Between the Sun and the Moon
Chapter 1: Introduction
"You snore too loudly," Selene groaned, forcefully turning over in her bed and wrapping her pillow around her head like a pair of earmuffs.
Elio, who stood with his arms crossed next to her bed, simply smirked, unashamed of his beauty sleep.
"Snoring is a sign of deep sleep, you know?" Elio said, shaking his head. "You can't hate what you've never had."
Selene didn't turn around, deciding that it was easier to assume he looked as stupid as he sounded. "I think snoring means you have a breathing problem while you're sleeping, genius."
Waving his hands dismissively, Elio gave his nineteen-year-old sister the satisfaction of leaving her alone, but not before stopping in the doorway to her bedroom.
"Mom says the professor is going to be stopping by today..." Elio mutters before walking out. With his back turned, all he could hear was Selene scrambling out of her bed, even falling to the floor.
He made his way downstairs, jogging down until he caught sight of his mother washing the dishes from last night's dinner. The windows were nearly all opened up to maintain the cooler atmosphere within the house, though Elio dressed himself in shorts and a t-shirt to be safe.
Once he made it into the kitchen, his mother turned her head slightly before turning off the water and drying her hands.
"Was that bang I just heard Selene getting out of bed finally?" she asked. Elio nodded, and his mother smirked, returning the drying rag to the rack before standing before Elio. "Look at you, all grown up now. What are you going to do?"
Elio shied away coolly from her gaze. "I know I want to take on the island challenge, that's for sure. Outside of that, I haven't thought too much about it."
His mother shrugged. "That's the best part about adventures: you can do whatever you want! So long as you're safe... and you look after Selene."
Instantly, Elio looked disappointed. "You mean we have to go together?" he whined.
"She doesn't know about Pokémon battles like you do. She wasn't up till six o'clock in the morning every Saturday watching the Unova Tournaments, silly." She remarked, ruffling Elio's hair. "Besides, family always takes care of each other."
Finally, Selene rounded the stairs and moved into the kitchen, fully dressed with her hair maintained enough to throw a thin beanie over it.
"I haven't missed him already, did I?" Selene asked. Elio shook his head.
"No, but you did miss my birthday, Mom's birthday, and--" Elio joked before Selene pushed him.
"It didn't take me that long, thank you," Selene grunted before turning around. "Is it true? Are we getting to meet Professor Kukui?"
Their mother smiled and produced a letter from a previously torn envelope. The handwriting was very masculine, but the letter was addressed to the household. Selene and Elio had known that their mother had been trying to get her two children a spot in receiving a Pokémon and a Pokédex, and they smiled as they listened to their mother reading the letter.
"Hello! I'm so sorry it took me the better part of a week to reach out to you. I've been sidetracked by other duties within the Alola region. But, I've returned to my laboratory for now... and I plan on reaching out to your son Elio and daughter Selene regarding receiving a Pokémon from our Poké Program. I'm hoping to make an appearance on Wednesday, but if all else fails, I will call them over to the lab and we'll get them settled up. Thank you for your time! - Prof. Kukui
Elio smirked. "I really hope he stops by today. I'd love to become a trainer as soon as possible."
Selene, however, rolled her eyes. "It doesn't matter. Everyone knows that I'm going to be a better trainer than you," she looked up at her mom, who was returning the letter to the opened envelope. "Isn't that right, Mom?"
"I don't know about that, Lele," her mother started, using her childhood nickname for flair, "Elio has been studying for this most of his childhood. It seems a little too early to say for sure, don't you think?"
Elio crossed his arms and smiled, mischievously glaring at Selene. "You really thought that you would get a Pokémon and instantly be better than me? Oh, you poor, poor little girl."
"Hey, I'm older than you, you little--"
"Alright, alright, that's enough," their mother interjected, pointing at both of them. "I think that together you both would be fine trainers. But if you act like this out on the road, you'll both embarrass yourselves."
Selene frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of traveling with her younger brother.
"I didn't think we had to travel together..." Selene quietly muttered, crossing her arms now.
"We don't, we definitely don't," Elio replied, sticking his tongue out at his big sister. "But, you know you can always ask me for help because I'm sure you'll need plenty of it."
"You are such a--"
They were interrupted by three knocks at the front door. Selene, who was closest to the door, looked between her brother and mother before Elio whispered for her to go see who it was. They all crowded around the door, only to see a sleekly dressed man in a lab coat.
"That's Professor Kukui!" Elio chirped, grabbing the door and all but throwing it open. The sunlight poured in behind Professor Kukui as the muscular man stood with his hands on his hips.
A grin appeared on his face as Selene and Elio stood side by side, with their mother shortly behind them.
"Alola, friends!" Professor Kukui exclaimed, extending his right hand out to Elio first. "I'm pro--"
"Professor Kukui! I'm a huge fan of what you do!" Elio chirped, vigorously shaking Professor Kukui's hand, earning a surprised look and a light chuckle from the man.
Professor Kukui went to shake Selene's hand now, who softly returned it with half the enthusiasm.
