"A young man with red eyes and blond hair, you say?" Hala placed a hand on his chin as he thought. "I don't remember having a trial goer like that."

The second day of the League tournament started more than two hours ago. From where Gladion stood, he could hear the loud cheers as the ongoing match stirred the crowd in a wild frenzy. If he estimated right, the current competition is already the fifth. He already heard the news of Guzma, Kiawe, and Lana winning and Professor Samson losing his match. He peered at his phone where the e-mail sent by the League last night was left on display.

To Gladion,

Alola! Congratulations on qualifying for the second day of the eighth Alolan League championship! Here is the lineup for the eight official matches for tomorrow:

First Match: Ilima vs. Guzma

Second Match: Kiawe vs. Oluolu

Third Match: Lana vs. Mallow

Fourth Match: Sophocles vs. Samson

Fifth Match: Mina vs. Pikala

Sixth Match: Gladion vs. Ryuki

Seventh Match: Lillie vs. Tristan

Eighth Match: Sun vs. Plumeria

Each contestant is required to call out three Pokémon only in this round. Make sure to stay within the stadium's premises before your match. Your opponent will win by default if you are absent within the first fifteen minutes of your official match. Thank you and do your best!

- Alolan League Confederation

Gladion shoved his phone in his pocket and focused back on the Kahuna of Melemele Island. His match with a guy named Ryuki is next but gathering information regarding what Molayne told them yesterday takes priority. This might be his only opportunity to gather most of the Kahunas and Trial Captains in one place within the duration of the tournament. He could wait after the championship, but Sun seemed to be the kind of person that does not stay in one place and let any trace of his presence linger longer than necessary.

"Molayne told us that Sophocles never had Sun as a trial goer," Gladion explained. "I'm sorry for asking this but are all you sure none of you fought him before?"

"Not that I know of," Hapu answered. "If I did, I would have remembered."

"I'd been busy as of the late," Olivia admitted. "However, should that boy be a danger to Alola, we would know. The Tapus will never let a threat go unchecked."

Gladion frowned, running his hand through his hair. "If he didn't do the island challenge, then there's no way he would be able to participate in the League."

"But he did." Hau pointed out. "According to Miss Kahili, the documents he submitted were complete. He has the island challenge amulet, Z-Power Ring, Z-Crystals…everything! How did he even get them if he didn't do the island challenge?"

They looked at each other thoughtfully until Olivia spoke up. "…Unless he has someone to lend them to him." They all whipped their heads to the Rock-type Elite Four member. "Think about this. He has them, but none of us remembered him taking any of the Trials. There have been no reports of a trial goer losing theirs either. The only conclusion we can draw is that someone willingly lent theirs to Sun."

"But that is still a breach of the rules!" Hapu crossed her arms. A look of infuriation in her eyes. "Not only that, it goes against the Alolan traditions. It's a sign of disrespect!"

"Without a doubt." Hala agreed and turned to Olivia. "The League must investigate this matter. If that boy is indeed guilty and so do any accomplices, we must take necessary actions. We cannot let such actions stain the integrity of the region, and the traditions passed to us by the Tapus."

Olivia nodded. "We'll get in touch with the police, see if Nanu has found anything in their investigation. For the rest of you," She swept her eyes on the gathered Trial Captains and fellow Kahunas. "be vigilant. We already have another Ultra Beasts dilemma in our hands. We cannot let any illegal activity go under our noses. If you have any information, tell us immediately. Understood?"

They all nodded. Olivia gestured for her Trial Captains and ushered them to speak privately while the others returned to their respective seats in the stadium. Acerola waved goodbye to Gladion, which the young man returned with a nod. The Ghost-type Elite Four skipped in her steps as she hurried after Ilima. Gladion felt a firm hand settle on his shoulder, and he looked behind him to see the Kahuna of Melemele Island.

"It will be fine," Hala told him. "The Tapus chose us to become stewards to Alola, and we intend to do so. Not just for its people and Pokémon, but to protect what she has fought for to save."

