Alola readers, it's Brav back with another chapter ready and waiting for your approval. This one is one I've been waiting for a long time to finally release and I know some of you have too, especially since it contains the long anticipated formal debut of a particular character. Was going to get this released earlier today, however I stayed behind to work extra hours during a chaotic rush due to some nasty weather in the Midwest. All you readers out there stay warm.

Now because of said character; this chapter has a higher-than-normal dosage of profanity and suggestive stuff. That is all.


It was the day before the Festivus and we decided to go back to the city. I saw a nice ramen shop in the Wo Fat district where Elio agreed to take me for dinner. Before we could get back though, he had to stop by and see Professor Kukui in Malie Garden.

I didn't think we'd run into so many members of Team Skull though.


The Exeggutor Express shuttle rolled to a stop by a long pole with an icon at the top to indicate a terminus for the line.

Elio looked outside, seeing that it was their stop and he turned to see if Lillie noticed. However her head was leaning against his shoulder and locks of her gold hair spilled onto his side. Her body rose and fell as she breathed steadily in a rhythm of quiet sleep.

He didn't blame her at all; their ride from Mountaintop to Malie City was two and a half hours long. Despite the bus' comfortable leather seating, his own butt became stiff from sitting for so long and he barely noticed his companion using him as a pillow.

Now he didn't want to move at all in case he accidentally woke her up.

She looks so...beautiful sleeping like that.

"City Centre stop." The bus' PA droned on the speakers overhead.

"That's us." Elio finally moved and grabbed their bags from the overhead bins, careful not to disturb Nebby. "Lillie, we're here."

"Five more minutes." A groan came back.

"Five more minutes and you'll be at the Waterfront station. Come on, I'm not carrying you. You're way too heavy."

"That's not how you talk to a lady." She retorted.

Elio opened his mouth to say something snarky, but halted himself. She was right after all.

Yeah that was kind of unwarranted.

"Hey kid," The driver said tersely from the front, turning around in his seat. "You gettin' off or what? I gotta keep my schedule here."

"Yeah we're gonna get off!" Elio ignored the stares he got from the few other passengers on the vehicle. "Come on Lillie, we can find somewhere for you to sleep like your hotel."

"Ugh fine." The blonde looked up into the overhead bins for her duffel. "Where's Nebby's bag?"

"I got it here."

"Okay, we're good. Let's go and-"

"PEW!" Nebby cooed from inside. Before any of them could react, Elio was covered in a white light before winking out of existence. Lillie felt a strange lightheaded feeling before it overtook her as well.

Sun blinked, now finding himself at the bottom of the bus' stair ramp.

"Nebby? What did you do? Where's Lillie?"

"Pew!"

"Huh?" He glanced around, only to see a blur of someone in a white dress barrel into his side. Elio only had a split second to open his arms and catch her crashing into his arms, staggering back a couple of steps to arrest her momentum.

"Hey," Lillie's own mind must've been playing tricks on her when she glanced up into Elio's eyes.

Was his voice always like that? He sounds...husky...and I think it's kind of...dreamy and alluring.

"Hey."

"You two lovebirds done flirting? You good?" The driver called, watching the whole thing from his seat.

Elio waved him off and relaxed as the doors were shut and the shuttle accelerated down the quiet street.

"Hey Lillie."

"Yeah?"

"You can let go of me. You're not crashing into anything."

"Oh." Her face reddened and she was grateful for her hat to hide much of it. "Sorry."

"It's okay. You're not going to wipeout on me are you?"

She shook her head. "If I do, I'm pulling you with me."

"Oh no you're not." They both stared at each other for a second before bursting into laughter.

"I will! Don't test me!"

"Girlfriend, you ain't getting nothin'!" The title of what he called her had gone over his head without him knowing.

As their laughter died down, she bent over, resting her hands on her knees. "So then are we headed to see Professor Kukui at the garden?"

"Yeah. We're on Banyan Street, so all we do is follow it east and we're there."

"Alright! Lead the way," she leaned close to his back as they began walking in that direction. "Brah."


The time of the day was closing to late afternoon and it seemed that the normal dour overcast weather Malie was known for actually wasn't happening this time around. The sun shone brightly on a rare clear day and Elio was certainly appreciative of it.

There was a saying that visiting the Malie City Garden whenever the sun was out caused it to glow and take on an entirely different appearance.

The constant raindrops and gray drab of the normal weather concealed an incredible intricate detail that could be seen from above.

Elio wouldn't know of it until another time though. But he did enjoy the much more vibrant rich coloring the Garden's structures had along with the tiny detailed dark carvings inside the structures that showed the careful craftsmanship that was put into their construction.

They say that this place has some sort of secret. Maybe if we see it from another perspective.

Banyan Street's business had just begun to die down. Much of the traffic was reduced to one lane operational prior to the Festivus kicking off tomorrow night. He could now see that colorful blue and purple banners close to the lights had been erected, stretching up high above the road. The city's docks were empty of the usual venues and instead he was able to see long lines of multicolored tent canopies that had been set up. Apparently there were so many things to do that were similar to what he'd find at a carnival. Activities, games, food stands, pretty much everything to do would be available.

It was the talk of the town too. As they walked with other passerbys, many people were talking to friends and relatives if they planned to go to this event. Although it was a significant one to the people of Draconid heritage, he caught word that one individual long ago held an important place in Alola's history as well.

His name...we were told about it in the library. Locha...something.

Guess we'll find out tomorrow.

It wasn't hard to spot the landmark of where the Malie Garden started. The banyan trees parted to an entrance on their left, allowing a purposeful patch of sunlight to filter through and illuminate the entrance in a convenient fashion.

"That's amazing." Lillie breathed, seeing it too.

"Almost like an entrance to heaven. You don't see stuff like that unless it's a movie."

"Shall we?"

Elio noticed a rather large amount of people in the front area when they entered. There was a lot of worried whispers as everyone seemed drawn to something that must've been happening when the and Lillie approached. She stuck close to his side instinctively, holding Nebby's bag tightly. His arm slipped protectively into hers, although he had no conscious memory of doing so.

Huh, definitely odd that Professor Kukui has drawn a crowd like this. Elio thought to himself as he approached the bridge that went over the first curved body of water that cut through the landmark.. He supposed that much of the people could've been attributed to the Festivus happening that evening and just were here to hang out until it was time for the celebrations to start. It wasn't the first time people showed up to a hyped up event early on. Like most times, bystanders would do as their title suggested; stand and gawk at whatever was happening.

The people were murmuring amongst themselves louder than before and parted when he squeezed through gaps, keeping his female companion in tow. More than a few sets of parents were already escorting their children away from the center of it all, ignoring their curious questions and widened eyes. Elio kept through them all, continuing to push and shove his way through until he got to the front.

Professor Kukui's familiar white lab coat swayed in the wind and he straightened his rainbow arch cap while staring at the group opposite him with a rather grim expression on his normally jovial face. He stood roughly twenty feet upfront in a gap that everyone surrounded in a semi circle. Glancing about, he saw that there was another gap in between sides, as if two teams on opposite benches giving space. By some sort of intervention, he had turned around, spotting Elio and Lillie in the crowd and gave a subtle hat tip.

He returned the gesture with his own, glaring at the group standing opposite his mentor.

"Yo yo what up Mister Kukui?" The first of the grunts from the infamous Team Skull approached, waving his hands around in their usual unimpressive swagger.

Elio resisted the urge to roll his eyes, much like everyone else. Aside from Brady Wainwright's two brothers, he had seen a lot more of the hooligans hanging around the outskirts of Malie City. So far, nowhere in the public tourist areas since that seemed to have a bigger police presence as well as strong trainers not worth picking on.

