Lillie awoke the next morning to find Sun already gone, with a hastily scribbled note and a few bank notes on the counter.
Hey Lillie,
Woke up early so I'm training with the rest of Team Sun. Left you some money, so grab yourself some breakfast, yeah? My Grand Trial is today, so I hope you'll come and watch.
See you soon!
Sun
"Honestly," the young woman said with affectionate amusement, "Sun and Hau are two of a kind."
"Pew!" Nebby protested from her bag.
Lillie giggled. "Oh, I wasn't saying it was a bad thing Nebby," she explained. "It's just they're a good match for each other."
Bubbly clapped her paws in excitement. Lillie's Popplio was very excited to watch her friends in battle it seemed. Truthfully, Lillie was having a hard time keeping her excitement down herself. This was the next big step for Sun's dream of becoming Island Challenge Champion.
Sun stepped into Iki Town, letting the tranquility of the town wash over him. Hard to believe a place that oozed peaceful and relaxing energy would be the place three of his most important battles on Melemele took place. His first two matches with Hau, and now his Grand Trial with Kahuna Hala. His whole body shook, nerves and excitement blending together in a dangerous brew. This was the next step for him and his team.
"Torra?" his starter asked, looking up at him in slight concern.
Sun crouched down, giving the fire type a gentle scratch behind the ears causing the Fire Cat Pokémon to rumble with pleasure. "It's all good buddy," Sun assured his partner. "I was just thinking about how much has happened in such a short time."
"Ah there you are cousin!" Professor Kukui called, approaching Sun from further in town. "Here for your Grand Trial already?"
Sun grinned. "We were so excited that we woke up early and came straight here," the Island Challenger replied. "Lillie was still sleeping, but I left her a note so that she'd know what was going on. I hope she'll come in time for the battle though."
"I wouldn't worry about it," the professor assured him. "Hala and Hau both still need to get ready, for one thing, so your battle won't be for a while yet."
"What do you mean?" Sun asked. "Wasn't Hau's Grand Trial yesterday?"
The professor's eyes twinkled. "Oh, you'll see," the muscular man replied. "Hala had an idea that I think you'll be interested in."
Before Sun could ask the professor what he meant Lillie had run up to them, panting heavily. "I didn't… I didn't miss the Grand Trial, did I?" the pale girl asked, between deep breaths.
"Zzt! Nope!" Dexter piped up from Sun's pocket. "It hazn't even ztarted yet! Zzt zzt!"
"I'm glad you could make it," Sun told her. "You were here when all this started, after all."
Lillie gave him a warm smile. "I wouldn't miss it," she assured him. "My only regret is we missed Hau's between your training and catching Buzzy."
"Fly fly!" buzzed Lillie's Bee Fly Pokémon, slightly offended. "Cutiefly!"
"No, no," Lillie soothed, "I wasn't saying I regretted catching you Buzzy, just that we had to miss our friend's Grand Trial to do so."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," a familiar voice said, approaching the two friends. "You're right on time."
"Hau!" Sun said, bumping fists with his friendly rival. "Good to see you man! But what do you mean, we're right on time? I thought you were going to have your Grand Trial yesterday?"
"I was," Hau agreed. "But then Tutu had a great idea, we'll challenge him together!"
"Wait, what?" Sun asked in shock, as Nero tilted his head and his other pokémon rattled in their pokéballs in confusion.
"Gramps offered to let us do a double battle against him for our Grand Trial with him. He'll be using four, while we'll be allowed two each," Hau explained. "I'm all for it, but we won't go ahead with it unless you're okay with it, of course. What do you say?"
Sun grinned. "What do I say? I'm all for it!" he cheered. "What do you guys think?" Sun released Baron from his pokéball and looked at his bird pokémon and his starter. "You guys earned fighting in this, so I want your opinion. You good with teaming up with Hau and his team for this Grand Trial?"
"Torracat!" Nero growled approvingly, nuzzling his trainer, while Baron just gave a nod, perching on Sun's shoulder.
"Sounds like we're all in," Sun said, excitement clear from his tone and the way he shivered. "Let's win this together!"
"Well said," Professor Kukui said, clapping both boys on the shoulder. "I'm lookin' forward to seeing what moves the two of you and your pokémon pour your souls into in this Grand Trial!"
"We'll be rooting for you both," Lillie said with a smile. "This is the next big step in chasing your dreams, so give it your all!"
"Pew!" Nebby squeaked in agreement from Lillie's bag.
"Poppli pop!" Bubbly agreed, clapping her paws. "Popplio!"
"The Melemele Kahuna is strong, cousin!" Professor Kukui advised.
"My gramps sure is!" Hau agreed. "He's a trainer who can use fighting type pokémon to their fullest potential."
Sun grinned. "Sounds like I picked the best ones for the job then," he noted, smiling at his duo. "I imagine you'll be using Bowtie and Puka, Hau?"
"Yep!" Hau replied. "Speakers wouldn't be too bad here, either, but he hasn't had as much experience as them. So, they're the right ones at the current limit. Now let's go up to the platform, Tutu is waiting!"
As the Island Challengers took their positions on the platform opposite Kahuna Hala with Dexter floating in the air ready to record the events of the battle for posterity, Sun returned Nero to his pokéball. This was a serious battle, and thus he would only be allowed one pokémon out at a time and he wanted Baron to lead his side off just as he had the last time his team had battled in Iki Town.
"I have been expecting you," Hala said, regarding both young men standing before him with pokémon perched atop their shoulders. "Allow me to properly greet the young adventurers embarking on their Island Challenge. I am Hala, Kahuna of Melemele Island. Shall we begin?"
Sun and Hau exchanged a glance before giving solemn nods. "We shall," the Island Challengers agreed in unison.
Hala turned to address the gathered residents of Iki Town who had come to watch the proceedings. "Standing before you is Hau, grandson to the kahuna. Standing beside him is Elio, one whom has met with Tapu Koko. Their final trial here on Melemele Island, that is to say their Grand Trial, will be a double battle against me, the kahuna!"
There were a few murmurs of displeasure from the crowd, but Sun and Hau tuned them out. For the moment their words and complaints didn't matter.
"Hau, Elio, you have done well to reach this far this quickly. Now show me the power within yourselves and your teams!"
"Let's do this, Baron!" Sun said, his bird pokémon flying off his shoulder and onto the field of battle with a screech.
"You're up, Puka!" Hau said, letting his electric mouse take the field.
"Old Hala here will be facing you with all of my skill!" the Melemele Kahuna warned them. "Let the Grand Trial begin! Come on out Machop, Mankey!"
"Okay, Baron let's start this off!" Sun shouted. "Get in there and hit Machop with a rapid-fire Pluck!"
"Trumbe-eak!" squawked Sun's wildest pokémon with excitement, beak glowing with the energy of the flying type move.
"Not bad, Sun, not bad," Hala said appraisingly, as Sun's first capture flew at his Machop. "But you'll have to do better than that I'm afraid. Machop, sidestep the attack and use Revenge."
Sun flinched. Revenge was a simple attack, but a strong one. In exchange for letting your opponent move first, it smashed them with even stronger power, and Baron was far too close now to pull himself back. There was nothing Sun or his Trumbeak could do.
But Hau and Puka could help their friends! "Puka!" Hau called. "Hold Machop in place with Confusion, so that Baron won't miss!"
