Malie City was a very different city compared to Hau'oli City and Heahea City. Hau'oli City had the bigger buildings and the beach. It was more sprawled out and the people walked a little faster. Heahea City was calmer. Small shops here and there with a huge Hotel making up its skyline. Malie City though? It's hard to describe.

First off there is this ominous cloud hanging over the city. No, not a physical cloud. There is just a feeling of dread here. People aren't as lively like they were in Hau'oli and Heahea. They are just on edge. Kukui told Caleb and I that Team Skull has been causing quite the ruckus on this island. Their hold in Po Town is strong and reaching.

Besides all of that hullabaloo there is a cultural twinge to Malie City. Caleb and I are currently hanging around in Malie Garden which I have to say is the most beautiful place I've been to in all of Alola.

Caleb and I were eating rice when a man yelled, "Team Skull is here!"

I actually rolled my eyes, cause why did they have to come here now.

And sure enough there they were, the whole lot of them. Oh and Guzma came along. Even Skitty groaned cause he just wanted to eat and nap and now that's been ruined.

Guzma quickly made his way to the center of the garden and declares himself the king of the garden. I nearly laughed as I watched on. There were about a dozen grunts nearby, but Castor and Iwika were not here. I thought that was odd considering how high they've flown up the hierarchy in Team Skull.

"Team Skull now owns all of Akala Island. Accept it now and we will let you keep your Pokemon," Guzma says as he laughs.

"Don't you ever shut up," a girl on the other side of the garden said calmly. I scrunched my eyes to try and get a closer look and see that the girl is Lana.

She and her Primarima are just standing near a bridge.

"And who are you, little girl?"

Lana chuckles.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out, honey."

I laughed at Lana's brazen attitude causing a couple Grunts to look at me.

"Yo, you find that funny? Wanna get beat up, bro?"

Skitty growls.

"How 'bout I take ya Skitty from you?"

"Go ahead. You guys failed the last time, you'll fail this time too." I grab a Pokeball and send out Mudbray.

The small commotion surrounding me got Guzma's attention. He quickly recognized me and cackled. He called out to me and told me to join him in the center. I looked to Caleb, who nodded, and walked towards Guzma. Guzma's eyes pierced through me as he smiled mischievously.

"I want a battle, now. 1v1." Guzma said intensely.

I shrugged. "Fine."

For some reason I wasn't nervous. I felt confident.

Something hit me after being home on Melemele Island. Specifically after the battle with Caleb. That confidence I had been seriously lacking was there now. So facing off against Guzma doesn't really worry me. I'm ready.

I already have Mudbray out so I will let him get this battle. Guzma, of course, sends out Golisiopod. I'm beginning to think he doesn't have any other Pokemon.

I glare at Guzma as he smiles and wait for me to attack.

"Golisiopod, fury cutter!"

Golisiopod moves to attack Mudbray and hits him. Since Golisiopod is close to Mudbray it gives me a bit of an advantage. "Double Kick!" Mudbray turns and kicks Golisiopod with its hind legs and then turns and jump and kicks off of him with his front legs. "Body Slam!"

Mudbray quickly slams into the dazed Golisiopod knocking it off it's feet causing Guzma to growl.

"Get up Golisiopod," he orders his Pokemon.

"Stay down. Mudbray use stomp."

Golisiopod stealthily trips up Mudbray causing Mudbray to lose its balance before attacking. It then lets loose a punch to Mudbray sending him into the water. Mudbray quickly jumps up and shakes the water off him.

"Focus Blast!"

That was Guzma's favorite attack so I knew it was going to come eventually. I ordered Mudbray to use Double Team. It caused Golisiopod to be confused because it couldn't spot where Mudbray was in order to use it's attack.

Guzma growled again.

"Stop Mudbray!" Mudbray stopped behind Golisiopod allowing it to spot Mudbray and let loose it's bast. "Double Team and then High Horsepower."

The Focus Blast missed Mudbray but Mudbray's attack didn't. Golisiopod was knocked out from the attack.

Mudbray locked onto Guzma who yelled profanities at me and his fallen Pokemon. I walked up to it and pet it's head telling it that it did well. Then it evolved right then and there into a beautiful Mudsdale.

He was huge.

"Still getting beat by children, huh Guzma? an elderly man said as he approached Guzma and me. He was slender and short with a bit of a hunchback.

"Nanu. You ain't dead yet?"

The older man chuckled. "Unfortunately, no. At least I get to see children continue to beat you."

"Watch yourself old man." Guzma ordered his men to leave the area and then looked at me, "I'll make you pay. You will learn not to meddle in my affairs again!"

Guzma slightly looked past me and then walked away, out of the garden. The people inside went on like nothing happened. Meanwhile, the old man, Nanu, and Lana approached Caleb and I.

"That was quite impressive, young man," Nanu said after yawning.

I nodded as I looked at Lana, whom had her arms crossed.

"You remind me of that young boy who took on Team Skull. Yes, and he too had a friend who had his back." Nanu seemed to be daydreaming as he looked at me and Caleb.

"Nanu," Lana said calmly.

He shook his head. "Right. You will learn of him eventually. Maybe Lana will take you to the library," he said with a chuckle.

"Nanu!" Lana scolded Nanu. I looked at Caleb and he seemed just as confused as I am. It was like Nanu was speaking about something forbidden.

So I just stood there unsure of what to do or say.

"Hmph. I'll see you later, Cameron and Caleb."

How does this man know our names? His cackle did not help with how weird I thought he was. Not one bit.

Lana sighed as Nanu left. Then she looked at us and smiled brightly. "So how are my favorite trial goers?"

"Who was that?" Caleb asked.

"That's just Nanu. He's the Kahuna of this island."

"WHAT?!" Caleb and I barked at the same time. "That loon is a Kahuna?" I said.

Lana chuckled and told me that Nanu is actually a nice guy. It's just he is a Kahuna of the worst island in Alola.

"So where is the first trial here?" I ask.

"How about I'll bring you to him?" Lana asked with a mischievous grin on her face.

Lana has been more than sketchy since first meeting her. Yeah, she helped Caleb and I handle Team Skull back at the pier on Melemele Island but since then she has just acted weird. I don't trust her but I'm intrigued.

"Didn't you finish the trials here?" I ask with an attitude.

She scowled. "Ugh. Don't be such a brat. I was just thinking about joining you two from here on out."

"Why?" Caleb asked.

"Yeah, why?!" I concurred.

She rolled her eyes. "Because doing this challenge alone is boring and you two seem like worthy trainers."

Caleb looks at me and shrugs.

"Fine. Just so you know, I don't trust you," I say as I walk past her.

I hear her mutter, "ass."

"Speak for yourself," I spout back.

"Gees, get a room you two," Caleb says as he walks next to me. I glare at him in disapproval for his comment. Meanwhile, he looks at me, smiles, and winks.

I look forward and briefly smile as we head to Route 10.