Alola readers.
Before I get started, let me say that this has been a physically, mentally and emotionally taxing past few days for me. Normally I don't prefer to share explicit details on my personal life on here, but I feel compelled since I considered it a bit of both celebration and hardship.
I'll start with the bad first. This past Friday afternoon; my mother arrived home from work complaining of severe abdominal pain. She works at a hospital and the many times I've cut, scraped and bruised myself...I've been told by her that I don't need a bandage and to tough it out.
Regardless, I took her to the emergency room Friday night and she was diagnosed with appendicitis. For those of you who don't know what that is; it's inflammation of the appendix. So therefore, she underwent emergency surgery for an appendectomy. Thankfully, the operation was a success and she is in the process of recovery, having been recently discharged from the ER.
Because of this unexpected turn of events, my mother had to spend both my brother's high school graduation as well as Mother's Day this past Sunday...in a hospital bed. It didn't help that this chapter was a bit difficult to write...but a lot happens and the next few are ones that I think will be interesting. Certainly eager to get those done and out of the way.
That brings me to the other news that I have. Work has assigned me to go on temporary duty to Las Vegas. I know right? "Work" in Sin City :P I leave tomorrow afternoon and will be gone for at least two, but no more than three weeks. I'll be bringing my computer with me so I can continue to work on chapters while on downtime, but there is a fairly good chance that the biweekly update will take a bit longer. We'll see.
Onto the positives though. We've nearly hit 125 faves...did manage to get 150 followers and pass the 40,000 view milestone! Last but not least...this now has the most reviews of any fic I've written.
I feel extremely lucky to have such faithful readers and fans. You all are amazing. It does excite me to wonder what other possibilities this story will achieve...and I'm not even halfway done with the island challenge! Could we reach twice as many in faves, followers, views and reviews? I think absolutely!
And I hope everyone enjoyed Mother's Day. I know that not everyone reading this may be on good terms with theirs, but considering the little scare we as a family had...I made sure that the card and gifts I gave my own mother reflected my utmost appreciation for everything she has done for me. There's a little part I slipped in here as a bit of nod to Mother's Day...kind of wished I had an Elaine and Elio mother/son moment here...but heh...this will do.
Okay behavior that made me seem bipolar aside; this chapter had me editing for far longer than I normally do...as does the AN. I hope everyone enjoys it.
It's too bad Sina and Dexio had to leave for Kalos. It sounds like something really serious is happening over there. I've never really cared about danger before and only see it on the news.
But the bad news is all stuff that happens to other strangers. Not people you know and call friend.
Either way, if they have need of Elio in the future, he needs to get stronger. And finishing the island challenge to become the island challenge champion is the first step!
I have to admit though; the chocolate covered macadamias were pretty thoughtful. I love chocolate and the nuts have this perfect crunch to have a fine balance of sweet and salty flavoring. They're really good and one of the few things that Nebby likes.
There's not much on the north side of Akala Island, except for roads that take you over to the small quiet town of Kulou. It's a common rest stop for trial goers going to the Lush Jungle.
I loved Elio's picture of Hau and Leilani sleeping next to each other! They looked so cute cuddling!
Dear Lillie,
Ed had to leave yesterday to go back to Kanto. It was nice seeing him for a change and although I'd probably be regretting it later, I would have liked you to meet him. He's not always an annoying big flirty brother, but a guy who genuinely has my back. Maybe I can introduce you to him another time.
Anyway, it looks like I'm on my own again. Hau and Leilani left earlier this morning to head to Lush Jungle thanks to her ability to use Charizard Glide. Hau didn't have the authorization to go there since it wasn't a place he visited yet, but he freeloaded off her account to go to a place previously inaccessible! How's that fair? Now I have to walk all the way!
On another note, did you see the picture I posted on my Festival Plaza account? I'm pretty sure that's why Hau and Leilani didn't bother to talk to me at all after we left the airport to drop off Ed. But do you think they like "like" one another?
Like I told you before, I was planning to maybe ask Leilani out on a date, but I'm having second thoughts about it. I think she definitely likes Hau and he's gushed about her to me multiple times. It would be bad on me if I were to come between the two of them. I say the next time we meet up with them; let's give a little bit of a push. What do you say?
I miss you.
Sincerely,
Elio
It wasn't until late in the morning when Elio had an opportunity to check out of Ed's room and go about to the next part of his journey.
Of course, his entire team save Grimer were allowed to sleep in various parts of the room and he had gotten a universal protest when it was time to leave. None of them wanted to say goodbye to some of the most comfortable beds and furniture they had ever slept on.
Torracat for one had thrown a tantrum. He growled and ran circles around the mat he had used as his own bed using his strong legs to deftly dodge each and every callback beam Elio shot to return him to his ball. It was only Nani's own intervention by blocking his laps with her huge serpentine body that delayed him enough for Elio to finally hit his target and put away his rambunctious pokemon.
"Thanks Nani." He received a coo of affection in return and laughed lightly when she nuzzled her face against his. "I really appreciate it."
Unlike him, she was accepting that the time for relaxation was now over. Nani didn't like to leave as much as anyone else, but when her trainer said it was time to leave…it was time to leave.
Hau and Leilani had left earlier in the morning with the former able to travel quickly to Lush Jungle using the latter's access to the town of Kulou. Elio had found out that while the Charizard Glide feature in the ride pager was among the most useful, flying solo meant that you could only visit places already visited in the past. New cities and towns were off-limits until it was confirmed that he had physically been there.
