Track 24 - Tadow


After their small detour to the Aether Paradise, it was finally time for the Koa siblings to go to Melemele Island. They arrived in Hau'oli City and immediately went to the Pokémon Center to have Leinani's Pokémon checked on. The gym was in Hau'oli, but Leinani wasn't too eager to challenge it yet. She learned from her battle with Plumeria that she needed as much preparation time as possible.

"Then why don't we go to Iki Town?" Kaiko said excitedly. "It's only a short walk away, and you can meet the Island Hakuna if he's around! He's super strong, and I'm sure he can give you some advice!"

Leinani attached her Poké Balls back to her belt and then shrugged. "It can't hurt, I guess. We spent so much time dawdling around Akala Island. I don't see why we can't hang around Melemele Island for a bit and see what it has to offer." She put on her headphones and turned on a relaxing tune that she liked to listen to when she walked.

Melemele Island wasn't the least populated island in Alola, but in comparison to the densely populated Ula'ula and Akala Islands, it felt empty. Because of this, it was easy to travel through. After leaving Hau'oli City, they passed by the trainer's school. Leinani remembered meeting the principal teacher, Oak. She still thought he was a pervert.

And once they passed the school, they entered Route 1. There were houses scattered around the route, sitting on the beach front. She was jealous of the kids who lived there, because they had big backyards, and they could go swimming whenever they wanted to. She imagined how peaceful a life of it would be.

There was one house that stuck out to her in particular. It had a large porch with a swing. Sitting on the swing was an Oranguru. It looked longingly at the sea, and in its hands it held a cup of tea. Leinani considered that the tea was probably much more healthier than the tobacco that the Oranguru on Akala Island had been smoking. Sitting next to Oranguru was a woman, not much older than Leinani or Kaiko's mother. She smiled softly at the two while they passed by. Leinani simply nodded, and the two continued down the route.

It only took them thirty minutes to get to Iki Town, which was one of the smallest towns that they had ever been to. Even Paniola Town, which was considered to be a rest stop, looked bigger in comparison.

In the middle of the town was a wooden stage where two trainers were battling. The looked no older than Kaiko, which told Leinani that they were probably still in trainer's school. They were using basic Pokémon like Yungoos and Rattata, and Leinani laughed, thinking that the native Pokémon of the island had to be weak.

"Can we help you?" a voice called. The two looked to the left where an old man wearing a traditional Alolan robe appeared. He walked with the help of a wooden cane, and under his robe was blue clothes. His hair was silver, and he had a neatly kept mustache. "You look like a trainer. And you look like you should be in school."

"My name is Leinani Koa. This is my brother, Kaiko. I am a trainer, and he's on an extended field trip, so to speak," Leinani exclaimed. She spoke politely, which was different for her. But when it came to the elderly, especially those who appeared to be one with Alolan culture, she made sure to always be courteous.

The man put his hand on his belly and laughed. "Oh yeah? Are you here to challenge the Island Kahuna?" He tried to put his cane over his shoulder, but his knee buckled, and he was forced to continue using the support.

Leinani shook her head. "No, sir. However, we are looking for him. I wanted to get as much battling advice as possible before I challenged the gym leader of Melemele Island."

"I see," he said, seemingly disappointed. "Well, you don't have to look too far. The name's Hala, and I'm the Island Kahuna you're searching for."

"You?"

"I knew it!" Kaiko exclaimed happily. "You look so wise and experienced and strong!"

Hala chuckled. "Maybe wise. Maybe experienced. Maybe good-looking. But strong? Maybe not anymore."

"Come and sit with me, Miss and Mister Koa. I'd love to talk with you about your journeys," he said while motioning them over to his front porch. He stopped and looked at the children who were battling. "Kukui said that he wants you to go three rounds. Keep doing your best."

"Roger," the students responded in unison.

Hala was slow to get to his chair, but when he finally did, he let all of his weight plop down, making the wooden porch ache. Leinani and Kaiko followed. She made sure to turn down her music, but she'd never turn it off completely, as that would disrespect the artist.

"So, the gym challenge? What made you go that path?" he asked.

Leinani folded her arms. "I want to be strong like the champion of Alola! And, I've watched countless conferences from different regions. Everyone looks so skilled and experienced. I think it comes with challenging gyms!"

