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Chapter Text

Prince of Po Town

Chapter 1: A Rude Awakening

"I feel like I belong here man. I know it's just my first day, but the other place was nothing like this," the teenage new hire told Ian, leaning in and holding his fist out.

The drone of the three level pizza oven made hearing the newbie's words a bit difficult, but
Ian reciprocated the fist bump all the same. "Welcome to the team, Matt," Ian replied with a big smile. "It's how things should be."

"You sure you don't want any help? I'd be happy to do it," Matt asked, indicating the counters with random bits of sauce, cheese, and toppings.

"I wish I could say yes, but you're a minor and it's a school night. I'll get in deep shit if you're here past 10:00," Ian explained. "I'll take you up on it someday though."

"Okay. Thanks again, Ian," Matt said sincerely.

He watched the teenage new hire walk out of the kitchen, and the 6'2 supervisor with brown hair and a slim build sighed in frustration as he scanned the kitchen again, seeing how much he still had to do. "Alex, why?" Ian muttered to no one in particular. With the edge off his frustration, he brushed the flour off his wet, black shirt.

Through the flour stains, the words "Prince Street Pizza" spelled out in yellow across his chest. He wore a black baseball cap and a pair of blue jeans to complete the uniform. A commotion from outside of the kitchen caught the young man's attention and Ian poked his head around the wall separating the front from the kitchen, his eyes meeting none other than Alex himself.

"Mind your own business Ian, you haven't even started on the kitchen," Alex chided with a shit-eating grin, a sleeve of paper cups now lying fallen on the counter.

Ian's smile disappeared in a heartbeat. "I think you should close the kitchen, seeing as you got the original kitchen closer so pissed they walked out."

"Carlos is a punk, he had it coming," Alex said with an over-dramatic shrug that showed off his muscular arms. He then put on one of his signature cocky grins. "It takes me forever to close kitchen anyways. If you want us to get out before midnight, it's gotta be you."

"I can help you after I finish up the bookkeeping," Ian offered.

Alex's grin turned into an even greasier smile. "We got that inspection from corporate tomorrow. Or maybe they'll take back your promotion when they see how bad my kitchen close is."

Ian rolled his eyes. Even though his co-worker was joking, Ian couldn't jeopardize the promotion. In a few months he'd have enough to buy an engagement ring. "Alex-"

"Hey, hurry up over there!" A harsh, female voice called from the other side of the restaurant. "I'm almost completely done with dishes, ya' know!"

Alex pointed to the kitchen with sadistic glee. "All you, dude."

Ian groaned, but turned around and got a towel to begin wiping the counters down.

"Did you just start?" Suzy's voice asked, poking her head around the corner. Her uniform was the same, black hat, jeans, and a black shirt that instead of flour was wet from washing dishes.

Ian gave his girlfriend a smile. "Yeah, we got a lot of late orders." Ian dropped his towel and leaned in to give the cute brunette with glasses a kiss. She held a hand up and shook her head.

"Not at work, you know that," Suzy told him.

Ian sighed, but begrudgingly nodded. "Yeah. I'd probably work faster if I got a kiss from you, but I guess I'll just work in slow motion now," Ian teased.

Suzy smiled, a blush forming on her cheeks. "Well just think of Friday night, okay? Twenty first birthday."

Ian smiled wide. "Hard to forget. Two more days."

Suzy's attention had flipped, however, and she put her hands up to her mouth like a small megaphone."Alex, you got the drawer yet? I'll help you with bookkeeping."

"Coming..." Alex said, giving Ian a suggestive wink as he laughed like a hyena.

Re-invigorated with the prospect of his first night of finally being able to go out bar hopping with Suzy and their friends, he wrung out the sanitizing rag and began wiping the counters down.

"Hey Ian, it's 10:00, turn the oven off!" Alex's voice yelled from around the wall.

He eyed his phone to double check and switched the oven off before thoroughly wiping down the kitchen surfaces and counters and sweeping the floor. After what had to have been at least twenty minutes lost in work, he looked around for the mop bucket to no avail. Ian groaned as he began searching the pizza place's back area for it when he heard a feminine giggle and poked his head around the corner, seeing something that didn't register for a moment: Alex embracing Suzy, his hand squeezing her backside, their lips pressed together-

"Ian!" Suzy cried out in horror as she separated from their muscular co-worker.

Ian stood in shock, jaw agape, his chest feeling tight all of the sudden. Alex's cocky grin dissipated if only for a moment.

"It's not what it looks like..." Suzy said, regaining her composure.

"Then what was it?" Ian asked tensely, still in shock by the sight.

"Just uh... uh-a stupid joke," Suzy said with a jitter.

Alex turned to cover his face and Ian knew this wasn't just a stupid joke. The tenseness in his chest began to spread to his stomach and limbs as he turned around and stepped away.

"It was just a prank bro!" Alex called after him.

Ian's blood began to boil, his breath quickening as he stiffly turned out of the kitchen and headed for the exit, his mind not even processing what was happening around him.

"Ian, I can explain," Suzy called, her voice cracking.

Ian looked to the floor, as he walked out slowly, resisting the desperate urge to lash out at Alex. Tension in his neck tucked his gaze to the ground until he reached the front door, which he shoved open emphatically, causing it to bang against the window as he marched to his car a few dozen feet away. He got it going in record time and zoomed out of the parking lot, tears welling up in his eyes as the reality of the situation hit him.

He kept his old beater car's radio off for the drive home, staring blankly at the road ahead, his body sick with tension. He was near home when he slowed for a stoplight. No other cars waited at the intersection as Ian finally let out a frustrated groan. He eyed the intersection once more, noticing the faint glow of the orange moon hovering in the night sky. Carlos did say something about a lunar eclipse tonight before he stormed out.

The buzzing of his phone interrupted his thought, and he saw "JOHN GM" on his phone screen. Ian cursed and answered the phone. "What?" Ian spat.

"Where are you?" John's gruff voice angrily demanded.

"About three turns away from home."

"Well, turn your ass around and finish up the kitchen," John ordered. "Alex and Suzy told me you walked out. You know we've got the inspection tomorrow and everyone has to be clocked out by eleven tonight."

"They tell you why I walked out?" Ian said, holding back a scream and a batch of tears at the same time.

"Doesn't matter why-"

"I caught them making out," Ian said with eerie softness, like the calm before the storm.

"Okay, that sucks, but you gotta go back-"

"My girlfriend of four years -"

John quieted down for a few seconds. "You're a supervisor, Ian. I could fire you for this, not even mentioning the night before an inspection."

"I just found out my mom died, is that better?" Ian said sarcastically as a tear fell down his cheek.

"Look, that blows, it really does, but I need you to go back-"

"Make THEM fucking do it!" Ian demanded, another tear streaming down his cheeks. "They were fooling around anyways-"

"I'm serious Ian, if you don't go back right now, you can kiss that IT promotion good-bye ," John warned.

Ian took a deep breath as his heart tensed more. He shook his head slowly and blinked back a tear, putting his phone right up to his mouth. "Fuck the promotion," he uttered and promptly hung up.

Ian threw his head back in frustration and put his head in his hands, a sob escaping him. "Why, why? What the fuck? WHY?" He pleaded with the car's cabin.

A sudden honk of a horn brought Ian back to the situation at hand, and the green of the traffic light. He screamed a curse once more in frustration, and floored it out of the intersection. Less than a minute later he parked in his spot in front of his mother's house before getting his phone out and typing out a text to the group chat he'd organized for his twenty-first birthday celebration.

Birthday plans are canceled. Fuck everything.

Ian closed his phone and looked up to the night sky, the orange of the lunar eclipse resting seemingly right over his house from his angle as he made his way to the front door. The house was mostly dark by now, and Ian passed the bathroom, opting straight for his bedroom while still in his sweaty, soggy, floury uniform. He slammed the door shut and didn't even take his shoes off as he collapsed onto the bed. Ian spied his acoustic guitar and shook his head, his vision blurring from the emerging tears.

He turned in his bed, seeing the outline of his bedroom TV and remembered he was nearly done on a play through of Pokemon Violet's DLC. Suzy gave me so much shit for still playing Pokemon games... at least that doesn't matter anymore. His limbs felt heavy as the pit of despair expanded in his chest, and Ian shook his head in disbelief. In fifteen minutes my whole fucking life falls apart. "How did things go to shit so fast?" Ian asked aloud, expecting no answer.

"I just wish things were different..." Ian grumbled as he closed his eyes trying to force himself to sleep.


***

While still on top of his blankets, Ian felt a falling sensation come over him that jolted him awake. The darkness of his bedroom had been replaced with very bright light which strained his groggy eyes with pain as they adjusted to the sudden change. "What the...?" He still remained lying down on his bed, but he was no longer in his room, in fact, he was amongst trees and bushes whose type he'd never seen before. Grass sprawled outward from beyond his mattress, and a small, four legged figure dashed by him quickly. Was that a deer with a flower on it?

His question went unanswered as his ears suddenly seared with pain, making him recoil from a tremendous roar from behind him. Ian pushed himself up on his knees, kneeling on his bed and still in his dirty work shirt and jeans. To say it was a sight he never thought he'd ever see in his life would be a massive understatement. A large, purple, spiky creature standing upright was nearly twenty feet away from him, looking significantly taller than Ian's own 6'2 form and had to have a few hundred pounds on him. "Is that a… Nidoking?" Ian asked out of sheer disbelief. Seeing Pokemon hand drawn in the typical anime art style hadn't prepared him for something that looked far more realistic. The purple color stuck out even more against the realistic greenery around him and the... Pokemon.Looks oddly realistic. Am I in one of those codeine dreams?

A rustling beside him made Ian turn his head, and his heart leapt in fright once more as a purple rat the size of a normal house cat scurried by him. Ian's jaw dropped as he tried to process that the small figure was in fact a Rattata. "Are these really Pokemon?" Ian asked in disbelief.

Maybe I'm coma-dreaming. Maybe the BS that happened messed me up so much I'm in some cope-fueled dream. Another ear-splitting roar came from the purple creature nearly twenty feet away as Ian covered his ears and recoiled, cursing at the overwhelming sound. Once it had gone quiet again, Ian turned to see the imposing creature turning to him, and he noticed something he hadn't before: glowing red eyes. Like an Alpha from Legends Arceus?

Ian did not wait for an answer as he moved his stiff limbs into an upright position and scrambled to get further away, instinct taking over. He nearly stumbled as he came off his bed and onto solid ground, breaking into an unsteady run. A different, but savage, animalistic cry shrieked from behind him, and Ian saw a large ball of fur with brown legs and arms sprouting from its hairy core leap into action and engage the great Alpha beast. Nidoking roared once more and thin, glowing purple needles took flight as what Ian remembered was a Primeape ducked. Primeape then lunged, its hand glowing with brown energy and it appeared before Nidoking almost instantly, connecting a solid punch that sent a light shock wave from the impact. Nidoking was not phased, however, and drove its horn into the assailant, impaling it as Primeape gave a pained cry-

Whatever the hell is going on, I really should get out of here. Ian turned and bolted, his limbs less stiff as adrenaline pumped in his veins. He began taking in where he was, which didn't do much to assuage his bewilderment of the scenario. He appeared to be in a grove, with thin trees spread across the visible environment, although not too densely to prevent him from dashing between the various trees and bushes. Ian heard a growl and a panicked cry that went deathly quiet, and Ian slowed to turn his head. He saw the lumbering, purple monster bent over and he put together what had likely happened. That sure isn't in the games.

Ian crouched lowly, hoping the Alpha Nidoking would be distracted for him long enough to figure out what the hell was actually going on. Most realistic dream I've ever had. Maybe I'm lucid dreaming? That would be dope. "Okay, if I'm really lucid dreaming, can a busty goth girl appear in front of me?"

He turned around to see nothing appeared to change, and he took a deep breath only to realize things were rather strange around him. The sky wasn't blue, it was instead a hazy, white, fog. But it appeared to be much more compact, like a dome of sorts. A set of glowing, white cracks manifested suddenly a dozen feet ahead of him. A source of blue, swirling light seemed to push the cracks further out as what became more and more like a swirling wormhole straight out of a sci-fi movie formed.

"Wait- is that an Ultra Wormhole?" Ian asked aloud, not believing his eyes as a bizarre phenomenon from the Sun and Moon games was occurring in front of him. Suddenly a rush of water poured through the wormhole, and then two fish Pokemon, a Goldeen and Magikarp appeared, flopping helplessly in front of him. The wormhole then disappeared, leaving the stranded water Pokemon.

Ian looked around to see if he was still relatively safe, also to gauge if there was a water source nearby he could potentially get these Pokemon to. His quick scan saw nothing but dirt and vegetation. Alpha Nidoking still appeared occupied with its meal, so he felt mostly safe. Ian stepped gingerly to the Goldeen and knelt, putting his hands out as it flopped helplessly. He reached out to grab it, taking a hold of the base of its slimy, wet tail. Its main body slipped through his left hand, and he was suddenly met with a sting as Goldeen lunged its horn into his skin. Ian cursed loudly as he backed away, seeing blood beginning to drip from the point of contact.

"Okay, I'm in pain, time to wake up, right?" Ian asked no one in particular as he shook the wetness from his hand. A thunderous roar bellowed from Nidkoking's direction and Ian eyed the helpless fish Pokemon and shrugged. "Sorry you two..." Ian shook his hand as the searing pain flared back up again. Ian then went into a light jog, something he hadn't done much of since his time on the high school track team.

"So I'm seriously in the Pokemon world right now? How the fuck is that?" Ian asked aloud, his mind becoming increasingly more befuddled the longer this bizarre, overly-realistic dream seemingly went on for. Ian looked around to see other signs of life, and he saw another bright crack manifest in the distance before another wormhole opened up and out fell a potted plant, landing gracelessly in the grass onto its side, spilling soil.

"What is going on here?" Ian grumbled as he turned away from the dissipating wormhole. The white, fog-like sky seemed to touch the ground just beyond the set of trees he found himself in now, looking like a wall of wispy clouds. He turned his full attention to the phenomena and walked over curiously. Something caught his eye on the ground, a gleaming, ruby red gem of sorts on the ground in the shape of a four-pointed star. No way! Is this a Star Piece?

Ian knelt down and took a hold of it. It was nearly the size of his palm, and had a weighty density to it. A loud roar from Alpha Nidoking's direction brought Ian back to alert, and he hurriedly shoved the large gem into his rear jean pocket, jamming it in there as best he could. He felt it poking into his butt, but he continued making for the wall of fog. Upon reaching it, Ian held his hand out and it disappeared behind the haze. It felt like nothing had changed, but he couldn't see his appendage anymore. Ian took a deep breath before slowly moving his head into the apparently thin wall of fog, and a dazzling sight met him.

It was sunny, perfectly sunny, like a tropical paradise. Ian gasped as he moved his whole body through the wall of fog. The sky turned blue as he exited the blanket of fog, and turning back to look, he noticed the wall of fog was actually more like the upper half of a sphere. A dome? "What the hell?"

"Faller!" A harsh feminine voice shouted, and Ian turned to see who it belonged to and he couldn't believe his eyes. A lean, tanned woman with bright, eye-catching hair met his gaze. The high twin ponytails had one strand of each tail a bright pink, the other a bright yellow, reminding him of poison dart frogs. Her black tank top exposed a toned middle with a pink skull tattoo on it. Baggy, black pants flowed down her legs and Ian realized she was pointing at him rather accusingly. Is this Plumeria from the Sun and Moon games?

A long, skinny, black form scurried closer to Ian and he recoiled in fear. The realistic looking lizard got up on its hind legs and bared its teeth, steam rising from its mouth. Is that a Salazzle?

"You, stay right there!" Plumeria harshly demanded, pointing at him. "Salazzle, take it easy," Plumeria said, her tone much softer. Salazzle returned to a crawl and scurried back to Plumeria, eyeing him suspiciously.

Ian closed his mouth as he held his hands up innocently. Behind Plumeria were a handful of people dressed in Team Skull uniforms, and it finally, truly struck him. I'm really in a video game world.

Plumeria, Salazzle and the entourage of four Team Skull Grunts approached him. Each of them looked to be adults, or young adults at least. The bandanas covering the grunts' faces made them look all the more imposing instead of cartoonishly foolish like in the games. The familiar cry of a Pokemon hit his ears, making Ian turn to its source: a big, hairy Gumshoos on all fours baring its teeth from behind Plumeria.

He returned his gaze to Plumeria, whose scowl made him uneasy. "Do you remember anything, Faller?" Plumeria spat.

"What?" Ian asked reflexively. still grasping what he was seeing.

"Do you remember anything from where you came from?" Plumeria demanded.

Ian stammered but nodded. "Y-yeah?"

"Your name?"

"Ian," he said. "Ian Derry."

"Prince Street Pizza?" Plumeria asked, indicating his shirt.

"Where I work er- used to work, actually." Ian said, remembering the events that had just transpired, hitting him like a gut punch.

Plumeria's resting bitch-face expression seemed to lax if only for a moment. "You think you wanna go back to your home world?"

"Uh..." Ian stammered, as he processed the events that had happened what felt like such a short time ago more than what Plumeria had just asked him.

"How long has it been since you emerged in the Ultra Storm?" Plumeria asked.

"Emerged? Ultra Storm...?" Ian said, desperately trying to put together what she meant.

"She means how long you been here, yo," said a male, bandana-wearing grunt with light blue hair. The hostile looking Gumshoos growled some more, reinforcing the grunt's point.

"Oh... A few minutes?" Ian said hesitantly. "Like, not even five I think..."

"You get wormhole'd at work or something?" Plumeria asked, looking over his dirty clothes once more.

Ian tensed at the reminder of what happened. "Not quite... I woke up on my bed and there was this Alpha Nidoking-"

"The Alpha's still there?" Plumeria said in alarm. "Everyone, back up, NOW!"

Plumeria reached out and took Ian by the arm, dragging him away from the foggy, white barrier. Once they'd reached thirty feet or so from the border of the cloudy dome shrouding the nearby area, Plumeria returned her attention to Ian.

"Do you have any Pokemon on you right now?" Plumeria asked.

Ian paused and shook his head.

Plumeria rolled her eyes. "You know what an Alpha Pokemon is at least, that's good..." Plumeria sighed. "Any chance you want to go back to where you were?" Plumeria asked. "Time's almost up for this Ultra Storm."

"Ultra Storm?" Ian asked.

"This thing," Plumeria pointed up at the white half-sphere he'd emerged from. "What you woke up in," Plumeria said, pointing at the foggy shroud. "It's what we call an area that gets shrouded in this white cloud. Ultra Wormholes start popping up like crazy inside it. We don't know what happens to the people it takes with it when it fades, but we figure the only chance you have of going back home would be to stay in it and hope it takes you there."

Ian gulped. Is the direction of my entire life really about to hinge on me standing in that cloud- Ultra Storm? "You know if there's any chance I'll actually make it back home?" Ian asked.

"Not a clue. Just a crazy idea," Plumeria said.

Ian took a deep breath and realized if he wanted an even remote chance of actually going back home, he'd probably have to get close to his bed, which was quite close to where the great, purple beast roamed. With that, he made his decision. "I'll stay with you guys."

"Then lets get the fuck out of here!" Plumeria barked, signalling for the group to move away. She and her Salazzle turned to walk away but hesitated, turning back around. "My name's Plumeria, by the way."

Ian nodded, trying to act like he didn't already know her name. "Plumeria, got it."

"Anything else we should know about you, Ian?" Plumeria asked suspiciously.

"Besides this whole thing possibly being a drug-induced hallucination?" Ian said with an uneasy laugh. "No."

The blue haired grunt with the Gumshoos busted up with laughter, causing a death glare from Plumeria. "Tupp, shut up!" Plumeria barked.

The blue-haired grunt with the Gumshoos who was bizarrely named "Tupp" composed himself before pointing at Ian. "You got any more drugs on you? We ran outta the good stuff months ago."

"Tupp!" Plumeria barked.

Ian tried to hold back a laugh, mostly successful. "I promise you dude, if I had some, I'd give 'em to you."

"Sweet!" Tupp said with a cheer. "Big Sis, can we keep him? He seems a'ight."

"Tupp, shut up before I beat your ass!" Plumeria barked.

"Are you threatening him with a good time?" Ian chimed in before realizing he wasn't exactly ingrained enough in the group to make the kind of joke.

Plumeria turned to him, a deathly look in her golden-yellow eyes. Ian involuntarily gulped, realizing he might've royally fucked up. Thankfully, the death glare broke as she scoffed and shook her head, an amused smile on her face. "Great, now I have two idiots to deal with." At that, Plumeria turned around and began marching away. The other three grunts followed suit, besides the blue-haired grunt named Tupp and his Gumshoos, who stopped with Ian.

"Nice one bro," Tupp said with a smirk. "This is Gumshoos by the way," he said, pointing to the large rodent with brown and golden fur. Gumshoos eyed Ian up skeptically, then rose onto its hind legs, which made its front legs that appeared to be arms go behind its back. It gave a high pitched chitter followed by a low growl before returning to its all-fours position. "And I'm Tupp."

Ian reciprocated the fist bump and smiled. "Ian Derry."

"Derry? That's a stupid ass name yo," Tupp commented in his rougher dialect.

Ian just smiled, trying to hide how awkward the whole interaction had suddenly become. "Thanks dude." Plumeria and the grunts were getting away from them and Ian pointed at them. "Think we should follow?" Ian asked.

Tupp looked over his shoulder and laughed. "Of course, stupid!" He then turned around, and Ian followed closely behind. "You're stupid, but at least you're funny, Ian Derry,'" Tupp said, mockingly emphasizing his last name.

Ian smiled awkwardly as he continued walking. "At least I got something going for me."

Tupp snorted and gave him a soft, brotherly punch on the arm. "You keep saying stupid stuff like that and you'll be Big Sis' new punching bag." Tupp bent over and put his fists up in a bad boxing pose and pantomimed hitting a punching bag.

"Is that a good thing?" Ian asked.

Ian could see the smile behind the bandana. "Yeah, cuz the current punching bag's me."

Ian chuckled. "Fair enough." A loud rumbling sound diverted Ian's attention behind him to the white dome Plumeria had called an Ultra Storm, and he noticed the shroud's borders had begun to rotate in an odd way as a crackling, static-like noise hit his ears. Ian didn't feel any change in the wind or anything, but it looked like it should. "What's going on there?"

"Ultra Storm's ending yo," Tupp answered. "Going back to the rift at the top of the mountain." Tupp pointed up, and what had been shrouded by the mist of the Ultra Storm had now become clear: a snow capped mountain towered over the island ominously. Ian noticed a bright, shimmering, light at the summit and had to divert his gaze after staring at it for a few seconds.

"What's that bright light at the top?" Ian asked.

"Dat's the Ultra Rift, or at least that's what peeps keep calling it," Tupp explained. "That's where all the Ultra Storms come from. One day it appeared at the top of the mountain and boom, everything went to shit. Weird people and Pokemon start getting wormhole'd onto the island all the time. Like you did just now."

Ian nodded. "Interesting… How long ago was that?"

"Uh..." Tupp dropped his bandana to reveal his gawking mouth. "Four months back? Maybe five? I dunno, been a while."

"Okay…" Ian commented as the two got back to following Plumeria and the other grunts. Having more time to look, he noticed what looked to be a Lycanroc with orange fur, making Ian remind himself about Lycanroc's Dusk form. On the other side of the group of four was a red and black striped cat Ian recognized as a Torracat, the evolution of the starter Pokemon Litten. He admired the vibrant red and black fur coat on Torracat, but was interrupted by Tupp leaning in a bit closer.

Tupp began speaking lowly and rather seriously. "So, Faller, were you a Pokemon trainer where you came from?"

Ian smiled nervously, not sure how to answer. Video games probably don't do it justice at all. "Not really..."

"When they ask, tell 'em you were a trainer, okay? Else they'll have you doin' stupid labor and shit around Po Town and you don't want that, ya' feel?" Tupp explained.

"Gotcha... If I'm not exactly a great Pokemon trainer, wouldn't that be dangerous?" Ian asked.

"Yeah, but I got your back bro. I need to keep you alive so Plumeria gets mad at you instead," Tupp answered, putting his fist up for another fist bump.

What a nice guy. Ian pounded fists with Tupp and smiled. "Appreciate it dude."

"Well, that's if you get to even hang in Po Town. Boss been getting real protective about new peeps. Food's runnin' low," Tupp explained.

I hope Guzma isn't as ridiculous as I remember he was in the games. Tupp and Ian brought up the rear in relative silence for a while, and the realization of how long and bizarre whatever this dream was continued nagging at Ian. Ready to wake up any minute now...

"The road's not too far away, just over that hill up ahead. Try to keep up back there!" Plumeria barked.

Ian realized there was no set path they were following, Plumeria just led the group across the more easily walkable terrain covered in grass. Up ahead was a hill that took up a lot of his vision, and the few hundred foot uphill march made Ian groan. Thankfully, the sun shone beautifully in the sky, and he remembered if he was in Alola, then this was the Pokemon world equivalent of Hawaii. "Always wanted to go to that state..." Ian mumbled.

"Whatchu saying, Ian?" Tupp asked.

"Just thinking I'd always wanted to come here at some point in my life," Ian answered.

"Well you sure picked the worst fuckin' island at the worst fuckin' time to be here," Tupp retorted. "Where you from anyways? You got a bit of a Unovan accent."

"Uh..." Ian froze as the magnitude of what he would truthfully say came to him, and something told him he probably should play along like he was from a world with Pokemon in it. This could be a bizarre coma dream anyways. "N-Nimbasa..." Ian blurted out, saying the first Unovan city name he could remember.

"Fuck, well you a long way from home, bro," Tupp said. "And y'ain't gettin' back there soon, okay?"

Ian gulped. "Why's that?"

Tupp leaned in closer to Ian. "Well, you on Ula'Ula Island, see? And deez Ultra Storms be messin' shit up so much the government stopped giving a fuck. So we on our own out here."

"Oh..." Ian said, not sure he fully comprehended what Tupp meant.

"Po Town's so outta the way, we always kinda' were on our own, but now we're like, super on our own, ya feel me?" Tupp continued.

Ian shrugged. "Well, I'm just glad I got picked up by you guys and not some Alpha Pokemon as it's next meal."

Tupp snorted. "You're damn right about that, stupid ass Ian!" Tupp cackled incessantly at the joke, and Ian managed to crack a fake smile.

As their heels met the incline, the chatter ceased. Ian's eyes got heavy as he realized he was still really sleepy, and the aches and pains in his body took hold. A fly started bothering Ian for a moment, and he didn't think much of it for a moment before realizing something: the fly was an actual fly, like something from his world. Do they have animals that aren't Pokemon here? A quick thought of what the implications would mean of him asking that made him shelve the idea for the time being though.

They had to stop for a couple breaks, and he noticed even the Team Skull members seemed drained as well. While the air was a bit humid, it wasn't too uncomfortable thanks to the light ocean breeze, and he did find himself working up a sweat in his already selectively damp clothes. But whatever discomfort in his armpits, back, and legs with the uphill march faded as he got to drink in the view from the top of the hill.

Barely a cloud was in the near sky in the mid afternoon sun, and the deep blue of the sea made him gawk. He noticed a couple Trumbeak soaring below them, and the unhindered breeze washed over him like a breath of fresh air. "It's gorgeous..." Ian commented. "I'm really in Alola..."

"Everyone, take five!" Plumeria barked. "Water if you got it."

Ian mouthed "thank goodness" to Tupp and bent over, hands resting on his knees. Ian's parched mouth begged for water, but he didn't have anything on him, and something told him it would be a bad idea to ask, so instead he drank in the view of the shoreline a bit longer before he turned back to the little valley they'd come from. He rubbed his eyes and a huge yawn came over him.

"How dafuq you sleepy when it's the afternoon still?" Tupp said, pulling a tube from his mouth as some water spilled out from the end.

Is that a camelbak? "I was still on my bed in that thing- Ultra Storm, you guys call it?" Ian said. "I'm still sleepy as hell."

Tupp shook his head. "That sucks, but it's the middle of the day here, bro."

Ian shook his head, rubbing his eyes to try to wipe the sleepiness from them. "I can see that…" Ian paused, looking out over the cliffs some more. "How much further are we going?"

Tupp shook his head. "Not too far, just gotta get down this ridge. See the shitty road down there?" Tupp pointed down and to the right, and Ian realized the majestic sea view had made him totally miss the paved road at the base of the hill they were on. "Then we'll be on The Straightaway and we can bike it back to Po Town. Just a few miles."

Looking up the coast, he saw plains and then a dark outline of buildings on a sort of peninsula. "That's Po Town?" Ian asked.

Tupp nodded. "Yup!"

Doesn't look too far away. Ian turned around, seeing a chaotic mess of green and slopes leading up to the mountain as it loomed over them ominously. He then looked what he assumed was south, seeing a dense line of trees a way down. He noticed more black outlines of buildings surrounded by trees before the emergence of some hills. "What's that over there?"

Tupp shook his head. "Nah man, that's the Lake of the Sunne. Old sacred place, we not supposed to go there unless we gotta. Tapu Bulu'll fuck ya' up if you stay too long."

"Noted..." Ian replied. The place didn't get fleshed out much in the games, but he did remember there being a design similar to Arceus's when you looked at the area from above. Sacred? Shit, I don't know what the religions are like here. Better keep my mouth shut on that front. Ian rolled his eyes, still in partial disbelief he was taking any of this seriously. Most realistic dream ever. Maybe I died? Maybe this is the afterlife? Did I really die of heartbreak or some lame shit like that? He shook his head to get the puzzling thoughts out of his mind, and he noticed a couple of the female members taking their bandanas off, revealing their faces as they approached. One was the stereotypical female Team Skull grunt with pink hair and resting bitch face, but she did have a necklace of flowers around her neck. The other was rather sweet and innocent looking, a stark contrast from the grunt, but she looked quite familiar with her brown hair and beaming smile, an orange-coated Lycanroc following beside her.

"Hey there dude with a stupid ass name," the female grunt greeted him with a harsh dialect similar to Tupp. "I'm Rapp, and this is Comfey." Rapp pointed to her flower necklace, or Lei as it was called in Hawaii. Then he noticed a small little life form came out from between the flowers and gave a melodic chime to greet him.

"Nice to meet you Rapp, Comfey," Ian said, eyes fixated on the Fairy Pokemon.

"And I'm Selene. This is Lycanroc, say 'hi' Lycanroc!" The other girl said. The coyote-sized Pokemon gave a couple happy barks Ian's way as it smiled excitedly.

Ian was slightly taken aback. She looked really similar to the Alola games' female protagonist, just like a young adult instead of a kid on the verge of puberty. What is she doing in Team Skull?

"You alright dude?" Selene asked, her voice much sweeter than Rapp's.

"Sorry, just processing everything a little slow," Ian replied.

"That's normal for Fallers like you," Rapp commented. "Mind all numb and shit. At least you weren't like the last one we picked up."

"Last one?" Ian asked curiously.

Rapp giggled. "Some fat guy with glasses. He started celebrating and shit. When we told him to chill out, he said he was some weird ass word. What'd he say, Tupp?"

Tupp smirked. "Girl he was like, 'I'mma e-si-guy protagonist' and he had special powers and that we should listen to him," Tupp explained with a laugh.

E-si-guy protagonist? What is- And then it hit him: some otaku from a world like his with the Isekai genre of shows had wormhole'd in. "What happened to him, is he still around?" Ian asked warily.

Rapp, Selene, and even Tupp joined together in a fit of laughter. "Nah man, after Plumeria told him what was up, he got all butthurt and started bitching. Dumbass ran into a bush and got fried by a Vikavolt."

"A Vikavolt?" Ian asked, eyes expanding in shock.

"Burnt him to a crisp. Fuckin' idiot" Rapp with a giggle. "You not like that guy, right?"

Ian shook his head. "Nope." Maybe running with these guys is a bad idea. But what choice do I have right now?

"Hey Faller!" Plumeria barked harshly, approaching him. "Your mind done being fuzzy?"

Ian shook his head. "Still a bit but..."

"Too bad, cuz I got questions for you..." Plumeria began. "So where you from?"

"Elk Grove-" Ian answered habitually before covering his mouth. "Well-"

"He's from Unova, Nimbasa City," Tupp chimed in.

"Shut up, Tupp! He will answer my questions!" Plumeria roared. Tupp slouched in defeat, but Ian could see a subtle smirk on his face.

"Yeah, Nimbasa City..." Ian said.

"What's Elk Grove?" Plumeria demanded, folding her arms.

"A suburb outside of it," Ian said nervously.

"And were you a Pokemon trainer there? Or were you just a delivery boy for a pizza place?" Plumeria asked.

"I was a supervisor, thank you very much," Ian said defensively. "And I trained Pokemon in my spare time."

"Which Pokemon?" Plumeria demanded quickly.

"Uh... Herdier, Krokorok, and-" Ian tried to remember a flying Pokemon from Unova that wasn't the Pidove line. "Rufflet…"

"Not bad. Not great, but could be worse," Plumeria eyed Tupp. "Like being a trainer for one year and having just a Gumshoos and a Golbat to show for it."

"C'mon Big Sis, boss ain't lemme get more Poke Balls. Plus I don't have any good practice partners, and you always say no when I ask you to train me!" Tupp protested.

"You could always hit up the Driftwood Guild for more balls, but that would involve having something to trade," Plumeria lectured. "And I say no to practicing with you because as one of Team Skull's 'Bones.' my Pokemon have to be in top shape to fight threats at any time. Remember the last time Breon's guys attacked the outer wall?" Plumeria demanded.

"Yeah..." Tupp said, defeated completely this time.

"Bones?" The hell does that mean?

Plumeria shifted her focus back to Ian, her resting-bitch-face look very apparent. "You don't have your Pokemon with you now, Ian?" Plumeria asked.

"No..." Ian croaked. "I put them on my bedside table, which uh, I don't think arrived with me."

"Figures," Plumeria said with a sigh. "On that note, break's over."

"Any place to stop for water? I'm parched." Ian asked.

Plumeria scowled. "The water fountain at what's left of the police checkpoint stopped working, so you'll have to just wait until Po Town. It's just a few miles ride up The Straightaway from here."

Ian nodded. "Okay I wasn't exactly packed for a hike when I went to bed today..."

Plumeria motioned him to come closer to her as they began their descent down the hill. "Random question, but you never met a guy named Oleander where you're from, right?"

Ian shook his head. "No."

Plumeria exhaled with a hint of disappointment. "So what was it like for you?"

"What?"

"Falling... Faller-ing? I don't know if that's a word," Plumeria said.

"Well, I had a really shitty night so I went right to bed..." Ian paused as his heart tensed with the memories of the night before, the image of his ex-girlfriend Suzy lip to lip with Alex burned into the back of his retinas, which made him wince.

"Was there anything that caused it? Anything out of the ordinary?" Plumeria asked seriously. "Like a comet or meteor shower?"

"Uh..." Ian gasped as a small detail came back to him. "There was a lunar eclipse, the thing where the moon turns red..."

"Oh. Anything else? Like did you say anything?" Plumeria asked.

Ian opened his mouth but paused, recalling the memory. Oh shit... "My last words I remember were saying 'I wish things had been different.'"

"And there you go, you get your wish. Welcome to Alola," Plumeria said, a hint of teasing in her voice. "Picked an awful time to come here, though."

"Yeah what's going on with that?" Ian asked. "Tupp was saying something similar..."

Plumeria shook her head. "Easier to show you when we got a map handy."

"Wait, you're out here without a map?" Ian asked.

Plumeria scoffed. "I know this part of the island like the back of my hand, idiot. No need for a fucking map."

"Well I'm dumb..." Ian admitted.

"No wonder Tupp wants to keep you around," Plumeria teased. "Better hope Guzma feels the same way."

With that, Plumeria pulled ahead a bit, indicating her business with him was done. Ian followed along, eventually getting back with Tupp, who'd been speaking to the other Team Skull grunt he'd yet to meet, the one with a Torracat by his side. He had dark blonde hair and wore his beanie leaning to one side, almost covering one of his green eyes.

"Hey man, I haven't met you yet, I'm Ian-"

The grunt furrowed his eyebrows and didn't respond, just continuing to walk forward. "Uh... my bad..." Ian added.

Tupp shook his head and put his arm around Ian. "That's Hyde. He's a little over-protective of us sometimes."

"Cautious," Hyde said lowly before returning to walking in silence.

"Yeah whatever, paranoid bozo," Tupp retorted.

"Fuck you!" Hyde called back.

"Fuck you too!" Tupp called back, a smirk on his face, returning his focus to Ian. "What, anything wrong?"

"I thought you guys were gonna fight right now..." Ian observed.

Tupp busted up with a throaty laugh. "Nah man, that's just how we talk in Team Skull. When Hyde gave you the cold shoulder and you said 'my bad' like a little bitch, you'd get called out if you were one of us, you feel?" Tupp explained.

"Okay..." Ian said with uncertainty.

"You keep acting like a lil' bitch and boss is gonna make you a house bitch, and trust me, you don't want that," Tupp continued.

"Got it," Ian said with more confidence.

"Good, now keep that shit up."

During the walk, Ian caught Tupp's eyes continually checking out Rapp and Selene's behinds. Their pants weren't nearly as baggy as Plumeria's or the guys. Ian leaned in close, hushing his voice and slowing down a bit, which Tupp picked up on. "Do me a solid bro, how old is everyone here?"

"Me and Rapp are nineteen, Plumeria's twenty-two, Selene's eighteen and Hyde-" Tupp raised his voice. "Hey Hyde, how old are you again?"

"Don't tell him shit about me, Tupp," Hyde retorted. What is that guy's deal?

Tupp chuckled and didn't ask again. "What about you, Ian?"

"Was gonna turn twenty-one in a few days."

Tupp shook his head. "Sorry bro, but this gotta be the worst birthday present, ever."

When they reached the bottom of the hill, the group and their Pokemon went right for a patch of brush by the roadside. Ian watched in confusion until he saw Plumeria pull a bicycle out of the brush. More cycles were uncovered from their stealthy hiding place, and Rapp rolled a bike over to Tupp. "He's riding with you," Rapp stated as she gave her neck-residing Comfey a playful scratch, causing the little fairy to chirp softly.

Tupp sighed. "Yeah." He then grabbed a Poke Ball from under his baggy black tank top and pressed the button on the front, firing a red beam at Gumshoos, causing the large rodent Pokemon to light up with a red glow before following the beam back into Tupp's Poke Ball.

Ian noticed Tupp's bike had a metal bar protruding from the hub of its back wheel. "You've done this before…" Ian asked.

"Couple times," Tupp said. "You ain't a hot chick, so you ain't sitting on my handlebars."

"How far are we going?" Ian asked.

"About three miles up the coast," Tupp said. "Shouldn't take too long, even with two riders."

"Yeah, I hear you," Ian said, bracing himself for a very uncomfortable ride with his leg muscles already aching as he mounted the cycle's back protrusions and went in motion. In such a drowsy, sore state, Ian was barely able to keep his balance. This isn't gonna be fun.

The cool breeze was a nice by-product of their method of transit, but it didn't take long for Ian's muscles to begin aching. Plus he was yawning every few minutes, his eyelids getting heavier with each yawn. When the walls of Po Town came into view he gave a relieved sigh. "Finally," Ian said with a groan.

Tupp shook his head. "Don't get too stoked now, bro. You ain't even seen the boss yet."

Ian cursed, a pit of dread forming in his torso. "Yeah, don't remind me."

Chapter Text

Chapter 2 Welcome to Po Town

Ian kept his eyes fixed on the horizon which had become more littered with clouds, trying to ignore the soreness in his back from balancing on the back of Tupp's bike. While riding on the back, he realized the less he thought about keeping his balance, the easier it got.

"There it is!" Tupp announced to Ian, the twenty foot walls protecting the town began growing as the group of cycling Team Skull members pedaled closer. After a few agonizingly long minutes, Tupp's bike slowed as the walls of Po Town loomed over the group. Ian stepped off the bike's back protrusions, nearly tripping as his upper body's forward momentum overtook his legs. Tupp cruised by the other Team Skull members who came to halt on their bikes, and Tupp got right up to the gate and began pounding loudly on the metal, the thuds from his hands echoing like a drum. "We here, fools!" Tupp yelled.

"Finally," Ian said under his breath, his leg and back muscles sore from the awkward position he needed to take to stand on the back of the bike.

"C'mon fuckheads, we here!" Tupp called out, giving another barrage from his fists. He stopped abruptly and shook his hand tenderly.

"Nice one, idiot," Rapp teased.

"I'm hurrying them up," Tupp fired back, holding his hurt hand. "You should be thanking me."

A metallic sound came from behind the gate, which Ian assumed to be the unlocking mechanism.

Selene went up to Tupp with an overly-sweet smile on her face. "Gee, thank you so much, you're my hero!" Selene said, voice full of sarcasm. "Idiot," she grunted as she passed him.

With a loud rumble, the gates began opening inwards slowly, revealing an asphalt road. Ian followed the rest of the squad in, seeing a couple Team Skull grunts coming out from behind the gates, bandanas and beanies covering most of their distinguishing features. Ian noted one had light brown skin and the other had skin that looked like he was East Asian. Or whatever that is in the Pokemon world. As Ian took his first step into Po Town, the sun fittingly dimmed slightly as a cloud blocked it.

"Managed to keep this Faller from getting fried by another Vikavolt, Plumeria?" A high-pitched male voice teased. Ian turned to the source of the voice: a man a few years older than Ian but no beanie covered his curly brown hair, and no bandana covered his goatee-sporting face.

"This one's not a complete idiot, Rook," Plumeria said. "But only so much. We picked him up at the end of that Ultra Storm that started a couple hours back. He's got his memory and knows what Pokemon are."

"Lucky for him," Rook grunted dryly.

The sense of dread made his now hungry stomach nauseous, so he shifted his attention to the rest of the town while the rest of the group put their bikes against the wall. In the games, Po Town was just a couple columns of houses. But here it was an actual town. Over the fences separating each mostly dilapidated house, he caught a glimpse of the perimeter wall surrounding the town. The cloud blockage gave the run down houses an even more dingy feel.

"How big is this place?" Ian asked curiously to his new companions.

"Why you gotta know?" Hyde fired back, eyes glaring at Ian.

"Just curious man," Ian replied simply.

Tupp cleared his throat, getting Ian's attention, mouthing "say 'fuck you.'"

Ian chuckled lowly, but declined.

"Something funny, kid?" Hyde questioned.

Ian stopped, his amused smile flipping into a scowl. "Kid? You look younger than me."

Hyde scoffed. "You're a few months older than me, but you fuck around like a kid, so Imma call you kid."

He's questioning my manhood here. Might be part of the test. "What's your deal, Hyde? You trying to fight me or something?"

Hyde smirked. "I'd be down, but you got no Pokemon on you."

"Got fists right here," Ian said, squaring up. It had been a while since karate classes when he was eight. He now found himself wishing he'd stayed longer than a couple months.

"You think Imma get in a scrap with an obvious plant from the Unova Marines?" Hyde sneered.

Ian heard multiple gasps from the members around him, and he noticed even Plumeria seemed alarmed. "What?"

"The ASF's been more active on the island recently, and capturing Po Town would give them a major base to counter Breon and Haina Town, plus keep an eye on Surge," Hyde explained.

Ian's eyebrows rose in confusion. "What the fuck are you talking about, dude?"

"What an easy fucking plant, says he doesn't even know what the Unova Marines are and he's clearly from Unova. Your story smells, 'Faller,' if you even really are one."

"Marines?" Ian asked. Oh he means like the armed forces, like the military branch called "marines" back home. "Why would Unovan Marines be out here?"

Hyde scoffed. "What a joke! The Unovan Marines been makin' Alola their bitch for years and you don't know?"

Geopolitics of the Pokemon world? Time to shut up. "Hey man, I never got into politics or anything..."

Plumeria stepped forward. "Hyde, cool it. Unova doesn't exactly go around bragging about what they do here in Alola. He's clearly just an idiot anyways."

For once in his life, Ian was ready to embrace the "idiot" moniker if it meant getting this Hyde asshole off his back.

"Well before he sees the boss, we gotta search him," Hyde said. "Make sure he ain't hiding anything."

Ian put his hands up. "Do it. I've got nothing to hide-" Ian then suddenly remembered the Star Piece in his back pocket he'd picked up in the Ultra Storm he'd yet to reveal. Okay, maybe something. Ian then lifted up his shirt and pulled his pockets out of his jeans. "See, nothing on me."

"Might be hiding something somewhere else," Hyde observed.

A glimmer of inspiration hit him. "Hyde, you're being a real asshole, which is funny because in Unova we have a saying: 'you are what you eat.' You trying to eat my ass, Hyde? Just strip me down and go to town?"

Hyde scoffed. "Fuck you, fake-ass Faller."

This is too easy. "Okay, you want to fuck me. I'm just glad you stopped being subtle about it!" Ian announced with a shit-eating grin. He caught Plumeria stifling a laugh in his peripheral vision. "I'm not gay, but I'm very supportive of you all-"

Hyde reached for a poke ball, eyes filled with hatred.

"Stand down Hyde, he doesn't have any Pokemon," Plumeria barked, pulling one of her own Poke Balls from her belt.

"He's a spy, can't you see it?" Hyde pleaded aggressively, Ian noticing a shiny wristwatch on Hyde's hand that reflected the sun right into his eyes for a moment.

Something involving "the spy who shagged me" crossed his mind, but Ian figured they didn't have Austin Powers in the Pokemon world. "Okay Hyde, I'll let you eat my ass!" Ian announced as he turned around and stuck his behind out. "It might taste a little funny though because the last time I took a shit there wasn't a lot of toilet paper."

"Fuck you, asshat!" Hyde spat as Ian watched him turn around in a rage and stormed off. Finally.

When Hyde seemed out of earshot, Plumeria, Tupp, Selene, and Rapp began giggling like hyenas. Tupp put his arm around Ian. "Dude, you might be stupid, but you're pretty fucking funny." Ian put his fist up, which Tupp happily bumped.

"Let's keep moving," Plumeria said, an amused grin still on her face.

Ian remained silent as they rode through the center of town. There was a canal with blue-ish water running perpendicular to the main street. After crossing the small canal bridge, he eyed larger commercial buildings to his left and even a park to his right. He finally saw some non-Team Skull people in the town, and they looked quite skinny.

"You see them, Ian?" Tupp said, pointing to a group of people pushing carts full of laundry bags looking positively miserable.

"Yeah?"

"They're the 'Dirtbags.' They're always covered in dirt or lugging around bags. It's the shittiest job in Po Town," Tupp then leaned in and began to whisper. "Make sure they let you be a trainer, else you gotta be one of those."

"Thanks for the heads up," Ian whispered back, giving Tupp another fist bump.

"Oi, recon team's back!" A uniformed grunt called out in an English accent as he did hand signs. Beside him stood what Ian recognized to be a Perrserker from the Galar region. The grunt's dark skin and tall, imposing demeanor made Ian tense for a moment.

Tupp quickly fired back hand signs of his own. "Waddup Stompz?"

"Good to see you, Stompz," Plumeria said plainly, which seemed to be as tender as Plumeria's tone got.

"Finally another tall bloke!" Stompz declared, eyes on Ian as he approached. "You think Guzma'll keep him?"

"I hope!" Tupp replied. "He's lookin' like Plumeria's new punching bag already," Tupp said with a chuckle.

Stompz the grunt gave a hearty, bellowing laugh. "Faller, you know what Pokemon are?"

"Yeah," Ian said with a nod.

"But he doesn't have any on him," Plumeria said grimly.

"Shit, that's not good these days," Stompz said. "Well chap, I know Po Town don't look like much, but it's a lot better place to be than most of the island. I'm lucky Plumeria scooped me up a couple months back instead of Surge's or Breon's lads."

Surge? Like Lieutenant Surge from Kanto? Ian nodded grimly. "Well it was either her or an Alpha Nidoking," Ian said.

"Nidoking? Shit lad, I lucked out. The Alpha in my Ultra Storm was a fookin' Furret," Stompz said, waving to the group as they continued on.

More Team Skull members seemed to lurk through the neighborhood on this side of the canal, be it walking on the street or sitting on the sidewalk. Parts of the fences were ripped in half, making easy entrances into various backyards. The fences that weren't ripped up had graffiti all over them. He noticed the word "Spine" in a lot of the graffiti and got curious. "Hey Tupp, what's up with all of the 'Spine' stuff on the fences?"

"Name of the street, yo," Tupp said, pointing at the road beneath them. "Used to be Main Street, but when things went to shit and Team Skull took over, Guzma re-named it."

"Gotcha," Ian said.

The mansion at the end of the main street stood taller above all of the other buildings in its proximity. The pole at the end of the intersection with what was likely the only pristine street sign in Po Town read "Shady Way." More Team Skull grunts skulked around the front yard where a number of rusty cars were parked on the unkempt lawn. Some windows were boarded up and dozens of bits of graffiti littered the outer walls. Looks just like it did in the games. A couple bandana adorned grunts in Team Skull uniforms stood at the entrance of the house, opening the double doors.

The entrance hall looked straight out of a scary movie. The hardwood was torn up in places, rugs were disheveled, stained, and frayed. There was no graffiti inside, but the chandelier only had half of its lights working, and dimmed every few seconds from what Ian assumed was an unsteady power supply.

Plumeria led him up stairs that had a few holes in them he had to be careful to avoid. They went through a dimly lit hallway with an imposing, larger door at the end. Ian felt his body tense as he got closer. Remember, Herdier, Krokorok, and Rufflet.

Plumeria pounded on the door loudly and was abruptly met with a cranky female voice shouting back "who is it?"

"It's me. Got a Faller in tow," Plumeria yelled back.

"Another one, really?" The annoyed female voice retorted.

Ian gulped nervously as the door opened, revealing a much more well-kept room with a platform raised two feet off the ground with a yellow throne of sorts, with the figure Ian expected to see sitting atop it. Guzma lounged on his throne, his back against one of the arms and his legs dangling off the side. Guzma's hair was dyed, with most of what was shown to be white, but his roots were black. His black jacket covered most of his upper body from the angle, but Ian could see a bit of white shirt around his collar. Guzma had a pair of large sunglasses resting on his forehead, and his baggy black pants had a pair of white X's on them at the knee.

A small, fuzzy creature scuttled around the base of the throne that gave Ian jump-scare. The hell is that? Gotta be a Bug Type since it's Guzma, but a hairy bug? Five orange horns protruded from the larvae's body like a crown and the lightbulb went off in his head. Larvesta! Plumeria cleared her throat in a way Ian could tell was to get him back to what was important.

Ian redirected his gaze to Guzma. The Team Skull boss eyed Ian rather lazily with his dark pupils, but there was a certain intensity that made Ian tense up. "A pizza boy?" Guzma finally asked with disinterest. "If Plumeria gets her way we'll have a whole restaurant staff here in Po Town. Too bad we got no restaurant."

Ian wasn't sure whether to speak, so he held his tongue, Guzma eyed him even more curiously before turning his neck to Plumeria. "He remember anything?"

"He does," Plumeria said. "He's from Unova. Nimbasa City to be exact."

"What part of Nimbasa?" Guzma asked.

"Some suburb. What was it again?" Plumeria asked.

"Elk Grove," Ian croaked, wishing his mouth wasn't so dry.

"You're a long way from home, kid," Guzma stated.

Ian nodded silently, not sure if his lack of speaking had more to do with respect or straight up fear. Maybe a bit of both.

"He was a Pokemon trainer," Plumeria said.

"Not a very good one if he was working at a pizza place," Guzma pointed out, smiling wickedly at Ian.

Ian realized this was probably his time to speak up, and opened his mouth. "Sir, I-"

"Don't sir me, we're not the fucking ASF," Guzma spat before sliding his legs toward Ian and Plumeria and standing up in a fluid motion as he perched on his upper platform, causing Larvesta to yelp and scurry behind the throne in a panic. "At least you know what Pokemon are. Good chunk of the Fallers we pick up never heard of them."

"He said there was an Alpha Nidoking in the Ultra Storm," Plumeria said.

"Alpha?" Guzma asked, his tone changing from disinterest, if only slightly. "You're lucky to be alive, pizza boy."

Ian nodded. "Yeah…"

Guzma gave him a perplexed look, and turned to Plumeria, who shrugged. "Pizza boy from some place called 'Elk Grove,' that's what you are." Guzma stepped down from his throne's platform and got close to Ian. "We're running low on food, and if Breon's not blocking the overland food aid shipments from Malie City, Sinclair's raiding the ones at sea," Guzma explained. "I don't need useless fucks in Po Town. Pretty soon we're not gonna have enough to go around with or without you anyways."

"I won't be useless," Ian promised.

"Were you really a trainer? I don't see any Poke Balls slots on your belt there, Pizza Boy."

"They have to be put away while I'm working," Ian explained nervously, trying not to blink too much. "When I went to bed, I put them on my bedside table, and when I woke up in the Ultra Storm, the table didn't come with me."

"Said he had three Pokemon," Plumeria chimed in.

"Three? What were they?" Guzma asked in a chilling whisper that wreaked suspicion and sent a shiver down Ian's spine.

"A Krokorok, a Herdier, and a Rufflet," Ian croaked.

Guzma scoffed. "Another grunt. I don't need that. Got too many of 'em around here anyways."

Ian's eyes lowered dejectedly, but he noticed next to the throne's platform was another raised platform, this one with a wooden treasure chest holding an assortment of gold and silver coins, along with jewels and a big red-

Star Piece!

"Mister Guzma-"

"You hear this, Plumeria? I'm mister Guzma now," Guzma said with a cackle. "We keep this up and little Prince Street Pizza Boy here's gonna call me his fucking king."

"You got him scared shitless, boss, cut him a little slack," Plumeria said with a hint of disinterest.

Guzma rolled his eyes. "A little slack... Everyone asks me for that, but what happens when I ask for some?"

"People get hurt?" Ian asked.

"People die Pizza Boy," Guzma said hauntingly.

"Okay, boss," Ian said, hoping he could show respect without making him sound like a dumbass. "You got a nice treasure chest over there."

"I hope you're not getting any bad ideas, Pizza Boy," Guzma said with a horrifying smile on his face as his voice dropped to an intense whisper. "Or maybe I'm hoping you are."

"Not at all," Ian said, his voice cracking. "I want to add to that for you."

"Buying your way in?" Guzma asked. "You don't have your Pokemon, but you went to sleep with treasure?"

"No, but I did find something in the Ultra Storm…" Ian said, reaching for his back pocket and pulling out the dense, red, Star Piece.

Plumeria gasped. "You got that in the Ultra Storm?"

Guzma gave a sinister chuckle as a wicked smile crossed his face. "Well, well, Pizza Boy's got some tricks up his sleeve. Or in his pocket more like."

Ian bowed his head and held the Star Piece out. "This is yours now, boss," Ian said solemnly. "Can I be in Team Skull?"

Guzma cackled his sinister cackle and swiped the Star Piece from Ian's hand. "I'll take you in Po Town thanks to this Star Piece you're giving me, but no way you're in Team Skull."

What? Why?

"I need people with no fear. To survive in what this island's turned into, you gotta have balls. Not act like the little bitch you're being right now."

Ian remembered what Tupp had been trying to teach him before getting in here. Ian took a quiet breath and made direct eye contact with Guzma. "I'm not that guy, it's just been a really weird day-"

"Weird day my ASS!" Guzma fired back. "Every day on this fucking island is weird now. If you're not getting attacked by wild Pokemon, you're getting ambushed by the other fuckheads here. Oh, and your only escape route? Blocked by a damn Ultra Storm!" Guzma fearsomely ranted. "And if you train Pokemon like you're acting, I bet your Pokemon were bigger bitches than you're being right now," Guzma concluded.

Ian tensed, wracking his brain to find a way out of this without pissing Guzma off the wrong way. "Call me a bitch all you want, don't call my Pokemon bitches."

"And why's that, bitch?" Guzma spat.

Ian tried to remember what Pokemon were around Nimbasa, and he was having doubts whether the city he was thinking of was even the one. Too bad, gotta say it now. "Krokorok and I fought an Alpha Cofagrigus. I was a chaperone on a school trip to the ruins outside of town…" Ian explained.

"You fought an Alpha Cofagrigus with a Krokorok?" Guzma said skeptically.

"It knocked out the other chaperones' Pokemon," Ian said, trying to manifest memories of the completely fabricated experience in his mind. "Krokorok got a beating for the trouble, but we were able to bide time for everyone to escape."

"Real heroic, getting your ass kicked," Guzma said. "And you have a smooth enough brain to brag about it!"

"If Krokorok and I hadn't been there, a couple dozen kids would be dead," Ian said. Ian noticed in his peripheral vision that Plumeria put a hand under chin, looking slightly intrigued. "If I didn't have to work to support myself and my Pokemon, I would've been able to train way more and have way stronger Pokemon."

"Really, is that so?" Guzma asked with a voice more mocking than curious. "I'm gonna level with you, Pizza Boy. I don't believe that story for a fucking second..." Guzma paused, looking to Plumeria. He rolled his eyes with disdain but gave her a head nod. "...but I'll humor you. I'll give you three Poke Balls, and in two days you gotta catch three Pokemon or I'm sending your ass to Haina Town."

"Haina Town?" Ian asked, vaguely remembering the desert on Ula'Ula was called the same thing.

"If that bastard Breon's feeling merciful he'll only use you as a human shield for his next convoy raid," Guzma said.

I am so confused about this Breon guy… "Uh… okay. Three Pokemon." Shouldn't be too hard right? Throw a Poke Ball at a Pikipek-

"And no little bitch Pokemon like Yungoos or Pikipek," Guzma said. "Real shit, if you're a real trainer."

"Okay…" Ian said. "Do I get help or anything?"

"What? I thought you were a real trainer, you shouldn't need help!" Guzma spat.

Plumeria gave a momentary giggle and Ian turned to her. "We'll escort you, but we're not battling anything for you. If we step in, you lose."

Guzma scoffed. "There you go again with that bleeding heart of yours, Plumeria," Guzma taunted. "It'll get you fucked one day."

Plumeria folded her arms defiantly. "I just figured the recon team could use someone to be bait the next time we run into a pissed off Vikavolt."

Guzma laughed a sinister, villainous laugh and stared into Ian's eyes, mere inches away. "Well, I hope you don't regret this, Pizza Boy. Timer starts bright and early tomorrow morning," Guzma said, a sadistic glee in his voice.

"Let's go Ian," Plumeria said with a grimace, leading Ian out. He turned back for a moment and saw Larvesta crawling to Guzma's leg and Ian covered a yawn as he turned back around.

"Still sleepy?" Plumeria asked as she made her way down one of the manor's hallways.

"Yeah," Ian said.

"Happens with a lot of Fallers," Plumeria explained. "I'll have you room with Tupp and the boys in the bunkhouse tonight. Not sure how much sleep you'll be able to get with those knuckle heads. They're pretty loud."

"I doubt that'll be a problem," Ian said with a yawn, his eyes getting heavier after his adrenaline had stopped pumping. "I might fall asleep standing up."

"Bet."

Five minutes later as Tupp showed him his bunks, Ian gave Tupp a fist bump. "Bottom bunk's yours. Gotta earn a top bunk in here, yo."

Ian nodded. "Fine by me." Ian rolled into the bottom bunk, not caring for the blankets as he rested his head on the one uncomfortably firm pillow.

"You really trying to sleep now bro?" Tupp asked.

"Dude I am so fucking tired," Ian said. He heard the mattress springs squeak as he got settled, and even with his sweaty, dirty, work clothes still on, he heaved another sigh of relief. At least I have a chance here. Get some Pokemon, get out of this town when I can, and then who knows what after that. His eyelids seemed to glue shut as he drifted off to sleep. I'm really in the Pokemon world...

Chapter Text

Chapter 3 Partner

Ian's eyes remained shut as the sound of the bunkhouse's ambience danced around his mind. A grunt from the set of bunks next to him snored softly while drops of water hit the hard floor from what Ian assumed was a hole in the ceiling. The light sound of rain drops hitting the creaking roof gave an ominous mood to it all. He'd gone to sleep when the sun was still out, so it was likely very early in the morning, earlier than anyone else would be waking up. Holy shit, I'm still in the Pokemon world. Probably one of the worst places I could be in, but I'm still in IT.

He'd be lying if he'd said he'd never thought about getting Isekai'd into the Pokemon world. His first Pokemon game had been Platinum, and he'd played the crap out of Soul Silver. When Sword Art Online got popular, he remembered being bored in class, daydreaming of what would happen if he got 'stuck' in Sinnoh or Johto. This definitely is not what I had in mind though. The longer he stayed in bed brainstorming, the more painful his ravenous stomach got. Not even mentioning his mind raced with all sorts of possibilities. Once I get off the island, what do I do, an Island Challenge? I'll probably have to find work to support myself early on, but after a few months I think I can just go journey somewhere...

Ian sighed, rolling over and opening his eyes, seeing just the darkness of the un-lit bunk house. At least the job doesn't matter anymore. He forced a smile, trying to feel proud for standing up to Alex and Suzy, but his heart tensed uncomfortably as the events replayed in his mind. They probably think I offed myself. Fuck, everyone will think that, even mom- Ian gasped as the realization took hold of him and his eyes began to water. The butterflies in his stomach got even more nauseating as the realization hit him. "I'm never gonna see mom again..." Ian whispered, the weight of the words' meaning truly setting in.

Ian bolted upright in bed, needing to get his mind focused on something else as the pain in his chest took hold. He did his best to sneak out of the bunk house, but the dark, unfamiliar space plus the creaky floor made that impossible. Thankfully none of the guys seemed to wake up, so he opened the creaking door to a hallway dimly lit by a flickering light. The chandelier in the entrance hall was off, but thankfully a couple small night lights were on. Ian smelled his own body odor, meaning he had to smell completely awful. Maybe I can take a shower? I don't have any clothes to change into, let alone is there even enough running water for it?

Ian hesitated, not wanting to wake anyone up, but not wanting to do a faux pas. Something tells me ignorance wouldn't be an acceptable excuse. He cursed under his breath, as he thought who would still be up. Are there guards? Ian pumped his fist and made his way to what he remembered were the front doors of the Shady House. He opened them and a loud grunt came from beyond the threshold. The flickering glow of the street lamp in front of the house revealed another grunt in a Team Skull uniform. "You my relief?" He asked.

Ian shook his head. "No, Plumeria brought me into town yesterday and I wanted to take a shower..."

"Shower?" The grunt sniffed loudly and recoiled. "Yeah bro, you fucking stink."

Ian nodded. "That's why... But I don't know if that's allowed-"

"Do we all smell like shit bro?" The grunt asked.

"Wha- no..."

"We shower yo, just no longer than thirty seconds. Plus there ain't hot water," the grunt said.

"Any towel or clothes I can change into?" Ian said. "I got nothing but the clothes on my back right now."

He shrugged. "Then that's what you got, yo. Just don't wake anyone up."

Ian nodded. "Okay, thanks dude. I'm Ian, what's your name?"

"I'm Chris, but most people just call me Spitz," the grunt said, then pointed to the Team Skull emblem on his shirt. "You thinking of joining up?"

"Not many other options are there?" Ian joked.

"Damn right about that."

Ian moved to close the door then remembered one important thing. "Where's the bathroom?"

