I'll be honest. I'm still not entirely satisfied with how this part is. But at one point, I just have to bite the bullet and recognize that my self-critical nature may be coloring my opinion on this and that I should get more thoughts, mainly from you guys. I originally started this story for self-improvement, so I have to recognize I won't get everything right and I am allowed to fail to a certain extent. Or I am just being melodramatic and the chapter is completely fine. Let me know your thoughts and critiques.

June 28th

The dust cloud settled down and I finally had a view of what attacked me.

The creature in front of me was overwhelmingly yellow. On top of its black head was a massive orange and yellow plume. Its spindly arms were connected to a disconnected yellow shell with spikes. It floated in front of me, electricity crackling around it.

There were gasps and murmurs all around the plaza.

"Tapu Koko! Tapu Koko has descended upon us!"

"Oh great guardian spirit. Don't strike us down!"

You've gotta be kidding me.

Tapu Koko was a pokemon!?

Look me in the eyes when I am speaking to you, Outworlder. A voice in my mind said. I looked around in panic, trying to find the source. I am speaking in your head. No one is able to hear us. A case like you needs to remain secret.

I slowly turned back to the creature's menacing eyes. That was actual telepathy. My worst fears were materializing right before my eyes. A psychic had penetrated my mind.

He also knew that I was not from this world. How was that possible? How could a pokemon even tell? It hasn't even been a month and my dirtiest secret is already out.

You are not the first Outworlder and will not be the last. The fact that other parallel worlds exist must be kept secret, Tapu Koko "said". The veil we constructed to hide other worlds is immaculate. How are you here? What is your purpose? Why are you here?

I wasn't the only one from another world? I wasn't the only one from another world.

The putrid smell of ozone filled the air. I desperately tried to calm my breathing, but my desperately needed air came out in short breaths. My heart was pounding and I was shivering badly. Memories of the warehouse fire came forefront of my mind. A vision of a bat-like creature with wings made of the night sky stared down at me, wreathed in flames.

Why was I thinking about that hallucination now?!

So that is the nature of your arrival, Tapu Koko stated. I froze when I realized the deity in front of me saw that memory. Lightning started crackling around the god's shell. A few stray bolts singed my clothes. Your being here is a mistake. One that I shall rectify right now.

I heard growling at my side. Eve was at the plaza steps, knees bent and fangs bared. She barked once before charging, leaping in the air towards the god.

"EVE, NO!" Panic filled me, and I leaped to the side, catching her in midair. We both slammed on the stone ground and struggled against each other. The pup tried to squirm out, but my arms encircled her body and I kept her tight to my chest. I tried to keep her head down but she kept popping up, growling at the deity. Foam was spilling from her mouth in spades. "Stop! You…you can't fight that thing!"

You would defend this abomination? Tapu Koko asked, looking at Eve. He is a mistake. He will threaten the balance of this island.

Eve growled again before letting out a series of barks.

You are just a pup. What would you know about balance? Tapu Koko said. Eve let out another series of barks. It dawned on me that they were having a conversation. You do not carry the scent of your pack as every Rockruff should throughout their entire life.Tapu Koko floated closer to us. I stood frozen in fear when Tapu Koko was face-to-face with a snarling Eve. Your aura… is also not like other Rockruffs. I see now. You are an outcast.

That made Eve angrier. She closed her mouth. There was a strange gurgling noise coming from the back of her throat.

You are still a pokemon living on this island, and my duty is to protect you. Stand aside, young one. I must rectify this mistake.

Eve spat directly in Tapu Koko's face.

The deity reared its head back in shock, dog drool dripping from its chin. There was a moment of tense silence from everyone near the plaza.

…why go so far for this human, to the point you are willing to face against me, a god? Tapu Koko turned to me. Why is he someone you cherish? What makes him so special?

Eve started barking once more. The deity stared at her in contemplative silence while Eve apparently made her case.

This human did?! Tapu Koko looked shocked. What the hell did Eve just say, to make a god be in disbelief like that? So that explains it…You have been through a lot, young one.

Tapu Koko's eyes stopped glowing red. Its eyes were the same shade of blue as Eve's. The deity stared directly at me, no longer angry. Somehow, that soft expression looked wrong on such a powerful creature. You are lucky to have such a dogmatic defender, Outworlder. Never have I seen a bond so strong that it can transcend worlds. Cherish her, for she cherishes you so much to the point she is willing to die for you.

