Karma stepped out of the Pokémon center, stretching in the moonlight.
"Tonight we're going to fight Kahuna Hala, right?" Rotom-dex buzzed. "This is so exciting."
Karma looked out over the Route, seeing the grass sway with the movement of Pokémon. A young kid ran past followed by a black Rattata.
"Its still really weird for me getting up in the middle of the night." Karma said heading up the Route.
"Really?" Rotom-dex said. "But its when everyone else is up."
"Still odd to me." Karma said with a shrug. "In Kanto trainers weren't even allowed to go out at night back when I was little. That people in Alola let their kids run around and play at night just still seems strange to me."
Rotom-dex was quiet. His face screen neutral. Karma assumed it was meant to be a thoughtful expression. Either that or the poke-dex was very done with the conversation.
Karma released her Pokémon when they got to Melemele meadow.
"Don't we need to get back to Iki town?" Rotom-dex commented, watching Fukano stalk Kadigo's tail.
"Its only morning…er evening? Its still early." Karma said scooping up Shinji as he ran away from an Oricorio. Rats quickly struck back at the bird Pokémon, wrapping it in tight coils.
"Point is, it never hurts to get a little extra training. Especially when facing a strong trainer."
"If you say so." Rotom-dex hummed. "I think everyone's perfectly fine already though. You tend to spend a lot of time training."
"Better too much then too little." Karma said. "That's how Pokémon die."
Rotom-dex was quiet.
Shinji. The Raltz in her arms looked up at her, its magenta eyes questioning.
"Don't worry. It won't happen to you guys." Karma said. Fishing in her bag she grabbed a potion to spray Shinji with.
The Raltz squirmed as she sprayed. Shin. Ji.
"Come on, it can't be that bad." Karma huffed setting Shinji down. "Go get some more practice, okay. Cha? Can you watch him?"
The Hawlucha hopped down from the path where he'd been sitting and preening his feathers.
"What do you know about Kahuna Hala, anyway?" Karma asked. "He and Professor Kukui are close, right?"
"I think that's something you need to learn for yourself."
"I thought we were a team?"
"I'm not programmed with information on people." Rotom-dex admitted. "I am a pokedex after all. And Professor Kukui never really told me much about the world outside."
"Oh." Karma said, staring out at the flower fields. Makenkani and Fukano were chasing each other around in circles. "Sorry. I didn't realize."
"Oh its fine!" Rotom-dex buzzed. "After all, I get to be an assistant. The best most useful assistant a trainer could have! This is loads better then hanging out in some TV…or being someone's washing machine." His casing shook in an electrical cringe. "But we could still ask Professor Kukui what kind of Pokémon Kahuna Hala has. Or anyone in Iki town."
"Heeeeeey!"
Karma jumped, nearly hitting Rotom-dex as she turned.
"Whoops. Didn't mean to scare you." Hau was standing behind her, his characteristic wide grin stretching his face. "You're talking about my old gramps?"
"Hi." Karma squeaked, still recovering. You'd think for someone so loud he wouldn't be that sneaky. "We- I was wondering what kind of Pokémon he uses?"
"Oh that's easy." Hau grinned. "He uses fighting types. Hey, want to battle? I want to see if I got any better from finishing the trial!"
Karma looked out at the fields where her Pokémon practiced. Kadigo was approaching, his head cocked.
"Sure." Karma said.
It took a little while to round up all her Pokémon and find an open spot big enough, but Karma soon found herself standing back on Route 3. The waves hitting the cliff to the side of the route. Hau stood a little ways away on the trail.
"Go get 'em, Malasada!" Hau shouted releasing his Rowlet.
"Go…Rats."
The released Ekans circled her feet before heading to face her opponent. Luckily Hau didn't comment on the name.
Or maybe he didn't hear.
"Malasada, peck!"
"Poison Sting!"
Rats's sting barely made it past the Rowlet's feathers. Rowlet's peck didn't do much better, Karma wasn't even sure the Ekans had noticed the tap of Rowlett's beak on her scales.
Still better safe then sorry. "Wrap him and keep up with poison sting." Karma ordered.
"Dodge it!" Hau yelled back.
Rats and Malasada fell into an almost game like pattern of Rats striking to grab, Malasada flying out of the way, then sweeping down to peck only to get hit by Rats's poison sting."
Should I change strategies? Karma wondered, watching the battle drag on. She seems to be doing alright. And she is hitting.
"Nice Ekans." Hau said, his hands laced behind his head. "We're used to fighting Ekans, but yours seems really strong. Catch it on Route 2?"
"Thanks." Karma said quickly. "I borrowed it from a friend."
"Is it a Kanto Ekans? Looks just like the ones here."
"I don't know where he got it from." Karma said, feeling sweat building up on her back despite there being no sun.
Luckily Hau seemed satisfied. "Oh, hey. Come back Malasada, I think you've had enough."
The Rowlet he withdrew looked like it had picked a fight with a pine tree. Rats's scales looked a bit scuffed, and she had a couple of dents. But she didn't look any worse for the wear.
"Next up is Haupia!" Hau drew the next pokeball with a grin.
"Good job Rats, take a rest!" Karma said. Guess I'll send out Makenkani next, he could always use a little exercise. Karma released the Crabrawler.
Across the way a Pikachu emerged from Hau's pokeball.
Crap. Karma thought as Crabrawler rushed forward.
"He's a fighting type." Rotom-dex said in a quiet and tired voice. "He'll be fine."
Karma blushed. "I knew that! Makenkani, use bubblebeam!"
She still winced as Makenkani took a thunder shock to the face. His response was to spit more bubbles at the Pikachu.
After a few rounds Karma switched to let Kadigo handle the Pikachu.
"Last Pokémon." Hau said, his grin unfazed. "Show them your stuff, Pineapple!"
"Pineapple?"
The Pokémon Hau released looked like a strange fluffy Zubat. It blinked intelligent yellow eyes.
"That's a Noibat." Rotom-dex instructed.
Definitely a flyer. Maybe poison? "Kadigo return."
Karma released Shinji.
Pineapple responded by letting out an ear piercing shriek and diving towards the Ralts.
"Confusion!"
Shinji clamped his small arms over his ears and let out a small psychic spark. The move hit Pineapple square in the forehead. The Noibat stopped screeching, pulling up with a quick flap.
Guess that rules out poison.
"Stay up high and use Gust!" Hau called out.
"Disarming Voice!"
Shinji let out a tiny babble.
Pineapple dropped like a rock. The Noibat probably would have hit the ground hard, but Hau pulled it back.
"Aww man!" Hau said his disappointment barely coming through his carefree grin. "I wanted to show Pineapple off more. "Still, looks like we're getting pretty strong. I bet we can even take out Gramps."
Karma withdrew Shinji and shot a questioning glance at Rotom-dex.
"Fairy types are good against dragons." Rotom-dex said. "Noibat is a dragon type."
Fairy types, really? Karma thought stashing Shinji's ball back on her belt. Strange. I'll have to remember that. Shinji can kill dragons, apparently.
"Are you worried about facing your Grandpa?" Karma asked Hau.
"A little. I mean, I've never been able to beat him before." Hau grinned. "But now I have Malasada. I think we can take even old gramps."
He is a flying type. The type advantage should help.
"Anyway, I gotta run. My Pokémon took quite a beating after all." He waved. "Say hi to Lillie for me if you see her."
"Sure." Karma said waving as Hau dashed off.