"Pika… Pika… Chu…" intoned Puka, as the electric mouse focused on Machop.
Puka's eyes glowed with blue light and psychic power held Hala's Machop in place, allowing Baron to land his savage strikes.
"Trum! Trum! Trumbeak!" Baron cried, as he repeatedly slashed at the Machop with his beak.
"Ma… Ma… CHOP!" growled the Machop as it struggled against the psychic energy, before eventually cracking it and breaking free. "MACHOP!" It lashed out at Baron with the full force of Revenge, glowing with the orange energy of a fighting type attack.
"Puka, use Confusion to help Baron! Use it to get him out of the way!" Hau shouted, which led to Baron getting an indirect hit, instead of one that might have finished the flying type off.
Sun grinned at his buddy. "Thanks man and thank you too, Puka! That was a big help!"
Hau offered him his fist to bump which Sun gladly did. "No problem, Sun! We're a team in this battle after all!"
"Yes, you're grasping the idea of a double battle very well, both of you," Hala praised. "As the fiercest fighter, Baron goes in for the strike while Puka acts as support. You've done very well in that regard so far. However… Don't forget that you're facing two pokémon, not just one. Mankey, use Assurance on Puka!"
"Mankey key!" the Pig Monkey Pokémon screeched, lunging at Hau's electric type with the dark-red aura of the dark type attack.
Baron quickly glanced at Sun who nodded. There was no way they'd just let a comrade who'd protected them be hurt! Not without trying to help! "Trumbeak!" cried Baron, blocking the attack with his wings and taking the hit to spare their friend.
"Thanks for the save, Sun, Baron!" Hau cheered. "Alright Puka, it's our turn to attack! Use Thundershock on Mankey, but make sure you don't hit Baron!"
"Pika… Pika… CHUUUUU!" squeaked Puka, launching a massive burst of electricity that was gently guided by the tell-tale blue of psychic energy to strike their opponent and avoid their avian ally entirely.
"Mankey mank…" groaned the Mankey as the attack struck home. The pig monkey shrank back slightly from the pain.
"Hau, Puka, that was awesome!" Sun complimented. "In fact, I think that was a critical hit!"
Surprisingly though, that just made Hau shudder. "A critical hit… On Tutu's Mankey? That's not good…" he groaned.
The fighting type's eyes glowed with a red light. "Mankey! Mankey! Mankey! MANKEY!" it screeched furiously.
Sun's eyes widened. "Anger Point!" he realized with dismay. "That Mankey's power has gone through the roof! Oh yeah, this is not good!"
"Mankey, Machop," Hala commanded, "use Karate Chop!"
"Mankey/Machop!" the two fighting types cried, slashing their hands down at the pokémon of the Island Challengers.
"Puka, use Quick Attack to dodge," Hau instructed his electric type, which nimbly evaded the Karate Chop.
"Baron, use Pluck on Mankey!" Sun told his bird pokémon. "That critical hit had to do a lot of damage, so Pluck should be enough to take him out!"
"Trumbeak!" Baron screeched in agreement, counter slashing the Karate Chop with a slash from his glowing beak.
"Mankey mank!" retorted the Mankey, slashing down with its Karate Chop even as Baron's Pluck stroke home.
Both pokémon fell back as the attacks struck, splayed on the ground. Sun fought the instinctive urge to run to Baron and pick the Trumbeak up, and instead returned his bird pokémon to his pokéball. "You did great, Baron," Sun praised his flying type. "Get some rest in the pokéball for now, and we'll get you all healed up once the battle is over, I promise."
"Mankey, you did very well," Hala praised as he returned the fighting type. "Thank you for helping me test these young trainers my friend."
"Alright Nero," Sun said, tossing his starter's pokéball in the air. "You're up buddy."
"Torracat," growled Nero, as his fire bell started to ring. "Torra rah!"
"I see the Litten I gave you has evolved Sun," Hala noted proudly. "Well done. Let us see how well you all fare against my next pokémon! Let's go, Makuhita!"
"Maku! Hita!" grunted the sturdy fighting type as it landed on the platform.
"Makuhita, use Fake Out on Nero!" Hala ordered.
"Maku!" the Makuhita rushed forward, hands at the ready to clap down on Nero's face.
Sun grinned. "I don't think so," the Island Challenger declared. "Nero wait until it tries to clap and use Fire Fang on its hand!"
"Torararara CAT!" roared Nero, his fangs suddenly bursting with fire startling the Makuhita as it tried to strike.
The fiery bell on Nero's chest rang out as the Fire Cat Pokémon bit down hard on the Guts Pokémon, scorching it badly and digging his fangs in deep.
"Sun!" Hau called. "Have Nero hold it steady for a moment! I've got an idea!"
"Nero, you got that?" Sun asked. "I don't know what Hau's planning, but he's our teammate in this fight, so don't let Makuhita go until they're ready!"
"Torrarara!" Nero cried in agreement, digging his fangs deeper into Makuhita.
"Puka, grab Makuhita with Confusion!" Hau instructed, and the fighting type was surrounded by a blue glow, and just as planned Nero loosened the grip of his fangs. "Now, throw it at Machop!"
"Pika pika pika chupika!" squeaked Puka, eyes aglow as the hapless Makuhita soared towards its partner in battle.
"Makuuuuu…" the Makuhita groaned as it soared through the air at high speed, a veritable wrecking ball of muscle.
"Machop, dodge out of the way!" Hala commanded.
"Ma chop ma chop!" the young fighting type agreed, trying to dodge its flung companion.
Sun and Nero exchanged toothy grins. "That's not gonna happen," Sun said, with a devious glint in his eyes. "Nero, use Ember to make a ring of fire around Machop!"
"Tor-ra-CAT!" roared Nero, blasts of fire rapidly escaping his ringing bell and encircling Hala's Machop. For the sake of his own awesomeness, and his trainer's awesomeness, and all their friends' awesomeness, Nero would not let Kahuna Hala win!
"Machop?" Hala's Machop asked in confusion trying to figure out how to deal with the fire trapping it, only to be faced with a different problem. Namely, a hundred-and ninety-pound Makuhita headed directly for its face. "Ma chop…" it groaned, accepting the inevitable.
Before it could be hit however, Hala returned it. "Well played, both of you," he admitted, as Makuhita slammed down, and though slightly dazed staggered to its feet. "I'll consider that a defeat for my Machop, there's no way he could've taken that without fainting. But I still have my Makuhita, and one last opponent for you both."
Hau beamed. "Send him in, Tutu! I wanna fight Crabrawler!"
Puka nodded enthusiastically, cheeks sparking. "Pikachu!"
Hala chuckled. "Very well then, let's go Crabrawler!" he declared, releasing a pokémon unfamiliar to Sun from its pokéball. It was a blue crab, and its pincers looked more like boxing gloves until it opened them to snap at its opponents.
"Brawler, crab brawl," it rasped, and Sun eyed it curiously. He'd have to have Dexter tell him more about it once the battle was over.
"Makuhita, use Arm Thrust to put out the fire and then rejoin the fight," Hala instructed. "Crabrawler, use Power-Up Punch on Puka."
"Puka, dodge it with Quick Attack!"
"Nero, use Fire Fang on Makuhita!"
"Crabrawler, catch up to Puka with Pursuit," Hala commanded. "Block Nero with Arm Thrust, Makuhita."