Well that's lame.
Lame or not, it was the rules.
Ride charizard were always in high demand around Alola. There were plenty of trainers that needed quick flights in between the islands and it offered a free and convenient alternative than the couple of airlines that island hopped in between Alola's four main islands and two satellite ones. The Alola Transport Bureau had apparently entered into a partnership with a ranch-like valley in the Johto region that was home to a large number of charizard and their families. They would train several of their pokemon to serve as ride transporters.
So the ATB had already stated that the average wait time for a ride charizard was going to be around ten to fifteen minutes. And it was going to increase. Not because there were a lack of charizard to ferry people around, but because the demand was going to get higher and the Bureau still not being able to keep up with the trend.
That was another reason many flying pokemon in a trainer's team knew the move fly as a backup. ATB was more than happy to have individual trainers use their own pokemon to go about to different places.
The only pokemon he was pretty sure that could fly on his team was Rufflet. But as strong as the small bird was; it wouldn't be able to carry his dollar twenty five pound frame.
Riding on their charizard's back to Melemele Island was an experience. Elio loved the freedom flying gave him from when the enormous dragon took off into the sky and effortlessly glided high above the islands. He had accelerated in between, passing other riders who slightly gestured to wave. Most charizard went fairly fast in flight and sticking an arm or hand out from the saddle would end up getting caught by the rush of air. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of aerodynamics was able to understand that sticking an arm out when moving fast would make it feel as if the limb was going to rip right out of its socket.
Still, their own ride pokemon was mild mannered and went slow enough for them to enjoy the ride. Ed had reluctantly held onto Elio's shoulders as he guided their ride around. The basketball superstar wasn't a particularly big fan of flying and had been fine with airplanes, but apparently something about a couple of carabiners and straps being the only things standing between you and plummeting six thousand feet down had his stomach doing gymnastics.
At least he had the decency to blow chunks overboard rather than on the back of my shirt. That happened and I'd never get it out.
With the lack of having a charizard glide option to Kulou, which was the closest town to the Lush Jungle, he had to instead head north along the trails that circled the north end of Akala Island.
There was little along the route except for a few buildings and homes for people who enjoyed the isolation from the bustling sprawls of the island's southern area. Elio also heard that it was a big water hotspot, with many marinas and beaches stretching along the coast where anything could be done from deep sea fishing to taking on waves with a surfboard.
Judging the time it took from him to get to the summit of Mauna Wela Volcano, he estimated that the trek would take the majority of the day.
All the more reason to get a head start.
Sun ate a quick breakfast while he waited for the checkup on his pokemon back at the center. The food at the hotel was definitely better tasting, but it had come with Ed's staying reservation and as soon as he left the building, it would require some payment to dine again. It was still relatively early in the morning and there weren't many other guests helping themselves to the breakfast buffet.
Elio's eye caught the television over the bar and he saw a figure of a surfer maneuvering a large pokemon atop the waves, climbing several feet above the top before twisting down like a skateboarder to ride the crest back down.
"As you can see, I'm here at the Keoki Beach just north of the Hano Grand Resort where the Kumu Reef Triple Crown Surfing event will take place in just four days from now! Alola has been selected to kick off the Surf Association's World Surfing Tour season as the first of ten different sites where at the end, one man and one woman will each be crowned as the tournament's champion!"
This is what Leilani was preparing for! I wonder if this was the thing on her story.
"Last year it was the women's tournament that had the headlines here in Alola as it was one of our own that was in the final five running for the championship. Miss Leilani Taula from Iki Town on Melemele Island had broken onto the scene as an unlikely candidate in the running. She had quietly scored the highest in the longboard and mantine competitions within her heats."
Elio felt very proud as the television began a playback of one of her prior plays. Leilani was clad in a sleek dark suit that hugged her curvy frame and sparkled from the water's reflection. There were a couple of logos from sponsors along the suit's chest and shoulders.
He found himself staring at her again; this time around through a television.
Eyes up. No more of this gawking.
The screen zoomed on her as she guided a large raylike pokemon through the rising swell. She cleared the top of the wave as the ray performed a beautiful twist.
Sun's eyes went wide as she literally jumped off her steed and did a perfectly timed backflip that landed right on the pokemon's backside again as they descended. As she finished, a loud cheer came from the spectating crowd on the screen. He paid less attention to the ovation and more on her as she dropped off her pokemon mount in the shallows and waved back, blowing a kiss at the camera, swishing her locks of matted dark hair and smiling joyfully.
"This unseen victory had ended up putting her in the first championship finals of her career! Unfortunately, it was the Kalosian Sabine Joyeux that had taken the lead with her performance on the longboard. Joyeux would go on to her final event to win the women's Surf Association champion and has arrived on Akala Island to defend her title."
The screen then panned to one that he recognized as Kamehameha Airport on the southern section. People lined up the sides of the terminal as a young woman walked out.
Sabine looked to be in her late teens or early twenties. She had long blonde hair that was elegantly swept to one side of a silky white dress. Her expression was indistinguishable as she neither smiled nor frowned, sweeping her gaze across the crowd with icy blue eyes. However it was her movements with a flair of elegance and grace that seemed to allure the crowds. It seemed that her poise and swagger remained the same whether she was on or off a surfboard.
Elio had to admit that she was still pretty attractive.
So this is the person Leilani has to beat in order to advance? She can take her.
"We will all see you here in a few days where the World Surf Association will begin the season here on Akala Island! Alola!"
