Gladion has never turned around faster anytime in his known lifetime.

If he was currently in one of Hau's stupid mini competitions, he might have won in terms of fight reflex. He has to squint a bit against the sun's glare, but he recognized the same fiery eyes that met his own four days ago. The guy was standing atop the police station, looking down on him with eerie interest. He did not seem to mind the heat if the blue and white bomber jacket was any indication. The bill of his black and red baseball cap obscured most of the right part of his face. Strands of blond hair peeked from the rim of his hat.

"You…!" Gladion growled. "You got guts to hang around a police station, especially when you're currently on the wanted list."

"Seems I have to thank you for that." The red-eyed teenager regarded him. "So, what are you going to do? Call the guy inside and have me arrested?" He tipped his cap with one hand. "I'd like to see you try. I doubt the Kahuna would even bat an eye."

Gladion glared at him as he reached for his belt. "No need." He took out Silvally's Pokéball and held it out before him. "I'll deal with you myself."

"Cute." He jutted his chin. "But I have my orders. What happened in Poni Island and Memorial Hill is just the beginning."

Gladion's grip tightened around the Pokéball. "So, you do know something about that incident..."

"Incident?" Humorless laughter bubbled up his throat. "That was no incident. You should know better than that, Mr. Future Aether President."

Gladion narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I wonder…" He tucked his hands inside the pockets of his bomber jacket and leaned forward. "How about we make a deal?" A small smile formed on his lips. "If you withdraw your search request for me in the police, I'll be willing to face you in this year's Alola League Championship."

"What?" Gladion asked incredulously. "What makes you think I'll agree to that?"

"Simple, really. If you win, I'll tell you everything that I know."

"Who are you, really?"

"My name is Sun." He held out a palm. "I'm just a messenger carrying out my boss' orders, though I believe that is none of your concern."

It IS one of his concerns. Gladion thought, but part of him knew that the guy would not answer even if he asked. Silvally's Pokéball wiggled in his hand. The artificial Pokémon is raring to go as he commands. He decided to do the next best thing. "What if I lose?"

"You will have to turn over the Legendary Beast of the Moone to me." The guy spoke so casually as if giving up a Pokémon who has the potential to destroy was not a big deal - as if Gladion was going to trade his Umbreon for a Pyukumuku.

"No!" It irritated Gladion, not because he was asked to gamble a Legendary Pokémon, but because Lunala has been an invaluable friend to many of them, especially Lillie...and her. "If you think I'll let someone like you get their hands on Lunala, think again!"

The change in the guy's expression was brief. What was it? Surprise? Admiration? Relief? It was so fast that Gladion thought it might be just a trick of the light. It melted back to apathy in a matter of milliseconds. "Your choice, then. I've given you enough warning as it is. Should Alola fall, it will be on your hands." He turned his back to him. "I'll be waiting, Mr. Future Aether President."

With that, the shadow of a large bird Pokémon fell upon him, and he disappeared in a whirlwind of dust and black feathers. Gladion stood there alone under the clouded sunlight with Silvally's Pokéball weighing heavily on his hand.


"Go, Tutu!" Hau hollered among the gathered crowd around the wooden stage in the middle of Iki Town. At the left edge of the stage were trial goers from the four islands hoping to get their stamps for the Island Challenge finally. Many of whom have one remaining Grand Trial to complete before being eligible to take on the League.

The past days have been crazy. Groups of trial goers come by the Kahunas' doorstep every day as the day of the eighth League championship approaches. Hau counted at least fourteen who came to take on Hala, and only a handful emerged victoriously. He expected less, but with the much-awaited event being open to the public for the second time, it seemed to have motivated every Trainer waiting their chance to get their hands on the Champion title. Of course, Hau intended to retain it as long as he could.

A loud cheer erupted from the crowd as Hala's Hariyama took down the last of the three chosen Pokémon of the challenger he was currently facing. The Trainer called back his Pokémon and shook hands with the Kahuna, promising to return once his team got stronger. A new trial goer stepped on the stage, and Hala called in Crabominable to lead the next battle.

"Kahuna Hala is so strong, isn't he?" Lillie said, nodding at the Kahuna. Hau invited her to watch the Grand Trial after he checked on with the Elite Four regarding the preparations for the League. It just so happened that Lillie had just finished with her tasks back in Aether Paradise.

"Of course!" Hau grinned as he placed his hands on the back of his head. "Otherwise, Tapu Koko wouldn't have chosen him as the Island Kahuna."

"That is true."

"So, how's Hapu's Trial?" Hau asked. "Did you pass?"

Lillie smiled cheerfully. "Yes. It was tough, but Shiron and I managed to get through it."

"Kyuu!" Shiron wiggled in her arms and swiped her paw at the magenta Z-Power Ring around her Trainer's wrist, where the Groundium Z was nestled comfortably on the top.

Hau's eyes glittered in pure excitement. "Just one more Grand Trial, and you can enter the League." He engulfed his girlfriend in a big hug. "I can't wait!"