Hala nodded. "I see. Well, I'll have you know, the strongest and most experienced trainers I know are ones that took on the Island Challenge. Kaarina, our wonderful champion, challenged it when she was a young girl. The first champion did it too. Most of the gym leaders of Alola had completed the Island Challenge, and that's why they were chosen. Try to remember that."

Leinani looked on with her eyes widened. "I'm sorry if I offended you, sir. To be honest, I don't have a straight answer for why I challenged the gyms. My rivals did so, and we're competitive."

Kaiko put his hand to his chest. "I promise! I'll do the Island Challenge! And then I'll win the Manalo Conference! And then Leilei and I will battle for the title of champion on Mount Lanakila!"

"You have big aspirations, young Kaiko," he said. "I think that's good."

"When I take on the Island Challenge, I'll make sure that you're the first Island Kahuna I face off against!"

Hala smiled but the cocked his head. "Unfortunately, that can't happen. This is my last year as Kahuna. My granddaughter will take over after the Manalo Conference. She's actually around here right now, but I'm not sure where. She's got a boyfriend, ya see? And they've been going on a couple of dates around the island."

"Granddaughter?" Leinani wondered. "Excuse me if I'm being too forward, but from what I read, your granddaughter is the gym leader of Poni Island, right?"

"That's correct. She's looking to drop the title of gym leader and take over for me. It's what she's destined to do," Hala answered.

"And, I don't mean to pry, but what about Kaarina? Is it true that-"

"She's my daughter? Yes. My family is made up of strong warriors. If you truly want to ascend to the top of Alola, you'll have to get past both of them," he said. He paused and then looked past the two. They turned, finding a teenage girl around the age of sixteen, standing near the entrance of Iki Town. She was watching the two students battle, her hands on her hips as she judged every move.

She had the same dark skin as Hala, and her black hair was shoulder length and wavy. She wore a blue, shoulderless crop top, and her yellow skirt was long and patterned with flowers. She had a flower in her hair, and a Z Ring on her left wrist. There was a certain elegance and beauty to her, but Leinani knew that she was hiding a deep and terrifying power.

Eventually, the girl caught the group staring, and curiosity came over her. She walked to the three and smiled.

"Hi," she said simply. "What's going on?"

"I've met these two young ones, and we're sharing a little chat," Hala said. "Leinani, Kaiko, this is Kala, the Poni Island Gym Leader."

Leinani had heard so much about Kala, but she wasn't sure if it was all true. She heard that Kala took on a legendary Pokémon not just once but twice. She heard that when the Ultra Beasts attacked Alola a couple of years prior, Kala was the one that saved the region. She looked up to Kala, and she was one of the reasons that Leinani originally wanted to choose Litten as her partner.

"It's nice to meet you," Kala said. "Leinani and Kaiko, eh? Cute names!"

Kala stood up and bowed, allowing her headphones to fall off of her head and hit the ground. But today, she couldn't care less. "I'm so happy that we could meet you, Kala! Miss Kala!"

"Ease up," Kala said with a nervous giggle.

"Leinani is a gym challenger," Hala explained. "She's looking for some advice on how to take on Tanium. You know them better than I do, so what could you say?"

Kala put her hand to her chin and thought for a moment. "Well, they specialize in Steel-types."

"Um, excuse me. Them?" Kaiko wondered. "Is it going to be a double battle?"

Kala shook her head and smiled. "Maybe you're a bit too young to understand, but Tanium doesn't consider themself to really be either male or female. You'll see when you meet them. Try not to make a big deal out of it. If you get distracted by something like that, you'll lose focus on the battle. Unfortunately, a lot of people end up psyching themself out in this way."

Leinani was taking mental notes. She already knew that Tanium specialized in Steel-type Pokémon. Specifically, Tanium was always pictured with a Bisharp. However, Leinani always thought that they were a female.

"Is there anything else that I should know? This has all been very helpful. Your advice is great!" Leinani exclaimed. She wanted to make a good first impression with Kala, and showering her in compliments was the best way that she knew how.

"Well, they only give out gym badges to well-mannered challengers. If Tanium feels that you're disrespectful or have a nasty mouth, you likely won't get the gym badge, even if you win."

Hala nodded. "I taught them well. But, that shouldn't be a problem for you, Leinani. You seem very well-mannered, and I'm sure you're not a potty mouth."