***

The bathroom he was pointed to stank and the rusty shower stall looked anything but cleanly, but Ian stripped down and got the shower on, a small stream of low pressure water falling out of the shower head. He hopped in quickly, bracing himself for no hot water and he slipped, knocking into the cracked tile wall. The cold water made him tense on contact with his skin and he began to shiver. A sliver of soap rested on a little stand at the edge, and Ian inspected closely, seeing a number of different colored hairs on it. "I sure hope these aren't pubes," he said as he started to scrub his body down as best he could, counting to thirty before turning the water off, leaving his lean body a shivering mess. There was just a worn bath towel on the floor he stood on while he got his dirty, stinky clothes on, and when he looked in the cracked mirror for the first time, he groaned as he looked at his reflection. "Welcome to Po Town."

He made it back to his bed, his sweaty clothes now damp from his lack of patience to drip-dry. His mind raced as he remembered his conversation with Guzma earlier. Three Pokemon in two days, and not just the easy stuff. His hands' muscle memory kicked in as he started playing an imaginary guitar, moving his left hand across the frets and into different cords while his right played certain strings. Music had always helped calm him, he'd even learned to sing in choir class, and memories of playing some of Suzy's favorite songs made him grimace, but it kept his mind occupied in the darkness. It took another hour or so before the rain dissipated and light came through the bunkhouse's cracked window. Half an hour after that, a loud bass note played from outside the house like a fog horn, causing a bustle of activity as the grunts suddenly awoke.

"You already up bro?" Tupp asked, his head hanging upside down from the top bunk.

"Went to sleep early, woke up early," Ian answered, seeing a cacophony of sound and motion in the bunkhouse as a number of other figures weaved in and out of the cramped room.

"You showered yo! How long was it?" Tupp asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Thirty seconds. I talked to the guard at the front door. I think his name was Spitz?" Ian asked.

"Good shit. Guzma'd kick you out right now if he be hearing you took a long one. Town's Water Pokemon can only filter so much, ya feel?"

Ian nodded. "I get it."

"You got three Pokemon to catch today, right?" Tupp clarified.

"Over two days, but yeah," Ian said with a forced smile.

"Let's get you to Tom's then," Tupp said, climbing off the top bunk and landing on the creaky wooden floor.

"Hey before we go, when do we eat?" Ian asked.

Tupp shook his head. "At lunchtime, yo. Us in Plumeria's squad got to eat earlier yesterday before we went out for that Ultra Storm- Shit you ain't eat at all yesterday, didya?"

Ian nodded. "Correct..."

"Sorry bro, maybe we'll find some berries that are just riping up," Tupp said. "Follow me."

Ian's stomach groaned, the combination of the nausea flash and general discomfort with his dirty clothes made the miniscule walk out of the Shady House's front yard and onto main street, or The Spine as it was called a frustrating affair. More Team Skull grunts than the prior day were running about the streets that were still wet from the rain.

Tom's warehouse was more like a liquor store than anything else. Conveniently located just across the street from the Shady House, it had a short line of uniformed grunts already lined up outside the front door. "So what's this place?" Ian asked.

"Tom runs the dirtbags, bro," Tupp explained. "He has Pokemon but doesn't really battle. The dirtbags do all of our dirty laundry, clean gutters, make sure the water and power is still running."

"We prefer the term 'stewards' Tupp," an older male voice said from behind the duo.

Ian and Tupp turned around, Tupp laughing nervously as he did. "Stewards, yeah Tom," Tupp corrected himself.

Tom was a middle-aged Latino man, wearing glasses and a straw hat which clashed against the rest of his Team Skull uniform. "Alola young man. I take it you're Plumeria's Faller from yesterday?" Tom addressed Ian.

"Yes sir," Ian said.

Tom opened his binder and glanced at something quickly. "Got the order right here. A Heal Ball and two Poke Balls," Tom read off. "Three balls on your first day? That's very rare around here. I doubt we got any Heal Balls left, but I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you sir," Ian replied.

"Yeah, you're definitely new around here if you're speaking to me like that," Tom said with a laugh in his tone.

At least there's someone normal in this wacky town. Tom took his keys out and opened the double doors. No Team Skull grunts followed him in. Tupp led Ian close to the service window where the other grunts waited, eyeing Ian up and down.

"What's with the new guy, Tupp?" One of them asked.

"Boss testing him, making him catch three Pokemon in two days or his ass..." Tupp did an 'eject' motion with his arm.

"There's an annoying ass Yungoos on Surfrider," one grunt chimed in, pointing behind the warehouse. "And damn Rattatas everywhere."

"Can't do anything easy," Ian added, noting how his dialect had already begun to change.

"Shit, well... nice knowing you bro," the inquiring grunt said with a laugh.

The service window opened and Tom poked his head out. "Ian and Tupp?"

Ian followed Tupp to the counter and Tom slid a tray of three balls: a bright pink one and two standard red and white Poke Balls. "Had one Heal Ball left for you," Tom added.

"Aw, newbie got a fucking pink one!" One of the grunts teased. "They already know you a pussy dude."

Tupp glared at Ian and motioned his eyebrows, signaling him to do something. Ian took a quick breath before turning around. "You better hope I get kicked out, cuz I'd hate to see you get your ass kicked by a Pokemon trainer with a pink ball," Ian fired back.

The antagonizing grunt cackled. "Talking tough before you even got a Pokemon. Grade-A pussy shit right there."

"What's your name?" Ian demanded.

"Blitz," the grunt said, stepping forward, puffing his chest out. "You better hope I'm feeling nice when you got your lame ass Pokemon," Blitz said. "If you even ever do."

Ian rolled his eyes, struggling for a comeback when Tom's voice boomed. "Blitz you out here?"

Ian and Tupp stepped aside from the counter, Ian holding his three Poke Balls like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Here's an extra revive because Rook says your Pokemon keep getting knocked out too much," Tom added.

Tupp cackled, taking Ian away from the service window. "We gotta work on some of your banter bro."

"Yeah..." Ian said. "So where to first? Any Pokemon in that bank of trees outside of town?"

"The berry grove?" Tupp asked. "Might be your only chance of finding something to eat til' lunch. Can't stay too long though, yo."

"Why's that?" Ian asked, shrinking each ball and putting them in his jean pockets.

"Guzma's Ariados hangs out in there," Tupp explained.

"An Ariados?" Ian asked, remembering the red and black striped spider Pokemon. "Well, Ariados aren't that big, right?"

Tupp shook his head. "It's an Alpha Ariados."

"Oh..." Ian said, picturing the giant spider from the second Harry Potter movie, a shiver going down his spine, and not from his slightly damp clothes.

Plumeria had just made it out of the house and upon making eye contact with Ian, pointed at him. "You got the balls?" Plumeria asked.

"The two I had since they dropped, yeah," Ian joked, pointing at his groin.

"What? I said three-" Plumeria's resting scowl drooped into anger. "Very funny, smartass."

"What's the pussy ball for, Big Sis?" Tupp asked.

"Pussy ball?" Plumeria asked with disdain.

"The Heal Ball," Ian added.

"Well, I figured you could catch the first Pokemon with that, the Heal Ball will heal it, and you can use that first Pokemon to battle the other two," Plumeria explained.

"Oh... that's actually smart. Fuck..." Ian said.

"He wants to hit the berry grove," Tupp stated.

"Where Guzma's Ariados is?" Plumeria said skeptically. "You just got here and you're already trying to kill yourself?"

Ian smiled sheepishly. "Not necessarily..."

"It usually hangs out on one side of the creek, we can see where it is and look where it isn't" Plumeria said.

"Hey, Big Sis-" The familiar voice of Hyde called out before pausing as he made eye contact with Ian. Hyde put a middle finger up and turned back to Plumeria. "No Ultra Storms on this side of the mountains?"

"Doesn't look like it," Plumeria said. "Lines up perfectly to help out our Faller here."

"Fuck that, I'll go fishing," Hyde said, turning around and marching off in anger.

Plumeria shrugged. "Whatever makes you happy, Hyde."

***

After Selene and Rapp wished him luck at the gate, Tupp and Plumeria led Ian outside of Po Town and along the wall to the berry grove. Getting a better look at the terrain surrounding Po Town, Ian noticed a creek being fed by a small waterfall running down the cliffs leading to what he assumed were the foothills of Mount Hokulani. That had the observatories on top of it, right? The creek ran through the grove trees Plumeria and Tupp were leading him to and ended as it went under the wall of Po Town. So that's where the canal comes from.

As the trio got to the edge of the grove, Plumeria knelt down, prompting Ian and Tupp to do the same. "I'm gonna go find boss' Ariados," Plumeria said as she carefully went behind a bush in front of them.

"Being out this early should be good," Tupp explained. "Most Pokemon are just waking up and looking around for food."

"What's usually around here?" Ian asked, struggling to remember.

"Lots of shit bro," Tupp said. "Nothing easy right? That leaves..." Tupp began counting on his fingers. "You got Spinaraks, Spearows, Ledyba, Scraggies, Crabrawler, Panchams..."

"Ledyba will count?" Ian asked. I just need to catch three that qualify, I can release Ledyba later.

"Nah it shouldn't, but Guzma likes Bugs so maybe," Tupp said with a shrug. "Also we get Rockruff's from the hills down here too."

"Rockruff's nice," Ian said.

"They hella dangerous to get out here though. Always some Lycanroc nearby. Dude who used to have your bunk?" Tupp said.

"Yeah?"

"He went out foraging a while back and didn't come back to Po Town. When we went looking for him, we followed his tracks, but then a bunch of Lycanroc tracks started following, and we assumed he's..." Tupp put a finger to his neck and pantomimed cutting it.

"Oh... So no Rockruff then?"

"Only if you can fight off the pack," Tupp said.

"I see," Ian said.

"But there's hella other shit out here, yo. Pokemon not from Alola run out of the Ultra Storms and end up sticking around," Tupp explained. "Just like you."

Ian nodded.

They waited in silence for a few minutes, keeping their eyes out for any potential pokemon, and other than a Pikipek that investigated them from atop a tree, none were to be had.

"You knuckleheads still there?" Plumeria's voice asked from behind a bush.

"Yeah," Tupp answered.

"All clear, Ariados is on the other side of the creek for now," Plumeria explained. "Follow me, newbie."

Ian crawled on all fours behind Plumeria with Tupp right behind him, thankful he had his jeans on as his legs continued going over various wood chips and organic debris. Once firmly in the middle of the grove, Tupp started looking up to the trees.

"What are you looking for?" Ian whispered.

"Some bait," Tupp said as he continued eyeing the higher up tree branches, then suddenly pointed to one twelve to fifteen feet above them. "There we are." Tupp looked around to make sure the coast was clear and took a Poke Ball out, releasing his Golbat. Ian recoiled, forgetting how large Golbats were, and how large the fangs hanging from its mouth were.

Golbat wheezed with a raspy voice as it began flapping its wings, its eyes closing as if it was in pain. "Just need them unripe Leppa Berries out that tree, yo," Tupp ordered, pointing up. Golbat let out a shrill squeal that wasn't super loud, but still made the hairs on the back of Ian's neck stand up. Golbat flapped its way up to the tree, its wings lighting up with a light blue energy for a moment before doing a slicing motion, cutting off a small branch and letting it fall into Tupp's hand, who plucked a couple cherry sized fruits.

"Shit ain't ripe so it ain't much. It will taste like crap, but it's something yo," Tupp said, presenting the fruits to Ian. Ian quickly took them and started chewing, recoiling at the bitter and sour flavors. He forced them to stay in his mouth and swallowed harshly, groaning when the experience was over, only for the disgusting residue to remain on his tongue. "Them's the only ones that won't fuck your stomach up when they ain't ripe."

"I'll take what I can get right now," Ian grumbled.

"That's the right attitude," Plumeria muttered, her gaze staying on the upper trees.

Tupp squeezed the green, unripe berries in his hands and scurried over to the small clearing on the other side of their current large bush. "Now's the shit part, yo," Tupp whispered.

"What?" Ian whispered.

"Waiting," Plumeria grumbled.

The three remained crouched uncomfortably for what felt like a good hour at least, eyeing little peepholes through the bush to see if they'd gotten anything with their meager bait. When Tupp began snoring, Plumeria punched him. "Wake up, idiot," she hissed. "Something's coming."

Ian, careful not to snap a twig and alert his potential new partner, eyed through the peephole curiously. He heard the thing before seeing it, hearing a high-pitched, raspy chirp in cadence. Ian finally got a good look as it came around some brush, and he spotted a life form with a vibrant yellow color walking somewhat awkwardly into the clearing with a round yellow head and a red fin on the top. Identifying Pokemon was a bit difficult as they did look quite different looking far more lifelike than just being anime-style creatures, but Ian felt confident: this was a Scraggy.

Would be really fitting if my first Pokemon with Team Skull was a Scraggy. They were always delinquents. Ian reached into his pocket with his right hand, using his left hand to steady his bent over position. Crap, I throw with my left and I can't use it... Right's worth a try though, right? Ian fumbled through his pocket, feeling the slight texture difference between the Poke Balls and the Heal Ball. He grabbed it and pressed the button, expanding it miraculously in his hand. He did his best to account for the bush obstacle in his way, then let the Heal Ball fly.

The thrown ball had a high arc, and Ian crossed his fingers, praying it would hit home while Scraggy suspected nothing. He followed the ball's trajectory until the bush obscured his vision and heard an alarmed chirp. He got up in a panic and saw Scraggy running away, holding up its sagging skin as it did.

"Damn it," Ian said.

"How'd you fuck that throw up, bro?" Tupp demanded.

"I'm left-handed, not right-handed," Ian admitted, lightly punching his forehead in frustration.

"Well Big Sis, I definitely ain't the biggest idiot in Team Skull anymore," Tupp said, folding his arms in disapproval.

"You could say that again," Plumeria said, eyeing Ian with only a slight hint of disdain.

I should probably be thankful that Plumeria's stoic like this when I fuck up... "Won't happen again," Ian promised.

"Hey, it ain't me who gets kicked out of town if you fail," Plumeria reminded him. Ian nodded and grunted before he got settled down in the crouching position again.

Time passed at a snail's pace. Ian felt the sun warming up as the day got later, and he figured lunch would be soon, causing Plumeria and Tupp to want to go into town.

"Fuck, Big Sis, any chance we can have Salazzle speed this up?" Tupp asked.

Plumeria rolled her eyes. "Of course not."

"What do you mean?" Ian asked.

"Her Salazzle can use Sweet Scent," Tupp said.

"Really?" Ian asked.

Plumeria sighed. "Before you ask why I've been holding off, there's an Alpha Ariados-sized reason we're not using it."

"Oh. I see," Ian said.

"C'mon Bis Sis, it's almost lunchtime, we ain't sticking around long anyways," Tupp reasoned. "Just a lil' bit, see if something shows up, then bounce before Ariados crosses the creek."

Plumeria grimaced and eyed Ian once more before speaking. "Real quick, okay?"

Tupp pumped his fist. "Finally."

The lightbulb went on in Ian's head and he felt the need to question it. "Why didn't we go further from the Alpha and do this from the start?"

Tupp and Plumeria both glared at him intensely. "You said you wanted to try the grove," Plumeria reminded him. "Plus the Pokemon that do come here tend to be weak and you have an actual shot at catching them without weakening them too much."

"Good point," Ian said, going silent once more.

Plumeria got Salazzle's ball from her belt and released the large, black, lizard Pokemon. "Salazzle, use Sweet Scent but real light okay?" Plumeria said softly.

Salazzle nodded, going still as it focused. Moments later, a pink gas began to lightly drift from its skin as a very potent but pleasant aroma hit Ian's nostrils. "That should be good," Plumeria said, eyeing the top of the trees once more for the grove's main resident. She quickly recalled Salazzle in a red beam of light and the trio crouched back down.

The aroma did fade after a couple minutes, but Ian figured Pokemon had more sensitive noses. The familiar sound of a Yungoos call hit Ian's ears and he turned his head, seeing rustling in the bushes. The last thing I'm looking for.

The wind began to pick up, and Plumeria eyed Ian expectantly. "We should leave soon."

Ian grimaced. "Just another minute," he pleaded.

Plumeria gave him a look, but relented. Ian tensed with determination, trying to will something, anything to show itself. The leaves began rustling more, Ian figuring it was just the wind.

He heard the sound of a twig snapping on the ground, and Ian dared to peek through the bush, seeing something pink. A Fairy Type? Not ideal but it could work, I got a fitting ball for it. He made sure his left hand was free, and reached for the Heal Ball. He raised his head slowly, getting a better look at things and was surprised to see he recognized the Pokemon coming to the berries: a Deerling in its spring form, pink fur with a cream colored face and underbelly.

Ian readied the Heal Ball as Deerling lowered its head to eat the un-ripe berries, and he almost threw but something caught his eye from above them in the trees: glowing red eyes. Ian gaped, paralyzed with fear as he saw the size of the Alpha Ariados in the canopy above. It was even bigger than he'd pictured, a massive torso with meter-long legs sprouting from the center. It shot a String Shot of webbing at Deerling, who yelped and jumped to flee, but Ariados' webbing had it stuck already. Ariados' rope of String Shot began to reel Deerling in further.

"We need to go," Plumeria said in a panic, pulling Ian's arm. Ian's trance ended as his brain started working again. He watched as Deerling yelped desperately in fright as Ariados drew its prey in closer with every moment. Spiders suck their prey's blood out while they're still alive, right? Ian gritted his teeth and launched the Heal Ball at Ariados' helpless victim. The pink ball hit Deerling on its head, stunning it for a second before the ball opened and absorbed Deerling in a flash of red energy. Ariados yelped with frustration, recoiling.

The Heal Ball fell to the ground, shaking one, twice, and then stopping. Excitement coursed through his adrenaline-pumping veins, and his mind moved a mile a minute. Ian's world centered on the bright pink Poke Ball, and before he realized it, he was dashing around the bush and mid-stride bent over to take the occupied Heal Ball in his hand. He turned his head, a smile on his face when-

A deafeningly loud sound hit his ears and his face hit the dirt, ears ringing from the incredibly loud, high-pitched cry. The Heal Ball was next to him on the ground, and the world seemed to be in slow motion for a few seconds. His own thoughts seemed so far away, and then his ears stopped ringing so much and he heard the frantic voices of Plumeria and Tupp. Ian turned, noticing his vision seemed to be moving, and he was being pulled up by some force in the middle of his back. He turned to see what and realized a rope of the Alpha Ariados' String Shot was stuck on his back, reeling him up to-

Ian shouted in terror, realizing the fate he'd saved Deerling from was now befalling him. The pincers and stingers on Ariados' face, along with the fierce red eyes paralyzed Ian with fear. No, no way, this can't be fucking happening-

"Golbat, Air Cutter!" Tupp's voice shouted through the cacophony of thoughts in Ian's mind. A light blue light cut across his peripherals, and suddenly he felt the pressure in his back stop abruptly. His body fell to the dirt, next to the Heal Ball.

"RUN YOU STUPID FUCKER!" Plumeria screamed desperately.

Ian scrambled, grabbing the ball and stumbling, but he got to his feet and sprinted like hell, almost knocking into a tree before veering off course and falling into some bushes, heart thumping wildly. Oh. My. Fucking. GOD!

Ian struggled to get up from the brush, but did so, seeing a pair of Spinaraks descending from the trees by their String Shot. Ian saw Ariados was dozens of feet away and he turned away, sprinting some more until he was out of the grove. The sprint turned into a jog as he made it to the grassy terrain, continuing along the edge until he saw Plumeria, Tupp, and his Golbat.

"Holy shit bro, you are NUTS!" Tupp exclaimed.

Plumeria had her arms folded, a true scowl on her face. He realized he hadn't seen her truly angry until now. "Don't you ever do that again you dumbass!" Plumeria barked.

Ian nodded. "Yeah, I don't know what came over me there."

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Plumeria demanded, her eyes probing him for any reaction.

Ian turned to Tupp, and a shit-eating grin crossed Ian's face as he held Deerlings ball up to Plumeria. "Worth it."

Chapter Text

Chapter 4 Refugees

"Tupp, dude, I owe you and Golbat big time," Ian said, still giddy from the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

"Yeah I got you bro," Tupp replied. "Now just do the same for me some time."

"Consider it done," Ian promised as the dudes fist bumped. Plumeria marched quickly, quietly up ahead, clearly not approving of Ian's actions.

"That's a Deerling? They got those in Unova, right?" Tupp asked.

Ian nodded. "Yeah. They're not native to Alola?"

Tupp shook his head. "Nah man, never seen 'em. Must've run out of an Ultra Storm."

Makes sense.

"We far enough from the grove bro, you can let it out if you want," Tupp said.

"Oh yeah, not a bad idea," Ian said, expanding the pink Heal Ball once more and pressing the button at the center, causing the ball to open and a flash of red energy to release, manifesting the small, pink-coated fawn before his eyes. Deerling was maybe two feet tall with dark grey eyes. A yellow flower rested atop its head, and it immediately yelped in panic, dashing away quickly a dozen feet or so before turning back around to look at the two strangers.

"Deerling, it's okay!" Ian called to it as he knelt down. "We're friends."

The wheels in Deerling's mind seemed to turn, and it huffed before it trotted to Ian and Tupp, a curious look in its eye. As Deerling moved toward them it yelped suddenly and hurried to Ian, bleating joyously as it rubbed itself affectionately against Ian's side. Ian began petting his new partner Pokemon, an involuntary grin coming across his face. "That was one heck of a pickle we got ourselves in," Ian told Deerling as it continued mewling happily. Ian stopped petting Deerling and pointed at Tupp. "This guy helped too."

Deerling hopped lightly to Tupp and gave the Team Skull member a gracious rub with its head. Tupp tensed up, clearly not used to such affection. I see why his Golbat hasn't evolved.

"Hey dumbasses!" Plumeria shouted from well ahead of them. "Hurry up, it's almost lunchtime!"

Ian got up from his kneeling position and matched Tupp's brisk pace, Deerling following along onside happily. As Ian and Tupp came around the bend, they noticed a number of cycling Team Skull members riding to Po Town's gate. Ian's stomach gurgled with need, and the thought of food made his mouth water.

"Hey bro, I think it's gonna start raining soon," Tupp said, pointing to the sky.

What had been a partly cloudy day had become quite cloudy, with dark clouds coming in from the sea. "That's annoying," Ian said. "But my clothes are soggy enough already so some rain won't hurt."

Tupp shook his head. "Nah man, I ain't going out in that."

Ian opened his mouth to protest, but remembered Tupp was the last person who he could give crap to. "Hope it clears up before sunset," Ian said wistfully.

Back inside Po Town, Tupp led Ian up The Spine. He felt a number of stares at his foreign, freshly caught Pokemon as they made their way through the town. Deerling was on alert, ready to flee when needed, but mostly hid behind Ian's legs. The duo turned left at the canal street where the graffiti'd up Pokemon Center stood. Dozens more Team Skull members were coming to or going from the health care building. "You lucky you ain't gotta check in there yet bro," Tupp said, pointing at the line for the Pokemon Center.

Didn't Team Skull charge for using the Pokemon Center in the games? "Anything I should know about that?" Ian asked.

"Can only use it for healing Pokemon three times a week," Tupp stated. "Not a lot of Electric Type Pokemon running around besides Guzma's Vikavolt, and he doesn't like it charging the batteries too much."

"Guzma wants to keep his Pokemon fresh in case an attack comes?" Ian figured.

"Yeah."

"So, what attacks would happen?" Ian asked.

Tupp shook his head. "Prolly better if Plumeria tells you. It's complicated yo."

Ian sighed, but relented. Tupp did just save me from an incredibly gruesome death after all.

"Might wanna put Deerling away, bro," Tupp said. Ian nodded, and recalled Deerling into a beam of red light. He noticed the clouds overhead only continued to get darker. Please don't rain.

What was once a shopping center had turned into a graffiti-littered set of buildings in various forms of disrepair. A line of twenty or so Team Skull members were lined up out the door of a place that had "Grill" on the sign but had graffiti marks covering the first word. Looking closer, he saw the word "Grillz" spray painted over. "Grillz Grill?" Ian asked.

"Just call it 'Grill' bro," Tupp said. "Only cook who stuck around goes by 'Grillz' so Guzma just calls it 'The Grill.'"

Ian shrugged. "Fitting name for a cook."

"He got so many fake teeth peeps started saying he had a grill in his mouth," Tupp explained.

The line moved quickly, thankfully. The smell of whatever was being served was one of the more offensive culinary smells he'd ever smelled, but Ian was so hungry it didn't matter. When he got inside the door he was able to see the layout, dozens of tables packed full of Team Skull members. The line led behind the diner-style bar and heat lamps shown down on a bunch of nondescript bowls. A Skull member would eye the uniformed grunt in line and hand them a bowl and a spoon. When Ian and Tupp got to the front Tupp had to raise his voice.

"Faller who just came into town," Tupp said, pointing at Ian. "Guzma's testing him-"

"Not a Skull member, so he eats later with the dirtbags," the counter grunt said.

"C'mon yo-"

"You're holding up the line," the counter grunt said.

Tupp groaned in frustration and held his hand out. "Fine, but gimme two spoons."

The counter grunt obliged, handing Tupp a bowl full of a brown, un-appetizing liquid. The tables were full, so Tupp gave Ian the second spoon. "You holding this yo."

Ian nodded, understanding the sacrifice. "I really owe you, bro."

"Yeah you fucking do."

Ian 's first spoonful weirded him out so much he closed his eyes. The chunk of meat was chewy, and the broth did little to help mask the flavor, but it was something. "I assume I don't want to know what this meat is?" Ian said after his first gulp.

Tupp cracked a grin and shook his head as he went for another spoonful.

"So you guys have been surviving on one bowl of mystery meat stew since this all started?" Ian asked.

Tupp shook his head. "Nah bro, we rationing now. Last week we stopped doing two meals."

"Oh…" Guzma has said food's getting low.

When the two finished their meager bowl of questionable meat soup and went outside, Ian noticed water drops hitting the ground. Dammit.

"Imma hit Shady House. What are you planning, yo?" Tupp asked.

"Not sure..." Ian said, pondering the possibilities. I'm going to need to battle a Pokemon, I might as well see what Deerling can do. "Where's the biggest tree in town?"

"On Backstreet, little road next to HQ," Tupp said. "Why you looking for it?"

"I figure I can train with Deerling since it's a good shelter from the rain," Ian explained.

"Let's go yo!" Tupp cheered as he pumped his fist.

Tupp led Ian up what was called "Kai Avenue," a street that ran parallel with The Spine, but along the western wall facing the beach. When they got to the end of the block the rain had picked up more, and Ian saw the familiar, unblemished street sign reading "Shady Way."

"This street was called Shady Way before Team Skull took over?" Ian asked.

"Yeah bro, there used to be hella trees in front of the mansion that made it pretty shady along the block. Guzma cut 'em down when we took over the house," Tupp explained.

That's why the Team Skull Mansion is called Shady House, wow.

"Hey, Pizza Boy!" Guzma's voice called out. Ian turned to see Guzma and Plumeria underneath the awning covering Shady House's main entrance. Plumeria and the Team Skull boss had both of their arms folded. "Heard you caught an interesting Pokemon."

"Yeah boss," Ian said, taking Deerling's Heal Ball out and releasing his new partner onto the pavement in a flash of red light. The pink fawn Pokemon cheered happily before realizing there were a lot of strangers around and it quickly bolted behind Ian.

"Wait, where the hell'd you say you were from again?" Guzma asked.

"Nimbasa?" Ian answered.

Guzma shook his head. "Nah, the shitty suburb."

"Elk-" How did I not realize this? "...Grove."

Guzma cackled wildly. "Pizza Boy from 'Elk Grove' catches a fucking baby deer as his first Pokemon in Alola, what a surprise! They don't even live here and your ass still got one!"

Tupp was stifling a laugh and Ian looked at him, finally gave in. "Fuck that's good."

Ian shrugged. "I mean, yeah..."

"Don't get too comfy Pizza Boy, you still got two more Pokemon to catch!" Guzma taunted as he turned away and headed back inside the mansion. "And I bet you ain't making it!"

"We'll definitely see boss," Ian fired back.

With that, Tupp parted from Ian with fist bump and Ian followed Shady Way to a cul-de-sac with a tall tree in front of one yard, reaching thirty to forty feet high with a wide canopy of red flowers. This is perfect. Ian took shelter underneath it and let Deerling out once more, who happily pranced around the sheltered perimeter before returning to Ian's side, eyes looking up excitedly.

"So Deerling, I need your help," Ian began. Deerling nodded and began panting excitedly. "I need to catch two more Pokemon by the end of tomorrow or I'm kicked outta here."

Deerling watched on, its dark eyes observing him with a blank expression. "I don't know how much you can understand or how sentient you guys are..." Ian began. He bit his lip before an idea came to him and he spoke casually. "How about this Deerling? Show me what you can do."

Deerling eyed him with the same blank expression as if awaiting an order. Ian rolled his eyes. Of course there's gotta be some trick to this. Ian pictured himself like he imagined a Pokemon battle would go and pointed straight ahead. "Deerling, show me what you can do!" Ian shouted confidently.

Deerling turned around energetically and began to glow with a white energy, then it surged forward, the force of it causing the air to make a sound as Deerling launched what Ian assumed was its Tackle attack. Next Deerling gave a loud, off-putting whine that made Ian shiver with discomfort. Must be Growl. "Got anything else Deerling?"

Deerling nodded with determination and built up some speed before a green glow surrounded its mouth before a small barrage of green-glowing pellets were fired at high speed. Ian followed the trajectory, and saw the glowing pellets have mini, green tinged pops against the ground. Bullet Seed? Next, Deerling took one of its hooves that began to glow a light brown and stuck it in the ground before shoveling it out, making a cloud of sand appear. Sand Attack.

"Anything else, Deerling?" Ian asked nervously, silently accounting for the games' "four move limit." Deerling bent down excitedly, wagging its little pink tail. Dark red and brown energy formed around its front legs, and Deerling lifted the glowing limbs off the ground, then smacked them down, causing a mini shock wave when the limbs hit the ground. Double Kick, I reckon.

Deerling then gathered green energy on the flower atop its head and ran to the tree, firing a larger green pellet. The pellet opened up, revealing vines that encircled a tree branch, latching on tightly. Leech Seed? Oh fuck yeah.

"Great work, Deerling!" Ian cheered. Deerling ran over to Ian excitedly, tongue out and a gleeful look in its eye. Ian felt Deerling's fur coat, which wasn't very dense, and figured Deerling was likely pretty frail. Probably the best way we're going to win battles right now is if we just use Leech Seed and keep distance between us and our opponents so we tire them out before going in for the knockout. "I think I've got a plan for us, little one," Ian said, patting Deerling's head.

After some practice doing hit and run drills, Ian could tell Deerling was starting to tire. He remembered the line at the Pokemon Center and figured that was probably the best place to get some food for his first party member. The line wasn't as long due to the rain, and Ian got a decent amount of brown Pokemon food pellets for Deerling. Plus he found out his new partner was male.

He made his way back to Shady House and ended up watching some skirmishes between Team Skull members under Shady House's overhang and quickly deduced Deerling would need a lot of help going against any of the Raticates, Gumshoos, Ledians, Ariados or other Pokemon the other Team Skull members were using. Ian didn't say much during this, and the grunts left him alone, possibly on account of his rank smelling clothes. He used one of the outhouses for the first time and came out feeling even dirtier. And here I thought I couldn't feel any grimier.

When night fell on Po Town, Ian was lying in his bunk holding Deerling's Heal Ball with a big smile. I saved you from that Alpha Ariados, now tomorrow you're gonna have to save my ass. The rain didn't stop so they weren't able to add to the team for the rest of the day, and the Shady House was still blasting hip hop music in the main hall making it hard to sleep. To add to the discomfort, Ian's stomach rumbled. Accidental weight loss, here we come.

***
The next morning, Ian eyed the gate nervously. Sure I have Deerling, but anything slightly stronger than it or Deerling doesn't have a type advantage over will be trouble.

"Hey bro, wait for me!" Tupp shouted. Ian turned and sighed with relief.

"You can come with?" Ian asked

"Plumeria said there was an Ultra Storm out at sea when she woke up," Tupp explained. "So we free today."

Ultra Storms can happen at sea? Ian then pictured what would've happened if he and his tattered mattress had appeared two miles from shore and gulped. I sure lucked out.

"So where to today, bro?" Tupp asked as the two made their way out of the front gates.

"Considering Deerling's a Grass type, I think something on the beach would give us a good chance of running into a Water Pokemon," Ian explained.

"Smart. Whatcha doing if we see an Alpha?"

"Getting the hell out of there," Ian said with a sheepish grin.

"Good," Tupp said, then directed Ian to the beach partially in the shadow of Po Town's walls. Ian released Deerling from its Heal Ball and it pranced around happily.

"Any chance we get Plumeria's Salazzle to use Sweet Scent again?" Ian asked.

Tupp shook his head. "Not out here yo." Tupp then pointed to the walls towering over them. "Po Town's walls weren't just built for dangerous Pokemon from the land." Tupp then whirled around, pointing to the sparkling Alolan sea. "It's a Gyarados hot spot."

"Oh. Should we go somewhere else then?"

Tupp shook his head. "Nah man, we should be able to find something and not have to deal with them."

Gyarados were always overpowered in the games. Maybe catching one would be a good move down the line. But they're likely very dangerous... "So Tupp, now that no one's around..." Ian began.

"Yeah?"

"So remember how I told you I 'wasn't exactly a trainer' when you guys picked me up?" Ian asked.

"Oh shit, you did say that! That explains you gettin' that close to an Alpha," Tupp said. "You were so convincing I straight up forgot you said that bro."

Ian shrugged. "Yeah... So I take it that training a Gyarados is dangerous, right?"

Tupp nodded. "Yeah bro, they need to eat a lot, always got a bad attitude, and if they overpower your team it don't end well for the trainer. They're good, but mostly if you're trying to get yourself killed."

Ian nodded understandingly. "I got you. I might be dumb but I'm not that stupid. I promise."

"Fuck, I hope," Tupp said, continuing on along the beach.

Ian's clothes clung to him disgustingly, making him very uncomfortable in the morning sun. He'd slept in them the past two nights after all, and he could smell them too. The two trudged along, and apart from the occasional Wingull soaring overhead, nothing appeared on the sandy beach.

"Maybe we can check out the fishing spot?" Tupp asked.

"Fishing spot?" Ian said.

"A few grunts bike over to a little cove along the way to Outrigger," Tupp explained, pointing at what Ian figured was east.

"Outrigger?"

"Little beach town at the top of the island," Tupp said. "So the Straightaway takes you from the Ula'Ula Meadow and the Akua Jungle to Po Town, then you follow that road over to Outrigger."

"Yeah man, I'm going to need a map or something," Ian said. "This is all going over my head."

"Plumeria prolly don't want to give you the rundown until you're actually in Team Skull," Tupp said.

"Can't fault that," Ian said. Deerling tensed suddenly, its head turning to the wave crashing to the shore. Ian gasped as he saw a turtle shell riding along a wave fifty feet or so away from their position. "There!" Ian yelled as he and Deerling bolted over. Deerling quickly outpaced Ian, not just because of its natural speed, but Ian's increasingly crusty jeans and the beach's soft sand winded him quickly.

Deerling stopped a dozen feet from the turtle shell and to Ian's surprise, what he recognized as a Wartortle came out of the shell. As Ian scanned it, he noticed Wartortle's shell seemed slightly dented and deformed. Wartortle's blue-skinned limbs had wounds on them. "It already looks hurt," Ian said shamefully.

"You can get it healed at the Pokemon Center bro," Tupp said. "It's either catch that or you gone."

Ian grimaced, feeling rather dirty and cowardly. I'll make it up to you later, Wartortle. "Deerling, Leech Seed!"

A large green pellet formed atop Deerling's signature yellow head-flower and launched at the struggling Water Pokemon, bursting and a trio of vines enveloped Wartortle. Wartortle fired a stream of water at Deerling, who deftly dodged it, landing perfectly in stride.

"Now we just keep our distance," Ian said. "Bullet Seed it then fall back!"

Deerling bolted into action, dashing into range, firing a barrage of green-glowing pellets then dashing back out of range. Wartortle braced itself, taking the brunt of the small, green pops. Wartortle grunted in pain and then retreated into its shell. It then glowed with white energy and the shell began spinning unnaturally fast, shaking Leech Seed's vines off the shell in moments. Aw shit, Rapid Spin? So much for that strat.

When Wartortle finished spinning, it came out of its shell with a proud cry, only to be met by another barrage of Bullet Seeds. Wartortle then gathered blue energy by its mouth and fired rings of water from its mouth. Water Pulse? Deerling had plenty of time to dodge and did so, using its momentum to dash into range for another Bullet Seed. Get kited.

A translucent white field manifested around Wartortle, and as the barrage of Bullet Seeds hit it, they popped, leaving Wartortle untouched. That's gotta be Protect.

"Shit... Try another Bullet Seed!" Ian declared, thinking Protect wouldn't be as likely to work. Wartortle lit up another protective field, the Bullet Seed's pellets bursting impotently. No way it works three times in a row. "Re-position and fire another Bullet Seed!" Ian commanded.

Wartortle glowed with white, translucent power once more, but the protective field seemingly popped suddenly, leaving Wartortle exposed to the oncoming barrage. Wartortle yelped in pain as the Bullet Seeds hit their mark. Then it turned to the sea and began heading away from the battle.

"Shit," Tupp said.

"Yeah. Deerling, don't let it go in the water!" Ian commanded. Deerling dashed quickly. Wartortle then took a deep breath and a light blue, almost white energy manifested around its mouth. An Ice Type attack? "DODGE!"

Out from Wartortle's mouth came a light blue stream of icy crystals that glimmered as they caught the sun. Deerling bounded away, but the large area of effect attack caught Deerling's back legs, causing it to whine in pain as ice crystals stuck to its hind limbs. Icy Wind? "Deerling, Tackle!"

A white aura shimmered around Deerling as it wound up, then launched itself at Wartortle, who retreated into its shell just in time. Deerling bashed into the shell, sending it tumbling a number of feet as it rolled away from the water. Perfect.

Wartortle came out of its shell, shaking its head as Ice Type Energy began forming in its mouth again. "Deerling, fall back!"

Deerling turned around a little clumsily with its hindered back limbs but it was able to leap a dozen feet back still, landing a little unsteadily this time. The cloud of cold wind and crystals did hit Deerling, but at such a distance Ian figured the most potent part of the attack had already faded. "Fire off another Bullet Seed!" Ian said.

Deerling did so, and this time Wartortle withdrew into its already battered shell, which absorbed most of the damage. Gotta counter Icy Wind somehow. "Charge in for a Sand Attack!"

Deerling's legs made it move not so swiftly, but still much faster than the clearly exhausted Wartortle could recover. As Wartortle's head popped out, it was met with a face full of sand, causing it to yelp in frustration.

"Get out of there!" Ian ordered, pointing perpendicularly away from Wartortle. Sure enough, Wartortle fired off another Icy Wind, but completely missed the mark. Wartortle went to rub its eyes. "Finish it, Double Kick!" Ian commanded.

Deerling charged back, its front legs glowing with dark red energy. It made one more bound and smashed its front legs onto Wartortle's exposed face, smashing it into the sand. Wartortle let out a last gasp before going limp.

"Hell yeah!" Tupp hollered.

Ian ran up eagerly, tossing a Poke Ball lightly to the vanquished soon to be partner. Wartortle was absorbed into the ball in a flash of red light, and Deerling rubbed up against Ian's leg affectionately. Ian used an off hand to pet Deerling, but fixated on the ball. It shook more than Deerling's Heal Ball had, but it eventually went limp. Ian pumped his fist and picked up Deerling with a smile on his face.

Deerling began yelping in a panic as it flailed, and Ian realized Deerling probably wasn't too fond of being picked up. "Excellent job Deerling!" Ian began petting the back Deerling's neck and it cooed happily. "You probably can't reach back there yourself... You were great there!"

The duo returned to the front gates of Po Town all smiles. Even with his slightly crusty clothes, Ian felt like he was on cloud nine. Not sure how I lucked out with a Wartortle of all things, but I won't say no to it. Ian and Tupp made their way to the Pokemon Center, having to wait in a bit of a line before they got to the counter, where they were met by an East Asian woman just past middle age with greying hair and resting bitch-face. It's a common facial expression around here, ain't it?

"What's going on Doc," Tupp said.

"Tupp, what you do to your Pokemon this time?" The woman croaked in broken English. Galarian?

"Not me this time, Doc," Tupp said with a grin, pointing at Ian. "This is Ian, he catches one more Pokemon today and he's in Team Skull. Ian, this is Doc."

"Ian, not so lucky," Doc said, her smile oozing mischief.

"I just caught this Wartortle, it looked really beat up before I battled it..." Ian explained as he handed over Wartortle's ball.

Doc seemingly ignored Ian's words as she swiped the ball from him and released Wartortle from its ball. Getting a closer look at Warotrtle's shell made Ian cringe. There were punctures and cracks all over, not to mention the bruising on its skin as it laid unconscious on the counter. "Was fight with a Gyarados? Maybe two? Where you find?"

"Just at the beach behind the wall," Tupp said coarsely.

Doc eyed it suspiciously. "Ultra Storm out at sea this morning, maybe come from there..."

"He? Wartortle's a boy?" Ian asked.

"Male," Doc corrected. "But yes he is."

"It's a Gyarados hot spot in the seas around Po Town, right?" Ian speculated. "Can't imagine coming out of an Ultra Storm and boom, there's a bunch of Gyarados on your ass."

"You see puncture?" Doc said, pointing to a deep piercing of the shell, but it looked like there was still shell at the bottom. "Normal Gyarados bite never go this deep into Squirtle shell. Alpha Gyarados do this."

"An Alpha out there Doc?" Tupp asked. "Maybe it'll keep Sinclair's boats off our ass for a bit."

"Sorry but I gotta ask, is 'Doc' your real name?" Ian said curiously.

Doc scoffed. "Course not."

"Ah..." Ian said.

"Hey Tupp, Faller-guy!" Rapp's harsh, female voice said from behind Doc. The Team Skull grunt had her signature Comfey around her neck and a curious look in her eyes. "Why you guys here?"

Tupp pointed at the KO'd Wartortle. "Ian's second Pokemon, caught just now."

Rapp's eyes expanded as she saw the carnage on the shell. "How fuck did your Deerling do this, Faller?"

Ian shook his head. "It was like that when we saw him. Stroke of luck."

"You all done chit-chat? I have mangled Wartortle I need treat," Doc said, her frustration making her broken accent worse.

"Oh, sorry Doc," Rapp said as she took a quick step back.

"He heal, but machine not fully heal shell. No more cracks," Doc said.

When Doc was out of earshot, Tupp leaned over the counter. "Rapp, the fuck you doing back there?"

Rapp rolled her eyes. "What, a girl can't 'diserfy' her... I mean diversify her skill set?"

"Looks boring as hell," Tupp teased.

"How about you stop watching and help get this guy in Team Skull? How about that?" Rapp fired back.

"It's gonna be easy, just you wait," Tupp said.

***

A few hours later, Ian and Tupp were walking along the road east of Po Town, walking a narrow strip of flat land where the foothills leading to Mount Hokulani began just a few hundred feet away. "Fuck..." Tupp paused, folding his arms. "This is not as easy as I thought it was gonna be."

"We can go back and get Plumeria," Ian said.

"Only if you think Wartortle is in fighting shape," Tupp said. "Your Deerling won't be able to handle the stronger stuff out here."

A couple grunts on bicycles came riding by and threw up a hand sign to Tupp. "Any good Pokemon out there?" Tupp asked.

"Nothing but Yungoos bro," one grunt said as he cruised by.

"They out today yo," the other grunt said as he followed behind.

The sinking feeling in his stomach got worse. At least my stomach hurts because whatever was in the stew ain't sitting right instead of being hungry.

"Can Gumshoos smell really well?" Ian asked.

"Of course bro," Tupp said.

"Maybe it can find something I can catch?" Ian wondered.

"Nah, we upwind. Everything we'd be looking for is down wind," Tupp said.

Ian wanted to protest, not entirely sure he understood what Tupp was talking about, but decided against it.

"Your Deerling's kinda smelly yo," Tupp said. "Maybe it can lure some stuff."

"Use it as bait?" Ian asked. "I mean, that is how I got it in the first place."

"Sink or swim bro," Tupp insisted.

Ian eyed Deerling's Heal Ball and gulped nervously. "Here goes something." He released Deerling, who scampered around excitedly before coming back and rubbing up against Ian's leg. "You wanna help us find another Pokemon I can catch?" Ian asked.

Deerling licked its lips as it stared at Ian with its big blank eyes. "Looks like 'yes' to me bro," Tupp said.

The trio continued on, the clouds thankfully not gathering for a storm anytime soon. They came upon a small wooded area on the side of the road. It didn't seem very deep, but it seemed like a decent place for a Pokemon to hide out. Probably a Yungoos or Rattata. Ian searched for signs of anything, and an odd green blip of light caught his attention. "Fuck was that?" Ian asked aloud.

"What?"

"There was this green light in the brush over there," Ian pointed.

"Mystery meat might be hitting you hard bro," Tupp teased. "You want to go check it out just in case?"

Ian shrugged. "Worth a shot."

"Fuck it," Tupp said.

Deerling seemed a bit apprehensive about going in, but Ian gave it a reassuring smile. Deerling followed, but stayed right behind Ian the entire time. Some Pikipek chirped, and the breeze felt quite nice on Ian's skin. "So bro... if I don't catch a third Pokemon, you think there's another spot I could go to?" Ian asked.

"Outrigger's up the road about a day's walk from here, but Guzma'll be pissed at you. If Outrigger and us ever get in a scrap, Guzma'll demand you come back in a peace deal," Tupp said. "Guzma don't mind runners, but taking his hospitality and running, that's fucked up."

"I wasn't trying to frame it that way," Ian said. "But just in case I come back with just a Yungoos, you know?"

"I feel ya bro," Tupp said, his eyes focusing on a rustling bush ahead.

Ian locked in, focusing on the rustling brush. Suddenly the familiar call of a Yungoos hit their ears, and in a flash of gold, the critter fled. "How much time do I got?" Ian asked.

"We got a few hours still bro," Tupp said.

"What about climbing the hills a bit?" Ian asked.

Tupp shook his head. "There's an Alpha Drampa somewhere up in these hills. You don't want nothing to do with that."

"Most definitely," Ian said. Suddenly Deerling yelped with fright, leaping away. "Deerling, what the-" A blur of dark color sped by Ian. He turned to catch up with the adversary and saw a little tuft of orange fur on top of its dark colored, feline body. Deerling fired a Bullet Seed, but the green pellets smoked by a flash of flames. Fire type? Shit.

Deerling bounded for cover, but the assailant was fast, and when Deerling landed, it was met with another flash of flames. Deerling cried out in pain, moving, but definitely wounded. The mystery assailant crouched, ready to pounce on Deerling, and Ian realized what it was. A Litleo!

"Deerling, Leech Seed!" Ian ordered.

Deerling fired a quick seed from its flower, bursting and landing on Litleo mid-pounce. Deerling scurried for more cover, with Litleo in hot pursuit.

"Dafuq is that?" Tupp asked.

"I think it's a Litleo," Ian said.

"I ain't ever seen them around here bro," Tupp said.

Ultra Storm refugee or something. We need to get Litleo in close for a Double Kick. "Deerling, Sand Attack!" Ian commanded.

Deerling stuck its hoof in the ground, kicking up sand, but Litleo was airborne, fire enveloping its mouth. Deerling whimpered as Litleo landed on target. Ian had Deerling's Heal Ball at the ready and recalled his partner. Litleo followed the red light for a moment, hissing at Ian and Tupp, readying more fire in its mouth. Seeing Litleo mostly still for a time made Ian notice something he didn't expect to see, the orange tuft of fur on top of Litleo's head flickered like a candle's flame, changing from a dark orange to lighter orange every couple of seconds.

"Bro, you got this?" Tupp asked. "If I help-"

"I know you can't help," Ian said, reaching for Wartortle's ball. I'll owe you even more if you can even go. Ian opened Wartortle's ball, wishing he'd at least gotten to know him before sending him into battle.

Wartortle manifested hunched over, clearly not one hundred percent. Wartortle's head turned, a pestered look in its eye as its glare met Ian's eyes. "I'm sorry dude, I'm gonna owe you..." Ian promised.

Wartortle snorted, turning back around to the hissing Litleo. Litleo then growled fiercely, pouncing into the air. Wartortle opened his mouth and let out a stream of blue energy rings, wobbling like water. The rings made contact with Litleo, each one connecting, slamming Litleo into the tree behind it. The assailant hit the ground hard, going limp in a quick second.

Wartortle turned back around with the same pestered look in its eye. Ian smiled nervously, recalling his second partner into its Poke Ball. He readied the third and final one, hucking it to Litleo's body. The ball connected, opened, and absorbed Litleo into itself in a flash of red light. Ian hustled over to the now motionless Poke Ball and picked it up triumphantly. Tupp barreled into Ian, giving him a playful shove.

"Let's goooo! Welcome to Team Skull bro!" Tupp said, putting his fist out.

Ian smiled. "Let's make some bad decisions, dude."

Chapter Text

Chapter 5 Team Members

The walk back to Po Town was a jubilant one, with Tupp's grin as wide as Ian's. "Imma see if we can get you on Plumeria's squad," Tupp said.

"I thought that was the whole point of you helping me, so I'd be Plumeria's new punching bag," Ian teased.

"Plumeria ain't too thrilled about that stunt you pulled with Ariados yesterday," Tupp said. "We're the squad that goes to Ultra Storms to check for Fallers. Ultra storms are dangerous, can't have have big risk takers in the squad yo."

"That's your guys' main job?" Ian asked. "Ultra Storms?"

"We found you, bro," Tupp said. "Any Fallers that make it out, we bring 'em back to Po Town. Not a lot of 'em do, especially ones like you without Pokemon."

Ian shrugged. "I'm just lucky I guess."

"Wait, Plumeria said you found a Star Piece in that Ultra Storm?" Tupp asked.

"Yeah," Ian said.

"It was just lying on the ground?" Tupp asked.

Ian nodded. "There were wormholes dropping random stuff in there, it wouldn't surprise me if one of the wormholes dropped a Star Piece for whatever reason."

"You right..." Tupp said. "Man, ever since the Ultra Rift showed up, Ula'Ula been crazy yo."

"I bet..." Ian replied. Ian looked to see if he could see the Ultra Rift at the top of Lanakila, but Hokulani and its foothills towered over them. "So Ultra Storms started happening when that rift showed up, right?"

"Yuuup," Tupp said.

Ian gasped as it hit him. Ultra Storms are like Space-Time Distortions from Legends Arceus! It all lines up, they came with the Ultra Rift, wormholes occur inside of them and... "No way..." Ian said aloud.

"What bro?" Tupp said.

"Sorry, just some ideas hitting me," Ian said. There were valuable items in the Space-Time Distortions, which means there's a good chance they're in the Ultra Storms as well. "You guys don't go in the Ultra Storms, right?"

"Sometimes we take a peek, see if anything needs our help," Tupp said. "But if it's too deep we can't really go in. Shit's hairy."

"Gotcha..." Ian said. Riding around on Wyrdeer was the best way to farm treasures in the Space-Time Distortions... Ian's hand instinctively reached for Deerling's Heal Ball. Well, if Deerling ever evolves into Sawsbuck, it still isn't as big as Wyrdeer, so I doubt I could ride on its back so easily. But maybe just moving rapidly or keeping the Pokemon inside the Ultra Storms distracted would let us hunt for valuables... And people I suppose.

When the gates of Po Town came into view, Ian pumped his fist one more time. "I suppose you guys are stuck with me now."

"Nah, you stuck with us bro," Tupp said, giving him a playful jab to the forearm.

When Po Town's main gate came into view, Ian spied Plumeria's now familiar face waiting at the threshold, arms folded.

"He got it!" Tupp said, pointing at Ian. "Three Pokemon, no shitters!"

"That remains to be seen, Tupp," Plumeria said skeptically. "What's the third one?"

"A Litleo," Ian answered.

"Pretty feisty one too," Tupp said.

"Litleo? I've heard there's a Pyroar population on Poni Island, but never heard of them being here," Plumeria said.

"Probably ran out of the Ultra Storms," Ian said.

"So all three Pokemon you caught were Ultra Storm refugees? Odd," Plumeria said.

A sudden realization from the Sun and Moon post-game hit him like a blow to the ribs. Beings that interacted with Ultra Wormholes would attract Ultra Beasts. Maybe this works with all Pokemon, considering Ultra Beasts are Pokemon are the end of the day.

"Something wrong?" Plumeria asked.

"Sorry, something from back home hit me all of the sudden," Ian said.

"Well forget about it, we gotta see Guzma first," Plumeria ordered coldly.

Wait, if there's hundreds of things with this Ultra energy signature or whatever, wouldn't that kind of negate the problem? So many sources of the energy that the Ultra Beasts can't hone in on one singular source? Fuck, this is complicated, gotta put it on the back burner for a bit.

"And hey, Big Sis..." Tupp began. "I gotta say, Ian here was pretty good at battling. Like really good with his Deerling when he fought Wartortle."

"Wasn't Wartortle already seriously injured?" Plumeria asked.

"Yeah, but Wartortle's probably way stronger than Deerling, and he still pulled off the win. He was all starteejick and shit," Tup said.

"Strategic you mean?" Plumeria said with a smirk. "Forgive me if I don't take your word for it."

Tupp turned to Ian and shrugged. Good try, Tupp.

The walk up The Spine didn't take long, and Ian saw Tom and a couple other stewards locking the doors on his warehouse for the day. The Shady House bustled with activity as hip hop music played loudly over the speakers while uniformed Team Skull members lounged around, some with their Pokemon out. Whether it was an Alolan Rattata, a Yungoos, or what Ian recognized as a Fomantis, everything seemed pretty chill. "Tupp, stay here," Plumeria ordered.

Tupp wanted to protest, but settled for giving Ian a thumbs up, which he reciprocated.

Plumeria led Ian down the hallway and swung the door open, this time there being no guard. Guzma was seated on his throne, Larvesta on his lap like a stereotypical mob boss petting a cat. "Don't tell me pizza boy got three Pokemon?" Guzma asked.

"Three," Plumeria said. "And apparently not shitters."

Guzma whistled. "Okay pizza boy, let's check 'em out. Besides that fucking deer of course."

Ian tried to force a laugh. He then stepped to the throne to hand Guzma the two Poke Balls. Guzma opened one, revealing a flash of red light before manifesting Wartortle sleeping on its back. It promptly awoke and turned right to Ian with the same scowl on its face as before. Sorry dude. In moments Guzma recalled Wartortle, then opened the other Poke Ball. Litleo, still battered and bruised emerged with an agitated growl. One of its legs gave out and it fell to the ground with a shocked yelp, only to begin hissing. Guzma recalled it into its ball and tossed one ball at a time to Ian. "Not bad. But those two do look a little tough to handle," Guzma noted.

"Thank you, boss," Ian said, not realizing he'd bowed his head slightly.

"Welcome to Team Skull then, pizza boy," Guzma said, stepping closer to Ian. "Wait, what's your name again?"

"Ian..."

"That's not bad actually. What's your last name?" Guzma said.

"Derry."

Guzma recoiled. "Ugh, now that sounds stupid." Guzma got up from his throne, causing Larvesta to scuttle along Guzma's arm and to his shoulder. "You ever have any stupid nicknames from when you were younger?"

Ian thought back on it, trying to remember something, anything. Then he scoffed, remembering the story behind his stupid fifth grade nickname. "Cougar."

"Cougar? Why the hell'd they call you that?" Guzma spat.

Ian shook his head. "In Alola it might be different, but the slang definition back home was like a forty year old woman who was dating a twenty year old guy-"

Guzma cackled. "You dated a woman twice your age?"

"No, 'Cougar' is the the term you call the woman,"

Guzma eyed Ian suspiciously.

"We were in fifth grade, and I had a crush on this one girl. Turns out she got bumped up from the class below, so she was a year younger than us..." Ian explained. "Because we were in fifth grade we didn't know what the actual term meant, so they just called me 'Cougar.'"

Guzma chuckled. "It's so dumb I like it." Guzma then closed in on Ian, standing over him on his raised platform. "You're into princes and knights and shit, right?"

"Uh, not exactly..."

"Fuck it, better than being called 'Pizza Boy' the rest of your life," Guzma said. He put his hand on Ian's head. "Welcome to Team Skull, Ian Cougar."

Did I just get a new last name? After catching a lion cub? An involuntary grin formed on Ian's face, and something about the whole informal ceremony still felt very sincere.

"What squad's he going on?" Plumeria asked. "I'd recommend Rook's since he's still starting out."

Guzma eyed Ian. "What do you think, Coogz?"

Ian understood the implied nickname and turned to Plumeria, who was giving him a look of pure disdain. "So, I have an idea about the Ultra Storms..." Ian started.

"Yeah?" Guzma asked.

"That Star Piece I found in it? I bet Ultra Storms have other treasures and stuff in them, including rare Pokemon," Ian explained. "Since Plumeria's squad goes and checks them out, maybe I could join that squad," Ian paused, then pointed to Guzma's treasure chest. "Maybe after a few weeks you'll have to get a second one."

Guzma cracked a smile. "I like the sound of that. What do you think, Plumeria?"

"Not at all. He's reckless. That whole thing with Alpha Ariados is just the first symptom. I'm not sure he understands this isn't a game," Plumeria lectured.

If only you knew. "I wanted to get Deerling out of there. It was in the heat of the moment and I... I couldn't just leave it. It's my partner, now and forever," Ian said. "Just like everyone in Team Skull is now."

Plumeria's scowl turned a bit more neutral. Or dare I say, a smirk? Plumeria sighed, and turned to Guzma. "Fine, but he's on a short leash." Plumeria stepped to Ian, her golden eyes fixated on his. "The moment you put us in danger is the moment I leave you in an Ultra Storm. Got it?"

Ian nodded. "I do."

"Tomorrow's your first day in my squad. I know you just got your Pokemon, but I need them to be able to battle for you by then, okay?" Plumeria demanded.

Ian nodded. "Yes ma'am-"

"Don't fucking 'ma'am' me, I'm your squad leader, not your grandma," Plumeria spat.

"Yes... squad leader?" Ian asked uncertainly.

"Just Plumeria's fine," Plumeria said with an eye roll.

"Well now that that's settled, Coogz, do you know what the one and only rule of Team Skull is?"

Ian shook his head. "No..."

"We're a bunch of misfits, bunch of people society never gave a fuck about. We can't count on anyone else to look out for us," Guzma explained. "So it's this: always look out for each other."

Ian nodded. "Understood boss," he said seriously.

"You may think the other factions on this island have it better, and hey it might look like that from afar," Guzma said. "But they all got their own bullshit. They're ruthless, and they'll toss their own people aside if it means a slight improvement in their situation."

Ian nodded, trying to sound like he understood what Guzma truly meant while actually not having a clue. "I hear you boss..." Ian paused. "But, I don't know anything about these factions. I've heard things about Breon and Surge, and everyone makes it sound like they're really strong-"

"They are really strong," Guzma said. "Plumeria, you tell him. I fucking hate talking about the map," Guzma pointed to Ian's left, and draped on the wall was a large, exquisitely painted island. Guzma made his way out of the throne room, Larvesta still resting on his shoulder. How did I not notice that before?

"So this is Ula'Ula Island..." Plumeria said, stepping in front of the map. She pointed to the top left corner. "That's Po Town, that's us. Guzma's our leader." She then pointed a little to the right where a little beach town was with an even smaller island was just off the coast. "That little beach town is called Outrigger. Leilani's their leader. We're kinda cool with them, kinda not sometimes. They have some deal with Surge so he won't wreck them. That means they can't get too close to us."

"Surge? I keep hearing-"

Plumeria gave Ian an annoyed look, and Ian quickly shut his mouth. "Sorry."

"Thanks," Plumeria croaked. "So the top mountain, that's Mount Hokulani. Surge controls the mountain. There are observatories on top of it, and Surge turned them into a base. It's damn near impossible to touch him up there. Malie City pays him tribute to not fuck them up."

"And by Surge, do you mean the Kanto gym leader Lieutenant Surge?" Ian asked.

Plumeria paused. "I'm actually not sure. I can double check with Driftwood next time I run into them."

"Driftwood?"

"The Driftwood Guild," Plumeria said with a sigh. "They're this neutral group. They operate across each factions' territory. Want a certain spice? They can get it for you. Want a certain TM for a Pokemon? They can acquire it and bring it to you, for a price. Always a price with them, sometimes information, sometimes treasure. They even have some stupid motto their people say whenever you interact with them."

"Interesting. And they don't get caught or anything?" Ian asked.

"They have Pokemon that use Teleport. No way to track them, but they're around," Plumeria explained, then pointed to the urban area to Mt. Hokulani's right. "So Malie City, that's the last place the ASF still controls."

"And the ASF is...?"

"The Alolan Security Forces. The government," Plumeria said plainly. "With this being an island and all, Alola hasn't been in many wars. You Unovans used this place as a base in the Great Ocean War way back."

Why do I think she's talking about the Pokemon world version of World War II?

"Unova keeps Alola safe from abroad, but it didn't want Alola's military getting strong or something like that. Keahi even said that's the reason why Alola never formed a Pokemon League. So when the Ultra Rift appeared on top of Mount Lanakila and Ultra Storms started popping off all over Alola, the ASF was a complete mess."

"Ultra Storms are happening on other islands?" Ian asked, putting the name "Keahi" in the back of his mind for later.

"Kinda, but not nearly as much as here. Probably because of the Ultra Rift on Lanakila," Plumeria said. "The rest of Alola sends food and supplies to Malie City and then dishes it out to certain factions. We're so far away we're not one of those factions."

Ian eyed the beautifully painted map and noticed a road sprouting off between Po Town and Outrigger that went around the base of Mount Hokulani. "I assume that road is Surge's?" Ian asked.

"Well, Surge blew up the Gap Bridge that connects us to Malie City," Plumeria said. Plumeria then pointed to Po Town, her finger leading down from Po Town. "So the only road that kind of works goes through Haina Town..." Plumeria pointed to a coastal city at the southern base of Mount Lanakila, where Ian remembered Tapu Village was in the games. That's a lot more than a trailer park and a Pokemon Center.

"Haina Town was run by the ASF, but something happened and the ASF trainers mutinied. Now they're just a bunch of assholes. Their leader is this guy named Breon," Ian noticed Plumeria's voice dropped fearfully at the end of her sentence.

Plumeria backtracked, pointing to the rough, hilly area between Malie City and Haina Town. The Mudsdale riding area. "There's this group called the Rough Raiders that lives in these hills," Plumeria explained. "They ride Mudsdale and stuff like that. I've run into them once and they were alright. They don't like Breon and his goons in Haina Town though."

Ian nodded. "Sorry if I forget some of this, it's a lot of information..."

"Yeah, the ones closest to us are probably the ones worth remembering," Plumeria said. "So up here on Mount Lanakila there's this weird group, we think they're refugees from Haina Town. There's some chick named Irida who's leading them. There's an old abandoned mining town called Makamae Town they took up residence in. Not a lot of food up there, so we've seen some of their foraging parties in the Akua Jungle." Plumeria pointed at the dense forest of green just south of Po Town.

