Disclaimer: This story, the OC -main, secondary or otherwise- don't belong to be but to a dear friend of mine who decided not to share it here. So I took it upon myself to do it for her.
However as to not be accused of plagiarism, I still made a few changes so it was more in my style than in hers (but that's about all that'll be changed). If anything, think of it as a remake.
Regarding the main cast from Pokemon, they belong to Game Freak or whoever own them.
Training Plan
The rest of the way to Akala Island had gone smoothly, and it was for the best. Kiawe jumped off the boat and seized the rope Professor Kukui threw him. He attached it to a mooring post and finally, we were free to disembark. The city seemed to be bursting with life, mostly tourists enjoying their stay and checking the shops that were on the harbor, selling souvenirs and trinkets.
From where I stood, I could see the lighthouse up north, all white with a red tiled roof at the far end of what seemed to be the main street of the city, with shops aligned neatly and perfectly. When Kahuna Olivia got out of the professor's boat, she decided to imitate Kiawe and to jump off of it to the dock. Unfortunately, she slipped and fell down, bringing everyone's attention on us when she emitted a loud cry of pain, followed by a hearty laugh.
"I should have thought it'd happen." she said, getting up and rubbing her outfit clean. "Now, class, you're free to roam the streets. Be back in one hour, then we'll start our first adventure!" She declared happily. "Oh, and don't forget to stop by the jewelry store!" she added with a smile.
"That's great! We can do some shopping!" Mallow exclaimed.
"I think there is a shop where we can buy clothes." Lillie pipped in. I rolled my eyes at this. Of course, you could count on Lillie to know such things.
"Really?" Lana replied. "Perhaps we should go there and buy ourselves new outfits!" she suggested as we all passed under the carved wooden arch marking the entrance of the market place. I grimaced, just as the boys did.
"No, thank you." I said. I really didn't want to change my outfit. "What else is there to do here?" I asked to none in particular.
"Well, there is the Alola Photo Club." Sophocles answered, looking at an information leaflet he had found who knew where.
"What's that?"
"It's a Photography Club."
"Duh… Tell me something I haven't guessed yet." I said impatiently.
"People who go there can take picture with their Pokemon." he explained. "The Pokemon and their trainers can be star. They can chose specific area to shoot the pictures in… If their Pokemon wear a special outfit and they can match it with their own." He read from the leaflet.
"It beats shopping for clothes." I said. It reminded me a bit of the Pokewood studio I had gone to with my class a few years back. I had shot a nice scene with Gaïa and still had the recording at home. This Photo Club most likely wasn't as good as a studio in which you could actually play, but it could be fun all the same. Besides, I had had an idea. It could be nice to take such pictures with my Pokemon and send them to my parents and friends over in Unova. And it'd show them Gaïa's evolution in an unexpected way.
"Alright! Let's do this!" I said. "Where is it?" I asked Sophocles who pointed me in a direction. As I thought, it wasn't as grand as Pokewood, but it was nice. I took several pictures of my Pokemon, individually and as a group, sometimes with them and other time just by themselves. But my favorite was when I had found a leather jacket that fit Gaïa's body size and matched mine. With this and our sorta matching neck chokers, we looked great. We decided to strike a taunting pose.
"I am gonna to send it to my parents!" I proudly said to the other when we left the club. They also had had their turn and I have to admit I have been surprised at how good Kiawe looked when he was wearing 'normal' clothes.
"Here you all are!" Kahuna Olivia greeted us when we arrived at the jewelry store. As it happened, it belonged to her. It'd explain how fantastic the bracelets she had given us were, mine being around Gaïa's neck, were. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes." we all answered excitedly.
"Good! Because that's just the beginning."
"So, what adventure have you planned?" I asked them while I adjusted by backpack, lifting my shoulder for a second to move its position in a quick hard motion.
"First, we're going to go to the Stoutland House to pick up our ride." Professor Kukui announced. They all nodded and I felt a bit jealous. Riding a Stoutland sounded like fun. At the same time, I couldn't help but eye at Lillie. She looked nervous, still determined. I wondered how she'd do. From what I knew, she had never been able to touch any Pokemon except Snowy and Pikachu. She refused to touch even Gaïa or Marie. Or Justice. Still, this shock crept up a smile on my face: Lillie was sure facing her fears with sheer determination. And I liked to think I had a role into this.
"And then? Once you're done riding?" I asked.
"Oh, but riding is only the first part." Kukui said. "We have planned for a treasure hunt."
"A treasure hunt? That sounds so great!" Ash exclaimed. "What are we going to look for?" he asked completely excited.
"That's where the Stoutlands come in." Professor Kukui said. "I believe Jade could tell you a great deal about these Pokemon, right?" He asked, looking at me. I nodded. Of course I knew a lot about them, they came from Unova after all. "What'll matter today is their powerful sense of smell. They'll help you looking for treasure."
"What sort of treasure?" Sophocles asked.
"Akala island is the place where one can find fossils. And those Stoutlands have been raised to locate just that. So your goal will be to find as many fossils as you can."
It sounded boring, but I didn't voice it aloud. I thought of using the Stoutland for a race a much better activity.
"Alright then." I said. "Good luck with the treasure hunt!"
"Wait, you're not coming with us?" Kiawe asked.
