A/N: The Kanik region is a fan region I'm working on. It's based on Alaska. Fort Ha'ule is based on Fort Elizabeth, a ruined Russian fort located in Kauai, the real-life counterpart to Poni Island.

CHAPTER 7: CLIFF RUNNING

The next day, Moon took Molayne to Poni Island to practice. He rode his bike along Poni Wilds while Moon rode behind on her skateboard.

"Bringing you here was a good idea," said Moon. "Poni Island is fairly empty, so you won't have to worry about traffic."

"Thanks," said Molayne. "I noticed you're a lot calmer than you normally are."

"Sun told me I was being too fucking harsh," said Moon.

"That's okay," said Molayne. "You don't have to worry. This whole thing isn't about winning. It's about having fun."

Once Moon and Molayne were done riding, the two of them stood on the west end of Poni Wilds. A large, ruinous fort in the shape of a star was in the distance. This was the ruins of a great Russian fort.

"I always love coming to the part of Poni Island," said Molayne. "Fort Ha'ule is usually very quiet once the evening comes in. Hapu's grandmother once told me that she feels it to be a symbol of life, death, and rebirth. The fort may have been abandoned so long ago, but now all sorts of beautiful plants grow there, and Pokemon come to visit it every day."

Moon had no idea what Molayne meant, but she smiled.

"Sun told me about this place," she said. "Some of his distant ancestors were among the people who built it. He told me they came here from a Russian settlement in the Kanik region, nearly 3,000 miles away from here."

"That's a far way off," said Molayne. "I think Kukui can swim that far."

"No he can't," said Moon.

Molayne and Moon laughed.

Molayne spent the night at the Pokemon Center in Seafolk Village. The next morning, he decided to go to Vast Poni Canyon to practice his running. He was glad to have the training to himself. When he arrived at the entrance, he saw a familiar face. It was Professor Kukui. Kukui was wearing a green and white tri suit.

"Hi, Professor Kukui!" said Molayne.

"What up, Big Mo?" said Professor Kukui. He gave Molayne a high-five. "Nice speedos you got there. And look at those sporty glasses!"

"Thanks," said Molayne, blushing.

"Ready to run?" asked Professor Kukui.

"Sure thing!" said Molayne.

Molayne and Professor Kukui started to run up the pathway that led up the cliffs. Kukui was going faster, but Molayne was determined to catch up to him. Molayne followed Kukui over rocks, bridges, and bent trees.

"This course is invigorating!" said Professor Kukui.

"Right you are," said Molayne, panting. "I'm getting exhausted trying to scale the cliffs."

"Just a little bit further," said Professor Kukui.

"Okay," said Molayne.

Professor Kukui reached the end of the trail first. Molayne came running behind him a minute later. As soon as Molayne got to the end of the trail, he fell down. Professor Kukui caught Molayne to prevent him from hitting the ground.

"Thanks, Professor Kukui," said Molayne.

"No problem," said Professor Kukui.

"My head's feeling kind of sore," said Molayne.

"Try taking some Ibuprofen," said Professor Kukui. "I'll let you ride in my quad bike. I'll be the driver. There's a place in Poni Meadow where we can have lunch together. I got some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I know you like those."

Professor Kukui took Molayne to his quad bike, which was colored green and had a storage box tied to the front. Molayne climbed onto the back seat while Professor Kukui sat in the driver's seat. Molayne held on tight to Professor Kukui as the latter drove all the way to Poni Meadow.

Once the two were at Poni Meadow, they got off the quad bike. Professor Kukui opened the storage box and took out two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, one for him and one for Molayne. He also took out some bottles of sparkling apple juice and some macaroni and cheese.

"Bon appetit, Molayne," said Professor Kukui, handing a sandwich to Molayne.

Molayne started to eat.

"Delicious," he said.

"So," said Professor Kukui, "I heard your family is throwing a party for you after the triathlon."

"Yes," said Molayne, "and you're invited!"

"Aw, thanks!" said Professor Kukui. "It'll be a blast."

"Although my feet will probably be too sore for me to do anything," said Molayne.

"That's okay," said Professor Kukui. "It's at your house, right?"

"Right," said Molayne. "I'm going to enjoy this race - I'm sure of it!"