Pokémon Radiant Sun


Alright, so I finally beat Pokémon Violet. My non-spoiler review of the game is as follows:

Fantastic soundtrack, fun Pokémon Battles, and I genuinely enjoyed the story. The cast of characters is great and fun and the fourth storyline is a masterstroke in the Pokémon Franchise. I'm literally listening to that Final Boss theme as I write this review because it's just that damn good.

Very solid game if you can forgive meh graphics and a host of glitches and bugs that are currently being worked on. I also may or may not be entertaining the idea of a story within that world sooner or later, depending on feedback, but more for that later.

So here's my question. For those who have played the games, what were your opinions of them? Be mindful of spoilers for the people who look at other people's reviews, but I am genuinely curious what my readers think of the 9th Generation so far. I've also got a poll up for those who feel like taking part in it.

Shoutout to those who reviewed since the last update, which includes Xehanorto, Oragonking and Muramasa96! Thanks for the reviews and your feedback!

Also, a quick sidenote! Apparently this site had some weird update that auto-opted everyone out of notifications when author's post chapter updates. It did that to me with the stories that I follow on here, so be sure to check your own profiles and make sure you select that you want notifications when author's update stories. Just spreading the word since I didn't know until literally yesterday when this happened.

Enjoy.


Chapter 148: Family Matters


Aether House


Hau let out a scream of fear as Type: Null lunged at him, its eyes gleaming crimson beneath the heavy mask the beast always wore. Gladion's expression was one of absolute righteous fury, his eyes gleaming with rage at the one who had allowed Lillie and Cosmog to be captured and doomed the entire world to ruin.

"Brago! Extreme Speed!"

Type: Null let out a surprised snarl of pain as a white and orange blur slammed into its side at a speed too quick to follow, sending it flying over the counter where it crashed into the wall hard. The strange monster collapsed onto the ground and slumped over. Gladion whirled around with a furious look to Sun, who was fearlessly staring down the other Trainer.

Sun slowly walked in front of Hau and the kids, with Brago crouching low in front of his Alpha. Demi was currently pulling on Gladion's sleeve, trying to frantically whisper some sense into him, but Gladion gave the girl a scathing look that silenced her.

"He's totally beyond reason right now. Hopefully you can knock some sense into him." Demi huffed as she backed away, allowing the two Trainers to face off.

"How dare you protect that stupid little shit!?" Gladion hissed, gritting his teeth. "He doomed all of us! Aren't you angry!? Lillie is in danger because of his weakness!"

"Of course I'm mad at Hau." Sun said quietly, sighing as he rubbed his face and tried to keep back the maelstrom of emotions he was feeling. Anger, fear, shame, regret, and worry. For now, he needed answers, and right now Gladion seemed to be a good source for them. But he also needed to calm the teen down, because he certainly wasn't in his right mind. And honestly?

Sun was pissed and needed a good outlet. Beating Gladion in a battle was a start.

"Then stand aside and let me end his miserable life! Golbat, deal with him!" Gladion snarled as he hurled a Poké Ball forward, sending out his Golbat.

"Brago, use Flame Burst!" Sun shouted as his Arcanine growled softly at Golbat, striking it with Intimidate before opening his mouth and firing off a sphere of flames at the massive bat, hitting it directly.

"I've been worried for months about him not taking his training seriously. This is what I was worried about. Him not being strong enough to stand against something when the stakes are important!" Sun explained to the furious Trainer, not seeing Hau lower his face in shame at the truth being laid bare like this.

"Acrobatics!" Gladion barked as Golbat hissed in response, flapping its wings hard and flipping through the air. However, Brago managed to easily dodge the attack thanks to a well-timed command from Sun. Sun had the Arcanine use Flame Burst again, with Gladion doing the same with Acrobatics. To the irritation of Gladion, Brago dodged the attack for a second time while his Pokémon took damage.

"Stop dodging!" Gladion shouted, gripping his arm even tighter, much to the concern of Demi.

"Extreme Speed!" Sun called as Brago lunged forward, flickering slightly before colliding hard with Golbat and sending it flying across the room. "Everyone makes mistakes! It's how we get better! So I'm not going to focus my anger on Hau when it's better deserved for those who took my friend! Now stop fighting us so we can save Lillie and Nebby!"

"Sludge Bomb!" Gladion called as Golbat fired off a sphere of purple goop, which struck Brago in the face and caused the large hound to howl in agony. "Acrobatics!"

"Extreme Speed!" Sun countered as Brago shook his face and quickly blurred again, moving so quickly Golbat couldn't dodge the inevitable slam from the Arcanine that knocked it out cold. Brago stood over Golbat, panting slightly.

Gladion cursed under his breath and returned Golbat. He was about to send out another Pokémon when a loud roar rippled through the building, scaring the two children and horrifying Hau. Type: Null bounded over the counter, slowly padding towards Hau with gleaming red eyes.

"Target reacquired." Type: Null growled in a low monotone, ignoring the Arcanine that was bounding towards it.

"Brago, Extreme Speed!" Sun called out to his Arcanine, who sped towards Type: Null and rammed into him hard enough to send the beast skidding backwards towards Gladion.

"Revert to Normal! Null, use Crush Claw on the Arcanine!" Gladion ordered his Partner, with Type: Null bounding forward and delivering a brutal slash to Brago as its eyes stopped glowing. The Arcanine retaliated with a Fire Fang, and the two Pokémon proceeded to bite and tear at one another in a ferocious battle for dominance. Finally, Type: Null managed to get the upper hand on the Arcanine when Gladion called for him to use Thunder Wave on Brago, slowing him down considerably.

But Sun wasn't quite done.

"Brago, use Wild Charge!" Sun shouted as Brago let out a loud howl, his body exploding outward with electricity. He then rammed into Type: Null and kept going until he slammed hard into a wall, knocking out the strange monster.

