Chapter 35: It's Ya Boy!

By the time Gladion and I got to Malie City, got new clothes identical to my old charred ones, it was night. We made our way to Malie Garden, where the Johto Festival was taking place. Food carts with Johto delicacies were set up around the Garden and an abundant of Johto native Pokémon were wandering around.

I breathed in the air tinged with the sweet smell of food. "Ah, almost feels like home. I've only been to Johto twice, but it still feels nostalgic."

Gladion shooed away a curious Chikorita. "Bothersome Johto Pokémon. I don't see what the big deal is about Johto."

"It's for Alola's history," a girl with a Johto style hat said, walking up to us and picking up Chikorita in her arms. "The name's Lyra. Yours?"

"Zeno," I said smiling. "And Emo Boy here is Gladion. He's the grumpy sort of person, but he's a real softie at heart."

Gladion scowled, definitely not showing his soft heart personality.

Lyra smiled. "Nice to meet you two."

Gladion raised an eyebrow. "You were talking about Alola's history?"

"Oh, yeah," she said cheerfully. "It's more of Malie City's history more than anything though."

"Go on," I said, my curiosity piqued.

She smiled at me. "A couple hundred years ago, several people from Johto sailed here, looking for a place to settle down in. When they found the tribe people living here, they taught them many things. They helped create the very place we stand in."

Gladion shrugged. "I still don't see the point."

I sighed. "Don't mind him. His sister forced him to come."

Lyra shrugged. "What do you expect from such an edgy looking guy."

We both had a good laugh while Gladion's scowl deepened.

"Anyway," Lyra said, wiping an imaginary tear from her eye. "Enjoy the Festival. It's going to go on for a couple more hours and I got work to do. See ya!"

She ran off and Gladion gave me a dirty look.

"What," I said innocently. "I'm only stating the truth here."

Then I heard loud gasps from everyone around us. I turned around to see Plumeria strutting into Malie Garden with the Skull Boys. In the lead was a guy with punk clothes, white hair with weird sunglasses and a golden S bling. The way he dressed and carried himself told me immediately he was Team Skull's boss.

"Their boss," Gladion confirmed my unspoken thoughts. "Guzma."

Guzma walked purposely up to someone in the crowd of people starting to gather. The crowd parted to reveal Guzma face-to-face with Kukui.

Guzma gave a wide grin, hands on hips. "The hated boss who beats you down, and beats you down, and never lets up... Yeah. It's ya boy! Big bad Guzma."

"What do you want Guzma?" Kukui asked, sharply.

Guzma laughed. "Got a spine after I left!? I have to say Kukui, it suits you."

He shook his head. "I came here for you and the children."

"What do you want us for!?"

Only then did I notice my friends, Alex, Hau, Lillie, and Robert, behind Kukui. It was Alex who had spoken.

Guzma grinned. "I'm here to put you punks in your place."

He scowled now. "You Island Challengers think you're so special, but you're nothing more than wannabe trainers set upon a path by Kukui."

He faced the Professor. "Sending kids off into the wide world is dangerous Kukui and I'm going to show you. I will destroy the Island Challenge and anyone who attempts it!"

In one fluid movement, he grabbed two pokeballs and released two Pokémon from them. One of them was an Araquanid and the other was a big, bulky looking bug.

Rotom appeared out of Hau's backpack and I thought, "So that's where he went."

"Golisopod, the Hard Sca-"

"Shut him up," Guzma ordered.

Golisopod swiped at Rotom, but he flew out of range.

"Now," Guzma said. "Back to business. Golisopod, Araquanid, prepare to crush those children."

Kukui held out his hands. "You won't hurt them Guzma. I won't let you. This is only between us."

Guzma laughed. "You can't stop me Kukui! No one can!"

"I can."

Guzma whirled around and I stepped out of the crowd. The crowd began murmuring and I knew some of them recognized me from Mount Hokulani.

"It's him."

"The Hero Born of Darkness."

"Chosen by the Tapus."

"Surely he can take down Guzma."

My friends and Kukui stared at me in shock while Guzma grinned at me cockily. "Well, if it isn't Zeno. I've heard a lot about you kid."

