Alola readers! I'm back with another chapter of A Hui Hou Kakou! It's been a busy month. You may all recall the transfer request I got from Las Vegas. After a long time of debating and deciding, I've gone to accept it. I'll be starting it the middle of this month in time for the Thanksgiving rush and the holiday season as a whole. It's a pretty big move and really the first time I won't have any close friends or family within driving distance.
It's exciting and scary at the same time! I'm definitely looking forward to what my new job is going to entail plus having the chance to finally live and do things on my own.
So onto the story, we're getting closer and closer to the battle against the kahuna! In fact, it will be next chapter! There's still a lot to see in Konikoni City and the Memorial Hill.
Happy early Veterans day as well. If there are any servicemen or servicewomen reading this, I sincerely appreciate your service to this country.
Enjoy the chapter everyone.
Elio said he finally met people from the Aether Foundation while going through Diglett's Tunnel. He also said that it was quite a muddy trip. I'm hoping I don't get my dress dirty or anything. Professor Burnet is going to make sure I wear something to protect myself with long pants and waterproof boots.
Anyway, I'm curious to know what his reaction was when he met them. Do you think he has run into one of the higher ups like Miss Wicke or Mister Faba?
Konikoni was a smaller city than its northerly neighbor Heahea with a population of about forty five thousand in the area. It was situated along the narrow coastline of the southern tip of Akala, providing less room to really expand. A few taller buildings were clustered around the front road that branched out into the smaller caplets of the town, giving way to residences that were on the mountainside. A massive white and red colored lighthouse was at the end and currently off, but Sun imagined it would be a sight to behold when night fell and it cast its beacon out to seafaring vessels. The edge of the urbanized area ended at a sacred place called the Akala Outskirts; a tiny trail off the beaten path that preceded the Ruins of Life.
Still; the place was known for being a huge hub for shipping and had a market that sold exotic goods from faraway lands that were unavailable anywhere else in Alola.
Sun and Hau paid it little attention at first, hurrying along the main street into the city's main pokemon center. Luckily for them, there was already many rooms open and they each opted to have one to themselves. The moment the receptionist had dropped the keys in their hands and took their pokemon for checkup; they had bolted up to their rooms, practically sprinting to the shower stalls.
Elio's legs had been itching nonstop like crazy and he let out a moan of relief as the water lashed at his shins, effortlessly cutting through the layer of mud and washing it down the drain. The streams of water turned murky gray and frothy as he scrubbed his own body vigorously with soap.
He slipped a towel over his waist, tying it in the same manner his parents taught so that he didn't have to hold it to avoid being undone. Hau had yet to text his plan for the rest of the day.
Looking at Rotom's clock that read five thirty in the afternoon, Elio did figure it was just enough time to explore a couple of parts in the city. Maybe even kahuna Olivia would make time for a challenge.
Still no reply from Hau. He thought to himself as he slipped on a fresh set of cargo shorts and a blue tanktop. His favorite white and blue striped shirt was caked in the same mud as was his dark gray and red shorts. That plus a handful of other clothes were in desperate need of a wash and dry.
Should I see if he's even awake? Elio looked at the shut door of Hau's room. He had thought he heard his shower on earlier, but he wasn't completely sure. The normally energetic boy looked pretty weary when they came out of the other end of Diglett's Tunnel.
Nah, this is my chance to get ahead of the game.
The center's interior was rather spacious. While each of the trainer-centric buildings looked rather uniform on the outside; their inside had many different appearances.
Konikoni's had an eastern vibe, red and gold trim on the walls with a softer lighting that reminded him of classic Johtoan restaurants. Like always, there was a healing station, although there was a bit of a line when he walked out. The nurse and a plump pink pokemon were tirelessly working to keep up with the mini rush that was happening at the time. To the right were the mart and a café to the left. There were two corridors behind the station that led to the pokemon center's lodging area.
"New pokemon detected! Bzzt! Chansey. Egg pokemon. The eggs they carry in their pouches are incredibly dense in nutrients and a favorite food of many pokemon and humans. They are also incredibly rare and it is considered extremely lucky if one is spotted in the wild. Chansey is a normal type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
Elio was pleased to see that his six pokemon were already in a delivery dispensing tray in the holding area. He slipped his trainer card in this case; his passport into the reader slot and the chansey that was on duty there hit another button that slid the tray out for him to retrieve his pokemon. The receipt indicated that none of them had any abnormalities and they all had been restored to full health. He didn't see Hau's party, but it could mean he either had left or they were still in the process of treating them.
"And everyone will need to break out their swimsuits and plan trips to the beach!"
The television caught Elio's attention and he stopped in the lobby to look at the upcoming weather report. Like always, it usually consisted of warm sunny days with possible chances of rain. The winter months cooled down a bit, but this was still one of the only places in the world where one could spend December through February in shorts and a tanktop.
This time though, the reporter was highlighting a red band that played and accelerated towards Alola from the southwest. Numbers indicating Fahrenheit temperatures were said to be in the triple digits for the next few days.
"That's right my fellow Alolans! We could be seeing record temperatures this entire week from the heat wave and hot front headed our way!" The weatherman exclaimed. "The city council and the kahunas have confirmed that we will likely be in a heat advisory level one from the start with the possibility of two and three if things worsen. Please refer to Alola's official weather station website for measures you can take to stay cool in the blaze!"
As if it couldn't get hot enough. Elio grumbled to himself.
"Wow." The news cut back to the two anchors, both young Alolans; a man and a woman. "I'll be definitely finding ways to beat the heat. I've already got a plan to take my husband and the boys to my favorite beach! I already have pecha berry and cream pops in the freezer!"
"And I'll be making my famous aguave-hibiscus lemonade. You all watching can get the recipe yourselves online and even add a nice flair to it! Crush some ice."
"Now you're talking!" The female anchor agreed. "And the region's not the only thing heating up! We're just days away from the Surf Association's World Surfing Tour which will kick off right here at Hano Beach. This is the first time in the Association's history that the World Surfing Circuit will begin in Alola. There's a lot going on as aspiring surfers will get their first taste of the big leagues. Lots of familiar favorites, but one of them has already captured the pu'wai of the region with her alluring passionate style! We go live to Alola's Hano Grand Resort to meet up with Alola's own darling Leilani Taula. Jessie?"
