Chapter Text
Moon emerged from Acerola's chamber and watched as a line of lavender light joined the beams of grey, russet, and mint to meet in the center of the floor. The lights pooled into white around a circular platform. The most interesting thing about the platform was that it contained a design that also lit up in white light: a circle, with a partially-filled in crescent on one half and slender lines protruding from the other half: a moon and a sun.
She walked slowly toward the design, taking Rotom out of her pocket and peeking at the notifications. There were... a lot.
“You have thirty-eight emails, approximately four hundred and seven messages on Skypther, and one thousand, five hundred and twenty-two text messages, bzzt,” Rotom promptly summarized.
“Oh, god.” Moon sighed, then remembered she was on national television and pasted a smile onto her face. “Well, I guess that's to be expected. Most of the texts are from Molly and Rogelio, right?”
“Correct, bzzt.”
“Nice.”
She tucked Rotom away once more and took off her backpack, digging into it for Hyper Potions, Revives, and Max Elixirs. Once her teammates were back to perfect health she put everything away and swung her backpack on again.
“Here goes nothing,” she said out loud, and stepped on the half-moon-half-sun floor.
A quiet electronic whirr sounded, and after about five seconds the platform began to rise. Moon squeaked, pressing her hands to her face and closing her eyes.
“This is fine, I'm fine,” she mumbled— not quite loud enough for the cameras or mics to hear. She focused on simply breathing, not looking at the League as it dropped below her; and soon enough the platform came to a halt.
She looked up, and fell in love.
The Champion's chamber wasn't open to the sky, but rather roofed with thick, perfectly clear glass. There were a few sprays of snow scattered over the roof, but it appeared as though either the glass or the metal framing between each large pane had been made to produce heat. Snow near the edges melted quickly, while sprays at the center of the panes remained pristine. Moon could see the wind flying above them, at the highest place in Alola.
The chamber itself was mostly empty. The floor was tiled in a hexagonal pattern, currently a light blue color; it chimed softly with the sounds of footsteps as Professor Kukui emerged from behind the empty throne.
Neither of them spoke immediately. Professor Kukui's smile was far too soft, far too proud; if he kept that up she was definitely going to cry.
“Hello, Moon Hawkins,” he said, after a few moments. “It's been a journey, yeah?”
Moon smiled. “Yeah,” she agreed.
He indicated the chamber. “What do you think?”
“I think that I like my future workspace.”
That earned her a laugh. “You'll have to earn it. Are you ready to face me?”
She closed her eyes, reflecting back on everything she had done to get to this point; and as she did, she heard a soft voice, one she recognized.
Here, in the heavens of Alola, under the eyes of the gods— you have been tried by all of the elements, rumbled Solgaleo.
You have wandered the land, harming neither beast nor flower. You have lost yourself and found yourself again, chirped Nebby.
You have suffered for friends and enemies alike, and you have suffered for the realm, stated Necrozma.
You have been weighed upon the scales of eternity, and have not been found wanting, murmured Marshadow.
And then they spoke in unison: Accept what is owed you, Moon Hawkins. And know this: the journey was only the beginning.
Moon opened her eyes, smiling as the tears fell, and meeting her teacher's warm gaze.
“I am.”
* * * * *
They faced one another. The robot cameras whirred and clicked— some taking still photos, most filming at various angles for the live broadcast. Professor Kukui's smile was soft and kind, but Moon had watched some of the other challenge broadcasts with Hau. She knew that he would show her no mercy.
“One final hurrah for your island challenge,” he said, grinning. “Let's have a battle worthy of this moment, yeah!”
“Bring it on.”
Professor Kukui, instead of moving immediately, glanced up at the wall; all of a sudden a bright orchestral theme swelled around them, loud enough to hear but not so loud that it would have any effect on the battle.
“Oh, nice,” said Moon appreciatively, reaching for Macbeth's ball. “If I win, do I get to pick the soundtrack?”
“Within reason.” The Professor grinned. “Kahili's in charge of public relations for the League. She gets veto power on music choices.”
“Well darn, there goes my plan to only play Cottonee Joe for every battle,” joked Moon.
“Remind me to thank Kahili, yeah.”
They both laughed, and Professor Kukui reached for his belt as well. Almost in unison, they sent out their first teammates.
Moon winced when she realized she'd sent Macbeth out against a Lycanroc. The lean wolf regarded her Golisopod with a lopsided grin, waiting for an order from its trainer; but Moon wasn't waiting to find out what that would be.
“Macbeth, use First Impression!” she shouted.
“Duke, take her down with Accelerock!”
Macbeth, despite her bulk, was faster. She slammed into the wolf, causing him to stagger; he skidded back a few steps and retaliated almost at once, sharp rocks scoring along the Golisopod's carapace. It wasn't strong enough to knock her out, but she rumbled in alarm and promptly retreated to her ball, by way of Emergency Exit. Moon patted Macbeth's ball and sent Puck out instead.
