Track 29 - POSTALMONDCLARITY


The time for the siblings to leave Melemele Island had finally come. Leinani had trained a lot, but she knew that there wasn't much more than she could do on Melemele. The trainers on Poni Island were said to be much stronger.

But there was only one trainer that she was truly concerned about, Kala. She was a Dragon-type trainer, which meant that Sandshrew would be her best Pokemon to use. She could evolve him with the Ice Stone that she got from Uhuli, but she was afraid that it was too soon. And as much as she hated to admit it, she loved how cute Sandshrew was.

There was also her Charjabug, who would evolve on Poni Island if they battled in the right area. Kaiko had done the research for her, and when they made it there, it was the first thing that they planned to do.

Her Sandygast could also evolve at any moment, as she was incredibly strong. Her team was just taking their time getting to the next form. Leinani would have to be patient, a quality that she lacked.

She looked down at the fishbowl with Wishiwashi. He couldn't evolve. Instead, he held a terrible power within him. He was cute now, but when unleashed into battle, he became something entirely different.

And then there was Rowlet, who rested on her head. She was the most powerful of all of Leinani's Pokemon, but for whatever reason, she refused to evolve. Leinani had thought about it for a long time though, and she was content with Rowlet not evolving. If she did evolve but continued to sleep on Leinani's head, then the strain on her neck would be bad. She didn't like that idea.

The two siblings went to the port which had a very that would take them to Poni Island. They had to wait for a few hours before they would be off, which left them waiting in the lobby of the port. It was a weekday, so there were fewer ferries running that day.

Leinani didn't mind much, as she could relax and listen to her music. She went through her library of tunes and selected a song. She went to put her headphones on, but then she was suddenly interrupted.

"I want to know everything you know!" a voice shouted.

Leinani opened her eyes and slowly sat up, finding the blonde boy that she met on Akala Island. His black and red clothes were tattered, as though he had been through a bunch of fights. And if he wasn't careful, she wouldn't mind adding more tears.

"What?" Leinani asked.

Kaiko was nervous. He shifted his body, trying to hide his shadow, an impossible feat. He looked down to find Marshadow's eyes staring back up at him.

"I know about you two and the secret you're hiding. Tell me everything you know!" the boy known as Gladion snapped.

Leinani stood up and approached the boy. "You watch your mouth. Don't talk to a lady like that."

"She's gonna throw another person and get us in trouble," Kaiko muttered.

"We don't have to tell you anything!" Leinani snapped.

"So, you are hiding something!" Gladion exclaimed. "I knew it!"

He's after Marshadow. This isn't good. There's nowhere for us to run, and he looks serious. If he attacks us, I'm not sure that Leinani will be strong enough, Kaiko thought.

Leinani lunged forward and grabbed Gladion by the collar. But, she didn't throw him. Instead, she pulled him in close. "What do you think we know, Eyeliner?"

"Eyeliner?" Gladion wondered.

"It's her nickname for you," Kaiko said. "She's kind of a bully. I have to live with it though."

Gladion pushed himself off of her and then glared. "I know that you went to the Aether Paradise. What did you see? What did they tell you?"

Kaiko's eyes widened. "Oh, you want to know about that?"

Leinani was relieved, and she laughed nervously. "I thought it was about the other thing."

"What other thing?" Gladion asked.

"Nothing!" Kaiko exclaimed.

"Whatever," Gladion said. "What did you see at the Aether Paradise? I'm still suspicious. I don't know if you're friend or foe, but whatever they told you was lies! I can guarantee it! They're not what they claim to be!"

Leinani was unsure of how to answer. The last couple of weeks had been so hectic, so she didn't quite remember everything that was said at the paradise. But the image of the Ultra Beast that she fought with was forever burnt into her memory. She looked at Kaiko once more.

"We saw the technology that they're making, and they talked about the health advancements that they've made over the years," Kaiko said. "It was impressive."

