Pokémon Pokémon Waxing Moon

[ChrisWritesAUs]

Lillie rapidly looked back and forth, scouting the hallway. This was it. She’d been planning this for days. To leave Aether Paradise. It’s scary, she reflected, leaving the only home I’ve ever known, but then, this hasn’t been home in such a long time. Not since Father… And then Mother had… She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She needed a clear head for this, even with all the assistance Wicke had given her. “I can make sure the Cosmog isn’t guarded,” the young scientist had promised. “After that, head for the docks. Your mother’s boat can get you to Melemele Island. Look for Professor Kukui, he’ll help you.”

And so, here she was breaking into Aether Paradise’s labs to rescue a pokémon. Punching in the access code supplied to her by Wicke she opened the cryostorage chamber. “Pew!” the little pokémon squeaked in greeting.

She still remembered the first time she’d witnessed her mother’s experiments on the little creature. How it had writhed as energy was drained from it… How she’d screamed for them to stop… How her mother had struck her…

“Hi, Nebby,” Lillie whispered to the pokémon she’d nicknamed, holding the duffle bag where she’d packed what few possessions she’d deemed worth taking, along with whatever money her mother wouldn’t miss. “Get in the bag, okay? We need to go.”

“Pew,” the little creature cooed, and, though with some reluctance, did as told.

“ALERT! ALERT!” shrieked the alarm system. “SUBJECT COSMOG HAS ESCAPED! ALL AETHER PERSONNEL ARE ORDERED TO APPREHEND IT!”

Lillie bolted for the elevator, planning to put the input for going down to the docks but no sooner had she stepped on then it zipped rapidly upwards to the conservation floor. … Right in front of her mother’s waiting employees. She cursed silently. Of course, Mother implemented further security after Gladion got out with one of her Type: Null. Why wouldn’t she? Cursing her own thoughtlessness, Lillie ran. Nebby stared out of the bag taking in the world around it, with curious eyes. The little pokémon had only known the white walls of Aether’s labs and the cold of the cryostorage chamber for the past five years so anything and everything, even the carefully cultivated environment in the conservation room, was a new wonder to it.

“Stop!” shouted one of the employees, but Lillie only spared him a brief glance, far too focused on her escape attempt. To escape to somewhere, anywhere, that wasn’t this place. To protect Nebby.

So focused was she on escaping that she didn’t realize that there was an employee waiting in front of her until she was cornered. There was nowhere left to run as employees moved in from all sides. There was nothing she could do. All this, Nebby saw. And the little creature got angry. It wanted to be safe. It wanted to be free. And, perhaps most of all, it wanted to help the nice person who had helped it. Nebby screwed it’s face up in concentration, and blue energy began to emanate from its tiny form. The blue energy aura grew and grew, until it fully swallowed Lillie and Nebby. And then, while the Aether Foundation employees were still rubbing the spots from their eyes, the girl and the pokémon vanished.

---

Lillie woke up to the sound of crashing waves and felt utterly drained. “Hey,” an unfamiliar voice said. “Are you okay?”

Lillie groaned and shook her head. She felt dizzy… and wet. “Where…?” she mumbled blearily.

The voice sounded closer now. “Are you alright, miss?”

Lillie looks up and stumbles back. “Wh-Who…?”

Stood over her is an unfamiliar woman in a lab coat with white hair and a kind, if concerned, expression and an outstretched hand. “My name is Burnet. Can you tell me your name?”

Lillie took Burnet’s outstretched hand and is pulled to her feet. “I-I’m Lillie… Can you tell me where I am?” she asked nervously.

“You’re on Melemele Island, Hau’oli Outskirts to be precise,” Burnet says causing Lillie to take a deep breath in relief.

“I… I made it… Oh, thank the tapu. We made it, Nebby!”

“P-Pew…” the Cosmog squeaked weakly, greatly drained from using so much of its power.

“O-Oh Nebby, what’s wrong? Did… Did you hurt yourself, bringing us here? Oh no, it’s… It’s all my fault.”

“Miss Lillie, why don’t you come with me? If your pokémon is hurt, my husband may be able to help. He doesn’t live too far from here.”

“Th-Thank you, ma’am but I need to find Professor Kukui… I was told he m-might be able to help Nebby.”

The pale young woman expected disappointment, or even anger, already flinching back on reflex, but to her shock Burnet just chuckled, amused. “Well then you really must come see my husband. Professor Kukui is my husband, after all.”

---

Burnet, who as it turned out was a professor herself, wasn’t joking about Kukui living close by. The lab where he worked and lived was, at most, a two-minute walk from the shore. They didn’t push her for answers immediately, despite her expectations, and instead urge her to wash off the salt water and change into some dry clothes. After she steps back out into their living room, she’s presented with a warm mug of tapu cocoa, a seat on a couch, and a blanket. Despite enjoying the warmth after being chilled in the water, she couldn’t keep herself from asking, “Wh-Why are you helping me? You don’t even know me.”

Professor Kukui gave her a warm smile. “If you see a person or a pokémon who needs help, you just help them… Right, Honey?”

Professor Burnet nodded and rested a hand gently on Lillie’s shoulder who flinched slightly at the contact. “Of course. And something tells me you’re in need of our help, Lillie. So could you explain a bit about what’s going on?”

Lillie nodded, and she launched into her story. Her father’s disappearance, her mother’s descent into madness, Nebby, and their eventual flight from Aether. The two professors’ eyes go wide with shock and outrage. “Well…” Kukui began, “I think it’s clear what we need to do.”

Lillie worried, briefly, that she’s about to be sent away or Nebby would be taken or any number of horrible results, but Burnet cuts of her worries, “There’s a loft in the lab, Lillie. We’ll get a bed up there for you, but for now there’s only a futon.”

“You’ll… let me stay here?” she asked, confused. Is this what mainland Alolans are like?

“If you don’t want-”

“No!” she exclaims. “I… I mean I’d be most grateful to you for letting me stay here. If there’s anything I can do in return, I’d be happy to repay you however I can.”

“You don’t have to do anything,” Burnet assured her.

But as he looked at her, Kukui found the look in Lillie’s eyes very familiar: the fear of being cast aside. He hadn’t been able to do anything for his old friend when he’d had those same eyes. He would not fail this young lady. “Like Burnet said, you don’t have to do anything. But if you want to help out, I’ve been looking for an assistant, yeah!” the buff professor offered. “The pokémon research institute hasn’t assigned me an aide yet, so I could use a Helping Hand caring for the lab and such, oh yeah!”

“I’d be happy too!” Lillie exclaimed, grateful for the opportunity to do something to repay their kindness.

Nebby slipped out of her bag, glancing about the lab with curious eyes. “Pew!” Nebby squeaked happily.