Irida? Like the Pearl Clan leader from Legends Arceus? What the hell is she doing here?

"You still following?" Plumeria asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Something just crossed my mind… Anyways, Pearl Clan?"

"What?"

"Shit, sorry. Irida?" Ian recovered.

"So the last one is Sinclair," Plumeria said.

Ian's eyes drifted to the desert, but he remembered something about Sinclair and his boats. Plumeria pointed to the bottom left corner of the island where there was a bay with a bunch of islands scattered about. "This is Mahiki Bay. When the ASF started falling apart, some guy named Sinclair got some followers and stole a bunch of boats from Malie City's harbor and took them down here," Plumeria explained. "We think he's on the biggest island in the bay. Him and his goons have gone pirate, raiding shipments from the rest of Alola and harassing everyone from the sea."

This is fucking intense.

"Any questions?" Plumeria asked.

"Does anyone have the desert?" Ian asked, pointing at the Haina desert beside Mount Lanakila.

Plumeria shook her head. "That's neutral ground where disputes between leaders get resolved," Plumeria said. "Us and Haina Town were fighting for a couple months, then Guzma and Breon went with some Driftwood Guild folks and hashed out a peace deal," Plumeria said.

"Oh, and one more question. Where'd this map come from?" Ian asked.

Plumeria cracked a smile if only for a second. "Mina. She works for Rook, paints in her spare time."

Like Mina the Trial Captain? What's she doing here?

"So you gonna remember all of this nonsense?" Plumeria asked.

"There's gotta be a lot of history going on..." Ian said.

"Yeah, and I'm getting sick of your stinky ass clothes. Let's get you some uniforms," Plumeria said.

"Finally!" Ian rejoiced.

"Wait, one more thing..." Plumeria pointed to a small area of water surrounded by jungle just southeast of Po Town. "This is the Lake of the Sunne. Never go there. Tapu Bulu protects it. It is sacred, and Tapu Bulu has killed people who've gone in there. And if it doesn't get you, the Alpha Golurk who lives there will. Got it?"

Ian nodded. "I do. I swear."

***
Half an hour later, Ian admired the fit of his Team Skull tank-top and black pants. The Skull hat on his head looked odd at first, but it was starting to grow on him.

"The underwear could be comfier," Ian said, talking about the light green drawers he remembered putting on.

"Yeah man, that's all that's left over," Tupp said. "Scratchy as fuck."

"If you scratch your balls, I won't think you're jerking off if you do the same for me," Ian said.

"Deal."

Ian checked his new belt which had six depressions with magnets at the bottom of them for his Poke Balls. He grabbed the Heal Ball and two Poke Balls and they attached almost too easily. "That's pretty sweet," Ian commented.

"You don't got those in Unova?" Tupp asked.

"Something like that," Ian replied, examining his Skull tank-top one more time. "Just curious, I got two more pairs of these right?"

Tupp nodded. "Yeah bro, why you asking?"

"Where'd these Skull shirts come from?" Ian asked. "There's not a secret sewing department, is there?"

Tupp scoffed. "Nah man, so this all went down when Keahi was still Kahuna of Ula'Ula and her crew 'the Cinders' ran Po Town…"

So that's who Keahi was? Got it.

"… the spoiled rich kid whose family owned Shady House? He wanted to throw a big ass party and bought a bunch of shirts he wanted to make everyone wear. Brought all the DJ equipment and stuff, and no one showed," Tupp explained.

"Rich kid? Is he still around?" Ian asked.

Tupp nodded. "Yeah, he's the chubby dude everyone calls 'Slugg.' He's in Rook's squad. I'll point him out next time I see him."

"How's he fat if we're eating one meal a day?" Ian asked in genuine bewilderment.

"Dude's lost a lot of weight since this all started," Tupp explained.

"Okay… So Keahi was the former Kahuna?" Ian asked. "Where the hell is Nanu in all of this?"

"Nanu? How you know that name?" Tupp asked.

Ian tensed, realizing he might've just blown his cover. "Plumeria said something about him…" Ian said, trying to act calm.

"Oh yeah, you were in there a while bro," Tupp said. "He got announced as the Kahuna when the Ultra Rift showed up. He disappeared like a week after he got the position. No one's seen him since, not even Driftwood."

The weird, neutral trading group right? "So there's been no Kahuna on the island this whole time?"

Tupp shook his head. "Nope. I bet Nanu dipped out after he saw how fucked everything was about to be."

Ian's curiosity wanted to talk more about Keahi and how things were like in Po Town before Team Skull took it over, but something told him that might be a sensitive topic. "So, Plumeria said I have to have my Pokemon ready to go tomorrow morning."

"Wartortle still got an attitude, right?" Tupp asked.

"Litleo too," Ian said. "Any ideas on how to chill them out a bit?"

"Bribe 'em with food," Tupp said. "Should work on one of 'em at least."

"Is the Pokemon Center still open?"

"Yeah, gotta hurry though," Tupp said.

The duo made their way down The Spine, Ian noticing he was no longer catching lots of suspicious looks. I was starting to think everyone just mean-mugged everyone around here. Guess I'm blending in a lot better.

When they got to the Pokemon Center he saw Doc and Rapp behind the counter.

"Why back so soon?" Doc asked in her broken accent.

"Just here to pick up some food," Ian said. "Wartortle isn't my biggest fan, neither is Litleo."

Rapp turned to Doc. "I'll be right back." Rapp dashed around a corner and out of sight, her shapely legs catching Ian's eye for the first time. I should probably focus on getting stronger so I can eventually ditch this crazy place, not spend time chasing after girls. Plus the dick to pussy ratio here is crazy from what I've seen so far. I'm sure she's got dozens of guys going at her.

Rapp came back with three plastic baggies of large, brown pellets and held them out for Ian with a smile. "Welcome to Team Skull, Faller."

"Glad to be here," Ian replied, taking the bags and carrying them close to his body.

When Ian and Tupp got outside the Pokemon Center, Tupp eyed him. "I saw you eyeing Rapp in there. You like her?"

Ian gulped nervously, realizing Tupp likely had a crush on a girl, and there weren't that many in town. "No just... Finally not nervous enough to notice, you know?"

Tupp laughed. "Nah man, it's okay if you're crushing. Me and her go way back, grew up in the Tapu Village streets," Tupp explained. "She's like my sister."

"So you got a different girl you're crushing on, is what you're saying?" Ian deduced.

Tupp froze. "Well, yeah but... You can't tell nobody, bro. No one."

"You've been keeping this one secret for a while, haven't you?" Ian teased.

"A'ight bro, don't laugh..." Tupp leaned in, his voice hushing to a whisper. "I'm down pretty bad for Selene."

"It would be almost weird if you weren't," Ian said with a shrug.

Tupp stymied a laugh. "Right? And the funny thing is, I'm kind of the reason she's here actually."

"You are?"

"Bro, right around when the Ultra Rift popped up, Rapp and I was doing a job outside Malie City, and this cute ass girl runs up in a funny hat and just fucking bodied us bro. Fell in love with her right then and there," Tupp explained. "A couple weeks later we were doing something south of the meadow and there she was, her Pokemon were hurt and she had nothing else. She'd just gotten out of Haina Town when Breon took over..." Tupp paused before opening up more. "Man, you're the first person I told this to. You just seem like you give more of a fuck. Prolly just cuz you're new here. But if you do tell someone, I'm putting you to sleep and feeding you to Guzma's Ariados."

"Fair. I won't say anything bro," Ian said, bumping Tupp's fist. "But I'll be rooting for you."

"Appreciate you bro," Tupp said. "All the girls got a thing for Rook though. I think they just like him cuz he's a strong trainer."

His cheek bones and goatee likely help too. "We can always fix that bro," Ian said.

"You handled Deerling real well, but how you gonna help me?" Tupp said.

"I did study a lot," Ian said.

"Where at?" Tupp asked demandingly.

This is gonna be so troll. "The Blueberry Academy in Unova," Ian said with a shit-eating grin. Not sure why the place was technically in Unova, but boy is it convenient for me all of the sudden.

"Dafuq is that?" Tupp asked.

"It was like high school but for Pokemon training," Ian explained.

"But you weren't a trainer?" Tupp asked.

"It was a financial thing..." Ian lied. "You know how to handle Pokemon, I've got all of the advanced studying. Together, we might actually become good trainers. When Plumeria was dogging you, I remember you saying something about not having a good practice partner."

"Fuck, you right about that..." Tupp pondered the idea for a few moments. "Maybe you're not as stupid as I thought."

"I have my moments," Ian said, a grin returning to his face. "Know a good spot to train in town? Figure the gate's closing soon."

"You went to that tree on Backstreet yesterday, right?" Tupp asked.

Ian shrugged. "Not a bad idea, it was a comfy spot."

The duo made their way past Shady House and to cul-de-sac where the large tree stood over them. Ian took one of the pellet bags and emptied a decently sized portion into the grass. He then reached for Wartortle's Poke Ball and opened it. "Imma take a wiz real quick," Tupp said, scampering to one of the houses on the cul-de-sac.

Wartortle appeared in a flash of red light, and it immediately turned to Ian, the same scowl on its face as the encounter with Litleo. "Got food for you," Ian said in his customer service voice and pointed at the pile of brown pellets. Wartortle turned to look quickly before returning his scowl to Ian. The message was clear. You really think I'm gonna eat that off the ground?

"Look Wartortle, you've clearly had an awful day," Ian began. "And maybe you're in some pain..."

Wartortle looked down at its shell, specifically one of the deep punctures into its shell that was still there before moving on to scanning the rest of its shell. Wartortle gave a throaty croak, seemingly pleased with his recovery. It then bent over and picked up a food pellet with whatever the amphibious substitute for a hand was and popped the pellet in its mouth. Wartortle gave another throaty croak in approval and sat on its shell. Its arms weren't big enough to reach the pile, and Ian saw his opening.

Ian walked to Wartortle slowly, maintaining eye contact with his distraught Pokemon until he got close enough to crouch down and pick up a food pellet, handing it to Wartortle. Wartortle eyed him with suspicion, but ultimately accepted the help. Baby steps.

"I'm really excited to work with you," Ian said, voice full of encouragement as he handed Wartortle another pellet. The Pokemon didn't even acknowledge Ian had spoken, instead just eating the pellet emotionlessly.

"You really saved my ass back there with Litleo," Ian said. "You deserve a bigger treat than I can give you right now..." Ian continued, with Wartortle ignoring his words some more. "You don't seem like a big fan of me, which I understand. I'm not always the biggest fan of myself sometimes. But I promise to work hard as your trainer, and we can both grow together. What do you say?"

Wartortle grew impatient with waiting for more food and instead bent over, causing it to lose balance and fall on its side. Ian grabbed Wartortle's arm and helped adjust the turtle to its original seated form, grabbing another pellet. "If things aren't working out, and you wanted to leave..." Ian paused, realizing the heft of what he was saying. "When I can find a replacement, we can part ways, if you want..." Wartortle gave a higher pitched croak, eyeing Ian one more time before swiping another pellet. Ian continued picking up the pellets for Wartortle until there were no more. Wartortle crossed its arms, or as close as it could, eyeing Ian expectantly. "Alright, I see," Ian said, recalling Wartortle, his heart feeling heavier than when the conversation began.

"That didn't look good," Tupp observed, strolling back.

"No it did not. And how much did you piss, you were gone that whole time?" Ian asked.

"There are some punks watching us from the house behind us," Tupp said. "Wanted to make sure they weren't trying to mess with us."

"You talk to them?"

"Nah, they just been watching from a window," Tupp replied.

Ian readied Deerling's Heal Ball and released it. Ian held pellets in the palm of his hand this time, and Deerling ate quickly, sometimes tickling his hand with its tongue. When Ian recalled Deerling, he took a deep breath as he readied Litleo's ball. This should be interesting.

Ian released Litleo for the second time, this time the lion cub manifested on its side, yawning. It eyed Ian curiously for a moment before resting its head again. Ian noticed the tuft of fur on its head stayed bright orange and wasn't flickering. Odd.

"Might wanna put them on the ground for this one," Tupp said.

"Yeah, you're right," Ian said, taking the pellet bag and pouring its contents onto the ground. Litleo arose and strutted over before lighting its mouth up with flame, then hissing flames on the pellets. "Litleo, what the-" Ian paused as he saw Litleo happily enjoying the now scorched snack.

"Okay then..." Ian said, watching Litleo chow down with almost anger.

"A'ight so far," Tupp said.

When Litleo finished its scorched snacks, it eyed Ian threateningly, hissing aggressively. "Litleo, that's all I've got," said firmly.

Litleo's mouth flared up with flames, making Ian step back cautiously as he reached for Litleo's Poke Ball.

"Nah bro, you gotta show it who's boss," Tupp said.

"What, like me?" Ian asked, pointing at his quickly beating heart.

Tupp rolled his eyes. "Nah bro, with Wartortle."

Ian eyed Litleo again, who began to growl menacingly. "Alright, you're asking for it. Wartortle!" Ian tossed Wartortle's ball, and Wartortle manifested, facing Ian as it manifested, with an annoyed look in its eye. Ian pointed at Litleo. "In case you want round two."

Wartortle turned and its frown turned upside down as it noticed Litleo, realizing who had just appeared. Litleo switched its focus to Wartortle and got ready to pounce, embers of flame emanating from its mouth. Ian noticed the tuft of hair on its head had begun flickering to a dark orange and back to light orange. Okay, something's clearly going on with that. Litleo then shot a burst of embers at Wartortle, who casually shot them down with an effortless Water Gun stream. Wartortle croaked, almost amused, then fired another low intensity Water Gun, hitting Litleo in the mouth, forcing the fiery cub to yelp and dash back, taking a defensive position.

Wartortle stepped forward, giving a proud croak before it puffed its chest out. Litleo changed its stance, from one ready to pounce to turning into a loaf like regular cats would. Wartortle gave one more proud croak before turning to Ian and giving him a look that seemed to say: my job here is done.

Ian recalled Wartortle, then walked over carefully to Litleo, whose flickering tuft of hair ceased flickering almost instantly. Ian took a seat a few feet away from Litleo. "Nice to finally meet you when you're not upset, Litleo."

Litleo eyed him suspiciously and seemingly sneezed a flame before returning its focus to Ian.

"You already seem really dangerous," Ian said. "Quick like Deerling, but you're ranged fire attacks hit much harder. I bet if we train like Deerling and I did yesterday, you and I would become a formidable team."

Litleo snorted another ember and laid its head down.

"Looks like I'm gonna have to earn your loyalty. I can understand that," Ian said, pulling out Litleo's Poke Ball and recalling it. Ian turned to Tupp, who had been observing silently. "How'd I do?"

"At least Wartortle kinda bought in," Tupp said with a shrug.

"That's a good way of looking at it."

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter 7 Fallout

Upon finishing his bow, Ian tensed up. What about Tupp? "Sawsbuck, we gotta find Tupp," Ian said, turning back around, walking quickly across the stone bridge, eyes peeled for friend or foe. Sawsbuck gave a hum of acknowledgement and began scanning the tree line at the end of the bridge as well. Hopefully that Dwayne guy booked it. Ian saw plumes of smoke in the sky, but Zapdos had seemingly disappeared.

As Ian and Sawsbuck took their first steps off the bridge and into the dirt of the forest, Ian noticed all of the plants shift like an inch. "What is going on here?" Ian asked as he watched the Oran Berries of the tree in front of him expand and ripen in front of his eyes. It's like those nature documentaries that record a flower blooming over half a day but it's happening in seconds. Ian felt his stomach rumble, and he made his way over to the tree, grabbing some of the low hanging fruit and stuffing the rest of the suddenly ripe Oran Berries in his pocket and keeping a handful of them for Sawsbuck, who eagerly began munching on them out of his hand.

Ian watched with fascination as all around him the phenomena happened, the grass lurched upwards with growth underneath them, the bushes and shrubs began to flower, and the tree branches creaked as their wood grew spontaneously. He turned to Sawsbuck, who stepped back in fear, watching all of the plants around it grow so rapidly. "Nothing to be afraid of bud, they're just plants," Ian said, putting his hand on the back of Sawsbuck's neck, giving it a soothing scratch. Sawsbuck seemed to calm a bit, but still looked a bit tense. "C'mon bud, it's okay," Ian said, urging Sawsbuck to move forward. Sawsbuck hesitantly did so.

As they got to the riverbank, the same phenomena continued happening. Flowers rushed to bloom as Ian and Sawsbuck got close. This is really strange. Ian turned around, figuring the effects would wear off. Instead, all of the plants kept their flowers, and the path behind them had become demarcated with a higher level of grass. Little white flowers sprouted every few feet and Ian just looked on in bewilderment. He turned to Sawsbuck's legs, seeing if it was using some move or special ability, but nothing had the typical glow showing a Pokemon was using a move. Then he noticed a flower sprout up right where Sawsbuck picked up its front hoof, then again, and again- "Is this Grassy Terrain?" Ian asked Sawsbuck, who had a blank look in its now versant green eye. "You know as much as I do at this point, right?"

"IAN! YO!" Tupp's voice bellowed out from deeper in the forest.

Ian sighed in relief, finding strength in his aching muscles to jog over to Tupp. "Tupp you're alive!" Ian rejoiced.

"Bro, you're alive. When that dude went after you I thought you were a goner..." Tupp paused, seeing Sawsbuck still by Ian's side. "Is that Deerling?"

Ian nodded. "Is it safe here? Are Surge's guys still around?"

"Nah man, after whatever you did that dude, I saw him running back to the road. Zapdos moved on too," Tupp said.

"That's good..." Ian said, sitting down.

"What'd you do to him, yo? Obviously Deerling here must've whooped some ass," Tupp said, taking a seat and pointing at Sawsbuck.

"Hard to explain... Want some Oran Berries?" Ian asked.

"You got some?" Tupp asked.

Ian nodded, taking a few out of his pants pocket and handing some over while he ate one himself. "I'm still in disbelief man," Ian said, still chewing. "I went into the Lake of the Sunne."

Tupp's eyebrows rose. "And you're alive? I call BS, yo."

"Can't blame you," Ian said with a shrug. "I figured maybe he wouldn't follow me if I went in there, but he did."

"And Deerling just whacked out and evolved?" Tupp asked.

Ian shook his head. "Not at all man... Guy cornered us with his Machamp, smacked Deerling, it had a broken leg, and he was about to have Machamp take me out and he just... stopped."

"You forreal?" Tupp asked.

"So, Tapu Bulu came in through the ceiling or something and spooked him. Tapu Bulu then seemed like it was gonna take me out instead, but Deerling intervened or..." Ian's mind struggled to get the details straight. It was a pretty crazy event.

"And then what?"

"Tapu Bulu's hand changed color, and it touched Deerling, made it light up with some special power and then..." Ian paused. "It evolved."

"Wow what the hell-" Tupp yelled abruptly as he flailed from his seated position. Ian noticed a vine had begun to grow underneath him. "Fuck is that?" Tupp asked.

"It's happening around Sawsbuck, I'm not really sure what's up, but all the plants are growing super fast wherever it goes," Ian explained.

"That's like what they say Tapu Bulu does," Tupp added.

Oh yeah, Tapu Bulu's ability is Grassy Surge, which makes Grassy Terrain form around it... Ian turned to Sawsbuck, who was bent over munching carelessly on some recently grown plants. "Sawsbuck, do you have the Grassy Surge ability now? That's not normal, right?"

Sawsbuck lifted its head up to look at Ian, still mindlessly chewing before returning to its meal.

"You know, that would make sense..." Ian paused. If Tapu Bulu causes plants to grow exponentially faster, I see why it lives in the middle of a desert.

"Can you make it stop? All the plants growing be freaking me out," Tupp said.

"I lost its ball around here somewhere," Ian said.

"You lost the pussy ball?" Tupp asked.

"Something like that-"

Tupp gasped suddenly, and Ian turned before gasping himself. There stood the floating Tapu, its red headpiece and dark colored body with fierce, deep blue eyes. It extended one its arms and a Heal Ball came floating out to Ian.

"T-thank you, Tapu Bulu," Ian stammered bowing, noting Sawsbuck did as well.

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOO," Tapu Bulu bellowed loudly before flying back across the river.

"Bro did you see that?" Tupp asked in disbelief.

Ian held up the Heal Ball in his hand. "It literally gave me the Heal Ball back, of course I saw it."

"Bro... you really met that thing. Like for real…" Tupp said in shock.

"It saved me and Deerling man," Ian said. "Very glad it did, I'm not sure why."

"Bro ain't nobody gonna believe this yo," Tupp said.

Ian shrugged. "I still kinda don't believe it either." Sawsbuck gave a concerned whine, and Ian turned to his evolved partner. "Scratch that, you're the proof." Sawsbuck's whining turned higher pitch, and Ian could tell it was more of a cheer.

"Hyde's gonna be pissed yo," Tupp said.

Ian smirked. "Well, considering I almost died twice in there, I'm not gonna rub it in his face." A thought then occurred to Ian and looked around. "Bro, is anyone else around here?"

"Ain't seen no one," Tupp said. "But let's get moving. They might be looking for us."

"Good idea," Ian said as he recalled Sawsbuck into the Heal Ball.

***

A half hour's worth of walking later, Tupp and Ian had gotten close to what they thought was their rendezvous point when they spotted something familiar above the trees. Selene's Toucannon. It squawked, diving immediately down to the two lost trainers.

"You gonna bring help here?" Tupp asked.

Toucannon tilted its head slightly and squawked some more before turning perpendicularly and extending its wing, pointing to the base of the hill they'd come down. "That's where they're waiting for us?" Ian asked.

Toucannon nodded, squawking some more before flapping its wings and lifting itself in the air. The bird Pokemon became their aerial guide, gliding slightly ahead of the duo as they walked.

"So Tupp, you only got two Poke Balls?" Ian asked, a thought that had been pestering him coming to the forefront of his mind.

"Yeah bro," Tupp said. "Guzma said I ain't gotten my two Pokemon strong enough in battle to deserve a third."

Ian grimaced. He's been born and raised in the Pokemon world and he's not a good battler? Or at least he was impressed by me... Perhaps having a near autistic knowledge of the battling system and base stats for all Pokemon ended up being helpful. "Any idea on how to impress him?"

"If I had an idea I would've done it by now, yo," Tupp admitted.

"Good point," Ian said. Next order of business, getting a Poke Ball for Tupp from whatever the Driftwood Guild is...

They were about halfway up the incline they came from when Toucannon dove down ahead of them. "That's them!" Selene called out from a still hidden location. As Ian and Tupp closed in, Selene and Rapp appeared from behind a nearby boulder.

"Newbie made it back!" Rapp said in shock.

"Tell Hyde I'm sorry, but I'm still alive!" Ian called out with a smile on his face.

"Y'all ain't gonna believe what happened yo!" Tupp said. "We saw Tapu Bulu!"

Plumeria emerged from behind the boulder with her arms folded and an irate scowl on her face, Hyde close behind her. "How?" Plumeria asked skeptically.

"Ian went to the Lake of the Sunne and Deerling evolved but he lost the ball-"

"Ian did what?" Plumeria demanded.

"He uh..." Tupp stammered.

Ian stepped forward. "I was being chased down by one of Surge's guys and his Machamp, I figured he'd get spooked and leave if I just went in the entrance."

"I told you very specifically not to go in there," Plumeria said like an angry teacher. "That's it, I'm done with you. When we get back to Po Town, you're off my fucking squad."

"Wait Big Sis, you gotta see this," Tupp said, turning to Ian. "Show her Sawsbuck and how it grows plants hella fast."

"Don't care," Plumeria said, turning away.

"Tapu Bulu brought Ian's Heal Ball back to him," Tupp said, almost pleading.

"What?" Plumeria asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "Tapu Bulu did something nice for once?"

"Deerling and I were cornered," Ian explained. "Then Tapu Bulu came in and scared the dude off, then turned to us... Its hands started to glow and Deerling started to glow and then boom, Sawsbuck appeared."

"Tapu Bulu blessed your Deerling?" Plumeria demanded.

"I guess?" Ian asked. "If that's what you call it."

"Show me," Plumeria said coldly.

Ian grabbed the Heal Ball and opened it, revealing his majestic, freshly evolved Sawsbuck to the squad. They gawked in pure surprise, and Ian noticed the gravel underneath their feet start to move as flower stems and grass sprouted from underneath.

"Wooooah..." Rapp watched in surprise.

"Sawsbucks don't normally get that large, do they?" Selene asked.

"I don't think so," Ian said.

Plumeria's attention turned to the ground as she watched more plants sprouting out from underneath. "It really blessed your Deerling..." Plumeria said in disbelief. "I've heard about the other Tapus blessing Pokemon, but never Tapu Bulu."

Ian caught Hyde's mouth still agape, but his eyebrows furrowed. This may be about to get interesting.

"I need to take a piss," Hyde growled suddenly, turning around and storming away from the group.

Ian gave a silent cheer and re-focused on Plumeria. "Can you tell me more about these blessings?"

"The last one I heard was an Oricorio on Akala Island," Plumeria explained. "It was extremely powerful, way more than other Oricorio, and it loved to challenge trainers. But that was decades ago. Its old dwelling became where the Battle Royal dome is now. "

Ian turned to Sawsbuck and whistled. "You hear that? You're even stronger than other Sawsbuck." Sawsbuck just stared at Ian blankly. Maybe not yet at least.

"But that doesn't change the fact you're reckless and keep getting repeatedly bailed out," Plumeria said. "I know you just got here and this seems like a whole different world for you, but there are consequences for your dumbass actions, and I'm not going to be responsible for you getting killed." Plumeria then marched up the incline, leaving Ian in stunned silence.

"Why we going back up there?" Tupp asked.

"The bikes are still on the other side," Selene said.

"Shit, forgot about that," Tupp said, starting to follow Plumeria. Ian recalled Sawsbuck, the wind being taken out of his sails. He looked out wistfully to the forest they'd come from and began the slow walk up the hill. He suddenly heard a loud, bellowing male voice screaming in frustration. Hyde's definitely not too stoked about this development.

***

Crossing the gap was much less painful this time around, and once they were on bikes again Ian felt a silence come over the squad. Ian wasn't sure if the silence came from exhaustion or just the group dealing with the emotional fallout of the afternoon's events, and he was too afraid to ask. Riding got easier when they got back to the road, even if they were now pedaling against fiercer wind than they rode with earlier. It's kind of funny how Alola was one of the games to not have bicycles in it and here I am biking around the place. The silence lasted until the sky darkened overhead and drops of rain began to sprinkle on them.

"Hey Big Sis, how bad this rain gonna be?" Tupp asked.

Plumeria held her hand out and looked up to the sky. "Nothing crazy, but not fun to ride in. We should find shelter soon."

Shelter ended up being a familiar place, the wooded area Ian had caught his third party member. Litleo's Hollow seems like a good name for this spot. The trees weren't particularly large so they didn't offer a lot of shelter from the rain, but sitting underneath a branch proved better and safer than riding through the rainstorm. Ian sat with his back on a tree trunk watching on as Selene, Tupp and Rapp played rock-paper-scissors to pass the time.

"Hey dumbass," Plumeria's voice said softly, taking a seat next to him.

"Hey, soon to be former boss," Ian said, not realizing how lifeless his voice sounded. I don't think I'm cool enough with her to call her Big Sis like the others do.

Plumeria smirked. "I might've been a bit harsh back there," she began.

"But you weren't wrong," Ian admitted. "I've been reckless."

"You've gone through a lot the past few days," Plumeria said. "I'm sure your mind's pretty messed up."

Ian chuckled. "That's a nice way of putting it." He paused, thinking about all that had happened the past few days: emerging out of the Ultra Storm, the catching challenge, and the seemingly doomed struggle he'd miraculously survived. Not even mentioning what happened that damn night.

"Maybe you're very good at hiding it, but you aren't as mopey as most other Fallers when they show up in Po Town," Plumeria said.

Ian smirked. "I just don't think about it, it's too painful. Plus I've had plenty to distract me with recently."

"Distractions, that's what we are?" Plumeria asked seriously, her piercing yellow eyes narrowed in on him.

Ian shook his head. "No, it's just..." Ian sighed, his heart getting tense as the image of Suzy and Alex kissing came back to him. "I had probably the worst night of my life before I woke up here."

"Really?"

"I was closing after a rough shift and I went looking for a mop bucket and then boom, my girlfriend of four years is making out with this D-bag coworker of ours," Ian explained. "I stormed out and my boss called me, saying if I didn't go back I was fired. I was just about to get a promotion and start saving up for an engagement ring too..." Ian felt his eyes begin to water, but he blinked back tears. "Went right to bed, took a while to fall asleep and..." Ian's voice trailed off.

"That's when you woke up here?" Plumeria asked in disbelief.

"Yeah..."

"That's rough buddy," Plumeria said. "Kind of explains why you act like you have a death wish though."

Ian laughed for a few moments, blinking back more tears. "It's not quite that," Ian said. "But there is this 'screw the consequences' mindset I've been in. That's not even mentioning I don't think it's hit home for me that I'm probably never seeing my mom again."

Plumeria said nothing, but something in her eyes told him that she was sorry and cared. She put her arm out tenderly and rubbed his shoulder. "It's gonna be okay, Ian."

Ian smiled, hiding the tear falling down the cheek facing away from Plumeria. It took him a few seconds for him to find his words, but he wiped the tear from his cheek and turned to Plumeria. "I see why everyone calls you Big Sis."

Plumeria smirked. "It's all part of the job."

Ian nodded. "Sounds pretty demanding."

Plumeria's smirk turned into a full smile as he held eye contact with her. "It sure is," Plumeria said casually before dipping her voice into a more serious tone. "How about you do one more mission with us, and if you don't do any stupid stuff, I keep you around. Sound fair?"

Ian nodded. "More than fair actually."

"Okay," Plumeria said. "And this whole Sawsbuck ability thing, there are some developing berries on that tree over there," Plumeria pointed close to where Tupp, Selene, and Rapp were sitting. "Think Sawsbuck can grow some for us? I'm sure we're all pretty hungry."

"That's an idea," Ian said, grabbing Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and standing up. He ignored the raindrops hitting his skin and tossed Sawsbuck's ball casually, fixing his eyes on what he realized was the berry tree and saw in moments how the unripe, green fruits suddenly expanded and changed color from light green to light blue with green leaves on top. Blue strawberries? No, Rawst Berries. "Anyone want some Rawst Berries?" Ian asked, starting to pick the fruit from the tree.

"Is a pig's pussy pork?" Tupp said crassly, getting a chuckle from the girls. Ian started lightly tossing the strawberry lookalikes to his fellow Team Skull members and took a bite of one, feeling a bizarre chill on his tongue for a moment. So that's why they heal burns. Plumeria got up next to him and snatched a berry from his hand.

"What about Hyde?" Ian asked.

Plumeria shrugged. "Let him sulk. I'm sure he wouldn't want it from you anyways."

Ian shrugged. "Might be worth a shot."

Plumeria glanced to make sure the other squad members hadn't snuck up on them and leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "I think he's got something against you Unovans," Plumeria explained. "He threw these same tantrums when we picked up a Unovan last month."

"Oh..."

"Just a thought on my end," Plumeria said.

"Gotcha," Ian replied.

***

The rain held for another hour or so, and it was now late afternoon when the group hopped back on their bikes and finished the final stretch to Po Town.

"Ian, when we get back to Po Town, you're coming with me to Shady House," Plumeria said. "Selene, go get Tom for me. He needs to hear this too."

"On it Big Sis," Selene said as the group pulled up to the now closed gates of Po Town.

Plumeria started hand-signing unenthusiastically at the dark window next to the gate and moments later the gates opened with a clangor of metal screeching, only for Rook with his noticeably muscular physique to appear just beyond the gate. "You're late, Plumeria," Rook accused as the squad walked their bikes to the wall just inside the gate.

"Things didn't go according to plan," Plumeria said.

"I heard. Pete's squad's guy beat you here," Rook said, eyeing the rest of Plumeria's squad. "Everyone made it back for you? Color me surprised."

"Come with me to Shady House, gotta tell Guzma and Tom something important," Plumeria said.

"Are we at war with Surge then?" Rook asked grimly.

"No. At least I don't think so," Plumeria said.

"Then it can't be that important," Rook said.

"It is that important. Come." Plumeria grunted, and Rook rolled his eyes but did so, giving instructions to the guards behind him.

As the squad made their way up The Spine, there were a number of Po Town's denizens eyeing them suspiciously, most eyes centered on Plumeria. Perils of leadership, I guess. Ian felt a pang of guilt as the heart-to-heart with Plumeria replayed in his mind. Selene eventually split off to get Tom, and when they got to the intersection at the end of The Spine, Guzma was already in front of Shady House, arms folded and a scowl on his face. Guzma's little Larvesta hung from the front doors, clinging on for dear life as it had started to slide down to the ground.

"Everyone but Ian, go," Plumeria instructed.

Hyde gave an audible "Hmph," but the rest complied quietly.

Rook spoke first. "So what's all this about Plu?"

"Don't call me that," Plumeria retorted.

"I'm older than you, I'm not calling you Big Sis," Rook fired back.

"Call me by my name then," Plumeria said, frustration evident in her voice.

"You two done or should I get you a room?" Guzma asked sourly.

Because Plumeria was in front of Ian, he couldn't see the look Plumeria gave Guzma, but it was enough to make Guzma chuckle.

"So first order of business, what's pizza boy doing here?" Guzma asked, indicating Ian. It's almost endearing at this point.

"Pizza boy got chased down by one of Surge's goons," Plumeria explained. "He figured the only way to get away from his pursuer was to go into the Lake of the Sunne..."

"Ha! Never happened, guarantee it," Rook chimed in.

"What's all this about?" Tom asked as he strode into the informal Team Skull cadre meeting.

"It looks like Ian here ran into Tapu Bulu and it blessed his Deerling," Plumeria continued. A hush fell over the group as the island guardian's name hit their ears.

"Big claim," Rook said.

Guzma eyed Ian skeptically. "Show us."

Plumeria turned to Ian and gave a nod. Ian reached for his Heal Ball and tossed it into the air, revealing Sawsbuck in a flash of red light. Sawsbuck's majesty lasted for only a moment, as it became spooked from being the center of attention and moved its hooves about fearfully.

"So what?" Rook teased.

"Look beneath you, Rook," Guzma pointed out.

The already unkempt lawn in front of Shady House began sprouting even longer grass and weeds, with a couple dandelions growing out of the grass well. Flowers appeared on a bush to the side of the house, and Ian noticed Guzma's Larvesta hit the ground with a comical thud.

"Do Sawsbuck normally have the Grassy Surge ability?" Tom asked.

"No," Ian said. "Usually Sap Sipper or Chlorophyll."

"Blessed by Tapu Bulu... I never thought I'd see the day," Tom said. "My grandpa told me he got to see the Alolan Raichu blessed by Tapu Koko in his youth. He said it was a wondrous sight to behold."

"Not bad, pizza boy," Guzma said. "Pretty sure this is the first blessing Tapu Bulu's ever given out."

Plumeria nodded in agreement.

"So this Grassy Surge ability..." Tom began. "How effective is it for plants?"

"Berries that weren't even halfway mature ripened in just moments of exposure," Plumeria said.

"I assume we're all thinking what I'm thinking?" Tom asked, to which the Team Skull heads all nodded in solidarity. "This could be the answer to our coming food crisis."

"We should go to Palmer's Ranch and get those seeds then," Rook said. Something tells me this meeting just became so important I shouldn't be here... Better not draw any attention.

"We don't have the laborers to harvest like that," Tom said. "Certain Team Skull squads would have to assist, especially those with Pokemon suitable for it."

"Well we don't have the ability to defend those swathes of land," Rook said. "We barely have enough to keep the wall fully stationed."

"Let's not get hasty here," Guzma said, stepping into the center of the meeting. "We don't even know if Sawsbuck here's special ability works like that over time."

"We can try it out with the berry grove just outside of town," Tom said.

Plumeria stifled a laugh. "Last time Ian and this Pokemon were there they nearly died."

"That's what you get for hanging out too long on Ariados' turf," Guzma said, pride filling his voice.

"Boss, with all due respect..." Tom began hesitantly. "...if we have a chance to fix the food crisis, we need to pursue it to the best of our ability."

Guzma snorted. "Alphas aren't like normal Pokemon, they have to be out in nature to keep their alpha power boosts," he explained. "I keep Po Town safe, and Ariados must be at full strength for that to happen. End of discussion."

Tom's head hung low when Guzma finished speaking.

"Boss," Plumeria spoke up. "Maybe we could rotate Sawsbuck to be on the opposite side of the creek that Ariados is on at the time."

Ian gulped. Something tells me Sawsbuck isn't going to be too keen on going near Ariados again. Plus I don't want anything to do with it myself.

"We gonna need food, boss," Rook offered. "Plumeria's idea really doesn't sound that bad, and Ariados still gets to do its thing."

Guzma grunted, but stepped back. "We'll give it a try tomorrow."

Plumeria stepped forward. "Thanks boss..." Plumeria paused, treading delicately. "I heard there might've been fallout from the incident today with Surge?"

"Driftwood already reached out," Guzma said. "Said Surge will send someone here to talk tomorrow. I doubt it'll be anything big. Surge is too preoccupied with going back and forth with Malie City."

"He might just be waiting to starve us out," Rook said. "We run out of food, he promises us food, we become his bitches. Breon's trying the same thing."

Guzma's attention turned to Sawsbuck and eyed it curiously. "Let's hope pizza boy's little miracle here can bail us out of this."

Ian smiled, giving Guzma a nod. "We'll do our best," Ian chimed in.

The meeting ended shortly after that with Guzma picking up his Larvesta by its horns and carrying it inside as it scrambled helplessly in protest. With the sunset just beginning, Ian had a certain burning desire for knowledge. What are Sawsbuck's new capabilities? Ian and Sawsbuck made their way to the cul-de-sac on Backstreet in the corner behind Shady House, as inches of unkempt grass and various plant life grew suddenly with Sawsbuck's mere presence.

Ian felt a big grin shining through him as he got to the space he'd unofficially declared his training spot empty. Tupp did say something about some people watching us out here last time, right?

"Alright Sawsbuck," Ian said authoritatively. "What are some new moves you learned?"

Sawsbuck's antlers began glowing grown, and suddenly looked much sharper. Sawsbuck then leapt forward, ramming its antlers into the great tree trunk in the front yard. Green energy then seemed to flow back out of the tree and into Sawsbuck's horns. That's the horn thing. Horn Leech, right?

After Sawsbuck pranced around the front yard with extra vigor, it got back into a fighting stance, channeling pink energy to its head and antlers. Psychic Type Energy? Zen Headbutt! Sawsbuck charged to the tree, crashing into the trunk as a high pitched psychic whine hit Ian's ears for a moment. A deep gash in the outer wood of the trunk showed evidence of the attack's might, only for Sawsbuck's horn to grow a light green, and fresh wood crawled across the gash, re-sealing it. That's nifty.

Sawsbuck seemed to tire a bit, but pranced around the yard one more time before getting into position. Sawsbuck's hooves glowed with a light brown energy and stuck them in the ground almost like it was going to use Sand Attack. Instead, Sawsbuck's whole body then took on the light brown glow and it charged forward, moving mounds of dirt like a bulldozer. Bulldoze, that's an easy one.

"Yo bro!" Tupp's voice called from behind Ian as Sawsbuck began to pant. "Just got back from the Pokemon Center, you back here training again?"

Ian nodded. "Yup Tupp! I wanna see what Sawsbuck's capable of now."

"Bro, what happened at the meeting? You got to hear everything, right?" Tupp asked.

"I mean, yeah..." Ian said, and began explaining about Tom wanting to use Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge ability to grow food way more rapidly, when he got to Guzma's initial rejection of the berry grove idea, a thudding bass note came from the house directly behind the two. "What the..?" Ian asked in bewilderment.

Tupp rolled his eyes. "It's these guys, great..."

"What guys? The guy watching us from last time?"

"You'll see yo," Tupp said sourly.

The sub-woofer got louder as the windows that weren't busted on the house rattled as the bass rattled in Ian's eardrums. From one of the second story windows came a tall, uniformed Team Skull member who swaggered on the shingles before flipping a hand sign and posing. Once he took his position, another climbed out of the same window, this one a bit more unsteadily as he swaggered, nearly tripping on the shingles of the overhang. Once he steadied himself, another one, notably shorter than the other two but not wearing a skull cap came out, showing his blonde hair and wearing a pair of sunglasses. This one struck a pose between the other two, emphasizing he was the de-facto leader of this little group. He's trying really hard to look cool, whoever he is.

The short guy in the middle opened his mouth to start talking, but all Ian could hear was the overly loud rumble of the bass. "Can't hear you!" Ian shouted, pointing to his ear.

Whoever the sunglasses guy was realized what was up, and pointed the clumsy one back inside. Ian gave Tupp a look as if to say "are they serious?" The bass finally lowered, with the two guys standing on the shingles waiting awkwardly as the clumsy one gracelessly stepped out of the window once more. He went back to his spot and stumbled, falling forward and nearly falling off, a hand on the gutter managing to save him... If only for a moment as the material groaned and creaked before the section of gutter the clumsy one held onto completely detached from the house, dropping the hanging Team Skull member onto the front yard.

Ian and Tupp bursted into a fit of laughter. "That's rough, dude," Ian said. The fallen member of the trio ran for the front door, but it was locked. He then scurried around to the back of the house.

"How 'bout you shut ya' faces right now, 'fore we chop ya' up like a wasted cow!" The Team Skull member with sunglasses started saying rhythmically. Wait, is he rapping?

"Hey idiots, who the fuck are you guys?" Ian called out.

"Who are we?" The short blonde guy in sunglasses called back over the bass. "You end up on Backstreet, you gonna deal with us! Excited guy down there is Versez, and to my right is the muscle, that's Flexx!" He paused for dramatic effect as he lowered his sunglasses. "And they call me Lil'Dizz."

"And who are we!?" The taller, muscular guy named Flexx called out rhetorically.

These guys can't be serious, can they?

"You bettuh' pray for mercy, cuz we da'..." Lil' Dizz paused for dramatic effect, then flipped his hair back, and then said in as dangerous a tone he could muster: "...Backstreet Boyz."

Ian keeled over in another fit of hysterical laughter, not sure he could believe what his ears had just heard. At a point, Tupp's hand went to Ian's back. "Hey bro, you kinda pissing them off."

Ian shook his head. "I was not ready for that, not gonna lie," Ian said, trying to regain his breath.

"Fuck's your problem?" Flexx asked from atop the overhang.

"Guys... I didn't mean to laugh so much..." Ian paused to stifle another cackle. "I'm a new Faller around here, and back home there was this boy band-"

"I don't give a fuck about no boy bands, yo!" Lil' Dizz called out angrily. "You come to this street, our street, and disrespect us like this? You beggin' for a fight yo!"

Ian turned to Tupp, who shrugged. "Yeah, we kinda gotta do this bro," Tupp said.

"You know these guys?" Ian asked. "They strong?"

"I dunno the clumsy one," Tupp said. "But those other two, yeah. They pretty strong."

"Put 'em up, Tupp, new guy!" Lil' Dizz said, he and Flexx were taking a Poke Ball out apiece. "Double battle, one 'mon a piece!"

Ian turned to Tupp, feeling a bit nervous. I haven't been in an organized fight like this...

"Bro we gotta," Tupp said, grabbing a Poke Ball from his belt. Ian figured Sawsbuck had enough time to catch its breath and decided he might as well go with it.

"A'ight asshat, listen up," Lil' Dizz began. "When we whoop yo' ass, you gettin' on your knees and kissing my fuckin' feet."

"That's oddly specific!" Ian called back. "I agree as long as you don't touch yourself while I do it!"

Lil' Dizz tensed with anger and muttered something incoherent.

"And if we win?" Tupp asked.

The two Backstreet Boyz on the overhang looked at each other uncertainly and shrugged. "We let you leave, how 'bout that?" Lil' Dizz called back.

"How about we get to train here in the front yard?" Ian replied. "Just us two, no other friends or anything."

Flexx eyed Lil' Dizz, and they both nodded. "Fine! You using that oversized bush down there?"

"Yeah!" Ian called back, suddenly a faint green glow came across the battlefield.

"That's first choice then, I'll go second!" Flexx said, grabbing a Great Ball and tossing it off the house's overhang. After a flurry of red light, an Electabuzz materialized, its yellow and black body emitting sparks as it flexed.

"Third, Scrafty!" Lil' Dizz called out, sending a Poke Ball out, revealing the vandal looking Pokemon with a red mohawk atop its orange skinned head, A yellow, rubbery material covered its torso, only to drop and reveal more orange skin.

"What's going on here?" Ian asked.

"We're taking turns revealing, since we know what you got already," Tupp said.

I guess there is honor amongst Team Skull members, no matter the beef.

"Golbat, get out here!" Tupp announced as Golbat appeared in a flash of red light. "You ready?" Tupp asked.

"Yeah, GO!" Flexx yelled.

A cacophony of orders were called, with Ian staying conservative and yelling "Leech Seed!"

The four combatants sprang into action, Golbat charging in first, wings aglow with a Wing Attack. Sawsbuck's Leech Seed was able to land unhindered on Electabuzz, who was charging up a Thunder Punch and diving to defend Scrafty. Scraft glowed with Dark Type Energy and dodged the streaking Golbat like it was in The Matrix. Golbat slowed out of sheer surprise, and its hesitation was met with Thunder Punch from Electabuzz, smacking it into the ground. That sure does happen to Tupp's Golbat a lot, why is he sending it charging in headfirst for a battle like this?

"You gonna join the fight, yo?" Tupp asked, slightly annoyed.

I wanted to play it safe and wait them out, looks like I won't get that chance. "Sawsbuck, Bulldoze!" Sawsbuck charged through the battlefield, aglow with light brown energy as the shaking ground made Scrafty and Electabuzz lose their footing, leaving them sitting ducks as the wave of dirt and dust washed over them. Golbat managed to make it in the air but not looking great. "Poison Fang that son of a bitch!" Tupp yelled out. Why not Air Cutter? I know you got it Tupp!

Golbat's fangs glowed a deep purple, diving into the dust where the two opponents who were still getting out of the piles of dirt they'd been were buried in. Scrafty gave a pained bellow while Sawsbuck made a clean getaway, Ian noticing green bubbles of energy had flowed from the vines now hanging off of Electabuzz and going to Sawsbuck.

"Perfect! Sawsbuck, Leech Seed Scrafty too!" Ian ordered, sending another large green pellet across the battlefield, and bursting, wrapping little vines around Scrafty.

"Really bro?" Tupp said in frustration. "You gonna get in this at all?"

Ian rolled his eyes, trying to tune Tupp's critique from his mind.

"Shock Wave!" Flexx ordered. Electabuzz raised its hand and fired a bolt of electricity to the sky before Golbat could move, striking it down from the sky.

"Scrafty, finish it with Crunch!" Lil' Dizz ordered.

"Horn Leech!" Ian called out desperately.

Golbat was near helpless, and while Sawsbuck was fast, Scrafty had the initiative. It caught the falling bat in its jaws, now cloaked in Dark Type Energy and chomped on it, Golbat eliciting a pained screech before going limp. Sawsbuck's Horn Leech rammed into Scrafty's exposed torso, puncturing it and sending it careening into the house's wall, with green bubbles of energy getting absorbed into Sawsbuck from Horn Leech and both Leech Seeds. Scrafty got up, glowing in red energy as it cheered savagely in victory.

Tupp recalled Golbat with a grunt, and Ian caught a sour look in his peripheral vision as Sawsbuck withdrew to its side of the field. Even if I win this, the conversation afterwards will not be fun.

"Now it's two versus one, suckah, and Scrafty's all Moxie'd up!" Lil' Dizz taunted.

Aw shit, Scrafty's attack just went up.

"Ain't laughing now bitch! This why we the Backstreet Boyz!" Flexx piled on.

Ian grimaced, taking a deep breath, readying himself for the next round. Both opponents have taken some real hits, and Sawsbuck's probably even better than it was at the start of the fight thanks to all of the leeching. Ian studied Scrafty for just a moment, noticing a purple tinge of color in its face. It's poisoned, I got a chance! Just gotta stall.

"Sawsbuck, prepare to dodge!" Ian ordered.

"Electabuzz, Swift!"

"Scrafty, Brick Break!"

Ian expected some movement, but Sawsbuck stood in place, almost dancing rhythmically as dark pink energy flowed through its legs. What is- it's Agility! The energies suddenly dissipated and Sawsbuck bolted left, Scrafty missing by just a few precious seconds. Some star-bolts of Swift did collide with Sawsbuck's body, resulting in mini explosions, but Sawsbuck seemed mostly unphased. Take out Electabuzz and Scrafty won't last a while, it's Speed is de-buffed and Sawsbuck will run circles around it.

"Sawsbuck, Horn Leech Electabuzz, finish it!" Ian shouted. Sawsbuck was already en route, antlers aglow before Ian even finished the sentence.

"Electabuzz, hold on and Thunder Wave!"

What? Shit! Sawsbuck connected, its antlers piercing into Electabuzz and the two slammed into the house's wall harshly. C'mon, go down! Electabuzz clearly was struggling and on its last breath, but Sawsbuck tried to break free from Electabuzz's grip, and then sparks of electricity erupted around the both of them. There goes Sawsbuck's speed advantage. Electabuzz collapsed shortly after.

Before the Thunder Wave had fully faded, Scrafty was midair, its head aglow with dark red Fight Type Energy as it wound up its neck and threw its head into Sawsbuck's torso, connecting with the brutal Brick Break, shaking the surrounding area and causing his blessed stag to yelp desperately.

Sawsbuck hobbled away from the wall, which now had an indent from the blows. Looks like he got the wind knocked out of him or something. Really can't play keep away anymore.

"Torment!" Lil' Dizz ordered. Scrafty suddenly glowed with more Dark Type Energy and when it dissipated, it flared up around Sawsbuck, freaking it out. Dammit, no Horn Leech. Maybe try Bulldoze? Needs to be a knockout blow.

"Scrafty, finish this, one more Brick Break!" The lead Backstreet Boy commanded.

C'mon Ian, think of something. I bet he's never washed his toes. "Double Kick from above!" Ian belted out desperately. Sawsbuck mustered what strength it had from its strained breathing and leapt, two front legs aglow in the same energy as Scrafty's head. Scrafty wound up its neck one more time, ready to launch its dome forward for the commanding blow, but Sawsbuck's hooves slammed into Scrafty's exposed torso, crunching the body against Scrafty's legs. Scrafty's head still went forward, giving Sawsbuck's legs a glancing blow but with enough force to knock Sawsbuck off balance.

"What the...!?" Lil' Dizz shouted in disbelief.

Scrafty tried to claw its way back up, and Sawsbuck's neck suddenly fell under the weight.

"Ha! That's it, that's ma-"

Green bubbles of energy suddenly floated from Scrafty to Sawsbuck, making Scrafty collapse in the dirt, while Sawsbuck regained enough strength to struggle onto its hooves again, rather unsteadily as it did so.

"FUCK!" Lil' Dizz shouted.

Ian pumped his fist before recalling his victorious stag. This victory doesn't feel that great though. Ian eyed Tupp, who had watched the rest of the match sulking in silence.

"Ay that was a good fight though," Lil' Dizz said.

"It was a crazy fight," Ian said, stepping closer to the house's overhang where the Backstreet Boyz still stood. "I didn't mean to disrespect you guys like that. It's just been a really crazy few days. That's my bad."

"I hear you, yo," Lil' Dizz said, still slightly bitter.

"It didn't help that..." Ian pointed to the clumsy guy. Versez? "...the gutter came down with him."

Versez gave a nervous wave and nodded. "You ain't wrong fella. Guy who fights like that got my respect," Lil' Dizz continued. "But you prolly wanna go check on your boy. You owe him after that fight."

"I owed him my life before the fight! I'll see you around Backstreet Boyz!" Ian replied, turning around and seeing Tupp walking away, clearly in the dumps. Ian hustled to catch up and lowered his voice. "Hey man..."

"Ain't gotta say nothing, you won..." Tupp uttered lowly.

"We never practiced double battling, and I didn't know everything Sawsbuck could do," Ian explained.

Tupp shrugged in response, staying quiet.

"Look, I don't know how to handle double battles, I've never been in one-"

"You never even been in one?" Tupp said, anger in his eyes. "You still beat 'em one vs. two, so I guess fuck me, yo." Tupp turned away, clearly agitated.

Ian sighed, smacking his palm against his head. Real smart Ian. I gotta give him some time... Why's it I win the first fun Pokemon battle I've had and I feel like I lost?

Chapter Text

Chapter 8 Revelations

Ian followed Plumeria down The Spine on another bright, sunny morning on Ula'Ula Island. "So I hear you had a little falling out with Tupp yesterday," Plumeria stated once they were far enough away from the walls.

Ian sighed, remembering Tupp giving him the silent treatment in the bunkhouse the night before. Plus Tupp was out of his bunk when Ian woke up a half hour ago or so. "Yeah."

"What'd you do?" Plumeria asked, turning around.

"He sent his Golbat out in a double battle, and had it charge head first into the opponents," Ian said. "He was mad I didn't have his back."

"So you and Sawsbuck left him out to dry?" Plumeria asked.

"Kind of, but I was being strategic," Ian said.

Plumeria gave him the look a teacher gives a student after messing up something they've done a dozen times. "First rule of Team Skull...'

"I know, 'always look out for each other,'" Ian said.

"So, Golbat gets knocked out like it always does, you're down two verses one against the Backstreet Boys..."

"I had Sawsbuck use Leech Seed on both the opponents. If Golbat just stayed back and used Air Cutter, our opponents would've been screwed," Ian asked.

"Well you gotta commit with your teammate, that's why you lost-"

Ian cleared his throat, shaking his head as a sassy smirk emerged on his face. "We didn't lose. Sawsbuck's Leech Seed ground the last bit out of Scrafty to give us the win."

Plumeria's eyebrows rose. "Wait, you're serious?"

Ian nodded. "Sawsbuck damn near lost, but we took it. Leech Seed's OP."

"OP?" Plumeria asked in bewilderment.

"Overpowered," Ian replied. "Slang from... not here."

"I see... So was it just dumb luck or is Sawsbuck being 'overpowered' why you won?" Plumeria asked mockingly.

"Sawsbuck, but some luck's gotta be involved, it was my first double battle-" Ian froze as he realized what he was admitting.

"First double battle?" Plumeria said, a knowing look in her eye.

"Well, since the-"

Plumeria folded her arms, clearly holding back anger. "I didn't say anything in front of Guzma, but I didn't think you were a trainer back home either," Plumeria said accusingly.

"You didn't? Then why'd you vouch for me to Guzma?" Ian asked.

"You're on the bunk below Tupp, right?" Plumeria asked, her tone noticeably softer.

"Yeah..."

"That used to be Isaac's bunk," Plumeria said. "He's been gone for a month, and when you popped up in that Ultra Storm and started buddying up with Tupp right off the bat, it was the happiest I've seen him since."

"Oh..." Ian said, the revelation washing over him and symbolically knocking him back like a wave. "When he brought that guy up, he seemed so nonchalant..."

"Didn't say his name, did he?" Plumeria asked.

"No..." Ian said, realizing what Plumeria meant.

"And don't worry, I won't tell Guzma about you not being a trainer," Plumeria said. "Beating Freddy and Disnthorpe one verses two isn't too shabby either."

"Freddy and Disenthorpe?" Ian asked.

"The Backstreet Boys' pre-Team Skull names," Plumeria said with a smile.

"Disnethorpe? Lil' Dizz-" Ian said, the realization hitting him.

"Yup," Plumeria said, a rare giggle escaping her lips. "Don't go telling Lil' Dizz I told you though."

"Your secret's safe with me," Ian said. "Why are you so sensitive about it? You got a little crush-"

"If you finish that sentence I'm dipping you in Salazzle acid," Plumeria said dismissively, upping her pace as the duo came upon Po Town's gate.

"Hey Plumeria!" Rook's familiar voice called out. "Where you going? Surge's guy is supposed to be here soon."

"Just taking Ian to the grove," Plumeria said. "I'll see them when they come up."

"Okay," Rook said, a hint of disapproval in his voice.

Once outside of the gate, Ian scurried to catch up with Plumeria. "So what's the game plan here?" Ian asked.

"We find where boss's Ariados is and go exactly where it's not," Plumeria said. "Get your Sawsbuck out here."

Ian did so, with Sawsbuck prancing about for a moment before it realized where Ian and Plumeria were heading, quickly giving a distressed call and freezing in place, eyes fixated on the grove of trees in front of it. "Sawsbuck chill out, we're just checking something."

Sawsbuck eyed Ian suspiciously.

"I don't want to be here either," Ian said, the memory of being pulled up by Ariados' webbing from his lower back still fresh in his mind.

Plumeria took out a Poke Ball and released a floating, dark purple form with a head and disjointed hands, which Ian recognized as a Haunter. He felt a sudden chill as he realized how large the Ghost Pokemon in front of him was and noticed Sawsbuck was none too happy about Haunter's presence. For being blessed by Tapu Bulu, you sure are timid, Sawsbuck.

"Haunter, go find Guzma's Ariados and tell me which side of the creek it's on," Plumeria ordered. Haunter bowed submissively before de-manifesting its form.

"That's a neat trick," Ian commented. Might have to get me a Ghost Type if they can do that. The two waited in silence until Haunter's return, one of its floating hands pointing to the ground.

"Must be on this side, let's go to the other side then," Plumeria said, leading Ian to the small bridge going over the creek leading under Po Town's wall. A few Team Skull grunts rode by on bikes, greeting Plumeria with a "Big Sis" as they blew by, fishing poles in tow. Plumeria led Ian around the edge of the grove, sticking closely to the road as Sawsbuck and Haunter accompanied them.

"Alright, let's have a look at this," Plumeria said, taking the lead and heading into the grove. Ian followed right behind, spotting a Spinarak crawling up a tree trunk and instinctively looked to the tree tops, seeing nothing but sunshine coming down. With each step Sawsbuck made, trees rustled and the breeze started to be felt as the random shrubs, grasses, and branches began shifting as sudden, rapid growth began to come over everything within ten to fifteen feet of Sawsbuck. Even the branches in the air way above them began surging with growth. Whatever effect Sawsbuck has must be traveling through the whole tree.

"Look at that!" Plumeria said in surprise, pointing at a tree that had just entered Sawsbuck's range as fruits expanded from green into a bright yellow, looking like a pear with skin like an orange. "They were maybe halfway mature..." Plumeria remarked. "If Sawsbuck's growing Sitrus Berries that fast, this could damn near be a gold mine."

"What, really?" Ian asked.

"Fully ripened Sitrus Berries are used in the top potions and revives," Plumeria said. "I'm sure Doc could get the juicing machine in the Pokemon Center working if we had a reason to actually use it and start making a bunch of these."

"Nice..." Ian said, watching carefully, still on guard. Seeing all of the plants move so rapidly like this is really freaky. It's like my mind has been trained to be put on guard for any sudden movements, and there's so much going on I'm feeling overstimulated.

Plumeria gasped. "Look at those Lum Berries!" Plumeria dashed over to a tree Ian couldn't tell was all that special with green, un-ripened fruit. Oh wait, Lum Berries are green aren't they? Plumeria broke one off from a low branch and opened it. "My goodness..." Plumeria said, turning back to Sawsbuck. "This is incredible."

"But how far along in the growing process were these?" Ian asked.

"I saw the Sitrus Berry tree was like a third of the way through its growth cycle?" Plumeria said. "Stay here, let me find something at the very beginning of the growth cycle." Plumeria headed off closer to the creek, and Ian turned to Sawsbuck with a big grin.

"If we can pull this off, Guzma's gonna have to stop calling me 'pizza boy,'" Ian said, giving Sawsbuck an affectionate scratch behind the neck, causing Sawsbuck to mewl happily. This could also be our ticket to getting off the island. A pang of guilt hit him, but he tried to brush it off. Who knows if Tupp ever gets over this tantrum, and the prospect of being at Guzma's whim doesn't seem too great of a long term play. I'm in the Pokemon world, the possibilities are endless-

"Okay, found one!" Plumeria said, beckoning Ian and Sawsbuck over.

"Let's see..." Ian said as he tried to put those thoughts to the back of his mind, leading Sawsbuck to the origin of Plumeria's voice. Trees along the periphery began shifting as fruit developed almost instantly, causing branches to creak with extra weight as the breeze danced through the grove.

Plumeria had her back to Ian and Sawsbuck as they approached, and Ian fixed his attention on the tree Plumeria observed. The fruit suddenly began expanding, turning from a budding green to a hint of yellow as what looked to be a developing lemon with a leaf on top took shape. "Wow, that's impressive..." Plumeria said.

Ian and Sawsbuck stopped at Plumeria's side. "So how far along would you say that is?"

"Probably two-thirds," Plumeria said. "If it's possible to get berry harvests done every two days, I think the food problem will fix itself."

"You think it can keep up like this? Aren't there nutrients needed in the soil for this growth?" Ian asked.

Plumeria stifled a laugh. "I think Tapu Bulu's blessing is more than enough for whatever's in the ground."

"I hope so..." Ian said.

"Let's spread the effect around this side of the creek until Ariados gets here," Plumeria said.

"Okay..."

Ian led Sawsbuck around their side of the grove for the next five minutes or so, watching with fascination as Tapu Bulu's blessing worked its wonders on the berry grove.

"Ian, we gotta go," Plumeria whispered. "Ariados..." Plumeria pointed to the canopy in the direction of the creek, and sure enough, there was the massive spider with red eyes hurrying across branches.

Sawsbuck gave a panicked cry and began dashing the opposite way, with Ian and Plumeria breaking into a light jog, passing through most of what had already been touched by Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge ability. Upon reaching the road, Sawsbuck still looked very on guard as it scanned the grove's trees.

"Proof of concept," Plumeria said as she turned back to the grove. "We may have just lucked out after all."

"Yeah," Ian said, feeling more guilt about his ambition to leave.

"Oh, there they are," Plumeria said, pointing up the road to an oncoming white van. "Recall Sawsbuck for me, it'll look threatening."

Ian nodded, seeing Sawsbuck didn't seem too upset about getting protection from Alpha Ariados. Oh yeah, Surge's side has cars. "Why don't we use cars?" Ian asked.

"No gas for 'em," Plumeria said. "One of Breon's guys infiltrated Po Town and blew up the gas station pretty early on."

"Where's that?" Ian asked.

"Next to the water treatment building," Plumeria said, pointing at the wall. "Right on the other side of the wall here actually. No fuel, no cars."

"Is it weird I haven't seen it?"

"You've been here, what, five days?" Plumeria asked.

"Yeah..."

"In your defense, you've been pretty busy, nearly dying every other day," Plumeria teased.

"You're not wrong," Ian said, noticing the white van coming to a halt not too far off from them as a feminine figure in khaki short-shorts, a green shirt, and a brown vest got out of the side door. "What's going on there?" Ian asked.

Plumeria grimaced. "Letting out the Driftwood Guild member, they can't seem too partial." The van pulled up to Ian and Plumeria, stopping and opening the sliding door. "Plumeria?" The driver's masculine voice asked.

