Meowth POV

It was getting late as I found myself in some man's house. Ever since I was captured, the man trained me a bit, and gave me to some girl he knew. Now that girl is fast asleep in her bed, while I'm trying to sleep here in the corner next to some Rockruff.

"Hmm..." I turned my head up to look at the girl.

For some reason, this girl is different... I had this hatred for her when I first encountered her, heck, I still have a bit of a grudge... I don't know whether to trust her or not. But...is it okay for me to trust her? To trust a human? Why is this a conflict I'm having?

"Can't sleep?"

I turned my head to the Rockruff who was lying next to me.

I quickly laid my head back down.

"No. Just thinkin'." I scoffed.

The rockruff smiled as he got up and walked closer to me.

"So, what do you think of Ericka?" Rockruff asked.

I looked at the rockruff out of the corner of my eye.

"Is that her name? She's okay I guess." I replied.

Rockruff then sat next to me.

"Ericka's a really nice person. She's kind and she gives great pettings." Rockruff smiled as he wagged his tail.

"You belong to the Kukui guy, right?" Meowth asked.

"I do."

"So let me ask, what are your thoughts on humans?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Humans? Well I like the humans I've met. Kukui's really nice, and so is Burnet and Ericka, and then there's a boy named Hau, a girl named Lillie, and another boy na-"

"Yeah, I get it, you've met a lot of people. But what is your opinion on 'em?"

"Well I like the people I've met. What else is there to say? I like my friends, and they like me in return."

I stared at the Rockruff.

"You trust humans?" I asked.

"Yeah. Why do you ask?" Rockruff asked.

I turned my head and stared away from Rockruff.

"It's nothin'. I was just asking."

Nothing was said between the two of us for a minute or so. I just kind of looked around the room from the view of the loft.

"Hey, I'm sorry I had to attack you." Rockruff said.

"Huh?"

I turned my head back to the puppy pokemon.

"When we were battling back in the alleyway." Rockruff said, looking sorry.

"Oh that? That was nothing. Back in those streets I'm used to fighting." I replied.

"You fight in the city?" Rockruff asked.

"Yeah. That's how it is. Every pokemon for themselves out in the streets." I replied as I laid my head back down.

"That must be pretty lonely." Rockruff said.

"I'm used to it."

"Well you're gonna have to get un-used to it." Rockruff said.

I turned my head to the rockruff in confusion.

"What do ya mean?" I asked.

"You've got a partner to fight with you. You don't have to be alone." Rockruff smiled.

"Argh...I don't need a partner, I just wanna sleep." I groaned as I laid my head back down.

"Alright. Goodnight!" Rockruff smiled as he too lied down to sleep.

How dare this happen...this human...why?

The Next Day

Ericka POV

It was late morning as I found myself, Meowth, Rockruff, Professor Kukui, and Professor Burnet downstairs on the couch, finishing breakfast and watching the tv.

"Ruff!" Rockruff was sitting on the floor watching the tv excitedly. There was some show on featuring a pokemon trainers on the tv, and promoting something called a "pokemon league".

Meowth and I were sitting across from the tv. Meowth wasn't quite used to me yet, but we're still partners. I don't fully understand what being a pokemon trainer means, but I'm determined to find out. I figured that since we're not that close yet, maybe keeping out of its pokeball would somehow help us to grow closer.

I stared down at the meowth curled up next to me on the couch. It's expression hadn't changed much since I first obtained it last night.

Is it still mad about how I stepped on its tail the other day? Why does it have such a grudge against me?

"Come and challenge the pokemon league! Right on Ula Ula island!" The tv man said excitedly.

Professor Kukui stood up from the couch, grabbed our plates and walked them over to the kitchen.

"So Ericka, do you have any plans for today?" Professor Burnet asked.

"Not really." I replied.

"Ericka, I was thinking, since you've just gotten your pokemon last night, how about we have a pokemon battle?" Professor Kukui asked.

I looked up the the professor.

"A pokemon...battle?" I asked.

"Yeah. Since you're a pokemon trainer, you're going to be battling a lot." Kukui explained.

I looked down at my meowth, who was looking up at the professor.

"So pokemon are used for battling? How does that work?" I asked.