Most of the ranks in the mix of black, silver and white opposite were rather unfamiliar to him, but he did recognize Cayden and Jackson, both with cans of spray paint clipped to the belts of their sagging pants. His own heart sank at the thought that they had vandalized some spot in the Malie Garden. "Ya here promotin' dis dumb league of yours again. Ya got rocks in ya skull or somethin'?"

"Yeah. Ya know it's gonna just be a joke right?" Another one said as he sauntered up beside his partner. He had multiple metal piercings through his ears and nose that looked rather unnatural. When he bared his teeth in a grin, Sun could see the flash of grills inside. He shivered. "Ya puttin' on all dis glory and fame while the rest of us rejects get swept under the rug. Again right?"

Elio had to give Kukui a lot of credit for not budging much.

He noticed the professor's eyes closed and his relaxed unmoving posture; in a heated confrontation with Team Skull, he was unwavering like the ponds in the garden itself. That credit of not budging was definitely due.

Kukui's brown eyes flicked open as if exiting meditation and his expression was indescribable. Elio thought he was going to make some joke or move pun, but to his surprise and everyone else's...he held up a hand that extended four fingers.

"Four turns!"

The two brazen thugs looked at one another before back at their cohorts than then back at him to shook their heads fervently in puzzlement "Uh what?"

"Bring it on, the both of you! I've been researching pokemon attacks my whole time! Oh yeah! All while mantine surfing with one foot! I'll take you both on...in fact, I'll take all of you on! After all, you gotta beat the man to be the man!"

"What's what supposed to mean?" One of them asked.

"It means we're so screwed! He isn't supposed to stand his ground!"

"Yo we totally messed up! I want a redo!"

"Go get 'em Professor Kukui!" Someone in the non-Skull crowd shouted

"Yeah teach these nimwits they're wrong!"

As the cries of encouragement from the crowd kept going; Elio spotted a familiar tan skinned boy in the crowd just a few feet down and waved. Hau looked around uncertainly, but managed to shoulder his way over to them.

"Hey you two," he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Figured I'd run into you somewhere close by with the Festivus happening."

"Sup Hau?" The two boys bumped fists and did their usual handshake while he nodded politely at Lillie.

"Not much. Just wondering what you guys are doing for the Festivus."

"Oh...we were planning to maybe have a nice dinner and go to it tomorrow night. Are you going?"

"Why wouldn't I be? It's only one of the best celebrations they have here on Ula'ula Island! I wouldn't miss it for anything!" He leaned closer. "Um...do you guys think Leilani is going too?"

Elio narrowed his eyes. "I don't know. I haven't heard from her since she was discharged from the hospital."

He pictured her still attached to some strange tubed machine, still in some sort of medication or therapy. Tentacruel stings didn't heal overnight.

"Things have been awkward for us. I was hoping she would come...but at the same time. You know...not."

"Awkward?" Lillie asked. "What do you mean?"

"I...may have...you know...kissed her." Hau stammered. "Look, I was confused and angry at the whole situation and I did the first thing I could think of."

"Wow." Lillie almost had a dreamy look in her eyes. "I can't believe you did that."

"Me neither." Elio said.

"Actually, I'll text her." She pulled out her phone. "I'll see if she's going to go or not and I'll let you know."

As Lillie pulled away to the edge of the crowd, Elio and Hau looked back towards the commotion.

"What's going on here?" He asked.

"Professor Kukui was going to make an official announcement of the Alola Pokemon League he's been trying to establish." Hau made a disgruntled face at all the thugs standing opposite him. "Then all those Team Skull people came in and crashed the whole thing. They ruined it!"

"Doesn't seem like they're going to go very far," Elio motioned all around them, where the crowd was beginning to get fired up. On the opposite end; the two grunts paled, clearly not expecting this hostile of a reaction.

"Wait." One of the grunts stopped and put a hand to his ear. "Is dat what I think it is?"

"No way!" His partner listened too, amidst the shouting of the masses. "It's da boss!" Their confident smirks returned and they glared menacingly at Kukui. "You are so screwed now!"

Elio heard something else too. A rapid thumping of a beatbox along with a male voice of deep lyrics that fit the Skull's outlaw motif.

Naturally, almost everyone in the crowd turned back to the entrance of the garden. Now there were even more associates of Team Skull and they blocked the entrance, boxing everyone in between their ranks.

"Mommy, I'm scared." Elio heard one small girl say to her mother.

The other grunts that were already butting heads with Kukui cheered as their second team stepped back, allowing a man much older and taller than most of them to step through.

"It's Guzma." Someone murmured.

"The boss of Team Skull."

"The most feared man to ever walk Alola."

"Locally hated."

The man called Guzma looked to be just as tall as the professor. Unlike him though, who had an open expression and carried his head high; Guzma's maintained a permanent scowl and he moved with the twitchiness of a stalking liepard. His gray eyes darted around to the people watching him, but paid little to no attention to anyone except Kukui in front of him.

Elio swore he could see blood visibly draining from the professor's face.

Guzma wore a white muscle shirt underneath an old jagged stripe black jacket. His pants matched it, bagging around his legs to the point he had to wear a silver gilded belt to keep them up. Metal jingled around his neck and there were several long chained bling necklaces, one of which looked to be the emblem of Team Skull. His hair was a scraggly white, unkempt behind a pair of gold rimmed sunglasses.

His muscular arms were blanketed with Team Skull themed tattoos, many of them painted in black and white. He did see a bit of cursive writing on one of them. Although Guzma moved his arms as he steadily advanced unimpeded towards Kukui, he managed to read the inscription.

His left arm said, "You are a victim of the rules you live by"

Guzma gave his opposite a wicked smile, closing his glaring eyes.

"Battle Royale huh? That's actually a nice idea Kukui! Go and beat down three pokemon at once!"

Nobody seemed to react to that, but Guzma's low gravelly voice had an acidic edge that sent a chill down Elio's spine. His tone was laden with malice, threat and above all of that...pure hatred.

Every alarm in his head was going off about this man who stared at his mentor in the eye and never backed down a single inch.

No wonder he's the boss.

"It's the hated boss that beats you down and beats you down and never lets up!" Guzma's face turned into a hateful sneer again. "Big bad Guzma is here!"

He whirled around and spread his arms out. "Greetings all ya pitiful cowering public! We've got an exciting bout for you tonight as our main event! In one corner, we got the esteemed professor Kukui himself! And in the other corner, it's the boss of Team Skull and the hardest guy around! Guzma!"

The Team Skull boss made a gargled sound in his mouth before launching a wad of spit on the stone path. He had done this directly in front of a sign that displayed the rules while in the garden.

Prohibited of spitting on the ground was one of said rules.

Instead of the cheers and ovations Elio would see at the Battle Royal Dome, he was greeted with hasty boos and jeers from the bystanders. He cupped his mouth and joined in, feeling the same way a dirty play was made on the basketball court when he went to 'Canes games.

The hardest guy around? Shouldn't you have worded that differently?

"Guzma," All the warmth in his voice left instantly. Kukui's eyes were narrowed and his own posture was abrasive, as if expecting a confrontation to not go well. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a big announcement?" Guzma turned around, spreading his arms. "Why would I ever want to miss this? Ya about to say something the entire Alola region wants to hear! Are we not invited?"

"Guzma, I.."

"And ya never considered inviting your friend...your brother to this? I must say that I'm deeply disappointed in ya." He stuck out his lip in a pout, although the glare in his eyes betrayed the projected sympathy. "Guess there's no love lost huh?"

