Alola readers! Brav is back with one last chapter as a bit of an interlude before we go on the big gauntlet of the Elite Four battles and the Pokemon League! I guess my prediction with the AN back in Entry 78 was a bit off and it'll run a little longer than expected. That's what happens when you keep on getting ideas and other stuff drags out.

Let's get to it and keep an eye out at the closing AN for news regarding the idea I have for the Scarlet/Violet story that I've been playing around with.

Elio actually did it. He's going to officially challenge the Alola League!

It's crazy how the news spreads like wildfire. Sure, there's people who knew, but now that it's actually official and in writing, it seems like it's the only thing people are talking about. Elio went from being a less known trainer to famous almost overnight. It's even being talked about over here at the Paradise!

More good news on that too! Professor Kukui got me and Gladion tickets to the executive Kahuna Iulio suites to watch the challenge along with him, Hau, Leilani, Elio's mother Elaine and Professor Burnet! It's right above mid-court so best seats in the house!

That wasn't all though. Elio was invited onto the show Kokealola and was interviewed!

To say that the week that followed his official challenge whirled by was a big understatement. And Elio hardly even got the chance to properly celebrate his seventeenth birthday.

The news spread like wildfire, maybe faster as everyone in Alola got into a frenzy to be the first to find out information about the Alola League's newest challenger who was coming for the coveted throne. As soon as he was seen in public, the press had hounded him for interviews or pictures. In internet searches, his name had popped up in the top three for users originating out of Alola. Everything from his favorite food to the Maple Apparel arm sleeve he constantly wore. When that was made public, the sales of them had almost tripled.

His Festival Plaza account had jumped from seventy two subscribing followers to over twenty one thousand in a single night and it was only climbing higher.

Word of another trainer passing the Island Challenge and going after the newly established League was no news since its formation. He was set to be the seventh ever challenger. However Elio's own case was made more special by League analysts as having the highest likelihood to successfully defeat all of the Elite Four. Best friend Hau Kealoha was also in the mix. Further adding to his intrigue was the word getting out of him being the trainer that had been spared certain death on Mahalo Trail by Tapu Koko while rescuing a mysterious pokemon, who with his help had saved the Alola region from the rage of the Ultra Beasts that had inexplicably appeared. The boy was definitely glad that Kukui was making sure Nebby's story was being limited and Aether kept out of the news. Cleanup of damages around the island and the Foundation's rap was still ongoing and would likely continue for months, possibly years.

What Elio was not prepared for was the lack of time he'd have to continue practice and train with his pokemon. Any sighting of him would have reporters and journalists in the area within an hour. At first, he opted to take his training and practice with Hau as a partner in Iki Town. Then word leaked out and swarms of the press wanting exclusive interviews with the future challenger were in droves around Iki Town, only shooed away at Hau and Kahuna Hala's insistence.

That didn't stop them from gathering on the outskirts to await his arrival, which only served to drive the locals even more up the wall.

As a result, the last few days were when Elio decided to change his training grounds. Thankfully Mallow was more than happy to let him use a clearing within her trial site to practice with his pokemon away from prying eyes. The Lush Jungle's denseness on Akala Island was a perfect place to conceal his regimen and he absolutely did not want any of his tactics or routines to be leaked out.

His house was a frequent stop for them too and a rather flustered Elaine had gotten quite good at telling them he was currently not home and to deter them away.

You know, maybe being a celebrity isn't what it's made out to be. I can definitely say from just a few days of this that it's fun at first. Until it's absolutely exhausting.

The night before the challenge date was thrust upon him before he knew it. Stewing over the anticipation was anxiety inducing and he knew that he would hardly be able to sleep that night, going as far as taking a melatonin sleep aid.

But there was a reason Elio had been so camera shy. It wasn't because he didn't want to talk to the media, he had plenty of experience in his younger days during his time as a basketball player. Rather most of the questions the press were asking were going to be addressed or answered in his interview on Kokealola!

Alola's most famous talk show, hosted by the beautiful Jessie Nomora was often the go-to place to get up to date on what was hip and happening around the region. Watched by locals and tourists alike, one of the popular things to do was to gain an audience seat, especially since a lot of both local and visiting celebrities were featured as guests.