"Well you remember when I used rockruff to battle meowth? The two pokemon used moves to battle each other. Pokemon trainers fight with their pokemon to gain experience and grow together." Professor Kukui said.

"Okay...I guess I'll give it a shot. How about you, Meowth?" I asked as I looked down at the cat.

"Mrrr..." The meowth had a somewhat annoyed look on its face, but seemed to almost agree.

"I'm guessing that's a yes?" I replied as I looked up at the professor.

"Great." Professor Kukui said.

The professor turned to his pokemon.

"Are you up for battle, Rockruff?"

"Ruff!" Rockruff nodded in reply, wagging his tail in excitement.

"Awesome. Let's head outside first..."

Professor Kukui led us all outside on the beach. The sun was high in the sky, shining down on the white sands. The view was accompanied by the soft sounds of the ocean's waves hitting the shore.

"Alright, Ericka. Now, your meowth knows the moves Scratch, Bite, and growl. When a trainer battles with his or her pokemon, the trainer shouts moves for the pokemon to use." Professor Kukui explained.

"Scratch, growl, and bite, got it." I repeated.

Professor Kukui walked over to one side of the beach, with his Rockruff following right behind him.

"Now Ericka, you stand a distance from me and have Meowth get in front of you." Professor Kukui explained.

I nodded, and walked a good distance away, with Meowth reluctantly following.

"Ready, Rockruff?"

"Ruff!" Rockruff barked in reply as he ran in front of Kukui.

"Mrr..." Meowth sighed as he got in a fighting position.

"Alright, Ericka. As a new trainer, you may have the first move." Kukui said.

"Alright, um..."

What moves did he say Meowth had again? Um...

"Er, Meowth, use scratch!" I commanded.

"Mrrow?" Meowth looked at me with confusion.

"Scratch?" I repeated as I looked down at meowth.

"Mrr..."

Meowth, annoyed, agreed to attack. He ran forwards to the Rockruff and scratched him with his claws.

"Ruff!" Rockruff seemed to take damage, but he hardly flintched.

"Now it's our turn, Rockruff, use tackle!"

"Ruff!" Rockruff jumped from his spot and rammed into Meowth.

"Mrow!" Meowth cried as he flew back.

"Meowth, are you okay?" I asked.

"Mrr..." Meowth got back up, appearing fine.

"Okay, use scratch again!"

"Mrrooow..." Meowth shook his head and ran towards the Rockruff.

The cat opened its mouth wide.

"Ruff? Ru-!"

I watched as Meowth bit Rockruff.

"Huh? That's not the move I said to use!" I yelled at meowth.

"Mrow!" Meowth glared back at me.

"What are you doing?" I yelled at it.

"Ruff!" Rockruff barked at the meowth.

"Mrrooow..." Meowth growled back.

"Okay...Rockruff! Use tackle again!" Professor Kukui instructed.

"Ruff!" Rockruff had no hesitation as he rammed into Meowth again.

"Meowwww!" Meowth yelled.

Meowth struggled to get up.

"Are you okay Meowth?" I asked.

"Mrow!" Meowth jumped to his feet and made a dash for the Rockruff.

"Meeeeoooow!" Meowth yelled as he jumped and bit Rockruff.

"Ruff! Rooo..." As soon as Rockruff was bit, he became unconscious.

"Rockruff!" Professor Kukui said as he ran over to Rockruff.

"Meowth!" Meowth smirked at his victory.

I walked over to Kukui.

"Is Rockruff okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's just fainted." Kukui said as he returned rockruff to his pokeball. "As for you..." He said as he turned to Meowth.

Meowth stood prideful as the smirk stayed on his face.

"Didn't I tell you that you and Ericka are partners now? Why did you disobey her?" Kukui asked.

"Mrow." Meowth didn't care. He just shrugged.

"Hmm..." I looked worriedly at Meowth.

Are Meowth and I really partners? I wish we could become better friends.

I knelt down to the Meowth.

"Meowth?" I asked.

Meowth looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

"We're partners, Meowth. We need to be able to communicate." I said.

"Meowth..." Meowth scoffed.

"I just want to be your friend." I said to it.

Professor Kukui walked over to me.

"Ericka, we should get these two to the pokemon center." He suggested.

"Pokemon Center?" I asked.