---

Three Months Later…​

When Elio “Sun” Ray was asked, much, much later where his journey to champion began, he would forever say, with an odd smile on his face: “It began with beeping.” And indeed, it did. The beeping of his computer marked the beginning of everything that followed. Amidst the beeping an electronic voice chirped, “You have a message from the Alola region’s own Professor Kukui!”

Selecting the video call Sun cautiously said, “Hello?” as a buff man slowly came into focus on the video feed.

“Hang on, now,” the man greeted warmly. “Gimme just a sec…”

“No worries,” the teen said, scratching his head awkwardly.

“Hey there!” Kukui smiled and waved amicably. “Good evening!”

“Nice to meet you!” Sun said, his nerves eased somewhat by the professor’s friendliness.

“So,” Professor Kukui said, “the day has finally come that you’re moving to Alola.”

Sun grinned eagerly, “I’ve been looking forward to it since Mom told me about the move! She still talks about the pokémon from Alola you showed off when you visited Kanto.”

“Alola is a region made up of several islands,” the professor explained. “That could be the reason the region is chock full of nothin’ but rare pokémon, yeah!”

“I heard there are versions of pokémon that we have here in Kanto but they’re different types in Alola, is that true?” Sun asked.

Kukui nodded. “We call ‘em Alolan Forms. But even aside from them, there’s no shortage of cool pokémon out here in Alola!”

Sun beamed. “I can’t wait to meet all of them!” he exclaimed excitedly.

The professor tossed a pokéball into the air which caused it to unleash a brown, very cute puppy-looking pokémon, “If you’re planning to meet all of ‘em you’re gonna have to explore all over: In the grass, in caves, in the sky, and in the sea…” He petted the puppy pokémon which wagged its fluffy white tail happily. “Although I’m sure you’ll meet some just by meeting their trainers. Just like all over world, we here in Alola we love our pokémon, and we depend on them heaps, too.”

Sun didn’t say anything, too entranced by the adorableness of the puppy, so he just nodded absently.

“Some of us even battle with ‘em,” the professor continued, “if we call ourselves pokémon trainers!” There was a passion aglow in the older man’s eyes as he spoke of battle and the puppy yipped.

“Then… is there a Pokémon League in Alola?” Sun asked eagerly. Before the move had been announced, he'd planned to challenge the Indigo League, and give it his best shot at becoming champion.

It had been his dream for most of his life, ever since he’d watched Red Tajiri and Blue Oak face off for the title of Kanto Champion on his grandparent’s small television screen with starry eyes.

Of course, following in the footsteps of one of Kanto’s greatest heroes wasn't the only reason why. Standing as the greatest trainer in Kanto would’ve been his best chance to escape the shadow his uncle had cast over him.

The professor's smile shrank, but only slightly. “A Pokémon League? Like your Indigo League? I’m afraid not, cousin.”

Sun's smile faded. “Oh…” This was the first he'd heard of Alola lacking a league. So much for being like Red Tajiri. At least his uncle’s shadow wouldn’t extend into Alola. He hoped.

“But hey, don't sweat it, cousin! If it’s traveling with pokémon you want, you’ll have your opportunity, I can promise you that much!” Professor Kukui said warmly, trying to cheer the boy up. “In fact, I’ll see what I can do about hooking you up with a pokémon when you arrive, yeah!”

“Thank you,” Sun told the professor appreciatively. While no force on earth would’ve been able to keep him from traveling with pokémon now that he was sixteen, it felt good to receive support for his plans.

The brown pup snuggled against the professor. “Rockruff!” he chided gently, “Can you wait until I'm done talking to play?!” The creature jumped down, seemingly off an unseen table.

So that was a Rockruff, Elio noted to himself. I’ll definitely catch one when we get there.

“Alright,” Kukui said, “I gotta ask you some questions about yourself so I can introduce you to everybody! This is the photo for Trainer Passport, right?”

The image of Elio in his dad’s old cap his mother had submitted for him appeared on screen and he nodded. “That’s me, alright,” he agreed.

“And could you spell out your name for me?” Kukui asked. “I think I have it right, but just to be sure.

“No problem,” Sun said. “It’s Elio Ray. E-L-I-O R-A-Y.

“So, you go by Elio?” the professor asked, merely out of formality.

“People I’m close to call me Sun,” the young man offered. “I’m told it’s easier to say.”

“10-4, good buddy!” the professor cheered. “I’ll let everybody out here know you’re on your way!”

“I can’t wait to meet you in person, Professor!” Sun said enthusiastically.

“Elio… Sun…” the professor mused as he was joined by an unfamiliar flying pokémon and rejoined by his Rockruff, the cute creature licking his cheek. “Yeah, those are names that hit you like a Thunderbolt out of the sky! WOO! Can’t wait to see you in person either, cousin!”

The two waved goodbye and Elio logged off his computer.

“Sun!” his mother called from downstairs. “Come help me with these boxes!”

“COMING, MAMA!” he shouted down the stairs.

---

Andrea Ray watched with fond amusement as her son bolted down the stairs of their home, taking the steps three at a time. “He’s just a bundle of energy, isn’t he Meowy?” the brown-haired woman asked her Meowth.

The normal type purred in agreement, as she watched the Machoke and Vigoroth they’d hired haul most of the boxes into the back of a moving van. There were a couple that contained items too precious to let leave their person, so those would be flying with them on the plane.

As Sun finally reached the bottom of the stairs, he made his way over to them. “What do you need help with?” he asked her with a slight twitch of excitement. Her son’s eyes were bright, and emanated excitement.

“I just need you down here so that once the pokémon are done packing up most of our belongings, you can help me put the boxes containing clothes and the like in the rental car,” the Ray matriarch explained. “I take it by your expression the conversation with Professor Kukui went well?”

Sun nodded vigorously. “It sure did!” her son agreed. “He even told me he would hook me up with a pokémon!”

“That’s excellent, my little sun!” Andrea said cheerfully. “I know how much you wanted to challenge the Indigo League, but at least you’ll be able to challenge Alola’s league instead.” To her surprise however, this made her boy’s expression fall slightly. “What’s wrong, Elio?” she asked in concern.

“It’s not that big a deal,” Sun explained slowly, “but Professor Kukui told me that Alola doesn’t actually have a league.”

Andrea winced. Sun had talked about challenging the Indigo League so many times the past few years and trying to become Kanto’s champion. Or, failing that, to at least take on the minor league of the Orange Archipelago. Before they’d been taken down in preparation for the move, his walls had been covered in posters of Red Tajiri’s pokémon team, and Ash Ketchum’s as well. She’d been particularly proud of the poster she’d managed to get him of Ash Ketchum’s team from when he became champion in the Orange Archipelago, because that had been a limited run. So, hearing that Alola had no league to try and overcome had to have been disappointing for her little sun.