Kokealola! was quick to reserve him for an interview before even much of the word had gotten out about his challenge and quick ascension to an overnight celebrity.

Also why he had to look his best.

Elio stood still in the back rooms as a pair of attendees were going over his appearance, using a misty spray bottle to smoothen out any wrinkles while another one used a comb and brush on his hair. Though he refused a haircut or trim, the little bit of grooming made it less of a mess and allowed him to look a lot more presentable.

"She's going to be ready in a couple of minutes." One of the producers had stuck her head into the studio. "Is he good to go?"

"Sure is ma'am." One of the attendees brushed a stubborn lock of hair out of his forehead and gently placed his beloved 'Canes cap back on his head. "Try not to tousle it too much cousin."

"I'll try," the fit wasn't the most comfortable and he would have to make a conscious effort not to fidget around. "Mahalo."

"You bet. Go knock 'em dead!"

Elio let the producer lead him through the halls of the studio behind the stage. His heartbeat began to quicken in pace as he heard a woman's voice talking on the other end. It had to be Jessie Nomora.

"But I know you're all here and eager to see a very special guest that's more than waiting to make his big entrance! I know he's back there, so let's bring him out! Give it up for prospective Alola League challenger Elio "Sun" Northstar!"

"Look! He's on!" Lillie cried, rushing over to the television that had been playing the usual Alolan programming until Kokealola! finally began to air. She quickly sat down on the leather sofa, leaning forward to watch intently.

Gladion joined her, a mix of confusion and amusement playing across his face. While he didn't like being distracted from the ever growing mounds of paperwork he had in the interim presidential office, it was again nice to have a break from the work and a rare day off to see Elio's challenge at Mauna Lanakila.

Elio waved to the applauding crowd as he walked across the stage towards the single suede chair that sat on the opposite end of the coffee table.

Jessie Nomora rose to greet him. She was a tall, rather attractive woman with tanned skin and chocolate brown hair and eyes. A beautiful sky blue blouse hugged her shapely figure along with azure diamond earrings that shimmered in the auditorium's light. Though the studio had likely done makeup, Elio saw that her appearance was nearly flawless. When she was younger, Jessie had briefly modeled early in her career, most notably in the "Alola Babe" line of natural mineral based sun products that was also famous for their calendar of hula and bikini women images.

They exchanged pleasantries and Elio eagerly shook her hand, looking surprised for just a moment when she pulled him in for a brief hug. As they sat, the applause continued as they patiently waited so that they could begin.

Lillie had been around him long enough to see his body language through the screen. Elio was a little nervous and anxious, but also the opposite as well. He was handling that pressure of being viewed by thousands around the region and possibly the world.

"No wonder he's got this," Gladion muttered to himself. "He's cool as a cucumber."

"Y-yeah."

Her brother did not miss the dreamy look on her face.

"That's a pretty impressive ovation you're getting!" Jessie smiled at him when he could finally hear her as the clapping began to fade. "I gotta admit that everyone's so eager to see you they won't even leave you with time to talk!"

That had elicited a round of laughter from the crowd in the auditorium around them. Elio couldn't help the snicker either. Okay, keep it together. You're just a trainer that's being interviewed on the spot by a former swimsuit model and talk show host. Just play it cool.

"It's honestly an honor Miss Nomora to finally meet you in person." He finally said. "Really it is! And I'm glad everyone's come out to see me as well."

"Oh yes, you're too kind. And please, call me Jessie."

"Okay. Jessie it is. Only if you do the same to me. One birthday is but another reminder that I'm not getting younger."

She smiled again as the crowd laughed again. "Ha! Well very well! Elio it is! So you're the latest trainer, who has completed the centuries-old traditional island challenge, starting your very own pokemon journey right here in Alola. And you came here all the way from Kanto!"

"Yes, Kanto was my home until almost a year ago. We moved here just after my sixteenth birthday from Cerulean City. It wasn't easy for me. Kanto's been the only home I have ever known."

"But you've embraced Alola!"

"Yeah. I have. I'll tell you it wasn't easy again. Dare I even say in this crowd that I hated it." That had gotten a few laughs. "For anyone that has moved as far as we did, I can correlate the whole change in time differences, the weather…it being a lot hotter over here and the culture shock. Regardless, it took some time to actually adjust and I wound up liking and appreciating these islands which I now call home."