The screen switched over to where he could see the strong body of a surfer atop a longboard cresting a wave and riding it to shore before balance overcame him and he toppled into the water.
"In just a few days, the Hano Grand Resort is going to be all sorts of busy when the Kumu Reed Triple Crown tournament begins the World Surfing Tour over the next three months. We all remember last year where Leilani Taula delivered a stunning performance on her mantine known as Hana. While she did win that category with flying colors, her most notable performance was on the longboard where it was widely thought she could be the first Alolan to win the final tournament at the Oblivia archipelago to propel her to the championship."
Elio watched as the news anchor switched to a rather grand ceremony and his face fell when he saw that she was standing atop the column in second place. Leilani looked a couple of years younger and was still smiling in that flashback shot.
"Her overall point total through the tour was second only to Kalosian Sabine Joyeux. It was then afterwards during a press conference did she verbally lash out at Joyeux for gloating the win. Rather unusual."
After the overview, he saw it shifted to the reporter on site who stood in front of a massive pastel colored building with a lot of luxurious décor in front.
"Leilani was also passed over as the cover model for the Alola Tropic lotion brand for Joyeux. She would later reveal her mother's unexpected disappearance at the time had fueled her anger and frustration. Since then, she and Joyeux have developed a rivalry. Unusual since the competitiveness had long been between Alolan and Hoenn surfers."
"So what's changed between this year and last? Everyone's heart went out to you after the loss and you pouring those emotions out." The reporter, Jessie asked Leilani. She was wearing her signature black bodysuit, standing in front of a board that he could see a lot of logos of sponsoring companies. Her hair waved in the wind, wet clumps of it clinging together.
If only Hau was here. This would be payback for him nagging at me for Lillie.
"It was a time I was really frustrated with myself." The surfer girl answered with a nod. "I wasn't sure what I was thinking, but I took it way too personally. Maybe it was meant to be personal. I don't know, but I'm just ready to start this new season. Wherever my mother is, here on this earth or lani, I know she'll be supporting and have my back the whole way. She won't be the only one either. I have lots of friends and family that will be coming."
"Did your mother drive you to train harder?"
Leilani nodded again. "My mother used to be my biggest fan when my father took me to surfing when I was a kid. Her support only got bigger when I found myself getting really good at it."
"You've heard the weather reports of the heat wave that's going to hit the islands during the tournament. What are your thoughts and how it will affect the competition?"
"Honestly I'll be in the water." The answer made both her and the reporter laugh. "So I won't feel much of a difference, but that doesn't mean it's not a factor. Would it add to the intensity? Absolutely it would."
"Well said Leilani. One last question before we go. So entering the competition puts you up against a familiar face; Sabine Joyeux, who said that she was rather unconcerned about your abilities and hometown hero status. Has she been a factor of your drive to come back and win?"
Elio's gaze hardened at the reporter's question. Don't take the bait Leilani. She's trying to make you say something nasty on television that will make headlines.
Fortunately it seemed the surfer was expectant of the question to surface sooner or later. She took a deep breath, "Sabine's a good surfer and it's definitely motivated me to step up my game. Stuff like this keeps the competition fresh and pushes us all to be better surfers. I know she'll be bringing her A-game, so I will have to as well, especially in front of my home region and ohana."
"And all of Alola will be pulling for you out there Leilani. Thanks again."
"Thank you Jessie."
"Leilani will compete in the highly touted women's championship race and attempt to become the first Alolan to be crowned as the Association's Apex Surfer, the highest honor in the World Surfing League. Jessie Nomora, NNA."
News Network of Alola. I remember seeing their headquarters right by the Hau'oli Star Advertiser.
Elio took out his cell phone, looking up the schedule and surprised to see so many places on the list through the time.
Lot of big names on the list. Lilycove City, Dewford in Hoenn. Sunnyshore in Sinnoh. Undella Town in Unova. Kalos has Cyllage City. I see some other places I'm less familiar with like the Sevii Islands, Sophian Island, Arbol.
He just hope that he would have enough time to complete the grand trial and show up wherever the Kumu Reef Triple Crown was taking place. There was no way he and Hau were missing this at all.
A lot of the locals encouraged Elio to try out the bustling city market that was located at the center of downtown just a few blocks away from the pokemon center he and Hau were staying at. It was known as kahi eʻohi ai, or the Gathering Place.
Elio was definitely floored at its massive size; as well as the huge crowds even now in the late afternoon. That was a huge difference he noticed right away about Konikoni. Pedestrians and people walking were much more common than cars, a five to one ratio. He noticed a lot of similarities back to the time his family took the vacation to Unova. One of their days went through Driftveil City where the Northstar family stopped for their famous pizza in a parlor and visited the enormous dome that housed one of the biggest plazas and venues in that part of the world.
And that's where Mom's designer table and chairs set came from. I was laughing when I saw Dad's expression at the bill for the shipping fee.
It was right along the main street, a series of buildings erected to serve as shelter from the weather as well as shielding goods that were sensitive to the elements through canopies erected on their sides. Steam rose from some of the places as hot food was being served. There was a decent crowd out, but he imagined he was coming during a downtime, likely packing the place right before dinner and on the weekends.
He headed into the buzz, which was full of people talking to one another in numbers that seemed to rival that of Celadon City's. Vendors had kept their shops open with different colored signs and exaggerated letters describing what was being sold. The smell of exotic food at many stands teased his nose. As he walked along; multiple hawkers beckoned him and other passerbys for their interest. He had to admit that they were good and persuasive. To most foreigners in the marketplace like this, the practice seemed incredibly deceitful and greedy.
However it was more of a test of one another's character. Often times, the street markets sold merchandise atypical of the normal retail stores found throughout the city. Konikoni had its own share, but this market was just like Driftveil's where one could often go and negotiate to possibly buy a fraction of the marked price. Elio noticed almost right away that it was the case here; each stand or shop had either a red or a green card beside the register or card reader where transactions could be made.