"Wow, polar opposites, are they?" Professor Kukui joked as he shook hands with their mother. "You must be Jennifer; it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Likewise, professor, why don't you come in? I was just about to brew some coffee," Jennifer offers, backing up and making way for Professor Kukui. He obliges, stepping inside and turning around to take in the clean aesthetics of Selene and Elio's home.
He seems shocked at how organized everything is and how clearly everything is cleaned.
Elio's enthusiasm had diminished into shyness as he wasn't sure what to say to the man. All he knew was that Professor Kukui wanted to gift him a Pokémon, and he was more than ready for it.
On the other hand, Selene clung more to her mother's side, helping her prepare the coffee, except for isolating some for herself.
"What a beautiful day to start off your Pokémon journeys, yeah?" Kukui exclaimed, receiving his first cup of hot coffee. "You two do want to strike out onto the old dirt path, correct?"
Elio nearly knocked his coffee over. "Yes!" he cried. "I want to be a trainer and beat the island trial! I'm ready!"
Kukui grinned and shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe you'll be this region's first champion! After all, we are finishing the championship stadium as we speak." His gaze then turned to Selene. "Or maybe your big sister will make a giga-impact on the island challenge and put you to shame, yeah!"
Selene awkwardly laughed, not quite sharing the enthusiasm that Professor Kukui was brimming with.
"What's the matter, dear?" Jennifer asked, placing a hand on her hip. "You can't let your little brother show you up like that, right?"
Selene shrugged. "I want to journey with a Pokémon. But, I guess along the way, I can embarrass Eli a time or two~"
Elio rolled his eyes. "You wish."
"Alright then! Why don't you two come with me outside? I have a surprise for you." Professor Kukui announced, accepting the coffee that Jennifer prepared before opening the door and exiting, standing out on the front porch.
Elio burst through the open doorway, followed shortly by Selene, who came to a stop alongside the steps leading to the deck. Across the dirt pathway of their street lay a floral-decorated duffel bag, unzipped and showcasing three Pokè Balls. Elio came unglued, darting down the steps at the risk of nearly falling and breaking his neck. Selene followed suit, making sure her brother didn't get to choose a Pokèmon without her being there.
Jennifer followed behind with Kukui at her side, and the two stood watching Elio and Selene marvel over the Pokè Balls that glistened in the early afternoon sunlight. No scratches. No smudges. Just mirror-finished red and white Pokè Balls packaged in microfiber liner in a duffel bag.
"How do I know which one is which!?" Elio exclaimed. "Oh, I want one rightnowrightnow!"
"Easy, Growlithe!" Kukui joked, approaching now with a confidence that mirrored an athlete's. "We have three basic choices for all beginner trainers here in Alola. You're from Kanto, right?"
"Uh... yes," Selene confirmed.
"So, in Kanto, young trainers choose between Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander. But here, we have Litten." He paused and reached for Litten's Poké Ball on the far left, casting it out and allowing it to explode open, revealing the fire kitten in its full glory. "Rowlet, you come out too!" A second Poké Ball was launched, revealing a grass-type Pokémon. "Last but certainly not least, we have Popplio!" The water-type Pokémon came to rest next to the duffel bag, looking up at the two young trainers with amusement, clapping its flippers.
Jennifer stood alongside Selene, wrapping her arm around her shoulders. "You impressed or what!?"
Selene smiled, kneeling in front of Popplio with a soft gaze. Popplio reflected the sentiment immediately, reaching out with a single flipper and shaking hands with Selene.
"That's Popplio for you, oh yeah! Quite the social butterfly. While we've bred these Pokémon for handling and captivity, each one is different from the next. This Popplio is more friendly than most. I think she would make a perfect fit for you, Selene!" Kukui affirmed, patting the water type on the head softly.
Meanwhile, Elio extended a hand out to Rowlet, who promptly leaped up, skipping his hand and instead landing on his forearm. Surprised at first, Elio softened up and smiled. "You're quite the agile little guy, aren't you?"
Kukui, having left Selene's side, stopped next to Elio. "You got that right, little buddy! You're looking at Rowlet, a grass/flying type Pokémon. These ones are a little unpredictable--we've had some range from extremely shy to very outgoing. One thing they all have in common: they love to battle it up! Oh yeah!"
"My, you look after your Pokémon, Professor Kukui!" Jennifer exclaimed. "It's no wonder Professor Oak in Kanto recommended your laboratory for Selene and Elio."
Kukui grinned, his confidence inflating. "Well, I'd like to think that a better professor creates a better trainer, which, in the end, creates a better world. Don't you think?"
Jennifer seemed to eat up his speech, to which Elio and Selene rolled their eyes, clearly aware of Kukui's game. They shared an unimpressed gaze before Elio smirked.
"I bet you wish you chose Litten, hm?" Elio sarcastically remarked.
Selene frowned. "Do you think I need a type advantage over you to beat you?"
"I think you need more than that, but Litten would have been a good start~"
Jennifer waved her hands. "Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves! You both just received your first Pokémon, there's no need to be at each other's throats already."