Gladion knew who the Kahuna was referring to, but he wondered how the old man could still hold her in such high regard. Especially after she left without a word. Hala seemed to read his thoughts, and he gave him a gentle squeeze. "The Tapus has chosen her for a reason. The Legendary Beast of the Moone has accompanied and lent its power to her for a reason. Nothing happens, and no one is chosen without reason. Just like how Silvally chose you as its most trusted partner."

Then, what is her reason for abandoning everything? He wanted to ask, but he doubted that even the Kahuna had an answer. The rest of the League did not expect Moon to resign out of the blue and have no idea why, so what difference would it make if he asked Hala?

"Don't lose faith, child." The Fighting-type Kahuna said. His kind voice a reminiscent of a father. "She will return. Maybe not today, but someday. But for now," He patted him on the back as the fifth match concluded, and the stadium was filled with the approving roar of the crowd. "Keep fighting."


Plumeria had many enemies back when Team Skull was roaming Alola and has taken over Po Town. She has learned to deal with it or, even better, not care about it all. Society has no need for trash like her – people who have failed the island challenge or have given up on life in general. The only one who gave them a home…and a family was Guzma. For years, she worked hard to prove herself and placed her loyalty on Guzma. She became his right-hand woman, and the big sister the grunts come running to when they get a massive beatdown.

When Gladion came around, he annoyed her, but she tried to understand. She quickly became used to the distant and aloof boy who rarely gets himself involved with the other members nor stays in Po Town more than necessary. When she found out a new kid from a foreign region was taking down her brothers and sisters left and right, she made sure to go out of her way to threaten her. Of course, the kid was stubborn as hell and kept it to herself to make Team Skull a part of her business to the point she became the reason they were driven out of Po Town, and Team Skull was officially disbanded. Despite being the worst pain in the ass, the kid, Moon, became a trusted ally, friend, and little sister in the end.

Plumeria thought Moon was the worst problem she would ever face, but now, looking at the boy standing across her on the battlefield, she resisted the strong urge to lunge at him and slam him against the wall. The damn kid was looking around with a bored expression on his face as if he were not in a championship tournament right now. His hands were tucked in his pockets, and his cap barely hid the upper part of his face.

Now, she understands Gladion's frustration about this guy. Something about him rubs her the wrong way. She could not point out what exactly, but she sure as hell that taking down the boy would be more than just simply satisfying.

"Hey, you!" The boy's red eyes flickered to her, but there was no change in his expression. "I don't know what your deal is, but I don't like how you're strutting around like you own people."

The boy has the audacity to raise an eyebrow and feign ignorance. "I don't know why that is any of your business."

"It is my business." Plumeria shot back. "I don't like how you're treating my friends, and I don't like how you're acting like you own this place. Learn your place, kiddo. This is not your turf to mess with. No one owns Alola."

There was a flash in the boy's eyes that came so quickly that Plumeria almost missed. She barely heard his quiet response. "We'll see."

"Contestants!" Olivia called out. It has not gone unnoticed to Plumeria how the eyes of the Rock-type Elite Four member lingered longer on Sun. "Bring out your first Pokémon!"

Plumeria pulled out a Pokéball and called out her first Pokémon. "Come out, Crobat!"

Sun tipped his hat and threw his Pokéball with little zeal. "Come, Corviknight." A large, armored, black bird Pokémon came out and screeched. His large wings blew a gust of dust across the battlefield as he landed before his Trainer.

"It seemed Plumeria has chosen Crobat as her first Pokémon while Sun has chosen Corviknight!" The tournament announcer said. "For spectators and participants alike, Corviknight is a Pokémon not found in the Alola region. Rather, it is native in the region of Galar. Corviknight is a Steel and Flying-type Pokémon, and given its dual-typing, Crobat is at a disadvantage!"

There was a loud Oooh! from the crowd, and it was expected. Plumeria has not seen any Pokémon like it and has never had an opportunity to fight it before. However, no matter impressive it may be, she still plans to take down this arrogant boy once and for all. She did not go through hell and back just to be beaten up by the likes of him.

Olivia raised the side of her hand as she called out. "Contestants!" She brought her hand down in a swift, chopping gesture. "Let the match begin!"