"That's me," Plumeria said joylessly as she hopped into the side of the van. "Head to the other side of the creek Ian," Plumeria ordered before shutting the van's sliding door and the van accelerated down the road.

She really just got in with the enemy? Must be some diplomatic procedure or something. Ian eyed the creek, remembering Plumeria's order, then eyed the feminine Driftwood Guild member up the road. Maybe I can make a little stop first though. Ian made his way up the road, the driftwood guild member's pink hair becoming visible to him underneath her baseball cap. She gave a wave and a big grin as Ian neared.

"Hey there random Team Skull guy!" The woman who didn't look much older than Ian said gleefully.

"Hey there!" Ian called back, giving her a wave as his eyes were drawn to her exposed legs. "You're part of the Driftwood Guild, right?" Ian asked as he got close enough to not have to yell.

"Yup!" She said energetically before putting her hand over her heart and saying: "'No oaths above the island,' and all that."

Is that the weird motto Plumeria mentioned they all say? Ian eyed her curiously, seeing her pretty face along with her matching bubble gum pink eyes that would normally weird him out, but something about them seemed so natural compared to the jarring look colored contact lenses gave to people back home. Ian also noticed just above the woman's chest was a twisted badge of intertwined pale wood. Interesting.

"So what brings you my way, stranger?" She asked.

"I'm Ian."

"I'm Neroli," she said, extending her hand, which he shook. "Ian what?" She asked casually.

"Ian Derry- er... Cougar now, I guess," Ian said. "Guzma gave me a new last name when I joined Team Skull officially."

"I take it you're new around here?" Neroli asked.

"Yeah... Plumeria found me outside an Ultra Storm, what, five days ago now I think?" Ian said aloud.

"You're lucky," Neroli said. "Plumeria's not the biggest fan of the Guild, but the Guild really likes her."

"Why's that, Neroli?" Ian asked, feeling himself drawn to her.

"We hold no oaths above the island," Neroli repeated. "We care for the island and its people who are caught up in the crossfire between the factions, which means we have to be truly neutral between each side. Plumeria understandably doesn't like that."

Ian shrugged. "Fair enough..."

"So what brings you drifting my way, Ian Cougar?" Neroli asked, almost flirtatiously.

Ian felt blood rushing to his cheeks. She's true neutral, remember that, this is all a ploy. "I was interested in getting a Poke Ball for a good friend of mine," Ian explained.

"Hmm, I could do this. Do you have anything to exchange?" Neroli asked.

"Well, I could give you some berries..." Ian said, remembering Sawsbuck had just made hundreds of berries ripen in the grove right next to them.

"We're not really looking for those right now. Anything else of value to trade?" Neroli said.

Ian opened his mouth to speak, but had no words. "Uh... I could get something. What would you want?"

"Something equivalent to four-hundred Pokedollars," Neroli said.

Aren't they normally two hundred in the games? Oh right, supply and demand. "I don't have anything on me right now, but next time you come by..."

Neroli shrugged. "Well, you're in luck actually. I'd be willing to trade it for some information..."

"Strategic?" Ian asked, realizing the implications.

"We don't want you to betray Po Town or Team Skull," Neroli said with an overly sweet smile. Neroli then leaned in and began to whisper. "This may sound a bit off the wall, but we heard a rumor that a Team Skull member had a Pokemon blessed by Tapu Bulu recently. Any truth to that?"

Well that sure is lucky. Ian tried to keep a straight face as the decision to reveal himself to someone outside swirled around his mind. My name can't hurt too much, plus they'll probably find out eventually anyways. I owe Tupp too much to get cold feet about this now.

"Looks like you know something about it," Neroli teased.

Ian smiled. "Yeah, I'm in luck..." Ian took a slight breath then pointed to himself. "It's me."

"Really? A Faller like you got Tapu Bulu's blessing?" Neroli asked, not quite believing him.

"Yeah..."

Neroli then reached into one of her vest's many pockets and pulled out a Poke Ball in its shrunken state. "Prove it and this Poke Ball is yours, Ian."

Ian nodded, reaching for Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and pressed the button releasing it, revealing his blessed Sawsbuck to what Ian realized was much more than just the two of them. The grass at the side of the road began shifting upwards as it grew suddenly, with dandelions and other weeds sprouting up as well.

"ʻIke nā maka i ka hana kupanaha a ka kiaʻi," Neroli speaking quickly in native Alolan, almost in disbelief. "So it's true."

Ian folded his arms and pointed at the Poke Ball. "So..."

Neroli smiled. "More than enough proof for me." She presented it to him, and Ian took it, attaching it to one of the grooves in his belt. "A deal well struck, Ian Cougar."

Ian shook the offered hand once more. "Thank you, Neroli. So if I ever need more stuff in the future, how do I get in contact with you guys?"

"We'll find you," Neroli said. "When the time is right."

Something tells me that's a bit more sinister than she's letting on. "Thanks, I hope to see you in the future."

"Something tells me we will, trainer of the blessed one," Neroli said, her eyes fixating on him.

Ian nodded, recalling Sawsbuck quickly and walking closer to the grove, debating whether the butterflies in his stomach were from the cute girl who's gaze was now replaying in his mind, or that he essentially made himself known to the island if the Driftwood Guild found the information worth valuable enough. This is for Tupp, remember that. He dismissed his doubts with a sigh and remembered Plumeria's orders from before, heading over to the other side of grove.

***

After an hour of circling through the other bank of the creek, picking some Oran Berries before Alpha Ariados chased them off once more. Ian made his way back to Po Town, going up the road passing the apartments where the Dirtbags mostly lived, and saw the charred remains of Po Town's gas station. He made it in time for lunch, even spotting Tupp ahead in line at The Grill. Now's probably as good a time as any.

After getting his questionable bowl of mystery meat stew, Ian found Tupp sitting alone.

"I owe you an apology dude, I left you hanging out to dry in that match," Ian said as he took a seat and put a handful of Oran Berries in front of the grunt.

Tupp gave Ian an annoyed look and returned to his stew.

"That's not even saying I owe my life, twice," Ian continued.

"Nah, just once, and Plumeria was there anyways," Tupp said dejectedly.

"You tried to play decoy against Surge's goon, just because he didn't take your bait doesn't diminish what you intended," Ian said.

Tupp loudly slurped the broth from his spoon and returned it to the bowl for more.

"So, don't ask how I got this, but I got something for you," Ian said, reaching for his belt and grabbing the empty Poke Ball, rolling it to Tupp's bowl and bouncing it off. "That's yours."

Tupp grimaced, flicking the Poke Ball back to Ian. "It ain't even about that, yo."

"Then what's it about? Me being an obnoxious prick?" Ian asked. "Cuz I definitely have been recently."

Tupp rolled his eyes. "Nah, we all are here. Even if I had another Pokemon, it wouldn't matter. Guzma ain't letting me get more Pokemon cuz I ain't strong enough."

"If anything, getting another Pokemon can help you learn to get stronger," Ian said, trying to not talk about himself.

"It'll just get the shit beat out of it like Golbat in our double battle," Tupp said. "Like what always happens with Golbat."

Gotta tread lightly here. "Golbat is pretty fragile, it's not supposed to get in close like that," Ian explained.

"Then what's it supposed to do?" Tupp questioned.

"Confuse and poison the opponent from range, and use its speed to whittle the opponent down, then go in for the final blow with its fangs," Ian said.

"That sounds like the way a lil' bitch fights," Tupp said. "Guzma ain't about that shit."

"Do you think Guzma uses his Ariados to tackle its opponents right off the bat?" Ian asked. "He probably uses webs and poison to debilitate the enemy-"

"You ain't even know how Guzma fights, yo," Tupp said.

"Golbats usually are out at night and in caves, their enemies are in the dark while it can see. It's fast and just harasses from range..." Ian explained.

Tupp shook his head. "I ain't fighting like no lil' bitch yo," Tupp said, taking his bowl and leaving the table.

Ian sighed in frustration and returned to his lukewarm stew, making sure to keep the Poke Ball with him. Great job.

When Ian finished up and started making his way to Backstreet to do some training, he heard Plumeria's familiar scream. "Hey dumbass, Ultra Storm's forming! Get Rapp from the Pokemon Center and get to the gate in five minutes!"

Ian gave Plumeria a thumbs up and turned to the entrance. He strolled down The Spine, entering the Pokemon Center and seeing Rapp helping someone behind the counter. "Hey Rapp, Ultra Storm's forming! Plumeria wants us at the gate in like three minutes!" Ian called as he got closer.

Rapp groaned, trying to flag someone else down and giving them what appeared to be instructions before hopping onto the counter top and sliding across, making her way to Ian holding a Poke Ball up. "Plumeria got me this today."

"Nice!" Ian said, not sure if he should present his own Poke Ball. Maybe I can just say I got it in the Ultra Storm. If a Star Piece and a potted plant can appear in one, why can't a Poke Ball?

"So keep an eye out for any Pokemon that can do some healing," Rapp said. "Doc wants me to get another healer besides Comfey, speaking of..." Rapp released her floating flower necklace Pokemon and it twirled in midair, coming to a rest on Rapp's shoulders like a lei.

"What about what you want?" Ian asked.

Rapp shrugged. "You know, I like working here when I'm not with Plumeria's squad."

"That's cool..."

"When I was going to school in Tapu Village..." Rapp began.

Tapu Village? That was like a Pokemon Center at the base of Mount Lanakila was, right? Kind of where Haina Town is here?

"...we'd do career day every year, but cuz we were Tapu Village kids, the only person who'd show up was the nurse from the local Pokemon Center. She'd always bring a cute lil' Pokemon too, I looked forward to it every year..." Rapp explained.

"What's wrong about Tapu Village?" Ian asked.

Rapp snorted. "That part of Haina Town's only got trailer parks and apartment complexes. Don't even got a grocery store cuz everything'd get stolen."

I guess even Alola has to have ghetto neighborhoods. "It's still cool she'd do that every year."

Rapp nodded. "Yup. When I was in first grade and I saw her for the first time, I told her I wanted to be a nurse just like her. My teacher got in the way saying there was no way I'd do that, way I was acting, but the nurse found me after class and asked me my name and told me: 'Seraphina, you can do anything you put your mind to,'" Rapp said, fading her rough accent for a higher class one.

Rapp's real name is Seraphina? Never would have guessed that. "That's awfully sweet of her," Ian said.

"Yup! Tupp and I didn't stop being troublemakers cuz like, fuck them teachers, but the nurse would come in every year on career day and would remember my name," Rapp explained.

"I take it you want to be a nurse one day?" Ian asked.

"Hell nah, you know how much school I gotta go through for that shit?" Rapp said in frustration before giving out a sigh. "Working the Pokemon Center's on the days off is cool though. Plus if someone ever gets hurt while we out, I can help. Ain't no one like Doc, but I can keep a Pokemon going long enough to get to her... I think."

"That's a good way of looking at it," Ian said, the duo coming upon the gate, seeing Hyde and Selene chit-chatting casually sitting on bikes.

"Rapp, I see you're getting the newbie all hyped up for the Ultra Storm," Selene greeted.

"Nah, it's really only interesting when we go peak inside. Even then we never do shit in them," Rapp said.

"Mine was pretty chaotic, probably best to keep a safe distance," Ian added.

"Pussy," Hyde sneered.

"Thanks Hyde, very helpful," Ian fired back, to which Hyde wrinkled his nose.

"Alright listen up!" Plumeria barked from behind the group. "Our resident newbie who's got a death wish sold Guzma on the idea of there being treasure or some shit in the Ultra Storms, so for this one we have to go inside and stay inside, looking for stuff as long as we can," Plumeria said, looking at Ian with her arms folded. "Everyone say 'thanks Ian.'"

"Thanks Ian!" Rapp and Selene chorused together sarcastically, going into a fit of giggles.

"Ian, we need to pick up some berries on the way so we can pass through the meadow. I take it Sawsbuck's good to go?" Plumeria explained.

"Yeah, Sawsbuck's fine-"

"Good. It looks like it's just south of the Akua Jungle so we got some riding to do," Plumeria said, turning to leave but hesitated and turned back to Ian. "Remember, no funny business or you're off my squad, got it?"

Ian gulped out of fear involuntarily. "No funny business..."

***

The ride down The Straightaway dragged on for what felt like forever. Selene and Rapp led the way, chatting about whatever, with Hyde and Plumeria in the talking somewhat seriously at times, and Tupp managed to always trail Ian no matter how much Ian tried to slow down to talk. Well this sucks.

When trees started emerging on the horizon Ian figured they were close. The Akua Jungle? That was never in the games... But there were a bunch of tropical trees around the Ula'Ula Meadow, this might be that.

Looking beyond the trees, Ian noticed a shimmering white substance well in this distance. "What's that?" Ian asked.

"That's where we're headed, the Ultra Storm," Plumeria said. "It's still forming."

"Gotcha..." Ian said.

Plumeria and the group continued on until they got a fork in the road, with the paved road continuing on while a dirt road led into a scattering of trees with the jungle looming in the background. Plumeria took a dirt road splitting off, seemingly going deeper into the trees. When they came upon what Ian realized was a dirt parking lot that hadn't been used in months, Plumeria put her hand up, signaling them to dismount and put their bikes in hiding places. Once Ian put his in a bush close to Plumeria's, Ian noticed a wooden cabin on the other side of the parking lot sheltered underneath the trees around it. "What's that?"

"Old ranger office," Plumeria said. "Hasn't been used since the ASF pulled out of most of the island."

"Alolan Security Forces," Ian repeated to himself, remembering what the acronym stood for. If for some reason I ever need to dip from Po Town, this seems like a good first stop.

"See any berry trees around here?" Plumeria called to the rest of the team.

"I think I got one here," Rapp said, pointing to a tree off to the side by the cabin.

"Get Sawsbuck out, we're going to need those berries as tribute," Plumeria ordered quickly.

Tribute? Ian grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released his majestic stag, still in its spring form with pink cherry blossom on its antlers. The greenery surrounding them shifted ever so slightly as plants began flowering, and berry trees surged with growth, the branches becoming adorned with color as they creaked and expanded suddenly as Ian got around the corner of the rangers' cabin.

"I know I've seen it already, but it sure is amazing," Selene said in awe.

Ian caught Tupp glaring at him and grimaced. C'mon man, you know I'm not trying to go after your crush.

"A'ight, these should be good," Rapp said, picking a few ripened Leppa Berries from a low hanging branch and presenting them to Plumeria.

"The Oricorio should be okay with that tribute," Plumeria said.

Oricorio? Tribute? Ian shook his head as he figured he'd learn the answer soon enough. He noticed a metal gate covering a dirt path coming from behind the cabin and got closer to examine it.

"Hey Ian, don't go down there!" Plumeria barked harshly. "That way leads to the Lake of the Sunne."

Oh yeah, the Lake of the Sunne was accessible from one side of the meadow. "Gotcha," Ian said, stepping away from the gate.

Plumeria led the way along a hiking path to a good half mile into the now very dense jungle. Ian heard the sounds of wildlife, even the distinct call of a Yungoos or song of a Pikipek from time to time as the group made their way through. After coming around a bend in the trail, a tall wooden structure loomed up ahead. So this must be the Ula'Ula Meadow. The raised, wooden walkway from the games came to his mind, along with the dark green of the tall grass the walkway towered over. As the group got a couple dozen feet from the stairway, Plumeria held up her hand.

"You got those berries, Rapp?" Plumeria asked.

Plumeria led the group carefully to the wooden stair to the raised walkway platform and held her hand up to signal the group to stop, then lowered her hand slowly, making the rest of the group kneel. Ian joined in and looked over the group, seeing everyone had their eyes on the meadow's tall grass intensely, an eerie calm coming over the party. Suddenly a sound like a crackling flame broke the serenity of the meadow, then it repeated, this time far louder, and seconds later louder still. The tall grass rustled as the crackling sound became like a rhythmic beat, and a sound like the cross between a small bird's morning song and a flute pierced the air. The rhythm of crackling fire alternated with the song in what Ian could tell was an important chant. He looked around to see what the rest of the party was doing, and everyone had their heads lowered, except for Hyde who just continued glaring at Ian, like he must have been doing for some time. This guy better have some deep ass trauma with Unovans to be this much of a prick.

The chant picked up as multiple small red birds shot up from the tall grass, which Ian recalled were Oricorio. Some Oricorio got on the stairs and took positions while others floated without flapping their wings around the tips of the top of the tall grass in complete opposition to Ian's concept of gravity. Remember, they're pokemon. Physics don't really apply to them. A larger Oricorio, this one's feathers a slightly more vibrant red than the others, took center position atop the wooden stair as it inspected the group with eyes, Ian noted, that weren't glowing red like the Alpha Nidoking from the Ultra Storm or Ariados in the grove.

"Rapp, now," Plumeria hissed under her breath.

Rapp kept her head lowered, and as Ian followed her, he noticed her pants fit perfectly on her rear, his gaze lingering longer than he thought. He averted his eyes, and out of his peripheral vision, Ian saw Rapp darting back to the group, head still lowered. The crackling rhythm increased in speed with the Oricorios' song becoming louder, more ominous.

Ian felt his own heartbeat matching pace with the crackling beat and gulped nervously once more. The seeming head Oricorio atop the wooden stairway cried out a shrill, piercing note, silencing the rest of the sound. It floated weightlessly down to the ground in front of the steps and gave the pile of Leppa Berries a curious glance. It dipped its beak into the pile and withdrew, turning around to its fellow Oricorio. It gave a short shrill and took off quickly, this time flapping its wings. This set off a frenzy where more red Oricorio darted out of the brush, taking portions of the berry pile before there was nothing left.

Plumeria gave a relieved sigh and Ian's shoulders relaxed. Plumeria was the first to get off her knees, and the rest of the party quickly followed suit. "That was gnarly," Ian said as he stepped onto the raised, wooden walkway.

"Right?" Selene asked. "Once things broke down and people stopped coming here, the Oricorio got all protective and stuff. We have to do this offering thing whenever we cross the meadow to get to Ultra Storms now."

"I see..." Ian said. Wait, if they don't really look into the Ultra Storms and just go to them, why are we doing this in the first place? Ian debated speaking up, but the happy songs of the Oricorio chirping deterred him as they crossed. It was a good half a mile before the raised platform ended and they returned to thick jungle encroaching upon their walking trail.

The trees finally started to give way, and Ian gazed upon a dome of sparkling, translucent white. "Wow..." Ian said in amazement. There were a few trees and a boulder scattered throughout the burgeoning Ultra Storm's borders, but it was mostly flat with grass.

"Hey asshole, maybe you can go back where you came from if you get in there," Hyde taunted.

"Nah, I'd rather stay here and annoy the fuck out of you," Ian retorted. "You're making it too fun, dude."

Hyde snorted but remained silent.

"Alright, here's the game plan," Plumeria announced loudly. "Ian and Selene, you two and your Sawsbuck and Arcanine go around the perimeter and look for anything valuable that gets dropped. Go out of the barrier if something too dangerous is in your path."

"The Alpha, you mean?" Ian asked.

"Shush, Death Wish," Selene teased as Ian realized her new nickname for him.

"So once you two have gone around the perimeter, we'll all march in closer to the center. We should have some time to poke around," Plumeria said. "If we do it quickly enough, we can bounce before the Alpha shows up, that's the goal. Got it?"

"Yes indeed," Ian said with a nod as the rest of the group responded in their own way.

"Let's get our Pokemon out, Ultra Storm should be popping soon," Plumeria said, reaching for her Poke Ball and sending out a huge, multi-colored, sludgy form with teeth. Ian crinkled his nose as he watched the constant flowing of the multi-colored blob of sludge caught his eye. Alolan Muk smells just like I figured it would.

Next came Selene's Arcanine, a majestic bright orange and black striped fur coat with cream colored tufts of fur coating its tail, also serving as a mane. It gave a playful howl and began licking Selene affectionately.

"Ian..." Plumeria said expectantly.

"Right," Ian said, grabbing Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and releasing his blessed stag. Upon manifesting, Sawsbuck yelped in a panic at the sight of Arcanine, dashing away from the group. "Sawsbuck, come on, chill out..." Ian started.

Selene's Arcanine gave another playful yelp and leapt in front of Ian with ease before pursuing Sawsbuck. "Arcanine, no! No play right now!" Selene called back.

Sawsbuck gave another panicked cry as the fire breathing tiger chased after it for a moment before Arcanine turned around dashed elegantly back to Selene. Ian sighed, realizing he'd have to go comfort his skittish Pokemon.

"Wow, some blessed Pokemon that is," Hyde chimed.

Ian rolled his eyes and jogged to Sawsbuck, cursing Hyde as he did.

Chapter Text

Chapter 9 Into the Ultra Storm

It took a little while to get Sawsbuck comfortable with Arcanine being nearby, and thankfully only a bit more for a sudden rumbling to get the group's attention.

"It's time! Everyone get ready!" Plumeria barked.

Ian double checked with Sawsbuck, while he noticed Hyde taking command of his Torracat, Tupp with his Gumshoos, and Rapp with her Comfey. He re-focused his attention on the rumbling dome of white luminescence in front of them and his jaw almost immediately dropped.

The white fog of the dome began vibrating and a sudden gust of wind, which had been blowing in from the sea began blowing from behind them fiercely as the dome's colors glowed red, then blue, followed by green and yellow before settling into blue once more. The breeze stopped suddenly, like the island was sucking in air for a breath and holding it in. The rumbling grew louder and Ian watched in awe as adrenaline began to pump in his veins. A few dozen feet away, the boulder began to float off the ground as the borders of the dome turned into static distortion from an old TV set. Particles of light shifted bizarrely, like a graphics glitch in a video game. Only this is quite a bit more real looking. A crackling sound hit their ears before a loud BOOM!

The crackling echoed as the border became dense like a fog, blocking vision inside. "Alright Team Skull, go, go, GO!" Plumeria roared.

Ian and Sawsbuck along with Selene and Arcanine led the way into the fog barrier, and Ian got a good look around. The boulder that had started floating had fallen, this time on its side, revealing its muddy underbelly. Little puffs of dust seemed to manifest for just a moment, scattered all throughout the visible area before de-manifesting. I must've been so spooked before I didn't quite get all of this in. "You see the little puff of smoke from a moment ago?" Ian asked, only now realizing the whole group and their Pokemon had moved in.

"Yeah, what about it?" Selene asked.

"Let's check those out first," Ian said, urging Sawsbuck to the left to where he'd seen the nearest puff of dust. Arcanine growled lowly, clearly on edge, while Sawsbuck had its eyes peeled for danger. Ian scanned the ground, getting to a bush and noticing something shiny below.

Ian reached down, grabbing a weathered blue slab of sorts, no bigger than a couple inches wide and three to four inches long. A shard! Weren't these shards in the Space-Time Distortions you could craft into Star Pieces? "Got something!" Ian called out to the main group that had stayed in its entry space, proudly holding his prize.

"Hey, eyes forward, Death Wish!" Selene said, tapping his shoulder. Ian turned around, putting the Blue Shard in Selene's satchel and tensed as he saw what Selene was trying to tell him. Just a few feet in front of them a crack appeared and the blue swirling light of an Ultra Wormhole grew before them. Out of the wormhole dropped a familiar orange otter Pokemon with a yellow ring around its neck. The rodent gave a sudden battle cry Ian recognized from the Legends Arceus games. A Buizel!

Sawsbuck recoiled in fright before Selene screamed "Thunder Fang!" Arcanine leapt forward, its mouth crackling with Electric Type Energy as Buizel became engulfed in water before propelling itself, leaving water falling to the ground. Aqua Jet. Arcanine, late to getting Buizel in its maw, gave an annoyed growl.

Ian eyed Buizel as it retreated deeper into the Ultra Storm and put it out of his mind. He hustled over to the next place he remembered seeing another puff of dust, and immediately noticed a rectangular red object like the blue one he'd just picked up. Definitely shards, but how were these crafted? With Stardust right? Where's that then? What does it even look like?

"What's that?" Selene asked, pointing at a forming Ultra Wormhole with water pouring out of it. At the bottom of the floating waterfall cowered a little blue lizard-looking Pokemon with a yellow fin on its head. That's a Sobble, isn't it? When the wormhole closed up and the waterfall ended, Ian saw the little lizard tensing up and shivering with fear.

"It's a Sobble," Ian said. I already have a Water Type, but maybe Tupp could learn to actually use ranged attacks with something like this... Ian looked around cautiously, making sure he wasn't about to get caught in a vulnerable state, and when he saw a wormhole popping up across the Ultra Storm he thought little of it. He crept closer to the terrified Sobble slowly. "Hey there little guy, you look pretty scared..."

Sobble's attention turned to Ian and it shook so frightfully drops of water kept shaking off it, grabbing its elongated tail as if it would offer any sort of protection. "I'm not gonna hurt you little guy, quite the opposite," Ian said as softly as he could. He knelt on the ground, and he felt Sawsbuck next to him, keeping an eye out. "I can help you."

Sobble whimpered, closing its eyes as it squeezed its tail even tighter. Yeah, you need to go in a Poke Ball, pronto. Ian reached for the empty Poke Ball on his belt when a sudden commotion to his right distracted him. A little human girl lay flat on the ground with a busted school desk beside her. She looked younger than ten, with tanned skin and black hair, wearing a white blouse with a green skirt reminiscent of a school uniform. "What the hell?" Ian asked, temporarily getting distracted from Sobble. Ian noticed a blue form dashing away in his peripheral vision and realized it was Sobble dashing away. Damn it.

The girl turned her head, beginning to cry as she noticed Ian and Selene and pointing abruptly. "W-what happened?" The little girl asked mousily, her eyes beginning to water.

Ian turned to Selene, looking for her to take the lead. "Hey there little girl…" Selene said tenderly. "Are you okay?"

"It hurts," the little girl squealed, rubbing the back of her neck before focusing her attention on Arcanine and gasping in fright.

"You don't have to be afraid, that's Arcanine," Selene said sweetly, pointing to her fire breathing tiger. "She's really nice."

"Really?" The little girl asked.

"Yes she is," Ian chimed in.

"What's your name?" Selene asked.

"Rylee, I'm seven years old…" The Faller replied.

"I'm Selene, and this is Ian," Selene explained.

"Where am I?" Rylee asked.

"You're in an Ultra Storm," Selene answered, bending down and extending her hand.

"Mommy says I shouldn't talk to strangers," Rylee said nervously.

"Well, mommy's not here, but we want to get you to safety," Selene said. "Besides, you know my name, we're not strangers anymore."

Rylee grinned a little bit. "Okay, Selene."

Ian did a quick scan, noticing another wormhole with a brown and beige raccoon dog emerging, which Ian recognized as a Zigzagoon. "Let's get back to Plumeria and them," Ian told Selene as she took hold of Rylee's hand.

"Selene, I have a question…" Rylee stated.

Selene knelt down to Rylee's level, maintaining her soft, sweet tone. "And what's that, little Rylee?"

"Why are there Pokemon here?" Rylee asked. "Mommy says they're just on TV, but they're actually here. Why is that?"

Ian tensed and knelt down as well. No way, another Faller from a world like mine?

"What do you mean by that? Of course Pokemon are real," Selene said with a slight hint of dismissal in her tone. "Let's get you to safety before we talk more, okay Rylee?"

"Okay-" Rylee gasped suddenly and pointed behind Ian and Selene, fear in her eyes. Ian turned and his eyes went right to the glowing red eyes of the massive crustacean falling out of the Ultra Wormhole that had formed just behind them, blocking them from the rest of the Team Skull squad. The red shell and yellow star on its head made Ian tense up with fear. An Alpha Crawdaunt?!

The behemoth before Ian, Selene, and Rylee stood almost as tall as Ian, with claws so wide Ian realized his head might be able to fit between them. "Oh SHIT that's huge!" Selene screamed as she shielded Rylee.

Ian almost stumbled but turned to retreat when the overwhelming, guttural sound of a freshly suctioned clogged drain hit his ears, its sound bubbling different tones as it bounced around his skull. Before he knew it, he was face first in the dirt. The Alpha roar I reckon... He struggled to get up, seeing Selene's hands still locked with Rylee, but dazed. Crawdaunt had started advancing on them, snapping its pincers together ominously.

Arcanine pounced overhead giving a tenacious roar as it leapt into battle. One of Crawdaunt's claws lit up with blue energy and connected with Arcanine's body brutally, sending it careening into dirt a dozen feet or so away. They're damn near the same size and Alpha Crawdaunt is that much more powerful? "We gotta get outta here!" Ian yelled, ears still ringing as he pulled Selene and Rylee up and began stumbling as Alpha Crawdaunt got back to closing in on the trio with ridiculous quickness. "Sawsbuck, get over here!" Ian screamed out desperately.

Ian pulled Selene and Rylee further with him, and Sawsbuck leapt in like a torpedo coated in white aura, colliding with Crawdaunt, sending the behemoth of a crustacean tumbling on its side. Sawsbuck gave a victorious call, but Crawdaunt got up using the momentum of its spin. It's that agile too? Arcanine re-appeared beside Selene and Rylee, ensuring its trainer was okay before giving her a nod and re-focusing on the Alpha.

"Arcanine, Thunder Fang..." Selene wheezed. She must've gotten the wind knocked out of her.

"No physical attacks are gonna work for a bit," Ian said. "Unless we distract it."

"It's the only super effective move Arcanine's got right now," Selene said with a cough.

"Try Flamethrower, these things have a low Special Defense," Ian said. "I'll hit it with a Leech Seed and put it on a timer, we can just run away from there."

"I don't think we can last that long, but we just gotta tire it out..." Selene wheezed. "Arcanine, Flamethrower!" Selene croaked. Arcanine took a deep breath before firing off a stream of flaming energy at the crustacean, causing it to give a pained, guttural cry.

"Leech Seed!" Ian ordered resolutely. Sawsbuck fired the seed right as the stream of flames died out and on contact with the still recovering crustacean and vines spread all around it, latching onto its shell.

"Now what? Arcanine can't use Flamethrower anymore," Selene asked, her voice noticeably stronger than earlier.

"You get outside of the storm then!" Ian pushed Selene and Rylee back, urging Arcanine to follow. Sure we're going further back from the main group, but if I can lure Crawdaunt away we'll be good. As their Pokemon caught up to them, Ian noticed Crawdaunt still in hot pursuit. This asshole doesn't quit.

"Sawsbuck, use Agility for good measure," Ian ordered, standing his ground now. Sawsbuck's legs glowed with dark-ish pink energy as it danced. Crawdaunt closed in, snapping its claws before the glow dissipated and Sawsbuck bound twenty feet or more to the side, taking it well out of the danger zone. Crawdaunt opened one of its claws and fired a barrage of glowing blue bubbles Ian figured was a Bubble Beam. Sawsbuck adeptly dodged it, landing gracefully another ten feet to the side.

"Thunder Fang," Selene hissed from behind Ian. Arcanine rushed into action, its jaws crackling with electricity as it closed in and pounced on Alpha Crawdaunt's back, causing electrical sparks to surge across Crawdaunt's back. Crawdaunt gave another guttural wail of pain before turning and swiping at Arcanine, which managed to get away at the last second. Crawdaunt then fired another Bubble Beam, which Arcanine leapt to avoid but was too late in regaining its balance.

"Selene, take Rylee and get out of here!" Ian shouted, then re-focused on the Alpha. "Sawsbuck, Bullet Seed! Keep it off balance!" Ian ordered. Sawsbuck fired dozens of green glowing pellets, making small bursts as they detonated on Crawdaunt's shell. Man, Seed Bomb would be really clutch here. Can Sawsbuck learn that?

Arcanine dashed to the side after taking the brunt of Bubble Beam, and Crawdaunt raised one of its claws, making it glow with Water Type Energy. Is it being pre-emptive? Arcanine's not going near it... Crawdaunt then gave a fierce battle cry and swung its Crabhammer attack into the ground, which propelled it, spinning into the air like a line drive. Arcanine was in mid stride as Crawdaunt spun toward it, smacking Arcanine brutally with its Crabhammer and sending the fiery tiger careening away as Rylee's screams hit Ian's ears.

"Ian, you need to go too!" Selene pleaded from fifteen feet behind him.

"I know..." Ian said. Doesn't she realize if it uses Crabhammer like that again we can't outrun it?

Crawdaunt gave a ferocious battle cry in celebration of its victory, when Ian noticed a little blue form crawling away feebly. Sobble? Crawdaunt looked down and lowered a claw, firing a Swift attack at the fleeing lizard. That's not good! "Sawsbuck, Horn Leech now!" Ian bellowed.

"What happened to-"

Ian's vision tunneled as Crawdaunt picked up Sobble by its tail and the little lizard desperately struggled to break free of the grip. Sawsbuck rocketed into view as its horns rammed into Crawdaunt, who was knocked onto its side with Sobble flying into the air. "Selene, go!" Ian urged before waving his arms in the air. "Sobble, over here!" Sawsbuck dashed back, creating space between it and the Alpha.

"Good luck, Death Wish," Selene said as she recalled Arcanine and rushed off with Rylee.

Just us now, Sawsbuck.Ian noticed Sobble crawling a different way, deeper into the Ultra Storm until another wormhole began to form in its path. Please don't be another Alpha. The wormhole opened up and a bipedal pink Pokemon dropped out. Snubbull? Sobble desperately scurried away from the new arrival. Right to me, good.

Crawdaunt had staggered to get up, but was now back and rearing for more battle as Ian noticed the last few bubbles of green energy being absorbed into Sawsbuck at a distance. Crawdaunt fired another Swift attack from its white-glowing claws, which Sawsbuck didn't even try to dodge. Seed Bomb would be REALLY helpful here. "Keep your distance and Bullet Seed!" Ian commanded. Sawsbuck fired another barrage of glowing green pellets, bursting on contact with Crawdaunt's shell as Sawsbuck continued moving to the side.

Crawdaunt fired off another Bubble Beam, and Sawsbuck ceased firing, opting to dodge instead. Crawdaunt then lifted its claw into the air once more and made it glow with another Crabhammer attack. "Sawsbuck, get back as far as possible!" Ian shouted.

Crawdaunt fired a stream of water for just a moment as it faced downward, propelling it up for longer, and did it again with every spin, homing in on Sawsbuck's location. You've gotta be kidding me. Running's pointless I guess. "Sawsbuck brace yourself and use Horn Leech!" Sawsbuck lowered its head and lunged at the airborne crustacean. Suddenly Crawdaunt's claws glowed a light, light green and closed in like a pair of scissors on Sawsbuck as its antlers dug into Crawdaunt's shell. It's got X-Scissor? Both Pokemon yelped in pain as their super effective attacks crumpled both combatants over. More green balls of energy floated from the vines enveloping Crawdaunt and settled into Sawsbuck, seemingly soothing the two gashes on its neck.

Horn Leech will help Sawsbuck, but put it in range for X-Scissor, and I don't think Sawsbuck will be able to tank another one. Ian checked to see if Selene or any of the other Team Skull members were around to cause a diversion for him to get one more hit on Crawdaunt without it being able to fight back, but he didn't see any Team Skull uniforms inside of the Ultra Storm anymore. I suppose I deserve this for keeping the fight going... "Horn-"

Sawsbuck's antlers began glowing with a green energy, but not the typical green, but a very light green, matching Crawdaunt's X-Scissor attack. What the...? Sawsbuck then leapt in, antlers first, crashing into Crawdaunt, who had a Crabhammer ready, but a loud crack hit Ian's ears and the colossal Crawdaunt was sent airborne once more, this time limply. Ian realized Crawdaunt's body was actually coming right for him, and he dashed aside, keeping his eye on the massive crustacean as it landed harshly in the dirt, its eye no longer glowing red. Woah...

A sudden light engulfed Crawdaunt, and an Ultra Wormhole appeared just behind it, pulling it into itself until Crawdaunt was fully back in the wormhole, which then shut in a swirl, then flashed once more, leaving a light blue diamond object with a smooth surface, reminding Ian of double pyramid in its place which fell to the ground. "What the?" Ian asked aloud, eyeing the diamond object curiously. Then a commotion in his peripheral vision grabbed his attention, and he saw the little blue lizard with a yellow fin on its head scurrying past him. Ian reached for it, managing to catch the fin and lifting Sobble up in front of him, it was still frantically whining and trying to get away. "It's okay little guy, Crawdaunt's gone..."

Sobble closed its mouth then a flurry of water shot into Ian's eyes, making him curse. Ian kept his eyes shut as Sobble continued firing its Water Gun at the back of his head, and he grabbed the empty Poke Ball and expanded it, lowering Sobble to it, then lightly tossing it. The sound of the Poke Ball engulfing Sobble and the lack of a stream of water hitting his body made Ian turn and watch as the Poke Ball fell to the ground, shaking slightly, once, twice, a third time, before becoming still. Yes!

"Woah, you two actually beat it! What was that attack Sawsbuck used?" Selene called out as she and a blue ballerina-looking sea lion came rushing to him. Sawsbuck pranced over triumphantly, looking very pleased with itself.

Ian grabbed Sobble's Poke Ball off the ground and smiled at Sawsbuck. "Yup!" Ian called back. "And it looked like a Bug Type move. And where's Rylee?"

"She's safe, she's hiding behind a bush outside of the Ultra Storm. And yeah, it had Bug Type Energy..." Selene said before gasping. "Could it have been Megahorn? That would explain how it knocked out Crawdaunt."

Oh yeah, Sawsbuck's attacks do involve using antlers a lot. "I think you're right..." Ian said, turning to Sawsbuck with a big smile. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you Sawsbuck?"

Sawsbuck swung its head triumphantly.

"This is great and all, but let's get back to Rylee," Selene said.

"Oh yeah, you're right," Ian said as he turned to walk away, then stopped. The light blue diamond still rested on the ground after being left behind by the Ultra Wormhole that had swallowed Crawdaunt. This looks oddly familiar for some reason... Ian stopped and reached down, grabbing the diamond shaped object, which was a little bigger than his hand. He then caught up to Selene, making sure no other dangerous Pokemon had spawned. He noticed a Poliwag looking around in confusion, but nothing else was on the radar.

"Is that the Alpha poop?" Selene asked.

"What?" Ian asked with a laugh.

"When that wormhole took Crawdaunt away, didn't that appear? So it's like Alpha poop right?" Selene asked.

Ian chuckled. "I mean, I guess."

"Why are you still holding onto it?" Selene asked, looking at him with a shade of disgust.

"It doesn't smell like poop..."

"Maybe it's 'Ultra poop,'" Selene teased. "But seriously, put that down."

Ian eyed it curiously, and then it hit him. Oh SHIT! It's EXP Candy. Alphas from Legends Arceus would leave these behind when they were caught or defeated...

"I want to examine it a little further," Ian lied, trying to fit the blue EXP Candy into his pocket.

"Ew..." Selene said, watching in even more apparent disgust. "I'm telling the Dirtbags. They'll make you clean your own stuff."

"I really don't think it's poop, Selene," Ian fired back.

Selene rolled her eyes and hurried forward. The two got to the edge of the Ultra Storm and upon breaching the border, Ian took a deep, relieving breath. "That was intense..."

"Rylee, we're back! It's safe to come out!" Selene called out as she approached a convenient patch of shrubs.

Rylee stood up from behind the brush, tears going down her face. "You're back…"

Selene nodded. "Yes we are."

"Do you know where my mommy is?" Rylee asked.

Selene turned to Ian, and Ian could read it in her eyes: I don't want to have to deliver the bad news alone. "Well Rylee, do you remember what happened before you met us?" Selene asked.

"I was on timeout from Ms. Bennet," Rylee said, a sob escaping her mouth. "And then this weird light came over me and I felt like I was falling with my desk, then I saw you two…"

Ian knelt down in front of Rylee as Selene followed his lead. "It might be a while before you see your mom again," Ian said, trying to sound comforting but noticing his eyes getting damp. This might be hitting me a little too close to home.

"Why?" Rylee asked. "And why are there Pokemon here? They're not supposed to be real, just on TV."

Oh yeah, she did say that. Selene looked at Ian, completely speechless. Ian took a deep breath, hoping this would make sense to the little girl. "Rylee, the Ultra Storm…" Ian pointed at the white glowing dome behind them. "...brings people from other worlds here."

"Other worlds?" Rylee asked. "Like planets?"

"Yup," Ian said.

"So you're aliens?" Rylee asked in disbelief.

Ian chuckled. "Not quite. Maybe Pokemon don't exist on the planet you came from, but they exist on this planet here."

"So mommy's not here?" Rylee asked.

Ian turned to Selene, who gave him a grim look but remained silent. "We don't know…"

"Hmph," Rylee grunted and folded her arms, going quiet as Ian and Selene eyed each other.

"We should get back to the group," Selene said.

"Right," Ian agreed.

Selene and Ian both got up from their knelt down positions. Selene reached for Rylee's hand but was rebuffed by the upset seven year old. That's gotta be rough.

"You were pretty good at explaining that," Selene said lowly.

Ian shrugged. "I understand more than anyone what she's going through," Ian said. "Only been five days since I popped in like this."

Selene. "Yeah…" Selene paused for a few seconds before eyeing him curiously. "Why'd you keep fighting it?" Selene asked. "Weren't we trying to flee?"

"Yeah, but I figured it would just chase us with that Crabhammer thing," Ian said. He then pulled Sobble's Poke Ball from his belt and showed it to Selene. "Plus I wanted to catch this Sobble and give it to Tupp. I owe him big time."

Selene eyed the Poke ball skeptically. "I don't think he'll do well with something wimpy like that..."

"I know, but he needs to learn he can't just send every single Pokemon of his into a brawl and expect to win," Ian said.

"You're right, but I don't think he'll ever come to that conclusion," Selene said.

"I gotta at least try to help him though," Ian said. "I owe him my life twice now. Plus I heard about Isaac..."

Selene's whole demeanor drooped. "Oh... yeah."

Rylee suddenly leaned into Selene and took her hand, tears forming in the recent Faller's eyes once more as they made their way around the dome.

Upon returning to the group's de-facto gathering point, Ian noticed Rapp and Selene started hand-signing excitedly. Plumeria eyed him with a sour look, her arms folded. "Don't look too pissed Hyde, I survived the Alpha!" Ian shouted mockingly.

Hyde lifted his middle finger but remained silent.

"So what happened to the Alpha?" Plumeria asked.

"Ian and Sawsbuck beat it!" Selene said joyfully.

"It got sucked into an Ultra Wormhole after it got knocked out," Ian said, not wanting to mention the EXP Candy.

"Who's the girl?" Plumeria said, pointing at Rylee.

"This is Rylee," Selene said. "She emerged in the Ultra Storm right before the Alpha did." Rylee whimpered and hid behind Selene's legs. "She's seven."

A look of concern fell on Plumeria's face and she knelt down, beckoning Rylee to her. "It's okay little one."

"You look scary…" Rylee squealed, tightening her clutch on Selene.

"I'm Plumeria, I'll be like your big sister, okay?" Plumeria said soothingly. "It's good Selene and Ian got you away from that big scary monster, right?"

Rylee nodded. This is a side of Plumeria I never expected to see.

"Okay Rylee, how about you stay with Selene. We need to go back in there and make sure there are no more scary monsters," Plumeria said sweetly.

Rylee grasped Selene even closer, and Ian noticed an adorable smile come across Selene. "Okay…"

Plumeria focused her attention on the rest of the group and cleared her throat. "So it's safer to go in and look for treasure now?" Plumeria asked.

"I guess?" Ian said.

Plumeria rolled her eyes. "Then let's get looking."

Thankfully no more major Pokemon appeared in the Ultra Storm, and the group hunted around for various treasures, finding more shards and even a golden Nugget. When they regrouped outside of the Ultra Storm, Plumeria nodded approvingly at the haul. "I'm not sure what's up with these slab things, but the Nugget's nice."

Ian nodded. "Well, I think there's a way to combine the shards into a Star Piece."

"Really?" Plumeria asked.

Ian shrugged. "I might be trippin' but it's worth a shot," Ian said.

"What about the Alpha poop you picked up, Ian?" Selene asked, still holding hands with Rylee.

Ian tensed, remembering he'd been trying to keep the EXP Candy on the down low. "Oh that? I don't think it's valuable or anything..."

"Show it," Plumeria ordered.

Ian nodded, taking it out with some difficulty from his small pants pocket. He showed off the smooth, slightly firm but slightly soft object to the crew.

"Alpha poop?" Rapp asked.

"It came from the Ultra Wormhole when it took Crawdaunt away," Selene explained.

"Weird..." Plumeria said.

"Trying to hide that poop from us, asshole?" Hyde interjected.

"Yeah, I wanted to give it to you as a present since you like eating ass so much, but the surprise is ruined," Ian fired back.

"Fuck you, fake-ass Faller," Hyde replied, turning and marching off in anger. Selene glared daggers at Hyde for the language.

"It doesn't look that valuable, you can keep it," Plumeria said. "Let's get moving. Guzma will be happy with the Nugget," Plumeria said.

Ian nodded, putting the EXP Candy back in his pocket, doing his best to hide his grin. He turned back to the Ultra Storm one last time. So where's the Stardust come from for these shards? Maybe that was just a niche game mechanic... Ian shook the thoughts from his head and picked up the rear of the party as they made their way back to the Akua Jungle and Ula'Ula Meadow. "If this EXP Candy is what I think it is..." Ian said under his breath. "...then this could change everything."

Chapter Text

Chapter 10 Homesick
(Disclaimer: I don't own "Change" by Blind Melon. It's not being used commercially)

The tribute ceremony the Oricorio performed was quicker than the previous one thankfully, and even though the Oran Berries offered weren't fully ripened yet, the dancing fire-birds ate them up all the same. Rylee seemed to be in a better mood, holding Selene and Rapp's hands as they made their way along the raised walkway over the meadow. The boys remained distant and silent though, and music comforted him in his newfound isolation. Well, songs from his "before world" at least. Being in basically a tropical paradise did give a certain vibe to the tunes in his head. Most of them to be the old Jack Johnson tunes he'd learned throughout high school, laid back, acoustic guitar songs that Suzy had encouraged him to learn. Ian groaned as Suzy's name came across his mind once more and he pushed those songs from his mind. No matter how fitting acoustic guitar music from a guy who grew up in Hawaii is, it feels like poison in my veins right now. He forced himself to think of other things, like some of his or his mother's favorite songs, and then-

Oh, those... Ian smiled as he remembered the high school guitar class he'd taken with the school choir teacher. His presentation one week was to perform a medley of songs from the Pokemon games, but with an acoustic guitar. As he picked up the rear of the party, he figured no one would get weirded out as he played on an imaginary guitar, playing the tunes exactly as he remembered. Even though I haven't held a guitar in five days I can still remember how to play these little ditties like it was yesterday.

When they got out of the Akua Jungle and back on their bikes, the sky had begun to darken with rain clouds fast approaching.How often does it rain around here? Ian continued humming various tunes from Pokemon games and observing the rest of the group. Selene having Rylee ride on her bike's handlebars as Rapp rode by their side, Rapp now in possession of the treasure bag. Tupp and Hyde rode in silence, and Ian noticed Plumeria seemed deep in thought about something too as Po Town's mighty walls came into view.

After putting their bikes by the gate, Plumeria signaled for them to come in close. "Rapp, you take Rylee to Pulani's daycare. Hyde and Tupp, you're good to go. Selene, you and Ian come with me."

"Actually Big Sis, can I come with?" Tupp asked. "I wanted to talk to boss-man when we done."

"Fine, but I'll warn you, he's in a shit mood," Plumeria said.

Selene turned to Rylee and knelt down, giving the seven year old a big hug. "I'll be back okay? Rapp's gonna take you to Auntie Pula. I'll see you soon, I promise."

Rylee nodded, giving Selene a big squeeze. "Okay..."

Tupp kept his distance from Ian as the group of four made their way up The Spine. The sun had disappeared thoroughly behind the clouds by now, and something about Plumeria's silence made Ian a bit uneasy. "You wanna know what happened?" Ian asked.

"We'll talk about that after we see Guzma," Plumeria said dismissively.

Upon their arrival in Guzma's throne room, Ian noticed Guzma's Larvesta hanging from the ceiling by its string shot, swinging aimlessly. Guzma got up from his throne and grabbed Larvesta by the horns and whispered something to it, causing it to release its String Shot from the ceiling and Guzma seated himself back on his throne with Larvesta on his lap. Ian stole a glance at the beautifully illustrated map on the wall. Oh yeah, Mina's somewhere in this town. Wonder when I'll meet her? When Plumeria zipped open their treasure satchel, Guzma smiled at the Nugget, but eyed the green, red, and blue shards with skepticism. "The fuck are these doing here?"

"Ian says they can be made into Star Pieces, but he wasn't very clear on how," Plumeria said bitterly.

Guzma eyed Ian expectantly, and the nervous young man cleared his throat. "Um... Well, I read somewhere these shards could be combined with Stardust to create a Star Piece."

"Stardust?" Guzma asked with a scoff. "You know how rare that shit is?"

"Uh... no..." Ian admitted.

"Almost as rare as this damn Nugget," Guzma said in annoyance, leaning over and scooping the golden Nugget from the pile, making Larvesta panic and scuttle to an armrest. "Throw these shards in the dumpster and make sure pizza boy here actually knows what the fuck he's talking about next time. Now get out of my face."

"Boss, if you give me some time-"

"I said 'GET OUT OF MY FACE!'" Guzma shouted angrily, eyes full of sudden hatred. Larvesta squealed timidly and crawled behind the throne. Silence fell on the room at the outburst, and Ian froze as Guzma got up with a scowl. "You're in my town, dumbass. When I tell you to leave, you leave."

Ian nodded fearfully. "Y-yeah..."

"QUIETLY!" Guzma roared.

Ian turned to leave, a tightness developing in his chest at being so suddenly and thoroughly emasculated. He went to open the door to Guzma's throne room but struggled with it. C'mon, not now...

"Tupp, what the fuck do you want?" Guzma asked in anger as Ian finally got the door open. He didn't realize Plumeria and Selene were behind him until he was halfway down the hall.

"Selene, Ian," Plumeria whispered.

Ian turned around, a sour look on his face. "What?"

"We need to talk," Plumeria said.

"Can it wait?" Ian croaked. I'm not exactly in the mood all of the sudden.

"No," Plumeria said coldly. "What happened in the Ultra Storm?"

Ian rolled his eyes and gave Selene a look.

"Well, we encountered a couple Pokemon, then Rylee appeared and we helped her," Selene said.

"When did the Alpha come in?" Plumeria asked emotionlessly.

"We were still helping Rylee when it showed up behind us," Selene said.

"How far away was it?"

"Like ten, maybe fifteen feet?" Selene asked.

"So you had a chance to get away instead of engaging it?" Plumeria asked, a rather bitchy tone coming into her voice.

"It all happened so fast," Selene continued. "One moment we're trying to comfort Rylee after she emerged, and the next moment there's a six foot tall Alpha Crawdaunt behind us."

"Crawdaunt's aren't that fast, it sounds like you could've disengaged," Plumeria stated.

Ian shook his head. "We tried to keep our distance but-"

"But what?" Plumeria demanded.

Ian shook his head in frustration. "It did this thing with its claw, it struck the ground and propelled itself."

"The thing was huge, there's no way it could go very far with it," Plumeria said.

"It used Water Gun on the ground to keep itself up," Ian said.

"There's no way a little Water Gun attack could've kept that thing airborne in any capacity," Plumeria said damningly.

"Well I fucking saw it my own eyes, so did Selene!" Ian fired back. "I don't know what else to say about that, we got out of there with Rylee okay, what more do you want?"

Plumeria's face contorted into a scowl, and she remained silent for what felt like a minute but was really only a few seconds. "You're not getting it, Ian," Plumeria began seriously. "You keep lucking out of these desperate scenarios. If it's not one of us bailing you out, it's Tapu Bulu, and if it's not the fucking legendary it's your overpowered deer. What happens when Sawsbuck goes down and you need to use your other Pokemon? We can't bail you out of everything, Ian," Plumeria explained harshly.

"Yeah, I hear you..." Ian croaked, looking down at the ground dejectedly.

Plumeria shook her head. "So because you're not getting the message I'm trying to tell you, you're suspended from my squad."

"What?" Ian asked in confusion.

"Big Sis..." Selene chimed in. "He wasn't lying about the claw thing, it was crazy-"

"Not the point I'm trying to make Selene," Plumeria spat. "I'll tell Rook you're with him for a couple days."

Ian opened his mouth to protest, but realized anything he'd say right now would just dig his proverbial hole deeper. Great… I was hoping to test this EXP Candy thing out and then NOPE. Plumeria turned to leave and Selene followed, pleading with Plumeria to reconsider. Ian sighed, trying to calm himself with a deep breath and looking up to the flickering, uncovered lightbulb hanging right above. No matter what he thought of the timing of Plumeria's suspension, he knew there was little else he could do about it. What did mom say when she talked about getting through the divorce? Something like "just keep yourself so busy you don't have time to be upset about anything that's bothering you." Now's probably a good time to take that advice to heart. Maybe do some Litleo bonding... Ian made sure to drop the EXP Candy under his bunk's blanket for safekeeping and made his way out of Shady House and to his surprise, the heavens had opened up with sheets of rain. Perfect timing.

Thankfully it wasn't too cold, which was an odd sensation, being in warm rain. Ian made his way down The Spine, seeing a few Team Skull grunts dashing into abandoned houses to escape the rain, and he made his way to the Pokemon Center's front doors. He reached to open them and pulled on the handle but the door wouldn't budge. He noticed no one inside and figured they'd closed for the day. Even better. Ian made his way back up The Spine, letting the rain crash over him. At least I don't need to shower at this point. A sudden gust of wind blew the hat right off his head and Ian chased it down just a few feet away. What is going on all of the sudden? Just focus on Litleo.

Ian trudged past Shady House and made it to Backstreet, seeing his all too familiar tree and the site of the battle that had estranged Tupp the day previously. Even when I win it feels like I lost... That wasn't even mentioning the victorious bout with the Alpha Crawdaunt and Rylee rescue that he'd been rewarded with a suspension for. Ian shook the thoughts from his mind as he leaned against the tree trunk under the shelter of its canopy, reaching for Litleo's Poke Ball.

"Alright Litleo, let's turn this shitty day around," Ian said, forcing a smile as he tossed Litleo's Poke Ball in front of him. Litleo materialized in a flash of red light and scanned its surroundings quickly before turning around and hissing at Ian menacingly, its orange tuft of hair remaining one color. "C'mon, I know it's raining, but we gotta figure this thing out, Litleo," Ian said in his customer service voice. Litleo gave another growl and its mouth began to glow with heat. "Litleo, it's been a shit day-"

Litleo wound up and unleashed a burst of embers, forcing Ian to cover his face behind his arms which suddenly got extremely hot for a moment before he looked at Litleo, who snarled intimidatingly. "Damn it, Litleo," Ian said, reaching for Litleo's ball and recalling his hissing lion cub to its ball. "Great, just great!" Ian felt his eyes start to water and he shook his head, trying to tell his body "no."

Past some of the cul-de-sac houses, Ian eyed the wall and noticed some trees from the berry grove beyond it. Maybe Ariados is chillin' out under a tree and Sawsbuck and I can get some more berry growing done. Of course that means getting to the other side of town, but it's better than nothing. Ian steeled his resolve, reminding himself the rain wasn't too cold, it was just annoying when the wind came up and made his way back down The Spine once more. There didn't seem to be many Team Skull members milling about anymore, having presumptively found shelter. Ian trudged along, focusing on the open gate up ahead. As he passed the Pokemon Center, he noticed a male and female pair of Team Skull members embracing each other sucking face and Ian felt a visceral need to gag. He closed his eyes and turned away, hoping to be rid of the site, but then the image of Suzy and Alex in the same position appeared and Ian cursed loudly, scaring the couple.

"Hey, what the fuck bro?" The guy yelled.

Ian shook his head and waved them off dismissively. Fucking Suzy. If she wasn't such a cheating cunt I might not even be here... Plumeria had made a bit of a deal about the last words he spoke on his bed, which if Plumeria was to be believed, was a catalyst for appearing in an Ultra Storm. Or maybe I was always destined to come to this shithole. Ian continued to sulk, making his way through the gate and along the path back around to the berry grove. His socks were finally wet, no matter how many puddle-filled potholes he weaved around on his way around. When he did reach the trees, he released Sawsbuck, who appeared to enjoy the rain, prancing around happily as the perimeter plants began to shift with growth and increasing fruit density. Ian sighed with relief, finally having something to keep his mind off the BS of the past half hour.

Ian and Sawsbuck made their way in slowly, scanning the treetops before seeing a pair of glowing red eyes moving frantically toward them. "Really?" Ian called out, with Alpha Ariados giving a loud Alpha Roar in response. Sawsbuck whimpered with fear and turned. "Yeah, I know bud," Ian said, turning around. "Guess we'll just go to the other side, prick!" Ian shouted to the Alpha Ariados as they made their way back to the road.

They crossed the bridge and made sure they got pretty deep onto the creek's other bank before moving in deeper to the grove. Less than a minute later, another Alpha Roar was heard and a pair of red eyes appeared in the canopy, frantically moving closer to Ian and Sawsbuck. "Fuck off Ariados! I'm trying to help everyone!" Ian shouted, shaking his head and hustling back to the road. His eyes began to water and he looked up to the cloudy sky, blinking back tears. Just great. I bet most Pokemon fans would kill to be in Alola, just not in this dump... Ian trudged back to the other side of the creek,hoping maybe Alpha Ariados would tire or finally not notice. As he crossed the bridge, Alpha Ariados gave another Alpha Roar from the treetops, red eyes lurking close to the edge of the grove. "Wonderful..." Ian muttered.

"Hey pizza boy!" Guzma's voice shouted in anger from behind him. "What the fuck are you doing out here?"

Ian groaned silently before turning around, seeing Guzma and a red metallic mantis Pokemon with pincers for hands and a necklace with a red stone around its neck right behind the Team Skull boss. Scizor. "Trying to do something helpful," Ian replied bitterly.

"Well you're pissing off Ariados. And here I thought we were under attack or something with how loud she's being," Guzma explained.

Ian took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside. "I'm just trying to help solve the food problem."

"Well you actually made it worse bringing in the little girl. She's just another mouth to feed," Guzma stated. "Not even mentioning you."

"Then let Sawsbuck and I hang out here to help solve it-"

"I've seen plenty of newbies come in here and think they're going to help change things, and you know what? It happens the same way every time, consequences come for their actions and they get shown why we do things the way we do," Guzma explained.

Ian grimaced, unsure if his rebuttal was worth whatever penalty would likely come his way. You know what, fuck this. "Boss, how many newbies have had their Pokemon blessed by Tapu Bulu?" Ian asked, bracing himself for an earful.

Guzma smiled. "Well looks like you finally grew a bit of a backbone."

A sense of relief came over Ian, if only briefly as he realized Guzma wasn't finished.

"But that's not why I'm here, pizza boy. Ariados keeps this place safe, and I don't compromise on that," Guzma said grimly.

"I hear you boss," Ian lied as he turned to leave mid eyeroll, recalling Sawsbuck into its Heal Ball.

Guzma scoffed and gave a light chuckle. "Yeah, how about you go do something useful then?"

Ian's chest tensed as a cacophony of curse words came to his mind. He took a deep breath and turned around with a scowl. "Fine, I'll just go feed myself to your fucking Ariados, I'll finally be useful then won't I!?" Ian yelled as he stormed off..

"Where you going then? She's right there!" Guzma pointed out.

If it's just gonna be like this from now, it may be time for me to leave this shithole. Ian trudged back to the front gate with his head drooping in the warm rain. When he got to the fork in the road just outside the front gate, Ian eyed the road south down The Straightaway, doing math in his head for how long it would take to get to the abandoned ranger cabin at the Ula'Ula Meadow. Gonna be a while on foot with this rain. It'd be faster if I could ride Sawsbuck but... Ian paused that sort of thinking. Now was probably not the time to try to learn how to ride his stag, even if it was okay with being ridden. Chalk that up for later. It'd be cool to be roaming around the island like Wyrdeer in Hisui though. Ian took one last wistful look at the road full of possibilities and begrudgingly turned to the gate. I'll be on suspension, maybe I just say I'm going fishing and just dip tomorrow. Might be the best way forward.

Ian made his way to the front gate and noticed Rook, Plumeria, Tom, and another middle aged adult with a bunch of fake teeth in his smile standing underneath an awning across the street from the gate. "Hey new guy, where's boss man?" Rook demanded.

Ian threw up his hands in defeat. "No clue."

"Do you know if he's still out there?" Tom asked.

"Don't know, don't care," Ian said, turning left away from the group.

"Ian, are you okay?" Plumeria asked.

"Who gives a shit," Ian said, waving her off and turning away from The Spine.

Plumeria followed after him. "Ian, look-"

Ian turned around with a tense face, doing his best from letting his emotions show, and Plumeria grimaced, like she was seeing his pain. "I need to be alone..." Ian said hoarsely.

"Okay..." Plumeria said. "And if you need a place away from the rain..."

Ian paused, silently waiting on her words.

"...go up that alley on the right, third little house on the left is empty," Plumeria explained.

Ian gave her a quick thumbs up and trudged onward, seeing the alley and counting the houses on the left. He heard a sudden feminine yelp from a house on the right and turned, noticing an open window, followed by a male grunting loudly. Ian felt another tear fall from his eye only to be absorbed into the rain drops on his face he'd basically become numb to. Ian pushed on, the feminine yelp reminding him of once more of Suzy, causing another pain in his chest and more tears to fall from his face. He got to the third house, noting the lot next door was a pile of charred wood and ash on top of exposed concrete foundations. Ian pushed the front door open with ease as he finally got some relief from the rain. Water dripped off of him with every step into the house, and he found a dusty old grey sofa to bury his face into, helping suppress his sobs. Why the fuck am I here? Why am I in the Pokemon world and why does it suck all of the sudden? With the lack of raindrops covering for his tears, they poured out. "Fuck man, what am I gonna do... Stuck in this shithole, can't stop thinking of Suzy all of the sudden..." Ian paused as the realization that made him burst into tears again crossed his mind. I'm never seeing mom again...

After a couple minutes with no shortage of sobbing, Ian blinked back tears and cleared his throat, taking his head out of the couch and eyeing the room. The green lounge chair next to his sofa didn't seem as dusty and he realized why Plumeria knew about this place. This is her spot to let it all out... He now understood he didn't actually know much about Plumeria's past, she was so tough to read and just completely mysterious but not intentionally like Hyde was. Ian sighed, taking in the rest of the living room of the house he was now taking shelter in, praying for something to take his mind off of his emotions.

One of the front windows was cracked, and the sound of rain outside and the draft he was now feeling meant one of them was shattered and unboarded. Turning to the floor, brown hardwood blended well with burgundy rug underneath the sofa and chairs. An empty TV stand rested in front of the couch, with the cupboards already swung open and looted of its valuables. A framed, dusty photo of a couple, a toddler, and a baby graced the wall to the left, and an electronic keyboard instrument rested on a stand to his left. Next to the keyboard was a long black case shaped-

Ian gasped. "No way..." He said in disbelief as he sprung from the couch with newfound energy. He found the latches on the case that surely held a classic acoustic guitar and Ian's jaw dropped as the case opened, revealing a perfectly preserved acoustic guitar. "Wow..." Ian said, a warmth bubbling up inside him all of the sudden. Ian shook the water from his hands and looked around for a towel or napkin so he could rest the guitar's wood on his lap without getting it too wet, and upon finding one in the slightly looted kitchen, returned for the instrument. He noticed a pick hanging on for dear life on the guitar's headstock and cracked a slight grin as he slid it out and brought the instrument to the couch he'd just been sobbing into minutes earlier.