My eyes went wide while I unconsciously loosened my arms around Eve. She hopped out of my arms and licked my cheek.

Eve…was willing to die for me?

Why? I don't understand. I didn't do anything. Why would she go so far for someone like me?

Tapu Koko looked at the sky. I will take my leave for now. Don't make me regret this decision.

In a flash of thunder, Tapu Koko vanished into the skies. My breathing calmed when Eve snuggled to me. My thoughts were racing.

I had just survived an encounter with a god. There was a pokemon that had the power of a god. A pokemon that could have instantly killed me the moment I stepped on that plaza.

"Eve…" I hugged the pup. The gesture served more to reassure me than her. "You saved my life…"

Eve barked once and rubbed herself underneath my chin. What did I ever do to deserve a dog like her?

The sounds of my surroundings started to return to me. I vaguely heard shouting from outside the plaza. I looked in the direction of the loud noise and saw Kukui's furious face first thing.

"-new! You knew this would happen!" Kukui screamed at Hala. Hau was sitting with Ilima. He was shaking while the older boy tried to console him. "That's why you sent me away! You didn't want me to see this!"

"On the contrary," Hala said. The flames from the torches casted malevolent shadows across his face. "I wanted you to see this. To see Tapu Koko's judgment."

"And that's it then?!" Kukui threw his arms in the air in exasperation. "We are supposed to believe Tapu Koko made the right call?! Just like that?! With no supporting evidence?! We just banish John without a word?!"

My blood turned to ice.

Was my fate being decided here now? Because Tapu Koko had deigned to visit me?

"Tapu Koko has made his judgment, Kukui," Hala said, his voice as hard as steel. "John hasn't received the blessing. You know the rules."

"Tapu Koko hasn't judged anything! He didn't even look angry in the end!" Kukui was panting. His eyes were murderous. I had never seen him look so angry before. "You were the one that forced this! If you hadn't given John that idol that Tapu Koko gave you, this wouldn't have happened!"

Hala looked unfazed. "I told you before. My approval wasn't the only one that matters. Don't you remember?"

I remembered it clearly. Those were the words Hala told me when we first met almost a month ago.

I instantly knew what he meant. Hala's approval meant nothing in the face of a god's judgment. Even if he was the leader of the island.

Tapu Koko had spared me. But that conversation was between the two of us. I also didn't receive this so-called blessing. Did that make me unworthy? Would Hala even believe me if I told him about our conversation?

No, he wouldn't. Because what would an outsider know of their god? I'd be branded a whistleblower alongside unworthy.

I was a fucking fool.

Hala had never trusted me from the start.

"Who says I need Tapu Koko's approval?" Kukui retorted. "I never asked for this. I don't need this! John doesn't deserve this!"

"Watch your tone, boy." Hala's eyes flashed dangerously. "I've tolerated enough insubordination for today."

"I'm not a little kid anymore! I don't need you making decisions for me!"

"I apparently do since you'll take in any stray as your assistant! You haven't changed at all!"

"Speak for yourself! This is just a repeat of what happened with Guzma!"

There were instant gasps around the plaza. I knew from experience that this argument was about to turn personal in an ugly way.

Hala snarled. "You dare…"

"I dare! I have more right to say his name more than you! Not when you allowed Tapu Koko to banish him a decade ago! I'm done pretending he doesn't exist! Not when he was like my brother!"

"Our guardian made his judgment! What was I supposed to do!?"

"Have you considered that a pokemon could be wrong?! That Tapu Koko made a mistake that day?! That he made a mistake here?! What did John even do to you!?"

"I-?!" Hala clenched his fists tightly. "I am the Kahuna! I was chosen by Tapu Koko to carry out his will!"

"A Kahuna is more than just a pokemon's errand boy! You were supposed to watch out for Guzma! Not abandon him!"

"If I recall, you stood by that day too! You didn't do anything to stop me!"

"And there doesn't go a day where I don't regret it," Kukui said, his voice suddenly soft. "If I stood by now and let John go through with this unjust treatment, I would never be able to forgive myself."

"I have had enough of this!" Hala roared. "I have let you run around for far too much! Don't think I haven't forgotten your plans for Alola. What is this about establishing a pokemon league here?"

Kukui looked at Samson with betrayal. "I told you that in confidence, Samson."

Samson backpedaled, his arms waving wildly. "I didn't think he'd be against it! And Hala, you told me that you wouldn't do this!"