"That's incredible." Jessie said. "I'm glad someone like you came to Alola and has a chance to become the Champion and represent us as a region."

"Thank my mother," Elio said with a slight laugh. "She's the one who's been with me, took care of me as I grew up and had to deal with the logistical nightmare of moving halfway across the ocean. She's actually here today!" Overhead a spotlight panned down to Elaine, sitting in the front row as the crowd whistled and cheered. Dressed stylishly, she waved to the surrounding people and then formed a heart with her hands towards Elio on stage.

"Love ya Mom!" That prompted a collective "aww" from everyone, Jessie included.

"But yeah, my mother's been a massive help and my biggest fan on this journey of mine. I'm super grateful for her support and encouragement. I don't think I would have made it on a journey through Kanto like this."

"Did your mother raise you all by herself?"

Elio stiffened, a question like that usually meant the conversation was going to be shifted towards his father.

His eyes shifted back to his mother, Elaine had also noticed the warmth in his expression dropping almost instantly.

It's okay. Play it cool.

"She did. An exceptional job."

"Right. You've lived with your mother for a long time after your father left."

Elio was almost certain his mother was going to jump up and intervene after a soft spot was hit.

"Mhmm. My dad…had a lot of issues, he was a complicated person to the point where my mother decided that separating him from her and myself was the best thing. He made a lot of choices in life that weren't in our best interests as a family."

He sighed. "So my mother and late grandfather, who was the chief of his fire station, confronted him one day and gave him a choice, to start rehabilitation or surrender his badge. One had the chance to see us again and the other would see him permanently out of our lives."

"I assume it was the latter?"

"Actually he chose to better himself. But even with that damage, there was no way we'd be able to look at Kanto the same. That was what had really prompted Mom to look to move elsewhere. She never told me what other places considered and for what it's worth, I'm glad it was Alola."

"I see. Do you think your father helped contribute to the person you are today?"

"Oh easily." A hint of fondness returned to Elio's expression. "My dad was a lot of things, but me still looking up to the brave and selfless person as a firefighter and a father is still very much a thing. My dad did a lot of good in his life, it was just a shame that it wasn't meant to be."

He shifted in his seat. "Alola gave me a new perspective and I genuinely believe Dad is working to better himself."

"Oh, you still keep in contact with him?" Jessie asked.

Elio shook his head. "I have his number. Though I couldn't bring myself to call him. But I did promise a dear friend of mine that I would give it another shot once this challenge is over. I owe her that much."

The last part didn't escape Jessie's attention as she leaned closer. "Her? Ooh, did I hear right that our prospective challenger here as a special lady on his mind?" In response, the crowd laughed and someone whistled loudly.

Elio fought the blush that tinted his cheeks, but couldn't help the smile which all but confirmed it.

"She's special for sure. I'll leave it at that. Someone who taught me that forgiveness is still possible, that making amends is still possible. The process isn't always easy, but you have to start somewhere. I miss my Dad and I hate the fact that he took away those years we could've spent together. But I do believe in getting second chances to make things right as long as you are committed to the actual change and making yourself a better person."

Elio paused for a moment. "I was one such person given a second chance. I hadn't known it at the time when Mom and I were leaving Kanto to come here to Alola. It was a fresh start, even more so after I had gotten injured while playing basketball. One of my dream careers was virtually over and it thrust open the door of the other."

"Being a pokemon trainer." Jessie finished.

He nodded. "Yeah. Going on the island challenge. It's crazy to think a year ago I had no idea how to be a trainer and now,"

"Now you're on the cusp of completing the pinnacle challenge that even a small percentage of the expert trainers will even sniff." The crowd burst into applause again. "Seriously, give yourself a pat on the back. And the rest of us can hardly wait to see you tomorrow."

"It's gonna be good." Elio grinned.

"You are only the seventh challenger to the Alola League and all six before you were overwhelmed by the Elite Four. Tickets were sold out crazy quick, but everyone is dying to know more about your plan. What do you think you're going to do differently than all the others who couldn't finish before you?"