"Digezzting information!" Rotom buzzed from Elio's backpack before popping out and hovering in front of his trainer. "According to thezze ztatizzzticzz! Bzzzt! Leilani hazzz an eighty perzzent chanzze of winning the Triple Crown event! She hazzz been practicing on her bezt movezzz that should score a lot of pointzz! Bzzt!"
That immediately got Elio excited, especially when she had constantly gushed about teaching him on how to surf. "It's in four days. Do you think we'll have conquered the next trail and grand trial within that?"
"Anything izz possible."
"You're an amazing help buddy."
"We bezt get going then!" Rotom buzzed. "It'z a fantaztic day in Alola!"
"Agreed. Breakfast is over."
"But Leilani hazz another ztatiztic! She has a one hundred and ten percent in winning Hau's heart regardlezzz of where she placezz in the competition. Bzzt!"
She's already won his heart.
When Elio returned to the center to retrieve his pokemon from their checkup, the receptionist informed him he had gotten one more delivery and presented him with a disposable insulated lunch box. The address was easily recognizable; 1224 East Kininui Drive in Waimanalo, Melemele Island.
Sun slid open one of the clips and was greeted with two different aromas, but each was heavenly to his senses. A tiny note was tucked in between both cartons with a small biodegradable fork and knife attached.
Elio,
Here's your favorite meals as a little taste of home. You did amazing on that fire trial and I am so proud of you. Keep on going and remember that you've got me, your friends and your pokemon to support you!
Love,
Mom
Florentine pasta and agedashi tofu? Mom; you're the best.
With food and pokemon both secure, Elio set out on the same road that he had taken to the Mauna Wela Volcano Park. Instead of heading northwest, Rotom-Dex's navigation function had put him on a northerly course that went on the dirt roads that were separate from the freeway. As he walked along, the rumble of cars and trucks in the distance were still audible.
He passed the second entrance to the park, now seeing that the automotive traffic took a turn inland while the trainer trail kept to the outer edges. A little ways away led to open cliffs and metal guardrails that stretched for at least a quarter mile before he saw the familiar markings of a trial gate.
Oh that's funny. Walk all this way and have to turn back if you don't have the Firium Z.
Luckily for the young trainer, he examined his newest Z-crystal to ensure it was within his possession. The sunlight angularly struck its clear surface, causing it to almost glow bright amber as if they were smoldering flames.
Elio took a moment when he reached the center of the viewing area to take a look around. He could no longer see the edges of Pa'ani since the long hilly landscape dropped off sharply just before it hit the ocean. The freeways hugged its edge, often having wide and narrow twists and turns. Since the sunlight was beginning to get more intensive, he applied a thin layer of sunblock and refilled his water from a purifier station. Sun had learned that while there were many natural forming freshwater springs at various points around Alola, many of them contained dangerous bacteria, rendering them unsafe to drink from the spot.
Instead, he had purchased a new cap for his unbreakable water bottle. This one was commonly used by hikers and high adventurists and recommended to him by a hiker he had beat on Melemele Island. It easily fit on as a replacement cap and used a two-stage water filter applicant that employed both a physical means and strong ultraviolet light to eliminate as many sickening agents as possible. It had cost a fortune, but even on an island where he was surrounded by water, the worst thing that could happen to him was dehydration.
An indicator on the top would tell him when the filtering process was complete and the only maintenance it required was be left to dry once every forty-eight hours. Even the light did not need to have replacement batteries, thanks to it being solar powered. Just in the scenario that his filter stopped working; he had a pack of chemical treatment tables as a backup.
This time around though, the water was already pre-filtered and he did not have to use either method to drink.
Underneath him it was a good drop down to the craggy rocks where he noticed some wingull and a larger yellow billed bird were cawing and circling. The smaller birds dove down, plucking tiny wriggling wishiwashi from the water's surface. Waves crashed on the rocks, bursting into a white foamy mess before sliding back out to sea.
"We've got a new pokemon detected! Bzzt! Been a long time zince I did one of theze!" Rotom buzzed and shifted his screen to the larger bird. "Pelipper. Water bird pokemon. Newly evolved males are tasked with gathering food in its spacious beak. It can devour more than thirty wishiwashi in one go by swooping down and scooping them effortlessly into its bill. Pelipper is a water and flying type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
"We're gonna be seeing a lot of those." Elio scanned the shoreline and spotted another pokemon. This one a familiar sight at Fuschia City's wharfs and the Seafoam Island chain.
"Rotom…is that a seel?"
"A seel?" The haunted 'Dex asked in inquiry. "Uh yeah. Zo we have two new pokemon detected! Bzzt! Seel. Sea lion pokemon. A distant cousin of the popplio family, seel has a thick layer of fat underneath its fur that keeps it warm in colder seas. In tropical warm waters, this fat acts as an insulator and causes it to tire easily. Seel is a water and ice type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
"So what's a seel doing all the way out here?"
"Unknown. Bzzt. It could alzo be the fact that many of Alola's islandzzz have cavez that lead out to the ocean that are cooler in temperature than the outside. Bzzt!"
"And that's why you see them so rarely." Elio concluded. "Because it's too hot and their fat traps the heat inside."
Good thing I'm not fat. Would that mean if I were, I'd be warmer than normal?
Elio stopped from his break and continued down the trail. He could now see that it winded past another thicket of trees and straight for the slope connecting a gradual section of many valleys that the island was known for.
