Chapter 42 - "We'll Battle Together."


After the tournament ended and everyone celebrated the official beginning of the Alola league, things started to become normal in Alola once more. Mrs. Kokura was still pained by the loss of her son, but she started to leave the house more often, and Kala would even find her on the beach, enjoying the sand.

Lycanroc and Salazzle both remained with Kala, but Oranguru decided to live permanently with Cyan's mother while Golem went back to Ula'ula Island to take care of his Geodude gang and make sure they stayed out of trouble.

With Mrs. Kokura feeling considerably better, Kala found herself spending less and less time on Melemele Island, and instead often made trips to Akala Island where she could meet with Kukui's wife, Professor Burnet. She was the only person in all of Alola that could make heads and tails of what happened on that day.

"Have there been any updates?" Kala asked. "Any weird signs?"

Professor Burnet sighed as she looked at her computer. "No. I'm sorry. Nothing has happened on our end since he disappeared. I've even been keeping an eye out to see if something small comes through. Before, Enhalus was able to come and go without giving us big red flags because his size barely made any disturbances."

Kala hesitantly nodded. "I-I see."

Professor Burnet turned away from her monitor and removed her glasses. "We won't stop looking. But I think it's probably best for all of us to prepare for the worst, ya know? Even if we did find something, who's to say that he's even still-"

"He is," Kala interrupted. "He's still alive. I know he is."

Professor Burnet was silent.

The door to the lab opened up, and Kukui, shirtless as usual, walked in. He carried a stack of papers and then plopped them down onto a table and let out a loud sigh before looking at Kala and then grinning as wide as he could.

"Everything almost worked out?" she asked.

Kukui took a seat. "You betcha! We got the approval from Goodshow. We're allowed to build six gyms, and we'll even get our own Elite Four. Acerola and Lilo both agreed to join. It took a little bit of convincing for Lilo, but she thinks she should stay here just in case. Molayne from Ula'ula also said he'll take a position. And I'm not sure if you know about Kahili, but she'll be returning to Alola to take the final spot. We think we have a champion picked out too."

Kala's head perked up slightly. There were talks that one of the Island Kahuna would be recognized as the champion, but nothing was finalized yet.

"Your mom agreed to take the position. I think that's ultimately the best idea for the time being. I wanted to do it, but I'm too busy with my research," Kukui explained.

Kala's mom wasn't an Island Kahuna, but she was known as one of the strongest trainers in Alola. Their decision didn't surprise her. "I'm sure mom will make a great champion. She's the fiercest trainer in all of Alola."

"And I think we'll call our conference The Manalo Conference. It has a nice ring to it. Unlike this last conference, trainers will have to beat all six gyms OR the Island Challenge to enter. I think that'll keep our tradition alive, ya know?"

Kala nodded.

"And um… uh… well. We wanted to talk to you about becoming a gym leader."

"A gym leader?" Kala asked. Even though she had expected that Kukui would ask for her involvement, she was still surprised about the prospect of becoming a gym leader. "Really?"

Kukui grinned. "Yeah. I know that you've been training a lot recently, so I think it'd fit you. Guzma also agreed to become a gym leader too. I'll be honest, I'm a bit nervous to see how that'll turn out. That boy Xerxes is also going to stay in Alola and do his part."

Kala smiled and chuckled lightly.

"And, you choose where you want your gym."

"Anywhere in Alola?"

"Anywhere! I talked to the board, and if you agreed to it, you can pick your location first."

Kala thought for a moment. She walked to one of Professor Burnet's machines and looked at the waves. The motions indicated that there was life somewhere else out there in other dimensions. Whether or not it was Cyan, she had no way to know. But she knew that she had to stay.

"I'll accept."

Kukui smiled. "That is… a huge relief. I'm tired of looking."


And so it was set that Kala would be a gym leader. It wasn't something that she had ever envisioned for herself, but she saw an opportunity to protect Alola by taking up the mantle. Still, she had some unfinished business back home, and there was something that she had to do.

North of Iki Town and past the Mahalo Trail, Kala slowly walked across the bridge which would lead her to the ruins. Most people of the town were told to never cross the bridge, and only a few select people were ever given permission to do so. Kala, having now completed the Island Challenge, was allowed to.

