Ch. 10- Trouble at the Marina
Pokemon © Nintendo, Game Freak
Kaya, her team, and Kaulu © Me
Kaya and Hau both sighed as they had their hands on their engorged bellies, crumbs on their faces, and empty glasses of milk and malasada baskets on the table. Even some of the Pokemon looked bloated, notably Goldie, Nalu, Tapper, Ahi, and Puka, while Waiwai just licked any crumbs and filling off her paws and groomed her whiskers. The only one who remained the same figure was Lillie, who wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"That was soooooooo gooooood..." Hau droned, feeling like he was about to slip into a food coma.
"I never ate so much in my life," Kaya added.
"Lu-lu..." Goldie murmured, her paws on her belly, which caused Waiwai to roll her eyes in abhorrence.
"That really was a good meal," Lillie said. "Thank you for treating us, Hau."
"Think nothin' of it," Hau grinned. "I was happy to do it."
"Thank you, too, Nola," Kaya added, causing Nola to smile.
"It does my heart good to see my customers so happy with my malasada," she said. "I hope to see you again, soon."
After Hau paid the money, the group left the shop, Hau's and Kaya's stomach both having slimmed down, as did their Pokemon.
"Thanks again, Hau," said Kaya. "Really appreciate it."
"No problem," Hau answered. "Well, if you need me, I'll be at my trial!"
"Oh, right!" Kaya exclaimed. "I have to go get ready, too!"
"See ya later!" Hau called as he ran off with Ahi and Puka.
"What about you, Lillie?" asked Kaya.
"I think I'll head back to the lab," Lillie answered. "I actually have some things to do back there, so-"
"KAYA~!"
"Huh?" Kaya muttered as she looked back and saw Hau rushing towards her. "H-Hau?!"
"KAYA-KAYA-KAYA-KAYA-KAYA- OOMPH!" Hau cried, only to once again stumble and crash into Kaya, both of them ending up crashing onto Lillie, who yelped as she fell on top of Goldie.
"...I'm okay...!" groaned Hau.
"Hau?" Kaya asked. "As much as I like seeing you, we REALLY need to stop meeting like this."
"Really...!" Lillie grunted as she tried to get up.
"Luuuuu...!" Goldie muttered in pain.
"Oops! Sorry!" Hau exclaimed as he got up, allowing the girls to stand up.
"What were you screaming about?!" Lillie questioned in irritation as she dusted off her dress.
"Oh, yeah! It's an emergency!" Hau cried.
"What, you want more malasada?" Kaya queried.
"I'm serious!" Hau shouted. "Just follow me!"
With that, he ran off, causing the girls to glance at each other in confusion before they ran to follow Hau with Goldie running in behind them. As they rounded a corner, Kaya gasped as she saw a small crowd of people, all of them murmuring as they had gathered something lying in the grass.
"The poor thing," said a woman.
"This is obviously their doing!" added a man. "Only they would go this far!"
"Is he gonna be okay, Mommy?" asked a little girl.
"What's going on?" Kaya asked as she approached the crowd, only to gasp when she looked down and saw the reason why they had gathered their in the first place: it was Kaulu, his body covered in fresh scratches and bruises and his breath coming out in short, labored pants, as well as pained whimpers. "Kaulu?!"
"Poor little guy," said a teenage boy. "He probably wasn't even bothering anyone!"
"Kaulu?" Kaya asked as she gently took the Rockruff into her arms. "Are you okay, little guy?"
"Ruff..." Kaula groaned, weakly.
"What happened to him?!" Kaya questioned. "He was just fine when I last saw him!"
"It was obviously those Team Skull miscreants!" barked an old man.
"Team who?" Kaya repeated.
"Team Skull," answered a man in his 20s. "They claim they're some big-named organization, but they're really just a bunch of vandals and poachers!"
"They drag people into battles they don't want," added the woman holding her daughter's hand, "and try to steal people's Pokemon. They've even been seen inside the Verdant Cavern, trying to poach the wild Pokemon that live there, only to get chased off by the Totem Pokemon, every time."
