What was once one chapter has been split into two. My mind is like it's in a vice, having ideas ready to go and then I remember I still have stuff to write before I get to them. Oh well, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 18-Rocky Trail to Trial
When Collin woke up that morning, the last thing he expected was a girl snuggling up right next to him. He was about to freak out, but he remembered last night and he calmed down. Lillie looked so peaceful in her sleep and being cuddled up with him and Nebby made it extremely cute. One sudden movement could wake the both of them up no problem, which was perfect timing for Collin to sneeze.
"ACHOO!" he sneezed. The movement from him sneezing caused both Lillie and Nebby to wake up, groggy. "Shit...sorry I didn't mean to wake you up." sniffed Collin.
"It's fine." yawned Lillie. "I was ready to get up anyway." Lillie moved up in the bed and stretched while Nebby floated to her lap. "Did you sleep well Nebby?"
"Pew..." he cried, giving out a small yawn. Lillie couldn't help but giggle at the little cloud.
"I'll take that as a yes. So Collin, wanna get some breakfast?" asked Lillie.
"Sure. Let's get dressed and we'll have something to eat in town." After they got washed and dressed, Collin noticed that Lillie was still wearing the clothes that she said her mother made her wear. However, he had the feeling why she wore them and decided not to question it. They found a place that did breakfast and decided to eat there. While they ate, they talked about random topics, likes, dislikes and other topics.
"So you mean to tell me, you were chosen by Lisia, star of Hoenn's Contests, to be an underling?!" cried Lillie.
"Yeah. Wasn't really a big thing for me. When I came back to Hoenn for a visit, she spotted me outside one of the contest halls and basically just said "You're my underling now!". I mean I enjoyed it and she was nice. Can't say much about her boyfriend."
"She has a boyfriend?" asked Lillie.
"Well used to. Dumped him after she found out he was cheating in one of the contests. Chaz was his name and he was a git." said Collin.
"Glad she dumped him."
"Same. So, anything interesting about you?" asked Collin.
"Well...there isn't much to say. Actually there was one time when my mom evolved a Clefairy into a Clefable without my permission." she said.
"Was this before or after she went mad?"
"Before. It was an accident on her end. But I was still mad at her. But other than that, nothing really interesting has happened in my life." Lillie seemed worried about something. "Sorry that my life isn't as interesting as yours."
"Hey now. Who said this was a contest to have the most interesting life? Honestly I'd rather have a life of normality than go through the shit I dealt with over the years." said Collin.
"Surely you don't mean that?" questioned Lillie.
"Of course I do. When I set foot out the door on my first day as a trainer in Kanto, the last thing I expected to do was take on my own damn father in a battle so he didn't control the whole region. No kid is prepared for that." Collin sighed heavily over what he said, looking at Lillie who was feeling guilty.
"I guess my plea counts as something you didn't want to do." she said.
"Arceus no. Unlike the things I've done in the past, I chose to help you. I didn't have to, but I did because I know you need the help and I hate letting my friends down. No one should have to do this on their own."
"If you say so." A ringing noise came from her bag. "That's my phone, give me a sec." She got her phone out and picked up. "Hello Professor...you want me to see you?...now?...okay where?...alright I'll see you then Professor." she said hanging up.
"What's up?" asked Collin.
"Professor wants me to meet him at the Pokemon Center. He thinks he might know what Nebby could be."
"Oh, would you like me to tag along?"
"I think you should get a head start on Route 11. You don't want to waste more time than you need." she said.
"Are you sure? It's no problem for me to stay."
"I am sure. Look, the Professor will be with me and I'll make my way along the Route and meet you. I should be safe." she said. Collin had to admit, he might be a bit too protective around her and gave up trying to convince her.
"Alright, it's your choice. You have my number anyway if things go south right?"
"Yep. Don't worry Collin. If I'm going to ever become a trainer, I need to be strong by myself." said Lillie, brimming with confidence, which Collin liked to see.