"I guess not." Kukui folded his arms, trying not to escalate the situation. "I'm here to do business. So if you're here to be civil and not a disturbance, fine. If not, then leave."

"Ya gonna let me down? Again? C'mon brah, here the two of us stand...as fellow rejects who could never become Trial Captains. We could've been so much more in this. Now ya want to repay the system that screwed us both."

"I'm not repaying it." Kukui answered sharply. "I'm honoring my heritage as an alolan."

"Ya don't see it do you Emilio?" He was getting a riled reaction for sure by using his first name, furrowed eyebrows and a gaze that was possibly harder than expected. "Here we have these moldy old traditions; kahunas, captains...it's time we cut that outdated garbage off our hands and make something new for ourselves. Trust me I get that."

"So you're saying we should do away with the island challenge?"

"Why not? A week after ya completed it, ya were all famous and everyone wanted to be your pal. After that; ya got zero recognition! Zero fame from it all...and it's supposed to be the greatest thing us as children would go through in a rite of passage to be "responsible adults" We're forgettable despite everyone telling us we aren't. Truth be told...Alolan people don't give a flying fuck. It's all survival of the fittest out here. Cull the weak so the strong may survive. If we all get stronger, it's for the greater good. If we're weak...then everyone is spared our weakness. The cycle is damn vicious and it's never going to get better unless we do something about it."

Elio watched the exchange between the two. Their own voices were starting to get heated and they were right in each others' faces; neither side was willing to give in to the other. Kukui still looked calm, but he could see the telltale signs of irritation creeping up his backside.

"If you're going to denounce your heritage, then so be it. But don't you dare try to ruin it for anyone else. While you're ashamed of it, there are people like myself that are proud to be Alolans and kama'aina."

"That's because ya never truly been fucked by it all. Ya don't see how hard things get when ya have to go back to your family because ya weren't good enough. A failure...a reject."

"Guzma...you had a choice. I tried to help...I really did. You refused to listen to me. You continued to follow Kahuna Encarnación after he spoke out against Tapu Bulu and Tapu Fini. Did you understand any of the ka haku crap he was talking about? Your choice led you to what you are now."

"Don't ya dare say it!" Guzma's eyes flashed with anger and he stuck a finger right against Kukui's sternum. "Don't ya fucking say that Encarnación was like that! He saw the big picture...at what families were doing with those that failed! He taught me the things that made me stronger...the ridiculing, rejection...torment, shunning."

"He wasn't a mentor Guzma...he was using you as someone who could be easily manipulated into thinking his twisted ways. Kahuna Encarnación was giving you an excuse to why you were failing. Blame it all on the system and revert Alola back to its dark ages. I believed in you and had your back. What happened in between? You couldn't expect everything to be handed to you. The island challenge was supposed to be difficult...to test your mettle as a trainer and as a person."

"Hence the cull of the weak." Guzma shot back.

"This is getting beyond ridiculous. I don't even think hypnosis would do me much good here."

"And yet ya want to make a fuckin' pokemon league?!" Guzma's head lurched back and he cackled with laughter, shaking his head which put everyone else except for his own gang with a sense of unease. "This is some fucked up shit for sure! Absolutely! Go and make this gap between winners and losers bigger by putting those that win on pedestals and then wipe away all the losers into obscurity! Ya a complete joke Emilio. Ya need to give up this fuckin' stupid ass dream because it's never gonna happen. I'll make sure of it. There's no need for a pokemon league. It's already decided who the strongest trainer on these islands are."

Professor Kukui sighed and shook his head. "You speak for yourself Gutierrez. I didn't become a trial captain because I wasn't chosen. I chose not to be one." He stopped, not wanting to escalate further...but it also meant that it gave the crowd an automatic conclusion on how Guzma had failed himself.

He was never picked.

"I tried to help...and I defended you when your parents turned their backs. Nobody can beat the island challenge alone, yet you turned down and rebuffed every single time me or someone else tried to help you thought it. I couldn't keep chasing my best friend who was going to consistently reject my advice and friendship time and time again. I had other aspirations and dreams." He stepped to the side. "I wanted to figure out what moves would be strong enough to beat old Hala. And then I finally found what I was looking for. The strongest moves aren't the most powerful...they're the ones that trainers and pokemon can pull off with their heart and uhane in the right place to unleash the perfect move! All in the heat wave of the moment when it really counts! That's what this league is going to be all about! A place where every trainer of every age can hope and aspire to bounce right up to greatness!"

Guzma was unmoved by Kukui's speech, scoffing and spitting another wad of saliva at the ground.

"Nothing dies like hope. I cherish it."

"Maybe. But that's why I've been making plans to establish a pokemon league here. Give everyone a chance to push themselves to the limit with their team at their side and unleash that perfect move! Woo! Why don't you show me when the time comes? Prove you're not just all talk."

Kukui's challenging words brought unanimous "oohs" from the crowd. Many of them were trying to rile the two of them up for a fight, especially after hearing the rather tense words between them.

These two have a history...and it sounds like it is some bad blood.

"Isn't that right Elio?" Again, the professor found the most opportune time to pick him out of a crowd and drag him to the center of attention.

"Uh," His face flashed red for a moment, still trying to process that he had just been called out. "Yeah that's right!"

Guzma gave him a mundane glance. "Ya gotta be kiddin' me. This is one of your prodigies on his island challenge?" His penetrating gaze seemed to freeze Elio on the spot, but he fought back, trying his absolute best not to recoil or show any sign of weakness. "Doesn't look like Hala's grandson...where did ya find this kid? Did ya kidnap him from the skateboard park?"

"This here is Elio cousin! He just moved to Alola recently! Discovery! New surprises! He's loving every minute of it!"

"Ya picked the worst fuckin' place to move kid." He narrowed his eyes. "I think I know who ya are. My boys call ya the Skullbane."

It took every ounce of Elio's strength to even muster a response. "I hated it here first. But it took an open mind and all of a sudden, it's not so bad."

"Ya really want all of it? The island challenge is nothing but empty promises that over-exaggerate and under-deliver. This pokemon league that your pathetic professor is talking about, will be nothing more than glorified schoolyard fights that people will look at as fake shit. Ya really want to compete in that? They're just gonna forget about ya whether ya win it all or lose."

No...that's not going to happen. My story will not end there. Not how you think.

"Elio here has gotten some strong pokemon and can unleash some powerful moves yeah. If you think you're the strongest trainer on these islands, why don't you battle him? One on one?"

Guzma spat again. The clear defiling of the said rule was already irritating Elio. He wasn't doing it because there was something he wanted to get out of his mouth; Guzma was deliberately telling everyone that he was above the rules.

Besides, he had done it multiple times and nobody seemed to want to make a move to stop him. If nobody was going to attempt it now, then they wouldn't ever.

"This move fanatic is getting me all pissed already."

"Why's that? Because your manliness got challenged and called out?"

Elio almost covered his mouth the moment he realized what he blurted.

And judging by the look on Guzma's hardened face, he didn't take too kindly to it.

Oops. Wait...why am I sorry for saying that?

"Damn this kid is a big shit talker. I'm gonna get into his head. Try not to cry kid, it's nothing personal." His eyes drifted down, spotting the familiar band clasped around his wrist. "So ya got a Z-Ring? Oh this will be interesting. Ya gonna need it."

He winked, but kept a smug smile that made Elio uneasy again.

"Lemme ask ya a question kid...before it's time to bang knuckles. What's the point of taking the island challenge?"

