The next day...
Alex slowly opened her eyes and stretched out on her bed. She felt a lot better after having a deep sleep. She sat up in bed and looked around her room, finding Rowlet perched on the back of her computer chair and still asleep. She smiled and carefully got out of the bed and moved over to Rowlet, gently stroking its head. That's right, she had her very own Pokemon! Yesterday was so hectic that it almost seemed like a dream. She decided to let let Rowlet sleep while she helped Mom continue unpacking.
The day was spent with Alex and the Pokemon helping Mom empty boxes and put things away. Despite it being a productive day, there were still more unpack. Once the sun started setting, they all decided to call it a day.
Mom was outside on the balcony with Meowth again. She stretched out her arms and took a deep breath. "What a stunning sunset! All right, today's the day I finally unpack-" The doorbell rang, and she let her arms drop to her sides. "Was that the doorbell? Go see who it is, Alex."
Alex nodded and stepped back into the house. I wonder who that is? She opened the front door to reveal Professor Kukui. "Hey there, Alexandra!" he said and waved. "It's about time we set out for the festival, yeah!"
Oh, it's Professor Energy... "Oh, right! I almost forgot about it."
"But first... I've got something to teach you, yeah, now that you're a real Pokemon trainer," Kukui said, then turned to the door. "It's the most basic of all basics. Come on- to Route 1!"
Mom came back inside with Meowth leading the way. "Have fun at the festival, sweetie! I'm sure you'll have a good time with your new Pokemon pal!" Mom grinned. "Me and Meowth will be sure to unpack every last box here, you'll see!" Meowth cried, as if objecting to it being volunteered to help.
Alex nodded followed Kukui out. What was he going to show her? She had a lot to learn about being a trainer, after all. All she knew now was the basics of a Pokemon battle.
Just stepping out the door, he was already ahead of her. "Alex!" he called, waving to her. "Hurry it up, cousin! Pretend you're a Pokemon and use your Agility!" He continued forward. Alex puffed her cheeks. He was making her sound like a Slowpoke! "Rude..." She huffed and followed after him to the route.
Kukui stood in the tall grass and waved to her. "Yeah, over here!" She approached him, looking at him curiously. "So you know that wild Pokemon will sometimes jump out at you in the tall grass, yeah?"
She nodded. "Yeah, everyone knows that."
"Now that you've got Rowlet there, you can not only fight wild Pokemon, yeah... you can also try to catch 'em. Woo!"
Alex stared at him blankly. That's right, if she has extra Pokeballs, she can catch Pokemon! How did that not register in her head? She had completely forgotten that having one Pokemon could open up the possibility of getting more on her own. "That's right!"
Kukui nodded and grinned. "I'm going to show you how to catch a wild Pokemon, all right? Keep your eyes on the prize!" He stepped into the grass, and a little Grubbin crawled out. He tossed a Pokeball, and out came the Rockruff she saw in his video call. It tackled the little bug, Kukui tossed a Pokeball, and remained inside. He made it look so simple... Was it really going to be that easy? She thought it was going to be far more difficult. Maybe it would be?
He returned Rockruff to its ball and picked up the one containing the Grubbin. "All right, got myself a Grubbin!" He said, holding up the ball. "Wild Pokemon do sometimes attack people if they get close, but catch 'em and they'll join your team and be a great help to you, yeah!" That certainly sounded like a mouthful... "And if your Pokemon get all tuckered out, you can always head home and rest up a bit, yeah?" Alex nodded. "Here's some Pokeballs and Potions to get you started." He handed her the items.
Alex stared at the empty Pokeballs and grinned. These were what could make one a real trainer. She could catch more companions!
"Why don't you have a little adventure of your own on the way to Iki Town, yeah?" Kukui suggested. "Take good care of Alexandra, Rowlet!" With that, he further down the path.
Alex took Rowlet's ball from her bag and smiled. "We can get some more friends now, Rowlet!" She tossed the ball and Rowlet appeared. "Let's explore around this route a little and see what we can find, huh?"
Was it wrong to feel satisfied when conquering your enemy? Well, enemy was putting it strongly. Foe, maybe? Oh well, that wasn't particularly important. Alex smiled at the Pokeball that contained her first caught Pokemon: a Yungoos. It seemed fitting that her first caught Pokemon would be the very first that she encountered in Alola, the one that made her afraid. "I hope we can become friends, little Yungoos," she said to the ball.