A couple of trainers stopped him for battles and he ended up winning two and losing one. In the process of it; Charjabug had learned a new strong bug type move. Dex stated signal beam's sinister strobes of light could briefly disorient and confuse the target.
Slowly but surely we're getting there.
"Well what do ya know. A nice new Firium Z!" The beaming guide said. "Ho'omaikai'ana for clearing Kiawe's trial! And in that case, you are now free to pass! Captain Mallow's trial is on the far side along this route in the Lush Jungle!"
"Thanks."
The barricade was blocking access to a long tunnel that stretched for at least three-fourths of a mile where there was a similar pinprick of bright blue sky. It had walls that were pleasantly cool to the touch and separated at a good diameter allowing more than four people to walk abreast. What was most noteworthy to him was not just the temperature of the stone, but the incredible smoothness of its surface. Elio often felt bits of sand and other things when he touched other kinds of rocks. Out of his own curiosity, he slid his fingertips across a section of it and didn't feel a single impurity or blemish. Had it not been for the sign at the tunnel's entrance informing him that this was a lava tube, he would have gone as far to think that it was artificially crafted.
The only thing that stuck out from its edges was a series of small striations that were just barely visible running along the sides at the level of his waist.
There was a system of lights all along the upper arch with metallic rims, however they remained off. Sun guessed they came on when the outside natural illumination was replaced by night.
"Rotom?"
"Yezz? Bzzt!"
"So this Dividing Peak Tunnel." Elio said. "That sign said it was a ke kahe pele. What is that?"
"I'm a pokedex bro! I only have information regarding pokemon! Bzzt! Pluzzz I have to make zure you're thinking with your head inztead of your pantzzz! Bzzt!"
Why does this machine always have to give me a hard time? Wait…what does he mean by thinking with my pants?
"Rotom."
"I'm juzzt mezzzing with you! Bzzt! Becauzze the Alola region izzz a group of volcanoezzz, the islandzzz themzelvezzz are the peakzz of underwater eruptionzzz! Often the rock coolz at the zurface, but lava will ztill flowzzz through tunnelzzz that are burned through and zmoothed out. Theze tunnelzzz are called lava tubezz! The Dividing Peak Tunnel izz the largest known one on Akala Island."
Wow. Lava once flowed through here.
"Good thing it isn't now."
"It izz ztill very possible. Eruptionzz at Mauna Wela, the mozzt active volcano on Alola often have lava floezz that spill into the ocean! Zometimezzz they can come here into the Dividing Peak Tunnel!"
"Then its best nobody gets stuck in here when an eruption is going on."
"Very true my awezome trainer! Even though people living around the volcano getzzz evacuated, there are zpecial channelzz dug around to divert lava floezzz zafely into the ocean and away from populated areazzz! Bzzt!"
"Can't mess around when a volcano is erupting. Not much you can do to stop a lava floe either."
"Unlezzz you have enough water and ice type pokemon! Bzzt!"
Maybe. Elio thought to himself. He took his hand off the wall and continued walking.
With the lack of abundant lighting, Elio's own eyes began to adjust to the dark surroundings and he could see the faint white trim on his sneakers as he took each step. The soles of his shoes hit the ground with a wet smack.
I can just imagine the bottom as soon as we're out of this tunnel.
As he was roughly two thirds of the way through, he heard a faint scratching sound somewhere along the far side of the tunnel.
"What was that?"
Someone watching us?
Sun figured it would be best not to think about what could be hiding in the dark. He wasn't afraid of spiders or bugs, but just about anyone is going to be uneasy and jumpy if something they don't know about happens to crawl up their leg.
The flashlight attached to his backpack strap cut a beam of light with a simple twist of its head and he now saw that the ground was relatively flat with the exception of various footprints. Granules of sand were irregularly set on the floor in an artistic pattern with the darker solid rock underneath.
The cuts in between the sand weren't large enough to trip him, but it was interesting nonetheless. Almost like something had eaten it out.
Elio's light flashed off something with an iridescent sheen and it vanished as soon as his eyes swung in their direction. He heard that same scuttling and scratching sound as it faded away.
So there is something in here with us.
He decided to let out Rufflet. The tiny eagle had those same predatory instincts in both the day and night.
"Hey buddy." With a caw, he landed gently on Elio's shoulder nuzzling the side of the boy's face playfully. Recently, he found that the bird's large razor sharp talons dug into his skin rather uncomfortably, so the two of them had trained for a little while to prevent that. He couldn't help it, but Rufflet did not intend to hurt his trainer at all. "Thought you could use some exercise flying around. There's something running around here and it's creeping me out."
"Ruff."
"So just keep your eyes peeled."
With a nod, he spread his wings and soared to the top of the tunnel, stopping at the end and then flying right back. The motion was repeated as Elio made his way towards the end.
As he walked, Rufflet suddenly let out a bloodcurdling screech and dove right down at something. Sun's light moved to where he was going and he saw that same shining reflection off a chitinous exoskeleton.
The creature moved at unfathomable speeds, making his own skin crawl at the thought. Rufflet had swooped down, beak extended out.
"Woah I've never zeen thizz pokemon before! Bzzt!" Rotom said, popping out of Elio's bag and lighting up his screen.
Elio stuck a hand out to shield his eyes from the sudden brightness. "Rotom!"
"Oh…zorry about that! I have new information on a new pokemon I've never zeen before! But how do I come up with all thizzz ztuff then? I dunno, it'z the writer'zzz fault!"