“But,” Sun continued, expression brightening somewhat, “there will be four whole islands to explore. And at least no one will be comparing me to Uncle in Alola.”

While that thought seemed to make Sun happier, at the mention of her brother and how his actions had affected Sun, Andrea’s eyes went misty. That had been part of the reason for this move, after all. “Sun, I-” she began.

“Macho!” rumbled one of the moving pokémon, interrupting her thoughts. The Machoke handed her a clipboard, with an inventory of all the boxes that had been stored in the truck.

“Thank you for your hard work, Machoke, and you too, Vigoroth,” Andrea said. “I trust you’ll get these transported to Alola safely?”

“Vig!” the Vigoroth squawked in agreement.

The moving pokémon waved a farewell, before they returned to the truck which drove away.

Sun looked at his mother expectantly. “Is it time for us to go now?” he asked, twitching with excitement. “It’s time to head for the airport, right?”

Andrea giggled, amused by her son’s enthusiasm. “Yes,” she told him. “Just help me get the special boxes and our luggage into the car, okay?”

Much to her further amusement, Sun grabbed two of the biggest boxes and lumbered with them out to the car. “Sun is so much like his father,” she mused. “Come on, Meowy, let’s get some of the luggage packed before he bites off more than he can chew.”

“Meow?” Meowy mewed incredulously, but reluctantly fell into step with her trainer. It wouldn’t do for their boy to get hurt before they got on the plane after all.

---

In no time at all, they were flying out of Vermillion International Airport, and were headed for their new lives in Alola. While Sun looked over everything with excitement at first, over the course of the long flight, the young man grew sleepy. When they finally landed in Alola, he was too tired to take much of it in and collapsed into his new bed as soon as they arrived.

 

[ChrisWritesAUs]

Andrea Ray took in a deep breath of air, enjoying the salty tang of the ocean breeze. “Ahhh…” she sighed contentedly, closing her eyes. “Could anything be more soothing? The first evening spent under Alola’s calm moon…”

Next to her, her Meowth purred in agreement staring up at the countless glittering stars of Alola’s night sky as the moonlight glistened off the charm on her head.

“I feel like I could stay out here all night,” she smiled. “But… that’s enough of that for now! Time to unpack all these boxes!”

“Meow meow?” questioned her Meowth, seeming skeptical.

Andrea rolled her eyes fondly. Her longtime partner knew her far, far too well. “Meowy? Go get Sun for me, would you?”

“Meow?” Meowy asked, already turning to head for her trainer’s sleepy boy’s room.

---

As her trainer had expected, their Sun was still snoozing away on his yellow bed spread. Their poor boy had seemed so exhausted when they’d landed in the New Place. He hadn’t even gotten under the covers in his bed, so tired that he had passed out as soon as he’d flopped down on it. “Meow, meow!” Meowy mewed, trying to wake him up gently.

“Five more minutes…” Sun mumbled sleepily, attempting to pull a nonexistent blanket over his face.

Clearly, stronger methods would be necessary. She jumped up on his bed next to his head and crouched next to his ear. “MRRRRAWWWWWWRRR!” screeched Meowy.

“GAH!” Sun squawked leaping out of bed and crashing onto his face on the floor. “C’mon Meowy, did you have to do that?”

“Meowhehehe,” Meowy giggled.

Pushing himself to his feet, Sun sighed. “Mom told you to wake me up, huh?” he asked, patting the mischievous Scratch Cat Pokémon on her head.

“Mrow!” confirmed Meowy. She jumped up on his shoulder, and together they headed out of his room. Her boy was getting very big, and the resemblance to her trainer was getting more and more obvious as he got older. She nuzzled against him, enjoying their closeness and he made a sound that made the Meowth think he was purring. They’d already left their old lair in the Old Place, and she’d bet all her treasure that her boy would be leaving this lair to spread out into the New Place and grow, very, very soon. So, she would enjoy whatever moments she could, for now.

---

Sun glanced about the new living room and kitchenette of his new home. The walls were a nice shade of baby blue, his mom’s favorite color. He could understand the appeal, he supposed. It was a relaxing color and being able to relax was part of the reason she’d upended their lives to move here after all. Kanto was all hustle and bustle and “the Scratch Cat Girl” had made their family more than enough money in tournaments and sponsorships to live comfortably elsewhere. A fresh start in a new region… No family history casting a shadow over either one of them… Yeah, Sun appreciated his mom’s logic.

“Mama,” he called, not seeing her about, “I’m up!”

His mother stepped in from the balcony off to the right. “You were out like a light, weren’t you?” she teased by way of greeting. “You ought to be full of energy by now!”

Sun smiled at his mom. “Yeah, that rest was exactly what the doctor ordered. Although,” he said, with a playful glare at Meowy who jumped off his shoulder, “Meowy could’ve been gentler about waking me up.”

“Meowhehehe,” the mischievous pokémon in question laughed.

Andrea laughed gently; it always warmed her heart to see her son so affectionate with Meowy. “So, Sun…” she began. “Are you pumped to meet some Alolan Pokémon?”

The effect was immediate. The minimal signs of fatigue remaining on the teen’s face evaporated and his small smile broke into a wide grin. “Of course! I’ve been looking forward to it for months! It’s all I’ve been able to think about since you told me about the move! Like the type of Meowth only found in Alola, or Rockruff like Professor Kukui showed me, or-” he rambled excitedly before realizing what he was doing and cut himself off.

But his mother only laughed warmly, long since used to his excitement when it came to pokémon. “That’s right!” she encouraged, with a grin as big as his. “I want to hurry and meet some, too! We’re living in the Alola region now! The beautiful islands that everyone wants to visit!”

Sun nodded enthusiastically. “I’m sure the pokémon living in a place like this must be friendly, right?”

Before his mom could reply, the doorbell rang. “Was that the doorbell?” his mother asked. “That’s gotta be Professor Kukui. Why don’t you let him in, Sun?”

“Okay, Mom,” Sun said, trying to stay calm, but he was trembling with excitement. If the professor was here, it wouldn’t be too much longer until the teenager had a pokémon of his own. And so, taking a deep breath to calm himself as best he could, he made his way to the door.

He went to open the door, but before he could, the professor had already made his way inside. “Hey there, Sun!” the buff man greeted warmly. “The name’s Kukui. Good to finally meet you in person, cousin!”

“Y-You too,” Sun stuttered, nerves and excitement gripping the teen as he shook the professor’s hand.

“You gotta be tired after that long trip all the way out here to Alola! You feelin’ any jet lag?” Kukui asked, with surprisingly sincere concern.

“Not as much now,” Sun admitted. “I fell asleep when we got here yesterday, and only just woke up.”