"That's the way to do it! Okay, I'll see you later then." he said, getting up from the table and paying the bill. "I hope you find out what Nebby is."
"Same. I'll see you later Collin! I'll catch up to you no problem!" she said. Collin nodded and left the restaurant, confident that Lillie was okay. He made sure his team was healed up and headed towards Route 11.
Making his way along Route 11, he battled more trainers and Pokemon. This time however, he was determined to get his Pokemon and strong as possible considering that Guzma has him on his sights and could come after him at any moment. So he had to prepared. Exiting Route 11 and onto Route 12, he noticed that the path ahead was extremely rocky. There was no way in hell he was gonna get through the route unless he liked to have his feet broken or stabbed. He then heard a low rumble coming from behind him, so he turned around to see a Mudsdale charging forward. He was ready to jump out of the way in fear of being hit.
"WOAH BOY! CALM YOURSELF!" said a female voice. The Mudsdale stopped just shy of Collin's body and let out a cry. The woman dropped off the Mudsdale and smiled. "Hey, Collin right?" she asked.
"You're Hapu...right?" said Collin.
"That's my name. I heard what happened last night in Malie Garden. Well done on that. I didn't think anyone had the balls to stand up to the Boss of Team Skull." she said.
"Meh, could have been worse. I mean sure he almost wiped out my team but I've faced harder trainers than him." said Collin, acting all smug.
"Heh, you must get around then."
"I guess you could say that. So, were are you off to?" he asked.
"Well I was going to head home to Poni Island, but I remembered that you might be in a pickle. So I came here to give you the the Mudsdale card for your Pager. Mudsdale's hoofs are so strong they can get through this rocky path no problem." she said, handing over the card.
"Thanks Hapu. I was wondering how I'd get across." Collin used the card and within seconds, a Mudsdale was right beside him. He mounted the Pokemon and was ready to go. "Woah I didn't think he'd be this big."
"Need help riding it?" asked Hapu.
"Nah, I used a Rapidash back in Kanto, so I think I'll be alright with this. Thanks anyway."
"No problem. Right I better get going. Oh wait, before I go, I forgot to tell you that you'd want to make your way to the Aether House just outside the Tapu Village. Just follow the Routes along this path and you'll get there in no time." she explained.
"Why do I need to go to the Aether House?" asked Collin.
"Well it's were Acerola stays. She'll lead you to the next Trial when you get there. I better get going before the boat to Poni Island leaves without me. Good luck with the Trial!" she said, getting onto the Mudsdale and the two trotted off back to Malie City. Collin continued forward while on Mudsdale, traveling through the rocky road ahead. Along the way, he battled more trainers and Pokemon and passed a Power Plant since he really had no business to be there. As he made his way along the routes, he came across a small motel, feeling that the rocky road has stopped and let the Mudsdale go until next time. As he was getting off, there were footsteps coming in from behind him.
"COLLIN!" shouted a male voice. It was Hau, looking bright as ever. "I thought I'd never catch up with you!"
"Well you did. I thought I would have seen you this morning. Where were you?" asked Collin.
"I was up on Hokulani doing the Electric Trial. Sophocles actually used the questions that he said you suggested he should use in the Trial. They were tough and so what the Totem Pokemon, but I managed to do it!" he said, holding up his Z-Ring showing the Electrium Z. "By the way, where's Lillie?"
"She's with Kukui. She'll make her way down somehow, I hope so at least. If not I'll just go back for here. You heading for the next Trial?"
"Yep! It's the last Trial on Ula Ula so it's gonna be tough. But I'm sure we can do it!" said Hau. A door opened from the motel and someone stepped out.
"Do you have a volume? Some people are still trying to sleep." said the person.
"Gladion?!" shouted Hau.
"Would you shut up for five minutes?" said Gladion dryly.
"What do you want Gladion?" asked Collin, not in the mood to deal with him.
"Tch, you know of Cosmog right?" he asked.
"Yeah? What of it?" said Hau, acting in defense.