"Brawler!" Hala's Crabrawler rasped, as it slammed into Puka.
"Pi… ka… chu…" Puka groaned as he fainted.
"You did great, Puka," Hau assured his electric type as he was returned. "Take a nice rest for now, okay?"
Meanwhile, Nero kept trying to use Fire Fang on Makuhita and it kept blocking it with Arm Thrust. But, as Hau pulled a pokéball from his belt, Sun grinned savagely. "Just like we've been training Nero, use Ember and Fire Fang at the same time. That'll finish it!"
The same savage grin made its home on Nero's face as it blasted Makuhita while it was caught up blocking Fire Fang. "TORRACAT!" the fire type feline roared, his bell ringing out as he blasted the fighting type away. No one was a match for the awesomeness of Nero!
"Maaakuuuu…" groaned Makuhita as it passed out, Nero having won their battle.
Hau grinned. "Nice work guys," he complimented, lifting a pokéball from his belt. "Now it's our two to Tutu's one! Come on out, Bowtie!"
The Dartrix in question preened as he emerged from his pokéball, taking a critical eye of the field. "Dart dart!" he hooted, giving a nod to Nero who returned the gesture.
"My, my," Hala said, as he fully took in the situation. "You've done quite well so far, so I think I'll invoke my best. Crabrawler, its time."
"Brawler!" rasped Crabrawler in agreement.
"Let's go then," Hala intoned before raising his arms to the sky, and then punched the air in front of him with a flurry of furious blows. "Go all out, Crabrawler, use All-Out Pummeling!"
Energy flowed from Hala into Crabrawler, and the fighting type was alight with a glowing aura. A bizarre array of energy fists and feet appeared, and they were set to fire right at Nero.
Nero glanced at Sun's wrist. "Torra!" the fire type called, to get his trainer's attention.
Sun followed his partner's gaze and nodded in understanding. "Hau!" he called to his friend. "Can you and Bowtie by us a bit of time before their move hits us?"
"We can buy a little bit, but not much," Hau warned him. "Bowtie, use a Leaf Combo to obscure them!"
"Dart dart!" hooted Bowtie, unleashing a maelstrom of leaves that shrouded half the field.
"We'll only have one shot at this," Sun warned Nero. "But we have to make it work, so we will."
"Torracat," his partner growled in agreement.
As Sun did the necessary movements, he thought about what was riding on this battle. He thought of becoming a champion side by side with his pokémon. He thought of Hau surpassing his grandfather and cheering for his friend as he did so. And those thoughts fed the Z-Power he was pouring out, pouring into Nero.
Nero was thinking too. Of his first meeting with his trainer, his partner, his best friend. His other friends, that he'd met over the past few days. Evolving to protect Nebby. The Z-Power swelled into a Z-Move and Nero rushed at Crabrawler already striking forth with his energy fists and feet.
"BREAKNECK BLITZ!" Sun shouted with sweat dripping down his face, even as Nero continued to rush at Crabrawler.
Wrapped in an aura of white the Fire Cat Pokémon smashed into his opponent who was also trying to land a decisive strike on Nero.
But the battle was not decided by either of those using a Z-Move. It was decided by the third member of the current phase of battle, who did not possess a Z-Move of his own just yet but did possess a powerful Peck.
"DARTRIX!" hooted Bowtie in victory, as he rapidly struck Crabrawler with Peck, just as Baron had used in battle against him.
"Brawl… ler…" groaned Hala's Crabrawler as it slumped over and fainted.
Hau and Sun high fived each other with glee. They'd won. Bowtie flew up to perch on Hau's shoulder hooting happily and Nero rubbed against Sun's legs purring with pride and affection.
"The results come as no surprise to me," Hala told them proudly. "You are both fine trainers, with such fine pokémon!"
From the direction of the Ruins of Conflict, Tapu Koko loudly crowed its approval. "KO-KO-KO!"
Hala chuckled. "And our mighty Tapu Koko agrees!" he noted, pleased.
"Thank you for battling us, Kahuna Hala," Sun said. "And thanks for battling alongside us, Hau! This is a battle I'll never forget; I promise."
Hau slung an arm over Sun's shoulder, giving his friend a cheery grin. "No problem, buddy!" Hau enthused. "That was the greatest Grand Trial I could've asked for!"
"Zay cheeze!" Dexter cheered. "I'm gonna take a picture of the two awezome trainerz who overcame the Grand Trial!"
Sun and Hau gave toothy grins as Dexter photographed them; arms slung over each other. Nothing could ruin this moment for them, a huge step towards their dreams.
Hala presented Sun and Hau with orange Z-Crystals. "Accept these Fightinium Z, young Island Challengers," Hala said proudly. "May you use them to further channel your bond with your pokémon into strength."
"Thanks Tutu," Hau said, staring at the Z-Crystal with awe.
Sun gave Hala a warm smile. "Thank you, Kahuna Hala," the young man said gently squeezing the Z-Crystal.
"You're most welcome," Hala said, smiling kindly. "With this victory you have both cleared all of the trials of Melemele Island, the first of Alola's islands."
Hau pulled out his Trainer Passport, and Sun stared at him in confusion. "Why are you getting that out, Hau?" Sun asked.
"You should get yours out too, Sun," Hau replied. "We'll be getting a stamp in it for overcoming the Grand Trial."
"Indeed," Hala agreed, "the Melemele stamp is proof of your accomplishments here. Just as your Rotom-Pokédex records images and videos as mementos of your journey, these stamps will be a testament to your journey as well."
Nodding in understanding, Sun fished out his Trainer Passport, and Hala pressed a stamp of a red flower into the Trainer Passport of both young men.
"The moon in the daytime…" Hala mused. "The sun at night… Now to see if you both can pour your hearts into something that cannot be seen but is very much real. As you two continue on your Island Challenge, consider what makes up the people and pokémon that you meet: Both what you can see and what you cannot."
"Like bonds between people and pokémon," Sun said thoughtfully, taking Hala's advice to heart.
Hala nodded, pleased. "Precisely, my boy. You will surely meet Tapu Koko again someday, Sun. I'm certain it's waiting for the day you and your pokémon grow strong enough to challenge it. And Hau, I know what you seek. I have full faith that one day, Tapu Koko will choose you as my successor, just as you dream."
There were tears in Hau's eyes and Sun had trouble reading all the emotion in them. Affection, pride, gratitude, excitement, and so much more in a bizarre mix. The ceremonial mood was lost as Hau lunged at his grandfather, wrapping him in a tearful hug.
Sun stepped down to join Lillie and Professor Kukui, who were watching Hau and his grandfather hug it out with fond amusement. "You and Hau were amazing," Lillie complimented. "And your pokémon were just wonderful as well."
"Poppli pop!" cheered Bubbly, clapping her paws.
Sun blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "Th-Thanks, Lillie," he said shyly. "That means a lot."
Nero rubbed up between Lillie's legs purring in gratitude at the compliment. "Torrr…"
"Yeah, you and Hau did great, cousin!" Kukui praised. "You and your team saw victory and made sure to Lock On and make sure you reached it."
"Thanks Professor Kukui," Sun said, Nero mewing appreciatively.
"Sun," Lillie began, "why don't you let me heal up your pokémon for you? I'll get Hau's once he's ready."