Plumeria seized the chance for the first move. "Crobat, Fly!" Crobat immediately launched to the sky and headed straight toward Corviknight. Her body flared in light blue as she surged toward the Raven Pokémon.

"Corviknight, Iron Defense." Corviknight screeched as his body glowed and glinted like steel. Crobat's assault was deflected, sending the Bat Pokémon flying back. But before Crobat could fully recover, Sun called out an order. "Grab it."

Corviknight launched himself and snatched the poor Crobat mid-air with his sharp talons. Crobat shrieked and tried to struggle free, but her cries were swiftly drowned when Corviknight threw the Bat Pokémon to the ground. His black wings dispersed the dust as he hovered above his opponent.

"Crobat!" Plumeria was about to give an order, but Sun beat her to it.

"Body Press."

Corviknight immediately responded to his Trainer's order and flew higher. His black body began to swirl in orange light as he nosedived straight to the staggering Crobat. The impact shook the battlefield as a new storm of dust swept over the stadium. Plumeria covered her eyes as dust blew past her. She coughed out Crobat's name as the dust slowly settled down.

"C-Crobat!" Her eyes searched wildly for one of her partners, and she was greeted with a fainted Crobat lying still on the middle of the battlefield.

"Crobat is unable to battle! Corviknight wins!" Olivia announced.

The crowd roared as Plumeria recalled Crobat to her Pokéball. "Thank you. You did your best." Her lungs still burned from the dust as her eyes flitted to Corviknight, which landed before his Trainer and Sun looking more bored than he was before the beginning of the match.

Plumeria clicked her tongue. Tsk! She pulled out her second Pokéball and threw it into the air. "It's your turn, Muk!" The Sludge Pokémon appeared before her. Psychedelic colors pulsating on her oozy form.

"Plumeria called out Muk as her second Pokémon!" The announcer said. "Let's see if they can break through Corviknight's solid defenses!"

"We'll take it down, alright! Muk, Rock Slide!" The white shards on Alolan Muk's body began to glow, and an orb of light formed before her. The light streaked to the sky, and rocks rained down the battlefield.

Sun glanced at Corviknight, and without a word from his Trainer, the Raven Pokémon launched to the sky and weaved through the falling rocks. "U-turn." Corviknight's wings glowed in a white, and he slashed against Alolan Muk. His opponent's health bar slid down to half on the screen, and Corviknight returned to his Pokéball in a flash of red. Another light flared in blue, and Dragapult took Corviknight's position on the battlefield.

"Look at that! Sun switched out Corviknight using U-Turn and revealed Dragapult as his second Pokémon!" The announcer explained as the list of Sun's Pokémon in the match updated on the screen. "If anyone remembered yesterday's preliminary round, Sun chose Dragapult as his partner Pokémon. Like Corviknight, it is native in the Galar region and has a dual-typing of Dragon and Ghost!"

Clever tactic, kiddo. Plumeria thought. But it will change nothing. "Toxic!"

Poisonous fumes shrouded Alolan Muk, and one of her sludgy arms lurched toward her opponent. Sun, however, seemed to be unconcerned and called out an order. Dragapult moved little from his spot as a ball of swirling flames formed from his maw. The fireball launched straight to Alolan Muk and dispersed into a five-point flaming star as it hit its target. Alolan Muk staggered back as the attack took down her remaining health.

"Muk is unable to battle!" Olivia declared. "Dragapult wins!"

Plumeria gritted her teeth. This kid-! She looked up to glare at the boy, but when Sun met her eyes, a chill went up to her spine. Something about those red eyes felt familiar…like she had seen that look before and never wanted to see it again. At that moment, she knew this kid was not someone to mess with, and the gap between their strength was beyond tremendous. With trembling hands, she recalled Alolan Muk to her Pokéball.

"Your next Pokémon…." Sun started after a moment. His unnerving eyes never left hers. "It would be Salazzle, isn't it?"

