Chapter 1: Pain and gain
It was another day, another foster home to live in until he would be adopted. A single boy laid in his bed tossing and turning, reliving the nightmare that was the loss of his parents at the age of five. The loss of his parents by a drunk driver in a truck that entered their lane and crashed into the front. Mysteriously, their child had survived with barely any scratches although he was found unconscious. That was his only luck at the time as he was not claimed by any of his family members from either side and thus sent to foster homes. Every last one he went to was getting worse and worse as his foster parents would either abuse him or even ignore him like he wasn't there. Because of such events, it not only hardened his heart but also made him run away from his foster home after two days of living under their roof.
His eyes shot open as he sat up quickly and panted heavily with tears streaming down his eyes. He turned and looked at the digital clock in the room to see it was barely four o'clock in the morning making the boy get up from his bed and make his way to the bathroom after he wiped his tears away wearing black swim shorts and a gray tank top. Upon entering the bathroom, he closed the door before opened the light to see his brown colored eyes, tanned skin, plus short dark brown hair with his height being five feet four inches and a lean build. The boy's name was Ikaika Ali'i, a Hawaiian boy who lived with four other foster kids.
"Stupid nightmare," Ikaika whispered before he sighed and shook his head while opening the door to find his foster father standing before him.
A tall white man standing at seven feet tall and having a lean build and having long blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore jogging pants as well as a gray undershirt. The look in his eyes alone told Ikaika that he was annoyed at why one of the kids would be up so early int he morning. Groaning, he brought his hand up and rubbed his right eye before sighing.
"What are you doing up so early in the morning?" He asked making Ikaika look away with his hands gripped into fists.
"Nothing you need to worry about...James..." Ikaika replied causing his foster father to scuff and bring his hand to grab hold of the boy's hair to pull it back forcing the boy to look up at him.
"You look at me when I'm talking to you boy. I will not tolerate disrespect in my own home. Got it?" James demanded in a soft voice as to not wake anyone up.
Ikaika's eyes grew wide at this assault before gritting his teeth and bringing his right fist to James under forearm earning a yelp from his foster father which allowed the boy to slip out of his grasp. Glaring at his foster father, Ikaika ran up to him and punched James in the groin earning a loud grunt of pain before falling to the ground holding his jewels.
"I told you I'd drop you if you ever hurt me again! You never listen though do you, James?!" Ikaika shouted before slapping his chest. "I wasn't named Ikaika for no reason!" With that, Ikaika brought his feet against James' head knocking him out.
The lights in all the rooms turned on causing Ikaika to look around before running downstairs to get put his slippers on before leaving the household in a blitz. Another foster home, another fake family to leave behind. He put it upon himself to not get close to anyone in the foster house as to not give him a reason to stay longer than he wanted to. After running for almost a whole hour, he fell on his rear and closed his eyes panting heavily while facing the empty sky that was beginning to show a glimpse of the sun rising over the mountains. Opening his eyes, although he was still catching his breath, he was able to start examining his surroundings seeing he was not only lost but in front of an abandoned facility.
"Where am I?" Ikaika asked himself as he stood up and dusted his rear off before wondering into the facility to find it was almost like an abandoned lab site. One that had the energy to spare as the light was unknowingly still working even if most of them were shattered.
A minute later, he found himself in a large room with a single device on the ground. Blinking at this, he walked over and picked it up to see it was almost like a watch with no straps. Narrowing his eyes at the object, Ikaika brought it closer only for it to turn on and reveal a pixel version of a strange humanoid holding a club of some kind.
"What is this?" Ikaika asked with a raised brow before the device started to shake causing the boy to jump back causing the object to fall to the ground. "What the?"
As the device made contact with the ground, a portal opened over its form as a goblin popped out and let out a loud yawn. Once the goblin landed on the ground, he opened his eyes and scanned the area before he caught sight of Ikaika and jumping up in fear. It did not take long for the goblin to look around and find the child was all alone, seeing this, the goblin looked back at Ikaika and snarled while slamming its wooden club to the ground. It was a sign of intimidation, one Ikaika did not take too kindly to as he gripped his hands into fists.