Sun nodded, releasing Baron from his pokéball and gave Nero a nod so that he would also go to get healed.
The sound of rapid hoofbeats came from the trail leading out of town causing all the humans around to gaze at the rapidly approaching Tauros. "Mooararr!" lowed the Tauros as it rushed towards Sun.
"Whoa there, Tauros!" Hala said as he stepped off the platform to intercept the normal type.
"Hi Tauros!" Sun greeted cheerfully, gently rubbing its horns. "Came to say hi?"
"Taur…" the normal type lowed pleased by the attention. "Tauros…"
Hau chuckled. "It never ceases to amaze me how little Tauros scares you man," Sun's rival noted with amusement. "I even know Tauros would never hurt me and he still spooks me a little."
Sun stroked the Wild Bull Pokémon's mane. "Why would I be afraid of him?" the Island Challenger asked. "He's a sweetheart, aren't you Tauros?"
"Moorar…" Tauros lowed happily.
"Seeing how well you get along with Tauros gives me an idea, Sun," Hala said. "How about I set you up so you can ride my Tauros whenever you'd like?"
Sun's eyes went wide. "You can do that?" he asked, slightly awed. "If Tauros is up for it, that would be amazing!"
Hala chuckled. "No reason why ol' Tauros shouldn't get to enjoy the Island Challenge too, eh?" Hala asked.
"Moo-raaaar!" Tauros lowed excitedly, gently headbutting Sun's palm. "Tauro!"
"I'll take care of all the little things you'll need to be officially permitted to ride a Ride Pokémon, Sun," Hala assured him, handing Sun a strange green device. "But even until then, this is what you'll need to call on my Tauros, and other Ride Pokémon as you meet others on your journey who will be willing to lend you theirs."
"What is it?" Sun asked, looking the strange device over curiously.
"That'z a Ride Pager, Zzt!" Dexter explained, snapping photographs of Sun and Tauros. "It's what allows you to call on Ride Pokémon regardless of where you are. It works on the same principal as the pokémon storage system."
"That's right," Hala confirmed. "But enough of the technical stuff, why don't you hop on Tauros already?"
With the Tauros kneeling slightly to allow the young man atop the saddle, Sun carefully sat on Hala's pokémon. Sun gently stroked Tauros' mane from his sitting position, making sure it relaxed as he sat there.
"The world looks a bit different from atop a mighty Tauros, eh?" Hala asked knowingly. "See, Sun? Here in Alola our pokémon are known for lending us their strength and letting us ride them. A lot of pokémon around the world used for transportation were raised here in Alola, as a matter of fact."
"That's very interesting," Sun noted thoughtfully. "I didn't know that."
"Have a little romp around Alola with Tauros here. I'm sure you'll be charmed by him. In fact, if you want to take him for a brief jaunt now, he'll be excellent at clearing away the rocks in front of Ten Carat Hill where you'll be able to find the Rockruff you seek," Hala said, giving both trainer and Ride Pokémon a warm smile.
"Congratulations, Hau, Sun," a voice said, from a distance. Everyone turned to look and noticed Captain Ilima giving them all a warm smile. "I hope you find the Ride Pager useful, Sun. I worked hard on developing it with a good friend of mine."
"If it'll let me ride Tauros," Sun replied, shaking Ilima's hand as he stepped closer, "that alone will make it incredible."
"Aren't Z-Moves lovely?" Ilima asked. "Hau, Sun, I hope to battle you both again someday, after we've all begun to shine even brighter!"
"Absolutely," Sun said. "Our Island Challenge is just getting started. When we battle next, we'll be shining brighter than ever, right Hau?"
"You know it, buddy!" Hau agreed, bumping fists with Sun.
"So, what's next?" Lillie asked. "Do we head for Akala Island?"
"Well first," Sun said, "I'm headed for Ten Carat Hill and a Rockruff. Do you guys want to join me?"
"I'm afraid I must be going," Ilima replied regretfully. "I have things I must oversee as captain, but I wish you all the best of luck with your endeavors. May the future bring us all happiness."
"Take your time, cousin," Kukui advised. "I've gotta get the boat ready before we head to Akala anyway, and I've gotta make sure the Kahuna of Akala and the Trial Captains are ready for us. I'll let you know when it's all ready to go."
"We'll come," Lillie replied, Bubbly's head bobbing up and down in agreement. "What about you, Hau?"
Their friend shook his head. "I heard there's going to be some kind of festival in Hau'oli City today," he replied. "I'm going to go check it out, but you guys can meet me there afterwards if you want?"
Sun gave his friend a thumbs up. "Sounds good," he replied, before turning to Lillie. "Admin Lillie, please mount the designated Team Sun Ride Pokémon," he requested in his "Boss" voice.
Lillie's eyes widened. "Wait… You want me to ride Tauros? With you?"
"Well yeah," the young man said with his normal voice and offering her a hand, "how else will you keep up with us when we head for Ten Carat Hill?"
"Tauro!" agreed Hala's Tauros crouching down so she'd be able to get on.
"If you guys say so," Lillie said uncertainly but accepted Sun's offered hand and was pulled onto Tauros.
Sun's smile grew slightly crazed, as he looked down at the world around them. "Okay Tauros," he said, "let's make tracks for Ten Carat Hill!"
"TAUROS!" Tauros lowed excitedly, zooming downhill.
"Slow-ow-ow dowwwn!" Lillie squealed in protest, but her giggles and the fact she was still smiling showed she was enjoying herself despite her fear. "What if I fall off?!"
"Just hold on to my shoulders if you're worried about it!" Sun cried. "WOOHOO! THIS IS AWESOME!"
"Torrarara!" Nero growled in excited agreement from Sun's lap. "TORRACAT!"
With another burst of speed from Tauros, Iki Town fell out of sight.
"That. Was. AWESOME!" Sun cheered, as Tauros let them down in the fields of Ten Carat Hill. "Oh man we were like… ZOOM! That was so cool! Thanks Tauros!"
"Tauro," lowed Hala's Tauros appreciatively.
Lillie stumbled a little as she got off and Sun caught her. "That was fun…" she groaned in agreement. "But still, I think I'd like to go more slowly when we catch up to Hau in Hau'oli…"
Sun scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry Lillie, we got a bit carried away."
Sun tossed his team's pokéballs high in the air, releasing the team members that had stayed inside for the ride. "Alright guys," Sun told his pokémon, "we're here to catch the next member for Team Sun, a Rockruff. So, help me find one, okay guys?"
Sun's request was met by cries of excited agreement from his team.
Lillie snapped her fingers. "Uh… I's got an idea, boss!" she said in her best impression of a bumbling henchman. "Buzzy can sense auras, whys don't we see if she could track us down a Rockruff?"
Sun gave a valiant effort to maintain his stoic boss demeanor, but he couldn't even hold it long enough to speak and doubled over laughing. "Oh Lillie, that was great! Hahaha!" he chortled. "But yeah, give it a try."
"Come out and help, Buzzy!" Lillie called releasing her bug type from her pokéball.
"Cue fly tie?" the little pokémon questioned, as it flew in circles around Lillie's head.
"Sun's looking for a Rockruff," Lillie explained, nodding towards her friend. "Could you use your aura sensing to help us find one, please?"
"Cutiefly!" chirped Buzzy enthusiastically. "Cue… ti… fly…" she buzzed; her tiny face screwed up in concentration.