The older man nodded. “We sure are a long way from Kanto out here in Alola. It’s still nighttime out here, yeah!” Sun wondered how he could say such a simple thing with so much enthusiasm, but it did wonders to ease the teen’s nerves.

The Ray family matriarch and her Meowth made their way to her son and their guest. “Hello, Professor Kukui! Yes, we just arrived yesterday,” she explained.

“Hey there, Andy,” Kukui greeted. “I just let myself in. Oh, and just call me Kukui, would you? Welcome to Alola!”

The elder Ray smiled. “Of course,” she said warmly, “I still remember seeing you battle the Indigo Gym Leaders back in Kanto all those years ago, you know!”

“Mom still talks about how cool Alolan Pokémon are,” Sun noted enthusiastically. “Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to meet some. And we’re finally here!”

Kukui chuckled warmly, his whole body shaking with the laughter and knocking his cap and sunglasses slightly askew. “Hahaha! I was supposed to be there to research Kanto Pokémon, moves and all,” he reminisced. “I thought I knew a thing or two about battling, but those Kanto Gym Leaders sure proved me wrong!”

Sun’s smile shrank, just a little at the mention of the Gym Challenge. He hadn’t forgotten Kukui’s words that there was no Pokémon League in Alola. Even though he was still excited to become a trainer and meet pokémon it just… didn’t feel quite the same without the ability to shoot for a championship.

Noticing the change in the young man’s expression Kukui energetically piped up, “Hey now, Sun! Let’s get a move on to the next town over, cousin! Time for you to meet the Island Kahuna and get yourself a pokémon, yeah!”

And, easy as that, Sun’s smile dramatically increased in size. “I’m going to be able to get a pokémon? Right now?!” he crowed. “AWESOME!”

Kukui nodded, happy to see the young man ecstatic again. “Yeah, sure,” he explained. “The kahuna who lives in Iki Town is always happy to give any kid who wants to have an adventure their first pokémon, yeah.”

“Oh man… I’ve been waiting my whole life for this!” Sun exclaimed excitedly.

Kukui chuckled. “But,” he cautioned with some amusement, “don’t try taking on the kahuna yourself! The kahunas are crazy-strong pokémon trainers. They’re unbeatable for folks like me and you.”

Sun barely heard him, far too starstruck at the idea of a pokémon of his very own. He loved Meowy, of course, but she was his mom’s partner. This… This would be different. His own pokémon. His first partner. To grow strong alongside… His entire body shook with excitement, which his mom and Kukui noticed with fond amusement.

“They’ll simply give my boy a pokémon?” Andrea asked, settling her hand under her chin in thought. “Then those kahunas really are worth meeting! Hurry up and get ready, Sun! The gear we bought you before we left are all in that box in your room, I think.”

Sun nodded, already bolting for his room to grab his stuff. “I think Dad’s old hat is in there too. I didn’t wanna risk losing it in the move!”

Kukui grinned, thumbing the white cap on his head on its rainbow pattern. “Ooh, I bet you’ve got a stylin’ hat that’ll match mine, yeah?”

If Sun heard him, the sixteen-year-old never acknowledged it, too focused on grabbing his gear so he could go get his own pokémon.

Back in his room, he found the box his mother had spoken of. Pushing through the packing peanuts he grasped his hat and bag, placing it on his head and tossing it over his shoulder respectively. He loved his father’s old cap, truly he did, but his mind was far more preoccupied with getting a pokémon to put much thought into that fondness.

Already dashing back the way he’d come, his mother laughed as he nearly bumped into her. “You look ready for anything, now,” she cheered. “Have a good time out there! I’ll be sure to have everything cleaned up and put away by the time you come back with your new pokémon!”

“Meow meow,” mewed Meowy doubtfully.

“Woo, that’s a stylin’ hat, cousin!” Kukui enthused.

“Thanks,” Sun replied. “It was my dad’s, back when he was a trainer.”

“Your mom there…” Kukui started. “She’s sure looking forward to you getting your first pokémon, yeah?”

Sun laughed. “Probably because it’s almost all I ever talk about. I’ve wanted to be a trainer my whole life,” he explained. “When I found out we were moving to Alola, I put getting one on hold so that my first would be native to this region.”

Kukui nodded in understanding, a smile on his face. “So, let’s get going to Iki Town! Time for you to get a real nice pokémon from the Island Kahuna, oh yeah!”

And with that, he strode out the door, with Sun chasing after him.

---

Kukui led Sun up a path to the left, with the young man doing his best to keep up despite not being used to the heat. It was oppressive compared to Kanto, even with the sun down. “Now this is more like it, yeah!” he cheered. “Welcome to paradise, cousin!”

“I can’t wait to be able to travel and see everything Alola has to offer,” Sun said, equally enthusiastically.

“You can go anywhere, yeah, as long as you’ve got pokémon with you to watch your back,” Kukui affirmed, leading him further up the path. “And that’s why we’re off to Iki Town, to get you to the kahuna to get you one of your own, yeah!”

“I’ll follow you,” Sun confirmed, following just behind the professor.

As they walked through the path that signs labeled as Route 1, Sun drank in the palm trees and flower bushes, so like and unlike back in Kanto. They were all so vibrant and alive here, much healthier than the plants of Kanto which were suffering from the industrial smog as much as the people and pokémon.

He was so preoccupied with taking everything in that he didn’t notice Kukui had stopped until he almost bumped into him. “So, Sun!” Kukui asked, grinning at the teen’s excitement. “You’re lovin’ Alola already, yeah?”

“Yeah!” Sun agreed immediately with great enthusiasm. “So far, it’s been everything I’ve hoped it would be.”

While that was a slight exaggeration, he hadn’t even met any pokémon yet after all and there would be no Pokémon League, Alola definitely lived up to the hype. The casual kindness of people, the beauty that he was just getting to know… It reminded him of stories his grandparents had told him about Kanto before Team Rocket had wreaked havoc on the region.

“That’s what I like to hear!” the professor enthused. “The more you love Alola, the happier I’ll be!”

---

They made the rest of their way to Iki Town mostly in a companionable silence with the professor occasionally pointing out things of interest. “And we’re here!” Kukui said, cheerfully, and in truth Sun was starting to wonder if there was anything he didn’t do cheerfully. “This right here is Iki Town!”

It reminded Sun a little of Pallet Town back in Kanto. Trees, just a few houses, and a welcoming atmosphere. He hadn’t been to Pallet Town too often, only a couple of times, but this place had a similar vibe and… well, he would’ve gotten his first pokémon in Pallet Town if he hadn’t moved and he would be getting his first pokémon here. Now, hopefully.

“This town is where folks come to worship the pokémon that watches over Melemele Island,” Kukui explained.