He gave the strings an experimental strum and instinctively began tuning the thing. Once he'd gotten it decently enough, his hand on the neck of the guitar went naturally into the "A" chord and something clicked inside his mind. Mother's Day had only been a few weeks ago, and besides getting her flowers, chocolate, and a card with a free spa day voucher, he'd done something else for her: he'd learned to play and sing her favorite song.

He didn't even realize he'd already begun playing the ominous opening notes and continued strumming softly, almost delicately and his mouth opened involuntarily and began to sing.

I don't feel the sun's comin' out today
It's stayin' in, it's gonna find another way, yeah

A tear fell down his cheek as he caught a glimpse of the rain outside the window and shook his head as he continued on. Suddenly his mom's voice echoed in his mind with each word as he started up again.

As I sit here in this misery
I don't think I'll ever know, Lord
See the sun from here

Ian felt more tears come down his cheeks as car rides with her blasting this song flooded his memory, plus all of the little things, like holding him when he was nine when he'd broken his arm and telling him it was gonna be alright. He continued on singing the rest of the verse like it was his mom telling him what he needed.

When you feel life ain't worth living
You've got to stand up
Take a look around, look up way to the sky
And when your deepest thoughts are broken
Keep on dreamin' boy, 'cause when you stop dreamin'
You know you're gonna die, and right now I don't wanna die

The words hit him hard and he leaned over as they weighed heavily on him. He continued singing through the next verse and kept playing with every emotion he'd felt, every tear he'd shed since he arrived in Alola. This is mom's way of speaking to me… It's the only way she can. Another tear fell down his cheek as he tried to drown himself in the music once more and the challenging solo he'd forced himself to learn came up. Even though he was rusty, he forced himself to be perfect, to land each note correctly and to slide precisely like the song deserved having become the ode to the mother he'd likely never see again. Upon the solo's completion, Ian found himself with a hint of a smile on his face as he started the next verse, the guitar strums became ominous as they had at the beginning.

And oh, as I fade away
They'll all look at me and say
They'll say, "Hey look at him"
"And where he is these days?"
When life is hard, you have to change
When life is hard, you have to change

When Ian made his final strum, he exhaled and basked in the silence, a sudden sense of relief washing over him and the release of tension flowing out of him simultaneously. He closed his eyes and whispered "thanks mom," his eyes no longer watering but the words felt no less emotional. He put the guitar aside for a bit, deep in thought as the highs and lows of the past few days replayed in his mind.

He didn't know how long he remained on that couch, but by the time he'd about summed up his thoughts and feelings, the rain had stopped. So I'm here, and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about going back home, so just do the best with what I got for right now. Ian sprang up from the couch, suddenly re-invigorated. He put the guitar back in its case, telling himself he needed to find a place in Shady House to store it in the near future. He turned to exit and felt a need to give thanks to the space itself. I really needed that.

Ian made his way back up The Spine as the sun lowered in the sky, still partially covered from clouds. Shady House seemed bustling with activity and Ian wasn't quite feeling dealing with all of that, so he veered right and made his way to Backstreet. As he turned the corner to cul-de-sac, Ian noticed a familiar face standing under the training tree.

"What's up, Tupp?" Ian asked softly.

"Got my ass chewed out by the boss," Tupp said.

"Same," Ian said, a grin coming onto his face.

"You first," Tupp said.

Ian sighed, taking a spot next to Tupp, leaning back on the trunk. "I think Guzma was in a bad mood for whatever reason and took it out on me," Ian said. "I tried to have Sawsbuck grow some more berries out in the grove, but I pissed off Ariados and he came over the wall all mad at me."

Tupp nodded. "Yeah, he didn't like being the bitch in the little peace deal with Surge."

"Oh... Yeah, what happened with that?"

"We can't go in his territory again without permission and we gotta cut off relations with Outrigger for a few weeks," Tupp explained.

"Do we do a lot with Outrigger?" Ian asked.

"We get some food and stuff, but not a lot," Tupp said. "It's more the optics."

"Ah... that's why he was mad," Ian said. "So what'd he yell at you about?"

Tupp sighed. "I remembered what you told me at lunch, and I asked him how he uses his Ariados in battle since I never really paid attention to how he used it, just that he won a lot with it..."

Ian nodded, waiting on which way Tupp was about to take this.

"...and he explained he uses it exactly like you said he does. Webs 'em up, poisons them, keeps his distance until he goes in for the kill. Then he told me it's always been funny to him I never figured out how to use Golbat like that... I told him I didn't wanna fight like a bitch, and bro, he went off on me."

Ian nodded. "Asshole..."

Tupp shrugged. "Yeah well, I figured you'd come by here at some point, and I wanted to apologize to you bro. My head's been thick as Po Town's walls."

Ian shook his head. "Guzma should've told you this way back," he said, putting a fist out and to the side. Tupp fist-bumped him and the two gave each other knowing nods. "And I should've done better than to leave you high and dry in that fight."

"It's all good man. I need to get some learning done on how to use Golbat right," Tupp said.

"Only if you help me with handling Litleo," Ian said with a grin.

Tupp shook his head. "It's not that hard yo."

"I dunno, it fired an Ember at me here earlier," Ian said.

"He just testin' you, proud little shit," Tupp said. "You still got that empty Poke Ball?"

Ian reached for Sobble's ball, but wasn't sure if Tupp was ready. Sobble is pretty wimpy.

"I think I need something that's kind of skittish, get me in the zone for not just jumping into the fray, you know?" Tupp said. "Plus it'd be cool to go catch another Pokemon..."

Ian smiled, taking Sobble's Poke Ball out from his belt. "Bad news for you Tupp, I already caught something with theball."

Tupp shook his head. "My bad man, I shoulda-"

"But I caught that something for you, bro," Ian said, revealing the Poke Ball and holding it in front of Tupp. Tupp took the ball hesitantly and opened it, the red energy released onto his shoulder, manifesting the timid blue amphibian with a yellow fin on its head. Sobble gave a scared yelp and crawled behind Tupp's neck and used his head for protection as it eyed Ian cautiously.

"What's this yo?" Tupp asked.

"It's a Sobble," Ian replied. "It's a starter Pokemon trainers from Galar receive."

"I take it it's a Water Type?" Tupp said, making eye contact with his new Pokemon.

"Yup. It's pretty frail and can't take a lot of hits," Ian said. "But it can blast opponents from range."

Tupp nodded. "Sounds perfect for what I need to learn, yo." Sobble then crawled up Tupp's head and caused his hat to fall, with Sobble resting on top of Tupp's head, its light blue skin sort of blending with Tupp's blue-green hair. Sobble gave a contented trill and settled into Tupp's now messed up hair. "Lil' guy already likes me."

Ian smiled. "Yup."

Tupp's focus turned back to Ian. "Thanks bro."

Ian nodded. "I owe you a lot more than just this, bro."

Tupp shrugged. "If you say so..."

The two remained in silence for good ten to fifteen seconds before Tupp opened his mouth again. "You know bro? With you being starteejic' and shit, and me helping you get a handle on your Pokemon, we gon' be hella strong man."

Ian shrugged. "Hopefully."

Tupp shook his head, causing Sobble to almost fall off. "Nah bro, I'm being real." Tupp's grin oozed with contagious pride. "Po Town ain't gonna be ready for the two of us, yo."

Ian initially thought of downplaying things, but something about the conviction with which Tupp had made his declaration made Ian believe too and he put his fist up for another bump. "You're damn right about that bro!"

"Bro!" Tupp exclaimed, making a big deal of fist-bumping once more. "Watch out Ula'ula, Tupp and Ian are here, yo!"

Chapter Text

Chapter 11 Changes

The next morning, Ian and Tupp were rearing to go, amped on the early morning sun as they dashed to their designated tree on Backstreet when Plumeria's voice interrupted them. "Where the hell are you two numbskulls going?" Plumeria demanded.

"Gonna go train my new team member, Big Sis," Tupp said, lifting up his skull cap and revealing the hidden Sobble resting on his head.

Plumeria's jaw dropped as Sobble scurried to the back of Tupp's head, its tail clinging around the Team Skull grunt's neck. "Where'd you get that?"

"Ian gave it to me-"

Plumeria scowled and fixed her eyes on Ian. "Selene did mention something about you wanting to catch a Pokemon which is why you stuck around longer than you should've in the Ultra Storm…"

Ian shrugged. "He needs a ranged attacker."

Tupp nodded in solidarity, but Plumeria rolled her eyes. "And I clearly need to improve my squad's coordination in navigating an Ultra Storm now that we're going inside of them, thanks to Mr. Hero here. Or should I say Mr Junk-collector."

Junk collector? Oh yeah, the shards… "Yeah, I guess I earned that one with the shards…" Ian acknowledged.

"Shards? You mean that junk Guzma made me take to the dumpster yesterday?" Tupp asked.

So that's where they are. "Yeah…"

"And Big Sis, can't the squad train while Ian and I train Sobble and Litleo?" Tupp asked.

Plumeria scoffed. "Of course not, Ian's suspended from the squad, so he gets to go have fun with Rook today."

"What!?" Tupp demanded. "But me and Sobble need to get work on getting good at fighting at range and being 'starteejic' and shit-"

"Don't hurt your brain too much there, numbskull, you'll give yourself an aneurysm," Plumeria replied. "And Selene should be better for that anyways."

Ian gave Tupp a wink, making Tupp realize he had an excuse for some time with his crush. Tupp fist-bumped Ian and turned to follow Plumeria's lead. "Wait, Tupp, where's the dumpster you put the Shards in?" Ian asked.

"Down by the apartments on Windward," Tupp said lowly. "Why you askin'?"

"Need to see something," Ian said, and remembered he didn't have any place to store the Shards if he even got them. "Hey Plumeria," Ian called to Plumeria who turned around. "Are there any lockers or places to store things?"

"Besides any house that's not occupied?" Plumeria teased. "I can get you something at Tom's. You gonna learn a musical instrument while you're on suspension?"

"Ye-" Ian paused as the knowing look in Plumeria's eye caught his eye. "Well uh…"

"I'll get you one if you promise to learn a song for Rylee, okay?" Plumeria said. "With us being outside the walls training you're gonna go check up on her today."

Ian nodded. "I can do that."

"Good. Now go to Tom's, I bet he's looking for you," Plumeria said.

"Tom? I thought I was with Rook-"

Plumeria scowled at Ian and he immediately back-pedaled. "...or I could just do what you tell me. Yup. I can do that," Ian said, giving an exaggerated smile and a thumbs up.

Plumeria smirked and turned around, heading down The Spine. Ian moseyed over to Tom's shop, noticing a group of three higher ups were standing together by the shop's front door like they had been under the awning the previous day by the front gate.

"There he is, Alola Ian!" Tom's exuberant voice boomed as he locked eyes with Ian.

"The pizza boy of the hour," Rook said mockingly.

The third man Ian figured was Grillz who more resembled a biker with a bandanna than a cook, mumbled something incoherent with a gravelly voice, and Ian waved as he went to the trio unsure of his fate. "What's up?" Ian asked nervously.

"We gotta see that deer of yours," Grillz said with a harsh accent, his voice sounding like he'd eaten a pack of cigs a day as opposed to smoked them.

"Uh, sure thing…" Ian said, reaching for his Heal Ball.

Tom waved his hand to tell Ian to stop. "We don't want the algae to grow in the creek, let's do this in the grove."

Ian grimaced. "We'll just get run off by Guzma's Ariados-"

The trio of men eyed him as if he'd just said something in a different language. "Nah man, Guzma took her away this morning," Rook said.

"Really?" Ian said. "I just got bitched at yesterday-"

"Plumeria didn't tell you?" Tom asked, slightly confused. "I thought that's why she went after you when we saw you yesterday in the rain."

"What?" Ian asked, even more perplexed for a moment before it hit him. Damn, she totally heard that song yesterday. "Oh uh… she didn't say anything specifically…"

"Well, Grillz here told bossman the news," Rook said. "Ten days before we're going off of just foraging and fishing, so the compromise is Ariados can only be in there at night."

Tom and Grillz both gave Ian a grim look.

"At least he listens to you someone," Ian said, eyeing up Grillz. "And you must be Grillz, right sir?"

Rook scoffed. "Out here calling Grillz 'sir,' that's crazy."

"I figure it's a good idea to be nice to the guy who cooks the food," Ian replied.

A gravelly chuckle escaped Grillz' lips and he smiled, his fake-teeth on full display for Ian. "I like the fucker already. Let's hope his deer does what Plumeria says it does."

The group of four made their way down The Spine, getting curious looks from the Team Skull members they passed by. When they neared the gate, Ian turned to see the alley entrance he'd used the day prior and gotten everything out he'd needed to. Thanks again. Tom and Grillz were quickly deep in a different conversation, and Ian remembered who he was taking orders from for the day. Or longer.

"So Rook, I hear I'm your man for a bit?" Ian asked.

"Yup," Rook said casually. "What you end up doing is going to depend on how this all goes."

"Cool…" What happens if they're not satisfied with the rate of Sawsbuck's growth boost?

"Plumeria must like having you around if she's suspended you already," Rook observed.

"You sure about that?" Ian asked.

"She would've booted you by now, but suspending you is part of developing you, it takes time, takes effort. She wouldn't expend that for someone she didn't think would be a good team member," Rook explained.

"I didn't think of it that way," Ian admitted. "How'd you figure that out?"

"I'm in charge of the town's defense, I gotta be observant," Rook answered. "So naturally I keep an eye on the other leaders."

"Makes sense. For a second I thought you'd say something like 'pillow talk' or-"

Rook nearly gagged. "Oh hell naw, she's probaby a fucking lesbo that one, stuck up as she is."

I don't think that's fair to her, Rook… Ian remembered the heart-to-heart he'd had with Plumeria when they were on their way back from the Surge debacle in the rain. The genuine look of caring in her eyes when she told him it was going to be okay had been burned into the back of his retinas. She has to be the Big Sis to everybody, the shoulder to cry on for everyone, to be strong and still show that affection when needed… Ian exhaled in disbelief, fully realizing the burden Plumeria carried without even knowing much about her. No wonder she hates my guts, doing the crazy stuff I've done.

They were now outside of the gates and fast approaching the grove. "You're sure Ariados isn't still in here?" Ian asked aloud as they stepped off the road and into the grove. He scanned the canopy before taking Sawsbuck's Heal Ball out.

"Guzma's proud, not dumb," Grillz said.

Could've fooled me yesterday. "Watch the berries on the trees around here closely," Ian said, pointing to the low hanging branches.

"Yeah, yeah, get on with it," Grillz said impatiently.

"Show 'em what you can do, Sawsbuck!" Ian called out as he tossed the pink ball in the air. Sawsbuck manifested in a flash of red light and stretched with pride. The trees shifted and it even felt like the wind picked up if only for a moment as green bulbs swelled into flowers, branches creaked with growth, and most importantly: various fruits expanded sizably.

"Woooah," Tom said in disbelief. Grillz snorted and clicked his tongue while Rook folded his arms and nodded, impressed.

"Not bad, Pizza Boy," Rook said.

"This is all Sawsbuck," Ian said.

"Plumeria said things grow by half, maybe two-thirds… I didn't dare to believe it, but that's a solid estimate," Tom observed. "Ian, you might be saving our bacon."

"Maybe someday we'll get actual bacon on the menu at The Grill, eh?" Ian asked with a facetious smile.

"Don't burst your britches just yet," Grillz said. "Trust me, I want to grill up some good meat. It's my fucking name now."

"Oh yeah…" Ian realized.

"So Rook, you got any trainers that can harvest what's ready?" Tom asked.

Rook shrugged. "Yeah, but I want to see something first. How long does the effect last?" Rook asked.

"What?" Ian asked.

"Like, recall Sawsbuck and see if it pops again like that when it comes back out," Rook said. "Or can it only affect things every so often?"

Oh, that's really important. "Lemme see," Ian said, recalling Sawsbuck into the Heal Ball once more. Ian then released Sawsbuck again, watching the surrounding greenery carefully, but nothing shifted, nothing grew like before.

"There must be a certain amount of time to trigger the effect again," Rook said. "We need to figure out what that is before we think this has saved the town."

Finally a guy who makes sense. Maybe transferring to this guy wouldn't be a bad idea after all. "Good idea."

Rook took an electronic watch Ian hadn't noticed was on the Team Skull higher-ups wrist and handed it to Ian. "I'm gonna send some grunts over here to harvest things. When Slugg comes by, use his watch instead and get this back to me."

Ian nodded, accepting the watch and reading the time of 7:36. "Okay…" I feel like Slugg's familiar… Tupp said something about him being the fat guy, right?

"You gonna run around here a bit before settling back in for the timer?" Rook asked.

"Yeah," Ian said, hiding his mild irritation at being told something obvious while he was thinking about something else. "C'mon Sawsbuck, let's get this growing!" Ian said enthusiastically, which Sawsbuck was only happy to join in. Ian still kept his eyes peeled for Ariados, but the Alpha and its minion Spinaraks were nowhere to be seen.

Ian and Sawsbuck did a full circle, weaving in and out of the trees and brush, with Ian getting the longing to get on Sawsbuck's back and riding along through it. Prolly need Tupp's advice on that front. I also need Sawsbuck to stop being so skittish or else I'll break my neck on day one.

Ian plopped back down in the designated spot they were timing near the front, and just after 8:00 AM, a group of twenty or so Team Skull members made their way over, some carrying woven baskets on their heads, and Ian immediately spotted one that stuck out like a sore thumb: the short, tubby one trailing the rest of the group. I suppose that's Slugg, right? Kind of a screwed up name now that I see him in person.

"Okay everyone, here we are, it's harvesting time you know?" An unfamiliar female voice said with a noticeable calm in her voice. Almost like she's stoned. Ian focused on the young woman leading the group and immediately recognized the woman's distinct, pink tipped ash-blonde hair as the artist he'd been looking for, just in a Team Skull uniform. "Ribombee, show 'em what's up," Mina said in almost half a daze as a pink Poke Ball Ian recognized as a Heal Ball was sent flying into the air. I'm not the only person with one!

Ribombee manifested with its angelic, translucent wings fluttering quickly as its yellow, fuzzy body stretched out before it honed on nearby fruit-bearing trees as its black arms began plucking berries from the tree in front of it and dropping them on the ground for the basket-carrying grunts to pick up. Might not be the most hygienic way of doing it, but I guess it works.

Ian watched as other trainers let out their Pokemon, some Pikipeks, Trumbeaks, Spearow, Murkows, Hoothoots, and even a Rufflet along with members of the Fletchling line made for the canopy as fruit began falling en masse to the grove's floor.

"This is amazing!" One grunt said as they rushed by Ian and Sawsbuck. Sawsbuck seemed a bit peeved by the number of trainers and Pokemon, but Ian gave his blessed stag a comforting scratch on the back of the neck.

"So you two are the reason this is all happening?" The dazed female voice asked from beside Ian.

Ian turned, meeting Mina's dazed pair of dark eyes with his own and smiling. "Well, it's more Sawsbuck," Ian said, rubbing Sawsbuck's neck faster for a moment.

"Well that's quite handy," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Mina, one of Rook's squad leaders."

"Ian, suspended from Plumeria's squad," Ian said with an amused grin.

"She's a toughy, but she's good peeps," Mina said, looking out on the harvesting efforts for a moment before returning her attention to Ian.

"And pardon me for asking, but are you the one who painted that map in Guzma's throne room?" Ian asked.

Mina nodded. "Yup, that's me…" Mina said as she scanned her underlings once more.

"It's beautiful artwork," Ian said. "Not to mention very detailed and informative."

Mina nodded dazedly, not seeming like she was fully paying attention. "There's no reason form can't have function."

Ian gulped, realizing he might be annoying the painter. "Sorry, you probably get that a lot…"

Mina shook her head. "Not entirely just…" Mina paused as the words didn't come to her right away. "...I'm not good at receiving compliments."

Ian smiled. "Right? Like what are you supposed to do? It seems kind of played-out to just say 'thank you' but then if you don't, you're being impolite-" Ian paused as he realized Mina's gaze had become fixated on him.

"I agree…" Mina said, seemingly curious about Ian all of the sudden before returning her focus to overseeing the grunts.

A loud, labored panting hit Ian's ears as the tubby follower of Mina's group got close to Mina. "Hey Mina, sorry I'm late…" The fat, young man with pale skin and orange hair said. Why do I feel like I've seen him before?

"It's okay Sophocles," Mina said, still focused on her overseeing.

Sophocles? Like the Trial Captain of the observatories? What the hell is he doing here?

Sophocles bent over and put his hands on his knees as he continued to breath heavily. "Lemme just… catch… my breath…"

Mina shook her head. "No need. Stay here with Ian for a bit. I believe you have a watch to exchange with him."

"What- oh yeah…" Sophocles buried a hand into his black pants pocket and pulled out a mundane looking electronic watch. "Here…"

Ian handed Rook's nicer looking watch and took the slightly wet watch in his hand. I hope that's sweat… "So you're Sophopcles?" Ian asked.

"Kinda…" Sophocles answered. "Everyone else calls me 'Slugg' here."

"So what are you, the resident tech guy?" Ian asked teasingly.

Sophocles shook his head. "No, that's what I wanted to do actually…"

Ian paused, realizing he might be hitting a sensitive spot right off the bat. "I didn't mean to strike a nerve, we just met."

Sophocles shook his head. "No, it's fine. I wanted to get this internship at the observatory up there…" Sophocles pointed to the mountain towering overhead. "...before I started college, but the president of the Aether Foundation took over the thing and made it Aether only. Super lame…"

Something's not adding up here. "That's too bad…"

"Went to college for two weeks and dropped out. Whole thing's a scam anyways. Everyone will be cheating when AI really gets going," Sophocles said bitterly.

"Okay…" Ian said. "So, if you don't mind me asking, how'd you end up in Po Town?"

Sophocles grimaced. "Fucking parents sent me to live in the family mansion here, you know, Shady House, so I could get be out of the way. Then Guzma took over the town after Keahi left, and here I am, sleeping in a bunk in my own mansion with a bunch of jerks in the same room…"

Ian shrugged. "I see…"

"Been losing a lot of weight though, so that's cool…" Sophocles said, his breathing returning to normal.

Ian eyed Sopohcles' physique with some skepticism. Hate to imagine how big he was before this all went down. "Well, think of this as a very screwed up summer camp, I guess," Ian joked. "Probably better than dealing with Lusamine and Aether."

"Lusamine?" Sophocles asked in bewilderment. "Oh you mean President Mohn's wife? I don't know man, she's gorgeous. Things would be way better hanging around with her."

President Mohn? He's still around? Did he not disappear in an Ultra Wormhole? If that's the case, there are gonna be some very different things going on in this Alola.

"What about you? How'd you end up here?" Sophocles asked.

"Went to sleep at home, woke up on my bed in an Ultra Storm, Plumeria and her squad were outside of the Ultra Storm and this is day what… Six?"

"That's a cool Sawsbuck you got," Sophocles observed. "I didn't know they got that big. You catch that in Unova?"

Ian smiled nervously. "Actually, I didn't catch it there, I caught it here as a Deerling on my second day."

"It already evolved? Wow…"

"Yeah, crazy story actually…" Ian began explaining his time with Team Skull, catching Wartortle and Litleo the next day, then told Sophocles about the mission gone wrong to observe Surge's convoy. Mina came in and listened intently around this point, not asking any questions but listening curiously. When he finished his story, Sophocles looked at Ian in awe.

"That's so crazy…" Sophocles said. "I almost wish it was real, y'know?" Sophocles then laughed, causing his belly fat to bounce as he cackled hysterically and waddled into the grove.

"Great guy…" Ian muttered sarcastically.

"And he wonders why he has no friends," Mina said. "I heard the reports from Rook about you, so I know they're all true," Mina then pointed at Sawsbuck. "Plus you have the Sawsbuck and the Grassy Surge effect to prove it."

Ian smiled. "Thanks… It's a tough crowd around here."

Mina nodded. "Yeah."

"This probably wouldn't be the place I'd choose to start a new life, but oh well," Ian said with a shrug.

Mina nodded. "Yeah. My parents asked me to take care of my grandma who was here in Po Town. Not long after I got here the Ultra Rift appeared, been stuck here ever since."

"How's grandma?"

"She passed in the first month of BS," Mina said.

"I'm sorry to hear that…" Ian said.

Mina shrugged. "She was in pain. She was Keahi's mentor so that's why she came out here. Hearing about Keahi's attack on the Lake of the Sunne finally broke her though…"

Ian's eyebrows rose. Attack? The former Kahuna launched an attack on the Lake of the Sunne? No wonder she's a "former" Kahuna. "That's something I haven't heard anything about…"

Mina shrugged. "It's a sensitive spot for most people. A good chunk of Team Skull's founding members were Keahi's Cinders initially."

Keahi's Cinders, I gotta put that in the memory bank for later. "Good to know…"

Ian noticed Sophocles stumbling back over awkwardly with a Noibat fluttering behind him awkwardly. "Hey Mina, everyone's saying they're done," Sophocles announced.

Mina shrugged. "Okay, tell everyone to get back to Po Town then." Mina turned to Ian and gave him a grin. "It was nice meeting you, Ian."

"Yeah, same," Ian said, nodding respectfully.

Ian and Sawsbuck watched on as the two dozen Team Skull members made their way out of the grove with full baskets of various berries they'd collected. Ian remained planted to the experimental spot and waited, seeing it was almost a quarter past 8:00 AM. He turned to Sawsbuck and figured he'd try something. "Sawsbuck, any idea if you have control over Grassy Surge? Seems like something you'd be able to do…" Sawsbuck looked at him with a blank stare and lowered its neck to munch on some grass. It was worth a try at least.

It seemed like nothing in the grove moved for a while as Ian and Sawsbuck waited for the "cooldown" to pass. If that is in fact how it works. Ian eyed the watch, showing 8:59 and he rolled his eyes before hearing footsteps heading toward him. Sawsbuck heard them too, and both went on alert. Ian checked every dark shadow around him, trying to make sure he was ready for whatever was about to come.

The silence broke with a loud yawn, and Ian turned in a panic only to see a man with dark hair with two spikes aimed at the sky, with a black scarf that wrapped around his neck and dangled past his waist. Below his neck he wore a white kimono, flowing from shoulders to ankles on the slim man a few inches shorter than Ian. "No need to be alarmed," the man said as he ended his yawn and looked down at a piece of paper he held in his hand. "A guy named Ian with an unusually-sized Sawsbuck. I take it that's you?"

Ian eyed him with confusion, a slight hint of familiarity hitting him, but unable to place it. "Who are you?" Ian asked uncertainly.

"I'm known as 'Big G' around these parts," the man said with a certain disinterest. "But back home they call me Grimsley."

Grimsley? Why's that name sound famil- "Wait, you're Grimsley of the Unova Elite Four?" Ian blurted out in shock.

Grimsley bowed with no shortage of showmanship and smiled. "Formerly of the Elite Four, but yes."

"What are you doing in Alola?" Ian asked.

"Guy can't take a vacation? Take up Mantine surfing and never return home? What a world we live in…"

"Sorry, just… This is the last place I expected to find a person of your… magnitude."

"You calling me fat?" Grimsley asked in mocked anguish. "I should tell those Driftwood Guild idiots I didn't find the guy with the blessed Sawsbuck and be done with you."

"Driftwood Guild?" Ian asked in surprise. Oh, that Neroli chick. "Wait, they sent you to find me?"

"Ding-ding-ding, winner, WINNER!" Grimsley announced overdramatically. "I'd give you a chicken dinner but I don't have any domesticated Torchics waddling around."

"Okay… So why'd they send someone like you to find me?" Ian asked.

Grimsley gasped as if he'd been stabbed in the gullet. "Someone like 'you?' Oh please, do be gentler…" Grimsley mockingly-gasped.

"Former Elite Four for… a random guy like me?" Ian asked.

"Your Sawsbuck of course," Grimsely said. "With no Kahuna on the island, Driftwood is trying to fill in the gaps. So when Tapu Bulu decides to bless some random Faller on Team Skull, you can imagine the guild would be a little panicked."

"Makes sense… Why don't you become the Kahuna of the island? You're more than strong enough."

Grimsley scoffed. "That is the last thing I'd ever want to do. Tapu Bulu's a fickle little shit, powerful as it is. I do like a good gamble, but not when it's against a Tapu."

Ian grimaced. "So why are you here again? Helping Sawsbuck?"

"For the island, of course-"

"Don't bullshit me," Ian said with a grin.

Grimsely chuckled. "Perceptive, that's good. The Driftwood Guild has agreed to pay off my marker on a certain cruise ship's casino."

"So that's why you left Unova?" Ian asked.

Grimsely smirked. "What can I say, I like good, fun action. Unova's Elite Four found out my markers were run up about a century's worth of my salary and I had to uh… leave the country. Cruise ship was foolish enough not to do a background check on me when I got here, so I'm in this little bind, which got me here with you and your blessed deer."

"So Driftwood wants you to help me?"

"Train you specifically," Grimsley said. "Of all of the factions to land with, the trainer with the Pokemon blessed by Tapu Bulu popping up in Team Skull is easily the second worst faction for that to happen to."

"Really? I don't think they're that bad."

"Guzma's not exactly the mentoring type, and Plumeria's a solid trainer, but she's very choosy," Grimsley said. "What other Pokemon do you have besides Sawsbuck?"

Ian reached for his belt, grabbing both shrunken Poke Balls and expanded them in his hands. He released Wartortle's ball first, manifesting the shelled amphibian before them. It gave a croak and sat down.

"He doesn't seem like your biggest fan," Grimsey said.

"Wait till you meet the other one," Ian said with a sigh, releasing Litleo's ball and making the fiery lion cub appear and immediately turn to Wartortle in anger.

"Litleo, you don't see those every day," Grimsley said. "So did you catch these Pokemon or have them for a while?"

"Uh… I just got them. Sawsbuck too," Ian said. "I appeared in an Ultra Storm like six days ago."

Grimsley's eyebrows rose. "Where'd you come from?"

Ian gulped. "Unova, Nimbasa City."

"Nimbasa?" Grimsley said with almost disgust. "You sound like you're from Aspertia."

"Really?" Ian asked, realizing he wasn't sure where that was. Hopefully it wasn't a Black 2/ White 2 thing, I only played through those once.

"But whatever you say dude. You ever train Pokemon before?" Grimsley asked.

"No, although I am pretty knowledgeable," Ian said.

"We'll see about that," Grimsley said, returning his attention to Litleo and Wartortle.

Ian realized Sawsbuck was ready to bolt at a moment's notice. "C'mon Sawsbuck, settle down," Ian said. "You're a lot bigger than that Litleo."

Grimsley scoffed. "How long have you had that Sawsbuck?"

"I caught it as a Deerling on my second day, it evolved on my fourth day," Ian said. "It's been a whirlwind of a week."

Grimsley rolled his eyes. "Was Deerling really skittish?"

"Still is…"

"Deerling must've evolved too early," Grimsley said. "When Pokemon evolve too early, they're still similar mentally. Part of a proper evolution is making sure the Pokemon is mature enough to handle the evolution. Did they ever teach you that wherever you learned you 'Poke-knowledge?'"

Ian smiled nervously. "Not exactly…"

"How'd you get it to evolve anyways? Did it try to save you or something?"

"Tapu Bulu was probably about to slice my head off, then Deerling tried to intervene on its broken leg, and Tapu Bulu touched Deerling with a special energy and… Deerling evolved," Ian explained.

"Oh…" Grimsley said, deep in thought. "It's a very good thing I'm here then. We have a lot of work to do." He then made his way over to Sawsbuck, leaving Wartortle and Litleo glaring at each other menacingly.

"I mean, Sawsbuck stood up to an Alpha Crawdaunt yesterday, it's not all of that kind of afraid," Ian said defensively.

Grimsly scoffed. "If you haven't figured it out by now, a Pokemon and their trainer have a very unique bond upon being captured."

Ian nodded attentively, trying to ignore the hisses and growls coming between Wartortle and Litleo. "Actually, sir, can I recall these two before they attack each other? I want to really focus on what you're saying."

Grimsley shrugged. "Kind of defeats the point of me being here a bit, but fine. If you'll actually listen to me." Ian nodded and quickly recalled Wartortle and Litleo back in their balls and re-focused on Grimsley.

"So you were in a life or death situation when Sawsbuck stood up to that Alpha Crawdaunt, I take it?" Grimsley asked.

"Yeah, the thing was huge."

"Your Pokemon pick up on their trainer's emotions. They become attuned with your thoughts and convictions almost instantaneously. How do you think your Pokemon understand you?" Grimsley asked. "Does your Sawsbuck understand human speech?"

"I don't know actually…"

"It doesn't. Some Pokemon do, Sawsbuck isn't one of them, no matter how blessed it is," Grimsley explained. "It takes your lead though. It senses the strength or weakness in your convictions and responds to those convictions in its own way."

"So…"

"You were frightened of the massive crustacean that wanted to rip you to shreds. So was Sawsbuck-"

Oh shit. "Sawsbuck fled when he saw Crawdaunt, but when I called for him, he came back… Sorry for interrupting."

"At least I know you're listening," Grimsley said. "I never was much of a teacher now that I think of it, I mostly just taught people to gamble but in ways I could take advantage of them…" Grimsley's smiled turned rather sheepish. "Sawsbuck's timid and skittish, while Wartortle and Litleo are proud and strong. Or at least think they are. You being a new trainer still building up your confidence, those Pokemon don't respond well to your convictions, your energy."

"Like aura?" Ian asked.

Grimsley stymied a laugh as best he could but the dam broke and he began cackling like a buffoon. "What, like the 'Aura Guardians' in the comic books?" Grimsley asked as he broke into another fit of hysterical laughter, resorting to supporting himself on a tree as he continued cackling.

"It was just a question…" Ian said. "I don't really know."

"Okay, okay, I'll stop…" Grimsly said, slapping his cheek playfully. "For the record, I've actually met a real life Aura Channeler or whatever the equivalent is, but trust me, they're not anything like in the comic books. They're not allowed to partake in pro trainer battles, among a whole list of other things. Last I heard he's in a psych ward now. Being that in tune with the natural world does things to you."

"Okay…" Ian said.

"Where were we again?" Grimsley asked.

"Energy? Vibe?"

Grimsley rolled his eyes. "Don't say 'vibe' like that ever again please. But yes, your energy. Your Pokemon pick up on that. Z-Moves? Mega Evolution? That's not possible without a trainer's bond and belief in their Pokemon. You believed in Sawsbuck in that moment, and it found the courage to stand up to that Alpha Crawdaunt. Yet when you're not locked in, it's scared of a hissing Litleo. See where I'm going with this?"

Ian nodded. "I think I do."

"You must have absolute confidence in your Pokemon and be unshakable to them. They must trust you… I could go on like this for hours honestly," Grimsly stated.

Is this why Tupp's so good at handling his Pokemon? Golbat follows his orders because he believed Golbat could win in close range combat with something like a Scrafty. Even though it was dumb, Tupp still BELIEVED that could happen, and his Pokemon are incredibly devoted to him even if it's stupid. I think I get it… "So during a practice skirmish, I should be treating it like a life or death match?" Ian asked.

"No, absolutely not!" Grimsley said. "Trust is vital, and if a practice skirmish is being treated like life or death, your Pokemon will lose trust in you. They have thoughts, they observe, that's why Litleo hates your guts. It thinks you're a bitch. I assume you're going to ask it, so I'll just say it now: how does one practice the proper intensity?"

Ian nodded.

"Being in those struggles… That Crawdaunt fight I assume you won must've really strengthened the bond between you and Sawsbuck. More than weeks of training would have, honestly. He trusted you, the two of you won and your lives were saved. But that's more advanced stuff, I can already see I need to help you get on the same page with Litleo and Wartortle, and that's fundamental stuff."

Ian nodded, readying Litleo's Poke Ball.

"Now call it out like you're happy to see it. Shout its name like you would a professional wrestler!" Grimsley ordered.

Ian took a deep breath and calmed himself. He readied a booming voice and bellowed. "Litleo, the fiery lion! Let's do this!"

Litleo emerged once again, this time turning its head to Ian, not aggressively, but with a bit of curiosity, as if it hadn't seen this side of Ian before, its orange tuft not activated.

"Good, good," Grimsley commented.

Litleo then turned its attention to Sawsbuck and hissed menacingly causing its orange tuft to shimmer with different shades of orange, which in turn caused Sawsbuck to tense with fear. "Sawsbuck, Litleo's feisty, but you're bigger and stronger. Don't let him scare you!"

Sawsbuck's stance changed from being ready to bolt to a more offensive posture, eyes focusing on Litleo, who snarled back.

"Now show 'em who's boss," Grimsley said lightly.

"Double Kick!" Ian ordered. Sawsbuck bounded for Litleo, whose mouth lit up with fiery energy and leapt to intercept Sawsbuck. Sawsbuck extended one of its legs, knocking Litleo off course and onto the ground, then landed its other hoofed kick right on Litleo's neck, pinning the lion cub to the dirt. Litleo snarled and struggled underneath Sawsbuck's might. Grimsley waved Ian on, urging him to go to Litleo.

"What do I say?" Ian whispered.

Grimsley facepalmed. "Anything to encourage it. I can't do it, you have to."

Ian nodded, wracking his brain for anything as he approached and squatted next to his pinned lion cub . "Rough morning, Litleo?"

Litleo snapped its mouth angrily, causing Sawsbuck to push down a little harder for a moment, making Litleo moan a defeated whimper. "Litleo, remember the first day we met? You made mince meat out of Deerling. I know you're strong. But it hasn't even been a week, but together, Sawsbuck and I are like this now. I bet you and I could do something similar too, if you'll give me a chance." Ian watched Litleo's reaction carefully, the Pokemon not understanding his words, but somehow getting the sentiment. It processed the events in its eyes, and Ian smiled. "I can't wait to see what kind of infernal beast you'll turn into with me by your side." Ian reached out and patted Litleo's head, its fur surprisingly soft and emanating heat effortlessly.

"Very good, Ian," Grimsley said. "You're a natural. Now let Litleo up, it's probably in a lot of pain."

"Shit, yeah, sorry Litleo," Ian said, waving Sawsbuck off. Litleo scurried away from the blessed stag, but notably didn't have the same aggression it had before.

"That's good for now, let's get Wartortle out," Grimsely said.

Ian nodded in agreement, recalling Litleo and smiling at its Poke Ball. "It was nice to see that side of you, dude," he said as he exchanged Poke Balls for Wartortle and thought of how to best pump up his bitter turtle. "Wartortle, the honored veteran of my team, I choose you!" He called out as he released it. Wartortle didn't seem hostile, it just eyed Ian with a look of skepticism. Or maybe Wartortle just has "resting scowl face."

Wartortle made the first move, pointing at Sawsbuck and nodding before extending its arms and flailing them for a moment. Wartortle then croaked in succession, almost like a laugh, then bowed suddenly.

"Wait what?" Ian asked.

Grimsley smiled proudly. "Wartortle's accepting you."

"Really?"

"A little bit of flattery can go a long way. Plus Pokemon can sense what's going on outside their Poke Balls, especially their trainers' emotions. It must have felt what you felt fighting that Alpha," Grimsely explained.

Ian then knelt down to Wartortle, who had finished its bow and looked right into the eyes of his turtle with the battered shell. "Wartortle, thank you. You're strong, and I promise I'm going to work every day to help us become stronger. It won't always be perfect, but I will always be trying to get better. Got it?"

Wartortle nodded seriously, then motioned to his Poke Ball. Ian shrugged. "Whatever floats your boat, Wartortle." Ian recalled Wartortle and held it up to his forehead as if saying a prayer of gratitude for a moment.

"Well that went well," Grimsley said, his focus returning to Sawsbuck. "But I didn't Mantine Surf all of the way from Akala this morning for a twenty minute training session. Let's see what this blessed Sawsbuck I've heard about can do!"

Chapter Text

Chapter 12 Developing Bonds

Ian did his best to push himself up onto Sawsbuck's back, unable to swing his leg around without losing his balance. Sawsbuck mewled in response, but held steady. "And UP you go!" Grimsley called out as Ian felt his feet being forced up by Grimsley's hands and onto Sawsbuck's bareback.

"You okay, bud?" Ian asked his blessed stag. Sawsbuck shifted its feet a bit, but didn't seem too perturbed by having a rider on its fuzzy back.

"How's it feel?" Grimsley asked.

"Kinda weird," Ian replied.

Grimsley grunted. "I was asking Sawsbuck. Not many of his kind end up having a grown human male on their back."

"Oh…"

Grimsley eyed the duo and nodded approvingly before turning around waltzing to some brush behind him.

"Should we follow?" Ian asked.

"No!" Grimsley said quickly. "I'm looking for something…"

"What thing? I can help-"

Grimsley sliced the air with his hand, ruffling the material of his kimono to emphasize Ian to shut up. Point taken. Grimsley maneuvered around the area, staying within eyesight as he checked each bit of plant life on the tree before him until he suddenly raised his hands and cheered. "Perfect!"

"What is it?" Ian asked, still confused.

Grimsley swiped something thin from the tree and brought over what appeared to be a vine to rider and ridden, draping the vine around Sawsbuck's neck. "There!"

Ian eyed the now dead vine skeptically. "This is what's so important? Isn't it dead now?"

"Of course it's dead now. But something tells me Sawsbuck here can use it," Grimsley said, patting Sawsbuck's lower neck and waving the vine in front of Sawsbuck's face. "C'mon Sawsbuck, breathe some life into this vine!"

Sawsbuck gave an awkward sounding cry before its fur began to glow green with Grass Type Energy. The vine sprang to life, surging with growth as it snaked around its body, the vine even leading up to the base of Sawsbuck's antlers, the ripped tip seemingly melding into the base of the antlers. Ian watched in amazement as the glow began to fade and the vine settled around Sawsbuck's body.

"Now get off and try getting back on again," Grimsley said.

Ian swung his leg over awkwardly before pushing himself to the edge and falling off Sawsbuck's back as opposed to leaping. Ian then turned back around to re-mount his blessed stag, praying the whole experience wasn't too uncomfortable for it. "Okay Sawsbuck, I'm gonna try this again…" Ian warned, trying his best to leap on Sawsbuck's back, but only getting his feet off the ground and in a way he wasn't able to swing one around.

"Sawsbuck, use that vine to help your guy out," Grimsley ordered casually.

Suddenly, Ian felt a force lift up his legs and propel him onto Sawsbuck's back smoothly, and when Ian looked to see what happened he saw the vine that had become into Sawsbuck's being now moved independently, like a limb all its own. "That's amazing Sawsbuck!" Ian said in disbelief. Sawsbuck gave a mewling cheer and shuffled excitedly.

"Now Sawsbuck, how about you do a slow little ride around here?" Grimsley said with a proud smile.

Sawsbuck began moving hesitantly, still getting used to moving gracefully with an added 170 pounds of person on its back. Ian wished he had something to grab onto to steady himself, then the vine rose up in front of him as if to answer his desire. This is so cool.

As Sawsbuck got more comfortable with Ian on his back, his pace quickened to a robust trot before getting back to the spot where Grimsley awaited with a huge grin. "Not bad there, newbie."

Ian nodded, a genuine smile across his face as he got more accustomed to riding his blessed stag. "Grimsley I can't thank you enough for this…"

"You're welcome, young man. But you should be thanking the Driftwood Guild, they're the reason I'm over here," Grimsley explained.

Ian shook his head. "I feel like I'm gonna owe them something now, which I guess is fine, but it's already making me suspicious since I don't know what I'm going to have to give back."

"Everything has a price," Grimsley said with a sinister smirk. "But let's save that chicanery for a later day-"

Ian gasped as a green pulse of energy came from Sawsbuck and the surrounding vegetation shifted with growth. Berries that were halfway grown became fully ripened in moments, the grass underneath rose higher up, and already flowering plants grew more bulbs that bloomed as well. Tree branches creaked as they grew and grew heavier with fruit on them, and Grimsley gasped as he witnessed the effect firsthand.

"Incredible…" Grimsley said.

"I still haven't gotten used to it," Ian said, checking Slugg's watch and seeing it was just after 10:35. Since the first time was right before 7:36, so that makes things about three hours. Meaning the next effect should pop at 1:35.

"So is this how you're staving off starvation?" Grimsley asked.

Ian opened his mouth to affirm the idea, but stopped as he realized that might be strategic information and while Grimsley had been extraordinarily helpful to Ian, if he owed the Driftwood Guild, he was a spy as well. "I uh…"

"Driftwood knows Po Town's food stores are dwindling," Grimsley said. "They've known for a while."

"Ah…"

Grimsley extended a hand to Ian, which Ian shook. "I owe Driftwood but I'm not their bitch. All they want from me is info on how you are as a person and as a trainer. Also if you're improving at all."

"Oh, that doesn't sound too bad…"

"Well, that's what's going on for now. I don't know what their plans are with you, but Sawsbuck's blessed by Tapu Bulu and that's something big to them," Grimsley explained. "They seem to have good intentions when it comes to you at least."

Ian shrugged. "I guess… And Big G, I gotta ride around here and make sure Sawsbuck's effect hits the rest of the grove."

"Of course," Grimsley said, extending his arm as if allowing Ian to leave. "I'll go get lunch if that's the case. I take it you'll be back out here soon?"

"Probably in an hour," Ian said.

Grimsley took a smartphone out and pressed something. "See you then."

Ian was tempted to ask Grimsley if he could see Grimsley's smartphone but decided against it. Grimsley turned around and showed the phone to Ian. "I don't have any service on this island. Only place that does is Malie City nowadays."

"You read my mind," Ian said, giving Sawsbuck a gentle pat. "Hey Sawsbuck, time to make sure this whole grove gets growing. Let's ride!" With that Sawsbuck bound into motion and Ian held onto the vines that had become a de-facto reins. Sawsbuck dashed quickly, forcing Ian to hold on tight, realizing he was going to need a lot more than just vine-substitute reins. "Let's not get too crazy just yet, Sawsbuck," Ian said cautiously. Sawsbuck slowed, but Ian still couldn't wipe the grin off of his face as Sawsbuck sauntered throughout the grove with Grassy Surge's bountiful effect spreading all the while.

***
After walking out of the Pokemon Center with bags of Pokemon food for Sawsbuck, Wartortle, and Litleo, Ian made his way up The Spine to Tom's makeshift warehouse, seeing no one at the sight-obstructed walk up window and making his way over. "Is Tom around?" Ian asked.

"Let me get him," a slightly deep feminine voice said. "Who's asking?"

"Ian," he answered.

The girl left quickly and came back twenty seconds or so later. "He'll be out front in a bit."

"Thanks!" Ian said and went to the front entrance for the warehouse workers. Not long after, Tom appeared, sweat dripping from his brow. "Alola, Ian."

"Alola, Tom," Ian said. "It's three hours."

Tom's eyebrows rose. "Three hours? That's not bad. Four times with the sun up, maybe sneak another one in before Guzma lets Ariados back out… Are they still growing at fifty percent rate?"

Ian nodded. "Yup."

Tom pumped his fist. "That's two harvests a day. We'll have proper numbers at the end of the day, but Grillz said that the first harvest was really good. Should Rook send more people to do it?"

"He's already doing it, saw him first," Ian said before changing the topic. "And did Plumeria tell you about the locker I was hoping to get?"

Tom nodded. "Yup, you've more than earned it now," Tom said. "Let me take you in the back and show you." Tom signaled Ian to follow as he opened the front door. Tom's warehouse initially looked like a mini mart but with shelves stocked with various hardware items instead of snacks and drinks. A couple people dressed in outfits clearly not from Team Skull seemed to be working on building a cabinet where the cash register was in the store's mini-mart past. Tom led him past the storefront side and into a back hallway cluttered with boxes, eventually reaching a room with a bank of lockers that looked more fitting for professional athletes. Tom knocked on the outside of one and grabbed an open lock with a key in it. "Don't go losing the key now, there aren't any duplicates."

Ian nodded. "Appreciate you, man. Can I gather some stuff and come back to put them here?"

Tom nodded. "Of course. Next time you can ask Betty to just let you in, you seem cool enough."

Ian nodded. "Gotcha." He noticed the locker next to his had a big "H" spray painted in yellow on it. I sure hope that isn't Hyde's locker.

***

After going to Grillz for an early lunch of even more questionable than usual mystery meat and stopping by Shady House to get his EXP Candy, Ian did have to hop into the dumpster to get the Shards, but Sawsbuck's vines were also helpful in fishing out other, more inaccessible Shards. He brought his collection back to Tom's, where he came face to face with Betty when she opened the door for him. She had black curls and a dazzling smile on her pale skin. Ian did his best to hide his attraction so he'd act more non-chalant, but as he followed her down the hallway to his locker something occurred to him. Guess I'm finally getting over that Suzy nonsense.

He put the Shards away and reached for the Large EXP Candy from his pocket, but decided to keep it with him. Grimsley might know what's up with it. Ian made his way down The Spine as the sun shone overhead. As he passed by the gate, Rook called to him. "I hope you're not doing anything you're not supposed to be," Rook warned.

"What? Isn't my new job to just sit in the grove and grow berries?" Ian asked.

"Yeah. But a new Ultra Storm is popping up not too far away. Plumeria's squad is heading to it as we speak," Rook explained.

"Aren't they out training?" Ian asked.

"They came back here to get supplies real quick," Rook said. "Plumeria wanted to make sure you didn't get some dumb idea in your head."

Ian rolled his eyes. "I'm suspended, I know I can't. Plus this town ain't gonna feed itself," Ian said, slightly annoyed.

Rook smiled. "Good."

Ian continued on past the gate, wondering if he should actually be riding Sawsbuck, but decided against it. If Grimsley's sticking around for more training, Sawsbuck's going to need all of the rest it can get. Ian got the grove, noting there were still a couple hours before Sawsbuck's effect popped again. As the grove came into view, he noticed the same chaotic mass of trainers and Pokemon running around the grove, harvesting what they could. He spotted Mina overseeing from the spot he'd initially been and headed her way.

"Hey there Mina!" Ian called out as he approached.

Mina turned the same, disinterested look on her face, but she'd tied up her Skull tank in front, showing her bare midriff and putting a bit more emphasis on her chest. Ian forced himself to take his eyes off her torso, meeting her half-open eyes. I hope she didn't notice. "Oh hey man," Mina said casually. "You should've seen the look on Grillz' face when we brought the first harvest over to him."

"I hope he's washing them," Ian replied.

"Oh yeah, he may look grungy and grimey but he's a stickler for cleanliness in his kitchen," Mina said.

"I'll take your word for it," Ian said, shifting his focus to the grove at large. Immediately he spotted Sophocles bending over awkwardly to pick up a Nanab Berry on the ground, a Noibat fluttering above him patiently.

"What do they have you doing later?" Mina asked.

Ian shrugged. "I gotta stay out here and do some training. Even though I'm on suspension I can't sit back and do nothing, even if I'm supposed to just stay here. Plus Plumeria said I have to go say hi to Rylee with Auntie Pula."

"She's the new Faller girl at the kiddy school, right?" Mina asked.

"I think so?" Ian said uncertainly.

Mina smiled. "I'm teaching art class with them later. Maybe I'll run into you." With that, Mina made her way deeper into the grove to oversee her subordinates in their harvesting efforts. Ian's eyes followed her for a bit, noticing her hips moving in a bit more of an exaggerated fashion than before, mesmerizing his vision. He felt blood rushing to his cheeks and grunted as the slight hint of butterflies in his stomach turned to a pang of guilt. This feels weird being attracted to a girl I know as a video game character. Although I don't know how much leeway my old world morality would give me for this as it never accounted for my life literally going into a realistic version of a video game world… At least she's an adult.

Ian decided now was as good a time as any and released all three of his Pokemon so they could eat their lunch. Litleo eyed Sawsbuck warily at first but quickly got to scorching its food pellets. Ian left Wartortle's pellets in the plastic bag he'd been given and held them up for easy access. Wartortle ate quickly, but didn't have the same disdain for Ian like he had before. Baby steps. Ian felt the Large EXP Candy in his pocket and reminded himself he needed to ask Grimsley about it.

"Woah, you have a Wartortle and a Sawsbuck? That's so cool!" Sophocles exclaimed as he got close to Ian, breathing heavily as he walked on by slowly.

"Sawsbuck here is the reason why these berries are growing so fast," Ian said.

"I guess you weren't lying earlier," Sophocles said, leaving as quickly as he had entered. Ian heard Mina directing her squad back from the grove, and Ian watched on as the exodus of twenty-ish trainers left him alone in the grove once more.

Wartortle gave a high-pitched croak and Ian realized the bag was empty. Wartortle nodded, then pointed at Ian's belt. Oh yeah. "Okay then bud, in you go." Litleo yawned and made its way over to Ian, curling up in a ball beside him. He noticed Litleo's eyes remained open, watching Ian carefully, but it was the first time Ian had seen Litleo relax. Sawsbuck seemed to enjoy the outdoors, not wandering too far off but roaming curiously. When Sawsbuck gave a playful call, Ian turned his head and smiled, seeing Grimsley strolling his way.

"Grimsley, just who I wanted to see. I got something I need to show you," Ian said, reaching for the EXP Candy in his pocket. He had a hard time getting the light blue double pyramid out of his pocket, but finally did so.

"The hell is that?" Grimsley asked.

"I'm not sure…" Ian began. "But when Sawsbuck and I defeated the Alpha Crawdaunt in the Ultra Storm, it got wormhole'd away and dropped this afterwards." Ian handed the bulky candy to Grimsley who eyed it curiously,

"You sure it's not Crawdaunt poop?"

Ian rolled his eyes. "You're not the first to say that, but I think it may have been some reward for beating the Ultra Storm's Alpha."

Grimsley chuckled. "Like a video game? If this was a video game it definitely have to be the worst one ever." Grimsley eyed the candy one more time and then tossed it behind him carelessly.

"Wait-" Ian protested.

"Back to training, not light blue curiosities," Grimsley said dramatically.

Ian eyed the candy and shook his head. "Gotcha…"

"So are you ready for more?" Grimsley asked loudly.

"Yeah!" Ian fired back. Litleo scrambled to its feet and hissed at Grimsley menacingly. "He's a friend, Litleo, c'mon." Litleo relaxed a bit, no longer hissing, but watching Grimsley carefully.

"I see Litleo's warmed up to you already," Grimsley noted. "What do you know about Litleo's moveset so far?"

"Uh… I think he's got Ember, Fire Fang…" Ian's voice trailed off as he realized he didn't really know what his Litleo could really do. In my defense, he has spit fire at me more times than he's let me touch him.

"Tackle? Leer?" Grimsley said.

"I haven't gotten to really know him yet. You saw the moment he stopped wanting to spit fireballs at me about an hour and a half ago," Ian explained. He turned to Litleo, noticing it was no longer at his side, but was trotting over to the EXP Candy. We just started getting along Litleo, the last thing I need for you is to evolve and wipe away all of this progress. "Litleo, no!" Ian commanded angrily. Litleo froze and turned to Ian, slightly annoyed, but trotted back, slightly defeated. Maybe it's just food, but I can't take that chance, not until I've bonded with Litleo more.

"Hmmm…" Grimsley said, eyeing Ian curiously. "So you seriously think that thing is a reward of sorts?"

Ian shrugged. "I mean, I'm not sure…"

Grimsley shook his head and sucked his teeth. "You're a very easy guy to read, Ian," Grimsley began. "As a notorious poker junkie, I had to get very good at reading people, and something tells me you know what that thing is."

Ian gulped, unsure of what to say.

"So tell me, what do you think it is?" Grimsley asked.

When did EXP Candies like this start, in Sword and Shield? They were rewards from Dynamax Raids… Here goes something. "You ever hear about Dynamax Raids in the Galar region?"

Grimsley nodded. "Yes, but they're pretty rare nowadays. The League there keeps them pretty under control."

Ian gulped nervously once more, trying to put the straightest face on he could. "I read about the raids, and this book said the Dynamax Pokemon would drop these light blue candies of varying size," Ian explained. "When fed to Pokemon, they'd get stronger, like they were gaining special power from defeating a powerful enemy."

Grimsley grimaced. "Sounds kinda video-gamey to me, but I got no idea what it is…" Grimsley paused and his grimace grew. "If that is in fact what it is, then don't go telling people. Surge and Breon are powerful enough without something like this getting to them."

Ian nodded. "Gotcha…" Ian said, scampering over to pick up the candy and struggling to put it in his pocket that was clearly too small. "So what next?"

"Litleo again," Grimsley said, his eyes focusing on Ian's cub. "I take it that Litleo has an aggressive battling style?"

"When I've been battling it, yes. Wait, I did send it out against a Machamp and it went right at it, so yeah, definitely…"

"A Machamp? Ouch," Grimsley said.

"It was when one of Surge's goons was chasing me," Ian said.

"Surge?" Grimsley asked with a cringe. "You see his Zapdos?"

Ian nodded grimly. "Yeah. Hopefully never doing another mission like that again."

"Hopefully," Grimsley said with a chuckle. "Even if I still had my full Elite Four team I wouldn't go near that guy."

"Full Elite Four team?" Ian asked.

"Let's just say I wasn't allowed to flee Unova with my Pokemon. If you ever end up being a good trainer, don't piss off that biggest sponsor of that region's Pokemon League and let's leave it at that."

"Oh that's awful…" Ian said, eyeing Sawsbuck and Litleo. I haven't even had my partners for a week and I already feel terrible about even thinking of losing them in such a way. I suppose the bond catching Pokemon creates goes both ways.

"But I got Pokemon to help you out. C'mon out Liepard!" Grimsley announced, throwing a Poke Ball into the air. The purple leopard Pokemon with a very long tail appeared, purring mischievously.

Litleo tensed and readied itself, Ian noticed its tuft of fur didn't start flickering. "Hey Grimsley, any idea what's up with Litleo's fur tuft on its head? For some battles he gets really riled up and it starts flickering and changing color, but others he doesn't."

"Litleo's ability, Rivalry," Grimsley explained.

"You mean it does extra damage to males but less to females?" Ian asked, a little crestfallen.

Grimsley shrugged with a nervous smile. "Kind of? It's not just the opposing Pokemon's sex though. Prey animals, Pokemon it has considered rivals all qualify."

"Well I guess that's something…" Ian said. "So what's Liepard out for?"

"Very important mobility training," Grimsley answered. "Litleo can't take many hits, but when evolved can hit very hard. Agility is key, especially since it can't learn any speed buffs."

"Okay…"

"Ian, your first exercise with Litleo is simple: Liepard is going to chase it, and Litleo cannot be caught. No attacks are allowed, got it?" Grimsley asked.

"Yeah…" Ian turned to Litleo and knelt down. "Litleo, no attacking Liepard okay? Do your best to keep away from it."

Litleo eyed him with annoyance briefly before looking at Liepard and growling lowly. Liepard crouched, its eyes locked on Litleo. "Begin!" Grimsley announced. Liepard sprang into action, leaping forward as Litleo tried to bolt to the side. Liepard's leap had anticipated Litleo's direction and landed a couple feet from the startled Litleo. Ian's cub panicked for a moment, trying to scurry away at an angle, only for Liepard's long, agile legs to catch up and tap Litleo at the base of its tail. Litleo hissed angrily, but did not retaliate.

"Well that was fast…" Ian said with a grunt.

"You and Litleo must be elusive," Grimsley lectured.

"Liepard guessed which way Litleo was gonna go," Ian said in protest.

Grimsley sucked his teeth and shook his head. "That was all observation. Liepard could tell which way Litleo wanted to go and leapt accordingly. Part of being elusive means not telegraphing your next move."

Ian grimaced. "I'm probably the last person who can tell Litleo how to be more of a cat than itself."

Grimsley rolled his eyes. "Then why are you training Pokemon in the first place?"

Ian opened his mouth to protest but found no words.

"You're not going to teach Litleo how to move more quickly. But you can give him tips on being unpredictable, how to improve his stance to make his movements more spontaneous and easier to bound off from. Let's try it again. Liepard, back to me!"

Ian nodded, eyeing Litleo with more scrutiny than before. "Let's get ready, Litleo." Immediately Litleo crouched, its gaze turned to its left for a moment before re-focusing on Liepard. He is telegraphing his movements...

"Go!" Grimsley shouted.

"Right!" Ian ordered, pointing to his right. Litleo had already stepped left but went right a bit clumsily as it re-balanced. Liepard landed from its leap where Litleo would've gone, then bounded for Litleo on the other side of Ian. Litleo had already picked up steam and continued fleeing from the faster, more lithe predator.

Liepard caught up in just a few seconds as Litleo tried to get behind a tree, only for Liepard to pat the base of Litleo's tail with its paw, ending the chase.

"Better," Grimsley said. "What went wrong though?"

"Litleo was telegraphing its move and was off balance at the start," Ian said as Litleo trotted back to his side once again. "Considering Litleo's a predator, it's not used to being hunted like prey…"

Grimsley smiled triumphantly. "Very good young Ian. Now try explaining that to Litleo."

Ian knelt down and began caressing the back of Litleo's neck. His cub tensed for a moment before realizing the sensation was very relaxing and he purred involuntarily. "Now Litleo, you're not used to being hunted so it makes sense you're no good at running from other Pokemon. But for battling other Pokemon, you're going to have to be quick and decisive," Ian paused for a moment as he reflected on the prior chase again. "I told you to go a different way, but Liepard's reading where you're going to go. Don't look, just know." I"m sure Litleo didn't understand a lick of that, but it's worth a shot. Ian, still kneeling, looked at Grimsley, uncertainty in his face.

Grimsley pointed at him. "What's with the uncertainty? You said no lies. Now show Litleo you believe in him."

Ian nodded, inhaling deeply. "Right now you're not the strongest…" Grimsley eyed him disapprovingly but Ian re-focused on Litleo. "...but we both are going to become stronger. I've got to figure out how to help you effectively, and you gotta learn to be more elusive. This will be the first step on our journey together, but I know that someday soon, we'll both be strong and we won't be cowering away from anything." Ian felt the air around Litleo suddenly warm up, and Litleo gave an intense growl, his eyes narrowing on Liepard.

Ian caught Grimsley with a proud grin for a moment but figured it was best to keep his attention on Litleo. "You ready?"

"Now!" Grimsley called out. Liepard sprang into action, this time not leaping and staying closer to the ground. Litleo needed no orders as it pushed off the ground to the left. Liepard followed quickly, closing in, but Litleo ran into a nearby shrub. Liepard dove in, but suddenly yelped in surprise. Litleo scurried out, passing Ian as the shrub began shaking frantically. Once Litleo was well enough away, Liepard stepped out rather clumsily before looking for its target once more. Ian realized even he'd lost track of Litleo at this point. Excellent job little guy.

"C'mon Liepard, I know you're better than this," Grimsley said almost tauntingly. Liepard crouched, closing its eyes and seemed to sniff the air for a moment.

"Litleo wins this one," Grimsley said. "But let's see how it ends."

"What?"

"Liepard's just used Laser Focus," Grimsley admitted. "I want to see how Litleo reacts."

