So this chapter begins the Alolan League Tournament. Everything about it is obviously going to be made up because the anime isn't up to this and to be honest even if it were I would make up a lot of it anyways. I'm not sure if that will bother people but I just want to let you all know I have to take some liberties here and just come up with the details on my own.

My mom and brother were thrilled to see my dad's old Pokemon, especially Sceptile. Wailord was immediately released into the sea around Melemele Island. I offered Absol off to Kukui because when Kukui saw it he kinda freaked out.

Sceptile is staying with us at our home. It helps out around the house like every other Sceptile seems to do. Hala also has taken a liking to the Pokemon and uses him to help build in and around the Island.

Meanwhile, I have taken it upon myself to study type match-ups to make sure my mind doesn't slip in the middle of a battle. I have studied every Alolan Pokemon in order to learn their strengths and weaknesses as well.

I'm even training with Caleb. We decided it would be pointless not to and that it would actually benefit us. Make no mistake, we both want to win and if we have to face each other then so be it. Before that happens we'll have to get to that point first. As far as competition there isn't much ahead of us according to what we believe along with what Kukui has shared.

Lana is decent competition. Speaking of which, I haven't seen her since coming back home. I suppose I'll see her soon but I don't really care.

Other potential competition? Castor and Iwika. Yeah, I was surprised to hear when they defeated Hapu. Not exactly because they won but because they were allowed to compete after working with Guzma and Team Skull. Hala and Kukui told me that they had no clue what Guzma planned on doing and the fact that they "left" Po Town worked in their favor. I argued that they didn't leave but it didn't matter. Caleb eventually believed that it was a good thing. He saw them as good competition. He also viewed it as a possibility to humiliate them on TV.

It's not a bad way to look at it to be honest. We'll also find out pretty soon if they will be humiliated. It's July 6th. I'm on a boat to Polû Island right now. The Blue archways that stand along Championship Road stand out. This island was no different than the others when it came to themes. It had a color theme as well; it being blue. People began to talk about Oricorio and if there was a way for it to be blue. Rumors circulated that the Aether Foundation was working on a way to genetically modify the nectar that Oricorio consume. I gave Gladion a call and told him to stop whatever research he was doing on the matter.

There will be no blue Oricorio dancing around Polû island.

It was unbelievably exciting to arrive on the island. I have compared Alola to Hoenn a lot so it would be unfair to not do so now. There is definitely a different feel to this island. Ever Grande has a lot of water inside and makes it a big part of the festivities. However, here in Alola there are only a couple small man-made lakes but nothing crazy. With that said, this is a island surrounded by water and you simply can't ignore it. There are fishing posts set up all over the island. There are beaches, jet ski rental shops, and parasailing areas everywhere.

There are tiny shops all over the place. The Alolan people have taken it to heart to show the world what makes Alola special. The cafes that litter Championship Road hand out free local drinks like they do in the Pokemon Center. Seems like a bad idea to me. You have all of these sucker tourists out here, get that 200 or 300 Pokedollars. Meh.

As for the Residential area there are small buildings here and there that have that Alolan flare to them. No giant Hotel buildings like in Hoenn. Small and cozy hotels or motels only. Reason being that only 64 trainers will be competing in the Singles Tournament and 32 in Doubles, some of which are doing singles as well. This is a small tournament compared to the others so there is less residential need.

I asked Gladion what would happen if this event became bigger and need more hotel rooms and he just said they'll make a smaller island near this one and build a giant tower. He didn't really seem worried about a potential issue.

Caleb, Carl and I made our way to the Registry building to make sure we are all set to go and registered. Thankfully, we are. There was also a slight change to the rules. We had to register 6 Pokemon as our starters and those would be made public. There was still only one rule that restricted using replacements Pokemon and that you could only use 1 per match. I have no clue if I'll utilize the rule although I do have my dad's Sceptile and I trained up a Lycanroc just in case. I actually do't plan on using Sceptile. That would feel cheap. I never trained it and haven't spent time training with it.

After we got situated into our hotel rooms we went outside and took in all of the ambiance and environment while we waited for the torch to make its way over here from Ula'Ula Island. There were some murmuring from the tourists about who the favorite is. Nobody seemed to really know who was good and who wasn't. On top of that there wasn't any rankings to base anything off of. Kukui and the Kahunas decided a ranking system is just pointless at this juncture. Let the draw be random.

I can't say I disagree with that. The Aether Foundation is creating the randomizer and Gladion assured me that Caleb and I won't face each other until the final 8 at the very least. Not exactly the most ethical thing but I'm okay with that.

The main stadium was beautiful. The outside was white, like a perfect white. However, on the inside it was so different. The stadium was split into 5 separate sections that represented each island. One section was predominantly yellow and that represented Melemele Island. Same thing for Akala and so on.

Then inside of the stadium the seats are also coordinated in that way. You have large sections of yellow, red, purple, pink and blue seats. It is wild and amazing.

Standing on the field with all of the competitors is very weird. I can't help but look at everybody here as the Kahunas make their speeches to everyone. The fact that this is actually happening is kind of taking me off guard but it is enthralling all the same.