"You think I'm scared of you? You got another thing coming to you," Ikaika said while bringing his hands up and slapping his chest.
The goblin charged at Ikaika before he screamed while running toward the creature. Both of them fought each other for hours before eventually, Ikaika stood on top of the goblin. Ikaika had won but at a cost, as his arm was badly bruised as well as his face being swollen due to taking hits from the others club. Ikaika had won but at an even worse shape as his entire face was swollen from countless beatings.
"Told you. You got another thing coming," Ikaika said with a swollen cheek before finally falling to his rear and then flat on his back.
As Ikaika laid on the ground, a shadow loomed over him revealing the goblin had gotten up moments after he had fallen to the ground. Sighing heavily, Ikaika closed his eyes expecting the worst until he heard the sound of rustling. This caused Ikaika to open his eyes and sit up, with a groan of pain, to see the goblin on his elbows and knees while holding up the strange device it had come from.
"Boss," The goblin spoke in which Ikaika pushed himself off the ground before taking the device with a raised brow only to look down at the creature submitting to him.
"Boss?" Ikaika asked confused in which the goblin raised his head and nodded. "What...are you?"
"I...Digimon...name...Goblinmon..." He introduced itself while it brought its forehead back down to the ground.
"Your name is Goblinmon?" Ikaika asked narrowing his eyes.
"Not...name...name of...others...we all...Goblinmon..." Goblinmon answered while closing its eyes.
"So, your all called Goblinmon...there are others like you?" Ikaika asked with an annoyed tone while looking around. "Where are they?"
"Nowhere...me...left...runaway...rouge...no like...how they treat me...treat me...bad," Goblinmon said making Ikaika blink his eyes.
"You're a runaway...like me..." Ikaika whispered while looking down at the ground before his eyes wandered to the device he was given. "What is this thing anyway?"
"That...digivice...you boss...I...servant," Goblinmon answered.
"Digimon...digivice? I only heard this stuff on the radio, but I thought that stuff was fake news...kind of like the weatherman," Ikaika said to himself while smirking. "Guess I'm what people call a Digi Destined."
With that said, Ikaika looked at Goblinmon while sighing.
"You can get up. If you're going to follow me I gotta give you a name so I can tell you apart from the others..." Ikaika said while bringing his hand up to rub the bottom of his chin. The next thing that came to mind was the history lesson he heard from his mother and the creation of the islands as well as life from the four major Hawaiian Akua's. "Ku..."
Goblinmon raised his head confused on the name that Ikaika said.
"Yeah. You fought one hell of a fight, so your name is Ku. Hawaiian God of war," Ikaika said with a smile while crossing his arms over his chest.
"Ku? Me...god of war...I like," Goblinmon said before bowing his head once more. "Thanks...boss."
"Enough with calling me, boss. Call me...Kane or Chief," Ikaika said with a smirk.
"Chief Kane!" Goblinmon replied while raising his head to look up at Ikaika.
"...good enough. Alright get off the floor, we got a lot to do today," Ikaika said slipping his hands, and the digivice, into his swim shorts as Goblinmon quickly got to his feet and followed his partner.
"What...we do?" Ku asked with his head tilted.
"What else? Get food. I'm starving," Ikaika said as they left the facility while looking up at the bright and sunny day making the boy bring his hand to shield them from the sunlight. "Weird...it was always so cloudy but now it's nice a sunny,"
"We get food?" Ku asked with a smile.
"Yeah, but I can't have you walking around all the time...is there a way for you to like...hide or something?" Ikaika asked before another portal opened but this time under both of them. "WHAT NOW!?"
-?-
Both of them descended toward what looked like the burning sun but was stopped as the two turned around to face a large being that had multiple tiles behind it.
"I am the God of this galaxy. Arceus," The Pokémon spoke using telepathy while narrowing his eyes.
"Okay, Arceus...why are we here? We didn't even get to eat, and we're tired as hell," Ikaika explained while turning to look at Ku.
"You are here to save the world I created," Arceus said with narrowed eyes.
"But you're the God of this planet, why don't you save it?" Ikaika replied with his arms crossed over his chest.
