I contemplated between having Skitty get in his ball or walk with me. Not because I think he should be in a ball but because I don't think he'll want to walk down to the beach.
I'm not lying about him being a lazy little shit. He's the fattest Skitty I've ever seen. God bless he evolves into a Delcatty. He'll give a Purugly a run for it's money. Those beasts can weigh up to 100lbs or more.
Maybe he should walk then.
He sludged his way to the Professor's facility but we eventually made it. He was not pleased with me.
Professor Kukui was excited to see me and my Skitty. He quickly picked up Skitty and placed him on the table. An Alolan variant Meowth walked by and handed Kukui a bean. Kukui fed the bean to Skitty who jumped in happiness.
"These beans are a local delicacy for Pokemon. They love them and they'll love you more if you feed em with beans." He hands me a small brown bag filled with beans. "Did you know your Skitty is different than typical Skitty?"
"Besides the fact that he's lazy and fat?" I say causing Kukui and I chuckle. Skitty scowls at me.
I know what Kukui is talking about. For some reason some Pokemon can look different than they typically do. They have a different color to their skin. Skitty are typically pink. My Skitty has a darker shade of pink.
As we talked about my Skitty, which he loved by the way because he loves all attention, Kukui seemed to have remembered something. He nearly jumped in the air.
He walked away and came back with a small box. He opened it and took something out of it and handed it to me. A Pokedex.
"You're going to need this."
I was so excited to hold my first ever Pokedex. I've held Aaron's Pokedex before, which of course he scolded me for, but this was mine now. I actually had my own Pokedex.
"You are going to have fun, trust me. This is an experience like no other." He was budding with joy. I think he was more excited than I was to be honest. "Especially if you go with Caleb. He's a fantastic trainer and kid. Together I think you will accomplish great things."
He nodded in agreement with himself. I was less sure but willing to give it a shot.
"Also, don't let your brother discourage you. Along with that Castor kid. Let them encourage you."
I shook my head. "How?"
He placed his hand on my shoulder, "You want them to stop putting you down, right?" I nod my head in response. "So go out there and be the great trainer I believe you will be."
Shut them up. That's what he means. I guess I already planned to do that. Practically why I interrupted the ceremony to ask Hala for Rowlet. I wanted to shut up Castor and prove myself.
As for my brother. I'm just tired of him treating me like I'm a walking mistake. He's supposed to be my brother, not a damn bully. Ever since Dad...ugh. Died. He's been unbearable.
"You're right, Professor." I needed this. I wanted this. I looked over at my Skitty who was sleeping happily on the table. I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you," I say to Kukui.
I exited his facility with a Pokedex in my pocket, Skitty in my arms, and a new found excitement I haven't had in so long. This excitement allowed me to take in the Alolan environment with a better perspective.
Okay, maybe Alola isn't that bad.
I left to Iki Town before my mom and bro did. I wanted to catch Caleb before his match with Hala.
When I arrived the ambiance of Iki Town was magnificent. It was different than yesterday. Today is more light-hearted which took me by surprise. A lady near the Malasada cart said yesterday was a celebration for our Guardian but today is a celebration of success and life.
A young man with pink hair came up to me. He was wearing a white tee with a beige colored vest on. "This should be exciting. Caleb is a very good trainer."
He looked at me with conviction as if he knew me. I didn't know who he was, but I had seen him at the Battle School in Hau'oli City.
He turned to me and held out his hand, "I'm Illima. I'm the only Trial Captain here on Melemele Island. You're Cameron, correct?" I'm a bit startled with how he knows my name but I nod. He smiles brightly and speaks again in that soft voice of his. "Professor Kukui told me about you. Said you may be coming my way in the near future."
"Hm. Yeah, I guess so."
He nodded as Caleb appeared from a small house nearby. He immediately spotted me and waved as he walked over.
"Nervous?" I asked.
"Sure. But I know I can win." He looks over to Illima and shakes his hand. He looked determined.
"I believe Hala may have a hard time beating you," Illima pronounced confidently. Caleb just blushed without addressing it with words.
Illima was young. He couldn't be much older than my brother. Maybe the same age actually. His fine skin and lack of deepness in voice suggested as much. He must be pretty special to be a trial captain at his age.
The atmosphere grew in excitement and intensity as we approached 7PM. Hala had entered the town and everyone was getting ready to get a good vantage point for the battle. People are singing and dancing, children are running around, and even Pokemon are out and about. It is a celebration.
Meanwhile, Caleb is pretty nervous. His parents and sister are with him right now. I got to meet them and they are all pretty sweet. I can see where Caleb gets his sincerity and kindness from.
Professor Kukui has taken to explaining how the island challenge works. Each Island has trial captains. A trainer must complete the tasks set forth by the trial captain and defeat the Totem Pokemon. Once a trainer beats the trial captains on an island they are to face of against the Kahuna of the Island. Melemele's Kahuna is Hala, whom Caleb is facing off against.