Sun thought about it for a moment. He may be the leader of a thuggish gang, but after hearing more about who many that filled the ranks of Team Skull, the possibility of a downfall from grace was very much real.

What happens if I fail this island challenge? You can't keep going once you're twenty two…

He estimated himself to be halfway done...well…more than that. Two island kahunas defeated and a trial complete on the third island.

"That's what I want to find out."

Guzma huffed in annoyance, still keeping his scornful look. "You don't even know why you're doing it? Why bother?"

"Because at least I'm committing to something with a purpose. I'd rather do something instead of sitting around to sulk for the rest of my life. Like Brendan."

"Ya talking about me? And ya think that beating me is gonna change anything?" He glanced up at his white hair, suddenly realizing it was the same shade as the signature hat worn by the champion of Hoenn. "And this ain't no stupid fucking hat! That spoiled bratty kid from Goldenrod is nothing without that gardevoir of his. And the only reason I know about him is the hot piece of ass he's got for a wife."

"History is written by the victor." Elio got some points by more "oohs" from the bystanders behind him. You're going to pay for insulting Brendan like that. Nobody gets away with it on my watch. He suddenly wished Gwen; Brendan's gardevoir was here to listen to Guzma...before using psychic to toss him headfirst into a concrete wall. "And I'm right once I beat you."

Guzma chuckled darkly. "Sorry to say this kid, but that's where ya dead wrong. Guess you'll have to learn the hard way."

He reached down and removed a worn poke ball from his belt. "You've definitely stepped over your bounds with that. And it brings bad juju. Show them the meaning of torment Cicindel!"

The ball split open in mid-throw, bringing out a massive creature in a flash of white light.

Elio was pretty sure it was, but its overall height was that of Guzma's and it appeared to be curled up in a dormant position.

This is his strongest pokemon.

He was about to make a sly remark when the pokemon moved. In the blink of an eye, its two forelegs suddenly popped out, large and armored with a silvery blue chitinous exoskeleton. Sets of razor sharp shells and claws lined its outside as the pokemon extended its own feet underneath it, bringing up to full height.

Sun tried not to show any signs of intimidation, but it was hard for the rest of the crowd to.

The pokemon resembled a massive shelled insect with edged forearms and thin fleshy joints. Closer to its head were smaller stubby arms that waved lazily about. Its head looked hunched over, two small gray pupils in a purple mask. As it unlimbered itself, Elio noticed even more armor plating spring free from its resting on the sides of its neck and larger ones on its back.

So much armor. Something this big can't be that fast.

"Rotom, what kind of pokemon is that?"

"I zenze zome bad juju nearby! Bzzt!" The haunted 'Dex said as it buzzed in his backpack. "I'll juzzzt do my ztuff here! Golisopod. Hard scale pokemon. It is the evolved form of wimpod. The armored shell covering its body is as hard as diamonds. This pokemon will do anything it takes to win a fight and uses every opening or opportunity to its advantage with its primary claws. Golisopod is a bug and water type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."

Without warning, the golisopod's arms flashed out and he saw its armored legs rear out from underneath, allowing it to stand to its full height; almost two heads taller than its own trainer.

Elio swallowed the lump in his throat. Can't back down. Not now.

"Torracat, you're up!" His own poke ball was thrown out, releasing the four legged feline as his own participant.

Something had happened in the couple of moments before they started. Elio wasn't sure what exactly it was, but he swore that his pokemon locked eyes. Torracat snarled loudly, causing the flame bell around his neck to burn even more brightly. He crouched low to the ground, baring his teeth.

Clearly, a rivalry had started. At least on his side. Cicindel looked uninterested, but it was hard to tell from its emotionless expression.

"He's raring to go." Kukui whispered softly before waving his hand down to commence the battle.

"Torracat use-"

"First impression."

Cicindel hissed loudly before he virtually vanished from sight. Elio didn't even have time to gasp or contemplate before the massive bug reappeared right in front of Torracat, swiping with its massive claw with enough speed and force to knock Torracat from a standing position. He tumbled across the ground, finally righting himself by digging his own claws to halt his momentum.

What the? That thing moved crazy fast!

"What move was that?" He asked out loud.

"First impression." One of the grunts sneered from behind Guzma. "Nobody's ever been able to dodge it!"

"Don't worry bzzt!" Rotom buzzed from inside his pack. "Firzzzt impression only workzzzz on the opening move of the battle!"

I guess that's good news. But it looked like a bug move and it already did a lot of damage.

Torracat snarled and on his orders charged back into the fight. He began with a flame charge, rushing towards Cicindel and finally jumping to strike airborne.

Instead of reacting, the golisopod braced itself for the contact, hardening its armored carapace that completely deflected.

"Use metal claw." Guzma said.

Cicindel's claws spread apart, taking on a color and hardness of steel and he swiped midair at Torracat above him. It caught his hind leg with just enough power to halt his ascent and send him tumbling back down to the ground.

The bigger insect pokemon didn't bother turning around, it just rotated its entire torso until it faced the other direction. Everyone saw that the leg plates retracted slightly inside, revealing bits of grayish blue soft tissue. Just as quickly as Cicindel rotated his body, his own legs went inverted to provide it proper locomotion again.

Okay, I've never seen anything like that. Noted for later.

"Torracat, get back up close!" Elio called out. "Let's do a flame charge!"

Again, the uneasiness settled in for Elio as Guzma clicked his tongue and shook his head. "You're a stubborn one kid. Iron defense!"

Yeah, except this time I'm not attacking. Not yet at least.

As Torracat cloaked itself in yellow-orange fire and rushed towards Cicindel again, the creature slammed his claws into the ground, stiffening the silver armor until it took on the same metallic properties as the metal claw from earlier.

"Who's the stubborn one now?" Elio asked. "Torracat, now!"

Without the need for the attack to be screamed out loud; the feline pokemon abruptly broke off its flame charge, having already gained a speed boost upon activation. His hind legs propelled him into the air, giving the perfect angle of attack.

Right where a well placed fire attack can go into the armored joints.

Torracat's expression grew to a smirk as he opened his mouth, delivering a devastating overheat beam.

The glow was harshly bright, to the point where most people were unable to see a thing. Even the attacker himself.

So it was indescribable when Cicindel shot up, straight into the overheat. He was covered in blue water as he used his claw to spear through it as if it were a mere obstacle to be removed. Torracat saw him coming for a split second, using a double kick as a last resort defense, but he was hit before he could strike even one. However as he fell; he opened his mouth, shooting an ember attack that caught Cicindel in the fleshy spot. The small bit of fire caused to shriek as it plummeted down and landed on all fours, again digging its claws into the dirt.

"Pin missile!" Guzma's grin grew wider. "Carpet formation."

Cicindel seemed to mirror his trainer's own expression as Elio saw more long bits of armor spring out. There was a flash and a projectile rocketed out from the golisopod's back with a whooshing sound of a missile leaving an antiaircraft battery. More went off, causing most of the other bystanders to cover their ears.

Elio looked up, seeing more than two dozen missiles accelerate back down towards Torracat.

Oh no. "INCOMING!"

Torrcat braced himself, waiting for the first of them to strike down on him as their target. He jumped, dodging the first and second, dashing forward to avoid even more. However with so many missiles coming down, there was no hope to avoid them all. He screamed as some of them struck him on the backside, causing him to land in a heap at his trainer's feet.

"C'mon buddy. I know you can do it!"

He stirred, shaking on his limbs to stand again.

"Guess he couldn't handle the boom!" One of the grunts snickered.

Somehow, it seemed that Torracat heard the jeers and growled, standing up, ready to resume the battle.