Sun rested his hand under his chin in thought. “There’s a pokémon that does that?” They hadn’t really had anything like that in Kanto. Oh, there were those that prayed to Arceus of course, but it hadn’t seemed to do much good when the Rockets attacked. Even the Beasts of Johto, which weren’t even truly considered divine, had sought heroes to serve when the villainous organization had risen again in that region.

Kukui nodded with a small smile, “Tapu Koko keeps us all safe and happy, see!”

“I wonder if I’ll ever get to see it…” the younger man mused.

Kukui seemed distracted, however, suddenly looking all about. “Huh? What’s going on here?” he asked of no one in particular. “We were supposed to meet everybody right here, yeah.”

“Maybe there was some kind of mix-up?” Sun offered, twitching slightly at the idea of not being able to get a pokémon after coming all this way.

“Maybe,” the professor admitted. “Or maybe they’re all back there on Mahalo Trail. That’s where the ruins of our guardian deity, Tapu Koko, are, yeah…”

“I could help you look for the kahuna,” the would-be trainer offered. While Sun did genuinely want to help Professor Kukui as thanks for showing him around, he also hoped that finding this “kahuna” person would help him get his pokémon faster. He’d waited sixteen years to have his own pokémon, and he didn’t want to wait a second longer than he had to.

“That sounds like a good plan, yeah,” Professor Kukui agreed. “I’ll wait around here to make sure we don’t miss each other.”

“How will I know the kahuna when I see him?” Sun asked. How will I get a pokémon?

“The Island Kahuna?” Kukui asked. “You can’t miss him. He looks just like a kahuna!”

What does that even mean? Sun wondered, but he headed for Mahalo Trail all the same.

---

At the same time Sun was having his adventure with Professor Kukui, Lillie was dealing with a rapidly shaking bag. “Really?” she asked. “You want to go up to the ruins? I don’t know what you hope to find there…”

“Pew!” retorted Nebby.

Resigning herself to the whims of the little pokémon, Lillie made her way up to Mahalo Trail heading for the Ruins of Conflict.

It wasn’t a particularly long path, to be honest. While mostly dirt, it was well worn by the footsteps of countless generations of worshippers coming to pay their respects and offer thanks to Tapu Koko. Nebby was particularly restless as she made her way down the trail, shaking the bag and trying to get out at any opportunity. “You can’t come out!” she hissed to the little troublemaker. “We’ll get in trouble if anyone sees you.”

---

Sun stared after the strange girl with the large hat and pretty dress, wondering what was up with her. Clearly there was a pokémon in her bag, and clearly it didn’t want to be in there. Why use a bag to hold a pokémon when pokéballs were much more effective and designed to be comfortable for the pokémon inside?

Deciding he’d get no answers just standing there the teen followed her up the trail. He was supposed to be checking if the Kahuna was up this way, anyway. Maybe this was some kind of test to prove he deserved a pokémon?

---

As Mama Lillie finally reached the end of the path, Nebby finally escaped the bag! Its tiny eyes were wide with glee and its little mouth smiled widely. Waving its little appendages about, the tiny pokémon seemed to bounce through the air heading straight for the Ruins of Conflict. It was almost there, almost to the place that had been calling it since Mama had freed it from the cold, white place. Mama was yelling at it to stop, but the little nebula cloud just couldn’t bear to go back in the bag, not now! Smiling mischievously, the Cosmog floated over the bridge and would’ve continued to do so except suddenly a flock of Spearow swarmed in clawing and pecking at it, forcing it to land on the bridge, and make itself small as possible. Nebby didn’t understand, why were the bird pokémon being so mean?

But suddenly, Nebby sensed a new presence. It wasn’t Mama, or the mean Spearow, or itself. And while Mama had always warned Nebby to be careful to not be seen, this presence felt… warm. Like the light that made it grow. So, it shielded itself as best it could and waited for the warmth to help.

The warmth came closer, Nebby could feel it near Mama. “Ah…” Mama mumbled staring at the source of the new warmth.

“What’s wrong?” the warm stranger asked, smiling gently at Mama. Despite the current situation, Nebby liked that smile. It reminded Nebby of Mama’s back before she’d become so sad.

“H-Help…” Mama pleaded. “Save Nebby!”

The mean Spearow raked at Nebby with their claws, and it cried out in pain, “Peewww!” Its face contorted in an ugly expression, but it couldn’t help it. The claws attacking it hurt so bad, far worse than even the cold back in the cold and white place.

“Those Spearow are attacking it!” Mama explained. “But… But I’m too afraid to go out there… My legs feel like they might give out…”

The warm stranger didn’t hesitate, he, as Nebby could now tell the warmth was a human man like the nice lab coat man and the big man Tapu Koko liked, ran straight for Nebby. Nebby could feel it getting closer on the bridge even as the bridge shuddered underneath them both.

“HEY, LEAVE NEBBY ALONE!” the warmth shouted at the Spearow whacking at them with his human limbs as he got closer.

Unfortunately, all that managed to do was anger the Spearow into attacking both the warm stranger and Nebby. But the warm stranger tried to protect Nebby even still, shielding it with his body even as they were divebombed by the Spearow. “Don’t worry little one,” the warm stranger whispered, trying to keep them both calm, “I won’t let them hurt you.”

But the damage the warm stranger was taking was clearly adding up. Red was coming off him where the Spearow were scratching and pecking him and as more came in to attack them again. Nebby felt an emotion rare to it, so rare in fact that it had only felt it once before when Mama had been cornered trying to set it free: Anger. That emotion had saved Nebby and Mama Lillie then, maybe if it drew on the power that anger pulled out it could save itself and the kind warm stranger, too! So, it screwed up its eyes tight and unleashed all the power it could to warp itself, and the warm stranger that came to save it, away!

Blue light erupted from Nebby’s body, but it didn’t warp away the warm stranger and the Cosmog like Nebby had expected. It didn’t even warp away the mean Spearow! Instead, some of the bridge vanished from underneath them! The warm stranger, who still clutched Nebby to his chest protectively, fell uncontrollably even as the Spearow rushed at them both. But just as it seemed human and pokémon were both doomed, the air crackled with electricity and Tapu Koko appeared! The island guardian blasted away the Spearow with its electricity and swooped down, catching both Nebby and the warm stranger just before they hit the river.

It rushed them back to ground level, setting them with surprising gentleness at Mama Lillie’s feet. “Who… Who are you?” the warm stranger asked staring up at Tapu Koko with awe.

“KOKOKO!” crowed the guardian of Melemele Island, before flying away in a blast of lightning as both humans and Nebby gazed after it, all of them utterly awestruck.

The warm stranger staggered to his feet, gently setting Nebby into the air to float unimpeded.

“Oh…” Mama Lillie choked out. “Oh, thank goodness!”