"And they showed us their rehabilitation process. We saw the sick and injured Pokemon that they're taking care of," Leinani added.

"You're just following for their propaganda!" Gladion yelled.

"You're making a lot of noise for someone who is supposedly performing an investigation, Eyeliner," Leinani snapped.

"When it comes to battling with the Aether Foundation, I need as many allies as I can get. But everyone seems to fall for their tricks," Gladion said.

Leinani put her hand to her chin. "They showed us the battlefield. I got early access to it, so I saw what we'll be getting into at the Manalo Conference."

Gladion had heard enough. He turned around and huffed. "Useless. Your mind is only on that stupid conference."

"I'm not finished yet," Leinani exclaimed. "They also talked about Ultra Beasts. You know, those creatures that attacked a couple of years ago?"

Gladion paused and then looked back. "Yes. And?"

"The timing was weird, but low and behold, an Ultra Beast just so happened to show up when we were there," she said. "It was too much of a coincidence. I think they were trying to play us. I don't like getting played."

"So, you actually saw an Ultra Beast?"

"And I fought with it. Crushed it in seconds. No biggie," Leinani said, lying through her teeth. "I don't like you, Eyeliner. But I don't like the Aether Foundation even more. We're in it in our own way, but at the end of the day, I guess you could consider us allies."

His eyes widened. "Really?"

She got in close one more time and grabbed his collar, now slightly lifting him off the ground. "But if you ever raise your voice at me again, I'll break your nose."

He grabbed her wrist and forced her to put him down. "I'm fighting for my sister. She went missing, and I'm sure that the Aether Foundation has something to do with it. I see you and your brother together, and I'm reminded of her. We don't have to be friends, but when the time comes, I'll be asking for your assistance."

Leinani relaxed slightly and then looked at Kaiko. She couldn't imagine what she would do with herself if he went missing.

"I don't care about your sob story. Stay out of my way from now until the conference, and we'll help you. I don't want any of your family drama to get in the way of me becoming the Alola Champion," she said.

Gladion cracked a smile. "You? I don't think so. I watched your battle with Tanium. You're not even half the trainer that I am."

"You talkin' smack? You want that broken nose, Eyeliner?"

Gladion turned again. "It's just rival talk."

"You're not my rival."

Gladion waved. "I'll see you again soon. When everything has calmed down, let's have a battle."

"I'll squash you too," she said, but Gladion was already on his way out of the port, leaving the two alone.

They were silent momentarily.

But then, Leinani whipped around and pointed at Kaiko's shadow. "That thing is only adding stress to my life! I just want to challenge gyms and become the champion! I don't need this Aether Paradise, Team Skull, and Marshadow crap!"

Marshadow stuck out its tongue and blew a raspberry.

"I'll stomp on you!"

Kaiko backed away and then looked to the ocean. "Let's calm down for a bit. I think we can relax, and you can focus. Just pretend that Marshadow isn't here. You didn't know about it for a couple of weeks! Just keep pretending to be ignorant of its existence."

Leinani was fuming. "You're asking me to play stupid?"

"Just until you're the champion!"

Leinani was exasperated. She sat down in the seat and groaned, hanging her head over the backend. "You're gonna kill me, Kaiko. Why did I let you come with me?"


AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Another really short entry! I just wanted to remind people of Gladion's existence and give a small glimpse of Lily's role in the story. Originally, I was going to have Gladion and Leinani battle with Leinani taking the loss, but unnecessary battles are unnecessary.

Next chapter, as much as Leinani wants to focus on her gyms, someone or something is gonna make that impossible.

REVIEWS:

CrescentApple - "Hmm, Leilani's psyche makes more sense in this chapter. A tough softie? This I like. Her relationship with Marshadow I like. Not everyone likes her tough exterior." - I love Marshadow and Leinani's relationship! It cracks me up!

pokestets23 - "This was great! Ulani is sure to rebound!" - Yeah! She absolutely will! She's Leinani's rival for a reason!