Elio paused, cupping his hand to his chin, deep in thought. "Well most of it is going to come down to the fundamentals. Basic stuff, type matchups, overall stats. As I've progressed through the island challenge, I notice that getting stronger and stronger means that more avenues of strategy start to open up. Other trainers that get to this level are doing the same. Like Hau when I battled him. He's setting up screens, stat boosts and even playing to some of his pokemon's natural characteristics. When you've got stakes such as this on the line, there isn't a detail you can overlook. Each one of the Elite Four have their bases covered well and a win isn't guaranteed if you've stacked yourself with type advantage pokemon. They also do a good job at overlapping those specialization types as no single type is strong against two of them."

"So how do you plan on taking them on? Alola's following the challenger's choice system where the challenger themselves can select the order of which Elite Four member they face. Is there any that you're particularly worried about? Or any strategy you have in mind?"

Elio stifled a laugh. "Worried? Of course not." The audience had a round of laughter.

Jessie smiled at him. "You wouldn't be challenging them if you were worried huh?"

"Well, not worried as in going in to lose. Obviously I'm going into each battle with the mindset to win and so are they. My main focus is to win the battle in front of me rather than worry about the other three. Can't do much about the next Elite Four member if you're still locked in battle with the one before."

"The news had broke out that you were the wielder of the legendary pokemon Lunala, the beast that calls forth the moon. Care to explain more about that?"

"Sure. Lunala was originally a small little pokemon called cosmog. She appeared with a close friend of mine who wanted to discover a way to send her back to wherever she had come from. Over time, we learned that the Ultra Beasts that appeared over Alola those months ago were related and originated from the same world as Nebby. Back then, she wasn't powerful enough and who would've guessed the Altar of the Moone on Poni Island was the method to unlocking the secret behind her power."

"Wow! So not only are you a challenger who has had an interest by our very own Tapu Koko, but you've also saved the Alola region from disaster!"

Before Elio could reply, the audience erupted into thunderous applause with the cheers reverberating through the auditorium. Looking at them all, he could see Hau, Leilani and Elaine among the loudest cheering for him.

This feels really…really nice.

"It almost feels like destiny."

"I just wanna bring this up. Your little video that circulated on Festival Plaza."

Jessie gestured to the screen behind them where Elio turned to see that his video just a few weeks ago was being played for him and the audience.

He had been at the beach where he was showing off Nebby and the rest of his pokemon partners to his mother. It had been a pretty quiet evening and the picturesque sunset was on full display.

"So you're saying this is the legendary pokemon of Alola?" They head Elaine's voice behind the camera which shakily panned up to Nebby peering curiously.

"Yeah. That little pokemon that Lillie kept hiding in her big duffel. It was the legendary deity of the moon all this time! Isn't it crazy?!" Elio was grinning from ear to ear. He pumped both fists and glanced up to Nebby.

A collective "aww" came from the crowd as the big batlike creature on the screen had nuzzled her blunt snout against Elio's cheek. The teen was laughing and hugging her back.

"It's okay Mom. She's very gentle."

Elaine moved the camera up to see Nebby peering down at her. She lowered her snout, slowly allowing the woman to gently stroke the tip of her nose. The lunala had closed her eyes in delight, rocking her head softly from side to side.

"Yes Elio, she is."

"You wanna see what she can do?" Elio asked, the grin not disappearing from his expression. "Check this out. Nebby?"

She craned her head back up.

"Use moongeist beam out on the water!"

Nebby nodded, moving away from both Elio and Elaine before swooping her wings and rising up quickly with a gust of wind. She folded them together before glowing a ghostly blue. With a howling shriek of undeniable power, a gigantic beam of energy lanced out, striking the waves with a mighty splash. Water geysered up in a roaring massive explosion that had the audience amazed. Elio was laughing and they could hear the cheers of the other pokemon behind him.

"Wohoo! Yeah! That's my pokemon!"

Jessie paused the clip and turned back to Elio when the crowd applauded again. "Hearing that story of how you helped Nebby reach her true form as one of Alola's legendary pokemon is such a touching story. I really do hope we'll get to see that in action."

Despite the crowd murmuring in agreement, the prospective challenger had shaken his head. "Well I'm sorry to disappoint on that front, but I will not be using Nebby for the battles against the Elite Four."