"Null…dammit." Gladion hissed as he returned his Partner, though he noticed that red static was sparking around Brago and that the Arcanine seemed wobbly on his feet.

"Sneasel, let's go!" Gladion called out his newest Pokémon, sending out a Pokémon that Sun recognized, and as it got into a fighting stance its sharp claws gleamed in the light of the room. Rotom Dex popped out of Sun's backpack and flipped to the appropriate Pokédex entry.

"Sneasel. The Sharp Claw Pokémon. It has a cunning yet savage disposition. It waits for parents to leave their nests, and then it sneaks in to steal their uses its claws to poke holes in eggs so it can slurp out the insides. Breeders consider it a scourge and will drive it away or eradicate it." Rotom Dex explained to Sun as the boy considered the current situation.

"Brago, use Flame Burst!" Sun called out, but Gladion was ready.

"Feint Attack!" Gladion shouted as Sneasel grinned and sped forward, flickering several times before striking Brago in the side. The Arcanine collapsed from the accumulated damage he had taken, and Sun was forced to return him.

"Finn, help us out!" Sun called out his Poliwrath, who struck a pose and let out a boisterous laugh. Sneasel remained silent, bracing itself to move as quick as it needed to in order to strike down his foe. Gladion grit his teeth at the terrible type-mismatch, but he wouldn't let his fury be denied.

"Feint Attack!" Gladion shouted as Sneasel lunged forward, flickering black as it sped towards the Poliwrath as Finn cracked his knuckles, seemingly not bothered.

"Brick Break." Sun said calmly as Gladion's eyes went wide. The blond-haired teen watched his newest Pokémon get punched right in the face as it tried to attack the Poliwrath, getting completely KO'd with a single strike and sent crashing to the ground senseless. It was enough for the boy to snap out of his furious frenzy.

"Hmph…How annoying." Gladion muttered as he returned his Sneasel, clipping the Poké Ball to his belt. He then let out a shaky sigh and seemingly regained control of himself. He rubbed his face, glancing around the destroyed lobby and seeing the terrified expressions of the children and Demi. Gladion felt a fresh wave of guilt at what he had done and looked away from their faces.

"That was wrong of me…I shouldn't have dragged you into a meaningless battle like that…" Gladion apologized, running a hand through his hair as he looked at Sun, who nodded.

"But I told you both!" Gladion shouted to Sun and Hau, his voice gaining a note of desperation. "I told you that Cosmog would bring disaster to all of Alola! I have to get it back from them!"

"But why? What's so special about Cosmog?" Hau asked weakly, earning a sharp look from Gladion.

"We'll have time for that later. What matters is rescuing Lillie and Nebby and making sure they're safe." Sun interjected, stepping in between the two boys. "Their safety comes first. Gladion, do you know where Lillie may have been taken by Team Skull?"

"Of course. We'll leave from the ferry terminal." Gladion muttered, already thinking ahead as to how they would go and save Lillie and Cosmog. The easiest way to get there would be by boat, after all. He then looked towards Sun and Hau, his gaze narrowing.

"You're coming with me whether you like it or not, so the only question is, are you ready to come now or not?" Gladion asked the two other Trainers, who didn't hesitate to answer.

"Of course…Gotta apologize in person for letting our Princess down." Hau said with a pained cough, trying and failing to get to his feet.

"Yes." Sun said to the other Trainer, walking over and helping Hau to his feet. "We're going to get some answers, too, Gladion. You owe us that after the trouble you just caused."

"Good. Then let's go." Gladion responded, turning around and walking out of the building without another word.

"What an asshat." Hau muttered under his breath, earning a sharp look from Demi.

"Hau, you're my friend, but seriously…Try not to start fights with him? He's under a load of stress and Lillie getting kidnapped and Cosmog getting taken is the absolute worst case scenario here. I just hope we're not too late." Demi murmured, putting a hand to her chin. She then looked at Acerola, who was helping console the children. Meanwhile, Sun and Hau went outside to follow Gladion.

"Acerola, is there anywhere safe those kids could go to? The Aether House isn't safe right now." Demi asked the girl, who paused and thought about it before nodding.

"I think I can figure something out. I'll have someone keep an eye on the kids while I go help you guys-" Acerola began to say, only for Demi to shake her head.

"I'm sorry, but I really think you'll be better off staying here. Things might get really bad here in Alola, Acerola. I think we're going to need the Captains ready to step in if worst comes to worst." Demi said to the Ghost-type specialist with a concerned expression.

Acerola sighed at those words, but knew full well Demi was right. She had obligations to fulfill here in Alola, and leaving her post was partly why Lillie was taken in the first place. "I'll send word ahead to the Kahuna. He's in the same position I'm in, but he can help out in his own way. Maybe clear a path and offer some support."

"That'd be really helpful! I'll see if my Dad can get some help too!" Demi remarked, grinning now at the idea.

"I thought you weren't on speaking terms with him." Acerola remarked, confused by Demi's words. The Team Skull Grunt shrugged helplessly.

"I've chosen to give him and my family the chance to make things right. I'm hoping he'll believe me and help out…we're going to need whatever help we can get to save Lillie and Nebby before it's too late." Demi said as her smile faded away.

"Demi! Come on!" Gladion shouted to the Team Skull Grunt, who started at the sudden call.

"I'll catch up once I've secured the building and helped move the kids. Keep those knuckleheads calm, please. I think if this is anywhere near as bad as Lillie worried about it being, they'll need to stay level-headed." Acerola said to Demi, who nodded and gave the Captain a thumbs up before running out of the building after her friends.

Acerola finally released a pent up sigh, unable to help the sob of distress from escaping her. Hunter and Kylee both hugged their caretaker tightly, trying to console the Captain as she broke down in tears over Lillie getting captured and herself getting tricked by Team Skull.