"Why would I not be against this? You two want to change Alola into something it is not." Hala snorted. "You've played in the other regions enough, Kukui. Enough that their ideas have poisoned your mind. Discard these stupid plans and work with me! Alola needs you now more than ever!"

"I know! Which is why I came back with this plan in the first place! Do you not see that Alola is dying, Hala? Do you not hear what they call us in the other regions? A third-world region!" Kukui spat out. "We are nowhere close to that! Yet, that is the label we are stuck with!"

"And so you would tamper with Alola's culture and history to just change some petty opinions?"

"What culture?! What history?!" Kukui held up his hand and started lowering his fingers one by one. "The island challenge has been canceled for two years, so our tourist revenue is down in the red! Melemele Island doesn't have a trial heir, and its totem Pokemon is missing!" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ilima look down, his expression stricken and his fists clenched at his sides. "Akala Island is in a three-way political war that will never end and the citizens suffer because of it! And the less said about the Poni Island Massacre, the better!" There were more gasps while my eyes went wide. A world event with that sort of name attached to it never inspired any confidence. "The only reason why Ulaula isn't degenerating is because Malie City has been carrying that island on its back for decades and we can't recreate that in the other islands!"

Shit…this wasn't supposed to happen.

This was supposed to be a fun festival where I could forget all my worries and just let loose.

I didn't want Kukui fighting with his mentor. A student should never fight against his teacher…

"If this is how you'll act Kukui, then you'll find that you will not be welcomed here," Hala said with finality. "Come Hau. It's time to go."

Hau looked between me and his grandfather. He shuffled closer to Ilima, who gave him a wobbly smile.

"Hau? I'm not going to ask you twice."

After a small moment, Hau waddled over to Hala, throwing one last forlorn look at me. The two walked towards their house, their backs facing us.

"That's fine with me! I see you'll not listen to reason!" Kukui turned his back to Hala and marched to me. The crowd parted ways to let him through. He crouched near me. "Hey, John. Are you okay?"

I nodded, taking his offered hand and pulling myself up. The wooden splinters and dust spilled onto the floor. Eve barked at my side in worry. "Sorry…" I said quietly. "I've just been causing you problems since day one."

"Never apologize, John. All of this isn't your fault. It's these people that are wrong," Kukui said, grasping my arm with a vice-like grip. "John here is under my protection! Anyone wanting to dispute that will have to go through me directly!"

We walked by the crowd of locals. I ignored the suspicious looks the townsfolk gave me. I looked away when the kids hid behind their mothers when we passed by. All of those gestures hurt. They had given me such a warm reception in the beginning.

We were about to exit under the archway, but Kukui stopped short. He turned and glared at the townsfolk. "If this is the Alolan welcome you give newcomers, it's no wonder no one wants to move here."

We walked the path back to the beach house in silence. The moon glowed oppressively in the night. Eve started howling sadly while my mind was racing with many thoughts.

I should've been scared. Gods existed here. One of them had descended and almost killed me. That was the second time that I had almost died in this world.

I should've been absolutely terrified.

But against all odds and rationality, I felt hope and determination stir within my chest.

I wasn't an isolated case. If the words of Tapu Koko were to be believed, people from other worlds did exist.

In a twisted way, Tapu Koko granted my wish.

I didn't have to worry if more pokemon as powerful as Tapu Koko existed.

I didn't have to despair for my survival if those powerful pokemon could be controlled.

I didn't have to grieve for my family…

…if those powerful pokemon had the ability to take me back home.

A/N: I did promise a meltdown, and here it is, lol. John gets his motivation. A motivation so powerful that it will put him right in the center of the main Alolan conflicts, which I've hinted at here. He won't be reactive anymore. He'll start to be proactive now.

SilentXD7: It's funny that you mention that because the earliest draft actually had John getting isekai'd with his dog. The story was supposed to be way funnier with John freaking out about pokemon and why his german shepherd starting getting random superpowers alongside the pokemon. I made the decision to have the tone be more serious here but the idea still interests me.

Skywalker405: I know what you mean. I was looking at the character list of Alola when coming up with the draft for this story and I saw Ilima and I instantly was like, who the fuck was that? He literally shows up once and that's it. At least Akala island had a great dynamic between their trial captains while poor Ilima got shafted. Rest assured, I will give him the proper character development sun/moon failed to give him.