"Oh," the talk show host looked taken aback slightly by his response as did most others. Only Hau, Leilani and Elaine did not seem surprised by his response. "Having a legendary pokemon at your side that you've had along with you for the whole journey? Aren't you concerned that you could be handicapping yourself?"

"Maybe." Elio replied airily. The way she had asked the question almost felt like he was being mocked for his decision, so he decided not to call it out for now. "It's true that Nebby is immensely powerful, maybe more powerful than some of my other pokemon I'm going to use combined. But she and I haven't had much time to practice battle together. There's still stuff she can do that I have no idea about."

He sighed. "I actually took it from Brendan Maple, back when he had caught the legendary pokemon Groudon a few years ago. He got asked almost the same question when he refused to field it; why not use such a powerful pokemon at your disposal on your championship run?"

Jessie actually looked intrigued and nodded for him to continue.

"Because the only thing I'd be doing would be showing off Lunala's power and not my skill as a trainer. All the pokemon I've taken on my journey from the start to now have been at my side one way or another. We've all had our struggles, triumphs and crushing defeats, busting our asses off to get to where we are now."

He glanced back at the crowd, looking towards the cameras. "Maybe I am hurting my chances, but I feel like leaving someone on my team behind when we're so close is a disservice to them and everything we've worked for."

Elio blew out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he heard the crowd start to murmur. No way that doesn't rock the boat in League chatter.

"A very interesting answer Elio. Judging by the arm sleeve you've got on, I imagine Brendan is an inspiration to you as well. I can absolutely see the appeal and reasoning behind your decision. Having to put away one of your longtime veteran team members shows how you weren't able to raise a full team able to become champions."

"It's a team effort Jessie. I'm not leaving anyone behind or out. Yes, Nebby and Lillie," Shit, I just slipped her name out of my mouth. This right after they heard it on the video. The change in Jessie's expression told him she had caught onto it. "Nebby and Lillie were very much a big part of what gave me the strength and encouragement to go through the island challenge. I officially did not catch Nebby until she was revealed to be Alola's legendary lunala to which she had wanted to continue journeying with me. It may not be this time, but I don't plan on losing this challenge, so it's very possible that we have a go if I ever have some of those other high stakes battles. We will see."

Let's hope that satisfies them. Legendary pokemon can put on a hell of a show, but that'd mean I'd have to shelve one of my other team members.

Jessie nodded at him. "Heh, that actually does bring me to the next topic. You're in that batch of first challengers to a League that's implementing a new rule limiting substitutions of pokemon voluntarily. How do you plan on factoring that into how you battle these Elite Four?"

Elio thought about it for a second. "Well it's a new rule that I can't really comment on if it's better or worse since I don't have any battle experience on this level whatsoever. But it seems like it'll be a good challenge. I will have to constantly be mindful of the switches. If I have a pokemon that becomes confused or hit by an attractant, I now have to gauge whether or not it's worth using up one of the switches that I have…or risk playing it out. Each situation is going to be different and again, it'll have to be something I need to pay attention to. Won't just be me, but the Elite Four are also subject to this rule and it could be a factor that either one of us could exploit."

"Your team doesn't rely on these kinds of switches?"

"Obviously I'm not going to say, but again it's something I will still need to factor into whatever strategy I got in mind."

"We are all hoping you'll put on a show for us tomorrow. I can tell you're excited."

"I'm prepared, I'm stoked and I'm ready to roll. Got all my pregame stuff ready and all."

"Oh right, I remember that other video you posted on Festival Plaza." Jessie gestured to the projector where Elio was seen surrounded by several of his pokémon while holding and assembling the links of a metal chain.

"Oh you caught onto that?" Elio smiled. "That's actually something I used to do along with my teammates back when I played basketball in high school."

He reached into his pocket and drew a small metal chain that had been closed into a ring. Ten individual links were what held it together. At the sight of it, the crowd whooped and hollered.

"Back when we would go to tournaments and before the basketball season started, our coach would always get all these chain links and give us each one. The idea was that you can easily break one by itself if you pull it apart. As a team that is cohesive and together; the chain becomes even more difficult to break with each member contributing and pushing in our own way to not be the weakest one that does snap."