Meanwhile…

Aether Paradise


Lillie stepped onto the docking bay with a resigned sigh, fighting off the urge to shiver as she glanced around the alabaster walls of the Aether Paradise's main facility. She had always dreamed of the day she would finally return home. But not like this.

Never like this.

The girl's dream of returning home with her family whole once again was now in tatters, and she was about to deliver the cornerstone of Mother's plan directly to her on a silver platter. Lillie prayed that wherever her Father was now that he was far away from Alola, and that Gladion would escape the region before it was too late.

"Get moving." Plumeria muttered from behind Lillie, giving her a light shove forward and causing her to stumble. Lillie glanced back at the Team Skull Admin, who smirked at the girl's brief expression of irritation, before Lillie looked forward and began walking towards the main elevator. Branch Chief Faba was there to greet them, smirking smugly at the girl upon her approach.

Lillie blinked twice as she looked at the scientist who had been in her Mother's employ for several years, wondering if something about him had changed. His eyes seemed just a little bit darker and the smile he wore now was something that unsettled her. She had always pegged the man as a condescending peacock who's bark was bigger than his bite. But something about Branch Chief Elias Faba unsettled Lillie and she had no clue what it was.

"Ah, Miss Lillie. How wonderful to have you home once again." Faba sneered as the girl was led towards him and the other APT members who flanked the Branch Chief. The scientist glanced at the Team Skull members, nodding at Plumeria and the Bone Brothers who roughly shoved the girl into the arms of a APT member who sneered at the girl cruelly. Another took the gym bag that contained Nebby, keeping it far from Lillie just in case.

"I'll have new orders for you within the hour. Excellent work." Faba said to Plumeria, who simply nodded and walked off with the Bone Brothers. Faba turned his imperious gaze to the girl and regarded her with open scorn.

"You're a clever little brat, I'll give you that. But no matter how clever you are, you can't outrun the inevitable. We were always going to find a way to reacquire what belongs to us." Faba chuckled darkly as Lillie sighed, resigned to her fate but now finding herself annoyed despite the situation. It was bad enough that she had been captured, but did Faba really need to gloat about it? Even Guzma hadn't been so obnoxious.

"Did you come up with the plan to capture me, Branch Chief Faba? That seems beneath a man of your stature." Lillie asked the scientist in a rather dead-sounding tone as they got onto the lift, with the Branch Chief giving the girl a surprised look before shrugging.

"Not quite." Faba responded, causing Lillie to look at him with some confusion. "Truthfully, I've been distracted with other matters as of late, so your capture was spearheaded by Guzma and his lackeys. As I understand it their attack on that worthless little building was quite brutal."

"So…You're bragging about something you had no actual involvement in." Lillie noted, looking away from Faba and not seeing his expression darken with anger.

"You know what? This is why I hate children. Always mouthing off and never showing adults the proper respect that we deserve." Faba growled as he looked away from the girl and huffed.

Lillie allowed a tiny smirk of satisfaction to crawl across her face for a few moments. She then quietly remarked, "I'll show you the proper respect when you prove that you deserve it."

Faba's mouth twisted into a snarl as the lift came smoothly to a stop and the group stepped off, with Lillie once again being shoved to progress forward by one of the APT members. As they began moving towards the large open door across the way, the group moved past Julia Wicke, Assistant Branch Chief of the Aether Foundation, who wore an expression of absolute horror as she watched Lillie get marched past her. The blonde-haired girl gave the woman who had helped her so much a weak smile in response, trying to silently convey the message that she would be okay.

If only she believed that herself.

"Ah, Miss Wicke. Look who's returned home to us! It's going to be a lovely family reunion!" Faba said with a mean grin as the group made their way past Wicke, who was watching them with a sheet-white face and seemed unable to move from her position. Soon enough Lillie was being led outside, and the girl could see a large white mansion that seemed more like a castle than anything else. A place that held so many memories to the young teen, but also held terrible nightmares within.

"I can't wait to see what the President does once the show starts. I really hope the extraction process is painful, and that you get to watch!" Faba chuckled as they drew closer to the mansion that Lillie was unable to tear her eyes away from. Inside of the gym bag Nebby cooed softly, clearly uneasy about what was going on.

"You don't have to gloat, you know." Lillie remarked with a bored tone, fighting the urge to sigh with frustration and not even bothering to look at the Branch Chief. Faba's expression soured and he stopped the group momentarily to glower down at the girl who had thrown the plans of the Aether Foundation into disarray for well over a year now.

"You've got more of a spine on you than I remember, brat. You have no idea what I'm capable of. So you best think carefully about mouthing off to me, lest I show you what happens to those who make a fool out of me." Faba said snarled softly to Lillie, who shivered at the tone of the Branch Chief's voice. There was definitely a tone of something genuinely menacing about it that reminded Lillie of Amber Fontaine of all people. It was genuinely horrifying, which was an odd feeling to have around Faba.

"There is literally no way for things to get worse, Branch Chief Faba. Mother's going to unleash absolute devastation upon the entire world." Lillie said in a small voice, summoning what bravery she had left to look up at the man who was merrily assisting in these terrible plans. "I wonder if your friends who perished in Orre would be proud of you now for what's about to happen."

Faba grit his teeth with fury at the comment and was about to make another remark when the front doors to the large mansion burst open, revealing Aether President Lusamine Jardin wearing a beatific smile. The woman walked forward to greet them, her heels clicking loudly on the walkway as she strode forth confidently. Lillie felt her heart leap into her throat, with tears forming in her eyes as she stared across the walkway at the older woman who had meant the world to her.

"Lillie. Welcome home, my little flower!" Lusamine said warmly, opening her arms wide as if beckoning the girl forward for a loving embrace. Lillie was released by the APT member, and after several long moments, slowly walked forward. The girl's expression conflicted was as she stepped towards the woman she had been running from for over a year now. As the teen approached and came within arm's reach of the Aether President, Lusamine's kindly expression twisted into a fearsome scowl.