"As if that weren't bad enough," the teenage boy added, "they've even been seen loitering around the Marina. We told Captain Ilima about them, though, and hopefully, he'll be able to do something."
"Still, this is low, even for them," said the old man. "Poor Kaulu. Why pick on him?! Sure, he might steal food from us, once in a while, but he doesn't cause as much trouble as those Team Skull ruffians!"
"We need to get him some help," said Kaya. "Where's the Pokemon Center?"
"That way," answered the woman, pointing her thumb over her shoulder.
"Hau! Lillie!" Kaya called. "Come on! Goldie, you come, too!"
"Right!" Hau and Lillie nodded.
"Rio!" Goldie barked as they ran off to the Pokemon Center, carrying Kaulu the whole way. The whole time, Kaya was trying to keep the poor pup from slipping into unconsciousness.
XXX
A while later, Kaulu was lying on a table, various parts of his body such as his torso, forehead, and paws wrapped up in bandages. He even had a cone around his neck, to keep himself from biting or scratching the bandages off.
"He's in critical condition, right now," said Nurse Joy as she pet the little Puppy Pokemon. "It seems he'll be here for a while, but hopefully, he'll be all right."
"Poor little guy," said Hau, worriedly. "Why would Team Skull go pickin' on him?"
"I don't know," Kaya answered, "but all I know is that I can't stand them, already...Pokemon are meant to be cherished, not treated like some punching bags to take your frustrations out on!"
"Calm down, Kaya," Lillie said.
"She's right," Nurse Joy answered. "Getting angry won't help Kaulu recover, at all. Just let him stay here and rest, and why don't you go and head on to your trial?"
"Actually, I don't think anyone's gonna be heading to Verdant Cave, right," said the cafe attendant. "Tauros is at it, again."
XXX
Outside, the Tauros from before bellowed angrily as he was being confronted by Hala.
"You just don't know when to quit, do you?!" Hala questioned, taking a stance. "Well then, come on! Show me what you've got!"
XXX
Kaya sighed at this and shook her head, then looked at Kaulu, who remained asleep on the medical table before she smiled and pet his hair, causing him to smile in his slumber.
"Rest easy, Kaulu," Kaya whispered, "and don't worry. I'll make sure those Team Skull jerks get what's coming to them."
"What are you gonna do, Kaya?" Hau asked.
"I'm gonna find those guys and give them what for, is what," Kaya answered.
"Wait, Kaya! Are you sure that's a good idea?!" asked Lillie. "You saw what they did to Kaulu! They seem dangerous!"
"I'm not worried," Kaya rebuffed. "These guys just sound like a bunch of street thug wannabes. Besides, I've got Goldie, and she won't let anything happen to me."
"Riolu!" Goldie yipped, proudly.
"Please let me know if Kaulu's condition improves," said Kaya.
"I will," Nurse Joy nodded before the brunette and her Riolu left. "...I hope she knows what she's getting herself into."
XXX
Kaya and Goldie walked down the street, looking for the Marina, where the Team Skull suspects were said to be loitering around. As she did, she couldn't help but feel her blood boil as she remembered seeing Kaulu getting beaten so badly. However, she soon sighed to keep her composure, while Goldie gently nudged her hand, causing her to smile and pet her head.
"I'm okay, Goldie," she assured. "Sorry."
"Lu-lu," Goldie smiled.
"Now where is that Marina?" asked Kaya. "It should be around here, somewhere."
"Excuse me," said a policeman. "Did you say you were looking for the Marina?"
"I sure did, officer," Kaya answered. "They beat up this poor little Rockruff named Kaulu."
"What?!" the policeman questioned. "Oh, no, not poor li'l Kaulu! He's like part of the community! I can't believe somebody would ever stoop so low!"