Kukui finally takes to the mic. He stands in his typical white coat without wearing a shirt. I mean, you'd think that he would wear a shirt for this formal event but no. It's hopeless.

"This Tournament has been a long time coming. For years I have wanted one here in Alola. Alolans pride ourselves on doing things differently than other regions. It's why we don't have gyms and instead we have an Island Challenge. Alola has lived isolated for a long time and I've wanted to change that. I wanted to show the world how special and how great this region is. This tournament was the way to do that. So we built a new island."

That got a smattering of applause and laughter from the crowd.

"Now I'm not going to go on and on. That's why we had Hala speak." More laughter erupts. "Why don't we get to why we are all here, huh? The format is very simple. 6 rounds of battles. The first 3 rounds will be 3-on-3 Pokemon battles. Then there will be a day off for the Festival. The final 8 competitors will then compete in thrilling 6-on-6 Pokemon Battles. So why don't we see what the bracket looks like, huh?"

The giant Jumbotron screen changes to a large, empty bracket.

Caleb and I watch where we fall on the bracket and breathe a sigh of relief that we won't face each other early. In fact, we can only face each other in finals. As I look through the bracket I spot names that pop out at me. Castor is in my half, Iwika and Lana are in Caleb's. However, one name stood out to me that I didn't expect.

Liko.

For some reason I had never thought about him taking part in the Tournament. To be fair I didn't know he completed the Island challenge. Then again he likes to hold his cards close to his chest.

"So you're in this tournament as well, huh?" I ask him.

"You bet your ass I am." He smiled confidently at me. "Looks like we can face each other in the Quarters. You better make it that far, Cameron Alistar. I've been waiting for a real battle with you since the Battle Royale match."

His comment took me off guard. He smirked and winked at me. I looked over at Caleb and he was just as confused as I was. Then I recalled the battle. He was E then. He wore the blue mask.

"Just so you know Cameron, my Stufful is now a well-trained Bewear. Mudsdale is going to have a tougher task next time."

"Ha. Fair enough, Liko. I will see you then."

He nodded and walked away. I looked across the field and saw Lana. She looked over at Caleb and I and walked away. I wasn't even tempted to approach her and be friendly.

We walked out of the stadium where we met our families. Aaron was there even though I didn't see him the stadium. He didn't say anything but he didn't have to. His presence was good enough for me. One step at a time.

Carl was here, something I think I'll take for granted when this is all set and done.

My mom was excited. Too excited. But in a good way. It's how I remember her when Aaron went onto compete in Hoenn. Our families went and got some dinner at a nice restaurant near our hotel. Afterwards, Caleb and I went out and just walked around. It was getting late so there weren't that many people around. It didn't stop us even though we had to wake up bright and early tomorrow for our first battles.

You may be wondering if we decided to take part in doubles. Well we decided not to. We want to focus on singles and that's it. Maybe next time.

Later that night, in bed, Caleb and I got to talking about the tournament.

"Are you nervous?" he asked.

"Sorta, but I feel confident. How 'bout you?"

"Same."

There was an awkward silence until he said, "I wish Zach was here."

"I know, Caleb. But remember what you told me on Poni Island? He is in you. He is here."

He took a deep breath almost as if he didn't believe his own words. To be honest I didn't know how to make him believe them, so I just opened my mouth and the let words fall out.

"Listen, your family is here. Your mom, dad, and sister. From the moment I've known you guys there was a special bond there. From that and everything you told me, Zach's death brought you all closer. That is admirable and awesome. You guys never forgot him. You never left his memory in the past. You bring it with you and you live your lives because of him. Take it for me, that is the hardest thing to do, Caleb. I know it is cliche as hell, but all of you have a bit of Zach in you. He's here."

Caleb's eyes began to tear up. He attempted to conceal them behind his eyelids but failed. I placed my hand on his arm and rubbed it.

"It's going to be fine. Tomorrow we are going to go out there and win. You are going to be that confident kid that I know and you will own the battlefield."

He nodded and thanked me. He calmed down allowing him to drift away to sleep.

I fell asleep soon after but was awoken by the sound of laughter and chatter. It was low and sounded like it was coming from in this room. With my back facing Caleb it sounded like it was coming from behind me.

I wasn't sure what I was hearing so I attempted to focus in on it. When I did I recalled the voices clearly. It was Zach. Then I heard a stifling weep.

I turned and saw Caleb, still lying down facing the window, watching a video on his phone. He was going through one of the videos from his past that he showed me.

I moved my body closer to him and can feel his body tremble as he continued to watch the video. It's on Melemele Island on a beach. Zach and Caleb are running around playing with a group of kids.

When I place my hand on Caleb's shoulder he said, "This was 2 days before he was killed."

I didn't say anything. Caleb said nothing else as well. The video ended with uncontrollable laughter from Zach and Caleb and they wrestled in the sand. "You lose Cal. I'm the strongest," Zach said he held Caleb down. I could hear the laughter from their mom and the video cut.

I could feel a tear stream down my cheek as I place my arm around Caleb and rest my head on his shoulder. He sobs a little but says nothing. I wait until he falls asleep before I fall asleep.

Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is a new page in an ongoing story for both Caleb and I. If tonight is any indication, tomorrow will go exactly how I expect it to.