That was all the warning Lillie had before she was backhanded across the face.

Lillie tumbled to the floor with a cry while Faba watched on with grim amusement, the Aether Foundation members watching on without any reaction to this sudden development. Lillie trembled on the ground, tasting copper in her mouth as she registered that Lusamine had just hit her. She gently put a hand to her mouth and then moved it away, unsurprised to see that it was stained red.

"You stupid little girl. Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused me?" Lusamine hissed as she shook her hand lightly, glaring down hatefully at Lillie as she pushed herself upright, her lips coated with blood. Lillie looked up into the face of the woman she had once cared for so much, but now feared above anyone else in the world. She saw nothing but a monster, no trace of compassion or love within her Mother's eyes.

She had lost…and Lusamine had won.


Meanwhile…

Route 14


"So what was that thing you did back there?" Sun asked Gladion as the teen continued to fiddle with his Poké Ride Pager.

"What thing?" Gladion asked with a bite of irritation in his voice.

"That 'Attack Protocol' thing. Is that a move or what?" Sun asked the blond-haired teen, who suddenly looked very guilty and looked away. Nearby, Type: Null snorted angrily and lightly bumped Gladion with his head.

"Oh…that." Gladion muttered, lowering the pager and instead looking down at the ground with a suddenly guilty expression.

"Something this idiot is only supposed to do in emergencies but decided to try to use for pointless revenge. I am not happy about this, Gladion." Type: Null rumbled, its monotone voice disguising its immense displeasure at the boy who was supposed to be his Partner.

"It's a way to override the will of Type: Null and allow it to focus single-mindedly on a single objective. Protect. Attack. Revert. I'm sure there are more, but I'm unsure of what they are. Null is special in a lot of ways…and I abused that fact and disregarded its feelings to try and kill Hau." Gladion sighed, ignoring the furious expression of Sun and the annoyed look Hau was sending him.

"If it wasn't for the current situation, I'd seriously consider punching you in the balls." Hau remarked, earning him a look from Gladion.

"Honestly, I deserve it. I shouldn't have lost control like that. And I apologize for it." Gladion said to Hau and Sun before looking back at his Partner. "Sorry Null…It won't happen again." Gladion murmured, placing a hand on the strange creature's helmet. Type: Null didn't respond, and after a few moments Gladion withdrew his hand while Sun looked down at his Ride Pager, continuing his efforts to try and make contact.

"Screw this. I'm going to the Pokémon Center. Maybe someone there can-" Sun began to say, only to be cut off mid-sentence.

"You kids look annoyed."

Sun, Hau and Gladion whirled around and were surprised to see Nanu standing there with a bored expression. Gladion stepped forward, conflicted for a moment, before saying, "We've got an emergency. We need transportation to Malie City as soon as possible, and the Poké Ride Network is still down."

"Lucky for you, I've got the Ride Charizard I came here with still around. I could convince him to make a second trip to Malie City." Nanu remarked, shrugging his shoulders.

"Can't you just Shadow Sneak us all the way to Malie City?" Sun asked the man, who rolled his eyes.

"The move has limitations, kid. It's not Teleport, and if you don't have line of sight of where you're going it gets much harder to use." Nanu responded matter-of-factly, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Not to mention that too much transportation using Pokémon moves on humans is really hard on us. If I remember right, the move Teleport was outlawed in Unova because Champion Alder got violently ill and nearly died after a friend used the move on him when he wasn't expecting it." Hau remarked, remembering the story Hala had told him recently.

"If we used Shadow Sneak to get to Malie City, we'd probably be too sick to try and look for Lillie." Gladion chimed in, receiving a nod from Nanu. "So flying it is. Thank you. Demi! Come on!"

A few moments later the Team Skull Grunt came bursting out of the Aether House and Nanu was leading the quartet over to a sleeping Ride Charizard. Nanu roused the Flame Pokémon and after speaking with the Ride Pokémon, who agreed to the extra trip, the group got onboard.

"I'll be heading to Malie myself shortly. Try not to horribly die." Nanu said before slowly walking away, much to the bemusement of everyone except Gladion who snorted softly.

Soon enough the group were hurtling through the air as fast as the Ride Charizard could safely transport them. Sun didn't even bother putting on his usual protective gear since time was of the essence. He and Hau tried to pump Gladion and even Demi for answers as to where Lillie was being taken, but neither of them would explain. They both simply wore matching expressions of grim determination.

"When we get to the city, I'll try and talk to my Dad. I've explained some of your situation to him, and he's not totally onboard, but he might be willing to help if I say a friend was kidnapped by Team Skull." Demi said to Gladion, who nodded and glanced back at the others.

"When we get to Malie City, make sure you get everything and anything you need quickly. I want to be gone by sundown. We don't have time for any kind of distractions." Gladion said to the two boys, who both stared at Gladion in consternation.

"You know, if you explained literally anything about what's going on, we'd probably be a lot more willing to do what you say. The only reason I'm listening to you is because Lillie is in danger and I trust Demi's judgment on this. She trusts you and she's working with you." Hau said with a slight note of annoyance in his voice. Gladion scoffed, but didn't reply verbally.

"Oh wow, it's like I was right all along or something." Demi remarked casually, glancing at her nails while Gladion rolled his eyes.

"Save the jokes for later. We need to save Lillie and can't get distracted." Gladion remarked archly, glancing down at the mountainside below. "Those lights seem unusual to anyone else?"

Sun looked down and saw several glowing flickers of yellow light down below on the otherwise dark mountainside, but couldn't tell what they were. Demi and Hau couldn't tell either.

"It's probably nothing." Hau said with a shrug. "Now, seriously, at least tell us this. Where is Lillie being taken to? Surely you can tell us that."