"I hope this works," Sun said, watching Lillie's pokémon hopefully.
"Fly fly!" cheered Buzzy, flying deeper into the field with Lillie and Sun and the rest of the pokémon giving chase.
"Rrr… Rockruff!" the young rock type growled with excitement as he sparred with one of the local Machop, lashing out with his entire body in a Tackle.
"Macha!" groaned the fighting type as it fell under the Puppy Pokémon's fierce assault.
"Rock rock rockruff!" cheered the Rockruff, exulting in his victory. He sniffed the air, trying to find a new opponent. Or a playmate! Either would be great!
He smelled several unfamiliar pokémon, along with a pair of humans rapidly approaching. "Huff… huff…" one of the humans, a girl it seemed, panted. "Well, this is where Buzzy lead us. Where's the Rockruff?"
"ROCKRUFF!" the Puppy Pokémon barked excitedly, tail wagging as he approached the humans and their pokémon. "Rockruff!"
"Hey there," the second human greeted. "I'm Sun and these are my friends: Lillie, Nero, Baron, Dexter, Emperor, and Prince."
The girl and a strange red object waved shyly and several of the pokémon gave cries of greeting, and the Rockruff yipped a hello. Sun crouched down, offering his hand for the Rockruff to sniff. The Puppy Pokémon moved forward curiously, sniffing the boy's hand before rubbing up against it. "Rockruff!"
"We were wondering if you'd like to come with us," Sun explained, petting the Rockruff gently. "We're gonna be travelling the whole region and we'd love to have you along for their ride."
"Rockruff ruff?" the puppy asked, then shifted into a fighting stance but his tail still wagged with excitement and happiness. "Ruff!" he barked excitedly.
"Why does Rockruff look like he wants to fight?" Lillie asked. "He was so friendly a second ago!"
"Pew pew!" came a cry from her shaking bag.
"I think Nebby's right," Sun agreed, standing up. "Rockruff wants to battle before we catch him, right Rockruff?"
"Rrrock ruff!" barked the rock puppy in excited agreement.
"Grimer mer!" said the Grimer that was part of Sun's team.
Sun looked at the poison and dark type with surprise. "You want to battle him, Emperor?" he asked.
"Gri!"
"Alright then, let's do it!" Sun agreed excitedly. "Ready, Rockruff?"
"Ruff ruff!" Rockruff barked in agreement.
"Okay, Emperor, start it off with Bite!" Sun called.
"Grime!" the gooey creature pokémon, lunging at the Rockruff brandishing his fangs and taking a bite.
"Rockruff!" cried the Puppy Pokémon, striking back with his own Bite.
Both attacks struck home, with both first stage pokémon gnawing on each other. The Rockruff felt funny though, whereas the Grimer was shrugging off the attack with no problem.
"Mermermer!" Emperor chortled.
"Yeah, good job Emperor! You poisoned him."
Poison? Was that why the Rockruff felt funny?
"Rufff…" the little rock type groaned.
"Can you keep fighting, Rockruff?" Sun asked kindly. "Or do you want me to heal you up and catch you now?"
"Ruff ruff!" barked the Rockruff.
"He appearz to ztill want to fight a little more," the red object noted.
Sun nodded, unbothered. "Yeah, I'm not surprised," he noted. "You're a pokémon after my own heart, Rockruff. But thanks for telling me, Dexter."
"No zweat," Dexter assured him. "That'z what friendz are for! Zzt!"
"Rockruff!" the Puppy Pokémon cried lunging at Emperor in a Tackle.
"Emperor use Harden to absorb the blow and then counterattack with Poison Fang!" Sun declared.
"Grimer!" Emperor grunted in agreement, doing as instructed. His fangs came down on the Rockruff staggering him further.
Wanting to be captured, but too proud to let himself be defeated the Rockruff gently headbutted Sun's leg. "Rockruff!" he barked.
"Ready to be caught now?" Sun asked gently, crouching down to meet the Rockruff at eye level and holding a pokéball at the ready.
"Rockruff!" the Puppy Pokémon agreed excitedly, tapping the pokéball with his nose and getting sucked inside.
Inside the pokéball, the Rockruff waited. He wanted to be caught. His new trainer seemed nice, and his team seemed strong. And the idea of travelling the whole region seemed like so much fun!
As soon as the young rock type felt the pokéball cement its hold on him, he was being released.
"Hey there," his new trainer said with a grin, holding a stick. "Welcome to the family. Can I use this to help you feel better? I promise it won't hurt."
"Rockruff!" the Puppy Pokémon agreed happily, letting his new trainer rub the poison away. "Rock… ruff…" he sighed contentedly as it faded.
"Now," Sun said, scratching him gently behind the ears. "I'd like to give you a nickname, is that okay?"
"Rockruff!" the Puppy Pokémon yipped excitedly, nuzzling his trainer. He liked that idea. He liked it very much!
Sun smiled. "Well… you like fighting a lot… and your line is associated with the moon… How about we call you… Caligula?"
The Rockruff, now dubbed Caligula, jumped into his trainer's arms snuggling against him. "Rockruff!" Caligula yipped excitedly, licking his face. "Rockruffruffruff!"
Sun laughed. "You tickle," he said. "But I'm glad you're happy."
"Sun," Lillie said, "you've got the pokémon you came here to catch. Shall we go meet up with Hau now?"
Sun nodded. "Yep," he agreed. "Alright Team Sun, onto our next operation: Have fun at the carnival!"
Caligula howled in joy among the cries of the rest of Sun's team. The puppy couldn't wait!
Sun was a little worried they'd have trouble finding Hau at first. Then he noticed a sign in front of a food truck that, below the image of a strange black and pink bear pokémon, read:
MANALO MALASADAS
THE GIANT MALASADA CHALLENGE
Can you eat our giant malasada in thirty minutes?
If you succeed its free, if not pay 3,000.
Sun and Lillie glanced at the sign and then simultaneously burst out laughing. If Hau was anywhere here, that's where he would be.
Heading into the tent, they took in the picnic tables lined up with people frantically trying to eat a malasada larger than Lillie's old hat, frosted with white and pink icing. All the way in the back was their friend, calmly chowing down and face utterly coated in powdered sugar and icing.
Sun would've chuckled at the sight, but he was honestly too impressed.
"Pika pika!" cheered Puka, enthusiastically rooting for his trainer with cheeks sparking in excitement.
"Dart…" chided Bowtie disdainfully, trying to wipe some of the powdered sugar and icing off Hau's face as he continued to devour the gargantuan treat.
"I think dat twerp might actually eat da whole thing," a scratchy voice said from somewhere behind the counter, sounding slightly impressed if concerned.
Sun twitched. Something about that voice…
"Not to worry Meowth," a blue haired man said, stepping into view. "He's been the only one so far today."
"Would you two stop talking about the twerp and help me?!" a woman screeched from within the food truck. "These malasada won't make themselves!"
"Wobbuffet!" the pokémon of the same name agreed from within the food truck.
"Sun?" Lillie asked in concern, noticing the way he'd stopped moving.
Sun blinked. It couldn't be them, right? Here? In Alola? "Sorry Lillie," he said. "Just blanked out for a second."
She gave him a reassuring smile. "It's fine, Sun," she assured him. "But let's go cheer for Hau, he's almost done."