As she approached the stairway to Iki Town, she slowed her steps. A pair of two people dressed in blue and white outfits stood there. She tilted her head to the side, wondering why they weren't going into the town. "Measuring the aura readings here... the numbers appear to be a bit high," the female said to the male. "What do you think, Captain?"
"Hm?" He turned his head to her, twirling his mustache. "What was that? Did you say something?" The woman stared at him. "I was... well, I was certainly not distracted by this foolish display of festivity!" He cleared his throat when, once again, the woman remained silent. "So there are aura readings in this place... Perhaps it may be the effects of that one they call the island kahuna." He sighed and turned to face her. "But everything is so bright here in Alola... Far brighter than we have been told it would be. I find it loathesome. This awful brightness."
Alex couldn't help but overhear. Now that they had turned, she could see that they were both wearing visors over there eyes, and their skin was ghostly pale. From how they spoke, it sounded like they were foreign to Alola as well, but where could they come from that would leave them so... white? She frowned at herself. Maybe they were sick?
"Even though this is the light we sought for so long?" the woman asked sternly.
The man sighed. "Y-yes, I suppose you are right. We must carry out our investigations to return the light to our own world as well. Before the Blinding One can awaken..."
What on earth were they talking about? Return the light? Alex knew that some Pokemon could have devastating affects on certain regions... so is that what happened? If somehow a Legendary Pokemon took the light away from their land, it would explain their skin...
The woman turned and noticed Alex standing on the path. "You- you are not native to Alola either, are you? You seem to have come from far away..."
"Um..." Before Alex could reply, the two walked away, leaving the town. Was it really that obvious that she wasn'f from Alola? Kanto wasn't as sunny as Alola was, but she didn't think she looked that out of place. She decided not to worry so much about it and continued up the stairs into the town.
The town was definitely more lively than it was the last time she was there. People crowded the pathways, talking cheerfully. What amazed Alex was the strange Exeggutor walking with one of the men. It towered over them; it was twice the height of a regular Exeggutor! It even had a tail! "That's amazing..." she whispered to herself, her head leaned back to look up at its heads.
Hala walked down to the path towards her, and began to speak when she looked down at him. "The Alola region is made up of our four islands," Hala started, "and each island has its own guardian Pokemon. Our festival today is held to express our thanks to these great Pokemon guardian deities for always remaining by our sides." Alex nodded while she listened. That did make sense; it sounded like the deities did a lot to protect the islands, its people, and its Pokemon. A little festival to thank them was a nice gesture.
Hala chuckled. "Well, we may call it a festival, but it's just this little thing you see here," he said, waving his hand to the little crowds of people. "There may not be many of us, but at least every last one of us here goes all out." Hala smiled and stepped aside.
Alex wandered about the little village, enjoying the happy chatter around her. From listening, she learned that the festival would include a Pokemon battle to honor Tapu Koko; apparently the guardian liked battles. From how fierce she remembered the deity looking, that didn't surprise her.
At the base of the stairs leading to the plaza was Hau with Popplio. She walked up to him and waved.
"Ho! Howzit, Alexandra?" Hau asked with a grin. "Man, I thought you'd never make it! Me and Popplio've been waiting for ages!" Alex frowned. She didn't think she was being that slow. She wanted to take her time looking for Pokemon.
"Hold on..." Hau continued. "Didn't anyone explain to you about tonight?"
She shook her head. "Not really. I only heard a little, and a bit of what Hala told me, which wasn't much."
"Oh yeah, right on time!" Kukui called out. Alex turned and saw that Lillie was with him.
Lillie looked at him curiously. "But to what exactly?" My thought exactly. Her bag squirmed, and Alex heard Nebby cry out from inside it.
Kukui grinned and put his hands on his hips. "A full-powered festival of Pokemon battling!" he explained. "We battle in the name of Tapu Koko, pitting our best moves against one another in friendly competition to please our guardian. Woo!" So it is what I heard... but it's all Pokemon battling? Alex looked down at her bag, which held the balls for Rowlet and Yungoos. Am I going to battle Hau again or something? It's fine if I do... I think I'm prepared for it.