Gladion sighed angrily, but knew he wasn't going to escape without giving the boys some answers. "Fine. Team Skull took Lillie to-"

Suddenly the Ride Charizard flapped its wings hard, jolting its passengers and causing everyone to cry out in surprise. Why the Flame Pokémon had done what it did became apparent as a streak of lightning rippled past them, missing them by less than a foot.

Sun glanced down at the ground and saw the glowing yellow lights growing brighter, with more streaks of lightning heading their way. The Ride Charizard flapped its wings hard, trying to avoid the blasts of electricity and get its passengers to their destination safely. Sadly for all of the Ride Pokémon's skill, one of the lightning bolts got a lucky hit on the Charizard's left wing, causing him to roar in pain and seize up in midair, which allowed a second and third lightning bolt to hit the Charizard and shock its passengers.

The group began to plummet towards the ground as the Charizard lost control of its wings, and everyone screamed in horror as they hurtled towards the mountainside below at a speed that would surely kill them all.

At the last moment, the Ride Charizard gained control of its wings and managed to flap them twice in order to keep them all from hitting the rocks at a speed that would cause them all to be turned into paste. As it was, however, the Ride Charizard was unable to stop the brutal impact against the rocks that threw its occupants off of their mount and knocked the Ride Pokémon out cold.

Sun hit the ground hard, crying out as he tumbled over the rocks and painfully came to a stop when he hit a rocky wall and everything went white.

When Sun came too, he was reminded of just how much pain crash-landing on a mountain would leave you with. Sun glanced down and saw blood coating his shirt, as well as several long cuts on his arms that stung horribly, but thankfully weren't very deep. Sun remained still for a few moments, wincing in pain before slowly rolling onto his stomach and then standing up, grimacing at his aching body.

The group had been scattered about the area, and Sun was the second one awake. Gladion was currently trying to rouse Demi while Hau was still unconscious. Sun limped over to his friend and after a few minutes, managed to wake him up.

"Are you guys okay?" Gladion asked as he managed to finally wake Demi up. The girl's eyes were hazy, but she smiled weakly at Gladion and surprised him by pulling him into a grateful hug. Gladion helped the girl slowly to her feet and Demi released him, though she seemed wobbly on her feet and Gladion noticed her gaze was unfocused.

"Banged up, but okay. How about you Hau?" Sun asked his friend, who was eyeing Gladion and Demi with some annoyance.

"Well, I've got two black eyes, a few bruised ribs, maybe a concussion, I'm missing some teeth and my pride is in tatters." Hau answered sourly as Sun gingerly helping him to his feet. The Kanto-native felt a strange sense of foreboding as he gazed out over the mountain that the group currently found themselves on.

"Rotom Dex, where are we right now?" Sun asked the device as it popped out of Sun's backpack.

"Bzzzzt! Sun, this Route 12!" Rotom Dex helpfully called out to Sun, who felt his blood run cold.

The boy quickly called out his entire team, and all six Pokémon tensed for a fight due to them sensing something was amiss. However, Alastor relaxed instantly and looked around the clearing.

"I'm home." Alastor remarked quietly, taking in the sight of the crags and rocks he had grown up with. He glanced at Sun, who looked visibly uneasy and noticed the injured Charizard writhing on the ground. "Why are we here, human?"

"We got blasted by a bunch of lightning and had to make a crash landing. Alastor, this is your clan's territory, right?" Sun asked the Alolan Golem, who nodded. "Any chance that you can get us safe passage through the area? Or keep your clan away from us while we treat the Ride Charizard? We can't afford a fight right now, not with us all hurt like this."

"Most likely. Though to be on the safe side, perhaps you should be quick about it. It is likely that it was my clan that attacked you in the first place." Alastor said as he gazed out over the horizon. "Oliver, be prepared to cast a shield around the humans. My family does not, as I believe the humans call it, play fair."

"Yeah, I remember how much battling your clan sucked. Finn, stay alert. Your ability will keep them from exploding on us, but only while you're conscious." Sun warned the Poliwrath, who smacked a fist against his chest with a laugh.

"No worries! I won't let them get the drop on-"

"GET DOWN!"

It happened almost too quickly for Sun to see, except that there was a flash of light and Alastor shoved Finn to the ground in time to catch a Thunder Shock directly to the chest that would've hit the Poliwrath if the Golem hadn't reacted so quickly. Oliver swiftly threw up a Protect around Sun, Demi, Hau and Gladion as they began to quickly treat the Ride Charizard of its injuries. Hau called out Cassy and Gladion called out Type: Null.

"Multiple Pokémon detected. At least five dozen in total." Type: Null grunted as it crouched low beside the barrier, ready to attack at his Trainer's command.

"I suspect my family has now officially noticed our presence. I will handle this-" Alastor tried to say, only for a second Thunder Shock to erupt from one of the nearby rocks and actually strike the Protect that Oliver had thrown up. Alastor stilled for a moment before he turned towards the assailant, a particularly large Graveler who wore a furious expression.

"Graaaav! Ler ler ler!" the Alolan Graveler bellowed at Alastor, who's expression became conflicted.

"Sister…I've missed you." Alastor said quietly, even as the Alolan Graveler sighed angrily and continued to shout at Alastor.

"Rotom, activate the translator app." Sun said quietly. The device beeped and then quickly dispensed its two headphones, which Sun put into his ears so that he could understand what was going on.

"How dare you bring these outsiders here, my brother. You know the laws! Our edicts that have preceded all of us!" Alastor's sister shouted at her brother, who nodded in understanding.

"We were not trespassing, sister. We were flying through the air, far above the sacred lands we call home. I would never show my family such disrespect. Why did you all attack us?" Alastor asked calmly, though Sun could hear the unease in the Alolan Golem's voice. And that scared Sun, because Alastor definitely shouldn't have been this worried about his own family.

