Chapter 4: Takin' it to Our Next Destination / Pt. 2

With Daniel

On the plane that flew over the skies to its destination, Daniel and Jake were looking at their phones to pass the time while Umbreon was sleeping next to her Trainer.

"It seems that Melemele Island is home to quite a few Alolan Pokémon," Daniel noted. "But our focus is to find this Kukui, so that we can continue on our research for Cerise."

"Yeah, don't tell me I haven't forgotten our mission," Jake rolled his eyes. "It's just so exciting to go to new places."

"You said that in Johto…" Daniel reminded him.

"I know. It just feels so good to visit all these regions. You must be the same."

Daniel sighed, but nodded his agreement.

"Dear passengers, this is the captain. The plane to Alola is now descending to Hau'oli City airport. Please get your things ready."

Daniel gently nudged Umbreon, who yawned sleepily and opened her eyes. "Are we there soon?" she asked tiredly.

"Yes," Daniel replied. "We're just about to land in Hau'oli City."

"Good. I am ready to go to a new area as soon as we land. I want to check out the forest of Melemele Island," Umbreon said.

Daniel chuckled, with Jake staring curiously at him. "What'd she say?" he asked Daniel.

"She is just excited to venture out in the forest near Hau'oli City," Daniel answered.

"Ah. I understand her excitement."

"Sure you do." Daniel smiled at his friend.

Once the plane landed on the ground at the Hau'oli airport, Daniel, Umbreon and Jake walked to the port before they were greeted by someone they had not expected to meet early.

"Alola, Daniel, Jake. It's nice to finally meet you," Kukui said.

Daniel blinked. "You must be Professor Kukui."

"I indeed am," the professor nodded. "Professor Cerise informed me of your arrival, and so I decided to come meet you in person since you two are new to Alola."

Daniel smiled in appreciation.

"Wait, you greet 'Alola' to new arrivals?" Jake questioned.

"It's our custom in the region," Kukui explained. "Whenever we meet each other, we greet 'Alola', as we all live under the same sun."

"I think I understand…" Jake said uncertainly.

"Don't worry about it," Kukui said with a smile. "If you two want, I can take you to the Pokémon School where the others are waiting and dying to meet you."

"They are?" Daniel asked.

"Indeed. Now, come along. We can get there faster in my car." Kukui allowed them to take a seat in the car before he drove away from the airport building.

"So, Professor," Daniel said as he held Umbreon in his arms. "Who are these 'others' we will be meeting?"

"They are some of Ash's old classmates: Kiawe, Mallow, Sophocles, and Lana. At present, one is currently away due to her finding the whereabouts of her father with her family," Kukui replied.

"Are we going to be at a 'Welcome to Alola' party?" Umbreon guessed, with Daniel translating her thoughts to Kukui.

"Ah. Now that's an idea," the professor said. "But no. We will not be having a party, since there's still classes they will be needing to take."

Daniel understood him and nodded.

When Kukui drove down the road, there was something which caught Daniel's eyes.

"Is there something wrong, brother?" Umbreon asked.

Daniel didn't answer right away as Kukui stopped the car by the entrance to the Pokémon School.

"Welcome to the Pokémon School," Kukui said to the two boys. "Feel yourselves at home while I go and setup the things I need to take care of."

"Sure, Professor," Jake nodded as the professor walked away from them. He looked at his friend, who was staring into the distance of the forest. "Is there something wrong, Daniel?"

Daniel blinked and looked at Jake. "No," he shook his head. "Nothing's wrong with me. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Yeah, brother. What were you thinking about?" Umbreon added.

"Just…something," Daniel responded.

"Is it an Alolan Pokémon you've never seen before?" Jake guessed.

"Uh…yeah, that must be it." Daniel was unsure how to put it into words.

"You must be thinking of something else," Jake realized at the uncertainty Daniel showed. "I am not a fool, Daniel. I can see with my eyes that you're sure to explore in order to find that Pokémon."

"You really want to explore, brother, even after our long journey on the plane to get here?" Umbreon added. "We did promise Professor Cerise that we'd be back as soon as possible."

Daniel hadn't forgotten his promise. "You know…you two are right. Maybe I should take it easy and just think about joining in the fun."

"Now you're talkin'!" Jake smiled.

"Indeed," Kukui added after returning to them. "You're like a hot Blast Burn who wants to explore new areas, but don't think that a Hydro Cannon won't be able to cool you down."

Daniel and Jake stared at him in confusion. "Uh…" they both started.