He absentmindedly flipped the chain in his hands. "Each of my pokemon are part of this unit, my current team, Nebby, even the other two that I also caught, but won't be bringing with me. They're a part of this journey too. Just like in our basketball team, we've all made our vows to pull our weight, do our jobs and not be the weakest link to what breaks the chain."

Elio let out a light laugh. "Yeah yeah, I know, it's kinda corny and all, but I'm all about getting dialed in to that zone. Professor Kukui said it too where he said the best types of battles he wants to see here in this League are the ones where trainers with those close bonds putting it all on the line for one another. Go in and battle the best you can and hold your head high. Don't look back with any regrets."

Jessie nodded, moved by his words as the audience clapped and cheered wildly for him. "Well said. You heard it here first, the potential future champion of Alola right here on Kokealola! Give it up for Mister Elio Northstar!"

It was late at night when Elio was finally finished with his talk session and they made their way back to their home. Hau and Leilani made to see him and his mother off. Though he had hardly trained on the day before, he was exhausted. The idea was that his pokemon didn't need to suffer needless injuries on the last day of practice battle and he spent the afternoon at the Hau'oli pokemon center ensuring a clean bill of health and that they were all ready for action tomorrow.

"Tomorrow's gonna be great!" Hau fist bumped Elio as they parted on his front porch. "You're gonna do great brah! If you can nail being like that on a talk television show, you'll nail this championship run!"

"Thanks Hau." Elio bumped fists with him again and brought him in for a brotherly hug. "You know, you're a damn good friend and don't ever forget that."

"And you better get some rest. No reason to walk into the court half asleep."

"Right." Hau stepped down as Leilani approached. The surfer brought Elio into a hug touching their foreheads together and then leaning over to give him a gentle peck on the cheek. While he was aware the gesture was purely platonic as she was dating his best friend, it didn't stop a blush from creeping up on his pale cheeks.

"Pōmaikaʻi iā ʻoe." She held his hands in hers. "Makani ʻolu a holo malie."

Elio stared at her, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"A wish of good luck. Like the ones our kūpuna blessed us with on our journey across the seas."

"Mahalo. Truly."

After bidding Hau and Leilani farewell, Elio and his mother waved until they disappeared up the trail towards Iki Town and settled in the living room. Meowth sensed the boy's presence and crawled in his lap, in a silent demand for belly rubs.

"I'm so glad those two seem so much happier together." Elaine had put the remainder of her famous garlic bread in a container to be stored for later. Elio had opted for his own favorite sausage and ricotta lasagna and his mother's garlic bread as sort of a pre-match ritual meal the night before. If he won, he thought about making it tradition.

"Me too. They were dancing around their feelings for so long and it was honestly hard watching it. Any longer and I would've smashed their lips together for them."

Elaine nodded, still smiling at him. She rubbed her son's back and kissed him on the cheek.

"I know I say I'm proud of you all the time and you're probably used to it. But you must be extremely proud of yourself."

"Thank you Mom. It's going to be a lot different when we have the money we need to,"

"No." Elaine shook her head. "That's not important."

"But you know we could use it. Think about all the things we couldn't afford to have back then! You'd get to stop working."

"I still wouldn't even if we had that." While it was true, the possibilities swam in their heads. First year champions didn't make as much money as everyone believed unless they were obscenely popular before taking the title like Leon of Galar. It was after when they started getting endorsed by companies and sponsorships where they amassed much of their wealth. "Elio, no amount of money is going to buy us any more of the precious time we've spent on the journey. Just…how about you win the championship first? Afterwards, we can talk about how we can put the extra money you would make to use."

"Okay." Elio seemed satisfied. "I guess I better get some sleep. Got a big day tomorrow."

"A very big day." Elaine kissed her son on the cheek. "Sleep well, k'ou wahi anela."

Elio had taken a long relaxing shower, changed into his sleepwear and trying his best to soothe the exciting nerves that wouldn't stop racking his brain about tomorrow. All his pokemon were safely tucked into their poke balls on his dresser, neatly laid in a row. To help with him trying to fall asleep, he had used a cleaner and a microfiber cloth to polish their metal surfaces free of dirt and scuffs.