"Yeah. There's a building in town where they can heal our pokemon. Put Meowth in its ball and I'll take us there." Professor Kukui instructed.

"...Okay..." I said as I reached for Meowth's Pokeball.

"Meowth, return for now." I said.

Meowth returned into it's pokeball with an annoyed face.

As the pokeball closed, I looked down at it.

"Professor? Do you think there's anyway I can befriend Meowth?" I asked.

"I would say just keep trying. I don't know what else we can do..." Kukui said. "C'mon, lets get to the pokemon center."

"Alright..." I said as I followed Kukui.

Professor Kukui led me to into Hau'oli city where there was a large white building with a red roof.

"Ericka, this is the Pokemon Center. This is where you can get your pokemon healed after battle." Kukui said.

The two of us walked inside to a large room. To the left, there was a cafe area, to the right, there appeared to be a store set up. In the middle there was a red counter with a pink-haired lady wearing a light pink dress and white apron standing behind it.

"Oh, welcome Professor Kukui." The lady greeted the Professor.

"Hello, Nurse joy." He replied as the two of us approached her.

The lady then turned to me.

"Oh, is this a new trainer?" She asked.

"Yes she is. Nurse joy, this is Ericka. Ericka, this is Nurse Joy." Professor Kukui introduced us.

"Nice to meet you." I said.

"Welcome, Ericka. so, do your pokemon need healing?" She asked.

"Yes they do." Kukui said as he handed Rockruff's pokeball.

I followed and gave her Meowth's pokeball.

"Okay, I'll take your pokemon for a few seconds." She said as she took the two pokeballs over to a machine.

"..." I couldn't help but think about that battle. Why wasn't Meowth listening? Is it still mad at me?

As the professor and I waited, someone else had entered the building through the pokemon center's doors.

I looked to the entrance to see Hau standing there.

"Oh, hey, Professor! Hey Ericka! Didn't expect to see you guys here!" Hau smiled.

"Alola, Hau. You healing your pokemon?" Kukui asked.

"Yep. I'm hoping to head out to catch some pokemon before Lillie gets here." Hau replied, "So what are you guys doing here?" Hau asked.

"We're healing our Pokemon. Ericka and I just had a battle." Kukui replied.

Hau was surprised to hear about our battle.

"Wait, so does that mean you got a Pokemon, Ericka?" He asked as he turned to me.

"Yup. I got a Meowth." I replied.

"That's awesome. So...do you know how to catch pokemon then? Would you like me to show you?" He asked.

"Catch pokemon?" I asked.

"I think that's a good idea. Ericka would use the lesson." Kukui smiled.

"Great. I just want to get my pokemon healed before we get going." Hau said.

Pretty soon, Nurse Joy returned to the counter with our pokemon.

"Thank you for waiting, your pokemon are perfectly fighting fit!" Nurse Joy smiled.

"Thank you Nurse Joy!" Professor Kukui smiled as he took Rockruff's pokeball.

"Y-Yes, thank you." I said as I took Meowth's pokeball.

"Well, if you two are settled, I'm going to head back to the lab. You think you two are alright on your own?" Kukui asked.

"Sure we are!" Hau smiled as he handed Nurse Joy his pokemon for healing.

"Great. Well, I'll see you two later when Lillie arrives." Kukui smiled.

"Alright, Professor, see you then!" Hau replied.

"See you, Ericka." Kukui said as he left.

"Later, Professor Kukui." I waved as the professor walked out the door.

"Thank you for waiting, Hau. Your pokemon are back to perfect health." Nurse Joy smiled as she handed Hau his pokemon.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy." Hau smiled.

Hau put his pokeballs away and then turned to me.

"Lets get to route one, that's the best place for beginning trainers to find pokemon to catch." Hau suggested.

"Alright." I replied.

"Let's go!" Hau smiled as he lead the way.

Hau and I made our way to route one. There was a lot of tall grass on the road.

"Now Ericka, the best place you're gonna find pokemon is here in the tall grass." Hau said as he started to walk into the grass.

Tall grass? That reminds me, I walked into some tall grass when I ran into Meowth. Was that why he attacked?

"Hopefully if I'm just walking...I'll...woah!"

Hau nearly jumped as a wild pokemon jumped from the grass and attacked him. The pokemon appeared to be a little ladybug-looking creature.