"We can always fight our way out." Oliver said quietly, notching an arrow that glowed with ghostly energy. "We have injured with us, and Miss Lillie is waiting for us to save her. We can't afford to delay."

"Wait! These are my brothers and sisters. I can get us through here safely." Alastor called to Oliver, who sighed and nodded, allowing Alastor to continue his negotiations.

"You must leave right now, my brother. It was the Clan Leader who called for the attack." Alastor's sister said urgently, looking at her brother with a fearful expression. "Father is coming right now, and he will not be as lenient as I. Run!"

"Your father sounds like a charming fellow." Penny said dryly as she fluttered over to the Ride Charizard, inspecting his injuries. "I don't think he'll be flying anytime soon."

"Nothing looks broken, but we need him awake first to see if he can fly us to Malie City. I don't think we have the time that we may need." Gladion remarked as Demi leaned against him for support, holding her head. "We're not exactly fighting fit after that crash-landing either."

Alastor nodded and looked at the group, seeing that the humans were injured and the Ride Charizard that got them here was badly hurt. They couldn't flee down the mountain as they were right now. But they could fly away given some time.

"After that attack, we're not able to flee. Could we simply be allowed to recover and then fly away? We will never return if that is what the clan wishes." Alastor asked his sister, who sighed angrily and opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off.

"There is no need for you to respond, my dear daughter. I am here." Came a rumbling voice, which caused both Alastor and his sister to freeze in terror.

Beneath the veil of darkness within the mountainside, a massive Pokémon slowly emerged from atop one of the crags, leering down at them all with gleaming red eyes. In the light of the setting sun, the group could see that the Alolan Golem was clearly the largest Pokémon within the clan, covered from head to toe in scratches and scars from years of conflict and battles. Alastor shivered visibly at the sight of the enormous Golem, who's mere visage caused the surrounding Geodude, Graveler and Golem to bow their heads in reverence. Sun wondered why this was, but the next words out of Alastor's mouth answered the question.

"Nizbel the Bold…It is good to see you again, Father." Alastor said as he bowed his head, motioning with his hand for the others to continue to staying back. Sun looked up at the enormous Alolan Golem that was peering down at his child with amusement, his gaze shifting to the injured humans and their Pokémon before returning it to Alastor.

"Greetings, my son. You've grown since the last time I saw you. You are now in your final form. I can feel your strength!" Nizbel boomed, grinning at his child. And with that same smile the Clan Leader proclaimed, "And you've led the humans directly back here after so many moons away. Why is that?"

"We were simply passing through the air, Father. I apologize, but we were attacked by the clan. We humbly request you allow us passage through the mountain, or failing that, time to allow the humans to heal the Charizard and fly away. I promise you, we shall never return if that is what you wish." Alastor said to his father, who considered the words of his child and hummed thoughtfully.

"Please! We don't want any trouble! Just let us through and we'll never bother you again!" Sun called to the Clan Leader, who seemed surprised that the child was speaking directly to him. But Nizbel didn't acknowledge the human boy, and instead looked down at the child that had finally returned home to his family. Nizbel smiled down at Alastor, who felt a sense of fear rise within his heart.

"Is that so? Well then…I refuse your request." Nizbel said to his child, who's anxious expression shifted into absolute horror.

The Clan Leader lowered his back and flung down his arms, releasing an enormous Discharge that erupted around the clearing, blasting the rocks all around Sun and the other Trainers, but completely missing Alastor and the other Pokémon. Nizbel chuckled deeply as the hum of lightning filled the air, as well as the collective laughter of the clan.

"Stop it! Father, please stop!" Alastor cried out to his father, who barked out a laugh.

"I've been awaiting this day! When the filthy humans would come back to our home! And how I would exact my revenge personally for their crimes and for stealing my son away!" Nizbel bellowed furiously as the lightning zapped and shocked the area around the humans, unable to get through the shield due to Oliver's efforts, though the Decidueye strained to keep it up.

"No…please stop!" Alastor urged his father again, looking directly at him more forcefully. Oliver screeched as his Protect began to crack, showing that the onslaught of lightning was overpowering Oliver's efforts.

"Just stand aside, my child Once they're dead, you may rejoin our ranks. We can still save you from the corruption of humans." Nizbel said with a smile that filled Alastor with nothing but dread. He considered the words of his father, the offer that was currently being given to him, and then looked back at the team who he had been fighting alongside for the past few months. Who had accepted him despite his attitude towards them. Who he had helped save the entire world with.

Alastor had accepted that he had become a different Pokémon under the care of Sun. And now that he was finally home and confronted with his family once again, and given such a twisted offer…could he finally accept it?

Alastor shut his eyes, considering the answer to that question. He then opened his eyes, settling on the surprising answer rather quickly.

"I SAID STOP!" Alastor roared as he thrust his hands forward, releasing from himself his own Discharge. This blast of electricity surged into the one that was currently blasting the humans, weaving into the deadly electricity of Nizbel and causing it to expand and distort. All of a sudden, the lightning storm imploded and the attacks canceled one another out, leaving a gentle crackle of electricity flowing within the air. Nizbel looked at his child with shock before masking it into a genial smile.

"So that's how it is. Very well." Nizbel said quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper but carrying across the crags like a shout. Alastor flinched, but continued to speak.

"What are you doing? This isn't fair, Father! We don't want a fight!" Alastor shouted to Nizbel, who simply continued to smile at his child. However, the various Geodude, Graveler and Golem that currently surrounded them began to shout at Alastor.

"You disgrace our clan! How dare you return to us?" cried out a Geodude, flinging a rock at Alastor who didn't even bother to block it, instead wincing in pain at the words and the attack.

"You protect the humans who have shackled you!?" a small Graveler roared, tears in her eyes as she fired a Rock Blast at Alastor, who cried out in pain.