Liepard then leapt into action once more, locking onto a set of bushes and closing in. Liepard gave a loud battle cry as it dove in, but froze up suddenly as a loud, high pitched, whining roar came forth from the brush.

"Noble Roar, very nice," Grimsley observed. Liepard reached into the bushes but yelped in pain, moving back to the open area. The bush rustled and Liepard jumped in, this time more confidently. The bushes shook as the feline Pokemon hissed and yipped at each other until Litleo came out of the bushes with a number of scratches but still looking like it was mid-brawl. Liepard dove out and sneered at Litleo, raising a paw threateningly. Litleo gave another Noble Roar, which with its high pitch sounded like a whine, but Liepard once again recoiled from the threat.

"Way to stand up for yourself, Litleo," Grimsley said. "Liepard, that's good, c'mon back."

Ian watched as Liepard glared at Litleo menacingly but turned and gracefully made its way back to Grimsley, where he had comforting pets waiting for his purple feline.

Ian pumped his fist excitedly as Litleo scampered over to him. "Excellent job, buddy," Ian said with a big smile. "That was great." Litleo gave a cheering growl and presented the back of its neck for pets, which Ian happily gave.

"Don't get too celebratory yet! Let's see what Litleo can really do!" Grimsley called out.

Ian's eyes met Litleo's, both of them with fiery passion in their eyes. "Hell yeah!" Ian called out, pumping his fist excitedly as the tuft of fur on Litleo's head began to shimmer with different colors.

***

Hours later when Grimsley had deemed it to be enough training for the day, Ian had the biggest grin on his face. Sawsbuck had started getting used to having a rider and they dashed around the grove, showering it in Tapu Bulu's blessing. Wartortle had been rather sour when brought out of his ball for target practice on Liepard, but Wartortle was surprisingly adept with its aim, and Grimsley saw little need to go too crazy on it. Litleo and Liepard sparred with actual moves this time around, and Grimsley had a few Potions and ointments to fix up the sparring partners after the particularly rough rounds. Ian checked Sophocles' watch and figured he had another couple hours before he needed to bring Sawsbuck back out to the grove to spur more growth. His Pokemon had earned a rest, and he had an order from Plumeria he had to fulfill.

He made his way to Plumeria's secret spot and grabbed the guitar case before remembering he wasn't exactly sure where the kiddy school was. Maybe it's called Auntie Pula's? Maybe it's the orphanage? Jeez that sounds grim. He made his way to the canal where the park was, remembering that was the first time he saw kids in Po Town. After searching aimlessly, carrying the bulky guitar case, Ian spotted Stompz, the dark-skinned guy with the English-Galarian accent. "Hey Stompz!" Ian called out.

Stompz eyed Ian suspiciously and then it clicked. "Oi sweet, bossman let you in. How's it going?"

"Do you know where the kiddy school is? Plumeria's making me do a thing," Ian explained.

"Go to City Hall and I bet you'll hear 'em," Stompz said with his accent very apparent.

City Hall, that's next to The Grill, right? Ian did find City Hall and while he couldn't hear the kids, another Skull member pointed him in the right direction. There was just one big, colorful classroom with kids of various ages, all between five and ten by the looks of it, busily drawing with some crayons. He got a weird look from the brown-skinned native woman with greying hair and he waved nervously.

"There he is," Mina's slightly disinterested voice said.

"Oh you're who Plumeria said was coming by?" The older woman asked.

Ian nodded. "Probably. Auntie Pula, I assume?"

She nodded and smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, and you are…?"

"Mister Ian, Mister Ian!" An excited voice called out. Rylee got out of her chair and rushed over to Ian and squeezed his leg with a hug.

"Oh, how do you know Ian?" Auntie Pula asked sweetly.

"Mr. Ian saved me from the giant lobster!" Rylee bragged, squeezing his leg even harder.

"Giant lobster?" Mina said with an amused smirk.

"Plumeria said it was an Alpha Crawdaunt, not a lobster," Auntie Pula said.

Ian nodded. "Yeah…"

"And when Ms. Selene took me away, Mr. Ian fought it all by himself!" Rylee continued.

Ian smiled. "Aw c'mon, you're making me blush."

Rylee then looked up to him again, her elated smile having disappeared and replaced with a look of concern. "Where's Ms. Selene?"

"She's with Plumeria and the squad, they're out on a mission," Ian answered as he knelt down.

"Why aren't you with her Mr. Ian? What if the giant lobster comes back?" Rylee asked.

Ian chuckled. "I got in trouble, I'm on timeout."

"What, why!?" Rylee demanded.

"Okay Rylee, enough bothering our guest. You have to get back to your drawing," Auntie Pula said.

Ian got up from his crouch and noticed Mina watching him, curiosity in her eyes. He felt his cheeks going red and turned to his guitar. Mina made her way over to him. "So, you bring that thing just for show?" Mina asked with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Well, Plumeria said I gotta play some music for the kids or something," Ian whispered.

"You can play while they work. Just nothing too loud please," Mina said.

Ian nodded, immediately thinking of the various Pokemon game soundtracks and grinned. "I can definitely do that." After getting his guitar out, he went through the catalogue of songs in his mind and settled on an easy, relaxing one that had a certain tenderness to it. Iki Town at Night. Ian found a stool to sit on and tuned up the guitar a bit before beginning to play. He caught the kids stealing glances at him as he did every so often, but he tried to keep things soft and mellow so it wasn't so distracting. He switched up the songs every so often, trying to keep the same vibe until Mina gave him the signal.

"Alright class, show Ms. Mina what you've been working on!" Auntie Pula announced. The class held up their drawings and Mina went by each kid with a big smile, congratulating them and complimenting something about their work.

"And class, what do we say to Mr. Ian for coming by and playing music for us during art class?" Auntie Pula said.

"Thank you Mr. Ian!" The class said in unison.

"Thanks for having me," Ian said, unable to wipe the grin off his face if wanted to.

"With art class being over, you know what time it is!" Mina said.

"Recess!" The class shouted in unison. The students began scurrying around excitedly, heading for the door. Ian started putting his guitar away, but Auntie Pula came up to him.

"Thank you for coming by, Ian," Pula said with a genuine smile. "Will we be seeing you around more often?"

"No clue, depends on how long this suspension from Plumeria lasts," Ian said.

A sudden burst of excitement came from outside and Pula rolled her eyes, "I best go see what that is."

Ian nodded and continued putting his guitar away. Upon exiting the school and seeing the kids on the playground, Ian realized he recognized who the commotion was about. Plumeria was surrounded by five kids all trying to hug her, while Rylee and another little girl were hugging Selene and Rapp excitedly. Ian couldn't help but smile some more until Plumeria made eye contact with him and shooed the excited kids off, heading over to him.

"So you can follow orders," Plumeria said, voice oozing with attitude.

Ian sighed. "Yup. I don't suppose you're gonna call my suspension over, are you?"

Plumeria shook her head, causing her long, dyed pigtails to shake wildly. "Not a chance. Might just extend it cuz the kids like you so much."

Ian grimaced, stifling a groan as Plumeria got pulled away by different kids. He sighed, picking up his guitar as he did before Auntie Pula appeared next to him.

"I know Plumeria's a tough cookie to swallow sometimes, but she means well. She's the glue that holds this whole town together," Auntie Pula explained.

Ian nodded, looking to see the kids surrounding Plumeria once more and screaming "Big Sis" excitedly. I'm starting to see that.

"Hey Ian, over here! I wanna show you something," Rapp called to him.

Ian trudged over, guitar in tow and he noticed Selene listening to Rylee attentively. "...I wanted to draw the giant lobster but Ms. Mina said the drawing had to be a flower…"

Selene giggled. "Giant lobster? Make sure you put me and Ian in the picture."

"And your big tiger and deer!" Rylee exclaimed.

"So what's up, Rapp?" Ian asked, refocusing on his not as busy squad member.

"I got a nasty cut in the Ultra Storm when this grass Pokemon used Razor Leaf on Hyde's Torracat," Rapp explained. "Started bleeding pretty bad…"

Ian noticed neither of Rapp's arms appeared hurt at all. "Okay…"

"But then this Pokemon came up to me and healed it with its tears!" Rapp said excitedly.

"It's so pretty, c'mon, show 'em," Selene urged.

Rapp smiled and took a Poke Ball from her belt and opened it. The flash of light materialized into a short, white unicorn-looking Pokemon. It had pure, white fur and a busy mane and tail made of pastel colors that shimmered with a magical glow. Is that a-

"Ponyta!" Rapp exclaimed.

"A Galarian one at that," Selene said.

The kids took notice of the new Pokemon and rushed over, surrounding the trainers as they hammered Rapp and Selene with questions.

"One at a time please, one at a time," Selene said. "We don't want to scare her, she's shy."

Ian realized his cheeks hurt and it was because he was smiling so much. He picked up his guitar case and figured now was as good a time as any to take it to Tom's locker. He gave one last look to the schoolyard and smiled once more. He then realized Mina was looking right at him and gave him a playful wink, and Ian felt blood rushing to his cheeks almost immediately. He nodded at her and waved goodbye, leaving in a nervous hurry. Well that's interesting…

Chapter Text

Chapter 13: The Monster in the Meadow

"Litleo, Ember!"

"Sobble, Water Gun!" Tupp bellowed intensely.

Litleo spat out a burst of flames which were quickly extinguished by a precise stream of water. Sobble lowered its aim and fired another stream of water at Litleo, who bounded to his right quickly and began closing in on Sobble with an unreal quickness, its mouth aglow with burgeoning flames.

"Get Sobble to fall back!" Ian called out to Tupp.

"Sobble, uh-"

Litleo crashed into Sobble, taking it to the ground but not biting the scared amphibian as it cowered in terror. Coaching Tupp to completely change his battle style was never going to be easy, but boy did I underestimate how hard it would actually be. Maybe I'm just a bad coach.

Litleo released Sobble from the hold on it and scampered back to Ian, beaming with pride. "Excellent work there Litleo, you're really using that agility training with Liepard to good use."

"S-sorry Sobble…" Tupp said as he comforted his terrified amphibian, letting it climb up his arm and onto his shoulder for its perch. "That Litleo's just so fast yo."

It has been two days since Grimsley showed up, and when berries aren't getting harvested we've been training nonstop. Litleo had taken to training with Grimsley and Liepard with astounding vigor. Every time he ended up in a scrap and needed ointment and potions for his scratches, he was always rearing to go for another round with Liepard. His confidence is growing as well. Sawsbuck and Ian grew closer with every practice riding session, and Sawsbuck had started growing a section of thick moss to make Ian more comfortable when on his blessed stag's back. Even Wartortle had started buying into training, but only because Sobble had embarrassed the seasoned turtle in target practice the day after Grimsley's first appearance. Maybe I could get advice from Grimsley, or he could just straight up show Tupp some stuff? After seeing how close they are but are on totally different planets when it comes to battle synergy, maybe Grinsley would agree to give 'em a session.

"You hear me, bro?" Tupp asked.

"What? Sorry, got lost in thought," Ian answered.

"So is Sobble supposed to be fast or something?" Tupp asked.

Ian shrugged. "Not particularly. It's not slow mind you, just not fast either. I bet the little guy could use some agility training like Litleo got."

"Agility training?" Tupp asked, befuddled.

"Just making its movements more crisp, being decisive. Grimsley's Liepard really helped with Litleo being more agile," Ian explained.

Tupp rolled his eyes. "The teacher guy from Driftwood? You sure he's cool?"

"He's great bro," Ian answered. "If he was trying to pull a fast one on us, he wouldn't be trying to help me get stronger."

Tupp grimaced, still not liking the idea but with nothing else to say and dropped the matter. Litleo suddenly perked its head up and turned aggressively before calming down and purring softly as Grimsley and Liepard approached.

"Got started without me, that's good," Grimsley said. "I expect this Skull grunt is your friend? What was his name, 'Cup?'"

"Tupp, yo," the aforementioned young man corrected.

"The guy who's trying to make Golbat a brawler?" Grimsley teased.

"He used to be trying," Ian corrected. "With the Sobble I got him, he's trying to get more comfortable attacking from range."

Grimsley nodded approvingly. "Fair, and sorry I'm late, Neroli is my usual Teleporter and something's going on with her. This other guy's Teleport spot was like three miles away from here."

"I figured you were taking a day off, this is your third in a row of helping me train, right?" Ian asked.

Grimsley shrugged. "I have a number of days I signed up for in exchange for my marker being taken care of and I've barely scratched the surface," Grimsley explained. "You haven't been going too hard with your Pokemon so far, right?"

Ian shook his head. "Aside from a couple Water Guns hitting Litleo, nothing too crazy."

"Good. Driftwood has a task for you," Grimsley said.

"Driftwood Guild? Nah bro, we Team Skull here," Tupp chimed in,

Grimsley gave Tupp a sour look and returned his focus to Ian and pulled an Ultra Ball from his kimono sleeve, "Something's going on with the Ula'Ula Meadow. Who better to investigate the disrupted harmony of a sacred place than the trainer of a blessed Pokemon?"

Ian grimaced, feeling Tupp's judgemental glare on him. "The Ultra Ball?" Ian asked, not wanting to give an answer.

"To help relocate the disrupter," Grimsley said almost cryptically.

"I take it you stop helping me with training if I deny you, right?" Ian asked.

Grimsley shrugged. "That wasn't said, but it wouldn't surprise me if that's how things play out."

"You wouldn't come over here just to be an altruist?" Ian teased.

"Oh course not," Grimsley said with a chuckle. "If you saw my current living situation you wouldn't be doing what I'm doing for free."

"Where are you living? Gotta at least tell us that yo," Tupp chimed in.

"I met up with some Driftwood guy at Heahea Beach on Akala, if that means anything," Grimsley said. "Me saying anything more about where Driftwood's keeping me could potentially jeopardize their neutrality."

"So it's with a faction," Ian said.

Grimsey shrugged. "Well considering most of Alola off these islands is controlled by the Alola Security Forces, if I'm not staying on this island then what does that leave?"

"Driftwood's a bunch of ASF stooges, I fuckin knew it!" Tupp exclaimed.

Ian rolled his eyes. "No, what I think Grimsley means is if he's on another island here in Alola, he's in ASF territory, but remember, the ASF on other islands isn't dealing with Ula'Ula's factions and stuff so they wouldn't care if Driftwood's around. Heck, they might not even know what the Driftwood Guild is."

"Well said Ian," Grimsley said. "You keep making deductions like that and I may have to acknowledge you as my student."

"What, I'm not?" Ian asked.

"I'm not bragging to the world about it," Grimsley said with a mischievous grin. "One day that might change, assuming some circumstances do first."

Ian nodded. "I hear you…" Ian's mind did hang on to a phrase Grimsley had said that seemed a bit off. "Grimsley, you did say most of Alola off these islands is controlled by the ASF. Is there a place that isn't?"

Grimsley sighed. "Yeah. Not really relevant to us right now, but the Aether Foundation's Island has been abandoned and the ASF forbids anyone from going near it. I've heard some rumors, but Driftwood thinks some experiment went wrong and made the island too dangerous to inhabit. Happened a few weeks after the Ultra Rift opened up apparently, and it would explain why Aether and President Mohn have been so giving with their aid packages. That or the president's daughter's relentless drive to help this island out has inspired him."

Lillie? With Mohn around I guess some things must have been different for the family. Also means there's a chance Aether doesn't have Nebby.

"That Aether princess chick? Bro she fine as fuck," Tupp said.

Aged up Lillie? I'll take Tupp's word for it.

"How do you know her? You don't get TV out here," Grimsley said.

"One of the last broadcasts we got when things started going whacky, she urged everyone on the island to get to Malie City or Haina Town so they could take shelter. Guzma already said we weren't doing that, and before we knew it, Breon went nuts," Tupp said. "Almost forgot about Selene until she showed back up here." Tupp leaned closer to Ian and whispered. "Don't go telling her that though."

"I won't," Ian promised with a chuckle.

"So, you gonna go to the Meadow or not?" Grimsley asked.

Ian sighed, remembering the dilemma he now found himself in.

"It's cool you here yo, but we Team Skull and we ain't takin' orders from nobody, ya feel?" Tupp said seriously.

"Except Surge apparently with that peace settlement," Grimsley said with a smirk. "But besides that, I didn't ask you."

Tupp frowned and tensed, but Ian got his attention and gave a subtle wink with the eye Grimsley couldn't see at that angle. "I have a proposition for you, Grimsley. I'm down to go to the meadow, but you gotta do something to keep Tupp from blabbing about me being a Driftwood Guild errand boy."

Grimsley rolled his eyes, landing on Tupp. "Don't tell me…"

"He could use some Sobble training. And Golbat for that matter," Ian said with a smirk.

Grimsley gave a frustrated exhale. "Fine. But if you ever get off this island, you're taking me to a casino for a weekend. All expenses paid."

Ian shrugged. "Fine." With how close I've come to dying in the week I've been here, there's a good chance I never got off this damn thing anyways.

Tupp motioned to get Ian's attention and hushed his voice. "Thanks bro."

"So it's in the Ula'Ula Meadow? That's like an hourlong bike ride from here," Ian stated.

"Yeah so? Get going," Grimsley ordered drearily.

"I'm like half an hour away from Sawsbuck's effect refreshing," Ian said. "Gotta stay until then."

Grimsley sighed, eyeing Tupp with disdain. "Fucker…"

It didn't take long for Grimsley to need a break from Tupp's stubborn demeanor, which coincided well with Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge refreshing and he took it for a quick trot around the grove, making sure not to tire Sawsbuck out. The more Ian thought about the task ahead, the more dread he felt. I'm this nervous about it and I have a partner like Sawsbuck with me, explain that. When Ian got back to Tupp and Grimsley, he dismounted and figured he needed some more information before going. "Any idea what's going on in the meadow? Is it a group of people, a strong Pokemon?" Ian asked.

Grimsley shook his head. "It's a Pokemon, pretty gnarly I reckon. Kicked out all of the Oricorio. Driftwood thinks it's an intruder since most jungle Pokemon tend to leave the meadow alone."

Interesting. "Tupp, wasn't there an Ultra Storm just north of the Akua Jungle a few days back?"

"Yeah, that one Rapp caught Ponyta in," Tupp answered.

"Did you guys see if an Alpha came out of it?" Ian asked. There does seem to be one per Ultra Storm.

Tupp shook his head. "Once Rapp got hurt we went outside of it, then Ponyta came out and cried on her arm and she was good to go. Plumeria wanted to stay to find some treasures, but between you and me, Selene pushed us to leave. Later on she told me she heard something real scary in there and didn't want to fight something like that Crawdaunt again."

"Looks like your culprit might've left the Ultra Storm," Grimsley said with a mischievous grin.

"That sounds terrifying. Why are you excited Grimsley?" Ian demanded.

Grimsley smiled. "If you come back with that monster in this Ultra Ball, it'll mean you've learned something." Grimsley extended his hand, holding the Ultra Ball for him to take.

"This sounds like a fetch quest. What is this, a video game?" Ian fired back with a grin as he took the Ultra Ball.

Grimsley shook his head. "No, it's a gamble."

***

An hour and almost thirty minutes later, Ian was buzzing down The Straightaway, the breeze complementing the light humidity of the tropical air. The sea with its light blue hue shimmered as he rode on by, With the treeline of the Akua Jungle fast approaching, Ian noticed something gleaming on the side of the road. I know this isn't the meadow, but something seems strange about this.

He slowed his bike down and put its kickstand up, getting off and noticing more gleaming in the clearing on the side of the road the longer he looked. Did a bunch of glass shards get broken here or something? Ian found the first patch of shimmering particles in dirt and scooped up the patch of dirt, noticing the shimmer was from very fine, tiny crystals mixed into the dirt. Ian felt one of the larger crystals carefully in case it was sharp, but they seemed blunt. "Odd…" Ian said to no one in particular. Ian noticed more patches of shimmering light and investigated more, noticing more fine crystals like he had before. He followed along for a good bit before they seemingly disappeared from view. He turned around, seeing similar glimmering in his peripheral vision.

Ian followed the sparkling for patches of crystals before coming across a small indent in the dirt, a hoofprint more like. With more leading away from the area. Is this where the Ultra Storm was? Are these crystals some sort of post-Ultra Storm residue-

"Oh, oh shit! It's Stardust!" Ian bellowed aloud. "It's gotta be…"

Ian began looking for large enough clusters and started putting as many crystals as he could fit in his pockets. I'm sure the Dirtbags aren't going to like all of the literal dirt I'm putting in here, but I gotta see something. Ian spent the next ten minutes going through and filtering the crystals out as best he could, knowing he'd need a sieve or something to do it effectively. If a Stardust sieve exists, which who knows. Ian spent a few more minutes scouring the ground before his pants started to get weighed down a bit, only being held up by his belt with Poke Balls on it. And the Ultra Ball Grimsley gave me. Ian gave one last look at the ground, this time seemingly on the southern edge of where the Ultra Storm had been and noticed large tracks imprinted into the dirt. Ian gulped as he saw it looked more like what a dinosaur track would look like, with three claws pointing forward, to the left, and right. On the back of the footprint was the track of a small, clawless digit. Ian gulped nervously as he realized the size of the print, putting his foot next to it for scale, his shoe being comically dwarfed in scale. The tracks led out of the Ultra Storm range and to the Akua Jungle, as if heading toward… The meadow.

Ian calmed himself and hustled to his bike, riding it cautiously as he entered the initial jungle thicket before it started to clear up. He got to the Ranger Station and leaned his bike up against it. I may need it for a quick escape in a bit.

Ian treaded very carefully as he followed the path to the meadow proper. He noticed a bright red, crumpled Oricorio feather sticking out of a shrub and felt the pit of dread in his stomach form up again. Might be a good time to get Sawsbuck ready. Ian grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball, which he'd recently decided would always be first in the order on his belt. The quiet only grew more ominous as Ian got closer to the tall grass of the meadow.

He figured now was as good a time as any and let Sawsbuck out, shushing his blessed stag as Sawsbuck prepared itself to be mounted. Ian did so much more fluidly thanks to the vine, getting into a comfy position in one motion, settling his tush on the mossy equivalent of a saddle on Sawsbuck's back and taking the vines that sprouted from Sawsbuck's antlers that had for all intents and purposes become reins. Being able to see over the tops of the tall grass was only slightly helpful, as Ian noticed patches where there was no visible tall grass. Likely crushed down by something heavy. Then Ian gasped as he looked upon the wooden walkway. The regularly segmented posts that kept the walkway up were mostly intact, except for one segment of walkway that had one side still on its supports but the other side having fallen to the ground. Ian felt his heartbeat quicken and he tightened his grip on Sawsbuck's reins.

As Sawsbuck approached, the edge of the meadow began to shift slightly, growing from Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge effect. Thankfully it's not too loud, I don't want to tip off whatever monster is in here. Ian whispered commands to Sawsbuck, having his blessed stag go up and down the tall grass border, still unable to see much more than crushed areas of grass and some more ruined segments of walkway. We're not getting anywhere with this. Ian took a deep breath and guided Sawsbuck to the wooden stairs, which even Sawsbuck had second thoughts about. Maybe we just find out what it is so we can have a plan of attack later. When Sawsbuck did take the first step onto the wood it broke the eerie silence and Ian instantly felt a pang of regret. He urged Sawsbuck up a bit more, wanting to see more of the meadow's devastation. There were numerous trails of crushed tall grass, and the glowing red flowers with the special nectar the Oricorio drank were nowhere to be found. The tall grass rustled and elongated as Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge emanated through the air, making spotting the evidence of whatever this monster was even more difficult.

Sawsbuck seemed to be as on edge as Ian, walking slowly and peering around suspiciously. Ian decided now would be a good time to dismount from his blessed stag, as Sawsbuck was going to be necessary for any clash. His shoes hit the wood hard as he dismounted, and he heard a faint rustle of grass from deeper into the meadow. It's going to know we're here now. "Sawsbuck, get ready," Ian whispered as he positioned himself so he could leap out of the way at a moment's notice and caught rustling happening well beyond the range of Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge. There you are. Ian stepped back a bit and figured he should help give Sawsbuck an edge. "Sawsbuck, Agility," Sawsbuck began shuffling its hooves in place as its legs glowed Psychic Type Energy.

The rustling stopped for a moment before changing direction and beelining for Ian and Sawsbuck. Ian instinctively stepped back, scared to look where the steps were. A reptilian cry hit Ian's ears, and he struggled to place what the Pokemon could be. Maybe a Krokorok or Gabite? An Alpha one-

Then a terrible roar hit his ears and Ian felt like his whole body had just been punched into the air, falling backwards before hitting the hardwood, stunning him for a moment as he figured out what happened. He looked to Sawsbuck and saw his blessed stag leaping off the raised walkway, when suddenly a large, two legged dinosaur with brown scales and bright glowing red eyes took its place. Ian froze as he realized what the monster in the meadow actually was. An Alpha Tyrunt!

Ian scrambled off the walkway, slipping into the grass as the beast that was nearly as tall as Sawsbuck roared triumphantly from atop the wooden walkway, turning to Ian menacingly. Ian finally remembered he could move and rolled off the platform as Tyrunt began heading his way.

Can't use Bulldoze if Tyrunt's up there. Tyrunt's huge head bursted through the platform, interrupting Ian's hysterical thinking and it gave a frenzied battle cry. "Sawsbuck, Double Kick!" Ian shouted as he staggered into the tall grass.

Sawsbuck leapt into the air quickly, front legs aglow with dark red Fighting Type Energy and landed on Tyrunt's body, sending both Pokemon crashing through the wooden platforms. "Sawsbuck, to me!" Ian shouted as he continued crab walking backwards in desperation. Sawsbuck turned to move but a determined growl from Tyrunt and a pained cry from Sawsbuck meant it had been too late. Ian noticed Tyrunt's jaws had caught a part of Sawsbuck's body, just below the front of its neck. "Get it off with Horn Leech!" Ian commanded.

Sawsbuck's antlers glowed green and he swung his head into his enemy, forcing Tyrunt to release its maw's grip on Sawsbuck's now bloody chest. Green energy bubbles floated from Tyrunt to Sawsbuck, mending the worst of the deep gash on Sawsbuck's front torso. Sawsbuck leapt away, still clearly slowed and bothered from the Alpha-inflicted wound. Ian took a deep breath as he seemed a decently safe distance from the fight and he remembered how Sawsbuck usually won its fights. "Leech Seed!" Ian called out.

Sawsbuck fired a glowing green missile at Tyrunt, who had already wound up for something and roared with incredible force again, making Ian cover his ears as the roar's sound rattled around his brain torturously. When Ian finally got to open his eyes again, he realized he'd been pushed back another few feet, and Sawsbuck was on the ground stunned with Leech Seed leaving no trace on the scene as Tyrunt closed in with a dark purple energy engulfing its mouth. The fu-

Tyrunt leapt gracelessly as plunged its jaws into Sawsbuck's torso, making his blessed stag shriek in agony. No! Ian instinctively reached for his Heal Ball, recalling his blessed stag before Tyrunt did anymore damage. The Alpha Tyrunt appeared bewildered for a moment as it looked for where its prey had gone before fixing its gaze onto Ian. Shit... Ian reached for his belt and thoughtlessly tossed a Poke Ball out desperately. Out came his proud little lion cub who immediately recoiled from the now charging Tyrunt. "Litleo, dodge!" Ian yelled desperately.

Litleo leapt adeptly to his left, even spitting an Ember attack in midair. Tyrunt's charge suddenly stopped as it growled in pain. If Tyrunt's a Rock and Dragon Type and Fire Type attacks are like one quarter as effective, why is Tyrunt bothered? Tyrunt growled once more with frustration as it favored the left side of its head which Litleo had hit with the Ember. Wait, maybe its eyes got some of the Ember? Is that a weak spot? Worth a shot. "Litleo, keep peppering Tyrunt's eyes with Ember!" Ian shouted. Litleo suddenly leapt from its hiding spot in the tall grass, waiting until it was close to the disoriented Tyrunt and fired another burst of flames at Tyrunt's other eye. Tyrunt turned its head just in time as the flames hit its head, but the Alpha quickly gave a bloodcurling growl as it glowed with brown energy and floating rocks manifested around it. Stealth Rock? Ian's question was answered as Tyrunt swung its head forward in Litleo's direction, one of the rocks colliding with the lion cub as Ian heard a pained cry. Tyrunt growled in triumph as its body began to flicker with white energy for a few moments. Tyrunt took off for Litleo once more with incredible speed, faster than it had been during the encounter so far. Really? That was Ancient Power, and of COURSE it buffed all of Tyrunt's stats.

Litleo leapt at the last moment, barely missing the charging Tyrunt's body and making the bewildered beast crash into a post, causing the portion of the walkway it held up to collapse onto it. Litleo's not going to be able to do much, and Leech Seed didn't put this thing on a timer. Maybe it's time I pull back? Litleo growled determinedly as if sensing Ian's doubt, and Ian shook his head and smiled. We might die doing this, but we can't turn back now. "Alright Litleo, we got one way of making this work," Ian said with a calm, controlled tone. "We need to burn that thing."

Litleo growled excitedly as it got in a crouching position. Ian watched on as Tyrunt pushed itself up from the wreckage of the fallen walkway, eyes still glowing red with ferocity. It opened its mouth a bit, its tongue brushing over the sides of its mouth and it gave a fierce battle cry once more. Litleo did its best to roar an equivalent, which sounded like a growling Chihuahua, but Litleo charged at Tyrunt as the monster did the same. Litleo let loose a small fireball, causing Tyrunt to lower its head a bit, then Litleo leapt in the air, locked onto Tyrunt's right eye and fired a burst of flames at it, causing Tyrunt to roar a terrible, pained cry as it collapsed.

Grimsley's agility training sure is coming in clutch right now. "Litleo, don't hold back, keep peppering it with Ember while you can!" Ian ordered. Litleo already had another burst of flames at flying before Ian finished his sentence, with Litleo launching more Ember attacks every couple of seconds to Tyrunt's body, although by the fifth one Ian noticed their potency diminishing with each successive use. Tyrunt was slower to recover as the skin around its eyes had burn marks that the Alpha's red eyes weren't able to cover. Suddenly Tyrunt's body pulsed with Fire Type Energy and it yelped in pain, causing Ian to pump his fist. "Well done Litleo," Ian said coldly, a calm intensity coming over his whole demeanor. Tyrunt lifted its snout up first as it began sniffing the air. Once it locked on to Litleo, it lowered its head and charged with a battle cry. Litleo readied to pounce once more, and leapt pre-emptively. Tyrunt suddenly left its feet as well and spun in the air, whipping its massive tail around as it became engulfed in dark blue energy and slammed into Litleo, sending the lion cub careening across the meadow. Maybe even out of it, jeez. No wonder Dragon Tail forces a switch in the games. Tyrunt roared triumphantly, having seemingly vanquished its foe before its whole body became engulfed in red, fiery energy once more, causing it to wince in pain. Tyrunt growled menacingly as it turned around, its snout in the air, turning in Ian's direction. Damn it. Ian bolted back, realizing he had no real cover. And if it can sniff to catch Litleo midair then there is nowhere I can hide. Ian sent Wartortle out, who manifested with an angry croak before locking in as the Alpha Tyrunt approached. "Icy Wind!" Ian shouted in a panic.

Wartortle wound up and fired a burst of cold air with shimmering crystals at the charging monster, slowing it and causing it to shriek angrily. When the brunt of the icy blast had faded, Tyrunt fired itself up with another roar and began charging Wartortle once more, and when it was only steps away, Tyrunt's mouth became engulfed in electricity. Thunder Fang? Seriously!? Wartortle retreated into its shell and rolled on its side, dodging the attack, but it came out a bit disoriented and Alpha Tyrunt now upon it. Tyrant lunged, this time its mouth engulfed in Dark Type Energy and landed a harsh bite on Wartortle's shell, which it retreated into at the last minute.

Litleo charged in suddenly, growling fiercely as it landed on the back of Tyrunt's neck, biting into it, its jaws engulfed in Fire Type Energy. Tyrunt roared in pain as it shook Lilteo off and turned to it, closing in for the kill. "Wartortle, Icy Wind!" Ian commanded.

Wartortle fired off another one, this time seemingly less effective as Tyrunt was further away from the area-of-effect attack. Litleo leapt to escape, but Tyrunt caught one of its legs with its jaws and whipped Litleo around like a ragdoll before slamming into the ground, its leg mangled and bleeding. Ian was already running closer to the scene and managed to recall Litleo into its ball before Tyrunt could do any more damage. Tyrunt hissed at Ian as it realized who had robbed it of its second potential kill and charged him. Wartortle's shell appeared in front of him and his turtle fired off a Water Pulse, the rings colliding into Tyrunt quickly. Tyrunt's left leg suddenly slipped underneath it, causing the tyrannosaur to trip and fall on its face, its body glowed red with the burn status effect Litleo had left it with. It's gotta be close to going down soon, like goddam. Tyrunt got up, clearly bruised and battered but its eyes still glowed red with wild might. Tyrunt charged at Wartortle, and Ian realized something. The ground is icy, wouldn't that make Wartortle able to slide with its shell easier?

"Wartortle, Rapid Spin underneath it!" Ian commanded. Wartortle looked back like it was seriously questioning Ian's sanity, but he calmly shook the protest off. "Try it," Ian growled lowly as Tyrunt gained momentum and charged for the duo. Ian felt his heart thumping in his chest, but he stood unshaken and with a scowl. Wartortle withdrew into its shell and began spinning, before angling itself and propelling the shell across the icy ground. It moved with an unreal quickness, and while Tyrunt could still track it, it was much too slow, slamming its head into the dirt clumsily. Wartortle came out of its shell and slid to a stop not ten feet behind the Alpha Tyrunt. "Icy Wind!" Ian roared.

Wartortle wound up and fired another blast of cold air and icy crystals, making Tyrunt recoil in pain as it did. Tyrunt stumbled forward, still keeping its balance but clearly strained from the damage it took, and Fire Type Energy glowed on its skin once more, making the tyrannosaur wince in pain once again. Tyrunt gave a loud, desperate battle cry and charged, not to Wartortle but to Ian. Ian felt his heart begin to pump in his chest as the monster nearly as tall as himself rampaged forward with savage fury. His first instinct was to run, but something told him to stay, to not move. "Wartortle…" Ian called out confidently.

Moments later, Wartortle's shell zipped under Tyrunt and as Tyrunt stepped down, it slipped as it made contact with Wartortle's shell, tripping the great beast. Wartortle's shell flew straight up into the air and Wartortle's limbs popped out smoothly, with one of Wartortle's arms becoming engulfed in light blue, icy energy. Wartortle landed on Tyrunt's fallen neck and smacked it in the back of the head with an Ice Punch, seemingly slamming the Alpha Tyrunt's head into the ground as the Ice Type Energy creeped onto Tyrunt's scales. Tyrunt gave one last whimper before going limp.

"YES!" Ian roared in celebration. "Fuck yeah Wartortle!" Ian found himself pumping his fist in midair as he jogged to his victorious team member. "I owe you big time after that."

Wartortle sassily crossed its arms as best it could and smirked at Ian. "I got a little worried there," Ian said, pointing to where he'd been standing when Tyrunt had refocused on him. Wartortle just croaked like it was chuckling and nodded triumphantly. "That was amazing! Nice Ice Punch," Ian said with a big grin. Ian admired his fallen foe, noting how terrifying something like a dinosaur was now that he was confronted with one.

Tryunt stirred with a low whimper and Wartortle panicked, hopping off the defeated dinosaur. "Right, better catch it…" Ian said, getting the Ultra Ball that Grimsley gave to him. He expanded it and tossed it lightly on the fallen foe and the ball shook violently into midair at first before going still. Ian sighed in relief, giving Wartortle a nod of approval. Wartortle croaked, pointing at Ian's belt. "You want to go back in already?" Ian asked, to which Wartortle quickly agreed. "Whatever you say, bud."

Ian recalled Wartortle and reviewed the damage. A total of five segments were down now, and one of the wooden stairways branching off from the raised walkway had been ripped asunder. It might be a good idea to get some people down here to fix this. Ian took a deep breath, finally able to relax a bit before inspecting the Ultra Ball containing the Alpha Tyrunt. It sure was a dangerous menace, but imagine it evolving into an Alpha Tyrantrum… He thought on the possibility, figuring it would definitely grow to be more than twice his own height which made him shiver in fear. I should probably talk to Grimsley about training Alphas. But then again, wherever Tyrunt goes, it'll probably cause major problems to the ecosystem. Ian shook his head, realizing the quandary he'd gotten himself into, and it was until he saw bright, crackling red feathers in his vision that he noticed a number of floating, red, Oricorio had begun to surround him. "I'm sorry folks, I'll get on my way. And I'll try to get the damage from the fight repaired…" Ian paused as he noticed the large Oricorio float to him, an Oran Berry in its beak. Oricorio stared at him intensely before motioning him to take the Oran berry, which he did. "Thank you, Oricorio…" Ian said, bowing deeply.

The group of over a dozen Oricorio chirped excitedly, and Ian smiled, taking the happy scene in. "I'll be back with Sawsbuck tomorrow to fix the plants that give you guys nectar, okay? I just need him checked up on." Litleo too, don't forget.

***
Ian beamed the whole ride back to Po Town, pride in his team's resilience coursing through him, not to mention his pockets were full of what he hoped were Stardust crystals.. All three of his team members needed a reward. I need to find a place that Wartortle enjoys being out of its Poke Ball. He zoomed up The Straightaway, passing by a few curious Yungoos and Fletchlings along but, but little else of note. When he got back to Po Town, he headed for the grove first, where Sobble and Liepard were hard at work doing agility drills as well, causing Ian's grin to get even wider.

"I'm back boys!" Ian called out triumphantly.

"So you didn't die," Grimsley said with mock surprise.

"You fight the thing?" Tupp asked.

Ian nodded, pulling out the Ultra Ball. "Caught it."

"So what was it?" Grimsley asked curiously.

"It was an Alpha Tyrunt," Ian answered.

Grimsley gasped in shock, while Tupp just stared on blankly before opening his mouth. "So… what's that mean?"

Ian eyed Grimsley. "Want me to show it?"

Grimsley shook his head. "Not here, hell no. If you caught an Alpha it's going to be pissed that it's caught. Especially something with as bad an attitude as a Tyrunt."

"The fuck's a Tyrunt?" Tupp asked with frustration.

"It's like a dinosaur…"

"You know the big lizard with enormous teeth and tiny arms?" Grimsley asked.

"Oh yeah, that one!" Tupp said, pulling his arms in so it looked like he just had his hands sticking out of his chest and flailing them playfully. "Tyrantrum, that's what it is."

"Yeah, that one," Grimsley said with a chuckle.

"Those things are badass! They get like, eight or nine feet tall, right?" Tupp asked.

Grimsley shook his head. "Normal Tyrantrum, he has a Tyrunt that's an Alpha."

"It's basically my height," Ian said.

Tupp's jaw dropped. "No way! You saying the Alpha gets like…"

"Fifteen to sixteen feet at that rate," Grimsley said. "At least."

"That's fucking awesome bro!" Tupp said.

Grimsley shook his head. "Some of the best trainers I've ever met have struggled keeping a regular Tyrantrum under control. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever heard of a living Alpha Tyrantrum…"

"Well, I can't just relocate it to a spot on the island. It'll wreck the ecosystem. You should've seen all of the Oricorio feathers around the meadow…" Ian protested.

"I can just give it to Driftwood, they can get it to a lab and use it for research," Grimsley said.

Ian looked to Tupp, who shook his head and mouthed "I'll help." Ian then shook his head and shrank the Ultra Ball, putting it on his belt.

Grimsley smirked. "If you thought getting Litleo over was hard, you're in for a world of hurt with that Alpha Tyrunt."

Ian nodded. "Yeah… But you saying it's the only one you've ever heard of made it that much more appealing."

Grimsley chuckled. "Yeah, that didn't help."

"Let's go show the boss, yo!" Tupp cheered.

Ian took a deep breath. "Gotta heal up Sawsbuck first, he took a pretty gnarly wound."

Grimsley nodded. "You know, I'll give you tomorrow off. You did good today."

Ian nodded. "Appreciate it."

***
Ian went to his locker at Tom's first, dropping off what he hoped were Stardust crystals before meeting back up with Tupp at the Pokemon Center. Minutes later, Tupp opened the door to the building for Ian, now excitedly chattering away. "Bro, you were so right about Grimsley, Sobble's already way better at dodging stuff. He even said Sobble doesn't have the Torrent ability, it has Sniper. I don't know what it means, but it sounds dope," Tupp said before Ian spotted Rapp behind the counter and flagged her down.

"What's happening fellas?" Rapp asked as she put a tray with slots for Poke Balls out.

"Need some team members healed up," Ian answered as he grabbed the various balls from his belt. "Sawsbuck most of all, need it out in the grove in like twenty minutes for more berry harvesting."

Rapp nodded. "Gotcha-" She paused as she saw Ian place the Ultra Ball. "The hell's that?"

Ian smiled proudly. "Just caught it, it was a real monster."

Rapp eyed it skeptically. "What is it, a Raticate you found in Tupp's bed?"

"No-"

"Boys, why you happy?" The accented voice of Doc demanded. "No good when you two happy here." Ian waved hello to Doc as she came over and immediately focused on the tray. "New Pokemon, nice. Where you get Ultra Ball? You steal from boss?"

Ian shook his head. "Bought it off Driftwood."

"You pay them?"

Ian nodded.

Doc eyed him suspiciously, her wrinkled face becoming even more so. "Okay, I heal. But you no deal with them, kay? Very fishy…"

Ian nodded. "I hear you."

Doc quickly scurried off, leaving Ian and Tupp at the counter with Rapp. "Oh Ian, someone's been asking about you…"

"Oh, who?" Ian asked.

Rapp shrugged. "Guess."

"Definitely not Guzma or Rook…"

"It's a girl Ian," Rapp corrected, tone dripping with sass.

"Selene?" Tupp asked in a panic.

"No, numbskull. You know she's got a thing for Rook anyways," Rapp said with an eyeroll.

"No I didn't-"

"Then you're as observant as a blind Sliggoo," Rapp said, returning her attention to Ian. "Guess."

Ian wanted to Tupp a comforting pat on the back but knew it wouldn't suffice. "So it's definitely not you or Plumeria-"

"I bet I have a better shot with Big Sis-"

"Don't ever say that phrase in that context again," Ian said with a smirk.

Rapp started blushing as she realized what he meant. "Shit… Um-"

"Mina, I presume?" Ian asked.

Rapp smiled devilishly. "So you do know…"

"She gave me a wink before I left Pula's classroom the other day. Wouldn't surprise me…"

"So you gonna make a move?" Rapp asked.

Ian opened his mouth to answer, but no words came.

"Oh you do like her…"

"It's not like that," Ian dismissed. "I'm fresh out of a relationship. I need some 'me time' before I even think of doing anything else," Ian said.

"Relationship? Oh do tell Ian, you've been so mysterious…"

Ian rolled his eyes. "It's a long story," he lied.

Rapp shrugged. "You got some time before Doc comes back."

Ian grimaced but remembered he hadn't told Tupp the story either. "Well…"

***

"...and that's when I had this weird falling sensation and woke up in an Ultra Storm, a few minutes before I met Plumeria and you guys," Ian finished.

Rapp and Tupp both looked at him in disbelief. "Bro, that happened before we saw you?" Tupp asked.

Ian nodded. "Yeah. Crazy ain't it?"

"That's rough dude," Rapp observed.

"Rapp, out of way!" Doc's voice ordered as she came walking quickly to the counter. "Sawsbuck okay, no battle today-"

"I figured, but you're saying he'll be fine tomorrow?" Ian asked.

Doc looked at him with a sense of disgust and held up two fingers. "Two day."

Ian rolled his eyes. "Right…"

"Wartortle fine, Litleo need one day. Your girl though…" Doc took Tyrunt's Ultra Ball and held it in front of Ian. "Your Alpha, crazy girl."

"So Tyrunt's a female?" Ian asked.

"Yes. Alpha female, no let out alone. Danger," Doc explained.

"I hear you," Ian said, getting the balls together and placing them in their proper order on his belt.

"Very danger, must understand," Doc said sternly.

"It almost ate two of my Pokemon, I get it," Ian said seriously. Now that I put it like that, maybe keeping this Alpha around is a bad idea.

When Ian and Tupp left the Pokemon Center, Plumeria flagged them down and summoned them over to talk to her.

"Feels like I haven't talked to you since that day at the school," Ian commented as the duo grouped up with the squad leader.

"What now, Big Sis?" Tupp asked.

Plumeria folded her arms but smirked a little. "We got a rally tonight, and you're the star of the show, Ian."

"Rally? What?" Ian asked.

"Think of it like a big team meeting. Guzma gives updates on how things are going, any big news. Just done in Guzma's… unique style of leadership," Plumeria explained.

Ian nodded. "Okay… What do I have to do with it?"

"Well considering we were on the brink of starvation without that Sawsbuck of yours-"

"Ah…" Ian said.

"So be there a little before sunset. Side of Shady House with the pool," Plumeria said.

"Sawsbuck's ability refreshes around that time," Ian said.

"Then you better get to the rally the moment you're done. Take a bike if you have to," Plumeria ordered.

"And how will I know it's started?"

"You'll hear it before anything else," Tupp said with a chuckle.

"Gotcha…"

***

As Ian got on his strategically placed bike having just finished a slower trot around the grove with his still wounded Sawsbuck, he heard the booming sound of hip beats blasting over the wall. Must be starting up soon. Ian got the bicycle in motion and went as fast as he could down the road to Po Town's gate. When he passed it, he noticed a couple grunts standing guard and heard the gate's metal screeching as it began to close up for the night.

Funny how Guzma's got enough power to blast music so loud I can hear it from outside of town but the lights flicker in Shady House every few seconds. Ian noticed no one else was out and about as he pedaled up The Spine urgently. He heard the music quiet down and Guzma's voice came over the speakers. "Team Skull! You know who it fucking is, it's YA BOY, GUZMAAAAAAA!"

A roar erupted from the crowd as Ian pedaled faster, not wanting to know what the punishment was for being late to a rally, especially since he was, as Plumeria put it, the "star of the show." Guzma started speaking faster and the crowd grew more raucous, so Ian couldn't quite tell what was being said until he got the bike slowed down just behind the back row of the rally.

"So no foraging past our border with Surge. Our recon parties got their asses kicked and Surge has a stick up his ass or something. For anyone that goes into Outrigger territory, be real fucking quiet about it. I said we wouldn't do it for four weeks, but Outrigger won't snitch if we're good about it. Surge is too busy with the ASF," Guzma said definitively. "Everyone got it?"

A cacophony of "yeah boss" to unintelligible hollering hit Ian's ears as he maneuvered his way through the crowd of Team Skull members. He tapped the shoulder of a large man in front of him and he turned around with a scowl on his brown face. "Fuck off, you late to the rally, you standing behind me."

Ian rolled his eyes. "Fine," Ian croaked.

"Hey, is that my favorite fucking pizza boy right there?" Guzma shouted in the mic, Ian realizing Guzma was pointing right at him and the big guy in front of him. Ian waved back. "Hey Ruckz, out the way!"

The big brown-skinned grunt recoiled in a panic before motioning Ian to go by. Ian did, the group of dozens of grunts parting to create a path to Guzma's makeshift wooden stage.

"For you fuckers who don't know, this is Ian Cougar coming up here right now, I call him 'Coogz,'" Guzma began. "Plumeria brought him in barely a week ago with a dirty shirt that said 'Prince Street Pizza' on it. And this guy promised he wouldn't be dead weight…"

Ian stepped onto the stage, noticing Larvesta was hiding behind Guzma's legs. Looks like I'm not the only one who doesn't know where to be. Ian turned around seeing almost a hundred eyes fixed on him. He spotted Plumeria with her arms folded, watching from a corner.

"I didn't believe his promise," Guzma continued. "He said he'd trained Pokemon before too, and to be in my position you gotta be able to read people, and he looked like he was lying his ass off. But you know what? Pizza boy here proved me wrong. He caught three Pokemon in two days and went face to face with one of Surge's goons and came out with a Sawsbuck that's singlehandedly keeping this town from starving!" Guzma said, spitting into the mic as Team Skull members hollered and cheered. Larvesta recoiled in fright at the noise.

"Notice all that fresh fucking fruit Grillz been making the past couple days? That's all Ian and his fucking deer!" Guzma put his arm around Ian and gave him a couple endearing, but strong slaps on the back. Team Skull roared with hollers and applause. "Would you believe this guy came from a town called Elk Grove back in Unova? And he ends up catching a fucking baby elk and grows berries in a grove- y'know what, we ain't calling it the 'Berry Grove' anymore. From here on out, that grove is called 'Elk Grove' in honor of Ian Coogz right here!"

Ian's jaw dropped as more hollers and shouts rang in his ears.

"And next week, I'm sending Plumeria and the recon team across Ula'Ula to go buy seeds so we can take this food growing shit to the next level!" Guzma announced, grabbing Ian by the neck and putting him in a headlock before giving him a nookie over his Skullcap. "Soon we gonna have so much food here Slugg's gonna stop losing weight!"

The crowd laughed as Ian looked for Sophocles, and realized he was probably buried somewhere in the back of the crowd thanks to his short stature.

"So next time you see my man Ian Coogz around, give him a holler and a fist bump!" Guzma called out to the crowd, which gave a lackluster response. "Hey Team Skull, I'm fucking saying you give this man a fucking holler and a fist bump!" The crowd got the message, giving an overwhelming roar of noise. "Good. Now let's party!" Guzma bellowed before throwing the cordless mic to a short Team Skull member behind a makeshift DJ setup. Wait, is that Lil' Dizz at the controls? Oh yeah it is. "Hey Coogz!" Guzma called to him, gesturing to him to join him.

"What you want boss?" Ian asked, realizing he was grinning from ear to ear.

"Good stuff man," Guzma said. "I mean it. You keep doing what you're doing and Team Skull gonna run this island, ya' feel?"

Ian nodded. "For sure." Ian then remembered the newest addition to his team and realized now might be a rare time to talk to Guzma. "Hey boss, earlier today I caught an Alpha. You got any tips on training one?"

Guzma's eyebrows rose in surprise. "An Alpha? Not bad Coogz." Guzma's smile faded as he opened his mouth again. "My advice on that though? Don't try to train an Alpha. You're too green."

"When'd you get Ariados?" Ian asked.

"A few months before this Ultra Rift nonsense began, my whole team was already established. Was a bitch and a half to train it up from a Spinarak," Guzma explained. "When you are ready for training though, I'll give you some tips. But you ain't ready."

Ian nodded. "Gotcha," he lied.

"Enjoy the party," Guzma said, giving him a playful jab on the shoulder before going to the DJ table. "Hey Disnethorpe, hurry this shit up!" Guzma barked.

In moments the subwoofers boomed as a heavy bass beat blasted, causing Ian to cover his eardrums. The rally quickly turned into an unruly dance party as Team Skull members began dancing all around, and Ian stepped off the stage to find Tupp. Ian realized Tupp was already in the center of the dancefloor, doing hip hop dance moves Ian didn't even know existed. I shouldn't be surprised. Ian made his way out of the mobbed dance floor, occasionally getting pats on the back as he made his way to the perimeter where a number of people had taken up residence not dancing. Before Ian found a spot to get set, various members of Team Skull came up to him and fist bumped him, giving a nod of acknowledgement and telling them their name. After the tenth one, Ian realized there was no way he'd remember them all, and that's if he'd heard the names correctly the first time with the booming music.

Grillz and Tom came over and bumped fists with Ian. "Nice job Coogz," Grillz said in his gravely voice. "Once the food situation's solved I'll be able to start doing some real fun stuff."

"Like bacon?" Ian asked.

Grillz chuckled. "Maybe that too. But I was thinking moonshine."

Ian's eyebrows rose. "Nice…"

"You ain't ready for it. The only problem is I can't have everyone drinking it all the time or we'll start losing battles!" Grillz said with a gravely laugh before heading away to the stage.

"Finally getting some recognition," Tom said with a knowing smile.

Ian shrugged. "I'll take it."

"This whole town owes you big time," Tom explained. "Anything the stewards and I can do as thanks?"

"No- wait…" Ian remembered the carnage his battle with the monster in the meadow had left in its wake. "Actually, you know the raised walkway in the meadow?"

"Yeah," Tom said.

"I fought an Alpha there today and destroyed a few raised platforms. Any chance those could get fixed up?" Ian asked.

Tom shrugged. "I don't see why not. There'll be some annoying logistics involved, but we should be able to make it work. How many platforms?"

"Like five or six," Ian said sheepishly.

"That's not too bad. It's the least we can do. The Oricorio are very important to the island," Tom said. "I'll get some guys to look at it tomorrow."

"Thank you," Ian said as Tom turned away. On the edge of the crowd of dancers, Ian saw a familiar face dancing very strangely compared to her surroundings, flailing her arms in front of her with her torso moving in a circular motion. She locked eyes with him and started dancing over toward him, careless of the awkward stares sent her way.

"You're pretty popular," Mina said, still flailing her arms about.

"I have my moments," Ian said with a grin.

"Before people start trying to snag you up to join their friend groups, can you do me a favor?" Mina asked.

"Depends on the favor, but sure."

"I'm painting this mural on Kai Avenue and could really use some background music. Any chance you and that guitar are free tomorrow?" Mina asked.

"I'm free tomorrow, just have to hit the berry grove- Elk Grove I mean every three hours," Ian said.

"Good. I'll be there bright and early," Mina said as she turned and flailed her way back to the dance floor.

Ian realized his chest was rather tense and he sighed, letting the tension out. You know, Po Town's really turning around for me…

Chapter Text

Chapter 14 Packing Up

BWWWAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

The sound of a deep, blasting foghorn forced Ian awake in his bunk, with the other Skull grunts waking up in surprise as well.

"The fuck is that?" Ian asked aloud.

"We under attack yo!" Someone called from one of the bunks as the boys in the bunkhouse scrambled to get ready. BWWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

"No we're fucking not, second blast just means suspicious enemy nearby!" Another guy yelled.

"Still means we need to get fucking ready!" The first voice fired back.

Ian shook his head with a slight grin, already reaching for his Team Skull uniform hanging from the corner post of his bottom bunk. After frantically getting his pants on, Ian noticed Tupp wiping the sleep from his eyes. "I see you made it back," Ian observed.

Tupp shook his head. "Never doing a sunset Ultra Storm again,yo. The Straightaway's a bitch at night."

Ian nodded, leaving a latent question in the air.

"And yeah, I snuck you that Red Shard you were asking for," Tupp said, pulling a red rectangular object from under his pillow. Ian swiped it and gave Tupp a grateful fist bump.

"Hurry the fuck up Tupp, Coogz!" Another grunt yelled harshly.

"I hear you," Ian said as he finished putting his Skull tank top on and reached for his belt with four balls attached. After securing it, he slid the Red Shard under his shirt and held it up with his belt so no one could see it.

Ian made it to the front of Shady House before Tupp and saw Stompz barking orders. "Get to the fookin' wall, ya' wankers!"

Ian approached Stompz delicately. "Hey Stompz, any idea where I should go?"

"What, you not in a squad?" Stompz asked.

Ian shook his head. "I'm in Plumeria's squad but I'm still suspended. Rook hasn't assigned me anywhere…"

Stompz shook his head with a smile. "Just go to Elk Grove then mate. Nothing to worry about really. Just one of Sinclair's lil' boats mucking about. He don't mean business if it's not his flagship."

"Really? Then are you barking orders like we're under attack?"

Stompz stymied a chuckle. "My boys need a good yellin' every once in a while. Bit therapeutic for me too."

"Damn it Stompz." Ian said as he laughed freely and headed to the front gate.

***

"Alright Sawsbuck, GO!" Ian bellowed from the back of his blessed stag.

Sawsbuck leapt forward with such speed Ian's whole body tensed so he didn't fly off the back, the pink cherry blossoms on Sawsbuck's antlers shook helplessly. The vines that had become de-facto reins got increasingly slippery as sweat coated his palms and Sawsbuck changed direction quickly. More vines had grown out of Sawsbuck's body in the week since Alpha Tyrunt's capture, acting as stirrups to keep his feet secured. Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge effect needed just a momentary exposure to take effect, and all around Elk Grove, as it was named by Guzma, all sorts of plant life grew, expanded, and ripened.

Every day since Tyrunt's capture, Ian and his blessed Sawsbuck practice this makeshift obstacle course in the grove. The first couple of days had been rough, and Ian nearly went flying a couple times if it wasn't for Sawsbuck's vines keeping him from going too far. Although I probably got a concussion somewhere in there, not to mention the bruises. Sawsbuck turned once more, doing the last loop before getting to Ian's favorite part. Sawsbuck finished the loop swiftly before charging headlong to the creek dividing the grove in half, and Sawsbuck got enough momentum behind it as it charged to the creek's bank and leapt the ten to twelve foot long gap with waist deep water. Ian smiled like a schoolboy as his body became weightless for the couple of seconds the leap last, and Sawsbuck landed smoothly, seamlessly getting back in stride and continuing the route. Sawsbuck turned on a dime once more, making Ian hold on tight. He silently apologized to Sawsbuck if he'd held too hard, but his blessed stag didn't appear phased as it galloped swiftly through the grove.

When the course was finished, Ian gave Sawsbuck an affectionate rub on the back of his neck as Sawsbuck slowed to a trot, getting to the road where Grimsley and his Driftwood Guild companion would be stopping by in three-ish hours. Ian directed Sawsbuck to the opposite way of the bridge heading back to Po Town. "Ready for some breakfast, Sawsbuck?" Sawsbuck cheered happily as it pranced to a further away bank of berry trees they'd found half a mile down the road. Sawsbuck deserves the fruits of its own labor, and so does the rest of the team. Ian cringed as he remembered the daily routine with his Alpha Tyrunt. Okay, maybe someone doesn't deserve it just yet, but still. Sawsbuck got more excited and bouncy as the elk and rider pulled up to their exclusive breakfast spot.

The Aspear Berry trees began creaking as Sawsbuck neared, and Ian smiled as the half-formed fruits began expanding and ripening before his very eyes. Ian let go of Sawsbuck's vine-reins and the vines stretched up a nearby tree and pulled one off, daintily bringing the Aspear Berry to Ian's hand, and he took it happily and bit in. The pear's sweetness was nice, but the sudden warming effect on his body made his whole body feel like it glowed with energy. "That's better than coffee, that's for sure," Ian said before taking another bite. Sawsbuck was already holding up a pear to its mouth and munching happily before mewling with gleefully. No wonder these berries are supposed to cure a Pokemon being frozen. It's like a just drank a cup of coffee too.

Sawsbuck took a few more pears before it had officially had its fill, and Ian dismounted from his blessed stag. "Sawsbuck, let's get Litleo and Wartortle's breakfast as well."

Sawsbuck trotted to some nearby trees and began pulling fruit from the branches as Ian grabbed the two Poke Balls from his belt and released his two, smaller companions. Wartortle came out with a croak and eyed Ian with a hint of disappointment before waddling over to Sawsbuck to be first in line for the berries. Litleo on the other hand, manifested from its ball and stretched its body out before brushing against Ian's calf affectionately, purring happily as it did. "We've come a long way, Litleo," Ian said with a smile. Litleo gave a playful growl in response before it scampered off to Sawsbuck and Wartortle. Ian then took the Ultra Ball from his belt and eyed it intensely. "You're next on the friendship train, Tyrunt, whether you want it or not." The Ultra Ball shook as if to protest and Ian rolled his eyes.

After Litleo and Wartortle were well and full, Sawsbuck pulled up with a number of pears held together in its antlers. "Okay everyone, stand by.." Ian said, dread in his voice. He readied Tyrunt's Ultra Ball and made sure all of his Pokemon were locked in. He took a couple Aspear Berries from Sawsbuck with his free hand, then expanded the Ultra Ball and tossed it a good fifteen feet or so, with Tyrunt manifesting with an angry roar the opposite way. It raised its snout to the sky and turned around, a thirst for blood in its eyes. Thankfully not the Alpha red though, so it's not nearly as strong as it was in the meadow. Tyrunt opened its mouth, baring its fangs hungrily.

Ian then threw one of the Aspear Berries at its mouth, landing precisely as Tyrunt was taken aback about food being launched into its mouth. It swallowed the berry after two chomps and bared its teeth once again, readying itself to charge as Ian threw another Aspear Berry. He didn't even look to see if the berry had hit its mark as he grabbed a few more berries from Sawsbuck's antlers and repositioned, readying to throw more of them. Tyrunt gulped down the Aspear Berry and then stepped to charge. Ian continuously stepped backward until Tyrunt's mouth opened with another roar, and he chucked another berry. Tyrunt stopped to chew once more, and Ian repositioned. Two berries later, Ian's throw missed its mark and Tyrunt charged forward, snapping its jaws excitedly before Wartortle fired a Water Pulse at the Alpha, knocking it back slightly, leaving its mouth agape in its daze. Ian landed another two Aspear Berries, and Tyrunt begrudgingly chowed down on the berries before fixing her sights on Ian once again. I think that's enough food for today, crazy girl. Ian held up Tyrunt's Ultra Ball and recalled it in a red beam of light. I really wish Guzma would give me some pointers on bonding with an Alpha… It's probably not the best idea to be giving it stimulants in the form of Aspear Berries. At least you're not trying to eat Litleo anymore.


***
As Ian made his way up The Spine, he could tell the alert no longer seemed to be in effect, as Team Skull Grunts milled about lazily, that is, until they saw Ian.

"Coogz, wassup yo?" One called.

"When we gettin' more Sitrus Berry trees yo?" Another asked.

"Thanks for bein' here yo, my ribs were gettin' a bit too visible," a different grunt said.

Ian had made sure to fist bump everyone who offered, and he regularly got nods of recognition and respect wherever he went in Po Town nowadays. He strolled to Tom's Warehouse and noticed Tom out front, sipping on a cup of what he assumed was freshly squeezed Oran Berry Juice. "Good morning Ian!" Tom greeted.

"How's the juice?" Ian asked.

Tom smacked his lips and smiled. "Fresh as ever. You want some? Grillz gave me a whole carton."

Ian shook his head. "That's all you guys. You stewards do all the dirty work."

Tom shrugged. "Well you're only one I offer it to. Well, Plumeria too, but she can get it whenever she wants, being a Bone and all."

"All good," Ian said, eyeing the front door.

"What brings you by this morning? The guitar?" Tom asked.

"That too, but Tupp got me something I want to put in my locker before I lose it," Ian said.

"Alrighty," Tom said, getting a key out and opening the door to let Ian in. The lights flickered a bit in the storefront area but Ian navigated his way through like he'd done it a dozen times. Well, I have done it a dozen times. The lights gradually got steadier as he went through the hallway to the large lockers and stuck his rusty key in the lock before forcing it open. His guitar case rested against the back of the locker, barely fitting in its storage compartment. Ian's attention shifted to the small shelf above the guitar where the Large EXP Candy rested, along with a pile of Stardust and two, red, perfectly crafted Star Pieces.