Professor Kukui's grin was almost as wolfish as Lycanroc's. “Duke, use Crunch!”
“Puck, hit him with Leaf Blade!”
Puck, bless his heart, neatly dodged what would have been a super-effective Crunch and snapped back with Leaf Blade. Even if Lycanroc hadn't already taken damage, Moon was pretty sure this would have knocked him out in one hit. Lycanroc fainted, and the Professor recalled him and sent out, instead, a lovely Alolan Ninetales.
It wasn't a great matchup, but Moon was more or less prepared for this. “Puck, use Smack Down!”
“Isobel, Ice Beam!”
The Ninetales was faster than Moon expected her to be, and Puck wasn't able to dodge in time. The move didn't knock him out, but he staggered hard, only barely managing to pull off his own move afterward. It was super-effective, but her Decidueye's discomposure had weakened his attack.
Moon chewed on her lip and considered her options; she didn't have much time. Puck was shaking off the effects of the move, eyes narrowed. She could recall him and send out Hero, who would have absolutely no issues taking out the fox...
“Puck, another Smack Down!”
“Izzy, another Ice Beam!”
Puck lunged first, this time, and the Ninetales fainted before getting a hit in.
...or she could rely on her long-time friend's sheer spite to help win the battle.
Professor Kukui nodded approvingly, recalling his Ninetales; but her next opponent was a Braviary and Moon knew there was no way Puck was going to fend off a Flying-type attack in his present state. She hastily recalled him and sent out Ben, who snarled menacingly.
“Nice to see you, too,” said Professor Kukui, mouth twisting into a cheerful smirk. “Starstrike, use Crush Claw!”
“Ben, Rain Dance!”
She was almost certain that Professor Kukui didn't have any Water-type teammates. If she remembered correctly, his remaining teammates were Magnezone, Snorlax, and Incineroar. If Magnezone had Thunder, that could spell trouble for a future teammate; but she was willing to take the risk. Braviary was one of the Professor's least-defeated Pokémon. Trainers focused on the Incineroar, who had emerged as the cheerful ace; and on the tanky Snorlax. They always seemed to forget how hard Braviary could hit.
Ben took the Crush Claw, though not without wincing; and the rain fell from the ceiling, small clouds swirling around the glass. Moon was pretty sure that the effect was made with fog machines rather than actual cloud formations. An outdoors Rain Dance could change the actual weather if it were strong enough but there was a thick layer of glass between them and the sky. Regardless, the rain began to fall.
“You know that the production team hates weather conditions, yeah?” said Kukui, grinning.
“Honestly,” pointed out Moon, with a raised eyebrow, “that isn't really my problem. It's not an illegal move.”
“No, but you want to be nice to the production team. They can make or break you, yeah.”
“Fair enough. We'll work something out afterward.”
“You're pretty confident you're going to win.”
Moon met his gaze. “Don't I have reason to be?”
He studied her for a few moments longer, then nodded. “Yeah. You do, yeah. Starstrike, another Crush Claw!”
“Ben, use Thunder!”
Braviary was fast, but her Jolteon was faster; and Thunder was one hundred percent accurate with added STAB anyway. It was a one-hit knockout.
“Good move,” said Professor Kukui, though his tone was a little guarded. Moon looked at him, and realized that he probably hated to lose as much as she did. And she'd only lost once in her career— perhaps twice, if one counted the clusterfuck of Nihilego back in Ultra Space. Being rescued by a Mythical Pokémon probably didn't count as a victory.
Professor Kukui sent out his Magnezone. Moon was pretty sure that the Magnezone had Sturdy instead of Magnet Pull so she recalled Ben— neither Thunder nor Thunderbolt would do much, and Shadow Ball even less— and sent out Hero in his stead.
“Interesting,” said Professor Kukui. There was a slight frown steadily creasing his eyebrows, but he cleared his throat and resumed his usual smile. “Ion, use Thunder Wave!”
“Hero, use Bulldoze!”
Metagross tended to be fairly quick, despite their bulk; Hero was no exception and she hit the Magnezone hard— hard enough that Moon spotted a slight, glowy sheen that crept briefly over their opponent. Sturdy had activated, which meant it would have been a one-hit knockout.
Magnezone showed no other signs of weakness, however, and Thunder Wave took effect. Hero, being a sentient supercomputer, was particularly susceptible to paralysis; her limbs twitched and jerked a little more than Moon was comfortable with so she recalled her friend and sent out Ariel instead.
Professor Kukui's expression was disbelieving, but Ariel was faster than Magnezone and it only took a simple Brick Break to knock out the opponent. Ariel chirped proudly, and the professor nodded before sending out Snorlax.