Across the way, Guzma looked displeased and Cicindel, unconcerned.

"Not ready to quit?"

"What like you?"

"You'll pay for saying that!" His expression hardened and he pointed. "Pin missile again!"

"Quick, get in there with flame charge!"

Torracat blazed brightly with flames and he dashed forward, much quicker this time around. Cicindel was still launching pin missiles all over the place by the time he was already upon him. In reflex, the big bug clamped its two armored arms together, forming a shield to protect its main vulnerable parts.

However, Torracat this time aimed underneath, crashing against Cicindel's leg with enough force that it staggered.

Elio seized his opportunity, knowing that it wouldn't last long. Torracat lashed out with a fire fang, straight to the midsection. Cicindel countered with another volley of pin missiles that were quickly dodged. Using that attack forced Torracat to break off the close contact and outrun them until they hit the ground or lost their effective range. He knew that if Torracat was caught again in it, things would be exponentially harder.

He glanced down at the Z-Ring on his wrist. Considering that Guzma had failed the island challenge along with the others, it would be but adding salt to their wounds and further prove that completing the challenge would make them stronger trainers.

I just have to be mindful. Guzma's cunning. I know that.

Torracat resumed his close fighting. Despite Cicindel's quickness, Torracat was much too speedy thanks to the boosts in his flame charge. He swiped furiously at Torracat with metal claws, but was unable to land anything other than a grazing blow at his smaller and more agile opponent. At one point, he attempted to get away with aqua jet, however Elio ordered him to stay on him and keep attacking.

It was working! Torracat was dashing in, delivering a bite or fire fang and then using flame charge to make a hasty escape. This kept Cicindel on its toes, having to constantly shift its stance, rotate its body to keep up with a faster opponent.

And that is where it's slow!

Guzma seemed to finally catch a break when Torracat lunged forward, shrugging off a couple of missiles from an errant volley that delayed his advance by moments, but it was just enough for a huge claw to lash out, catching him mid-charge. He flailed his limbs in a vain attempt to break free as the golisopod pulled its other claw down, forming a pointed blade of a razor shell to deliver a nasty blow.

Think of something!

"Quick, flame charge and twist Cicindel onto the ground!"

Torracat seemed to try, but it looked as if he was trying to escape a vicegrip, even while working with a flame charge. He moved his head around, shooting a single ember into Cicindel's eye that caused it to shriek. Using the distraction to his full advantage, Torracat lashed out with a double kick that clipped his knee joint before twisting his own body. Miracuously, Cicindel followed suit, still trying to clear its eyesight, but found itself thrown to the ground.

Perfect, now a shot at its weak underside!

"Let him have it!"

Torracat's eyes blazed with fury as he bore down on the dazed Cicindel with a flame charge delivered straight into the abdomen. The heat was intense, scorching the bright armor of the bigger pokemon and causing it to flail wildly. He ducked under a quickly swiped metal claw and jumped back on, intent to deliver another fire fang.

At the back; Elio could see Guzma's eye twitching as he stared at the shifting momentum with irritation.

I'm going to win this! I can feel it!

"Will you stop wasting my goddamn time!" Guzma shouted. "Enough already!"

"Who's wasting your time? Me...or is it the person who's allowing me to?"

He almost thought he saw a dark chuckle come from the other man. "Heh...you fight dirty. Two can play at that."

"You're not going to have a chance!" Elio gestured. "Flame charge again!"

"That's not happening kid." Cicindel lashed out with another claw, again plucking Torracat out of the air and holding it out away from the rest of his body.

Guzma's going to expect me to throw Cicindel back down again. How about I change things?

Upon Elio's shouted orders, Torracat suddenly lurched free with another flame charge, but dashed away instead of throwing the opponent onto the ground. He stopped, aiming quickly and blasting off an overheat that was aimed towards Cicindel's top. Luckily for him, Guzma had begin to get him into a position to fire off a pin missile. As his back opened up and began to launch more of the white rockets; Torracat's overheat raced down, going straight through all of the ones launched and burning them to a crisp. Others that were in the middle of their launch exploded, knocking Cicindel down. Elio saw that he was slow to get up and the scorch marks were now covering more of his heavy armor.

We've got him on the ropes! And now for the coup de gracie!

He crossed his arms into an X position.

"He's going to do a Z move!" Someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"Yes!"

The rest of the crowd joined in on the cheering, encouraging Elio to finish this off. The young boy felt their words, weaving it into the graceful dance of a fire and striking off the pose. At once, the band came to life on his wrist, sparking with power and channeling it from trainer to pokemon, strengthened by their bond as one.

Torracat simmered with an orange aura; his ability of blaze coming into effect.

With the guardians in me and the power of these islands.

"Z-move unleash!" Elio shouted. "Overheat into Inferno Overdrive!"

Torracat closed his eyes at feeling the surge of power. He stood on his hind legs, coalescing fire energy into a growing size fireball. Elio's move had given him the full authority to upgrade his overheat attack into the much more powerful zenith move.

As he finished and began to launch the attack, Elio caught sight of Guzma on the opposite end. Through it all, the intense heat pricking their skin, the bright fire that was almost unbearable to look at and the thick tension between everyone; he seemed undisturbed.

Sun wondered if he was accepting his fate that he had lost. However he debunked it.

From what he saw; Guzma never backed down. Most other trainers would turn tail or balk when the other used a Z-move, but often times they needed to be used strategically instead of a show of power and dominance.

Cicindel braced itself for the attack.

Torracat's inferno overdrive was something to be reckoned with. The column of flame rushed downwards with the roar of a jet engine, scorching everything close by with enough heat to make the closest bystanders run back and cover their ears. Sparks danced along its side in the cyclonic action in a terrifying destructive beauty of a move that engulfed Cicindel.

Except it didn't.

Like a dam bursting; the golisopod had slashed it open, allowing pockets of the fire to shoot upwards and out into the air. Wind rustled Elio's clothes and it almost took his 'Canes hat off.

The inferno overdrive finally dissipated, shooting fire away and vanishing shortly thereafter. The ground had darkened scorch marks and small glowing embers on parts.

Cicindel looked almost the same.

But how?

Guzma saw the look of disbelief on both Elio and Torracat's faces and he laughed.

It started as a low chuckle before he threw his head back and cackled loudly, hitting his chest with a fist and shaking his head.

"Oh man...that was a good one!" His face turned to one of sympathy, although it was evident he was doing it mockingly. "I'm sorry…did you expect to finish it off with one of those? When will you people learn that big bad Guzma knows all about Z-moves! I don't need them to beat you down...and I'll do it without it too. Kukui teach you that they're your way out?"

Elio was still too stunned to react. He knew that Cicindel was a strong golisopod, but he never would've thought it was capable of deflecting a Z move.

And his ring remained dark...he had already used up the energy for a battle.

It left them on equal terms. He was now even more vulnerable.

Guzma's expression darkened. "Let's finish this."

Cicindel's claw thrust out and it formed a long thin blade made of water. It swung it wide, holding it almost in a swordsman's pose as it rushed forward. As it did, the back armor plates opened up again and it let out another barrage of pin missiles that raced ahead.

Torracat was still heavily panting and he was moving with that fatigued gait. Even with his increased speed from the flame charge; he couldn't dodge every single missile headed his way.

As he was weaving about to dodge, Cicindel closed the gap in moments, brandishing the liquidation like a long thin katana sword. He swiped, precisely done, however his timing was just a little off.

Torracat sprung his legs to leap into the air again, narrowly avoiding the strike before covering himself in fire and rushing back. Cicindel was ready for him, using its free arm to deliver a strong metal claw.