"There is only so much I can do, even with my children by my side. You will not be the only one to come to his world. Others will also come...and they will not be as kind as you are," Arceus announced making Ikaika chuckle lightly.
"Me? Kind? When?" Ikaika said tilting his head slightly.
"You may not have noticed but I had my eyes on you for a long time Ikaika Ali'i. You'd help any who needed it while defending those that could not defend themselves," Arceus spoke while a large mirror appeared behind the God Pokémon revealing the young boy helping the homeless when he could or even defend them from punks wanting to blow off some steam.
"That's not..." Ikaika spoke unable to fully answer while looking at the ground.
"Did you not promise your parents that you would be a hero to those who would need it?" Arceus asked.
"...that hero died the moment my parents lost their lives," Ikaika replied looking up at Arceus with rage and tears starting to form.
"Yet you still help the needy when you yourself do not have much," Arceus continued causing Ikaika to close his eyes and face the ground once more while gritting his teeth.
"There are countless other Digi destined stronger than me. I just got my digivice not too long ago after beating up Ku here. Why pick me?" Ikaika asked.
"Because the other Digi destined already have a war to prepare for. The war you will be preparing for will take place here. In this war...the Pokémon will be fighting a losing battle," Arceus admitted while closing his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Ikaika asked in surprise as he looked up at Arceus confused while tears streamed down his eyes.
"The digital world...or more so a virus will invade this world in due time. We legendries can hold off most of them until the Gods of their world enter here. I can only assume that there will be Pokémon that will join the Digimon in removing us from power," Arceus said as he opened his eyes slightly. "So, what will you do Ikaika Ali'i?"
Ikaika could only stare at Arceus before closing his eyes and sighed heavily while bringing his right arm up to wipe his tears away.
"I'll do what I can," Ikaika said while gripping his hands into fists.
"I will grant you three gifts to prepare for the future," Arceus spoke while leaning forward and breathing softly to Ikaika.
Ikaika could not help but bring his left hand up and wave his hand in front of his face with Ku doing the same thing.
"What was that for?" Ikaika asked as Arceus straightened up.
"You can now understand and speak with Pokémon," Arceus answered.
"Oh. Uhh...mahalo?" Ikaika said with a raised brow. "What are the other two gifts?"
"The second gift is allowing you two to always find one another. No matter how far you are...you will always find each other," Arceus said before sighing. "As for the final gift, you will gain knowledge of the entire Pokémon world as to prepare you for your adventure,"
"Wait what?" Ikaika said confused until Arceus widened his eyes engulfing himself and Ikaika in light for a split second. Once the light had died down, Ikaika stood straight with his eyes wide and hands hung by his sides.
"Chief Kane?!" Ku shouted as he ran over while dropping his club to take hold of Ikaika's shoulders and started to shake him violently.
This snapped Ikaika out of his trance causing him to blink rapidly before bringing his right hand up and dropped it down on his head dazing the Digimon. Ikaika sighed and pushed Ku away from him only to bring his right hand up to his head groaning.
"Talk about overload," Ikaika said closing his eyes and shaking his head.
"You are ready," Arceus spoke making Ikaika and Ku look up at the Pokémon.
"Uhh, so where do we start?" Ikaika asked crossing his arms over his chest.
"I will send you both to a place you are both somewhat familiar with," Arceus spoke as his eyes shined white.
-Alola Region: Professor Samson's Poke school-
Ikaika found himself standing in front of a school filled with kids as well as Pokémon. The next thing he noticed was Ku was not by his side causing Ikaika to start looking around.
"Ku? Where are you?" Ikaika called out before his digivice shook.
This made Ikaika take the digivice from his pocket to see Ku in his pixel form.
"Ku?" Ikaika asked with a raised brow.
"Me...hide here..." Ku answered in which Ikaika nodded his head slowly.
"Good to know. From what Arceus showed me...or...forced in me...I still don't see how I'm still sane but whatever. You would attract ALOT of attention," Ikaika said with a sigh as he started to walk toward the school.
As he looked around, he could not help but hear someone screaming before silence. Blinking at this, he made his way toward the noise to find someone had been trampled by the bull Pokémon. He moved over to him while keeping his eyes out for any Pokémon that would do him harm. As he reached the boy, he had been grabbed by a girl with green hair only to stop.