"H-Hau!" Lillie blushed furiously. "W-We're watching a Grand Trial!"

"I don't care!" Hau laughed as he nuzzled against her hair. "I'm just so proud of my girlfriend!"

"Geez…" Lillie buried her face on his chest, enjoying the warmth of the second Alolan Champion. Shiron yipped happily in her arms as another cheer erupted from the crowd. The couple promptly pulled away from each other and watched as Hala's Machamp dealt a powerful blow against the trial goer's last Pokémon - an Alolan Persian. The dark-type Pokémon managed to get back up, but it will not last long with the way it was staggering.

"No…I can't!" The trial goer curled his fists. "I made it this far. I'm not going to leave without completing this Grand Trial! Dammit!" He furiously rummaged from his bag and pulled out what seemed to be a black Z- Crystal. He placed it on his Z-Power Ring and grinned. "Let's see what this Z-Crystal can do."

"Alright, Persian. Time to power up!" He raised his arm to the air, and the Z-Crystal glowed in purple light. The light was absorbed into the Z-Crystal before it was released and infused with Alolan Persian. Purple aura swirled around the Pokémon, and the trial goer grinned. "Let's see if you can take us out now, Kahuna! Let's go, Persian! Use Night Slash!"

"MROWR!" The Alolan Persian ran and pounced at its opponent. Its glowing claws slashed down at Machamp, and the Superpower Pokémon staggered back, clutching at his shoulder. Hala shouted for his Pokémon to dodge, but Alolan Persian was already unto its opponent. The dark-type Pokémon slammed against Machamp, and the impact threw the Fighting-type off the stage.

The crowd roared in approval. The trial goer pumped his fist into the air as he cherished his victory. He ran down the stage to meet with his Pokémon but was stopped short. Machamp has fainted with his back on the dusty ground - the claw marks glowing a violent hue of purple against its grey skin. Looming over it, with its claws raised in for the kill, was Alolan Persian.

"Stop! What are you doing?" The trial goer rushed in to stop his Pokémon. "The battle's over! We won."

The Alolan Persian turned in the direction of its Trainer and snarled. The purple aura surrounding it grew more prominent by the second, and the Pokémon ran toward the trial goer with its claws out. Cheers turned to screams, and the exhilaration turned into fear and adrenaline. The crowd broke apart as people, both young and old, scrambled away from the stage in terror.

The trial goer staggered away from his Pokémon. His eyes were wide in panic, disbelief, and horror as he cradled his bleeding arm. The Alolan Persian stalked forward as it readied for another attack. It launched itself with eyes narrowed down on the human. Just in time, a pair of strong hands grabbed the Trainer out of harm's way as a blur of green and beige slammed against the berserk Pokémon. The Alolan Persian hit a tree and fell sprawled on the ground. It recovered slowly, snarling and hissing with its fur bristling. Across it, Hala managed to drag the trial goer farther from the berserk Pokémon. Hau ran to his grandfather's side, Lillie following right at his heels. Hau surveyed the battlefield as Lillie knelt to the trial goer's side and inspected his wounds. Her trusty first-aid kit is right by her side.

"Tutu! What's happening?"

Hala shook his head as he turned in the direction of the Alolan Persian. "I do not know." Beside him, the trial goer winced in pain as Lillie gently dabbed an alcohol-filled cotton ball on his wounded arm. Unlike Machamp, his wounds did not glow an eerie purple. Lillie mumbled a quiet apology and resumed treating his injuries. "But we must stop it before it hurts others."

Alolan Persian snarled and pounced at Hau's Decidueye, but the Arrow Quill Pokémon was a more experienced fighter than it is. He heeded his Trainer's command and launched upward. His wings glowed in vibrant green as he rushed to his opponent and slashed at its stomach. The force was so powerful that it sent the Alolan Persian barreling to the wooden wall of a nearby house. It tried to stand up again, but Hau beat it to it.

"Decidueye! Use Smack Down!"

An orb of golden light appeared in front of Decidueye before launching it. It hit its target, and fragments of rocks followed and pummeled the Classy Cat Pokémon. Alolan Persian mewled in pain as it was pounded to the ground and finally went down to the count. It dropped to the ground, battered and unconscious.

Lillie broke the tense silence that followed. "Is it…over?" She whispered.

Hau finally let out a sigh of relief. "Yeah…I guess so." Decidueye flew to his eyes and let out a croon. Hau reached out and petted its head. "Thanks, buddy."

Hala helped the trial goer to his feet. "I'm going to bring him to the hospital. As for you two-" He looked at the Champion and the professor's assistant and handed Machamp's Pokéball. Hau recognized the expression on his grandfather's face – one that belongs to a Kahuna.

Hau nodded in firm understanding. "We know. Leave it us."


I went for Hau picking Rowlet as his starter instead of Litten. It made more sense for Kukui to have an Incineroar than a Decidueye. Of course, Primarina went to Moon because why not? The relationship between the moon and water (if you prefer, the tides) and the fact I chose Popplio as my starter just screams to me to do it.