He kept his persistence up, pushing with all his might against the big steely frame of the larger opponent. Eventually it prevailed despite his stalwart defense and knocked him off balance. As Cicindel stumbled on its feet; Torracat swapped directions again, jumping to clamp his teeth down again in a fire fang. He twisted his body, using his own momentum into Cicindel's own against him. The smaller pokemon wrested his prey, swinging his head around to toss the golisopod into the ground.

Cicindel bounced after receiving a rather harsh impact, but as he went airborne again, Guzma smirked. The big bug pokemon tucked its head and claws together, forming somewhat of a ball, that protected himself entirely as he hit the ground, rolling over.

Torracat raced after it, intent to stay within close range. While this was a risky move, Elio did not want to have to play a game of "Dodge the Pin Missiles" again. Not while he could help it.

Cicindel rolled to gain a marginal distance before his arms sprung out and he transformed back into his normal self in one smooth fluid motion. His shoulder plating was already tracted back and he began to fire off another volley of pin missiles before he could stop moving. Sun did see that because it didn't dig its forearms and claws into a surface, it had a much tougher time staying still and controlling itself.

Torracat charged, undaunted by it all coming his way. Many of them were cruising low to the ground, accelerating at full speed to go right after him. He jumped, leapt and slid as they all tracked as best they could, but none succeeded in hitting him. The last one impacted right underneath with the blast propelling him up, giving another vantage point.

"Liquidation!" Guzma shouted.

Cicindel formed its sword again and swiped up. Torracat flinched, but Elio wasn't quite sure if he had actually hit or not. Either way, his momentum still carried him over his head; giving a perfect shot at the open back.

Now Cicindel has to spend those ages turning around! This is my chance to put it down for good!

"Overheat! Give it all you got!" Elio stopped, suddenly realizing his error.

The smug look on Guzma's face told him that getting Torracat, unguarded and not in control of his own movement was exactly where he wanted. Dead in the water.

"No!"

Cicindel's back flashed with another huge blast of pin missiles. Unlike the other times, they had almost no need to aim and lock since Torracat was lined up perfectly.

Elio's heart jumped as he watched his starter vanish in an explosion of dust, followed by more missiles launching faster and more voraciously than before. He paid no attention to anything else; the other Skull grunt's cheers and taunts or the other bystanders' horrified gasps.

How? He thought to himself. I had him...I HAD him...right where I wanted him…

Or was it the other way around? Was Guzma in control of the battle the entire time?

Elio was still thinking as the booms of the missiles finally vanished, showing Torracat lying limply on the ground, unmoving.

The crowd gasped again and he could see why.

Cicindel didn't just defeat him; he had continued his onslaught far past the point. Added insult to injury. Fought to cause excessive, grievous damage.

Torracat had more than one open wound and laceration as his fur matted in various spots. Bruises lined his legs and upper body. The poor pokemon looked as if it had taken the brunt of an entire Z move at point blank.

"Torracat!"

Kukui closed his eyes, expression grim and thrust a hand toward Guzma's side. "Torracat is unable to battle further. The winner of the match is Guzma!"

Cicindel stared down at his fallen foe, still in an aggressive stance as if waiting for a surprise attack. Then he lowered his arms, trudging back towards Guzma.

Elio ignored the cheers of the Skull grunts and saw Torracat stir, raising his head barely enough to see his foe walking away. He growled lowly.

Whatever he had said in pokemon speak seemed to catch Cicindel's attention as it stopped. Then abruptly, it dug its foot into the ground, flinging it backwards and hurling a mass of abrasive dirt right into Torracat's eyes. He let out a bloodcurdling scream, reflecting his own trainer's frustrations and pain.

Elio's own anger erupted, being amplified by his heartbreaking loss and frustration. "Hey!"

"Guzma!" Kukui snapped. "That was completely uncalled for!"

The Skull boss gave an indifferent shrug as if it wasn't a big deal at all. "That pokemon must've said something that Cicindel didn't like. So he took care of it."

"You won the battle. Can't you leave it at that?"

"After what I went through?" He scoffed back. "Fuck no. Mercy's overrated.I ain't letting anyone off the hook just because you say so. Welcome to the real world...where losers get beat down and fade away. I'm not a loser anymore and I'll never be once your league ends before it begins. If that's the strength of your prodigal trainer, then you've done a piss poor job."

"So that's it huh?" Kukui challenged him. "You're going to run away again like you've done before?"

That seemed to strike a nerve with Guzma, because he gripped his snowy white hair and stamped the ground angrily as if throwing a tantrum.

"GUZMA! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" He stormed right up to Kukui's face, mouth twisted in a pissed off grin. "I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that. I've got better things to do than waste it with you lot and kick around your naive trainers for sport."

"Shall I call the Aether Foundation? Let them know about your...less than sanctioned battles?"

Guzma didn't reply.

"Yeah...I know about them cousin. The way you had to add insult to injury in that battle...rub salt in that wound. Old habits die hard. It's not that hard to pick out."

"You keep your damn mouth shut about anything! Ufa." He turned around. "I've had enough of this. Pull out boys, we're done here!"

The Skull grunts accompanying him whooped and howled with glee, forming an entourage around their leader as they walked as one out to the exit of Malie Garden.

Guzma stopped, looking at Elio who was already kneeling over his fallen pokemon.

"You...kid."

He had to be a bit taken aback by the hateful look the younger boy gave him.

I see that spite. That raw bitterness. That's right kid...wake up and fuck this system...do whatever you please without any rules.

"Nothing personal."

Elio looked down at his battered pokemon and resumed glaring at him again. "You're not getting off that easy. You just made it personal."

"Whatever you say. Now, stay out of my way and my business. Otherwise, I'll remember to beat you down again just as easily as I did here. Your pokemon's hurt...and all of that is squarely on your shoulders. Remember that. You got nobody to blame but yourself."

Guzma seemed to spot a familiar face in the crowd, stopping for a moment.

"You're Hau right?" Elio could see the boy nervously nod. "You know you don't have to go on the island challenge because your granddad's a damn kahuna doesn't mean you have to follow his footsteps."

Surprisingly, the boy remained unintimidated and stood his ground with unbridled defiance. "I'm going to anyway. I have a legacy to live up to."

Guzma chuckled darkly. "Even if you finish and beat it. It might not be what you hoped...and you might not get what you want."

With a spit on the ground and a flippant wave of his hand, he promptly exited, allowed by the crowd who were all too stunned or nervous to try and challenge him.

"Don't be messin' with the boss yo!" The grunts waved their arms back at everyone, throwing more jeering taunts and gestures as they followed him through the entrance.

"Anyone does and he gonna lay the smack down on y'all!"

"Elio!" Hau rushed up to him as he cradled Torracat in his arms. Using the Refresh Kit in his backpack, he managed to use the brush to remove most of the dirt around Torracat's eyes, allowing him to weakly open them. He purred softly, looking dejected after suffering that embarrassing defeat.

"I'm sorry. Again." He finally said. "I thought we could do it. It's my fault."

Torracat moved a paw, placing it over Elio's hand.

"It's not your fault cousin." Professor Kukui pushed his way through the dispersing crowd and crouched by Elio's side. "It's mine."

Both boys looked at him quizzically.

"Guzma...and I...we go way back. That's not the important part." He gestured to Torracat. "We need to get him healed up. Let's move to the pokemon center and I'll explain more."

Elio nodded, still in a bit of a daze as he took out his poke ball.

"No." Kukui put a hand on him. "No ball. We'll risk injuring him even further if we transport him like that." He kneeled over, gently cradling the fire cat pokemon in his arms. "Let's go."