"Oh? Did you get lost too?" The green-haired girl asked making Ikaika raise a brow.
"Yes?" Ikaika answered before his eyes glanced at the other boy and blinked. "Ash?"
"Yeah that's me...have we met?" Ash asked with a smile.
"A friend of yours told me to come here. Guess he wanted me to run into you," Ikaika said before the girl took hold of his wrist and laughed.
"Come on you two. I still have to show you around," She said with a smile before walking toward the main building of the school.
-Main Building-
The girl continued to lead the way before finally releasing her hold on them allowing Ash to take the lead seeing fossils of dinosaur Pokémon up on the second floor of the building.
"Woo check it out! So cool! Awesome!" Ash shouted while spinning around in excitement before racing over to the window to look outside. "This is great!"
"...doesn't take too much to excite you does it?" Ikaika asked with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Of course, it doesn't! I'm always open to new things and seeing so much more to learn! Why wouldn't I be excited?" Ash asked turning to look at Ikaika. "Which reminds me. Who are you? You know who I am, but I still don't know who you are,"
"My name's Ikaika. I come from...far away," Ikaika said looking at the fossils while walking up to it.
"Like the Kanto Region?!" Ash asked with a wide smile.
"No," Ikaika bluntly answered before looking at Ash. "It's a place much further than that...," Ikaika admitted with a sigh while bringing his hands behind his head. "So where to next?" He asked looking back at the green-haired girl.
She smiled and walked past them toward a single door before knocking on it.
"Principle, I have two new students," She said making not only Ash's eyes wide but also Ikaika's eyes.
"What?" Ash and Ikaika shouted in unison.
While Ash was trying to talk to the green-haired girl, Ikaika watched as the door opened to reveal a tall young woman after a Mr. Mime opened the door.
"Ash. There you are. Did you get lost?" She asked with a smile.
"it's my mom!" Ash shouted while watching as the woman walked out and looked at her child.
"So glad you could join us," She said before another male walked out.
"Alola Ash!" The older gentleman said while waving his hand. "Welcome to the Pokémon school."
Ikaika's right brow twitched at the introduction before taking a deep breath.
"Professor Oak, what are you doing here?" Ash asked confused causing the older gentleman to laugh softly.
"People tell me we look alike. I guess that's why you recognize me," The principal said. "The name is Samson Oak."
"He's the Pokémon school principal," The green-haired girl explained with her hands behind her back.
"And who is this young man?" Samson asked looking at Ikaika.
"Ikaika Ali'i," Ikaika introduced himself.
"What brings you here Ikaika? Are you here to join my school?" Samson asked before making a maw with his hands in which he used to nip at the back of Mr. Mimi's head causing the Pokémon to panic a little.
"I would like to discuss something in private when you're done with talking with Ash here," Ikaika said while looking at Ash then back at Samson.
"Of course. I'll have someone get you when I'm done with Ash here," Samson said with a smile before entering his office along with Ash and his mother along with her Pokémon.
"You're not going to join us?" The green-haired girl asked while tilting her head.
" 'A'ole. I'll be outside waiting,"
Ikaika said before turning his back on her and walking over to the railing to place his arms against it and look out at the clear blue sky.
"...okay. My name's Mallow by the way. Hope to see you later," She said with a smile before also entering the office and closing the door.
Once she closed the door, Ikaika sighed heavily while hanging his head down.
"Alola? I know it's a region but the way he said it annoyed me," Ikaika commented while closing his eyes.
"Want me...whack him...Chief Kane?" Ku asked from within his pocket.
"No. When I bring you out, whenever that's going to be, you will speak only by saying your name," Ikaika said while bringing his left hand into his pocket and pulling out his digivice. "Got it?"
"Which...one?" Ku asked making Ikaika blink his eyes at this only to smirk and look out at the landscape.
"Just say Gob...short for Goblinmon. Your name will still be Ku and you will be my main partner...or Pokémon," Kane answered.
"Gob gob!" Ku said making Ikaika chuckle lightly.