“Maxima, use Body Slam!”
“Ariel, another Brick Break!”
Ariel was fast and Brick Break was super-effective; but Body Slam had STAB, and Snorlax's weight lent the attack further power. Unfortunately for Ariel the attack proved paralytic, and sparks crawled over her body as she squawked in discomfort. Her Toucannon was fairly tanky, so Moon was pretty sure that she could take another hit from the Snorlax if she had to; the issue would not be speed but the ability to hit at all. If not, she would either have to recall her bird or let her faint. There were advantages to letting Ariel faint— her teammate wouldn't like it, none of them ever did; but it meant she could send in Macbeth fresh to use First Impression again, which could probably knock out the Snorlax.
She made her decision. “Ariel, shake it off and use Beak Blast!”
Ariel squawked determinedly, her beak heating up.
“Maxima, another Body Slam!”
Body Slam hit first, but that was exactly what Moon wanted to happen. The Snorlax hit Ariel, and her friend managed to take the hit— just barely. However, the heat from Ariel's preparation for Beak Blast gave Snorlax a burn. Ariel, though struggling to remain in the air with her paralysis, opened her mouth and shot a red-hot Beak Blast at Snorlax. The combination of the move and the burn was a good one. It didn't knock out the Snorlax— they were too tanky for that— but it was what Moon had hoped would happen.
“Hmm,” said Professor Kukui.
He didn't move to recall Snorlax, which meant he still had something up his sleeve. Moon couldn't remember what other moves she'd seen his Snorlax use in the battle streams she and Hau had watched, huddled together at night on the frozen mountain.
She recalled Ariel, and sent out Puck. That produced another frown from the Professor— Body Slam wouldn't work on a Ghost-type— but then his face relaxed into another grin. “Maxima, use Crunch!”
Oh, shit. “Puck, Low Sweep!”
It was fortunate for Moon that Snorlax was naturally slow; but it was unfortunate that they were so incredibly tanky. Even a super-effective move wasn't enough to knock out Snorlax. It hit, but then Crunch knocked out Puck. Moon realized, with some surprise, that it was the first actual knock-out the Professor had gotten on her.
She had a little more time to think, because Snorlax couldn't attack an opponent who wasn't out. She was fairly certain that one more hit, of just about any type beside Ghost, would knock out the Snorlax at this point. Puck was out and Hero and Ariel were both incapacitated; that left Ben, Macbeth, and Kate. She hadn't used Kate yet— and it occurred to her, as she sent out her last fresh teammate, that most of Alola would have no idea what the fuck Kate even was. That was oddly satisfying; and it reminded her of Gladion, using Null in his Battle Royal competitions as an “Absol in a helmet.” His story had never stood up to close inspection, and though Moon had no need to lie about Kate she had no doubt that she would be answering questions about her in whatever interviews Caroline had lined up for her. If she won, there would be an official League interview; but Caroline had mentioned one for the celebrity gossip webzine she liked, as well as some more formal publications.
Professor Kukui's eyes lit up when Kate appeared; the competition vanished to be replaced by academic excitement. “Oh, is that Naganadel? Private Soliera let me observe her Poipole and gather data on it for the Pokédex, yeah, but I wasn't able to persuade Private Dulse to get me any information on Naganadel.”
“Well, he didn't bring her to Terra, and I don't think the Ultra Megalopolan government is going to be terribly fond of Terrans just popping in for a quick scientific visit.”
“Why not?”
“Zossie said they're racists.”
He snorted with laughter. “I think xenophobic might be a better word to use there, yeah. We're technically a different species.”
“I thought they were just slightly blue humans.”
“Nah, definitely a different species. Dulse was kind enough to give me some basic Ultra Megalopolan biology lessons, even though he wouldn't tell me about Naganadel, yeah.”
“I think he's very protective of them,” explained Moon, thinking of how the alien had locked his Naganadel up before they'd returned to Terra. “I think Necrozma might have tried preying on Naganadel and Poipole sometimes, when she couldn't find anything else to eat.”
The Professor winced. “That'd do it, yeah.” He cleared his throat, shifting; Moon turned her own attention back to Kate, who had been spinning in place while cooing softly to herself. Twelve-foot demonic tarantula wasp or not, there was something inexplicably adorable about how babyish her largest teammate was inclined to behave.
“Kate, use Dragon Pulse!”
“Maxima, Heavy Slam!”
Kate was faster, and the Snorlax finally fainted. Moon grinned as Professor Kukui audibly sighed before pulling out his last Pokéball.
She'd seen Incineroar before, but it seemed a lot taller in person. Still smaller than Kate, but most Pokémon were. Professor Kukui took a deep breath, face growing serious.
