Under The Alolan Sun

Izzyaro

Trouble in Paradise

Warning for some bad language and, as usual, I own nothing.

Sidney couldn't help but whistle as he made his way along the Hau'oli seafront. He'd spent a very pleasant evening exploring the bars with the others, but unlike them he'd had no desire to return to their hotel. It was a perfect night, warm but not stifling, with a light salty breeze coming off the sea. The beach was filled with people, tourists and locals of all ages, and Sidney basked in the relaxed atmosphere.

Absol let out a low hum of agreement, and Sidney scratched her head fondly.

"Yeah, I like it here too."

Alola was awesome. He'd never admit it, but he was glad Phoebe had talked him into coming. It was definitely more fun than going to Sinnoh like Glacia would have been, let alone staying in Hoenn with Drake.

Or he could have gone off on his own, but hey. Alola was awesome.

Sidney was just debating whether or not to start heading back to the hotel when Absol suddenly stiffened. Sidney paused and looked down at her.

"What's up?" he said quietly. He'd learned to pay attention when she acted like this. Absol had a natural sense for disasters, and his partner was one of the best.

Absol remained still for a moment, then let out a low growl and dashed off. Sidney swore and took off after her, easily weaving in and out of the light crowds as he pushed himself to keep her in sight. His PokéNav bumped against his leg, but he left it where it was. He could always call Steven for backup later, but he was a member of the Elite Four. He could handle himself. Absol darted down an alleyway, Sidney close on her heels, and then stopped short.

Sidney took in the situation at a glance. Three teenagers, all wearing baggy clothes emblazoned with a skull, and bandanas over their faces, surrounded a small red and black Litten. The Fire-type was in bad shape, and Sidney didn't have to look any further than the grunts and their Pokémon before fury overwhelmed him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Absol!"

Absol snarled and launched herself forward, and the gangsters scattered with satisfying yelps. Sidney planted himself firmly between them and the injured Litten, and folded his arms. "You don't hurt Pokémon," he growled. "What is wrong with you?"

Two of the grunts actually looked uncomfortable, but the third puffed out his chest. "Hey, we're Team Skull! We do what we want, yeah!"

"Never heard of you," said Sidney flatly. He heard a soft whimper from the Litten, and his anger spiked again. "Now scram, before I make you."

"Who the fuck do you think you are?"

One of the other grunts scrunched up his face. "Hey wait a sec, I've seen him on TV. He's one of the Sinnoh Elite Four!"

"Hoenn, actually," Sidney snapped. Honestly, that was just embarrassing. "Again, get out before I lose my temper."

Sure, it was a bit late for that, but hey. At least he was trying not to jump straight into pounding them. Steven would be proud.

The loudmouth was still glaring at him. "You don't tell us what to do, and we're not going anywhere without that Litten."

"Yeah," one of the others shouted. "We found it, and we fought it, so it's ours."

Litten hissed, and Sidney's hands clenched into fists. "Not three on one," he snarled. "And not when you've beaten it so hard it can barely move."

He didn't try to keep his fury from his voice, and a wary look passed between the quieter grunts, but the one who fancied himself leader was still glaring and Sidney knew exactly how it was going to go down. His lips stretched into a savage smile, and Absol tensed, her body humming with anticipation.

He'd show them what happened to anyone who hurt Pokémon.

Sure enough... "We're not backing down!" the grunt yelled, and two Makuhita joined the Machop and the other Pokémon. "You can't take us all on!"

Absol's tail flicked angrily, but Sidney frowned. Absol was more than strong enough to win the fight, even outnumbered six to one, but she didn't just have to win. The Litten was shaking with pain and exhaustion. If it got caught up in the battle it wouldn't stand a chance. The thought made Sidney grit his teeth, and he grabbed another Pokéball.

"Give us a hand, Mightyena," he growled.

The sooner they finished this the better. Mightyena landed next to Absol, teeth bared in a vicious snarl, and Sidney was vindictively pleased to see the grunts exchange wary looks. Wrenching his anger under control with an effort, he folded his arms and gave them his best smirk.

"Still wanna try to take on one of the Elite Four?"

He realised a split-second too late that taunts probably weren't the best way to go. That thought was confirmed when the biggest of them shot him a deadly glare. "You're just like all the Kahunas," he spat. "Think you're all so special."

Sidney had no idea what a kahuna was, but the gangster didn't give him a chance to interrupt. "Well we're sick of it! There's three of us, and we've got four Fighting-types and you're going down!"

The other grunts shouted their agreement, but Sidney just rolled his eyes. Honestly. Did people think he didn't know his own specialty? "Show 'em what we think of type advantage, guys."

Mightyena crouched, a snarl rumbling through his body in agreement. Absol just flicked her tail at Sidney, but he recognised the confirmation for what it was. He turned back to the grunts, and let his own teeth show in a sharp grin. "Good luck."

The grunts frowned, but then Absol and Mightyena were upon them.

The ensuing fight was just a little bit one-sided.

"Y'know, it helps if the super powerful Fighting-type moves actually hit," Sidney drawled, as Absol moved an inch to the side and the Force Palm that had been aimed at her instead sent some weird Alolan 'mon with a blond stripe flying backwards. On the other side of the field, Mightyena was trading blows with two of the Machop and the other Makuhita, and Sidney knew both his Pokémon well enough to know that they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

At least, they would be in any other circumstances.

Speaking of which… Sidney took advantage of the chaos to finally turn to the little Litten. The feline hissed at him, but fell back after only a moment with a soft yelp of pain. Sidney swallowed and knelt next to it.

"Hey," he said gently. Litten's ears lay flat, and he held up his hands. "I'm not gonna hurt you, okay? I just want to make sure you're all right."

Litten's eyes narrowed, and Sidney attempted a smile. "I'm not going to catch you," he promised. "And I'm definitely not going to let those guys anywhere near you." Very slowly he held out a hand. "Will you let me take you to a Pokémon centre?"

Fierce yellow eyes darted to where Absol and Mightyena were taking out the trash, before locking on Sidney's with burning intensity. Sidney held its gaze, and forced his muscles to relax. The little Fire-type needed treatment, and to do that Sidney needed to earn its trust. It was the sort of thing Steven and Phoebe were good at, not him, but a Pokémon was hurt and so Sidney wouldn't, couldn't, do anything else.

Slowly, very slowly, the Litten padded forward to brush Sidney's fingertips. Sidney let out an explosive sigh, and very carefully lifted it into his arms. "You rest now," he whispered. "I've got you."

He couldn't be sure, but he thought he felt the tiny body purr. Sidney looked back in time to see the defeated grunts take off, and met his triumphant Pokémon's eyes, and nodded.

That was more like it.