The red cards meant all sales and prices were final, essentially indicating a take it or leave it. The green cards indicated that the vendor was willing to negotiate a bargain. Often times, the discussion over the pricing of something could go on for a half hour, even longer!
The market seemed to stretch for miles, but all stands and crowds began to give way to the residential homes and apartments. Elio made his way through the crowd, keeping his hands in his pockets where his wallet was located.
Sun had picked up the habitual practice from the same trip in Driftveil where two female thieves attempted to pickpocket his father's wallet and very nearly succeeded. Thankfully Blu who was traveling with them had intervened unexpectedly, swinging his tail out to trip one of the girls as she attempted to hastily escape while her partner kept Calvera's attention away.
Since then Elio didn't avoid crowds because of that, but he kept himself with plenty of situational awareness. Even someone simply brushing past him could be enough time for a hand to filch inside his pocket and pull his wallet free without him even noticing.
As the stands grew fewer in number, they gave way to some permanent shops in smaller buildings alongside the street. Amazingly it was still a concrete base, an indication that it was once a busy road at a time. Now there were permanent barriers erected at the ends to prevent car traffic from turning in.
One of the shops took his interest and he walked through the door. As he entered, a tiny chimecho bell fixture softly dinged to announce his presence.
The shop was tidy with neatly kept floors, well-dusted shelves and jars everywhere. Rows and rows upon those shelves were jars filled with dried plants, seeds and powder.
"Ah good afternoon young trainer." The owner of the place was an elderly man whose eyes sparkled with a bit of youth. "What brings you into my medicine herbal shop today yes?"
Ah this is one of those natural remedy shops. Elio thought. There were some back in Kanto. Often times, medicine made in hospitals and prescribed by doctors could be quite expensive. Alternatively, there were specialty shops such as the one he was in that offered different options. Some herbs and plants, even parts of pokemon could be crushed, ground, steeped or prepared a certain way to cure common to previously incurable illnesses as well as promote good health. Each little jar and bin held something else and everything for the most part would be bought in bulk by weight.
"I'm just looking around that's all."
"I see. What do you have in interest? Pokemon battle? Performance yes?"
"Uh performance."
"Interesting." The man got up from his seat and made his way over to Elio's side. "I agree indeed! Someone like you attract many females yes?"
"Um." Elio felt just a little uneasy. "Sure. I was actually looking for pokemon performance."
"We have that too yes." He followed the strange shopkeeper closer to the back of the store where he bent down to look through bins. Elio caught a whiff of a rather pungent smell emanating from something close by.
"Aha! Here we are! You will like this one yes." The man shoveled a few spoonfuls of a dark gray substance that looked like coarse sand into a plastic bag. Elio caught another whiff of the fumes from the open container, almost braining himself from the rather intoxicating scent. "You can brew this with tea or I can put it into capsule pills. Young strapping man like yourself usually go with pills yes?"
Huh, it's so weird that I can walk in and someone who knows this stuff in their sleep immediately knows a good cure!
"Yeah, I can take pills. My mom had a hard time making me adjust that way." I better find out what this is? "So what are you selling me?"
"Dried male salandit tail. Increases man potency, stamina and performance. Even in battle. Very popular with young men like you yes." A cheeky smile tugged at the shopkeeper's face as he gestured at his chest. "I take it myself yes. And trust me; she will like it too."
Potency, stamina and performance. Heh, I could use that kind of stuff in a battle for sure.
"You will buy yes?"
Interesting place. Elio turned and gave the shopkeeper one last wave before heading back into the market. The powder was ground more finely and then fitted into capsules, giving him about thirty pills in a bottle that he stowed inside his backpack. One a day meant a month's supply.
Take this and be even stronger in a pokemon battle! If this works out, you bet I'm coming back to this place! And to think the guy was nice enough to give me that as complimentary on the house! You don't find that often anywhere!
With that out of the way, he decided it was time to catch Olivia in her own jewelry shop that she owned just off the end of the market. The building it was situated inside doubled as her own residence on the second floor.
Her place wasn't far from the center, although a little ways down the street where the automobiles were more prevalent. He saw that the lights had been turned off and nobody was inside. The store was closed for the day. Looking at Rotom's clock, it was already past ten in the evening.
His heart sank.
I guess I have to try catching her tomorrow.
Sun woke early the next morning and grabbed a quick breakfast at the café before heading right back to the store. The crowds hadn't diminished, almost as if nobody had gone home for the night.
"Olivia's store is way more chic than I expected!" He overheard a pair of women say as they exited the place once he approached, "I know she's the kahuna and all, but she seems like a normal person, y'know?"
"Yeah! I totally get what you mean! Some of the stuff in there is for trainers too, but those earrings were just too cute! Totally worth every penny!"
At least the place is open for a change. Sun thought while holding the door for them to exit. Neither of the ladies paid him any attention or seemed to notice his chivalric gesture. They continued to talk amongst one another without giving him a second glance. He dismissed it and walked inside.
The store's interior was quite tidy, with warm carpeting surrounding a dozen display cases. The desk at the front entrance was backed by several sophisticated looking machines, no doubt crafted for the delicate and precise fabrication of the valuable merchandise.
"Hi can I help you?" The young clerk asked sweetly.
"Yeah…uh I'm here to see Olivia. She told me to meet her here."
"Oh you must be Elio!"
"Yeah that's me."
"Axis!" She went over to the stairs and called up, "He's here!"
"Robo!" A synthetic voice crackled, followed by a large blue and red pokemon floating down the flight effortlessly. It had a red top and a long nose that had a bush of some sort under the nostrils like a moustache.
"Nopass!" Axis the probopass had a folded white piece of paper attached to its side.
Sun gently reached out and took it, glancing down at Olivia's neat handwriting.
"New pokemon detected! Bzzt!" Rotom was right on cue, floating above the boy while displaying a still image of the new find. "Probopass. Compass pokemon. The main body controls three units called mini noses to battle while it gives orders. Probopass can radiate magnetic fields powerful enough that nearby electrical appliances become unusuable. Probopass is a rock and steel type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
Elio,
Olivia here. This is Axis, my probopass. He watches the shop while I'm away. I know I asked you to meet me here back in Diglett's Tunnel, but there's been a change of plans. You can use the time to further train your pokemon. If you're ready to have your grand trial; meet me at the Ruins of Life. They're east of Konikoni City on the other side of Memorial Hill when you can.