Leinani paused and shifted her eyes. "Yeah. Totally."

"But other than those quick and simple facts, there's not much else that I can teach you without spoiling the battle. You'll just have to get in there and see what happens. How many gym badges have you earned so far?" Kala asked.

"Four," Leinani exclaimed. "Just two left!"

Kala couldn't help but smile. "If you're challenging me last, you should know that I'm not easy. I don't hold back. I'm ruthless, and I take a lot of pride in it. I just won't let anybody win."

Leinani felt a swell of happy emotions. She thought that Kala was so cool, and she wanted to burst out crying and ask her for an autograph. But, she kept herself composed.

"Can-can I ask you a question, Kala?" Leinani asked quietly.

"Hmm? Yeah. Of course!"

"Is it true? All the stories about you and the Altar of the Sunne and Moon? The story about you going to a different world and bringing the first champion back to Alola? How about the story of you and Lilo from the Elite Four battling so hard on Mount Lanakila that it caused an earthquake on Ula'ula Island?! Or-or the story about you taking on Tapu Koko one on one with just your Litten? Is it true? Is it all true?"

Kala tried to hide her laughter, and she wanted to blush. She didn't like to brag, so she kept her answer simple.

"Yes."


AUTHOR'S NOTES: (a long, but important one)

This is probably the chapter that is most reliant on the reader having read Awakening Alola. I wanted to dive into Kala's character and what she's been up to over the past couple of years. As you can see from the third to last paragraph, she's had some intense moments that I haven't written about. I don't really plan on writing about them, as they work as they are, but I like the idea of her doing more than what we've seen.

As for Tanium, they'll be formally introduced in the next chapter. The idea to make them asexual actually came from when I drew the sketch of Tanium, and I did a kind of bad job at it. They were intended to be female, but I drew them kind of neutral, and then I decided to go with someone who is asexual. (You can check the wiki for their sketch).

I've had a couple of talks with another author about how there is a lack of representation for certain groups in fiction. It may not be too much of an issue in fanfiction (I see a lot of gay/lesbian fics uploaded daily), but as far as my stories have gone, I think that I have done a bad job so far. It's not something I've done intentionally, but I definitely want to work on it going forward.

I intend to include more diverse characters. I won't spoil who, but there is a rival in Kickin' It In Kanto who is gay (as of writing this, they haven't actually made an appearance yet, so it's not Sora or Haruto), and I'm trying to figure out a way to write that in without it being made into too big of a big deal. But also, I don't want to just hint at it, because I want it to be clear. It's a difficult balance for me. I also intend to introduce a gay character that will be a permanent part of Yurie's next journey. The character is based on one of my best friends, and I've been talking with him about how to include the character.

It may seem odd that I'm bringing this up in a rather extensive A/N, but I kind of had a talk with one of my readers about introducing LGBTQ characters, and they seemed pretty dismissive of the idea. I'm not sure how many other of my readers would also feel the same way, so that's why this A/N is so dang long.

If at any point, you feel that I'm doing a bad job at representing the characters that I'm trying to portray, let me know how I could fix it, and I'll look into doing that better. And if you're uncomfortable with the occasional character in my story being something other than straight, then please try to open up your mind a little bit. Let's all be cool and enjoy Pokémon fanfiction.

REVIEWS:

pokestets23 - "This chapter is good leilani has gone a long way. I like DJ not evolving!" - I think it was a good choice!

SceptileBlade - "Main boss Lusamine is introduced. Since this is fanfiction, I wonder if you'll make her crazier than she was in the games, since you have the leeway to. It's good that the siblings are wary of Aether Foundation though." - I'm not sure how I'll write her character just yet, but I do have the opportunity to write her as nuts.

CrescentApple - "I don't know what to believe aether foundation. In one hand, they are actually caring for pokemon. On the other... I guess it's Lusamine and Faba that are the villians? Maybe she is using the aether foundation as a front to freely research everything about wormholes with no restrictions?" - You're right on the nose.

wisdom-jewel - "I think Leinani is on to something. I'm guessing Lusamine is really up to something. It can be either good or evil. If you're going by the games then it is possible it is evil but she has a reason." - Yeah. I hope to flesh out her reasoning well enough.