The haunted 'Dex showed a pokemon that was fairly small in size, maybe a little larger than his foot. But it was a flat, hard-shelled insect with a long purple spiky tail. The edges of the creature were the similar purplish shade and smaller parts of it had contributed to that iridescent sheen Elio saw when his light reflected off its shell. Two long wiry antennae spokes spread out from its eyes.
It reminds me of the kabuto I saw in the Pewter City Museum of Natural History. They have the same body shape.
"Wimpod. Turn tail pokemon. It desperately dashes away with a whir of its legs, leaving a spotless trail in its wake. It will consume anything worth scavenging no matter how rotten. Wimpod is a bug and water type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
"Really?" Elio wondered. "So then that's why the surfaces were smooth like that. And those parts in the ground too."
"Wimpod izzz like the janitor of pokemon! Bzzt!"
"In a way. Someone's gotta do it." They were interrupted by Rufflet's screeching as he renewed his chase of the terrified insect. While the bird was faster and had the air advantage, wimpod turned tail on a dime, making him miss every attempt.
It had finally come to a point where the creature rushed towards another part in the wall. Rufflet sensed he had cornered his quarry and sped down on a course. With a final hiss and scuttle, the little wimpod disappeared into some hiding hole in the wall that was impossible to fit just about anything else.
Rufflet screeched in protest, unable to stop his rapid swooping and Elio visibly flinched as the bird crashed into the wall before falling on his back. A poof of bluish feathers exploded outward, falling from side to side in his wake.
He ignored the angry squawks and flailing of wings as he grabbed his pokemon to set it on its feet. Rufflet's expression was a bit irritated that he had been bested in chasing something down.
Elio returned the troublesome pokemon back to his great ball. "Sorry bud, but it looks like you just got outmaneuvered by a horrified insect."
With all the shenanigans of the tunnel past, Sun was actually more than happy to have his namesake shine back on his skin. The passageway opened up to a series of fields where the road curved to the left. He could now see that the car traffic had met up with the trail once again after its own shortcut through the taller hillside.
Glancing back, he saw that the entire slope was a vivid green of varying plant species and trees in a wide contrast to the bare rocky face when he had started close to Mauna Wela.
Like crossing through the tunnel and you're in another world.
Further along the trail, the road had many parking lots that were beside flights of stairs that descended down to long sandbars. Water lapped the shore and he could hear shouts and laughter as people and families of all ages played in both the surf and sand. On the far side from the beaches were trees with beautiful flowers including the purple and white hibiscus. Elio knew that it was an iconic image for Alolan girls to wear the flower atop their ear and it was woven into elaborate wreaths known as the lei. Visitors and the like would be greeted by having a lei placed over their head.
There were hardly any buildings around, except some that looked like RV motor homes and tiny shacks, all of which had either long surfboards or some intense fishing gear stashed just outside. Elio was amazed at how openly people were in leaving things like that out.
You do that in Cerulean City and it'll be gone before morning.
The only larger building other than those parked vans and mini homes was this stark white building situated on knee high stilts. A short set of stairs connected its entrance from the sidewalk. From the first section, it expanded into a second and third section with the fourth another full story up. The complex was almost like those portable research laboratories Elio had heard about on informative shows.
"You there!"
Elio was brought out of his thoughts by an older man who approached him from the lab's entrance. He appeared to be in his early thirties with icy blond hair and another part of it much more strangely shaped that seemed to circle the back of his head.
The man was dressed in a dark gray lab coat with a multitude of datapads and buttons on both arms.
How is this guy not sweating bullets?
"Oh pardon me!" He laughed lightly with a little bit of an accent that sounded like "part" "I am a freelance scientist traveling Alola. My name is Colress and I've come here to Alola for more answers in my research."
"It's nice to meet you Colress." Elio shook his outstretched hand, still a little bit confused on why the strangely dressed person wanted to flag him down. "My name is Elio. Elio Northstar."
"Elio!" Colress spread out his hands. "I'll be sure to remember your name. I am trying to see what brings out the potential in pokemon the best! What best does that I believe is the bonds that they share with their trainers!"
Sun cast a sheepish look downwards. "I actually started on my island challenge here a couple of months back. Even though I'm a little older than most."
"I disagree! You are never too old to go on a journey with pokemon at your side. That is why my attention however is drawn to trainers such as yourself! You are bound to your pokemon through the power of your Z-Ring!"
"My Z-Ring?" Elio had given it a subconscious look as soon as it was mentioned.
Colress nodded with enthusiasm. "Precisely. I know that look you have in your eyes too. I've seen it before." He turned away, uttering something under his breath that Elio had barely caught.
"Perhaps you can be one to help us dispel all those absurd theories that the Scions keep conspiring."
"What?"
"Oh nothing. How about I give you a little something to commemorate our little chat here? It's a Technical Machine. I am sure you are familiar with them."
"Yeah I've found quite a few so far."
Colress reached into his pocket and produced yet another disc, this one bright orange to signify that it was a fire-type move.
"That TM contains flame charge. I believe if you are able to utilize it fully with a strong fire type pokemon, then you will be able to have a great battle with the next trial in the Lush Jungle. Flame charge will gradually increase the speed of the user and allow your fire type to keep pace with faster foes. Don't let your guard down at the totem okay?"
"You got it Colress."
"Fantastic. Could Z-Power be the true potential that I seek? Surpassing even the Mega Ring? Could it be strong enough to battle the coming darkness of the Blinding One?"