“Blazer, use Outrage!”
That was a Dragon-type move, shit shit shit. “Kate, hit him with another Dragon Pulse!”
Kate was quicker, and Dragon Pulse was always a good choice; but Outrage was a powerful move and supereffective. The Naganadel was not doing well. Another Dragon Pulse probably wouldn't be enough to knock Incineroar out. Moon was running out of options.
“Kate, one more Dragon Pulse! You can do it!”
Professor Kukui didn't have to say anything— technically couldn't, because Outrage worked over two or three turns and his Incineroar was locked into the move. Dragon Pulse was successful, but Kate fainted when the second Outrage hit.
She went for Ben, as he was in better shape than any of her remaining non-fainted teammates; but Professor Kukui was already performing the steps to a Z-Dance she'd only seen used a few times: Black Hole Eclipse. Nanu had used it when she'd fought him, and she'd watched Kukui use it before so she knew what was coming.
“Ben, use Thunderbolt!”
“Blazer, Malicious Moonsault!”
It was the special Incinium Z move, like Puck's Sinister Arrow Raid or Poppy's Oceanic Operetta. The lights around the battlefield dimmed as Incineroar bounded forward. Ben tried to dodge, but Incineroar leaped high above the square, arms splayed and legs straight, to land directly on her Jolteon with both physical and magical weight. He was knocked out instantly.
The lights brightened once more. Moon nodded, recalled Ben, and sent out Macbeth.
Professor Kukui's eyes looked almost pitying. “Blazer, use Flare Blitz!”
“Macbeth, First Impression!”
His eyes widened, and Moon felt the twist of triumph low in her belly as Macbeth, a blur of grey-white-violet, shot forward with sharp, slicing claws. Bug-type was super-effective against Dark-type; Incineroar fainted dead away.
There was a long silence. Ben's Rain Dance had faded a while ago, but the battlefield still gleamed with faint traces of water. Moon waited for Professor Kukui to recall Incineroar before recalling Macbeth.
“Wow,” the Professor said finally. His blank, almost confused expression softened into a wide, toothy smile. “Wow.” He looked up at the robotic camera drones, circling in closer, and began clapping. “Moon Hawkins, everybody!”
“Oh my god stop,” said Moon under her breath.
The Professor cleared his throat; the cameras floated down closer. “I couldn't win, even though I went all-out,” he admitted. “But what a refreshing feeling, yeah! You even beat me without using a Z-Move!”
Moon shrugged. “I was kind of focused on not losing,” she admitted. “I kind of wish I had, but... you know.” She glanced at one of the cameras, smiling. “I guess I'll have a lot of opportunities to use them in the future.”
* * * * *
Alolan League Live Broadcast: Chat
mamareanie07: OMG
xXxPokéFanxXx: HOLY SHIT FINALLY AFTER TWENTY-THREE CHALLENGERS
bewarethebewear: She's so humble!!! She seems really nice
AlcremieDeMenthe: watchin from Galar, sick battle m8
pikapop: she doesn't look alolan
holymalasadaszubatman: @pikapop does that matter tho??!?
luranluran: guys she has a website apparently? she said she's half alolan, one quarter kantonian, one quarter unovan
baepsAAAAAEEEEE: omg I LOVE her haircut
bewarethebewear: @luranluran Omg do you have a link??!?
CaroPal: Hi, everyone! You can check out Moon's website at https://www.**********.alo.com. The website went up this morning, so please try not to crash it haha! —Caroline (Moon's publicist)
mudgay: OMG MOON MY BABY T___T I'M SO PROUD
28378219_dhfsg: Check out my website for cool pictures! ;)
AlcremieDeMenthe: @CaroPal thx m8 I'll check it out
bewearthebewear: @CaroPal Tysm!!!
mamareanie07: @28378219_dhfsg fuckin spam bot, reported
holymalasadaszubatman: @CaroPal YO CAROLINE MY DUDE HI I'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT U
[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic: @28378219_dhfsg: Chat Rule #3: No spam. This is your only warning. A second offense gets you banned.
pikapop: also what the fuck was that purple thing, creepy asf
CaroPal: @holymalasadaszubatman: ...who are you
luranluran: @pikapop do you have anything nice to say. like at all.
mudgay: @[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic goddamn no mercy... that's kinda hot
FoxyNine: @pikapop It looked like a poison-type, kind of
holymalasadaszubatman: @CaroPal HELLO I AM HAU, MOON'S SECOND COUSIN AND BFF
baepsAAAAAEEEEE: @pikapop it was kind of cute actually?? like it was just spinning around and singing to itself while she was talking to the prof
[ADMIN]Soph-O-Matic: @mudgay Why are you like this.
pikapop: @luranluran why are you already trying to suck ass when she isn't even the champion yet
CaroPal: @holymalasadaszubatman Oh right, she mentioned you! Aren't you challenging the League next?
mudgay: @[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic you like it ;)
bewarethebewear: @FoxyNine It used dp tho so i think it's a dragon maybe?? I'm not sure but it looked like it had stab
mamareanie07: @baepsAAAAAEEEEE agreed, purple thing is a cinnamon roll
mudgay: @holymalasadaszubatman hau aren't you supposed to be getting ready to fight or something
FoxyNine: @bewarethebewear: Oh maybe! Do you think it could be both?