"Ah, that's just my way of saying things. I love researching Pokémon moves, y'know?" Kukui smiled at them. "Now," he added, "everything's set up. Everyone can't wait to meet you two. I hope your temporary stay is going to be a fun time for you both."

Daniel, Umbreon and Jake walked with Kukui inside the school. Once they were at the classroom Kukui was teaching, they were both surprised when a large balloon appeared right in their faces and splashed them wet.

"Ugh…" they groaned.

"My fur's wet…" Umbreon grumpily whimpered.

"Alola!" said all four of Kukui's students.

"Welcome to the Alola region, Daniel and Jake," Kiawe, the red-haired man, spoke first. "It's nice to meet you in person after being informed by Professor Kukui of your arrivals."

"This is going to be so much fun," Sophocles added. He looked deeply on Daniel with the expected eyes. "You must be the Champion of Kanto, am I right?"

Daniel groaned but nodded. He wasn't used to being so popular amongst everyone in a different region.

"Wow, a Champion!" Mallow smiled. "That's funny. Ash is the first Champion of Alola, and now we've got a visit from the Kanto Champion. This day can't be better than this."

Daniel blinked. "Wait…Ash is this region's Champion?! Seriously?!"

"Yeah," she nodded. "He won the Manalo Conference not too long ago. How is he?"

"All right, settle down, Mallow," said Kukui. "There's no reason to ask him a million questions. He just arrived here."

"Oh, right…" Mallow flushed in embarrassment.

"Don't worry about it," Daniel smiled at her. "It's not the first time I get that impression, Mallow."

"Okay!" she gave him a big smile on her face.

"So, while you're here, Daniel," started Sophocles. "Where's your friend?"

Daniel blinked and noticed that Jake was gone from his side. He sighed in irritation at the thought of his adventurous friend.

With Jake

Jake was walking through the streets of Hau'oli City while his Riolu was outside his Poké Ball. "Let's see…in order to get to the forest and meet lots of Alola Pokémon, we need to head straight for it," he mumbled while looking at the Town Map on his Rotom Phone.

Riolu looked up at his partner before noticing something that caught his eye. "Lu!" he said as Jake stopped in his tracks and looked down to him.

"What is it, Riolu?"

"Lu, lu!" Riolu pointed to the forest.

Jake looked in the direction and saw a rooster-like Pokémon that immediately flew off at being spotted. Jake ran to the forest. "If it's a rare Pokémon, I'm gonna catch it!" he said determinedly.

While running in the forest, Jake stopped to catch his breath while Riolu looked around to find the Pokémon. When he did not see the Pokémon anymore, Riolu sighed and lowered his head.

"Hey, don't worry, buddy," Jake smiled at Riolu. "It's not like we could catch up to it anyway. It was pretty fast, so we wouldn't be able to…" And then he saw the Pokémon in front of him. "What…!" he gasped and staggered backwards and fell on his rump.

"Koko." The Pokémon hovered close to inspect the boy.

"Lu…" Riolu started before taking a stance, but Jake made him relax with a raised hand and a smile, showing his confidence. Riolu relaxed.

The rooster Pokémon itched closer to Jake, who was getting nervous.

"Who…are you?" Jake had to ask.

"Koko," the Pokémon said as answer.

"Koko? As in…Tapu Koko?"

"Koko!" Tapu Koko nodded.

And then it presented Jake with a silver-colored ring. Jake inspected it for any sign of danger, but Tapu Koko had the ring come closer to the boy, who finally took it in his hand. "Is this a…Z-Ring?" he wondered before noticing Tapu Koko was gone.

"Lu…" Riolu was unsure what to think.

With Daniel

Daniel was sitting with his new friends as Kiawe explained when Ash was in Alola and had classes with them all and how Tapu Koko—a Legendary Pokémon from Melemele Island—had presented him a Z-Ring and a Z-Crystal on his first day in the region. "Wow, sounds like he had an amazing time here," Daniel commented.

"Yup," Kiawe nodded. "Ash had won the League before he journeyed home to Kanto. I am sure that he has a good time while chasing his Pokémon Master dream."

"He is," Daniel confirmed. "The goal is still close to his heart."

"Good to hear," Kiawe smiled.

"Daniel! Daniel!" someone shouted.

They all looked to find Jake panting for breath by the doorway to the classroom. Riolu was next to him, also panting for breath.

"What, Jake?" wondered Daniel.

"Look here!" Jake raised his arm. "A strange Pokémon gave me this! I cannot believe this actually happened!"