"Team Skull is looking for it. I don't know how they found out about it and I don't know why, but they can't get their hands on it. That Pokemon may be weak, but it has the power to summon and even more dangerous Pokemon to Alola. I could spell disaster. I ask you to keep an eye out for it." he said, walking back into the motel.
"HEY! HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT COSMOG YOURSELF?!" shouted Collin, following him up the stairs to his room.
"It doesn't concern you, now get out." said Gladion.
"It kinda does if you know I know about it you idiot."
"I said it doesn't concern you. Just protect it!" shouted Gladion and he entered the bathroom of his room, locking the door.
"Seriously? That's how it's gonna happen? Won't tell me a damn thing because your still in you preteen edgy phase ya prick?!" Collin looked at Hau and all he could do was shrug. Collin was getting annoyed and started to bang on the bathroom door. "WILMA!" he shouted, as if he was in the old show he watched as a kid. No response. "Fuck off then!" he shouted.
"I'm trying to make a phone call!" shouted Gladion back to Collin.
"YEAH MAKE A PHONE CALL! PHONE A FUCKING FRIEND!" shouted Collin. "Come on Hau, the prick won't even explain." The two left the motel room and Collin was still in a bad mood.
"What was that all about?" asked Hau.
"I hate people like that. You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've come across people that asked me to do something and they don't explain how they know or why they want me to do it. I mean I know this time, but how the hell does he know about Cosmog? You get what I'm saying?" asked Collin.
"I guess. Look just don't worry about it. Let's head to the Aether House, I bumped into Hapu and she told me that's where you'd be heading."
"That's the plan. Let's get going, I wanna be further away from that prick before the day is out." The two made their way to the Tapu Village, healed up their Pokemon and noticed some construction going on.
"Oh! This must be where the entrance to the Pokemon League is. You gonna compete in it Collin?" asked Hau.
"Might as well. It would feel like an empty journey if I didn't." he replied, not letting on that he had a mini breakdown yesterday over it.
"Same. The Aether House should be around here." The two walked passed the Tapu Village and saw a massive looking building completely white. "Take a guess which house this is." said Hau, smirking.
"Gee, I wonder if it's the Aether House." The two started laughing and they entered the house.
When the two entered the house, they were greeted by nice cool air. Collin wished he could live here, as he was getting sick of being hot from the Alolan sun. Even Hau looked like he was in peace with the cool air. At the reception was a Pokemon Collin never seen but it wasn't doing anything so he paid no mind to it.
"Man, I've lived here all my life and still can't get used to the sun." said Hau. "By the way, where's Acerola? Isn't she supposed to be here?" A door opened near the reception and two little kids, no more than eight years of age, came out.
"Trainers! Trainers!" said the boy.
"Can we battle you sirs? Please? I want to see how strong my Pokemon are." asked the girl. Collin smiled at the kids for wanting to have a battle with him and Hau.
"Why not? We have time to kill don't we Hau?" asked Collin.
"Sure. It will be great experiences for them." said Hau. "I'll take you on." said Hau, pointing to the girl. Collin walked over to the boy.
"Alright lad, what's you name?"
"Hunter sir. I hope you don't hold back." said the boy.
"Same for you. Ready kid?"
"As ready as I can be! GO ELEKID!" shouted Hunter, throwing the ball out to the field and out came Elekid. Wanting to make things fair, Collin selected his Pokemon.
"Go Prinplup!" Prinplup came out ready to fight, but seeing the kid and his Pokemon, he knew not to go too hard. "Best of luck kid!" said Collin.
"Okay! Use Thundershock Elekid!" Electricity came flowing out of Elekid's antenna and hit Prinplup. Prinplup didn't really get hurt all that much, but played it up for the kid.
"Prinplup, use Metal Claw!" shouted Collin. Prinplup's wings sharpened and sliced at Elekid, but not to hard. Elekid was still sent back a bit from the damage.
"Elekid, use another Thundershock!" The electricity hit Prinplup again but still did little damage.