Plumeria would be lying if she said she did not flinch the slightest. The boy became infuriating to terrifying within minutes, and it reminded her of Moon. Yes, that is right. Moon. The First Alolan Champion is usually bubbly, reckless, and nosy - always poking her nose in other people's business when she was supposed not to – but rarely angered. She could still remember that one time, that only one time, she witnessed an angry Moon. The kid was mad at Guzma for being an idiot for joining Lusamine in Ultra Space and several other reasons even Plumeria was mad about. Moon challenged Guzma to a battle and floored him with just one Pokémon of her own. She remembered the way her usually sparkling eyes darkened, and her voice became so quiet it might be a whisper. At that moment, Plumeria felt that she was being suffocated and there was no way out.

"Don't do that again."

That is all Moon told him. Those four words were all that left her lips before storming off and leaving an unsaid promise of not forgiving him the second time should he try to pull off a stupid stunt like that again. Facing against Sun, it was the same feeling, but something about Sun that makes him more dangerous…like he knows exactly what she was thinking and hiding and like he knows her longer than Plumeria knows him.

Plumeria swallowed the lump in her throat. No. She should not let him get through her. She glanced behind her where her little brothers and sisters were shouting encouragement to her. Their voices seemed muted amidst the blood roaring in her ears. Then, her eyes met Guzma.

That is right. Plumeria told herself. She was the one who told him to join again. She knows that whether she wins or loses, they will not judge her. Guzma will not judge her. No one will judge her and tell her off. They will remain her family. Hell, even the Kahunas and Trial Captains have become part of their dysfunctional family. She has a place where she belongs.

Plumeria let out a breath and smiled. Guzma nodded at her encouragingly as their former grunts kept on with their raucous cheers. "GO, BIG SIS! SHOW THAT KID WHO'S THE BEST!"

Plumeria chuckled lightly and reminded herself to take them out for dinner after this. She turned back to her opponent, who seemed amused – at least, that is what it looked like to her. The damn cap made it difficult to read the kid's expression.

"Let's finish this, kiddo! No more holding back!" She threw her last Pokéball into the air. "I choose you, Salazzle!" The Toxic Lizard Pokémon stood proud and tall as she studied her opponent with purple, slitted eyes. Dragapult flicked his tail as he returned Salazzle's gaze.

"Salazzle, Dragon Pulse!" Salazzle crouched on all fours and opened her mouth. A multi-colored ball of light swirled from her mouth and fired off as a dragon-shaped beam toward Dragapult.

Sun tipped his hat. "Counter it." Dragapult unleashed another Fire Blast, which collided with Salazzle's Dragon Pulse. Plumeria did not wait for the resulting smoke from the collision to dissipate and took advantage of the momentary pause to call out an attack. Salazzle rushed toward her opponent and leaped to the air. She opened her mouth and unleashed a barrage of brown blobs. Dragapult barely has time to react and avoid the Sludge Bomb. One hit successfully, leaving the Stealth Pokémon poisoned.

Salazzle flicked her tail triumphantly as her magenta markings flared. "Well done, Salazzle!" Plumeria smirked as Dragapult wobbled at its side of the battlefield. "Follow up with Dragon Pulse!"

Salazzle opened her maw, but before her attack could reach Dragapult, Sun's voice cut through. "U-turn."

Dragapult let out a shrill cry and, despite his status ailment, weaved nimbly away from the Dragon move and headbutted his wing-shaped head against Salazzle. The Toxic Lizard skidded back at the impact, and Dragapult switched out in a flash of red. Corviknight returned to his place on the battlefield, and he did not waste time waiting for his Trainer's order. The Raven Pokémon swooped toward his opponent and grabbed her by his talons.

"…Body Press."

Corviknight dropped Salazzle mid-air and nosedived toward the flailing Pokémon. The battlefield shook upon impact, and Plumeria stood stunned as the dust around them settled down. It happened so fast that she did not have time to give out an order to Salazzle. The kid's Pokémon acted without more than one order from its Trainer as if it knew what Sun was thinking beforehand. How…?

Olivia walked gingerly toward Salazzle and slowly raised her hand. "Salazzle is unable to battle, and Plumeria has no Pokémon remaining!" She gestured reluctantly at the kid. "Sun wins this match!"


I love Team Skull. Don't question it.