Matt (Guest): You're welcome
Gamelover41592: As of right now, I have fifteen stories planned. Also, Junior had a story earlier in the series in case you forgot.
Omni Spectator (Guest): Oh, that makes more sense. And I'll consider the idea. I know you took it back, but I kinda like it!
Alright, time to begin the Pokémon journey of a lifetime in the only way you can! Let's begin!
"Girls, I want you to know that, succeed or fail with this journey, I'll always be proud of you both!" Kukui declared. Both girls had gotten up bright and early as today was the day they were due to begin their Island Challenges. Lillie had gone ahead before they were ready, so they had planned to meet up with her in Iki Town for the ceremony to pick a starter Pokémon.
"Emma! This is so exciting! I can't believe how exciting this is! This is gonna be so cool!" Kitty gushed as she jumped all around her sister.
"Down girl!" Emma jokingly snapped as she held her sister down. She could barely contain her excitement as well.
"And we're here!" Kukui declared. "I know you both know this, but this is the town where folks come to worship the Pokémon that watches over Melemele Island. Tapu Koko keeps us all safe and happy, see!"
"Oh, we know this place all too well," Emma said with a smile. When they were young, the girls had snuck off to try and visit Tapu Koko...and they got lost. Burnet chewed them out pretty good for that one. Kukui laughed at the reminder, before looking around confused.
"Huh? What's goin' on here? We were supposed to meet everyone here, yeah," Kukui noted before thinking everything over. "Maybe they're all back there on Mahalo Trail!"
"Isn't that where Tapu Koko is?" Kitty asked.
"You got it, Kit!" Kukui said as he turned to face them. "Now, why don't you two do me a solid and go find the island Kahuna?"
"No problem dad!" Kitty agreed as she and Emma headed into the ruins.
"Kitty, do you think we'll get to see the Tapu?" Emma asked, the excitement in her voice betraying her attempts to stay calm. The Tapus rarely appeared to humans, so seeing it was considered to be one of the most special events a person could witness.
"I hope so Em!" Kitty agreed. They continued their walk down the trail, mostly just talking about things they hoped to see on their journey. At least, until they reached the rope bridge.
"Nebby!" Lillie called out. Emma and Kitty saw Nebby being harassed by a flock of Spearows.
"Lillie?" Kitty asked. Lillie turned around.
"H-help...save Webby!" Was all she could say.
"Pe-e-ew….!" Nebby called out.
"Hang on!" Emma called out as she rushed onto the bridge.
"Emma, what are you doing?!" Kitty exclaimed. Her cries went on deaf ears as Emma continued to charge forward, not caring about the bridge shaking from her steps. She reached Nebby quickly, kneeling down and attempting to shield it with her body. The Spearows continued their assault, only now, they had switched to attacking Emma in an attempt to get to move. The girl began to grunt in pain, but didn't waver. Nebby, however, realized it had to do something to protect this nice human. Drawing in all its power, it summoned a blast that scared the Spearow off. However, it came with the cost of destroying the bridge, sending it and Emma plummeting towards the river below.
"EMMA!" Kitty and Lillie yelled out. Suddenly, there was a flash of lightning. Kitty watched in awe as Tapu Koko appeared and scooped Emma into its arms, flying her back to safety. Upon setting her down, it stared the three girls down. They stood frozen, unable to believe that not only had this deity appeared before them, but didn't run away. Tapu Koko then let out a cry before flying off.
"Was that…." Emma couldn't even finish her sentence she was so surprised. Once she got out of her shocked state, she stood up and let Nebby go.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Lillie exclaimed as she turned to Nebby. "You tried using your power again...didn't you? Oh Nebby...you know what happened the last time you used it. You couldn't move for ages after that. I don't want to see you like that again! No...I shouldn't say that. I'm sorry, Nebby...I know you were trying to save me that time. And I couldn't even help you in return…"
"Pew!" Nebby floated back over to something on the ground.
"What is that?" Kitty asked.
"Pew! Pew!" Nebby handed it over to Lillie.
"Sparkling...stones?" Lillie questioned. "It feels almost warm somehow…."
"Can we see them?" Emma asked.
"Sure...I guess I should give you something for helping me," Lillie said as she handed the stones over to Emma. It did feel warm. She could swear she felt some kind of power in them. Either way, she put them in one of the pockets of her bag.
"It was really no problem," Emma replied. "It was actually kind of amazing to see Nebby use that power you were talking about!"
"Come on. Into the bag Nebby," Lillie said to Nebby.
"Pew!"
"Here, let us help," Kitty offered. Thankfully, it wasn't too hard to get the little puffball back into the bag.
"Um...I'm worried we might get attacked again by some wild Pokémon or...or something. I know it's too much for me to ask, but...do you think you could see us back to town?" Lillie asked.
"Lillie, it's no problem." Emma assured her. "Besides, I think we need to get back to town anyways.
"Hey! Girls! Looks like you missed the Kahuna, yeah?" Kukui asked when he saw the girls come back into town.
"Yeah, but we found Lillie!" Kitty replied. "Had some problems with a flock of Spearow."
"The Kahuna is back!" Someone called out. The group noticed a small crowd of people had gathered near the steps leading to the town. "Kahuna Hala has returned!"
"Our guardian's chosen one is back!"
"Only one of the strongest Pokémon users in all Alola, yeah!"
"Have I missed something?" Hala asked as he walked over to the group.
"Naw, but where'd you go off to, Kahuna?" Kukui asked. "I thought we were meeting here!"
"I am the Kahuna of this island, after all. Whenever there is a problem on the island, it is my duty to resolve it." Hala replied. "Sorry Lillie. What were you saying before? For some reason, I thought I saw Tapu Koko flying about…."