Daniel could see a Z-Ring on Jake's arm, which was something he'd never expected to see when they arrived in Alola. "Could this mean…?"

"Yes," Kiawe nodded. "Tapu Koko must have sensed something of greatness in you, Jake. But that's unusual for it to be so interested in a stranger that only just arrived in the region. Could you be destined for something?"

"I-I am not sure," Jake answered honestly. "I was only looking for some Alola Pokémon that I could catch and get on my team."

"I see," Kiawe hummed. He looked at Daniel. "Would you mind if Jake could stay here in Alola for a bit until his Island Challenge is complete?"

"Island Challenge? Wasn't that where you needed to face the Totem Pokémon and the Island Kahuna?" Daniel guessed.

"Exactly," Kiawe nodded.

"Well…that depends on you, Jake," said Daniel as he looked over to Jake. "What do you want? Would you be able to complete the Island Challenge and master the Z-Crystals and their Z-Moves?"

"Well…that's hard to answer," was Jake's honest reply. "But I guess I can try."

Daniel nodded in understanding. "Then we will meet each other once your Island Challenge is finished. I'll inform Professor Cerise about this as soon as I get back to Vermilion City."

"Thank you, Daniel," Jake smiled gratefully. "I promise I will get back stronger and a better Trainer once we meet again."

"You and I certainly will," Daniel promised as they fist-pumped with each other.

"Shall we get back, then, brother?" Umbreon asked. "I would like to see what Ash and Goh have been up to while we have been gone."

Daniel nodded to her. "Well, I guess I'd better get back."

"Aren't you going to stay? We still have a lot of questions about how you managed to win the Indigo League," Sophocles said.

"Sorry, but work is calling me," Daniel sighed. He turned to Kukui, who smiled expectedly at him.

"I guess this will be goodbye for now," the professor said.

"Yes," Daniel said. "We will meet you in the near future once some of my assignments from Professor Cerise have calmed down."

"In that case," Kukui said. "We bid you Alola for now, Champion."

Daniel was grateful for his meeting with his newfound Alola friends.

~~...~~

Back in Vermilion City, Daniel and Umbreon were walking up to Cerise Lab before stopping briefly on the steps that led up to the door.

"Are you sure Jake will be fine in Alola?" Umbreon asked her Trainer. "I mean, it will be a long time before we can manage to see him again when his Island Challenge begins."

"I just know we will, sis," Daniel smiled at her. "Besides, Ash managed to do it without losing a single battle. I'd gotta give him points for that."

"Indeed," Umbreon agreed. "But now it is a new Trainer who has barely managed to start his journey with us. I would say that we needed to teach him a bit more about Pokémon before we even thought of agreeing to Kiawe's suggestion."

"I know you're worried for him," Daniel sighed. "But this is Jake we're talking about. I'm sure he will be able to handle it on his own with his new friends, who will guide him along the way, I'd imagine."

Umbreon looked unsure about it.

Daniel turned to the front door of Cerise Lab and walked up to it. Once inside, he called: "We're back!"

Yamper came but its happy expression turned to surprise when it saw Daniel and Umbreon instead of its owner.

"Ah, Daniel!" Cerise started as he came to greet him. "It's good to see you and Umbreon have returned. Where is Jake?"

"Well…that's the thing we wanted to talk about," said Umbreon, with Daniel translating her thoughts to the professor, who nodded.

"I see. So Jake is doing the Island Challenge in Alola in order for him to master Z-Moves," Cerise said thoughtfully.

"Right," Daniel said. "At first, I was unsure, but then I grew to respect the decision because it would teach Jake a lot about the Alola Pokémon."

"This will be a good idea for our research," Cerise agreed. "Come, Ash and Goh have recently returned from Goh's capture of a Scorbunny."

"Really?" Daniel raised a brow.

"Absolutely," Cerise nodded in confirmation.

"Then, let's see this new Scorbunny," Daniel said as he and Umbreon ran to their location in the lab.

"Everything seems to be going fine," Cerise mused. "At this rate, we will be learning lots about Pokémon and their mysteries." He walked back to his research room.

Author's Note: This marks the end of the two-parter "Takin' it to Our Next Destination", before I go more into the storyline about the World Battle Tournament in the next couple of chapters. I have already begun on Chapter 5 at this moment I upload this chapter.

Also, if you guys have any Trainer OCs you'd like for me to put in the WBT championship, let me know so I can have a team of five Trainers for each region in the tournament.

Until next time of Pokémon Journeys: "The First Capture is..."