Pokémon Sun and Moon: Not Always Bright
[So long ago, I spoke about creating a main series Pokémon story. This...is also not that story, kind of. I say also because I made this joke in my other Pokémon story. It's a mystery dungeon story, check it out if you are interested (yay, self-promotion). Anyway, my last story was going to take place in Kalos since that was the game out at the time and, despite the many, many flaws of that generation, the region was beautiful, I decided to switch because Sun and Moon because is a lot easier to write about, I just finished the anime and games, and well...Team Skull became my favorite team of all time, especially because of my inner city roots and what their existence means. So this story is gonna be a mix of a lot of things I've wanted to write about with this setting and team: crime, family, and music, since Team Skull has a rap feel to them. The one thing that the two stories share in common was the inclusion of my second favorite Pokémon of all time as the main partner. It may seem a bit much to have it be his partner but I have a reason for it that will get explained later. I hope you all enjoy it. Note: I don't own Pokémon and the music used, just my OCs and some plot. All rights to artists, Nintendo, and the Pokémon Company, obviously][Also, just because they're my favorite team doesn't mean what they're doing is good. Joining a criminal gang is a last resort for most people, mainy kids, and they honestly shouldn't have to go through that and mess up their lives. Kids should never join criminal gangs, these gangs shouldn't exist, and they definitely shouldn't recruit children into their wrongdoings.]
Chapter 1: Warren
We begin with panning over the Alola region, four islands under the bright sun. This place is the epitome of an island vacation. Beaches, surfing, resorts, bikinis, regional foods, and...recreational activities that aren't usually broadcast in the brochures (*pans over all respective things listed*). Like other regions though, Alola does have its own citizens with their own lives. Shops, schools, cities, suburbs, Pokémon trainers, and Pokémon battles of course (*pans over all respective things listed, with there being a Pokémon battle going on between a fair skinned eleven year old girl wearing a white shirt with pink and yellow flowers on it, green short shorts, red and black sneakers, and a red beanie like hat on, battling a light skinned eleven year old boy with a black shirt, orange swim shorts, and orange sandals, the girl having a Litten while the boy having a Rowlet*). This region probably boasts having the safest and nicest region in comparison to the others, and that is true for the most part. It is still a Pokémon region however...
*We pan over to Melemele Island, looking over to see a Pokémon battle between a dark skin boy in red shorts and sandals using a Turtinator to fight a group of of teens wearing similar black and white outfits and face bandanas to each other, two boys, one with blue hair and one with dark green hair, and a pink haired girl who were all using Salandit, Garbodor, and Zubat respectively.*
Like most regions, there is a bit of an "evil team" problem. Alola's "evil team" is known as Team Skull. Unlike other teams, whose motives as of late have been world domination and/or world destruction, this one...is different. While some members do partake in stealing Pokémon to varying levels of failures, most members only like to cause trouble and damage to the inhabitants of Alola. This includes vandalism, loitering, intimidation, petty theft, and just being a general annoyance. While this may seem like a major problem, considering they're an "evil team," most people find them to just be a nuisance at best and an annoyance at worst, and people just accept it as something they have to deal with. And most of the time...
*The boy in red shorts has his Turtinator unleash a power fire type Z-move, Inferno Overdrive, onto the unlucky Team Skull grunts and their Pokémon, defeating all of them.*
They handle Team Skull just fine. This is because despite their bragging and intimidation tactics, most are not very good at Pokémon battling, which is what makes this world go round, especially when the culture of the region is tied to taking part in an island challenge, which most members have either failed or just didn't want to do. Despite these defeats, lack of respect, and lack of fear towards the team, it still continues to operate, even though most members have to basically provide for themselves. These members choose to stay is because of a number of reasons, most of them being that it's the only place these members have in their lives, the only family they have that respects them, and it's the only place where they can be themselves without being berated, abused, or talked down upon by people of Alola, sometimes even their actual family, because of their lack of skills, their wants, their beliefs, their identity, and, as mentioned before, their feelings and actions towards the island challenges. Now, let's get on with the actual story of a very special Team Skull member...