Blinding One?
"Oh my apologies again!" Colress covered his mouth. "I am musing to myself too much these days. Thankfully Alola's beautiful weather has made it a fascinating place for both the resolve of people and the strength of pokemon. Keep on your island challenge Elio! There is much to explore and discover! Now if you will excuse me.."
He stepped forward past the boy and disappeared into the lab.
"Nice to meet you Colress." Elio got a wave in return before the man was out of the Alolan heat.
Yeah good idea. He's probably twice baked wearing that trench coat.
"Flame charge huh? I know the perfect pokemon to know this move."
Torracat skidded to a halt as the cloak of flames dissipated once again.
For the past hour after Elio had brought him out, his starter was more than happy to learn a new move. The only catch was that he was having difficulty perfecting it.
I guess TMs aren't instantaneous like I thought.
Torracat growled in annoyance again. He was clearly frustrated that almost no progress had been made in all of his attempts.
Flame charge involved covering his entire body in fire as he blitzed the target. It had all went well, except for the fact that it began to burn out as he picked up speed. Elio couldn't figure it out, so he tried gradual increases. He and Torracat jogged to get into motion before doing dash sprint laps. They'd run fifty feet beside the tall grass before quickly turning and running in the second direction. Torracat continued to grunt as he produced some more flames into a full flame charge, however the problem persisted; he lacked enough energy to keep it running at his top speed.
Elio tried the best he could. There was no manual for a pokemon on how to proficiently use the move and he didn't see any tutorial videos either. Not liked they would've been much help.
However he admired the resiliency of his starter pokemon. One thing he did as a trainer was that he would push his pokemon to their limits in their training and practice sessions. They weren't meant to be enjoyable or fun and everyone knew it. Nani was still getting the hang of her new improvised iron tail move after the two of them did a workout session in honing its technique. She could chain it together and swing with the swiftness of a ninja after their rigorous training that lasted an hour. Still a few things were needed to be improved, but much of it would be done in the middle of a battle.
Torracat knew that Elio was more than willing to stop their training whenever he wanted. Much of the desire to succeed and improve their battling was the willfulness of both parties.
"We'll keep going until it's done. What do you say?"
He had gotten a nod in agreement.
"Alright. Again!"
Colress' excuse to duck out of sight had lucked out when he was in the upper floor of the research facility and happened to glance from the one-sided window to see the same trainer.
Elio was in a little enclosed area just a off the path where he and Torracat were engaged in the same activity for quite some time.
He was intrigued as they sprinted laps, weaved through patches of the grass and practiced shooting fiery embers at rocks. To the untrained eye, it looked as if he was just trying to find a way to burn the foliage down. To someone seeking the true potential in pokemon, this was a conditioning challenge.
Elio's training was similar to many he had seen during his travels, yet it was unique in his own way. Like others, he cared for his own pokemon's well being while he pushed for them to draw out their power and apply it in the ways that had seen a lot of success.
If only all those that used to work for me showed this kind of care towards their pokemon. Some of which I am grateful it had taken the wrong turn. Colress frowned while thinking to himself. I will still need to find a trainer that can help us in our struggle against the Blinding One. It is coming soon and we need to be ready to meet it once it arrives to our world to devour our light.
Panic hadn't gripped the region of Kalos just yet, but the region's leaders had yet to release an official statement regarding the brief anomalies of the ultra energy that radiated in the skies above Lumiose City.
What had concerned Colress most was that the Scion cultists that pounced upon those statements as a warning that a deep change was coming. Few believed them, stating that they were zealots and fanatics but he did. Not to follow to their teachings and ideals, but instead on a scientific manner to put an end before the light was drained from the world they called home.
Colress would have thought of nothing except just another run of the mill trainer using an opportunity to help his pokemon learn a new move. That was commonplace everywhere.
It was the way Elio did it. Most of the time, he saw them stand around and have them practice moves or battles while they watched.
This one was different. Elio ran with his pokemon as they continued to work on their flame charge move, both doing similar exercises in their little workout area. The remainder of his party, a grimer, charjabug, rufflet, rockruff and milotic were standing on the sidelines watching intently as the practice session continued.
Elio had a big smile on his face when Torracat finally broke into his full sprint speed and the cloak of fire surrounding his bright fur didn't dissipate initially. While the power was beginning to surface from all the practitioner of a focus, it still wasn't quite there yet. But all the others seemed to join in the encouragement with the small bird and brown puppy jumping up and down in excitement being the most notable.
Colress smiled to himself at witnessing the display. He treats his pokemon as if they are like a family.
"Doctor Colress." A smooth female voice came from behind. Standing at the doorway was a petite woman with wire-rimmed glasses and long dark hair with a hint of a purplish shading. A familiar gold emblem shimmered from its place on her coat's lapel.
She furtively glanced around as if in fear that someone was eavesdropping on their conversation. "I can't explain everything and I have to be back as soon as possible before she notices my disappearance and where I am at." The look in her eyes was pleading. "You are the only one I trust with this."
"Of course." The scientist watched as she reached back into her lab coat and pulled out an ordinary poke ball. It apparently had been a well-used once, evidenced by the dings and small scratches on its metallic surface.
"Here. This is the only thing I can do to help. It used to belong to her husband, but she had planned to add it to her collection after he disappeared. I need your help in giving it the capability to infiltrate the software of the Paradise."
"I understand where you are coming from Naomi," Colress said. "But you must have a reason for it."