[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic: @mudgay Beside the point.
holymalasadaszubatman: @CaroPal @mudgay lol yea im signin off rn & goin in. wish me luck... ive never beaten moon in my life but im gonna give it my best lol
luranluran: @pikapop um she kind of is??!? nobody's beaten the prof before soooo
mudgay: @holymalasadaszubatman omg good luck!!! we're all watching at the paradise, amelia pulled it up on the big screen for us. we'll cheer for you and moon!!!
pikapop: @luranluran honey, she's gotta defend the title before she's a champion
baepsAAAAAEEEEE: @holymalasadaszubatman Omg I see you on the screen!!! I know you signed off but good luck!!!
mamareanie07: @holymalasadaszubatman gl!!! and as a single woman on behalf of alola can I just say you're a fine-looking man ;)
FoxyNine: @holymalasadaszubatman: good luck!
AlcremieDeMenthe: @holymalasadaszubatman cheers m8, may the best trainer win
luranluran: @pikapop excuse me HONEY, but in the kanto registers you can find blue listed as a champion even though he only held the title for like forty-five minutes. so yes, moon is in fact the champion. she defeated the professor who was holding the title against a challenger.
mudgay: @mamareanie07: hate to break it to you but he is super happy w/ his girlfriend lmao
[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic: @pikapop @luranluran According to International Pokémon League Regulation #5 (paragraph 2), Moon Hawkins currently holds the position of Unchallenged Champion. If she fails to defeat her first challenger, she will become a Former Champion, similarly to Blue Oak of Kanto. If she defends her title against her first challenger, she will become Alola's first Champion. There is no need to debate about this further.
mamareanie07: @mudgay ah damn, why are the hot ones always taken
luranluran: @[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic THANK you
baepsAAAAAEEEEE: ok damn malasada guy's actually a rlly good battler
pikapop: @luranluran still a kiss-ass
bluwue: @luranluran Hi I hate to correct you on a technicality when you are in fact correct, but I was the champion of Kanto for forty-SIX minutes, not forty-five
[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic @pikapop Chat Rule #1: No abusive language. This is your only warning. A second offense gets you banned.
[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic made bluwue an [ADMIN]
[ADMIN] bluwue: @[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic Um excuse me what the fuck
[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic: @[ADMIN] bluwue You're more knowledgable about Moon than I am.
mudgay: @[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic @[ADMIN] bluwue wait holy si ht are you actually blue??? like THE. BLUE. OAK??!?
[ADMIN] bluwue: @mudgay Love the username!!! And yes I am
mamareanie07 @[ADMIN] bluwue OMFG HI I LOVE YOU
FoxyNine: @[ADMIN] bluwue Wow hi!!! Do you really know Moon?
[ADMIN] bluwue: @FoxyNine She's pretty much my little sister, she's from Pallet Town
pikapop: @[ADMIN] bluwue I don't believe you at all but go the fuck on lmao
[ADMIN] bluwue has banned @pikapop
[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic: @[ADMIN] bluwue you're really not supposed to just ban people without letting them know first
[ADMIN] bluwue: @[ADMIN] Soph-O-Matic Shouldn't have made me an admin then (:
mudgay: @Soph-O-Matic honestly you walked right into that one
Soph-O-Matic: yeah I'm starting to get that
* * * * *
The Champion's throne itself wasn't terribly comfortable, but there was a room behind the official Champion's arena with two couches, a mini-fridge, and not one but five televisions, all attached to the ceiling. A cabinet next to the mini-fridge held Hyper Potions, Max Elixirs, and Revives. Both Moon and Professor Kukui took the opportunity to heal their Pokémon first before sitting down; Professor Kukui picked up a remote control and clicked all of the TVs on at once. Each one showed one of the Elite Four chambers, and the last one showed the central platform below the Champion's arena.
Hau was in Kahili's room. He'd gone to Molayne first, judging by the way Molayne was currently applying medicines to his teammates; Olivia and Acerola were still waiting. Olivia was frowning down at her phone and typing; Acerola appeared to be talking to thin air but her eyes seemed oddly dark, so Moon decided she was probably talking to someone dead. It was a weird thing to think about, but weirdness was sort of Acerola's thing.