Lillie frowned and looked up the stairs towards the plaza. "So, you two will be taking part in the battle?" Alex shrugged. "I don't like seeing Pokemon fight one another, since they so often end up getting hurt. But..." She gave a small smile. "I'll be sure to watch you both."
Hala walked up to the group, moving straight towards Alex. "Your Pokemon have fought for you, so show them the same care in return, Alexandra. Allow me to heal them for you this time." Alex nodded and let Hala fix them up. "Are you ready for this Pokemon battle?" he asked, returning the balls to her.
She felt nervous looking at Hala. She was going to fight Hau... right? She felt there was in no way she could take on Hala and win... He would stomp her flat as she was now. She finally nodded, mustering up her courage. "Yeah, I'm ready."
"Then let's begin!" Hala and the rest moved to the plaza.
He climbed onto the stage, his back towards the path leading to Tapu Koko's shrine. The crowd fell silent, waiting for Hala to speak. "For all life on our islands..." Hala began, "and for those who undertake the island challenge with joy in their hearts... we pray for your protection... from them and all Melemele. May this Pokemon battle be an offering to our island's guardian deity- Tapu Koko!
"Before you stands Hau- grandson of the kahuna." As queued, Hau walked onto the wooden stage.
Hau grinned and held out his Pokeball. "Let's have fun with this, Popplio!"
Hala turned his head. "Before him stands Alexandra- one who has met with Tapu Koko." Alex walked onto the stage, suddenly feeling pinned in the spotlight. There were a lot of eyes on her because of that little bit of information...
"What?!" someone barked from the crowd.
"What a curious little thing Tapu Koko is!" Another person chuckled. "Hah, that's just typical of it!"
"Rowlet!" Mom called out from the crowd, making Alex jump. "Take care of my little Alex!"
"As long as we both have a good time, then I think we can call it a great battle, eh?" Hau asked, as if he could sense how tense Alex was. She looked at him and nodded, taking a deep breath. That's right, this wasn't supposed to be anything but fun. Hau was a nice guy, after all.
"Alexandra! Hau!" Hala shouted, making her jump again. "Bring forth the power of your Pokemon!"
Alex won. She smiled, calling back her Pokemon. "You two did great!" she said, holding the balls in her hands. Even Yungoos participated and flourished! "Officially welcome to the team, Yungoos," she whispered and put the balls into her bag.
"Hoo-ee!" someone cried from the crowd. "Another great battle this year!"
"I bet Tapu Koko liked it, too."
"Phew... That was awesome, Alex!" Hau said, smiling excitedly. Suddenly he seemed completely pumped, despite losing. "That was a really great battle! I had a blast fighting you!"
Alex couldn't help but smile back. She was nervous at first, but she found that fighting against Hau actually was a fun experience. It was amazing seeing their Pokemon drawing our their best as well.
"It was a good battle," Hala interjected. "With this, even Tapu Koko..." As if on queue, its cry rang out above them. Hala chuckled and looked up at the sky. "Ho! You heard it yourself! Tapu Koko's song of approval." Hala looked down to Alex and approached her. "Oh, I nearly forgot! I think it is time you take this, Alexandra." Out of his pocket, he pulled the stone that Tapu Koko had given her out of his pocket, this time attached to a bracelet. She bowed her head as a thank you and slipped it on, still entirely lost as its true meaning. What exactly was it that Tapu Koko gave her, anyway?
"Your Z-Power Ring, a mysterious armband that can draw out the power that lies deep within Pokemon... It can bring forth their Z-Power!" Hala explained. "We kahunas can make Z-Power Rings using stones like the Sparkling Stone that you received from Tapu Koko." He bowed his head. "Though you will need to undergo the island challenge and collect Z-Crystals for yourself, if you wish to draw forth Pokemon's Z-Power!"
Alex looked down at the bracelet on her wrist. So that's what this was... a stone to draw out a full potential of her Pokemon?
"And yet you have already recieved that Sparkling Stone..." Hala continued. "It seems Tapu Koko took quite a liking to you... or perhaps it has a mission for you."
A mission? What on earth could I do for a deity? I'm just a beginner!
"Well, it's time for you to get out there are start your island challenge!" Kukui chimed in. "If you visit every island, maybe you'll figure out what that mission is."