"You are defiled! You are no brother of ours!" shouted a female Golem, causing Alastor to freeze in shock and consider the fact that he had, in fact, chosen a human and his Pokémon team over his own flesh and blood. He was not the same Pokémon he was before, and now he truly deserved the self-imposed exile that he had insisted on before. He didn't deserve any of this. No family. No friends. Nothing.

"Defiled…I am tainted. Tainted by the human's influence…" Alastor whispered, ignoring the attacks being thrown at him as the horror within him spread like frost, chilling him from the inside out. Alastor slowly looked up at his Clan Leader, a desperation in his eyes.

"Father…" Alastor whispered to Nizbel the Bold, who stared down at his child with a placid expression, crossing his arms and allowing a soft hum to escape the old Golem. It was then that the Clan Leader nodded his head…and his smile widened.

"Deal with the intruders." Nizbel ordered the clan, who responded with a maelstrom of Thunder Shocks at Alastor and the others, who cried out as the swarm of lightning broke through the shield and began to zap them all. Alastor turned around with a gasp, glancing back as the others tried to make their way over to him. He took a step towards his team, ready to help them, but then stopped at the sound of something crunching on the ground.

Alastor turned around in time to see his father speeding towards him in the shape of a ball, glowing a silver color. Alastor's eyes widened in horror before Nizbel slammed hard into his son, sending Alastor crashing to the ground with several large cracks spreading across his rocky body.

"Alastor!" Sun screamed out as he ducked to avoid a Thunder Shock, seeing Alastor knocked to the ground senseless, black liquid streaming from the cracks within his chest. Nizbel stared down at the son he had just struck down with Heavy Slam, scorn burning in his crimson eyes.

"I barely recognize you. You've grown…but become something I can barely look at. I am ashamed." Nizbel whispered to Alastor, who cracked open an eye and saw the disgust on his father's face, a sight that was more painful than the Heavy Slam and shocks and rocks he had already been subjected to. Alastor's vision began to flicker as he struggled to stay conscious, and Nizbel continued to speak to his beaten down child who was barely awake.

"Have you forgotten our teachings? You should have slaughtered the human and those who followed him the moment you had a chance. And now you bring them into our homes. Do you seek to destroy us all? How far you have fallen, my son…No. Not my son. I don't even know who you are!" the leader of the clan bellowed furiously at Alastor, who's stricken expression crumpled into anguish.

"Father Nizbel! You…no! P-please! I'm still your son! This wasn't my fault!" Alastor pleaded with tears in his eyes, crawling weakly towards his father. Finn and Brago tried to move forward, only for two Stone Edge to erupt from the ground, blocking their path forward and knocking them onto the ground.

The air began to crackle, and that was all the warning anyone had before every single member of Alastor's former clan lashed out with a Thunder Shock, hitting their former member directly.

"Alastor!" Sun called out to his Pokémon, who was currently screaming in agony and anguish, writhing on the ground as the electricity continued to pummel Alastor again and again. Every time one of his teammates tried to move forward, Stone Edge would erupt around them, cutting them off. Sun noticed that it was Nizbel who seemed to be keeping them at bay, smirking with bemusement at their efforts to help his former son as he continued to summon Stone Edge. Sun could barely see Alastor past all of the flashing bolts of Thunder Shock and Discharge.

"This is awful…Alastor's a jerk, but no one deserves this." Hau whispered hoarsely, horrified at the cruel display of force from a father against his own child. Even worse were some of the conflicted expressions on some of the Geodude and Graveler's faces, those who were apprehensive about attacking someone who shared their blood, but were forced to anyway by the will of Nizbel.

The Clan Leader jerked his head slightly, and at the signal the clan stopped their assault on Alastor. The Alolan Golem's body smoked harshly from the onslaught of electricity he had been subjected to. Nizbel laughed softly as Alastor opened a single eye, staring up at the Pokémon who he had once called his father and leader.

"You are no son of mine. You will die like the scum that captured you. Now perish with what dignity you have." Nizbel said as he turned around, not bothering to look at the son he had just attacked.

"No! Nonononono…no…" Alastor whispered as he rolled onto his side, barely conscious from the damage he had taken. Despite that, the Alolan Golem was still coherent enough to understand that his family had turned their backs on him. That he was now truly alone and defiled from his time as a Trained Pokémon.

His pride, his honor, and what made him who he was…meant nothing.

"Father! Please!" Alastor begged, only for his words to be completely ignored. All the while, the rest of his team finally managed to move past the Stone Edges to rejoin Alastor, with Sun being carried by Finn and deposited gently by Alastor's side. Nizbel raised a hand to stop the assault, glancing back towards the humans and the trained Pokémon shackled to their sides. The ones who had forgotten the call of the Wild and surrendered their free will. Nizbel scowled with hate, though he didn't face forward.

"He's badly hurt..." Sun whispered as he looked over Alastor's injuries, glancing at Penny who was eyeing the crowd of angry Pokémon around them.

"They're brainwashed by the hate of the Clan Leader. Nizbel has them wrapped around his claws, and they cannot act out lest they be punished like Alastor is now." Penny noted, gentle revulsion in her voice as she glanced down at Alastor. "It's a small wonder Alastor acts the way he does, if this was what his home truly is like.

"How could you do this to your own son!?" Finn demanded furiously, shaking a fist at the Clan Leader. Nizbel acted like he heard the words of the Poliwrath.

"You're not a father. You are a failure to throw away your child like this!" Brago barked, voicing his displeasure as well.

"You'll pay for this! Alastor is a member of our team! And unlike you and your clan, we look after our own!" Oliver shouted to Nizbel, who didn't even look at the owl. Instead the Alolan Golem glanced around at his family and clan, waving a claw.