“So, if Hau defeats you, he will be the unchallenged Champion, and you'll be a former Champion, yeah,” said Professor Kukui, observing Hau with a grin on his face. “And if you defend the title, you'll be the Champion of Alola. How's that sound?”
“Pretty damn good.” Moon inhaled, steeling herself. “But, um— I already knew that I would be the Champion.”
“That's some confidence you've got, yeah,” chuckled Professor Kukui. “Hang onto that, it will serve you well.”
“No, I mean— I've talked with, um. Solgaleo and Lunala.” She hesitated, but it would be better to straighten out what tradition she could as early as possible. “And Necrozma, and Marshadow. They've asked me to, um... fix some things.”
Professor Kukui regarded her with solemn eyes, though he was still smiling. “Like the kahuna tasks that Hau and Gladion are doing?”
“Yeah— wait, how did you know about Gladion?”
“I was informed by Ms. Wicke. She said he'd given his permission for her to tell a few people, yeah.” The Professor shook his head, still smiling. “It's a big burden for a young guy, but you're even younger— and Hapu and Sophocles are young, and so is Acerola. So I guess it will be all right.”
“Yeah, I think so too.” Moon hesitated. “Um, was there really no way to get somebody for the Elite Four besides Olivia?”
Professor Kukui's face fell. “I'm still looking,” he said softly. “But the International Pokémon League Regulations have rules about who and who can't serve as an Elite Four member, yeah. I tried asking Nanu— thought he might go for it since it's less of a job than kahuna. But he said he just wants to retire.”
“Yeah, he should be done. And somebody needs to look after Aether House anyway.”
“Aether House?”
Moon explained what she and Hau had done to get Nanu out of his Route Seventeen base of operations, transferring Po Town surveillance responsibility to the Aether Paradise; and how Acerola's career change had left a gap of someone responsible to take care of Aether House.
“Hmm.” Professor Kukui's eyes warmed. “Well, Moon, that already seems like something a Champion would have done, yeah? He's a kahuna, you know— if he'd really stood his ground about staying, you couldn't have made him go and the Tapu would have backed him up.”
“I didn't make him leave the island.”
“No, but if you think about it— part of what Nanu does when he watches Po Town is kind of punishing himself, yeah? He still feels awful about Foxglove still, and making sure the Foxes get up to as little mischief as possible with almost no government support isn't a fun job. So staying there and seeing all those awful things— he makes himself do that, and the Tapu doesn't tell him he doesn't have to because... well, you know Tapu Bulu isn't kind.”
“Gladion said he's a dick,” said Moon, because there was a part of her that found humor in the blasphemy.
“That might be putting it strongly, but you get the idea, yeah.” Professor Kukui coughed. “But then, you came in and you told him what to do— and he didn't fight you.”
“He fought us at first,” argued Moon.
“Maybe, but the point is he came. And neither he nor Tapu Bulu, in the end, said no.” Professor Kukui's eyes were knowing. “And I heard from Nanu and Acerola about what happened at the Lake of the Sunne, yeah? That was something a kahuna really ought to have done, but you pretty much took care of it yourself. Nanu and Ace just came to help clean up after.”
Moon thought about it. “I guess,” she admitted, after a few moments. “What are the requirements for someone to become an Elite Four member?”
“Has to have finished the island challenge or equivalent,” said Professor Kukui, holding up one finger. “Has to be a relatively well-known and accomplished Trainer, ideally a type specialist but I'm not too picky about that. Can't have a criminal record, and has to be willing to do it, yeah. You can't make someone be Elite Four if they don't want to be.”
“That's not a lot of requirements.”
“No, but you'd be surprised how many people can't meet all of them.” Professor Kukui sighed. “Molayne was a given, honestly; and it was a little worrying to lose Acerola as a trial captain but she's happier in the Elite Four, yeah. Kahili was a celebrity long before I asked her to serve— she's a pro golfer, and her family owns the Grand Hano and the golf resort there. She's been really helpful, with getting connections through advertising and broadcasting. Pokémon battling is a sport, you know, but it doesn't quite fit into the same television category as other sports so there are rules about it, yeah. She helped make sure we're in compliance with everything, so we don't get fined by the International League for malpractice. But there was just nobody else. None of the other trial captains can be spared— none of them want to quit anyway. Hala might be able to do it once Hau's fully taken over, but that's probably two or three years down the road, yeah.”
“Two or three years?”
“Hapu's an exception, yeah,” said Professor Kukui, addressing her immediate counterexample before she could bring it up. “Nobody was expecting Ikaika to pass away; he was healthy as a horse and loved his job. Usually the old kahuna will retire in name, but they're meant to stick around for a bit, to train the new kahuna. Hapu couldn't even have that. She asks Hala for a lot of advice— used to ask Olivia too, but she doesn't like bothering her these days. You remember how Molayne hung around during Sophocles' trial, yeah? Trial captains do the same thing. When Nanu or Gladion picks a new captain to replace Acerola, she'll have to spend some time training them.”