The bridge wasn't very steady, which would have normally made anyone who crossed it very uneasy, but Kala was done with being afraid. She fearlessly crossed the bridge, never once taking the time to look down and psych herself out.

The Ruins of Conflict were inside of a cave that was built centuries ago. The jungle surrounding the area was well kept, as humans barely, if ever came into contact with it. Kala entered the cave after taking a deep breath. The cave was illuminated by torches which lit themselves up automatically as Kala passed by. She soon came to a platform and stopped before looking into the air. There was a crack of lightning, and suddenly, the entirety of the cave was lit up, and before Kala floated Tapu Koko.

Kala stood still. Unlike the first time that they met, she didn't fear the creature. Now, she made eye contact with it directly, and she looked with a stern expression on her face before simply saying, "Thank you."

Tapu Koko eased up slightly.

"Years ago, we met, and that moment inspired me to try to become a strong trainer. But I was always afraid. I didn't think that I'd manage to live up to my grandfather or my mother. I was afraid that I'd never be strong enough to take over as the Island Kahuna."

"Ko…"

"But I now know that it's not my duty to be the Island Kahuna. I'm going to become a gym leader, and I'm going to protect Alola from threats. I can't do it here though," Kala said before pausing momentarily. "I'm going to ask that you keep protecting Melemele Island. Grandpa is still strong, but he may need your help in case something happens."

Tapu Koko slowly nodded.

Kala took in one deep breath and then relaxed her shoulders. "And don't go scaring anymore little girls."


"So, Kalos?" Kala asked.

Emma nodded. "Yeah. I'm gonna give it a go. I think I can win the whole thing if I keep trying." She held her lively Eevee in her arms. "I'll make sure to write to you sometimes."

Lilo sighed, and she lightly punched Emma in the arm. "You better."

The boat horn then sounded, letting out a loud hum throughout Melemele Port.

"I gotta get going," Emma said. "You both do your best! I'll be back eventually!"

The two girls nodded as they watched Emma, now with her hair dyed green yet again, board the boat. They waved, and Emma found a spot on the edge of the boat to smile and wave back. The boat was slow to float away, but the three never once broke eye contact. It wasn't until the boat was over the edge of the sea that Kala and Lilo finally relented, lowering their arms.

"So, you're an official Elite Four member? If you were going to do that, why not take the champion position?" Kala asked while she looked out to the ocean.

"Had it been Cyan, I'm not sure if I would have won. I think he deserves that title more than I do," Lilo said. "I've decided to specialize in Grass-types. Decidueye will lead my team, and there's so many strong Grass-type Pokémon in Alola. I'll be the strongest member by a long shot."

Kala smiled. "Challengers will fear you. But, I have to be honest, I'm surprised you're not on that boat with Emma. I thought you were going to be the Galar Champion one day?"

"I will be," Lilo said softly. "But I can't leave Alola until we know that Necrozma is no longer a threat. I have to protect our region."

"I understand."

"Or."

"Or?"

"I can't leave Alola until Cyan returns. I want to be the first person to welcome him back," Lilo exclaimed.

Kala took a deep breath. "That reminds me. Guess where I'm building my gym?"


Kala stood at the entrance of Vast Poni Canyon and watched as the construction workers and machines started to build what she would soon call her home. Lycanroc, Salazzle, Litten, Dartrix, and Hakamo-o all stood at her side.

"We'll battle together," Kala said. She looked at Lycanroc and Salazzle. "We'll make him proud."

The two Pokémon looked at one another and then towards the Altar of Sunne and Moone. Whether or not their trainer was ever going to return, they didn't know, but they would still fight with all of their hearts.


On the otherside…

Cyan finished the last small cake snack that he had brought with him, and he stuffed the wrapping in his bag. Although there was no sign of life on this planet, he didn't want to litter it with his trash. He enjoyed the quiet and peacefulness of the land, but it was starting to get too quiet for him.

He lifted his two Poké Balls and released Venusaur and Primarina. They had been mostly healed from their injuries from the battle with Necrozma, but he made sure to keep them in their balls so they wouldn't use up energy. The creature that formed from Solgaleo floated towards them and smiled. Venusaur and Primarina weren't too positive about the situation though.