-Kahuna Olivia Rios
"Huh…" He mused. "I'm guessing that's why she isn't here now?"
"Pass!" The big pokemon's eyes lit up as if it just remembered something. It vanished up the stairs again and came back down; this time holding something else. It looked like…
"Medicine?"
"Pass!" Axis allowed Sun to take the max potion before retreating to the stairs to keep watch.
"Thanks Axis!"
"Pass-robo!" The pokemon called back.
The clerk laughed. "Wow! Axis really likes you! Don't be fooled by his friendly nature, he's one of Olivia's strongest pokemon!"
"Then I'm glad I'm on his good side." He was already wondering if he was going to be used in their battle.
Although he didn't want to keep the kahuna waiting; Sun decided to take a look around while he was here. There were a lot of rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets. All of it looked very nice, although his eyes almost popped out of his sockets when he saw the prices next to them.
The clerk chuckled again. "You'd be surprised at how many people come in here trying to buy something and don't realize how pricey some of this can be. We do a lot of negotiating depend on its value. No worries though," She gestured to another section of the store, "Olivia also gets a lot of stones that are tailored to trainers as well. If you need to evolve a pokemon by an evolutionary stone; she's got most of them here!"
"Awesome!" Sun knew for a fact that the only pokemon he wasn't sure about on evolving was Charjabug and an attempt with the found thunderstone didn't work. But he already had at least one of each stone that was on sale already inside his bag that were found somewhere on his travels.
One caught his eye; it was large, almost the size of a baseball with a purple and gray colors in the marblelike center.
"That's an aerodactylite. If you have an aerodactyl, you can use it to make it grow stronger!"
Elio shook his head, "Unfortunately, I don't have one, although I've read that you can revive one if you find an old amber."
"Sadly, I don't have any of those."
"Don't sweat it. I guess I'll head on out now. Thanks for your help."
"Of course. Have a good day and good luck on your grand trial!"
Sun began to make his way out of Konikoni City, stopping at the market again when he heard of a sale on TMs from another passing trainer. Looking at the selection when he found the stands; he decided on the one with the move Overheat, figuring that Torracat would like to learn a powerful fire move. His starter was more than happy to be taught the move briefly before they continued on their journey.
Elio was expectant of a mass graveyard like Pokemon Tower in Lavender town when he heard that Memorial Hill was a place to bury and honor the departed pokemon, but he was pleasantly surprised at this not being the case.
The place was hilly for sure, but instead of the lines of constant gravestones; he was greeted with winding paths that offered scenic views at the top of the multiple hillcrests. Some of them looked out over the expanses of the island while others could watch over the ocean that stretched beyond the edges of the horizon.
He did see some ghost pokemon roaming about. Gastly, misdreavus and another that looked like a living trunk of a tree that a group were situated at the top. Even as it wound to the later part of the day and evening, most of them didn't bother him or any of the other trainers and vanished upon sensing their presence. He used Rufflet to dispatch any that tried to challenge him, taking a little bit of amusement at the ghosts' surprise of their spooky moves having no effect whatsoever on his half-normal type battler.
"New pokemon detected! Bzzt! Phantump. Stump pokemon. According to legend, medicine to cure any illness can be made by plucking the leaves on its head, brewing them and boiling down the liquid. Their cries sound like eerie screams. Phantump is a ghost and grass type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
A few trainers at Memorial Hill stopped Sun for a battle, although he got his entire team involved in different battles to handle them. Some vowed to battle him later, aware that doing so here would be rather disrespectful to those wanting to pay their respects to the departed. Unfortunately; Torracat still had a little bit of difficulty mastering his newly learned move, which often missed since its power seemed to be uncontrollable. He wanted to stop and see if they could improve it, but he didn't want to keep Olivia waiting.
"This sacred place is where we can visit and honor those that their work has done. They may not be with us now, but they are always with us in spirit, watching over us and our families with the akua."
"How?" Elio asked one of the elderly trainers as they looked out over the ocean. The sun was beginning to set once more, putting on yet another spectacular display that illuminated the borders of the darkened clouds in between. Rays of golden light kissed the edges of the ocean, glowing off of his alabaster skin.
"In our own ways. Some of us still do the same as our ancestors in cremating the remains of our loved ones and scattering their ashes into the seas. They and their pokemon had first come to Alola from the sea, so it is therefore proper that we return once we have left this world. And there are others who cope with death in their own spiritual ways. This Memorial Hill is a place where everyone can pay their respects to the departed in their own ways."
The elderly woman looked at him when he didn't respond. Elio just stared out towards the ocean, deep in thought.
"You know someone who was close and left you."
Blu. "Yeah. He was my best friend. And I lost him."
"You won't lose him." She slipped a hand on his shoulder. "He is watching over you and providing guidance to your journey, wherever that takes you."
"Mahalo."
"The native word for this place is hoʻomanaʻo. A site for remembrance. Some of us come here for a quiet place to meditate and commune with those gone. Others come to mourn or cope with however we process death. It's one thing that binds us together. Everyone, including you and I will one day leave this world. It is inevitable. But this is not just a place of sadness and grief. It's a place to celebrate the gift of living and the memories we share together."
"Thank you ma'am."
"You are most welcome keiki. I will let you have this spot to yourself."
Elio sighed and willfully relaxed as the elderly woman stepped away, her footfalls growing softer and softer on the ground.
I wish we would've brought Blu's ashes here so he could go back to the sea. This place is just so peaceful and serene, it's almost surprising that it's a memorial to all those we've lost.
I'll see you again one day buddy. Then we can play battle again like we used to, only this time we'll do it for real since I'm an actual trainer. Moe I ka maluhia. I miss you.
Elio had lost track of time while sitting at that special spot and thinking deeply about his old friend. When he looked back at Rotom's clock, he realized that he had been there for almost an hour. The sun was just beginning to dip underneath the horizon with night starting its takeover of the sky.