Ian pulled the Red Shard from underneath his shirt and found the two dormant shards of green and blue resting next to the guitar case. He stacked the Red Shard with the others then reached for a handful of Stardust. He checked behind him to make sure no one was watching and then put the stacked shards on the floor of the locker, then began letting the Stardust slide out of his hand and fall onto the stack. Ian watched intently as a light ringing started hitting his ears. Then a slight crackle, followed by more intense crackling, and then the shards began to glow brightly as a high pitched whirring started emitting from the mystical reaction. Ian closed his hand, keeping the rest of the leftover Stardust as he shielded his eyes. Suddenly the sounds ceased and Ian uncovered his eye, seeing the result.

A refined, smooth Star Piece now lay dormantly at the bottom of his locker, nestled in between the wall and bottom of the guitar case. Ian scooped it up, still feeling some of the warmth from the reaction. Around it lay just dark grey dust, remnants of whatever materials that were no longer needed. He put the remaining Stardust in the pile on the top shelf and then bent over to get the waste from the reaction, scoping it up in his hand and stepping back from his locker and eyed his next door neighbor's locker with the big "H" on it, tossing the dusty debris onto the outside. "Fuck you, Hyde," Ian said with a petty smirk. He placed the new newly formed Star Piece with its brethren on the top shelf and grabbed the guitar case, closing the locker, reminding himself of the melodic rhythm of the song he'd remembered especially for Mina.

A couple minutes later he was out on Kai Avenue and spotted Mina's mural painting set up, with the town's resident painter on a ladder, hair tied back and carefully putting paint against the wall of an abandoned two story house. The mural was really starting to take shape, with half of a starry night sky filled with blacks, dark blues, and purples as the backdrop. The centerpiece had been outlined and Mina had started filling in the half of the mural that had been colored in with a light blue. Mina's Ribombee watched on intently as it fluttered about, and her Smeargle scurried along the ground, holding its tail and seemingly looking for something.

"What's Smeargle looking for?" Ian asked loudly as he approached, carrying his guitar case.

"I'm running out of light blue for the moon here," Mina answered with disinterest, fixated on her precision work.

"Ah, I see…" Ian said as he found the outdoor chair Mina had started bringing along for him to watch and play for her. Ian got his guitar out and began tuning it as Smeargle disappeared from view. Once Ian had started to play a warmup song, Mina grunted in frustration. "What's up?"

"Finally out of the light blue for the moon," Mina complained.

"Can't do the rest of the night sky in the meantime?" Ian asked.

Mina shook her head, stepping down from the ladder as Ribombee saw its chance to get comfy with its trainer. "The light's perfect right now, and I do this fine work better in the morning," Mina said. "Shouldn't take Smeargle too long, but it's just annoying."

Ian shrugged, unsure of if he should continue playing as Mina took a seat next to him.

"Play that happy song I like," Mina said.

"There's a few of them-"

"You called it 'At Home,' right?" Mina asked.

"That one, gotcha," Ian said with a grin. It was a very cheerful tune he remembered would be payed in the protagonist's house in the Alolan games, and it was a fun one to play as his fingers danced around the frets.

"Yeah, that's the one…" Mina said, leaning back and stretching her legs out, having her elbows keep her upper body focused on the work in progress mural.

"Your morning going any better than mine?" Mina asked.

"For the most part," Ian said.

"Problem child still a problem?" Mina asked.

"Yup. Still trying to eat me. At least she didn't target Litleo this time," Ian said.

Mina giggled. "Small miracle."

As the duo waited on Smeargle to return with the proper shade of light blue, Ian finished up the tune and got a bit nervous as he readied his next one. "Got a new one for you."

Mina grimaced. "I'm in a certain kind of mood for something," Mina said. "Sorry if I tell you to skip it."

Ian shrugged. "Just give it a shot, I bet you'll like it."

Mina gave a light "hm," and continued eyeing the mural. Ian took a deep breath and began playing his acoustic version of the nighttime theme of Seafolk Village from the games. It didn't entirely feel right without a wind instrument, but he incorporated some of the tunes into his performance. After getting halfway through, he realized Mina hadn't asked him to skip, so he figured she was enjoying it so far. When he finished, he gave a soft outro and looked at Mina, trying to hide how nervous he felt.

"Encore?" Mina asked with a sincere smile.

Ian nodded. "Of course…"

As Ian started playing again, Mina sighed. "Something about this tune reminds me of home."

"Seafolk Village?" Ian asked, remembering she'd mentioned it in a prior conversation.

"Yeah…" Mina said whistfully. "If you'd asked me this time last year where I thought I'd be, I would've said with no doubt I'd still be in Seafolk Village."

Ian nodded, remembering her family had asked her to take care of the matriarch who had wanted to stay with Keahi, Ula'Ula's former Kahuna.

"It's nuts, this time last year I got asked to be a Trial Captain on Melemele Island," Mina said.

"Really?" Ian asked, still playing, but softer now.

"Ilima, the Trial Captain, was on leave for something. They asked if I'd take over the post long term. I'd really wanted to be a Trial Captain, and Melemele's not that far from Poni you know, but I didn't want to be so far away from my family," Mina explained.

"You couldn't be a Trial Captain on Poni Island?" Ian asked.

Mina scoffed. "No, the position's filled. The guy who runs the Poke Pelago has been hoping to retire but can't find a replacement. He worked out a deal where his son got to be a Trial Captain if he stayed on a bit longer, Poni was the only opening at the time."

Ian grimaced. Mohn not going missing really started quite the butterfly effect. "That's rough."

Mina sighed. "But family's important…"

"Me of all people should know," Ian said. "I don't think I'm even in the same universe anymore."

Mina giggled. "Yeah, I suppose that's a bit rougher."

Ian shook his head, stopping his playing. "I didn't mean to make it about me, you're venting-"

Mina shook her head. "No, I get it. It puts it all in perspective-" Mina gasped suddenly. "Perspective! That's it!" Mina said loudly as she rolled over and bounced up, running to the ladder as she did. Smeargle clumsily dashed around the fence from another house and got to Mina's step ladder. Ian looked up to the cloudy Alola sky and smiled, continuing to play the Seafolk Village theme.

After a good fifteen minutes of observing Mina working on her mural, Ian noticed a familiar figure approaching the scene.

"So this is where you skulked off to, Ian," Plumeria said as she continued making her way over to him.

"Just waiting for Sawsbuck's effect to refresh," Ian answered. "What's going on?"

Plumeria eyed Mina, continuing to paint as if nothing else was going on in the world before returning her focus to him. "Tupp says you're good at identifying foreign Pokemon."

Ian shrugged. "Yeah, I guess? Doc's good with that stuff as well." I wonder if I'll run into any Pokemon that are from regions that weren't made into games yet.

"The Pokemon Center's not open yet so I can't talk to her. This Pokemon had been under attack in the Ultra Storm we checked out last night and couldn't move," Plumeria explained, taking a Poke Ball from her belt and casually tossing it forward, revealing a metallic Pokemon Ian first thought of a remote control car. Might be a new one- oh wait, it's a Varoom.

"That's a Varoom, from the Paldea region," Ian said.

"What's its type?" Plumeria asked suspiciously.

"I think it's a Steel-Poison Type," Ian said.

"It looks like a remote control car…"

"I was thinking the same thing," Ian said, eyeing the metallic car engine Pokemon as it suddenly zipped into action with a mechanical sound. It began circling Plumeria quickly, the mechanical squeaks getting louder and more excited. If you can call it that.

"Do you know if this thing's powered by gasoline like a real car is?" Plumeria asked.

Ian shrugged. "No idea, that's a Doc question."

Plumeria sighed with frustration, but knelt down and held her hand out to the speeding Pokemon before it stopped on a dime, rubbing itself against Plumeria's hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Varoom," Plumeria said with a grin.

Varoom whirred mechanically and started bouncing enthusiastically, at least as much as it could.

"Does it evolve?" Plumeria asked.

"Yup, into something called a Revavroom," Ian said. "It's way bigger, like an actual car kind of."

"Well as long as it doesn't run only on gas I think I just got a new favorite method of transportation some day," Plumeria said, tapping Varoom on the top of its engine block, making the energetic little engine with wheels bounce energetically.

"Guess you won't be needing me anymore on your Ultra Storm hunting," Ian observed.

Plumeria's smile faded from her face. "You like sticking around here?"

Ian stole a glance of Mina still hard at work on her blue, abstract moon. "I've gotten used to being suspended, I probably shouldn't stray too far from Elk Grove anyways."

Plumeria shook her head. "Well, too bad Ian. As of today, you're un-suspended."

Ian rolled his eyes. "I was having too much fun, this is how the world works after all."

"You remember Guzma at the rally talking about the recon team getting seeds?" Plumeria asked.

"Yeah," Ian replied.

"I need you and Sawsbuck on this expedition," Plumeria said seriously.

"Oh, cool…" Ian said, the implications not quite hitting him yet. "How long are we supposed to be gone for?"

Plumeria grimaced. "If we make good progress every day and don't run into any trouble, it's six days each way. We will run into some trouble, so probably sixteen to eighteen days."

"Wait what? How far away are we going?" Ian asked.

"To Palmer's Ranch, just outside the defensive line of Malie City. They're the only people who are willing to trade with us," Plumeria explained.

Malie City? That's civilization, that's the way off the island… Nervous dread filled Ian's stomach all of the sudden. "Cool…" Ian said.

"We'll have to dodge Breon's patrols, so we'll have to climb up a good bit of Mount Lanakila to do it. We'll be coming into contact with a number of factions," Plumeria said. "Luckily once we're away from Breon, the other groups are so far away from us we can just buy safe passage from them when we show we're not hostile."

"Gotcha. But it's still going to be dangerous, right?" Ian asked.

"Of course, leaving Po Town at all is technically dangerous. Going into other factions' territory is even more so," Plumeria said.

"Gotcha… do we have enough food here for Sawsbuck and I to not be around for so long?" Ian asked.

"Grillz says we have twenty days' worth of berries you've grown, probably add another day and a half by lunchtime today. So as long as we're not gone too long, Po Town will be fine. Plus we'd just send you and Sawsbuck ahead if it really became an issue," Plumeria explained.

"Gotcha… So why are Sawsbuck and I needed on this again?" Ian asked, slightly confused.

"That elk of yours is practically an infinite food source. We'll have limited space in our Silph Bag for the seeds and equipment we're going to buy, so we'll need you and Sawsbuck to keep us fed throughout. Plus you two might win us some favors for hospitality," Plumeria finished.

Silph Bag? That's the tech that shrinks stuff down, right? I haven't actually gotten to see one in action yet. "I see…" Ian said.

"You don't seem too excited about this," Plumeria observed.

Ian's eyes drifted to Mina for a moment before he regained composure. "I mean, it sounds pretty dangerous…"

"Last week you were chomping at the bit to come back out with us," Plumeria said. "What changed?"

"Well I'm dealing with a different kind of 'chomp' at the moment with my new team member," Ian said. "Among other things."

Plumeria scoffed, eyeing Mina for a moment and giving him a knowing smile. "Well you're back on the recon team, so you're coming with. Get a backpack from Tom's and anything you'll need for the trip, then be ready to go at 3:00."

Ian nodded. "I hear you."

"I'll give you some space until then," Plumeria said, recalling Varoom and heading up the street back to Shady House.

When Plumeria got out of sight, Mina climbed down from her ladder. "What was that about?" Mina inquired.

"I'm off suspension, which means I'm back on the recon team and they're going on this expedition thing today," Ian explained. "So no more music while you paint for a while."

Mina grimaced. "That's no fun… What about having you and Sawsbuck around for the food supply?"

"Apparently Grillz has enough food to last twenty days," Ian explained. "Plumeria needs me for growing food while we're on the road since we need all of the space in the Silph Bag for the seeds and equipment we need to buy."

"Oh… Makes sense…" Mina said, a subtle melancholy entering her voice. "And Ian, that song you played today?"

"Yeah?" Ian said.

"What's its name?"

"Haven't thought of one yet," Ian lied. "You have any ideas?"

Mina grinned. "Call me selfish, but can you call it 'Seafolk Village' for me? Something about it just reminds me so much of home…"

Looking into Mina's dark eyes, Ian could tell she was having a vivid vision of home. "It's 'Seafolk Village' then," Ian said with a smile, feeling blood rushing to his cheeks. It kind of feels like something romantic's about to go down.

Mina coughed suddenly, and turned away. "What time you guys leaving?"

"Supposed to be 3:00-"

"I'll see you off if I can," Mina said, turning around and heading back to her stepladder.

"Cool," he said, the big ball of nerves in his torso making him feel very uncomfortable. Time to go put the guitar away and get some stuff from the locker.

***
Upon finishing up another round of racing around Elk Grove on Sawsbuck's back, Ian and Sawsbuck dashed onto the road and noticed two familiar faces heading their way. What was the cute girl with the pink hair's name again, Neroli?

"Grimsley, Neroli!" Ian called out excitedly.

"There he is!" Grimsley called back. Neroli appeared much less enthusiastic, but gave a friendly wave all the same. She had her normal Driftwood Guild uniform on, khaki short-shorts, brown vest and green shirt.

Sawsbuck trotted over to the visitors, and Ian decided to dismount, not wanting to feel like he was lording over the two people helping him out big time. "Good to see you again Neroli, been a while" Ian said as Sawsbuck's vine aided him in a smooth discount. The

"Good to see you too, Ian," Neroli replied. "Grimsley tells me you're making good progress."

"That's not what he said yesterday," Ian teased.

"I can't gas you up all the time, kid," Grimsley said with grin. "She's got those items you ordered with David, but we're both wondering how you were gonna go about paying for it. I know Guzma and Plumeria wouldn't want you leaking any secrets about Po Town."

Ian shook his head with a wicked smile. "No need for that, I got this," Ian said, shuffling a Star Piece out of his pocket. Neroli and Grimsley gasped.

"Where'd you get one of those?" Grimsley asked.

"Don't worry about it," Ian said with a confident smirk.

"I'm curious too…" Neroli said skeptically.

"I didn't steal them, if that's what you're thinking," Ian assured them. "You'd be amazed about the debris that appears during Ultra Storms."

Grimsley rolled his eyes, but Neroli stared at him curiously. "Really now?" She asked.

Ian shrugged. "Or something like that I suppose, I haven't actually been in one for a week," Ian said nervously. You're telling me Driftwood didn't know about Ultra Storm drops? Dammit, now they might. Which means everyone else might. "But enough about my Star Piece, where's my loot at?"

Neroli nodded and reached into her handbag, pulling out four balls. One Ultra Ball, one Great Ball, a Poke Ball, and an all white ball with a red ring around the center. Is that a Premier Ball? The hell is that thing doing here? "You don't like the Premier Ball?" Neroli asked.

"Just surprised," Ian said. "It functions the exact same as a Poke Ball, right?"

Neroli nodded. "Yup, just thought I'd give you a different aesthetic."

Ian nodded, handing over the Star Piece. Once Neroli secured it in her handbag she dropped the four shrunken balls into his palm.

"Looking for more team members?" Grimsley observed.

"Couple for me, couple for Tupp," Ian answered. "Not sure who will get what ball just yet."

"He's not around is he?" Grimsley asked.

"No, or not yet at least," Ian said.

Grimsley rolled his eyes. "Good. He's making progress, but coaching him up has been really testing my patience."

Ian nodded. "Him and Sobble are getting really close, and their evasive maneuvers are improving big time. But I get you, and I appreciate you for that."

"Gonna need a second weekend at a casino on you if you ever get off this island," Grimsley teased.

"Yeah about that…" Ian paused, eyeing Neroli.

"Is it time for me to go?" Neroli said amusedly.

"Yeah…" Ian said.

"I'll be back to pick you up at 5:00, Grimsley," Neroli said.

"Actually, can you make it 2:30?" Ian asked. "Stuff going on later."

"Well he's not my only agenda item today, but I'll be there," Neroli said, turning around and tossing a Poke Ball in front of her, revealing a levitating cyan-colored Pokemon with a head bigger than its body. An Elgyem? That's interesting. "Alright Elgyem, the blessed stag's trainer wants us away, so let's go back home."

Elgyem began glowing and Neroli reached out, making contact and in the blink of an eye, trainer and Pokemon had disappeared without a sound.

"So what's going on later?" Grimsley asked.

"We're gonna be taking a break for a bit," Ian said. "I'd rather Driftwood not know this, but me and some other people are leaving Po Town for a week, probably two."

"Oh… I guess you'll finally see the rest of the island," Grimsley said.

"What? It's-"

"Let me guess, you're going to Blush Beach or Palmer's Ranch?" Grimsley said. "It's the only places you guys can go right now."

Ian grimaced. "Okay, but please don't tell them. On the bright side, you get a bunch of time off."

Grimsley cleared his throat as if to oppose Ian. "Not quite. If I tell them I'm not needed for two weeks, they'll figure you're gone, and I bet their contacts within Team Skull and the other factions will mention seeing some Team Skull thugs running around."

"Oh… My bad, I thought you'd be getting a nice little break," Ian said.

Grimsley chuckled wickedly. "How about this, I won't tell them, they'll take me out here every day, and I'll go Mantine Surfing plus two weeks knocked off my debt to them."

"That sounds great for you."

Grimsley nodded. "Yes it does. Tupp going with you?"

Ian hesitated to say, but Grimsley rolled his eyes. "C'mon, I'm not telling them."

"He's coming with us," Ian said.

"Good. Peace and quiet, plus I'm getting paid to Mantine Surf for two weeks. I like the sound of that," Grimsley said. "You should go on these things more often."

Ian sighed, as something else that was nagging him came to the front of his mind. "Was it just me or did Neroli seem kinda down when you guys first popped up?"

Grimsley grimaced. "Yeah… She took a little leave of absence. Some… information came out about her little sister Acerola recently, and it really messed her up."

Acerola is Neroli's sister? Well their names do sound kind of similar. "Is she sick or something?"

Grimsley shivered uncomfortably. "Kind of? She was in Haina Town during Breon's mutiny from the ASF, Neroli probably figured something happened to her, like she got taken as one of Breon's concubines or got imprisoned for disagreeing with him. But it's apparently much worse…"

"What could be worse than that?" Ian asked in disbelief.

"They're using Acerola's challenge trial site, some abandoned Thrifty Megamart on the outside of town as a jail," Grimsley explained. "And apparently she's the jail's warden who uses Ghost Pokemon to torment their prisoners."

Ian's eyebrows rose. "Woah…"

"Yeah… So make sure no one in your little squad gets captured by Breon's guys when you go by Haina Town," Grimsley said, then pulled out Liepard's ball and released the lithe feline. "Speaking of not getting captured, it's time for Litleo's chase training."

Ian nodded, grabbing Litleo's ball and in moments seeing the two felines chasing each other. "So Grimsley, I'm getting this weird feeling Litleo's gonna evolve while I'm out on the expedition."

"Ha! Why do you think that?" Grimsley said. "Litleo's mentality is good now that he's bonded with you, but he's still got some time to go until he's at the point of becoming a Pyroar."

"Just a feeling…" Ian paused. "But if he were to evolve to Pyroar…"

Grimsley groaned. "The most important things would be perfecting the aim and strength of his Special Attacks. As a Litleo he doesn't have much ranged combat experience. That will be the big focus. Plus getting used to his bigger body."

Ian nodded. "Thanks. Never know when I'll need it."

Grimsley's eyes investigated Ian skeptically. "I can tell when the gears are turning in your mind Ian, you know something."

Ian shrugged. "Maybe I do…"

Grimsley turned his attention away from Ian, seemingly dropping the line of questions. "Liepard, come on! Litleo's not that fast!" Grimsley shouted.

***
At approximately 2:31, Ian watched Grimsley and Neroli disappear via Elgyem Teleport, then smiled knowingly and made his way twenty feet or so into the grove, Po Town's wall still looming over him nearby. "Alright Litleo, it's time. You've earned it," Ian said pulling out the Large EXP Candy from his pocket and setting it in front of his lion cub.

Litleo eyed it curiously before biting in, but once he got one taste, the voracious cub just wanted more. The candy's crumbs occasionally sparkled as Litleo worked on devouring more of the light blue candy until there was just a quarter of it left. Any moment now… Litleo groaned as it stepped back, looking at Ian like it didn't want to eat anymore. "I'm sure you're full Litleo, but try and finish it for me if you can."

Litleo growled with annoyance, but set about his task, growling some more as he dug in. Suddenly Litleo stopped and croaked like he was chocking. "Wait Litleo-"

Litleo began to glow brightly, forcing Ian to shield his eyes as air blasted his body. It sounded like howling wind, and a powerful hum hit his ears for a number of seconds before suddenly everything went still and the bright light stopped. Ian uncovered his eyes and looked on in awe as a fully grown lion standing chest-high on Ian's tall form. His majestic mane shone brightly like a dancing fire, alternating in red and yellow sections around his head as a potent warmth emanated in the lion's proximity. Pyroar gave a triumphant roar, almost as loud as an Alpha's roar and Ian caught a glimpse of Pyroar's razor sharp teeth.

"Pyroar, you look badass!" Ian shouted out, completely awestruck. Pyroar growled lowly at Ian before rubbing up against his trainer affectionately. "Can't wait to see how much stronger you've grown." Pyroar growled lowly, excitedly, its eyes locking in with intensity.

***

Crouching at the top of Po Town's wall holding a pair of binoculars as he tried to make himself as stealthy as possible, Hyde watched on as Ian hugged his newly evolved Pyroar with his jaw agape. "You've got to be fucking kidding me," Hyde muttered lowly.

Hyde watched on as Ian's Pyroar got into its hind legs to essentially hug his trainer as Ian laughed carelessly. The thing Litleo ate sure looked an awful lot like the Alpha Poop, as Selene called it. Is that some sort of stengthener for a Pokemon? How the hell does this fake "Faller" know this? Hyde shook his head and lowered it so he was no longer in vision of Ian, resting the back of his head on the wall. He'd been watching Ian and Grimsley's training sessions when he wasn't out hunting Ultra Storms with Plumeria, and the reports he gave to Guzma and Plumeria should've been eye raising at least, except Plumeria and Guzma didn't believe Grimsley was actually a former member of Unova's Elite Four.

Hyde thought back to the first time he'd seen the poster of Unova's Elite Four in his older brother Tristain's bedroom. It had been their Uncle Martell, who had went to Unova to become a high level trainer, who gave Tristain the poster. Ever since then, all Tristain wanted to do was become a top trainer like Uncle Marty in a "real competitive region."

"If you'd just stuck it out in Alola instead of joing the Unova Marines like an idiot you'd still be alive big bro," Hyde said as his voice wavered. He suddenly grunted loudly and swung his fist to the side, smacking right into the wall.

"Ian, you're such a fucking Unova Marina plant, it's so obvious. The Driftwood Guild has cozied up to you, everyone's sucking your dick, and you're getting 'tutored' by a former Unovan Elite Four member that just happens to be in Alola…" Hyde paused as he thought back to the conversation with Tupp where he asked what kind teaching Grimsley was giving Ian. There's no way just "believing" in your Pokemon and playing tag are actual training methods used by a former Elite Four member. The Marines just don't want Team Skull's trainers to get too powerful so that one day Ian will overthrow Guzma or some stupid shit.
"I'll make sure Po Town sees you for who you really are, Ian. Just an undercover Unovan Marine. They'll all see…" Hyde vowed, clenching his fist. He noticed blood had started to drip down to his wrist and he grunted with frustration. Asshole.

***

Ian was the last to arrive to Po Town's front gate where a number of Team Skull cadre had gathered, including Guzma, Tom, and Rook. He'd had trouble finding his third Team Skull uniform. No laundry for two weeks is gonna stink, literally.

"About time yo," Rapp teased.

"In case you didn't know, Ian's back with us for this mission," Plumeria stated loudly, drawing the assembled group of Team Skull members' attention.

"Why?" Hyde demanded.

"Because she said so Hyde," Guzma fired back.

Plumeria gave the Team Skull boss an annoyed look but continued on. "That too, but also because you'll notice we don't have any food supplies past the first night. That's intended. We need all of the space in Team Skull's one Silph Bag for the seeds and equipment we're going to get from Palmer's Ranch. Ian's Sawsbuck will grow us our meals out on the road."

"We'll still be able to do some fishing, right?" Tupp asked.

Plumeria rolled her eyes. "After the first night we'll be away from the coast, so there won't be much of a point."

"What if we come across any creeks and rivers?" Selene asked.

Plumeria grunted. "That's just… Just don't worry about it, okay?"

Tupp gasped. "But Big Sis, a fishing rod and tackle box-"

"Just shut it, okay?" Guzma interrupted.

"Thanks…" Plumeria said reluctantly. "Where was I? Well, instead of trying to sneak past Haina Town, we're going to take the route I took when I went as an emissary to the Rough Raiders during the Breon conflict at this start of all this nonsense." Plumeria turned around and pointed in the distance. Ian gulped as he realized she was pointing at Ula'Ula's second, taller mountain. Mount Lanakila. "We only have to go like a quarter of the way up and we should dodge Breon's patrols. There's supposed to be a settlement higher up but I never interacted with them. Hopefully we go under the radar this time as well. Everyone understand?"

A chorus of affirmative words were said, and Plumeria almost smiled. "Good, double check your bags and camelbak, then grab your bikes. It's an hour's ride to the meadow, then another hour after that to Aether Camp. I want to get the tents set up by sundown."

Ian unzipped his backpack obediently, making sure he had the bar of soap he'd been given, as well as the extra pairs of underwear. Ian made sure to leave a little space in the black backpack next to his two Star Pieces. In case we come upon anymore Ultra Storms and there's EXP Candy to be had. And you can never have too many Star Pieces.

"Hey Ian! Before you go…" A loud feminine yell came from up the street. Mina was damn near sprinting his way determinedly.

"Come to see us off?" Ian asked with a smile.

Mina nodded. "Can't let me favorite musician leave without saying goodbye."

Ian shrugged. "I appreciate it. I'm sorry I won't be able to see the finished product on that mural of yours for a while."

Mina shook her head. "It'll still be there when you get back. I'll have something new in the works-" Mina gasped suddenly as her eyes expanded. "Can you get your Sawsbuck out?"

"My Sawsbuck? I'm not supposed to take him out within the walls."

"Just for a sec," Mina said. Ian turned to Tom who just shrugged.

"Okay…" Ian grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released his Sawsbuck onto the asphalt.

Mina leered at Sawsbuck as if she was in a staring contest with the blessed stag, but then Mina gasped again. "Can you get on Sawsbuck like you're gonna ride it?"

"Uh… sure?" Ian said uncertainly as he stepped to Sawsbuck, whose vines were already grabbing hold of him to help him on. Ian got plopped onto Sawsbuck's back and Mina stepped back a few feet, putting her hands up like a photographer practicing a picture's view. She stepped to the side a few feet and smiled.

"There, perfect…" Mina said, putting her hands back down at her side.

"How about you hurry the fuck up, Ian?" Hyde chimed in.

"How about you put your hate-boner back in your pants, asswipe?" Ian fired back without missing a beat.

Tupp and Rapp both laughed like children at the term.

"What the fuck's a hate-boner? Lemme guess, just more Unovan nonsense," Hyde replied.

"Still makes more sense than your incessant need to eat my ass," Ian piled on.

"You fucker-" Hyde stopped as Guzma held his hand up symbolically.

"Don't make me pull you off the mission, Hyde," Guzma said.

Hyde grunted angrily and folded his arms, but stood down. Ian took a deep breath and did the same, getting off of Sawsbuck. Mina stepped closer to him, a nervous smile on her face and a curious twinkle in her dark eyes.

Oh wait, she might be wanting me to give her a kiss as a send of… Ian's stomach flared up with butterflies while his chest tensed. Mina appeared to pick up on Ian's hesitation and smirked, turning to the other squad members. "Come back safe everyone," Mina said.

Ian nodded, but noticed Guzma stepping to him, his usual sinister smile on his face. "What's the first rule of Team Skull, Coogz?"

"Always looks out for each other," Ian said seriously.

"That includes Hyde, no matter how much he deserves to get left in the dust," Guzma said.

Ian nodded. "Of course." I hope it goes both ways.

"Okay everyone, get to your bikes. We got a ways to go!" Plumeria barked. Ian hesitated, watching Tupp, Selene, and Rapp dash to the bike rack against the wall. He noticed Hyde now glaring at him, and Ian lowered his shoulders and mouthed "C'mon man," before following his fellow squad members.

Chapter Text

Chapter 15 Rival

The sun beat down on the group of six Team Skull members as they closed in on the treeline of the Akua Jungle up ahead. Even in Ian's airy tank top he could feel the humidity making him sweat.

"Okay everyone, we're coming up on the meadow," Plumeria announced as she slowed her bicycle down, prompting everyone else to follow suit. Ian stopped right behind her and studied the old, faded grey backpack she wore that stood out from the rest of the group's faded black packs. The words Silph Co. were spelled out on a patch with loose strings. Oh that's the Silph Bag Plumeria was talking about.

When the group came to a full halt in front of the Akua Jungle's first row of trees, Plumeria turned to Ian. "You and Sawsbuck go find some berries to grow so we have tribute for the Oricorio."

"Not to be that guy Big Sis, but I don't think we need the tribute. Sawsbuck and I are cool with the Oricorio now," Ian said.

Plumeria scoffed. "Oh cool," she said dismissively. "I highly doubt that, as I've been coming through the meadow regularly since the Ultra Rift showed up and the Oricorio got all defensive and they always ask for tribute."

"Did Tom tell you what we did last week?" Ian asked.

"I heard you damaged more of the meadow-"

"I did, but Tom and some stewards repaired the walkway and Sawsbuck helped regrow the flowers the Oricorio get their nectar from," Ian explained. "They were giving me berries at the end of it."

Hyde suddenly snorted like he was about to hock a loogie and spat on the ground. "What a load of shit. It's really pathetic how much of a hero complex you have, kid."

"Gonna be really funny when I get to say 'I told you so,'" Ian fired back.

Hyde scoffed. "Just because Tapu Bulu thought it would be funny to bless your whack ass deer with its power doesn't mean we all have to suck your dick, fake-ass Faller."

Ian's voice rose in anger. "I was here four days while-"

"Both of you shut the fuck up!" Plumeria shouted, her face contorted in anger. "We're not even an hour in and you two are already about to fight. Next time you two get into it, I'm sending someone back to Po Town and they'll be in The Basement until I get back."

Ian gulped nervously. The Basement was essentially Po Town's jail cell. Prisoners from hostile factions and Team Skull members who were caught doing stupid stuff ended up there.

"Big Sis, he's clearly a fucking spy, just send him in to The Basement and be done with it," Hyde said.

Plumeria groaned in frustration. "First off Hyde, you'd be the one sent back. We actually need Ian on this mission, we don't need you. And second, I don't think Ian's a spy."

"But Big Sis-"

"If Ian actually was a spy, his story would be a lot more consistent than it has been," Plumeria explained with an almost smirk. "And last of all, if Ian was actually a spy, wouldn't it be better for to stay with us and watch him, making sure nothing bad happens to us?"

Hyde looked down dejectedly but nodded. "Yeah."

Plumeria then turned to Ian, her face still contorted with controlled rage. "And you need to stop falling for Hyde's bait, okay?"

Ian nodded. "I gotcha."

"No bickering between you two for the rest of the expedition, is that clear?" Plumeria demanded.

"Yes," Ian replied.

Hyde gave Ian a sour look but nodded. "Okay."

"Good, now Ian go get some fucking berries," Plumeria said matter of factly before returning to her bike and started walking it to the trail. Ian grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released it, still feeling tense as he walked along the perimeter, trying to find newly ripened berries as the plant life shifted with growth from Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge. A slight blip of green light caught his eye, but upon looking for its source there was nothing there. Mystery meat again? Been a bit since I've seen one of those.

A few minutes later, Ian and Sawsbuck met back up with the squad, all holding up their bikes as Ian carried a handful of red Cheri Berries in his hand, the view of the wooden staircase . Not that we'll need them. He handed them to Selene, who led the group to the wooden stairs where they'd watched the Oricorio tribute ceremony, as Selene had referred to it.

"Put Sawsbuck away, you'll scare them off," Plumeria whispered.

Ian put his hands together like he was praying and mouthed "trust me." Plumeria scowled at him but relented for the time being. No great beats or cracking sounds greeted them, instead a few Oricorio popped their heads out from the tall grass and chirped happily. Two began twirling midair like ballerinas over the heads of the knelt group of trainers before landing daintily on Sawsbuck. More red, twirling Oricorio fluttered to Sawsbuck, and one even landed on Ian's shoulder and chirped happily. Plumeria and the rest of the squad watched on in complete shock as the Oricorio began to chirp and sing happily One Oricorio landed in front of Ian with a berry in its beak and dropped it in front of him, then took a low bow and twirled back in the air.

"Oh my goodness…" Selene whispered.

Ian kept his gaze focused on the jubilant Oricorio and made sure not to look in Hyde's direction, no matter how satisfying it would be to see steam coming from his hater's ears. I'll let him seethe in peace this time.

***

After a little over an hour's ride of enduring sweltering heat and high humidity, for Alola at least, the road Plumeria elicited a sigh of relief. "Finally!" Plumeria called out, pointing up ahead to what looked to be the cluttered foundations of a building that once stood on the roadside clearing.

"What am I looking at?" Ian asked.

"That's Aether Camp, yo," Tupp replied. "Used to be an old Aether research station or something. When we was fighting Breon his dudes burned it down," Tupp explained. "We struck back and hit the 'Aether House' outside of Haina Town."

"I see…" Aether House, that was the place Cosmog got kidnapped from in the games, right? And there was an Aether building over here too? Why does that ring a bell? I think it was some sort of lab- Ian gasped as the realization hit him. It was the lab you'd get Zygarde from! THAT is what the green flashes are, they're Zygarde Cells!

"Ian, the fuck you going?" Tupp called out from behind.

Ian realized he'd biked well past the group's destination and circled back, still pondering the implications of Zygarde potentially being around. Considering how long I've been here, I haven't really thought about something like Zygarde or even Cosmog for that matter. When Ian pulled up to the remnants of the destroyed building, he noticed Plumeria hunched over with the Silph Bag on the ground. Suddenly a white beam reminiscent of a Poke Ball's beam shot out from the faded grey backpack on the ground and a large duffel bag appeared. So that's how the Silph Bag works.

Upon getting both duffel bags with their tent supplies out of the Silph Bag, Plumeria gave Ian a look. "You gonna stand there and gawk all day?"

"No-"

The lightbulb came on in Plumeria's mind and she shook her head. "Do they not have Silph Bags in Unova?" Plumeria asked.

"They're pretty rare," Ian lied.

Plumeria made a sound that was almost a laugh before returning to her task. "I didn't expect that, but it makes sense. I just wanted to make sure Mina wouldn't start getting jealous or anything."

Rapp and Selene both gasped overdramatically, covering their mouths as if an emotional bombshell just dropped. "Scandalous Ian! I never thought you'd be such a tramp," Selene teased.

Ian felt his cheeks warm up and he shook his head. I can't lie, Plumeria's attractive but she's definitely not my type personality wise. Plus maybe I only think she's good looking cause I haven't done the old five-knuckle-shuffle since I got to Alola. "In your dreams, Plumeria," Ian fired back.

"Only if I wanted to be sober and vomit," Plumeria spat back. "How about you take your reddening cheeks and go find some berries for us?"

"Cheeks?" Ian asked mockingly. "Oh, you mean the ones on my face," Ian said in faux-realization.

"Next time you make that joke I'm taking Hyde's side in your next lovers' spat," Plumeria retorted.

Ian sighed lowly and noticed Tupp beside him snickering. "I guess I'll go out and bring home the bacon for everyone," Ian announced overly obnoxiously.

"Should I send Tupp with you just in case? You sure you'll be okay doing it alone? " Plumeria teased.

"Alone? I'm not alone, I'll have Sawsbuck with me," Ian said with mock enthusiasm.

Selene giggled. "Ian, I'm only going to say this because Hyde can't, but that sounded incredibly lame."

Ian's grin widened. "Just make sure he says 'thank you' while I'm gone." With that, Ian made his way to the nearby group of trees and pulled out Sawsbuck's Heal Ball, casually tossing it in front of him. When Sawsbuck manifested, Ian immediately noticed something very different about his blessed stag's antlers. Gone were the pink cherry blossoms, now it appeared like there were two bushes above its head. "Sawsbuck, why are your antlers gone?"

Sawsbuck grunted loudly as if it resented being accused. "So you're telling me it's so hot right now you turned into your summer form?" Ian continued. Sawsbuck shook its head and bleated, looking to the treeline ahead of them. Well that's unexpected. Ian felt one of Sawsbuck's vines nudge him, and Ian smiled. "Might as well go for a ride after all."

Moments later Ian had mounted Sawsbuck and his blessed stag began trotting through the nearby bank of trees. "No offense Sawsbuck, but I liked your springtime antlers more. I can't see a good amount of space in front of you with these bushes in the way," Ian said, fidgeting with the newly grown plant life on Sawsbuck's antlers. The buck seemingly ignored Ian's critique of its new do. Oh yeah, if his forms are seasonal or weather based, he can't really control it.

He spotted an Aspear Berry tree, and when Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge affected the fruits, they grew to about three quarters of their ripened size, with green still overshadowing the yellow. "We'll come back to you tomorrow morning," Ian said with a grin.

Just as Sawsbuck neared the ending of the small, natural orchard of trees he caught another green blip of light in the corner of his eye, this time on the trunk of a rather large tropical tree. "Another Zygarde cell!" Ian called out. He shook the reins on Sawsbuck and pointed to where Sawsbuck could see and his blessed stag hurried over. Ian investigated the old tree trunk, noticing the tree itself had to be at least five times his height if not more. Ian kept his gaze on the trunk, and as he studied it further, noticed a faint, green patch in the wood. Right about where the flash seemed to come from. Ian reached his hand out, thinking maybe the Zygarde Cell would somehow lift itself from the wood. It didn't appear to be a separate entity, but it had fused with the bark. Part of him thought of maybe chopping off that part of the trunk, but he realized that likely wouldn't grant him any favors with the Zygarde Cell, if it was sentient at all. Or its brethren.

Ian watched on curiously, noticing it blip with green light a couple more times over the five minute period. Oh yeah, the protagonist in the Sun and Moon games was given some bracelet or watch thing that absorbed all of the Zygarde Cells. Something tells me a device like that isn't exactly heading Team Skull's way anytime soon.

Ian finally grew bored of the seemingly dormant Zygarde Cell and waved goodbye to it as he directed Sawsbuck away. On the topic of Legendary Pokemon… If Mohn never got wormhole'd away from Aether, does Aether still capture Cosmog and keep it in captivity? Well, that's not even mentioning Aether Island is abandoned now, right? Maybe an experiment with Cosmog went wrong or something and a bunch of Ultra Beasts appeared? That would make sense… Ian sighed as he didn't realize he could get that creative. Sawsbuck's pace slowed as mount and rider came upon an incline that signaled the beginning of some of the nearby foothills. He looked up to the southern sky, seeing the great, snowcapped peak of Mount Lanakila looming over him and Sawsbuck ominously. Right where the summit would be was the bright light of the Ultra Rift, bright enough to be seen from his position who knows how many miles away.

And what about the Ultra Rift? Maybe Nebby or something of its line as at the center of it? That would make some sort of sense… Maybe Nebby's a Cosmoem and it's stuck there, being something so dense it tore open reality? Ian shook his head in disbelief. If I ever got off this crazy island I could be a big help to some physics professor… Ian shook his head again, trying to remove the notion from his mind. And this is all even IF Cosmog was found. Maybe it's still at large? There was that postgame event where you could get another Cosmog right? You had to go to this opposite world where day and night were reversed and go- Ian's jaw dropped as a second huge realization hit him in the day. You had to take a Solgaleo or Lunala to the Lake of the Sunne… Or Moone, depending on the version. And a Cosmog would be born at the weird altar thing. Maybe Cosmog's hanging out at the Lake of the Sunne? Maybe that's where Lusamine found it in the game timeline… Ian's brain continued churning through ideas. And there's the Arceus design being seen from above. What the hell did Arceus have to do with Alola in the first place? Plus Zygarde, wasn't it supposed to be in Kalos? Ian cringed as he remembered speculation from fans that there was supposed to be a sequel game to the X and Y that got cancelled in favor of doing the Alola games which explained Zygarde's presence in Alola. Am I seriously debating whether a cancelled video game from a different dimension is going to have potential real world consequences for me now? Ian shook his head in disbelief again. "This is nuts," Ian said aloud.

Being so lost in thought, Ian hadn't realized Sawsbuck had stopped in front of another tree, this one being full of freshly ripened Leppa Berries. "Good job Sawsbuck. You're the best autopilot a guy could ask for."

Sawsbuck bleated happily as if it was cheering in agreement. I'd never be able to investigate the Lake of the Sunne anyways though since Tapu Bulu almost beheaded me when I was there last time. Plus Plumeria said there's an Alpha Golurk guarding the place as well… Ian sighed, this time in frustration. But a Cosmog being there would explain why the place is off limits and so well guarded. It wasn't guarded at all in the games. Why the hell is the place so important anyways?

One of Sawsbuck's vines dangled a fresh Leppa Berry in his face and Ian's rumbling stomach got the better of him. "Thanks bud." Sawsbuck seemingly chortled with a series of grunts, and Ian rubbed the back of his blessed mount's neck affectionately. "If I didn't lose your Heal Ball and you hadn't vouched for me in front of Tapu Bulu that day, I probably die then," Ian recalled out loud. Sawsbuck didn't seem to respond as it now had a number of Leppa Berries wrapped up in its sets of vines. "So even if Nebby's there, we can't exactly go prowling around. Anyways Sawsbuck, let's get these berries back to camp."

***

When Ian returned, two tents had been set up, and a hole in one of the ruined building's exposed foundations had become a makeshift fire pit with three occupied lawn chairs surrounding it. Plumeria stood with arms folded, looking out to the horizon and the nearby shore he hadn't realized was so close by.

"Food time!" Rapp announced from her chair as she saw Ian and Sawsbuck riding up with a dozen Leppa Berries on them. Selene turned her head and smiled eagerly at the prospect of food. Hyde, who sat in the third lawn chair, turned his head away.

When Ian neared the campsite, he tossed a couple berries each to Selene and Rapp. When it came time for him to decide about giving them to Hyde, Ian caught a glare from Plumeria and tossed one. The Leppa Berry landed on Hyde's lap but rolled off as Hyde made no effort to stop it, instead just leering at Ian.

"Here, have mine," Selene said quickly, getting out of her seat and placing her own berries directly into Hyde's hands. Selene went to Sawsbuck and took a couple berries from one the blessed stag's vines and gave Ian an annoyed eyeroll.

Ian gave her an acknowledgement nod and turned to Plumeria, who seemed oddly fixated with the coastline. "Is the ocean that pretty down here compared to the view from Po Town?"

"Yeah, Mahiki Bay is probably the prettiest coastline on Ula'Ula," Plumeria said.

"So the most picturesque coastline on the island is just a two hour ride down The Straightaway? Neat," Ian said, extending a Leppa Berry

Plumeria shook her head. "South of the jungle it's the Laa Path," Plumeria said, emphasizing the ah-ah sound in the Alolan word Laa.

"Cool…" Ian said, holding a Leppa Berry out for Plumeria to take, which she finally did.

"It's also Sinclair's territory," Plumeria added between bites.

Oh yeah, the pirate guy. "The beach?"

Plumeria shook her head. "Just the waters and the islands in the bay," Plumeria said. A lot of the so called islands were really just rock formations sticking out of the sea, but he did see a couple in the distance with some land in between. "His base with all of his ships is probably on the biggest island but it's way far out."

Ian nodded, looking out at the bay, noticing Tupp doing something Ian assumed had to do with Sobble. Upon looking further into the distance, he saw two large hills sprouting up from the ocean in the far distance. Probably those, I take it. Something nagged at him though, words Tupp had said a few days prior when Ian had questioned him about why there were never planes in the sky.

"The ASF closed the skies around Ula'Ula cuz Surge and his Zapdos threatened to shoot down anything that came close," Ian recalled Tupp explaining.

"So Plumeria, Surge and Zapdos have air superiority over the island, right?" Ian asked.

"Yeah," Plumeria answered sourly.

"And you said Sinclair and his pirates raid shipping coming from the rest of Alola, right? I assume that goes to the ASF before getting distributed around, right?" Ian continued.

"Yeah, where are you going with this?" Plumeria asked skeptically.

"Why doesn't Surge take Zapdos and destroy Sinclair's boats then? Sinclair's raiding stuff that Surge is bound to get anyways."

"Good question actually," Plumeria said. "Remember that boat that woke us up this morning?"

"Yeah," Ian answered.

"We think Sinclair pays tribute to Surge through Outrigger on the down low," Plumeria explained. "That boat would have to have been sent off in the middle of the night to get to be that close to Po Town at sunrise."

"Ooooooh, that makes sense actually," Selene chimed in.

"Yeah," Ian said. "Plus it weakens the ASF."

"What?" Selene asked.

"If Surge doesn't like the ASF, having SInclair harass them is great. It keeps the ASF busy while Surge does whatever his game plan is for later," Ian explained.

Plumeria stood in silence, eyeing Ian curiously. "That's pretty well thought out actually. Where'd you come up with that?"

"I played too many strategy games with my buddies back home," Ian said.

Plumeria thought on something for a few seconds before addressing Ian once more. "When we get back to Po Town I may ask you to sit in on a strategy meeting."

Hyde cleared his throat obnoxiously loud, glaring at Plumeria. Ian wanted to cackle, knowing it would get under Hyde's skin, but he swallowed his pride instead and took a deep breath instead. "I'm gonna join Tupp down there on the beach then."

"Damn, I shoulda' brought a swimsuit or something. Water looks perfect yo," Rapp said.

"Yeah," Selene said.

"Don't go swimming in the bay," Plumeria said. "Lots of predatory Water Pokemon in that water."

"Wasn't gonna do that but thanks for the heads up," Ian said as he waved goodbye.

***

The hour of training with Tupp ended up being really productive, as Ian got to reveal his newly evolved Pyroar to his best friend. Pyroar got to show off his new moves, namely Flamethrower, Hyper Voice, and Roar. I was hoping he'd have Crunch for some Type diversity, but whatever. Ian did his best to stifle laughter when Pyroar tried doing some of its agility training. Being significantly larger and more muscular had made him clumsy. It'll definitely be something he need lots of practice to get used to.

By the time the sun started setting, Ian and Tupp were called back to camp, and Ian was made aware there'd be a night watch since they were close to enemy territory.

"So who's first yo?" Tupp asked.

"Ian," Hyde said bluntly. "I'll stay up and do a double. No way I'm sleeping when he's on watch."

Ian looked at Plumeria to prove he wasn't about to start bickering, and Plumeria sighed in frustration. "Suit yourself Hyde."

Ian took a seat in one of the lawnchairs as Plumeria led the girls to bed. Tupp stayed out for a while to make sure Hyde played nice, but eventually he yawned once too many and went to the boys' tent. From his position, Ian got to see the night sky illuminated with countless stars and a three-quarter moon. Ian had rarely gone camping, so he'd almost always been near a big city with light pollution. By the time the stars really came out, he was usually stuck in his bunk in Shady House, he found an unusual enjoyment of looking at the night sky, that is until his neck started to hurt.

Ian tried to play off how awkward the silence felt. Part of him wanted to get a fire going just to have something to be distracted with, but Plumeria said it would be visible for any of Sinclair's patrol boats. After a good fifteen minutes, Hyde moved, checking his watch and then clearing his throat.

"Just go to sleep man," Hyde said.

"And the moment you catch me snoozing, you'll go and wake up Plumeria tell her I'm useless," Ian said. "That'll be a no from me, but thanks for the offer."

"It wasn't to be nice," Hyde spat.

Ian took a deep breath, trying not to raise his voice. "Do we have to do this now? We'll just wake up everyone and get kicked off the mission in the morning."

Hyde didn't respond, opting to just sit in silence for another few minutes, and Ian took the opportunity to admire the night sky some more. Eventually something crossed his mind he'd yet to ask Hyde yet, and decided it was probably the best chance at an olive branch he had. "I heard a rumor about you," Ian began.

"Bullshit, whatever it is," Hyde croaked.

"I heard you're hostile to all Unovans, not just me," Ian said.

"Believe whatever you want," Hyde said, returning to silence for a good half a minute. "The rumor's true though."

"I assume there's a good reason why," Ian said delicately.

"There is."

Ian waited for Hyde to elaborate further, but realized he wasn't going to volunteer the information. "Can I ask what the reason is?"

Hyde sat in silence for another minute as Ian did his best to remain patient. Finally Ian heard Hyde shift in his lawn chair, and the pale moonlight reflected off Hyde's watch. "You see this watch?" Hyde asked.

"Yeah."

"It was my brother's," Hyde said. "He's dead now."

Ian gulped. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"You don't have to be so fake around me, plant," Hyde croaked. "He took an offer to go to a Unovan military academy. You're their bitch for four years, but they give you a place at the end of year Castelia Cup when you're done. You basically become a big shot overnight from there."

"You guys are from Alola though, right?" Ian asked.

"Duh."

"So why's a Unova military academy taking him in?" Ian asked.

Hyde sighed in frustration. "Dude, you being this clueless about Unovan shit-"

"Can you just explain it to me man? I think the politics in my world are way different," Ian said, trying to de-escalate.

Hyde gave an annoyed exhale but began speaking again. "They probably don't tell you this shit in your propaganda schools, but you Unova fucks do a lot of shit around the world. Even worse, you don't like doing it yourselves. So you have this military academy called the Striaton Institute that takes people from other regions, and they do your guys' dirty work for you. That's where he went."

Ian gulped. "They definitely don't tell most Unovans that."

"You don't gotta be fake with me, plant," Hyde said. "When he left he had a big smile on his face and told me he'd see me again in four years and 'everything would be different.' Six months later they sent us the news about him. I give the Unovans credit though, I didn't think they'd give us his watch back, but they did."

Ian didn't respond, letting the moment breath.

"And in four days it'll be the three year anniversary of him leaving," Hyde grunted.

Ian continued letting the moment breath, making sure Hyde didn't have anything else to add until he finally opened his mouth. "Thanks for sharing that Hyde. I know you hate me, and nothing's gonna change between us, and that's okay," Ian said.

"Still trying to be nice, you're just as stubborn as Tupp," Hyde scoffed. "You know, Palmer's Ranch is only a few miles from Malie City's outer defenses. It'd be best for you if one night you just disappeared there and never came back."

Ian gulped. "I owe Team Skull everything-"

"Nah you don't, not anymore. And a little advice, don't go thinking Mina's into you or anything," Hyde said definitively. "Only reason's she's flirting with you is she wants to piss me off."

"What?" Ian asked in shock.

"We started talkin' in the first month, back when we thought Breon would use his Tyranitar to destroy Po Town's walls and wreck our shit. We even made out a couple times. But she broke it off, saying she got some dude back home she still had feelings for."

Well that would explain her hesitation earlier today… But nothing out of Hyde's mouth can be trusted. He wants me to have no attachments so I'll leave. "Good to know," Ian lied.

"She's just gonna tease you to get attention," Hyde said. "Just like why she does her dumb murals."

Ian exhaled deeply, feeling very awkward now, not wanting to pick a fight but wanting to defend his artsy friend he was kind of crushing on. "So what time you got?"

"Twelve minutes until your shift is done. By the time you're snoring it'll be my turn anyways," Hyde said dismissively.

"Good talk," Ian said as he got out of the lawn chair.

"Fuck off," Hyde replied.

"The harder you try to get me to leave, the more likely I stay just to piss you off, Hyde" Ian said with a light chuckle.

***

Ian awoke to Tupp tapping on the forehead. "I'm awake bro," Ian said hoarsely.

"You said you had a surprise for breakfast?" Tupp recalled.

Ian smiled. "Oh yeah, we're in for a treat today." He crawled out of his sleeping bag and debated rolling it up, but figured the rest of the squad would appreciate breakfast first. He made his way outside of the tent where Tupp had already started folding up the lawn chairs and Plumeria was mid-yawn as she emerged from her tent, her long strands of hair looking uncharacteristically disheveled.

"Morning Plumeria," Ian greeted.

"Morning Ian," Plumeria croaked.

"Got a treat for us this morning," Ian said.

"You fit a coffee machine in your bag there?" Plumeria asked, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"Hey Big Sis!" Hyde's voice called from the boys' tent. "Ian ain't even roll up his fucking sleeping bag-" Hyde froze as he saw Ian standing right next to Plumeria.

"Hyde, I have been awake FOR LESS THAN TWO MINUTES!" Plumeria roared.

"Bis Sis, I-"

"So you're going back to Po Town then, right?" Plumeria demanded.

"Wait, my bad, I-"

Ian grinned at Tupp as he ducked the escalating scene, getting Sawsbuck's Heal Ball ready. Moments later he was on Sawsbuck's back, the small shrubs on the blessed stag's summer form antlers blocking a good chunk of his frontal vision. Sawsbuck seemed to remember the route, and when they got to the Aspear Berry tree it didn't take long until they had twelve berries in their hands, leaving the rest of the berries for a return trip for his Pokemon team's breakfast.

When Ian got back to camp and started distributing Aspear Berries, Hyde seemed particularly dejected.

"So what's so special about Aspear Berries?" Plumeria asked.

"They're like if coffee was berries," Ian said, handing her a pair, then giving her another pair to give to Hyde.

"I made Hyde roll up your sleeping bag," Plumeria said lowly.

"Thanks," he whispered back. Plumeria took a bite of one of her Aspear Berries and her eyes lit up as the warming sensation came across her body. "Fuck, these are better than coffee."

When Selene took a bite of one she gasped too. "They are!"

Ian was given an old grocery bag and made a return trip to the Aspear Berry tree and a nearby Oran Berry tree for the group's various Pokemon team members. He made sure to feed his team away from camp, especially his massive Tyrunt.

Ian re-appeared at their campsite he remembered they called Aether Camp, and noticed the last tent's duffel bag was being beamed into the Silph Bag.

"Breakfast is gonna have to be fast for our Pokemon, I want to hit that Ultra Storm forming up ahead," Plumeria said, pointing to their southerly route. "Not too far out of the way either."

Ian noticed a faint white glowing dome a mile or so inland and smiled at the prospect of finally getting to go to another Ultra Storm. Maybe give Wartortle some EXP Candy… Or maybe I just save it for when Grimsley thinks a Pokemon's mentally ready to evolve. Yeah, that's a better idea.

Selene and Rapp began releasing their Pokemon, and Ian watched closely as he'd never seen their full teams out at once. Selene's Brionne appeared with a cheer, her Arcanine and Dusk Form Lycanroc immediately began playing around excitedly, while Toucannon stretched its wings out. Arcanine, as big as a tiger but acts like a dog. If I didn't already have Pyroar I would so go for one… Ian thought for a moment as Selene grabbed her last tow Poke Balls. Maybe help Tupp get a Growlithe or something. There weren't any on this island if I recall, but who knows what an Ultra Storm will bring. Plus if it's male it might give Tupp an in with Selene. Selene released her last two Pokemon, one being the floating squid-like Pokemon Inkay, floating around lazily, while her sixth Pokemon emerged from its ball and Ian recognized the primate with a helmet and hard ball looking thing under its arm as a Passimian. Neat. Never would have expected her to have an Inkay though… I wonder how they evolve if you can't turn the 3DS upside down?

Ian turned to Rapp's Pokemon, her Comfey and Galarian Ponyta were out first, but a Stufful and a Smoochum joined the other two. Interesting. Plumeria's Salazzle, Alolan Muk, newly added Varoom, and Haunter that Ian had seen before came first, followed by an Arbok and a Toxapex. Toxapex stuck out to him, as the large blue, Corsola-eating starfish moved slowly, ominously as it neared the pair of berries near it. Varoom didn't even touch the food, instead opting a patch of gravel and mechanically grinding it up underneath. Never thought that's how a Varoom would eat, but you learn something new every day. Ian turned back to Salazzle and noticed a string around its neck with a dark purple crystal hanging on it. Is that a Z-Crystal? Ian turned to Plumeria suddenly and looked at her wrist, noticing a bracelet of some sort he'd always thought was a watch.

Other than Hyde leaving the group's vision to feed his Pokemon team "where no enemies will see," everything went smoothly as the group rode down the Laa Path. Mount Lanakila loomed larger and large over them with Ian noticing the bright white light of the Ultra Rift at the summit becoming more and more prominent. One day, if I ever get a flyer I want to get a closer look. I'm sure it'd be really cool.

They were maybe a half mile out when Ian noticed the Ultra Storm's dome-like luminescence begin to become a more vibrant shade of white before cycling between red, blue, green, and yellow, before the color green returned. Moments later a boom sound hit their ears, which made Ian thankful they weren't so close to this time around. A couple minutes the group of six was dismounting, and Plumeria began barking orders.

"Ian, Tupp, you guys go around the perimeter. Hyde, you and Selene go help create a buffer zone in there, Rapp and I will occupy that buffer zone so we can watch and observe. Go!" Plumeria said.

The squad left their packs with their bikes and hurried to the fog-like barrier. Ian released his Pyroar and Tupp his Gumshoos. Selene released her Arcanine and Hyde his Torracat.

"Aw, we're matching tiger Pokemon," Selene said with a giggle.

"Switch your 'mon, I don't want Ian seeing the rest of my team," Hyde said bitterly.

"Okay…" Selene said with a trying to not be mad-customer service voice.

"Get Toucannon, it can distract while Torracat closes in for the kill," Hyde explained. Selene looked to Ian and Hyde and gave them an eyeroll, but did as Hyde bade.

Plumeria got her Alolan Muk out again, and Rapp kept Comfey at the ready. Ian and Tupp rushed in first, the morning sun dimming inside the dome. Pyroar licked his chops as he leapt in front of Ian and Tupp. Gumshoos followed closely behind on all fours, watching every movement suspiciously.

Ian noticed shards on the ground already, but knew he wanted to make sure things were more stable for leaving himself vulnerable. As if on cue, a vibrant blue crack appeared just before them and a swirling white hole expanded. Pyroar and Gumshoos readied themselves for whatever would come out. Pyroar wound up what Ian realized would be a Hyper Voice, and Ian watched as the Ultra Wormhole opened up, dropping a small, pink humanoid form with a head almost as big as the rest of its body. Big white eyes expanded as it glowed with Dark Type Energy. An Impidimp? Neat.

Ian put his hands over his ears to prepare for Pyroar's Hyper Voice, but the Impidimp suddenly knocked Pyroar right in its neck with unreal speed. Sucker Punch? Pyroar whailed in pain as it collapsed from the sudden hit in an awkward spot, and Gumshoos turned to avenge its fallen partner, but Impidimp jumped with otherworldly agility over Ian and Tupp, scurrying off and murmuring frantically as it did.

An Impidimp would be really cool, kinda go with the whole Team Skull vibe too. Ian turned to follow the pink little imp, but Tupp stopped him. "Bro, look."

Ian turned to where Tupp pointed, and he saw the last flash of electricity twenty feet or so away from them, with Selene's Toucannon falling from the sky as it appeared it had suffered a pretty brutal knockout. Toucannon hit the ground harshly, and Tupp started charging over to Selene. You owe me, Tupp. Gimshoos followed Tupp, and Pyroar clumsily got back to its feet and looked to Ian for further orders. Ian pointed at Tupp and Gumshoos. "You had a good idea though, just unlucky."

Ian focused on the situation at hand and saw the bright red eyes of an Alpha, with a huge yellow arachnid body. Gotta be a Galvantula. Ian eyed Gumshoos as Hyde's Torracat spat flames at the Alpha to prevent it from attacking Toucannon. A red beam of light got the fallen bird Pokemon off the field, and Selene's Dusk Form Lycanroc appeared in its pleace howling angrily as it charged Galvantula.

Galvantula then crackled with Electric Type Energy and suddenly sent a wave of electricity, hitting Torracat, Lycanroc, and Gumshoos. The wave seemingly fizzled at as it got to Pyroar. Good thing we're late to the party, or that Discharge would've hit us hard. "Pyroar, Flamethrower!" Ian roared.

Pyroar leapt into the air, its mane gave off some embers and then it unleashed a stream of flames as it roared ferociously. The Alpha Galvantula was hit directly, letting out a high pitched cry of pain as it endured the stream that lasted for a good five seconds. Pyroar seemed already a bit fatigued, and Galvantula turned to Pyroar with its red eyes.

"Right!" Ian commanded as a thick, white String Shot came streaming toward Ian's lion. Pyroar managed to dodge barely, but a bolt of electricity followed the String Shot, which connected, causing Pyroar to roar with pain. Ian noticed Torracat charging in, mouth ablaze with flames. Torracat sank its teeth into one of Galvantula's legs, causing more high pitched whining. It then fired off an Alpha Roar, knocking Torracat off of it, and even stunning Lycanroc who had just recovered initiative from Discharge. Galvantula stepped next to the stunned Torracat, and Ian looked at Pyroar.

"One more Flamethrower, give it all you got!" Ian commanded confidently.

Pyroar growled, forcing itself up and leapt forward. Its man gave off a short burst of embers, and another stream of flames erupted from Pyroar's mouth. Galvantula turned to the oncoming onslaught, and all Ian heard was Galvantula's high pitched whines of pain to know Flamethrower had hit home.

When Pyroar tired and let up on the stream of fire, a crack had already formed behind the fallen Galvantula and begin pulling it in. "Excellent work, Pyroar," Ian said with a smile as he pumped his fist.

Ian looked behind him to see if the Impidimp had re-appeared, but no dice. "Damn it," he said under his breath. Ian then rushed over to where Galvantula had fallen, and there sat a blue cube of EXP Candy. A medium one. Ian knelt down and picked it up when he heard nearby footsteps.

"I think I should get that," Hyde declared. "Seeing as Torracat engaged it and was bait for your Pyroar to come in and save the day."

Ian rolled his eyes. "So you do like the Alpha Poop now? I had a suspicion-"

"You just so happened to hold back so the rest of the team was bait," Hyde accused.

"Pyroar got Sucker Punched by an Impidimp, that's why we were late to saving you guys," Ian retorted.

"Boys, we are in an Ultra Storm, can you please cut this shit out?" Selene scolded.

Hyde was having none of it. "He clearly values that thing-"

"PLUMERIA!" Selene shouted loudly.

Hyde froze and grimaced, then relaxed and stepped back. "Fine."

Ian stifled a laugh but made sure he made eye contact with Hyde as he had a shit-eating grin on his face.

Chapter Text

Chapter 16 The Climb

"Are you sure you want to carry those dumb shards up this mountain?" Plumeria chided.

The group of six were at the base of an old hiking trail they'd be following to cross the mountain, having just hid their bikes away in some bushes they hoped would still be there in ten days' time. Or more. Ian felt the added heft of his backpack already with the six shards he'd collected after the Ultra Storm. It's a shame Plumeria didn't let us wait for the Ultra Storm to end so I could collect the Stardust. "They're not that heavy. Plus you got plenty of room in your Silph Bag right now if you're truly worried."

Hyde scoffed. "Only important things go in the Silph Bag. You gonna tell us what's so important-"

"Hyde, shut up or you're going back to Po Town right now," Plumeria said bluntly.

Hyde grunted, but didn't continue. He's on to me about something. Maybe it's the Star Pieces I have? Did he hear or see something? I think I was deep enough in Elk Grove so he didn't see me pull out the EXP Candy. And that's assuming he was sitting on the wall just watching me BS with Grimsley, which he might have an impressive hate boner for me but I doubt he's psychotic-tier watching me.