"No, I am afraid, I am not." I said. "I know it sounds entertaining, but I want to train before I can face you." I said, pointing at the Kahuna. "Gaïa just evolved and we need to work on Leaf Blade."
"I understand." The Kahuna answered. "It's quite wise on your part." I didn't retort to this, even though I felt upset by her comment. I knew she was right. She was much stronger than I thought.
"So, good luck again! And you better find some good stuff!"
"You bet I will." Ash assured.
"You mean… You bet WE will, Ash!" Mallow corrected him sarcastically. Lana turned her head and gave a fake evil glare to the capped boy.
"You better have meant that, Ash. If you didn't… I predict bad things will happen." Lana hissed a vague threat. Though she most of the time seemed to be shy, I had seen that she could very well be in control earlier, against the Bruxish. So, perhaps did she really mean it. Ash perked up at Lana's menacing look and, with a sheepish laugh, he nodded.
"I mean it. Don't worry. And I mean it every more now!" He laughed out in a nervous frightened tone. I scoffed happily.
"If you say so, Ashy boy." I hummed, winking at him with a sincere and amused smile of sort. "When shall we meet?" I asked Professor Kukui.
"Hm… It'll depend how long it takes…" He answered. "If you don't see us by the boat around 6 this evening, you can go to the Stoutland House. We're likely to be here."
"Alright. See you around." I said, waving at them with a flick of my hand off of the side of my head. With them heading off, I went to the Pokemart to refurnish my potion supplies as well as get some food. I didn't want to travel back and forth from the place of training and the city. That'd be a waste of time.
While on my way there, Gaïa stood proudly at my side, walking elegantly and sticking out her chest to make sure her collar was visible to everyone.
"Proud girl, aren't you?" I jokingly said as we entered the Pokemart. Fortunately, there weren't a lot of people inside. And it was logical. Most people on the island were tourists. Only the locals would shop Pokemon battle related stuff. And me, of course.
I chose several potions of various effect, one couldn't be so sure of the Pokemon that could spring up, as well as enough sandwiches to feed me and my Pokemon twice. I was heading to the counter to pay for it all when I noticed a hunched figure that I instantly recognized. And even more the figure of the boy at its side.
"Hey! Gladion!" I called the blond haired boy. He didn't do anything to show that he had heard me calling him. So, I made a beeline for him and tapped him on the shoulder. And only then did he turn to face me. "Hey Gladion!" I repeated. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Well… hello." he said flatly.
"Jade. My name is Jade." I introduced myself, now admitting that I had never had the occasion to tell him what my name was.
Not that the information seemed to interest him anyway for just shrugged and seemed to be about to go on his way.
"Does Lillie know you are here?" I asked. That made him stop in his track.
"Why do you ask?" he grunted.
"Because she is here on Akala.!" I informed him. He raised a brow at me, clearly surprised.
"No, she doesn't." he answered at last. "And don't you dare to tell her."
"I won't because you asked it gently." I teased him. "I didn't expect to see you here." I went on.
He shrugged at my comment.
"I can say the same about you." he bluntly replied. "What are you doing here?" He asked me sternly.
"It happens I am heading towards the hills to train my Pokemon." I answered with a smirk of pride. I placed my hands on my hips and moved aside, showing him Gaïa in her newly evolved form and glory.
"So your Pokemon evolved. It was about time."
Gaïa certainly remembered her fight against Gladion's Lycanroc and headed to it to stand right in front of his muzzle. She had a toothy smirk on her face. But the Lycanroc didn't react at all to her overstepping his boundaries. He merely kept glaring at her, breathing deeply. Gaïa frowned at the Lycanroc's lack of expression and reaction.
"You can tell your Servine that we're not going to fall for her taunt." he told me bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Gaïa. Stop it." I tell her. "What about a rematch?" I suggested. "Gaïa had evolved. It won't be as easy to defeat her as before. And it could be a nice training for both of us."
"Why do you think I am here to train?" he retorted.
"Come on, Gladion. I am not that stupid!" I exclaimed. "Don't you think I saw the scratches and bruises on your Pokemon? Either you've been beating them or you've been training."
"Supposedly… Why would I want to train with you?" he asked sternly. "I don't know you."
"No. But you saw what I was capable of!" I countered. "And I thought it'd be nice to train with a strong boy like you!" I thought that at least this argument paired with a compliment would be effective. Unfortunately, it wasn't. Gladion only shook his head.
"I'd rather not."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want." he snapped.
"Alright. I have a last argument."
"Yes?"
"Either we train together or I call Lillie to tell her you are here." I threatened him. I didn't know why I did that, but if it would be what it take to get close to him, I'd not mind using dirty tricks. I wanted to get to the bottom of things between that sulky boy and sweet Lillie. Besides, I was bluffing. I didn't have Lillie's number. But that, Gladion couldn't know.
"You wouldn't!"
"You think?" I took my pokegear and placed my thumb on a digit. "If I press this button, it'll speed dial Lillie's number. Would you imagine the conversation? Yo, Lille? It's me. You'll never guess who I happened to stumble upon…"
"Alright, fine." He eventually relented. "We can train together."
"See. It wasn't that hard." I said with a smile, oblivious to his frown and glare as well as his Lycanroc's low growl.