*We pan over Ula'ula Island, Route 15, in front of the Pokémon Center. There we see a 15 year old boy, dark skin, wears black high tops with white outlines, white fitting track pants with single black stripe going down the sides, black sleeveless t-shirt, bandanna around his neck with the mouth of a skull on it, black Beats like headphones hanging from his neck as well, black rim glasses, and white skull head SnapBack hat. He's 5'10", brown eyes, black hair, and has his hair in a fade under his hat. He's currently leaning against the shaded side of the Pokémon center, notebook in his hand while singing to himself and trying to figure out what to write. Next to him lying on the ground was a shiny Zorua with a pretty noticeable gash across its left eye, though it can still see through it, lounging with its eyes closed.*
This teen is named Warren Perk. While his backstory will be explained later down the line, a few things can be said now. He loves his Pokémon, like most do, and he has aspirations of becoming a music artist to make a name and a living for himself and his Pokémon. Team Skull has given him a place to do that.
"'...Soprano C, we like to keep it on a high note. It's levels to it, you and I know.' And then chorus." Warren rapped/sang out before he had a look of pondering on his face. He sighed out before looking down at his Pokemon, letting his arms fall to the side. "And that's all I got. No idea where to go from there, girl."
"Zorua..." the Zorua yawned out while opening one eye to give her trainer some attention. The teen then slid down the wall till he was seated next to his Pokémon. He then started to gently scratch the back of one of her ears, earning a purr in response while he stared out towards the blue ocean a few feet in front of him.
"Ugh, been at this for hours. Well forcing something out isn't gonna work. Maybe I'll save it for another time then." Warren said about to close his eyes.
"WOAH, WHAT'S THAT POKÉMON?!" A high pitched voice suddenly rang out, causing both the teen and his Pokémon to jump. The Pokémon got into a defensive stance aimed at the source of the voice while Warren stood up and looked towards the source as well. They both relaxed when the sound came from a young grade school boy in a white t-shirt and blue shorts, though the Zorua remained on guard and slightly moved behind Warren's leg as the boy approached them. "It looks sooo cooooool! Can I touch it!?"
"First, lower the volume please, you're like two inches away from us." The teen said somewhat annoyed but keeping that annoyance in. "Second, that would be a hard no. Azalea doesn't like being touched by people she doesn't know."
"Azalea?" The boy said, confused.
"My Zorua, now if you could please leave, I'm in the middle of something here." The teen said, sitting back down while grabbing Azalea and putting her on his lap, expecting the kid to leave.
"Come on, pleeeeeease. I'll be gentle." The kid pleaded.
"No." Warren said bluntly.
"But I'm a nice boy, my mommy said so. I can hold it." The kid persisted while holding out his hands. This caused Azalea to growl lowly in her trainers arms, the sound not being heard but the vibrations being felt.
"I said no. Now bug off, you're bothering me and my Pokémon now." Warren said, starting to glare. The boy still didn't get the hint though.
"BUT I WANT TO HOLD IT! LET ME HOLD IT!" The boy said as he started to throw a tantrum. This was now too much for the teen.
"LISTEN kid!" The teen yelled out the first part. The teen reached inside of his shirt before pulling out an S necklace that looks like a skull and holding it up to the kid. The kid instantly went quiet.
"You know what this is?" The teen asked, causing the kid to nod rapidly in fear. "Then you know what it stands for. Now, I suggest you fuck off now before I stop being nice."
With that threat, the kid went crying towards the nearby beach. With him gone, the teen trainer sighed, looking conflicted.
"Zorua?" His Pokémon called out concerned. The trainer heard that cry and smiled before caressing the top of her head with one of his hands.
"I'm fine girl, though that really messed up my train of thought. We should start heading back or else something else annoys us." Warren said as he picked up Azalea and placed her on his left shoulder before turning in the direction of the Ula'ula Meadow.
"HEY!" Yelled out a slightly older voice compared to the boy from earlier. It was then that Azalea gave Warren an annoyed glare.
"Yeah yeah, I spoke too soon." Warren said before turning to the source of the voice. He saw the same boy from earlier hiding behind an angry looking middle schooler, around 11 maybe, wearing red shorts and a black shirt. "What do you want?"
"My bro says that a Team Skull punk was bothering him." The older boy said to me before turning to his brother. "Is this him?"
"Yeah that's him!" The younger brother yelled.
"I'm guessing he neglected to mention that he was harassing me and my Pokémon." Warren stated.
"Zor." Azalea said quickly in agreement.
"And why would I believe you? It doesn't matter anyway. Our dad told me how you guys are bad guys but also how weak you all are. You need to be taught a lesson." The older brother said with a confident smile.