"Kzzt! I'll take a picture! Zzt!" Dexter cheered.
They all rushed over to Hau's picnic table and sat across from him. He blinked but continued shoving malasada in his mouth.
"You can do it Hau!"
"Poppli!"
"Torra!"
"Go for it, buddy!"
And as they all cheered, Hau finally got the last piece in his mouth, Bowtie wiping the frosting away.
The blue-haired man approached them. "Ooh well done!" he said excitedly. "You're our first winner of the day!"
Hau beamed. "When it comes to eating malasada, no one out eats me!" he cheered, then turned to his friends. "But how'd you guys know I was here?"
Sun smiled wryly. "Hau, buddy, it was a giant malasada. That you would eat for free."
Hau blushed, scratching his head awkwardly. "Point taken," he agreed awkwardly. "What do we do next?"
"I think there are some carnival games," Lillie offered. "We could check those out."
Hau and Sun agreed, and the trio and their pokémon made their way deeper into the festival looking for something fun.
Unbeknownst to them, four sets of eyes were on them as they left. "Dat brings back old memories," a Meowth from Kanto said, thoughtfully. "Dey even got a Pikachu with 'em."
"Yes, there's always something so nostalgic about seeing new batches of twerps," the blue-haired man agreed.
"And to think after all this time, Ash and Pikachu are still traveling the world," a red-haired woman mused wistfully. "I almost wish they'd visit Alola so we could get blasted off again, for old time's sake."
"Wobbuffet!" agreed the blue pokémon.
"Still, enjoyin' retirement is nice," the Meowth said. "'s funny, we make more doin' honest work den we ever did chasin' 'em around."
Oblivious to the strange quartet's musings (and perhaps trying to convince himself he hadn't recognized them in Sun's case) our band of heroes sought out games.
As they did so, Hau finally noticed the unfamiliar pokémon among Sun's team. "You caught a Rockruff?!" he asked excitedly. "That's great, man! Congratulations!"
Sun bent down to pet Caligula. "Mmhm," he confirmed. "This is Caligula. Emperor helped me catch him, didn't you bud?"
"Grimer mer!" Sun's Grimer agreed, hugging Sun and Caligula.
"Ruff!" Caligula barked happily, licking Emperor and his trainer. "Rockruff!"
Hau crouched down, offering the Rockruff his hand to sniff. "Nice to meet you!" he greeted. "I'm Hau, a good buddy of your trainer's. And these are Bowtie, Puka, and Speakers."
"Dart!"/"Pikachu!"/"Noibat bat!" greeted Hau's team from various perches on their trainer.
"Step right up!" they heard a barker call. "Hurry, hurry, hurry! Everyone's a winner, but the better you do, the better your prize!"
"Want to give it a go?" Sun asked.
"We're walking away with something no matter what, so I don't see why not," Lillie agreed.
"Be careful guys," Hau warned, surprisingly serious. "Some of these guys'll rig the games."
Surprisingly, it was Lillie's eyes who sparkled deviously at this. "Don't worry," she said. "I mean if they're crooked… we can cheat too!"
So, they ran up to the booth and it was one of those games of knock down the Moomoo Milk bottles. Very simple, but often rigged. At this particular booth, there were thirty bottles set up, stacked in sets of three.
"Ah, a couple of young gentlemen and a fair young lady," the barker said, tipping his hat and eyeing them appraisingly. "Care to try a game? Knock down bottles, win prizes. Play until you knock down at least one bottle!"
The trio gazed at the selection of prizes. Three bottles got you an adorable pokédoll. Two bottles got you an item useful for pokémon. And… one bottle got you a sticker that was worth less than it cost to play. Our heroes exchanged a knowing look. This game was clearly rigged. Lillie tapped something into her cellphone, causing the cells of her two friends to buzz. The plan was made.
"I just have to knock the bottles down?" Lillie asked with faux innocence, resting a finger on her chin. "That doesn't seem too hard."
The barker chuckled warmly, but Sun recognized the look in his eyes. The eyes of a con man certain he'd found an easy mark. "Yep," he confirmed. "That's all it takes."
"Well… I'll try my best," she said, placing the required money down and throwing a ball.
It was a gentle throw, but it hit a tower of bottles squarely in the center. The tower should've at least trembled a bit, but it didn't even move a hair.
"Awe, that's too bad, missy," the barker said with faux sympathy. "You hit 'em square on and it still didn't work! Maybe the next one'll work better!"
Sun grinned. This was going exactly as Lillie had planned so far. The barker was so focused on her, that the man wasn't paying attention to anything else.
"Oh phooey!" Lillie pretended to pout. "I was so sure I could get it. Maybe my special throw will help!"
"Go on and try, missy," the barker said, watching her with amusement. "Give it your best."
Lillie performed a ridiculously over the top wind-up for the pitch, windmilling her arm through the air at high speed, then threw the ball hard at one of the farther away stacks. The ball hit with an audible slam, but even so, the bottles didn't budge proving indisputably that the game was rigged.
The barker almost certainly thought he was playing them for suckers, but the real sucker was about to be him.
Lillie turned her cap backwards, much to the barker's amusement. Hau took it for the sign it was and whispered something to Puka in a low tone. Sun fought to hide his smirk.
"This is it!" Lillie said and threw the ball as hard as she could at the centermost stack of bottles. It was a testament to her throwing skill that even with all that power, the throw still had perfect accuracy.
The barker was so busy focusing on Lillie, that he didn't notice Puka's eyes glowing blue or the slight glow around all the bottles either. Yes, all the bottles.
It was a testament to how much Hau and Puka had honed Confusion because just as Lillie's ball struck home every single bottle fell over with a clink of glass on metal.
"I knew my best trick wouldn't fail me!" Lillie cheered, as Hau quietly praised Puka and returned the electric mouse. "And what do you know, I knocked down all the bottles!"
"Y-You…" the barker stammered, but whether it was rage or shock Sun wasn't sure.
"I can get at least ten prizes, right?" she asked. "Or… what is the policy when I knock down all of them at once?"
"You must have cheated!" the barker said. "I don't know how you did it, but you must've. I'll report you-"
"Actually," Sun said, putting on his best cartoon villain voice, "you will do no such thing. Because you see, we are just three teenagers messing around."
"That don't explain why I shouldn't report you," the barker said, trying to be threatening.
It didn't have much effect on Sun, though. He'd grown up in Kanto, lived through the peak of the Rocket Syndicate's power. A barker trying to con a few families out to have a good time? He was nothing. Sun gave his best attempt at a sinister chuckle. "Because your game is rigged, and that will be proven if you report us," he pointed out still maintaining his best cartoon villain voice. "So, here is what is actually going to happen instead: My associates and I will take a few things we like from your prizes and then you will head home, no longer darkening the day of all the nice people here enjoying the carnival."
Nero stood next to Sun growling aggressively, and Prince did the same from atop Sun's hat. The rest of their pokémon just glared at the con man who was trying to take advantage of a day people were supposed to be having fun.
Lillie shoved a few of the pokédolls she liked best into her duffle bag, and all three poured through the various pokémon items, trying to pick out accessories or beneficial items for their pokémon. In the end though, there was just too much there to sort through at the moment, and so much of the carnival to still see that the trio just shrugged and put a small pile each in Sun's and Hau's bags so that they could go through it later.