“Pew!” Nebby squeaked trying to get Mama to calm down.

“You…” Mama mumbled. “You tried using your power again… didn’t you? Oh, Nebby… You know what happened last time you used it. You couldn’t move for ages after that. I don’t want to see you like that again!” she exclaimed, clearly distraught.

Nebby floated over to her, nuzzling her to try and calm her down. “Pew pew…” Mama shouldn’t be sad! The warm stranger had saved it, and then Tapu Koko had saved them both! This is a good day! Mama should be happy!

She smiled a little. “No… I shouldn’t say that,” she apologized. “I’m sorry, Nebby… I know you were trying to save me that time… And I couldn't even help you in return…”

Something near Mama sparkled and Nebby floated closer to take a look. “Pew!” Nebby squeaked trying to draw the humans’ attention to the sparkly black rock.

“What… What is that?” Mama asked, staring at it intently.

“Pew pew!” Nebby exclaimed. Silly Mama, couldn’t she tell that Tapu Koko had left the sparkly rock for the warm stranger who had come to its rescue?

“A sparkling… stone?” Mama mused over the stone. “It feels almost warm, somehow…”

“Please, forgive me…” Mama said, finally turning to the warm stranger who had been standing there patiently the whole time. “I am so grateful to you for helping us out of that dangerous spot.”

“Are you the kahuna?” the warm stranger asked eagerly.

The warm stranger was so silly; Mama wasn’t the kahuna! The kahuna was the big man that Tapu Koko liked!

Mama giggled and shook her head. “I think this stone must belong to you,” she said and gently placed the black sparkling stone in the nice warm stranger’s hand. “Please…” Mama requested, “Don’t tell anyone about this… About seeing Nebby… Nebby… Nebby’s a secret, okay?”

The warm stranger just smiled. “Of course,” the words came so easily, so gently, that Nebby felt safe. Nebby liked this human. He needed a better name than “warm stranger”, but human names were strange and Nebby didn’t know his human name yet. Nebby would wait until he knew the warm stranger’s human name to call him something else.

“Come on,” Mama Lillie said turning to Nebby, “Into the bag, Nebby.”

“Pew…” Nebby pouted, but ultimately did as Mama said. “Pew…”

“Um…” Mama began, once Nebby was safely in the cozy bag. “I’m worried we might get attacked again. By some wild pokémon… or something. I know it’s too much for me to ask, but… Do you think you could see us back to town?”

“It’d be my pleasure,” the warm stranger said. “If you see pokémon or people that need help, you help them, right?”

And with that easy decision out of the way, the three of them made their way back to Iki Town.

---

“Hey, Elio!” called Professor Kukui as Lillie and the boy who had saved Nebby made their way back into town. “Looks like you missed the kahuna, yeah? But you found my assistant, oh yeah! Looks like you already met, but just in case, this is my assistant!”

“Oh… um… yes!” Lillie said, turning to the unfamiliar boy who had saved Nebby. “You can call me Lillie.”

“And, Lillie, this here is Elio,” the professor introduced. “He just moved here, to Alola! Take good care of him!”

“So…” Lillie began, looking more directly at the unfamiliar boy, taking in his heavy tan, and brown hair and eyes, “You’re also one of the professor’s acquaintances? It’s nice to meet you.”

“You can call me Sun, if you want,” the young man offered. “All my friends do. And it’s a bit easier to say.”

Before she could say anything more, some of the residents of Iki Town began to speak. “The kahuna is back! Kahuna Hala has returned!”

“Our guardian’s chosen one is back!” another cheered.

“Only one of the strongest pokémon trainers in all of Alola, yeah!” bragged a third.

Making his way to the three of them, Hala looked over Lillie, Sun, and Kukui and asked, “Have I missed something?”

“Naw,” Kukui drawled, “but where’d you go off to, Kahuna? I thought we were meeting here.”

“I am kahuna of this island, after all,” Hala said. “Whenever there is a problem on this island, it is my duty to resolve it.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “Sorry, Lillie. What were you saying before? For some reason, I thought I saw Tapu Koko flying about…”

“O-Oh, um…” Lillie stuttered, uncomfortable now that the Kahuna’s attention was on her. “Yes, Kahuna Hala… Nebby was being attacked by Spearow on the Plank Bridge, when Elio here helped it get away…”

“I was happy to help,” Sun offered, smiling at them both.

“But… But the bridge collapsed, and I thought both of them might fall to the bottom of the ravine. And that was when the island’s guardian deity swooped in to save them!”

Kukui looked impressed. “Woo! That’s something you don’t hear every day!”

Hala chortled, seeming impressed and amused in equal measure. “Ho! Though it is said to protect us, our Tapu Koko is a rather fickle creature,” he explained. “Yet our guardian was moved to save you.” He turned from the pair of teens to the professor, “Kukui, my boy, I think we have cause to celebrate! It seems I should entrust this brave and kind young man with a pokémon of his own. We’ll make a fine trainer out of him!”

From her vantage point beside him, Lillie noticed Sun start to quiver, was he not feeling well? “Th-Thank you, sir,” he stammered. “I… I’ve wanted to be a trainer m-my whole life!”

Hala gave him a very warm smile. “I’m glad to meet you, child,” he said. “I am Hala, the kahuna of Melemele Island. Welcome to Alola! Young Kukui had told me of your coming. I’m glad we got the chance to meet today.”

“It’s my pleasure, sir,” Sun said, and while he looked slightly uncomfortable at the attention, the joy on his face was entirely genuine.

Hala turned away, facing the center platform in the middle of Iki Town, and tossed two pokéballs high in the air. “Come, my pokémon! Let’s have a look at you!”

Lillie watched Sun as he watched Hala’s pokémon, utterly enraptured. This was clearly the happiest day of his life, his eyes aglow and his smile stretched wide. She was too busy studying him to realize that Hala had already introduced both pokémon. “So,” Hala asked bombastically, “which of these pokémon will you choose as your partner?”

Lillie didn’t know why at the time, though it would be clear in days to come, but no sooner had Hala posed the question than Elio responded, “The fire-type, Litten,” with undying joy in his voice. The little fire-type purred and licked its paw staring up at Elio.

“Only when you have both chosen each other can you truly call each other partners,” Hala explained, gently urging Sun up onto the platform. “So, let us see if little Litten there also decides to choose you!”

Sun’s eyes betrayed his excitement, but he crouched down and gave the Litten a gentle smile. It was so unlike the brave boy who had recklessly rushed into danger to save a pokémon earlier and the shy boy she’d been getting to know the last few moments that it confused her. He clearly expected the Litten to choose him in turn, even if he was nervous. The Kitten Pokémon studied him curiously, purring lightly, before eagerly making its approach and stepping between his hands, allowing itself to be picked up. He lifted it up gently, his smile as bright as the sun as the fire type purred and nuzzled against him and sniffed at his face. “You’re so warm,” Sun whispered softly, so softly Lillie almost missed it.