"Yeah, no. You don't even look like an official trainer. Why would I fight you and have my Pokémon get hurt when we would get nothing out of it?" Warren asked, tilting his head a little.
"Of course I'm an official trainer." The older boy said, pulling out a Pokeball and pointing it towards Warren. "I got my first Pokémon last week. Plus, I've watched loads of battles on YouTube."
"Oooooh, last weeeek." Warren mocked while Azalea giggled a little. Warren was turning around when the older brother said something.
"What? You afraid I'll win and take your winnings? My dad always said Team Skull jerks are cowards." He said.
"Yeah, cowards. My big bro is an awesome trainer. You wouldn't win anyway." The younger brother said mockingly.
"Winnings you say?" Warren said, turning his head to look at the boy while pulling out his phone and waving it. "So you do know somewhat how this stuff works. You got the app?"
"Uh, n-no." The older brother said a bit embarrassed. This made Warren put his phone away and turn his head away from the kid.
"Later kid." Warren stated bluntly while waving behind him.
"B-but I do have the cash on me, I'm always ready. Don't even think about stealing it cause my Pokémon will mess you up." The older brother stated.
"I don't do that, I fight fair." Warren said fully turned around now. It was then that Warren also noticed the empty Z-ring on the boy's arm. "I see you're also taking the island challenge."
"Yep!" The older brother smiled while stretching his throwing arm. "And a Team Skull grunt will be a good warmup before I take the challenge."
"Alright then, I accept your challenge." Warren stated.
"You're in for it now. Pokémon, go!" The older boy said, throwing his Pokeball into the air. The ball popped open and in a flash an Alolan Rattata popped out, hissing while in an attack stance. Azalea lowered her head in disappointment.
"Who knows Azalea, maybe this will be a challenge. Get in there and do your thing." Warren said staying as Azalea nodded and hopped off my shoulder, onto the now impromptu battlefield in-between Warren and his opponent. "You first kid."
"Kick his butt bro." The younger brother cheered after moving back, away from the battlefield.
"Alright, prepare for your defeat. Ready Rattata?" The older brother said. His Rattata nodded in response. "Awesome, end him with a Tackle!"
It was then that the Rattata ran at Azalea, not very fast though but still enough speed for the tackle to hurt.
End me, really? Warren thought disapprovingly.
"Use Tail Whip to throw him off balance and dodge." Warren commanded calmly. Azalea nodded and readied herself. Just before the Rattata reached her, she quickly spun and had her fluffy tail slap the Rattata in the face and used the spin to dodge the attack, almost looking like a matador fighting a Tauros. This caused the Rattata to trip and fall face first away from Azalea. The Rattata, while getting back up and turning to Azalea, also had a blue aura appear around his body before it shattered like glass.
"Slap some sand on his face girl." Warren said as Azalea raised a paw up and slapped the ground, causing a cloud of sand to fly into the face of the Rattata. This caused it to let out a cry of discomfort.
"Tail Whip? Throwing sand? Those are cheap moves. They don't even do any damage." The older brother complained. "Take this seriously!"
"Hey, I am taking this seriously. And if it works, it works." Warren said truthfully while raising his hand in defense.
"Rattata, use Tackle again and hit it this time!" The older brother yelled, causing the Rattata to begin his attack again. This caused Warren to scowl a little at the tone of his voice and his choice of words.
"Keep it going Azalea." Warren commanded, causing Azalea to repeat the same process as before. This yielded the same result. This went on a few more times, sometimes Azalea mixing it up and jumping over the Rattata while landing the Tail Whip on his face. The Rattata was completely covered in dirt from the amount of falling it had done.
"Again!" The older brother yelled, only to have the scene repeat itself. "Grr, come on! Why can't you hit it?! What's the problem?! Do it again!"
"It's called being in over your head, kid. Stop the tantrum." Warren said before giving out another command. "Azalea, finish it with scratch."
"What? Finish it? You haven't even landed a hit on me. Now who's in over their head?" The brother mocked before his Rattata reached Azalea. Azalea dodged to the attack before raising her right paw. Long, bright, white claws appeared from it and were brought down upon her opponent. The Rattata, having no time to react and with shock spread across his face, took the downward slash to the face before receiving a backhand, upward slash to the other side of his face. This caused him to stand on his hind legs. With a cheeky smile, Azalea then retracted all but one claw and poked the Rattata in the chest, causing him to fall backwards onto his back, swirls appearing in his eyes. This left the brothers shocked and speechless while the Zorua gave a triumphant grin to her trainer. He shot one back as Warren and Azalea walk/padded to each other.