As he approached the exit, Sun saw the familiar white uniforms of more Aether personnel up on the path that winded further away from the city. This was one less traveled since the signs pointed the only landmark it led to was the Ruins of Life.
There was one employee standing alongside an older man with long green gloves and a strange set of sunglasses that were the same hue, but bulged out like a butterfree's eyes, covering virtually his entire face.
"Team Skull!" He heard the lady shouting. "Give that slowpoke back!"
"Don't ya give me trouble!" He heard the familiar snide talking of a member of Skull. "I'll reduce ya to rubble!"
For some reason, he found the boisterous lingo of the thugs to be even more irritating this close to a place that demanded respect for the fallen and taken.
"Dat's right!" Another grunt chimed in. "We gonna sell this pokemon to get rich and we won't make no bones about it! Ya want slowpoke back? Ya gonna have to take it!"
"Stand firm!" The goggle-eyed man said to his associate in a rather irascible tone of voice. "Think of what the president would have to say!"
That guys sounds like he's very full of himself. Must be one of the Foundation's higher-ups.
"You say that Chief!" The employee protested. "But you don't even lift a finger!"
So he is an important person. As if the voice didn't give enough away. Not the leader though; since he mentioned a president.
"I am the Aether Foundation's last line of defense! What would become of it if something were to happen to me now?"
At this rate, you're not even going to have anything to defend if you don't act!
Looking back at the situation; there were two Skull grunts and the Aether woman seemed to be outnumbered.
I guess we can use a bit more battling. He reached down to his right side, fingering Torracat's poke ball. Ready for more practice on that overheat?
All four noticed him approaching and he saw a look of relief quickly spread on the face of the "Chief" He smiled at this, likely seeing that someone else here could be duped into doing some "dirty work"
"Ah! Here, a promising young trainer! Fight in my place, child and rout those Team Skull ruffians! I shall bestow honor and prestige upon you if you do!"
"Yo! It's one of those kids who messed up our bros in Diglett's Tunnel!" One of the grunts said to his partner.
"Hey kid!" The other one gestured to the slowpoke, "I'll sell ya dis slowpoke for some cash and we can all just walk away!"
Sun shot him a dirty look, "In what world would I buy something from you?"
His retort clearly irritated both thugs, "Ya just sayin that to get into Aether's good graces bro! They ain't the good guys ya think they are! Whatever, I guess I can't drill dat into ya skull! Ya ready? Cuz I was born ready yo!"
Elio wasn't sure on why this "Chief" didn't want to battle, but couldn't help thinking that he was saving his pokemon's strengths for something else. If he had any, that is.
Next to him; the Aether employee called out a small pink balloon pokemon to battle the other grunt's mareanie. The one facing Sun was beckoning with a taunting gesture. A large angry looking raticate stood in front of him with fangs bared.
"New pokemon detected! Bzzt! Jigglypuff. Balloon pokemon. Jigglypuff possess a vocal range that exceeds twelve octaves. Recordings of jigglypuff's strange sleep-inducing lullabies can be purchased from department stores. These tracks can be located near the bedding area. Jigglypuff is a normal and fairy type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
"Let's go Torracat!" His fire starter appeared in a flash of light, staring down his opponent intently.
"This is gonna be too easy. Raticate, use sucker punch!"
"Overheat!"
Like they had done many times earlier that day, Torracat charged up the ball of fiery energy in his mouth, but the normal and dark type suddenly darted in front, smashing its small forelegs into his side. Not expecting to be hit so quickly; he released his attack, which zoomed straight into the sky and disappeared. He could feel the intensity from the blast prick his skin.
"Hyper fang!"
"Bite!"
Raticate's incisors gleamed as it charged towards Torracat. Likewise; the cat opened his mouth, exposing rows of sharp teeth. He dodged the attack nimbly before chomping down on the raticate's tail.
"Toss it in the air!" He turned back before swinging it around, sending it somersaulting through the air.
"Overheat again!"
"Caaaat!" Torracat once again gathered the energy in his mouth before unleashing it in a devastating stream. The firepower again pricked Sun's skin from the intense heat as his pokemon aimed and fired, striking his target dead center. The overwhelming force of the superheated attack was too much for the rodent to take and it fainted almost instantly. It left a strong acrid smell of smoke around the area that continued to linger as the aghast grunt recalled his pokemon.
The two reckless skull grunts looked in disbelief as the Aether employee commanded her jigglypuff to finally finish the mareanie with a charge beam attack just a few seconds after the Alolan raticate had fallen back to the ground.
"You're no joke! That loss was so pathetic! Those moves were so kinetic bro!"
Sun shrugged, cringing at their attempts to rhyme and sound tough, "For all the talk you and your buddy thugs do…I have to say one good thing; you guys make good target practice."
"Whatever bro!" The other grunt said, recalling his pokemon, "Here! Take it. We don't need this pokemon anyway! Good riddance!"
With that; they ran right through Sun and the Aether person, heading back towards the hill, likely to cause trouble somewhere else.
I kind of hope that they don't rile up all the ghosts that live in that area. It would still be kind of amusing though.
"Phew," The woman wiped her brow, "Thanks Jigglypuff!"
Her small pokemon gave a cry of acknowledgement and puffed itself proudly before she returned it to its pokeball.
"Cat…" Sun glanced down to see his Torracat looking at him. He crossed his arms and smiled, "Of course. You did good Torracat. Good to see that you've improved on your overheat, although I should've known it gets weaker every time you use it. I blame Rotom." He felt a sharp shock come from his backpack, but ignored it aside from a brief grimace of pain. "Take a good rest. Ya earned it!" He scratched his chin, earning a purr of approval before taking him back inside.
"Thanks kid!" The Aether lady slowly escorted the slowpoke back over to where they had been standing.
"Indeed," Green Goggles added, having observed the battle with unbridled curiosity. "You're a trial goer aren't you?"
"Yes sir." Sun nodded.
"You're a quite a talented and splendid trainer. I am deeply impressed! I'd like to reward you by showing you something truly astounding!"
"Just doing what any other trainer should do." Although he reveled in the praise given; Elio felt as if it was every trainers' duty to keep Team Skull from causing havoc everywhere, not solely on his shoulders.