"Aha! A Ledyba." Hau said.

"Go Smeargle!" Hau said as he called out a black and white dog-like pokemon with a paintbrush tail.

"Use False Swipe!" Hau commanded.

"Smear!" The smeargle ran towards the Ledyba and swiped at it.

"Ledy!" The Ledyba yelled as it was hit.

"Ledy!" Ledyba then charged forward and tackled the smeargle.

"Go pokeball!" Hau yelled as he threw a pokeball at the Ledyba.

As the Ledyba was hit by the ball, the ball absorbed it and closed with the ledyba inside. the pokeball rocked a few times, before capturing the Ledyba.

"I caught it!" Hau jumped in excitement before running to pick up his new pokemon.

"And Ericka, that's how it's done. You weaken a pokemon and then throw a pokeball when it's weakened enough. Then you just leave it all up to chance, and hope that you catch it." Hau explained.

"Got it, weaken it, throw pokeball, then hopeful capture." I repeated.

"Here, since you're a new trainer, let me get you started with some empty pokeballs of your own." Hau said as he reached into his bag and got out ten smaller pokeballs.

"W-Wow, thank you." I said.

"Just as an fyi, those can grow bigger if you hit the button." Hau explained.

"Okay..."

I put nine of the pokeballs in my pockets, while the the other one I pressed the button to make it grow to baseball-size.

"Neato. I've never seen technology like this where I come from." I said.

"Now go ahead, step into the grass and catch a wild pokemon!" Hau said excitedly.

"Alright, alright." I said as I stepped into the grass, putting the empty pokeball away.

"Hmm...Gah!" I yelled as a wild pokemon attacked.

I nearly fell as a small little green caterpillar with red antennae jumped at me.

"That's a caterpie! Quick! Throw Meowth's pokeball so it can attack!" Hau yelled.

"Er-Er...Hrgh, gah!" I struggled to get a grip on Meowth's pokeball, but I was able to get it and throw it.

The pokeball opened to release the Meowth inside.

"Mrow..." Meowth growled.

"Meowth, this is the pokemon we're trying to catch, so can you help me out here?" I asked to it.

"...Mrow..." Meothw gave me a look, as if it were telling me, "Fine..."

"Great. Now, use scratch!" I yelled.

"Mrow!" Meowth ran forward and used its long sharp claws to attack the caterpillar.

"Cater!" The pokemon cried as it was attacked.

"Wrew...Pie!" The Caterpie yelled as it shot strings from its mouth to slow meowth down.

"Okay...Go Pokeball!" I yelled as I threw the pokeball.

The caterpie was hit with the pokeball and was absorbed by it. The pokeball rocked once, rocked twice, rocked once more, when suddenly...

*Click!*

The pokeball dings as the pokemon was captured.

"I...I caught it!" I smiled as I ran to pick up the pokeball.

"Mr...Mrow!" As I picked up the pokeball, I turned to see Meowth who was tied up with the strings.

"Here, Meowth." I said as I walked over, bent down, and was able to loosen the strings and free Meowth.

"Meow...?" Meowth looked almost confused as he was freed.

I smiled back at him as he looked up at me.

"Thank you for helping me, by the way. Now we have a new friend." I smiled at him.

"Mrow..." Meowth kept his confused look as he looked up at me.

Hau then walked up to me.

"Awesome, I'm glad you were able to catch that Caterpie." Hau smiled.

"Me too. I wasn't sure if I was gonna be able to get it or not." I replied.

"Heheh. Hey, we should probably heal our pokemon before we meet Lillie at the dock." Hau suggested.

"So when is Lillie coming?" I asked.

"Some time around noon. We definitely don't want to be late." Hau said.

"Alright. C'mon, Meowth, lets get back to the Pokemon Center." I said.

"Mrow..." Meowth replied as he started to follow.

After Hau and I healed our pokemon, we both started to make our way through Hau'oli city.

The two of us and Meowth walked out of the Pokemon Center, and started heading to the docks.

As we were walking, I noticed a huge school next to the Pokemon Center.

"Ericka, do you know that building? That's the Trainer School where many people go to learn about the basics of pokemon." Hau said as we were walking along.

"Do you have to apply there?" I asked.