Lillie was surprised, despite herself. She knew Litten as a species to be quite standoffish and to see one so eagerly claim a trainer was a rare sight.

Hala beamed at Elio and his newly acquired Litten. “Ho!” he cheered. “So little Litten has accepted you as well, Elio!”

Kukui clapped a hand on Sun’s shoulder. “Having accepted one another, you’ll surely be friends for life!”

“I’m gonna call you… Nero,” Sun told his Litten, as he gently stroked its fur.

The Litten, now known as Nero, purred in approval licking his paw.

“Nice to meet you Litten, er Nero,” Lillie said warmly, smiling at the pair.

“Pew!” Nebby greeted with a smile, welcoming a new friend into the fold. Wait a minute…

Lillie glanced down at the duffle bag escapee. “Oh!” she cried. “When did you get out again?”

Nebby smiled up at her, entirely unrepentant and Nero scrambled down from Sun’s arms to inspect the newcomer, sniffing at Nebby vigorously. “Mrawr, lit?” Nero queried.

“Pew pew,” Nebby replied. The two little pokémon rubbed their faces against each other playfully. It seemed they were becoming fast friends.

“Awww…” Sun cooed. “They’re so cute…”

Despite her internal agreement, Lillie still saw the need to reprimand Nebby for slipping out again, “I know that Kahuna Hala and the professor will keep you safe from any harm, but you should still stay in the bag and out of sight. It’s safer that way.” Looking over at Sun who was still cooing over how cute their pokémon were she said, “I think you chose a wonderful pokémon. Please take very good care of it.”

Sun smiled. “There’s no way I wouldn’t take good care of Nero,” he promised. “Being a trainer, raising a pokémon… It’s been my dream forever. I’d never waste it by being unkind to him. Right, buddy?”

“Mrawr, lit-ten,” affirmed the little fire-type.

Kukui smiled proudly. “That’s it, Sun!” he agreed. “Now that you’ve got a pokémon, you’re a real pokémon trainer, yeah! And here’s a lovely gift from me to help make it more special, cousin.” And so saying, he pressed a red metallic device into Sun’s hand.

“This… This is the latest model of the pokédex, right?” Sun asked in shock. “Th-Thank you so much!” His arms were twitching, and Lillie had a sneaking suspicion he wanted to hug the professor in thanks.

The professor just smiled. “Your new partner is already registered, oh yeah, so check it out!” He pressed something else into Sun’s hand. “And this is a Trainer Passport that I had put together for you.”

“What’s this for?” Sun asked, confused.

“Most regions have a Trainer Card, marking you as an official trainer, the Trainer Passport serves the same role in Alola,” Lillie explained on the professor’s behalf.

“Ahhh…” Sun nodded in understanding before he slipped the passport into the front pouch of his backpack.

“Now why don’t you go introduce your new friend to your mom, Sun?” the professor suggested.

“That makes sense,” Sun agreed stepping down from the platform and heading for the road.

---

But the young lad was brought to an abrupt halt when an unfamiliar boy ran up to him and shouted excitedly, “Hey! You and me! Let’s have a pokémon battle!”

“Uhhh…” Sun said intelligently. “Who are you?”

The others came up behind him with Hala laughing heartily. “Dahahaha! Where’s the fire boy?” he asked jovially. “And what kind of a pokémon battle would that be where you don’t even give a name first, eh?”

“Fair enough. Then I’m Hau,” the boy now known as Hau said warmly. “And my partner’s Rowlet. Your Litten looks really cool, too!”

“I’m Elio,” Sun said, offering Hau his hand to shake though they really only gripped each other’s hands a moment without shaking. “Though you can call me Sun if you want. I guess you already know who my partner is. You like pokémon?”

“Yeah!” Hau said excitedly. “So let’s battle! I couldn’t wait for you to find your way to Iki Town, so I’ve been looking all over for you!”

This puzzled Sun briefly, how did this stranger know to look for him, but seeing his familiarity with Kukui and the others, he probably learned of him from Kukui the same as Hala did.

“Um…” Lillie said awkwardly, “I don’t really like to see pokémon battles where pokémon can get hurt… but I’ll watch for you two.” She was smiling by the end of it and Sun gave her a bright grin in turn.

“Oh yeah,” Kukui cheered enthusiastically, “your first battle already! Just have your pokémon dish out some moves and see who wins. WOO!”

Hala gave both boys a smile. “I appreciate you being willing to take on my grandson here,” he said politely. “I expect a no-holds-barred battle from the both of you!”

“You will battle me, right?” Hau asked enthusiastically. “I know you will! Right?”

“Nero, what do you think, buddy?” Sun asked his Litten with a grin. “Are you up for this?”

The cute kitten had already shifted into a more aggressive stance, “MROWR!” he roared enthusiastically.

“Alright, I guess that settles it!” Sun said with a grin. “We accept your challenge, and we won’t lose!”

“This is gonna be great!” Hau said with an equally large grin, unleashing his pokémon from his pokéball, a round little owl with leaves styled like a bowtie. “Let’s do this! Come on out, Bowtie!”

“Very well, then!” Hala intoned. “Let the pokémon battle… begin!”

“Alright let’s see…” Elio said, glancing at his pokédex for knowledge of his Litten’s moves. “Use Ember, Nero!”

Nodding in agreement, the fire feline spat a hairball of fire at the little grass owl.

“Bowtie,” Hau shouted to his partner, “try to fly up out of the way and then counter-attack with Leafage.”

Give the little grass-type credit, he tried. But he didn’t quite manage to dodge and ultimately had to settle for launching the attack after taking the hit. “Rowww,” the Rowlet hooted as it launched leaves at Nero.

Unfortunately, this didn’t do much to affect the fire-type, and receiving a nod from his trainer, Nero blasted the leaves away with another hairball-Ember. Hau and Sun grinned at each other over their pokémon, Hau and his Rowlet only had one real shot at this, and both teens knew it.

And so, Sun let Hau take that shot, knowing it was also his own best chance for a flawless victory. “Bowtie,” Hau called, “fly down at him and use Tackle!”

Noticing his opponent zipping down towards him, Nero tilted his head and stared up at his trainer.

“Wait for it… Wait for it…” Sun cautioned his new little partner, as Bowtie zoomed towards Nero. It was almost in striking distance when he shouted, “NOW!”

“LIT-TEN!” Nero roared and spat an Ember-hairball that was much larger than the previous one at his opponent. Bowtie tried to dodge but it was too late, getting so close to attack had left him wide open to Nero’s fireball.