"It would be much too obvious that foul play was involved if I were to shut it down myself. There are only three people besides the technicians who work on our mainframe with access. The President, myself and Faba."
"And they would just trace who accessed it and cross reference with the time the security and things had been shut down." he finished. "Leading it right to you."
"Precisely. I just want it to penetrate the Paradise's top level security and give young master unrestricted access without raising any alarms or evidence of inside help. If the President catches him while he tries to sneak back," she paused, taking a moment to dread the unthinkable. "I do not know how far her wrath may go."
Colress swallowed. He had heard of the Aether President and her reputation for getting what she wanted. The two didn't know one another extensively, but had worked with mutual colleagues in the past. It seemed that their reputation had gotten one another's attention.
"I will see what I can do. It is not the first time I have been tasked with installing a worm to compromise a security system."
"Thank you for everything."
"It's the least I could do concerning Mohn and his family. I only hope that I can help in any way possible to reunite this torn family again." And do what is right to save the world from consuming darkness. Guess I took a bigger plate than I imagine. Way to go John.
Colress looked back out to the fields, noticing that Elio and his pokemon were now gone from sight.
"It is getting late. You best get back to the Paradise before your superior notices your extended absence."
"Of course. Thank you John." She had turned to leave but stopped. "Oh and young master also has a sister. She also had run away from the Paradise a few months ago and has kept in contact with me on a very rare occasion. If you manage to find her…please…please make sure she is safe."
"Lillie?"
"Yes."
"I…I can't believe it. Those two were just little infants when I met them on their trip to Unova. They have grown up so much and to believe all this was put on their shoulders. My heart goes out to them for doing this. It is incredibly brave and dangerous for the both of them."
"I know." The woman bowed her head. "It's a lot for them to bear and I am positive the scars will run deep. I need you to find her as soon as possible. Kaiser is hot on her trail and he will do whatever it takes to drag her back to her mother. There's no telling what she will do if Lillie gets captured either."
Colress' expression darkened and she saw his jaw begin to clench.
"I'll be on the lookout for both of them. You have my word."
"Thank you John…thank you so much."
Knowing Kaiser, I will not have much time. Fortunately, he likes to toy around with his quarry especially if he is being paid over time…I have to find Lillie and make sure she's safe and under someone's protection.
Can I do it? Can I seek out the potential in the Z-Ring to find Zygarde? It is bad enough that Sycamore had to have Sina and Dexio return to Kalos…but that boy. He actually does fit their description to a "T" knowing the potential he has in his own self.
I have to keep working. It's only going to get worse from here on. The Scions will not stop until their blasphemous prophecies are fulfilled. With this in play, it could accelerate their plans tenfold.
That's not acceptable. Naomi…I will do whatever it takes to ensure Gladion has the tools he needs to go back into the Paradise and ensure that Lillie and the precious cargo she carries is safe.
Colress examined the poke ball in his hand after Naomi had left. The thought racing through his mind was how she had apparently become increasingly concerned and tasked him with looking for her. Yet, she gave no hints on her whereabouts.
If they exchanged letters. It is possible they left a clue. This will be entertaining. I love deciphering complex problems.
He smiled to himself, fondly remembering all the unfinished jigsaw puzzles that he took upon himself to complete in his childhood.
The dents and dings in the ball's surface provided no clue with an erratic pattern and no sign of an encrypted message.
Wait…what is that?
He noticed a barely visible smear on the red top, which appeared slightly oily in appearance.
Releasing a pokemon of his own, it had floated on stubby brownish limbs that had multicolored fingers. Its body had a similarly colored trenchcoat and the green visor on its head scanned its surroundings with curiosity. Upon seeing its trainer, the strange pokemon buzzed and chirped happily, the noises sounding otherworldly.
"Hello Zim." Colress curtly greeted the strange pokemon. "I need your help as always. Decipher this ball."
Zim buzzed again and reached out with a hand. A bright ray of light slowly separated from it and enveloped the capsule, illuminating its metal surface before fading away once more.
Slowly, the scientist began to see carefully crafted words glow into existence on the ball's darker surface.
The corners of his lip curled up in impression to the delivery of the message.
Professor Linda Sophie Burnet-Kukui
Dimensional Research Lab
6052 E Nāmakamaka Drive
Akala Island, Alola
This was a testament to the timeless use of the old technique of invisible ink.
Do not worry Mohn. I will make sure nothing harms either of them.
Elio should have known that Team Skull would turn up eventually since it had been quite a while following their last appearance.
He hadn't had a run in with Alola's self-proclaimed baddest group of thugs for almost a week after handily defeating a group at Pa'ani. They hadn't had the nerve to show up when he was with Ed, which had actually turned out to be quite a shame. Defeating their pokemon time and time again in battle had really proven that they were the ones responsible for their own failures.
So Sun was a little bit surprised when he found that the town of Kulou had a handful of the thugs strutting around as if they owned the place. Many of the others avoided them, going as far to cross the street away from their destination just to keep a good distance and avoid getting picked on.
Some of the locals had already advised him to pass through to the pokemon center as soon as possible. They were safe havens of sorts since many trainers going on the island challenge tended to stay around there. Since the majority of the Skull grunts had limited successes against trial-goers, it remained relatively "bone free"
Elio stuck to the main pathway, still doing a normal Alolan greeting to passerbys. The majority of them greeted back in the same warm Akala manner he had experienced back at Pa'ani, Paniola and Heahea City. He did notice however that whenever Skull members were close by, people began to close up and give him a cold shoulder. None made eye contact with him and their walk to and from places was a brisk, focused one.