"No...I think you just walk in and they'll be glad to teach you." Hau replied.

"Gotcha." I said.

We continued down the road, when I noticed some shops lined up in the street.

"Hau, what kinds of shops are those over there?" I asked as I pointed to the line of buildings.

"Those shops there are popular places for pokemon trainers. That one there sells clothes, while the one next to it gives you haircuts." Hau explained as he pointed out the buildings.

"Cool. I may stop there at some point." I replied.

I looked down at my Meowth, who had his arms folded behind his head as he was walking.

This pokemon seems to change its mood a lot...first battle we had he wasn't obeying, but when we were catching
Caterpie, he seemed to listen. Are we growing closer?

Meowth glanced up at me. As soon as we made eye contact, he quickly turned his head away.

"Hmm..." I frowned slightly.

"Hau! Ericka! There you two are!"

We looked up the road to see Professor Kukui waving at us with Rockruff standing beside him, wagging his tail in excitement. The two were standing in front of the Pokemon Center at the end of the street.

"Alola, Professor!" Hau waved.

"Hey, Professor Kukui." I greeted.

"Ruff!"

As we approached the two, Rockruff excitedly ran up to Meowth while wagging his tail.

"Mrow?" Meowth hesitated at the welcome.

"So, how did the pokemon catching go?" Professor Kukui asked.

"It went really well! Ericka caught a Caterpie!" Hau said excitedly.

"Really? May I see?" He asked.

"Sure."

I reached into my left pocket where Caterpie's pokeball was and pulled it out.

"Come on out, Caterpie." I said as I threw the pokeball in the air.

As the pokeball flew into the air, it opened up and released Caterpie from the capsule.

"Wroo!" Caterpie cried as it touched the ground.

"I'll say, that's a fine caterpie you have there." Kukui smiled.

"Wroo!" Caterpie smiled when it heard the compliment.

"Hey Professor, where's Professor Burnet?" Hau asked.

"She's waiting for us at the docks I believe. We'd better hurry to the Marina." Kukui said.

"Yeah, let's get going!" Hau said.

"Ruff!" Rockruff barked in excitement.

"C'mon you two."

I bent down to scoop up Caterpie in my arms, while I looked back at Meowth who was still following. As soon as we were ready, we headed for the Marina.

We had to continue through some of the city, but we finally made it to the Marina where we were supposed to greet their friend Lillie.

"There you all are!"

We looked down the Marina to see Professor Burnet waiting for us.

"Where have you all been? Lillie is to arrive any time now!" Professor Burnet said.

"Is it really that soon? Man I'm excited!" Hau cheered.

"Ruff!" Rockruff jumped around Hau as he joined in the excitement.

"Sorry we took a bit of time, Hon. But at least we're here to greet her now, right?" Kukui said.

"Yes, but any later and who knows if you would have been on time." Burnet added.

As Professor Burnet looked around, she saw me standing next to Professor Kukui with Caterpie in my arms.

"Aw! What a cute little Caterpie!" Professor Burnet smiled.

"Wrroo!" Caterpie smiled yet again at the compliment.

"Yeah, Hau took me to route 1 to catch a pokemon, and I got this little guy."

"Wroo?!" Caterpie looked at me in confusion.

"Mrow! Meoowth!" I turned to meowth who seemed to be laughing.

"Did I say something funny?" I asked.

"Hmm...Maybe. Kukui, can I borrow your pokedex?" Professor Burnet asked her husband.

"Sure thing." He said as he handed her a red device that looked like an oddly shaped ipad.

Professor Burnet used the device and seemed to scan my caterpie.

"I see...This Caterpie appears to be female." She said as she looked at the device.

"It's a girl?" I repeated.

I looked down at the Caterpie, who appeared to be blushing a bit.

"Sorry Caterpie..." I apologized.

"Wroo!" Caterpie accepted the apology with a smile, seeming to forget the comment I made earlier.

"Mrow, row!" Meowth was still chuckling a bit from the comment.

"It seems that this meowth has a sense of humor after all." Professor Burnet chuckled.

"Mrow? Mr!" Meowth seemed to be a bit embarrassed by that comment, turning away and folding his arms.

*HONK HONK*

"Hey! Is that it?!" Hau asked as he ran to the end of the Marina in excitement.