“Row… let…” groaned Bowtie as he fell out of the air and into Hau’s waiting arms.

“Good fight,” Hau said softly, patting his pokémon on the head and returning him to his pokéball. “Get some rest, buddy.”

“Litten lit?” Nero asked curiously turning to gaze up at his trainer.

Sun quickly crouched down, gently stroking his partner’s fur. “You did great!” he said ecstatically. “Our first battle, and first win together. We’re gonna go far together, yeah?”

“Litten!” affirmed Nero. His eyes were aglow with passion. This was his first battle and it seemed to have awoken something in the young pokémon.

“Hoo-ee!” cheered Hau, exuberantly bouncing up and down despite his defeat. “That gave me chicken skin! Sun, right? Your Litten was awesome!”

Sun grinned. “Your Rowlet was cool, too! We definitely have to have a rematch sometime!”

“Now that settles it!” Hau declared exuberantly. “I’m going all out tomorrow!”

As if in response to that declaration and the excitement it kindled in Sun, the black sparkling stone in his bag danced with light. Hala stared at his bag curiously. “Hm?” he hummed. “Sun, would you be so kind as to give me a look at that sparkling stone you have there?” He put his hand out, and fearing he’d committed some faux pas, Sun handed it over without comment. “Could it be?” Hala mused.

“Tutu,” Hau asked, staring at the sparkling stone in wonderment, “isn’t that…?”

Hala nodded in response to his grandson’s unfinished question before turning his gaze on Sun. “You were rescued by Tapu Koko at the bridge, isn’t that what I heard, my boy?”

Sun nodded uncertainly. “Yeah, it rescued me, and it left that stone behind afterwards,” he explained. “Nebby pointed it out to us, but Lillie thought I should be the one to hold onto it.”

Hala nodded, seeming to confirm something with himself and looked pleased. Sun let out a quiet sigh of relief, it seemed he hadn’t accidentally stolen something from the island guardian or something equally negative after all. “So,” Hala mused, “it even deigned to give you a stone… Perhaps you are here in Alola, Sun, because this is where you are meant to be. Allow me to borrow this stone for now.”

“I didn’t do something wrong by taking it, did I?” Sun asked. He was pretty sure he hadn’t, but these near strangers had already done him such a kindness by giving him Nero, and also been so welcoming, and he had no desire to repay their kindness with disrespect to them or their traditions.

Hala gave him a very kind smile. “Fret not! No harm has been done,” he assured Sun. “In fact, I’ll be returning it to you tomorrow evening.”

“Thank you, Kahuna Hala,” Sun said, both grateful and relieved.

“It would seem you have the makings of a brilliant trainer, my boy,” the kahuna said warmly. “I can see the same light in you as Hau. You must both do us the honor of joining in our festival tomorrow!”

“I’d be glad to-” Sun tried to say before cutting himself off with his own yawn, much to his embarrassment.

“First I’ll make sure you get back home safe today, though, Sun,” the professor spoke up, removing any attempt at awkward apologies from Sun. “Lillie, you two should come with us, too, yeah. Wouldn’t want to go losing you twice in one day.”

Sun shot Lillie a teasing grin, “Yeah, you or that precious pokémon of yours!”

“Yes,” Lillie agreed with a blush. “I will keep an eye on-”

“Pew!” chirped Nebby cutting of her claims of doing a good job watching the mischievous creature.

“Oh, you!” Lillie groaned parentally. “Would you try not to escape as soon as you’re told not to wander off!?” Lillie pouted at Nebby but everyone else chuckled as they split off to go their own ways.

---

Nero liked his new trainer and liked his new name. Sun had explained as they trekked back to his house that it meant black, in honor of his fur… and also admitted that it just sounded cool, which the Litten couldn’t help but agree with. Battling Bowtie had given the fire-type an experience he had never known in his very young life. Before meeting and choosing Sun to be his trainer, the Kitten Pokémon had mostly played around in Iki Town with Bowtie and Popplio under Kahuna Hala’s watchful gaze, but now the Litten had tasted real victory for the first time, and Nero had found that he loved the taste. He wanted more. That would come tomorrow, his trainer had promised, but Nero wanted it now.

So naturally, when Sun opened the door to his home to his mother’s greeting, Nero had hoped he’d be getting a battle sooner than later.

“Welcome back, my little sun,” his trainer’s mother had said.

“Hi, Mama,” Sun said, warmth in his voice at his mother’s greeting.

“So!” she’d asked eagerly. “What kind of pokémon did you get? Don’t keep me waiting!”

And so, Nero had put his best face forward, “MRAR!” he had roared, announcing his presence fearlessly to any and all who might be in the house.

His trainer’s mother had beamed at him. Well, it wasn’t quite the intimidation he had hoped to achieve but adoration akin to his trainer’s was a very close second. “Oh, I think I’m falling in love!” his trainer’s mother declared, stroking Nero’s dark fur. “So why did you choose this sweetheart, Sun?”

“Because he’s cool!” Sun had stated ecstatically, and Nero had nuzzled him. Because hey, you have to reward the humans for making good decisions, such as praising the coolness of Nero.

“Well then,” Sun’s mother said, “you picked right… because I’d say this little charmer is definitely cute and cool! But tell me, Elio… was that your only reason?” She had a strangely knowing look on her face.

His trainer had blushed a little. “It was the main one, honest. But at the same time… I am the son of the Scratch Cat Girl, after all. I should train a cat or two of my own, right?”

Nero didn’t really know what that meant but it sounded praiseworthy, so he nuzzled Sun until he picked him up. His trainer cradled him in his arms and hummed a tune while doing so.

“The two of you look great together…” Sun’s mother cheered. “I feel happier just looking at the two of you!”

A Meowth ran up and jumped up on his trainer’s shoulder. What was this pokémon doing on his territory? Nero opened his mouth to use Ember, but Sun shook his head. “Mrrrr?” purred the Meowth nuzzling his trainer, his Sun, but Sun gave Nero an amused look.

“Sorry buddy, but Meowy’s been part of the family since before I was born. She thinks I’m one of hers, so you’ll just have to learn to share. I mean, when we catch more pokémon for the squad, you’ll have to share me with them, right?”

Nero grumbled, “Mrar!” but ultimately accepted that his trainer had a point. The Cosmog with the big-hatted girl had clearly been fond of his trainer for saving its life… If this “Meowy”, that Nebby, and other pokémon they’d meet as they tried to get more victories liked his trainer… Well, Nero supposed he wouldn’t be able to fault them for their good taste.

And so, with all that said and done, Nero and his trainer retired to his trainer’s bed for the night. Or, well, Sun did. Nero curled up on his trainer’s chest, nestled in, and the Litten too settled in for a night’s sleep.