"Use Metal Claw again!" The attack connected and it knocked out Hunter's Elekid. Collin was expecting him to be sad, but he looked more happy than ever.
"Wow! I never thought I'd get to battle a real trainer so early! Thank you sir!" said Hunter, returning his Pokemon to it's ball.
"It' just Collin, no sir please. Well done though, it was a good battle. Keep training and you'll be strong before you know it." said Collin, returning Prinplup to his ball just as Hau finished his match with the girl.
"Thank you Mr Hau." she said/
"No problem, but can the Yungoos stop biting my leg please?" said Hau, trying to move his leg away from the Yungoos.
"Yungoos! Be nice around the guests!" said the girl and they Yungoos wandered off. The front door opened and Acerola entered the house.
"I'm home! How's everyone been?" asked Acerola.
"Great! Mr Hau and Mr Collin battled with us Acerola." said Hunter.
"Did you now? I hope you enjoyed it." she said smiling. She walked up to the two older boys. "I hope you didn't go too hard on them." she whispered.
"Nah, we gave them a good battle but when went soft on them. They'll make good trainers one day." said Hau.
"No doubt about that. By the way, have you seen Lillie?" asked Collin.
"Oh yeah I met her along the way, I helped her get passed the rocky path. She just went into the Village to get more repels and she should be here any moment." she said. "So, you here for the Trial you two?"
"Yep. Where is it?" asked Collin.
"I'll tell you in a few minutes. I'll need to collect a few things in my room. You two can head outside if you want." she said as she entered one of the rooms in the house.
"You ready to go?" asked Collin.
"Actually I'm gonna stay here until you finish the Trial. I can help teach the kids something about Pokemon battling while I'm here you know?"
"Fine by me. I'll see you after the Trial. Have fun kids!" said Collin about to leave.
"Bye Mr Collin!" said the two kids and Collin exited the house. No sooner did he exit did he see Lillie and she looked terrified.
"GO AWAY! PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE!" she shouted at the person in front of her. She didn't even notice Collin.
"Like hell I will girl. I know you got a rare Pokemon in that bag of yours and I'm about to snatch it off you, or else you'll know what pain feels like" said a Team Skull grunt, grabbing her wrist and pulling at her.
"OI! GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER!" shouted Collin rushing down the stairs and pushing the grunt off Lillie.
"Y-Y-YOU!?" said the grunt, knowing who Collin is.
"YES ME! AND IF I EVER SEE YOU LAY YOUR HANDS ON HER LIKE THAT AGAIN, I'LL SHOVE A PARKING METER UP YOUR ASS SO YOU CAN TELL THE PRICE OF YOUR NEXT SHIT!" That seemed to do the trick and the grunt ran off in the other direction. "Arceus alive. You alright Lillie?"
"Y-Y-Yeah. Wow, I never thought I'd hear something like that come out of your mouth." she said.
"Well when someone tries to hurt a person I care about, I get extremely defensive." explained Collin.
"Thank you though. I thought he was gonna get Nebby." The doors of the Aether House opened and Acerola walked out.
"Oh Lillie. There you are. You look tired, wanna rest in the Aether House while Collin is doing the Trial." she said.
"Thank you. I'll do just that." said Lillie. Acerola nodded and walked off.
"By the way Collin, the Trial is just south of the Tapu Village! I'll meet you there." Acerola walked passed the bend and headed to the Trial. Collin was about to leave, before Lillie grabbed a hold of him, and kissed him on the cheek. It was a brief kiss, but it still made Collin blush like crazy.
"W-W-What was that f-for?" he asked, stuttering over his words.
"For protecting me. And for good luck." she said, giggling and walking into the Aether House. Collin slowly made his way down the path, blushing still.
"This girl will be the death of me."
Woo, added a little cheeky kiss at the end there. Why? Because why not? Anyway, reviews and comments of any nature are welcomed and as always, I'll see you in the next chapter. Cheerio!