In the distance, there was a large white ship approaching the harbor.

"I think it is!" Professor Kukui said as he joined Hau at the end of the dock.

"Ruff ruff!" Rockruff quickly ran to join Hau and Professor Kukui near the edge. "Ru...RUFF!" Rockruff was just as excited as them, but as he was running fast, he almost lost footing and nearly fell into the water below which seemed to give him a scare.

"Rockruff! Be careful!" Professor Burnet warned Rockruff as she and I began to approach the edge with the others.

I walked up excitedly next to the others. I don't know what made me so excited, since I didn't know this person, but it's just this feeling I get. Maybe I'm excited to meet Lillie? Whatever the reason, the moment was soon approaching when I would get to meet this girl.

"Professor Kukui! Professor Burnet! Hau!"

I looked up at the fast approaching ship. There was a girl at the front of the boat waving down to us. The girl was had blode hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing a white blouse with a white skirt, with a pink backpack hainging down from the straps around her arms.

"Lillie!" All three of them said as they saw their friend.

*HONK HONK*

"Gah!" Lillie gasped at the loud horn from the boat, holding her hands to her ears.

After recovering quickly from the blast, she turned her attention towards us again.

"ALOLA!" She shouted loudly.

The ship docked at the Marina. Everyone was excited to see their friend and hear all the stories she had to tell. There were many people getting off the ship, so we had to wait until Lillie finally walked onto the dock.

"There she is!" Hau said as he spotted her from the crowd.

"Alola!" Lillie waved as she approached us.

"Alola, Lillie!" Professor Kukui smiled at their friend.

"Lillie!" Professor Burnet walked up to the girl.

"Professor Burnet!" Lillie smiled as the two hugged each other in greeting.

"It's so good to see you all again!" Lillie said as she pulled away.

"Same here!" Hau smiled.

"So how's your mother doing?" Professor Kukui asked.

"She's good. We had to stop at the Aether Paradise before I boarded a ship to come here, so she's resting at home." Lillie replied.

Lillie looked among the group when her eyes stopped at me.

"Uh, hi there." She smiled at me.

"Hi." I replied.

"Oh, forgive me. Lillie, this is Ericka. She's staying at our house due to some...interesting circumstances. Ericka, this is Lillie." Professor Kukui introduced.

"It's nice to meet you, Ericka." Lillie smiled as she walked up to me.

"Same here, Lillie. I heard so much about you." I replied.

Lillie looked down at the Caterpie in my arms.

"Aw, what an adorable little Caterpie. I've seen a lot of them in Kanto." Lillie said.

"Thanks. I just caught this Caterpie, thanks to my partner Meowth." I said as I looked down at Meowth who was standing next to me.

"Lillie, so tell us! Did you get a pokemon of your own?" Hau asked.

"I'd be happy to show you. Just, let's get somewhere where there's more room." Lillie said as she turned to her friends.

Everyone of us left the Marina and we decided to head to the beach in front of Professor Kukui's house. As soon as we got there, Lillie ran to touch the sands of the beach.

"Ah! It's been so long, this place feels like home!" Lillie smiled excitedly as she looked out at the sparkling waters.

"Lillie, don't keep us waiting! Let's see the pokemon you caught!" Hau said.

"Alright, alright." Lillie smirked as she turned around.

"C'mon out everyone!"

Lillie said as she threw five pokeballs in the air.

The first of all of them to be released was a small blue turtle with an orange shell.

"Squirtle!" The pokemon cheered.

The second pokeball to open revealed a Giant orange rat-like pokemon with a long black tail that had a yellow lightning bolt shape at the end of its tail.

"Raichu!" The pokemon cried.

The third pokemon was a tall blue bipedal creature that had tan markings in parts of its body. It had a short blue horn and spikes on its back.

"Nidoqueen!" The pokemon smiled.

The fourth pokemon was a brown bird with a long red crest coming down from its head. It had a red beak, tan belly, and tan on some of its feathers.

"Pidgeotto!":

The fifth pokemon was a little brown dog-cat-fox thing that was covered in fur, with a cream color fur surrounding its nect and the tip of its tail.

"Eevee!" The eevee cried.

"Awesome!" Hau said excitedly as he ran to check out all of the pokemon.

