladies and Gentleman of Iki Town. Thank you very much for coming to this festival to bless the new challengers to take on the Island Challenge. On the left of the stage, everyone knows him and is as hard working as his old man, Hau!" Hau walked onto the stage to thunderous cheers and applauds. "And on the right of the stage, new to Alola and someone who's traveled around the world, Collin!" Collin made his way to the stage and again, was greeted by cheers and applauds. "These two will be blessed by using their partners in a Pokemon battle to deem them worthy in the Island Challenge. I'll now give it over to Professor Kukui to explain the rules." Hala got off stage and Kukui took his place.

"Single Battle, one Pokemon each. Who's ever Pokemon is still standing is the winner, however both will be blessed by the end of the match. Trainers, send out your Pokemon!" Hau took out his Pokeball and threw it.

"GO POPPLIO!" The ball opened and out came the water seal Pokemon Collin saw yesterday. He took out he two Pokeball's and decided to choose Rowlet.

"I'm sorry Piplup, but you aren't ready yet. Next time after more training, you'll be more than ready." he said out loud and lightly kissed the ball, making the crowd coo and aw. He placed Piplup back in his pocket and threw Rowlet's ball. "GO ROWLET!" Out came Rowlet, flapping his wings.

"Okay you two, get ready." said Kukui. "Get set." The crowd was tense and silent. "BATTLE!" shouted Kukui.

"Okay let's open up strong! Use Tackle Popplio!" shouted Hau as Popplio raced forward towards Rowlet.

"Dodge and counter with Peck!" shouted Collin. Rowlet dodge just at last second and managed to peck at Popplio.

"That's nothing! Come on Popplio, use Water Gun!" Popplio inhaled air and sprayed out large jets of water. Rowlet flew up into the air to try and dodge them, until one hit him right square in the face.

"Rowlet! You okay?!" shouted Collin.

"KOO!" said Rowlet, showing that it was.

"WELL DONE! Now let's not fall behind! Use Leafage!" Leafs from Rowlet's wings appeared and were hurled towards Popplio. Most if not all managed to hit it.

"You can shake that off Popplio! Use Tackle again and make it count!"

"Dodge and use Peck!" The two trainer shouted at once as the two Pokemon came in for the attack. They both connected with their attacks, sending both flying and throwing dust in the air, covering the whole stage. Both Hau and Collin had no idea who won as the dust was too thick to see. As the dust cleared, it was clear who won.

"Popplio is unable to battle! The winner is Collin!" The crowd cheered in delight as the results were announced.

"KOKOKOOKOOOOOOOO" came a loud noise from the distance.

"Ho oh! It seems Tapu Koko is pleased and now both of you have been blessed." said Hala, congratulating the boys. They returned their Pokemon to their Balls for a well earned rest.

"Man, you're really strong! I knew you would be as soon as I saw you. You're just that cool!" said Hau, praising his opponent, which surprised Collin.

"Oh wow. No offense but I thought you'd be upset about this."

"Why would I be upset? I got to fight a trainer who traveled the word as my first Pokemon battle! How could I be upset at that?!" asked Hau.

"Well most of the people that I've traveled with in some form or another tended to get extremely pissy when they lost to me. And I do mean pissy." explained Collin.

"Oh boy. Well be glad that I'm not like that, there's no fun in being sour over a match! But I do want to beat you someday." he confessed. Collin smiled at the honesty he gave him.

"Who knows, nothing is impossible. By the way, great match!" he said extending his hand to shake, which Hau does.

"You too! Man I'm starving, time to eat!" said Hau walking off to the food table. Collin made his way off the stage and met up with Kukui and Lillie.

"That was some battle Collin! The heat of that was as if Groudon himself used Overheat!" said Kukui. This sent a chill down Collin's spine.

"Please...don't say that." he whispered.

"...Oh...Oh you were there when Hoenn was...oh sorry!" said Kukui bowing.

"It's okay, you didn't know. But thanks anyway." Collin looked at Lillie and she didn't look okay. "What's wrong?"

"Um...I'm not too keen of Pokemon battles. I don't like seeing them get hurt. But you did good!" she said, assuring him.

"Ah I knew people like that. Don't worry about it okay. Wanna get a bite to eat?" he asked the two.

"Actually I have to go back to the lab. Lillie, why don't you stay with Collin for a while, get to know each other a little better?"

"O-Okay Professor!" she said, blushing. Kukui waved goodbye and headed to his lab. "So...food?" Collin nodded and they walked to the food table, got what they wanted and began to tuck in. Collin let out both Piplup and Rowlet to have their share.

"So Lillie, I have a question." She turned to Collin, with a confused look. "What's the Pokemon in the bag? I've never came across it during my travels. Is it native to Alola?"

"Um...Nebby...sorry, Cosmog isn't native to Alola. I'm not sure were he's from. But I think the answer lies with the shines, as he seems to be attracted to them."

"Like yesterday right?"

"Exactly! But it's trouble to have him around, since I can't trust anyone to see him. I fear he'd be taken and used for his power which is dangerous." She let out a heavy sigh. "Please, I hate doing this. But will you protected Nebby? I'll have to travel with you around Alola, since you don't really know. It's a request by Kukui and I can't leave Nebby at the lab. Please." she said, almost on the verge of tears. Collin quickly knew what to say.

"Of course. You can count on me. Also I'm glad you're joining me, can be a bit lonely on these journeys when I have no one beside my Pokemon to talk to." he confessed. Lillie smiled so wildly it was as bright as the sun.

"Thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me." She looked at her watched and saw what time is was. "I have to go back to the lab. Kukui told me to bring you to the lab tomorrow. He has something to show you before you leave. Also, please remember to have clothes on." she said, blushing and causing him to blush as well.

"Um...sure. Yeah sure. Again, sorry about that! I'll see you tomorrow then!" he said waving to Lillie, who waved back. He looked into the now star lit sky and wondered what his journey will be like without gyms and someone traveling along side him this time. "On the road again I suppose."

Man writing Pokemon battles is gonna be hard. Still, can't learn unless you try. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Comments of any nature are welcomed and as always, I'll see you in the next chapter. Cheerio!