Torracat was ushered in and the nursing staff on duty got right to work. Elio watched him disappear into the ward and sat down on one of the cushions in the main lobby.

"He's gonna be okay." Hau reassured him, handing a bottle of water over. All he could really do was nod and unscrew the cap to take a sip. He was a lot thirstier than he thought.

Lillie and Acerola joined them moments later and she dashed right up to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and clinging to him fiercely. His face heated up at their close contact together, but he couldn't really bring himself to return the sign of affection that much.

Lillie broke it off and frowned, seeing his dour expression. "What's wrong?"

"Elio faced and battled Guzma. He lost."

"Guzma?"

Acerola shook her head. "The leader of Team Skull. He's a nasty piece of work, fighting with no mercy and weakness. Nobody that has come to this island wants to battle him...because nobody's beaten him."

"What about the kahuna?" Elio asked. "Isn't it the kahuna's job to keep the island in order? How can they keep it if a guy like him is running rampant all around Alola?"

"The kahuna is dealing with a lot of political turmoil right now. Team Skull is the least of his problems."

"You're taking on a lot of these Team Skull ruffians like that." Lillie reached over, taking his hand in hers. "Just thinking about it makes me worry all the time."

Elio tried to avoid looking at her eyes, still a bit ashamed of his loss. "They're mostly hot air. Guzma though...he isn't like the rest of them. He's smart, cunning and took advantage of a lot of things I did."

Including countering zenith moves. Either I need to find ways to rely on them less or get him into a spot where he can't guard against them.

"Rotom, you got film recording on it?"

"Of courzzze! Ready for your approval! Bzzt!"

"Film?"

"Guzma was able to beat me by using some tricks I've never seen before. The more I study him, the better I'll be off when I meet him again." Both Hau and Lillie were equally surprised that he said "when" rather than "if"

He raised an eyebrow at their looks. "C'mon, you really think someone like me is going to slip under his radar while I'm on this island? It's guaranteed we're going to cross paths again and this time, I'll be able to return the favor. After all, you have to know your enemy, before you deal with them."

Lillie made to reply, but was interrupted by Professor Kukui opening the door and wheeling out a tray that contained Torracat's poke ball. Like a family expectant to hear news from a doctor who just finished operating, they looked to him expectantly.

The professor set his eyes on Elio and gave a reassuring smile. "Torracat's going to be okay. He's suffered extensive bruising on his body, but needed nothing except some aromatherapy and heal pulse relief. I would recommend he sit out of action for a day or two until he's comfortable to run at normal." The gaze softened considerably. "Even though you lost, I could still feel my soul shaking like an earthquake! The two of you battled extremely well."

"Looked like he and Guzma's golisopod Cicindel got along." Elio knew Torracat wouldn't be particularly happy about having to take it easy, especially after being fired up at facing such a formidable opponent. He noted that the two of them would be practicing and watching a lot of film later.

"Either way, the two of you were ready."

Elio sighed. "Professor, as nice as it is to get an apology from you, I'd like to also have some answers. Who is Guzma and how does he relate to you? What is Team Skull really?"

Kukui pushed the tray away and sat down on the cushion across from them. He closed his eyes, taking off his white cap Elio had seen him wear constantly and run a hand through his pulled hair.

"I suppose you should know...since you've been tangling with Team Skull lately."

He took a deep breath. "Guzma Gutierrez and I go way back. We became friends as kids and we went through the island challenge together with Molayne."

Wait a second...the third person.

"Hold on," Elio held his hands up. "I remember in your lab. You had a framed photo of yourself, Hau's grandad and Molayne...there was someone else."

"That was Guzma when we were all younger." Kukui said solemnly. "When we were all young reckless kids ready to take on the world. We all got our first pokemon and set off on our island challenge. Guzma...he used to be my best friend. We'd hang out every day after school, go to see movies together, the beach, get into trouble. Soon enough, Mo joined us and the three of us were practically inseparable."

"So what happened?" Hau asked.

"We went on our island challenge. As you may know, I would consider it to be much more difficult back in the day. Trials were harder, more strenuous yeah. The kahunas such as your granddad had a much more aggressive approach, going in their own full might against challengers. You think Hala was tough in your first grand trial? Should've seen him when I was your age."

"Wish I could remember all that." Hau frowned, still thinking about the times where Hala's booming voice frightened him enough to run and hide at times. The kahuna wasn't malicious then, but his strictness was more than enough to get through thin-skinned people.

"As we all went through, Guzma began to lag behind. Which is fine...we all go at our own pace. However I came to find out that he had established a rift with his own parents."

"A rift?"

"I'm not sure what exactly, but things were always tense when they talked to each other. A lot of mistakes and disappointments...I think that they were angry that their own son never won. He was a good student, always tried his hardest in school or whatever he did, but if it wasn't perfection...his parents would look at him as if he was a big disappointment. They never cared that he gave it a hundred and ten percent. It was always; if he won or not."

"Geez," Elio said. Strangely, he felt a pang of sympathy. However it didn't excuse the fact that Guzma still carried that aura of scornful contempt with him wherever he went.

"Guzma drifted apart from us as time went on. While Mo and I were conquering the island challenge; he began to hang around some questionable people. We saw one another less often and every time we did...he was less friendly. It turned from trying to help him solve the problems to looking at us...like we were the problem."

"Eventually, we found out the group Guzma was hanging with a lot of times. It was led by the late Kahuna Encarnaćion of Poni Island. I'm not entirely sure why it was the case, but Kahuna Encarnaćion wanted Alola to return to its feudal state of warlords."

He noticed Elio's nod of understanding.

The boy shrugged. "Lillie and I read much about the old times where those gifted by the tapu would rule like despots. A dark part of Alola's history."

"Yeah." The blonde nodded, shivering at the thought of such terrible things. "It sounded all awful."

Elio glanced at Hau. "Wars have been started over a woman everywhere. Alola was no exception."

Kukui nodded, glad that the teens had some knowledge on something nobody in Alola wanted a repeat of. "When the kahunas of long ago established Alola as it is today; each one of them took an oath to never let that part of our past repeat itself. Kahuna Encarnaćion violated that oath. He had amassed a large following; many of them disgraced trainers including Guzma. He gave them a scapegoat...something to blame."

"The island challenge." Elio said.

"Yes."

"Kahuna Encarnaćion...almost sounds more like an anarchist than a revolutionary."

"I'm not sure what his endgame was. I'm not sure anyone knows, but before he could take further action, he was struck down by the guardian deity of Poni Island."

"And considering Guzma hung out with him and his associates, I could see him agreeing to a blame the system kind of ideal." Elio said. "People don't like to be told they're part of the problem and are eager to blame something or someone else for their own."

"In the aftermath of it all...I confronted Guzma...and discovered my friend was truly gone."

"I'm sorry professor." Hau said quietly. "I thought everything in this region was just perfect and an amazing place to live. I never would've given it a second to think there had been so much turmoil and conflict."

"It's alright Hau. And what you three need to understand is that no matter what...no matter who you associate with...no matter what your opinions are...you always have a choice. You follow me and stick to your moral compass and make that choice that's right. And if you're going to make the wrong choice," He shifted his gaze between the three of them. "Always make sure that you do it for the right reasons."

"I will." Hau said.

"Me too." Elio added, with Lillie nodding in agreement.

"I know you guys will." His watch beeped at him and he swiped something on the screen. His cheerful exuberant persona returned with a smile. "Now I must get going to Mauna Lanakila to get that Alola Pokemon League up and running! Woo! Everyone is going to get their chance to find that one perfect move! And the two of you keep at your island challenge! One day, you'll make it there too!"