Skull's loitering around the place had taken an effect. Nobody wanted to be dragged into a battle and end up having their pokemon or possessions taken.
In spite of the freeze he had gotten from the townsfolk when Skull was around, Kulou still gave off the touristy vibes. Colorful shops and stands lined the main road and the block behind led to large beaches where more sunbathers and people played in the surf and sand. The road turned to the southwest to continue its loop around the island while a large sign at the center had pointed in the direction of the Lush Jungle.
It seemed that Skull had stayed closer to the light industrial side of the town, close to the shipping warehouses and hoping to catch someone that was lost. It was apparent that the companies running the distribution centers in the area were stepping up their game. Elio did see at least one uniformed police officer with a growlithe patrolling one of the corners. Many of the other buildings had mounted cameras catching recorded footage for suspicious or illicit activity.
As soon as a member of a security firm or police officer showed up, the Skull grunts would generally disappear as quick as they came.
Elio knew that his pokemon were strong enough to take on any grunt on his own. Yet, he still wanted to keep his party relatively healthy in case he ran into that one trainer who wouldn't take no for an answer when it came to a battle.
"I swear yo, dat little shit Gladion doesn't know how to have a good time."
Elio's heart skipped a beat. The mannerism in which they talked meant they were part of Team Skull.
He did recognize the name though and immediately negative thoughts about the edgy blond came to mind.
At least the guy knew what he was talking about. Just thinking about him makes me want to give him a broken jaw.
"Dat still wasn't cool yo." A new voice said, clearly another grunt that was much younger. "Girl's probably traumatized by now."
"Yeah. What da hell is wrong with ya Lars?"
"Dude, she was hella pretty. How am I supposed to not rock smash dat?"
Elio heard a pair of hands slapping foreheads. "Dat has to be the worst pun I have ever heard."
"Yeah." A third voice joined in. "Besides, ya a sick twisted one. Girl's lucky to still have her v-card after Gladion pulled ya off her. Police are gonna be lookin for us if they be seein the nasty cuts and bruises. I don't agree with everythin dat weird ass kid does, but dat's the lowest of the low right there."
Elio felt suddenly nervous. Oh fantastic. This Lars guy is a sick predator who happens to want to attack everything in sight. He was oddly very relieved to hear that a near-victim of sexual assault was lucky to escape…thanks to Gladion's intervention.
I'm sure anyone with their head screwed on right would do the same…right?
"Whatever man."
"Yo, why do ya have to do this? There's a bunch of hot ass chicks back at our mansion who love to have a good time. Hit up Abby when she's all got a bunch of liquor in her."
Elio now had crept along the far side of the parking lot he was in. The long building had a neon sign and slightly dilapidated appearance of a cheap motel. Only a few cars were in the lot and he used them for cover to avoid being spotted by the three grunts.
Lars scoffed. "I've already done her like four times. Ready for somethin new."
"You're a piece of work Lars." The second grunt shook his head. "I still can't believe the boss broke ya outta prison."
"Yeah stayin in the system for life after multiple convictions of sexual offense…no offense to ya though, but ya better off locked up. Soon enough, Plumes isn't gonna care what ya do…if ya hurt more people like dat, she'll march ya right back to ol' Nanu. He won't hesitate to book ya right back to da cell block."
"Alright alright yo, I'll stop. Gotta say though, stealin is still a lot more fun than hittin people. The boss don't care what we steal so everythin' is open for da takin!"
"Piece of work I tell ya." The third grunt said. "Why don't ya go to the licensing offices and steal one of dem certifications so we can finally open a food stand or truck?"
"There ain't nothing worth stealin in the office kid. Ya will end up getting caught easily for what? Paper?"
"It's a license to run a food place! It's what I've always wanted to do."
Elio heard a shuffle of footsteps and bent down to peer underneath the car. He could see six shoes walking around to his direction.
Oh shit.
Thinking fast, he nimbly stayed low to the ground and made sure his shoes made as little sound as possible. He glanced back to see that the three grunts looking away, assuming Lars was the big muscular one with the ripped tanktop in the center.
He used it to his advantage, darting rapidly to the motel's small deck walkway and smoothly grabbing the top beam to pull himself over the side. Sticking the landing was easy and he made no noise other than a dull thump.
Maybe in another life I'd be a parkour expert or whatnot.
However that dull thump had caught all three grunts' attention.
"What was dat?"
"Your mind is playin tricks on ya dumbass."
Elio heard them start to walk in his direction. Looking left and right, he saw no avenue of escape or evasion that would end up with him being able to sneak away successfully. Sure, he could do another triple battle, but considering that half his party was exhausted from battling prior would limit his strategies.
Best hope there's an open room I can maybe hide inside.
Directly in front of him was room number fifty five. It puzzled Elio since there were clearly much less than that number in the motel's total capacity.
Whatever, let's just hope it's open.
Hearing the grunts coming up the stars to his right, he hesitantly turned the knob, eyes widening as it slid the bolt inside the door back before twisting out of sight through the threshold and shutting it behind him.
What a timely and handy save by ducking into an open motel room :P
Translations:
Ke kahe pele - Lava Tube. Lava tubes are subterranean tunnels made by lava floes from volcanoes. Many of them no longer have active veins and it's a common activity to go spelunking in them.
Ho'omaikaian'a - Congratulations!
As always everyone, thanks for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.
Brav