"Not now. When we are with other people Ku," Ikaika said while shaking his head and sighing. "I still don't see why Arceus chose me,"
-Minutes later-
Ikaika had started to wonder on the school grounds before making his way outside to see a Charizard as well as a local. That was until he saw three figures making their way toward the local. Narrowing his eyes, he walked toward the direction of what seemed to be the three wanting to gang up on the lone local.
"Look at the big talker," The taller of the three shouted.
"What's going on?" Ikaika asked standing in between the three and the local.
"Don't get in our way, little man. Go back home to Mommie or else," The taller one spoke while swaying his hands about like a wannabe gangster.
"Or else what?" Ikaika asked turning his form to face the gangster.
"You really wanna know? We'll give you a whooping you'll never forget," The taller one shouted while leaning forward mere inches from Ikaika.
Ikaika snickered softly for a brief second before leaning back slightly only to bring his head forward and slam it against the other's forehead knocking him back.
"I am not one to be messed with punks. If you want to be gangsters than let's go. I beatdown punks like you when I was six years old," Ikaika said with a raised brow and his hands in his pockets.
"Your...you're going to regret that!" The taller punk shouted as he got back up to his feet and pulled out three poke balls making his two lackeys do the same.
"Come on out Saladit!" The leader shouted.
"You too Yungoos!" The fat one called out.
"Zubat you too!" The girl followed.
"Two versus nine?" Ikaika asked smirking slightly.
"I'm joining in!" Ash spoke as his Pikachu hopped off his shoulder and landed on the ground.
"Three versus nine?" Ikaika asked looking at the local who nodded and tossed out his own Poke ball. "Seems fair enough,"
"Now Turtonator, come on out!" The local shouted as an armored dragon type Pokémon landed on the ground.
"Ku. Show them who they're messing with," Ikaika shouted as he took out his digivice to find it had transformed into a grey Poke ball but smirked before tossing it up into the sky. The Poke ball opened up and released Ku causing him to fall from the sky and land on his feet growling at the nine Pokémon in front of him.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Ash asked looking at Ku.
"A special one now let's get this battle on the way," Ikaika said with a smirk as Ku raising his club overheard.
"Goblin Strike!" Ku shouted as a fireball formed over his club before he fired it at the center of the nine Pokémon launching them back.
"Did that Pokémon just talk?" The tallest of the gangsters asked while using his hand to protect his eyes from the blast.
"Guess that plans out of the bag. Ku, forget about what I said and just take them out," Ikaika said sighing.
"Pikachu quick attack!" Ash shouted as his partner zoomed past Ku before charging headfirst into the enemies.
"That's fast," The local whispered in which Ikaika nodded his head also impressed.
"Ku. Follow up on Pikachu's attack. Don't let them recover!" Ikaika shouted as Pikachu tackled the three zubat's.
"Goburi Bomb!" Ku shouted while raising both of his hands over his head causing a boulder as big as his form. The Digimon caught the boulder before chucking it toward nine Pokémon.
"What the heck was that?" The taller one questioned loudly as the boulder crashed on the three Yungoos knocking them out.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted causing his partner to gather energy before firing a bolt of thunder at the Zubat's as well as hitting the Saladit's stunning the six.
"I'll finish this," The local spoke walking in front of Ikaika and Ash earning a confused look from both of the young teenagers.
"What do you mean?" Ikaika asked before a faint glow was emitting on the local's right wrist.
"Alright, Turtonator let's go!" The local shouted as he raised his right wrist to line up with the center of this chest with his left mirroring him.
This caused both the Turtonator and the local to glow a faint gold color. Ikaika listened to his speech with his partner following his movement before it hit the climax.
"INFERNO OVERDRIVE!" The local shouted as a large fireball formed in front of Turtonator before he pushed it forward.
"Help?" Ku asked looking over his shoulder at Kane who simply shook his head.
" 'A'ole. That would be taking it too far," Ikaika replied as the large fireball slammed into the nine Pokémon knocking them all out.
As the smoke cleared out, the three gangsters all returned their Pokémon before retreating to their bikes.
"We won't forget this!" The taller one shouted as they rode off.
"Punks," Ikaika whispered while walking to his partners wide while crossing his arms over his chest sighing heavily.