Moon nodded slowly. “Well, we'll have to keep looking out for people,” she said, with a nod. “Solgaleo and Lunala don't like that Olivia's in the Elite Four. Neither does Tapu Lele.”
“Did they talk to you about that?”
“Yeah. Among other things.” Moon cleared her throat. “That's one of the things I have to do, get another person. I have no idea who could do it, but I'll look around.”
“And Nanu or Gladion picks a new captain, yeah.” Professor Kukui nodded. “We'll find someone sooner or later, but it would be nice if it were, you know, sooner.”
“That's the plan.”
They watched Hau battle in silence for a while; after defeating Kahili he moved on to Acerola. His battle with her was more of a struggle than it had been for Moon; which made sense, because Moon's battle with Molayne had been her hardest one and Hau had more or less wiped him out with ease thanks to Ollie and BB. After a hard win against Acerola, Hau went into Olivia's chamber and brought out Poppy.
“Oh, well he'll be done pretty quick,” said Moon, getting to her feet. “Should I go sit on the throne now?”
“Yeah, why not?” Professor Kukui chuckled. “I'm going down to the hub to wish him good luck before he comes upstairs. You can be grand and imposing.”
Moon grinned. “I've got something in mind.”
She was pretty sure that she was not on a live feed while there was a challenger in the Elite Four, though if she was she would definitely hear about it later. Professor Kukui waved as the platform took him back down to the hub room, and Moon climbed up to sit on the back of the Champion's throne instead of the seat. It was a bit of a precarious perch, but her goal was to make Hau laugh and laugh he did, the moment he caught sight of her.
“You're ridiculous,” he sputtered, walking towards her. Moon grinned and hopped off the seat.
“My chair, my rules,” she said.
“What if it becomes my chair?”
“Then I'll have had it for,” she checked her watch. “Oh, thirty-two minutes. Hey, if you win I might beat Blue's record for shortest Championship.”
“If I win,” said Hau, rolling his eyes.
“Hey, none of that. Believe in yourself and fight hard.” Moon pointed a stern finger at him.
“Yeah, yeah. We'll do our best— we always do.” He patted his teammates lovingly, before looking back up at her with a fire in his eyes that she knew.
“Are you ready?”
He nodded.
Moon stood in the Champion's half of the arena— the northern end, with the throne. Hau took the southern half, and they looked at each other for a moment.
She took a deep breath, and smiled.
* * * * *
Skypther Chat: Gladion Mohn, Lillie Mohn
LM: I don't know who to cheer for.
GM: Yeah, same here.
LM: Both?
GM: Damn straight.
* * * * *
Moon sent out Macbeth, and was expecting Hau to send Uila out in turn; but then again it was a title challenge, her first title challenge; and it made sense that Hau, even knowing he was meant to be a kahuna and not a champion, would try to give her a fight worth remembering. So she was momentarily surprised when his first pick was BB instead— at least, until the battle properly began.
“Macbeth, use First Impression!”
“BB, Stone Edge!”
Macbeth hit first, as she expected; but Moon was surprised when Stone Edge didn't just trigger Emergency Exit, but knocked Macbeth out entirely. She was even more surprised when BB brought her little fists together and cracked her knuckles with a wheezy giggle.
“Did you teach her that?”
“...maybe.”
“Nice.” She air-fived him, and he returned the favor with a giggle of his own.
Her next pick was Kate, who promptly took the Crabominable out with a well-placed Flamethrower. Hau nodded resignedly and sent Uila out instead.
Because Hau usually sent Uila out first, Moon was used to taking the Raichu out in one hit with a super-effective First Impression. Without that advantage, she often forgot that Uila was immensely strong and powerful— and that he was fast. Psychic knocked Kate out instantly, and that brought them both down to four teammates.
She did, however, have other tactical options; and sent out Ben. Hau raised his eyebrows— Electric-type versus Electric-type was an odd matchup— but Moon had taught Ben Shadow Ball ages ago, and Uila went down.
As she expected, Hau's next choice was Rumble. She hadn't set up with Rain Dance, mostly because Ben was rather fragile and Uila had access to Psychic and Focus Blast; as a result, she wasn't going to take her chances with Thunder and instead settled for Thunderbolt. This did a reasonable amount of damage, but Rumble had Bulldoze and Ben was out as well.
They were three for three. Moon selected Ariel, and finished off Rumble with Brick Break; Hau countered with Sonar and Dragon Pulse. He couldn't knock her out in one hit, but Ariel didn't have anything that was terribly effective against Sonar either so it was a grapple of sheer power until Ariel went down first.