"I took him to the Pokemon Center," said Kaya. "He's stable, for the time being. Hopefully, he'll recover soon. As for me...I'm hoping to find those Team Skull punks and give them a lesson."
"You're actually willing to stand up to Team Skull?" asked the policeman. "You sure you wanna waste your time on them?"
"Oh, believe me," Kaya replied. "They're well worth my time. If there's one thing I hate, it's people mistreating Pokemon!"
"Riolu!" Goldie barked.
"You're a very passionate girl," said the policeman. "I do admire that. Just walking down the street and take a right, and you'll enter. I think I saw Captain Ilima headed there, earlier."
"Thank you, officer," Kaya replied as she left. "Let's go, Goldie."
"Lu!" Goldie nodded as she followed after her trainer, who rounded the corner and found a lot of people around the docks...including Ilima.
"Captain Ilima!" Kaya called, causing Ilima to turn to see her.
"Ah, Kaya," he acknowledged. "Good to see you. And you as well, Goldie."
"Captain Ilima," Kaya began, "have you seen some guys named Team Skull around here?"
"Team Skull, you say?" Ilima repeated with slight surprise. "My dear, why in Alola would you be searching for those miscreants?"
"They beat up this poor little Rockruff named Kaulu," Kaya replied, causing the normally stoic captain to gasp.
"Goodness me!" he exclaimed. "What in the world ever elicited such violence from them?!"
"I don't know," Kaya answered. "All I know is that someone should teach them a lesson...and it looks like it's gonna be me."
"Kaya, Pokemon battles should never be fought out of personal reasons," said Ilima. "It's rather disrespectful."
"Maybe it is," Kaya replied, "but this isn't about personal reasons. It's about justice."
"...It's just as Kukui had told me," Ilima grinned. "You're quite the passionate girl when it comes to the well-being of Pokemon."
Kaya smiled, as did Goldie, who wagged her tail in pride as she looked up at her trainer. However, her sensors suddenly roses before she glanced back and growled, baring her teeth.
"What is it, Goldie?" asked Kaya before she followed her Riolu's gaze and spotted those two adolescent men from earlier, although their arms, clothing, and faces were covered in scratches and bite marks, and they were walking up stairs, and for some reason, one of them was holding a burlap sack...and it seemed to be moving.
"I believe those two would be members of Team Skull," Ilima pointed out.
"Only one way to know," said Kaya as she approached them. "Hey, you!"
The two teens turned upon hearing the brunette call out to them.
"What you want?" asked one of them.
"Are you two members of Team Skull?" asked Kaya.
"'Sho 'nuff are!" answered the one holding the sack over his shoulder. "We infamous, B! How else could you have heard of us?"
"Actually, I found out about you because you beat up an innocent Rockruff," glared Kaya.
"Innocent?!" repeated Team Skull Grunt B. "Nah, girl! You got it twisted! That Rockruff came gunnin' for us!"
"Oh, really?" asked Kaya. "That's not what it sounds like to me. I hear you guys are a bunch of poachers...that said, mind telling me what you've got in that bag of yours?"
"Step off, yo!" replied Team Skull Grunt A. "It's none of y'all's biz! Besides, we ain't tryin' to mess wit' no little kid, today!"
"Fine," Kaya shrugged as she turned and walked away. "It's not like it's got anything to do with me." She then grinned before she whipped out Tapper's Poke Ball. "Tapper! Use Peck on that bag!"
Upon emerging, Tapper flew towards the Team Skull Grunts and SHRRIIIP! His sharp beak tore the bag open, and soon, five small creatures appeared, falling through the rip in the fabric. It was revealed to 5 more little Rockruff, one about the same color as Kaulu, save for two small little dots over his eyes, two of them having an almost light-clay color- one of them wearing shades with golden frames and dark red lenses, the other with a little purple bow on her ear- and two of them with blue fur, one darker than the other and having shaggy fur over his eyes.
"My word!" Ilima exclaimed.
"Nothing in the bag, huh?" Kaya glared as Tapper landed on her shoulder.