He looked at Plumeria who was scowling at me. "You messed with Team Skull plenty of times, but you couldn't beat me."

I grinned right back. "Big bad Guzma was it? I have to say, I imagined the boss of Team Skull to look a bit more... Intimidating. I'm disappointed actually."

Plumeria stepped forwards, hand on her pokeball. "How dare-!"

Guzma stopped her and raised an eyebrow at me. "You got spunk kid, but that isn't going to save you from a beating."

I had a feeling he didn't mean a Pokémon battle. Even though I knew I could take him, I had other plans. I had to show everyone he wasn't that strong, someone not to fear.

"A beating eh," I said, holding up a pokeball. "Are you too scared to battle me in the traditional sense. A Pokémon battle. If you think us Island Challengers aren't nothing special, then it shouldn't be a problem taking me down, right Guzma?"

I had backed him into a corner. Refusing the battle would make him look like a coward, but accepting it could mean losing.

Guzma shrugged and smiled, but I could tell he was seething inside. "Alright kid. I'll battle your and put you in your place."

He snapped his fingers and Golisopod and Araquanid hurried forwards. "Prepare to feel the pain."

I released Growlithe and Decidueye. "I doubt it."

Guzma laughed upon seeing my Pokémon. "A Grass and Fire type!? Kid, you're in for a world of hurt."

"Again," I said, gaining a battle stance. "I doubt it."

He scowled. "First Impression on Decidueye and Liquidation on Growlithe."

I smirked. "Decidueye, Phantom Force. Growlithe, a circle of fire please."

Decidueye disappeared as Golisopod tried to strike and Growlithe spun into a wheel of fire. He dodged Araquanid and made a wide circle of fire around the battlefield. The crowd of people, the professor, and my friends stepped back while Plumeria stood next to Guzma. The Skull Boys were long gone.

"Spirit Shackle and Heat Wave!" I yelled.

Decidueye stepped out of the shadows and fired two arrows. Each hit a shadow and both damaged and kept Guzma's Pokémon in the battle. Growlithe stopped circling and slammed all four paws into the ground, sending a wave of heat towards the opposing Pokémon. Golisopod and Araquanid stumbled backwards, but flinched forwards when they touched the circle of flames.

Guzma clenched both fists. "Both of you wipe em out with Surf!"

Golisopod and Araquanid whipped up a tidal wave of water that doused the circle of flames.

"Double Team!" I yelled. "And use Heat Wave to counter the waves!"

Decidueye split into multiple copies, but they were all wiped out and the real Decidueye was nowhere to be seen. Growlithe blew up a wave of heat and it clashed against the water. They cancelled each other out as the water evaporated into steam.

Guzma looked shocked. "But how-"

"It's time to finish this," I shouted. "Close them in Growlithe!"

Growlithe understood and he spun circles of flames around both Bug Pokémon, making each circle smaller than the last.

"Leaf Storm!" I yelled and Decidueye appeared out of the shadows.

He whipped up a storm of leaves and flung them towards Golisopod and Araquanid. The leaves swirled around them and they fell into the fire.

"Finish with Heat Wave!" I commanded and Growlithe obeyed.

He sent a wave of heat that cascaded towards them. It blew away the fires and sent the Pokémon tumbling to Guzma's feet, fainted.

Guzma returned his Pokémon and stalked up to me angrily. "This isn't over kid. Not by a long shot."

I met his gaze. "No, it isn't."

He scowled and walked out of Malie Garden with Plumeria following. The crowd of people clapped and cheered my name.

I smiled warmly at their praise and I knew Alola knows who I am now. Zeno, the boy chosen by the Tapus and the Hero Born of Darkness. They would expect great things from me and I didn't know if I could deliver. Dark times were ahead and I had no idea if I could save Alola.

I saw my friends approach me, warm smiles on their faces and I knew that whatever I faced in the future, I wouldn't do so alone.

Is that... The mystical... The legendary... The epic DOUBLE UPDATE!!! Anyway, this is up today because it's a short one, but has good stuff in it. Things are looking up (somewhat) for Zeno and now he's reunited with his friends. Who knows what'll happen next, but it's sure as heck going to be good. Toodles