"I've eaten the last cake snack," Cyan said. "I walked around for a bit, and I haven't found anyone else. I don't think we should panic, but we should definitely prepare for the worst."

"Saur…"

"Primarrrina."

Cyan put his hands on his hips and looked at the smoggy creature. "I wish you could take us back, Solga Jr. This place isn't exactly what I'd call a great vacation."

The creature looked up at him and vibrated happily, letting some of its space dust fall to the ground.

Cyan sighed, and he looked up towards the star that lit up the land. "This has been the longest day of my life. Let's find somewhere to sleep."


REVIEWS (author's notes are below):

pokemonking0924 - "Despite not being a big fan of battling Kala put up a great fight but Lilo the natural trainer won. I always did think she was a bit too cocky and thought a loss would humble her, but I guess Cyan being missing did that. It was rather nice of her to claim Cyan as champion and denies becoming Alola champion. I wonder what region she wants to be champion of. I wonder what's coming up next and what will become of everyone." - Lilo is cocky, but I don't see her as annoyingly cocky. Also, thanks for all of your reviews for this story!

CrescentApple - "I feel torn about this battle. On one hand Lilo won, but in all the battles Kala was at a type disadvantage. Could she have won if Lilo had the type disadvantage? ... I'm not sure. i feel like Lilo was already prepared for a type disadvantage if it ever came to one. And Kala did stupendous against a power house like Lilo. A great battle. My favorite was Toxipex because it was so unique and a bit eerie the way it just stares through its dome of legs. And Lilo is so so brave to announce the title to Cyan. But she intends to be a champion outside Alola... Now I'm wondering if she actually did complete in one of the same tournaments as Logan but neither saw the other. Unlikely I think. And this chaoter leaves the question when the heck did Cyan return? Was it in that time skip someone came to visit Kala? I thoughy Cyan would have returned at some point. But the tournament is already over and still no sign... It was a quick tournament, but i guess it had to because it was sort of a baby start-up to something grand." - Writing for Toxapex was my favorite part. So, I take a very different approach when writing battles, I think. I haven't mentioned this (maybe) but my hobby is professional wrestling (I do it as a side job), and I like to write my battles like they're pro wrestling matches. In Kala vs. Lilo, the psychology was that Kala (the good guy) was at a disadvantage the whole time. In that case, if she wins, it makes her look really strong, and it makes it seem like she deserves that win. If she loses, then it's understandable, because she was at a clear disadvantage the entire time.

wisdom-jewel - "Very intense indeed. The battle was done extremely well and both girls really put in their all. And I think it is sweet that Lilo wanted Cyan to be the first champion of Alola. And I wonder if they would have a proxy champion until further notice. I'm sure Guzmo would be very sore about it. Though Lilo might have her reasons for excluding him." - I was very afraid people would hate Cyan being declared the first champion, but I'm glad that people don't seem to have too big of problems with it. Also, as for Lilo not mentioning Guzma, it was just for jokes purposes. I enjoy writing dark jokes, and I kind of see Guzma as being bullied constantly, even if Lilo no longer holds any bad feelings for the guy.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

And so concludes Awakening Alola! Thank you all for giving this a read. From the beginning, I wanted to write something a bit different. Almost every story has a trainer with a set goal in mind, and it usually goes their way, but I wanted to change it up. Kala's not the Island Kahuna like she wanted to be, Lilo isn't going on an adventure like she wanted to, and Cyan… well… I do plan on writing a follow up, because there are a lot of unanswered questions and threads. I hope to tackle them all. Currently, the follow up is mostly finished (five lengthy chapters). I'll post one chapter a week.

But where does this story leave us? Well, the Alola League currently looks something like this: CHAMPION: Kaarina Māhoe ELITE FOUR: Acerola, Kahili, Molayne, and Lilo GYM LEADERS: Kala, Xerxes, and Guzma (three spots are open, but one will go to Plumeria). The Island Challenge is still around too, but it'd have to change a bit.

Special thanks to wisdom-jewel for all of your reviews, UKEagleClaw for your support and advice, CrescentApple for your (usually spot on) speculation, WyldClaw for the reviews you posted, and pokemonking0924 for being the first review on most chapters! Your support is always appreciated!

Did you have a favorite chapter in Awakening Alola? I really loved Chapter 25 - Can You Handle Horror Movies?