"Ah, you gotta be kiddin' me, yo!" shouted Team Skull Grunt A as the Rockruff began to scramble towards Kaya, the one with the fur in his eyes, jumped up and licked her face.
"Aww, thanks, you guys!" Kaya exclaimed. "Don't worry. You're all safe now."
"Not for long, they ain't, homie!" shouted Team Skull Grunt B as he and his partner put their arms up to their sides. "Prepare to battle with Team Skull, yo!"
"...What is that supposed to be?" asked Kaya.
"It's supposed to be our mark, yo!" barked Team Skull Grunt A. "That's it! Now you really got us trippin', fool! Just for that, we gonna take your Pokemon when we done moppin' the floor with y'all!"
"It seems that conflict was inevitable," said Ilima. "Shall I aid you?"
"I'd actually appreciate it," Kaya answered. "Thanks."
With that, the battle was on.
"Let's go, Zubat!" shouted Team Skull Grunt A, tossing a Poke Ball in the air, from which a Zubat emerged, although it seemed to be a bit scratched up, too.
"Check these fools, Rattata!" Team Skull Grunt B ordered, throwing his Poke Ball into the air, as well, which caused an Alolan Rattata to emerge, its body also scratched up.
"Tapper, you wanna help me out, here?" asked Kaya.
"Pikipek!" Tapper chirped.
"Please be assistant to us, Smeargle, my friend," said Ilima as he tossed his Poke Ball, causing a Smeargle to come out.
"Smeargle!" the Painter Pokemon exclaimed.
"Use Supersonic!" Team Skull Grunt A ordered, causing Zubat to let out a shrill noise.
"Use Bite, B!" Team Skull Grunt B commanded, causing his Rattata to charge at Ilima's Smeargle.
"Tapper, dodge and use Echoed Voice!" called Kaya, causing Tapper to use Echoed Voice on the Zubat, who got knocked back.
"Counter with Tackle if you please, Smeargle," Ilima ordered, calmly, causing his Smeargle to charge back at the Rattata and bash his head against the rat, knocking it back, as well, causing both Pokemon to be defeated.
"What?!" questioned the Team Skull Grunts.
"Well, that was easy," Kaya said.
"It seems Kaulu gave you quite the struggle, already," said Ilima as the Rockruff litter barked and howled, as if cheering for the duo, "and with good reason, considering you tried to do harm upon his brothers and sisters. No wonder your Pokemon were defeated so easily."
"W-whatever, dawg!" shouted Team Skull Grunt A before he turned to his partner. "We're outta this port, B! We don't their wack Pokemon, anyhow!"
With that, the two grunts turned and fled.
"And don't let me catch you beating on other Pokemon, again!" shouted Kaya.
"Whatever, dawg!" spat one of the grunts.
(A/N: I know, it was anti-climactic, but next time, it'll be different, trust me.)
"Well done, Kaya," Ilima smiled.
"Oh, I don't think I did much," Kaya said. "Kaulu did all the work. We just finished them off, together."
"True," Ilima began, "but even so, you were willing to stand up for a Pokemon you didn't even know. That's what I call the resolve of a real trainer. Kukui was right to place his belief in you!"
"Y-you don't say," Kaya answered, blushing in slight embarrassment. "Thanks, Captain Ilima."
"Although, I can't help but wonder what you're battle style is truly like," Ilima mused. "It's left me curious ever since I saw you at the Trainer's School. Kukui brought you there, and you were able to defeat our teacher so effortlessly...and if I recall, your Riolu knows Aura Sphere, a move that she should not be able to learn at her current stage! Truly remarkable!"
Kaya only blushed even more at this.
"However," Ilima began, "I wonder if you are remarkable enough to actually face my upcoming trial."
"W-what do you mean?" Kaya queried.
"A battle, of course!" Ilima exclaimed. "Behold! The magnificent Pokemon of Captain Ilima!"
"You're on!" Kaya grinned.