"Well once you've completed your grand trial. Come and find me at the Hano Grand Resort where I shall take you to a wondrous place!"
"Thanks for helping us!" The lady added. "I'm glad there are nice young and promising trainers like you around! Good luck on your island challenge! Alola!"
"Alola!" Sun waved, as they collected the slowpoke and went on their way back to Konikoni City.
Everyone at the Aether Foundation seems nice. He thought to himself, smiling at their politeness and well-intentions. Maybe I ought to see if I can work for them one day when I've done my island challenge.
The totems flanking either side of another narrow pathway indicated that Sun was close to the Ruins of Life. Even though Olivia had told him to meet her there; he saw no sign of the female kahuna anywhere.
Is she in the ruins? I guess we can look there…if we're allowed to. He didn't know if either of the Tapus mentioned; Tapu Koko or Tapu Lele were lenient on having outsiders walk inside their lairs. It had been an old legend that most non-natives to go inside the ruins where the tapu lurked would never come out.
At least Lillie wanted to meet him here since this was where Nebby kind of wanted to go.
"So…you're the one Gladion won't shut up about."
It was a woman's voice and it was dry and cold enough to stop Elio right in his tracks as he was about to step between the first set of totems.
He stood still for a moment and slowly turned around; coming face to face with her. She had been so silent, or he had been so preoccupied with his thoughts to notice the other presence.
She looked to be in her mid-twenties, dressed in a black tanktop with long ripped pants. Her hair was divided into four strands, two of them yellow and two pinkish purple. He noticed a Team Skull emblem tattooed on her midriff as she put a hand on her hip, looking relatively unimpressed. "You don't look like anything special to me."
"Do I have to look special to be special?" Sun said, finding sarcasm getting the better of him.
"Oh and capable of talking back. No wonder you've gotten into his head."
Although she couldn't see it; Sun felt satisfied that even his words were having an effect on Gladion. According to her; the edgy boy had been annoyed by it.
"I'm Plumeria." She took out a poke ball. "I help keep Team Skull together; like their big sister. You have realized what idiots all these guys are right?"
That irked him that she was standing up for the scoundrel group of thieves and troublemakers. "Can you tell them to at least make their battles a little more challenging? No wonder everyone laughs at you guys; you're complete jokes! You all talk this trash and then run away once people stand up for themselves." He looked back at the entrance to the ruins, starting to get even more annoyed that this little piddled bickering was delaying and wasting potential time with Lillie and the kahuna awaiting his arrival.
"Well you've been picking on my cute, dumb brothers and sisters!"
"I step in to help people who can't help themselves. Which just happens to be dealing with the trash you call your cute, dumb brothers and sisters. Picking on them is an understatement because I hate bullying with a passion. But you people do just that to others. Taking their pokemon and selling it! Really?"
"It really annoys me!" Plumeria retorted, hardening her gaze at his remark and throwing out her first battler. It was a rather menacing golbat, fluttering its wings and waiting anxiously for an opponent to hit.
Elio had known about golbat for some time, being a rather nuisance sight in caves. Nevertheless, 'Dex was already out spouting new information that he had no idea about.
"New pokemon detected! Bzzt! Golbat. Its thick fangs are hollow like straws, making them unexpectedly fragile. Every once in a while you'll see a golbat that's missing some fangs. This happens when hunger drives it to biting a steel type pokemon. Golbat is a poison and flying type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
"Do you want me to say I'm sorry?" Sun put the infor dump at the back of his mind. He knew the drill and made his move by throwing out Rufflet, the flier of his own.
"No. I'm going to teach you not to screw with Team Skull again."
"Fat chance I'll change. Wing attack!"
Rufflet obeyed, spreading his wings broadly and diving at a rapid pace, set on smashing the golbat's body.
"Dodge." Plumeria's expression didn't change much as she uttered the command. Golbat smoothly drifted out of the way, causing Rufflet to miss big time. "Now air cutter!"
The bat whipped its wings up, sending a sharp current of air that whipped Rufflet back up into the air. He lost some feathers drifting and took a bit of damage as some of the currents slashed at him like scythes.
Elio had Rufflet spread his wings out to catch the currents and minimize resistance. Plumeria whipped up another air cutter as he went for an aerial ace attack. Rufflet's ability of hustle had previously been a gamble with his other moves in hindering accuracy by hastily timed attacks, however they were much greater in strength. With aerial ace never missing, he was able to overcome that crutch. Golbat was unable to dodge, despite Plumeria's call and took the hit, coming back out of the smoke twitching as it convulsed.
"All right," Sun raised the fist in triumph, "Good shot."
On the other side; Plumeria was getting frustrated. "Air cutter again!"
Golbat hissed, flapping its wings together to send another wave.
"Aerial ace it again!"
Rufflet vanished at an incredible speed, cawing bloody murder as he reappeared again to strike.
"Hmph," Plumeria huffed as he saw part of her lip curl upwards in a knowing smirk. "You're in trouble now! Confuse ray!"
Aww crap.
As Rufflet was about to hit the Golbat, its eyes glowed a sinister yellow stopping his bird in his tracks. He screeched in frustration as the confusion status took effect. The Skull admin was quick to take advantage of the momentum shift with a poison fang. Rufflet had taken serious damage, but thankfully he was neither fainted nor poisoned.
I hate confusion.
"Try to snap out of it buddy!"
Angered caws were the only reply he got.
At least try something! Elio commanded for another aerial ace, however his pokemon seemed to completely ignore his order and attack himself.
"I think it's best I end this here. Air cutter."
Golbat obeyed, flapping its wings yet again and shooting out a pair of sickle shaped currents that struck Rufflet mid-flight. With a caw of pain, he crashed back to the ground, struggling to get back up before succumbing to his injuries.
Plumeria gave an umimpressed huff and studied him closely, even as she complimented her pokemon on a job well done.
Golbat was faster, plus she used its confuse ray to her advantage. Charjabug is too slow. I could do poison against poison?
"Okay," He was aware of the risks involved with his next choice. But he still needed to show himself that he could control Rockruff's rather volatile temperament. "I need your help Rockruff!"
He appeared in front with a flash of light, already growling at the golbat across from him.