"Yeah, it was crazy!" Kitty chimed in. "Emma was trying to save Nebby from a flock of Spearow and Tapu Koko saved her and Nebby!"
"Woo! That's something you don't hear everyday!" Kukui exclaimed. "Well done, Emma!"
"It...it was nothing," Emma insisted, trying to hide her bashful blushing.
"Ho! Although it is said to protect us, our Tapu Koko is a rather fickle creature!" Hala noted. "Yet our guardian was moved to save you." He then turned to Kukui. "Kukui, my boy, I think we may have cause to celebrate! It seems that I should entrust this brave and kind girl and her sister with Pokémon of their own! They'll make fine trainers!"
"REALLY!?" Both girls exclaimed. They couldn't believe it! For the first time, they could have a Pokémon of their own! They could finally go on their own journey!
"Of course!" Hala said as he pulled out three Pokéballs. "Come, my Pokémon! Let's have a look at you!" Out of the balls came three Pokémon that Emma and Kitty knew very well.
Rowlet, the Grass Quill Pokémon
Litten, the Fire Cat Pokémon
And Popplio, the Sea Lion Pokémon
"Who wants to go first?" Hala asked.
"Why don't you go first, Kit?" Emma offered. She had already seen her sister eyeing up one of the starters. Kitty gave her sister a hug and rushed right over to where the starters were.
"I want...this little guy!" Kitty declared as she pointed to Popplio.
"Bwark!"
"Looks like he likes you!" Kukui said with a laugh before turning to his oldest daughter. "Alright, Emma, you're up!" Emma walked over to the remaining two starters and looked them over.
"I think I'll take Litten," Emma replied.
"Only when you have both chosen each other can you truly call each other partners," Hala explained. Returning Rowlet to its Pokéball, he set Litten and Popplio on one side of the stage, while Emma and Kitty both went to the other side. "So let us see if little LItten and Popplio also decide to choose you two!" It was an intense stare down. The Pokémon were curious of the humans standing in front of them. Everyone watched, while Kukui just nodded. Litten and Popplio both ran to their new trainers smiling all the while.
"Aw," Emma smiled as she held up her new partner. Kitty was already snuggling a very happy Popplio.
"Mwraw!"
"Bwark!"
"Ho! So Litten and Popplio have accepted both of you as well!" Hala congratulated them as he walked over with Lillie and Kukui.
"Having accepted one another, you'll sure be friends for life!" Kukui chimed in.
"Pew!" Clearly Nebby had gotten out the bag again.
"Oh! When did you get out again?" Lillie wondered. "I know that Kahuna Hala and the professor will keep you safe from any harm, but you should still stay in the bag and out of sight. It's safer that way." She then turned back onto Emma and Kitty. "I think you both chose a wonderful Pokémon. Please take very good care of it."
"So are we trainers now?" Kitty asked.
"Of course you are!" Kukui declared. "Now, here's a gift from me and your mother to make it special." He then handed both of his daughters a Pokédex. "I think you both know what these are."
"Are these Pokédexes!?" Emma exclaimed. This was perfect! She could finally start doing more research! Kitty looked over Popplio's entry and was surprised to see that it was a female.
"Your new partners are already registered," Kukui replied, revealing the answer. He then handed them small booklets. "And these are Trainer Passports that we had put together for you."
"This is so awesome!" Kitty gushed. "Emma, you wanna have a battle with me?"
"Alright, let's do it!" Emma declared. They went to different sides of the platform. "Go Litten!"
"Go Popplio!" Kitty declared as the Pokémon stood in front of their trainers.
"Litten, use Scratch!" Emma ordered. Litten rushed forward.
"Popplio, dodge and use Water Gun!" Kitty ordered. Popplio did as she was told, dodging Litten's attack, but failed to land her own attack.
"Litten, try again!" Emma called out. This time, Litten did land an attack, knocking Popplio out. "Yes!"
"Good game, Emma," Kitty said as she returned Popplio to her Pokéball.
"That was an awesome match!" Hau declared as he raced over. "Rowlet's my partner now! I got him when you guys were battling!" The stones in Emma's bag then glowed.
"Hm? Emma…would you be so kind as to give me a look at those sparkling stones you have there?" Hala asked.
"Huh? Oh! Sure," Emma replied as she took the stones out of her bag.
"Could it be?!" Hala exclaimed as he looked over them.
"Tutu, isn't that…?" Hau began to ask, only for Hala to hold up his hand.
"You were rescued by Tapu Koko at the bridge-isn't that what I heard, Emma?" Hala asked.
"Yes, that's true," Emma answered.
"So, it even deigned to give you and your sister a stone…" Hala noted. "Perhaps this has a greater meaning then anything we could have pictured. Allow me to borrow the stones for now. Fret not! I will return it to you tomorrow evening."
"Of course! Feel free to take it!" Emma agreed. She trusted Hala.
"You two will be there for the festival tomorrow, right?" Hala asked.
"Of course! I love parties!" Kitty gushed.
"We'll be there," Emma promised.
"But for now, let's head home. Lillie, you too," Kukui said. "Wouldn't want you to lose that precious Pokémon again, would we?"
"Yes...I will keep an eye on-"
"Pew!"
"Maybe we should just tape Nebby to the bag," Emma dryly joked.
"Oh, you! Would you not try to escape the very moment you were told to wander off?!" Lillie snapped as everyone laughed.
Okay, so here are the reasons for each starter.
Emma/Litten: My favorite RR character and my favorite Alola started together.
Kitty/Popplio: Kitty would love Popplio's playful nature
Hau/Rowlet: I'm used to seeing Hau with a Rowlet, so he gets one.
Next time, they begin the journey for real. See you all then!