"Come on out, Yungoos!" Ilima called as he tossed a Poke Ball, causing his Yungoos to emerge.
"Yungoos-goos!" he hissed.
"Go on, Tapper!" Kaya ordered, causing the Woodpecker Pokemon to fly towards Ilimi's Yungoos.
"Use Tackle, Yungoos!" Ilima commanded, causing his Yungoos to charge at Tapper.
"Tapper, dodge, and use Peck!" Kaya called out, causing Tapper to fly over the Yungoos and peck him on the head multiple times with his beak.
"Use Leer!" Ilima called, prompting his Yungoos to glare at Tapper, which made him squawk in fright.
"Don't be intimidate, Tapper!" called Kaya. "Use Echoed Voice!"
Tapper opened his beak and let out an echoed cry, causing Ilima's Yungoos to get knocked back by the sound.
"Use Pursuit!" Ilima ordered, causing his Yungoos to get back up to his paws and chase after Tapper before he struck him down with a hard tackle, causing Tapper to get knocked down.
"Tapper!" Kaya cried. "Are you okay?!"
"Piki!" Tapper exclaimed, flapping his wings.
"Okay, Tapper, use Rock Smash!" Kaya ordered, causing Tapper to fly up, then curl his toes into a fist and "punch" Ilima's Yungoos, causing him to get knocked off his feet.
"Yungoos!" Ilima cried. "Get up! Come on!"
"Yun...goos...!" Yungoos groaned as he tried to stand...only to fall down, his eyes swirling in a daze.
"Oh, dear," said Ilima as he summoned his Yungoos back into his Poke Ball. "You deserve a good rest, my friend."
"Tapper, return!" Kaya called as she summoned her Pikipek back into his Poke Ball. "Good job, Tapper."
"Your turn, now, Smeargle!" Ilima called, causing his Smeargle to approach.
"Smeargle!" the Painter Pokemon exclaimed.
"You're up, Goldie!" Kaya called out, which caused Goldie to growl as she faced her opponent.
"Use Tackle, Smeargle!" Ilima ordered, allowing Smeargle to charge at the Riolu.
"Counter with Headbutt!" Kaya commanded, causing Goldie to charge right back at Smeargle and bash her head against his, which knocked him back. "Now, use Aura Sphere!"
"Rio...LU!" Goldie shouted as she threw an Aura Sphere at Smeargle before he had another chance at getting back up, and when the smoke from the impact cleared, the Painter Pokemon was lying on the ground, eyes swirled in a dazed defeat.
"Well," Ilima smiled, "it seems you are the victor."
"Yes!" Kaya cheered while Goldie yipped happily.
"It seems you are ready to face my trial, after all," said Ilima, summoning his Smeargle back into his Poke Ball. "Well done, Kaya."
"You did pretty well, too, Captain Ilima," Kaya smiled. "Thank you for battling with me."
"Think nothing of it, my dear," Ilima answered. "Now then, here is your prize." He then handed Kaya 1,200 Poke Dollars. "Don't spend it all in one place, all right?"
"Thank you, Captain Ilima!" Kaya replied as she pocketed the money.
"I hope to see you do well during your trial," said Ilima. "You will find Verdant Cavern on Route 2. Your RotomDex should show you the way. Until then, I bid you Alola!"
With that, he left, and soon after, the Rockruff litter were seen wandering away, too.
"H-hey, where are you guys going?!" asked Kaya, causing the Rockruff with the bow in her ear to turn and bark at her as she wagged her tail, causing Kaya to blink in a bit of perplexity at first, but then she smiled. "I'll be sure to tell your brother, Kaulu, that you're all safe, okay?"
"Ruff-ruff!" the female Rockruff in the shades barked before she and her sister turned and ran to join their brothers.
"Speaking of Kaulu," Kaya began, "we better head to the Pokemon Center and see how he's doing."
"Lu-lu!" Goldie nodded her head in agreement.
Review, please!