"Squirtle!" I watched as the turtle ran over to Lillie and adoringly jumped onto her back and hung from her shoulder.

"Haha!" Lillie chuckled at her partner.

"So Lillie, you chose a squirtle then?" Kukui asked.

"Yep. After visiting Bill, I met up with Professor Oak and I was able to chose my starter. Squirtle and I seemed to get along pretty well, so I chose him." Lillie said before turned to her partner and smiling.

"Squirtle!" Squirtle cheered as he raised a fist in the air with his three fingered hand.

Hau turned to Lillie excitedly.

"Sooo, did you get to challenge any gyms?" Hau asked.

"Oh!" Lilie took of her pink backpack and reached to get something from inside it. She pylled out a light blue case and opened it up. Inside there were eight slots, with only five pins inside.

"I managed to collect five of them before we had to leave." Lillie said.

"That's awesome, Lillie!" Professor Kukui smiled.

"Thanks! But since I wasn't able to make it to the Kanto Pokemon League, I was hoping that maybe I could take the island challenge." Lillie said.

"Really? You're going to take the island challenge?!" Hau asked in surprise.

"Yep!" Lillie smiled in reply.

"You know, you should enter the Iki town festival. That way you can start your journey and get a z-ring, and for our benefit we'll get to see how you've grown as a trainer." Professor Kukui suggested.

"The Iki town festival? That's a good idea actually." Lillie smiled at the idea.

"Ericka, you should enter the festival!" Hau said as he turned to me.

"Me? Enter the festival?" I asked.

"Yeah! You've got some cool partners. I bet you'd be able to pass for sure!" Hau said excitedly.

I looked down at the Caterpie in my arms and the Meowth who was standing to my right, looking up at me.

"I suppose that'd have to be a team desicion." I said.

"Hey, since we're all here, how about we go inside for some cocoa and chat for a bit?" Professor Kukui asked.

"I'd love that, thanks, Professor." Lillie smiled.

Lillie then turned to the other four of her pokemon, minus the squirtle on her shoulder.

"Return everyone!" Lillie said as she returned the pokemon.

"Actually, I have to be getting back to my gramps. I promised him I would help him get ready." Hau said.

"Alright Hau. Hey, say hi to him for me, would you?" Kukui asked.

"Sure thing. I'll also let him know that you've arrived, Lillie." Hau said to Lillie.

"Great! I can't wait to see him again!" Lillie smiled.

"Later all!" Hau said as he took off towards Iki town.

All of us watched Hau leave before we turned to go inside Kukui's house. As soon as he got to route 1, we all walked up to the house. The professor opened the door with his key and let us inside.

"Ruff!" Rockruff barked as he ran inside.

All of us followed the dog and professor inside.

"Ah!" Lillie gasped with excitement as she found herself in familiar surroundings. "It's just like I remember!" Lillie said as she looked around.

I walked over to the table and placed Caterpie down.

"Oh! I have to recall this view!" Lillie said as she headed for the ladder.

"Wait!" I yelled as I followed her.

I didn't get to finish my sentence before she got a peek at the loft. Whatever was familiar to him was way different than it is now.

"Huh?" Lillie looked around at the somewhat untidy room I left it. What she saw was a plastic bag with some old clothes in it, a had on the table, and a messy bed.

"Sorry, I'd been staying up here for a few days." I said to her as we both got to the top.

"Ah, I see." She said as she looked around.

"Sorry the place is a bit of a mess..." I said as I walked over to the table to get my hat.

"That's fine. I acutally used to stay here when I was the professor's assistant." Lillie added.

"Cool."

I walked over to grab my hat off the table. I pulled it away to place on my head, but unfortunately, I had forgotten one thing. There was a certain stone that was launched out of the hat towards the ground.

"Gah! No!" I yelled as I watched the white stone fly bounce off the floor and fly off the loft.

"What is that?!" Professor Burnet asked as she watched the stone.

"I got it!" Professor Kukui said as he tried to get in place to catch the stone.

"Mrow!" Meowth's curiosity got to him as he ran and jumped onto the professor. As soon as he climbed to the professor's head, he jumped and grabbed the stone out of the air.

"Meowth! Thank goodness..." I sighed of relief.