Within five minutes of hiking up the incline, Ian could feel his legs protesting the climb with soreness. I suppose those days of training in Elk Grove weren't too helpful for this. Grimsley did say something about a trainer needing to keep themselves strong physically to earn their Pokemon's respect. I'll have to start working out more. A good while passed, their pace gradually slowing the longer the incline lasted. The occasional wild Pokemon would be seen scampering out of view, but the hike seemed rather uneventful. The incline made the walking so tiresome there was little chatter.

"Big Sis, I need a breather," Rapp complained.

"We're almost to a good rest stop," Plumeria said encouragingly.

"I think I already am…" Rapp replied.

"Probably not even another mile," Plumeria said. "It's just around this bend coming up on."

"Big Sis, I'm sure you're right, but can we take a short break? Just like five minutes?" Selene pleaded.

Plumeria sighed. "I promise it'll be a long break when we get to where we're going."

The incline mercifully evened out shortly after, and when the sound of a waterfall hit their ears, the whole vibe changed. The rock wall to their left ended,and Ian feasted his eyes on a large waterfall that had to be at least sixty to seventy feet high, pouring into a spring clearer than he'd probably ever seen. "This is amazing," Ian said in awe. As he neared the edge of the spring and looked up to the top of the falls with the rest of the mountain looming in the background and rainbows appeared in the mist.

"Okay, I see why you wanted us to wait a bit," Selene said.

Rapp hurried to a well placed boulder and tossed her pack to the ground. "Finally…" Rapp said with a moan.

"There's no stream or anything coming out of it, what's up with that Big Sis?" Selene asked.

"It goes down through the rock," Plumeria said. "There's another waterfall a few hundred feet down and that way." Plumeria pointed south. "And that's where Haina Town gets most of their water supply from."

"Haina Town's water supply comes from here?" Tupp asked. "Screw that, I'm taking a dump in it."

"At least wait until after we refill our camelbaks, Tupp," Plumeria instructed.

"Oh… yeah," Tupp said.

"Ian," Plumeria said, motioning him to come closer to the small boulder she'd taken a seat on. "Give yourself a short rest then hop on Sawsbuck and see if you can find us some berries. Breakfast wasn't that long ago but it wasn't exactly filling."

Ian nodded. "Understood."

Plumeria cleared her throat to address the group. "We're about three quarters of the way to the switchbacks that lead down to Haina Town. If you squint your eyes you'll even be able to see Haina Town from here," Plumeria explained, pointing to the southeast. Ian didn't need to squint, it was a sizable human settlement a mile or two from the distant shoreline. Way bigger than Po Town, that's for sure.

"We should be able to rest for a little bit once we get close to the switchbacks. There's this shortcut I took when I came through last time, it should get us on the desert-facing side of the mountain by sundown," Plumeria explained.

"Why'd you come through here last time?" Ian spoke up.

"Guzma sent me to the Rough Raiders to see if they'd ally with us against Haina Town when the war with Breon first broke out," Plumeria said.

"Did it work?" Ian asked.

Plumeria shook her head. "Everything was in flux then, they weren't sure who to trust, they just knew Haina Town and Breon were bad news so they said they'd keep raiding and harassing them, but we wouldn't be doing anything together."

"Could've been worse," Ian said. "And what started the war anyways? Did Guzma piss someone off?"

Plumeria shook her head. "No. Three girls Breon took as concubines escaped and came our way. We took them in, not knowing where they came from. So Breon demanded them back, we said no… And he didn't exactly like that."

"Driftwood eventually sorted things out?" Ian asked.

"Breon made us promise not to take in any more Haina Town escapees," Plumeria said. "There's no way they can enforce it, but no more have come our way since."

Ian turned to Selene curiously, who realized what Ian was thinking. "I got out of Haina Town before the war started," Selene explained. "The night Breon's mutiny happened, actually."

"Sounds like you lucked out," Ian said.

"But enough of that, let's talk about something lighter," Plumeria said. Ian found a seat on a small boulder away from Hyde but also from Plumeria where he'd have an optimal view of the falls.

"Aw Smoochum, you gon' swim?" Rapp said like she was talking to a baby. Well she is talking to a baby, actually.

Tupp took a seat next to Ian on the larger rock and began slurping down the last of the water in his camelbak. Ian noticed Hyde had turned away, so he leaned in and began whispering to Tupp. "Yo man, I wanna show you something," Ian said lowly as he fidgeted with his pockets and revealed a shrunken Poke Ball. "Got a couple of these, plus a Great Ball, and an Ultra Ball," Ian said, not wanting to explain the Premier Ball just being aesthetically different.

Tupp's jaw dropped and he looked around to make sure no one had noticed his reaction. With Rapp watching Smoochum play on the edge of the spring and Selene doing something with Plumeria's hair, they were basically private. "That's awesome yo, where'd you get those?"

Ian leaned in close. "When I caught the Alpha Tyrunt, I found a Star Piece on the ground," Ian lied. He hated lying to Tupp, but he still felt nervous about the Star Piece secret. I gotta keep that to myself as long as I can.

"That's sick bro," Tupp said. "I know you got Sawsbuck for unlimited food and stuff, but are you sure you can handle eight Pokemon?"

Ian shook his head. "Nah man, my belt's only got six spots. Two of these are yours."

Tupp gawked at him like something hadn't added up. "Whatchu mean?"

Ian smiled. "Depending on whatever Pokemon we encounter, if you want to catch it, I'll give you whatever ball is best for it."

"Bro, you don't gotta do that. You bought this stuff," Tupp replied.

"I got lucky and found the Star Piece, I want to share the wealth, you know?" Ian said. "You're literally my best friend on this planet bro, what's mine is yours."

"Really?" Tupp said.

"Who else would it be? Hyde?" Ian joked.

"I figured it'd be that Mina chick you playin' the guitar for nowadays," Tupp said.

"We don't really talk a lot during that if I'm being honest. Plus she hasn't saved my life multiple times," Ian said. "Also Hyde was telling me some stuff last night about her, I don't know if it was true or not…"

"What'd he say?"

"Said he fooled around with her a bit?" Ian said uncertainly. "Didn't date but almost did or something like that."

Tupp shook his head. "Bro, Hyde will make up anything to mess with you at this point bro-" Tupp paused as he realized something. "Oh yeah… I did catch 'em sucking face one time in the early, early days."

So Hyde was kind of right. Dammit. "Thanks for the heads up," Ian said.

Tupp put his fist out and Ian reciprocated with a bump. "And bro, when you said 'what's mine is yours,' how deep does that go?"

"What do you mean?" Ian asked.

Tupp leaned in close, his eyes fixated on Selene. "You don't mean that about girlfriends, right?"

Ian stymied a laugh and shook his head. "Not at all man, I meant objects, like a spare Poke Ball not a… person."

Tupp nodded seriously. "Okay, I just wanted to make sure… Cuz that Mina chick is cool but like, I didn't wanna…"

"Please don't finish that sentence Tupp," Ian teased.

***

Ian did find a berry tree and came back to camp with a bag of Yache Berries, round blue fruits that tasted pretty sour, but it was food so no one complained. Tupp made everyone look away as he dropped a deuce in the spring, once everyone had re-hydrated and filled their camelbaks. Tupp's only regret when he finished? "I wish I had more poop to poop."

They set off again, the inclines not as bad since they were traveling across the mountain more than up it. The sun was at high noon when Plumeria got to the top of a minor incline and cursed.

"What's up?" Ian asked, pulling up the rear.

"Doesn't look like my shortcut exists anymore," Plumeria said damningly.

Ian hurried his way up the inclined trail and looked over a sheer drop of thirty feet or so. Across the way another edge beckoned to them, and Ian saw the switchback road crossing back and forth further beyond the cliff.

"We just use Toucannon, right?" Tupp said.

"Wish I could've used Arcanine instead, Hyde," Selene said bitterly. "Toucannon's too weak for this."

Hyde exhaled but remained silent.

"Anyone catch any big Flying Types since this morning?" Plumeria asked jokingly.

"Nope."

"That'll be on our to-do list going forward," Plumeria said, looking down the huge cliffside now. "This whole section of rock is just gone, how could this have even happened?"

Ian tried to imagine how many tons of rock had to be destroyed for a feat like this to be achieved. Definitely not just an ordinary landslide.

"A Tyranitar could've done this," Hyde added. "We all know who that means."

An eerie quiet came over the party as they all looked at the cliff's jagged edge. If just ONE Tyranitar obliterated all of this rock, I don't even want to imagine going against one in battle. No wonder Breon sparks fear in people.

Plumeria sighed as Ian caught her looking up the mountain, already searching for another way. "It won't be fun, and we're gonna have to go backwards a bit, but I bet we can find a different path."

This endeavor took a good two hours of harsh incline hiking, and the wind picked up slightly, with storm clouds ominously approaching the mountain now. They did run into a Bewear that needed to be scared off by a fierce Roar from Ian's Pyroar. They did eventually find the semblance of a trail, almost like it was still being developed, and they stayed on it. This time a little more on the lookout for other people.

"Didn't you say there were other people on the mountain?" Ian asked.

"Makamae town," Plumeria said. It was native Alolan so each vowel was said individually.

"That name's got a fun beat, 'Ma-ka-ma-e Town," Tupp said aloud.

"That mining town's supposed to be like two-thirds of the way up, so we shouldn't have to get too close to it," Plumeria explained. "The switchbacks lead directly up to the town, we're just trying to go across."

"Plumeria, for some reason I remember you saying that you would run into the foraging parties in the Akua Jungle because there wasn't much food up here," Ian said.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Then we might be one of their trails," Ian said. "Especially if that destroyed path was recent."

A nervous silence came over the group at the revelation. "You're right," Plumeria admitted. "Okay everyone, if you run into anyone that isn't us, do not attack them first. And if it does come to a fight, make sure not to kill them. We might be able to trade a prisoner for safe passage."

The group nodded in agreement, and continued on. They took another break, this one shorter because Plumeria couldn't stop looking at the gathering storm overhead. Not long after that they hit another roadblock.

"Well this looks dangerous," Selene said, eyeing the obstacle. A steep incline rose up ahead of them, but with hundreds if not thousands of loose rocks and debris scattered along it. Sheer walls flanked each side of the steep ramp.

"A sloped scree field, dammit," Plumeria muttered. "We have to be so close to the switchbacks, this is insane."

"Looks like someone's put up good defenses," Hyde chimed in. "Maybe they're good climbers or something, so this isn't a problem for them but it is for anyone else."

"Good insight, Hyde," Plumeria said. "But you're not getting an invite to the strategy meeting."

Ian did his best not to laugh, but luckily for him Selene and Rapp had no such limitations. Selene composed herself from her fit of giggles and focused on Hyde. "Well Hyde, it'd be real nice if Toucannon wasn't out of commission."

Hyde scoffed dismissively. "It's been hours girl. Call it out, I bet the bird's rearing to go."

Selene grunted, but grabbed a Poke Ball and tossed it in the air. "Toucannon, show 'em what you got!" Toucannon manifested lifelessly, its wings sprawled out spread eagle style. A surge of electricity crossed the fallen bird's body.

"What the fuck? I saw you and Rapp healing it earlier," Hyde said in frustration.

"Tanking a Thunder from an Alpha Galvantula would knock any Flying Type out for a day or more," Selene lectured.

Hyde grunted. "Well maybe Rapp's just shit at healing Pokemon, I thought that's what her job was gonna start being-"

"Hyde…" Plumeria began. "Just because you don't get to antagonize Ian for the rest of the mission doesn't mean you're free to do it to the rest of the team."

Ian then stepped forward, eyeing the steep incline with an analytical eye. I've seen Sawsbuck go up things kind of like this, maybe he can help.

"Ian, I see those gears turning," Plumeria said. "Whatcha thinking?"

"I think I have an idea," Ian announced. "Sawsbuck might be able to go up this."

"I hope you try it Ian," Hyde declared. "I'll get to say 'I told you so' when you both break your legs."

Ian's mind rewound to when he'd been the guy saying those "I told you so," words the day before and he smiled. Now you just motivated me even more.

Plumeria sighed. "Hyde, maybe we just leave you down here when we all ride Sawsbuck up this thing."

Hyde scoffed. "Even if Sawsbuck could, ain't no way I'd ride on that dumb deer."

Ian then grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released his blessed stag, who manifested with a rather different look than it just had not too long ago. Sawsbuck's antlers now sported sagging red bushes where he'd sported lively green ones rather recently. "How fast do your transformations happen, Sawsbuck?" Ian demanded in confusion. We were at the waterfall like two or three hours ago? Did you really go through your Summer form that fast- Oh wait. We're at a higher elevation and the weather's different.

Sawsbuck bleated dumbly, its mouth hanging open, making the blessed stag look anything but. Ian noticed the tops of the bushes still clung to the antlers, so riding Sawsbuck would have an even more obstructed vision. I'm going to have to trust him even more now. At the exact worst time possible. Ian held back a curse and looked upon the obstacle once more. What did Plumeria call it again? Some sort of sloped field? A nervous nausea began creeping into his belly. Plumeria gave us a vote of confidence, if even her cynical ass can root for us, then we're good.

Ian gave Sawsbuck a confident nod and patted on its shoulders, with a more weathered, vine tinted with green and orange taking Ian off the ground and onto the organic saddle. The layer of moss even had shades of red and orange in it. I hope this isn't weakening the stability of Sawsbuck's plant accessories. "Alright Sawsbuck, I trust you one-hundred percent," Ian said under his breath as he rubbed the back of Sawsbuck's neck nervously.

Sawsbuck lowered its head to inspect the ground at its hooves, then slowly raised it as the blessed stag continued analyzing the loose rocks scattered across the incline. Sawsbuck then shuffled its legs to the left and leapt suddenly. Gravel and rocks shifted underneath with the impact causing them to roll down, but the ground's stability held. Sawsbuck took a few, careful steps up, causing more gravel and darkened rocks to shift underneath. Ian realized he was holding Sawsbuck's vine-reins too tight and relaxed a bit. Being so inverted like this will be a killer on my back if this happens a lot. Sawsbuck then jumped once more, landing at the one third point by Ian's measure. This landing was far less stable and Sawsbuck's hooves lost their traction for a moment before going still once more. Ian relaxed his suddenly tense muscles, and noticed one of the green-orange vines sticking out on the ground, stabilizing Sawsbuck and its rider. Sawsbuck, you are way smarter than I give you credit for.

Sawsbuck took another couple careful steps, then did a short jump to a patch of exposed earth, causing Sawsbuck's smoothest landing so far. Ian took a deep breath, trying to calm his frantically beating heart. "Almost halfway, Sawsbuck," Ian encouraged.

Sawsbuck then leapt to another patch of stable earth, then in succession to another. Ian's head banged into the back of Sawsbuck's neck, but his fear was the only thing unstabilizing the duo. Sawsbuck then bounded up once more, this time to unsteady ground, but the stabilizing vine secured them. Ian's jaw dropped as he realized how close to the top they were. One more jump!

Sawsbuck bounded once more, confidently, and its hooves stuck the landing as they got to even ground again. "Hell yeah!" Ian shouted in triumph, patting Sawsbuck excitedly as he heard a barrage of cheers from down below. "You're the fucking man Sawsbuck." Sawsbuck gave a cheerful bleat before its vines rose up around Ian for him to dismount. "Who's next?" Ian called to the rest of the Team Skull group.

The group of five seemed rather hesitant, so Ian decided to give them some motivation. "Last one up here has to dig the next outhouse pit in Po Town!" Ian teased as he smacked Sawsbuck on the toosh and sent it bounding down the slope, which was much easier as it took just two landings before reaching the bottom. Sawsbuck pranced in a circle with pride. You've definitely earned it, bud.

Hyde shook his head, unimpressed. "If Sawsbuck can do that, Selene's Arcanine clears that easily!"

Selene suddenly cringed. "Arcanine's never been ridden, she's a bit sensitive about that."

Hyde turned to her and started bickering, or at least Ian assumed since he couldn't hear. But in short order, Selene's Arcanine appeared from its ball and Selene pointed up to Ian. Arcanine did the same scan of the rocks and quickly leapt from the bottom. Arcanine's feet clearly struggled to keep traction initially, but it finally stabilized and leapt up to the halfway point in one bound. Moments later, Arcanine met Ian at the top, eagerly sticking its tongue out for praise. "You made it look almost too easy, girl," Ian said, patting the heated mane of the tiger with a dog's behavior.

"C'mon back, girl!" Selene beckoned, to which Arcanine leapt without hesitation. Arcanine made it down in two bounds, excitedly ready to play with Selene. Selene then got close and Ian couldn't hear what was being said, but Arcanine got weirded by something, and Selene made Arcanine lower its back so she could hop on.

Arcanine gave a bothered howl and when Selene got settled in, Arcanine yelped in shock, with Selene's hands suddenly retreating from the back of Arcanine's neck. Selene's grabbing onto Arcanine's mane, which I don't think Arcanine particularly likes. Another minute passed as Selene tried to grab hold of something on Arcanine's back, with Arcanine looking more and more uncomfortable. Something really stupid's about to happen, I can feel it. Finally Selene found something that seemed to be bearable to Arcanine, this method involving her arms draped around Arcanine's neck. Doesn't look like she's holding on with much.

Arcanine then roused itself, not used to carrying such weight on its back and it jumped. Arcanine landed on unsteady ground, well short of its initial leap, and began sliding back back down. Selene let out a panicked cry.

"C'mon Selene, you got this!" Hyde shouted, to which Plumeria gave him such a dirty look even Ian could tell from his vantage point. Arcanine leapt up once more, an even shorter amount this time and its front legs slipped, causing Arcanine's chin to hit the ground. Selene shrieked in terror, but Arcanine appeared to stabilize. The fiery tiger slowly got back up on all fours with a look of uncertainty in its eyes. Why is Plumeria allowing this to continue? Even I can tell something bad's about to happen. Ian focused on their squad leader, who held her intense gaze on the act at hand. She kept one of her hands right next to her Poke Ball belt, ready to deploy anything if necessary, to which Ian realized why she was actually allowing it. If this doesn't work and Hyde won't ride Sawsbuck, he's effectively off the mission. And I know her, she's not leaving anyone behind.

Arcanine took another leap and completely missed the mark, causing the tiger to slip and begin sliding backwards. Selene began screaming in terror once more as the two began tumbling down the slope. "Sawsbuck!" Ian shouted desperately. Instead though, a flash of red light appeared below the tumbling duo's path and Plumeria's Alolan Muk appeared with a loud, low gurgling cry. Arcanine and Selene both hit the multi-colored Muk and suddenly stopped, effectively saving them. Selene's cry of relief turned quickly into horror as she realized what had stopped their fall.

"Oh, this is disgusting!" Selene cried out as suddenly looked very uncomfortable. Better than the alternative though. Plumeria's Alolan Muk began crawling down the slope like a slug, leaving sludge in its wake with Arcanine and Selene in tow. Upon reaching the bottom, Plumeria recalled her emergency stopper Pokemon, leaving Selene wiping off the multicolored Muk goop she was now covered in. The trainers down below had all plugged their noses and taken a few steps back from Selene. At least the only thing really hurt is her pride.

"So who wants to get on Sawsbuck then?" Ian called down below.

The group seemed much more averse to the idea, until Tupp came forward. "I know Sawsbuck got me, yo," he declared.

Sawsbuck trotted up to the brave quad member with vines at the ready, and quickly got Tupp into riding position. Tupp took a little bit to get used to the feel of it, but it didn't take long before Sawsbuck had squared up and started scanning the slope once more. Sawsbuck trotted up a bit of it, then leapt a short bit, seemingly less ambitious but also more cautious. Its vines stayed at the ready, and the blessed stag slowly but surely passed halfway before needing to use its vines to stabilize. Which looked like he was using them just in case. Sawsbuck made a couple quick leaps and then paused, the top not even ten feet away when the blessed stag bounded majestically, landing at the top right next to Ian. "Yeah!" Ian cheered.

Tupp had a huge smile on his face and began patting Sawsbuck's neck affectionately. "Thanks big dude." Sawsbuck mewled happily and trotted around a bit to show off. "No lie, this is hella fun yo."

Ian smiled. "I'll have to let him give you a ride sometime."

"I might have to get something for me to ride too," Tupp said as Sawsbuck's vines placed him back onto the ground.

Sawsbuck then leapt down the slope with ease, getting to the bottom and looking at the group expectantly. Ian noticed the group had essentially ostracized Selene and he saw an opportunity for Tupp. "Hey bro, I see everyone's staying away from Selene."

Tupp nodded. "Yeah, she stinks yo."

"She's gonna be all alone, feeling bad about herself. I wonder if any guy could come in and make her laugh and forget about the whole thing for a time," Ian said with a wink.

It took a moment but Tupp did realize it. "You right bro. I know Rook wouldn't do that for her…"

"It ain't about Rook, bro," Ian said. "Be more than him. Show her you got her back and think she's beautiful even if she smells like a septic tank."

"Temporarily, right?" Tupp asked, fear in his eyes.

Ian shrugged. "I'm sure. But I suppose having a stinky girlfriend would be better than no girlfriend at all."

Tupp nodded. "Okay good… You won't think I'm weird if I still like her even if she smells bad?"

Ian chuckled. "Bro, I haven't seen a stick of deodorant since I got to Po Town. We all smell pretty bad after a while."

Tupp nodded as he turned his attention to the bottom, where Plumeria was getting her bearings on Sawsbuck's back. "You're a natural!" Ian called out. Plumeria raised her hand and gave him a middle finger, causing both guys to laugh.

Plumeria's ride went smoothly, then Selene got up and went far away from the area, prompting Tupp to follow her. Ian wished his bro luck, even though Selene did smell like an outhouse thanks to Plumeria's Muk. Rapp followed on Sawsbuck without a hitch. Ian took great pride in how helpful Sawsbuck was being, and how smoothly it was traversing the slope. When Ian saw it was just Hyde at the bottom, those feelings of pride died. C'mon dude, just get on Sawsbuck. It doesn't have to be difficult.

"Hyde, come on!" Plumeria chided the lone squad member. "Sawsbuck's making it look easy."

"I don't think so. Sawsbuck's making it look all easy and shit. I'm sure the dumb deer will fuck up when I'm on his back," Hyde responded.

"Dumb deer? You're the one that set yourself up for this in the first place, dumbass!" Plumeria pointed out.

"This thing looks like it was set up by someone so most people can't traverse it," Hyde said. "But I bet there are some people that can do it, so I'll just do what they do."

"At least use your Baltoy to save you if you fall," Plumeria said.

Baltoy, he's got a Baltoy? Oh yeah, he doesn't want me to know what his team is.

"Ain't gonna need it!" Hyde fired back. He then started stepping onto the slope carefully. Gravel and loose rock shifted underneath him with each stride, and Ian shook his head, anticipating something stupid happening once more.

Hyde occasionally lost his footing for a moment as he made his way past the one-third mark of the slope, He then stepped to a spot that Arcanine had used with Selene on his back. Where Arcanine lost its footing with Selene! "Hyde, go a different way!" Ian shouted.

Hyde flipped him the bird and shook his head as he took another step. "I don't need shit from you, kid-" Hyde's foot landed awkwardly and he fell to the ground. Then he began to scream.

Ian sighed, shaking his head, trying to suppress a cackle.

"What a dumbass," Rapp said with a giggle.

Plumeria just shook her head, visibly frustrated. "Damn it Hyde! What's wrong?"

"My ankle!" Hyde shouted back between curses. "Think I fucked it up bad."

Plumeria turned to Ian. "Could you get Sawsbuck to…"

Ian nodded. "Hyde is not gonna like this."

"You've been pulling your punches, he's been pushing the envelope. You deserve an 'I told you so' after this shit," Plumeria said.

"At least," Rapp said.

"Sawsbuck! Get him before he hurts himself more!" Ian called out.

"NO!" Hyde roared back in protest as he was bent over, clutching his ankle as he began to slide.

Sawsbuck did as bade, leaping up easily and using its vines to pick up the injured party member. "Damn it, I said no!" Hyde protested.

Ian shook his head, unable to stop himself from laughing at the spectacle. Hyde, it is impressive how stupid you are sometimes. I hope you learn something from this. Thirty seconds later, Sawsbuck and its injured rider were up top, and Rapp had Comfey and her Galarian Ponyta tending to Hyde's swollen ankle.

"Is it broke? It's gotta be broke," Hyde said in agony.

"Do I look like a fucking x-ray machine?" Rapp fired back.

Hyde made eye contact with Ian, and Ian saw the shame in Hyde's watery eyes. I should give him some time, I'll probably just make this worse by being here.

***

It was late afternoon when the group set out again. Storm clouds had begun closing in overhead. Hyde's ankle was bandaged up, and Smoochum helped make a jenky ice pack to put on the swollen ankle. Hyde couldn't walk, so he had to ride Sawsbuck now, cursing and groaning in pain as he did. Funny how him refusing to ride Sawsbuck turned into him NEEDING to ride Sawsbuck. Tupp and Selene picked up the rear by some distance as they were downwind. Tupp's gotta be earning major brownie points for this. Plumeria's scowl was essentially permanent, Ian figured the squad leader was debating what to do with their injured member.

Plumeria sighed and let out an almost defeated groan. "I'm not sure how much further we can go before the storm hits," Plumeria stated.

"Hyde needs rest," Rapp said.

"And we can't get stuck up here on this damn mountain with that storm coming," Plumeria said before letting out a loud curse.

"There's that town further up the mountain, right?" Ian asked.

Plumeria nodded. "Yeah, but I don't think they'll take us in."

Ian shrugged. "Maybe we can bribe them?"

Plumeria shook her head. "Show another faction we have money and valuables? There's a decent chance they just take it all from us and then this whole expedition is pointless."

"It's really the only option we got," Ian said.

Plumeria bit her lip, but relented. "You're right." Plumeria turned to Rapp and Hyde. "Stay here, Ian and I are gonna try to find one of their guards or something."

Rapp nodded. "Okay."

Hyde winced as he felt a jolt of pain and cursed.

"Tell Selene and Tupp we'll be back soon," Plumeria said, her eyes fixating on the oncoming storm clouds.

"Should we start setting up the tents?" Rapp asked.

"Not until we're back," Plumeria said.

A few minutes later, Hyde had been relocated off of Sawsbuck's back and onto a nearby log. Ian and Plumeria set off, with Ian riding Sawsbuck and Plumeria following closely behind on foot with Haunter being the liaison. When Ian came upon the switchback road he pumped his fist. Finally. Ian led Sawsbuck a bit onto the road overlooking a good section of the mountain's face when his eyes were drawn to a motion in the distance.

A singular, shirtless man appeared to be doing squats in place. What an odd place for a workout. Ian then turned Sawsbuck around and found Haunter, who guided them back to Plumeria. "I found a dude working out?"

Plumeria chuckled for a moment. "I think I might know who that is."

"What? Really?" Ian asked.

Plumeria gave him a look. "One of the border guards works out a lot. Does he have a shirt on?"

Ian shook his head.

"That's probably him then," Plumeria said with a smirk. "Take me to him."

Ian dismounted from Sawsbuck and led Plumeria on the path that ended at a part of the switchback road. When Plumeria did finally get her eyes on the man who was now doing jumping jacks, she smiled. "Yup, that's Gaeric."

Gaeric, why do I feel like I recognize that name? Plumeria led Ian down to the switchback road, with Plumeria not trying to be sneaky. She recalled Haunter as they neared him. When Ian got a better look at the shirtless man still doing jumping jacks, he noticed long, light blue hair, and a weird amount of chest hair trimmed in a weird design. Then it hit him. That's Avalugg's Warden from Legends Arceus! Does that mean the actual Pearl Clan is here? How the hell did that happen?

"Gaeric!" Plumeria called out rather conspicuously.

Gaeric immediately stopped doing his jumping jacks and focused his attention on the two approaching figures. "Ah, it is you Plumeria, of the Skull Team!" Gaeric called out. "What brings you to our domain once more?"

Plumeria nodded her head respectfully. "I'm on a mission to collect seeds so we can grow our own food, and one of our party members is injured."

"Unfortunate. But does he not look okay? What wound must your partner have?" Gaeric asked, pointing at Ian.

"He's not the injured person in my party," Plumeria explained.

Gaeric. "I see. Then is this man your husband?"

"Oh hell no!" Plumeria said in an outburst. "He's just a squad member."

Garlic eyed Ian curiously. "My apologies young man, I was hoping you'd lucked out. What is your name?"

"Ian," Ian said. Did he just admit he thinks Plumeria's hot? Fair.

"Ian of Skull Team, it is good to meet you. And Plumeria, how many members of the Skull Team are with you?" Gaeric asked.

"Just a bit, there are six of us," Plumeria said. "We just need shelter from the storm."

"That is more than just a bit…" Gaeric said with a grimace.

"Sir, can I buy us a night of your hospitality?" Ian asked.

"Hm? Buy with what?" Gaeric asked.

"I have a Star Piece," Ian said, taking his backpack off and rummaging through it before finding the smooth, dense, red crystal in the shape of a star. He presented it to Gaeric with a slight head bow.

"That is more than adequate, young Ian," Garlic said. "I'm afraid shelter is all I can offer, as we are desperately low on food. Our crops have some time before they can be harvested."

Plumeria eyed Ian with a smirk. "You know, I think we can help with that, Gaeric."

Gaeric sized up Ian once more and nodded approvingly. "Six of the Skull Team then. I shall let our leader Irida know of your coming."

Chapter Text

Chapter 17 Admission

Storm clouds closed in overhead as Ian saw a haze of rain fast approaching Ian and Plumeria. A gust of wind wailed as it made Ian shiver in his Skull tanktop. "How long do you think we got before the rain hits us?"

"Hm?" Plumeria said, seemingly lost in thought.

"When's that rain hitting us, you think?" Ian repeated.

Plumeria looked to the east and grimaced. "Too soon."

Plumeria's pace noticeably quickened, and while Ian's legs were screaming at him from exertion, his own ego pushed him to keep up. Plumeria remained silent for quite a bit until Ian figured they weren't far from where their companions were supposed to be.

"So… another Star Piece," Plumeria said, a hint of subtle accusation in her voice.

"Yeah…" Ian said.

"You didn't pick it up from the Ultra Storm, I watched you," Plumeria said coldly. "But you did pick up all of those shards."

Ian nodded, realizing what she was putting together. Was getting shelter really worth revealing the secret?

"I remember you saying something about the shards and Stardust making Star Pieces," Plumeria said. "I take it you've figured it out."

Ian froze up, partially from the cold but also from how tense he'd suddenly felt.

"There's something you're not telling us," Plumeria accused. "Your story hasn't been straight since you got here. I can tell when you're lying and when you're being honest Ian, it's my job to know." Plumeria held her hand out to halt Ian and peered into his eyes. "Who are you really, Ian?"

"I'm not a spy, I swear-"

"I know that," Plumeria said. "It's insulting that you're lying so much to me especially, but if you keep on doing it, it'll get to being legitimately dangerous for all of Team Skull."

Ian gulped, his mouth suddenly quite dry. "If I told you…" Ian shook his head, realizing how crazy he'd sound.

"If you told me what?" Plumeria asked intensely.

Ian looked up to the oncoming clouds. Do we really need to be doing this now?

"I asked you a question Ian," Plumeria chided. "Answer it."

Ian grimaced, looking into Plumeria's amber, accusing eyes. "If I told you the truth, you'd think I'm crazy. They'd put me in an insane asylum."

"We don't have any in Po Town," Plumeria said. "Which is lucky for a lot of people in Team Skull actually."

Ian nodded. "Yeah…"

Plumeria grunted in frustration, turning away from Ian. "If you're not gonna tell me, at least hurry the fuck up then."

***

Ian felt a drop of rain hit his exposed arm and he cursed under his breath. His legs begged for relief as Plumeria led the whole squad, including Hyde riding on Sawsbuck's back, up the paved path leading up the switchbacks. Plumeria and Rapp led the way, with Ian, Sawsbuck, and its injured rider in the center. Selene and Tupp stayed back, with Selene talking quite a bit from what Ian could tell. Although Tupp did have a bandana covering some of his face. I can smell her up here and I'm upwind.

"I think I see it yo!" Tupp called out.

Ian had been so in his head about Plumeria's questioning from before he hadn't thought to look ahead. The outline of a small batch of houses slowly came into view. While the sun was blocked by clouds, the skies darkened even more, signalling the beginning of sunset.

"Those houses look old as shit, yo," Rapp observed.

"No one lived in this place for like sixty years," Plumeria said. "So don't expect any creature comforts."

"As long as I can take a bath I don't care what else happens," Selene chimed in.

As the group came upon the middle of a switchback, Gaeric re-appeared, looking over them from the next one fifteen feet or so up, still with his shirt off, but with a belt of six Poke Balls hanging around his waist. Didn't the Pearl Clan not use Poke Balls? Why are they using them now? "Hello again Skull Team!" Gaeric bellowed, suddenly sniffing the air and wincing. "If not for the foul stench, I would be pleased to see you."

"Sorry…" Selene chimed in.

Plumeria cleared her throat. "We can't thank you enough for taking us in, Gaeric."

"His name is 'gay-rick?" Tupp said aloud with a chuckle. "Wait, is his name Rick and he's gay?"

"Tupp shut up right now," Plumeria ordered quickly, her tone somewhere between deathly serious and desperate.

"I know not of a man named Rick, but if he is happy, then that is good," Gaeric said. "Come! The rain shall only worsen and skies darken. I have sentries with me to escort you up."

Upon getting up the next switchback, Gaeric and five figures in garb Ian recognized from the Legends: Arceus game waited ahead of them, watching vigilantly. They had faded white sweaters with a circular magenta design on them Ian assumed was the Pearl Clan's sigil. Rain drops began picking up even more, and a frigid shiver came across Ian with his light amount of clothing. So it really is the Pearl Clan, like the one from the times of Hisui, just kickin' it up here? Ultra Storms usually drop one person, and it wouldn't surprise me if it did two or three sometimes. But an entire clan? Something really strange must have happened.

The town was really a one street village with no more than fifteen houses in it. He noticed no power lines, but old style lampposts with an eerie glow in their glass chambers. The dirt road running down the middle had a number of holes and plants growing in it. Ian also noticed a larger building standing out from the rest of the houses that was nearly twice as tall and three times as wide. Probably where they meet.

Gaeric led them to a house notably off the main street as the rain turned into a light drizzle. There was a wide spanning patio with an awning that gave the group mercy from the rain. Hyde was dismounted by Gaeric and the Pearl Clan sentries, who lifted him up the steps and placed him in a chair, Hyde sulking silently the whole way. Ian recalled Sawsbuck, who seemed relieved about getting its reluctant rider off its back. Hyde owes you big time for that.

Gaeric eyed Plumeria expectantly. "I have vouched for you to the council, which will likely agree to house you here for the night. This is normally where we house Driftwood Guild members and members of friendly factions when they come through. Some of their belongings remain here. I ask that nothing here be disturbed. Is that agreeable, Skull Team?"

Plumeria nodded seriously. "It is well understood, Gaeric." Plumeria then turned to the rest of the Team Skull squad with angry eyes. "Nothing will be disturbed."

Ian gulped nervously, knowing the warning was meant more for Tupp than anyone else. "Of course," Ian croaked.

"Good. Now Plumeria, as the leader of your party, I ask you and your top lieutenant to join us in our meeting place," Gaeric explained, extending his hand and pointing to the larger building up the main, gravelly street.

"Top lieutenant?" Plumeria said, a nervous giggle escaping her mouth.

She must be really stressed, I've never seen her squirm like this before. I gotta see her interact with other factions more. Ian chuckled and Plumeria cleared her throat, pointing at him and signalling him over to her with her eyebrows. Did she just make me top lieutenant? What?

"Ah, your not-husband, Ian," Gaeric said. "Very well, follow me."

Rapp coughed, doing her best to cover a hysterical laugh. Ian turned to see Selene covering her mouth, doing a better job at hiding the laugh. Ian gave Plumeria a very befuddled look and Plumeria glared at him, leaning over to whisper to him "Hyde's hurt, Selene smells like an outhouse, and Tupp and Rapp are Tupp and Rapp. This wouldn't normally be you. Remember I'm still mad at you."

Ian nodded. "Yeah… I get it. I'll just not speak unless spoken to." She must be REALLY desperate.

"Good," Plumeria growled before returning her attention to Gaeric.

As the trio approached the meeting place, as Gaeric called it, their guide pointed to an old metal lamppost which had a light flame in a chamber. "Eternal flames from our clan leader's Ninetales."

"Very pretty," Plumeria said, clearly trying to stay on Gaeric's good side.

Upon reaching the door, a short young man wearing something on his head that slightly resembled a cowboy hat who Ian recognized as Kleavor's warden stood. Lian? Or was it Liam?

"These them, Gaeric?" The warden asked, leaning back against the wall next to the doors with his arms folded.

"Indeed, Lian," Gaeric said.

"I need you two to remove your Poke Ball belts," Lian said.

"Surely that is not necessary," Gaeric said. "I have vouched for them-"

"It's not a problem," Plumeria said quickly, un-latching her belt with six Poke Balls and holding it up to Lian, Ian quickly followed suit.

"We appreciate you, Skull Team was it?" Lian asked.

"Team Skull, but call us whatever you want," Plumeria said. "This storm looks like a nasty one."

Lian nodded. "At least it's not snowing."

"We're not exactly dressed for either…" Plumeria said.

"You're right about that," Lian replied and took Ian's belt, holding his gaze. "You're awful quiet. Shy or something?"

"Just don't want to say anything wrong," Ian said.

Lian chuckled. "That's my problem too, which is why I'm out here and not in there." Lian pointed behind him.

"Enough Lian," Gaeric said.

"Yeah, yeah," Lian said, turning around and holding the door open. Lian gave Ian a nod as he passed, which Ian reciprocated. Plumeria cleared her throat, getting Ian back to the situation at hand.

The darkened, windowless room they entered reminded Ian more of a cafeteria with how wide open it was, and the tiled floor quickly gave way to rugs as Ian followed Gaeric and Plumeria closer to a blazing fire pit. Ian spied a glimpse of some foldable chairs in the darkness resting against the walls. Definitely their meeting area. Gaeric led them around the firepit where a long table with white cloth and two Pearl Clan symbols embroidered onto the front shown. Ian noticed the third symbol on the right side of the tablecloth: a shield with a black outline and quadrants where the colors blue, yellow, pink, and green showed majestically. Never seen that symbol before. Three barely illuminated figures sat behind the table, Ian could easily tell Irida in the center with her distinctive blonde hair. To her right (Ian's left) was a much taller figure with a captain's hat on. That's gotta be Ingo! Did he really go from this time, back in time to Hisui, to come all of the way BACK to this time? Talk about a traveler. The third and final shadowy figure was someone Ian was completely unfamiliar with, but had the brown skin of a native Alolan and long dark hair to match. She has the shield in front of her… Are those Tapu colors on it? Maybe she's ASF.

Gaeric held his hand out to stop Plumeria and Ian, then stepped forward alone and bowed before the table. "Honored council members, I, Gaeric Wolfhart, bring to you two members of the Skull Team. This is Lady Plumeria and her lieutenant, Ian."

"Team Skull," a lower feminine voice corrected, the disdain not subtle in her tone. Something tells me she's not a big fan of the brand.

"Yes, councilwoman Nui," Gaeric said with almost reverence. "They are humbly requesting to stay in Makamae Town for the night. They have an injured team member. They also were willing to pay for their stay with this." Gaeric took out the Star Piece Ian had given, and Gaeric showed it above his head, where it glimmered against the fire light.

"Stolen, no doubt," the same, disapproving voice said. Councilwoman Nui, she's the one that hates us.

"Councilwoman, Ingo and I hold Gaeric in high regard, and he has vouched for the character of this woman… Plumeria," a softer, feminine voice said. The elegance with which she spoke made her soft voice oddly authoritative. "Why, pray tell, do you believe the Star Piece stolen?"

Plumeria spoke up delicately. "It wasn't stolen-"

Gaeric turned immediately, shooshing her.

Councilwoman Nui cleared her throat, asserting it was her time to speak. "Team Skull has a rather bad reputation of criminality amongst the people of this island. Although I have heard of this 'Plumeria' from my work with the Driftwood Guild, and they do speak highly of her character. If it were just her, I would let this slide. But five other Team Skull thugs in this sanctuary that is our town is not something I will stomach easily."

A gravelly male voice coughed before speaking up. "The Pearl Clan's foragers, which have been crucial in keeping all of Makamae Town fed, have gone into Team Skull territory, and even encountered members of Team Skull while there. There have been no issues though, which means we are already on track to a working relationship." Was that a train reference Ingo? He's already on our side by the sound of it. Let's keep it that way.

"Those are good points, Councilman Ingo. Unfortunately, Team Skull's history does predate your clan's arrival on this island," Nui said with a tone that just made Ian want to smack her.

"Psssst," Plumeria said lowly to Gaeric. "Can I say something?" She whispered.

Gaeric held up his hand carefully. "Council members, Lady Plumeria would wish to address you." I don't think I'll ever be able to get over Gaeric calling her Lady Plumeria. Gaeric then motioned Plumeria over and whispered something in her ear. Plumeria then bowed deeply, so deeply her sections of long hair hit the rug below before she stood up straight once more.

"Honored Council Members, my squad has been tasked with acquiring seeds from the other side of Ula'Ula Island. We have no hostile intentions, and are simply on a diplomatic mission," Plumeria explained. "One of our foolish party members tried to scale a steep incline without aid and hurt himself. We just need a place for him to rest for the night, and we will be on our way, without issue."

"Which incline?" Iridia asked.

"We don't know its name," Plumeria answered. "I have traversed the mountain once when going to the Rough Raiders to help us fight Breon during our initial conflict with Haina Town. I crossed this face of the mountain on the switchbacks a little under halfway up the mountain."

"Mmmm…" Ingo said. "Breon's Tyranitar has since destroyed that path."

"I believe you attempted to scale our Sneasler Wall on the western face,'" Gaeric suggested. "Lots of loose rocks on a steep ramp?"

"Yes," Plumeria said, then realized something. "Our injured person, it was all his own foolish action, we do not blame his injury on any of you, especially for a defensive measure."

"No slight felt," Irida said. "What troubles me most is your food supply. Have you enough to keep your party well with this added complication upon your journey?"

This could be our way in!

"We are food secure," Plumeria said. "This may make us ration things out a little more, but it will not be a problem."

Irida did not respond, and he got the vibe of the answer was a tad disappointing. Why didn't she mention Sawsbuck? Ian coughed to disguise him saying "Sawsbuck" to Plumeria, and she turned around with a sour glare.

Councilwoman Nui gave a disappointed scoff. "And when what little food we have left is raided, they will be on their way."

"Councilwoman… Nui was it?" Plumeria said. "You seem to have quite a bit of dislike for Team Skull."

"I do," Nui answered. "I was a member of the ASF under Commander Franks, the man Breon overthrew when he took over Haina Town. I took what people I could up here to Makamae Town and met the Pearl Clan here. I still follow the situation in Haina Town, and I know the conditions on which you ended your war with Breon. 'All Haina Town escapees will be sent back to Haina Town for punishment.'"

"Terms that are un-enforceable by Breon," Plumeria said. "We essentially agreed to nothing."

"You never told the Driftwood Guild you would secretly take refugees," Nui explained. "Leaving them little choice in any attempted flight. They could try the treacherous, well guarded path up this mountain here, or go to the Rough Raiders who treat everyone from Haina Town as a spy. Or they must leave their fate to the Haina Desert. Most stay in the terrible condition of Haina Town rather than face death in the desert."

"The Driftwood Guild is not an ally to be trusted," Plumeria said. "They cozy up to Surge, and they've tried gaining access to our town multiple times."

"Perhaps they want the successors of Keahi's Cinders to not make the same mistakes and further drive this island to ruin," Nui said damningly. Ian thought deeply, trying to remember what Mina had said about Keahi, the former Kahuna and the Cinders, her followers. Oh yeah, they attacked the Lake of the Sunne.

Plumeria shook her head in frustration. "I cannot speak for the Driftwood Guild or its intentions, but we in Team Skull value survival most of all. Doing something destructive to the island as a whole would go against that."

Nui gave a quick "Hmph," but didn't respond further.

"And before I commit my vote, I have one question," Ingo said. "Yesterday morning we spotted a man in black on the summit trail that leads to the Ultra Rift. Would you happen to know anything about them?"

"No," Plumeria said.

"And to bring up your food situation once again," Irida began. "Is that one of the modern wonders called a 'Silph Bag' on your back?"

Plumeria nodded. "Yes it is, councilwoman…"

"Irida," Gaeric added.

"Councilwoman Irida," Plumeria concluded.

"Forgive my ignorance, as we of the Pearl Clan have crossed space and time to this age, so we are unfamiliar with these wonderful inventions this age has. If that is a Silph Bag, can you not show us your food rations and be done with it? You appear to have Ingo's vote, but not Nui's vote. I would break the tie, and if you have food for yourselves, any doubts of mine will be laid to rest."

Shit! Plumeria froze, unable to say anything.

"Meowth got your tongue, Lady Plumeria?" Nui sneered.

Gaeric eyed Plumeria with sudden suspicion. Ian took a deep breath and mentally apologized. There's only one way we get Irida's vote. "Honored council members!" Ian bellowed, putting his hands up to show his peaceful intentions.

"Ian…" Plumeria grunted, glaring daggers at him.

"I must apologize for my leader's lack of words, as she was doing a favor for me, and that has put her in a precarious situation where it may appear she is being dishonest," Ian said.

"Ian was it?" Irida asked. "What favor has Lady Plumeria done for you?"

"Plumeria has-"

"Lady Plumeria," Gaeric corrected.

"Yes, Lady Plumeria…" Please don't laugh. "...is safeguarding a secret that I am very protective over. But I would like to disclose it to you now. If you think she's attempted to lie to you, know it was on my behalf and her trying to cover for a subordinate, like a good leader does. So put any and all blame on myself."

"What is your secret young man?" Ingo asked bluntly.

"I expect they have no food," Nui teased.

"Quite the opposite, Councilwoman Nui," Ian said. "I assume as a resident of this island, you are aware of Tapu Bulu?"

"Of course," Nui replied.

"And I will also presume you have informed your fellow council members as well?" Ian asked.

"I have. Where is this going?" Nui asked sourly.

"One of my Pokemon that I handed to Lian upon entry, Sawsbuck specifically, has been blessed by Tapu Bulu, and gained its ability Grassy Surge, which makes plants grow incredibly quickly," Ian explained. "We have effectively lived off the land wherever we've gone on this expedition, because of Tapu Bulu's blessing."

"Tapu Bulu has never blessed a Pokemon on Ula'Ula Island in its history, and you are to have me believe it has blessed some Unovan Pokemon?" Nui questioned.

Ian bowed his head once more, holding it as he spoke. "I would be honored to demonstrate it for you all."

"Only if there are multiple sentries present," Nui said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Sawsbuck you say?" Ingo asked Ian, his chin resting on his hand. "I have never heard of that Pokemon, yet something about it conducts some familiarity to me…"

"Lieutenant Ian," Irida began. "I am going to ask a question of you which may help placate the resident skeptic."

"This is hardly necessary since you don't need my approval if you and Ingo agree," Nui said bitterly.

"But since this is no monarchy, I would still like your approval," Irida said, her dignified, elegant voice finally showing signs of delicate frustration. "Ian, may I ask how long you've been with Team Skull?"

"About three weeks I think," Ian said, turning to Plumeria, who watched him intensely. "I went to sleep at home one night and woke up in an Ultra Storm outside of Po Town," Ian explained. "Lady Plumeria and her squad helped rescue me, and I've been with them ever since."

Councilwoman Nui began laughing with her mouth closed, which seemed even more disrespectful than laughing outright. Let me guess, she's about to say something like "there's no way a Faller who's been here three weeks got his Pokemon blessed by Tapu Bulu" or something like that.

"What's so funny, Nui?" Ingo croaked.

"Ian, has Plumeria told you why the Ultra Rift appeared in the first place, and why you're stuck on Ula'Ula Island now with no chance of going home?" Nui asked, an obvious, knowing smirk appearing across her face for the first time.

"Uh… what?" Ian replied, completely dumbfounded.

"Go ahead and tell him, Plumeria," Nui ordered.

"With all due respect Councilwoman Nui, even if what you're implying was true, it's hardly confirmed," Plumeria said.

"So you haven't been told, Ian?" Nui asked, over-fascination in her voice. She's trying to tear us apart right here, don't fall for it.

"I suppose I haven't," Ian said.

"Well, I take no pleasure in telling you this…" Nui began. Liar. "...but this so-called Lady Plumeria was a member of the former Kahuna's group of followers, called Keahi's Cinders."

"I've heard of them," Ian said. He noticed Plumeria looking at him, fear in her eyes. If she's freaked out then maybe there's a lot of truth to what Nui's saying. Ian gulped.

"And have you been shown Keahi's declaration?" Nui asked.

"What?" Ian asked.

"I take it you haven't then," Nui said. "Keahi sent a declaration to all of Alola, declaring Po Town and its people free from the Alolan government, and that she would wipe away the Original Sin of Alola by destroying the sacred altar at the Lake of the Sunne. Keahi and her closest companions then attacked the Lake of the Sunne. Nearby rangers saw Tapu Bulu racing to the temple complex as it was happening. What transpired is known by only few, but Keahi and her Cinders were defeated, and the bonds Keahi held with her and all Pokemon were severed, meaning they would never listen to her again. She's not allowed back on the island, but whatever damage that needed to be done was done. The Ultra Rift appeared moments after Tapu Bulu was spotted returning to its home ruins."

Ian remained silent, taking in the entire revelation. Things just got really weird… When he finally felt comfortable enough to speak. "Councilwoman Nui, may I ask how you learned this information?"

"It's all true," Plumeria admitted sorrowfully.

"Some Lady you are, Plumeria," Nui said. "After your group drives the island into chaos, you re-brand and dress your crimes' real victims, like this young man, in the garb of the people who did him wrong. That is evil."

"I…" Plumeria hesitated, a sob escaping her. "Those weren't my crimes… We've just been trying to help…" A tear fell from Plumeria's eye as the flames exposed one half of her face. Councilwoman Nui then made a big deal of pushing her chair away from the table and getting up, walking off smugly into the shadows beyond.

Irida cleared her throat. "I believe I'd like that demonstration now." The other two councillors got up from their chairs and Ingo and Irida made their way to Ian and Plumeria. Irida put her hand on Plumeria's shoulder soothingly. "I apologize for Councilwoman Nui's harshness. We are down to eating once per day, and today's meal was not exactly filling."

Plumeria sniffled, putting her head up, blinking back another tear and returning to her resting scowl face. "It's okay… Everything she said was true."

"And what you said was true as well. They are not your crimes…" Irida then indicated Ian with her hand. "...and you are just trying to help. For that is what a good leader does."

Plumeria nodded, eyes still watering. "Thank you, councilwoman…"

"Just Irida is fine," Irida said, guiding Plumeria out.

"Shall we get this demonstration on track?" Ingo asked, looking at Ian. There's another train pun!

After collecting their belts from Lian, the doorman joined the group and Irida reached for her own Poke Ball belt filled with antique, apricorn-made Poke Balls. They must've adapted after the events of Legends Arceus.

"For some shelter," Irida said, and out from Irida's apricorn Poke Ball came a bright white, floating body with wings Ian recognized as a Togekiss. "Reflect, please," Irida ordered elegantly. Suddenly the drizzling rain began hitting the pink, translucent barrier surrounding the group of six. They made their way to a collection of raised beds behind the western row of houses. The wind still blew and he was damp from the frizzle before, but they made it to the raised beds behind a row of house quickly.

"Well this one's supposed to be something good for us, think they're called Tateroots," Lian said, pointing at the first raised bed. "Supposed to be really heavy and grow quickly. Driftwood gave us these seeds two months ago and even with Palina's Vespiquen and worker Combees working overtime, they're barely halfway grown."

Ian smiled. "So Councilwoman Irida, your 'yes' vote depends on my Sawsbuck's ability?"

Irida nodded.

"We good to go?" Ian asked.

"All aboard," Ingo replied. Fucking train lingo.

Ian took a deep breath and tossed Sawsbuck's pink ball into the air. Sawsbuck manifested, but different from its autumn form. Oh yeah, we're pretty far up the mountain now. Sawsbuck's antlers were now a brilliant white with no signs of plant life. Thankfully. It had a cloak of white fur around its lower neck, and each of its lower legs had what looked to be leg warmers covering them. "You changed again Sawsbuck? That's the second time today!"

The three Pearl Clan members suddenly gasped as the soil in the raised beds shifted, and brown lumps formed fully on the ground. They're potatoes!

"Already to the last stop of growth…" Ingo said in disbelief.

"That's special right there," Lian added.

"Very impressive," Gaeric observed.

Irida stood in stunned silence, mouth agape as the plants in front of her now were loaded with harvest-able food.

"Sawsbuck, let's walk along these raised beds, show 'em what you can do," Ian said. The group watched in awe as beds of Ian recognized as slight variations of carrots, turnips, cabbage, and barley all grew to full maturity. Upon arriving at the final bed, Ian recalled Sawsbuck with a proud smile. "Councilwoman Irida, do we have your vote to stay the night?"

Irida looked over the row of raised beds chock full of fully grown plants. "Yes. I may insist you stay more than one night, Lieutenant Ian."

Ian smiled and gave Plumeria a fist bump. Plumeria's eyes still looked watery, but her scowl had turned to the closest thing she had to a smirk.

"Is there a limit to your Pokemon's effect?" Irida asked.

"It takes three hours for it to refresh and repeat on the same plants," Ian said. "It usually grows berries about halfway, the actual trees grow a marginal amount. But after prolonged exposure we've noticed they're growing more berries overall."

Irida nodded, her eyes increasingly focused on Sawsbuck. "Excellent job Sawsbuck," Ian said. "I promise we'll have some food for you in the morning." Sawsbuck gave an annoyed bleat, but bowed its head as Ian recalled his blessed stag into its ball.

Gaeric cleared his throat. "Council members, I believe it is high time we got out of this rain and allowed our guests some rest."

"Indeed," Ingo croaked.

"Oh Ian…" Irida's voice hit his ears like a beautiful melody. "...what is the name of your line?"

Of my line? What?

"I believe it is called a 'last name,' in these times," Irida said.

Plumeria's head turned quickly in his peripheral vision. "Cougar," Ian said with a dumb smile, remembering his renaming at the direction of Guzma.

"Ian Cougar…" Irida said, her pale blue eyes looking to where Sawsbuck had been as if envisioning something.

Oh boy, things are about to get even weirder aren't they?

***

"And no boys allowed until Selene's finished her bath!" Plumeria barked as she slammed the guest house's door to the three Team Skull boys on the patio. Tupp and Hyde at least had blankets, while Ian had been out in the rain with no cover and was shivering his ass off.

"Can you at least get me a blanket! It's cold as shit out here!" Ian yelled back.

"Fine!" Plumeria fired back.

Ian curled up at his designated spot nex to Tupp on the patio under the awning, leaning against the wall and relieved to finally rest his aching muscles. And a lot of information got dropped on me in there. With the Ultra Rift being at the heart of it. Plus what was that "Alola's Original Sin" all about?

"You know Ian, for once in my life, I don't want to punch you," Hyde chimed in.

"Really? That's an improvement," Ian said dismissively, returning back to his thoughts on what Nui had just told him.

"You haven't run any victory laps on my ass," Hyde said.

"Plumeria said we need to stop bickering. We're in someone else's territory, far from home… The six of us are all we got," Ian said. "You have plenty of reasons to hate me, we don't need to add anymore."

Hyde paused for nearly half a minute, with Tupp even not wanting to break the silence. "Same, dude."

Ian gave an agreeing nod and the door opened, with Plumeria tossing him a folded blanket. Ian wrapped it around himself so it was just his head exposed.

Tupp picked Ian's brain about the council meeting, with Ian not mentioning the Keahi's Cinders bit, but making sure to mention one of the council members didn't like Team Skull.

"So we on thin ice with that ASF chick? That's fine I guess," Tupp responded.

The door opened suddenly and Plumeria marched out. "Tupp, Hyde, inside."

"Big Sis, I can't walk," Hyde protested.

"Tupp, help him up, I need to talk to Ian in private," Plumeria said.

Ian shivered, the blanket warming him considerably but not to a truly comfortable level yet. "Can't we do this inside?"

"We got two rooms in there and I want no eavesdroppers," Plumeria said as Tupp helped Hyde out of the deck's chair. Plumeria then took a seat across from Ian, her eyes focused on him. "I should've brought a blanket…"

"You can go get one," Ian said.

Plumeria shook her head. "No, let's just do this now." Plumeria sighed, seemingly preparing herself emotionally for something deep. Here we go. "Tupp, back away from the door! You're not sneaky!"

"Aw c'mon Big Sis!" Tupp groaned.

"I'll tell him about your naked picture stash!" Plumeria fired back.

"You know about that?"

"Yes, now fuck off!" Plumeria barked. Plumeria returned her focus to Ian, her face returning to its resting scowl-face self. "Okay, a lot went down in there. A lot of information you probably don't know-"

"I heard about Keahi attacking the Lake of the Sunne," Ian said. "Not the part about the Ultra Rift though."

Plumeria nodded. "I want you to know I had nothing to do with that attack. I was a part of Keahi's Cinders, like most trainers from Po Town were. I was a part of Guzma's squad, like you are a part of mine. Keahi had four close followers, Guzma being her fifth, and probably her most problematic one, which is why she left us in charge of Po Town instead of sending us to the Lake of the Sunne."

Ian nodded, comprehending everything. "Plumeria, with what little information I have, I don't think you caused the Ultra Rift to appear. It was screwed up she tried to pin that on you. And even if Keahi did cause it, there wasn't a way you knew something like the Ultra Rift would happen, right?"

Plumeria nodded. "Not at all." Plumeria then grimaced. "But even if I did, I wouldn't have been able to change anything."

"I see…" Ian said, a question that had been bothering him since the meeting came to the front of his mind. "Nui said something about Alola's 'Original Sin.' What did she mean by that?"

"So, I don't know exactly, but I think it was some sort of secret knowledge only Kahunas were supposed to know or something. But I'd sometimes overhear things… It had something to do with why Ultra Wormholes appeared around Alola, even before the Ultra Rift opened."

Ian's eyebrows rose. "Oh…" That never got explored in the games. "So what you're saying is, Alola's 'Origninal Sin' is somewhere at the Lake of the Sunne, and it causes Ultra Wormholes to appear?"

Plumeria nodded. "That's very possible…"

I'm going to assume it has something to do with Cosmog then, or whatever force makes it appear there. "Thank you," Ian said. "And one more thing that might help you sleep better. If Keahi did cause the Ultra Rift to appear, why wasn't it over the Lake of the Sunne? Why is it here on Mount Lanakila?" Ian asked.

Plumeria gave a genuine, full smile. A rarity for Plumeria. "That's a good point…" Plumeria took a deep breath and nodded once more. "Thank you for understanding, Ian."

Ian smiled. "Of course."

Plumeria's eyes locked onto his, and when she opened her mouth, she spoke with an incredibly delicate tone. "I'd like to return the favor."

"Return?"

"Understanding," Plumeria clarified, letting the rain hitting the wooden awning fill the silence. "I'm sure you already know what I'm going to ask."

Ian grimaced, eyes going to the cold, hardwood deck's floor. Anything but this please. I haven't fully thought this through yet.

"Ian, do you remember when I told you about the people who live up here?" Plumeria began. "I said they were led by some woman named Irida, and you started thinking about something, and then out of nowhere you said 'Pearl Clan.'"

Oh shit, I did do that. Ian remained silent, unsure of what to say.

"And don't go saying you read it in a book somewhere. Irida's not a common name, but it's not uncommon, especially in Sinnoh," Plumeria explained, her tone still very careful, soft. "You knew who she was, knew what group of people she led, and none of us had any clue. How?"

Ian bit his lip involuntarily. "I…Driftwood uh-"

Plumeria shook her head, keeping her tone soft and approachable. "You don't have to lie to me anymore Ian. You know things you shouldn't, and your story changes as you go. I promise I won't think you're crazy."

Ian shook his head. "Plumeria, I'm sorry, it's just gonna open this whole can of worms-"

"Then let it open," Plumeria whispered. "I promise I won't tell anyone."

Ian threw the blanket off of him and began getting up.

"Ian, please!" Plumeria said loudly. "You don't have to go..."

Ian was already off the patio and in the nighttime downpour and heading to a dimly lit streetlamp, thinking through all of the scenarios, all of the ways this could go bad. If I tell her, I'm crazy, if I don't, I'm dangerous.

"Ian!" Plumeria shouted angrily, having followed him into the rain. "Come on you're not going to get a better chance!"

Ian turned around, quietly glad he was in the rain, masking how overwhelming his emotions had become. Plumeria's look of concern shown in the dim light as she neared the streetlamp he'd coincidentally stood next to.

Plumeria put her hand over her heart. "I swear, I won't think you're crazy, and I won't tell anyone. Please, I want to understand. I want to help you, Ian," Plumeria pleaded.

Ian grimaced. "It's gonna change everything…"

"Then I'll help you with that too," Plumeria said.

Ian grimaced, breathing heavily, mind racing. I have to tell her, so how do I do it? Plumeria put her hand on his shoulder, eyes looking deeply into his. Ian closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "Okay…"

Plumeria nodded, looking at him attentively.

"Rylee," Ian said.

"What?" Plumeria asked.

"Rylee, the little Faller girl from that Ultra Storm. The one where we fought the Alpha Crawdaunt?" Ian asked.

"Yeah," Plumeria remembered.

"Have you talked to Auntie Pula about her?" Ian asked.

"Yeah, she said Rylee talks about how Pokemon weren't real in her world, how they were a TV show…" Plumeria stopped as the realization hit.

Ian glared at Plumeria solemnly, his eyes confirming what she had to be thinking.

"Oh my goodness…" Plumeria said, mouth agape and awestruck eyes looking at him. "That's what it is? Pokemon aren't real where you're from? They're a TV show?"

"They were also video games for me," Ian admitted. "I played them growing up."

Plumeria watched him him as if he'd just done magic, her eyes full of wonder, mystery, and a hint of fear. "That makes so much sense though. You know these random, very specific details, and then you turn around and don't know the absolute basic stuff about what we do…"

Ian watched on grimly as the gears in Plumeria's began turning. Now comes all of the terrible implications. "Let's get out of this rain," Ian said, remembering he was shivering non-stop.

"Sure…" Plumeria said, turning around and heading back to the shelter underneath the awning. Once underneath, Ian tried to sidestep Plumeria for the door. "Where you going? I'm not done."

"Well I am," Ian grumbled.

"There's so many things, things you know then-"

Ian shook his head. "I don't. So many things are different."

"Like what?" Plumeria asked.

"The Aether Foundation is apparently good? How the fuck is Surge here and why does he have a Zapdos? Not even mentioning I have no idea what the fuck the Ultra Rift is-"

Plumeria signaled him to lower his voice. "Okay, I… I understand. This was a lot for you. You can go inside."

Ian felt a raindrop that might've been a tear fall down his cheek. "Thanks, Big Sis."

Plumeria nodded. "Of course."