"W-Wait, you're taking that much?!" the con man asked incredulously. "I didn't think that was our deal."
Hau turned to Sun. "Mind if I take this one, bro?" he asked. "I've always wanted to say it."
Sun's grin was a strange mix of affectionate and mischievous. "Oh please, I insist."
"Thanks Sun," Hau said, saluting his friend before turning a stern gaze on the con man. "We have altered the deal. Pray we don't alter it further," he said in his best Darth Vader impression.
"Besides," Lillie said, "we're letting you off easy with what we're taking. We could be taking it all, you know."
Having achieved complete victory, Team Sun sauntered deeper into the festivities leaving behind one shaken con man who would probably rethink his business plans going forward.
"That was the craziest thing I have ever done," Lillie said seriously, as she sat with her friends munching away at a funnel cake Sun had bought to celebrate their recent successes.
Hau chuckled. "I know, right?" he agreed. "Sun, dude, I knew you could be scary when people ticked you off but blood of the tapu that was insane."
"Like any truly brilliant plan it required cooperation, my admins," Sun said in his best impersonation of cartoon villains. "You all played your parts well. Truthfully, my contributions were… minimal. As it should be."
Lillie giggled. "Oh Sun," she laughed, "it doesn't matter how many times you do that voice it always gets to me."
Hau offered his friend a fist to bump. "Dude that's awesome," he said with a wide grin. "It's like we're an actual Team or something."
Sun tilted his head thoughtfully. "I could get us all patches or something," he offered. "Sun patches to go on our backpacks or the like. Forever uniting us as Team Sun."
"I'd like that," Lillie said, tilting her head in thought. "I mean I know it's kind of just a joke, but…"
"We are a team, even if we're not a capital T team," Hau pointed out. "I'm all for it. Just get more than just enough for us three made, in case anyone else is worth mixing in."
And, just for a moment, all three felt untouchable. Just the three of them and their pokémon, together, and living in a great moment.
But, like all moments, it eventually had to end. "Hala went way too easy on those two," some old man said to another.
"Oh, you know it," his friend agreed. "Letting them fight together? A double battle? Proof the old man's going soft if you ask me."
Lillie watched as something dangerous flared to life in Sun's eyes and some of the light in Hau's dimmed, though there was a spark of anger in them at the insult to his grandfather.
Their pokémon teams growled, clearly insulted. For that matter, so was Bubbly, but that made sense. Hala had raised her along with Bowtie and Nero, it made sense they'd take the insult even more personally.
"What do you expect?" the first old man said. "Hala always goes easy on Hau. I bet he only got through Ilima's trial because Hala told the pretty boy to go easy on his grandson. Telling Hau that he could become a kahuna? Now there's a laugh."
Hau was tearing up now, though trying to hide it but Sun was seething.
And then the second old man finally crossed the line. "I almost feel bad for the other kid," he mused. "If he's looking to challenge Tapu Koko, he could do well with a competent rival, instead of Hala's grandson."
Sun gave Hau's shoulder a gentle squeeze, quietly shook his head and then flew at the old men, his pokémon following quickly.
It would be fair to assume that Sun was angry. After all, he'd just been insulted, his good friend had just been insulted, their pokémon had been insulted, and so had Kahuna Hala who Sun had great respect for.
It was also a vast understatement. Sun had never been more furious in his life. If the old men had just been insulting him, he'd probably have shrugged it off. He'd heard worse than being accused of being handed a win. Being the nephew of one of the world's worst criminals tended to result in a lot of unpleasant and baseless insults thrown your way.
Comments about lacking respect for opponents or having no love for pokémon. Comments about tainted blood and not being able to change who you're related to.
Sun had a decade's worth of practice tuning out those things. But these clowns had insulted his friend, who had every reason to be proud of their victory. His pokémon, who had worked so hard to pull off the win and cooperated so well with Hau's team. And Kahuna Hala, who had given him a chance to become a trainer. None of these insults could be allowed to stand. Not a one.
Sun's pokémon noticed the shift in his demeanor, and all the ones who understood were as angry as he was. Even Caligula who had only been on the team a few hours at this point could tell something was wrong. So as Sun advanced on the old men, spoiling for a fight, his pokémon followed him in a chorus of angry growls, hisses, and grunts.
"Pew?" Nebby asked from Lillie's bag, seemingly troubled by the rage emanating from Sun.
Hau stood up without a word and followed his friend, his trio taking their perches on their trainer. He'd originally intended to just try and ignore them, but he couldn't let Sun win a fight these jerks had picked with them without helping, after all.
Lillie took a deep breath. She understood why Sun was angry. Honestly, so was she. Those jerks were spitting on their hard work. She'd gotten to see the fruits of Sun and Hau's labors up close, and they'd both worked hard with their pokémon. So, taking another deep breath to reassure herself she followed her friends.
"So," Sun said without any further preamble, "you think Kahuna Hala threw the fight with Hau and me."
Nero hissed at his side, as furious as his trainer. "Tor…" he seethed.
"Trumbeak… Trum beak!" squawked Nero from where he was perched on Sun's shoulder, enraged at their comments.
Sun's other pokémon were angry at the insult to their trainer and friends, but they hadn't been part of the fight so despite tagging along in a show of solidarity, they were content to let the ones who had pick this particular fight.
"Of course," the first one said, "there's no way you should've been allowed to fight him in a double battle. That alone would be proof enough."
Sun rolled his eyes. "Have you ever even fought a mixed battle?" he asked, body shaking in his rage. "You have to work together to win. It's all about working with your partner. Hala had four pokémon, we got two each. It was a completely fair fight, but if any side did have an edge, it would have been Hala who was the only one commanding pokémon on his team."
"If you're so sure you won fair and square, why not have a go with us?" the second asked. "Mind, it won't prove anything about Hau, and he was the entire reason Hala went easy on you."
"You-" Sun began to snarl, but a hand gently gripped on his shoulder, cutting his train of thought off.
"So, if we beat you both, as a team," Hau said, hand still on Sun's shoulder, "will that prove our point?"
"I'll even serve as referee," Lillie offered, stepping into view with Bubbly clapping in her arms and Buzzy flying around her head.
"And I'll record a video and take picturez," Dexter said floating in the air above them all, his electronic voice the most serious Sun and his friends had ever heard it.
The old men shrugged. "This shouldn't take too long," the second said.
"Yeah, these kids really think they're going to battle Tapu Koko and become a kahuna?" the first asked. "Such absurd dreams. They need to be brought back down to Earth."
"Let's do this, Nero," Sun told his starter.
"Torrarara!" Nero growled in excited agreement, his fire bell ringing out.
"Let's do this, Bowtie!" Hau declared.
"Dart!" hooted his Dartrix flying in the air above the battlefield.
Both old men sent out Dunsparce, looking utterly bored. If Sun had been in a better mood, he might have been geeking out about seeing a pokémon he'd only learned about in school, never seen in person, but this was a battle for more than just fun so he'd have to dominate them.
"Let's do this, Nero!" Sun shouted. "Get the Dunsparce on the right with a Fire Fang and Bite combo!"
"Tor!" Nero growled in agreement, fangs alight with fire but also glowing with the sinister aura of the dark type attack.
"Use Pursuit Dunsparce," the man on the left ordered.
The Dunsparce lunged at Nero, albeit half-heartedly.