"Mrow..." Meowth had said nothing, not even looking up from the stone. His eyes fixated on it in awe almost.

I climbed down the loft, with Lillie following behind.

"Thanks for catching that, Meowth." I said to him.

"...Mrow." Meowth still had a look of awe on his face as he stood up and handed the stone to me.

I looked at his eyes as I took the bracelet. He seemed to have dropped the annoyed expression that he had before.

"Ericka, what is that stone that flew down here?" Professor Kukui asked.

"This stone?" I asked as I held it out.

Professor Kukui walked over to get a better look.

"May I see this?" He asked.

"Uh...Sure." I replied as I handed it to him.

The professor took the white stone bracelet from my hands.

"Wroo?" Caterpie, who had moved from the to where Meowth and I were standing.

"Ericka...is this...A Z-Ring?!" He asked in disbelief.

"A z-ring?!" Lillie repeated in awe.

"I don't know...I found it." I said.

"Where did you find it?" He asked.

"Well, Hau and I went to visit the ruins of conflict yesterday, so when I wlaked up to the shrine, I had visions of a yellow and black pokemon with an orange crest. Shortly after I felt this stone placed into my hands." I explained.

"You saw Tapu Koko?!" Lillie asked in disbelief.

"Was that him?" I asked.

The professor looked at the stone in awe and disbelief.

"I don't know why...but I think the island guardian gave this to you for a reason, Ericka." Professor Kukui said as he looked up from the stone at me.

"So is that what a z-ring is?" I asked.

"Yes. Normally they are given to you when you take the island challenge. But in this case, it seems that Tapu Koko has a reason for giving this to you." Professor Kukui explained before placing it in my hand.

"Take good care of it." He said.

I looked down at the stone.

"I will!" I said.

I took a glance down at Meowth. He no longer had a trace of that annoyed look. He seemed to be in shock after hearing about the z-ring.

"So you know what this means, right?" Lillie asked.

I looked up from meowht to turn to her.

"What?" I asked.

"It means that you'll have to be entering the tournament too before starting your island challenge!" Lillie smirked at the idea of battling.

"Entering the tournament, huh?" I asked.

I looked back down at Meowth, with a certain Caterpie inching closer.

"I think we're up to that challenge, right guys?" I asked them.

"Wroo!" Caterpie cheered excitedly at the thought.

Meowth still had an uncertain look on his face. He looked down as he pondered his thoughts, before collecting himself. He closed his eyes and nodded his head down further, before looking up at me with a small smirk.

"Mrow!" Meowth's expression now seemed to say: "Alright, I'm in."

"...Haha!" I chuckled as I looked into Meowth's eyes. He seemed to be getting used to the idea of us being partners.

"Then it's settled! I'll be sure to tell ol' Hala that you'll be entering the festival." Professor Kukui smiled.

"I guess that means we're both going to be battling each other!" Lillie said.

I held my fist with determination.

"Yeah, let's both do our best!" I said.

"Mrow!"

"Wroo!"

Both my pokemon cheered in excitement.

Whatever I was getting myself into, I'm actually enjoying the journey ahead. I just hope that with all that's going on, I'll be able to grow closer with my Pokemon. The weekend is the festival. Tomorrow, who knows what tomorrow has in store!

Whew! Man that was a fun chapter to write! Seems like the more I want to include in a chapter, the longer it gets. Dunno if you guys like that or not, maybe give me some feedback if you have a preference.

Some of you might be wondering, why did I chose the pokemon I did for Lillie's team? Well out of all three Kanto starters, I figured that Lillie was most likely going to choose Squirtle. As for the rest, she had caught a Pikachu in Viridian Forest and eventually evolved into Raichu. I thought it would have been interesting for her to have a "Kantonian" pokemon. As for the rest I just chose pokemon that seemed to fit her personality.

So, it seems Meowth has some conflicts going on. With first having a distrust in humans, how will his partnership with Ericka work out? How will things be now that Ericka is going to be taking the island challenge? And how will things be now that Lillie is back in Alola? All questions to be answered as the story continues!

Qotc: What was your favorite character in Pokemon Sun/Moon? You can even answer in categories like "Main characters" (main player, the Professor, Hau, Lillie, etc), "Trial Captains", etc.

See you all next chapter!