"Whack whack?" Ku asked looking at Ikaika with a smile.
"If we run into them again...' ae," Ikaika said with a soft smile and a nod.
"I' ma whack 'em," Ku said looking back at the three while laughing softly.
"What was that?" Ash asked still watching the punks drive off.
"I also wanna know what that was," Ikaika said turning and walking over to the local. "Names Ikaika,"
"...Kiawe," The local introduced in which Ikaika nodded his head.
"So, what was that move you did anyway?" Ikaika repeated the question with his hands by his sides.
"A Z move," An older individual answered as he walked up to them.
"Professor Kukui!" Ash said as the professor met up with them.
"You two did great!" Mallow shouted as she with three more of her classmates.
"Mahalo Mallow," Ikaika said with a nod.
"Z moves are special moves passed down in the Alola region. Alola consists of four islands. And each of them has its own guardian Pokémon. Only those who participate in the ceremony called the island challenges are able to use Z moves," Kukui explained.
"Island guardians. Island challenges. And Z moves too!" Ash repeated while his eyes were lit up like stars.
"Now that was a mega punch battle. All three of you," Kukui commented while patting Kiawe and Ash's shoulders while also looking at Ikaika. "Say, Ash. You seem to enjoy a good battle."
"Yeah, I wanna be a Pokémon master!" Ash answered.
"Oh, I see," Kukui said looking away for a brief second.
"I don't mean to be rude and all, but Can I speak to Professor Samson?" Ikaika said while getting his Poke ball and returning Ku back into it.
"Oh of course. That was one of the reasons I came down here actually. Principal Samson is ready to see you now. And he would be very interested in your Pokémon young man," Professor Kukui pointed out with a smile.
"...yeah thanks," Ikaika said before making his way back to Samson's office.
-Samson's Office-
As Ikaika walked in, his eyes scanned the room before it came across an egg that sat on the table. Once Ikaika was in the center of the room, Professor Kukui walked in as well before shutting the door.
"Principal Samson. You wanted to speak with this boy?" Kukui said making Samson smile and nod.
"Yes of course. Please come, my boy, take a seat," Samson said with a smile as he also sat down.
"He also has a very unique pokemon," Kukui announced making Samson blink his eyes.
"Is that so? Mind if you show me your friend?" Samson said with a smile while leaning forward with his right elbow resting on his right knee.
Ikaika shrugged before taking his silver Pokeball out and released Ku. Professor Samson's eyes widen in amazement along with his co-worker Kukui.
"I have never seen a pokemon like this before," Samson spoke getting up and walking over to Ku causing the Digimon to hop back and ready his club.
"No come...closer...whack you...hard!" Ku spoke while snarling.
"And he can talk!" Samson said in excitement while clapping his hands.
"I'm gonna be honest right now. He isn't a pokemon," Ikaika spoke making both Professors look at the boy.
"What do you mean?" Kukui asked standing up straight.
"Do you know the legendary pokemon Arceus?" Ikaika asked looking at the two processors.
"We have heard of him yes. What about him?" Kukui asked.
"Well, he took me from my world to help save this world," Ikaika explained causing Samson to smile and chuckle softly.
"It's a very interesting story...but there are still hundreds of pokemon that are undiscovered throughout the world," Samson replied making Ikaika sigh and shake his head.
"If you can't take my word for it I don't blame you," Ikaika replied while raising his Pokeball and tapping it to cause the object to morph back into a digivice. "I would have thought the same thing if it did not already happen to me," He said before aiming the digivice at Ku and returning him into the digivice.
"What a strange object," Kukui said blinking his eyes.
"A war is coming to the pokemon world. I do not know where it will happen but it will come. For all I know, I am the only one here who can help...or that's what Arceus said," Ikaika finished before looking at the door.
"...do you have a place to stay while you're here Ikaika?" Samson said looking at the boy with his hands behind his back.
"I don't," Ikaika said looking at Professor Smason before his belly grumbled.
Samson and Kukui laughed before nodding their head.
"You are welcome to stay here for as long as you need. We'll talk more tomorrow," Samson offered making Ikaika blink his eyes.
"...mahalo," Ikaika said nodding his head.
/To be continued…