"This one doesn't even listen to you?" Plumeria said. "Hmph. Again, I don't see how you're so special."
"I'm not special. Why does everyone keep thinking that?"
Rockruff seemed to ignore their jabbing and took off on all fours, racing rapidly to the golbat. Plumeria commanded yet another confuse ray. Sun could see now that its eyes would glow and a small spark of light would float lazily in the air before moving towards its foe.
"Rockruff use-"
He didn't have enough time to shout a command of his own. The puppy nimbly dodged the sinister attack with a quick jump, taking off with a rabid abandonment. His fangs glowed white as he jumped up with a deft quickness. The bite attack chomped down right on the golbat's wing, making it flail about while hissing wildly. Rockruff's weight was enough to bring it right to the ground despite weighing one fifth of its foe. The final attack had been just enough to finish the bloodsucking pokemon off for good.
Plumeria gave another unimpressed huff and returned her pokemon, replacing it with a new combatant. The violet serpentine creature uncoiled itself, towering over Rockruff and leering down with menacing narrowed eyes. It had an enormous hood curled around, with a pattern etched on its front that made Elio very uneasy.
It's almost like I'm looking at a face on that thing. Definitely not a sight you want to think about while sleeping.
Rotom was right on cue to spew out more information. "New pokemon detected! Bzzt! Arbok. Cobra pokemon. After stunning its foe with the pattern on its stomach, it constricts them with its strong body and waits for them to stop moving. Arbok is a poison type. Additional information is available upon catching this pokemon."
"Still think I'm going to be easy like all my brothers and sisters?"
She's no laughing matter. I lost Rufflet and I might lose Rockruff if I'm not careful.
Elio balled his hands into a fist. "We'll see about that."
"Yes. I suppose we shall." Plumeria thrust a hand out. "Use aqua tail!"
The massive snake started to gain its momentum, swinging the gigantic tail behind it at an increasing speed.
Elio had Rockruff launch a sucker punch attack that seemed to do a small bit of damage and he jumped over the sweeping tail just in time to avoid being taken out. His own tail glowed as they followed their first successful hit with a rock throw. The arbok was pelted from the stomach down, hissing in protest, however neither attack seemed to fell it just yet.
Across from him, Plumeria smirked yet again. "You're wasting your efforts. Use glare."
Arbok hissed compliantly and raised itself up, puffing its chest out. Rockruff was looking directly at his foe when he stopped. Elio had called out to inquire what was wrong, however it seemed to evoke an unnoticeable quaking from his battler.
"Arbok's glare paralyzes its foes. You really think that paralysis comes from just electric attacks? Your rockruff is at my mercy kid."
Sun said nothing, fuming silently that he had been just gotten bested in this part.
Whatever!
"I doubt that."
"Hmph." Plumeria flicked her hand and just as quickly, the creature whipped up another vicious aqua tail that slammed into Rockruff's side, catapulting him up into the air where he crashed to the ground and tumbled over and over in a haze of dust.
From his own position, he could already tell that Rockruff wouldn't be coming back to battle. Not this one anyway.
Elio felt more frustration directed towards not being able to help or control Rockruff's untampered aggression. Like Kukui said, it was just a thing that would eventually pass. There was no item or practice available to accelerate or completely stop that kind of behavior outside of not using him in battle at all. The latter was a choice he didn't want to make. Rockruff was one of his strongest and most proficient battlers.
"Like I said. Not special at all."
Elio felt another ripple of anger. Not at the fact that he was not deemed special, but instead because she seemed to overemphasize the title. "Why do you keep on insisting I'm not a special case? I agree with you. I'm a nobody. What's your point?"
"Because you act like it."
"And you've known me for what? Five minutes and knocked out two of my pokemon. You're basing it off that?"
When he saw the older girl look away, he figured it was just an opportunity to throw out his next battler.
"Let's go Torracat. I need to beat something ugly right about now."
"Glare."
"Shoot back with ember!" Sun countered. As the arbok puffed out its chest once again, Torracat used the opportunity to spit a dart of flame at the pattern's center. As soon as it was fired; he closed his eyes and nimbly landed next to his trainer to be ready again.
The flames splashed over the snake's scaly skin, causing it to recoil from a nasty burn that smoldered on its side.
Elio watched as a paperlike substance peeled out from the creature's side. Arbok's tail wiggled within the older patches of skin before it slid completely out of the old layer. There was no trace at all of the burn Torracat had inflicted on its side.
Damn shed skin ability.
"Use crunch!"
"Take it easy buddy." Elio said calmly. Maintaining control of the battle helped his pokemon too. "Double kick and get away from it. Remember what we practiced?"
Or at least looking like you've got control. I have no idea what to do.
Torracat nodded, springing up to meet his foe. The arbok opened its mouth as he struck fiercely right in the jaw, snapping its head sideways. It hissed at Elio's starter just as he delivered the second kick to knock it down again.
"Here we go buddy! Overheat!"
"Tor!"
He took just a little bit of time to gather the immense amount of energy inside his mouth. It was still enough for the arbok to coil back up and lunge forward in a desperate crunch attack.
Torracat was more than ready though and he launched the overheat; a massive beam of white hot fire that quickly expanded in size the farther it traveled. Since the serpent pokemon was already in midair, it was unable to adjust its trajectory heading and was met by the superheated beam head on.
Elio was ecstatic that even after a while of practice battles against the other trainers, Torracat had mastered the technique of the overheat move thus far.
In midair, the arbok crashed to the ground in a giant cloud of dust and tangled body. It wasn't getting up.
Sun noticed that the Team Skull admin was now a bit more surprised at the loss of her pokemon. The way she looked at him conveyed that the arbok had been one of her strongest battlers and didn't lose often.
"Now I'm beginning to see why you are infamous with Team Skull." She returned her defeated snake and held a third poke ball in her hand. "You'd definitely win in our Huntdown matches. Well, as long as the boss and I aren't playing."
"Huntdown?"
"A little free for all and last man standing we like to play in our crib. Arbok is one of my stronger battlers and defeating him is no easy thing. I'm guessing your Torracat is your first partner on the island challenge?"