Kukui smiled. "Well, Pokémon battles can sometimes help trainers understand one another better than sitting down and talking to them. I say, if you have a problem, it's best to solve it here than anywhere else."
Feeling like Kukui was supporting him, Elio balled a fist and stepped back, thrusting his arm forward and sending Rowlet off its perch and out towards the dirt path. He stared at his sister with a challenging smirk, though his excitement betrayed his antagonizing gaze.
Selene, not wanting to appear weak to Professor Kukui or her own mother, ran back as well and left Popplio between her and Elio, ready to battle. However, her confidence already wavered due to Rowlet having the type advantage.
"Rowlet! Use Leafage!" Elio cried, pointing outward toward the friendly-looking Popplio. Upon being instructed, Rowlet fanned out a wing of feathers and launched half a dozen powerful leaves at Popplio. It made contact before Selene could counter, causing Elio's older sister to wince.
"Use Pound!" Selene commanded her very happy-go-lucky sea-lion Pokémon, watching it bounce off the ground with ease, leaping into the air and careening down toward Rowlet.
It made contact, knocking Rowlet backward until the owl Pokémon caught itself and stood determined.
"Leafage, once more!" Elio called out, balling a fist. Once again, leaves came flying out of Rowlet's wings. Popplio was still too close from having just used Pound and took the full force of the impact. The sea-lion Pokémon rolled backwards to Selene's feet, but rose again in an extremely weakened state.
Popplio's body started emanating a dim blue aura as she regained her composure.
"What is that?" Jennifer asked, raising her eyebrows at the glowing Popplio.
"If I'm not mistaken, that's Torrent. It makes water attacks much more powerful when the Pokémon is on the edge of defeat." Kukui informed Jennifer, crossing his arms. "Though, I don't know if that will be enough to save Popplio. I mean--one more tackle or leafage and she's done for, yeah."
Meanwhile, Selene watched Popplio glow dimly and smiled. "We don't need to win, Popplio. You're doing just fine as is. Use Bubble!"
Popplio charged a bubble attack, though the bubbles came out in a rapid neon blue blur, phasing across the battlefield and smashing into Rowlet without a moment's notice. Rowlet fluttered backward and shook off, sending water droplets everywhere. But, like Popplio, Rowlet began glowing a dim green as well.
"Is that... the same thing?" Jennifer asked again.
"Oh yeah! That would be overgrow. Rowlet's grass-type attacks are supercharged now, woo! But, that's bad news for Popplio as even half of a leafage would likely knock her out of the fight." Kukui educated her, squinting at Selene. "Come on, think..."
Selene knew she couldn't close the gap fast enough without getting hit by a leafage, and bubble appeared to be the solution to long-range moves. But, Rowlet could dodge now that Elio and Rowlet know what to expect.
Elio, on the other hand, knew that Popplio was in worse shape than Rowlet, and if they could just land a portion of an attack, they'd have their first victory.
"Let's finish this! Rowlet, use Leafage!"
"Popplio, bubble!" Selene cried as the two Pokémon sent their grass and water-type attacks downrange. They collided and formed a mist cloud that covered the center of the path between them—until three individual leaves slipped past the cloud and impacted Popplio, knocking the exhausted Pokémon out of the fight.
Selene knelt to her Popplio and looked her over. In a matter of seconds, Popplio opened its eyes and offered the girl a sorrowful smile.
"You were awesome, Popplio! I'm very proud of you," Selene said, returning her friend to a Pokè Ball and rising to her feet.
Elio strolled over with his tired Rowlet perched on his shoulder.
"For someone who is just learning about how battling works, that was pretty good," Elio offered, a true smile showing itself in what felt like ages between the two of them. "You know... we might not be keen on traveling together, but I think it's a good idea. We could be an unstoppable team!"
Jennifer came down the steps finally and put her hands on Elio's shoulders.
"You just won your first battle, and here you are talking about being unstoppable!" She joked before pulling Elio and Selene into a hug. "Oh, I'm so proud of you both. You have your own Pokémon, and you're learning how to be a trainers. It won't be long until you're all grown up and getting into trouble!"
Elio cleared his throat even as he was practically being suffocated by his mother. "Uh... We are grown-ups, Mom--"
"Oh, hush," Jennifer said, her emotions evident as she squeezed her kids tight before letting them go and turning to Professor Kukui. "I should thank you, too, as they wouldn't be furthering their bond and growing if it wasn't for your generosity."
Professor Kukui blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "It's nothing really... I'm just glad I could help inspire that childish feeling of challenge that I so clearly remember feeling when I was younger, yeah. Besides, life is short, right? Why not spend it with a friend!" The group agreed and laughed among themselves for a second as Kukui retrieved the duffel bag and Litten's Poké Ball. "Well, I suppose I should return to the laboratory for the night. If you leave for the island challenge, stop by the laboratory on your way to downtown Hau'oli! I'll be seeing you, cousins!"
With that, Elio and Selene rejoined their mother in returning inside. They had packing to do for their journey, which they were both still shocked by. But, even in their sibling rivalry, they both knew it was better to travel together, so they stayed one last night with their mom, eager to see what the world--what Alola--had to offer them.