What was he even talking about? "The island challenge?" Once again, she thought about the Gym Leaders in Kanto and traveling the region to get them. Was it similar?
"Four islands!" Kukui shouted, holding up four fingers. "You travel to each of the four islands here in the Alola region. The island challenge is about aiming to be the strongest trainer- the island challenge champion. Woo!" So it is just like Kanto. Battle the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four to become the strongest trainer in the region, right? That's certainly what it sounds like.
Hau laughed. "Sounds great, right? I can't wait to have a real adventure!"
Kukui put his hands on his hips. He does do that a lot, huh? "But I'll let Kahuna Hala explain the details!"
Hala nodded. "The island challenge Kukui spoke of... It is a journey to overcome your own limitations, as you travel to the far corners of Alola and meet with others along the path." Hala smiled as if remembering fond memories. "It is a great adventure that children in the Alola region embark upon, along with their Pokemon, once they reach 11 years of age!" Hala reached again into his pocket and stood between her and Hau. "Allow me to give you both the island challenge amulets you will need."
"Awesome! Thanks, Tutu!" Hau said, smiling like usual. He's such an upbeat person. "I'm gonna make it through the island challenge to try to become an island challenge champion!"
Hala smiled and handed Hau his amulet before turning to Alex. "There is one for you as well, Alexandra. Please do give the island challenge a try." He put the amulet in her hand. She was unsure exactly where to put it. She would always have her bag with her, so she attached it to the strap.
The festival was over, and the people were dispersing. Once again, Alexandra felt tired. This time, however, it wasn't for the same reasons as it was before. This time it was happiness and excitement; her day was fantastic!
Lillie walked up to her, holding onto the strap of her bag. "Tapu Koko is amazing, isn't it?" she asked in a soft voice. "I hope I can meet it again someday and thank it for saving Nebby..." Nebby cried out in the bag, responding to its name.
Alex nodded. "Me, too. It saved both of our lives, after all."
"It did save you as well... and left you that Sparkling Stone... even though you're a stranger to this place..." Lillie said as though lost in thought.
"Suppose it's time we get you kids home, yeah?" Kukui said, waving to them.
"Nebby... Alola is full of all kinds of wonders, isn't it?" Lillie asked, perhaps more to herself, and the two girls followed Kukui.
As they were leaving, the two pale people walked down the stairs from the plaza. "Captain..." the woman said. "I was able to detect high levels of aura at this full-powered festival."
The man nodded. "I suppose you would... According to our earlier research it seems that the Z-Power Ring and this Tapu Koko creature are bathed in a great deal of light." He shook his head and twirled his mustache again. "Alola overflows with the light that was released by the Blinding One... I find myself rather envious."
The woman turned to face him. "I wonder if we can't find some way to use the great power that fills Alola for ourselves?"
The man nodded. "That is precisely what we, the Ultra Recon Squad, are here to make clear." He pointed ahead. "Onward! There is still so much of Alola we have not seen, and we must investigate it all!"
"Honey, I'm home!" Mom called out from inside the house. Who is she calling to? I'm right here. Meowth cried happily though and ran towards them. Ah, that's who.
Mom turned when she heard Alex close the door behind her. "Oh Alex, you're back already? I thought you'd want to stay in Iki Town longer." Mom smiled. "Especially right after that great Pokemon battle! Ooh, I was just captivated to see my own girl fighting in such perfect sync with her partner!"
Alex smiled lightly. "Thanks, Mom. It actually felt really amazing. I didn't think it would be like that at all!"
Mom tapped her chin. "Maybe it would be a good idea for you to try that island challenge thing... It's something you can only do in Alola, right?"
"That's what it sounded like."
Mom shrugged. "But right now I've got a date with my bed. I danced my feet off at that festival!"
Alex couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh man, I have a date with mine, too. I had a lot of fun today, and I'm super tired now."
Mom nodded and kissed her on the forehead. "Night-night, sweetie. You get some sleep, too,"
Alex nodded. "I absolutely intend to." The two went to their own bedrooms to officially call it a day. Alex set down her bag and let her two Pokemon out from their balls. "You two did so amazing today!" she said and crawled into bed. "Let's all get some sleep..."