Now the new thing is that once the Island Challenge is complete that begins the next step: The Alola Pokemon League. This will lead to finding out who is the Alola Pokemon Champion for the world to see and know. Kukui is very excited about it. It's his idea so he is seeing to the plans.
With the battle about to begin, Hala and Caleb take to the stage. The stage is the same place where the festival occurred last night and where I got my Rowlet.
Caleb was off to my left and Hala my right as I stood near the stage.
"Are you ready, my boy?" Hala asked.
Caleb nodded. The nervousness that I saw on his face before was gone. There was a focus with a touch of determination on it now. It was go time and he knew it. He was ready.
"Go Litten!" Caleb barks out as he tosses his Pokeball and his Litten appears out. Litten licks her paw and rubs her ear.
Hala sends out a his Mankey.
Hala immediately starts off with aggressively, but Caleb stand pat dodging. After a few moments the tactic seems to be proving itself. Mankey is getting tired while Litten seems perfectly fine. If anything she looks completely bored.
"Mankey, Focus Punch!" Hala orders.
That is when Caleb smirks. "Litten, use Fire Fang!" Litten charges towards Mankey who is preparing it's attack when Litten grabs onto its hand. Fire surrounds Mankey's hand breaking it's focus.
"Litten, Iron Tail!" Litten lets go and in one quick whip with it's tail Mankey is sent flying towards Hala's feet. Mankey tries to get up but falls down.
Hala returns Mankey to its ball and snickers.
"Very good, young boy. Brilliant tactics."
Hala sends out his 2nd of three Pokemon, Makuhita.
Caleb tries to do what he did with Mankey but Hala is smart. He quickly adjusts and as Litten uses double team Makuhita hits the stage causing it the crack. Litten trips allowing Makuhita to connect an arm thrust. Litten is finished.
Caleb smiles as he returns Litten to her ball. He says something, but I couldn't hear him.
Caleb's Meowth and Hala's Makuhita fall to the ground at the same time. Meowth from a vicious focus punch and Makuhita to exhaustion. This sets up the grand finale of the match; their 3rd and final Pokemon.
The crowd is gripped with excitement. I'm standing anxious to see what is going to happen next. I've never enjoyed Pokemon battles like I am right now.
Hala sends out his Crawbrawler. Caleb looks at his final pokeball and close his eyes.
"Go Cutiefly!" he exclaims.
A smattering of laughter erupts from Castor and his friends as this petite flying Pokemon exits out of the Pokeball and flies in the air as if it is floating graciously.
I take out my Pokedex and focus it on Cutiefly.
A Bug and Fairy Type Pokemon. It's classified as the Bee Flying Pokemon.
"Those kids think Hala have the advantage. Fools," Illima mutters.
"What do you mean?"
He looks at me confused and smiles. "Cutiefly is a fairy type. Fairy Pokemon have an advantage against Fighting. Also, if Caleb trained it right it might even know a flying attack or two."
Hoenn doesn't have many Fairy type Pokemon. Some were discovered to be Fairy types before I left but I never really studied how they matched up with other Pokemon.
In the end, Illima was right. Hala did what he did and wend at Caleb. Caleb stayed relaxed and pounced when he had to. He had his Cutiefly nick Crawbrawler with a levy of attacks including Aerial Ace and Fairy Wind. Because of Cutiefly's size it was hard for Crawbrawler to hit it. It never did.
Caleb won.
The joy on his face warmed me. I watched as his family ran up to him and congratulated him. Illima placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "You'd be wise to learn from that boy. He knows what he is doing." With that said Illima placed his hands behind his back and walked off.
I'll be seeing him soon.
I took this time to walk towards Caleb to congratulate him. When I reached him, Hala came over as well.
"That was fine battle, young man. You showed how to adjust when your opponent adjust. You proved that even the smallest of Pokemon can prove to be useful if the trainer knows what he or she is doing." He reached into his pocket and pulled out an emblem of sorts. Caleb took the emblem and put it on his Island Challenge Amulet. He removed the one that Illima gave him for completing the challenge and handed it to Hala.
Hala left looking overflowing with joy. He looked up to the sky and smiled.
Caleb looked at me and smiled, partially out of joy but also in relief.
"You'll be doing this soon."
He was so sure of himself, of me. Meanwhile, I wasn't sure if I could even complete Illima's trial. Caleb nodded in reassurance and held out his hand. I smiled and shook his hand.
Tomorrow I begin my Island Challenge.
A/N: For the sake of my story I've decided to do things slightly different with regard to the Alolan League. If you have played Sun and Moon you know what determines the Champion. Instead I'm not doing Elite Four stuff. There will be a literal Alolan League Tournament to determine the Champion.
This story will continue to stray from the games such with how the story progresses, the characters, and so on. However, I will reference the story in the game in some shape or form. You will have to wait and see but I'm sure it'll work out :)
Anyways, make sure you to leave any comments and questions below. If you have suggestions please let me know too.