"Awesome as always, girl. Didn't doubt ya for a sec." Warren said grinning as he bowed down to his partner's level.
"Zor." Zorua said in a 'that was nothing' tone before receiving a much appreciated scratch behind the ear.
"But...HOW!?" The opponent yelled, returning his fainted Rattata and pocketing the ball.
"But dad always told us that Team Skull was full of weak scaredy Meowths..." The younger brother said with tears in his eyes.
"That was just a weak scratch attack! How did it win?" The older brother whined while stomping towards Warren. Warren allowed Azalea to climb up onto his shoulder before standing up, looking down at his challenger.
"Remember those Tail Whips?" Warren asked him.
"Yeah, what about them?" The challenger asked, annoyed.
"Those hits to your defense stacked up, leaving my Azalea a chance to deal major damage." Warren stated as Azalea started nuzzling him, making it pretty hard for him to keep up his serious expressions. "Those Sand Attack hits definitely didn't help things for you."
"But?!...but..?" The older brother said at a loss for words.
"Alright kid, cough it up." Warren stated.
"What?" The older brother said confused.
"The cash kid. Cough it up." Warren said calmly and a little threateningly just enough to get his message across.
"R-right." Warren's opponent said nervously, taking out his wallet.
"Don't do it bro, he probably cheated. Mom and dad said that's the only way they win." The younger brother stated.
"What could I possibly have done?" Warren said, annoyed. "If your bro wants to be a real trainer then he has to be ready for things like this."
"Just take it." The older brother stated bluntly with tears in his eyes, pulling out around $250 and shoving it into Warren's hands. Warren was a bit taken aback by this as was Azalea seeing her trainer's expression.
"Wow kid, you were carrying. What's the occasion?" Warren asked jokingly while flipping through the money.
"What's it to you?!" The older brother snapped causing Warren to take a step back with his hands in the air.
"Just curious, kid." Warren stated sincerely.
"I'm...taking my brother out to play on the beach..." The older brother said, calming down.
"No parents?" Warren asked.
"They're working..." The older brother growled a little at that, Warren catching it.
"What do they do?" Warren asked.
"They're accountants at a bank." The older brother stated.
"Happens a lot huh? They're too busy and don't make time for the two of you?" Warren asked calmly.
"Yeah! What's it to you!?" The older brother yelled, scaring his little brother a little and causing Warren to sigh.
"Right, not my business." Warren said while putting the winnings in his wallet before taking out his own $50 and tossing it to his opponent. The older brother looked at the cash confused while Warren turned around and started heading towards Ula'ula Meadow.
"B-but you won. Why?" The older brother asked as Warren stopped walking, back still turned to his former opponent.
"I suggest you go heal your Rattata. After that, train with it before getting into any other fights, it'll do you some good in the long run, especially if you want to take part in the island challenge. Also, avoid that cockiness, I don't like people disrespecting my team. And if a strategy isn't working, like running head first into a problem, switch it up." Warren said before turning his head to the side to look at the brother with an evil looking grin. "I'd also find a new beach to hang out at. This one is crawling with nearby Team Skull members. Most aren't as nice as I am."
And with the comment, the older brother nodded, wiping away his tears and moving himself and his brother in the opposite direction towards the Pokémon center. Once they were out of sight, Warren let out a tension breaking sigh and allowed his shoulders to slump forward. He then noticed Azalea giving her trainer a teasing grin.
"Ah don't give me that look. I still kept most of his money." Warren grumbled before receiving a lick on the cheek from his Pokémon, bringing about a smile to his face. "Alright, some music for the road."
As he said this, Warren pulled up his headphones over his head and ears and pulled out his phone. He hit random on his music app and "No More Questions - Eazy E" immediately started playing.
"Guess it's that." He joked as he started vibing to it, Azalea listening to it as well by pressing her ear to the headphone, and they soon focused on the song and their trip back to the mansion.
[Song lyric used in the beginning was from Humble - Kendrick Lamar]
[Note: As you saw before, Warren mentioned an app. I decided to create an app for this universe where challengers would place a bet of money based on skill and the winner gets the earnings transferred to them. This is more in tune with the games since anime battles don't have betting (that we know of) and I don't think people would be carrying all that cash on them all the time. Hope you all enjoyed it and I hope to share more with you all. Onto the outro.
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PEACE]