Sun was definitely not anticipating having a conversation with a Team Skull member that would almost be considered civil. Nevertheless, he nodded slowly and answered. "Yes. The kahuna gave it to me."
"You would be surprised at how many of us were just like you. Hopefuls who were ready to climb to the end of the island challenge, only to fall short from all the pressure on their shoulders."
This fact was a big surprise for the boy. "A lot of Team Skull tried the island challenge?"
"Tried and failed. Could you possibly fathom the fact that your parents could disown you if you don't come back as an adult?" Plumeria's eyes narrowed as she bitterly spoke. "And I mean not just kicked out of the house. I'm talking about being ex-communicated entirely. Parents won't even look at or acknowledge their sons or daughters."
Elio swallowed, finally taking in her words. Team Skull was exactly what they were, a group of misfits, pariahs and outcasts.
"I've seen it too. One girl who joined us took up a job at a Cutter's. Her parents went in for lunch one day and promptly walked out when they realized she was the one manning the register and taking orders. It's that bad."
"Wow." Sun only said.
I need to be even more grateful now that my mother wouldn't do such a thing. Would she? If I came back as a failure, would my family and friends turn their backs on me?
"That still doesn't justify your actions of stealing and mugging people." He continued. "And not everyone in there is a pariah of their family."
"They're still people."
Elio said nothing as she threw her final pokemon onto the field; a familiar black and gray salandit. "Dragon rage!"
Salandit formed a ball of glowing verdant energy in its mouth and fired it at Torracat.
"Counter it with ember!" Although he obeyed; Sun could tell his pokemon was still tired from the previous battle. The bit of weaker flame was not enough to stop the salandit's orb and it overpowered it, slamming into Torracat's chest. He flew through the air, but managed to land on his feet and dig his claws into the dirt to slow himself down. Running out of the smoky explosion that ensued, he launched back with a nasty bite attack and flung the smaller lizard down.
"Overheat again!"
"Use captivate." Plumeria's expression didn't change as the salandit came by her side. It stuck a hand up to its face and winked cutely.
Torracat launched the beam of his own, colliding with his foe, but unlike the mega power from before; its intensity had alarmingly diminished to a point where one of his ember attacks would commit equal damage.
How? Overheat was so powerful!
"What's wrong with your overheat?" Elio asked. Across the field, Torracat looked at him and gave a confused shrug.
"Bzzt! I can tell you! Bzzt!" Rotom piped up from his side. "Overheat izzz a move that getzzz weaker every time it izzz uzzed! Bzzt! Salandit alzo uzzzed captivate that reducezzz Torracat'z special attack stat! Bzzt!"
So it does get weaker the more he fires it. Okay, I'll note to launch it sparingly, especially if it ends up reducing the power of Torracat's other special moves.
Plumeria commanded her salandit to use smog and Torracat responded by shooting another ember. Elio had remembered the battle against the totem salazzle; salandit's evolution that the fumes from its toxic gases and liquids were incredibly flammable. The tiny bit of flame was enough to light the area into a glowing inferno that sharply illuminated the darkening sky.
However he was still engulfed from the clouds of noxious gas and his heart sank when he saw the familiar oily film of constant damaging poison coating his fur.
"Use venoshock!"
Torracat narrowly dodged the stream of strange purplish liquid that followed and closed the gap again, lashing out with his forelegs in another devastating double kick. Salandit was less viable at close range and its attempt to slink away was foiled when the larger pokemon clamped down on its tail in a bite attack.
"That wazzz a good idea to dodge that! Bzzt!" Rotom said. "Venoshock doezzz more damage if the target pokemon izzz already poizzzoned! Bzzt!"
The lizard pokemon hissed before coughing out another virulent dark cloud of gas. The cloud also doubled as a mask to conceal the salandit's movements as it swiftly moved positions, using the momentary distraction to escape.
"Oh no,"
"It's over." Plumeria declared. "Use flame burst and venoshock."
"Actually," Sun interrupted, "No…it isn't!"
Salandit fired the larger ball of flame that arced in the air before it hit another pool of fumes and igniting it into a lake of fire. Torracat though had used the fiery display as a mask of his own, slinking around so that he could get in close range again.
Lunging out of seemingly nowhere, Elio commanded him to bite and finish off Plumeria's final pokemon. His jaws snapped shut, providing just enough power to knock the cunning lizard pokemon. Her salandit laid prone on the ground when the smog and smoke had cleared out, putting the Team Skull admin in quite a disbelieving look. She glanced back at his unchanged expression before returning the gaze to her defeated battler.
"How?! You're pretty strong…I'll give you that." She said while recalling her pokemon and uttering a few words to it. Her yellow eyes glared at him again. "But you better heed this warning kid. You screw with Team Skull again and I'll show you how serious I can get."
Sun said nothing, but watched as Plumeria turned to walk away.
He glanced down at Torracat as he applied an antidote to wash away the toxins. The medicine he sprayed on smelled faintly sweet of pecha berries; one of the natural remedies to the condition. "You did amazing buddy! I'm glad we learned and mastered overheat!"
"Tor."
"I can tell you mazzter!" Rotom buzzed in his backpack before flying out again. "Torracat'zz battling morale hazzz increazzed by thirty two percent! Congratulationzzz!"
That was…interesting. Elio had thought to himself after he deduced he was alone after a few minutes of silence. The only sound other than his own was the waves crashing against the unseen shore nearby. His confidence soared, he had just defeated one of the higher members of Team Skull. Knowing that, he knew that Plumeria had proven to be more difficult to defeat than the other grunts and until this point; he hadn't had a single pokemon fall in battle against Team Skull's group. He had a feeling that they were only going to get tougher in trying to stop him and Hau.
She said something about a boss. She's not the kingpin. I need to get stronger if I want to hope to win against tougher trainers. He thought to himself. The grand trial is where my path continues.
Taking a deep breath; Elio stepped into the grounds that would lead to the Ruins of Life…and his next trial.
Okay! Grand trial battle up next! Who's ready?
Translations:
kahi eʻohi ai - Gathering place
lani - Heaven
hoʻomanaʻo - Remembrance
Mahalo for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose.
Brav