He had just laid down and draped the blanket over his body when he saw his phone screen light up on his charging pad. While noise notifications were silenced by him after ten every evening, he opted to keep the visual one on at a dimmed setting as to not abruptly wake him up.

Elio rolled over to read the message.

Lillie: Hey, I saw you on Kokealola! You looked so great and handsome and ready! And it was your birthday recently?! Happy birthday! I can't believe I missed it!

Elio's heart stopped seeing her name flash across his phone. Lillie hadn't texted him at all ever since she had left to take care of Lusamine at the Paradise. He hadn't heard anything of her except for what Gladion had said during their battle a couple weeks back. There wasn't any reason why she wouldn't except maybe she had her hands tied with things back home. As hard as it was for him to not take it personally, the absence only made him feel worse. Unlocking his phone as fast as he could, he pulled up the message app and quickly typed a reply.

Elio: Hey! It's so good to hear from you! And thanks! It's a whole new year! It means a whole lot coming from you! How are things holding up for you and your family?

Lillie: It's been okay, I guess. Mother is still very weak and the doctors are still continuing to extract traces of the nihilego toxin out of her bloodstream. She's bedridden most of the time, but does get up and walk around with the aid of a cane. So I guess it's progress.

He didn't really have much of a heart to tell her that his own feelings of saving Lusamine were mixed.

Lillie: What about you? D: I saw your arm in that Maple Apparel Outfitters olive colored green arm sleeve. That's actually a really nice color and it suits you. I'm guessing it's to cover up the scars?

Elio: Yeah. I'd rather it not be a distraction. Thankfully the pain is all but gone, but I'm pretty sure the patterns are going to last for the rest of my life.

Lillie: I'm sorry. Elio, you have no idea how sorry I am.

Elio: That's not your fault. Don't say that like it is.

Lillie: I know but I can't help but feel like I caused it.

Elio: There's no point in dwelling on that. You can't change the past and something that's already happened. I've already told you I hold no ill will for your involvement. You didn't tell your mother to cut my arm like she did.

Lillie: I know. It's just going to take a while for me in order to forgive myself for that.

Elio: The sooner you can, the sooner you can give yourself closure. Easier said than done of course.

Lillie: Right. I…I don't mean to be such a downer on this.

Elio: It's okay.

Lillie: But I think this will have some bad aftermath stuff. Interpol is all over the place and I'm pretty sure that once Mother is recovered, she's going to be put on trial for the reckless endangerment of an entire region…and the thing she did to you.

Elio sucked in a breath, as of now most other people had no idea of the scarification on his shoulder deltoid muscle. He had been able to play it off by citing arm sleeves as his personal fad of the newest thing in athletic clothing trends. But it was something he couldn't hide forever. The worst person who could find out now was his mother and he knew the longer he hid it from her, both the more suspicious she'd grow and the angrier after him knowingly keeping it from her. He quietly thanked Jessie had made a remark about his Maple Apparel sleeve in his interview that seemingly went over people's heads.

Elio: I haven't told anyone else except Hau, Gladion and Leilani. Really the only people I'd trust and it sucks because my own mom is like at the top of that. She is going to find out and gonna be furious. It's not an if…it's when. Maybe even to the point she'd swim over to the Paradise and strangle your mom.

Lillie: Really?

Elio: Oh yeah. After she divorced Dad, she's been very…very protective of her k'ou wahi anela. I'm actually nervous that she'd end up doing something that would land her in just as much trouble.

Lillie: You have to tell her. Sooner rather than later.

Elio: I know. I'll do it when the time is right.

Lillie: Is it ever going to be the right time?

He paused at that. Lillie was absolutely right, there would never be a "good" occasion to talk about it, mostly on his discomfort in having to confess about the tortuous injury and that his mother would undoubtedly overreact that someone could do something so vile to her only child.

Elio: I don't know.

Lillie: Well I know for a fact that you don't have to go through that alone either. Like how you said the sooner you let go of that guilt and the sooner you give yourself closure like what happened with me and my mother? Think of the same thing here.

Elio allowed himself a small smile, still a little in disbelief that she had taken his own words, spun them to her own advantage and made him uplifted.