The group bid Professor Kukui goodbye as he called for a ride charizard to take him southbound towards the bigger of the two mountains that towered over the rest of Ula'ula. Elio had a sinking feeling as he did leave; that it would be the last time he would be seeing him for a while.

Still, the news of an actual pokemon league being sanctioned and established in the Alola region excited him. He did consider going back to Kanto to compete in the Indigo League, despite having no badges. One of the qualifications did specify equivalent experience, so he presumed to say that conquering the island challenge was sufficient to punch his ticket in.

But now with a local league being the recent buzz around Alola, he was much less considerate in heading back to his home region. Not only would the Alola league be more convenient to compete in, but he was now starting to affiliate the archipelago region as his true home.

"I feel like after all of that, I deserve a malasada." Hau said as they walked out of the pokemon center. "So much to go over and it makes me so surprised that tutu was so strict."

"Your granddad seemed like the person who's probably figured out life's too short to be mad and stringent all the time. No offense."

"Probably." Hau was already booking it to the closest malasada shop. "You guys coming?"

"Maybe later." Elio said. "Lillie wanted to eat at some ramen place in the Wo Fat district."

"Suit yourself bro. I'll see you at the Festivus! Don't you dare be late or else I'll have to come and find you!"

"Well looks like it's just the two of us again." Elio sighed, almost relieved as Hau sprinted off on his own. "I'm actually getting hungry."

"Me too." Lillie closed her eyes. "Want to head over?"

"You actually go ahead," he started. "I've got to take care of something really quick."

Lillie fidgeted her hands as she sat patiently waiting for Elio to arrive.


The ramen shop was right in the heart of downtown Malie City, right in line with many of the fancier high-end sushi restaurants that lined both sides of the street. More of the places were expensive boutiques that offered diverse styles of fashion and sportswear, everything eye popping in price.

There was even one shop that looked like it showed rather fancy...undergarments for women. Lillie almost went inside to look around, but her own gut instinct told her to avoid it.

She took a look around the shop, quiet Johtoan music trickling through unseen speakers as warm lights illuminated a priceless tapestry that depicted a flaming bird soaring over a tower. There wasn't much in terms of an upscale atmosphere like the clubs and restaurants that were also in the Wo Fat area. Only ten or so tables were in the restaurant, with a few stools that faced the wall.

Or so she thought. One of the walls slid open, revealing itself as a panel allowing someone from the kitchen to access the dining area. All she could see were a pair of hands delivering a steaming bowl to the patron on the other side.

The menu was pretty simple, merely nine options that were all on a long laminated brochure with a basic listing of ingredients and a number at the end of the description, showing the price. There was no fancy writing, borders or anything other than the tapestry that indicated that this was a fancy restaurant.

Lillie soon realized it wasn't the case. You came here for the food. And judging by the longer lines she had seen out of it the other day; it had to arguably be one of the best restaurants in Malie City.

Hmm...she browsed the simple menu again. So there's a lot of different kinds here and they all sound so good. Even a vegetarian option! But everyone talks about this place's Hoenn style. And I've heard good things about the Sinnohan style too!

She sensed a presence in front and looked up, expectant to see Elio's happy expression.

Instead, she stared directly into the eyes of Von Kaiser.

"Hello Lillie." His tone had almost zero inflection and he moved fluidly as he sat down across from her.

Every bit in Lillie froze solid and she felt her own heart skip a beat.

Mother...mother found me.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." Kaiser leaned forward. "Let's just make this quick. Where is the asset?"

Asset. She felt sick to her stomach when they both knew about what he was referring to. The fact that he didn't even call it by its scientific name made her quiver in fear of what her mother truly had planned for Nebby.

She was in luck though; Nebby was fast asleep back at the hotel she was staying at, protected by Elio's pokemon of Charjabug, Nani and Akela. He had brought Torracat, Rufflet and Jangmo'o with him just in case he ran into another trainer or trouble.

Where are you Elio?

Kaiser seemed to sense her unease. "You seem to be expecting someone. Is it a boy perhaps?"

"N-no."

"You know, your mother taught you many things. But she never taught you how to lie. Trust me; Lillie Renée Hyacinth, she's given me every resource she has to track both you and your rebellious brother down."

"You hurt Gladion and I'll…"

"You'll what? Report me to the police? Best of luck there. Either way, your boyfriend is already on his way here, in fact about ten minutes at his current walking pace. So I'll make this quick."

Lillie knew that Kaiser wouldn't dare make a scene in such a public place; he preferred to have all the variables be in his control and having it take place in the open left things such as other people intervening. She was safe, but unclear for how much longer.

"I have eyes and ears everywhere on this island. I can track you down easily within hours. However, I'm going to give you a week to reconsider your course of action. Bring yourself and the asset to me by then. Otherwise, I will come and locate you by force." His voice darkened. "And I will not stop until it's done, regardless of who stands in my way. That includes your boyfriend."

Although her stress was hitting another level, she couldn't help the rosy flush in her cheeks when Kaiser referred to Elio that way.

"You leave Elio alone." She surprised herself with the defiant statement. "You leave me and my friends alone too. They'll understand."

"Will they? Elio's his name huh? Will Elio still understand and trust you after you stole property from the Aether Foundation and then lied to him? Do you think he's going to stand by your side once your mother offers him money for the capture of you and the asset? Enough money that he will never have to work again in his life."

Lillie had no answer for that. Because she really didn't know.

I trust Elio. But would he turn his back on me if something like that fell into his lap? Would everything we've built and bonded together over been for nothing?

She didn't want to think about him betraying her, but Kaiser's words were sticking in her mind...especially the part where it sounded as if she was the one betraying him.

The chair across from her was empty the next time she looked at it. Kaiser had vanished out the door without her realizing.


Elio was grinning ear to ear as he approached the Raiden Flux ramen shop. His eyes were glued to his phone which was beginning to blow up with kudos and reposts of the latest post on Festival Plaza he had been tagged in.

While confronting Guzma, Rotom dex had been in the middle of filming at its trainer's request and he had thought it would be interesting to see how Brendan was going to react when it was posted to his account of HoennChampionMaple. Of course, he left his defeated battle out of it, keeping it only a few seconds long.

"Nobody insults my idol HoennChampionMaple or his family and gets away with it."

I'm sure his page blows up with followers all the time. He's got millions of them across the entire world anyway.

He never expected Brendan to reply.

" TheTrueNorthStar"

There were no words in his message after his account was tagged, only one icon. A hat that was tipped slightly.


Oh man, what a fun chapter to write. Guzma's still one of my favorite characters in the entire Sun & Moon storyline, mostly because he's incredibly relatable in one way or another. Ya know "It's good to be bad"

Translations:

Ka haku - Warlord

Uhane - Soul

Ufa - Ufa is Samoan in origin, however it is commonly used throughout Polynesian and Micronesian islands as a slang term for "fuck you" or asshole

Kama'aina - Refers to a native resident regardless of race or ethnicity. Anyone born in Hawaii/Alola is considered kama'aina and on occasion given to foreigners who have lived there for a long time or done something heroic to be deemed in that manner. To be considered kama'aina is a very special honor.

The name Wo Fat was taken from the iconic villain in Hawaii Five-0 as an international arms dealer and personal nemesis to the Five-0 police force. Wo Fat is also the name of a now-defunct restaurant in Honolulu's Chinatown area. The producers of the original Five-0 took the name from the restaurant and building of the same name and it is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.

Brav