"You use Pursuit as well," the man on the right told his Dunsparce.
"Dun," it said also giving a halfhearted lunge at Nero.
"Okay Nero, jump up!" Sun called to his partner.
"Bowtie, once Nero's clear use a Leaf Combo," Hau instructed.
"Torracat!" growled Nero as he leapt to avoid the Dunsparce. It wasn't very hard; the Fire Cat Pokémon had successfully dodged much faster pokémon who had been trying much harder.
"Dun…" the Dunsparce groaned in unison as they crashed into each other.
"Trix, trix," chided Bowtie as he blasted them with a maelstrom of leaves.
"Sparce!" the dual Land Snake Pokémon cried in unison as they were sliced up by the leaves and fell into unconsciousness.
"Both Dunsparce are unable to battle!" Lillie declared. "The winners are Sun and Hau."
"Did we…" the first old man said staring at the defeated Dunsparce in shock.
"Really lose?" the second old man said, returning his Dunsparce. "To the likes of them?"
Hau slung an arm around Sun's shoulder. "Listen and listen good," he told them sternly. "Sun is going to battle Tapu Koko and become the Island Challenge Champion. Nothing you jerks say or do will ever change that."
"Dartrix!" Bowtie cried, pointing dramatically at Nero.
"And Hau is going to surpass his grandfather, become Kahuna of Melemele Island, and be the greatest one you've ever seen," Sun told them, some rage still smoldering in his eyes.
"Torracat!" Nero purred, nuzzling against Bowtie affectionately.
"So, if you hear any more people saying stuff about how we haven't earned where we're going," Sun warned. "Just tell them that our results will speak for themselves. We will complete the Island Challenge, we will achieve our goals, and there's nothing you or anyone else can do to stop us. So, you all can get on board, or get out of our way!"
None of them really felt like staying at the carnival after that, so they loaded up on as many snacks and treats and drinks as they could carry and headed for Sun's house.
His mother wasn't home, probably enjoying the carnival herself to be honest, so they set up the plates of food on the table and spread out all the loot they'd obtained from the con man on the floor.
Knowing they were safe in this house Lillie let Nebby out of her bag as she pulled out all her new pokédolls. There were so many she hadn't even known existed before this, like a Plusle and Minun set, a Cleffa to go with her Clefairy, and even one that looked like the green dinosaur object that appeared after a pokémon used the move Substitute.
Caligula seemed to like the Substitute pokédoll because as soon as she pulled it out, he lunged at it, and gripped it with his teeth eagerly shaking it back and forth. "Rrrr… Rockruff…" he growled as he savaged the toy.
"Hey, Caligula stop that, it isn't ours," Sun reprimanded gently, going to pull it away.
Lillie smiled though and shook her head. "Let him keep it, Sun," she assured her friend. "He's having fun, and he hasn't tried to go at any of the others."
"Thanks Lillie," he said, before turning to Caligula. "Now you tell her thank you, too."
"Ruff ruff!" barked Caligula excitedly, rubbing against Lillie. "Rockruff!"
"Guys," Hau called from where he was looking over the loot, "check it out! I think there's some good stuff for all of us in here!"
And there sure was! Nero snagged himself a pair of red sunglasses, which Sun helped settle on his starter's head. Bubbly found a pretty Mystic Water necklace that would help her boost her water type moves. Emperor pulled out a Poison Barb pendant, that he'd taken a liking too, giving Sun a gooey hug as he helped the Grimer put it on. Hau snagged himself a Z-Crystal that Puka was eyeing, explaining that it wouldn't work now but would once his mouse had evolved. There was even a Miracle Seed holding band for Bowtie that would boost the power of his grass moves.
There wasn't anything great for Baron or Caligula, but Sun promised he'd try to find them stuff they'd like as he continued the Island Challenge. Baron nodded in acknowledgement of this, but Caligula was honestly far too preoccupied with his battle with the Substitute Pokédoll to even notice.
And Prince? Prince was the happiest with what he pulled out of the loot pile: A King's Rock. "Meowth!" he purred excitedly, plopping his new crown on his head. "Meowth meow!"
Sun smiled, crouching down to stroke the dark type's soft fur. "There you go, Prince," he said cheerfully. "A crown to prove you're royalty!"
"Meowth!" the dark type cheered, hugging his trainer.
Sun and Hau eyed the empty plates where the dessert pancakes that they'd been planning to eat should've been. Puka, totally unrepentant, let out a large burp and licked the chocolate from his mouth.
"Puka…" Sun growled, though without any real heat. "We were going to see which of us could eat the most of those!"
"Yeah, no fair Puka," Hau agreed, though he couldn't help smiling. "It was going to be a double or nothing bet on the malasada Sun owes me."
Sun, unable to keep up the façade of annoyance reached down and patted Puka's head. "Well, I'm glad someone got to enjoy them at least," the young man noted.
"You may not get to have that candy eating contest either," Lillie noted sheepishly, indicating an empty bag. "It looks like Nebby ate all the star candies you guys bought. At least I know he likes them now?"
"Pew pew!" cheered Nebby
"Well," Hau said, "it looks like all the funnel cakes we bought are still here. Let's see who can eat one the fastest!"
"Yeah!" Sun agreed eagerly. "Come on Lillie, we got three plates of funnel cake! You join in too!"
"Me too?" Lillie questioned, staring at the funnel cake covered in powered sugar and chocolate syrup. That looked messy. Very messy. "Can't we at least get forks?"
Hau chuckled. "Come on Lillie, where's the fun in that?" he asked. "You gotta eat it with your fingers or your face. Otherwise, it's not a real eating competition."
Lillie stared at the plates. Her mother would never have allowed her to eat something so cheaply made or in such messy ways. But… her mother wasn't here. Just two friends staring at her with eager expressions, and pokémon that were clearly having fun.
Such a beautiful, glorious mess! Even when things had been good, she'd never known anything like this before coming to Melemele. "Okay," Lillie agreed with a nod. "I'm in!"
And so, the competitors sat at the table with their plates of funnel cake. In unison the three teenagers began to tear into their funnel cakes; devouring them with wild abandon and getting powdered sugar all over their faces and hands.
Lillie, having been the first to consume hers threw her hands up in the air. "I won!" she cheered.
"You all look zo funny, zzt!" Dexter chirped, snapping pictures of them all.
"What do I get for winning?" Lillie asked, grabbing a paper towel and whipping off the mess.
Sun shrugged. "If Hau had won, I would've owed him more malasada. I'll get you some tomorrow, too," he offered.
"We're going to spend more time together tomorrow?" Lillie asked.
"For sure!" Hau agreed. "There's so much left for you guys to try before we head to Akala Island. You guys haven't even been Mantine Surfing yet!"
Sun's eyes sparkled. "Oh man that sounds awesome! We have to try it!"
Hau nodded, but then he yawned. "It's getting late," the typically energetic young man said. I think I better get back to Iki Town."
Lillie nodded. "I should probably head back to Professor Kukui's place," she agreed.
The trio bid each other good night, with promises to meet up early the next day. Sun went to his room, laying down in his old bed reflecting on how much things had changed lately. "I knew coming to Alola would bring changes," he mused aloud. "But I never expected this much this quickly. It's been great."
Tiredness quickly overtook him and he slipped into unconsciousness surrounded by his pokémon.