Moon didn't have any Fairies, or they would have been her first option for Sonar. But Hero could fend for herself against the Noivern, especially since he was already weakened by Ariel. Iron Head knocked Sonar out; four for four.
Hau sent out Ollie.
“Ah, shit,” murmured Moon, before remembering that they were on national television and glancing guiltily at the cameras.
“Nice,” snickered Hau. “Ollie, Flamethrower!”
“Hero, use Bulldoze!”
Hero managed to hold out through one turn, but a second Flamethrower spelled her end. Moon only had Puck left; Hau had Ollie and Poppy. For the first time, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she might actually lose.
Hau grinned. “Ollie, one more Flamethrower!”
“Puck, dodge and hit him with Smack Down!”
Puck was fast, but he was still slightly singed around the edges by Flamethrower. Ollie was not so lucky; he'd already taken damage from Hero and Smack Down knocked him out. That left only Poppy.
“Remember our very first battle?” she said to Hau.
“Yeah,” he said, smiling crookedly. “Yeah, I do.”
Moon was hit with a wave of fondness— for her friend Hau who stood before her now with his powerful Primarina; and for the boy she had met seven months ago with an excitable Popplio.
“Poppy, use Ice Beam!”
“Puck, Leaf Blade!”
On any other Water-type it might have been a one-hit knockout; but Hau had trained Poppy well. Puck took the Ice Beam with a wince, but it didn't knock him out, either. Moon smiled, already forming the steps of the dance; Hau, on the other side of the arena, did the same.
“Poppy, use Oceanic Operetta!”
“Puck— Sinister Arrow Raid!”
The water swelled, and the arrows rose. Poppy stood on her tail and sang, a siren call of beauty, love, and pride; Puck rose high in the air, his wings a dark outline against the bright sky above the glass.
They crashed together in a wave of cold water and sharp arrows. Moon, laughing, shielded her face from a spray of water even as it slopped over her clothes; she could hear Hau laughing too and it was this, this was what they were fighting for. Not for prestige, nor even a title; but for the joy of the battle, the love of their teammates.
When all was quelled, Puck stood damp and triumphant, with weary eyes; Poppy had been knocked out.
Hau let out a loud whoop, quickly recalling Poppy before running forward, his arms outstretched. “Moon, you did it!” he roared, catching her in a bear hug. “You did it, you're the Champion! You did it!”
Something happy and tired settled in her chest, a feeling like coming home after a long day. It felt right.
“Yeah,” she said out loud, blinking. “I— I did it.”
For a few moments they stood there in silence, both of them dripping wet from Oceanic Operetta; but then the whir of the platform sounded, and Moon looked over to see Kukui and the Elite Four, rising to meet them.
“Congratulations, Moon Hawkins,” said Professor Kukui warmly. “You're a Champion we can all be proud of.”
He strode forward, resting one hand each on her shoulder and Hau's. “That was an amazing battle, yeah! The Pokémon Trainers of Alola are really something else!” His eyes went suddenly damp. “And it was really special to me, that the two of you were the Trainers who helped make my dream come true. You're the Trainers who've put Alola on the map, on par with all of the other regions in the International League.”
“Ah really, Professor, I'm not all that—” Hau began to demur.
“Nope,” said Moon firmly. “You almost beat me this time, Hau. That was the best battle I've ever had with you, bar none. We were neck and neck. I might be the Champion, but you're my rival and my equal, and you better not forget it.”
Hau stared at her, wide-eyed; but then his eyes also grew suspiciously wet. “Thanks, Moon,” he said softly. “That— it means a lot.”
“You're both fantastic Trainers,” agreed Olivia, smiling tiredly at them. “It's always a pleasure to battle you.”
“I called it!” said Acerola triumphantly. “I knew you would be the Champion the first time I met you, Moon Hawkins. And I knew Hau would be your first challenger.”
“Well, not all of us are gifted with brilliance and precognition,” drawled Molayne. “But the two of you are special, and you deserve this— and other things.” He winked pointedly in Hau's general direction.
“Congratulations on completing the island challenge,” added Kahili. She had a pleasant smile on her face— Moon wasn't sure how real it was, and didn't want to try and find out on national television. “It's a grand achievement, with or without the League.”
Professor Kukui turned around, keeping his hand on Moon's shoulder; he looked up at one of the camera drones, which obligingly zoomed in closer. “People of Alola,” he said, a grin on his face. “I give you your Champion: Moon Hawkins!”
Moon looked at the camera, and thought for a few moments about what she wanted to say; but there was really only one thing for it. “Hello, Alola,” she said, grinning. “And— thank you.”
* * * * *
Moon Hawkins, Champion of the Alola League, will return in Weedkiller.