Elio: Damn, you absolutely did not just use my own method against me!

Lillie: I totally did! I might not be able to see your face, but I can tell you're proud and dumbfounded at the same time! Admit it you! I dare…no I double dare you!

Elio: Fine, you win this time.

Lillie: Ha! I learned from the best!

Elio: Yes you did and don't you dare forget it.

Lillie: Are you excited? Nervous for tomorrow?

Elio: Oh I definitely am. Four back to back full battles against some of the strongest trainers the region can muster. Having to battle against Gladion and Hau in a full six against six recently was exhausting of its own. Kinda like I said on the show, best thing I can do for something that strenuous is to just take it one battle at a time. I'll plan for the next one once I'm done with what's in front of me.

Lillie: Do that and there's nothing stopping you! I told Gladion to tell you that you're the best trainer in the world.

Elio: Yeah he said it too. Funny coming from him. I hope you'll tune in to watch the match tomorrow. I promise I'll put on a show!

Lillie: I'll do you one better. Gladion and I are actually going to be there!

Elio: No way! They were saying on Kokealola! that tickets were sold out insanely fast! How the hell did you both get ahold of them?

Lillie: That's actually the cool part. Professor Kukui has invited a bunch of people to the Kahuna Iulio suites that are right at the midcourt with a clear view of the battlefield. Me, Gladion, Hau, Leilani, Professor Burnet and some of the trial captains are coming. You bet your ass I'll be there to cheer you on!

Elio: That's…incredible! Seriously, you being there makes me think I can't lose this.

Lillie: Hehe, I really hope so. I really really hope you win and become the champion of Alola, because after everything I know you've been through and your long journey…you rightfully earned and deserve the recognition you're getting now.

Elio: Thanks. And you know for sure that you helped me along the way, a lot more than you could ever know.

Lillie: Oh.

Elio: And I do intend to keep that promise I made to you about my Dad.

Lillie: Thank you. But please…do that for yourself and for him…not to appease me or anything.

Elio: I should get some sleep before I get too excited and spend the entire night tossing and turning.

Lillie: Right. It's been too long since we've seen each other. I miss you dearly. Goodnight Elio.

Elio blinked as he spotted a red heart emoji between her missing him and the goodnight wish. His breath stopped and he texted a reply.

Elio: I miss you too. Goodnight. I love you.

His finger hovered over the send key and stopped. Probably not the best time to say something like this. I don't want to be distracted.

He quickly backspaced and typed in a new message.

Elio: I miss you too. Goodnight Lillie.

If he kept things up while still thinking about her, he'd never get the sleep he absolutely needed for the most important day of his life. The heart hammered in his chest as Elio set his phone down and adjusted his blankets. Sure enough, the melatonin was beginning to take effect and despite the overwhelming excitement he had found himself drifting off to a well rested sleep.

Four grueling battles lie ahead and the stage is set for the showdown at the pinnacle of Pokemon battling right here in Alola! I'll admit I don't watch many talk shows, so I'm hoping this turned out good.

Happy Indigo Disk release day! (even though us in America got to play it last night) I've been tied with work and going on one last trip out to California to see family, so I haven't had much more than an hour to see what it's got. However I'm really enjoying what I've seen so far and haven't felt this excited for a Pokemon DLC mostly because it's actually a compelling story that was set up in Teal Mask.

That being said, I've decided that if I go through with launching an SV story of any kind, it'll be when the Elite Four battles of this one are finished at the very least. Learned to avoid stressing myself out with working on two big projects at once. It hasn't stopped me from writing a few chapters to see how things go and it also gives me time to see what stuff the DLC brings to help shape what I want to do.

In the meantime AHHK is also being XPosted onto AO3 where I write under the same name and some of the earlier chapters are getting some slight changes and rewrites. When the SV story starts, I intend to crosspost on here, AO3 and possibly more sites such as SpaceBattles. We'll see as we get closer to the end of this story where things will stand.

Translations:

Pōmaikaʻi iā ʻoe - Good Luck

Makani ʻolu a holo malie - Fair Winds and Following Seas

Kūpuna - Ancestors

K'ou Wahi Anela - My Little Angel

As always, mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.

Brav