"Now that the traitor has been dealt with, we can eliminate the intruders who dare defile our land." Alastor's father said with a malicious laugh, echoed by the remainder of the Clan. Sun got to his feet and took a step forward, fury pounding through his veins what the Clan had done to one of their own.

However, he was very surprised when Tetra slowly began walking past them. Sun then noticed that the Gabite's entire body was trembling. It was then that Sun saw the expression of pure unadulterated rage on the face of the dragon who earlier today was too nervous to fight.

"Until Alastor showed her what it meant to fight with pride…" Sun realized, understanding Tetra's anger as she continued to walk towards the Clan Leader with fury in her eyes.

"No…I think the intruders will eliminate you!" Tetra growled at Nizbel and the rest of Alastor's family. Nizbel stopped in his tracks, slowly turning around and staring at Tetra with amusement. The Clan Leader lowered his back cannon, and his smile twisted into a terrible smirk at the little dragon who dared to stand against him.

"You really think you can make a difference? You're surrounded and outclassed, young one. Useless against the combined might of our Clan! You can't do anything against our power!" Nizbel cackled as Tetra stared him down, considering the Alolan Golem's words. She then glanced back at Sun and her team, including Alastor, who's tear-stained face was contorted with

Pain, despite the fact that he had finally passed out.

"Tetra! Get back!" Brago called to the young dragon as she stepped forward, her gaze unwavering as she stared down Alastor's father.

"Not true." Tetra retorted, her mouth twisting into a fierce grin despite being completely surrounded on all sides by enemies. "Because Alastor believes in me. My team believes in me. And my new Trainer believes in me! And with their support…"

Tetra's claws exploded into blue fire as Dragon Claw ignited, the young dragon shifting into a battle stance as the Graveler and Geodude around her tensed. Nizbel's smile slipped slightly, seeing that the Gabite wasn't the slightest bit intimidated. If anything…she seemed eager.

"Crush her!" Nizbel ordered his clanmates, who all lashed out with Thunder Shocks at once as Tetra focused her anger on the Alolan Golem who had attacked them. Who had taken down his own child, and then tossed him aside like he had meant nothing.

Just like she had been. Tossed aside and left to die, until the wonderful day where she found a new family. A family who supported her. Accepted her and taught her what it meant to be a Pokémon. And what it meant to be truly cared for.

Sun covered his eyes at the flashing lights of over sixty different Thunder Shocks being unleashed at Tetra, who made no effort to dodge or retreat, and instead stood her ground against the hate of the Clan.

"Tetra!" Finn shouted worriedly to the dragon as a whirlwind of lightning bombarded her from all sides. Tetra grimaced at the sheer pressure of the attacks, even if they did no damage. However she forced herself to step forward, much to the collective horror of the clan and to the amusement of Alastor's father.

Nizbel stomped forward as his fists crackled with electricity, but Tetra was quicker, darting forward with Aerial Ace to slam into the chest of the Golem and cause him to stumble back a single step. Tetra snarled as she used Dragon Claw with both hands, striking Nizbel once in the chest and then delivering a clawed punch right to the cheek of the Golem before leaping back to avoid a Stone Edge from the Clan Leader.

"I wouldn't worry too much about her." Oliver said quietly, a soft laugh escaping the owl as he watched Tetra stand her ground against the small army that stood around them. "Look at her! She's finally found her wings!"

"I can feel it…the fire in her heart." Brago said with a grim smile as he looked at the young Gabite who was glaring down Nizbel the Bold, the Golem who had struck down his own son. "The raging inferno that had been smothered by the hate of her previous Trainer. It's been ignited. The ferocity that lies within all Pokémon to battle."

Nizbel smirked condescendingly at Tetra, spitting out brackish blood from his mouth as Tetra growled angrily at the Golem. "Good strike. But you will fall like all human-loving vermin."

"Tetra! Focus on Nizbel and give him everything you've got! Aerial Ace into Bulldoze, just like we practiced!" Sun called to Tetra, who didn't respond with words.

Instead, the young dragon kicked off of the ground and sped towards Nizbel with an Aerial Ace just like Sun had taught her to do, a white streak of energy trailing behind her. The Gabite righted herself in midair and charged up energy within her feet, spinning around and delivering a brutal kick to the chest of Nizbel before he could do anything more than look surprised. However, a brown shockwave of raw force erupted from the move which sent Nizbel hurtling backwards into a nearby crag, howling in pain as the rock exploded beneath him. Tetra landed on the ground as all of Alastor's former clanmates stared at her in shock.

"She just used an Aerial Ace to go into Bulldoze…I've never seen that move used in a kick before." Gladion muttered in awe, glancing over to Sun who was grinning at his newest Pokémon.

"Tetra! Show these jerks how strong you really are! We're behind you all the way!" Sun cheered to his Gabite, who smiled at the praise before glancing over at Alastor, who was curled up in a ball unconscious. Tears still flowed from the Golem's eyes, and Tetra felt the anger in her soul grow ever larger as she turned her attention back towards Nizbel the Bold, the Pokémon who had struck down his own child before disowning him.

"How dare you…I'll cut you down like all the others!" Nizbel bellowed as the Alolan Golem flung down his arms, bringing down a wicked Discharge upon Tetra, who braced herself before the attack struck her with the force of a truck. Even if he was immune to the electricity aspect of the move, the sheer power behind the move threatened to throw her clear off of the mountain. However…Nizbel didn't account for one simple fact.

"I CAN DO ANYTHING!" Tetra roared as her claws erupted into blue flames once again, a furious expression crossing her features as she charged towards the father who had turned his back on his child. The dragon pushed through the lightning storm towards Nizbel the Bold, prepared to fight with everything she had to tear the enemy who had hurt her friend apart.


NEXT TIME: Tetra unleashes her wrath and Sun faces his third Grand Trial!


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Until next time, FlygonNick out!